Took a time machine back to the early 2000s to analyze how the Joe Smith punishment affected the Timberwolves—and why things might be better, or much worse, for the Clippers 25 years later
Kawhi investigation fallout: How the Clippers' roster is affected
After being punished for cap circumvention in 2000, Minnesota went nearly two decades without any playoff success. Is the same in store for Steve Ballmer's franchise?
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The Clippers just received the Joe Smith penalty, losing 5 first-round picks. As a reminder, here's what the Timberwolves' ensuing drafts looked like at that time, right in the middle of Kevin Garnett's prime:
What's the most memorable, defining moment of the 2025-26 NBA season? Let's evaluate the candidates and choose the winner. www.espn.com/nba/story/_/...
Picking the NBA moment that defined the 2025-26 season
ESPN analyst Zach Kram examines the moment from last season that could be remembered years -- if not decades -- to come.
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At various points over the past few weeks, I'd pre-written material for LeBron joining the Warriors, Cavaliers, and Heat. You're welcome, 76ers fans.
Charles De Ketelaere is going to be the answer to a really good trivia question someday (only player to score against Spain at this World Cup)
Timing of Argentina's winners in the knockout rounds: vs. Cape Verde: 111th minute vs. Egypt: 92nd minute (stoppage time) vs. Switzerland: 112th minute vs. England: 92nd minute (stoppage time) They haven't led after 90 minutes of any knockout game. But they're in the final.
Cristopher Sanchez allowed more earned runs in the 1st inning of the All-Star Game than he's allowed in any full start at home this season. I love stats like this.
The Knicks scored 65 points in their first summer league game and have 17 at halftime of game 2. I don't think they're going to follow their NBA Cup and NBA Finals titles with a summer league championship.
Update: He ended the game with 7 made 3s, matching his entire college total
Zach Kram@zachkram.bsky.social · 2mo agoCaleb Wilson made seven 3-pointers in his entire college season last year. He already has four made 3s (and a near-fifth, with his foot on the line) in his first 20 minutes at summer league.
Caleb Wilson made seven 3-pointers in his entire college season last year. He already has four made 3s (and a near-fifth, with his foot on the line) in his first 20 minutes at summer league.
A bad instant replay ruling just ruined the most exciting USMNT World Cup run ever
Let out an audible "wow" at the Mitchell Robinson/Celtics news, and then a much louder "WHOA" at the Walker Kessler/Lakers trade
I love the Kawhi Leonard trade (part 2) for the Raptors and think they're a bona fide contender next season. They had the best defense for a non-elite team last year and just added a true No. 1 option. Grades and full analysis here:
Kawhi traded to Raptors: Grades, reaction, Clippers' next steps
Can Toronto make a run in the East with Kawhi Leonard? Will LA make more moves? Let's grade the Raptors-Clippers trade.
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I find rivals-to-friends athlete trajectories really moving, emotionally: Federer-Nadal, Evert-Navratilova, etc. They say a lot about the human spirit. LeBron and Steph teaming up after all the Cavs-Warriors Finals seems almost too remarkable to come true.
Made this chart while analyzing Austin Reaves' new max contract
Grading the Giannis-to-the-Heat blockbuster (finally):
Giannis traded to Heat: Grades, reaction, Bucks' next steps
The Bucks sent star Giannis Antetokounmpo to Miami. Which side won the trade?
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I've taken over grading duties at ESPN, where I'm assessing all trades, free agent signings and extensions this offseason. I started out positive, with only high marks in the early going. That changed with Trae Young's new four-year, $212 million deal.
2026 NBA free agency: Grades for offseason signings, extensions
We're grading the biggest NBA free agent signings and extensions, including Collin Gillespie's new deal with the Suns.
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I announced the winners of a fake award that should exist: the All-Playoffs first and second teams, and overall Playoffs MVP. Find out the 10 honorees here. (Hint: There are a whole lot of Knicks.)
All-NBA Playoff Awards: Which stars made our first, second teams?
With the Knicks now crowned NBA champions, which players were the most impactful across all of the 2026 postseason?
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At long last, the Knicks' title drought is over. I wrote about Jalen Brunson's MVP-worthy finale, the unique way the Knicks built a championship roster, and what a disappointing end means for the rising Spurs.
How the Knicks won the NBA Finals over the Spurs: What we learned
The Knicks are NBA champions! Here's how they built their team to get there, and what the Finals outcome means for both them and the Spurs.
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FOUL UP THREE I wrote earlier this postseason that the NBA's worst-case scenario was the Finals being decided by a foul instead of a game-tying jump shot attempt. Well...
Is 'foul up 3' a game-winning strategy or clutch-time saboteur?
ESPN analyst Zach Kram studied years of NBA film and spoke with dozens around the league to determine whether it works and its impact on basketball.
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If the refs had called a flagrant on Wembanyama for stepping into Brunson's landing zone on that 3, he would've been suspended for Game 6 (if necessary)
The Knicks had 6 points in the paint and 0 points from their bench, yet they're down only 5 at halftime. One half away from a championship.
Two minutes into the second quarter, the Knicks have had more shots blocked by Wemby (5) than go in the hoop (4)
That half was the most fun I've ever had watching the USMNT. This is incredible.
Morning, NBA fans! Live now for ESPN, I explored the anatomy of a historic Knicks comeback and a historic Spurs collapse. (Link in next post.)
My notes on this game have descended into increasingly incoherent scribbles
Presented without any opinion, just some context: Karl-Anthony Towns led the league with 61 offensive fouls this season. No other player had more than 38. In the tracking era, KAT has three of the five seasons with the most offensive fouls. (Giannis has the other two.)
Also at ESPN today: I reviewed and graded 30 bold predictions I made in the preseason, including this absolute winner (link in next post)
