NBA 6 signs overnight! Lakers sign 4 players in a row, Kumingga broke up with the Warriors, James revealed his retirement time

Editor|Lao Kankanqiu

NBA free market has been open for more than 20 days, and the trading market that has been silent for a long time has ushered in a wave of signing. According to the latest report by US media ESPN famous reporter Shams, the Lakers, who have never had the opportunity to strengthen, suddenly signed four players in a row, and the team's roster increased to 20, and Dong Zhan led the new team of 195 million US dollars to strive for the championship. However, then, US media ClutchPoints reporter Brett Siegel revealed that James will announce his retirement decision in August, and all signs indicate that James may usher in the last season of his career. In addition, the Warriors received bad news. Kumingga and his team insisted on asking for a five-year contract of 150 million, but the management refused and the two sides broke up completely.

And the NBA has reached 6 more contracts overnight. Let’s take a look at the specific transaction information.

01 The Lakers signed four consecutive players: 195 million in a grand tournament to win the championship this summer, the Lakers' management is indeed depressed. In addition to the No. 1 center Ayton and defender Smart, the team's favorite reinforcements such as Lopez, Valan, and Horford were all taken away, and 3D strongman Finnish Smith was also lost in vain, and almost nothing was gained.

And just today, the Lakers officially announced that they had signed four players in a row - RJ Davis, Eric Dickson, Arthur Kaluma and Augustas Marciolionis. Four Exhibit 10 contracts were officially reached, and the Lakers roster was instantly expanded to 20 people.

So far, the Lakers' total salary has reached US$194.9 million, only lower than the first tycoon line of $1 million, and there is no room to directly strengthen other players. Among them, James ranked first in the team with an annual salary of US$52.62 million, while Doncic ranked second in the team with an annual salary of US$46 million.

The four newly signed players this time are not only a training camp, but also accumulating strength for the Lakers in the new season. These contracts allow the Lakers to delegate players to the Development League while retaining the right to call at any time.

Davis, the core point guard at the University of North Carolina, averaged 17.2 points and 3.6 assists per game last season; Dickson even won the NCAA scoring champion with 23.3 points per game. Although he missed the Summer League due to a foot injury, he was still regarded as a strong contender for a two-way contract.

Dixon and Marciulionis missed the summer league due to injury, but the former's resume as Villanova's number one scorer is still dazzling. Davis's field control ability and Kaluma's forward defense provide the Lakers with more tactical possibilities.

02 Countdown to James' retirement

According to US media ClutchPoints reporter Brett Siegel, James is likely to announce his retirement decision in August this year, which instantly caused heated discussion. Subsequently, many US media reporters confirmed that the 2025-26 season may be James' "last dance". All signs have shown that James has abnormally chosen to execute the last year player option this summer, stay away from the Lakers' recruitment affairs, and shifts his focus to expanding the business territory, which means that James has decided to leave.

What is more important is family factors - previously reported by many sources that James's wife Savana clearly hopes that he will retire in 2026, and James himself also confirmed Savana's words on the show.

The most important thing is that the new Lakers boss Mark Walter has a clear attitude: regardless of whether James retires or not, the 2025-26 season will be his final chapter in the Lakers. The team has bet on Doncic, and the renewal of the Slovenian genius is regarded as a key bargaining chip to attract superstars such as Jokic and Antetokounmpo to join.

In fact, during this offseason, James neither applied for a transaction nor requested a buyout contract, nor chose to re-sign a new 1+1 contract. According to US media Marc Stein, James himself knows that even if he makes these requests, it may not be possible. The Lakers' attitude has been revealed: I hope he will leave the team after his contract expires.

I have to say that this is indeed a business alliance, everything is based on interests and is merciless. In fact, it is quite good for James to choose to retire next season. His plan to play for 23 seasons just echoes the legendary number 23 shared by Jordan, which is also another fate.

03 Warriors Kumingga broke up: The 30 million game farce

The free market has been launched until today, and the Golden State Warriors' reinforcement operation has been in a freezing state, becoming the only team in the league that has not signed or renewed the contract. The core of the deadlock is Jonathan Kumingga's tug-of-war for renewal.

Last summer, the Warriors offered a five-year, 150 million contract extension, but was flatly rejected by Kumingga's team. They are confident that they can hit the maximum salary and aim at the goal of 180 million in four years. Helplessly, reality gave it a heavy blow - in the 2024-25 season, Kumingga's three-point shooting rate plummeted to 28.9%, and the key playoffs were abandoned by Cole, and his value dropped sharply.

The Warriors' attitude also took a sharp turn for the worse. The management informed Kumingjia in person: "The contract with an annual salary of 30 million will no longer be given to you." Instead, it was a quotation of about 20 million, with strict contract terms. Although the Kumingga team reduced the asking price to 25 million, it was still flatly rejected. The cracks are obviously irreparable: Kumingga firmly believes that the Warriors are hindering growth and desire a new environment. US media Hoops Wire confirmed the news that Kuminga wanted to leave the Warriors and added that his stiff relationship with head coach Cole was another factor in his departure.

The Warriors have currently listed Kumingga as a "tradable object", and priority is given to signing first and then changing. The King and the Sun once asked Kuminga, but the negotiations were stuck in the chips.

As Curry's 37-year-old championship window gradually closed, the Warriors urgently need to break the deadlock - either Kumingga bows his head to accept a salary cut, or he will bear the qualification quote for one year to bet tomorrow. Obviously, there is no winner in this game.

04 The Clippers sign the Rockets' Old Player: The bench continues to upgrade

When the Lakers take the headlines, the Clippers in the same city are quietly completing the lineup puzzle upgrade. The Los Angeles Clippers have reached a one-year contract agreement with free agent guard Taytai Washington. This Exhibit 10 contract does not occupy salary space, which is in line with the financial reality of the Clippers' only $3.6 million away from the hard salary cap.

Washington has a bumpy NBA journey. After being selected by the Rockets with the 29th pick in 2022, he has been in the five teams within two years and has averaged only 3.3 points per game in his NBA career. But the Development League data reveals its potential: Average of 21.7 points and 7.4 assists last season, and a 41.4% three-point shooting percentage, proving that it has NBA-level offensive creativity.

Clippers Basketball Operations President Lawrence Frank said: "Tate's basketball IQ and fighting spirit are in line with the team's culture." In the new season, Washington will be the substitute for Harden and Bill.

Previously, the Clippers signed Bills (11 million in 2 years) and Paul (1 year's minimum salary), and this amazing lineup was aimed at the championship.

Other transaction information: The 6th signing, Greece Olympiacos signed a three-year contract with 32-year-old Fournier.