The NBA is only a few games deep, but leaguewide buzz never stops.
The LeBron James and Jaylen Brown era with the Philadelphia 76ers got off to an ideal start by spoiling ring night for the New York Knicks. The Detroit Pistons also returned to their regular-season dominance with a win over the Boston Celtics, and the Oklahoma City Thunder struck the first rivalry blow against the San Antonio Spurs this season.
Now, what will Giannis Antetokounmpo's first season away from Milwaukee look like? And how will the other new faces in new places make their impact this season?
All season, bookmark this page for the latest news and reactions from our ESPN NBA insiders.
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Nov. 5
Iger's son, Will, to be part of Lakers' G League broadcast
The Los Angeles Lakers' G League affiliate has a new name, a new home, a new coach and a new broadcasting team for the upcoming season.
The Coachella Valley Lakers, previously the South Bay Lakers, announced Thursday that Will Iger will be their play-by-play announcer for the upcoming season, with former Lakers big man A.C. Green returning as the color analyst on Spectrum Sportsnet.
Iger joins Coachella Valley after calling games for the Austin Toros, the San Antonio Spurs' G League affiliate, last season. He has also done studio work for the Dallas Mavericks and play-by-play for San Antonio FC.
He is the son of incoming Lakers co-owner Bob Iger and Willow Bay, former co-host of the popular "NBA Inside Stuff" television show with Ahmad Rashad.
Coachella Valley will open its season Friday against the Salt Lake City Stars in Palm Desert, Calif. at Acrisure Arena. I
t will be Alex Cerda's first game roaming the sidelines after being hired in September as CVL's head coach. Cerda served as an assistant for South Bay under Zach Guthrie and was bumped up after Guthrie was added to Lakers coach JJ Redick's staff.
Wemby makes MVP opening statement
Victor Wembanyama officially launched his 2027 NBA MVP campaign on Wednesday with a statistical performance not seen since Wilt Chamberlain.
The Spurs star posted 52 points, 24 rebounds and eight blocks in a 112-111 victory over the Dallas Mavericks, becoming the first player to achieve a 52/24/8 line since blocks became an official statistic in 1973-74.
Chamberlain, the Hall of Fame center, is the only player in league history to match or exceed those numbers thanks to a 55-point, 29-rebound, 17-block performance for the Philadelphia Warriors against the New York Knicks in 1961.
This was truly rare air: Wembanyama posted the NBA's first 52/24 line since Chamberlain in 1969 and the first 50-20 game since Luka Doncic in 2022.
"It should be more like this," Wembanyama promised. "More often."
With Doncic and Shai Gilgeous-Alexander emerging as early MVP favorites, Wembanyama threw his hat into the ring on a wild night that easily could have gotten even wilder. The 2023 No. 1 pick set a new career high for scoring by shooting 16-of-28 from the field and 19-of-23 from the free throw line against an overmatched Dallas front line, but he made only one of his eight 3-point attempts.
"I can still do more," Wembanyama said, noting that he's shooting a career-low 24 percent on 3-pointers this season. "My shots weren't falling tonight and that forces me into a style of play that is exhausting. I can do it. The proof is there."
After stumbling out of the gate with an 0-2 start, the Spurs have won six straight games and Wembanyama has started to find his scoring groove. The Thunder held the French center to 12 points on 1-of-13 shooting on opening night, but he has scored at least 36 points in three of his past four games and is on track to lead the NBA in blocks for the fourth straight season.
Go ahead and brace for more fireworks: Wembanyama and the Spurs are set to face the NBA's three worst defenses -- the Kings, Suns and Bulls -- over the next week.
Wembanyama, 22, finished third in MVP voting last season and is seeking to become the award's youngest winner since Derrick Rose in 2011. -- Ben Golliver
Nov. 4
NBA Trade Lab updates: Porzingis is popular in mock deals
In the first weeks since the release of ESPN Analytics' new NBA Trade Lab, the player involved in the most fan-created trades is Golden State Warriors center Kristaps Porzingis, who's in the news because the franchise is withholding payments from him while he's away from the team.
With 38-year-old legend Stephen Curry still playing at an elite level, it makes sense that fans want to see the Warriors make a swing to bolster his supporting cast. Add to that how good rookie Yaxel Lendeborg has looked to start the season, and Warriors fans might be right to think their favorite team isn't that far away from contention in the West, especially considering the early-season injury problems for the Oklahoma City Thunder and Minnesota Timberwolves.
Porzingis' $20 million salary would be a key ingredient for the Warriors to match salary in a potential trade.
Below are some of the top fan-created trades involving Porzingis, as scored by fans voting from the perspective of each team involved:
Trade No. 1
Warriors get: A shot-blocking stretch big in Myles Turner who could be a great fit in their motion-heavy offense to replicate some of Porzingis' game.
Milwaukee Bucks get: Porzingis and a young promising player in Moses Moody, who could be more valuable for the Bucks' rebuild. Moody is recovering from a torn left patellar tendon he suffered in March.
Trade No. 2
Warriors get: Daniel Gafford, who can provide rim protection and elite play-finishing. He would bolster their center depth and better exploit defenses that are stretched thin out on the perimeter drawn to Curry's gravity.
Dallas Mavericks get: Porzingis and a first-round pick swap to help reset their timeline around 19-year-old centerpiece Cooper Flagg, by improving their assets in a potentially loaded 2028 draft.
Trade No. 3
Warriors get: Talented 6-foot-8 forward Trey Murphy III, who can defend, draw fouls and rain 3s from well beyond the arc. At 26 years old, he also has the potential to be paired alongside Lendeborg as the wing duo of the future in the post-Curry era.
New Orleans Pelicans get: Porzingis, a promising young player in Moody and two future first-round picks to cash in on Murphy's value. Doing this deal would also provide more on-ball opportunities for 2025 lottery picks Jeremiah Fears and Derik Queen.
Have any more ideas on what move the Warriors should make? Build them in the NBA Trade Lab, then submit your trade to let fans vote on it from both sides. -- Ben Tiemeyer
Warriors withholding payments to Porzingis
The Golden State Warriors are not making payments to injured center Kristaps Porzingis on his $20 million salary, sources told ESPN's Shams Charania and Anthony Slater. Porzingis has yet to play a game this season as he continues to deal with recurring symptoms from an ongoing autoimmune condition.
Hoop Collective: What does Luka's historic start mean for Lakers? Trouble in Miami
Brian is joined by ESPN's Tim MaMahon to cover Luka Doncic's historic start to the season, including if it will lead to success for the Los Angeles Lakers. They move on to discuss the growing concern with the Miami Heat and if there is a path to fix their struggling defense before moving on to the impressive starts for this year's rookie class.
Topics:
0:44: Luka's amazing start pacing Lakers
19:18: Concern growing for the Heat on defense
23:42: Windy Storytime: An unfortunate punch
26:32: Why is Miami struggling defensively?
31:28: Historic draft class impressing early on
33:02: Is Yaxel Lendeborg's epic start for real?
39:06: Darryn Peterson's early struggles explained
41:14: Kings are letting Darius Acuff shoot
43:04: Memphis thinks Cam Boozer is face of franchise
45:03: Caleb Wilson impressing execs early
47:58: Micah Nori leading Blazers to early success
53:00: Some interesting stats around the league
Nov. 2
Hoop Collective: Is Houston an NBA Finals sleeper? And 76ers' dream start
Brian is joined by ESPN's Tim MacMahon to discuss the Houston Rockets' 6-1 start and whether they are a legitimate title contender. They then break down why Kyrie Irving might not be traded this season if the Dallas Mavericks' continue their impressive start to the season. Next, they check in on the injured Oklahoma City Thunder, the hot Memphis Grizzlies and the dream start for LeBron James and the Philadelphia 76ers.
Topics:
1:01: Houston impressing with 6-1 start to season
1:45: Windy Storytime: identifying contenders
4:35: Rockets looking the part of a contender
10:23: Could Kyrie stay with the Mavs all season?
25:10: Injuries stacking up for the Thunder
32:14: Memphis playing quality team basketball
35:40: 76ers winning in clutch time early
MacMahon on Kyrie's future in Dallas: "When I'm talking to executives and scouts around the league ... when the Mavericks come up, it is the No. 1 thing people are asking me about.
"You know, going into the season, I would have said more likely than not, [Irving] gets moved by the deadline, but I didn't feel super strong about it. The more I see the team, the more I'm around the team, the more I think it's going to be awfully hard to trade him.
"Not that there won't be a big market -- there will be, but if they've got a chance to compete for a play-in and playoff spot, I just think it's going to be really tough to move Kyrie. Also, just as much as he means to that locker room and as well as he's working with Cooper [Flagg], it was beautiful basketball.
"And just basketball wise they are a phenomenal fit. And I do think there's a legitimate argument to be made for the value of playing meaningful games in March and April for the development of a superstar like Cooper, of young role players like Zaccharie Risacher, who, by the way, is doing some really interesting things -- on the defensive end especially -- and he's got a player option next year.
"I think it's a situation where you can get together and handle it in the summer. It's not like you have to either move them or lose them, by this deadline."
Oct. 30
Morant to miss four weeks with injury
Portland Trail Blazers guard Ja Morant has sustained a Grade 2 strain in his left hamstring and will miss at least four weeks, sources tell ESPN's Shams Charania.
Hoop Collective: Biggest early NBA overreactions
Brian is joined by ESPN's Ben Golliver and Tim MacMahon to discuss early-season overreactions, including what to make of Anthony Edwards' injury and whether it's time to panic on some major offseason moves.
Topics:
04:18: Windy Storytime: Blatt and playoff LeBron
07:22: Early-season NBA overreactions
10:09: Ant's MVP case gets tanked early
20:49: Did offseason moves make Hornets better?
34:35: Will the Kings need to make big changes?
44:00: Will Bulls be the worst team in the East?
48:00: Will this be the worst Heat season since 2008?
Oct. 29
Knicks plan to decline Dadiet's fourth-year option
The New York Knicks are planning to decline Pacome Dadiet's fourth-year option worth $5.37 million, sources told ESPN's Shams Charania. The decision will make Dadiet an unrestricted free agent next summer.
Oct. 28
How Dybantsa will impact the Wizards on the court
After missing the first four games of the season with an ankle injury, No. 1 pick AJ Dybantsa will make his regular-season debut Wednesday, ESPN's Shams Charania reported.
Dybantsa's arrival could give the Wizards one of the best starting lineups in the Eastern Conference -- which would be quite a change of pace for a team that hasn't won 20 games in a season since 2022-23. Anthony Davis has been explosive and productive through four games. Trae Young is averaging 22 points and a league-best 11 assists per game. And Kyshawn George is up to 18 PPG as he continues to make strides as an all-around NBA contributor. Add Dybantsa to that mix and there's legitimate reason for excitement in Washington.
The only downside is that Dybantsa should command plenty of playing time, which could further squeeze an overcrowded Wizards rotation. Already, 2025 first-rounder Will Riley has seen his playing time crater, but he, Tre Johnson and Bilal Coulibaly are all wings who will now likely come off the bench, yet deserve the opportunity to continue their development. -- Zach Kram
Haliburton to miss time with hamstring injury
Indiana Pacers guard Tyrese Haliburton will miss time due to a hamstring injury, sources told ESPN's Shams Charania. Team doctors are now gathering info on a clear timeline of return.
No. 1 pick Dybantsa to make NBA debut tonight
Washington Wizards forward and 2026 No. 1 pick AJ Dybantsa will make his NBA debut Wednesday night against the Cleveland Cavaliers, sources told ESPN's Shams Charania. Dybantsa had missed the first four games of the season with an ankle injury.
What are the Warriors' options on Porzingis?
ESPN's Anthony Slater detailed the Golden State Warriors' options regarding center Kristaps Porzingis and his lingering health issues in a report today.
[Stephen] Curry twice made sure to mention the human component, expressing sympathy for Porzingis, who has made public the lingering impact he said he still feels after contracting an upper respiratory viral illness while with the Boston Celtics two seasons ago.
"We always said availability was a big factor for our team with all the guys we have out," Curry said. "It's no secret that the [center] spot is an important one for us, especially with his skill set. It's hard to talk about without keeping the humanity of it in mind. But it is a tough one to figure out."
Team sources continue to express an extreme level of pessimism that Porzingis will ever play for the Warriors again, but he could end up helping the organization in another way, because his contract, which is only guaranteed for $3 million next season, could still prove to be valuable in executing a trade.
Hoop Collective: Disastrous injuries in OKC, Kawhi out and trouble in Miami
Brian is joined by ESPN's Tim MacMahon and Bobby Marks to cover the recent injuries to Jalen Williams and Cason Wallace of the Oklahoma City Thunder, including what it means for the team's future and if they will need to make moves to remain a title contender. They move on to the recent injury news to Kawhi Leonard and how it will impact the Toronto Raptors, before closing on the Miami Heat's 0-4 start and Ty Jerome's hot week for the Memphis Grizzlies.
Topics:
1:35: What does the Thunder front office do now?
18:56: Kawhi to miss time for knee swelling
26:24: How concerned should Heat fans be?
34:59: Memphis much better than expected?
Marks on the Thunder's next steps following crucial injuries: "I think the long term, Brian and Tim, is that you will apply for this disabled player exception for Jalen Williams. I don't think you'll get it for Cason Wallace because you have to be deemed out until June 15. And I don't think that Wallace injury will get you there. I think the Jalen Williams injury will. But that doesn't eliminate him coming back. Just because you apply for it doesn't eliminate the player actually returning. That exception will be worth $15 million. You can only sign or trade for a player in the last year of their contract.
"Their biggest trade assets are those trade exceptions that were created in the Lu Dort, Aaron Wiggins, and Isaiah Joe trades that range from $17 to, I don't know, $8 million. And you can trade for players on multi-year deals. Now, threshold on this is probably $7 million, right? You're $6.9 below that second apron. I don't think there's an appetite to go in there, but I think there is an appetite to spend because they went out and did that offer sheet on Spencer Jones. That would have added to their payroll another $23 million-$24 million.
"So I think that's kind of what you're looking at. You're evaluating guys in that $7-million-to-below range from a roster standpoint, but I also think you can even go north of that if let's say [Nikola] Topic is not going to be a factor this year and he needs to be part of a deal down the road. But that's the long-term picture ... You're basically just trying to hold on right now and then basically figure it out when you get to December."
Oct. 27
Jackson out 6-8 weeks in Utah with a torn MCL
The Utah Jazz announced forward Jaren Jackson Jr. is out six to eight weeks with a torn MCL. He will be reevaluated in six weeks after the injury Monday night.
What Edwards' injury means for Wolves
On Monday, Anthony Edwards looked like an MVP candidate as he poured in 47 points in Cleveland. On Tuesday, that dream was dashed early, as ESPN's Shams Charania reported that Edwards will miss up to two months due to right knee surgery.
Minnesota can still contend this season, as long as Edwards returns healthy at the end of that projected time frame. The partnership of Edwards and LaMelo Ball was one of the most exciting elements of the new season, and the Timberwolves raced to a 3-1 start featuring three blowout wins, with an overtime loss to the Cavaliers marring their ledger. At the end of two more months, 52 games will remain on their schedule.
But they won't be comfortable in the meantime. The Timberwolves have a relatively shallow roster, and their bench will be stretched thin once sixth man Ayo Dosunmu moves into the starting lineup to replace Edwards. Their two-way star's absence also reduces any margin for error with the rest of the roster; Ball is notoriously injury-prone, and if both guards are ever out at the same time, a lengthy losing streak could ensue.
Edwards to undergo surgery, miss up to two months
Minnesota Timberwolves star Anthony Edwards will undergo an arthroscopic procedure on his ailing right knee that will sideline him for up to two months, sources told ESPN's Shams Charania.
Edwards has been on the injury report for the injury. He dealt with runner's knee in the same leg last season.
Leonard out multiple weeks, misses return to LA
Toronto Raptors forward Kawhi Leonard will miss multiple weeks due to left knee swelling, sources told ESPN's Shams Charania. An MRI showed no structural damage, but the recovery will keep Leonard out of a return game at the LA Clippers on Nov. 2.
Oct. 26
Hoop Collective: Opening week, reaction to key injuries and new contenders?
Brian is joined by ESPN's Tim MacMahon to discuss the NBA's first week, including the early message the San Antonio Spurs sent, the Houston Rockets rising to be potential contenders and an 0-3 start for the Miami Heat. They then move on to some negative headlines for the New York Knicks and the drama around Jaylen Brown and Jayson Tatum.
Topics:
0:32: Jalen Williams injury reaction
14:10: Spurs sending an early message
28:30: Rockets surging out of gate
36:24: Heat struggling at 0-3
42:46: Knicks get headlines for wrong reason
49:24: Brown-Tatum media beef
57:12: Epic scoring performance from Luka Doncic
58:59: Other interesting opening-week headlines
Windhorst on what the Jalen Williams injury means in OKC: "I guess I should put my Bobby Marks hat on just because what you want in a podcast is you want analysis of this beyond just a visceral response. The Thunder have the ability to apply for a disabled player exception. But let's be honest here, they cannot replace him."
"They'll replace him with what they have on their roster with Ajay Mitchell. He becomes a very important piece right now and the fact that they had to trade away multiple wings over the summer -- Aaron Wiggins and Lu Dort ... It comes into play for sure, but this means Ajay Mitchell will have to have a big season and now Cason Wallace, who was just rewarded with a huge contract, those guys will be needed. And you also could see some opportunities for Bennett Stirtz, who actually I think got his first NBA basket tonight. So there's probably no team that could withstand an injury like this other than the Thunder.
"They can apply for a disabled player exception, which they will certainly get. They will get, I believe, the full mid-level exception that they can use up to the mid-level exception, which is like, $14-ish million that they can use to to sign a player or trade for a player. They can only trade for a player with that exception who's got one year left on his contract.
"They're a very expensive roster. That's one of the reasons why they made those trades. So I cannot see them leaning into that. They're already deep and they're very expensive. So I think it's unlikely they take advantage of that, but there is a mechanism that exists."
Oct. 23
Hoop Collective: Luka trash talked and who made an early statement
Brian is joined by ESPN's Tim MacMahon and Anthony Slater to go over the first few days of the NBA season, including Luka Doncic's night against the Golden State Warriors and the future of Kristaps Porzingis in the Bay Area. They move on to the vibes with the LA Clippers following their punishment and whether the Milwaukee Bucks will face any punishment for the Gary Trent Jr. contract. They close on impressive performances from the Minnesota Timberwolves and Portland Trail Blazers before welcoming in veteran NBA agent Andy Miller to break down the coaching market.
Topics:
4:48: Lakers dominate Warriors to start season
6:45: Yaxel vs. Luka back-and-forth getting headlines
11:28: Kessler dream start to career in LA
14:40: Evaluating Clippers first game after punishment
16:50: Will there be punishment for the Bucks from the NBA?
19:08: What is the future with the Warriors & Porzingis?
30:10: Timberwolves impress against the Heat
36:48: After unique offseason Blazers dominate Game 1
40:58: Tough starts for some rookie stars
45:19: Veteran NBA agent Andy Miller joins the show
45:53: A significant move around the NBA
50:58: Windy Storytime: Unique Garnett contract
56:53: Analyzing a unique NBA coaching contract
Windhorst on the Gary Trent Jr. situation in Milwaukee: "I will tell you that it is a frequent conversation as I talk with people around the league. You know, they're like, 'Do you hear anything on the Gary Trent investigation? Do you hear anything on the Gary Trent investigation?' It is being done by a different law firm than did the Clippers investigation. They were sort of twin investigations.
"I will just say I was talking to an executive the other day and he just said if this was a pre-existing deal and let's just be honest, the word of this deal was out there in the spring. I had an executive say to me that they think, and I want to be clear, I want to be cautious, but I had an executive say to me, if this is proven to be true, then this is actually more egregious than the Clippers deal. When you think of it, the Clippers didn't get any salary cap relief for their salary cap circumvention. They were just funneling their max player more money.
In the case of the Bucks, allegedly Gary Trent signed back-to-back minimum contracts and then got this $64 million deal. And over these last two years as they were trying to hang on to Giannis Antetokounmpo for dear life, they got that flexibility that they were able to put into the roster. It didn't work.
"Well, I'm just saying if you're going to compare it to Joe Smith ... this is more comparable to what happened with Joe Smith if indeed they are found guilty."
Slater on a Porzingis' status in Golden State: "He was around the team in the week leading up to training camp. He went to this event with Jimmy Butler in San Diego, but if you talk to players and people at that event, he wasn't getting on the court. He wasn't in the weight room. He would show up to more of the dinners and the fun stuff.
"But it seemed clear right before camp that he was fading away from basketball, obviously dealing with this health issue and thinking about his future. He calls Mike Dunleavy the day before training camp, basically tells him he's not coming in to work, he's going to go deal with this health thing.
"He showed up for one meeting two weeks into camp as the Warriors team was in Las Vegas. He met with Mike Dunleavy and Rick Celebrini. From my understanding, those are pretty much the only two he's been communicating with during this entire process. After that meeting, the Warriors announced that he was going to be around the team. Then he left the facility and hasn't returned and has not been around the team to the point that when we put out the report yesterday, the Warriors didn't address some of the trade speculation, but did say he will not be around the team in the immediate future.
"Clearly, this is something, as you mentioned, that Mike Dunleavy's called around the league and explored."
Oct. 21
Marks: Warriors have hurdles in a potential Porzingis deal
Following the news that the Warriors are exploring deals, finding a trade early in the season for Kristaps Porzingis could be difficult.
First, Golden State is hard capped at the second apron and isn't allowed to take back more salary than what is sent out. The Warriors are allowed to aggregate salaries if they are receiving less money in return.
Second, since teams are in the evaluation periods of their rosters, trades are uncommon early in the season.
Under the current CBA, there have only been two regular season trades in the months of October and November. -- Bobby Marks
Sources: Warriors begin exploring trades for Porzingis
The Golden State Warriors have begun the process of looking for trades for center Kristaps Porzingis, sources told ESPN's Shams Charania. Porzingis remains out indefinitely as he deals with a private health issue that has had him questioning his future with basketball.
If there isn't a breakthrough with Porzingis' recovery, stepping away from his career is possible, sources told Charania.
Join ESPN's Dave McMenamin for a Reddit AMA!
At 4 p.m. ET Wednesday, senior NBA writer Dave McMenamin will answer anything about the Los Angeles Lakers, the Philadelphia 76ers, LeBron James, the opening few days of the season and more!
Hoop Collective: Full reaction to the opening-night games
Brian is joined by ESPN's Tim MacMahon to react to the NBA's opening day of games, including the Detroit Pistons rallying past the Boston Celtics, the Philadelphia 76ers ruining ring night for the New York Knicks and the Oklahoma City Thunder shutting down Victor Wembanyama in a big win against the San Antonio Spurs. They then welcome Phoenix Suns owner Mat Ishbia to talk about his expectations this season as well as his thoughts on expansion and NBA Europe.
Topics:
0:55: 76ers spoil ring night with win at MSG
13:42: Celtics-Pistons reaction
15:14: Detroit dominates second half to beat Boston
21:52: Suns owner Mat Ishbia joins the show
22:49: How the Suns' organization makes big decisions
26:03: Thoughts on possible expansion in the NBA
28:22: Expectations for future of NBA Europe
30:23: State of the Suns for the 2026-27 season
40:26: OKC makes statement in San Antonio
Ishbia on the future of NBA expansion: "Well, I'm supportive of growing the game. So I'm pro expansion.
"Obviously, it depends on the situation and making sure that it's the right partners because they're now partners with us. And the right value, but also are they doing the right things for the fans? I believe that Vegas is a market that we need to fill. I think Seattle's one. I know there's been talk about Mexico City. The way I look at it is expanding the game. The NBA is a global game. And so having 30 is a limited number. Can you get to 32? I mean, can you go that many more? So, it's like, can you grow? Can you cover a big market like Vegas?
"I don't care that it's close to Phoenix. I'm excited. I think there's abundance. There's opportunity everywhere. And I'm supportive of it."
Ishbia on the outlook of the 2026-27 NBA season: "First off, there's a lot more balance. The East definitely got stronger. The West is extremely strong. But let's put it aside.
"There's also no tanking. So there's not five free wins, eight free wins. And in the East last year, a lot of teams really compounded that because there was about seven teams, six teams trying to lose, which is horrible for our game. NBA Adam Silver did a great job. We got rid of that. So there's no tanking.
"People are going to win -- 45 wins is a hell of a season. And I think it's going to be very, very tough. And I think that might be a 4, 5, 6 seed where last year it was 50, 52 wins to get to that level. And so, I think that's not been talked about enough."
Oct. 20
Dybantsa to miss season opener
No. 1 pick AJ Dybantsa will miss the Washington Wizards' season opener against the Milwaukee Bucks on Wednesday, coach Brian Keefe announced Tuesday.
Dybantsa is day-to-day with an ankle injury.
Oct. 19
McDaniels, Timberwolves agree to one-year extension
Minnesota Timberwolves forward Jaden McDaniels has agreed to a one-year, $40 million extension that will keep him under contract through the 2029-30 season, agents Nima Namakian of Innovate Sports and Bill Duffy of WME Basketball told ESPN's Shams Charania.
McDaniels, a one-time All-Defensive second-team selection, will be entering his seventh season with the Timberwolves and has averaged 11.1 points, 1.7 assists and 4.2 rebounds in his time in Minnesota.
Hornets, Miller agree to five-year extension
The Charlotte Hornets and forward Brandon Miller have agreed to a five-year, $209 million contract extension, sources told ESPN's Shams Charania. Miller averaged 20.2 points and 4.9 rebounds per game last season.
Bucks waive Porter
The Milwaukee Bucks have waived Kevin Porter Jr., sources told ESPN's Shams Charania.
Grizzlies waive Clayton and Peavy
The Memphis Grizzlies are waiving Walter Clayton Jr. and Micah Peavy, sources told ESPN's Shams Charania. Clayton was the No. 18 pick in the 2025 NBA draft.
Lakers waive 2024 first-round pick Knecht
The Los Angeles Lakers are waiving forward Dalton Knecht, sources told ESPN's Shams Charania. Knecht was selected No. 17 by the Lakers in the 2024 draft.
Curry practiced, expected to play Wednesday
Golden State Warriors coach Steve Kerr told reporters that Stephen Curry practiced this morning and is expected to play in Wednesday night's game against the Los Angeles Lakers.
Mavericks waive center Powell
The Dallas Mavericks waived Dwight Powell, sources told ESPN's Shams Charania. Powell had spent the last 12 seasons with the franchise.
NBA season preview: What to know for all 30 teams
ESPN's NBA insiders and analysts break down the storylines and stars that will shape the 2026-27 season with a look at all 30 teams.
Hoop Collective: The biggest questions in the NBA's Atlantic Division
Brian is joined by ESPN's Tim MacMahon to discuss the NBA's Atlantic Division with ESPN analyst and radio host Alan Hahn. The trio covers how the New York Knicks will defend their title, what changes to expect with the Philadelphia 76ers and whether the Boston Celtics' big moves will pay off. They close on how Kawhi Leonard can lift the Toronto Raptors this season and some injury updates.
Topics:
1:25: Previewing the Atlantic Division
4:32: History of LeBron and the Knicks
12:39: Windy Storytime: LeBron opening nights
16:36: LeBron's approach to ring night historically
23:42: Will the big bet from the Celtics pay off?
31:50: How will the Knicks defend their title?
43:45: What will the 76ers be this season?
45:59: How much can Kawhi elevate the Raptors?
48:58: Can the Nets have a more competitive season?
51:20: Unfortunate injury news for Ben Simmons
55:26 Steph Curry injured in open scrimmage
Hahn on how to keep Karl-Anthony Towns happy this season: "I can tell you from talking to him, on-the-side conversations, not in interviews, but [him] almost pleading because, people would ask him about shots. 'You only took four shots in the first half. What happened?' And all that stuff.
"And it was one time I was walking away and he kind of grabbed me. He's like, 'It's not about shots. I don't care about shots.' He said, 'I just [like] being involved.' He's like, 'I love to pass the ball. I just want to help my teammates.' And so when they moved more in that Atlanta series, which turned everything into him being a hub of the offense, he was the happiest. I'm telling you this is not propaganda, he really was. He was happy because he loves to pass. And if you see the flair with the different ways he passes the basketball and the smile on his face, he wears 32, his father's number, but it's also Magic Johnson. And he has told that story many times. He loves that.
"So what Windy's saying, that's literally the truth. If you want to keep him happy, keep him involved and everything else will figure itself out."
Windhorst on Stephen Curry's injury update: "I don't think that they're concerned that this knee is going to be devastating, but they've just got to protect him.
"So he walks off and after the events, [coach] Steve Kerr said that it was actually his right ankle, not his knee, and that he expected to be fine. So that happened, but still a little bit alarming. And you could tell by the way Steph acted, it didn't look like an ankle, but obviously Steph, anything with a Steph ankle, he's going to be sensitive to that, too."
Oct. 18
Wallace lands extension with Thunder
Oklahoma City Thunder guard Cason Wallace has agreed to a five-year, $139 million rookie-scale contract extension, his agents told ESPN's Shams Charania. Wallace, a one-time All-Defensive second-team selection who will turn 23 next month, led the NBA in total steals and deflections last season and has ranked third in steals per game in each of the past two seasons, according to ESPN Research.
Ighodaro signs multiyear deal to stay in Phoenix
Phoenix Suns center Oso Ighodaro has agreed to a three-year, $29 million contract extension through the 2030-31 season, his agent, Erika Ruiz of Primera Sports, told ESPN.
The Suns will pick up Ighodaro's $2.5M team option for 2027-28, so the extension starts in 2028 and runs through 2031 for the franchise's 2024 second-round pick.
Simmons tears Achilles, out for the season
Sacramento Kings guard Ben Simmons tore an Achilles tendon at practice Sunday, sources told ESPN. Simmons, the 2016 No. 1 pick whom the Kings signed this offseason, was readying to play his first regular-season game since 2024-25.
Oct. 16
Marks: A busy weekend of transaction expected
The last weekend of the offseason is expected to bring a flurry of transactions.
Starting on Saturday Oct. 17, teams will need to decide on players signed to non-guaranteed contracts. If a player is on the roster past 5 p.m. ET, teams will begin incurring a per day salary charge.
For example, the New York Knicks would be charged $17,622 per day against the cap if James Wiseman is not waived by Saturday. However, despite a mandate to remain under the second apron, New York is allowed to keep Wiseman and Bruce Brown to start the season.
The deadline for rookie extensions is Monday by 6 p.m. ET.
Since the start of the offseason, five players -- Victor Wembanyama, Amen and Ausar Thompson, Keyonte George and Brandin Podziemski -- have signed rookie extensions. The 2023 rookie class of extended players are below the per year average of 11 players we have seen since 2023.
Some of the notable names to watch include Brandon Miller and Cason Wallace. Keep in mind that out of the 34 players who signed rookie extensions in the prior three seasons, 17 came on the last day of eligibility.
The rookie extension deadline is not the only date teams are paying attention to, however. Oct. 19 is also the deadline to extend veterans who have two years left on their contract -- not including an option year -- and the last day to reduce rosters to 15 players on standard contracts. -- Bobby Marks
Hoop Collective: The biggest questions in the NBA's Southeast Division
Brian is joined by ESPN's Tim MacMahon to preview the NBA's Southeast Division, including whether the Miami Heat have enough to contend for the title, why the Orlando Magic need to take the next step this season and whether any team from the division can surprise this season. They close with the annual win total draft for the 2026-27 NBA season.
Topics:
0:34: Full Southeast Division preview
1:14: Hawks ready to take a leap this season?
5:42: Big prove-it year coming for the Magic
11:56: Hornets taking a step back to move forward?
14:38: What should expectations be for the Heat?
18:26: How much can the Wizards actually improve?
25:08: 2026-27 win totals draft
MacMahon on the Wizards' outlook: "I will be surprised if Anthony Davis is still in Washington after the trade deadline. I'll just go out and say it.
"I might be proven wrong, but I will be surprised. And so, that to me is a massive wildcard in this whole situation. They've put together an intriguing young core. Obviously they needed some lottery luck, but Tre Johnson, Kyshawn George are interesting players. I don't know quite what to make out of Bilal Coulibaly at this point or Bub Carrington. But then, [AJ] Dybantsa, he needs to be the face of the franchise sooner rather than later.
"They've got some interesting pieces in place, but the guys at the top of their salary structure to me are: Trae's a bad contract and AD's a bad situation."
Oct. 15
Eubanks suffers torn pectoral muscle
New York Knicks reserve center Drew Eubanks has a torn pectoral muscle and will be sidelined for an extended period of time, sources told ESPN's Shams Charania. The Knicks will waive Eubanks, who was competing for a roster spot.
Oct. 14
Clippers waive Christie
The LA Clippers have waived guard Cam Christie, sources told ESPN's Shams Charania. Christie scored 16 points over two preseason games this season.
Hoop Collective: The biggest questions in the NBA's Central Division
Brian is joined by ESPN's Vincent Goodwill and Tim MacMahon to preview the NBA's Central Division, including the biggest questions facing the five teams. Is this another make-or-break season for the Cleveland Cavaliers? Will the Detroit Pistons repeat their 2025-26 success? And, can Tyrese Haliburton's return vault the Indiana Pacers back up the Eastern Conference standings?
Topics:
0:15: Our 2026-27 Central Division preview
4:25: Lots of big questions for the Pistons
11:43: Make-or-break season for the Cavaliers
27:50: Can Haliburton bring back the Pacers?
35:30: Bucks post-Giannis future looks murky
42:05: Young talent is intriguing with the Bulls
Windhorst on whether the Cavaliers can improve their roster: "Jarrett Allen is the guy that they would have to do something with. And the thing about it is that they can't trade Jarrett Allen because you'd need a franchise center. And that means Evan Mobley would probably have to be your franchise center.
"First off, if you're trading Jarrett Allen, are you upgrading at center for trading Jarrett Allen? No, you're probably upgrading somewhere else and you're asking Evan Mobley to play center. And Evan Mobley has not proven, even though a lot of people believe that he would be at his best playing full-time stretch center, [he can do that]. That's not something they've been able to get Evan to do consistently well. But that's the move that they have. The move that they have if they have to do something is to look at Jarrett Allen.
"But we'll see how that plays out. The Cavs are in a tough spot in that they are going to be expected to improve on last season, which the pathway to improve on a conference final season, it's a narrow path. And they're doing it in a much more competitive Eastern Conference landscape."
Oct. 13
Pritchard agrees to two-year extension in Boston
Boston Celtics' guard Payton Pritchard has agreed a to a two-year, $44.2 million extension with the franchise, sources told ESPN's Shams Charania. Pritchard averaged career highs in points (17), assists (5.2) and rebounds (3.9) last season.
Read more: Checking in on rookie and veteran extensions
Oct. 12
Hoop Collective: How to build a winner with Mavs' president Masai Ujiri
Brian is joined by ESPN's Tim MacMahon at the Dallas Mavericks-Houston Rockets preseason game live from Macao. The duo welcomes in Mavericks' president Masai Ujiri to discuss Cooper Flagg's potential, Kyrie Irving's role with Dallas and the challenges of building a competitive roster in the Western Conference. They also cover what it was like to build a championship team in Toronto. ESPN's Chao Meng then joins the podcast to talk about the NBA's popularity in China, the country's sneaker culture and the fandom around Yang Hansen. Brian and Tim close the pod with Carlos Boozer returning to tell stories of his time with the Utah Jazz and address the current status of the franchise.
Topics:
00:20: Assessing the NBA House and Macao experience
06:18: Mavs' President Masai Ujiri joins the show
7:20: Challenge building Mavs to Western contention
12:00: Is Cooper Flagg underrated already?
15:10: What does Kyrie mean to the team in Dallas?
16:20: What it takes building title contenders
19:35: Reaction to Kawhi Returning to Toronto
24:45: ESPN's Chao Meng joins the show
25:55: Explaining the NBA's popularity in China
30:25: What is the shoe culture like in China?
32:03: Yang Hansen's popularity as a Chinese player
34:00: NBA legend Carlos Boozer rejoins the show
34:10: What was it like playing for Jerry Sloan?
36:40: What is the current state of the Utah Jazz?
39:15: Thank you to everyone involved with the World Tour 2026
Oct. 10
Warriors sign Podziemski to five-year extension
The Golden State Warriors and guard Brandin Podziemski have agreed to a five-year, $110 million contract extension, his agent Bill Duffy told ESPN's Shams Charania. The deal, which is fully guaranteed, prevents Podziemski from entering restricted agency next summer.
Podziemski, 23, is entering his fourth season after the Warriors selected him 19th overall in the 2023 NBA draft.
Oct. 9
Hoop Collective: Rockets and Mavs expectations live from Media Day in Macao
Brian is joined by ESPN's Tim MacMahon live from Macao to cover the Houston Rockets and Dallas Mavericks' Media Day ahead of their preseason game in China. The guys are joined by a collection of guests, including Rockets' general manager Rafael Stone, Houston's Jabari Smith Jr. and the Mavericks' Naji Marshall.
Plus, NBA legends Shawn Marion and Carlos Boozer join the show to share some memories from their playing careers.
Topics:
01:46 Rockets GM Rafael Stone joins the show
03:45: How the Rockets approach team building
09:20: Growing on the Rockets' 52 wins last season
13:30: Expectations in a competitive Western Conference
14:48: Rockets forward Jabari Smith Jr. joins the show
15:56: Houston's expectations with Fred VanVleet returning
18:18: Navigating the competition in the Western Conference
20:15: Mavericks wing Naji Marshall joins the show
21:55: Developing Naji's floater
25:15: Playing alongside Cooper Flagg
28:00: Dusty May's influence
28:42: NBA legend Shawn Marion joins the show
31:53: Memories of the 2011 NBA Finals
35:05: The evolution of position-less basketball
39:48: Why are contract extensions happening earlier?
44:00: Playing with LeBron James in Cleveland
46:35: NBA legend Carlos Boozer joins the show
47:45: Lessons for Cameron Boozer
Goodwill: Pistons inquired about trades for Durant, Leonard
ESPN reporter Vincent Goodwill wrote Friday about why the Detroit Pistons and big man Jalen Duren -- who engaged in a contract stalemate this offseason before Duren got a five-year, $200 million contract -- needed each other. In that piece, Goodwill dropped a nugget on other players Detroit explored adding since its season ended:
The Pistons inquired about trading for Kawhi Leonard and Kevin Durant this offseason, according to league sources, and were positioned to offer Austin Reaves a big free agent contract if the Los Angeles Lakers opened the door. None of that materialized.
The Pistons had heard Leonard wasn't interested in coming to Detroit amid the Clippers' cap-circumvention scandal, per league sources, and the Rockets weren't willing to engage on Durant despite the close relationship he shares with Cunningham. As for Reaves, once the Lakers blew him away with a max contract offer, he wasn't going anywhere -- he'd already turned down being drafted by Detroit under the Troy Weaver era to go the undrafted route and sign with the Lakers a few years ago.
Read the full story here.
Oct. 8
LeBron to make preseason debut at Nets
ESPN's Dave McMenamin reported that new Philadelphia 76er LeBron James will make his preseason debut for the franchise on Thursday night at the Brooklyn Nets.
"The plan is indeed for LeBron James to make his preseason with the Sixers tonight against the Nets," McMenamin said on NBA Today.
Slater: The Warriors might finally have their man to bridge two timelines
ESPN reporter Anthony Slater wrote Thursday about Golden State Warriors rookie Yaxel Lendeborg, who has impressed teammates and coaches ahead of the season. Here's a quote about Lendeborg from coach Steve Kerr:
"We're in a position now [as opposed to past seasons] where we can be thinking of development. Not just for Yaxel, but our whole group. We are not in the [championship] conversation. So let's see what we can do as a group to kind of reestablish what we stand for and how we operate and new beginnings in a lot of ways. All of that is really exciting to me. And Yaxel's a big part of that."
Read the full story here.
Oct. 7
Buss siblings formally file against Jeanie over Lakers sale
The legal dispute over the right to sell the Buss family's remaining stake in the Los Angeles Lakers continued Wednesday with five of the Buss siblings filing their case against their sister, Lakers acting governor, Jeanie Buss.
"Jimmy, Johnny, Janie, Joey and Jesse Buss, the five of six siblings who voted to sell the Trust's shares in the Lakers, today filed their formal opposition, demonstrating that Jeanie Buss's petition is legally and factually baseless," the siblings said in a statement issued to ESPN.
Hoop Collective: Answering the fans' biggest questions LIVE from the Philippines
Brian is joined by Filipino basketball legend Jimmy Alapag and ESPN's Tim MacMahon in Manila, Philippines, to answer the fans' biggest questions ahead of the 2026-27 season. They discuss the biggest "what ifs" surrounding LeBron James' free agency, the best paths to building a contender and much more from the offseason.
Topics:
01:02: Jimmy Alapag joins the Hoop Collective
04:57: Jimmy's coaching career with the Kings
18:23: Answering your biggest NBA questions
23:12: What is an underrated storyline for this upcoming season?
27:32: What to make of the state of the Clippers?
32:08: Will the flow of international players continue?
36:39: What the crew misses about Tim Bontemps
42:23: Why couldn't the Heat close a deal for LeBron James?
46:22: The biggest "what ifs" of LeBron's free agency
50:20: What is the best route to building a contender?
55:06: Brian and Tim's favorite basketball moments
1:06:12: What failed trade would've changed the league?
1:07:19: How to report controversial stories
1:09:54: What offseason move deserves more attention?
Windhorst on the growth of the NBA around the world: "I think the flow of international players into the NBA is even going to grow because of two things. One, the NBA is expanding to Europe. It's going to happen. I promise you. And part of the way that they're going to get everybody to buy in there is that they are going to guarantee investment in European players. This is going to be part of their sales pitch when they get it done.
"They're going to limit how many American players can be on there. They're going to expand their rosters because they're going to be playing in two different leagues, their national league and NBA Europe. And they're going to say, 'The reason you should care about our new teams in London and in Rome and elsewhere, and the existing teams, is we're going to develop European players.' And they are going to Europe for 20 years or more. They're investing in it like they did the WNBA. They don't care if it doesn't do great or somebody kicks rocks on it in the first year, they're going to invest in it.
"Secondly, international basketball is thriving."
Oct. 6
Porzingis injury timetable still 'indefinite'
ESPN's Anthony Slater reported on NBA Today that Golden State Warriors' center Kristaps Porzingis' timetable to return from an undisclosed health issue is still indefinite.
The ramifications of the Hukporti injury for Philadelphia
The season ending Achilles injury to Ariel Hukporti has roster ramifications for the 76ers.
Philadelphia is $1.8 million below the first apron, so they are not allowed to sign a player with their open roster spot until Dec. 4. The 76ers could create financial flexibility but at the cost of Jabari Walker, whose $2.6 million salary is guaranteed for only $250,000. Walker scored 11 points and grabbed 11 rebounds in their pre-season opener.
The 76ers do have an open two-way spot and can sign a player with three years or less in service.
Beyond starter Joel Embiid, Philadelphia's frontcourt depth is Dean Wade, Adem Bona, Dominick Barlow and Walker. -- Bobby Marks
Charania: Hukporti sustained a season-ending ruptured Achilles
An MRI confirm Tuesday that Philadelphia 76ers' center Ariel Hukporti sustained a season-ending torn right Achilles, sources told ESPN's Shams Charania. Hukporti will undergo surgery for the injury later today.
Doncic, who 'worked his butt off all summer,' lights up Kings
A lighter Luka Doncic scored an easy 21 first-half points in the Los Angeles Lakers' preseason opener over the Sacramento Kings on Monday night, needing only 16 minutes to sharpen up his game in a 127-103 blowout in Sacramento.
Doncic was listed at 244 pounds prior to the 2025-26 season. That dipped to 230 pounds entering training camp. The difference in physique from his heavier days is obvious.
"The guy worked his butt off all summer staying in shape and actually ran this summer," coach JJ Redick said. "He actually did like sprints and stuff. Came into camp in fantastic shape."
The Lakers were without Austin Reaves and Walker Kessler in the preseason opener. Reaves tweaked his ankle recently, and Kessler jammed a finger on the backboard. Both are listed as day-to-day. Without either, the Lakers still rolled through the Kings. Doncic scored all 21 of his points in a 73-point Lakers first half, resting while the backups finished the job. He made three 3s, four shots in the paint and got to the line for nine free throws.
"For someone who normally plays a ton of live basketball [in the summer], he didn't do as much of that by design," Redick said. "We've seen him literally every day in camp incrementally get more and more in rhythm."
Doncic badly strained his hamstring in early April and missed the entire Lakers playoff run while rehabbing the injury. He said he felt "great" against the Kings but downplayed any larger changes to his training regimen.
"I feel probably a little more rested," Doncic said. "I didn't play [on the Slovenian] national team." -- Anthony Slater
Hoop Collective: Biggest questions in the NBA's Southwest Division
Brian is joined by ESPN's Tim MacMahon and Michael C. Wright to preview the NBA's Southwest Division, including the biggest questions facing each team heading into the 2026-27 season. They cover each team's outlook, the biggest roster questions and how the teams stack up against the rest of the league. Are the San Antonio Spurs expectations too high? What will Cooper Flagg accomplish in his sophomore season? And can the Houston Rockets take the next step this season?
Topics:
02:25: Our 2026-27 Southwest Division preview
02:38: Sky-high expectations for the Spurs
15:00: Windy Storytime: Spurs redemption
19:00: How can Spurs maximize their young talent?
29:30: Rockets hoping to take a leap this season
41:15: Cooper Flagg's development in Dallas
52:28: Can things improve for the Pelicans?
57:10: Memphis is a very hard team to project
Windhorst on Dylan Harper's role with the Spurs: "The Spurs internally believe Dylan Harper is their second-best player. I'm not saying Mitch Johnson's going to come out and say that. He shouldn't come out and say that. That's not a slight on De'Aaron Fox. That's not a slight on Stephon Castle. Harper is a stud.
"You talk to other front offices in the league, they say the same thing. This guy is I mean, look, he's the No. 2 pick in the draft. Of course he's a stud, and he only got better as the season went along."
MacMahon on on Kyrie Irving's expectations in Dallas: "Masai [Ujiri] did not want to have any discussions about Kyrie trades this year. What I can tell you right now is Kyrie is fully on board and excited about coming back to play with the Mavericks.
"He just organized this kind of unofficial minicamp that they had out here in LA with the beach yoga in Santa Monica and the runs. He's been hooping all summer long, looks like himself on Instagram and the people I know that or I've talked to that have been in the gyms with him say, 'Dude, Kyrie is Kyrie.'
"They expect him to come back and be the dude that he was a year and a half ago when he got hurt, which he was playing at at an All-NBA level."
What's next for KAT and the Knicks?
Will the New York Knicks enter opening night without getting a deal done with Karl-Anthony Towns? How hard should Towns push in negotiations? What options would be available next summer?
ESPN NBA insiders Ben Golliver, Zach Kram and Bobby Marks examine both sides of the Towns-Knicks contract talks -- plus the deal our resident general manager would choose.
Oct. 5
Clippers' Strus suffered partial tear in right foot
During Sunday's preseason game, LA Clippers guard Max Strus suffered a partial tear of the plantar fascia in his right foot, sources told ESPN's Shams Charania. He will be reevaluated in four weeks.
Knicks' Karl-Anthony Towns not expecting extension soon
New York Knicks center Karl-Anthony Towns said Monday that, "It don't look good" in regards to him and the franchise agreeing to a contract extension before the start of the season.
"Simply put, I want to do something that can keep the team together and work with the Knicks and also values me," Towns said. "None of those things have come close to happening."
Towns is eligible for a four-year deal worth over $276 million.
"This is a growing cloud around the New York Knicks," ESPN's Shams Charania said on NBA Today. "So far, these sides are not close"
Oct. 2
Hawkins, Grizzlies mutually agree to part ways
The Memphis Grizzlies and guard Jordan Hawkins have agreed to part ways via waivers, allowing the 2023 lottery pick to find a new home in free agency, sources told ESPN's Shams Charania.
The move comes three weeks after arriving as part of a four-player trade with the New Orleans Pelicans for AJ Johnson and Taj Gibson.
Hawkins, 24, averaged 5.1 points in 51 games last season and struggled to find consistent playing time in New Orleans' crowded backcourt rotation. The former UConn star played just 13.6 minutes per game, a significant decrease from the 2024-25 season, when he played 23.6 minutes per game and averaged 10.8 points per game.
Hoop Collective: Are the Lakers and Warriors ready to contend?
Brian Windhorst is joined by ESPN's Tim MacMahon and Anthony Slater to preview the NBA's Pacific Division, including the biggest questions for the Los Angeles Lakers, Golden State Warriors and the rest of the division. They discuss the teams' outlooks, roster questions and where the teams stack up against the rest of the league.
Topics:
00:20: 2026-27 Pacific Division preview
01:05: Can the Lakers take the next step in the playoffs?
18:45: What is the best and worst case for the Warriors?
28:30: The Suns overachieved last season -- what now?
35:20: What can we expect from the Clippers?
42:40: Assessing the state of the Kings this year
Slater on the Warriors' options this season: "I think we mentioned it last time we talked about the Warriors, but think about what the Lakers did with LeBron. I know we just questioned some of the deals they signed, but the fact that they could sign all those deals was because LeBron James took all his money and walked away. So you could let Jimmy [Butler] somewhat walk away.
"The other thing is, Jimmy and the Warriors really are fond of each other and we'll see what he looks like when he does come back. Obviously Jimmy's going to want every dollar he can get, but there's a chance Jimmy and Draymond [Green] could take pay cuts next season, right? The market might demand that they do.
"Jimmy fits really well with Steph Curry. We've seen that. Draymond is another player that you're going to hear a lot of noise about in the first week of camp from the Warriors about shifting Draymond's role and some of the numbers last year. With Draymond and Steph Curry on the floor together, it was still plus-105 last year, still a good offensive rating,117.7, but the moment Steph's been off the floor, and last year he was off the floor a lot, their offense cratered when Draymond was on the floor and was actually OK when it was no Draymond and no Steph.
"I've had these conversations with Steve [Kerr] and again I think you're going to hear it a lot publicly in their messaging, they're going to adapt the offense at times away from Draymond. They're going to try to make him more of a spot-up shooter at times instead of giving him the ball. They're trying to limit his turnovers."
Oct. 1
Duren, Pistons end standoff with long-term deal
All-NBA center Jalen Duren has agreed to a five-year, $200 million fully guaranteed contract to return to the Detroit Pistons, his agent told ESPN's Shams Charania. Duren had until 11:59 p.m. ET Thursday to decide on the Pistons' one-year, $9.6 million qualifying offer.
Mitch Johnson excited about Billy Donovan's role with Spurs
San Antonio Spurs coach Mitch Johnson likes what he's seen so far at training camp from new lead assistant coach Billy Donovan.
"I don't want to be naive enough to think I'm going to tell you what a 61-year old Hall of Fame coach like Billy Donovan and his resume can bring to the table," Johnson said. "I'm excited he's here. He's a tremendous person, great personality, fits in seamlessly. He's got worlds of experience and he's an extremely hard worker. He's not kicking up his feet and telling stories. He's rolling his sleeves up and getting his hands dirty. He's going to help all of us and probably me, specifically, a ton this year."
Donovan joined the staff in July, replacing former lead assistant Sean Sweeney, who left San Antonio to take the head coaching job in Orlando. Sweeney ran the Spurs' defense last season, helping it improve from 25th to third in the NBA in defensive rating (110.4).
Donovan won't be tasked with taking on Sweeney's responsibilities, according to sources, however. San Antonio brought in Donovan to lean on his experience on both ends of the floor, as well as his vast knowledge of the NBA and college games.
A member of the Naismith Basketball Hall of Fame class of 2025, Donovan joined the Spurs after 11 seasons as an NBA coach with the Chicago Bulls and Oklahoma City Thunder, after capturing two college basketball national titles in 2006 and 2007 with the Florida Gators. -- Michael C. Wright
Shead agrees to three-year extension in Toronto
Guard Jamal Shead has agreed to a three-year, $24 million extension with the Toronto Raptors, sources told ESPN's Shams Charania. Shead averaged 6.6 points and 5.6 assists per game last season.
Sept. 30
Nuggets add Nembhard on two-way deal
Guard Ryan Nembhard has agreed to a two-way contract with the Denver Nuggets, sources told ESPN's Shams Charania. Nembhard, 23, played 60 games (27 starts) for the Dallas Mavericks in 2025-26 after signing as an undrafted free agent. He was traded to the Atlanta Hawks then to the Charlotte Hornets this offseason before being waived.
Sept. 29
Charania: NBA reviewing finalists' bids for Vegas team
ESPN's Shams Charania reported that the NBA is currently reviewing finalist bids for a new expansion team in Las Vegas. The price range is currently speculated at $12-13 billion with a new arena factored into the cost.
The three final groups are Nancy Walton Laurie and Bill Laurie; Steve Apostolopoulos and Marc Lasry; Bill Foley and Jerry Colangelo, sources told ESPN.
Will KAT take a pay cut in next Knicks deal?
On "NBA Today," ESPN's Malika Andrews detailed Karl-Anthony Towns' mindset toward contract negotiations with the defending champion New York Knicks.
"Towns, from what I have been told, is willing -- similarly to what Jalen Brunson did [but the] numbers aren't the same -- to take a pay cut," Andrews said. "But the pay cut that the Knicks are asking him to take, he views as unreasonable."
Towns, 30, is eligible to sign a four-year, $276 million extension through June 30.
Embiid "full participant" in first Sixers' practice
Joel Embiid was a "full participant all the way through" for the Philadelphia 76ers first practice of training camp, Sixers coach Nick Nurse said Tuesday.
"He looked great," Nurse said of Embiid. "Very, very good news from the standpoint of where it's been the last couple years, last couple summers leading into today. ... It's great to see."
After being named the league MVP in 2023, the 32-year-old center has missed 150 games over the last three seasons because of various injuries.
He also sat out four of the Sixers' 11 playoff games in the spring because of appendicitis, right hip soreness and a right ankle sprain.
The only Sixers player who did not participate in Tuesday's practice according to a team spokesperson was backup big man Adem Bona, who is dealing with a sprained left foot.
Anfernee Simons, who signed a two-year, $12.3 million contract to join Philadelphia in July, said Embiid's presence in the gym was already notable leading up to the start of camp.
"Everybody's been impressed around here about how he's come in and worked," Simons said. "Joel is going to be Joel. He's going to be a dominant player always. We just want to continue for him to be himself, as well, and I think everybody's going to be able to work around that."
Despite the injuries, the 10-year veteran still averaged 26.9 points, 7.7 rebounds, 3.9 assists and 1.2 blocks per game last season.
Embiid's inclusion only added to what several Sixers players described as an "exciting" opening day with LeBron James and Jaylen Brown completing their first official practice with the franchise.
"With any team, we got to start somewhere, and then we got to get better and better, and just keep trying to reach our ceiling, right?" Nurse said. "That happens day-to-day. Can we get up tomorrow, like, 98% as excited as we did today? It's going to be hard to get as excited as we all were today, right?
"But we need to come back, and we need to keep climbing that mountain. That's a daily process. I just want them to reach their potential. If they do, great things are going to happen." -- Dave McMenamin
Hoop Collective: The 2026 NBA Media Day reaction special
Brian Windhorst is joined by ESPN reporters from around the league to check in on Monday's Media Days. Tim MacMahon, Dave McMenamin, Vince Goodwill, Jamal Collier, Anthony Slater and Michael C. Wright all hop on the podcast to discuss the biggest storylines throughout the NBA ahead of training camp.
Topics:
01:08: 76ers Media Day reactions
06:55: How LeBron is assimilating in Philadelphia
15:00: How will the 76ers deploy their talent this year?
18:45: Vibes exceedingly high for the Lakers
32:25: Bronny's quotes about LeBron leaving
35:20: Windy Storytime: Bronny's name origins
40:20: Exciting summer coming to a close for the Knicks
41:15: Major contract negotiations ongoing with NY
55:10: Assessing vibes with new pieces in Minnesota
1:08:40: Bad news continues for the Clippers
1:24:15: Evaluating Kawhi's fit with the Raptors
1:30:20: Not a lot of love in the air for Pistons
1:44:30: Breaking down state of the Warriors
2:00:25: Thunder dealing with departure of key teammates
2:16:13: Interesting quotes from Spurs about their starting 5
Goodwill on the latest between the Knicks and Karl-Anthony Towns: "It wasn't so much what he said, like this full-throated defense of himself, but he said, 'I would like to get my contract done.'
"He said, 'I would like to stay in New York for the rest of my career.' And then he kind of ended it and because of the way the Knicks operated, it wasn't like you had space for a follow-up.
"And then someone else, I think Ian Begley asked him, 'Are you OK with playing this out through the season or do you want to table contract talks?' and he basically said, 'Everybody's going to be a little uncomfortable around here.'"
Top NBA media day headlines
LeBron says he envisioned joining Knicks as free agent | Philly stars ready to 'sacrifice'
Clippers apologize to fans, vow to move past investigation | Ingram (Achilles) out
Jokic on his next Nuggets deal: 'I'm going to sign next year'
Bronny on LeBron James' Lakers exit: 'He's got his own path'
Sept. 28
Bronny on LeBron James' Lakers exit: 'He's got his own path'
When LeBron James chose to leave the Los Angeles Lakers in free agency over the summer, he consulted his family on the decision to sign with the Philadelphia 76ers. But when it came to his son/teammate Bronny, much was apparently left unsaid.
"We're men of very little words when it comes to talking about business and what we're going to do and how we feel about each other. So it wasn't really much [discussion] to be honest with you," Bronny James said Monday at Lakers media day.
"He's got his own path and I got my own. He knows that I want to make a name for myself and I want to continue my career and keep growing as a player. And he knows that I want to focus on that. So he decided to do that."
LeBron and Bronny have routinely been in unique situations in league history, whether it was opening night two years ago, when the father and son entered the game together, or last year in the playoffs, where they combined to deliver a 10-0 run during a victory over the Houston Rockets. Navigating a complex free agency in which the father leaves and the son stays is another one for the books.
Tatum 'comfortable' leading new-look Celtics post-Brown trade
Jayson Tatum's one constant during his development into a star with the Boston Celtics was having Jaylen Brown as a teammate.
That partnership ended this offseason when the Celtics' front office decided to trade Brown -- the 2024 NBA Finals MVP -- to the Philadelphia 76ers in what was largely a cost-cutting move that broke up the duo most responsible for leading Boston to the 2024 NBA championship.
"The business of the NBA comes and plays a part at some point. And I've seen it in my almost 10 years in this league," Tatum said during Celtics media day on Monday. "For me it's more so being grateful for what we accomplished and what he means for this city and to this organization. Just the ups and downs in our career that we were able to grow and learn from and made us the players that we are today. So really just being thankful for those nine years."
Suns owner Ishbia says mortgage company woes won't hurt team
It's well-known at this point that billionaire Mat Ishbia's mortgage company has had a rough financial stretch.
The owner of the Phoenix Suns said Monday that will have "zero" effect on his spending habits when it comes to basketball. In fact, the 46-year-old said he's working on purchasing 14% more of the team, bringing his total to roughly 80%.
Ishbia's company -- United Wholesale Mortgage -- suffered a reported $450 million net loss in the second quarter this year, calling into question if the sizable dip would affect his basketball business. The outspoken Ishbia was adamant that nothing would change for the NBA franchise when it comes to spending on players or the fan experience.
Williamson not where he wants to be
New Orleans Pelicans forward Zion Williamson kept his answer brief when asked how he would summarize his first seven years as an NBA player.
"I'm not where I want to be," said Williamson, whom the Pelicans drafted with the No. 1 pick out of Duke in 2019. "I'm not where I need to be."
Butler indicates he is 'ahead' in his knee rehab
Nearing the eight-month mark since his right ACL surgery, Jimmy Butler III is hesitant to put a specific target date on his eventual NBA return, but he did express optimism in advance of Golden State Warriors training camp.
"I promise you I'm coming back, and it's going to be -- I think it's going to be, like, real eye-popping for everybody how I'm still going to be nice," Butler said. "Probably nicer, honestly."
Butler has only recently advanced to running, and he will be limited to light on-court individual work when the team begins practice in Hawaii on Tuesday afternoon.
It will be several weeks before Butler is expected to advance to a more rigorous stage of his rehab, and the team's lead medical decision-maker, Rick Celebrini, is known for his cautiousness in the later stages of the rehab process.
A January or February return can be considered on the optimistic side for Butler, who turned 37 earlier this month. But Butler did say that the strengthening tests on the knee indicate he is ahead of schedule.
"My numbers are staggering," Butler said. "They're off the charts. I'm ahead, so they say. So, I just know that all the work that I've been doing, whether it be at home, in L.A., in Europe, in South America, wherever the case may be, I've been doing all the right things. So, I am confident that whenever I come back, I'll be more than ready, I'll be more than healthy and I'll be a better all-around player than I was whenever I went down." -- Anthony Slater
Pistons eye "better version" of Cunningham
Detroit Pistons coach J.B. Bickerstaff has held many offseason conversations with All-NBA guard Cade Cunningham about seizing greatness and the necessary steps toward improving after last year's playoff run that stretched to Game 7 of the Eastern Conference semifinals.
Bickerstaff has guaranteed "a better version" Cunningham this season, which could be a scary sight after he averaged 23.9 points, 9.9 assists, 5.5 rebounds and 1.4 steals in 33.9 minutes during 2025-26. But Cunningham also led the East in turnovers per game after finishing with the second most in 2024-25.
"I don't have to challenge Cade, and that's why he is who he is," Bickerstaff said. "Because he's pulling. He's not being pushed."
Cunningham showed up in a fresh pair of Nike S.T. Charge "Detroit Tough" sneakers in Pistons colors. He will also receive his own signature Nike shoe, which is expected to debut during the second half of the season.
"I'm thankful to be in these shoes. I'm thankful to have the opportunity to represent my family in this way," Cunningham said. "Represent where I come from, but then to represent the city of Detroit.
"In a city like this, it's a blessing. I'm thankful for it, I don't take it for granted and I'm trying to make the most out of it." -- Eric Woodyard
Hornets waive former No. 8 pick Dillingham
The Charlotte Hornets are waiving guard Rob Dillingham, sources told ESPN's Shams Charania. Dillingham was traded from the Chicago Bulls on Saturday for Buddy Hield and cash. The Hornets created a $9.6 million trade exception with the move.
Dillingham, 21, appeared in 30 games for the Bulls last season, averaging 9.6 points and 2.8 assists.
SGA on chance at historic third straight MVP
At Oklahoma City Thunder media day, guard Shai Gilgeous-Alexander discussed the possibility of winning a third straight NBA MVP award and whether that's something he ponders going into this season.
"No different than any other year: Try to be the best player I can be, try to implement the things I just worked on," Gilgeous-Alexander said.
"The decision for MVP is literally 82 games away. I'm not going to win the award in the first week of the season. ... That kind of recipe for me in the past has kind of worked, and I've been fortunate to win two in a row.
"We need to be laser focused on ourselves. We need to take the lessons from that [Western Conference finals] series, for sure, and we did. But it's certainly not something that we overcorrect for, because you end up chasing your shadow, and it prevents you from being your best as you move forward."
ESPN's Summer Forecast gave Gilgeous-Alexander the fourth-best chance at the 2027 MVP, behind Victor Wembanyama, Nikola Jokic and Luka Doncic. No player has won three consecutive MVPs since Larry Bird in 1984, 1985 and 1986. -- Baxter Holmes
Doncic talks LeBron exit, Lakers "championship" ceiling
Speaking to ESPN's Brian Windhorst during Los Angeles Lakers media day, guard Luka Doncic detailed his reaction to LeBron James leaving for the Philadelphia 76ers this past summer and why he thinks a successful 2026-27 includes a Lakers run to the title:
"It was kind of sad. Playing with LeBron was amazing. There's a lot of things I learned from him. ... We all know who LeBron James is."
"If you don't think we can win a championship, you shouldn't be here."
— NBA on ESPN (@ESPNNBA) September 28, 2026
-@lukadoncic to @WindhorstESPN on the Lakers' title expectations this season 🏆 pic.twitter.com/0z5BQcledi
Shams: Duren's relationship with Pistons "has fractures"
The latest on Jalen Duren and the Pistons as deadline nears on his restricted free agency decision: pic.twitter.com/AclYIJn6sw
— Shams Charania (@ShamsCharania) September 28, 2026
Simmons "didn't touch a ball for a year"
During Sacramento Kings media day, guard Ben Simmons laid out the reasons he chose the Kings and why he's excited for the 2026-27 season.
"The expectations are low. I feel like that's been something on me too, so we can relate in that way," Simmons told reporters. "I think we have a chip on our shoulder."
Simmons last played in 2024-25, appearing in 51 games for the Brooklyn Nets and LA Clippers. The three-time All-Star said the time away gave him the chance to focus on "getting my body right and my mind right."
Pistons GM hasn't spoken with Duren all summer
Jalen Duren and the Detroit Pistons have a decision to make as the clock ticks closer to Oct. 1 -- the deadline to sign a one-year, $9.6 million qualifying offer.
For Duren, he can accept the five-year, $200 million contract that has been offered by Detroit or he can become the first player named All-NBA or All-Star to sign the qualifying offer. If he chooses the latter, Duren will hold veto power on any trade this season and be an unrestricted free agent next summer.
For the Pistons, weighing the risk of having an All-NBA player on a one-year contract and, more importantly, the likelihood he will depart next summer as a free agent is key.
There are eight projected teams that have significant cap space to sign Duren to a four-year, $189 million max contract.
"I can't control the different things that he does or his group does," Pistons president of basketball operations Trajan Langdon said at media day. "For me, it's control what we can and letting him know he is a big part of what we do."
Langdon also said he hasn't spoken with Duren all summer during Pistons media day. -- Bobby Marks
Mitchell: LeBron to Cavs made sense "for a lot of reasons"
At Cavaliers media day, Donovan Mitchell said that in his mind, he thought LeBron James would return to Cleveland because "for a lot of reasons it made sense."
"I didn't think Philly. I thought if he didn't come here, it'd be Golden State," Mitchell said.
After being swept in the Eastern Conference finals by the eventual champion New York Knicks then missing out on James in free agency, Cleveland kept its core intact. The Cavs signed Mitchell to a four-year, $273 million maximum extension and re-signed James Harden to a three-year, $97 million contract. Cleveland did make one major addition by acquiring Peyton Watson from the Denver Nuggets in a multiteam trade then signing the restricted free agent to a four-year, $88 million deal.
Speaking for the first time since their extensions, Mitchell and Harden both said their approaches to their new deals -- Mitchell signing as soon as he was eligible with Harden opting out to give Cleveland more flexibility to make moves -- reflected a team-first mindset.
"This is something that I want to do, and I want to win a championship," Harden said. "So, what does that look like? Making the team better, making the team whole to where we give ourselves a chance. By the way, you can have the best talented team, which I've been on before, and still not win.
"We waited, waited, waited until the front office called me, made sure that we got everything that we can get, and then we signed. We got a long way to go, but I love the direction and steps that we're taking here as a unit from top to bottom." -- Daniel Oyefusi
MacMahon: Thunder adjusting to roster changes
The departures of three championship-winning teammates doesn't yet feel like reality for Thunder superstar Shai Gilgeous-Alexander, who kidded that he still expected Luguentz Dort, Isaiah Joe and Aaron Wiggins to show up for Oklahoma City's team picture Monday afternoon.
"It's the business of the NBA, right?" Gilgeous-Alexander said, referring to the series of financially motivated trades. "I don't think anybody has played with all 12 guys their whole career. It sucks a little bit.
"My mind never even went to what we were going to be like on the court. It was more like the brotherhood."
As fellow OKC guard Jalen Williams added, "It's the weirdest thing ever." -- Tim MacMahon
Clippers announce Ingram has partially torn Achilles
The LA Clippers announced they found a partially torn Achilles tendon in Brandon Ingram's foot after his recent heel surgery. He will miss the start of the 2026-27 season.
Jokic: "I'm gonna sign next year"
Denver Nuggets center Nikola Jokic reiterated his commitment to the franchise at Monday's media day.
"I'm gonna sign next year," Jokic said. "If they want me."
Curry said knee is ready to go for the season
Golden State Warriors superstar guard Stephen Curry addressed the media Monday in offering positive updates on his injured knee.
"Knee's feeling great. Ready to go. No issues," Curry said. "I feel a lot stronger and understanding of what I'm dealing with."
Curry did acknowledge a "management element" but said there are currently no restrictions.
Nuggets confident in Jokic's future with franchise
Members of the Denver Nuggets' front office, general manager Jon Wallace and executive vice president of basketball Ben Tenzer addressed the media on Monday and answered questions regarding Nikola Jokic's future with the franchise. The three-time MVP didn't sign an extension this offseason.
"We feel very comfortable with the relation and trust there," Tenzer said. "We have no concerns."
LeBron: I wanted to finish my career with the Knicks
New Philadelphia 76er LeBron James said his decision came down to five teams this offseason and that he envisioned going to the New York Knicks before they won the 2026 title.
"I had visions of playing in [Madison Square] Garden and finishing my career in the Garden," James told ESPN on Monday during the 76ers' media day. "One of the best places I've ever played.
"I think it's the No. 1 arena in the world, as far as for a basketball player. But after they beat San Antonio, I was like, 'Hey, I can't.' I couldn't do it."
James and the 76ers will play the Knicks at the Garden on opening night, Oct. 20.
No update on Gary Trent Jr. investigation
Milwaukee Bucks governor Wes Edens did not provide an update on the league investigation into Gary Trent Jr.'s contract.
"I don't have any update," Edens said. "We're working with the league and fully cooperating with them. But I don't have any insight beyond that."
The NBA is looking into a potential cap-circumvention violation by the Bucks around Trent's deal this offseason.
Cronin: Blazers have "belief" in Ja Morant
Portland Trail Blazers' general manager Joe Cronin addressed why the franchise decided to trade for Ja Morant this offseason during Portland's media day on Monday.
"Just straight belief in Ja," Cronin said. "Our view of Ja as still a very high-level player.
"I'm sure there will be questions about fit, but we're very focused on talent."
Cronin also said veteran guard Jrue Holiday could play some minutes on the wing for Portland this season, while adding that Holiday and veteran guard Damian Lillard will have a positive influence on Morant.
Kerr: Rookie Lendeborg going to "play a ton"
Golden State Warriors coach Steve Kerr said during Monday's media day that he expects rookie Yaxel Lendeborg to "play a ton" this season.
"He's clearly going to play a ton," Kerr said. "He gives us the size and the versatility that we need.
"Whether he's a starter or coming off the bench, that will be determined the next couple of weeks."
Lendeborg was the No. 11 pick in the 2026 NBA draft and averaged 15.1 points per game at Michigan last season.
Embiid: 'Extremely excited' about this year's team
Philadelphia 76ers center Joel Embiid said Monday that he feels like the team finally has the right mix of players, after an offseason in which the franchise traded for Jaylen Brown and signed LeBron James to join the young guard tandem of VJ Edgecombe and Tyrese Maxey.
"It's hard to win when you get a group of guys together for one year, two years, maybe," he said. "I'm extremely excited about this team because we have the right mix of veteran leadership and younger guys. We might have some ups and downs, but we're gonna get there."
Wembanyama addresses last year's Finals loss
After leading by double digits in each of the five games in last season's NBA Finals, San Antonio Spurs center Victor Wembanyama said his memories of it will fuel the team this season.
"I couldn't imagine a better motivation," he said.
Harper addresses role for coming season
After offseason chatter about his role, San Antonio Spurs guard Dylan Harper said he'd follow the coaches' lead this season.
"Everyone has a competitive edge to them. But the biggest thing for me is whatever I can do, just like last year, to help the team win," he said. "Whatever position the coaches think is best for me to be in, that's the position I'll happily go in."
First look at LeBron in a 76ers uniform
New Philadelphia 76ers forward LeBron James is taking questions from reporters on Monday. Here's what he had to say when asked about his initial impressions of his team:
"Everybody is on the same page," James said. "We are all speaking the same language."
Season 24. pic.twitter.com/ntxTXGLb2A
— Dave McMenamin (@mcten) September 28, 2026
LeBron addressed his role too, saying he's open to whatever the team needs from him to win.
"Whatever they need me to do," he said. "The luxury of my game is I can do everything. ... Literally, I can do everything"
Kawhi: I was a distraction, ready to move forward
In his first public appearance with the Toronto Raptors after a controversy-filled summer, Kawhi Leonard addressed the NBA's investigation into him and his business dealings.
"I know why some of you guys came. You want to hear about the investigation. But in talking with the NBA and PA, I think the best decision is to move forward and focus on my time being a Toronto Raptor," he said. "I already was a distraction for the past 70 days and wasn't able to meet my teammates or do any of that stuff, minicamp stuff, so, moving forward, I just want to talk about the Toronto Raptors."
Haliburton: I am 100% healthy
Indiana Pacers guard Tyrese Haliburton said Monday that he is healthy and ready for the season.
"I am healthy. I am 100%," he said. "There will be no restrictions. That is not news. There is no source. I am the source. I am ready to go for the year."
Porzingis out indefinitely in blow to Warriors
Golden State Warriors big man Kristaps Porzingis is out indefinitely to open training camp with a health issue, according to the team.
In late July, Porzingis agreed to a two-year, $40 million contract with a player option on the second season to return to the Warriors.
Brown: KAT, Hart extension talks won't be a distraction
After reports surfaced last week that negotiations between the New York Knicks and center Karl-Anthony Towns had hit a stalemate, coach Mike Brown said Monday neither Towns' situation nor Hart's would linger in the locker room.
"We talk about everything [with the team]," Brown said. "We don't want to have any elephants in the room."
"I'm not involved in it. They'll figure it out. Control what you can control."
And here's what Towns said about a potential extension: "I've made it known I want to play here. Been a fan since I was a kid. I'd like to get it done."
Hornets GM: Brandon Miller to be ready for training camp
After undergoing offseason surgery on his left shoulder, Hornets wing Brandon Miller should be a full participant in training camp and "ready to roll" for opening night, Hornets general manager Jeff Peterson said Monday.
Miller, 23, is entering his fourth NBA season after being the No. 2 pick in the 2023 draft.
Duren won't be at Pistons media day, start of camp
Detroit Pistons All-Star center Jalen Duren is not attending the team's media day on Monday or the start of training camp as his contract standoff continues, sources told ESPN's Shams Charania on Monday.
Duren, a restricted free agent, is declining the team's five-year, $200 million fully guaranteed offer as both sides remain at a stalemate ahead of the Thursday deadline on a one-year, $9.6 million qualifying offer, sources said.
Sept. 26
Bulls trade Dillingham to Hornets for Hield, cash
The Chicago Bulls and Charlotte Hornets agreed to a trade sending Rob Dillingham to Charlotte for Buddy Hield and cash, the teams announced Saturday.
Sept. 25
What's next for Curry and the Warriors?
Stephen Curry's two-year, $116 million extension made him the first player in NBA history to amass $600 million in career on-court earnings.
The deal has also put the Golden State Warriors in position to have extra spending power next summer.
By Curry taking $10 million less than the maximum allowed, the Warriors project to have nearly $38 million in cap space in 2027. Golden State could increase its projection to $55 million if center Kristaps Porzingis is waived in the offseason. Porzingis' $20 million salary for next season is guaranteed for $3 million.
For Golden State to have ample room, forwards Draymond Green and Jimmy Butler III would need to sign elsewhere or at a significantly lesser salary. They will be free agents next summer.
Both salary projections include the $17 million free agent hold of guard Brandin Podziemski. The 2023 first-round pick is eligible until Oct. 19 to extend his contract. -- Bobby Marks
Hornets star Knueppel sidelined by hamstring injury
The Charlotte Hornets announced that Kon Knueppel will be out for at least the entire preseason because of a left hamstring injury.
James: Maxey, Embiid were factors in joining 76ers
LeBron James said his longstanding friendship with All-Star Tyrese Maxey and a desire to help Joel Embiid win his first NBA title played significant roles in his decision to sign a two-year, $8 million contract with the Philadelphia 76ers in July.
"[Embiid has] done everything in our league, and the only thing he has not done is win a championship. And I want to try to help him get that first one," James said. "He has a city on his back. He's been 'The Process' for 10 years, 12 years, however long he's been there. But I think it's time we even get you deeper into the process. And I hope that I can be, kind of, that final little piece that can help him get over the hump."
Grizzlies waive Russell
The Memphis Grizzlies have waived D'Angelo Russell, sources told ESPN's Shams Charania. Russell has made one All-Star team during his career and was selected No. 2 in the 2015 NBA draft.