LeBron, Jokic and more 2025 NBA offseason moments told by social media

The 2025-26 NBA season begins Tuesday, marking the start of on-court intrigue. However, that doesn’t mean players haven’t stayed busy off the field during the offseason.

From LeBron James taking up golf as a new hobby to Nikola Jokic partying with his horse, the NBA’s biggest names have been making the most of their offseason. Unlike 2024, which had the Paris Olympics, this summer had an open schedule, meaning limited NBA action and more time to hit the road.

Here’s a look at the best moments of the offseason, as told by social media.

Klay launches new relationship

Klay Thompson sent shockwaves through the pop culture world with his July 12 Instagram post. Captioning “Sweet Bells son,” the Dallas Mavericks guard posted a collage of photos from his recent vacation, but with a twist: He apparently posed with rapper Megan Thee Stallion in one of the photos.

Fans were quick to speculate that the two were dating, sparking relationship rumors. This prompted comments from Kevin Durant, Dwight Howard and Ty Jerome, who wrote: “Woah, tough launch.”

The two walked the red carpet in New York a few days later, confirming their relationship.

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LeBron and Bronny on the golf course

A viral offseason development centered around LeBron James’ discovery of his love for golf. His first message came on July 4, his second day playing. James said: “Boy, boy, that’s a fucked up spirit to say the least! But I think I’m enjoying that part a lot.”

He talked about it on the “360 With Speedy” podcast last month.

“It’s real hard as fuck,” James said. “…I wanted a challenge, man, and I like being uncomfortable. Golf is like one of the few places I can go and I’m not bothered as much.”

LeBron wasn’t the only one with the golf itch in the James household: his eldest son and Los Angeles Lakers teammate, Bronny, also took up the sport. Bronny had a smooth swing for someone who started playing four months before the video was posted.

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French stars own the chessboard

San Antonio Spurs star Victor Wembanyama’s love of chess is no secret, as the center played games in a New York City park last December. He took that affinity to another level during the offseason, hosting the “Hoops Gambit” tournament in his hometown of Chesnay, France.

Dozens of people competed, including Minnesota Timberwolves center and fellow Frenchman Rudy Gobert. The two even faced each other in a match.

DEFENSE AGAINST DEFENSE ♟️

Rudy Gobert showed up at the Hoop Gambit event to play against Wemby 🤯🤯 pic.twitter.com/3xsRw10ivi

– Chess.com (@chesscom) July 20, 2025

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A celebration heard around the world

There aren’t many things Denver Nuggets star Nikola Jokic loves more than his horses — and he had the celebration to prove it.

Jokic was celebrating emotionally after his horse won a race in Subotica, Serbia, in late July. He cried before walking out the door to meet his horse and driver, then poured champagne on the group and himself.

A few days earlier, the NBA and the Nuggets also released a photo of Jokic taking care of horses while in Beijing.

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Allen makes his wedding dance worth it

In a summer filled with weddings and engagements, Cleveland Cavaliers center Jarrett Allen really nailed the execution. He made the most of his wedding with an incredibly choreographed dance with his wife, Jordyn.

The couple took inspiration from the 2006 Disney film “High School Musical.” The film’s final musical is called “We’re All in This Together”, where the school joins in a dance.

Allen and his wife performed the dance to the song at their wedding. The 6-foot-9 center also themed his wedding after the musical, captioning his wedding Instagram post: “#We’reAllenThisTogether.”

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Different continent, same behavior

No opponent is safe from trash talk when it comes to Timberwolves star Anthony Edwards – not even a retired center.

Edwards traveled to China as part of Adidas’ “Believe That” tour with stops in Beijing, Shanghai and Chengdu. During the trip, Edwards met Naismith Basketball Hall of Famer Yao Ming.

Of course, the 6-foot-4 guard had to remind the 7-foot-6 Chinese center that he wouldn’t be spared a dunk.

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Durant trade news comes at the perfect time

Arguably the biggest transaction of the offseason was the Phoenix Suns’ trade of Durant to the Houston Rockets. Reported in late June, Houston sent Jalen Green, Dillon Brooks, the No. 10 pick in the 2025 draft and five second-round picks for Durant.

Durant had been the subject of trade rumors since the previous NBA trade deadline. However, news of the deal came at a time when cameras could capture Durant’s reaction.

The two-time NBA champion was being interviewed on stage at Fanatics Fest when the deal was announced. He could only smile as the crowd went wild.

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A new way to stay prepared

Vacations can sometimes interrupt proper workouts, but Russell Westbrook has found a way around that.

The current Sacramento Kings guard was leaving his yacht when videos caught him shooting. Westbrook had a hoop where he practiced dribbling and executed a jumper.