NYPD facing 'massive summer workload' - as Mamdani flip-flops on police headcount

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NYPD facing ‘massive summer workload’ — as Mamdani flip-flops on police headcount promise

By Joe Marino, Craig McCarthy and Matt Troutman Published June 30, 2026, 6:05 p.m. ET

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His cop-out is going to hurt.

Mayor Zohran Mamdani caved to the left on the NYPD’s headcount — getting rid of a promised 580 new officers in the upcoming city budget — just as the stretched-thin force faces a “massive summer workload,” critics railed Tuesday.

NYPD officials contended that’d make do without the new cops, but unions said the department’s nearly 35,000 headcount was already inadequate — as officers face extended shifts to cover a slew of high-profile events in the coming months.

“The massive summer workload is just starting to hit, and police officers are already burning out and leaving by the hundreds,” said Police Benevolent Association President Patrick Hendry.

New York City mayor Zohran Mamdani and New York City Council speaker Julie Menin announced a handshake agreement on the Fiscal Year 2027 budget at City Hall on Tuesday, June 30, 2026, in New York. — A budget deal struck by Mayor Zohran Mamdani walks back his promise to add 580 more cops. James Keivom for NY Post

“Mayor Mamdani needs to recognize that there is an even bigger staffing crisis looming, because our members have already been out of contract for nearly a year. He needs to sit down with us and work on ways to keep the cops we already have.”

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The nation’s largest police department has long faced a staffing crunch, with retirements outpacing new recruits every year since 2020.

Many pols and NYPD leaders deemed the police pinch a crisis, but progressives and far-left activists haven’t been too concerned — arguing, at best, that the force is bloated.

Mamdani, a democratic socialist true-believer who formerly called to “defund the police,” courted fellow lefties during last year’s mayoral election by promising to freeze the NYPD’s headcount at 35,000.

But once in office, Mamdani flip-flopped on his campaign pledge and proposed within his executive budget to add the nearly 600 cops.

Lefties went apoplectic, holding a rally last week around City Hall calling for Mamdani to keep his promise.

New York Police Department cadets celebrate their graduation ceremony at Madison Square Garden on Wednesday, June 24, 2026, in New York. New York Police Department Commissioner Jessica S. Tisch and department executives presided over the ceremony. — Many pols and police have argued the NYPD is having a staffing crisis. James Keivom for NY Post

As budget negotiations went down the wire ahead of Tuesday’s deadline, Mamdani again pulled a 180.

He walked back his plan to boost the ranks, blindsiding City Council Speaker Julie Menin late Monday as the pair firmed up a handshake agreement over the budget, sources said.

Menin said she disagreed with the move, as well as Mamdani’s decision to hold off adding “fifth man” to FDNY fire trucks.

“We need to be adding police officers,” Menin said, noting the city has fewer cops than on Sept. 11, 2001.

Police union leaders such as Hendry contended the move will harm public safety and bring the NYPD to a breaking point.

“The ability to do more with less is always a true testament to the cops and their supervisors,” said Sergeants Benevolent Association President Vincent Vallelong.

New York City may Zohran Mamdani and New York City Council speaker Julie Menin announced a handshake agreement on the Fiscal Year 2027 budget at City Hall on Tuesday, June 30, 2026, in New York. — City Council Speaker Julie Menin was blindsided by Mamdani’s reversal, sources said. James Keivom for NY Post

“Yet this is an untenable situation that begs the question — how much longer can the staffing levels of the NYPD bend before it breaks? Doing extended tours over long periods of time is already burning out the brave men and women who keep this city safe every day.”

An NYPD spokesperson argued that the department stepped up to help the city deal with its “serious financial challenges.”

“For now, the department is able to police effectively with the budgeted headcount we have, driving crime down month after month,” the spokesperson said. “That headcount and our hiring plan gives us the flexibility we need to maintain that balance over the next fiscal year.”

The supposed cost-cutting move will only save $25 million, a fraction compared to the $54 million that Mamdani’s “Office of Mass Engagement” pet project is slated to receive.

Last year, the NYPD had 3.92 officers for every 1,000 New Yorkers, a drop from a peak of 5 in 2000, city data shows. The cop-to-resident ratio was 4.12 per 1,000 civilians in 2021.

— Additional reporting by Haley Brown, Matthew Fischetti and Larry Celona

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Could Milan Momcilovic break a college basketball record held by Steph Curry?

Milan Momcilovic will look to make college basketball history this season. Andrew Stefaniak|

Iowa State Cyclones forward Milan Momcilovic (22) poses at the university men's basketball media day at Hilton Coliseum on Wednesday, Oct. 11, 2023, in Ames, Iowa. | USA TODAY Network via Reuters Connect

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Kentucky Wildcats

Milan Momcilovic has some big goals this season at Kentucky as a shooter. Last season at Iowa State, he averaged 16.9 points per game while shooting 48.7% from three on 7.5 attempts per game. This is one of the best seasons we have ever seen from a shooter in college, but he can do something even more special this season.

Recently, Momcilovic talked with the UK Sports Network about his goal for this season as a shooter, and his answer was very interesting. Here is what Momciloivc had to say: “Pope was telling me he doesn’t want me to shoot 48% from three this year because he would see that as a failure because I’m not taking enough. So, he wants me to take a lot more. Ten threes a game and bring that percentage down a little bit. Obviously, as a shooter, you care about three-point percentage, but you know he wants more volume on makes and attempts, so I don’t mind it. Not sure what the record is for three-point makes in a year at Kentucky, but I hope to break that.”

Personally, after hearing this quote from Momcilovic, I think he is shooting too low. The single-season record for Kentucky basketball in three-point makes is currently held by Jodie Meeks, who did it during the 2008-09 season. In this season, Meeks made 117 threes.

The reason Momcilovic is shooting two low with his goal is that he made 136 last seasons at Iowa State. Obviously, Momcilovic didn’t know what the record at Kentucky was, but I think knowing Pope wants him to shoot closer to 10 per game, his goal needs to be for the all-time college basketball record.

University of Kentucky’s new men’s basketball coach Mark Pope points to the championship banners as he speaks about the victories he will soon be adding to display. | USA TODAY Network via Reuters Connect

That is held right now by two players, with the most famous of the two being Steph Curry. He and Liberty’s Darius McGhee both made 162 three-point shots, and I believe this should be the goal for Momcilovic this season. Assuming Kentucky plays around 36 games this season, he would have to make around 4.5 threes a game to get it done.

This is a big goal for the Kentucky sharpshooter, but if it is true that Pope wants him to shoot 10 threes a game, he is going to have a real shot to get this done. Momcilovic will without a doubt make Kentucky history, but could he also make college basketball history this season?

Published 3 minutes ago

ANDREW STEFANIAK

Andrew Stefaniak is the publisher of Kentucky Wildcats On SI and host of the Wildcats Today Podcast.

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How LeBron James’ longest NBA marriage resulted in divorce

What went wrong between LeBron James and the Lakers?

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Melissa Rohlin

NBA

How LeBron James’ longest NBA marriage resulted in divorce

By Melissa Rohlin Published June 30, 2026, 6:30 p.m. ET

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This needed to happen.

LeBron James is returning for his unprecedented 24th NBA season, but not with the Lakers, with whom he spent the last eight seasons of his career, carrying them to a championship in 2020.

LeBron James in a black and purple Lakers jersey. — After eight years together, LeBron James is leaving the Los Angeles Lakers in free agency. Getty Images

This may seem surprising.

But behind the scenes, tensions had been building.

James wears his emotions on his sleeve. He often describes himself as a big kid who loves joking. You could tell he wasn’t happy.

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The well was poisoned when the Lakers made the biggest trade in NBA history without consulting him, acquiring Luka Doncic in exchange for Anthony Davis in February 2025.

The issue wasn’t that the Lakers dealt Davis, James’ good friend whom he had played alongside for 5 ¹/₂ seasons. The issue was that his team was turned upside down without his knowledge.

Without his consent.

LeBron James and Anthony Davis celebrating with the Larry O&#039;Brien Championship Trophy after winning the 2020 NBA Finals. — James and Anthony Davis won the NBA title in 2020 in the COVID bubble. NBAE via Getty Images

Until then, James had his fingerprints on everything. He was the sun. Teams deferred to his will. Now a major decision had been made without him, signaling a drastic shift in the organization’s priorities.

James was a good soldier. Doncic was too. Even though they were blindsided, they viewed playing together as an opportunity.

Doncic told The Post in January that he had been studying how James takes care of his body and prepares for games. James told The Post, “I just love the kid,” adding, “I’m happy to be a small part of his journey. Hopefully, he can take something from me.”

But throughout the season, it was obvious James and the Lakers were heading in different directions. There were simmering undercurrents of strain and unease.

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Sometimes the signs were small.

When James missed the first 14 games of the season because of sciatica, he wasn’t as animated as usual when he cheered on the Lakers from the bench.

And while James and Davis used to chat in the locker room after games about everything ranging from football to their favorite wines, James and Doncic never quite developed that ease of rapport.

Luka Doncic and LeBron James in Lakers jerseys. — Although superstars in their own rights, James and Luka Doncic never put it all together during their time in Los Angeles. Los Angeles Times via Getty Imag

Other times, the signs were obvious.

There are very few moments in James’ career when he was as uncomfortable as when he stood by his locker in January and answered questions about his relationship with Lakers governor Jeanie Buss.

He was put in that position after a bombshell ESPN story came out alleging that Buss “privately mused” about trading him in 2022 and “begrudgingly” offered him a contract extension in 2024. She was allegedly frustrated over his outsized influence on the team, his lack of appreciation after LA drafted his son, Bronny, and his failure to take enough accountability for the Russell Westbrook disaster.

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How did James view his relationship with Buss?

“I thought it was good,” he said. “But somebody could see it another way. So, it’s always two sides of the coin.”

Even though James claimed he didn’t pay attention to reports and publicly brushed off that moment as unimportant, you could tell it was monumental.

Why did he need this drama?

Especially after he ended the Lakers’ six-year playoff drought. After he carried them to their first championship in 10 years. After he spent the longest consecutive stretch of his career with the franchise.

Jeanie Buss embraces an unknown Lakers player. — Despite bringing an NBA title to Los Angeles in 2020, the relationship between James and Jeannie Buss soured after a bombshell ESPN report earlier this year. NBAE via Getty Images

Things only got more awkward for James as the season progressed.

After the Lakers went on a three-game winning streak at the top of March while James was sidelined because of left foot arthritis and a right hip contusion, the narrative on national sports shows became that the Lakers were better without him.

When James returned, he was asked to become the team’s third offensive option behind Doncic and Austin Reaves.

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James embraced the role. He thrived in it. It led to the Lakers going on a 16-2 winning streak and being considered championship contenders before Doncic and Reaves suffered injuries in April.

But whenever James was asked about being the team’s third option, it was clear a player who’s arguably the greatest of all-time felt bottled up. He felt underappreciated. He felt disrespected.

“It is a sacrifice,” James said in March. “I know what I’m capable of still doing as an individual. But what’s important for this team, I’m able to adapt to.”

Austin Reaves, LeBron James, and Luka Doncic in Los Angeles Lakers jerseys at Media Day. — James, Doncic and Austin Reaves were expected to form the NBA’s next Big 3, but injuries prevented this group from ever reaching their potential. NBAE via Getty Images

The problem was clear.

James was still too good. The 41-year-old could’ve been the first option for many teams. But on the Lakers, in the twilight of his career when he was playing unprecedentedly well for someone his age, instead of receiving applause he was being relegated to the corner.

That point was only reinforced after Doncic and Reaves were sidelined as the Lakers opened their first-round playoff series against the Rockets. All of a sudden, James was called upon to transform into a superstar. No one thought the Lakers had a chance. He carried them to a 3-0 series lead and a second-round date against the Thunder.

After the Lakers were swept out of that series without Doncic, James was noncommittal about his future.

And while both Buss and Lakers general manager Rob Pelinka said they’d love for James to retire with the franchise, their statements always seemed more perfunctory than heartfelt.

LeBron James, in a purple Lakers jersey, dunks a basketball. — James is still widely considered one of the best players in the world, despite being 41 years old. NBAE via Getty Images

An example?

During Pelinka’s exit interview in May, here’s what he had to say about James: “Of course, any team, including ours, would love to have LeBron James on their roster.”

Compare that to what he said about Reaves, who was on the verge of turning down his $14.9 million player option to become a free agent: “Both sides have made it abundantly clear that we want to work something out where he continues his prolific career here.”

It was obvious James needed to go.

The relationship between James and the Lakers had run its course. The end wasn’t sour. It wasn’t bitter. It wasn’t hateful.

The two sides simply weren’t getting what they needed from one another. The Lakers are focused on their future. James is firmly planted in the now, wanting to savor every moment before his career is in the rearview mirror.

LeBron James dribbling the basketball in a black Lakers uniform. — Now an unrestricted free agent, James is being pursued heavily by the Warriors and Cavaliers, and a slew of other teams. Getty Images

It’s crazy that at this point in his career, James is starting over with new teammates and a new coach. It’s crazy that he’s leaving money on the table (potentially a $25-$35 million contract with the Lakers to likely accept much less with another team), something he has been loathe to do his entire career. It’s crazy that he’s walking away from arguably his best chance to compete for his fifth title alongside Doncic.

But James is choosing happiness.

He simply wasn’t his joyful self anymore with the Lakers. At the end of his career, they weren’t celebrating him in the same way they put Kobe Bryant on a pedestal after he spent his entire career in LA. The franchise had moved on. They needed to with the 27-year-old Doncic foaming at the mouth for his first title.

The writing was on the wall.

It’s a chapter that will be remembered fondly by both parties. James put the Lakers back on the map. The Lakers helped him win his fourth championship, erasing the narrative that his eight straight Finals appearances were largely due to the Eastern Conference being easier.

It was beautiful while it lasted.

Los Angeles is where James became the league’s leading scorer. It’s where he proved to the world that he still has the edge over Father Time.

But things had soured.

And at this point in his career, James wants his final note to be sweet.

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After eight years together, LeBron James is leaving the Los Angeles Lakers in free agency. Getty Images

James and Anthony Davis won the NBA title in 2020 in the COVID bubble. NBAE via Getty Images

Although superstars in their own rights, James and Luka Doncic never put it all together during their time in Los Angeles. Los Angeles Times via Getty Imag

Despite bringing an NBA title to Los Angeles in 2020, the relationship between James and Jeannie Buss soured after a bombshell ESPN report earlier this year. NBAE via Getty Images

James, Doncic and Austin Reaves were expected to form the NBA's next Big 3, but injuries prevented this group from ever reaching their potential. NBAE via Getty Images