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The #JamesGang has become the #KlutchGang.

Klutch Sports, the agency founded by LeBron James' longtime friend and agent Rich Paul, announced the signing of Bryce James, LeBron's youngest son, to an NIL contract Monday.

Welcome Bryce James! #Klutch #NIL pic.twitter.com/jE4uIwa7WU

— KLUTCH Sports Group (@KlutchSports) December 12, 2022

The agency will handle Bryce James' negotiations with companies seeking to sign the 15-year-old to endorsement contracts during his prep career.

While Bronny James, LeBron's oldest son, has received national attention for his stardom on the prep level, Bryce has been increasingly viewed as potentially the better long-term prospect.

"There are people who told me that Bryce actually might be the better prospect amongst the two," ESPN's Brian Windhorst said in March on the Dan Patrick Show.

Bryce James, a member of the 2025 recruiting class, is yet to have a star-rating designation on any major recruiting website. Bronny James is currently ranked as the No. 43 overall player in the 2023 recruiting class by 247Sports' composite rankings.

Regardless of whether either son winds up reaching NBA stardom, they stand to make a ton of money in NIL contracts as they pursue their prep and collegiate dreams.

The Washington Commanders activated quarterback Carson Wentz from the Reserve/Injured list on Monday, per ESPN's Adam Schefter.

Wentz has been sidelined since breaking his ring finger in the Commanders' Oct. 13 win over the Chicago Bears.

At the time of Wentz's injury, the Commanders were 2-4. Since, with Taylor Heinicke taking over as the starter, the team has gone 6-1-1.

Suffice to say, Washington has already made it clear that Heinicke, 29, will remain the starter going forward.

"We're going to go with Taylor, and we'll work Carson back in and see where Carson is in terms of if he's ready to be the backup, then we'll go from there," head coach Ron Rivera told reporters in late November.

When asked further why he was making that decision, Rivera answered simply: "Winning."

The 29-year-old Wentz struggled in his six starts this season, throwing for 1,489 yards, 10 touchdowns and six interceptions while completing 62.1 percent of his passes and taking 23 sacks.

Contrast that to Heinicke, who in his seven starts has only thrown for 1,444 yards, nine touchdowns and five interceptions, completing 61.8 percent of his passes, but has only taken 14 sacks.

"I get it, I get it. It's part of the business," Wentz told reporters in late November regarding Rivera naming Heinicke the starter going forward. "I totally understand where we are at as a team and everything else. Obviously, as a competitor, you want to be out there. ... But at the same time, I have a great relationship with Taylor and all the guys. I've been happy to see him succeed in what he's been able to do."

For Washington, it's simple—why mess with a good thing? The Commanders (7-5-1) are the No. 6 seed in the NFC playoffs, with key matchups against the New York Giants, San Francisco 49ers, Cleveland Browns and Dallas Cowboys looming.

It's a tough stretch to close out the season, and it's no surprise that they'll be sticking with Heinicke to guide them through it.

The Atlanta Hawks are reportedly uninterested in taking on Joe Harris' contract in John Collins trade talks with the Brooklyn Nets.

Shams Charania of The Athletic and Stadium reported the Nets are among several teams that have reached out to Atlanta as the Collins market takes shape.

The Hawks have been actively shopping Collins, though they may have a tough time landing significant value in return since he still has three-plus years remaining on the five-year, $125 million deal that he signed in 2021.

Collins, who is currently out of the lineup with an ankle sprain, is averaging only 12.3 points and 7.5 rebounds per game while shooting a career-low 48.4 percent from the field. His scoring average has now dipped in three consecutive seasons, and his 21.9 percent mark from three-point range ranks among the worst in the sport.

The Nets have righted the ship from their miserable start to the season, winning seven of their last eight games to move up to the No. 4 seed in the Eastern Conference. Collins would help fill a need for talent at the big spots, though he still wouldn't provide true rim protection that Brooklyn desperately lacks.

Harris, who missed most of last season with an ankle injury, is in the worst shooting slump of his career. He's knocking down only 37.4 percent of his threes, his worst mark since he was a bit player shuffling back and forth between Cleveland and the G League early in his career.

Not known as a quality defender, Harris' positive impact essentially evaporates when he's not shooting the ball well. The Nets owe the 31-year-old $19.9 million in 2023-24, the final year of his four-year, $75 million contract. It's unsurprising that Atlanta would balk at taking on Harris, but the Nets could entice a third team willing to take him on.

The NBA trade market should begin to heat up Dec. 15, which is the date when most players who signed contracts during the offseason can be traded.

The Miami Heat are "expected to have a re-energized pursuit" of the Phoenix Suns' Jae Crowder, according to The Athletic's Shams Charania.

Charania also reported the Suns discussed a possible three-team trade that would've sent Crowder to the Milwaukee Bucks, while the Atlanta Hawks have also shown interest in the 32-year-old forward.

Crowder has yet to suit up for Phoenix this season. ESPN's Brian Windhorst reported in September he requested a trade when the team told him he might be falling out of the starting rotation.

Even though Cameron Johnson's knee injury created a void at power forward, Crowder has remained away from the Suns. As a result, a trade may be inevitable.

In October, Yahoo Sports' Jake Fischer reported some officials within the Heat "have even expressed confidence Miami is Crowder's preferred destination."

However, Ian Begley of SNY reported in November the Suns could request Max Strus to be included in the trade package, which might be too high an asking price for Miami.

There's also the fact the Heat would need to match Crowder's $10.2 million salary. That's easier said than done when they have seven players—Strus included—making less than $5 million this season.

Crowder has a lot of value for a contending team. He's a 34.6 percent career three-point shooter and has the ability to guard both forward positions.

Miami has already seen firsthand what he can provide. In 20 appearances with the team in 2019-20, he averaged 11.9 points and 5.4 rebounds while hitting 44.5 percent of his three-pointers in the regular season.

As Charania's report laid out, though, there's plenty of competition for Crowder, and unless he arranges a buyout with the Suns, Phoenix has the final say on where he winds up next.

The Milwaukee Bucks remain in discussion to acquire Jae Crowder from the Phoenix Suns, with Shams Charania of The Athletic reporting one potential three-way trade involving the Houston Rockets.

"Multiple league sources said the Suns recently engaged in three-team talks that would have sent Crowder to Milwaukee, four Bucks second-round draft picks along with players to Houston, and Eric Gordon and/or Kenyon Martin Jr. to Phoenix," Charania reported.

The Rockets have held up the trade because they are seeking at least a first-round pick for either Gordon or Martin. Gordon has also generated interest in other trades, while Houston doesn't want to deal Martin unless it gets a "very good first-rounder" in return.

Martin, a second-round pick in 2020, has emerged as a valuable part of the Rockets rotation while averaging 10.7 points and 5.2 rebounds per game. The 21-year-old is under contract through 2023-24 and could be a key part of the team's young core alongside Jalen Green, Kevin Porter Jr. and others.

Gordon could be more expendable as a 33-year-old with a nonguaranteed contract worth $20.9 million next season. The veteran is averaging 12.2 points per game, which would be a career low, although his experience could make him a useful contributor in the right location.

The Suns could certainly use the scoring depth after dealing with significant injuries this season. The 16-11 squad has its sights on a title and would benefit from adding a quality outside scorer with 55 career playoff games on his resume.

Milwaukee, meanwhile, has been engaging in discussions about Crowder since the start of the regular season, per Charania.

Crowder has not appeared in a game for Phoenix this season after a mutual agreement to find a deal, but the 32-year-old's two-way ability could provide a boost to the Bucks' rotation. The forward averaged 9.4 points and 5.3 rebounds in 67 starts for the Suns last year.

There is still plenty of interest in Crowder around the league. Bleacher Report's Eric Pincus listed the Bucks, Atlanta Hawks and Golden State Warriors as being among his suitors. The Dallas Mavericks have also discussed a potential deal, per Sean Deveney of Heavy.com.

The Los Angeles Lakers reportedly are "prioritizing shooting in their conversations with teams" ahead of the Feb. 9 NBA trade deadline, per Shams Charania of The Athletic and Stadium, with a keen eye toward Detroit Pistons forward Bojan Bogdanović and the New York Knicks' wing pair of Cam Reddish and Evan Fournier.

According to Charania's report, the Lakers have "discussed packages including salaries and a protected first-round pick" for Bogdanović and are "among roughly a dozen teams to inquire about him, offering first- or second-rounders." However, Charania added that the Pistons "have expressed to rival teams a significant reluctance about moving" Bogdanović.

The Lakers seem content, at least for the time being, with Russell Westbrook in the sixth-man role. The 34-year-old point guard has played well coming off the bench and is averaging 14.4 points, 7.6 assists and 5.6 rebounds per game while shooting 40.5 percent from the field and 29.2 percent from three.

In his three games as a starter this season, Westbrook averaged 10.3 points per game and shot 28.9 percent from the field. The change has done him—and the Lakers—good.

Still, the Lakers find themselves just 11-15 on the year as they continue to recover from a dreadful 2-10 start. One way to surge would be to add more shooting around LeBron James and Anthony Davis.

Bogdanović would help. The 33-year-old is averaging a career-high 21 points per game this season and is shooting an impressive 43.7 percent from deep. His ability to stretch the floor would open up far more spacing for James to drive to the basket or for Davis to work out of the post.

Reddish, 23, wouldn't be that level of offensive upgrade—he's averaging 8.4 points per game this season and is shooting only 30.4 percent from three—but he would give the Lakers a young and athletic two-way wing, which is always a valuable archetype of player.

The 30-year-old Fournier is a more natural scorer than his younger Knicks counterpart, even though his production this year (6.9 PPG, 33 percent from three) has fallen well below his career averages (14.2 PPG, 38 percent from three).

Fournier has been a starter for most of his career, but he's been asked to come off the bench in roughly half of his appearances this season, which has perhaps been a difficult adjustment for him to make.

Of all of the players listed, Bogdanović would provide the most obvious solution for the Lakers' needs. However, the Pistons don't seem particularly inclined to let him go at this juncture.

New York Knicks point guard Jalen Brunson suffered a sprained right ankle during his team's 112-99 win over the Sacramento Kings on Sunday.

Knicks head coach Tom Thibodeau told the news to reporters after the game and noted he didn't have an idea of Brunson's status for Wednesday's road matchup with the Chicago Bulls.

Tom Thibodeau says that Jalen Brunson has a sprained ankle: pic.twitter.com/XlWsKu5h7B

— Knicks Videos (@sny_knicks) December 12, 2022

The Knicks will visit Chicago for a pair of games on Wednesday and Friday.

Brunson left the Kings game with 9:03 remaining in the fourth quarter. Fred Katz of The Athletic reported that he walked back to the locker room with a "heavy limp."

He finished with 18 points on 7-of-14 shooting in 27 minutes. Miles McBride replaced Brunson down the stretch.

The former Villanova star joined New York on a four-year, $104 million contract this offseason after spending the first four seasons of his NBA career with the Dallas Mavericks. He has done quite well for the Knicks en route to averaging a career-high 20.1 points per game and 6.4 assists for the 14-13 Knicks.

If Brunson is forced to miss time, that should open up minutes for players such as McBride and Immanuel Quickley, who was asked about the possibility Sunday.

"My guy is hurt man, so I'm not really worried about who is starting and who is not. My teammate is down..."

- Immanuel Quickley on if he may get more starts with Jalen Brunson hurt pic.twitter.com/7BSkShIRWq

— Knicks Videos (@sny_knicks) December 12, 2022

The Knicks moved into a sixth-place tie in the Eastern Conference with their fourth straight victory.

Philadelphia 76ers center Joel Embiid dropped 53 points on 20-of-32 shooting alongside 12 rebounds to lead his team to a 131-113 home win over the Charlotte Hornets on Sunday.

Embiid, who has now averaged 41.3 points in his last four games, also made all 11 of his free throws. He scored 20 points in the second quarter alone en route to 28 at the half.

Sunday marked the second time Embiid scored 50 or more this season. He previously scored 59 points in a 105-98 win over the Utah Jazz on Nov. 13.

In addition, his 33.9 points per game leads the NBA.

Twitter raved about Embiid's tremendous night, which vaulted the 14-12 76ers to fifth in the Eastern Conference.

FINAL: Sixers 131, Hornets 113.

Joel Embiid was outrageously good... again. 53 points and 12 boards for him on the night in just 34 minutes.

19-16-9 for Harden.

After a slow start, the Sixers' offense exploded.

The Sixers are 14-12.

— Adam Aaronson (@SixersAdam) December 12, 2022

This is Joel Embiid’s 100th 30 point /10 rebound game. He’s the fastest to that 30/10 ppl mark (346 games), since stats became official in 1981. Shaq was quickest at 349. 🌟 pic.twitter.com/zNudXaTM1D

— Amy Fadool Kane (@amyfadoolNBCS) December 12, 2022

Joel Embiid’s points total in each of his last 10 games…

42
59
32
32
30
19
35
39
38
53

That is good for 37.9 points per game since November 12. Outrageous player.

— Adam Aaronson (@SixersAdam) December 12, 2022

50-point games by a center since Shaq retired:

4 — Embiid
5 — Rest of NBA combined pic.twitter.com/uwP6Y2zo7D

— StatMuse (@statmuse) December 12, 2022

Joel Embiid over his last 10 games:

53 PTS - 12 REB - 3 AST
38 PTS - 12 REB - 5 AST
39 PTS - 7 REB - 3 AST
35 PTS - 11 REB - 8 AST
19 PTS - 6 REB - 6 AST
30 PTS - 8 REB - 7 AST
32 PTS - 9 REB - 6 AST
32 PTS - 11 REB - 8 AST
59 PTS - 11 REB - 8 AST
42 PTS - 10 REB - 6 AST pic.twitter.com/OktuSdrBnN

— NBACentral (@TheDunkCentral) December 12, 2022

An effortlessly dominant performance for Joel Embiid, who dropped 53 and probably could have gone for more if this game was at all competitive late. Ridiculous game https://t.co/ve6fUfNTZo

— Kyle Neubeck (@KyleNeubeck) December 12, 2022

Embiid tonight:

53 PTS
12 REB

First Sixer with multiple 50-point games since AI. pic.twitter.com/m0yZFDPZyu

— StatMuse (@statmuse) December 12, 2022

.@sixers @JoelEmbiid is the 1st player in the @NBA this season w/ multiple 50-pt games.

He's the 1st 76er w/ multiple 50-pt games in a season since HOFer @alleniverson had 3 in 04-05.

He, Iverson (2x) & Chamberlain (2x) are the only Sixers ever to do so.

h/t @Stathead

— Sixers Stats (@SixersStats) December 12, 2022

Embiid this season:

— 33.4 PPG on 54.5 FG%
— Leads NBA in scoring
— Leads NBA in 50-point games
— Career high PPG, APG, FG%

Welcome to the stacked MVP race. pic.twitter.com/rqB5TJMWuA

— StatMuse (@statmuse) December 12, 2022

Joel Embiid becomes the first center in post-merger NBA history to register multiple games of 50+ points and 10+ rebounds in a single season.

— Brett Usher (@UsherNBA) December 12, 2022

39-11-2 for Embiid as he checks out with 1:22 left in the third. Not a whole lot more to analyze in this game other than "Embiid good" at the moment

— Kyle Neubeck (@KyleNeubeck) December 12, 2022

Sixers beat Charlotte, 131-113. They are 14-12. Joel Embiid is pretty good at basketball.

— Rich Hofmann (@rich_hofmann) December 12, 2022

Regardless of the Sixers record, Joel Embiid is absolutely 100% playing like the MVP for a 3rd straight season. He’s absolutely amazing.

— Josh Reynolds (@JoshReynolds24) December 12, 2022

Philadelphia will now host the Sacramento Kings on Tuesday.

The Los Angeles Lakers closed out their six-game road trip with a 124-117 win over the Detroit Pistons on Sunday, and it took another herculean performance by star big man Anthony Davis to earn the victory.

Davis finished with 34 points, 15 rebounds, seven assists, two steals and a block to help Los Angeles snap a three-game losing streak and improve to 11-15. Lakers star LeBron James recorded a team-high 35 points.

In his last five games, Davis has crossed the 30-point mark four times. The only anomaly is when he was forced to exit last Tuesday's game against the Cleveland Cavaliers because of an illness after playing just a single quarter.

NBA Twitter showed love to Davis after another impressive performance, as the 29-year-old is performing at a level that has many believing he's one of the best players in the league:

Anthony Davis is on another planet right now.

— Bryan Kennedy (@BKennedyTV) December 12, 2022

AD is ridiculous. Pistons keep getting it within 3 and then Davis scores.

— James L. Edwards III (@JLEdwardsIII) December 12, 2022

Meanwhile, Anthony Davis still playing like the best player in the NBA.

— Laker Central (@LakerCentral365) December 12, 2022

That was one of the best plays I’ve seen Anthony Davis make out of a double team while being a #Laker.

Hope his growth in taking double teams continues in this trajectory 🤞

— 🦉 Lakers Vino (@VinoUncorked) December 11, 2022

Lakers duo today:

LeBron — AD —
35 PTS 34 PTS
5 REB 15 REB

Both averaging more points and rebounds than their championship season. pic.twitter.com/olSVYN1RlE

— StatMuse (@statmuse) December 12, 2022

LeBron James and Anthony Davis are both playing at an extremely high level, and the Lakers won’t make a trade to make sure their performances don’t go to waste.

— Colb (@___Colb___) December 12, 2022

Don't think AD will catch Bojan's 22 points but he's got 17 points of his own in this third quarter.

— Kyle Goon (@kylegoon) December 12, 2022

LeBron James and Anthony Davis combined for 69 Points!! pic.twitter.com/mIuqP5uSQE

— NBA World (@NBAW0RLD24) December 12, 2022

Gorgeous pass to AD man I love AD & Bron not having to work hard for buckets

— 🏆LakersGuru🏆 (@GuruLakers) December 12, 2022

What AD has been doing to double teams has been nothing short of incredible. He turned his biggest weakness into just another strength. Wow.

— Letting Go (@ProvideContext) December 12, 2022

When the Lakers give the ball to AD they score …. But then they just suddenly stop going to AD & think they can shoot. It’s so frustrating cause it’s so easy but the Lakers make it hard

— Raquel 🫶🏾 (@SOULbeautifulme) December 12, 2022

AD has another double-double.

— LAKERFANATICS (@LAKERFANATICS) December 12, 2022

Anthony Davis is now at least an average passer out of double teams

This is no longer a weakness in his game

— 🏆LakersGuru🏆 (@GuruLakers) December 12, 2022

The Lakers have had trouble maintaining momentum this season, as the team's roster still has some holes. However, having Davis in the lineup at full strength gives Los Angeles a superstar who can be the best player on the court each time he steps on it.

Davis and the Lakers will look to keep the momentum going when they return to action on Tuesday at home against the Boston Celtics, who have the best record in the NBA at 21-6.

Former NBA star, College Basketball Hall of Famer and longtime NBA coach Paul Silas died on Sunday. He was 79.

The Fertitta Family and the Rockets organization are deeply saddened by the passing of Paul Silas, father of Rockets head coach Stephen Silas.

Our heartfelt thoughts are with Stephen and his family during this difficult time. pic.twitter.com/EOMSjv23t5

— Houston Rockets (@HoustonRockets) December 11, 2022

Michael Jordan on the passing of Paul Silas pic.twitter.com/gBwD1QZ2tL

— Adrian Wojnarowski (@wojespn) December 11, 2022

A cause of death has not been released publicly at this time.

Tributes poured in from NBA and college basketball Twitter following news of his death:

RIP to Hall of Famer, 3X NBA Champion, and my guy Paul Silas. Paul made a huge contribution to the game of basketball and will be sorely missed! Cookie and I send our prayers and condolences to the entire Silas family 🙏🏾❤️

— Earvin Magic Johnson (@MagicJohnson) December 11, 2022

LeBron's first coach in Cleveland, one of the great rebounders of his day at just 6-7 and a towering NBA figure. Paul Silas will be missed so much ... sending love and warmest wishes to Rockets coach Stephen Silas and their whole family. https://t.co/U5LSsEQjzc

— Marc Stein (@TheSteinLine) December 11, 2022

https://twitter.com/RexChapman/status/1601983894080954369

RIP Paul Silas - beloved Celtic, beloved teammate, class act, huge part of Cowens/Hondo era, 2-time champ (then a 3rd in Seattle), played 16 yrs back when nobody played that long. My dad loved Silas + still complains that we didn’t pay him in 1976. A rare Auerbach blunder.

— Bill Simmons (@BillSimmons) December 11, 2022

So sad to hear about Paul Silas, who was as rugged a rebounder as the NBA ever saw, and a basketball lifer, in all the best ways. Won three championships and played, and later coached, with great passion and toughness. Condolences to his son Stephen and all his family. pic.twitter.com/OSvftBXCRN

— Mike Greenberg (@Espngreeny) December 11, 2022

So sad to hear of the passing of the legendary Paul Silas. A giant of a man on and off the court, who was always generous and honest with his time. My condolences to Stephen and his family. RIP.

— David Aldridge (@davidaldridgedc) December 11, 2022

My condolences and prayers to Stephen Silas and the Silas family. Coach Silas was very intelligent, had a strong presence and a great sense of humor. The Oakland McClymonds High star was a 3-time NBA champ and had 387 coaching wins. Truly a giant of a human. Rest in Peace, Coach. https://t.co/K9vaAAivLM

— Marc J. Spears (@MarcJSpears) December 11, 2022

My condolences go out to Coach Silas and his family. Paul Silas was a very good player and coach..RIP 🙏🏾🙏🏾🙏🏾🏀 @HoustonRockets

— mario elie (@marioelie1) December 11, 2022

I am deeply saddened to hear of the passing of Creighton legend, Paul Silas. His illustrious career as a player and coach, will be matched by few. Our thoughts and prayers are with his family and friends during this difficult time. 🙏🙏 pic.twitter.com/YYNwkYTQmU

— Coach McDermott (@cucoachmac) December 11, 2022

https://twitter.com/TomCrean/status/1601984058552115201

Paul Silas was a champion, trail blazer, and gentle giant. I have fond memories of Coach when I was growing up in Cleveland. He would let me shoot around on the Cavs practice court and gave me tips on how to make left handed layups. Rest In Power Coach! ✊🏾🤍🕊️ pic.twitter.com/88iTcVZumX

— Myck Miller (@MyckMiller) December 11, 2022

Silas spent his college career at Creighton (1961-64), averaging 20.5 points per game in his three seasons. He was a second-round pick of the St. Louis Hawks in the 1964 NBA draft.

He spent 16 seasons in the NBA with the Hawks, Phoenix Suns, Boston Celtics, Denver Nuggets and Seattle Supersonics, averaging 9.4 points and 9.9 rebounds for his career. He was a three-time champion, a two-time All-Star and a five-time All-Defensive selection (twice on the first team, three times on the second team).

"He wasn't a great shooter, but he was such a solid player," former Celtics player, head coach and broadcaster Tommy Heinsohn told Grantland in 2014 regarding Silas. "He could pass and rebound and defend. In an up-tempo game, he could score as well as anybody. What he did in his career is really max out what he was."

After his playing career Silas transitioned to coaching, going 387-488 in stints with the San Diego Clippers (1980-81 to 1982-83) and Charlotte Hornets (1998-99 to 2001-02; 2010-11 to 2011-12), New Orleans Hornets (2002-03) and the Cleveland Cavaliers (2003-04 to 2004-05), where he coached LeBron James.

"He was a lot better coach than his record, that's for sure," longtime NBA head coach Don Nelson told Grantland of Silas in 2014. "There's only one guy that wins it every year. There's 29 other guys that are going to end up in a lesser position. His teams always played hard and competed. He was tough, but respected."

Coaching runs in the family—his son, Stephen Silas, is the current head coach of the Houston Rockets.