Jalen Williams of the Oklahoma City Thunder expressed his candid thoughts on Kevin Durant's recent trade to the Houston Rockets, calling it 'dope for Houston.' Fresh off winning his first NBA title, Williams shared that he had been too focused on celebrating with his team to pay much attention to the trade news. He acknowledged Durant's impact on teams, stating, 'Wherever KD goes, he's gonna change the way a team plays for the better.'

The Thunder, now favorites to defend their championship, are set to return their entire roster, while the Rockets, having performed well last season without a standout scorer, see Durant as a pivotal addition. Despite Durant's age and lessened prime, his experience and talent are expected to elevate Houston's competitiveness in the West.

The NBA Summer League is showcasing thrilling young talent in California and Utah, with standout performances becoming the highlight. VJ Edgecombe, the third overall pick, shone for the 76ers with 28 points and 10 rebounds in his debut, displaying leadership despite a narrow loss. His teammate, Adem Bona, also impressed with efficient scoring.

For the Spurs, David Jones Garcia led the team in scoring in both games, including a crucial 25-point outing against the Warriors. Meanwhile, Cole Swider has been a consistent scorer for the Lakers, averaging 22.3 points through two games. The Jazz's Kyle Filipowski is also making his mark, contributing significantly to his team’s success. The Grizzlies' Jaylen Wells continues to build on last year's rookie success, leading his team in points against the Thunder. Finally, Ajay Mitchell is proving himself as a key player for the Thunder, leading their offensive efforts.

Basketball's popularity has surged in Canada, highlighted by the inclusion of superstars like Steve Nash and Shai Gilgeous-Alexander in RotoWire's All Quarter Century NBA team. Nash, a two-time MVP, revolutionized the point guard position with his playmaking for the Phoenix Suns, while Gilgeous-Alexander is making waves as a potential MVP for the Oklahoma City Thunder, averaging 32.7 points per game. Other notable players on the list include Andrew Wiggins, RJ Barrett, and Kelly Olynyk, showcasing Canada's rich basketball talent.

The Philadelphia 76ers face the Oklahoma City Thunder in the Salt Lake City summer league, continuing their focus on player development. Rookie VJ Edgecombe is the player to watch as he aims to build on a strong debut where he scored 28 points, grabbed 10 rebounds, and dished out four assists in a loss to the Utah Jazz. Coach TJ DiLeo is optimistic about Edgecombe and fellow rookie Johni Broome, who also had a solid performance with 13 points and five rebounds.

This matchup is crucial for both teams as they showcase their young talent and strive for improvement in this competitive environment. The Sixers will rely on Edgecombe and Broome to lead their squad as they look to gain valuable experience and confidence heading into the upcoming season.

The Oklahoma City Thunder will look to bounce back against the Philadelphia 76ers in their second Summer League game today at 6 p.m. CT on ESPN. The Thunder suffered a 92-80 defeat to the Memphis Grizzlies in their opener, with Nikola Topic shining in his debut with 14 points and four assists. Ajay Mitchell was the standout performer for OKC, scoring 24 points and dishing out six assists. On the other hand, the 76ers lost to the Utah Jazz but saw VJ Edgecombe steal the spotlight with an impressive 28-point, 10-rebound game.

Injury updates indicate that the Thunder will be without Thomas Sorber (foot surgery), while the Sixers have not yet submitted their injury report. The projected starting lineups include Mitchell, Topic, Brooks Barnhizer, Malevy Leons, and Mady Sissoko for OKC, while Philadelphia will counter with Edgecombe, Jalen Hood-Schifino, Justin Edwards, Johni Broome, and Adem Bona. With plenty of talent on both sides, fans can expect an exciting matchup.