Author: NBA Basketball News, Scores, Standings, Rumors, Fantasy Games

Just three seasons removed from an NBA championship and the Denver Nuggets suddenly feel like a team whose window to win is closing.

Yes, they have all-world center Nikola Jokić, and yes, they have Jamal Murray and plenty of other talented pieces. But key role players struggled to develop, and a debilitating salary cap situation have left the Nuggets in a precarious position.

So, while the Nuggets finished third in the West last season, they’ll need those role players to ease some of the pressure off Jokić and Murray, especially considering that the San Antonio Spurs, Oklahoma City Thunder and Minnesota Timberwolves — Denver’s three biggest threats in the conference — are each superb defensive teams.

Here's a breakdown of the Denver Nuggets' offseason moves and what to expect from them heading into the 2026-27 NBA season:

DENVER NUGGETS SCHEDULE: Dates, times and opponents for 2026-27 season

Denver Nuggets offseason review

• Record last season: 54-28 (3rd in Western Conference)
• Playoff finish: Eliminated in first round (2-4, against Timberwolves)
• Coach: David Adelman (second season)
• 2026-27 title odds: +2500 (per BetMGM)
• Projected record : 53-29
• Offseason grade : D+

Key roster additions

• F DeMar DeRozan (free agent signing)
• F Marving Bagley III (free agent signing)
• G Alpha Diallo (free agent signing)
• F Trevon Brazile (NBA draft)
• F Bryce Hopkins (NBA draft)

Key roster losses

• G Tim Hardaway Jr. (free agency)
• G/F Peyton Watson (trade)

Biggest question entering training camp

Strapped against the second apron, can this roster compete with the West’s best?

• During the 2026 NBA Playoffs, the Nuggets suddenly looked old and slow. The Timberwolves harassed Denver’s role players, leaving much of the offensive responsibility to fall to all-world center and three-time Most Valuable Player Nikola Jokić and guard Jamal Murray. It became clear that the duo needed more help. Yet, because of Denver’s salary cap issues, major additions were going to be improbable, and the trade of ascending star Peyton Watson further depleted the roster. DeMar DeRozan is an excellent mid-range option, but he’s not enough to get the Nuggets past the Thunder and Spurs - perhaps even the retooled Timberwolves. Role players Cameron Johnson and Christian Braun disappointed last season, and they will need to prove their worth for Denver to make another push for a title.

Projected starting lineup and rotation

Starters

• G Jamal Murray
• G Christian Braun
• F Cameron Johnson
• F Aaron Gordon
• C Nikola Jokić

Rotation players

• G Tyus Jones
• F DeMar DeRozan
• F Marvin Bagley III
• G/F Julian Strawther
• G/F Spencer Jones
• G Lonnie Walker IV
• F Alpha Diallo
• F Trevon Brazile
• C Zeke Nnaji
• F DaRon Holmes II

What to expect in 2026-27 season

A team that may see its championship window close. The Nuggets absolutely need a dose of good health from forward Aaron Gordon, the player who unlocks the entire offense. He missed three games in the postseason, and Denver’s offense stagnated. Cameron Johnson was an addition who mostly disappointed. Christian Braun regressed. The key for the Nuggets will be if those two return to form. The Nuggets still have the best offensive player in the world in Nikola Jokić and an All-Star in Jamal Murray, so they will be competitive. But it’s clear those two are not enough to carry the team to the top of the NBA, and Jokić, who turns 32 in February, may need some load management to ensure he’s fresh for the playoffs.

This article originally appeared on USA TODAY: Denver Nuggets season preview: Lineup, roster and prediction

Information in this article was imported automatically into a template written and reviewed by a USA TODAY Sports editor. You can send feedback using this form.

For a team that has been at or near the top of the Eastern Conference for much of the past decade, this was something of a tumultuous offseason for the Boston Celtics.

Gone is Jaylen Brown, a mainstay All-Star who spent 10 seasons with the Celtics, his most recent being one in which he recorded a career-high 28.7 points per game. And in his place is veteran Paul George, which ushers in a new era for Boston, one in which star forward Jayson Tatum becomes the unquestioned face of the franchise.

None of this will change internal expectations for the Celtics, who always preach competition, culture and a pursuit of championships.

Here's a breakdown of the Boston Celtics' offseason moves and what to expect from them heading into the 2026-27 NBA season:

BOSTON CELTICS SCHEDULE: Dates, times and opponents for 2026-27 season

Boston Celtics offseason review

• Record last season: 56-26 (2nd in Eastern Conference)
• Playoff finish: Eliminated in first round (3-4, against 76ers)
• Coach: Joe Mazzulla (fifth season)
• 2026-27 title odds: +1600 (per BetMGM)
• Projected record : 46-36
• Offseason grade : C-

Key roster additions

• G Mike Conley (free agent signing)
• F Paul George (trade)
• C Mitchell Robinson (free agent signing)
• F Chris Cenac Jr. (NBA draft)
• F Dillon Mitchell (NBA draft)

Key roster losses

• F Jaylen Brown (trade)
• C Nikola Vučević (free agency)

Biggest question entering training camp

How will Jayson Tatum handle being the unquestioned No. 1 option?

• There’s no doubt the partnership between Jayson Tatum, a six-time All-Star, and Jaylen Brown (five-time All-Star) was exceptional. The pair won the 2024 NBA Finals; and Brown, the Finals Most Valuable Player that year, was a reliable scoring threat. In the trade that shipped Brown to the 76ers, the most valuable asset returned was forward Paul George. There’s no way to spin this other than a downgrade for Boston; George is 36 and on the decline of his career and has seen his scoring production dip considerably.

Projected starting lineup and rotation

Starters

• G Derrick White
• G Payton Pritchard
• F Paul George
• F Jayson Tatum
• C Neemias Queta

Rotation players

• G Baylor Scheierman
• G Ron Harper Jr.
• G Mike Conley
• G Hugo González
• F Sam Hauser
• F Jordan Walsh
• F Chris Cenac Jr.
• C Mitchell Robinson
• C Luke Garza

What to expect in 2026-27 season

The starting lineup may be in flux, with the two-guard and center positions up for grabs. Baylor Scheierman emerged late in the season. Payton Pritchard has been a steady contributor for Boston, although he has shined coming off the bench. Mitchell Robinson was the big addition in the frontcourt, but Neemias Queta was a solid rim protecting option last season. Either way, the Celtics will need Tatum to take another massive step forward, as he becomes the clear-cut primary option. Teams will undoubtedly devote even more defensive attention to him, so George will need to do his part. Boston should give him free rein to shoot plenty of 3s, but, with a franchise cornerstone now gone, the Celtics may take a step back in an Eastern Conference that is suddenly deep. Boston, nonetheless, should remain a consistent threat to make a playoff push.

This article originally appeared on USA TODAY: Boston Celtics season preview: Lineup, roster and prediction

Information in this article was imported automatically into a template written and reviewed by a USA TODAY Sports editor. You can send feedback using this form.

The Milwaukee Bucks begin their first season without Giannis Antetokounmpo still dealing with the fallout of their drawn-out separation.

The franchise could match or improve upon last year's record thanks to the players it gained by trading Antetokounmpo this offseason and eliminating the distraction his uncertain future caused during the 2025-26 season. But the next era for the Bucks remains largely undefined in the immediate aftermath of Antetokounmpo's departure and the team's current salary cap situation suggests more moves are coming in this rebuild.

Former Memphis Grizzlies coach Taylor Jenkins, hired to replace Doc Rivers this offseason, will initially be tasked with molding remnants of last year's roster that produced a disastrous record with a batch of newcomers from Miami and two lottery picks. Veterans Tyler Herro, Myles Turner, Kyle Kuzma and Caris LeVert will provide support as rookies Brayden Burries and Nate Ament and several former Heat first-round picks find their footing together.

This roster, though, is full of expiring deals, tradeable contracts and no player capable of replacing Antetokounmpo in terms of talent or draw. Determining who should be part of Milwaukee's future, and getting in position for another high draft pick, could matter more than the win-loss record this season.

Here's a breakdown of the Milwaukee Bucks' offseason moves and what to expect from them heading into the 2026-27 NBA season:

MILWAUKEE BUCKS SCHEDULE: Dates, times and opponents for 2026-27 season

GIANNIS: Hopes to return to Milwaukee someday, 'if they would have me'

Milwaukee Bucks offseason review

• Record last season: 32-50 (11th in Eastern Conference)
• Playoff finish: Did not qualify
• Coach: Taylor Jenkins (1st season)
• 2026-27 title odds: +75000 (per BetMGM)
• Projected record: 17-65
• Offseason grade: B-

Key roster additions

• G Tyler Herro (trade)
• G Kasparas Jakucionis (trade)
• G Caris LeVert (trade)
• G Brayden Burries (No. 10 pick in 2026 NBA Draft)
• F Nate Ament (No. 13 pick in 2026 NBA Draft)
• F Jaime Jaquez (trade)
• F Kel'el Ware (trade)
• F Bogoljub Markovic (No. 47 pick in 2025 NBA Draft)
• F Malique Lewis (No. 60 pick in 2026 NBA Draft)

Key roster losses

• F Giannis Antetokounmpo (trade)
• F Bobby Portis (trade)
• F Taurean Prince (trade)
• G Gary Harris (trade)

Biggest question entering training camp

Is Tyler Herro part of the Bucks' long-term plans?

• Herro was the most accomplished player included in the Antetokounmpo trade, with his $33 million salary needed to make the deal work financially. The 26-year-old is still a productive scorer and playmaker, but durability concerns and defensive shortcomings in recent seasons have complicated his long-term value. Herro is entering the final year of his contract and Milwaukee's front office will soon be faced with deciding whether to make Herro a core piece or trade him for more assets to use in its rebuild.

Projected starting lineup and rotation

Starters

• G Ryan Rollins
• G Tyler Herro
• F Jaime Jaquez, Jr.
• F Kyle Kuzma
• C Myles Turner

Rotation players

• G Kevin Porter Jr.
• G Brayden Burries
• G A.J. Green
• G Gary Trent Jr.
• F Ousmane Dieng
• F Nate Ament
• F/C Kel'el Ware

What to expect in 2026-27 season

Milwaukee knew life after Antetokounmpo would be difficult, and this season could be the most painful part of the transition. The Bucks have several veterans who don't fit their timeline and a collection of young players still finding their way in the NBA. This is a candidate to be one of the worst teams in the NBA this season, especially if Milwaukee's management embraces a full-on youth movement and sells off veterans for more assets at the trade deadline.

This article originally appeared on USA TODAY: Milwaukee Bucks season preview: Lineup, roster and prediction

Information in this article was imported automatically into a template written and reviewed by a USA TODAY Sports editor. You can send feedback using this form.

The Phoenix Suns enter their second season with coach Jordan Ott at the helm.

Ott led the team to a playoff appearance in his first season but was swept by the Oklahoma City Thunder in the first round. It wasn’t the playoff run they were expecting after making it through the play-in tournament with a 1-1 record, after losing to the Portland Trail Blazers and beating the Golden State Warriors.

Devin Booker remains the focal point for the Suns, after leading the team in points (26.1) and rebounds (7.9) last season.

“He's the culture driver of what we've got going on,” Ott said about Booker during the play-in tournament. “He's a guy we are happy to have on our team. ... He's been through everything as a basketball player.”

The team will be without center Mark Williams, who is recovering from shoulder surgery after suffering a torn labrum. He led the team in rebounds (7.9) and blocks (0.9) last season. The Suns will likely lean on Oso Ighodaro to start the season at center. Williams is expected to miss close to five months after having the surgery in early September.

Here's a breakdown of the Phoenix Suns' offseason moves and what to expect from them heading into the 2026-27 NBA season:

PHOENIX SUNS SCHEDULE: Dates, times and opponents for 2026-27 season

Phoenix Suns offseason review

• Record last season: 45-37 (8th in Western Conference)
• Playoff finish: Lost in the first round
• Coach: Jordan Ott (second season)
• 2026-27 title odds: +15000 (per BetMGM)
• Projected record : 44-38
• Offseason grade : C

Key roster additions

• F Miles Bridges (trade)
• F Koa Peat (draft day trade)
• G Luke Kennard (free agent)
• C Duop Reath (free agent)

Key roster losses

• G Grayson Allen (trade)
• F Royce O’Neale (trade)

Biggest question entering training camp

How will Jalen Green perform for Phoenix when healthy?

• Green was acquired as part of a seven-team trade along with Dillon Brooks and Khaman Maluach, but Green was limited in his first season with Phoenix. He played a career-low 32 games after suffering hamstring injuries. The Suns will be tasked with incorporating Green back into the starting lineup for the upcoming season. He shot 42.2% from the field and 31.3% from the three-point line.Booker would greatly benefit from having Green back in the lineup. Green could serve as a secondary option as a shot creator, using his athleticism and ability to create separation off the dribble.

Projected starting lineup and rotation

Starters

• G Devin Booker
• G Jalen Green
• F Dillon Brooks
• F Miles Bridges
• C Oso Ighodaro

Rotation players

• G Luke Kennard
• G Collin Gillespie
• G Jordan Goodwin
• G Jamaree Bouyea
• F Koa Peat
• F Rasheer Fleming
• F Ryan Dunn
• C Mark Williams
• C Khaman Maluach
• C Duop Reath

What to expect in 2026-27 season

Ott helps break up a recent trend for the Suns, who had four different coaches in each of the past four seasons. The Suns still managed to reach the playoffs in five of the last six, including an appearance in the NBA Finals during the 2020-21 season.

While the Suns finished with a 1-5 record in the postseason last year, Phoenix is likely to be competing for a playoff spot again this season. Despite the offseason moves made across the league, the Western Conference remains stacked with several potential title contenders, leaving the Suns to fight for one of the final few spots.

This article originally appeared on USA TODAY: Phoenix Suns season preview: Lineup, roster and prediction

Information in this article was imported automatically into a template written and reviewed by a USA TODAY Sports editor. You can send feedback using this form.

Kon Knueppel made 273 3-pointers as a rookie in the 2025-26 season – more than anyone else in the league – and no rookie had ever led the NBA in that category before. He nearly stole Rookie of the Year honors from Cooper Flagg.

Charlotte won 44 games last season, up from 19, in its best season since 2015-2016. Then the front office blew it up.

The Hornets sent LaMelo Ball to Minnesota for Naz Reid, an unprotected 2033 first-round draft pick, three pick swaps and three second-rounders. They moved Miles Bridges to Phoenix for Grayson Allen and Royce O'Neale, flipped Tre Mann to Cleveland for Dennis Schroder and re-signed Coby White.

Ball has never competed in a playoff game in six seasons in Charlotte, though the team did beat the Miami Heat in the first round of the NBA Play-In Tournament last season. But Hornets president Jeff Peterson said the goal "isn't to get to the play-in or even the playoffs for one year."

His goal is build a team with sustained success.

Here's a breakdown of the Charlotte Hornets' offseason moves and what to expect from them heading into the 2026-27 NBA season:

CHARLOTTE HORNETS SCHEDULE: Dates, times and opponents for 2026-27 season

Charlotte Hornets offseason review

• Record last season: 44-38 (9th in Eastern Conference)
• Playoff finish: Missed playoffs (lost play-in tournament to Magic)
• Coach: Charles Lee (third season)
• 2026-27 title odds: +12500 (per BetMGM)
• Projected record : 28-54
• Offseason grade : B

Key roster additions

• F Naz Reid (trade)
• G Grayson Allen (trade)
• G Dennis Schroder (trade)
• F Royce O'Neale (trade)
• F Dorian Finney-Smith (trade)
• G Christian Anderson Jr. (draft, No.18)
• F Hannes Steinbach (draft)

Key roster losses

• G LaMelo Ball (trade)
• F Miles Bridges (trade)
• G Josh Green (trade)
• G Tre Mann (trade)

Biggest question entering training camp

Who gets a bucket when nothing works?

Ball was infuriating, and he was also the answer to that question for six years. White has led a team as a primary ball handler in stretches with Chicago but has mostly been a scorer off a second option. Brandon Miller has the frame and the shot profile of a No. 1 option but has not stayed on the floor. Knueppel scored 17 or fewer in 12 of his last 15 games as a rookie.

Head coach Charles Lee now has more shooting, more defense and more bodies than he has ever had. But, he also has less shot creation than he had in April.

Projected starting lineup and rotation

Starters

• G Coby White
• G Kon Knueppel
• F Brandon Miller
• F Naz Reid
• C Moussa Diabate

Rotation players

• G Dennis Schroder
• G Grayson Allen
• F Royce O'Neale
• F Dorian Finney-Smith
• F Grant Williams
• C Ryan Kalkbrenner

What to expect in 2026-27 season

A step back. Charlotte has said as much.

The Hornets ranked second in the league in offensive efficiency and net rating after the All-Star break, and the player who made most of that work now plays in Minnesota. What remains is a deep, connected defensive team with an enormous pile of somebody else's draft picks. Charlotte allowed 111.2 points per game last season, the stingiest mark in the division, and O'Neale and Dorian Finney-Smith should hold that line.

The play-in is reachable. Anything past it would be a shock. This roster is pointed at 2028, and the front office is not pretending otherwise.

This article originally appeared on USA TODAY: Charlotte Hornets season preview: Lineup, roster and prediction

Information in this article was imported automatically into a template written and reviewed by a USA TODAY Sports editor. You can send feedback using this form.

The New Orleans Pelicans enter the 2026-27 NBA season as perhaps the league's most confounding team. A year after trading a future first-round pick to move up and draft Derik Queen, the Pelicans largely stood pat this offseason after another disappointing record that left them outside the Western Conference postseason picture. The franchise has won just two playoff series since coming to New Orleans in 2002.

There will have to be significant internal improvements for that to change under former Orlando Magic coach Jamahl Mosley. The Pelicans were relatively healthy last season, with stars Trey Murphy III, Saddiq Bey and Zion Williamson each playing at least 62 games. New Orleans is also hoping for a more productive version of guard Dejounte Murray after he played in just 14 games following his return from a torn Achilles.

Yet Murphy, Bey and Murray have also been mentioned in trade rumors. Pelicans executive VP for basketball operations Joe Dumars has thus far resisted a full-fledged rebuild. How the first portion of this season goes should dictate what direction New Orleans takes around the trade deadline. Then again, many expected the Pelicans to recalibrate after last season went south, and they brought back their core.

Here's a breakdown of the New Orleans Pelicans' offseason moves and what to expect from them heading into the 2026-27 NBA season:

NEW ORLEANS PELICANS SCHEDULE: Dates, times and opponents for 2026-27 season

New Orleans Pelicans offseason review

• Record last season: 26-56 (11th in Western Conference)
• Playoff finish: Did not qualify
• Coach: Jamahl Mosley (1st season)
• 2026-27 title odds: +75000 (per BetMGM)
• Projected record: 34-48
• Offseason grade: D

Key roster additions

• G Benedict Mathurin (free agent signing)
• G Jason Pierre Jr. (No. 58 pick in 2026 NBA Draft)
• F Trendon Watford (free agent signing)

Key roster losses

• G Jordan Hawkins (trade)
• F Micah Peavy (trade)
• F/C Kevon Looney (free agent)

Biggest question entering training camp

Do the Pelicans' veterans fit with their youth?

• The Pelicans won more games late last season when they played veterans at the expense of first-round picks Jeremiah Fears and Derik Queen for a stretch, but it also amplified concerns about the team's roster construction. One confusing offseason later, it's still unclear how Fears fits into the front office's plans after the recent signing of Mathurin, or whether Queen and Williamson can play on the floor together.

Projected starting lineup and rotation

Starters

• G Dejounte Murray
• G Saddiq Bey
• G/F Trey Murphy III
• F Herb Jones
• F Zion Williamson

Rotation players

• G Benedict Mathurin
• G Jeremiah Fears
• G Jordan Poole
• F/C Derik Queen
• C Yves Missi

What to expect in 2026-27 season

The Pelicans have enough intriguing talent to compete for a Western Conference play-in berth if the roster is intact for the entire season. But the same was true a year ago when this odd mix of developing young players and veterans without a defined role stumbled to one of the league's worst records. If Williamson isn't capable of being the franchise centerpiece New Orleans envisioned, the Pelicans seem more likely to break this core up than contend for the postseason.

This article originally appeared on USA TODAY: New Orleans Pelicans season preview: Lineup, roster and prediction

Information in this article was imported automatically into a template written and reviewed by a USA TODAY Sports editor. You can send feedback using this form.

For the second time in the last two months, Gonzaga Bulldogs point guard Ryan Nembhard has been traded. This time, the Atlanta Hawks shipped him off, along with guard Buddy Hield and cash, to the Charlotte Hornets for forward Dorian Finney-Smith, per ESPN’s Shams Charania.

Charlotte plans to waive Nembhard, according to ESPN’s Ohm Youngmisuk, leaving the 23-year-old currently homeless. That doesn’t mean that the 5-11 primary ball handler won’t have many suitors with an open two-way spot, such as the favorite Denver Nuggets, plus the Boston Celtics, Chicago Bulls, Memphis Grizzlies, Milwaukee Bucks, New Orleans Pelicans, Philadelphia 76ers, Sacramento Kings, and Washington Wizards.

The Atlanta Hawks are trading Buddy Hield, Ryan Nembhard and cash to the Charlotte Hornets for Dorian Finney-Smith, sources tell ESPN. pic.twitter.com/bf3zzlZgVK

— Shams Charania (@ShamsCharania) September 22, 2026

In his rookie season, Nembhard averaged 6.6 points on a shooting split of 41.5 field goal percentage/35.6 three-point percentage/80.6 free throw percentage, 5.3 assists, and 2.2 rebounds in 19.5 minutes across 60 appearances. He set an NBA rookie record with 23 assists in the Dallas Mavericks 2025-26 season finale against Chicago.

The undrafted lead guard, who has a way of controlling the floor and flow of any offense, averaged 8.0 points, 8.8 assists, 4.8 rebounds, 1.0 steals, and 1.0 blocks over two games with Dallas in the NBA Summer League, before dealing with an unknown illness that kept him out for the final three games.

Nembhard also competed with his home country of Canada during the third window of the 2026 FIBA World Cup Qualifiers over the summer.

Arden Cravalho is a Gonzaga University graduate from the Bay Area… Follow him on X @a_cravalho

Right now, things are looking pretty good for Kawhi Leonard. 

He agreed to a two-year, $115 million contract extension with the Raptors on Tuesday, including a player option for the 2028-29 season. The 35-year-old, who’s now under contract for three years, is expected to finish his career with the Raptors, according to ESPN. 

Meanwhile, the Clippers — and their fans — have pretty much had a limb amputated. 

Following the NBA’s investigation into the Clippers and Leonard for violating salary cap circumvention rules when the team signed him to an extension in 2021, Clippers owner Steve Ballmer was suspended for one year, the Clippers were ordered to forfeit five first-round draft picks and they were fined $30 million, among other penalties. 

As for Leonard? 

He got a $700,000 fine, which is pretty much a slap on the wrist, as well as having his uncle and former agent, Dennis Robertson, banned from all business dealings and league activities for five years. 

Leonard wasn’t suspended. HIs trade to the Raptors went through. So, now he gets a fresh start alongside a team that he carried to a championship in 2019. 

Not too bad. 

This isn’t entirely over, though. The Justice Department has opened a criminal inquiry into the Clippers’ dealings with Leonard, according to The New York Times. 

But as of now, Leonard gets to move forward while his former franchise will trudge through mud for the foreseeable future, an unfortunate situation for a team that has never won a championship while sharing a city with the 17-time champion Lakers. 

As for Leonard. there are complaints that he’s getting off relatively scot-free. It’s unclear how much Leonard knew when he profited from no-show sponsorship deals involving Ballmer and the Clippers. 

What we do know is Leonard signed a four-year, $28 million sponsorship deal with Aspiration and was given $20 million of equity in the company that went bankrupt. He also signed a deal with Boingo, Daktronics and Lockton, per the NBA’s findings. 

At the least, this raises a lot of questions. 

Should Leonard have received a harsher punishment? How much was his uncle to blame? How blameless was he? Does this set a bad precedent for players in the future? Were the penalties leveraged against Ballmer and the Clippers enough to prevent this kind of thing from happening again?

Without being privy to every interview in the NBA’s lengthy investigation of the matter, it’s impossible to know the answer to these questions. 

But all of it raises eyebrows. 

In the meantime, one of the best two-way players of the last decade will be able to finish his career with dignity. 

Instead of being mired in scandal, he’s going to be focused on carrying a franchise that hasn’t made it past the first round of the playoffs in the last six years back to relevance. 

The same can’t be said about the Clippers, whose fans are the biggest losers in all of this. 

They lost Leonard. Their future was dealt a debilitating blow. Their owner has been temporarily banished. 

The Clippers’ curse continues. 

And Leonard escaped its throes in the nick of time. 

Chris Spatola, a former Duke staffer from 2007 to 2012 and the son-in-law of legendary coach Mike Krzyzewski, died suddenly at age 47 on Monday, Sept. 21, Duke and ESPN confirmed in separate statements.

Spatola, who was also a college basketball analyst for ESPN and SiriusXM for more than a decade, played college basketball at Army, where his father-in-law got his coaching start. Spatola was a four-year starter who served in the Army upon his graduation before joining Coach K's staff. The Blue Devils won a championship in that span, in 2010, with now-Duke head coach Jon Scheyer as part of that team.

Jason Evans of "The Duke Basketball Roundup" published a statement from the school on Spatola's death.

We write to you to share the incredibly difficult news that Chris Spatola passed away unexpectedly yesterday. Many of you have gotten to know Chris over the years as our funny and sharp witted K Academy emcee and hugely passionate and dedicated coach.

Chris was married to Coach K and Mickie's daughter, Jamie, and they shared 3 bright and delightful children. Chris served for the US Army, was a former member of our coaching staff, and a truly gifted basketball commentator. Chris was a huge part of our Duke Basketball and K Academy family.

Please see below for a statement from the Krzyzewski Family:

“There are no words to adequately express our heartbreak over the loss of our beloved Chris Spatola. Chris served our country, was a devoted husband and father, and was such an important part of our family. We are deeply grateful for the outpouring of love, thoughts, and prayers we have received during this incredibly difficult time. We respectfully ask for privacy as our entire family, particularly Jamie and her three beautiful children, grieve and process this unimaginable loss.”

ESPN also published a statement on Spatola's passing.

“Chris Spatola brought a unique perspective to ESPN’s college basketball coverage, shaped by his experiences as a student-athlete, Army veteran, coach and broadcaster," the network wrote. "He was thoughtful, prepared and passionate about the sport, earning the respect of colleagues, coaches, players and fans alike. We extend our heartfelt condolences to his loved ones during this difficult time.”

This article originally appeared on USA TODAY: Chris Spatola, ESPN personality and son-in-law of Mike Krzyzewski, suddenly dies at 47

This trade has been rumored about extensively, as I detailed earlier this week.

Now, the final details have come in with the Hawks adding in a player they acquired earlier this offseason for money purposes:

Welcome to the A, Dorian Finney-Smith! pic.twitter.com/1x8w5TTOW5

— Atlanta Hawks (@ATLHawks) September 23, 2026

From the Atlanta Hawks:

The Atlanta Hawks have acquired forward Dorian Finney-Smith from the Charlotte Hornets, in exchange for guards Buddy Hield, Ryan Nembhard and cash considerations, the team announced today.

[…]

Hield was acquired by the Hawks on Feb. 5, 2026, from the Golden State Warriors, along with Jonathan Kuminga, in exchange for Kristaps Porzingis.

Nembhard was acquired by the Hawks on July 19, 2026, from the Dallas Mavericks, as part of a three-team transaction.

Finney-Smith is a veteran 3-and-D forward who can play multiple positions and provide defensive versatility. He’s coming off a season with the Rockets where he only managed 37 appearances due to a left ankle surgery last offseason.

He is owed around $14.2 million for this season with his next season’s $13.3 million figure completely unguaranteed. Hield and Nembhard make a combined total of around $11.8 million meaning the Hawks pushed themselves up towards the luxury tax line — but in the process they did shed $3 million in future money.

If Finney-Smith can rediscover his form he showed in previous stops in Dallas and Brooklyn, he could be a very valuable bench contributor.

What marks the first day of autumn on most people’s calendars is just another checkpoint for the Brooklyn Nets, but it’s a key one at that.

As of today, September 22, the Nets are one month removed from the start of their 2026-27 season, which will tip off in the Barclays Center against the Charlotte Hornets on October 21. It’ll mark the team’s 60th season as a franchise, which will also be celebrated all year long.

But while the one month break is significant point to surpass, and we’ll be crossing days off with little-to-no reserve from now until October 21st, several other big days are on deck first. Here’s everything you need to keep an eye out for as we come down this home stretch:

Media Day & Fan Fest

This coming Monday, on September 28th, the media will meet with Sean Marks, Jordi Fernández, and Nets players for their annual media day at HSS Training Center in Brooklyn. It’ll be the first time Marks and Fernández will be made available since the days following the NBA draft. In years past, Media Day has been nothing short of eventful…

Kevin Durant is asked why people call him KD:

"My first name is Kevin with a K, and my last name is Durant with a D" pic.twitter.com/fnwIPhIFtM

— SNY Nets (@SNYNets) September 27, 2021

Soon after, on October 4th, the Nets will host Fan Fest in Crown Heights. The event looks like an upgraded version of Practice in the Park, though more concentrated on the team’s 60th anniversary rather than the upcoming season alone. There will be panels, interviews, fan Q&As, skills clinics, 3-point contests.

The Preseason

Two days after that, on October 6th, the Nets will play their preseason opener, also against the Hornets but on the road. There, Brooklyn has a shot to get the first look at Naz Reid and former Net Dennis Schröder on their new teams.

Dennis Schröder Nets highlights so good, you’d think it’s a 10-minute feature film 🎬 pic.twitter.com/hp0wnFqqff

— 𝐙𝐨 🌶️ (@ZoSpicyDubs) December 17, 2024

Then, on October 8th, the Nets will have their only preseason game at home, hosting the Philadelphia 76ers at the Barclays Center. It’s unlikely the 41-year-old LeBron James plays in that one, but you never know.

On October 12th, they’ll hit the road again to get their first look at AJ Dybantsa and the Washington Wizards. Brooklyn will then wrap things up two days later in Miami on October 14th against the new look Heat, possibly facing old rival Giannis Antetokounmpo in his new threads.

The Charlotte and Washington games will be broadcasted exclusively on DAZN. The Miami and Philadelphia games will be on both DAZN and the YES Network, the two networks announced Tuesday.

Final Steps

After the preseason, Brooklyn will need to make any final roster cut down decisions by October 19th. However, the team already appears set with 15 players on standard contracts and their three two-way slots filled. There will be announceement

Then, on October 21st, it’s game time. As mentioned, the Nets will host the Hornets at the Barclays Center, with the opener scheduled to tip off at 7:30 p.m. EST. The starting line-up? Don’t expect much until Jordi Fernandez meets the media just before tipoff. With that, the wait will be over.

Many NBA teams can look you in the eye and say they have talented bench units, and they’d be right. The Oklahoma City Thunder, with Ajay Mitchell, Jared McCain, and Jaylin Williams; the New York Knicks, with Deuce McBride, Landry Shamet, and Jose Alvarado; and the San Antonio Spurs, with Keldon Johnson and Dylan Harper, all have cases for boasting some of the deepest rosters in the league. But how many of them think they have six starters?

Steve Kerr used that term to describe the 2023-24 Golden State Warriors heading into the season after the team traded for Chris Paul. Paul was coming off a season in which he helped the Suns finish fourth in the West and ranked fifth in the NBA in assists per game. Despite their struggles on the road the season before, the Warriors had one of the best starting lineups in the league and were adding a player who had made his third straight All-Star appearance in 2021-22. While the Suns’ starting lineup during the 2025-26 campaign wasn’t as strong as the Warriors’ was before they added Paul, one major contributor to Phoenix’s surprising success last year is slated to start this season on the bench.

Collin Gillespie.

Gillespie started 70% of the team’s games last season and averaged career highs in nearly every statistical category. He’s now slated to be the Suns’ first man off the bench, with Jalen Green taking his place in the starting backcourt alongside Devin Booker. While the team had a better record when Gillespie didn’t start (Phoenix was 30-28 in his starts and 15-9 when he didn’t), he played an integral part in the team’s rotations and helped Phoenix reach the playoffs in a season expected to be marked by regression. The Suns also had a higher winning percentage when Gillespie started than when Green did, and their worst stretch of the season came while Green was starting.

Some of Gillespie’s best games of the 2025-26 season came in starts: his 28-point, eight-three-pointer game against the Lakers, his 30-point double-double against the Trail Blazers, and his 25-point outing against the Wizards. With Green out for most of the season, Gillespie took on many of his starting guard responsibilities and provided floor spacing and another ballhandler alongside Booker.

With Green playing a major role for the 2024-25 Houston Rockets, who finished second in the Western Conference with 52 wins, and averaging at least 17 points in four straight seasons, he has proven himself as a consistent scorer. While his efficiency remains a concern, his upside and experience as a starter helping teams develop put him firmly in the starting guard spot next to Booker. But this isn’t about comparing Green to Gillespie; it’s about whether Gillespie is a starting-level guard.

At the end of last season, Gillespie struggled mightily, averaging 7.7 points, 3.9 rebounds, and 3.3 assists on 34.1/28.1/85.7 shooting splits in his final 15 games of the regular season. But his body of work for the season is more important than how he ended it, considering the injuries Phoenix dealt with late in the season and the adjustment of reinserting Dillon Brooks and Booker into the starting lineup after their injuries.

The biggest difference for Collin Gillespie from last year to this year (outside of his paycheck) is that the team knows he’s capable of playing heavy minutes and contributing to winning. The question, however, is whether his performance a season ago showed he’s ready for a larger role and capable of consistently starting, rather than doing so out of necessity.

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When it comes to the Lakers’ lineup rotation for 2026-27, it’ll look a lot different for the team and coach JJ Redick compared to when the 2025-26 season ended just a few months ago. 

After an offseason roster reconstruction, over half of the players on the Lakers’ roster (nine players) will be new faces.

And that doesn’t include younger players looking to fight for more playing time, such as second-year forward Adou Thiero and third-year guard Bronny James. 

While there are multiple players guaranteed to be featured in the Lakers’ rotation as long as they’re healthy and available, there are still several spots to fill.

In light of training camp starting next week, and preseason games kicking off in 1 ½ weeks, here is the California Post’s best projection for what the Lakers’ rotation will look like once the regular season tips off in a month:

Starting lineup locks

Luka Doncic, Austin Reaves, Walker Kessler

Let’s get the easy decisions out of the way. 

Doncic and Reaves are the Lakers’ star players, and were the league’s highest-scoring duo during the 2025-26 regular season.  

In addition to sending the Jazz two unprotected first-round draft picks and two protected first–round picks, the Lakers are paying Kessler at least $30 million in each of the next few seasons after having interest in him the last few years. 

They didn’t make that investment to bring him off of the bench. 

Doncic, Reaves and Kessler are sharpied as starters. 

Fourth, fifth starters for Lakers

Quentin Grimes, Jake LaRavia

From investment and skillset standpoints, the expectation is Grimes will be a Day 1 starter.

Grimes will be the Lakers’ fourth-highest paid player this season ($13.9 million salary) after signing a four-year, $60 million contract in July. 

And his complementary skills as a shooter and point-of-attack defender fill the needs the team has around their three marquee players. 

Not only is Grimes a lock for the rotation, but it’s a safe bet he’ll be a starter, too. 

The choices for the Lakers’ fifth starting spot has been covered extensively, and LaRavia should be the player who slides that into slot. 

He played in all 82 regular season games for the Lakers in 2025-26, but started nearly half of the season when one (or multiple) of the regular starters were sidelined. It’s clear he won the trust of the Lakers’ coaching staff. And at 25 years old, he has room to grow as a player. His familiarity with Doncic and Reaves helps, too.

Rotation locks 

Collin Sexton, Sandro Mamukelashvili, Ziaire Williams, Matisse Thybulle

The Lakers made a significant investment in Mamukelashvili, signing the 6-foot-9 big man to a four-year, $52 million contract. He’ll be the first or second option off of the bench for the power forward or small-ball center looks. 

Sexton will be the Lakers’ top guard off of the bench.

Redick mentioned in May that the team needed to improve with dribbling, passing and shooting. 

Outside of Doncic and Reaves, Sexton and Mamukelashvili provide the best combination of all three skills. 

Williams, a lottery pick in 2021, has untapped potential entering his sixth season in the NBA. 

Thybulle is the Lakers’ best perimeter defender, even if there are questions about his durability after playing a combined 45 regular season games the last two seasons.

The Lakers have used nine- and 10-men rotations under Redick. 

If the plan is to have a 10-man rotation, there will be a fierce competition for the final spot. 

10th man contenders

Cameron Carr, Adou Thiero, Kevon Looney, Jarred Vanderbilt

Each player brings distinct strengths and weaknesses.

Vanderbilt is the best defender, but his lack of shooting can cramp the offensive spacing alongside a traditional big man. 

Looney remains a high-level screener and rebounder, but he’s coming off of playing 21 regular season games for a Pelicans team that chose to have multiple big men ahead of him in the depth chart. 

Carr is the best shooter of the group and provides vertical athleticism, but needs to get stronger to be a reliable defender on the wings. 

Thiero is the best athlete but needs to refine his skills. 

Mamukelashvili’s ability to be a floor-spacing center opens up an opportunity for Vanderbilt to be the swiss-army knife defender the Lakers would benefit from in the frontcourt next to Mamukelashvili.

Thiero may be the Lakers’ long-term focus, but Vanderbilt should be ready to contribute more to winning from Day 1 and be in the rotation to start the season.

There should be opportunities for Thiero and Carr to get minutes, but they’ll have to earn that playing time, starting with next week’s camp.

NBA training camps are just days from opening up, but that didn’t stop a minor deal from being completed — and one between division rivals.

The Charlotte Hornets are shipping forward Dorian Finney-Smith to the Atlanta Hawks in exchange for guards Buddy Hield and Ryan Nembhard, a person with direct knowledge of the matter confirmed Tuesday, Sept. 22 to USA TODAY Sports.

The person spoke under the condition of anonymity because the trade had not been publicly announced.

Finney-Smith, 33, had been known as a 3-and-D perimeter option, but he posted career lows in points (3.3 per game), rebounds (2.5), field goal percentage (33.3%) and 3-point percentage (27%) across 37 games last season for the Houston Rockets.

The Hornets had only acquired Finney-Smith in July, in a trade for cash considerations.

In exchange, Charlotte, which also plays in the Southeast Division, is getting another two players to boost its recent emphasis on shooting.

Hield, 33, is a career 39.5% 3-point shooter, but could not crack the rotation in Atlanta after the Hawks acquired him in the February deal that also brought Jonathan Kuminga to Atlanta and sent center Kristaps Porziņģis to the Golden State Warriors.

Nembhard, the younger brother of Indiana Pacers guard Andrew Nembhard, was forced into a starting job at point guard for the Dallas Mavericks while star Kyrie Irving was recovering from his torn anterior cruciate ligament.

Nembhard was an undrafted rookie last season but shot 35.6% from beyond the arc. He averaged 6.6 points per game. He had similarly just been acquired in a July trade that sent 2024 No. 1 overall selection Zaccharie Risacher to the Mavericks.

This article originally appeared on USA TODAY: NBA division rivals make a deal. Who the Hawks, Hornets traded

I know we are all rejoicing that we never have to listen to the awful ambient crowd noise interstitial during commercial breaks that was a key, heinous feature of the FanDuel Sports Network app. That is dead in a ditch. But what is taking its place? For those with access to free over-the-air TV, the Pistons previously announced a partnership with Detroit TV 20 and other regional affiliates throughout Michigan. Today, they announced their new streaming platform provider — DAZN.

If you’re a fan of boxing, you might already be familiar with DAZN, but the upstart sports provider has been slowly building out its portfolio for the past few years. The Pistons join other NBA teams, including the Timberwolves, Pacers, Cavaliers, Spurs, and Hornets, who have teamed with DAZN to provide a streaming platform alternative for the true cord-cutters among us.

DAZN will provide monthly an annual streaming options to watch the Pistons during the 2026-27 NBA season. Subscribers will be able to watch live and on-demand, and have access to additional pre- and post-game content.

There are monthly and annual plans. The cheapest monthly plan is $19.99 per month, while the cheapest annual plan is $119.99. Subscribers could upgrade to expanded plans of $24.99 per month and $139.99 per year, respectively, and enjoy a one-time discount at the Pistons team store, have access to alternative streams, and stream the game on more devices at once.