As the second wave of teams took the stage for NBA Media Day, high expectations, and new places took the podium in preparation of the upcoming season. Day 2 featured the league’s biggest stars giving updates on their health, new additions on their teams, and much more during the media session.To bring you up to speed, here are some of the key takeaways from day 2 of NBA Media Day.

LeBron James Addresses His Future With the Lakers

One of the storylines that is sure to dominate the 2025-26 NBA season is the future of LeBron James. Remarkably, the Los Angeles Lakers superstar is entering his 23rd season, making it his 23rd Media Day.  During the offseason, James exercised his $52.6-million contract option, leading to speculation that his time in the league, or as a Laker, could be ending soon. Speaking with reporters, James says he won’t wait for his son, Bryce, to enter the league."I'm not waiting on Bryce," James said. "...He has his own timeline, I got my timeline, and I don't know if they quite match up." 

When it comes time for James to retire, he notes that it will be a family decision.

"It'll be a decision between me and my wife, and my daughter," said James, adding that his two sons no longer live in his house. "It won't be a meeting with my teammates."

Kawhi Leonard Denies Cap Circumvention Allegations

Kawhi Leonard has a reputation for being quiet, but everyone in the NBA world wanted to hear from him after allegations that the LA Clippers circumvented the salary cap to essentially pay him “under the table. When asked how he would deal with lingering questions all season, the two-time Finals MVP denied the allegations levied against him. 

“It’s easy, for us, it’s nothing to hide. There's no wrongdoing there. So we’re just going to keep going as any other season,” Leonard explained. “My name might pop up, but it is what it is. I’ve been through times like this before.”

“Just going through the year last year, going through the (Los Angeles wildfire). Soon as I came back, that first game, my house and my community caught on fire. I don’t think it’s going to be harder than that.”

Trae Young Speaks On Not Getting a Contract Extension

Although he may be surrounded by the most talent he’s ever had, Atlanta Hawks star point guard Trae Young didn’t ink a super max deal with the squad over the summer. But he's not letting that keep him from leading. 

“I don't know [about] the word disappointment. I mean, maybe, for sure," Young said, via ESPN’s Ohm Youngmisuk. "For me, I'm so focused. I'm more happy about the team that we got going into this season. I'm blessed, bro. I wasn't stressed about anything. If something happened, it happened. If it didn't, I still got time."

During the offseason, the Hawks added Kristaps Porziņģis, Nickeil Alexander-Walker, and Luke Kennard, making the Hawks one of the teams to watch in the Eastern Conference.

Giannis Antetokounmpo Keeps Putting Pressure On the Milwaukee Bucks

During the Milwaukee Bucks media day, Giannis Antetokounmpo was absent due to a positive COVID-19 test. He joined virtually and expressed his dismay about not being in person. 

“I’m definitely disappointed — bummed out that I’m not able to be there with the team and get this ball rolling. As a leader, I don’t feel good about this, but at the end of the day, this is life.”

“The same thing I’ve been saying my whole career: I want to be on a team that allows me and gives me a chance to win a championship, you know, and that wants to compete at a high level,” Antetokounmpo said. “I think it’s a disservice to basketball, it’s a disservice to the game to not want to compete at a high level. To want your season to end in April, you know? So it’s pretty much the same.”

Antetokounmpo did share his excitement about his new teammates and the season ahead.

“My confidence is at an all-time high right now. I feel really good about myself, the team, and I'm excited to be there,” he said.

Kevin Durant Finds a New Home In Houston

One of the biggest offseason moves was the Houston Rockets landing Kevin Durant in a blockbuster trade. Durant told reporters that he’s excited to be in Houston and looks forward to signing a contract extension. 

“I do see myself signing a contract extension,” Durant said. “I can’t tell you exactly when it’ll happen. But I do see it happening.” 

He’s eligible to sign a two-year extension worth more than $120 million. Also, Durant praised the Rockets organization for building a contender in a short amount of time. 

“Just seeing the quick progression of this franchise, from where it was right after that Chris Paul-James Harden era to seeing what (Rockets coach) Ime (Udoka) got here and how he turned it around so fast,” Durant said. “It just felt organic and natural coming into the gym and being a Houston Rocket for the first time.”

Stephen Curry Speaks On Jonathan Kuminga’s Contact Situation

This offseason has been an interesting one for the Golden State Warriors. They have commitments from Al Horford, Gary Payton II, and De'Anthony Melton. But Jonathan Kuminga’s contract situation is still up in the air after he turned down a reportedly offered  three-year, $54 million deal but he insisted on the final year being a team option. 

For the first time, Stephen Curry took some time to address all that’s happening with his team. 

“We talk about it for sure. As leaders on the team, you've got to acknowledge what's going on” he said.  “Don't make it more than what it is, other than a team trying to figure out the situation that's in front of us and the challenge that's in front of us. Knowing JK's situation, knowing the new faces we're adding to the roster, we talk about it every year going into a training camp of what it's going to take for that particular team to win.”