Banchero is Magic's only hope of giving Celtics a first-round scare

Damian Lillard expressed immense joy upon rejoining the Portland Trail Blazers, stating he feels "back home" during his introductory press conference after signing a three-year, $42 million deal. Although Lillard, who is recovering from an Achilles injury and may miss the entire 2025-26 season, has a promising scoring history, uncertainties about his future in the league remain, yet he anticipates a warm welcome from fans upon his eventual return. Need More Context? 🔎

The NBA Summer League showcased standout performances, notably by Portland's Yang Hansen, who impressed with his passing skills, drawing comparisons to Nikola Jokić. Cooper Flagg and Dylan Harper also shone, while Bronny James demonstrated potential as an NBA role player, and Denver's DaRon Holmes II excelled after recovery, indicating a promising future for several teams. Need More Context? 🔎

The Boston Celtics are appointing Drew Nicholas as their Executive Director of Player Personnel, as reported by Michael Scotto of HoopsHype. Nicholas previously served as a scout for the Brooklyn Nets and spent two seasons with the Denver Nuggets as the Director of Scouting. Need More Context? 🔎