The Bucks and NBA announced Friday, Oct. 16 that the team’s home opener against the Chicago Bulls has been moved up four hours to prevent a scheduling conflict with Game 1 of the World Series on Friday, Oct. 23, which will take place in Milwaukee and mark the club’s first trip to the Fall Classic in more than four decades.
"The Brewers' return to the World Series for the first time in 44 years is a special moment for Milwaukee and sports fans across Wisconsin," the Bucks said Friday in a statement. "Congratulations to the Brewers and the entire organization on this tremendous achievement, and we’ll be cheering them on as they begin their World Series run. The Bucks are proud to move our home opener to 3 p.m. (CT), in recognition of this historic occasion and thank the NBA for making this schedule change possible."
It’s unconventional for an NBA team to move its home opener like this, but the Brewers will be hosting Game 1 at American Family Field. The Brewers had the best record in baseball and are one of five MLB teams to have never won a World Series. This will be only their second trip to the Fall Classic.
The Bucks, meanwhile, are projected to be one of the worst teams in the NBA as they are undergoing a rebuild following their offseason blockbuster trade that sent Giannis Antetokounmpo, the franchise’s all-time leader in points (21,531), rebounds (8,882), assists (4,484), blocks (1,088) and triple-doubles (56) to the Miami Heat.
While the Knicks brought in a number of veterans on non-guaranteed contracts to compete for a roster spot in training camp, James Wiseman was always the frontrunner. New York needs depth at center behind Karl-Anthony Towns and Andre Drummond, and Wiseman fits that role well. When the Knicks cut Drew Eubanks, Tony Bradley and Ochai Agbaji on Thursday, it cleared the way for Wiseman to make the roster.
However, the Knicks also like what guard Bruce Brown brings to the table and are now looking for trades to trade either Pacome Dadiet or Tyler Kolek over the weekend to free up the money to keep Brown, according to reports from Stefan Bondy at the New York Post and Ian Begley of SNY.tv.
The Knicks have the open roster spots to just bring in Wiseman and Brown as the 14th and 15th men, but doing so would push the team into the second apron, a line owner James Dolan has said the team will not cross. That leaves the Knicks looking for trade options.
The Knicks have been looking for a Dadiet trade for a while, but haven't found a deal that works.
Kolek was part of the Knicks rotation much of last season, playing in 62 games and averaging 4.4 points in nearly 12 minutes per game. However, when the Knicks acquired Jose Alvarado, Kolek fell out of the rotation, and he has struggled this preseason with his shot (33.3% from 3-point range and 40% overall). Kolek likely has more value around the league and is making $2.3 million this season.
The challenge for the Knicks is that they aren't the only team looking to make salary-dump trades before next Monday's cut-down deadline. It is possible the Knicks attach one of their future second-round picks to facilitate a trade, Begley reports.
Also, teams are "studying" the Knicks' contract situation with Karl-Anthony Towns, ESPN’s Brian Windhorst reports. "Studying" is the new term for "monitoring" a situation. If Towns declines his player option for next season (he is expected to, the deadline is Monday) and the sides don't reach a deal, then Towns will be a free agent next summer, and of course there are teams interested. The Warriors, Hawks and Clippers are expected to have max cap space. While the Knicks hit the pause button on extension talks with Towns, the expectation is that the sides will reach a deal before Towns hits the open market.
CAMDEN, NJ - JUNE 8: Mike Gansey speaks as the Philadelphia 76ers introduce him as their new President of Basketball Operations on June 8, 2026 at The Penn Medicine Philadelphia 76ers Training Complex in Camden, New Jersey. 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 Mary Kate Ridgway/NBAE via Getty Images) | NBAE via Getty Images
The James Harden for Darius Garland swap was one of the more shocking trades of the past few deadlines. It was one of those deals where you assume you’re being ‘centeled’.
Once the confusion and initial shock clear, it becomes a question of how and why the Cleveland Cavaliers, and more specifically Cavaliers President of Basketball Operations Koby Altman, made this move. However, it appears that he might not have been the primary catalyst for getting the deal done.
This makes Gansey’s departure and his construction of the league’s newest super team with the Philadelphia 76ers sting a little more than it already did. The Cavaliers have made a lot of trades over the past half-decade, e.g., Donovan Mitchell, Max Strus, Caris LeVert, and De’Andre Hunter. Statements like Weitzman’s raise questions about how involved Gansey was in getting those deals done.
It’s natural to wonder how the Cavaliers will perform in trades now that Gansey is out of the building. If the team’s track record begins to change, Altman will draw more criticism and less credit. While it seems unfair to try to figure out who was more responsible for trades, Altman has always been known as someone willing to take a swing. If that changes, questions about who was really driving those daring choices will emerge.
PHOENIX, ARIZONA - SEPTEMBER 28: Head coach Jordan Ott of the Phoenix Suns poses for a portrait during NBA media day on September 28, 2026 in Phoenix, Arizona. (Photo by Christian Petersen/Getty Images) | Getty Images
Annually for the past 25 years, the NBA has anonymously surveyed general managers with a range of questions (48!) focused on rating teams, front offices, coaches, and players. This provides good insight into what the league’s decision-makers really think. Results published earlier this week.
For this audience of hardcore Suns fans, I will view it through the lens of what it implies for team perception and where there are opportunities to appear more prominently if this was completed again at the end of the upcoming season.
Team Rankings
Phoenix did not receive any top 4 votes for “Who will win the 2027 NBA Finals?”. Points are awarded based on each GM’s 1-4 rank and then aggregated. Total points are sorted to provide a conference ranking. In order:
Spurs
Thunder
Timberwolves
Nuggets
Rockets
Lakers
Trail Blazers
The Suns did not receive any top 4 votes. This team definitely has the potential to pass each of the teams ranked 3-7 if everything falls right.
Front Office
The team struck out on this set of questions, which included best overall moves, most improved team, biggest impact acquisition, and most underrated acquisition. If Miles Bridges plays fully up to his potential, adding defensive and playmaking chops to scoring ability and athleticism, he could make a notable difference for the Suns when compared to last year with Royce O’Neale filling that starting spot.
What caught my eye: 15 players mentioned as the most underrated acquisition, and none of those were Luke Kennard. The preseason has teased the well-rounded skill set he brings to go along with sniper-level long-range shooting. Getting up 10 threes in one preseason game suggests he may do that on some level of volume. I wrote in September about how important Kennard will be in balancing long-range shooting on the left side of the court. There is a tangible likelihood he ends up being one of the 15 most underrated NBA moves, especially on that $6 million contract.
Coaching
The good news: Jordan Ott received votes for both “runs the best offense” and “has the best defensive schemes”. However, he did not get votes for best head coach. Similarly, Ott was absent from the categories of “best manager/motivator” and “best in-game adjustments”. In year two, these are both areas I could see improvement. Pushing the right buttons emotionally and with game tactics could bump up the Suns’ win total and catapult him into future top coach discussions.
Players
The majority of the survey’s questions relate to players. The game is played on the court, and it’s a player’s league! It’s completely fair that no Suns were mentioned for some categories like MVP. Here are the ones where I feel consideration should have been given and could certainly be earned:
Most likely to have a breakout season: Mostly young developing players among the 19 mentioned. Khaman Maulauch certainly has a chance with playing time available. He’s likely still a year away, but maybe…
Best shooting guard: Zero mentions of Devin Booker? Get that 3-point shot back, win a few playoff games, and he’s right there. He’s also not listed among the top point guards, for what it’s worth.
Most versatile defender: Dillon Brooks effectively defends point guards to power forwards, and with an edge.
Best at moving off the ball: Booker is elite at this when he gets a chance to play off-ball.
In just a few days, any member of the Suns that felt like they should have appeared on these lists will have a whole season to prove the GMs wrong. As highlighted above, there are many candidates. 82+ games to find out, and I can’t wait to watch it materialize on the court.
The NBA trade deadline is four months away. That may feel like a lifetime on the NBA calendar — teams will be more than 50 games into the season, and many franchises' fortunes will look different — but it doesn't slow the NBA rumor mill.
Which players might be available is already a talking point, and those conversations are only going to get louder. Here are seven names to watch, seven players most likely to be traded before the February deadline.
Kyrie Irving (Mavericks)
"I think it was Kevin Durant that said it best: There's only one Kyrie walking around in the world... Kyrie, as a player, we truly believe in him. We truly believe that he can succeed on our team."
Dallas Mavericks president Masai Ujiri keeps saying things like the quote above, trying to throw cold water on the idea that the Mavericks are going to trade the nine-time All-Star point guard. Ujiri and Mavericks fans — and basketball fans everywhere — want to see what Irving and his legendary handles look like next to the fast-rising Cooper Flagg. Ujiri keeps talking up Irving's fit in Dallas and how the point guard can lift this team to new heights.
It's not working. League sources tell NBC Sports that a number of teams are monitoring the situation, waiting to see how Irving looks coming off missing all of last season due to a torn ACL, but those teams are interested in a trade. Those teams will be calling. The reality is the 34-year-old Irving, who can be a free agent this summer, is not on the same timeline as the 19-year-old Flagg, and ultimately the Mavericks are going to want to build out a roster closer to Flagg's timeline. Ujiri can say whatever he wants, but teams around the league believe if the right offer comes his way at the deadline, Irving will be on the move.
Anthony Davis (Wizards)
The Wizards drafted forward AJ Dybantsa with the No. 1 pick, locked up Trae Young with a massive overpay new four-year contract, and have the big man of the future in the promising Alex Sarr.
Then there is Anthony Davis, the 33-year-old NBA champion and 10-time All-Star who remains one of the best big men in the game when healthy (but being healthy has been an issue). Washington has other concerns: Davis is not on Dybantsa's or Sarr's timeline (not that Young is), plus Davis is extension-eligible and looking for another massive payday. The Wizards have put off contract talks until later in the season.
If Davis stays healthy and looks good as we approach the trade deadline, the Wizards will get calls. Quality big men, especially ones who can protect the rim, are in high demand, and the Wizards may be able to get Davis to a place where he can compete for another ring while getting themselves young players and picks that better fit the Dybantsa timeline.
Domantas Sabonis (Kings)
The Kings have spent more than a year trying to find a new home for Sabonis, but maybe it finally happens at this year's deadline. Although probably not.
The issue isn't his production, Sabonis is an efficient double-double machine who can operate as an offensive hub at the elbow and is strong on the boards. He'll show off his value this season because he's a good big to pair with Kings rookie Darius Acuff Jr., setting screens and running dribble hand-offs. Plus, Sabonis is a quality passing big. What has slowed finding a trade is Sabonis' salary: $45.4 million this season and $48.6 million next season, both years fully guaranteed. In the apron era, teams don't want to pay that for a player who is not a star. However, maybe at the deadline a team that just needs a quality big will call Sacramento and make a deal. Otherwise, expect one next summer.
Michael Porter Jr. (Nets)
The Brooklyn Nets are rebuilding and Michael Porter Jr. is not on that timeline. Coming off his best season, MPJ is a bucket who averaged 24.2 points and 7.1 rebounds a game, and is a career 39.8% from beyond the arc. He's a 6'10" forward who is in his prime at age 28, and on an expiring $40.1 million contract. Then there's the fact that the Nets just traded for a ball-dominant forward in Julius Randle.
The Nets have what they hope is their young backcourt of the future — Mikel Brown Jr. and Egor Dëmin — and if they can trade Porter Jr. for a young player or more picks, that makes sense for a rebuilding team (that does not control its own pick this season).
Max Strus (and every veteran on the Clippers)
The Clippers have a lot of work to do on this roster going forward, whatever it's going to look like (they like the idea of Darius Garland and Keaton Wagler backcourt). The Clippers also could use more picks, since they just had to surrender a bunch in the Kawhi Leonard/Aspiration scandal and punishment. Not that Max Strus is going to draw a first-rounder, but once he gets healthy and if he can show he adds value — as he did for the Cavaliers in last season's playoffs — he could net the Clippers a couple of second-rounders. They'd take that.
Zion Williamson (Pelicans)
Free Trey Murphy.
Other teams are going to call about Murphy and Herb Jones, but where are the Pelicans with Zion Williamson? Could the Pelicans trade the former No. 1 pick?
The reality is New Orleans is more invested in a future with Derik Queen at the four, and we learned last season that Queen and Williamson can't play together. Maybe team president Joe Dumars tries to move Williamson, who is coming off a relatively healthy season (62 games) where he averaged 21 points and 5.7 rebounds a game. The challenge is that Zion makes $42.2 million this season and has a guaranteed $44.9 million next season, so it'll be tough to get a team to take him on. Still, the rumors will fly.
Also, Dumars could just trade Trey Murphy.
Daniel Gafford (Mavericks)
Daniel Gafford's availability in a trade is dependent upon whether Dereck Lively can get and stay healthy. If he does, and if rookie Morez Johnson shows he can handle backup big minutes, then Gafford becomes available.
We mentioned above how center is a position in demand, and teams that don't want to pay for someone like Anthony Davis will call about Gafford. The seven-year NBA veteran is a rock-solid on both ends of the court, a pick-and-roll big who averaged 9.5 points and 6.9 rebounds a game last season. He's also on a reasonable contract, making $17.3 million this season with two more guaranteed years after that at a little more than $37 million total. As the deadline approaches, expect a lot of Gafford rumors.
Honorable mention: Tyler Herro and anyone else in Milwaukee not just drafted, Jarrett Allen in Cleveland (if things go sideways and the Cavs need to make a move, this is the most logical player to trade), Zach LaVine in Sacramento, Jrue Holiday in Portland, Jalen Green in Phoenix. Free Trey Murphy.
Some people want to put Joel Embiid on these lists. Good luck with that. The oft-injured center is making $58.1 million this season and has two more seasons on his current deal after that, totaling $130 million. No team will take that contract unless the 76ers attach multiple first-round picks or add a quality young player. Philly won't do that. Meaning Embiid stays.
Also, the Knicks aren't going to trade Karl-Anthony Towns. It's an easy, clickbait story to say other teams are monitoring the situation — of course they are, this is what other front offices are paid to do — but the Knicks aren't trading him at the deadline. The KAT future story only gets interesting if he doesn't get an extension before the deadline next June 30 (and hits the free agent market). Until then, it's all speculation.
Lakers governor Jeanie Buss filed a lawsuit arguing her siblings cannot sell the family's Lakers ownership shares without her consent. (Kayla Bartkowski/Los Angeles Times)
Lawyers for Janie and Joey Buss, two of the co-trustees of the Buss Family Trust that owns part of the Lakers, filed a response to Jeanie Buss’ petition Friday with intention to move forward with the proposed sale of the family’s remaining shares of the team.
While Jeanie is trying to block her five siblings from selling the team, the new response filed in L.A. Superior Court states that Janie and Joey, the two other co-trustees of the family trust, were authorized and required to implement the vote after a majority of the living siblings opted to terminate the trust in August. The vote of five siblings to sell the shares triggered the termination clause in the trust, and the filing argues that the trust doesn’t grant trustees discretion to disregard a valid vote to terminate.
Jeanie argued that her siblings could not terminate the family trust and sell the remaining 17.82% of the team without her approval, citing a 2017 court order that instructed trustees to “take reasonably available steps” to support Jeanie’s annual election as Lakers controlling governor. The court order, obtained after Jeanie’s older brothers Jimmy and Johnny Buss tried to oust her from the organization, installed Janie and Joey as co-trustees.
But the court order did not prohibit a sale or termination of the trust, lawyers for Janie and Joey argue. While the order named “voting the trust’s shares” as a reasonable action, it did not require the trust to hold a 15% stake in the team to reach the NBA’s eligibility threshold for minority owners to serve on the league’s board of governors, the filing states.
Jeanie was selected by her father, Jerry Buss, to serve as the team’s controlling governor after his death in 2013.
Using a tag-along provision secured during the sale to Walter, the five Buss siblings hope to maximize value for all six beneficiaries, including Jeanie, the new filing reports. Selling the 17.82% stake in the team would be worth about $2.2 billion.
A hearing is scheduled for Dec. 8. The Lakers open the regular season on Oct. 21 against the Golden State Warriors at Crypto.com Arena. Jeanie was seen at the Lakers’ home preseason opener on Oct. 8, sitting courtside on the baseline.
Boston Celtics coach Joe Mazzulla holding the NBA title in 2024. | Photo by Elsa/Getty Images
Boston Celtics head coach Joe Mazzulla has all but booked a spot in the Hall of Fame, despite still being the youngest active NBA head coach. In just four years in his role, he became an NBA All-Star Game head coach in 2023, then won the NBA title in 2024 and got the Coach of the Year award in 2026.
Outside of basketball, the 6-foot-2 former point guard also finds time to train various martial arts. Interestingly enough, the 38-year-old likened his recent Brazilian jiu-jitsu (BJJ) blue belt promotion to his biggest career achievement in basketball.
“I don’t apply the grappling as much (in coaching) as I apply the mindset, and exposing myself to myself. It’s funny, we were fortunate enough to win (an NBA title) in 2024. I had the same feeling the day I got promoted to my blue belt as I did when I won the championship,” Mazzulla said in an interview with Daniel Cormier.
“Oh c’mon!” the former UFC champion responded with a chuckle.
The first step after white belt seemed trivial compared to an NBA world championship, after all. But Mazzulla, who was once described by NBA Finals MVP Jaylen Brown as “a psycho in a good way,” continued to explain why he was dead serious about his statement.
“It was a feeling of like, what the f— am I going to do now? Now I got to figure out how to do this again,” Mazzulla explained. “There’s such a small space between genius and insanity, there’s such a small space between champion and ultimate failure… I’ll never forget the day I actually got promoted.”
After getting badly worked in a training session, Mazzulla described a common feeling people get while progressing through the ranks in jiu-jitsu.
“I’m getting the s— kicked out of me… I’m like ‘well, today is not the day. I’m not going to get it.’ (but) I get it,” Mazzulla said about receiving his blue belt. “Then I look around the gym. Now I’m stuck in this space of like I could lose at any time to a white belt, and I’m so far away from the best blue belt.
“That day that I got (my blue belt), I wasn’t happy,” the NBA coach said. “I was more like ‘now I got to figure out how to do this.’ Fear came, anxiety came, paranoia came. Like now I’m not good enough anymore. Literally it was just one change and it changed everything.
“I feel like that’s where I am as a coach. I have a taste of what it’s like (to be a champion), but now I’ve lost and I could go back to this… the (opposite) side of greatness,” he explained. “So I use that same perspective to push myself to hopefully take that into the team.”
Mazzulla also reportedly tries to train around his busy NBA travel schedule, finding a gym on the road to train in the morning, before having a game in the evening. Apart from grappling, Mazzulla was also recently seen working on his striking recently at the famed Xtreme Couture gym.
FOR THE LATEST BRAZILIAN JIU-JITSU (BJJ) AND GRAPPLING-RELATED NEWS CLICK HERE.FOR ADDITIONAL GRAPPLING CONTENT, FOLLOW @BJJBEAT ON INSTAGRAM.
The Brooklyn Nets recently unveiled their new ABA Classic Edition throwback uniforms and court design, bringing back the bold red, white, and blue look to honor the franchise’s 60th season. It also marks 50 years since the NBA-ABA merger.
As expected, the jersey reveal set off an immediate conversation across the NetsDaily comment section. The reception was enthusiastic with most comments discussing the color schemes, players, and more. In some of our more recent NetsDaily Reacts surveys, there’s been more debate around win totals, player expectations, etc.
To each is own, but this doesn’t appear to be much of a debate.
Thoughts on Brooklyn’s Classic Edition Jerseys?
Permanent Rebrand?
Omega93: “They are stunning. I wish we’d forego the black and white faux Spurs look (and much of the “Brooklyn centric” stuff, though I’m sure this is an unpopular take) and fully embrace the NY Nets aesthetic, right down to the name. There are 2 banners bearing their name, after all.”
NetsFlow: “Just switch back to this permanently. Black and white colorway has no soul or personality.”
WalterKovacs86: “This is great. If we start a new Nets competitive era in the next few years, I think the team should change its colors / logo. The black and white is a bit drab. There have been some good ones in the teams history. I’m partial to the late 90s / early 00s logos.”
Jersey Options?
Genis: “I haven’t bought a jersey in at least 3 years. Finally time to open up my Nets wallet. Now my Randle vs Egor vs Brown debate begins.”
Doc32: “Randle is [here] temporarily…. I’d go with the other 2”
Comparisons and Skepticism
NJNETS29: “Going to be a super unpopular opinion – not a fan of these. The other ABAs are Tier 1A+++. These, cool that theyre old i guess. More proof of my conspiracy that Nike gives us the mid alternates until were good.”
free throw: “I saw the ABA throwback uniforms for the 4 former ABA teams. Pacers is best imo and Nets is good but Nuggets (they used to be the Rockets but changed name when it seemed likely they’d join the NBA and Houston Rockets – formerly San Diego Rockets – had dibs on that team name) and Spurs looked drab imo.”
Thanks to everybody who voted and/or participated.
This is a sponsored post. Check out the latest lines, futures, and player props by visiting FanDuel.
Oct 9, 2026; Washington, District of Columbia, USA; New York Rangers goaltender Igor Shesterkin (31) is helped off the ice after being injured against the Washington Capitals during the second period at Capital One Arena. Mandatory Credit: Geoff Burke-Imagn Images
Geoff Burke/IMAGN IMAGES via Reuters Connect
NEWARK, N.J. — Following an opening night blip, the first week-plus of the New York Rangers was a party at Madison Square Garden and beyond.
The home woes from a year ago felt like a distant memory, franchise goaltender Igor Shesterkin scored into an empty net and it was a dream start. It became a nightmare at Washington when Shesterkin went down with a season-ending injury.
Losing that night and getting blown out 7-1 on the road by New Jersey were speed bumps along the way for a team that has won six of its first nine games. Life after Igor will not be easy, though coach Mike Sullivan, captain J.T. Miller and the Rangers believe they have come up with a recipe to succeed even after losing their most important player at hockey’s most important position.
“We’re trying to build a certain identity in how we’re going to play, a style of play,” Sullivan said. “And then, inside of that, every player has a role, making a contribution to that identity to build what we would consider Rangers hockey and what it looks like when we’re at our best.”
The Devils game certainly was not that. As good as Miller was for the first 19 minutes of the first period, his turnover before intermission was the start of a snowball effect that led to Shesterkin’s unlikely successor, Dylan Garand, getting pulled for allowing four goals on 13 shots.
Garand ended training camp third on the organizational depth chart, and the 24-year-old is only still around because none of the NHL’s other 31 teams claimed him off waivers prior to opening night. In his first three appearances before New Jersey, Garand had a league-best 1.15 goals-against average and .951 save percentage and is expected to remain the choice in net until he shows he cannot handle it.
“G knows we’re going to need him here a lot, and he’s a pretty mentally tough guy,” No. 1 defenseman Adam Fox said. “I know he can bounce back. Just kind of said to him forget about it. He knows how important he is to us as a team and what we’re trying to do.”
What the Rangers are trying to do is get back to the playoffs after missing the past two years since a trip to the 2024 Eastern Conference final. Shesterkin’s absence made that a much steeper hill to climb.
“That’s a tough blow for our group,” Sullivan said. “But it doesn’t change what the goal is every day, and I think our guys have done a real good job at just keeping the focus where it needs to be and controlling what we can.”
Sullivan credited the team’s leadership group for not letting the morale dip last too long. Even New York’s youngest player didn’t dwell too long over Shesterkin getting sidelined.
“Injuries are going to happen,” said Alberts Smits, the 18-year-old from Latvia who was the fifth pick in the draft. “I wish all the best for him and for him to recover as fast as he can. But that’s just sports. There’s going to be injuries. We’ve just got to go through them, and we can’t stop right now when something like that happens.”
Alexis Lafrenière has seven goals, Fox nine assists and Mika Zibanejad eight points. But the biggest reason why players believe they can keep this going is defending and keeping the puck out of their own net.
“It’s winning hockey, so if you want to win games, you’re going to give yourself a better chance most nights if you don’t give the other team easy offense,” Miller said. “We get better as the games go on. There’s a commitment 200 feet. It’s a contagious feeling around here coming together as a team, so it’s a nice feeling.”
JACKSONVILLE, FL - NOVEMBER 24: Youngstown State Penguins forward Cris Carroll (15) shoots during the Jacksonville Classic game between Georgia Southern Eagles and Youngstown State Penguins on November 24, 2025 at Adams-Jenkins Gym in Jacksonville, Fl. (Photo by David Rosenblum/Icon Sportswire via Getty Images) | Icon Sportswire via Getty Images
The Philadelphia 76ers made a series of moves on Thursday that will likely impact the Delaware Blue Coats’ roster more than the main club. Saint Thomas and Duke Miles were both waived, with Cris Carroll and Taye Fields then signed to similar Exhibit 10 contracts.
The Sixers have signed Cris Carroll and Taye Fields to Exhibit-10 contracts, a team source told ESPN. Saint Thomas and Duke Miles were waived earlier today in a corresponding move. Carroll, a 6-6 forward, averaged 17.4 points on 39.6% from 3 last season for Youngstown State.
Thomas appeared in all three preseason games for the Sixers, with Miles taking the floor twice. The highlight for Thomas was an 11-point, 10-rebound performance in the win over New York. Per Adam Aaronson of PhillyVoice, both players are still expected to join the Blue Coats.
Taye Fields is a 6-foot-4 guard out of North Alabama who spent last season with the Hefte Helfen Bulls in Austria’s Basketball Superliga. He participated in NBA Summer League with the Sixers a few months ago, averaging 2.0 points and 3.8 rebounds in 14.7 minutes across the five games. As Dave McMenamin notes above, Cris Carroll is a 6-foot-6 forward out of Youngstown State who could project as a good shooting option from the wing after shooting 39.6 percent from three. We’ll see if either player appears for the Sixers in their preseason finale, before presumably being waived and joining the squad in Delaware.
The only mild surprise to any of these moves is the Sixers not mining for a potential backup center option. However, our Bryan Toporek just sifted through some reports about a couple names the team could be looking to add in December. They might also be hoping Tacko Fall can heal up and fill a two-way contract spot.
We’ll see what other moves Mike Gansey and the front office make with the beginning of the regular season just a few days away.
NEWARK, NJ - OCTOBER 15: Will Cuylle #50 of the New York Rangers and Johnathan Kovacevic #8 of the New Jersey Devils drop the gloves during a game between the New York Rangers and New Jersey Devils at Prudential Center on October 15, 2026 in Newark, New Jersey. (Photo by Andrew Mordzynski/Icon Sportswire via Getty Images) | Icon Sportswire via Getty Images
Here are your links for today:
Devils Links
Nico Hischier responds to becoming the third all-time goal scorer in Devils franchise history:
Nico Hischier on becoming No. 3 in franchise goal scoring:
“These things obviously make me a little proud, but I’d rather get a fourth Stanley Cup for this franchise.”
JP Gambatese responded to some early-season knocks on analytics after the Devils started the season without any finish to their game. [Devils Advocates]
Last night was historic on a few levels:
Devils beat the Rangers by 6 goals or more for the first time since March 25th 1987 #NJDevils#NYR
Greg Wyshynski interviewed Sunny Mehta for ESPN, and Mehta took him to task before diving into a mix of fan nostalgia and current team-building philosophy. [ESPN]
The Red Wings scored late in the third period to drop the Flyers to a whopping 0-6-3. The usual from Rick Tocchet: “I liked our start, but they came on a little bit. There are moments in a game when you have to come through, and we’ve been having a tough time of that.” [NHL.com]
Prior to the Red Wings—Flyers matchup, Detroit celebrated the life of Jenny Baumann, the wife of Red Wings trainer Russ Baumann, who passed away after a battle with cancer last weekend:
After Dave Hakstol left the Colorado bench to take the reigns of the Arizona State hockey program, the Avalanche hired Brett McLean as an assistant coach. [NHL.com]
Patrick Kane makes history:
and with that assist, Patrick Kane takes the top spot for 𝗺𝗼𝘀𝘁 𝗮𝘀𝘀𝗶𝘀𝘁𝘀 𝗯𝘆 𝗮𝗻 𝗔𝗺𝗲𝗿𝗶𝗰𝗮𝗻-𝗯𝗼𝗿𝗻 𝗽𝗹𝗮𝘆𝗲𝗿 in the NHL ‼️ pic.twitter.com/Y8LyB8OJ9Q
While he was just an outcast from Vancouver a few seasons ago, Vasily Podkolzin has turned into a top-line goal scorer for the Edmonton Oilers this season. [The Hockey Writers]
The NHL has been discussing the future of Frozen Frenzy, as they consider it a success in the United States with room to improve and grow. Cam Neely: “It’s a great concept to have all teams play the same day, although tough for an East Coast team’s fanbase to have an 11:15 p.m. Eastern puck drop. I heard plenty of complaints, for example, from our fans in New England. Maybe think of doing it all day on a Saturday after college football?” [NYT/The Athletic]
Feel free to discuss these and any other hockey-related stories in the comments below.
After losing his WBO heavyweight title in a brutal first bout in May, the Briton insists he can ‘right those wrongs’ on Saturday night
Five months ago, watching a likely Fight of the Year between Daniel Dubois and Fabio Wardley in Manchester, a ringside seat offered an initially thrilling insight into the raw brutality of heavyweight boxing. It was easy to be swept up in the drama as Wardley, defending his WBO title, dropped his more seasoned and favoured rival in the first and third rounds. But Dubois, whose courage had been questioned before, got up both times and fought back with admirable resolve.
Dubois soon took control of the contest and administered a punishing beating, round after round, as concern for Wardley intensified. It was a worrying sight as the reeling champion refused to go down amid the damage being done to him by the bludgeoning power by Dubois. A terrible gash opened up across the bridge of Wardley’s nose and his face looked swollen. The end was finally confirmed in the 11th round, after the referee rescued Wardley from his own bravery, but it was the kind of heavy loss which takes years off a fighter’s career.
MILWAUKEE, WISCONSIN - OCTOBER 05: Jericho Sims #00 of the Milwaukee Bucks looks on against the Minnesota Timberwolves during the preseason NBA game at Fiserv Forum on October 05, 2026 in Milwaukee, Wisconsin. NOTE TO USER: User expressly acknowledges and agrees that, by downloading and or using this photograph, User is consenting to terms and conditions of the Getty Images License Agreement. (Photo by Patrick McDermott/Getty Images) | Getty Images
As it currently stands, the Los Angeles Lakers’ center room features Walker Kessler, Kevon Looney and Sandro Mamukelashvili. Kessler, of course, is a locked-in starter while Looney and Mamukelashvili will split time as the reserves depending on matchups and game flow, given Mamukelashvili is a small-ball 5 and Looney is the traditional option.
But according to Jake Fischer, it doesn’t sound like the Lakers are content to enter the season with just those three as their big man rotation. Fischer reports they’ve been linked to a bouncy Eastern Conference center in an aim to also trim down the roster.
“The Lakers, meanwhile, have been engaged in trade talks to try to get their roster down from 16 to 15 standard contracts and perhaps even acquire some additional frontcourt help in the process,” Fischer wrote.
“League sources say that the Lakers and Bucks have held exploratory trade discussions on a framework that would ship former first-round selection Dalton Knecht to Milwaukee (along with second-round draft capital) in exchange for big man Jericho Sims,” Fischer continued. “Yet it must be said that I’ve also heard some pessimism from sources briefed on those talks that such a trade will actually go through.”
Now entering year six, Sims has spent time with both the New York Knicks and Milwaukee Bucks but hardly entrenched himself as a rotation player at either spot. He did, however, appear in a career-high 67 games last season en route to a career-high 1,318 minutes. He’s a sprightly, athletic, undersized center whose offensive arsenal is very limited beyond dunks and plagued by turnovers (career 24.1% turnover rate).
It should not be undersold how dominant of a dunker he is, though. According to Basketball Reference, nearly 60% of all his made field goals (59.5%) have been dunks; he’s totaled 250 of them across five seasons, averaging just under one per game and one every 15.6 minutes.
Furthermore, 82.1% of his career shots have come between 0-3 feet and he’s converted 80.3% of them. Alongside Luka Dončić and Austin Reaves, his above-the-rim play-finishing could have value in a small role, and he’s a pretty lively mover whose defensive imprint is often undone by poor positioning and underwhelming size at 6 feet 10 inches.
Acquiring Sims wouldn’t likely be much of a needle-mover for Los Angeles. But it would diversify the center room a bit, bring in an efficient play-finisher who helps generate a good deal of offensive rebounds and offer Sims the most favorable offensive environment of his career. That could help on the margins.
With the NBA season kicking off on Tuesday, here are 10 bold predictions, including the Knicks' biggest competition in the East, surprise teams in the West, and standout players.
1. Jared McCain wins Sixth Man of the Year
Oddsmakers are pointing to McCain’s teammate, Ajay Mitchell, as the favorite to win this award, but it has historically gone to scorers. More times than not Mitchell will be the one setting up bench units and moving into the starting lineup when needed, while McCain possesses the larger three-ball volume and can be the more explosive scorer at times.
2. Scoot Henderson wins Most Improved Player
With respect to Collin Murray-Boyles, Egor Demin, Khaman Maluach, Jarred Vanderbilt and the many breakout players to emerge, Henderson has slowly and quietly begun to creep back into the spotlight after struggling early as a third overall pick. Last season he displayed a career-high efficiency, now he’s learning under two All-Star point guards and shined in the preseason.
3. Darius Acuff Jr. wins Rookie of the Year
Most are expecting one of the freaks at the top of the draft — AJ Dybantsa, Cam Boozer or Caleb Wilson — to take this award. However Acuff is especially situated where he can be an offensive engine but not relied upon too heavily, won’t be bogged down by major defensive responsibilities, and could have an efficiency edge with his deep ball and guard play.
4. Lakers miss the playoffs
Los Angeles spent its summer building a team in the vision of its superstar, Luka Doncic, after moving on from the LeBron James experience. While they’ve captured that essence, most will admit they don’t possess contender-level talent, but the situation may be even worse than that.
Their “Big Three” have had health issues in recent years, their supporting cast leaves you wanting more, and they have limited flexibility to maneuver away from this construct. They could be a solid team, but when you have Quentin Grimes penned in as your fourth starter, the potential downside should be considered in greater depth.
Jun 10, 2026; New York, New York, USA; San Antonio Spurs forward Victor Wembanyama (1) passes the ball against New York Knicks guard Josh Hart (3), guard Landry Shamet (44), forward OG Anunoby (8) and center Karl-Anthony Towns (32) during game four of the 2026 NBA Finals in the second quarter at Madison Square Garden. / Vincent Carchietta-Imagn Images
5. Victor Wembanyama wins MVP and DPOY
The Knicks’ nemesis during their march to last season’s championship will take the experience of that loss and wreak fresh havoc on the league, winning his first MVP behind incomparable numbers and the best record in the NBA. He came in third last season before keeping that production up through a trip to the Finals and will come back improved and extra motivated this season.
That effect will primarily be felt on the defensive end, where Wembanyama dominated last season and is sure to this year as well. There’s a good chance nothing but an injury can keep Wembanyama from repeating as Defensive Player of the Year.
6. The Mavericks and Blazers are the West surprise teams
On this rare occasion, the East actually dwarfs the West in terms of depth of strong teams, with two clear contenders at the top — Oklahoma City and San Antonio — unmatched by the many unproven teams below. This environment is perfect for a young upstart team to break out and surprise experts, in this case Dallas and Portland.
The Mavericks are casually walking into this season with second year Cooper Flagg, a recovered Kyrie Irving,and a deep reserve of legitimate NBA role players, combined with a new head coach, which gives them a real shot to be a surprise Play-In or better team. The Blazers made a splash move in acquiring Ja Morant, whose fit with Damian Lillard is being questioned, but they have the defensive core to protect that backcourt and a lot of momentum coming off last season’s postseason appearance.
7. The Sixers fall short
All eyes will be on Philadelphia to start this season, after sweeping changes to the 76ers roster including the additions of Jaylen Brown and LeBron James. On paper, this roster reads like a 12-year-old’s 2K team or an Olympic lineup, enough so that they’ve become a favorite to make it out of the East.
But as recent NBA history has shown, you can’t just stick star names together and hope a championship team comes out the other side. Contenders need grit, defense, luck, and cohesion, and if the 76ers want to be a true contender, they’ll need all of their superstars to commit to this script.
They also need to be healthy enough to do so, as LeBron turns 42 and Joel Embiid comes off three consecutive years of under 40 games played. Many don’t see the ceiling on this team, but it’s difficult to see them making it past the second round, let alone reaching it.
Oct 5, 2026; Detroit, Michigan, USA; Detroit Pistons head coach J.B. Bickerstaff talks with players Cade Cunningham (2) and Kevin Huerter (27) during a timeout against the Phoenix Suns in the first quarter at Little Caesars Arena. / Lon Horwedel-Imagn Images
8. The Pistons regress
A familiar foe to the Knicks, the Pistons dragged them through six tough games in the 2025 playoffs and demolished them during the 2026 regular season. However, everything that’s transpired since has weakened them as a threat.
They lost much of their toughness and veteran reliability moving off Isaiah Stewart and Tobias Harris, while not addressing their biggest weaknesses — a lack of secondary creation and spacing. They’re likely to have another successful regular season, but expect a step back from 60 wins and another early postseason ouster unless things radically change.
9. The Raptors and Pacers are the Knicks’ biggest threats in the East
Oddsmakers favor the Sixers or Celtics to advance to the NBA Finals if not the Knicks, but they have it wrong. The health and combustibility of Philadelphia and recent postseason stagnation from Boston make them pushovers in the face of other opposition.
Indiana is a team when, last healthy, was in Game 7 of the Finals after topping this very Knicks team, and they’ve since upgraded at center. Toronto went seven games with a Conference Finalist then added Kawhi Leonard.
The regular season may tell a different story, but barring injury the two teams New York needs to watch out for come the postseason are Indiana and Toronto.
10. The Knicks repeat
No NBA team has been able to win back-to-back championships since 2018, but the Knicks are in a terrific position to do it this season, as half their conference will spend a good part of the season getting used to fresh faces.
Outside of a breakdown in extension talks or a devastating injury, there’s no reason New York shouldn’t be favored out of the East once again. They know what they have to do, how to do it, and are prepared to win that next trophy.
