NBA

Multiple witnesses tell TMZ Sports ... Draymond Green and Tristan Thompson cooled off and actually dapped each other up after a heated altercation at an ESPYs after-party.

We spoke with multiple people who were inside Delilah nightclub on July 18 when Draymond and Tristan came face to face.

Everyone we spoke to says it did not appear Tristan actually punched Draymond -- but he did make an aggressive gesture toward him.

LeBron and Kevin Durant did intervene and diffused the situation.

We're told when things cooled off ... Draymond and Tristan talked things out and actually made peace. At one point, our sources say they shook hands and the night went on without any more drama.

Shaq is WRONG -- Kobe Bryant is NOT coming back to the NBA ... so says Mrs. Mamba herself, Vanessa Bryant.

There have been rumblings that 39-year-old Kobe is considering a return to the Lakers to join LeBron James for one last shot at a ring before he rides off into the sunset.

And, the rumors got even stronger when Shaquille O'Neal told TMZ Sports over the weekend, "Kobe coming back. You heard it here first."

Now, Vanessa is finally weighing in -- and assuring Laker Nation, Kobe ain't pulling a Michael Jordan.

"Kobe will not be coming out of retirement to play again," Vanessa wrote on Instagram.

"He doesn’t want to play again and frankly we really enjoy spending time together as a family without the crazy game schedule interfering with birthdays, holidays and special events."

Mamba out.

Before Draymond Green's alleged violent confrontation with Tristan Thompson ... the NBA star was partying with LeBron James and Kevin Durant and witnesses say he was in a great mood.

There are reports Draymond and his crew went from LeBron's Uninterrupted party at The Highlight Room to Delilah nightclub ... where Green approached Thompson and was struck in the face by the NBA star.

Some reports say Draymond was trying to apologize to Tristan for disrespecting him after the NBA Finals -- but TT was having nothing of it and had to be restrained.

Witnesses who saw Draymond and LeBron at The Highlight Room say the guys were hanging out and enjoying the evening ... no static, no tension.

We got video of Draymond and LeBron having a conversation before leaving for the next spot with KD -- but unclear what they were talking about.

The NYPD is investigating J.R. Smith for allegedly stealing a cell phone from a fan and throwing into a construction site ... TMZ Sports has learned.

Law enforcement sources tell us ... they got a call around 2:30 AM on Sunday morning from a guy who says he tried to take a picture with the Cleveland Cavs star outside of The Park, a hot spot in Chelsea.

Smith allegedly turned the fan down -- telling him no photos -- but he snapped one anyway ... and Smith snapped too.

We're told ... Smith allegedly approached the fan and snatched the phone out of his hand and then launched it into a nearby construction zone. The fan claims his $800 phone was damaged and he has filed a report with police.

Smith has not been charged with a crime -- but we're told cops would like to speak with him asap.

We talked to J.R.'s attorney, Alex Spiro, who vehemently denies the allegations ... saying, "the claim is nonsense and we do not have anything to say about nonsense."

Blake Griffin has reached a truce with baby mama Brynn Cameron in their nasty custody fight -- striking a deal on child support payment and custody right before they were set to go to trial.

Blake and Brynn had 2 children together during their 8-year relationship -- and were supposed to get married back in 2017 ... until he called things off at the last minute and started dating Kendall Jenner.

Brynn went after Blake hard in court docs -- claiming Griffin left her basically homeless and cash-strapped when he bolted.

Our sources tell us a trial was scheduled to begin Wednesday -- but, the two sides were able to privately hammer out an overall custody settlement ... and now the trial is off.

We're told the two have agreed on joint custody on the children. They're both committed to co-parenting in a friendly manner for the sake of the kids.

As for Blake's monthly payments -- there's a report he'll have to fork over $258,000 per month ... but, we're told that number is wrong.

The terms of the settlement are confidential, but we're told the monthly payment is "significant."

Blake Griffin and Jeff Ross went scorched earth on each other during their 'Roast Battle' over the weekend ... with gay jokes, Kardashian jokes -- and even Clippers jokes.

It all went down at The Fonda Theater in L.A. -- where the stars declared comedic war on each other for the Comedy Central show ... and neither one pulled any punches.

Some of the highlights ...

Blake attacks Jeff's weight:

"The only way you could get inside of a gym is if you literally f**ked a guy named Jim."

Jeff attacks Blake's new team, the Detroit Pistons:

"Blake, good luck in Detroit ... you know what, I think you're just white enough not to get shot by the cops. But, be careful because you're now the worst shooter in the most violent city in America."

Blake attacks Jeff's hair:

"Jeff ... you're such a bald piece of sh*t. It honestly looks like we both got f**ked over by the Clippers."

Jeff attacks Blake's breakup with Kendall Jenner:

... and so it begins!

Magic Johnson and his wife, Cookie, have boarded their private jet bound for Italy -- where the family will begin their annual $3 MILLION summer vacation!!!

Remember, the Johnson family vacation is straight BALLER -- they rent out insane yachts and sail around the Amalfi Coast ... while visiting with their rich and famous friends.

In fact, Samuel L. Jackson and his wife are already in Europe -- guessing they'll meet up very soon as they usually do.

In the past, Magic's yachts have featured everything from movie theaters to dining rooms and impressive gyms with treadmills and free weights. We'll see if they upgrade for the 2018 edition!

Bon voyage!

Steph Curry's 4-week-old baby is already enjoying the finer things in life -- the NBA superstar and his wife, Ayesha, brought the kid to Nobu in Malibu on Monday ... for some of the most expensive food in town!

Baby Canon W. Jack Curry was born on July 2 -- about 4 weeks before his due date -- so to celebrate his (almost) 1-month birthday, the Currys took a family field trip to the best sushi joint on the beach.

Canon is the couple's 3rd kid -- they have two daughters, Riley and Ryan. The girls didn't make the dinner date this time around.

LeBron James says Donald Trump is using sports to create a racial divide in America ... and he won't sit back quietly anymore.

"What I've noticed over the last few months that he's kinda used sport to kinda divide us, and that's something that I can't relate to," James told CNN's Don Lemon at the opening of his I Promise school in Akron, Ohio.

It seems James is referencing Trump's stance on the national anthem demonstrations in the NFL -- the President has suggested firing any player who takes a knee during "The Star-Spangled Banner."

But, James says sports shouldn't divide people -- it should bring people of all races and backgrounds together.

"Sports was the first time I was ever around someone white. I got an opportunity to see them and learn about them, and they got the opportunity to learn about me and we became very good friends and I was like, ‘Oh wow, this is all because of sports.'”

Of course, LeBron has been very critical of Trump in the past -- even calling him a clown.

No tweet from Trump yet ... but guessing that's just a matter of time.

Dwight Howard was the one player Washington had to have in order to make a serious run in the East ... so says Wizards forward Otto Porter, who tells TMZ Sports, "He's definitely a piece that we need."

We got Otto at Reagan National Airport when he explained to us why D12 is going to help him, John Wall and the rest of the Wizards finally make a deep postseason push this year.

"We need a big, especially the type of style that we play," Porter says. "Going up and down, playing inside out. I think he's going to be definitely key for our success this year."

Otto also tells us LeBron heading to the Lakers won't hurt Washington's odds ... and, in fact, he sounded downright confident about them now that LBJ's in L.A.

Austin Rivers can't imagine how hard it'll be for Bronny James to grow up as LeBron's son ... but he's offering advice, telling TMZ Sports, "Just focus on being the best him he can be."

We got Austin -- who lived in Doc's shadow his whole life -- at LAX, when we had to ask ... how is it really going to be for LBJ Jr. to grow up as a famous NBA son in the basketball world??

Rivers doesn't sugarcoat it ... saying it's going to be brutal.

But -- A.R.'s got a blueprint for Bronny to follow.

"Don't focus on trying to be LeBron James," Rivers says. "I didn't focus on trying to be Doc. I just tried to be myself."

Austin seems to think Bronny's got a huge future regardless ... dishing out praise for what he's seen from the King's kid so far -- including giving a high grade for his first-ever dunk.

Trae Young bought a new car ... and as the NBA's newest star -- he spared no expense on the whip -- dropping over $138k on it!!

The Atlanta Hawks' top draft pick showed off the ride -- an Audi R8 -- over the weekend ... as it arrived to pick him up from the airport with his folks.

"My First Purchased Car for myself is here!!!" Trae wrote on social media. "My parents Surprised me with it. #Blessed!!"

It's matte black ... and with all the bells and whistles on it -- it could have cost him over $200,000.

Not that the price tag worries the 19-year-old ... the #5 overall pick in the 2018 NBA Draft just signed a contract with the Hawks that guarantees $11.6 MILLION over the first 2 years.

Prison's officially off the table for Charles Oakley in his casino cheating case -- but he ain't outta the woods just yet.

TMZ Sports broke the story ... the ex-NBA star was arrested at the Cosmopolitan in Vegas on July 8 after officials say he changed his bet after the outcome of the game was known.

Our sources have told us Oakley pulled a $100 chip back after he realized he was going to lose.

Oakley was initially charged with attempting to commit a fraudulent act in a gaming establishment -- and faced up to 6 years in prison if convicted.

But now, the Clark County District Attorney tells us the charge has been reduced to misdemeanor disorderly conduct.

And, while the new charge carries up to 6 months in jail if convicted -- it's unlikely he'll spend another minute behind bars.

These are actual words that came out of Shaq's mouth Sunday night -- "Kobe coming back. You heard it here first."

Is he messing with us? Probably. Then again, maybe not??

But, probably.

Shaq was leaving the Budweiser LIVE 5-on-5 charity basketball tournament in Downtown L.A. over the weekend when we asked the 46-year-old if he would ever consider a comeback.

The Diesel shot that right down ... but then cracked a big grin and told us, "Kobe coming back I heard. Kobe coming back! You heard it here first!"

There have been rumblings about 39-year-old Kobe Bryant coming back to the Lakers for one more season alongside LeBron James ... but it's super unlikely.

Then again ... maybe not?

By the way, the basketball event raised money for the Folds of Honor Foundation -- which provides scholarships to spouses and children of U.S. military personnel who've been killed or wounded in action.

Dennis Rodman went nuclear on Bruce Willis at the Comedy Central roast -- and he used his friend, Kim Jong-un, as a punchline.

Everyone knows how seriously Rodman has taken his relationship with the North Korean dictator over the years -- but, when Dennis took the stage, he targeted Bruce with a bomb joke.

"Bruce, you keep making these f*cking bombs. Well, guess what ... so does Kim Jong-un. But at least Kim is smart enough not to release his."

It wasn't the only time Rodman referenced his dealings with North Korea -- he also told Martha Stewart the next time she gets locked up, he can help secure her release.

Dennis also dropped some penis, vagina and stripper jokes ... and praised Ed Norton for banging Salma Hayek.

Wanna see James Harden turn up and dance his face off at a dayclub party in West Hollywood? Well, here ya go!

The Houston Rockets superstar hit up Penthouse Dayclub on Sunday -- where stars like Diddy and Ja Rule were partying ... but all eyes were on Harden!

Harden was definitely the life of the party -- despite the fact someone busted out a coffin in the center of the club at one point.

Didn't kill the vibe though -- at the end of the party, our photog says Harden left the club with a whole lotta chicks ... so, maybe he needed two cars to get 'em all to the next location!!