Summer hoops are here. The California Classic and Salt Lake City Summer League tip off today.
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5 STORIES IN TODAY’S EDITION 🏀
July 5, 2025
Summer League Guide: Cali Classic & Salt Lake City open the summer hoops season
California Classic: The Spurs, Heat, Lakers & Warriors take the court in the Bay
Salt Lake City: The Grizzlies, Thunder, Sixers & Jazz all take the floor tonight in Utah
Free Agency Roundup: Recapping some of the top reported deals from this week
Creator Cup: The 4th collision of hoops and digital culture on the court in Las Vegas
BUT FIRST … ⏰
The game never stops…
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Summer Starts Now: The California Classic and Salt Lake City Summer League tip off today with four games.
The action begins in the Bay with Spurs-Heat (4:30 ET, NBA TV) and Lakers-Warriors (6:30 ET, ESPN2) before wrapping in Utah with Grizzlies-Thunder (7 ET, ESPNU) and Sixers-Jazz (9 ET, ESPN).
ICYMI: The WNBA has had a busy and historic week:
- Expansion to 18 Teams: The league announced new teams in Cleveland (2028), Detroit (2029) & Philadelphia (2030)
- Fever Win Cup: Indiana defeated Minnesota to win the 5th annual Commissioner’s Cup behind MVP Natasha Howard
- All-Star 2 Weeks Away: Caitlin Clark & Napheesa Collier were named All-Star captains, A’ja Wilson & Breanna Stewart led the remaining starters, with the reserves announced tomorrow
1. SUMMER LEAGUE IN 2 MINUTES: EVERYTHING YOU NEED TO KNOW
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The NBA Summer League circuit officially tips off today with the California Classic and the Salt Lake City Summer League getting underway – before all 30 teams meet in Las Vegas for the NBA 2K26 Summer League on July 10.
Below is everything you need to know ahead of the three events.
Who plays in Summer League and why is it important?
- Rookies: It’s the first look at the 2025 Draft class in competition with their new teams
- Sophomores: Second-year players showcase their value while working on their games
- Who Else? Undrafted, unsigned and/or G League Players looking to display their talent in hopes of receiving a training camp invite to compete for a roster spot
What is the schedule of all three Summer League events?
- July 5-6, 8: California Classic Summer League at Chase Center in San Francisco
- July 5, 7-8: Salt Lake City Summer League at Jon M. Huntsman Center in Utah
- July 10-20: NBA 2K26 Summer League in Las Vegas at UNLV
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Which teams are playing in each event?
- Cali Classic: Warriors, Lakers, Heat and Spurs
- Salt Lake City: Jazz, Grizzlies, Thunder and 76ers
- NBA 2K26 Summer League: All 30 NBA teams
What is the format of each event?
- Cali Classic & SLC: Both circuits feature a three-day, round-robin showcase with each of the four respective teams in action each day
- NBA 2K26 Summer League: Each team will play at least five games, with the top four teams advancing to the Playoffs, capped by the championship game on July 20 (10 ET, ESPN)
How to watch?
- ESPN & NBA TV: All games across the three Summer League circuits will air on ESPN platforms (ESPN, ESPN2, ESPNU, ESPN+ and ESPN3) or NBA TV
2. CALIFORNIA CLASSIC: SUMMER HOOPS BEGINS IN THE BAY
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Spurs vs. Heat (4:30 ET, NBA TV): The 7th-annual California Classic tips off with two teams famous for winning cultures – the 5-time NBA champion and 2015 Summer League champion Spurs and the 3-time NBA champion and 2024 Summer League champion Heat.
- Rookie Debuts: While a minor groin injury will keep San Antonio’s Dylan Harper (2nd overall) out of the Cali Classic, San Antonio’s Carter Bryant (14th) and Miami’s Kasparas JakuÄŤionis (20th) could make their NBA debuts on Saturday
- “I walked into breakfast, Manu was there. Then I saw Timmy D and I saw Coach Popovich so I’m like, ‘Oh my gosh,’ that’s my whole childhood just standing right in front of me. These dudes know my name.” – after being in awe of meeting Spurs legends, Bryant will don the same black and silver for the first time
- Run It Back: Last summer, Miami’s Kel’el Ware was named to the All-Summer League First Team while Pelle Larsson hit the game-winning shot in the championship game. Both are back for more summer hoops
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Lakers vs. Warriors (6:30 ET, ESPN2): These Pacific Division rivals have met 26 times over the past three seasons, including Summer League, preseason, regular season and postseason games.
- Sophomore Spotlight: The Lakers will not see 2025 Draft pick Adou Thiero make his debut due to a knee injury, but both of their 2024 picks – Dalton Knecht and Bronny James – are set to be in action
- Delayed Debuts: The Warriors agreed to trades to acquire Alex Toovey (52nd via Phoenix) and Will Richard (56th via Memphis) in the 2025 Draft, but with the trades not yet finalized, their summer debuts will need to wait until at least July 6
- A Summer MVP: In 2023, Isaiah Mobley led the Cavs to the Summer League title with a game-winner in the semis and an MVP showing (28 pts, 11 reb) in the championship game. In 2025, he’s suiting up for the Warriors this summer
3. SALT LAKE CITY: SATURDAY NIGHT SPOTLIGHT
Grizzlies vs. Thunder (7 ET, ESPNU): The Salt Lake City Summer League opens with the 2025 NBA champion Thunder taking on the Grizzlies – last year’s 2K25 Summer League runner-up.
- First Look: While OKC’s 2025 first-round pick Thomas Sorber (No. 15) recovers from a toe injury, its 2024 Lottery pick Nikola Topić is expected to suit up this summer after missing all of last season with an ACL injury
- Grizz Rooks: From 0-star recruit to this year’s 11th overall pick, Memphis’ Cedric Coward could see his first NBA action, along with fellow draftees Javon Small (No. 48) and Jahmai Mashack (No. 59)
- “It’s a story of, ‘I’m gonna go get it’.” – Coward on his journey to the NBA
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76ers vs. Jazz (9 ET, ESPN): In the nightcap, two top-five picks from the 2025 Draft could potentially square off as Ace Bailey (No. 5 overall) and the Jazz take on VJ Edgecombe (No. 3) and the Sixers.
- Strength vs. Strength: An elite shooter, Bailey averaged 17.6 ppg in his lone collegiate season at Rutgers, while Edgecombe set the Baylor freshman record in steals en route to earning Big 12 Freshman of the Year
- Young Bucket-Getter: Jazz fans could also get their first glimpse at Walter Clayton Jr. – who powered Florida to a national championship with 22.3 ppg in this year’s NCAA Tournament
- Young Bruiser: On the other side, the 2024-25 SEC Player of the Year, Johni Broome, is expected to make his NBA debut after being selected with the 35th overall pick
Up Next, Vegas: On Thursday, the NBA 2K26 Summer League tips off in Las Vegas. This year’s No.1 overall pick, Cooper Flagg, is slated to make his debut as the Mavs face the Lakers at 10 ET on ESPN – highlighting a seven-game Day 1 slate.
4. FREE AGENT REPORT ROUNDUP
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NBA free agency tipped off on Monday at 6 p.m. ET, with players and teams allowed to negotiate deals during the moratorium period.
On Sunday, July 6, at 12:01 p.m. ET, NBA teams may begin signing free agents.
Below are some of the biggest reports from this week:
- Report: Deandre Ayton to Lakers on 2-year deal
- Report: Shai Gilgeous-Alexander, Thunder agree to 4-year extension
- Report: Myles Turner to Bucks on 4-year deal
- Report: Damian Lillard waived by Bucks
- Report: Jaren Jackson Jr., Grizzlies agree to 5-year extension
- Report: Cam Johnson traded to Nuggets for Michael Porter Jr. & pick
- Report: James Harden re-signs with Clippers on 2-year deal
- Report: Naz Reid returns to Timberwolves on 5-year deal
- Report: Julius Randle, Wolves agree to 3-year extension
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See every reported deal here, and visit NBA.com for the latest offseason and free-agency news.
- Free Agency Hub: Your home for the latest in free agency
- Full Free Agent Tracker: Every name, all the news & reports
- Offseason By Team: Every move & report for all 30 squads
- Trade Tracker: All the offseason swaps in one spot
- Options & Qualifying Offers: Who hit the market, who didn’t
5. PLAYSTATION NBA CREATOR CUP TIPS OFF VEGAS SUMMER LEAGUE
Basketball and digital culture collide once again as the PlayStation NBA Creator Cup returns for its fourth edition, bringing a fresh clash of top creators and viral stars to the court.
- The action tips off July 9 at 10 ET, with live coverage on YouTube and the NBA App
- This year’s game will be held at The Pavilion at UNLV and tickets are on sale now
The PlayStation NBA Creator Cup thrives on a unique balance of elite basketball and innovative energy – bringing together former pros, ex-college athletes and digital creators for a competitive run that fuses hoops with culture.
YPK Raye, a Vegas native and two-time PlayStation NBA Creator Cup participant, is grateful to be back in the mix again.
- “The competition is absolutely incredible, which pushes all of us to elevate our game,” he said. “It’s the kind of event that reminds you why you love both basketball and being part of this creator space.”
The Lineup: With a combined social following topping 150 million, this year’s PlayStation NBA Creator Cup roster features some of the most influential names in basketball and gaming content.
- Mark Phillips and Tristan Jass will coach the two squads. T-Jass moves from the court to the sideline after being a participant in the first three Creator Cups
- Jesser and Faze Rug will call all the action on the stream for the 2025 PlayStation NBA Creator Cup, bringing their signature blend of basketball insight and entertainment
- Learn more about each of this year’s participants
The Competition: While their trick shots, gaming streams, comedy skits and vlogs have generated billions of views across social media, these creators are ballers at heart.
- Need Proof? Check out the highlights from the first three games: 2023 NBA Creator Cup (In-Season Tournament), 2024 Hennessy NBA Creator Cup (Summer League), 2024 PlayStation NBA Creator Cup (NBA Cup)
- Clutch Time: All three games came down to the wire and were decided by a total of four points – including two games by a single point, with one in overtime
