What we have learned (and did not learn) the NBA Media Day, from Luka to Giannis in Kawhi

The worst of the NBA Media Day is that, well, there are too many.

There were 25 teams in everything that participated in the annual case on Monday, while even the most ardent fans surely had trouble following all the convincing scenarios (and, if we are honest here, the annual stereotype series). Thus, in the interest of offering a service of public hoops a day later, let’s take the time to sort the main stories that counted the most.

Far we go …

So Giannis is… Well in Milwaukee now?

Everything is likely to change in the association, but it would not be just to spend all this time seeing yourself on Giannis antetokounmpo Possible dollars outing Only in summer to ignore it when the subject itself shares its point of view. As such, we present the comments of Antetokounmpo, with video and everythingWhen asked directly if the reports of his stray eyes were correct.

“Of course, yes,” said Antetokounmpo, who was still in Greece in Greece in Covid, via Zoom. “The guys, every summer, there is real in each report. (It is) the same thing I said all my career. I want to be in a team that allows me and gives me a chance to win a championship, (that) wants to compete at a high level. I think it’s a task for basketball, just for the game, not to want to behave (at) a high level, so that your season ends in April.

“So it’s about the same thing. This is not the first time (I felt it). I had the same thoughts last year. I had the same thoughts two years ago. I had the same thoughts five years ago – 2020. It will never change. I want to be among the best. I want to compete with the best, and I want to win another championship.”

None of this changes the fact that Entertetokounmpo could be on the market in the summer of 2027, when it can become a free agent at the age of 32. But in the here and now, with the Bucks having taken the calculated risk (massive) To give up the injured playmaker Damian Lillard to land the great man Myles Turner, it is certainly to be noted that Otetentokounmpo approved the last off -season of the longtime director general Jon Horst.

He described the acquisition of Turner “an incredible decision of the Bucks” and qualified their group as “a very dangerous team”. Maybe it’s a lip service. It may not be. But as Giannis himself reminded everyone, this personal model of contemplation of extreme off-season is nothing new.

Summer 2020 that he referred, more than any other, revealed his demanding ways with regard to his future. In several months, he spent whether to sign an extension with the only NBA team that he has ever known. In the end, he stayed there.

It’s a familiar story – at least for the moment.

Speaking of superstars that do not go nowhere …

Since the start of the NBA time, the teams that employ elite players bristling when journalists share unwanted reality These rival teams are trying to find ways to steal their centerpiece. Example: Denver Nuggets.

As long as Nikola Jokić chooses not to sign a long -term extension – thus putting it on an identical chronology with Antetokounmpo with regard to the possible free agency – then teams like Lakers, Clippers and Warriors will keep their proverbial powder dry with the hope of bringing them to town. It is the ultimate compliment to the player and the ultimate irritant to the outgoing organization.

In the case of Jokić, there was even more context to consider here. While he had a wonderful race for Denver, accumulating MVPs and star places while winning the title 2023 along the way, the choice not to sign an extension this summer followed a tumultuous section at the end of the season in which the The longtime head coach has been dismissed and the front office was completely returned On the way to their semi-finals from the Western Conference. But as was the case with Antetokounmpo, Jokić took the time to face speculation in a very direct and charming way.

“My plan is to be nuggets forever,” said Jokić.

Nikola Jokic by not signing an extension this summer “my plan is to be a nugget of Denver forever”. pic.twitter.com/furzwkcs5w

– Jake Shapiro (@shapalicious) September 29, 2025

This certainly helps the fact that the new nugget front front, led by Jon Wallace and Ben Tenzer, had a fantastic first intervene. They sent Michael Porter Jr. to Brooklyn for a better (and cheaper) Cam Johnson, gave Jokić a great quality rescue man to Jonas Valančiūnas, brought together the beloved veteran Bruce Brown Jr. and added another quality scorer in Tim Hardaway Jr. for good measure. The results will always have a training effect on what comes next, but Jokić looks like someone who is always invested in the Nuggets program.

The mowers speak

No one expected the Kawhi Leonard of the Clippers in detail on the allegations of bypassing the salary ceiling that have inspired an NBA investigation in recent weeks, but is it too much to ask him to recognize the legitimacy of the questions asked?

According to reports from Pablo Torre, which was confirmed by AthleticsLeonard had an approval agreement with Jersey’s Patch sponsor, aspiration, which was to pay him a total of $ 28 million. In addition, there is no known evidence to provide him with services for the company in what has been claimed to be a “non-presentation” agreement. Add to the fact that the owner of the Clippers, Steve Ballmer, is known to have invested strongly in the company, and the optics could not be much worse.

It is curious at best and, in the backstrokes of Commissioner Adam Silver when these suspicions arose six years ago, a “cardinal sin” at most.

But hearing Leonard attacking the situation for the first time, it was to remember that he is not exactly the transparent type with regard to his relationship with the media. Rather than sharing his substantial point of view on the issue, he looked for the types of anti-media tropes that served as a public solution to the right questions that arise.

“I do not take care of plots or analysts of clicks or journalism that is happening, so that’s what it is,” he said.

The president of basketball operations Lawrence Frank also spoke, publishing an empathetic declaration which clearly indicated that the clippers believe that they will finally be exempt.

“We are happy that there is an investigation, and we welcome him,” said Frank. “We appreciate that there will be a clear look at these allegations, and we are impatient that the truth is manifested. The hypotheses and conclusions that have been made are disappointing and overwhelming, and we expect the investigation to show that these allegations are wrong.”

While waiting on the other side of the …

Luka Dončić unveiled her physique reduced to the Land Laker media for the first time, but the discussion has exceeded the fact that he looks so much leaner these days. Regarding the basketball marathon that awaits us and the question of whether there is a chance that he can direct the Lakers to the 18th title of the organization, Dončić shared something that should excite the huge base of the team fans.

“I would just say (I am) probably much less tired, you know, (and) a little faster,” said Dončić, who is only three weeks before the Eurobasket tournament where he led Slovenia to an impressive finish in the quarterfinals. “As I said, of course, in Europe, there are 40 -minute matches. In the NBA, there are 48. But we play a lot of games in not so many days. So I think fatigue, you know, fatigue is the greatest thing for me right now.”

It may seem that it declares the evidence, but the notion that Dončić could play the role of the Energizer rabbit rather than lacking gas as he did in the past years could change the situation for the Lakers. And, most likely, the origins of a MVP caliber campaign.

Honorable mentions