Latest Basketball News
Damian Lillard Wins Third 3-Point Contest Title
Damian Lillard captured the 2026 State Farm 3-Point Contest crown with 29 points in the final round, tying the all-time record for most 3-Point Contest victories held by Larry Bird and Craig Hodges. Lillard achieved this historic win while recovering from an Achilles injury, also tying the record for most points in a final round.
Keshad Johnson Claims 2026 Slam Dunk Contest Crown
Miami Heat forward Keshad Johnson won the 2026 AT&T Slam Dunk Contest, defeating rookie Carter Bryant in the final round. The competition featured high-flying performances from Jaxon Hayes and Jase Richardson, with Johnson's victory marking a major milestone early in his NBA career.
NBA Expansion Discussions to Advance in March
NBA Commissioner Adam Silver announced that the league will begin expansion discussions at a Board of Governors meeting in March 2026. While no voting will occur at the March meeting, Silver indicated the league will prepare to engage with interested parties and potential ownership groups, with Seattle and Las Vegas as leading candidate cities.
Silver Addresses Rampant Tanking Issue
Commissioner Adam Silver stated that tanking behavior has been 'worse this year than we've seen in recent memory' and confirmed the league is considering all potential remedies, including stripping draft picks. The league imposed $500,000 and $100,000 fines on the Utah Jazz and Indiana Pacers respectively this week for resting healthy players.
NBA Expansion Not Limited to Two Teams
Adam Silver clarified that NBA expansion doesn't have to involve exactly two teams, indicating flexibility in the league's approach. The commissioner emphasized the need to avoid misleading cities and said the league will conduct internal discussions before engaging the marketplace to determine ownership interest and franchise valuations.
Conference Realignment Under Consideration for Expansion
Silver noted that potential conference realignment will be necessary work as part of the expansion process. The league will determine which cities to focus on internally before proceeding with discussions about franchise viability and market interest.
Seattle Positioned as Key Expansion Candidate
Seattle has been highlighted as a primary expansion candidate following the SuperSonics' relocation to Oklahoma City in 2008. The city's Climate Pledge Arena, home to the NHL's Kraken, is viewed as a key asset in expansion bids, and Kraken owner Samantha Holloway has expressed interest in ownership of a future NBA franchise.
Clippers Investigation Continues Without Timeline
The investigation into potential LA Clippers salary cap violations related to Kawhi Leonard's endorsement deal with Aspiration is ongoing, conducted by law firm Wachtell Lipton. Silver stated he has no updates on the investigation and no deadline has been set for completion.
NBA Collective Bargaining and Media Deals Finalized
The league has completed its collective bargaining agreement and finalized national media deals, which Silver described as necessary hurdles cleared before deeper expansion discussions. These agreements enabled the league to move forward with expansion planning for 2026.
Relocation Not Currently on Table
Adam Silver explicitly stated that relocation of existing NBA franchises is not being considered at this time. The commissioner emphasized the league's focus on expansion opportunities rather than moving established teams.
NBA All-Star Shooting Stars Competition Won by Team Knicks
NBA legends Corey Maggette and Allan Houston led Team Knicks to victory in the revitalized Shooting Stars competition during All-Star Saturday night. The competition showcased the skill and creativity of participating players and teams.
Draft Reform Proposals Expected Soon
NBA teams are preparing draft reform proposals aimed at combating tanking, including plans to remove pick protections and rethink prospect valuation. Formal proposals are expected soon with potential rule changes taking effect before the next season.