The Opening Tip

• Zion is back to dunking (on little kids at the Y)
• The Nets finally had enough of KD and Kyrie
• An update on Brittney Griner 

1. Bradley Beal is (a) rich (loser)

One of the most insulting things an athlete can do is pretend it isn’t all about the money when it is all about the money.

Example No. 1: The exodus of pro golfers from the PGA to Saudi-backed LIV Golf.

Example No. 2: Bradley Beal.

Here’s what he recently told Bleacher Report’s Taylor Rooks, regarding his free agency:
 

Also related, Beal agreed to a five-year, $251 million deal to stay with the Wizards yesterday, which is now the second-richest NBA contract ever, and will take him through his NBA prime.

By tying himself to a nothing franchise which hasn’t won 50 games since Jimmy Carter was president, he almost guarantees he’ll never play a truly important NBA game while also making $50 million a season, which is actually pretty sick, but has nothing to do with wanting to win.

[READ: Bradley Beal just got a $251 million participation trophy]

2. Daily GIF: Zion dunks on campers, gets nearly half-a-billion dollar extension

The only evidence of Zion Williamson playing basketball over the last year is against little kids. Last week he took a (hard-as-hell) pic with a bunch of pick-up hoopers and a few days ago a video of him dunking on a bunch of YMCA kids went viral.

Two things:

1. He actually looks in great shape. 
2. He agreed to a five-year, $231 million extension today, so it looks like the Pelicans think so, too.

3. Trivia time

Who signed the NBA's first $100 million contract?

Hint: Famous as a college player.

Answer at the bottom.

4. This entire Brooklyn mess is because the Nets finally said no

The only consistent thing about the Nets from the moment they signed KD and Kyrie Irving is that KD and Kyrie Irving got to do whatever they wanted.

When their season ended after a four-game sweep, Irving, despite missing most of the season (and most of his tenure) in BK, evidently still thought that to be the case:
 

First off … that was insane and stupid when he said it.

Secondly … that might’ve been the final straw, because owner Joe Tsai has been ‘outright unwilling’ to give Irving a long-term extension this summer.

And that was reportedly enough to make KD request a trade.

And now the Nets are going to have to trade Durant with four years left on his deal, which is the latest bad look brought on by the worst parts of the ‘player empowerment era.’

[READ: Don’t blame the Brooklyn Nets]

5. By the numbers

1 percent

Brittney Griner’s Russian trial for large-scale transportation of drugs having a weed vape begins today. According to the AP, 1 percent of Russian trials end in favor of the defendant, so she’s probably going to get convicted and the US is going to have to give up some psycho Russian person in exchange for her return.

$100 million

Everyone is roasting the Knicks for giving Jalen Brunson $104 million over four years, but where’s the mockery for the Blazers giving Anfernee Simons (35 career starts) $100 million?

+2200

We have good news: The sportsbooks can no longer gaslight us about the Nets. Over the last two years, BK has routinely been among the two or three favorites to win the title. They’re now +2200 (12th best). It’s the end of an era.

6.  Quick Hits

• It sounds like KD really wants to go to Phoenix. 
• Ja’s reaction to joining the $200 million club. 
• Here’s a tracker of every signing. 
• Here’s a list of every player still available in free-agency.
• Miles Bridges is definitely never going to play in the NBA again. 
• The New York Post’s front page did not disappoint today.

7.  Reads

• Jalen Brunson’s New York fit isn’t perfect, but it’ll do [The Ringer]
• Durant’s next move [Bill Simmons Podcast]
• Landing spots for KD [Bleacher Report]

Trivia answer:  Juwan Howard