Sam Amick
@samamick.bsky.social
Senior NBA writer, The Athletic
Previously: The Sacramento Bee, AOL FanHouse, Sports Illustrated, USA Today
The Athletic archive: https://www.nytimes.com/athletic/author/sam-amick/
The old-school stuff: https://nbaconfidential.wordpress.com/the-archive/
Previously: The Sacramento Bee, AOL FanHouse, Sports Illustrated, USA Today
The Athletic archive: https://www.nytimes.com/athletic/author/sam-amick/
The old-school stuff: https://nbaconfidential.wordpress.com/the-archive/
Sources: NBA asked teams, including Lakers, to hand over documents and property as part of investigation into illegal sports gambling. Two LeBron associates are among those cooperating.
With @mikevorkunov.bsky.social and @joevardon.bsky.social, @theathletic.com
www.nytimes.com/athletic/681...
With @mikevorkunov.bsky.social and @joevardon.bsky.social, @theathletic.com
www.nytimes.com/athletic/681...
NBA seeks cell phones from multiple teams, including Lakers, in gambling investigation: Sources
www.nytimes.com
November 15, 2025 at 11:02 PM
Sources: NBA asked teams, including Lakers, to hand over documents and property as part of investigation into illegal sports gambling. Two LeBron associates are among those cooperating.
With @mikevorkunov.bsky.social and @joevardon.bsky.social, @theathletic.com
www.nytimes.com/athletic/681...
With @mikevorkunov.bsky.social and @joevardon.bsky.social, @theathletic.com
www.nytimes.com/athletic/681...
If you need a break in Nico coverage…enjoy this chat with OKC coach Mark Daigneault.
On the Thunder’s title defense strategy, coaching SGA, & whether or not he has a Ted Lasso side, at @theathletic.com
“I just don’t want to f*** it up.”
(10-1 so far) 😳
www.nytimes.com/athletic/679...
On the Thunder’s title defense strategy, coaching SGA, & whether or not he has a Ted Lasso side, at @theathletic.com
“I just don’t want to f*** it up.”
(10-1 so far) 😳
www.nytimes.com/athletic/679...
OKC's Mark Daigneault unplugged: The art of coaching the ambitious defending champs
www.nytimes.com
November 11, 2025 at 10:26 PM
If you need a break in Nico coverage…enjoy this chat with OKC coach Mark Daigneault.
On the Thunder’s title defense strategy, coaching SGA, & whether or not he has a Ted Lasso side, at @theathletic.com
“I just don’t want to f*** it up.”
(10-1 so far) 😳
www.nytimes.com/athletic/679...
On the Thunder’s title defense strategy, coaching SGA, & whether or not he has a Ted Lasso side, at @theathletic.com
“I just don’t want to f*** it up.”
(10-1 so far) 😳
www.nytimes.com/athletic/679...
What if Michael Finley never grabs Luka Doncic’s beer?
On those 13 symbolic seconds after Doncic’s Dallas Mavericks won the West, and why Nico Harrison finally paid the price for his disastrous decision to trade a generational talent, at @theathletic.com
www.nytimes.com/athletic/679...
On those 13 symbolic seconds after Doncic’s Dallas Mavericks won the West, and why Nico Harrison finally paid the price for his disastrous decision to trade a generational talent, at @theathletic.com
www.nytimes.com/athletic/679...
Seeds of Nico Harrison's demise sowed even before he traded Luka Dončić
www.nytimes.com
November 11, 2025 at 8:54 PM
What if Michael Finley never grabs Luka Doncic’s beer?
On those 13 symbolic seconds after Doncic’s Dallas Mavericks won the West, and why Nico Harrison finally paid the price for his disastrous decision to trade a generational talent, at @theathletic.com
www.nytimes.com/athletic/679...
On those 13 symbolic seconds after Doncic’s Dallas Mavericks won the West, and why Nico Harrison finally paid the price for his disastrous decision to trade a generational talent, at @theathletic.com
www.nytimes.com/athletic/679...
Shai Gilgeous-Alexander made a revealing admission late last night: He wasn’t a fan of how his team won the title.
On the MVP’s growth mindset, this scorching OKC start (w/out Jalen Williams), and why the rest of the NBA should worry, at @theathletic.com
www.nytimes.com/athletic/678...
On the MVP’s growth mindset, this scorching OKC start (w/out Jalen Williams), and why the rest of the NBA should worry, at @theathletic.com
www.nytimes.com/athletic/678...
November 8, 2025 at 4:00 PM
Shai Gilgeous-Alexander made a revealing admission late last night: He wasn’t a fan of how his team won the title.
On the MVP’s growth mindset, this scorching OKC start (w/out Jalen Williams), and why the rest of the NBA should worry, at @theathletic.com
www.nytimes.com/athletic/678...
On the MVP’s growth mindset, this scorching OKC start (w/out Jalen Williams), and why the rest of the NBA should worry, at @theathletic.com
www.nytimes.com/athletic/678...
My read of the Ja Morant situation in Memphis, where the prospect of moving him - which there are no signs of the Grizzlies wanting to do - isn’t as simple as it might seem, at @theathletic.com
www.nytimes.com/athletic/677...
www.nytimes.com/athletic/677...
What does Ja Morant's future with the Memphis Grizzlies look like? It's complicated
www.nytimes.com
November 5, 2025 at 5:53 PM
My read of the Ja Morant situation in Memphis, where the prospect of moving him - which there are no signs of the Grizzlies wanting to do - isn’t as simple as it might seem, at @theathletic.com
www.nytimes.com/athletic/677...
www.nytimes.com/athletic/677...
Draymond Green unplugged, @theathletic.com: Behind the defensive goal that is his obsession, why he strongly disagrees with Kevin Durant’s recent comments about defense, a league-wide discussion about defense and much more (including his Warriors future)
www.nytimes.com/athletic/677...
www.nytimes.com/athletic/677...
Draymond Green and his drive to join the greatest NBA defenders of all time
www.nytimes.com
November 4, 2025 at 3:13 PM
Draymond Green unplugged, @theathletic.com: Behind the defensive goal that is his obsession, why he strongly disagrees with Kevin Durant’s recent comments about defense, a league-wide discussion about defense and much more (including his Warriors future)
www.nytimes.com/athletic/677...
www.nytimes.com/athletic/677...
Reposted by Sam Amick
From @samamick.bsky.social’s story: Chauncey Billups’ new lawyer also represented Joe Sanberg, the co-founder of Aspiration, the company accused of helping the Clippers circumvent the salary cap to pay Kawhi Leonard.
😮💨 www.nytimes.com/athletic/676...
😮💨 www.nytimes.com/athletic/676...
NBA coach Chauncey Billups hires defense attorney who worked for Trump, Giuliani
www.nytimes.com
October 30, 2025 at 8:18 PM
From @samamick.bsky.social’s story: Chauncey Billups’ new lawyer also represented Joe Sanberg, the co-founder of Aspiration, the company accused of helping the Clippers circumvent the salary cap to pay Kawhi Leonard.
😮💨 www.nytimes.com/athletic/676...
😮💨 www.nytimes.com/athletic/676...
News: Chauncey Billups has hired renowned trial lawyer Marc Mukasey to defend him in the federal investigation into illegal gambling, @theathletic.com has learned.
Much more here on Mukasey's background, including deep ties to President Trump...
www.nytimes.com/athletic/676...
Much more here on Mukasey's background, including deep ties to President Trump...
www.nytimes.com/athletic/676...
NBA coach Chauncey Billups hires defense attorney who worked for Trump, Giuliani
Marc Mukasey has defended several high-profile clients, including President Donald Trump and Aspiration co-founder Joseph Sanberg.
www.nytimes.com
October 30, 2025 at 8:21 PM
News: Chauncey Billups has hired renowned trial lawyer Marc Mukasey to defend him in the federal investigation into illegal gambling, @theathletic.com has learned.
Much more here on Mukasey's background, including deep ties to President Trump...
www.nytimes.com/athletic/676...
Much more here on Mukasey's background, including deep ties to President Trump...
www.nytimes.com/athletic/676...
The Wemby (early season) takeover and what it means, the Lakers’ Austin Reaves dilemma, the Sixers’ (rookie) salvation, and more observations, at @theathletic.com
www.nytimes.com/athletic/675...
www.nytimes.com/athletic/675...
Wemby for MVP, the Lakers’ Austin Reaves dilemma and more early NBA observations
The Spurs' young big man is doing things we've never seen. Plus: notes on the Sixers, Hawks, Warriors and more.
www.nytimes.com
October 28, 2025 at 2:51 PM
The Wemby (early season) takeover and what it means, the Lakers’ Austin Reaves dilemma, the Sixers’ (rookie) salvation, and more observations, at @theathletic.com
www.nytimes.com/athletic/675...
www.nytimes.com/athletic/675...
A deeper look at the NBA's memo about the FBI's gambling probe, and the issue of injury reporting, at
@theathletic.com
(including a look at the Luka Doncic example from last night)
W/ @joevardon.bsky.social and @mikevorkunov.bsky.social
www.nytimes.com/athletic/675...
@theathletic.com
(including a look at the Luka Doncic example from last night)
W/ @joevardon.bsky.social and @mikevorkunov.bsky.social
www.nytimes.com/athletic/675...
NBA reviewing injury reporting in light of FBI illegal gambling probe
www.nytimes.com
October 27, 2025 at 5:49 PM
A deeper look at the NBA's memo about the FBI's gambling probe, and the issue of injury reporting, at
@theathletic.com
(including a look at the Luka Doncic example from last night)
W/ @joevardon.bsky.social and @mikevorkunov.bsky.social
www.nytimes.com/athletic/675...
@theathletic.com
(including a look at the Luka Doncic example from last night)
W/ @joevardon.bsky.social and @mikevorkunov.bsky.social
www.nytimes.com/athletic/675...
Even with the Warriors and Nuggets shining, the gambling scandal was all anyone could talk about at Chase Center last night (until the end).
On the travesty of another controversy overshadowing the NBA game, and chipping away at trust, @theathletic.com
www.nytimes.com/athletic/674...
On the travesty of another controversy overshadowing the NBA game, and chipping away at trust, @theathletic.com
www.nytimes.com/athletic/674...
NBA scandals overshadow greatness on the court, and that’s the real travesty
The Warriors and Nuggets played an early season classic on Thursday, but all anybody could talk about was the integrity of the league.
www.nytimes.com
October 24, 2025 at 3:13 PM
Even with the Warriors and Nuggets shining, the gambling scandal was all anyone could talk about at Chase Center last night (until the end).
On the travesty of another controversy overshadowing the NBA game, and chipping away at trust, @theathletic.com
www.nytimes.com/athletic/674...
On the travesty of another controversy overshadowing the NBA game, and chipping away at trust, @theathletic.com
www.nytimes.com/athletic/674...
Talked to Steve Kerr about his aging Warriors team last night, and how he plans to keep it intact until the end this time.
On lessons learned from last season, the Jonathan Kuminga future, and more, at @theathletic.com
www.nytimes.com/athletic/673...
On lessons learned from last season, the Jonathan Kuminga future, and more, at @theathletic.com
www.nytimes.com/athletic/673...
October 22, 2025 at 3:21 PM
Talked to Steve Kerr about his aging Warriors team last night, and how he plans to keep it intact until the end this time.
On lessons learned from last season, the Jonathan Kuminga future, and more, at @theathletic.com
www.nytimes.com/athletic/673...
On lessons learned from last season, the Jonathan Kuminga future, and more, at @theathletic.com
www.nytimes.com/athletic/673...
Inside the Denver Nuggets' culture reset in the summer and why - after a year of internal dysfunction and a glaring lack of depth - the fixes had everything to do with Nikola Jokic and his future, at @theathletic.com
www.nytimes.com/athletic/671...
www.nytimes.com/athletic/671...
Nuggets are all about giving Nikola Jokić what he needs to win amid culture reset
www.nytimes.com
October 17, 2025 at 3:25 PM
Inside the Denver Nuggets' culture reset in the summer and why - after a year of internal dysfunction and a glaring lack of depth - the fixes had everything to do with Nikola Jokic and his future, at @theathletic.com
www.nytimes.com/athletic/671...
www.nytimes.com/athletic/671...
Why not?
My view on the Kings’ Russell Westbrook addition, their mishmash roster that’s in flux, a new coach with a daunting challenge, and the Clippers - amid all their controversy - offering a reminder of how dangerous they might be, at @theathletic.com
www.nytimes.com/athletic/672...
My view on the Kings’ Russell Westbrook addition, their mishmash roster that’s in flux, a new coach with a daunting challenge, and the Clippers - amid all their controversy - offering a reminder of how dangerous they might be, at @theathletic.com
www.nytimes.com/athletic/672...
Adding Russell Westbrook to a mismatched Sacramento Kings’ squad? Why not?
The Sacramento Kings are a confusing mashup of expensive contracts and ball-dominant players. But they will be entertaining to watch.
www.nytimes.com
October 16, 2025 at 2:29 PM
Why not?
My view on the Kings’ Russell Westbrook addition, their mishmash roster that’s in flux, a new coach with a daunting challenge, and the Clippers - amid all their controversy - offering a reminder of how dangerous they might be, at @theathletic.com
www.nytimes.com/athletic/672...
My view on the Kings’ Russell Westbrook addition, their mishmash roster that’s in flux, a new coach with a daunting challenge, and the Clippers - amid all their controversy - offering a reminder of how dangerous they might be, at @theathletic.com
www.nytimes.com/athletic/672...
Story includes intel on why the Knicks - who are locked in on their title hopes with this current team - are known to have concerns about what it might take to land Giannis down the line. That and more here, at @theathletic.com
www.nytimes.com/athletic/670...
www.nytimes.com/athletic/670...
The Giannis Antetokounmpo trade saga, and New York Knicks’ interest, is just on hold
Giannis is a Buck for now, and possibly for a while yet. But the superstar's future is uncertain.
www.nytimes.com
October 10, 2025 at 2:50 PM
Story includes intel on why the Knicks - who are locked in on their title hopes with this current team - are known to have concerns about what it might take to land Giannis down the line. That and more here, at @theathletic.com
www.nytimes.com/athletic/670...
www.nytimes.com/athletic/670...
What I’m hearing on the Giannis Antetokounmpo front, and why this past week of waves in Milwaukee was a sign of things to come, at @theathletic.com
The Knicks, and so many other teams, are still watching more closely than ever.
www.nytimes.com/athletic/670...
The Knicks, and so many other teams, are still watching more closely than ever.
www.nytimes.com/athletic/670...
Giannis wants another championship. Whether it will be with Milwaukee remains to be seen
www.nytimes.com
October 10, 2025 at 2:44 PM
What I’m hearing on the Giannis Antetokounmpo front, and why this past week of waves in Milwaukee was a sign of things to come, at @theathletic.com
The Knicks, and so many other teams, are still watching more closely than ever.
www.nytimes.com/athletic/670...
The Knicks, and so many other teams, are still watching more closely than ever.
www.nytimes.com/athletic/670...
Maverick Carter might be out of the international leagues that have been the talk of the NBA & WNBA recently, but the plans are still in full swing.
With @mikevorkunov.bsky.social and @joevardon.bsky.social, including an interview with co-founder Grady Burnett
www.nytimes.com/athletic/669...
With @mikevorkunov.bsky.social and @joevardon.bsky.social, including an interview with co-founder Grady Burnett
www.nytimes.com/athletic/669...
What is Project B? The latest on a new global league recruiting basketball stars
Speculation has bubbled for months about an international league that could pose a threat to both the NBA and WNBA.
www.nytimes.com
October 8, 2025 at 9:45 PM
Maverick Carter might be out of the international leagues that have been the talk of the NBA & WNBA recently, but the plans are still in full swing.
With @mikevorkunov.bsky.social and @joevardon.bsky.social, including an interview with co-founder Grady Burnett
www.nytimes.com/athletic/669...
With @mikevorkunov.bsky.social and @joevardon.bsky.social, including an interview with co-founder Grady Burnett
www.nytimes.com/athletic/669...
Reposted by Sam Amick
New "Warriors Plus-Minus" episode with @thompsonscribe.bsky.social @samamick.bsky.social -- the Jonathan Kuminga Signs What's Next Emergency Episode.
-Spotify: open.spotify.com/episode/50XQ...
-Apple: podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/e...
-Spotify: open.spotify.com/episode/50XQ...
-Apple: podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/e...
Emergency Jonathan Kuminga Episode
open.spotify.com
October 1, 2025 at 9:33 PM
New "Warriors Plus-Minus" episode with @thompsonscribe.bsky.social @samamick.bsky.social -- the Jonathan Kuminga Signs What's Next Emergency Episode.
-Spotify: open.spotify.com/episode/50XQ...
-Apple: podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/e...
-Spotify: open.spotify.com/episode/50XQ...
-Apple: podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/e...
From Giannis to Jokic, Luka, Kawhi, Kuminga and more, my look at the major storylines and, yes, revelations from the media day mayhem, at @theathletic.com
www.nytimes.com/athletic/667...
www.nytimes.com/athletic/667...
What we learned (and didn't learn) on NBA media day, from Luka to Giannis to Kawhi
www.nytimes.com
September 30, 2025 at 2:40 PM
From Giannis to Jokic, Luka, Kawhi, Kuminga and more, my look at the major storylines and, yes, revelations from the media day mayhem, at @theathletic.com
www.nytimes.com/athletic/667...
www.nytimes.com/athletic/667...
My view of LeBron James' 23rd (!) media day, and what his latest messaging - after a tumultuous offseason - might mean for his Lakers (and NBA) future, at @theathletic.com
www.nytimes.com/athletic/667...
www.nytimes.com/athletic/667...
Lakers' LeBron James is happy after tumultuous offseason, at least for now
www.nytimes.com
September 29, 2025 at 11:27 PM
My view of LeBron James' 23rd (!) media day, and what his latest messaging - after a tumultuous offseason - might mean for his Lakers (and NBA) future, at @theathletic.com
www.nytimes.com/athletic/667...
www.nytimes.com/athletic/667...
Reposted by Sam Amick
Who is Uncle Dennis?
A profile of Dennis Robertson — Kawhi Leonard's uncle and a man also in the middle of the Clippers/Kawhi/Aspiration investigation — and how he operates.
From @danwoikesports.bsky.social @samamick.bsky.social and me www.nytimes.com/athletic/665...
A profile of Dennis Robertson — Kawhi Leonard's uncle and a man also in the middle of the Clippers/Kawhi/Aspiration investigation — and how he operates.
From @danwoikesports.bsky.social @samamick.bsky.social and me www.nytimes.com/athletic/665...
What we know about ‘Uncle Dennis’: A central figure in the Kawhi Leonard, Clippers investigation
The Athletic conducted interviews with 17 different sources, league and team personnel to learn about Kawhi Leonard's uncle and advisor.
www.nytimes.com
September 25, 2025 at 4:43 PM
Who is Uncle Dennis?
A profile of Dennis Robertson — Kawhi Leonard's uncle and a man also in the middle of the Clippers/Kawhi/Aspiration investigation — and how he operates.
From @danwoikesports.bsky.social @samamick.bsky.social and me www.nytimes.com/athletic/665...
A profile of Dennis Robertson — Kawhi Leonard's uncle and a man also in the middle of the Clippers/Kawhi/Aspiration investigation — and how he operates.
From @danwoikesports.bsky.social @samamick.bsky.social and me www.nytimes.com/athletic/665...
After more than a month of no talks between the Warriors and Kings about a Jonathan Kuminga sign-and-trade, sources tell @theathletic.com that they reconnected recently.
Could a deal still go down here? One (hopefully last) look at the dynamics in play.
www.nytimes.com/athletic/665...
Could a deal still go down here? One (hopefully last) look at the dynamics in play.
www.nytimes.com/athletic/665...
Warriors’ standoff with Jonathan Kuminga nearing an end, but the outcome remains unclear
The 22-year-old has multiple contract options with Golden State, and a sign-and-trade with Sacramento also remains in play.
www.nytimes.com
September 25, 2025 at 12:00 AM
After more than a month of no talks between the Warriors and Kings about a Jonathan Kuminga sign-and-trade, sources tell @theathletic.com that they reconnected recently.
Could a deal still go down here? One (hopefully last) look at the dynamics in play.
www.nytimes.com/athletic/665...
Could a deal still go down here? One (hopefully last) look at the dynamics in play.
www.nytimes.com/athletic/665...
On the continued Jonathan Kuminga-Warriors saga, the 2027 summer that is playing a pivotal part, and key factors to consider in the final stretch of this face-off, at
@theathletic.com
www.nytimes.com/athletic/663...
@theathletic.com
www.nytimes.com/athletic/663...
Jonathan Kuminga wants security. The Warriors want flexibility. Who blinks first?
The Golden State Warriors and Jonathan Kuminga are in imperfect fit. With training camp two weeks away, they could be stuck with each other.
www.nytimes.com
September 16, 2025 at 3:03 PM
On the continued Jonathan Kuminga-Warriors saga, the 2027 summer that is playing a pivotal part, and key factors to consider in the final stretch of this face-off, at
@theathletic.com
www.nytimes.com/athletic/663...
@theathletic.com
www.nytimes.com/athletic/663...
My latest read on the Kawhi Leonard-Steve Ballmer-Clippers saga, with Adam Silver showing a brief glimpse of his...Stern side in today's BOG remarks.
Intel on owners' reactions, the problematic evidence that keeps piling up and more, at @theathletic.com
www.nytimes.com/athletic/661...
Intel on owners' reactions, the problematic evidence that keeps piling up and more, at @theathletic.com
www.nytimes.com/athletic/661...
Adam Silver strikes bold tone, for him, on Clippers investigation
www.nytimes.com
September 11, 2025 at 12:41 AM
My latest read on the Kawhi Leonard-Steve Ballmer-Clippers saga, with Adam Silver showing a brief glimpse of his...Stern side in today's BOG remarks.
Intel on owners' reactions, the problematic evidence that keeps piling up and more, at @theathletic.com
www.nytimes.com/athletic/661...
Intel on owners' reactions, the problematic evidence that keeps piling up and more, at @theathletic.com
www.nytimes.com/athletic/661...
My read on the Kawhi Leonard-Steve Ballmer-Clippers saga, with some early feedback from folks around the league on the severity of the situation, at @theathletic.com
"This does not happen," one GM said.
"I've never seen it," said another exec.
www.nytimes.com/athletic/659...
"This does not happen," one GM said.
"I've never seen it," said another exec.
www.nytimes.com/athletic/659...
Plenty 'unusual' about Kawhi Leonard sponsorship deal: 'This does not happen'
www.nytimes.com
September 4, 2025 at 10:49 PM
My read on the Kawhi Leonard-Steve Ballmer-Clippers saga, with some early feedback from folks around the league on the severity of the situation, at @theathletic.com
"This does not happen," one GM said.
"I've never seen it," said another exec.
www.nytimes.com/athletic/659...
"This does not happen," one GM said.
"I've never seen it," said another exec.
www.nytimes.com/athletic/659...