Utah Jazz rookie Ace Bailey has cut ties with longtime manager Omar Cooper and is interviewing candidates for new representation, according to The Athletic’s Tony Jones. League sources said no decision has been made on Bailey’s next agent.
Blazers Ownership Dispute Moves to Court
RAJ Sports—run by the Bhatal family and previously linked to a bid for the Portland Trail Blazers—filed a lawsuit against the Cherng family, owners of Panda Express. The suit alleges the Cherngs violated an exclusivity agreement after joining investor Tom Dundon’s prospective ownership group earlier this month. RAJ Sports is asking a judge to bar the Cherngs from purchasing any stake in the team.
Presti Cautions Patience With Thunder Rookies
During his preseason press conference, Oklahoma City Thunder executive Sam Presti emphasized a measured approach to integrating Nikola Topic into the rotation. Presti also predicted continued growth from Chet Holmgren and praised first-round pick Thomas Sorber, who will miss the year with an ACL tear. “He’s going to get something out of this year, 100 percent,” Presti said of Sorber.
Nuggets Depth Chart Taking Shape
The Denver Post outlined a possible 2025-26 lineup for the Denver Nuggets: Jamal Murray, Christian Braun, Cameron Johnson, Aaron Gordon, and Nikola Jokić as starters. Backup roles remain open, notably at point guard—where Bruce Brown is the projected reserve—and at both forward positions.
G League Rights Exchanged
The Oklahoma City Blue traded the returning player rights to Justyn Hamilton to the Grand Rapids Gold for the rights to Andrew Funk and a 2026 second-round pick, per Rylan Stiles. The move could precede Exhibit 10 deals for Hamilton with Denver and Funk with Oklahoma City.
Source: Hoops Rumors
