Tim Bontemps
@TimBontemps
Senior NBA writer for @espn. Prior stops: @washingtonpost, @nypost. Proud St. Bonaventure alum.
"The most important things for the Lakers are Luka related." The Hoop Collective on what Luka being a pitch man to sign Marcus Smart might mean for the future. @espn_macmahon | @TimBontemps | @WindhorstESPN | @ESPNLosAngeles
Today’s The Hoop Collective with @WindhorstESPN and @TimBontemps: youtu.be/jujHjQkRA6Q?si…
"They've got 10-11 really good players and they'll be able to roll guys out every night." The Hoop Collective looked at the Clippers adding CP3 in the latest episode that's out now! @TimBontemps | @espn_macmahon | @WindhorstESPN
"They've got 10-11 really good players and they'll be able to roll guys out every night." The Hoop Collective looked at the Clippers adding CP3 in the latest episode that's out now! @TimBontemps | @espn_macmahon | @WindhorstESPN
I’m all in on the Clippers going for the 2025 version of The Expendables. I think they’re going to be really, really good next season.
I’m all in on the Clippers going for the 2025 version of The Expendables. I think they’re going to be really, really good next season.
Twelve-time All-Star Chris Paul has agreed to a deal with the Los Angeles Clippers, CAA's Steven Heumann, Ty Sullivan and Jessica Holtz told ESPN. Paul had multiple suitors, but chose the contending Clippers and their shared history in L.A. for his likely final, 21st NBA season.
The Lakers are $909K below the first apron and will need to clear out salary in order to use the $5.1M biannual exception. The $3M salary of Shake Milton is set to become guaranteed on Sunday.
BREAKING: Marcus Smart has agreed to a contract buyout with the Washington Wizards and intends to sign a two-year, $11 million deal with the Los Angeles Lakers after clearing waivers, sources tell ESPN. A return to a grand stage for the 2022 NBA Defensive Player of the Year.
BREAKING: Marcus Smart has agreed to a contract buyout with the Washington Wizards and intends to sign a two-year, $11 million deal with the Los Angeles Lakers after clearing waivers, sources tell ESPN. A return to a grand stage for the 2022 NBA Defensive Player of the Year.
Lillard will use the 2025-26 season to rehabilitate a torn Achilles tendon, but a return to the franchise and Portland where his family and kids reside were of the ultimate importance. He also had multiple mid-level exception and minimum offers from NBA contenders.
Lillard and the Trail Blazers both deeply cared about the comeback in recent weeks – with multiple meetings among the Portland franchise icon, general manager Joe Cronin and head coach Chauncey Billups to bond together and move forward united on a new deal.
BREAKING: Nine-time NBA All-Star Damian Lillard is finalizing a three-year, $42 million contract to return to the Portland Trail Blazers, sources tell ESPN. Deal is expected to include a player option in 2027-28 and a no-trade clause. A storybook reunion home for the 35-year-old.
Grateful for my eight years at The Athletic and everyone there that made it so fulfilling. Excited about what’s next at ESPN.
ESPN signs @anthonyVslater as a national #NBA & @warriors writer, beginning Wednesday
Stock Report on the way!
ESPN signs @anthonyVslater as a national #NBA & @warriors writer, beginning Wednesday
An education on the apron 🏀Why the 2023 offseason impacted Boston and Phoenix 🏀How youth matters in Minnesota 🏀 The future in Oklahoma City 🏀 and more on Denver, Houston, New York and Orlando espn.com/nba/story/_/id…
The Hoop Collective with @WindhorstESPN and @TimBontemps: Sunny long-term outlook in OKC after locking in stars, Wemby and the Spurs, rough RFA market, Lakers’ awkward transition from LeBron to Luka youtu.be/FMIPmsa7hww?si…
Ha. Yes, I feel quite confident there isn’t another person who has flown a round trip from Lisbon to Vegas on @Delta this weekend, and maybe any weekend ever.
And thank you to Delta Airlines!
This was so much fun. Thanks to everyone who came out and saw the show last night in Vegas, to everyone who made it happen, and to all who have been listening and watching over the past couple years. The energy and passion from the audience has been awesome and gratifying.
WHAT. A. NIGHT. Thank you to everyone that came out to The Hoop Collective live pod in Las Vegas!! @espn_macmahon | @TimBontemps | @WindhorstESPN
The Hoop Collective’s Las Vegas summer league live show with @WindhorstESPN and @TimBontemps featuring cameos from A-Rod and Marc Lore, Nick Nurse, and The Machine @kpelton: youtu.be/RrOd30hlHGE?si…
I don’t think there’s a single player that would be a better fit for this job in the league than Fred, considering his experiences across the past nine years.
Houston Rockets guard Fred VanVleet has been elected as the new President of the National Basketball Players Association, succeeding CJ McCollum, sources tell ESPN. VanVleet begins a four-year term as the next NBPA leader.
Sixers say VJ Edgecombe will sit out again today with a thumb sprain.
Passing the torch from one franchise superstar to another is never easy. The Lakers are attempting one of the most delicate transitions in NBA history. Story with @WindhorstESPN espn.com/nba/story/_/id…
This has been updated The free (yes, it is free) doc takes the rules of the CBA and applies to each transaction. A good way to learn about how trades are constructed and exceptions players are signed with. sportsbusinessclassroom.com
The Hoop Collective with @WindhorstESPN and @TimBontemps: Clips/Heat/Jazz deal, Bradley Beal’s potential LAC fit, Joker opting to wait on an extension, whether Luka should do the same and the Celtics’ non-rebuilding situation. youtu.be/IoxfkZbmngc?si…