African Grand Prix will take place at new track near Kigali
Stefano Domenicali: ‘Today is a landmark moment for F1’
Formula One has confirmed Rwanda will join the calendar having concluded a 10-year agreement for the meeting to be hosted on a purpose-built circuit, with the first race set for the early 2030s. It will mark the first time F1 has raced in Africa since 1993.
The meeting, to be known as the African Grand Prix, will be held on a circuit in Bugesera, approximately 40km south of the capital Kigali and represents a successful conclusion to the sport’s long-held ambition to return to the African continent championed by Lewis Hamilton.
(Photo by Tyler McFarland/Getty Images) | Getty Images
There is truly no need for preseason NBA games. The season is already too long with an eternal 82-game regular season slate, followed by four more months of the most intense basketball possible for a team to run all the way to the championship. Yet, there’s still about five more preseason games for every team despite the league’s long history of stars playing themselves into shape and pacing their bodies for the eventual postseason run.
Preseason is mostly useless, but it does often allow young players to get an audition for extended minutes they otherwise wouldn’t be seeing until injuries hit in the regular season. A few younger role players have already made a strong case for themselves during the preseason. Now we wait to see if it will translate to when the games start to matter for real with opening night coming on Oct. 20. Check out our list of NBA breakout candidates for more thoughts on the league’s most promising young players.
Here’s a short list of young NBA veterans who have impressed in the preseason so far. It will be interesting to look back on this list at the end of the year and see which performances were real, and which only happened because it was preseason.
Leonard Miller, F, Chicago Bulls
Leonard Miller put together another great game for the Bulls, his been incredible this preseason.
Chris Finch never gave Leonard Miller a chance at real minutes during his first three years in Minnesota. It’s hard for any second-round pick to earn minutes on a contender, and Miller’s shaky outside shooting made him a particularly rough fit in a Wolves front court that already had spacing issues with Rudy Gobert and Julius Randle. Minnesota didn’t hesitate to part with him to acquire Ayo Dosunmu at February’s trade deadline, and that’s when his career finally started to tick up. The Bulls gave him a shot while they were tanking down the stretch, and Miller immediately proved to be productive, well-rounded player who knows how to use his big 6’10, 220-pound frame on both ends of the floor. Miller continues to impress in the preseason as an opportunistic scorer around the basket, a menace in transition, a quality rebounder, and an improved three-point shooter. Miller knows how to extend advantages with long, coordinated strides to the rim, and he has nice touch in close. He looks far more in control than he did earlier in his career. He’s never looked better than he did Sunday night, when he dropped 26 points and seven rebounds in 22 minutes against the Nuggets on ESPN. It’s fair to still be skeptical of his outside shot, but if he’s made any progress there, Miller’s ability to generation extra possessions and score efficiently should earn him minutes. The Bulls have a major glut of young power forwards after spending their last three lottery picks on Caleb Wilson, Matas Buzelis, and Noa Essengue, but Miller is simply too good to keep off the floor this season.
Brandon Williams, G, Golden State Warriors
Warriors Brandon Williams 19 PTS (7-8 FG, 2-2 3P, 97% TS), 1 AST, 1 STL, +12 in 17 minutes vs. Kings
Williams shined for the Mavericks last season in limited minutes filling in for the injured Kyrie Irving at point guard, and the Warriors did well to identify him as a buy-low free agent target this summer. Golden State has never had a point guard with the downhill scoring juice that Williams provides, and it should make him part of Steve Kerr’s rotation as Stephen Curry’s backup when the season begins. Williams is incredibly fast with the ball in his hands, and he’s slippery enough to keep defenders off-balance on his drives to the paint. His ability to glide to the rim and finish from awkward angles will be his bread-and-butter, and it sets up some easy passing reads for him to kick out to shooters. Williams won’t have much defensive versatility, but he looks pretty good guarding in isolation against other smaller guards, and he’s always quick to loose balls. The Warriors got him for an absolute steal on the veteran’s minimum. It’s fair to question how he fits into Steve Kerr’s offense as primarily a pick-and-roll ball handler, but he gives the Warriors an element they’ve always lacked, and that alone should get him rotation minutes.
GG Jackson, F, Memphis Grizzlies
It’s wild to think Jackson is still only 21 years old with three NBA seasons already under his belt, but that’s what happens when a player reclassifies to skip his senior year of high school. Jackson has never lived up to his recruiting hype at any point since heading to college early, but he’s always had the tools to be a productive off-ball scorer. If his preseason run is any indication, he might be putting it all together. He has 43 points in 46 minutes to open preseason, showing new confidence as an outside shooter while looking like a runaway freight train in transition. Jackson has a huge body for a forward at 6’9, 210 pounds, and he uses it to play a power game on the glass and in the open floor. He’s going to help the Grizzlies get up and down around the slower Zach Edey-Cameron Boozer front court, and he looks more decisive in his dribble-pass-shoot actions. Jackson’s size should make him a factor on the glass, and he no longer looks like a liability as a floor spacer. The Grizzlies are loaded with young talent, and he could be another diamond in the rough.
Asa Newell, F, Atlanta Hawks
Asa Newell has an ability to run into easy points just by using his god given tools. He’s an excellent run-and-jump athlete for a 6’11, 224-pound forward, and he’s kept his motor high in the preseason by moving without the ball and finishing everything around the rim. Newell’s skill set might feel a little outdated in the modern game when forwards are expected to be able to handle and shoot, but Atlanta’s up-tempo system should allow him to find more opportunistic avenues to make an impact. Newell isn’t going to be a creator, but he can put the ball on the floor in small doses to set up spin moves and step-throughs around the basket. His outside shot looked okay in low volume last year, and while that hasn’t been part of his preseason success, it’s something that will continue to be vital for him going forward. He’s a pretty nimble player when he gets in close, and he’s powerful enough as a two-footed leaper that it’s going to hard to challenge him around the rim. It’s still a bit of a question on how Newell fits into this version of the Hawks, but he could have some utility as a garbage man-style player just by keeping his energy high.
Kel’el Ware, C, Milwaukee Bucks
Ware always seemed to be in Erik Spoelstra’s doghouse in Miami, but it’s possible the lessons he learned with the Heat can help him take the next step in his career after being sent to Milwaukee in the Giannis Antetokounmpo trade. Ware’s tools have never been a question as a super bouncy big man with a 7’4+ wingspan, and he’s always produced great highlights playing above the rim on both ends. The issue for Ware has been keeping his motor consistent while executing the scheme, but the early returns look good in preseason so far for the Bucks. Ware shoots such an easy ball from three-point range and has the results to back it up with a 36.9% stroke on 5.3 attempts from three per 100 possessions for his career. He started next to Myles Turner in the front court for the Bucks’ most recent game, giving Milwaukee two 7-footers who can space the floor beyond the arc. Ware has a massive catch and block radius when he goes above the rim, and he’s going to gobble up rebounds, blocks, and dunks on his tools alone. He just needs to stay focused enough to earn head coach Taylor Jenkins’ trust. A fresh start could be exactly what Ware needs to take the next step in his career.
Henderson was a bit underwhelming in his first two seasons after being the No. 3 overall pick in the 2024 NBA Draft, and a torn hamstring delayed his debut until February last season. When he finally returned to the lineup, Henderson looked more comfortable playing off the ball while refining his ability as a shot-creator. Portland is no longer counting on him to be a savior with Damian Lillard and Ja Morant in front of him on the depth chart, but it’s going to be hard to keep him off the floor if he stays on the trajectory he’s currently hinting at during preseason. The game no longer feels too fast for Scoot: he’s more composed making reads as a passer, and he’s more confident shooting it from deep whether it’s off the dribble or on spot-ups. He gets a lot of deflections on the defensive end, and he’s good at challenging shots with his explosion off the floor. Henderson learned he wasn’t going to be able to dominate the NBA on athleticism alone, but he’s in a better spot now that his skill level has started to match his speed and strength. He’s playing for a contract next summer, and if the Blazers don’t want to pay him under Tom Dundon, another team will.
Ron Holland, G, Detroit Pistons
Holland entered a tough situation when he was drafted to a Pistons team that already had two non-shooters entrenched in the starting lineup in Ausar Thompson and Jalen Duren. The outside shot has always been the biggest hole in Holland’s game, but it shouldn’t conceal everything else he does well on the basketball floor. Holland has always been a maniac in terms of his motor on both ends of the floor, and it excelled again in his preseason debut, when he amassed seven ‘stocks’ (steals and blocks) in 24 minutes. Forcing defensive takeaways allows him to get in the open floor, where his speed, leaping, and agility can all shine. Holland doesn’t need the ball to make an impact, although he’s not much of a threat away from the ball offensively in the halfcourt. It feels like he may have to move to a different team to really have a chance to stand out, but his defensive projection and transition ability continue to intrigue. It would be wonderful to see Detroit give him a real chance in different lineup configurations to see if his per-minute impact numbers could extend to a bigger role.
While we can’t know yet how rookies will adapt to professional basketball, how veterans will integrate with new teammates and how coaches will choose to employ individual players for the betterment of their teams, we can judge talent and skill.
His strength is overpowering defenders in the low block, and it’s remarkable how comfortably he gets to the rim, despite being undersized at 6-foot-6. As always, the questions with Williamson are his weight, conditioning and his availability, though in recent seasons, Williamson has made it a priority to slim down a touch. The Pelicans were in a lost season, but a career-low scoring average was nonetheless a concern.
No. 49 Rudy Gobert
Team: Minnesota Timberwolves
Position: Center
Age: 34
2025-26 stats: 10.9 ppg, 11.5 rpg, 1.6 bpg
2025 was a return to the All-Defensive First Team for Gobert, who jumped back into the top-four of Defensive Player of the Year voting after a “down” 2024 (he was still second team All-Defense). And now he has a real chance to increase his scoring output with LaMelo Ball there to create easy opportunities as the most dynamic point guard Gobert has ever played with.
No. 48 Jaren Jackson Jr.
Team: Utah Jazz
Position: Center
Age: 27
2025-26 stats: 19.4 ppg, 5.7 rpg, 1.4 bpg
Jackson Jr. is a dynamic two-way center that can affect both sides of the ball. He can score from inside and out. He can guard the interior and the perimeter. Jackson is a two-time All-Star, two-time blocks leader and was the 2023 Defensive Player of the Year. He only appeared in 48 games last season though, so expect that number to go up.
According to ESPN’s Brian Windhorst, even though he is only entering his sophomore season in the league, the Spurs internally believe Harper is already their second-best player behind Victor Wembanyama. Something that pops about Harper: He averaged 2.1 unassisted field goals at the rim per 36 minutes, via PBPStats. That ranked behind two-time MVP Shai Gilgeous-Alexander (2.35) for the most among players who hit the 65-game threshold last season. Harper was just 19 years old until a month before the playoffs began.
No. 46 Derrick White
Team: Boston Celtics
Position: Guard
Age: 32
2025-26 stats: 16.5 ppg, 5.4 apg, 4.4 rpg
By all metrics, White set career-highs in points, assists, steals, and blocks, but he also shot under 40% and all but disappeared in the Celtics’ first-round playoff meltdown. His defense remains a strong part of his game, and with Jaylen Brown now in Philadelphia, he will be expected to be even more productive on offense to help Jayson Tatum.
No. 45 Trae Young
Team: Washington Wizards
Position: Guard
Age: 28
2025-26 stats: 17.9 ppg, 2.0 rpg, 8.0 apg
Young was limited to just 15 games total during the 2025-26 campaign — 10 with the Atlanta Hawks and five with the Wizards, who by the time Young arrived, had entered tank mode for the No. 1 pick in the draft. However, don’t sleep on Young; he’s one of the best playmakers at the point guard position. He can pass and he can score, especially from long range. Young now has a chance to reestablish himself as one of the best perimeter threats in the league alongside Anthony Davis and No. 1 pick AJ Dybantsa.
No. 44 De’Aaron Fox
Team: San Antonio Spurs
Position: Guard
Age: 28
2025-26 stats: 18.6 ppg, 6.2 apg, 3.8 rpg
There will be nights when Fox is the fourth scoring option, and if that becomes the norm, he may be prime trade bait at the deadline. The Spurs are still on the hook for his four-year, $221 million deal until further notice. Having three ball handlers on a team is a luxury, but not getting enough shots while still trying to please Victor Wembanyama is another matter.
No. 43 Lauri Markkanen
Team: Utah Jazz
Position: Forward
Age: 29
2025-26 stats: 26.7 ppg, 6.9 rpg, 2.1 apg
Utah’s lack of competitiveness is hopefully in the past and should help one of the league’s best scoring big men. Markkanen could again put up big numbers with the talent infusion that is on its way to Utah, which has missed the playoffs in each of the past five years.
The big question last season was whether Wagner and fellow Magic co-star Paolo Banchero could co-exist. Both can handle the ball, and both can create their own offense. The difference with Wagner is that his jumper is more consistent. Wagner also flies under the radar as a defender, but he’s solid there. What new coach Sean Sweeney will want to see is availability; injuries have limited Wagner to just 94 games across the last two seasons, including just 34 last year.
No. 41 Joel Embiid
Team: Philadelphia 76ers
Position: Center
Age: 32
2025-26 stats: 26.9 ppg, 7.7 rpg, 3.9 apg
Unlike some of the other injured players on this list, we saw enough of Embiid last year to know exactly how much his injuries have taken a toll on his mobility – and we also saw how effective he still was as a scorer. Expect that to continue with him apparently in better shape. The biggest knock today is his insistence to shoot so many threes despite his declining efficiency from deep.
OK, so maybe the (premature) “Baby Jokić” comparisons were inaccurate. That doesn’t change the fact that Şengün is an All-Star-caliber big man with terrific passing chops at the center of a Rockets team with expectations. The question for Şengün and Houston moving forward is simple: Is he closer to the reliable regular-season version, or the playoff dropper that helped open the door to a troubling first-round upset last spring?
No. 39 Jalen Duren
Team: Detroit Pistons
Position: Center
Age: 22
2025-26 stats: 19.5 ppg, 10.5 rpg, 65% FG
Duren may have overplayed his hand when he was named third-team All-NBA and demanded max dollars. While he did eventually sign for five years and $200 million, Duren’s next move is to improve his relationship with the team and his offensive game – especially in the playoffs, which is why Detroit was hesitant to pay him big bucks in the first place.
No. 38 Deni Avdija
Team: Portland Trail Blazers
Position: Forward
Age: 25
2025-26 stats: 24.2 ppg, 6.9 rpg, 6.7 apg
Avdija has increased his scoring average in each of his six NBA seasons, and he'll have three dynamic guards to play off him if he's asked not to be the offense's focal point. Another season like 2025-26, when he also posted career highs in assists and free-throw percentage, would put him in line for a big payday in 2028.
No. 37 Anthony Davis
Team: Washington Wizards
Position: Forward
Age: 33
2025-26 stats: 20.4 ppg, 11.1 rpg, 1.7 bpg
Davis’ ability on the floor has never been a question. When he plays 60 games in a season, he’s a lock to make the All-NBA and All-Defense teams. The only problem is he’s played 60 games just twice in the last eight years. But, if we’re assuming good health, Davis is one of the league’s very best bigs and much better than this ranking.
No. 36 Evan Mobley
Team: Cleveland Cavaliers
Position: Forward
Age: 25
2025-26 stats: 18.2 ppg, 9 rpg, 3.6 apg
Mobley, a former Defensive Player of the Year, is an enigma. He can easily dominate on any given night, but sometimes he seems overwhelmed, especially when his shooting is suspect and his rebounding is nonexistent. Mobley simply needs to elevate his Robin role to Donovan Mitchell’s Batman if the Cavs ever want to make it out of the Eastern Conference finals.
No. 35 Kyrie Irving
Team: Dallas Mavericks
Position: Guard
Age: 34
2025-26 stats: Did not play
It’ll be interesting to see how Irving looks after a full year off, but if he’s anything close to the player he was before the ACL injury, he’ll still be one of the best guards in the game. As a former 50-40-90 guy whose year-to-year production is normally in that range, Irving has several ways he can beat a defense. Expect him to return to All-Star form.
No. 34 Paolo Banchero
Team: Orlando Magic
Position: Forward
Age: 23
2025-26 stats: 22.2 ppg, 8.4 rpg, 5.2 apg
Paolo Banchero is one of the young, bright stars of the NBA. He’s led the Magic to three consecutive postseason appearances and continues to grow in the league. His 6-foot-10 stature makes him a matchup problem for opponents. The next step in his game is getting him to buy into playing bully ball.
No. 33 LaMelo Ball
Team: Minnesota Timberwolves
Position: Guard
Age: 25
2025-26 stats: 20.1 ppg, 4.8 rpg, 7.1 apg
While his identity on the court will shift after a blockbuster trade sent him from Charlotte to Minnesota, there is still plenty to celebrate about Ball. He is the only player in league history aside from Luka Dončić with at least 6,000 points 2,000 assists and 900 made 3-pointers before turning 25 years old. Pair his electric shooting and playmaking with Anthony Edwards and the Timberwolves should make some noise on offense this season.
No. 32 Austin Reaves
Team: Los Angeles Lakers
Position: Guard
Age: 28
2025-26 stats: 23.3 ppg, 5.5 apg, 4.7 rpg
Reaves’ ability to score at all three levels is an asset, and he will be expected to increase his production alongside Luka Dončić, now that LeBron James is no longer in L.A. to serve as a security blanket. Reaves just needs to stay healthy and prove that the team was right to give him a four-year, $180 million extension.
No. 31 Cooper Flagg
Team: Dallas Mavericks
Position: Forward
Age: 19
2025-26 stats: 21.0 ppg, 6.7 rpg, 4.5 apg
Flagg came on strong to win Rookie of the Year honors last season, emerging from an early shooting funk to deliver some historic scoring performances during his first campaign in the league. His combination of size, skill and versatility naturally translated to the NBA, and he should have more space to operate with the return of Kyrie Irving to the Mavericks’ lineup. If his shooting improves in Year 2, Flagg could quickly ascend to the top of the league’s pecking order.
No. 30 Pascal Siakam
Team: Indiana Pacers
Position: Forward
Age: 32
2025-26 stats: 24 ppg, 6.6 rpg, 3.8 apg
Don’t let a gap year without Tyrese Haliburton fool you. The Pacers’ dark-horse 2025 NBA Finals run doesn’t happen without Siakam’s all-around versatility. Full stop. Indiana can basically insert Siakam into any lineup and expect to win those minutes. He is the ultimate gap-filler, a guy who almost always finds a way to make a play. Now firmly in his early 30s, pairing Siakam with a defensive big like Ivica Zubac might unlock his final form.
No. 29 Amen Thompson
Team: Houston Rockets
Position: Forward
Age: 23
2025-26 stats: 18.3 ppg, 7.8 rpg, 5.3 apg
Along with his brother, Ausar, who plays for the Pistons, Amen Thompson might be the most athletic player in the entire league. He broke out last season when the Rockets deployed him as a point-forward, after starting point guard Fred VanVleet was lost to a torn anterior cruciate ligament. Thompson is a two-way demon; he uses his quickness and length to lock-up his assignments, and he can slash to the cup for high-percentage looks. The only thing keeping Thompson from becoming a Top-15 player is a jumper that can be unreliable, especially from deep (21.6% last season).
No. 28 Stephon Castle
Team: San Antonio Spurs
Position: Guard
Age: 21
2025-26 stats: 16.7 ppg, 5.3 rpg, 7.4 apg
The 2025 NBA Rookie of the Year backed up that initial campaign by improving in nearly every statistical category during his second season, then elevated his game even further during the Spurs' run to the NBA Finals. Castle's shooting efficiency improved dramatically from his rookie year, while his playmaking and ability to lock down opposing teams' top perimeter scorers has quickly made him one of the league's most promising young guards.
There are role players, and then there are the kind of indispensable winning players who do all the little things and hard things at the same time. Anunoby is the latter. Anunoby can nail corner 3-pointers in the clutch, dive for loose balls and snatch long rebounds, and lock down the other team’s best player. He is the lovely rug that ties the room together for the reigning NBA champions.
No. 26 James Harden
Team: Cleveland Cavaliers
Position: Guard
Age: 37
2025-26 stats: 23.6 ppg, 4.8 rpg, 8.0 apg
At his age, it’s amazing what James Harden has been able to do, especially adapting his game. We’ve seen the dynamic scorer version of Harden, and now we get more of a playmaking version of him. Is Harden still a top 30 player in the league? Yes, especially since this is a regular-season designation.
No. 25 Jalen Johnson
Team: Atlanta Hawks
Position: Forward
Age: 24
2025-26 stats: 22.5 ppg, 10.3 rpg, 7.9 apg
He’s more of a point-forward, and Atlanta’s decision to turn the offense over to Johnson proved to be a sound one. Though he’s versatile, Johnson is at his best when he’s leading the Hawks in transition, where he deploys his size, handles and vision to find teammates or simply get to the rim. Coach Quinn Snyder deserves a lot of credit here, as Johnson also displays excellent patience and doesn’t force many looks; he lets the game come to him.
No. 24 Scottie Barnes
Team: Toronto Raptors
Position: Forward
Age: 25
2025-26 stats: 18.1 ppg, 7.5 rpg, 5.9 apg
Barnes emerged as a bonafide two-way force as the Raptors became one of the Eastern Conference’s biggest surprises last season. The fourth-year forward shot better than 50% from the field for the first time in his career, pairing elite defensive versatility with a more polished offensive game. He then elevated his play in his postseason debut, helping push Toronto to the brink of an upset over Cleveland in the playoffs.
No. 23 Chet Holmgren
Team: Oklahoma City Thunder
Position: Forward
Age: 24
2025-26 stats: 17.1 ppg, 8.9 rpg, 1.7 apg
Holmgren’s reported two-pound offseason weight gain certainly won’t do him any favors if he doesn’t use his other skills on offense. His defense is elite, and he has the capabilities to become a 25-point-a-night scorer. With the talent he has around him, including Shai Gilgeous Alexander, the MVP of the last two seasons, Holmgren should be an All-NBA mainstay for years to come.
No. 22 Jalen Williams
Team: Oklahoma City Thunder
Position: Forward
Age: 25
2025-26 stats: 17.1 ppg, 4.6 rpg, 5.5 apg
Injuries (wrist surgery, hamstring) robbed huge chunks of his regular season and playoffs, which massively hurt the Thunder. But he remains a two-way forward who can slash to the rim, handle the ball and lace perimeter shots when required. Now that he’s fully healthy, he should continue his production as one of the game’s bright stars – one that was instrumental in closing out the Pacers at the 2025 NBA Finals.
No. 21 Jamal Murray
Team: Denver Nuggets
Position: Guard
Age: 29
2025-26 stats: 25.4 ppg, 4.4 rpg, 7.1 apg
Where Murray lacks high-end athleticism, he makes up for it by being arguably the craftiest offensive player in the league. The veteran has built his career on reaching into his bag of tricks. And when he’s on, Murray’s capacity for microwave scoring and shooting can be genuinely jaw-dropping. All of this context is why he fits with Nikola Jokić like a glove as his running mate.
No. 20 Bam Adebayo
Team: Miami Heat
Position: Center
Age: 29
2025-26 stats: 20.1 ppg, 10.0 rpg, 3.2 apg
Adebayo coming in at No. 20 still makes him a top-five center or big-man in the NBA. Don’t let the 20.1 ppg fool you, he can fill it up with best of them – Remember, 83? The addition of Giannis Antetokounmpo should really open up Adebayo’s game and his impact will be felt tremendously.
No. 19 LeBron James
Team: Philadelphia 76ers
Position: Forward
Age: 41
2025-26 stats: 20.9 ppg, 6.1 rpg, 7.2 apg
There will be times throughout the season when James coasts simply due to age and the mileage on his body. But he proved in carrying the Lakers to a first-round playoff win over the Rockets, when he needs to assert himself, he can still control a game better than most thanks to the best mind in basketball.
No. 18 Tyrese Haliburton
Team: Indiana Pacers
Position: Guard
Age: 26
2025-26 stats: Did not play due to injury
The last time we saw Tyrese Haliburton play basketball, he led the Pacers to the 2025 NBA Finals, where he pushed the Oklahoma City Thunder to seven games before he devastatingly tore his right Achilles tendon. We don’t know how Haliburton will look coming off the injury – which is why he finished this low on the list – but if he returns to form as the season progresses, while running pick-and-roll with Ivica Zubac, then he can easily outperform this spot in our rankings.
No. 17 Devin Booker
Team: Phoenix Suns
Position: Guard
Age: 29
2025-26 stats: 26.1 ppg, 3.9 rpg, 6.0 apg
One of the smoothest and most consistent buckets in the NBA, Booker is a three-level scorer who has taken on even more responsibility since a June 2025 trade shipped Kevin Durant to the Rockets. Booker is the face of the franchise, and his silky jumper helped elevate the Suns to a surprise playoff run last season. He may not be the most vocal, but he has also embraced a leadership role, while trying to get the Suns back to legitimate competition out West – six seasons after they reached the Finals.
No. 16 Karl-Anthony Towns
Team: New York Knicks
Position: Center
Age: 30
2025-26 stats: 20.1 ppg, 11.9 rpg, 3.0 apg
Towns’ frustrations with his contract situation could be an interesting side note and distraction for the world-champion Knicks, but Towns’ professionalism won’t let that be the case. As long as he keeps up his stellar playoff play, with timely outside shooting and defense, the Knicks will be right back in contention.
No. 15 Jaylen Brown
Team: Philadelphia 76ers
Position: Guard/Foward
Age: 29
2025-26 stats: 28.7 ppg, 6.9 rpg, 5.1 apg
Brown, the 2024 Finals MVP, has been heralded for his ability to play both sides of the ball, but his offensive output deserves more recognition after being among the top five scores in the league during the 2025-26 regular season. The scenery change to Philadelphia could shine an even bigger spotlight on him, playing alongside Joel Embiid, Tyrese Maxey and LeBron James.
No. 14 Tyrese Maxey
Team: Philadelphia 76ers
Position: Guard
Age: 25
2025-26 stats: 28.3 ppg, 4.1 rpg, 6.6 apg
Maxey’s high-profile teammates will probably make most headlines this year, but make no mistake: The electric point guard is the straw that stirs the 76ers’ drink. An explosive first step, an elite shooting stroke and underrated passing vision make Maxey one of the Association’s most dynamic offensive players. If the new-look 76ers live up to the hype, Maxey will almost certainly drive their success.
No. 13 Donovan Mitchell
Team: Cleveland Cavaliers
Position: Guard
Age: 30
2025-26 stats: 27.9 ppg, 4.5 rpg, 5.7 apg
Mitchell has earned all-NBA honors in back-to-back seasons for the first time in his career and inked a new $273 million contract extension this offseason that should keep him in Cleveland for the duration of his prime. Questions linger about his viability as a No. 1 option in the playoffs after the Cavaliers were swept in the Eastern Conference finals, but Mitchell remains one of the league’s most explosive perimeter scorers and playmakers.
No. 12 Kevin Durant
Team: Houston Rockets
Position: Forward
Age: 38
2025-26 stats: 26.0 ppg, 5.5 rpg, 4.8 apg
For all intents and purposes, this might be Durant’s last hurrah, as he will move into fourth place on the all-time scoring list by season’s end. The 38-year-old can rely on the young core to give the Rockets hope of making a dent in the West, but Durant’s leadership and still-lethal scoring will ultimately decide Houston’s fate.
No. 11 Stephen Curry
Team: Golden State Warriors
Position: Guard
Age: 38
2025-26 stats: 26.6 ppg, 3.6 rpg, 4.7 apg
Whatever decline we’re supposed to be expecting from Curry hasn’t taken place yet. In the 43 games he was on the court last year, he was still cheffing. His 46.8 shooting percentage was his second highest in the last five years, and he still knocked down 39 percent of his threes.
No. 10 Kawhi Leonard
Team: Toronto Raptors
Position: Forward
Age: 35
2025-26 stats: 27.9 ppg, 6.4 rpg, 3.6 apg
Now free of distractions after a year-long saga following an investigation and subsequent discipline involving cap circumvention for the Los Angeles Clippers, let’s allow Leonard to reintroduce himself to us. The last time that Leonard played for the Raptors, he was crowned NBA Finals MVP for the second time in his career. Everyone knows what he can do on defense, but Leonard quietly played the second-most games in his career since 2017-18 while averaging a career-high 27.9 points per game at 34 years old.
No. 9 Jayson Tatum
Team: Boston Celtics
Position: Forward
Age: 28
2025-26 stats: 21.8 ppg, 10.0 rpg, 5.3 apg
Expect Tatum to return to his All-NBA, MVP-candidate form without Jaylen Brown, with one caveat: his health. Tatum was injured again at the worst possible time, as the Celtics were eliminated early in the playoffs. Expecting Paul George to match Brown’s production might be a little too much to ask.
No. 8 Cade Cunningham
Team: Detroit Pistons
Position: Guard
Age: 25
2025-2026 stats: 23.9 ppg, 5.5 rpg, 9.9 apg
Cunningham has put up gaudy numbers for years. Last year was when the young star finally came of age at the helm of a winning Pistons team. At his best, Cunningham is a big, physical and strong guard who leverages every bit of his listed 6-foot-5, 220-pound frame to punish smaller defenders while leaning on a silky-smooth jump-shooting bag. He is a metronome the Pistons can count on to deliver, and perhaps even rescue them, every single night.
No. 7 Anthony Edwards
Team: Minnesota Timberwolves
Position: Guard
Age: 25
2025-26 stats: 28.8 ppg, 5.0 rpg, 3.7 apg
Edwards set career highs for points, field goal percentage and 3-point percentage during the 2025-26 season before a knee injury slowed him in the Timberwolves’ playoff run. The franchise is betting that the addition of LaMelo Ball will finally provide Edwards with the elite playmaking point guard he’s lacked throughout his time in Minnesota. Already one of the league's most explosive scorers, Edwards enters 2026-27 with legitimate MVP and championship expectations.
No. 6 Jalen Brunson
Team: New York Knicks
Position: Guard
Age: 30
2025-26 stats: 26.0 ppg, 3.3 rpg, 6.8 apg
Everybody is better than Brunson until it’s time to be better than Brunson. There was no better example than his 45-point magnum opus in the NBA Finals. When the lights are brightest, the 2025 Clutch Player of the Year gets it done.
No. 5 Giannis Antetokounmpo
Team: Miami Heat
Position: Forward
Age: 31
2025-26 stats: 27.6 ppg, 9.8 rpg, 5.4 apg
Antetokounmpo is still a top-5 player in the NBA, and he has been for nearly the last decade becoming a 10-time All-Star, two-time league MVP, an NBA champion and Finals MVP. He’s about to remind everyone just how dominant he can be – even without a consistent jump shot – now rejuvinated and playing in South Beach.
No. 4 Luka Doncic
Team: Los Angeles Lakers
Position: Guard
Age: 27
2025-26 stats: 33.5 ppg, 8.3 apg, 7.7 rpg
Dončić has ranked among the top five in usage percentage in each of the last seven seasons, and without LeBron James, don’t expect that to change much. With the Lakers on national television 34 times this season, Dončić is expected to take Los Angeles to championship heights. It’s too bad the Lakers don’t have five Luka’s on the floor at once.
No. 3 Victor Wembanyama
Team: San Antonio Spurs
Position: Center
Age: 22
2025-26 stats: 25.0 ppg, 11.5 rpg, 3.1 bpg
It was genuinely difficult not have Wembanyama at No. 1 overall, but after falling short to the Knicks in the 2026 NBA Finals, it became clear that there is still more room for growth for the Defensive Player of the Year. Expect we see that this season as the MVP favorite looks to make it evident to the rest of the world that he is the best player on the planet. And with a chip on his shoulder after winning the Western Conference Finals, he can do exactly that.
No. 2 Nikola Jokic
Team: Denver Nuggets
Position: Center
Age: 31
2025-26 stats: 27.7 ppg, 12.9 rpg, 10.7 apg
Though he has a legitimate claim as the top player in the world, Jokić was just edged out. Either way, he might be the best passer in all of basketball – not just among bigs. His footwork is singular, his touch around the rim makes him a nightmare to defend, and he’s just the third player in NBA history to average a triple-double in a single season. Last year was the second-consecutive time he did it.
No. 1 Shai Gilgeous-Alexander
Team: Oklahoma City Thunder
Position: Guard
Age: 28
2025-26 stats: 31.1 ppg, 4.3 rpg, 6.6 apg
The two-time reigning MVP had the most efficient offensive season of his career in 2025-26, and his play remained elite in the playoffs with the Thunder battling injuries. SGA is also evolving as a playmaker after setting a career high for assists last season and dishing out nearly eight per game in the postseason. He’s already a defining player of this era, but another title with OKC and a third-straight MVP trophy in 2026-27 would elevate him into the conversation with the league’s greatest players of all-time.
CHICAGO, ILLINOIS - OCTOBER 9: Cameron Boozer #27 of the Memphis Grizzlies dunks the ball during the first half of a preseason game against the Chicago Bulls at United Center on October 9, 2026 in Chicago, Illinois. NOTE TO USER: User expressly acknowledges and agrees that, by downloading and or using this photograph, User is consenting to the terms and conditions of the Getty Images License Agreement. (Photo by Geoff Stellfox/Getty Images) | Getty Images
During the run-up to the NBA Draft, Arizona’s Tobe Awaka and Duke’s Cameron Boozer faced a similar issue: neither was thought to have much of a vertical leap.
Awaka – 6-8 and 261 – registered a standing leap of 32.5 inches. For his part, Boozer – 6-9 and 253 – got 28.5 inches, which was better than expected. He also proved to be far more agile than scouts thought, with an 11.060-second pro lane drill time. That tied for first overall, and, incidentally, topped Cooper Flagg’s mark from the year before.
Anyway, Awaka and Boozer met in Sunday’s preseason match between the Chicago Bulls and Memphis Grizzlies. Boozer shook loose and drove the lane, which resulted in a slam that Awaka started to contest but ultimately allowed in order to avoid a foul.
It didn’t matter; in the end Memphis won 104-100. Boozer played 12 minutes, scoring 8 more points besides that dunk. He also had 4 rebounds and 3 assists.
It’s still exhibition season, which means teams are looking at players and lineups, so to an extent, you can’t take too much of it seriously. Still, Boozer is probably making Memphis execs and coaches pretty pleased that he’s on their team.
DALLAS, TEXAS - SEPTEMBER 25: Tobi Lawal #33 of the Dallas Mavericks poses for portraits during Mavericks Media Day at American Airlines Center on September 25, 2026 in Dallas, Texas. NOTE TO USER: User expressly acknowledges and agrees that, by downloading and or using this photograph, User is consenting to the terms and conditions of the GettyImages License Agreement. (Photo by Stacy Revere/Getty Images) | Getty Images
When I think of the Mavericks’ impactful players in their 2024 Finals run, one of the first names that comes to mind is Derrick Jones Jr. He wasn’t afraid to get his hands dirty, do the little things, make a big defensive impact, and be an athletic sparkplug. Mavericks rookie forward Tobi Lawal brings those same exact qualities, but he’s two inches taller at 6’8, and six years younger.
The Dallas Mavericks have plenty of new faces heading into the 2026-27 season, but few are more intriguing as developmental projects than Lawal. He was selected 48th overall in the draft this summer and enters this year on a two-way contract after two seasons at Virginia Tech.
Lawal’s college numbers don’t necessarily jump off the page. The senior averaged 12.3 points, 8.5 rebounds, and 1.1 blocks per game, while shooting 54.2% from the field. He also recorded six double-doubles in just 23 games. What DOES jump off the page is his athleticism. Lawal’s 45.5-inch maximum vertical at the NBA Combine was one of the best marks in combine history. He is a legitimate above-the-rim athlete who can run the floor, attack the offensive glass, and finish plays that most players simply can’t. Hello again, Derrick Jones Jr.
For a Mavericks team emphasizing youth and development under new head coach Dusty May, Lawal is exactly the type of player worth keeping an eye on.
The big question
The big question for Lawal is whether he can turn his physical gifts into a consistent NBA skill set. This isn’t as easy as it sounds for athletic and bouncy NBA prospects. Jones Jr. has been on six teams entering his 11th season. Lawal will need to add some finesse to his art while developing other offensive skill sets. Today’s NBA is all about scoring.
There is no question about the athletic ability. The questions are about everything that comes with it. Lawal is still developing as a shooter and ball handler, and he has primarily been a play finisher rather than someone who creates offense for himself or others. He shot just 25% from three as a senior at Virginia Tech. His offensive game will need to expand if he’s going to become more than an energy big who plays in short stretches. Dallas has several other athletic forwards who will take minutes and have so far proven they can score consistently.
The good news is that he doesn’t need to become a star to have an NBA career. The athleticism, rebounding, and defensive versatility give him a foundation. The next step is figuring out how many different ways he can impact a game.
Best case scenario
The best-case scenario for Lawal is that he earns consistent legitimate NBA minutes before the season is over. It’s challenging for two-way players to get consistent minutes, particularly early in the season, unless the injury bug strikes. So Lawal will need to make the most of every second he’s on the floor.
But there’s big upside. Think of a player who can run the floor, set good screens, dive toward the rim, clean up misses, and make life miserable for opposing wings and forwards defensively. A best-case scenario for Lawal won’t be about stats; it will be about impact. Catch and finish some lobs, knock down an occasional outside jumper, grab rebounds, and defend like your role depends on it (because it does).
If the jumper develops enough to make defenses respect him outside the paint, Lawal’s game will reach a whole new level. He has already shown flashes of being more than just a dunker. He shot 76.3% from the free-throw line as a senior and has shown flashes of being a decent catch-and-shoot player.
If those pieces come together, Dallas could have a legitimate rotation-caliber forward on its hands rather than simply a two-way developmental player.
Worst case scenario
The worst-case scenario is that Lawal’s athleticism doesn’t translate consistently enough to overcome the weaknesses in his offensive game. NBA defenses are much faster and more disciplined than what he saw in college. Simply being able to jump higher and run faster won’t guarantee playing time in the NBA.
His shooting could keep him off the floor if defenders don’t have to respect him away from the basket, while his ball-handling skills in traffic limit his ability to attack closeouts or create offense. Dallas also has a crowded forward gang, with players like Cooper Flagg, P.J. Washington, Santi Aldama, Morez Johnson Jr., and Zaccharie Risacher, all of whom will get meaningful minutes on a nightly basis.
That makes Lawal’s margin for error fairly small. If he can’t consistently defend without fouling, rebound at an NBA level, or provide enough offensive value, he could spend most of the season developing in the G League.
Season Goal
Lawal’s goal should be simple: become a serviceable NBA-level role player. This would be a good starting point. The athleticism is already there. He doesn’t need to prove that he can jump out of the gym. He needs to prove that he can use those physical gifts the right way. Defense and rebounding should be his tickets onto the floor. Doing the dirty work on offense, like running the floor, screening, and finishing around the rim, will make a major impact on the Mavericks’ offense, particularly one that Dusty May has said will have a fast pace.
And then comes the jumper. Lawal doesn’t need to suddenly become a 40% three-point shooter. If he can develop into a respectable catch-and-shoot threat, it would force defenders to make a decision when he is standing outside the paint. That small improvement could dramatically open up the rest of his game.
The Mavericks don’t need Lawal to do everything. They need him to become really good at a few things.
Overall
Lawal is one of the more interesting developmental players on the Mavericks’ roster because of his unique physical attributes. He’s 6’8, 215 pounds, with excellent length and explosiveness. The question is whether Dallas can help him turn all of that into a reliable NBA skill set.
For now, Lawal probably shouldn’t be expected to walk into the Mavericks’ rotation and play 20 minutes a night. His two-way contract gives him something much more valuable: time. If he can use that time to improve his shooting, tighten his handle, and become a more consistent defender, the Mavericks may have found a legitimate rotation piece with the 48th pick.
At his best, Lawal could become the kind of player coaches love to have on the floor: explosive, relentless, switchable, and constantly making things happen. Things that don’t jump out of the stat sheet but undoubtedly impact the game. Plus, at the end of the day, the kid has a 45.5-inch vertical. There aren’t many players on the Mavericks’ roster more capable of making something happen above the rim than him.
Eighteen-year-old Thomas Rew has earned his maiden call-up for England after being selected for the white-ball tour of Australia next month. Jacob Bethell is also fit to return after a knee injury but Brydon Carse remains frozen out.
Coming after the upcoming tri-series in Pakistan, the four-week trip features three one-day internationals and five Twenty20s. Fast bowlers Jofra Archer, Josh Tongue, Gus Atkinson and Sonny Baker will play in the ODIs that start on 13 November, before turning their attention to the Test tour of South Africa.
Through two preseason games, the 2026-2027 Celtics look like the 2020-2021 bull market. It didn’t matter what you bought — it was going to the moon. Bitcoin, Dogecoin, gold, Tesla, it didn’t matter; everyone thought they had found the infinite money glitch. That’s what the Boston Celtics feel like two preseason games in. Jayson Tatum, Baylor Scheierman, Dillon Mitchell…everyone is playing wonderful basketball.
Now bear with me as I keep making barely sensical financial metaphors about this season’s Boston Celtics.
The Bitcoin Bros:
Celtics fans know these names. The chaos wing contingent of Baylor Scheierman, Hugo Gonzalez, Jordan Walsh, and Dillon Mitchell are foundational to how this era of the Celtics wants to play basketball. Mash people on the offensive glass, move the ball, play with pace, and make life for opposing offenses a living hell. Celtics fans are like Bitcoin investors in the early 2010s: no one thinks internet gold is anything but a scam, or, in this case, the rest of the league is dubious that a tsunami of late-round draft picks is coming to terrorize the league.
They showed last season that they can impact winning and over two preseason games, these chaos agents appear to have levelled up. It shouldn’t surprise anyone, given their work ethic, age and tenure in the league.
LAS VEGAS, NV – JULY 14: Dillon Mitchell #20 and Chris Cenac Jr. #12 of the Boston Celtics poses for a portrait during the 2026 NBA Rookie Photo Shoot on July 14, 2026 at the University of Nevada, Las Vegas campus in Las Vegas, Nevada. NOTE TO USER: User expressly acknowledges and agrees that, by downloading and/or using this Photograph, user is consenting to the terms and conditions of the Getty Images License Agreement. Mandatory Copyright Notice: Copyright 2026 NBAE (Photo by Sydney Bezelik/NBAE via Getty Images) | NBAE via Getty Images
This is before we mention rookies Dillon Mitchell and Chris Cenac Jr. It’s hard to envision a path for Mitchell to earn playing time with the glut of aforementioned chaos agents of Baylor, Hugo and Walsh (and Ron Harper Jr.), but Mitchell is a special athlete. He combines his explosiveness with IQ and feel for the game that has been evident through two preseason games. Cenac’s ability to play the power forward of center position provide more pathways to playing time. I would expect the rangy big man to spend most of his rookie season with Maine, but it wouldn’t shock me to see Cenac flash a few times in the regular season.
Blue Chippers:
Jayson Tatum is like Apple stock. It doesn’t seem like his stock can get any higher, but it does. I was already bullish on Tatum coming into this season and his 27 minutes of preseason action did not dissuade me. By Tatum’s own admission, he was around 80% when he returned mid-playoff push last year. He quickly reestablished himself as an All-NBA caliber player. With the rust already shaken off and a full offseason to build confidence in his body, I expect Tatum to regain his place on First Team All-NBA. In Tatum’s first preseason action, he was effortlessly dominant. An MVP award for Tatum is on the table.
After last season, Derrick White’s ticker was in danger of falling out of the S&P 500. Despite one of the best shot-blocking regular seasons of all time for a guard, his dreadful playoff shooting has investors feeling uncomfortable. White’s preseason debut was rocky; early in the game, he clanked a few threes and turned the ball over a couple of times. The smooth-headed guard (I can say that because I am also smooth-headed), was able to rally as the game went on, impacting the game on both sides of the ball. It would really ease the concerns of fans to see him go on a hot shooting run to start this season.
Backing Payton Pritchard’s NBA journey has felt like investing in a sleeper tech stock that sceptics wrote off as incapable of scaling. Only to watch it grow every year until it makes everyone who believed in it rich. While I’m not as bullish as some who think Payton Pritchard can become Jalen Brunson, I believe Pritchard will continue to develop into one of the league’s most potent weapons. Jayson Tatum and Payton Pritchard have been a lethal combination since entering the league. In over 4,000 minutes sharing the court together, Tatum and Pritchard have a net rating of +8.1. Pritchard is the perfect perimeter teammate for Tatum; he spaces the court out to the logo, and their screening actions are lethal, as the opponent who is tasked with guarding Pritchard typically has no prayer in guarding Tatum, so when they are in action together, it creates difficult choices for opposing defenses. In Pritchard’s limited preseason action, he looks ready to handle an even larger offensive burden.
Precious Metals:
Apologies to Mike Conley and Paul George, but gold, silver, and all precious metals are clearly the NBA vets of the investment landscape. Gold is one of humanity’s oldest commodities. Reliable and necessary. NBA Champions require precious veterans. Al Horford, Alex Caruso, Andre Iguodala, the list is endless. Paul George and Mike Conley are here to steady the locker room and, in George’s case, perfectly complement Jayson Tatum. The theoretical fit of George, an elite shooter and defender who should seamlessly amplify Tatum’s scoring and playmaking, came to life instantly in their preseason game against the Philadelphia 76ers. George’s willingness to buy into his new role as an ageing superstar will pay dividends this season.
Reading too much into preseason can be dangerous. However, by my calculations, the 2026-2027 Boston Celtics are going to the moon.
The NBA preseason continues tonight with a matchup of the Cleveland Cavaliers and Orlando Magic on Peacock and NBCSN.
It's the third preseason game for two teams that made the Eastern Conference playoffs last year. The Cavaliers beat the Magic 119-105 on Sunday in Cleveland, Ohio.
Last season, the Cavs were 52-30 and reached the Eastern Conference Finals for the first time since 2018. They were swept by the New York Knicks, the eventual NBA champions.
The Magic secured the eighth seed through the Play-In tournament and blew a 3-1 lead to the Detroit Pistons in a first-round elimination.
Cleveland re-signed its superstars in the offseason, agreeing to a four-year, $273 million extension with Donovan Mitchell, who was entering the final year of his deal and could have gained an additional year and $80 million by waiting.
After declining his $42 million option and becoming a free agent, James Harden agreed to a three-year, $97 million deal to stay with the Cavaliers. The contract includes an option through the 2028-29 season when Harden would be 39 years old.
“The only thing I’m missing is a championship," said Harden, who has played in the second-most playoff games (191) without winning a title (behind Karl Malone's 193). "This is something that I want to do: I want to win a championship. I waited until the front office … made sure that we got everything we could get, and then re-signed.”
After squandering a 24-point lead in the second half of Game 6 against the Pistons, the Magic lost 116-94. Orlando fired head coach Jamahl Mosley was fired a day after the Magic's elimination. "This is a public apology," Orlando guard Jalen Suggs recently said about the loss to the Pistons. "That was unacceptable.”
Sean Sweeney, 42, is a head coach for the first time after 12 seasons as an assistant across five teams. He arrives in Orlando from San Antonio, where he helped guide the third-rated defense in the NBA last season.
Victor Wembanyama, the 2025-26 Defensive Player of the Year, said Sweeney deserved all of the credit for the Spurs' defense. Orlando fell to 13th in points allowed last year after allowing the fewest points per game (105.5) in the 2024-25 season.
“From Day 1, his communication has been high level,” Orlando star forward Paolo Banchero said.
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Nic Maddinson was stewing, struggling to shake the disappointment that lingered for even longer than he dwelt at the crease for the painful 33-ball duck that marked his return to Test cricket in Durban this week.
Australia are four wickets away from victory at lunch after Josh Hazlewood and Matt Renshaw picked up much-needed breakthroughs on the fifth morning of the first Test against South Africa in Durban. Live updates below!
The rules surrounding NBA team building are loose.
You’re supposed to commit to a “timeline”. The average age of your roster is supposed to be comparable.
The rules may be loose, but that’s not to say they’re arbitrary. Many teams have tried the whole “two timelines” thing, and few have succeeded.
The idea is that, by some kind of osmosis process, the veterans will usher the young guys into title contention, as if Amen Thompson can somehow absorb Kevin Durant’s shot-making ability. There are examples of the approach working, but they all feature MVP-level young talents, like the Spurs drafting Tim Duncan with David Robinson on the roster, or Kareem Abdul-Jabbar and Magic Johnson.
So perhaps the conversation is circular. If Sengun were the Tim Duncan to Durant’s Robinson, the timeline issue becomes moot. Given the Rockets’ “lots of good young players, but none future MVP candidates” build, it’s fair to ask a question:
Could this team trade Durant?
Rockets should consider trading Durant if necessary
Rafael Stone has made a habit of trading two second-round picks for one second-round pick and Alpha Kaba so he can cut Kaba and generate a trade exception, or whatever, at the trade deadline.
It’s a good approach. Every year, Stone leaves Rockets fans disappointed because he didn’t make a blockbuster move, even though not making a blockbuster move is unequivocally better than making a bad move.
This year feels a bit different, doesn’t it? There’s some pressure after two consecutive first-round exits. The United States Ambassador to Italy is surely getting some ants in his pants. A major deadline deal feels more likely this year than it has in years past. If the Rockets aren’t, say, a top-3 seed by the deadline, it’s a looming possibility.
That’s going to mean one of two things. It’s going to mean reuniting Durant with Kyrie Irving, or pairing him with Karl-Anthony Towns, or some other superstar (side note: This summer was crazy, and all the best hypothetical trade targets got traded), or it’s going to mean trading Durant and resetting the timeline.
That feels like an awfully attractive proposition to me.
Imagine this: Duncan Robinson, John Collins, Kevin Huerter, and an unprotected future first for Durant. The Rockets’ young core will be fully substantiated by complementary players. They’ll have an elite movement shooter in Robinson, and a part-time stretch five to space the floor around Thompson in Collins. And, perhaps most importantly, the Rockets add an extra unprotected first to their war chest.
Let’s flashback. The year is 2020. The Rockets trade James Harden to the Brooklyn Nets to go play with Kevin Durant. They get no meaningful players (with apologies to Rodions Kurucs) in return. Instead, they get the most draft capital a team has ever received in an NBA trade.
Rafael Stone famously declares that his GM acumen should not be judged until 2030. Flash forward. It’s 2026 heading into 2027 in a few months. Stone’s self-imposed deadline is quickly approaching:
But he still has plenty of time.
My point? Why rush? The Rockets could flip Durant for role players and assets, draft as well as they can for a few more years, churn out the players that aren’t fitting, and see where they stand. There’s no win-now move that’s likely to put them in the title picture next year, so leaning further into the long game feels like the more sensible approach.
That might be pie you’re seeing in the sky. It’s at least equally likely that Tillman Fertitta won’t wait until 2030. Stone may be feeling the squeeze, and he may do the VanVleet, Capela and a pick for Irving thing just to maximize his odds of escaping the first round. Otherwise, three consecutive first-round exits could put his job in peril:
Australia and New Zealand are main contenders on home soil while pressure is straight on England in new format
The Rugby League World Cup returns with a new format and a new feel this week, but in the men’s event there is a familiar clutch of nations vying for glory. Ten teams will compete in a complex group format, with only four semi-final spots on offer after the quarter-final stage was removed.
Two of those semi-finalists will come from the four-strong Group A while the remaining six nations play in a new inter-group format. The nations in the three-team Group B play the three in Group C and vice versa, with the top two from a combined table of both pools going into the semis.
LOS ANGELES, CALIFORNIA - OCTOBER 21: Stephen Curry #30 of the Golden State Warriors dribbles the ball against Luka Doncic #77 of the Los Angeles Lakers at Crypto.com Arena on October 21, 2025 in Los Angeles, California. NOTE TO USER: User expressly acknowledges and agrees that, by downloading and or using this photograph, user is consenting to the terms and conditions of the Getty Images License Agreement. (Photo by Luke Hales/Getty Images) | Getty Images
The Lakers’ preseason continues in Las Vegas with a rematch against the Golden State Warriors on Tuesday. The purple and gold look to nab their third exhibition victory.
Start time and TV schedule
Who: Los Angeles Lakers vs. Golden State Warriors
When: 7 p.m. PT, Oct 13
Where: T-Mobile Arena
Watch: NBA TV, Spectrum Sportsnet
It’s the fourth game of the Lakers’ preseason stint, which means we’re literally nine days away from the team’s season opener, which will also be against Golden State. Tuesday’s game against the Warriors is the perfect teaser.
What’s also fair to hope for is that the Lakers don’t get outplayed and blown out by the Warriors, similar to what happened last week. Hopefully this time around, the key players for both teams suit up and treat this one like a dress rehearsal for the season opener.
After all, Las Vegas is the entertainment capital of the world and it would be a disservice if both California-based teams don’t put on a show.
For the Lakers, it would be nice to see Luka Dončić look like his usual self, much like he did in their recent win over the Sacramento Kings when he dropped 23 points in just 25 minutes. The same goes for Austin Reaves, who made his preseason debut in that game and understandably looked a little rusty. When these two are rolling, it’s harder to imagine a more entertaining Lakers team.
What’s also been fun to watch is how this squad is gradually coming together. It’s been a pleasant surprise and encouraging development to see their chemistry on the court taking shape, especially considering how much roster turnover the Lakers went through this offseason. The players seem to understand their roles alongside Dončić and Reaves and complement one another well.
Suddenly, it’s becoming clearer why head coach JJ Redick believes this is the first time in his Lakers tenure that the roster “actually fits together.”
That said, there’s still a lot of basketball to be played in order to prove that. For now, it’ll be interesting to see whether the Lakers can continue building on that early chemistry. While they do just that, it’ll be fascinating to see who continues to stand out, just like Sandro Mamukelashvili has in the preseason thus far.
Keep in mind that the Lakers are facing a Warriors team that may not be classified as contenders but still can be competitive. They’re more connected than the Lakers right now given their familiarity with each other and their system. They also have Stephen Curry on their side so appropriate fear is necessary.
Steve Kerr says he's leaning toward this starting lineup for Opening Night:
Stephen Curry Brandin Podziemski Gui Santos Yaxel Lendeborg Draymond Green
As has been the case throughout the preseason, the process matters more than the result. Still, it would be nice if the Lakers could keep the Warriors from gaining any extra confidence ahead of the season opener in nine days. If they don’t get the win, let’s see if they can at least put on a show in Las Vegas on Tuesday.
Notes and Updates
Walker Kessler and Collin Sexton have yet to play in any preseason game. Let’s see if that changes on Tuesday.
We have an exciting new feature in our app this season. It’s easier than ever to chat in our game threads. Each game, this post will become a live chat and will be easy to find at the top of the Lakers community page, so be sure to download the app and give it a try this preseason.
Mark Nawaqanitawase’s blockbuster move from the NRL back to rugby union may not mean he returns to the Wallabies, with a stunning swap of allegiance being considered.
MILWAUKEE, WI - OCTOBER 12: Shohei Ohtani #17 of the Los Angeles Dodgers bats during Game Two of the National League Championship Series between the Los Angeles Dodgers and the Milwaukee Brewers at American Family Field on Monday, October 12, 2026 in Milwaukee, Wisconsin. (Photo by Aaron Gash/MLB Photos via Getty Images) | MLB Photos via Getty Images
“Yeah, I mean, obviously it hasn’t been good,” manager Dave Roberts told The Athletic on Monday, after the Dodgers’ 7-4 loss to the Milwaukee Brewers in Game 2. “He doesn’t feel great. I think for me, it’s having a conversation with him tomorrow, kind of try to figure out what’s best for him, what’s best for us. He certainly has earned that conversation and deserves it.
“I’ll have (that conversation) with him tomorrow.”
As someone who has practice in Robertsese, that means Ohtani won’t be starting in Game 3 on Wednesday at Dodger Stadium.
Ohtani’s second half has been marred by various maladies. First came the left knee irritation in June, which caused the team to pause his pitch after July 3, and he missed the All-Star Game to get treatment on the knee. As he slowly worked his way back on the pitching side, Ohtani developed a right biceps issue as well, which caused various starts and stops of his pitching program.
By early September it became clearer that Ohtani was affected by the injuries, and he finally landed on the IL with biceps inflammation. How long exactly Ohtani has been dealing with the injuries isn’t clear, but he last homered on August 18 at Coors Field, and has driven in one run in the 110 plate appearances since.
There’s been an open question of how forthcoming Ohtani has been with his injuries as well. Before the NL Division Series, when asked about his injuries, Ohtani said through interpreter Will Ireton, “I haven’t been able to get a good grasp of the root cause of all this. I think that process is going to happen during the off-season when I’m going to have a little bit more time to be able to address it. But as of now, it’s something I’m just going to have to manage.”
There was a time with some hope on September 24, when Ohtani had four hard-hit balls which led to a single and double, but that’s his only extra-base hit in 41 plate appearances since returning fro the IL. In the postseason, the hard contact has all but disappeared. Ohtani has three singles in 20 at-bats plus three walks and seven strikeouts, hitting just .150/.261/.150. His expected numbers, based on his batted-ball data, aren’t much better, just .187/.315/.255.
Roberts at various times in October has mentioned Ohtani clearly isn’t 100 percent. He moved him to second in the order, then to fifth, and has batted Ohtani fourth in the last three games. Now, Ohtani might sit.
Woo and Rosenthal report that Josue De Paula would be “the top candidate” to take over at designated hitter if Ohtani does not start.
We’ll surely find out more about this during media availabilities at Dodger Stadium on Tuesday’s off day.
