Let's take a trip around the league!

INTERNATIONAL

Did a former $72m NBA center turn into a Mobster?

Nikola Peković was drafted by the Minnesota Timberwolves in 2008 and played for seven seasons before injuries forced his retirement, paving the way for his second career as a drug lord.

Despite being a prominent and well-paid NBA player, Peković was always known to have connections with some shady characters in Montenegro and Serbia. The most notable person is Darko Šarić, a famous Montenegrin drug lord. Despite Šarić being held in custody since 2011, six years before Peković retired, the two have had several business investments together, and it appears things escalated after leaving the NBA.

Shortly after his playing days concluded, Euro Hoops reported that the Belgrade police seized a car registered to Peković, and inside the car were guns and drugs. While Peković wasn’t in the car, two close associates of the Šarić brothers were.

Peković is so close with Šarić’s brother Dusko that not only did he take on his massive 1.15M euro debt, but he became the godfather to his child! Obviously, Peković has never announced this new career, but he’s never hidden the fact that he’s well-connected to these dangerous men.

THE OFFSEASON

The Lakers' Big Three talk it out as Westbrook trades stall

Even though Russell Westbrook and the Los Angeles Lakers would like to move on, it’s becoming increasingly more likely that the trio stays together this year due to his significant cap hit and the Lakers' unwillingness to part with their future 1st round picks.

In light of this, Chris Haynes has reported that James, Davis, and Westbrook recently got on a phone call where they "expressed their commitment to one another" for this upcoming season. It’s also believed this was done to squash any narrative that LeBron and Russ were feuding after they didn’t interact at a recent Summer League game.

New Lakers coach Darvin Ham has publicly supported the former triple-double machine and talked about him being an important part of the team's success, but that hasn't stopped LA from shopping him. Westbrook has been linked all Summer to a potential Kyrie Irving swap, but with the Nets’ reluctance to absorb his cap hit and the additional $60M in luxury taxes it would bring, it seems like they're stuck together.

ESPYS

Steph Curry is hosting the iconic ESPYS tonight!

For the first time in three years, the ESPYS are returning to full capacity to ring in their 30th anniversary, and there’s no better way to celebrate than with perhaps the most famous number 30 of all-time, Steph Curry!

In addition to hosting the event, Curry is up for three individual awards, including best men’s athlete, best record-breaking performance, and best NBA player. Considering the recent championship run that saw him win his much-deserved Finals MVP, it won’t be surprising to see Curry take home some more hardware tonight.

Curry is obviously no stranger to performing live, but doing it in a suit and tie is a little out of his comfort zone. Curry has prepared for his debut hosting gig by preparing the same way as he does with basketball by “[spending] every waking hour thinking about it, practicing and preparing.”

UNI WATCH

The Cavs release a trio of fresh jerseys for next season

With a little help from one of Cleveland’s finest, Kid Cudi, the Cavs unveiled their new jerseys for next season, and they are something else.

The designs were the brainchild of Cavaliers Creative Director and internationally renowned contemporary artist Daniel Arsham. The Cavs Nike collection includes the “Association” in white, the “Icon” in wine, and the “Statement” in black as their core uniforms.

Arsham wanted “to put our players in a uniform that would make them feel strong, confident and proud to represent this new chapter of Cavaliers basketball,” and it’s hard to argue with the results.

THE RUMOR MILL

Despite All-Star campaign, Andrew Wiggins still Regrets Getting Vaccinated

Robert Sarver Told Goran Dragic That He's Happy That He Didn't Make The All Star Team: Dragic told the story on a popular Slovenian basketball podcast (40:12)

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