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

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Domantas Sabonis to miss Kings' season opener with Grade 1 hamstring injury

Domantas Sabonis to miss Kings' season opener with Grade 1 hamstring injury originally appeared on NBC Sports Bay Area

The Kings will begin the 2025-26 NBA season without their star center.

Domantas Sabonis suffered a Grade 1 hamstring strain and will miss at least the first two games of the season. The Kings say he will be re-evaluated in one week.

Sabonis exited Wednesday’s preseason game against the Los Angeles Clippers and later was ruled out with the hamstring issue. An MRI confirmed a Grade 1 strain.

Sacramento now will be without two starters to begin the new season, as forward Keegan Murray had surgery to repair a UCL tear in his left thumb and will be out for at least three to six weeks.

Sabonis has been instrumental to the Kings over the past couple of seasons, with their offense running through the 6-foot-10 big man.

In Friday’s preseason finale against the Los Angeles Lakers, the Kings started newly acquired Drew Eubanks with Sabonis out. Isaac Jones, Dario Saric, Dylan Cardwell and Maxime Raynaud are options, too.

Through 246 games in just over three seasons with Sacramento, Sabonis has averaged 19.2 points, 13.2 rebounds and 7.1 assists in 34.9 minutes.

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Warriors waive Seth Curry, expected to re-sign him later in 2025-26 season

Warriors waive Seth Curry, expected to re-sign him later in 2025-26 season originally appeared on NBC Sports Bay Area

The Warriors, as expected, waived guard Seth Curry on Saturday.

Seth Curry, the younger brother of franchise superstar Steph Curry, was in Warriors camp on a non-guaranteed Exhibit 9 contract.

Golden State intends to bring him back around mid-November, as the team is hard-capped at the second tax apron and currently not in a position to carry a 15th player.

ESPN’s Anthony Slater reported the Warriors could opt to wait longer than mid-November to give themselves more flexibility for the rest of the season.

Warriors general manager Mike Dunleavy addressed Seth’s complex contract situation speaking to the media on Oct. 1.

“As far as the season goes, yeah, he’s on a one-year deal, and we’ll figure it out as we go,” Dunleavy said. “There’s some cap and apron stuff that we’ve got to deal with, but that’s something for our strategy team to figure out.”

Golden State also waived guard LJ Cryer.

The Warriors now have 14 players on standard contracts and three on two-way deals.

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Sloppy Warriors vow to make fixes before 2025-26 NBA season opener vs. Lakers

Sloppy Warriors vow to make fixes before 2025-26 NBA season opener vs. Lakers originally appeared on NBC Sports Bay Area

SAN FRANCISCO – Stephen Curry concluded his 2025 NBA preseason Friday night as the best player on the floor, while the rest of the Warriors too often looked like the squad that fumbled and bumbled its way through the heart of last season.

You may recall the days and nights of “mid,” before Jimmy Butler III arrived to fill the role of stabilizing sidekick, helping Curry lift the team to heights it never would have achieved.

After the Warriors’ performance in the preseason, they might welcome back Butler with a kiss.

Their most significant minutes in a 106-103 loss to the diminished Los Angeles Clippers were a festival of turnovers and errant shooting. In what often is considered a dress rehearsal for the regular season, there was more disorder than order.

The first quarter was an utter disaster for the Warriors, with 11 turnovers turning into 16 of LA’s 31 points. Golden State committed 23 turnovers in all, gifting the Clippers 29 points.

“Nine [turnovers] in the first six minutes,” coach Steve Kerr said. “That bothers me.”

Brandin Podziemski committed three giveaways in the first quarter and finished with six. Draymond Green committed two in his first seven minutes and finished with five.

“A lot of turnovers, a lot of careless turnovers,” said Al Horford, who committed one turnover in 20 minutes. “I started with one, I’m going to the post and threw it out of bounds. And I feel like after that, we just kind of snowballed.”

Some chaos is natural, as injuries to Moses Moody and Butler – starters late last season – have Kerr shuffling through a variety of lineups, some of which might never again be seen.

Curry, who committed one turnover in 30 minutes, made no excuses for those who were on the court, no matter the lineups.

“I would say it was more sloppy play in general,” Curry said.

“But preseason is interesting because you’re trying stuff out, but there’s not as much game-plan preparation in the sense of, ‘What do the Clippers do?’ We have a mentality to that kind of approach, and you save a lot of that for the regular season.”

In short, the Warriors were keeping their regular-season plans under wraps. Didn’t matter that the Clippers were without Kawhi Leonard, James Harden, Brook Lopez and Chris Paul.

Golden State’s biggest concealment, though, was the absence of Butler. He is among the best in the game at assessing disarray and restoring order. On a night when the Warriors sorely needed that skill, he was missing his third consecutive game after tweaking his left ankle last weekend. He appeared in only two of the five preseason games.

He is, for this roster, a key ballhandler and, also, the cleanup man.

“Some of it [was odd rotations], but some of it is just careless play and lack of fundamentals,” Kerr said. “One-hand passes off the dribble when two hands are available. And if you have two hands on the ball, and the guy cuts as you’re passing, you can pull it back. But one hand, you throw it out of balance. And we had several of those. So, the fundamental stuff has to improve.

“But, you know, I think Jimmy solves a lot of that.”

Said Horford: “I do think that once Jimmy gets back out there and all our guys, I feel like there will be more of an awareness, an urgency and understanding that we have to take care of the ball.”

The Warriors committed 110 turnovers in their five preseason games, averaging 22 per game. That’s about six or seven more than Kerr’s comfort zone.

“We definitely had a turnover problem throughout the preseason,” Kerr said. “But I’m confident that when the lights go on Tuesday, our guys will be locked in.

“We had a lot of mix-and-match lineups, but that’s not an excuse for the careless ones. So, we’ve got to improve. We need a couple of good days of practice before we head out to LA but I’m confident we can. We should be fine.”

Taking care of the ball has been an issue with the Warriors for 11 seasons. It remains one of the points of emphasis for every game. Butler is the antidote. At least they hope he is.

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Luka Doncic sharp again, but Kings rally to beat Lakers

Los Angeles Lakers' Luka Doncic, right, is greeted by Lebron James during the second half of a preseason NBA basketball game against the Sacramento Kings Friday, Oct. 17, 2025, in Los Angeles. (AP Photo/Jae C. Hong)
Lakers guard Luka Doncic, right, is greeted by LeBron James during a timeout in the second half of the game against the Kings. (Jae C. Hong / Associated Press)

After slow-playing stars Luka Doncic and Austin Reaves, rotating different lineups to accommodate an unreasonably busy six-game preseason schedule and giving their two-way players extended run, the Lakers buttoned up the rotation for a final preseason game Friday that coach JJ Redick called a “dress rehearsal.”

With the curtain finally lifting on Tuesday, the Lakers are not quite ready for showtime.

Doncic dazzled with 31 points, nine assists and five rebounds to lead five double-digit Lakers scorers, but the Kings came back for a 117-116 win at Crypto.com Arena. Despite playing without Keegan Murray, Domantas Sabonis, DeMar DeRozan or Malik Monk, the Kings still shot 54.7% from the field, led by 25 points on 10-of-17 shooting from former Laker Dennis Schroder. Redick lauded the Lakers' 28 assists to 10 turnovers, but lamented that they should have had 35 assists had some lob plays not gone awry. 

The result won’t count, but the energy from the sideline in the final seconds still indicated the tight game mattered to those on the court. When Lakers guard Dalton Knecht hit a game-tying three-pointer with 9.4 seconds remaining, the entire Lakers bench, full of the starters and rotation players who had earned a rest to finish the preseason, jumped in the air to celebrate. 

But Kings forward Isaac Jones made a winning free throw with 0.8 seconds left after he was fouled by Nick Smith Jr. Doncic’s initial thought when asked what the team could take from its final preseason game was that it didn’t win. 

“We have two more practices,” Doncic said, “so we need to clean up some things.”

Lakers guard Luka Doncic, right, drives against Kings guard Devin Carter during the first half.
Lakers guard Luka Doncic, driving against Kings guard Devin Carter, finished with 31 points, nine assists and five rebounds on Friday night. (Jae C. Hong / Associated Press)

While Doncic and Austin Reaves (eight points, four rebounds and eight assists) played together in a preseason game for the first time, the Lakers were still without superstar LeBron James, who remains sidelined because of a sciatica issue in his right side. His absence, which is expected to last at least until November, forced the Lakes to re-evaluate their starting lineup.

Redick unveiled his first choice to fill the role, adding guard Gabe Vincent into the starting lineup along with Reaves, Doncic, forward Rui Hachimura and center Deandre Ayton. Vincent, who averaged 17 points in his first three preseason games while shooting 50% from three-point range, continued his incredible preseason with 14 points on five-of-six shooting with four made threes.

The 29-year-old who has struggled with injuries the last two seasons played the majority of the preseason without Doncic or Reaves, but fit into the starting lineup seamlessly Friday as a potential solution to James’ absence.

“His ability to shoot the ball in such tight windows; he takes shots that I would never even think about taking in situations,” Reaves said before the game Friday. “... And it can't happen to a better guy. He's one of our leaders of this team. Lead-by-example kind of guy. Shows up at work every single day, smile on his face.”

Marcus Smart, whose preseason got off to a slow start because of Achilles tendinopathy, came off the bench for 14 points with three rebounds.

It was a classic “Marcus Smart game,” Redick said proudly. The former NBA defensive player of the year dove on the floor for balls. He knocked down shots after a slow first half to score 11 points in the second half and attacked aggressively off the dribble.   

“This is probably the best I felt tonight since I got here,” said Smart, who has played in just 54 regular-season games over the last two seasons because of injuries. “As I continue to get better and get to 100%, you’ll see more nights like tonight where I’m more aggressive and I’m moving really well and just energy on both ends of the floor.” 

Smart was seen as a potential starting option after he signed with the Lakers. The team was desperate for his defense, leadership and toughness, and needs it even more with James sidelined. The team’s initial timeline that he would be re-evaluated in three to four weeks covers the first nine regular-season games. It will be the first time in James’ 23-season NBA career that he misses the season opener.

The 40-year-old superstar sat at the end of the bench Friday on an elevated seat cushion.

The Lakers were also without Bronny James (ankle) and rookie Adou Thiero (knee). Center Jaxson Hayes, who slammed three monstrous dunks in the first half, didn’t play the second half because of a right wrist contusion sustained on a lob dunk. Redick said X-rays were negative. 

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This story originally appeared in Los Angeles Times.

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Knicks to waive guard Garrison Mathews

The Knicks will waive guard Garrison Mathews ahead of Saturday’s 5 p.m. deadline, league sources told SNY’s NBA Insider Ian Begley.

New York has been impressed by Mathews’ play during the preseason and training camp, but with the club financially restricted by the second apron, there was no space for the 29-year-old veteran.

Mathews, off that strong preseason, is expected to draw interest from teams around the league looking to add shooting ahead of the regular season.

Entering the preseason, the Knicks had veterans Landry Shamet and Malcolm Brogdon battling with Matthews for the final available roster spot. With Brogdon announcing his retirement earlier this week and Matthews' release, the final spot will go to Shamet.

Shamet joined the Knicks last year, appearing in 50 games off the bench, averaging 5.7 points on 46.1 percent shooting (39.7 percent from three) in 15.2 minutes.

Mathews did not play in New York's preseason finale on Friday. Shamet logged 20 minutes off the bench, scoring 11 points on 3-for-5 shooting (all from three) and was a plus-3 in the 113-108 win over Charlotte.

Mathews, undrafted out of Lipscomb in 2019, broke into the league with Washington, where he spent two years before bouncing to Houston for parts of two seasons and spending the last two years in Atlanta. In 314 career games (64 starts), the six-foot-six guard has averaged 6.5 points on 40 percent shooting (38.2 percent from three) in 17.5 minutes.

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Shorthanded Knicks overcome Hornets for 113-108 win in preseason finale

The deliberately short-handed Knicks wrapped up their preseason slate on a high note, outlasting the Hornets, 113-108, on Friday night at Madison Square Garden.

Here are the takeaways...

-- As much as the Knicks wanted their final exhibition game to serve as a proper dress rehearsal with the regular season opener less than a week away, head coach Mike Brown ultimately erred on the side of caution with a few banged-up starters. Before the game, he ruled out Josh Hart (back), Karl-Anthony Towns (quad), and OG Anunoby (ankle) as preventative measures. Mitchell Robinson (load management) was also given the night off.

-- The emphasis on quicker ball movement and frequent three-point shooting was apparent from the jump. As the Knicks' only lineup regulars, Jalen Brunson tallied 15 first-quarter points (12 shots) with two assists and two rebounds across 11 minutes, while Mikal Bridges added five points with four boards in seven minutes. The planned rest for key players pushed Jordan Clarkson into the starting five, and he demonstrated his value as an impact bench scorer by posting eight points with a pair of made threes. Overall, the Knicks shot 39 percent (7 of 18) from beyond the arc in the period.

-- Among the bench players competing for a roster spot is Landry Shamet, and the veteran guard showed some shrewd physicality in the second quarter by forcing a couple of Hornets turnovers. He also scored five points in 11 minutes. Tyler Kolek logged the fewest first-half minutes (6) in the 10-man rotation, and before halftime, Brunson produced 20 points (7 of 15 shooting) and appeared to debut a new archery-style hand celebration. Circling back to that stress on three-point shots -- the Knicks took 30 through 24 minutes. At the break, they held a 64-54 lead on 47-percent shooting.

-- Brunson and Bridges didn't treat the preseason finale like a practice session. They maintained regular-season rhythms in the third quarter, combining for 12 points to push their game totals to 27 and 14, respectively. There was a brief injury scare for Miles McBride midway through the period, when he landed awkwardly on the baseline after having a runner emphatically rejected. While he got up gingerly with a limp, he stayed in the game and appeared to jog off the discomfort. The Knicks were outscored by seven points in the third, but still held a 90-87 advantage.

-- The start of the fourth quarter didn't mark the end for the Knicks' pair of stars. Bridges continued to hustle in transition, pulling off a highlight-reel swat that preceded a one-handed slam midway through the period. Brunson, who was subbed out with 3:33 left in the third, checked back in with 7:41 remaining in regulation. Of course, it wasn't a dress rehearsal for three Knicks starters, but their captain lived up to midseason form with a laudable 31 points in 34 minutes. Bridges also performed at a high level, racking up 16 points with seven rebounds, four assists, two steals, and two blocks across 33 minutes.

-- “I thought we did some pretty good things tonight, especially starting two young guys in [Mohamed Diawara] and [Trey Jemison], but we played in spurts too many times,” Brown said. “We just gotta be a little more consistent with what we’re doing. And if we do, we’re gonna have a chance to be pretty good.”

-- Brown has set a goal for the Knicks to average 40 threes per game this season, and they met the mark by posting 48 with a success rate of 38 percent. While the team struggled to contain Hornets starters Miles Bridges and Collin Sexton -- they combined for 41 points -- they still forced 21 turnovers and won the rebounds (44-41), steals (11-9), and paint points (40-34) battles. McBride found a groove off the bench, scoring 15 points with four assists in 24 minutes, while Shamet added six second-half points to finish with 11 over 20 minutes. Clarkson reached 13 points over 23 minutes.

Highlights

What's next

The Knicks will begin regular-season play at home on Wednesday night, in a highly anticipated matchup with the Cavaliers (7 p.m. tip-off).

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Heat, Tyler Herro 'doubtful' to reach terms on contract extension as team keeps options open for 2027

Miami has talent on its roster — Bam Adebayo is widely respected as one of the better two-way centers in the league, Tyler Herro was an All-Star last season, and the addition of Norman Powell brings more scoring — but it doesn't have a top-10 player, a championship cornerstone kind of player on the roster.

That appears to have impacted contract extension talks with Herro, as discussed by Tim Bontemps and Brian Windhorst at ESPN. Herro has two seasons and $64 million still on his contract and would like to discuss an extension, but that went nowhere, Windhorst reported.

"Tyler Herro is coming off an All-Star season and is definitely interested in extending with the Heat, but there haven't been substantive talks to his point and a deal is doubtful, sources say."

Miami wants to keep max cap space heading into the summer of 2027 — when the class could theoretically include Giannis Antetokounmpo, Nikola Jokic, Karl-Anthony Towns, Donovan Mitchell, James Harden, Trae Young, Kyrie Irving and others — Bontemps reports. Not having an extension with Herro adds flexibility (the only locked-in salaries on the Heat books in the summer of 2027 are Bam Adebayo at $53.8 million and Nikola Jovic at $14.9 million).

That cap space is more about flexibility, max players are not jumping teams via free agency very often under the current CBA. Plus, look at the names on that list. Jokic has said he wants to be a Nugget forever, and they just retooled the roster to better fit around him. Whatever happens with Antetokounmpo will be decided next summer when the Bucks offer him a max contract extension and he either signs it or Milwaukee entertains trade offers. New York is likely to extend Towns next summer. The rest of that list likely doesn't get to true free agency, either.

What is clear is that when a big name becomes available via trade, the Heat will be one of the teams in the mix. A lot of those elite players would fit nicely next to Herro, but it looks like Miami wants to keep its options open.

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What we learned as Warriors conclude 2025 NBA preseason with loss to Clippers

What we learned as Warriors conclude 2025 NBA preseason with loss to Clippers originally appeared on NBC Sports Bay Area

SAN FRANCISCO – The 2025 NBA preseason is over, and everybody can sense a sigh of relief — including the Warriors, too. 

To put a final stamp on the preseason, the Warriors battled all four quarters, but too many mistakes cost them in a 106-103 loss against the Los Angeles Clippers on Friday night at Chase Center.

Steph Curry’s 20 points led the Warriors, and his rookie teammate continued to make a strong impression. Will Richard started his second consecutive game and made an impact on both sides of the ball. The second-round 2025 NBA Draft pick out of Florida scored 13 points, but on 5-of-14 shooting and 3 of 10 on threes, adding four rebounds and three steals.

Neither team could consistently buy a bucket from beyond the arc. The Warriors (8 of 34) made 23.5 percent of their 3-point attempts, and while the Clippers made 15 triples, they converted on a lowly 32.6 percent clip.

The Warriors were without several key players, including Jimmy Butler, Jonathan Kuminga, Moses Moody, Seth Curry and De’Anthony Melton.

Here are three takeaways from the Warriors’ preseason finale. 

Injury Scare

Health will be top of mind for the Warriors all season. The very last thing they, or any team, wants to see is a player go down in the final preseason tune-up. But just two and a half minutes into Friday night’s game, Brandin Podziemski took a hard fall and only added more worries once he was up. 

Podziemski collided with Kobe Brown while dribbling at halfcourt. He stayed on the floor for an extended period and then hobbled very gingerly off the court and into the Warriors’ locker room. Podziemski tried twice to walk but had to stop right away before he finally was able to make his way down the tunnel with director of sports medicine and performance Rick Celebrini. 

While the Warriors ruled Podziemski’s return as questionable with a left hip contusion, he was back in at the 3:50 mark of the first quarter. Podziemski drained his first shot attempt, a three from the left wing, with just 25 seconds remaining in the first quarter, but he also had three turnovers in only six minutes.

Podziemski played 20 minutes and scored five points on 2-of-4 shooting. He didn’t rack up his usual rebounds or assists. His six turnovers were a team high, one more than Draymond Green’s five, and Podziemski’s minus-9 was the worst plus/minus among starters. 

Turnover Trend Continues

Warriors players often joke they have three players allowed to turn the ball over: Curry, Green and Butler. Without Butler, that only gave two Golden State players the leeway Friday night. Yet the Warriors already had up to 14 turnovers at halftime, and Curry (one) and Green (two) were responsible for only three.

Seven players not named Curry or Green accounted for at least one turnover. Podziemski had the most of the bunch with four. Once the regular season begins in a few days, the Warriors simply can’t be as sloppy, especially in games they’re down at least one of their core veterans. 

The Warriors entered Friday averaging 21.8 turnovers per game, which was fewer than only the Brooklyn Nets (24) and Indiana Pacers (23.7) in the preseason. Their 14 first-half turnovers resulted in 18 points for the Clippers. Luckily for Golden State, the Clippers tallied 15 turnovers in the first half for 16 Warriors points. 

Though the Warriors took much better care of the ball in the second half with nine more turnovers, they ended the preseason with at least 20 turnovers (23 on Friday) in all five preseason games.

Curry Does His Part 

When the fourth quarter began, the Warriors trailed by 11 points. The deficit was cut down to six points when Curry took a seat for the rest of the game, and he was the main reason why the Warriors got it down to a one-point game with eight and half minutes left. 

When Curry left the game, he was leading the Warriors in points (20), assists (five) and plus/minus (plus-7). He also was second in rebounds (four). Curry made four 3-pointers in 30 minutes, and just one other Warrior had made more than one. 

It’s true that the Warriors were down multiple players. As were the Clippers. There will be nights where even in Year 17 the Warriors need Curry to be a one-man show. 

With the preseason over and the regular season lurking in the shadows, that can’t be the case too often starting Tuesday night in LA.

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3 observations after Embiid comes back, Edgecombe shines in Sixers' preseason finale

3 observations after Embiid comes back, Edgecombe shines in Sixers' preseason finale originally appeared on NBC Sports Philadelphia

The Sixers concluded their 2025 preseason with a win and Joel Embiid’s first appearance in many months.

The team closed out a 1-3 preseason Friday night by notching a 126-110 victory over the Timberwolves at Xfinity Mobile Arena. 

In his first game since late February, Embiid tallied 14 points, eight assists, seven rebounds and three steals. 

Tyrese Maxey had 27 points and seven assists. VJ Edgecombe added 26 points, six rebounds, three assists and five steals.

The Sixers were still down Paul George (left knee), Jared McCain (right thumb) and Trendon Watford (right hamstring). Veteran Kyle Lowry also sat. 

The team’s regular-season opener is next Wednesday against the Celtics. Here are observations on the Sixers’ win over Minnesota:

Embiid’s return  

Seconds after the opening tip, Embiid took a pull-up jumper that grazed the front rim. He got everything properly calibrated soon enough, making his next try from the left elbow.

Outside of scoring, Embiid had several bright moments in the early going. He swiped a steal and then tossed a long-range outlet pass that set Maxey up for an and-one layup. 

The Sixers’ half-court offense largely revolved around Embiid in the middle of the floor. Embiid facilitated well, initiating two-man games with his guards, spotting open cutters and capitalizing on the Timberwolves’ aggressive double teams. 

When Embiid rested at the 5:44 mark of the first quarter, the Sixers held a 20-11 lead. His conditioning appeared to be good throughout his 19 minutes on the floor.

In terms of health, Embiid generally did not look bothered by his left knee. The big man did have a somewhat worrisome play in the third quarter when he committed a charge, fell awkwardly and was slow to get up.  He stayed in the game but subbed out about a minute later.

Starting nod for Bona 

Embiid started the night with Maxey, Edgecombe, Kelly Oubre Jr. and Adem Bona. 

Sixers head coach Nick Nurse acknowledged pregame that his current plan is to start the 20-year-old Edgecombe on opening night. All signs have been pointing toward thatthis preseason.

Bona’s start was less expected, although it wasn’t a complete shocker. The Sixers played Bona and Embiid together Sunday in their Blue-White scrimmage and Nurse suggested he wanted to experiment further with the double-big frontcourt. 

Bona steered clear of foul trouble and had an excellent offensive rebounding game. He posted four points, seven boards and a block in 23 minutes.

Dominick Barlow still seems to be firmly in the rotation picture with George and Watford out. The 22-year-old was the first player off the bench Friday and started the second half in Bona’s place. He played 20 minutes and had six points and five rebounds. 

As far as rotation projections, it’s notable that the Sixers’ only four bench players until the fourth quarter were Barlow, Quentin Grimes, Justin Edwards and Jabari Walker. Edwards had the smallest first-half role of that group, playing just three minutes in the second quarter. 

Edgecombe does it all

Edgecombe brought the ball up often Friday. 

Nurse wants greater offensive variety and movement this season. One important aspect of that vision is more Maxey off-ball reps and less onus on the sixth-year guard to create offense from thin air. It will be interesting to see how Edgecombe deals with the ball pressure and split-second decision-making that come with NBA point guard work. 

Edgecombe’s transition talent pops every time he plays. He capped the third quarter with a buzzer-beating fast-break layup. The home crowd encouraged him to sprint ahead of the pack and fly high in the fourth. Edgecombe did so at every possible opportunity. At a bare minimum, the Sixers should have elite speed when Edgecombe shares the floor with Maxey.

The No. 3 overall pick has also continued to look promising in quite a few other departments, including cutting and offensive rebounding. He already has a knack for impacting the game in both eye-popping and subtle ways.

Defensively, Edgecombe got beaten on a couple of occasions by T-Wolves guard Rob Dillingham. However, he’s frequently shined on defense. Edgecombe had several rock-solid 1-on-1 sequences and those five steals. 

As Maxey’s final stat line indicates, he enjoyed playing off the ball and found plenty of shots in his wheelhouse. Not too shabby a preseason finale for the Maxey-Edgecombe duo.

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2025-26 Fantasy Basketball Draft Strategy Mega Guide

For some of you, this weekend is when you'll select your fantasy basketball teams for the upcoming season. But if you're like the Rotoworld crew, you would have gotten some of your drafts done well beforehand. However, there's still the need to pay attention to the final preseason games while scouring the waiver wire for value. Noah Rubin and Raphielle Johnson provide their thoughts on approaching the draft, including strategies and some of their favorite picks for each round.

NBA: Preseason-Charlotte Hornets at Oklahoma City Thunder
2025-26 Fantasy Basketball Draft Prep Guide: Rankings, strategy, sleepers, mock draft results, and more
Your one-stop-shop for Rotoworld’s fantasy basketball draft coverage.

Who is your favorite pick in each round?

Round 1

Shai Gilgeous-Alexander, Oklahoma City Thunder - I love SGA's skill set and production, and he's a player who allows for versatility when building out your fantasy roster. Add in the fact that the Thunder are unlikely to be able to coast through the regular season, given the depth of the Western Conference, and I don't think you can go wrong with drafting Gilgeous-Alexander. - Raphielle Johnson

Giannis Antetokounmpo, Milwaukee Bucks - Avoiding the consensus top-four, Giannis is my favorite pick of the first round. He has his obvious limitations, but Antetokounmpo should be in for a big season with the Bucks. Some people may shy away from being forced to punt free throws and three-pointers in round one, but I’m happy to lean into those. - Noah Rubin

Round 2

Tyrese Maxey, Philadelphia 76ers - Of the 76ers' "big three," he's the one I trust the most regarding fantasy basketball due to the availability concerns for Joel Embiid and Paul George. While Maxey's 2024-25 season ended prematurely due to injury, playing in 52 games, he's been available for the entire preseason. That should alleviate any concerns, and Maxey played at least 60 games in each of his first four seasons. If you can get him in the second round of your draft, do so. - RJ

Amen Thompson, Houston Rockets - I’m all in on Thompson’s breakout this season. I was excited about him prior to Fred VanVleet’s season-ending knee injury, and now I think he has first-round upside. First All-Star appearance is on the way. - NR

Round 3

Pascal Siakam, Indiana Pacers - The Pacers were already in a challenging spot when Tyrese Haliburton was ruled out for the entire 2025-26 season with a ruptured Achilles tendon. During the preseason, they lost T.J. McConnell to a hamstring injury, and Delon Wright suffered a nasty head injury. While Andrew Nembhard will be the point guard, I can envision Siakam having more playmaking responsibilities out of necessity, raising his fantasy ceiling. - RJ

Jalen Johnson, Atlanta Hawks - Johnson enjoyed a breakout year that was cut short by shoulder injuries. Those aren’t recurring issues to worry about like knees and ankles; it’s just a random occurrence. However, I think he has another level to reach, and he can get there this season. -NR

NBA: Preseason-Charlotte Hornets at Oklahoma City Thunder
2025-26 Fantasy Basketball Draft Prep Guide: Rankings, strategy, sleepers, mock draft results, and more
Your one-stop-shop for Rotoworld’s fantasy basketball draft coverage.

Round 4

Myles Turner, Milwaukee Bucks - After ten seasons with the Pacers, Turner moved to a Central Division rival this offseason. While his scoring decreased last season, I don't think that will be an issue on a Bucks team that will need more offensive production from Turner. And he'll provide valuable floor spacing in a lineup headlined by Giannis Antetokounmpo. After averaging 5.5 three-point attempts per game last season, Turner may take even more in Milwaukee, and the blocks will always be there. - RJ

Cooper Flagg, Dallas Mavericks - The rookie has been starting at point guard for Dallas even with D’Angelo Russell healthy. He may have the same efficiency issues that many players have during their first season, but he should be a strong source of rebounds, assists, steals and blocks with the upside to contribute in other categories. -NR

Round 5

Brandon Miller, Charlotte Hornets - Injuries limited Miller to 27 games last season, but he's mostly been excellent when on the court. Having a reasonably healthy LaMelo Ball on the floor will also help the third-year wing, who averaged 21.0 points per game last season. If he stays healthy, Miller can put together a top-50 fantasy season in Charlotte. - RJ

Lauri Markkanen, Utah Jazz - Following a down year in Utah, I’m buying the Markkanen bounceback. The Jazz need to increase his trade value, whether they want to actually move him or not. I think they’ll emphasize him early and often. -NR

Round 6

OG Anunoby, New York Knicks - Despite providing fourth-round per-game value in his first full season with the Knicks, Anunoby's ADP would place him in the sixth round of 12-team drafts. That may be too low for him, especially with Mike Brown taking over as head coach. Brown's desire to ramp up the pace did not come to fruition during the preseason, as the Knicks were dead last in that category, but the talent is there to make things happen once everyone gets comfortable with the system. And I think the wings, especially Anunoby, will benefit if they can have the ball in their hands a bit more than they did last season. - RJ

Jordan Poole, New Orleans Pelicans - Poole was really good last season in Washington, but it went under the radar because the team was so bad. Now, he’s on a team that isn’t expected to be good but doesn’t have their own pick. Poole shouldn’t be considered a shutdown candidate, and if New Orleans is going to get back to the postseason, he’s going to have to shine. -NR

Round 7

Mikal Bridges, New York Knicks - Last season wasn't easy for Bridges, as many did not hesitate to bring up what adding him to the roster cost the Knicks. Year two should be easier for him, for multiple reasons. He's solidified his contract situation, and Bridges is one of the players who may benefit from the change to Mike Brown as head coach. He's had the ball in his hands more during the preseason, which could raise Bridges' ceiling if that carries over into the regular season. Also, you know he'll be available, as he's yet to miss a game in his NBA career. - RJ

Ausar Thompson, Detroit Pistons - Amen broke out last year, and I think it’s Ausar’s turn. He’s the best defender on the team and was really good down the stretch of last season. I’m happy to take him two rounds before this; that’s how confident I am in Thompson this year. -NR

Round 8

Christian Braun, Denver Nuggets - Braun's third NBA season was by far his best, as he more than doubled his scoring average from the season prior. Transitioning from bench contributor to starter, he looks like a player who can offer more in 2025-26. Of course, playing in a lineup headlined by Nikola Jokić and Jamal Murray limits his ceiling, but I like Braun's floor, especially with an eighth-round ADP. - RJ

Donovan Clingan, Portland Trail Blazers - Clingan was really good in limited action during his rookie season and is now the full-time starter in Portland. He’ll play a career-high in minutes and put up a ton of double-doubles and blocks while maintaining a sky-high field goal percentage. -NR

Round 9

Devin Vassell, San Antonio Spurs - If I can get Vassell in the ninth round of a draft, sign me up. Since being limited to 38 appearances in 2022-23, he's played 68 and 64 games the past two seasons, so injuries should not be a significant concern for fantasy managers. While the Spurs have a deep perimeter rotation when healthy, few options provide the versatility on both ends of the floor that Vassell does. - RJ

Toumani Camara, Portland Trail Blazers - I’ve loved Camara for a while, and he’s one of the most important players in Portland this season. The Trail Blazers are good enough to compete for a play-in spot, and Camara should provide plenty of threes and steals. -NR

Round 10

Brandin Podziemski, Golden State Warriors - What Podziemski was able to do after the Warriors acquired Jimmy Butler III last season should not be overlooked, especially when gauging his fantasy value for this season. In 27 games (24 starts), he averaged 14.8 points, 5.9 rebounds, 3.7 assists, 1.2 steals and 2.4 three-pointers while shooting 45.8 percent from the field. That's excellent value, especially for a player who may be available in the 10th round based on his current ADP. - RJ

Zach Edey, Memphis Grizzlies - He’s injured to start the season, but Memphis is going to be focused on running pick-and-rolls with Ja Morant and Edey when both are healthy. Even if Morant is hurt, Ty Jerome and Scotty Pippen Jr. will be there to feed Edey down low. -NR

Who is your least favorite pick in each round?

Round 1

Trae Young, Atlanta Hawks - With the additions the Hawks made this offseason, this will likely be the best team Young has played on since entering the NBA. However, while adding Kristaps Porziņģis, Nickeil Alexander-Walker and others to the roster while getting Jalen Johnson back strengthens the roster, this may negatively impact Young's scoring. He led the NBA in assists last season while scoring 24.2 points per game, but he also did so while shooting a career-worst 41.1 percent from the field. - RJ

Anthony Davis, Dallas Mavericks - I like all of the first-round options this year, but I just feel that Davis is the riskiest. Sure, he’s elite when he’s healthy, but he’s back at power forward, which likely means a slight drop in rebounds. Honestly, it’s not the talent here. I think he’ll easily return first-round value, but it’s the injury risk that makes me hesitate. -NR

Round 2

Jalen Brunson, New York Knicks - While Brunson is coming off another exceptional season, his ADP (22.3 as of Friday morning) may be a bit high. Considering the head coaching change and an offensive system that may take the ball out of Brunson's hands more often, I can see his fantasy value taking a hit. Not to the point where he becomes a poor selection, but to where using a second-round pick on him would not be the best approach. - RJ

Domantas Sabonis, Sacramento Kings - The hamstring injury strengthens my case, even if it ends up being a minor injury. I’m fine with Sabonis in certain builds, but there are so many other players in the second round that I’m really excited about this season. Plus, I just don’t feel confident in Sacramento having a good season, which makes me want to steer clear when I can. -NR

Round 3

LeBron James, Los Angeles Lakers - Despite being sidelined by sciatica, James still has a third-round ADP heading into the final weekend before the regular season. I understand the man's greatness, but the ADP is too high considering the circumstances. The Lakers will prioritize ensuring James, who turns 41 in December, is healthy for the stretch run. That could make him a more challenging player to rely on during the "dog days" of the NBA season. - RJ

Scottie Barnes, Toronto Raptors - I still like Barnes long-term, but he’s looked rough during the preseason, and there are so many ways that this season can go south for Toronto. Playing alongside Immanuel Quickley, RJ Barrett and Brandon Ingram could also limit Barnes’ touches. Hopefully, he’s able to make up for it with bonus defensive production. -NR

NBA: Atlanta Hawks at Milwaukee Bucks
Fantasy Basketball Category Punt Guide for 2025-26
Depending on the category you’re willing to punt, players like Giannis Antetokounmpo will have greater fantasy value.

Round 4

Ja Morant, Memphis Grizzlies - Sadly, fellow South Carolina native Zion Williamson is another option for this spot, as both have struggled to remain healthy during their NBA careers. In Morant's case, it feels like a safe bet that he'll have at least one extended absence during the season, and he sat out the preseason with an ankle injury. One would hope he'll stay relatively healthy, but Morant played 59 games the prior two seasons and has not surpassed 65 games since his rookie campaign. - RJ

Ivica Zubac, Los Angeles Clippers - Zubac is coming off the best season of his career. He took legitimate steps forward, but the lack of an effective backup center forced him into a career-high for minutes. With Brook Lopez and John Collins in town, I’m confident that Tyronn Lue doesn’t play Zubac quite as much as he did last year. -NR

Round 5

Lauri Markkanen, Utah Jazz - Due to his skill set, selecting Markkanen in the fifth round can represent excellent value. The issue for me is the franchise he plays for. Utah said all the right things during the offseason regarding competing after a few seasons or tanking, but how high can they finish in the West? Add in a 2026 draft class that appears very strong at the top, with BYU's AJ Dybanta in the mix to go first overall, and I'm not sure they'll let established players like Markkanen "run through the tape" this season. - RJ

Nikola Vucevic, Chicago Bulls - If you don’t like taking risks, this is probably a fine pick for you. Vucevic started off playing at a high level last season, but he cooled off as the year progressed. He’s pretty reliable, but he's 35 years old. I’m not confident that he’ll return fifth round value. -NR

Round 6

Josh Hart, New York Knicks - Hart returned excellent fantasy value last season. Boasting Yahoo! ADP of 116, he finished the year just outside the top-25 in nine-cat per-game value. Unfortunately, Hart has been banged up during the preseason, dealing with an aggravation of a prior finger injury and a back issue. Add in the likelihood that Mitchell Robinson will replace him in the starting lineup, and Hart's ceiling appears to be considerably lower than last season's when he was a starter. - RJ

DeMar DeRozan, Sacramento Kings - DeRozan regressed late last season, but people seem happy to take him in the top-75. I just think the risks outweigh the rewards. On a team with Sabonis, Zach LaVine, Malik Monk, Dennis Schroder and now Russell Westbrook, is there enough touches to go around? I could see DeRozan taking a pretty significant step back this season. -NR

Round 7

Jalen Green, Phoenix Suns - Green is currently dealing with a hamstring injury and won't be available when the regular season begins. Beyond that, I'm not sold on his fantasy potential, especially as part of a Suns roster that seems stuck between rebuilding and trying to sneak into the postseason. Green will undoubtedly have opportunities, but the inefficient shooting is an issue. - RJ

Paul George, Philadelphia 76ers - I think I’ll just let someone else take George here. He’s gonna miss the start of the season, and when he was available last season, he wasn’t as good as he had been. There’s tremendous upside with this pick if he is able to return to who he was two years ago, but I’m just not a believer in that happening. -NR

Round 8

RJ Barrett, Toronto Raptors - As of October 17, Barrett had a Yahoo! ADP of 91.4, which is too high for me. Not only has he never been a top-100 player in per-game or total value, but he has just one top-150 season to his credit. Add in Brandon Ingram being healthy, and I don't see Barrett returning top-100 fantasy value this season. - RJ

Kel’el Ware, Miami Heat - Ware has started in two preseason games for the Heat, but they were both games where Nikola Jovic didn’t play. Though Ware has looked good during the preseason, he has been a reserve. I don’t dislike many picks in this range, and I don’t absolutely hate selecting Ware here, but I’d rather wait a little bit to add a backup big. -NR

Round 9

Jaden Ivey, Detroit Pistons - Ivey was playing good basketball last season at the time of his leg injury, which ended his 2024-25 campaign on New Year's Day. Unfortunately, a knee procedure unrelated to the fractured fibula suffered last year will keep Ivey out for at least four weeks. Combined with Ausar Thompson's emergence, that may conspire to limit Ivey's fantasy value this season. He certainly would not be a "bad" pick, but there's reason for concern. - RJ

Nic Claxton, Brooklyn Nets - This is not a talent issue; Claxton can be a borderline top-25 player in category leagues when he’s in the right situation. This Nets team simply isn’t that. Brooklyn is going to be bad (by design), which makes Claxton a shutdown candidate. Plus, even though Brooklyn added a bunch of ball handlers, he isn’t going to have an elite pick-and-roll operator to set him up at the rim. This is a recipe for a disaster season for Claxton, though it will likely lead to him being a value pick next year. -NR

Round 10

Dennis Schröder, Sacramento Kings - As great as Schröder looked in leading Germany to EuroBasket glory this summer, I'm not too big on his fit in Sacramento, especially with the Kings signing Russell Westbrook. The starting lineup includes two wings in Zach LaVine and DeMar DeRozan who like to play with the ball in their hands, and center Domantas Sabonis also has playmaking abilities that he can showcase. Schröder has been a top-150 player once in the last five seasons, during the 2023-24 campaign. - RJ

Keyonte George, Utah Jazz - George has been starting during the preseason, but Isaiah Collier hasn’t been healthy. I assume that Collier will be the starting point guard when he’s available, but even if George starts, he hasn’t been effective in category leagues. He’s an inefficient scoring guard that doesn’t get defensive stats. The assists have been decent at times, but he’s not a player I’m looking to draft this year. -NR

What is your favorite punt build, and why?

Punt turnovers

I like punting this category because it keeps so many roster-building options open. High-usage players benefit the most from this approach, whether you're talking about point guards or post players. I'm not passing on Cade Cunningham or Anthony Edwards because of their turnover numbers; I'm fine losing that category. - RJ

Punt threes and frees

This works out well with Giannis! Some of my favorite players to watch and draft are athletic freaks that rack up defensive stats and get to the rim. Usually, they’re below average shooters. Plus, you can add shooters in the last few rounds to at least give yourself a chance to win threes any week. There are way more elite shooters than elite defenders that are available at the end of drafts. - NR

What is your least favorite punt build, and why?

Punt points

Maybe you can get away with this in Yahoo's new High Score game, but I'd prefer not to do this in traditional fantasy formats. Things can get really weird when punting the points category. Of the top 24 players in fantasy basketball last season, only one averaged less than 18.5 points per game: Atlanta's Dyson Daniels. For this reason, I prefer not to punt points. - RJ

Punt defense

Defense wins championships, or something like that. It’s certainly a strategy, but it’s honestly pretty boring to punt both steals and blocks. Plus, players that don’t play defense can be taken off the floor if their offense isn’t offsetting those issues. -NR

How do you identify value in drafts?

The first step for me is to identify the categories in which a player can provide solid production. The more, the merrier, especially when drafting in the early rounds. I'd prefer to avoid a scenario in which I'm selecting a player who's deficient in multiple categories, but that's unavoidable at times. You can usually pick off a "specialist" or two in the later rounds to help address production gaps, so I'd prefer not to do that early. I try to to worry too much about the ADP data that may be displayed on a draft board, as that can be somewhat deceiving. - RJ

Zig when others zag. When other people are loading up on specific categories or positions, add what nobody else is adding that round. Try and balance getting “your guys” with players that may have slipped further than they should. There aren’t really any “bad players” in fantasy basketball, but there are bad picks. I have zero interest in drafting Paul George this year, but at what point has he fallen far enough for me to take him? Pick 90? Pick 100? Everyone will have a different number for that. -NR

How do you leverage rankings to your advantage while drafting?

Rankings help, but having a proper understanding of player roles and places within their team's rotations is of far greater importance. How much did a preseason injury impact the player's role? It's not enough to have the numbers (rankings); you also have to know what's influencing them. If you have that information and the other managers in your league don't, that goes a long way toward being able to win. - RJ

Most people you draft with are going to draft players close to where they’re ranked on the platform you’re drafting on. It’s just natural. Sometimes, I fall victim to it as well. That helps you get a nice range of when you need to reach for someone. If you’re at pick 49 and know your next pick is 72, but “your guy” has an ADP of 74, you may need to consider reaching to ensure you get that player, especially if everyone you’re drafting against is aware of your biases. - NR

How soon do you reach for your guys? Describe your approach to reaching in general.

I tend to be more conservative when it comes to reaching. The third round is when I'll begin to consider doing something wild, depending on how the draft board has played out. The other area where I'll reach is in the final two or three rounds, which may be what a lot of drafters look to do. If taking a swing works out, you've got a player who may help you win the league. If not? You aren't losing out on too much from a value standpoint if you have to drop a late-round pick. - RJ

Typically, I try not to reach early in drafts. As the draft progresses, I’m more likely to reach further down the board. In the first couple rounds, I’ll reach a few spots. In the middle rounds, I’ll reach by a round or two. Once it gets past pick 90-100, it’s a free-for-all. Also, it helps to even things out. If you reach for a player in round six, make a value pick in round seven to help mitigate the risk. - NR

Name 3 players you’re much higher on than consensus.

OG Anunoby - I think the Knicks wings are in for excellent seasons with Mike Brown at the helm. Anunoby was a top-40 player last season, yet still has an ADP in the sixties. - RJ

Devin Vassell - While the scoring did decrease last season, I think Vassell is in for a bounce-back season. Instead of focusing on getting healthy, he was able to focus on improving his game this summer, which should pay dividends. - RJ

Trey Murphy - His Yahoo! ADP places him in the fourth round of 12-team leagues, which is respectable. But I think he'll be even more productive than he was during the 2024-25 campaign, even with Zion Williamson back in the mix. Don't be surprised if Murphy puts up a top-25 season. - RJ

Ausar Thompson - It’s breakout season for Ausar. I think we can be talking about him as a round three pick at this time next season. - NR

Jordan Poole - For dynasty managers, Poole’s value has a clock on it, but he’s going to be really good this season. - NR

Brandin Podziemski - Podz was a top-75 player in category leagues over the final two months of last season, but he’s going outside the top-120 in Yahoo! leagues. That doesn’t make sense to me. Steve Kerr will continue to toy with the Warriors’ lineup, which will be a headache, but he’s worth a top-100 selection. - NR

Name 3 players you’re much lower on than consensus.

Domantas Sabonis - His ADP has decreased somewhat after being just outside the top-10, but the team situation still concerns me. Zach LaVine and DeMar DeRozan will need their touches, as will new point guard Dennis Schröder. And now the Kings have added Russell Westbrook? Sabonis' points and assists may take a hit this season. - RJ

Ivica Zubac - Zubac is coming off a career year, but Clippers head coach Tyronn Lue has already said during the preseason that he believes his starting center played too much last season. To that point, the Clippers added John Collins and Brook Lopez during the offseason, which may push Zubac back below 30 minutes per game (he averaged nearly 33 minutes in 2024-25). - RJ

Jaylen Brown - Due to Jayson Tatum's Achilles injury and the departure of multiple rotation players, Brown's role will expand. However, will his percentages and turnovers improve? That's been the issue for him in the past regarding fantasy value, and I'm not sold on Brown being able to improve in those areas while leading a roster that's taken a step back. - RJ

Jalen Brunson - I think Brunson is really, really good. I just don’t think things are set up in New York for him to return second-round value, which is where he’s going in Yahoo! leagues. Mike Brown is likely going to manage his minutes and usage more than Tom Thibodeau did. - NR

Josh Giddey - I understand why people are high on Giddey this season. He was phenomenal down the stretch of last season. I just don’t think I’d take him until the fourth round, but he’s been going in round two of most of the recent drafts I’ve participated in. He’ll be a quality source of rebounds and assists this year, but I’m not confident that he’ll do enough elsewhere to make him worth your second selection. - NR

Jalen Green - I think a fresh start will be good for Green, but I don’t think that means he’s going to be better than he had been previously. It’s not like he didn’t have a green light in Houston. We’ve seen Green in a high-usage role, and that’s what he’s going to play in Phoenix. I don’t see why he’s a top-75 pick now. - NR

Which 3 players have the biggest range of outcomes this season?

Joel Embiid - At his current ADP, he can be a league-winner if reasonably healthy due to the ability to provide elite fantasy value. However, there's also the possibility of another significant injury that would put him on the shelf. Embiid could be anywhere from top-5 to a player who can't be rostered due to the injury concerns. - RJ

Scottie Barnes - The overall skill set is such that he can be a solid fantasy option, even with the lack of three-point shooting. However, Barnes struggled during the preseason and seems to have regressed as a perimeter shooter. Add in Brandon Ingram, and Barnes' ceiling and floor are separated by a significant amount. - RJ

Mark Williams - The Suns center has a seventh-round ADP in Yahoo! leagues, but there's no telling when he'll be cleared to play in games. When available, he has top-50 fantasy potential. However, Williams played 43, 19 and 44 games in his first three NBA seasons. Betting on him being able to stay relatively healthy is a major risk, even in the middle rounds of drafts. - RJ

Alperen Sengun - Sengun appears poised for a breakout season, and he could average career-highs across the board and bounce back after a drop in field goal percentage last season, which could result in elite value. However, he has yet to finish in the top-50 in nine-cat leagues, and there is a scenario where the emergence of Amen Thompson and addition of Kevin Durant prevents Sengun from breaking out. I’d lean towards the first option, but the second is a real possibility. - NR

Joel Embiid - This one’s obvious. He’s capable of being a top-five player in fantasy basketball, but the injury question marks are real. He could win you leagues, and he could lose you leagues. - NR

Lauri Markkanen - Markkanen is coming off a rough season, but I think he’ll bounce back. After two straight top-20 seasons, he finished barely inside the top-100 last year. Either could happen this year, though I’d lean towards him being a top-50 player. - NR

Name 3 late-round fliers you love taking.

Ryan Kalkbrenner - He may not be guaranteed to be the Hornets' starting center on opening night, but he's the best option as far as fantasy basketball is concerned. And good luck keeping a 7-footer who was a four-time Big East Defensive Player of the Year off the floor. And you've probably seen my reaction to being sniped on Kalkbrenner by now. - RJ

Brandin Podziemski - Referring to Podziemski as a late-round flier feels weird, but he qualifies based on his ADP. He fit well in the Warriors' starting lineup after the team acquired Jimmy Butler III in February, and I see no reason for that to change this season. - RJ

VJ Edgecombe - Another rookie makes the cut for me. Due to the combination of his athleticism and Jared McCain's most recent injury, Edgecombe is well-positioned to hit the ground running in Philadelphia, whether he starts or comes off the bench. Cooper Flagg is the betting favorite to win Rookie of the Year, but I fully expect Edgecombe to be, at minimum, a finalist for the award. - RJ

Taylor Hendricks - Somebody’s going to have to play defense in Utah. Hendricks has upside to be a productive offensive player, but he’ll at least be on the floor and able to provide defensive stats. - NR

Nikola Jovic - He’s starting, and he’s able to provide well-rounded production. I get that Kel’el Ware being there scares people off, but he could end up starting all season. - NR

Ryan Dunn - Much like Hendricks, Dunn’s defense is going to keep him in the starting lineup. The offense is shaky, but it was much better as a rookie than we expected. Draft him for the defense and enjoy whatever offense he can give as a bonus. - NR

Describe Your Favorite Draft Strategy.

No dice rolls until the third round

I play it relatively safe in the first two rounds, looking to go with "best available" in the first and then a solid complementary option in the second who can fill any apparent gaps. After that, I'm rolling the dice. That leads to some risks, but the reward outweighs the risk for me. If you're right, that may be what pushes your team to the top of the league. And if not, there's always the ability to make trades, provided you don't wait too long to make a move. - RJ

Get your guys, and then even things out

Early on, get your favorite player in the first few rounds. Can't go wrong either way. In the middle rounds, take a few swings, but when you're not reaching, take the value pick. It helps make you feel a little better about taking a risk. As I said earlier in the article, the worst feeling is to leave your draft without that guys that you just have to have because you were playing it too safe. Set yourself up to take a risk by taking the value picks when you can. - NR

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Doug Christie outlines former NBA MVP Russell Westbrook's role with Kings

Doug Christie outlines former NBA MVP Russell Westbrook's role with Kings originally appeared on NBC Sports Bay Area

Running the second unit isn’t typically the job description for a former NBA MVP, but new Kings point guard Russell Westbrook is ready for the task at hand.

Coach Doug Christie was asked how he sees Westbrook fitting into the Kings’ rotation.

“I want Russ to be Russ first and foremost,” Christie told reporters Friday. “Behind Dennis [Schröder], making sure that we are stable and running that second unit at a high level.”

The 36-year-old veteran came off the bench for most of the 2024-25 NBA season last year with the Denver Nuggets, where he averaged 13.3 points, 6.1 assists and 4.9 rebounds per game.

Christie will be Westbrook’s 10th NBA head coach. The nine-time All-Star has bounced around quite a bit, but every locker room he has been in has benefited from his contributions, as he often is able to guard multiple spots on the floor.

“At the same time, Russ plays multiple positions,” Christie continued. “I just want Russ to be Russ. Really, that’s the biggest thing. Be all the beautiful things I’ve seen him be for all these years.”

Malik Monk had high praise for his former teammate as well when he addressed reporters on Thursday.

“I feel like Russ has been playing an undersized 4,” Monk said. “He can guard a 4. I think that’ll give us a little more versatility on the offensive and defensive end … switching a little more. He’s been in the league how long? He knows how to play the game, knows how to win. And he’s a competitor, so he’s going to help us.”

When Westbrook is playing freely, the results seem to follow. He has averaged double-digit points in every season so far during his 17-year NBA career.

The newest member of the Kings is headed to the Naismith Memorial Basketball Hall of Fame; it’s only a matter of time. For now, he looks to give an uncertain Kings team direction and leadership.

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Knicks managing injuries to key players as season-opener looms

As a precautionary measure, the Knicks will play without Josh Hart (back), Mitchell Robinson (workload management), Karl-Anthony Towns (quad) and OG Anunoby (ankle) in their preseason finale against the Hornets on Friday night.

Robinson was held out of practice on Wednesday and Thursday due to workload management.

"Anytime you're missing guys, it's next guy step up," Knicks head coach Mike Brown said before the game. "Knock on wood, we could be missing guys during the season. It's just another opportunity for guys to step up and get a chance to play. We'll go out and try to win the game with who's available tonight."

Due to his injury history, New York plans to manage Robinson’s workload for the foreseeable future. That means he will miss games during the regular season when healthy.

Robinson has been dealing with some soreness in the preseason. Maybe the Knicks hold him out on Friday due to precautionary reasons ahead of the regular season. (It would be a surprise if the Knicks’ workload management plan kept Robinson from playing in Wednesday’s season opener).  

ESPN NBA analyst Richard Jefferson sees Robinson as a key to this Knicks season.

“You look at Mitchell Robinson; how healthy is he going to be? What is their big depth? Especially when you look at what’s coming out of the West. Most likely what’s going to come out of the West is a team with at least two or possibly three very good bigs,” Jefferson said on a conference call Thursday to preview the NBA season.

“Mitchell Robinson has to be healthy. If he’s not healthy and Karl-Anthony Towns is your primary big and you’re going to try to win a championship against all of those bigs that are floating around… if he’s not healthy during the season, they’re going to have trouble in my opinion.”

Jefferson would also like to see the Knicks’ offense a bit more balanced this season under Mike Brown. He believes it will pay dividends in the postseason.

“I’m talking about a fraction (of a change to the offense). I like the ball in Jalen Brunson’s hands – he’s the type of player that can do all the things,” Jefferson said. “But just a little bit more balance can take pressure off of him. That’s what I think will allow him a little more burst. You don’t want him working as hard – especially if you’re planning on playing until June. Because that’s a different monster.

"Playing all season takes a special player. Playing a couple rounds in the playoffs, as the main guy, is another level. Playing all the way to the Finals? If you’re having to do that, that’s very very difficult. So even relieving some of that pressure …I think will help because they’re minutes will be down throughout the regular season because of the coaching change.”

Fellow ESPN NBA analyst Tim Legler will be watching New York’s pick-and-roll defense closely throughout the season.

Legler said on Wednesday that the Knicks “need to be much better defensively than they’ve been in defending ball screens. That was a major problem from them a year ago. They can get physical with (OG) Anunoby and (Mikal) Bridges and things on the wings, the way they can guard one on one.

“But their ability to defend ball screens is going to be challenged every night. They’ve got to figure out how they defend that. Because they were taken advantage of a year ago, everybody knew that, they attacked it.”

Both Legler and Jefferson agree that the Knicks’ health in the postseason is incredibly important. You can say the same for every team. But the Knicks need a healthy Robinson in high-stakes playoff games. Without Robinson, the club can’t play its double big lineup and it would presumably ask Towns to play center.

“The talent is there, the opportunity is there. The Knicks should be thinking ‘Get to the Finals,’” Legler said. “Anything short of that this year should be a disappointment for the New York Knicks, that’s the way they should view it because of what’s in front of them in the Eastern Conference.”

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When does the 2025-26 NBA season start?

Basketball is finally back, and this year is especially monumental as the NBA returns to NBC after 24 years and makes its debut on Peacock. The season tips off on Tuesday, October 21, with a doubleheader. First, the NBA Champion Oklahoma City Thunder host the Houston Rockets at 7:30 PM ET. Then, at 10:00 PM it's the Golden State Warriors vs LA Lakers in a Western Conference showdown. Live coverage begins at 6:30 PM on NBC and Peacock.

See below for additional information on how to stream the NBA on Peacock this season.

Click here to sign up for Peacock!

NBA: Preseason-Denver Nuggets at Toronto Raptors
NBA season 2025-26 preview: Western Conference tiers, predictions
It’s time to talk about the varsity.

How to watch Houston Rockets vs Oklahoma Thunder:

When: Tuesday, October 21
Where: Paycom Center, Oklahoma City, OK
Time: 7:30 PM ET
TV Channel: NBC
Live Stream:Peacock

Kevin Durant
NBA season 2025-26 preview: Which player who changed teams will have the biggest impact?
Kevin Durant to Houston and Desmond Bane to Orlando are the obvious names, but who else made the list?

How to watch Golden State Warriors vs LA Lakers:

When: Tuesday, October 21
Where: Crypto.com Arena, Los Angeles, CA
Time: 10:00 PM ET
TV Channel: NBC
Live Stream:Peacock

NBA: Preseason-Milwaukee Bucks at Chicago Bulls
NBA season 2025-26 preview: Award winners odds, predictions
How about Giannis Antetokounmpo for MVP?

Which NBA games are available to watch on Peacock?

100 regular-season games will be available to watch on NBC and Peacock, plus NBA playoff games, Conference Finals, and the NBA All-Star game. Watch Sunday Night Basketball on Peacock and NBC starting in January 2026, Monday games, and Tuesday night doubleheaders throughout the regular season. Game scheduling subject to change.

How to watch the 2025-26 NBA Season on NBC/Peacock?

Fans can sign up for a paid Peacock subscription or log in to their TV provider on NBC to access 100 regular-season games that will be available to watch on Peacock and NBC, plus NBA playoff games, Conference Finals, and the NBA All-Star game. Fans can also watch Sunday Night Basketball on Peacock and NBC starting in January 2026, exclusive Monday games only on Peacock, and Tuesday night doubleheaders throughout the regular season.

NBA on NBC 2025-26 Schedule

Click here to see the full list of NBA games that will air on NBC and Peacock this season.

What devices does Peacock support?

You can enjoy Peacock on a variety of devices. View the full list of supported devices here.

Ten must-see games on NBA schedule:

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Draymond Green clarifies misconception about how Steve Kerr coaches Steph Curry

Draymond Green clarifies misconception about how Steve Kerr coaches Steph Curry originally appeared on NBC Sports Bay Area

After over a decade of continuity for the Warriors, it’s clear that nobody in the organization gets special treatment. Not even the centerpiece.

Two-time NBA MVP Steph Curry is coached the same way as everyone else. Draymond Green elaborates on coach Steve Kerr’s style.

“Most people think Steph can do what he wants,” Green said. “No. He’s on Steph’s ass all the time. Defense, turnovers. He coaches Steph really, really, really hard. I don’t think people realize that.”

There have been multiple occasions where Kerr has shown his frustration with Curry through his body language. In a game early in the 2023 season, Curry flung a careless fourth-quarter pass in Minnesota, landing out of bounds near Kerr. The coach stomped around in disgust on the sidelines.

“The next day I pulled him aside,” Kerr said, relaying his message to Curry. “‘Hey, I was watching the tape and I saw my reaction, I shouldn’t have done that.'”

Curry’s response: “Hell no. That was a terrible decision. You got to coach me.”

Many coaches live by the theory that your best players should be coached the hardest in front of everyone to set the tone. Sometimes this can lead to a disconnect between star play and the coach.

“Not all players in this league can handle that being put out to the public,” Kerr said.

Curry is a rare breed. On the court, everyone can see why, but it’s his temperament outside the lines that can be overlooked.

“He actually probably gets on me more now than ever,” Curry said. “The one conversation we’ve had is to coach me like you would coach everybody because that’ll help strengthen your voice in the locker room, create that trust.”

Creating a culture starts with building an identity and holding everyone involved to the highest standard, including one of the best players of all time.

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NBA season 2025-26 preview: Eastern Conference tiers, plus East and NBA Finals predictions

Everyone keeps talking about the "weaker" Eastern Conference, but two years ago the Celtics were a dominant force on their way to a title, and last season the Pacers pushed the Thunder to seven games in the NBA Finals and left us with one of the greatest "what ifs?" in NBA history.

This season, nobody is giving the Eastern Conference a chance. Underestimate these teams at your own peril. Which teams can not only make the Finals but threaten the Thunder, Nuggets or whoever comes out of the West? Let's break the East down by tiers.

TITLE CONTENDERS

1. Cavaliers
2. Knicks

SECOND CIRCLE CONTENDERS

3. Magic
4. Hawks

PLAYOFFS OR BUST

5. Bucks
6. Pistons
7. 76ers

HOPEFUL PLAY-IN TEAMS

8. Heat
9. Celtics
10. Raptors
11. Bulls
12. Pacers
13. Hornets

LOTTERY BOUND

14. Wizards
15. Nets

Eastern Conference Finals

Cleveland Cavaliers defeat the New York Knicks

NBA Finals

Denver Nuggets defeat the Cleveland Cavaliers

Tyrese Haliburton and the Pacers pushing the Thunder in the Finals last season was a great story, but I don't see anything close to that happening again. I like Cleveland to win the East because of their defense and balance of scoring (I think they learned hard lessons in last year's playoffs), but it doesn't really matter if it's the Cavs or Knicks. Denver and Oklahoma City — whichever team comes out of the West (I have picked Denver) — are just better than anyone in the East. In particular, if the matchup is Cleveland and OKC, the East and the Cavaliers are in trouble (two similar teams in style and design, but the Thunder are just better at everything).

My prediction is that Nikola Jokic gets ring number two. What Denver was lacking a season ago, the front office addressed this offseason (somewhere Michael Malone is frustrated and just shaking his head). Cameron Johnson and Jonas Valanciunas will play critical roles (this team isn't going to fall off a cliff when Jokic sits, like previous years).

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There is a clear line drawn in the East, the top two teams appear a good step or two ahead of the rest of the pack. The Cavaliers won 64 games last season and learned the hard way about what it takes to win in the playoffs, now they are running back a talented and deep roster. They need to stay healthy (no Darius Garland to start the season) and Evan Mobley needs to take another step forward on the offensive end, but I expect those things to happen. New York feels it just needs to improve around the edges, and Mike Brown can bring a little more ball and player movement to New York to facilitate that, with a bench he can trust. The Knicks, led by the gritty Jalen Brunson and the sharp-shooting Karl-Anthony Towns, are still a team fully capable of taking the next step to the NBA Finals.

• Orlando is the one team that could crash the Knicks/Cavs party. This was a team already looking ready to make a leap behind Paolo Banchero, Franz Wagner, plus an elite defense. Now, they have added Desmond Bane and Tyus Jones to fill in needed gaps in shooting and having a floor general. Like just about everyone, I am high on Orlando, but they have to prove it on the court, and then they will learn their lessons about winning in the postseason.

• Atlanta is the other team with a chance to crash the party, but a lot more things have to go right. At the top of the list: Kristaps Porzingis has to stay healthy, which is never a given. Beyond that, the question becomes, can Quin Snyder meld a roster with a lot of new parts — Porzingis, Nickeil Alexander-Walker, Luke Kennard, plus a healthy Jalen Johnson — and find chemistry on a roster built to take advantage of Trae Young's skills. This is a make-or-break season in Atlanta. If Young and this roster can't compete at a high level, what do they pivot to?

After that top four, there's a drop off in the East.

• Milwaukee has Giannis Antetokounmpo — still one of the five best players in the world — and swapped out Damian Lillard for Myles Turner, but is there enough around two proven stars to make this team a contender? It doesn't feel like it.

• A lot of fans and pundits expect Cade Cunningham and Detroit to take another step forward this season, but I'm skeptical and expect more of a plateau (Jaden Ivey missing the first month of the season doesn't help).

• The 76ers could be a contender if everything goes right for them, but with a limited Joel Embiid to start the season — plus Paul George and Jared McCain out with injuries — it's tough to be truly optimistic. Embiid reportedly will play opening night but will be on a minutes limit and will not be playing back-to-backs — he is the key to it all, if Embiid is not back close to his MVP form, none of this works.

• Miami will punch above its weight but it's not a top-six threat as constructed.

• Boston and Indiana are two of the harder teams to project — elite teams that will spend the season (or, with the Celtics, at least most of the season) without their best player. Both teams didn't just lose their star, Boston is without Porzingis and Jrue Holiday now, Indiana is without Turner. Both of these teams still have high-level championship role players on the roster, but how far can they go without their stars at 100%? Maybe I'm too low on them to start the season, but how high can you be?

• The Bulls and Raptors are teams that maybe we're underestimating, but I'm not sold. Toronto has a fair amount of talent — Brandon Ingram, Scottie Barnes, RJ Barrett, Immanuel Quickley — but a lot of it overlaps. There are smart basketball minds that think this is a playoff team in the East. I need to be convinced. Chicago locked up Josh Giddey this summer and has some talent around him with Coby White, Matas Buzelis and rookie Noa Essengue, but this is a team retooling on the fly and not ready to compete with the big boys. Also, look for them to trade Nikola Vucevic during the season.

• There's a pattern with the bottom three teams in the conference. Charlotte and LaMelo Ball will be entertaining but lose a lot of games. The Wizards have some interesting young talent — Tre Johnson, Bilal Coulibaly, Alex Sarr, Bub Carrington — but are going to lose a lot of games. Cam Thomas and Michael Porter Jr. are going to put up a lot of points for Brooklyn, but the Nets are going to lose a lot of games.