By Hoops Wire,Sam Amico
Copyright yardbarker
Golden State is locking in familiar faces ahead of camp. Free agents Gary Payton II and De’Anthony Melton have both committed to returning to the Warriors, per Shams Charania of ESPN.
They join Al Horford as key veterans already secured for 2025-26.
The bigger piece of unfinished business remains restricted free agent Jonathan Kuminga. The two sides have yet to make progress on a deal, and the Warriors are playing the long game with their cap flexibility.
Meanwhile, the team is investing in its rookie class, signing No. 56 pick Will Richard to a four-year deal with two fully guaranteed seasons, his agents told ESPN.
Paolo Banchero knows the bar in Orlando has been raised. After a big summer, including the blockbuster trade for Desmond Bane, the Magic are suddenly being talked about like a legitimate Eastern Conference threat.
Banchero says he’s ready for it.
“I think, just as a competitor, as a winner, as a player, you want to be expected to be great,” Banchero said, via The Athletic’s Josh Robbins.
Banchero admitted he was “stunned” when he first heard about the Bane deal — which sent Kentavious Caldwell-Pope, Cole Anthony and four first-rounders to Memphis — but quickly grew excited about teaming with the sharpshooting guard.
He also praised Bane and Tyus Jones, another summer addition, for their on-court IQ and leadership.
Philadelphia made a quick roster move on Sunday, signing and then waiving forward Marcus Bagley. He’s expected to join the Delaware Blue Coats, where he can earn a bonus of up to $85,300 if he sticks around for 60 days.
Bagley, the younger brother of Marvin Bagley III, has spent the past two seasons with the Blue Coats and earned a couple of NBA call-ups late last year. He averaged 9.3 points and 7.1 rebounds in the G League last season and appeared in 10 games with the Sixers.
The move brings Philadelphia back to a full 21-man roster as the team continues to juggle camp bodies and waits to resolve Quentin Grimes’ restricted free agency.
