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Knicks Notes: Mike Brown talks starting lineup, rotation plans as training camp begins

The Knicks enter the 2025-26 season with a new head coach but the same championship aspirations as a year ago, and things tipped off officially on Tuesday with the start of training camp. 

Head coach Mike Brown, as well as key players like Jalen Brunson, Karl-Anthony Towns, Josh Hart, and Mikal Bridges all met with the media on Tuesday, talking about the busy offseason that was and the exciting season to come. 

Here are the key takeaways...

Mike Brown on the starting lineup and rotation

The Knicks used the same starting five -- Brunson, Towns, Hart, Bridges, and OG Anunoby -- for just about all of the 2024-25 regular season. And while former head coach Tom Thibodeau was reluctant to make changes to the lineup, he ultimately did insert Mitchell Robinson into the starting lineup ahead of Game 3 of Eastern Conference Finals against Indiana, moving Hart to the bench. 

With that in mind, the starting lineup heading into this season is already a topic of conversation. But according to Brown, it's too early to say who will make up the starting five.

"It will materialize throughout camp," Brown said. "I think it’s too early to go in and say ‘hey, this is what’s going to happen.’ The roster, Leon [Rose] and his group did a fantastic job putting together a talented, deep roster, and so you have to be methodical with your approach when it comes to declaring ‘Okay, these guys are going to start.’"

Thibodeau also notoriously used a very short rotation, and shrank it even more in the playoffs to around eight players.

Brown said he'll likely use more players, with everyone having a chance to contribute throughout the year. 

"If you look at what I’ve done in the past, it’s usually nine-and-a-half to 10 guys," Brown said. "I try to play as many guys as I can. Even when I was in [Sacramento] and we had an injury during the season, there was a point in time towards the end of the season where I started a two-way guy in Keon Ellis. So, I’m going to try to play who can help us win, and I’m going to try to give guys an opportunity. So, hopefully with as deep as our roster is, everybody will get an opportunity at some point during the season."

Brunson on Thibs' firing

Prior to Thibodeau's dismissal after the ECF loss to the Pacers, Brunson was one of his strongest defenders. 

Asked immediately after the Game 6 loss if Thibodeau was the right person to lead the Knicks, Brunson was adamant.

"Is that a real question right now?" Brunson said after the Game 6 loss to the Pacers. "You just asked me if I believe he's the right guy? Yes."

Asked about Thibodeau on Tuesday, Brunson expressed his gratitude to his former coach.

“Obviously it’s sad to see a man I’ve known for a long time part ways with this organization, but he’s meant a lot to me," Brunson said. "I’ve expressed that publicly and personally. But yeah, he’s meant a lot to my career, to this point."

Hart/KAT on offseason procedures, or non-procedures

On the health front, Towns disputed reports from June that he had procedure done on a finger on his left hand and his knee, saying emphatically "I did not get finger surgery or knee surgery."

One player who did undergo a procedure was Hart, who admitted to recently having a setback in his rehab while recovering from a procedure to a finger on his right hand, which will likely require him to wear a splint all season long.

"I was out for a little while. I’m just trying to get used to it and get through the season with it," Hart said.

"I don’t want to go into too much detail, but obviously got a procedure on it, and then kind of reaggravated it somewhat recently. I’ll probably just rock out with a splint this season and try to fix it again next summer."

Bridges on extension

Following an up-and-down first season in New York, Bridges signed a four-year, $150 million extension; however, he left some money on the table as he elected not to sign for the max of $156 million, saving the Knicks $6 million that went to building out the rest of the roster.

"Real excited, happy to be back, be here with everybody and be a part of this organization.," Bridges said. "Just happy we got it done, and really no issues, honestly."

He added: "The biggest thing is if I came here and preached how much I want to win and then tried to take every dollar and make it difficult for the organization, then I’d just seem like a fraud, and that’s not who I am.

"I want to win bad, and whatever it takes. Like I said, I love all the guys here, so why wouldn’t I want the next man up that needs some money, why would I not give them an opportunity to get paid as well? I think I got a good amount of money and I don’t think a couple more [millions] will change my life, so I think it would be better to help everybody else out."

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3 Knicks storylines to watch heading into 2025-26 NBA season

One of the most anticipated Knicks seasons in the last 30 years is almost here. New York will hold its first official practice on Tuesday to open training camp. The regular season starts in less than 30 days.

Mike Brown & Co. will use the next few weeks to determine lineups, rotations and strategies that work best for his group.

The coaches and front office will also decide which players stay on for the regular season.

There are several other important decisions/issues to sort out in the coming days.

With that in mind, here is a look at the biggest storylines to keep an eye on during training camp/preseason...

HOW DO ROLES GET DEFINED?

Something that held the 2024-25 Knicks back, in my opinion, was a lack of role definition. Will the Knicks and first-year coach Mike Brown clearly define each player’s role? I’m sure organizations/coaches have different approaches to this. Maybe some leaders like to let the players figure out their own role as the season progresses. Maybe they don’t want to be too rigid in defining roles. But last season, the lack of role definition led to some confusion in the locker room about shot attempts/usage. While this may seem like a small thing, it can definitely derail a talented team.

The Knicks obviously have a ton of talent. Defining roles for the talent on this team/holding players accountable to their roles is incredibly important, I think.

YOUTH VS. EXPERIENCE

The Knicks have a tough roster decision ahead of them: in a season where the expectation is NBA Finals or bust, is the club better off with younger players at the end of the roster or with proven vets?

If the Knicks want, they can keep veterans Landry Shamet and Malcolm Brogdon on the regular season roster. But they will probably have to sacrifice one of their young prospects in order to keep both veterans.

New York’s team salary cannot exceed $207.8 million, also known as the "second apron" in NBA team spending. The Knicks currently do not have enough room below the second apron to sign both Shamet and Brogdon.

So if they want to keep both veterans on the roster, they’ll need to shed some salary via trade. Trades involving Miles McBride, Pacome Dadiet or Tyler Kolek are the most direct paths to shedding that salary (though if the Knicks traded Kolek, kept both veterans and made no other trades, they would not be able to sign another veteran during the season).

As noted last week, I’d expect the Knicks to let things play out during camp/preseason before they made a move to keep both Brogdon and Shamet. But if I’m placing a bet at the start of training camp, I’m betting that both Brodgon and Shamet are on the regular season roster. This Knicks team is in win-now mode, and injuries to Jayson Tatum and Tyrese Haliburton give them a direct pathway to the NBA Finals. They know they have a great opportunity to be playing in late June. That’s why I think they’ll ultimately go with veteran depth in Brogdon and Shamet.  

STARTING LINEUP CHANGE?

Last season, the Knicks started Jalen Brunson, Josh Hart, Mikal Bridges, OG Anunoby and Karl-Anthony Towns. The lineup showed early promise but struggled later in the regular season. That starting five had a -1.4 net rating in regular season games played on or after January 1, 2025. That starting five was also being outscored by a total of 50 points through the first 13 games of their 17-game playoff run. 

Former head coach Tom Thibodeau switched his starters after Game 2 of the Knicks-Pacers series, inserting Mitchell Robinson into the starting lineup. Hart came off the bench.

Will Brown stick with the lineup that was used most often in 2024-25? Will he make a change? Before Brown was hired, the Knicks’ talks with some free agents included the idea that Towns and Robinson would be starting together in 2025-26. Obviously, Brown will make the ultimate decision on the starting lineup. It’s arguably one of the most important decisions he’ll make in his first year in New York.

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Prime Video hires Swin Cash for a unique position — NBA front office analyst

Prime Video hires Swin Cash for a unique position — NBA front office analystSwin Cash has had a unique basketball career as both a member of the Naismith Basketball Hall of Fame as a player before working in the front office of the NBA’s New Orleans Pelicans for six seasons, including as the team’s senior vice president of basketball operations.

That basketball resume was attractive to Amazon Prime Video. Starting this fall, Cash will appear on air in a front office insider role for Prime Video’s NBA studio show during the NBA season. She’ll then transition to a studio analyst for Prime Video’s WNBA coverage. Prime Video is expected to make a formal announcement on Tuesday.

“This role is still pretty new, and I’ve got a lot of respect for those who’ve paved the way, especially my girl, Amy Trask,” Cash said, referring to the CBS analyst and former CEO of the Oakland Raiders. “I’m excited to contribute to an already stacked broadcast team and bring a perspective shaped by my time as a player, analyst and executive. My goal is to give fans more than the box score, showing how teams think, why decisions get made, and what the process really looks like.”

The NBA will begin its new 11-year, $76 billion arrangements with incumbent ABC/ESPN, NBC/Peacock and Amazon Prime Video this fall. There has been a flurry of NBA on-air hires between Amazon Prime Video and NBC/Peacock. Among those added by Amazon Prime Video are play-by-play announcers Ian Eagle, Kevin Harlan and Michael Grady. The network’s analysts include Brent Barry, Blake Griffin, Steve Nash, Dirk Nowitzki, Candace Parker, Stan Van Gundy and Dwyane Wade. Cassidy Hubbarth will be Amazon’s No. 1 sideline reporter when it begins NBA coverage next season. Taylor Rooks will host the studio show.

Cash, whose decorated career includes three titles over 15 WNBA seasons, two NCAA titles at the University of Connecticut, and two Olympic gold medals, said her role on Prime Video’s WNBA coverage remains a work in progress. She said what she hopes for Prime Video’s coverage, and WNBA coverage overall, is an increase in storytelling. She said she loved the attention “Stud Budz” — the popular Twitch show featuring Lynx players Courtney Williams and Natisha Hiedeman — received during the WNBA All-Star Weekend.

“I’d love for us to go deeper with the coverage,” Cash said. “Storytelling is so important to bring fans on the journey. Not just with the superstars, but across the league.  Fans don’t just fall in love with a player’s game; they fall in love with the person, the personas. When we let people see who these women are, their stories, their grind, their humanity that’s how you build connection and grow the audience in a real way.”

This article originally appeared in The Athletic.

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Could Tatum return this season? Here's what he told the TODAY show

Could Tatum return this season? Here's what he told the TODAY show originally appeared on NBC Sports Boston

For the past few months, Boston Celtics star Jayson Tatum has faced one of his toughest challenges yet as he works to recover from a torn right Achilles suffered in a playoff game against the New York Knicks back in May.

The six-time NBA All-Star and 2024 NBA champion was back in New York on Tuesday for his first interview on TODAY With Jenna & Friends, exactly 19 weeks from the day he was injured.

“I’m feeling better than I did yesterday,” he said when asked about his recovery. “It’s been a long, long journey. I tell people all the time, I’m getting there.”

Tatum was also asked about his mindset when the injury originally happened.

“I think just kind of going back to that day, so many things ran through my mind, especially on the ground, you just have this idea, right, I’m in New York, we’re trying to compete for our second championship, and just like that, it all changes.

“You know, for me, when I was a kid, I’ve had the same passion since I was 3. I always wanted to be kind of who I am, I could envision it, and it just kind of felt like it was taken away from me, and that was a hard pill to swallow. I was devastated, I was sad, I was emotional, and I did kind of feel betrayed by the game of basketball. Something I love so much that I gave my all to, that was just kind of like taken away. That was tough.”

Watch the full interview below:

Asked when he expects to be back on the court, Tatum was a little less open.

“That is the million dollar question,” he said. “I think for me and my team — the doctor, the organization — the most important thing is making a full recovery, being back 100 percent, not rushing it. But I haven’t said, like, ‘Yo, I’m not playing,’ or anything like that.”

“I have a goal in mind,” Tatum added. “What I will say is I’m not working out, rehabbing six days a week for no reason.”

He was also asked about his family, especially his oldest son Deuce and his mom Brandy Cole, and how much they’ve helped him during his long road to recovery.

“It’s been tremendous,” Tatum said. “Going through something none of us expected or thought would happen, having my mom, having Deuce and my youngest son Dylan, having my friends around when they didn’t know they were helping me just being around, being joyful, uplifting my spirits. Everyone knows my mom and Deuce are my best friends in the world.”

He said he actually lived with his mother for 10 weeks while rehabilitating, because he wasn’t able to go up stairs and his house doesn’t have a bedroom on the first floor.

“It was kind of like being in high school again,” Tatum said.

Tatum appeared on TODAY With Jenna & Friends to promote his partnership with Boston-based Vertex Pharmaceuticals. He is a paid spokesperson for the company and used Journavx, a non-opioid pain medication they manufacture, during his recovery.

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Ramp to Camp: Predicting Jayson Tatum's return date for Celtics

Ramp to Camp: Predicting Jayson Tatum's return date for Celtics originally appeared on NBC Sports Boston

Better days ahead.

That’s the mantra Jayson Tatum delivered over the summer while detailing the early stages of his rehabilitation from Achilles surgery. We can’t help but think it might be a bit of slogan for the 2025-26 Celtics, too.

Because regardless of how the season plays out — and we still believe this team is going to surprise some pundits out of the gates — every day is one step closer to Tatum being back on the court. And that means even better days are ahead.

But when exactly do we think Tatum might be back in an NBA game?

For Day 17 of our Ramp to Camp series, we asked our panel to predict the date that Tatum will return to game action for the Celtics.

First, all the necessary disclaimers: None of our prognosticators are doctors. No one can possibly know how Tatum’s rehab will progress from this moment. But using glimpses from his first 17 weeks of recovery as a guide, we’re tossing some darts at the calendar.

The Celtics have intentionally put no timeline on Tatum’s rehab. All we know is that he’s attacked his recovery with relentless energy, and every indication suggests he’s making encouraging progress. Boston’s brass did all it could to set Tatum up for success, including getting him into surgery almost immediately after the injury with the hope of giving him every opportunity to make an expedited recovery. 

When Tatum initially ruptured his Achilles in Game 4 of the Eastern Conference semifinals, we simply assumed we wouldn’t see him again until October, 2026. Why would the team rush him back? And operating with an abundance of caution might ultimately be the best plan of attack.

But we also know how hard it’s going to be for members of the Celtics organization to keep Tatum on the sidelines once he starts checking the final boxes in his rehab. He’s going to be itching to play in October, let alone March or April.

Tatum sure appears to be doing all he can to force the team to ponder whether a return this season is the best path. 

As Celtics president Rich Gotham noted over the summer: “What I know about JT is that he’s gonna do everything he can to put us in a position to make a decision [about when he plays again].”

Tatum celebrates his 28th birthday on March 3, 2026. That would be slightly more than nine months removed from his injury. If doctors are certain he wouldn’t be putting himself at risk by using late-season games to shake some rust — all while pacing himself in the early stages of that return — we could see Wednesday, March 4 being a belated birthday gift to himself.

The Hornets might not necessarily be a circle-the-date matchup on the surface, but Tatum would have a bunch of Duke fans watching the Hornets broadcast back in North Carolina.

The month of March is overflowing with intriguing matchups. If Tatum is healthy enough by that point, there’s no shortage of opportunities to make a glitzy return.

But here’s the bottom line: If we’re even simply pondering Tatum being close to a return before the end of the 2025-26 season, then that’s a win on its own. And there are most certainly better days are ahead.

Let’s see what dates our panel predicted for Tatum’s return:

Darren Hartwell, Managing Editor

March 14 vs. Washington.

Yes, there’s a case for holding Tatum out the entire season and ensuring he’s fully healthy for 2026-27. But based on how he’s been attacking his rehab, we could absolutely see him being cleared to play 10 months and one day after his surgery.

After weeks of lobbying, Tatum finally convinces the Celtics to let him play limited minutes against the lowly Wizards on the first game of a three-game homestand.

Michael Hurley, Web Producer

Late October, 2026.

I know everybody is getting excited, and that’s a good thing. Maybe I’m a worrywart, but the idea of Tatum rushing back to “save the day” sounds like a recipe for re-injury, sadness, dismay, and the like.

Even with Tatum, the Celtics were going to lose to the Knicks last postseason. I think he’d be better served letting Brad Stevens cook next summer and build a behemoth for 2026-27, and then help that team go on a championship run. I see minimal reward to the risk of rushing him back.

Josh Canu, Media Editor

March 22 vs. Minnesota.

I think the noise will start to get loud during the All-Star break and he could come back even sooner, but I’ll play a little more conservative than that and pick a homestand against Minnesota and Oklahoma City. Tatum is entering his physical prime and we know he hates to miss games, so I think he is going to surprise a lot of people. 

Kevin Miller, VP, Content

October 2026.

I want it to be this season, but if there’s a one percent chance that he’s not 100 percent, then you have to be patient.  

Adam Hart, EP, Content Strategy

March 27 vs. Atlanta.

A Friday night at TD Garden could be a rocking welcome for Tatum. He then gets at least one of the next two games off with the back-to-back on the road. Ease him in, but give him a huge ovation from the fans.

Kayla Burton, Celtics Pregame Live host

February 27 vs. Brooklyn.

I would hate to see him rush back, but he’s already rehabbing so well and working incredibly hard to get back out there. Plus he hates sitting out. He’ll be too antsy to sit out the whole season, and he will be back soon after the All-Star break.

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Rockets' Fred VanVleet suffers torn ACL, could miss entire season

The Houston Rockets realized the value of Fred VanVleet, which is why they re-signed the guard to a two-year, $50 million contract this summer. It also shows just what kind of blow this latest news is for a team with championship aspirations.

VanVleet suffered a torn ACL at an unofficial team workout in the Bahamas and could miss the entire upcoming NBA season, a story broken by Shams Charania of ESPN and since confirmed by others. This was a contact injury, and VanVleet has returned to Houston, where he is expected to have surgery later this week.

On a roster stacked with talent on the wings and in the frontcourt — Kevin Durant, Alperen Sengun, Amen Thompson, Jabari Smith Jr. and more — VanVleet was the glue at an otherwise thin point guard spot that held everything together. VanVleet averaged 14.1 points and 5.6 assists last season, and is a plus defender. Last season, the Rockets were 3.3 points per 100 possessions better when VanVleet was on the court. VanVleet's value really stood out in the playoffs, when he averaged 18.7 points, 4.4 assists and 4.1 rebounds a game and the Rockets were 21 points per 100 possessions better when he was on the court in their series loss to the Warriors.

VanVleet's injury puts a lot of pressure on second-year guard Reed Sheppard, who was being asked to make a big step up to the backup point guard role this season and now will have more on his plate. Behind him is veteran Aaron Holiday.

This is a potentially serious blow to the Rockets' title hopes, especially in a deep West where Oklahoma City brings back 14 players from the team that just won the title, and the Denver Nuggets have stacked the roster around Nikola Jokic (that's not even mentioning Anthony Edwards and the Timberwolves or the LeBron James and Luka Doncic tandem in Los Angeles).

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Sixers sign 4 players to Exhibit 10 deals ahead of training camp

Sixers sign 4 players to Exhibit 10 deals ahead of training camp  originally appeared on NBC Sports Philadelphia

With their first official practices of the season coming up over the weekend, the Sixers announced four signings Monday night.

The team has added Emoni Bates, Kennedy Chandler, Malcolm Hill and Jaylen Martin. According to a Sixers source, the players all inked Exhibit 10 deals. 

Exhibit 10 contracts are non-guaranteed, minimum-salary agreements that can be converted into two-way or standard deals before the start of the regular season. In general, Exhibit 10 signees often go on to join an organization’s G League team, since the contracts incentivize players to do so with a bonus. 

Bates is a 6-foot-8 forward and former high school sensation. Now 21 years old, Bates has 25 NBA appearances under his belt over the last two seasons with the Cavs. Bates has averaged 19.8 points and 5.6 rebounds across the past two years in the G League.

Shot selection has broadly been viewed as a weaker area for Bates, who’s a smooth player capable of hitting difficult jumpers. He went just 37.7 percent from the floor and 32.6 percent from three-point range last G League season.

Chandler is a true point guard who measured in at 5-foot-11.5 (without shoes) and 172 pounds at the 2022 NBA draft combine. The Tennessee product wound up going No. 38 overall in that draft and has yet to stick in the NBA. Chandler posted 13.2 points, 5.1 assists, 2.8 rebounds and 1.3 steals in 50 G League games last year for Raptors 905. 

Martin, 21, has 16 games of NBA experience and several G League stops, including with the Delaware Blue Coats. The 6-6 wing averaged 13.5 points, 3.6 rebounds, 2.1 assists and 1.2 steals during the 2024-25 G League season. 

Hill’s also 6-6 and the veteran of the bunch at 29 years old. He’s been a high-scoring, sweet-shooting player in the G League. Hill racked up 22 points per game in the ’23-24 G League season with the Birmingham Squadron and shot 41.8 percent beyond the arc on 7.4 attempts per contest. 

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Fantasy Basketball Guards 2025-26: Top 50 rankings, season outlooks, key stats

We're less than a month away from the start of the NBA season, which makes this a great time to go through our positional rankings at Rotoworld.

You can find our Top 50 forwards here and our Top 50 centers here, but we're discussing guards in this article.

The guard position is a vital one to figure out in fantasy basketball, though it certainly isn't a position that is lacking talent. There are plenty of unique guards with different strengths and weaknesses that can be optimized for any team build, though last season's MVP is alone at the top, thanks to his well-rounded, dominant statistical production.

Below is how we'd value SGA and 49 other guards in fantasy basketball this season.

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1. Shai Gilgeous-Alexander, Oklahoma City Thunder

Position: PG

2024-25 stats: 32.7 points, 5.0 rebounds, 6.4 assists, 1.7 steals, 1.0 block, 2.1 three-pointers

SGA was the best guard in fantasy basketball last season, which is why he should be selected with a top-three pick in every draft. The reigning MVP is the top guard on our board due to a combination of his ability and his availability. The Thunder rotation should be the same as it was last season, which means SGA should be able to deliver a similar output. Not that any roster change would actually impact his production; he’ll continue to be one of the best offensive players in the league while also providing both steals and blocks. He posted career-highs in points, assists and three-pointers last season, and he’ll be in the mix for the top spot in fantasy basketball once again this year.

2. Luka Dončić, Los Angeles Lakers

Positions: PG/SG

2024-25 stats: 28.2 points, 8.2 rebounds, 7.7 assists, 1.8 steals, 3.5 three-pointers

Raise your hand if you accurately predicted how Doncic’s 2024-25 season would go. He missed time early on due to injuries, and then was traded to the Lakers in a move that shocked the basketball world. The last few months of their season was simply a trial run, and they made moves this offseason to better build around Doncic and LeBron James, with the signing of Deandre Ayton as the team’s lob threat down low as the main addition. Now, with an offseason to forge a team and playbook around the strengths of Doncic, the Lakers will be looking to compete for a title. With LeBron on the wrong side of 40, keeping him fresh for the playoffs is a priority, which means Doncic will be running things more often than not. He should be in for what has become a typical dominant season.

3. Cade Cunningham, Detroit Pistons

Positions: PG/SG

2024-25 stats: 26.1 points, 6.1 rebounds, 9.1 assists, 1.0 steals, 0.8 blocks, 2.1 three-pointers

It took a few seasons, but Detroit was finally able to put together a competitive roster around Cunningham, and it immediately resulted in the best season of his career. The added spacing of Malik Beasley and Tim Hardaway Jr. opened up driving lanes for Cade, and the development of his teammates made things easier. Plus, Cunningham made individual strides. The Pistons lost THJ in free agency, and Beasley remains unsigned, but the return of Jaden Ivey, who missed the final three months of last season with a broken leg, should help make up for the losses. There’s no reason to think Cunningham won’t continue to progress after making his first All-NBA team last season.

4. Anthony Edwards, Minnesota Timberwolves

Positions: PG/SG

2024-25 stats: 27.6 points, 5.7 rebounds, 4.5 assists, 1.2 steals, 4.1 three-pointers

Every year, Edwards seems to take a step forward and add something new to his game. Last season, it was a three-point revolution for him, as he led the league in total threes made and increased his scoring average, which he has done every season of his career. Minnesota lost Nickeil Alexander-Walker in free agency, but the rest of the rotation should look the same, with some of the young guys making up for NAW’s departure. None of that will directly impact Edwards’ spot, and he’ll continue to carry the offensive workload for the T-wolves, which should result in a monster season for him.

5. Devin Booker, Phoenix Suns

Positions: PG/SG

2024-25 stats: 25.6 points, 4.1 rebounds, 7.1 assists, 0.9 steals, 2.4 three-pointers

To put it mildly, last season was a disaster for the Suns, but it wasn’t terrible for Booker. Sure, his field goal percentage dropped, but he was still able to average at least 25 points for the seventh consecutive season, and he set a new career-high for assists. Now, Phoenix’s “big three” experiment is over, with Kevin Durant in Houston and Bradley Beal in Los Angeles. The Suns brought back Jalen Green and Dillon Brooks, but this is clearly Booker’s team. While the two newcomers will see their fair share of usage, everything is going to run through Booker under new head coach Jordan Ott. It isn’t an unfair expectation to think Booker could be in for the most productive season of his career.

6. Trae Young, Atlanta Hawks

Position: PG

2024-25 stats: 24.2 points, 3.1 rebounds, 11.6 assists, 1.2 steals, 2.9 three-pointers

Young started last season slowly, and while he did improve as the season progressed, he posted the lowest field goal percentage of his career and his fewest points per game since his rookie year. Young was one of the premier point guard options in fantasy hoops last season by providing a healthy dose of points, assists and threes while maintaining an elite free throw percentage and rate. Now, he has the most talented supporting cast of his career, headlined by the addition of Kristaps Porzingis, who is by far the best stretch five that Young has played with. It wouldn’t be shocking if Young was able to have one of the most efficient seasons of his career with more space to operate in.

7. Donovan Mitchell, Cleveland Cavaliers

Positions: PG/SG

2024-25 stats: 24.0 points, 4.5 rebounds, 1.0 assists, 1.3 steals, 3.3 three-pointers

While the Cavs were able to put together the second 60-win season in franchise history, it wasn’t because Mitchell took a step forward. In fact, his numbers regressed across the board during the first season under Kenny Atkinson. Mitchell’s 31.4 minutes per game were a career-low, which can at least partially be attributed to the absurd amount of blowout wins the team had. They didn’t make many offseason changes, but they’ll enter the year with Darirus Garland (toe) and Max Strus (foot) both dealing with injuries, which should mean extra usage for Mitchell early on. He could certainly be in for a bounceback season after “only” providing third-round value in nine-category leagues last season.

8. Amen Thompson, Houston Rockets

Positions: PG/SG/SF

2024-25 stats: 14.1 points, 8.2 rebounds, 3.8 assists, 1.4 steals, 1.3 blocks

When Jabari Smith Jr. went down with a left hand injury last season, Thompson stepped into a starting role with Houston and never gave it back. In just his second year, Thompson became one of the best players in fantasy basketball, and the trade to bring in Kevin Durant will only help. With Jalen Green and Dillon Brooks gone, Thompson will be the Rockets’ best defender and starting shooting guard. Durant’s presence will create more space for Thompson as a driver, and his dominance defensively should continue. Shooting will never be a strength for him, but Thompson is impactful everywhere else.

9. Stephen Curry, Golden State Warriors

Position: PG

2024-25 stats: 24.5 points, 4.4 rebounds, 6.0 assists, 1.1 steals, 4.4 three-pointers

Curry just keeps getting it done at a high level. He was back up over a steal per game and played at least 70 games for the second straight season. He also survived a slower start to the season (to his standards) and was better after the All-Star break. The trade deadline addition of Jimmy Butler will alleviate some of the offensive responsibility from Curry, but it also made life a little easier. This roster still has some unknowns as they try to navigate the Jonathan Kuminga saga, but nothing should drastically impact Curry’s production. This team will go as far as he takes them. They know that, and there’s nothing that could happen that will change that.

10. James Harden, LA Clippers

Positions: PG/SG

2024-25 stats: 22.8 points, 5.8 rebounds, 8.7 assists, 1.5 steals, 3.0 three-pointers.

Even at his age, Harden continues to get it done. He played 79 games last season, making it the second consecutive season that he played at least 70 games. He also provided second round value, which was a nice bounceback for him after he finished outside the first two rounds during the 2023-24 season for the first time in over a decade. The Clippers made some roster upgrades this offseason, but nothing should impact Harden’s place in the rotation or his usage. He figures to be among the league leaders in assists once again while still providing plenty of points, steals and threes.

11. Tyrese Maxey, Philadelphia 76ers

Position: PG

2024-25 stats: 26.3 points, 3.3 rebounds, 6.1 assists, 1.8 steals, 3.1 three-pointers

There was a lot to be frustrated about in Philadelphia last season, but Maxey’s early season success wasn’t part of that. He had the best season of his career and was one of the best players in fantasy basketball from mid-December to early February. He wasn’t available much after the All-Star break, but he should be healthy to start this season. The availability of Joel Embiid is the big question mark in Philly right now, and the answer should have a large impact on how dominant Maxey can be. Regardless, Maxey will at least be the second option, and it’s hard to imagine Embiid playing more than 50-55 games, and that’s staying positive. Maxey should run this team for much of the upcoming season.

12. Jalen Brunson, New York Knicks

Position: PG

2024-25 stats: 26.0 points, 2.9 rebounds, 7.3 assists, 0.9 steals, 2.3 three-pointers

The arrival of Karl-Anthony Towns and Mikal Bridges gave the Knicks a more balanced roster, which contributed to Brunson taking nearly three fewer shots per game last season. His scoring dropped, but he made up for it with a career-high for assists. New York moved on from Tom Thibodeau this summer and hired Mike Brown to replace him. They also added more depth in the backcourt with Jordan Clarkson and Malcolm Brogdon. Brunson will still be the focal point offensively, but there’s certainly a chance he loses out on a few minutes per game. Still, he should be one of the best offensive players in the league once again, and Brown will want to take advantage of that in his first season at the helm. Expect plenty of points and assists from Brunson once again.

13. Josh Giddey, Chicago Bulls

Positions: PG/SG

2024-25 stats: 14.6 points, 8.1 rebounds, 7.2 assists, 1.2 steals, 1.5 three-pointers

The knee jerk reaction to the trade that sent Alex Caruso to the Thunder and Giddey to the Bulls was that OKC dominated the trade. While the addition of Caruso helped the Thunder win the championship last season, it doesn’t feel like a landslide deal anymore, thanks to the second-half emergence of Giddey, who was one of the best players in fantasy basketball after the All-Star break. It took a while, but they signed him to a four-year, $100 million contract in September. They didn’t give him superstar money, but he should play that role for them for the next few seasons, which means he could be in for a monster season in the box score.

14. De’Aaron Fox, San Antonio Spurs

Positions: PG/SG

2024-25 stats: 23.5 points, 4.8 rebounds, 6.3 assists, 1.5 steals, 1.9 three-pointers

Drama swirled around Sacramento early on last season, which resulted in Mike Brown being fired in December and Fox being traded to San Antonio in February. Fox only played in 17 games for the Spurs, with Victor Wembanyama only being available for five of those. San Antonio also added Dylan Harper with the second pick in the draft, and while he shouldn’t impact Fox’s minutes immediately, it does put his future with the team in question, which is weird to think about, since they’ve barely had him on the roster. Still, that won’t alter this season, and Fox should be in for a big year as the lead ball handler and playmaker for the most talented Spurs team in a while. The Fox-Wemby pairing should be fun to watch and only get better as the season progresses.

15. LaMelo Ball, Charlotte Hornets

Positions: PG/SG

2024-25 stats: 25.2 points, 4.9 rebounds, 7.4 assists, 1.1 steals, 3.8 three-pointers

LaMelo played 47 games last season. While that was an improvement over his two previous seasons, it still wasn’t good enough. It’s difficult to invest a premium pick into a player that has played 105 gamesover the last three seasons, but that’s the type of talent that Ball is. Charlotte added Kon Knueppel in the draft and traded for Collin Sexton, which will provide Ball with more space to operate and scorers to pass the ball to. This team is talented enough to compete for a postseason spot in the East, but like the last few seasons, it won’t happen if Ball isn’t available to play. That’s the risk every manager will take when they consider drafting him, but if he has a healthy season, the payoff will be worth it.

16. Desmond Bane, Orlando Magic

Positions: SG/SF

2024-25 stats: 19.2 points, 6.1 rebounds, 5.3 assists, 1.2 steals, 2.4 three-pointers

Bane has been a top-40 player in nine-cat leagues for each of the last four seasons, but he’ll get a fresh start in Orlando after spending the first five seasons of his career in Memphis. Bane will immediately step into a starting spot and provide Paolo Banchero and Franz Wagner with plenty of space to operate in the paint. Bane will be the third option on offense, but he should get plenty of good looks as a floor spacer while still getting the chance to orchestrate the offense. It may look different, but there’s no reason to think Bane won’t be able to replicate top-tier production for his new squad as they try to compete for the top seed in the East.

17. Dyson Daniels, Atlanta Hawks

Positions: PG/SG

2024-25 stats: 14.1 points, 5.9 rebounds, 4.4 assists, 3.0 steals, 1.1 three-pointers

There may not have been a better value pick last season than Daniels, who won the Most Improved Player award and was a finalist for Defensive Player of the Year. In his first season with Atlanta, Daniels enjoyed a breakout season and led the league in steals. The Hawks added some backcourt depth this offseason in Nickeil Alexander-Walker and Luke Kennard, but neither should impact Daniels’ place in the rotation. Daniels may not replicate his steals production from last season, but he should be among the league leaders in swipes.

18. Derrick White, Boston Celtics

Positions: PG/SG

2024-25 stats: 16.4 points, 4.5 rebounds, 4.8 assists, 0.9 steals, 1.1 blocks, 3.5 three-pointers

White ascended to fantasy stardom two years ago and was able to maintain that last season. He took slight hits across the board, but he set a new career-high for points, rebounds and three-pointers, which prevented his overall value from sinking far despite a drop in shooting percentages. Obviously, this Celtics roster is going to look quite different next season, with Jayson Tatum (Achilles) out for the season, Jrue Holiday and Kristaps Porzingis gone, Al Horford likely gone, and Anfernee Simons in town. White is now the clear best defender, and he’s still one of the best offensive players, though he may not see a usage bump with both Simons and Payton Pritchard splitting point guard duties. Still, White should remain a top-tier option in fantasy basketball once again.

19. Jamal Murray, Denver Nuggets

Positions: PG/SG

2024-25 stats: 21.4 points, 3.9 rebounds, 6.0 assists, 1.4 steals, 2.3 three-pointers

After years of injury question marks, Murray has been able to flip the narrative in recent years. His 67 games last year were the most he’s played since the 2018-19 season, and his 36.1 minutes per game were a career-high. Denver made some backcourt upgrades this offseason by bringing in Bruce Brown and Tim Hardaway Jr., but neither move should have an impact on Murray’s production. Assuming Murray is able to have another healthy season, he should be in line for another strong season after finishing in the top-20 in nine-cat value last season.

20. Darius Garland, Cleveland Cavaliers

Position: PG

2024-25 stats: 20.6 points, 2.9 rebounds, 6.7 assists, 1.2 steals, 2.8 three-pointers

Despite a slow finish to last season, Garland was still able to have a productive year, finishing in the top-50 for the third time in the last four years. It was a step up after a down year during the 2023-24 season, and he was able to address the toe issue that caused his slow finish to the year by undergoing a procedure in June. He’s expected to miss the start of the season, but it isn’t expected to be a long-term absence, though it could cause him to start the year slow.

21. Ja Morant, Memphis Grizzlies

Position: PG

2024-25 stats: 23.2 points, 4.1 rebounds, 7.3 assists, 1.2 steals, 1.8 three-pointers

Morant was in and out of the lineup all season for Memphis, but his 50 games played were a huge step up after only being available nine times the year before. However, his production took a hit across the board, including his minutes. The team fired Taylor Jenkins at the end of the season and made Tuomas Iisalo the full-time coach at the end of the year. Iisalo emphasized pick-and-rolls with Zach Edey way more than Jenkins did, which is something Morant had been asking for. Health will continue to be a concern for Morant, but he could certainly have the most productive season of his career.

22. Austin Reaves, Los Angeles Lakers

Positions: PG/SG

2024-25 stats: 20.2 points, 4.5 rebounds, 5.8 assists, 1.1 steals, 2.7 three-pointers

Reaves is coming off the most productive season of his career, and he continues to improve every year. The trade for Luka Doncic didn’t slow him down; in fact, he was even better after the deal. The Lakers made some improvements this offseason, but none that will alter the backcourt rotation. Reaves will look to replicate his late-season numbers, where he was a borderline top-25 player in fantasy basketball. It seems unlikely that he does, but if he can, he’ll end up thoroughly outplaying his ADP.

23. Immanuel Quickley, Toronto Raptors

Positions: PG/SG

2024-25 stats: 17.1 points, 3.5 rebounds, 5.8 assists, 2.6 three-pointers

When Quickley was traded to the Raptors during the 2023-24 season, he was productive during the second half of that year, which led to many expecting a breakout for him last season. Unfortunately, injuries prevented that from happening. Now, he’s healthy to start this year, and he’ll be running a team that also added Brandon Ingram, who is set to make his debut for them. Quickley could be in line to have the breakout season that was expected last year, and if he does, Toronto could compete for a postseason spot.

24. Jordan Poole, New Orleans Pelicans

Positions: PG/SG

2024-25 stats: 20.5 points, 3.0 rebounds, 4.5 assists, 1.3 steals, 3.5 three-pointers

Despite a tumultuous first season in Washington, Poole was much better last year, which resulted in him posting career-highs in points, steals and three-pointers per game. That was enough for New Orleans to trade for him this offseason and task him with being the team’s point guard while Dejounte Murray recovers from an Achilles tear. Everything went wrong for the Pelicans last season, but Poole can have a productive year as the primary playmaker for a talented team. They don’t have the rights to their 2026 first-round pick, which means there’s no incentive to tank. There’s no reason to think Poole will be at risk of being a shutdown candidate if things go poorly for New Orleans again.

25. Kyrie Irving, Dallas Mavericks

Position: PG

2024-25 stats: 24.7 points, 4.8 rebounds, 4.6 assists, 1.3 steals, 2.9 three-pointers

Irving was an important piece for Dallas last season but quickly became even more important after Luka Doncic was traded to the Lakers. He was carrying the load offensively for the Mavericks for most of February before tearing his ACL in March. Irving will miss at least the first few months of the season, if not more, but it's difficult to pass on a player that's this good for very long. D'Angelo Russell and Cooper Flagg will both help with facilitating the offense until Irving returns, but he should be an impactful player when he's healthy, especially during the fantasy playoffs.

NBA: Playoffs-Milwaukee Bucks at Indiana Pacers
12-Team, 9-Cat Fantasy Basketball Mock Draft 2025-26: Take Giannis Antetokounmpo and don’t look back
Starting a draft with Giannis Antetokounmpo allows you to establish your team’s strengths and weaknesses immediately.

26. Tyler Herro, Miami Heat

Positions: PG/SG

2024-25 stats: 23.9 points, 5.2 rebounds, 5.5 assists, 0.9 steals, 3.3 three-pointers

27. Anfernee Simons, Boston Celtics

Positions: PG/SG

2024-25 stats: 19.3 points, 2.7 rebounds, 4.8 points, 0.9 steals, 3.1 three-pointers

28. Zach LaVine, Sacramento Kings

Positions: PG/SG

2024-25 stats: 23.3 points, 4.3 rebounds, 4.2 assists, 0.8 steals, 3.2 three-pointers

29. Andrew Nembhard, Indiana Pacers

Positions: PG/SG

2024-25 stats: 10.0 points, 3.3 rebounds, 5.0 assists, 1.2 steals, 0.8 three-pointers

30. Coby White, Chicago Bulls

Positions: PG/SG

2024-25 stats: 20.4 points, 3.7 rebounds, 4.5 assists, 0.9 steals, 2.9 three-pointers

31. Christian Braun, Denver Nuggets

Positions: SG/SF

2024-25 stats: 15.4 points, 5.2 rebounds, 2.6 assists, 1.1 steals, 1.1 three-pointers

32. Jalen Green, Phoenix Suns

Positions: PG/SG

2024-25 stats: 21.0 points, 4.6 rebounds, 3.4 assists, 0.9 steals, 2.9 three-pointers

33. Cam Thomas, Brooklyn Nets

Positions: SG/SF

2024-25 stats: 24.0 points, 3.3 rebounds, 3.8 assists, 2.7 three-pointers

34. Payton Pritchard, Boston Celtics

Position: PG

2024-25 stats: 14.3 points, 3.8 rebounds, 3.5 assists, 0.9 steals, 3.2 three-pointers

35. Jalen Suggs, Orlando Magic

Position: PG

2024-25 stats: 16.2 points, 4.0 rebounds, 3.7 assists, 1.5 steals, 0.9 blocks, 2.2 three-pointers

36. D’Angelo Russell, Dallas Mavericks

Position: PG

2024-25 stats: 12.6 points, 2.8 rebounds, 5.1 assists, 1.0 steal, 1.9 three-pointers

37. Bennedict Mathurin, Indiana Pacers

Positions: SG/SF

2024-25 stats: 16.1 points, 5.3 rebounds, 1.9 assists, 1.4 three-pointers

38. CJ McCollum, Washington Wizards

Positions: PG/SG

2024-25 stats: 21.1 points, 3.8 rebounds, 4.1 assists, 0.8 steals, 3.1 three-pointers

39. Bradley Beal, LA Clippers

Positions: SG/SF

2024-25 stats: 17.0 points, 3.3 rebounds, 3.7 assists, 1.1 steals, 1.9 three-pointers

40. Malik Monk, Sacramento Kings

Position: SG

2024-25 stats: 17.2 points, 3.8 rebounds, 5.6 assists, 0.9 steals, 2.1 three-pointers

41. Brandin Podziemski, Golden State Warriors

Positions: PG/SG

2024-25 stats: 11.7 points, 5.1 rebounds, 3.4 assists, 1.1 steals, 1.8 three-pointers

42. Scoot Henderson, Portland Trail Blazers

Position: PG

2024-25 stats: 12.7 points, 3.0 rebounds, 5.1 assists, 1.0 steal, 1.6 three-pointers

43. Collin Sexton, Charlotte Hornets

Positions: PG/SG

2024-25 stats: 18.4 points, 2.7 rebounds, 4.2 assists, 1.7 three-pointers

44. Jaden Ivey, Detroit Pistons

Positions: PG/SG

2024-25 stats: 17.6 points, 4.1 rebounds, 4.0 assists. 2.1 three-pointers

45. Shaedon Sharpe, Portland Trail Blazers

Positions: SG/SF

2024-25 stats: 18.5 points, 4.5 rebounds, 2.8 assists, 0.9 steals, 2.0 three-pointers

46. Dennis Schröder, Sacramento Kings

Position: PG

2024-25 stats: 13.1 points, 2.6 rebounds, 5.4 assists, 0.9 steals, 1.7 three-pointers

47. Stephon Castle, San Antonio Spurs

Positions: PG/SG

2024-25 stats: 14.7 points, 3.7 rebounds, 4.1 assists, 0.9 steals, 1.2 three-pointers

48. VJ Edgecombe, Philadelphia 76ers

Positions: SG

2024-25 stats (at Baylor): 15.0 points, 5.6 rebounds, 3.2 assists, 2.1 steals, 1.6 three-pointers

49. Keyonte George, Utah Jazz

Positions: PG/SG

2024-25 stats: 16.8 points, 3.8 rebounds, 5.6 assists, 2.6 three-pointers

50. Dejounte Murray, New Orleans Pelicans

Positions: PG/SG

2024-25 stats: 17.5 points, 6.5 rebounds, 7.4 assists, 2.0 steals, 1.7 three-pointers

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Rockets star Fred VanVleet tears ACL, could miss entire season: Report

Rockets star Fred VanVleet tears ACL, could miss entire season: Report originally appeared on NBC Sports Philadelphia

Houston, we have a problem.

Rockets starting point guard Fred VanVleet tore his ACL and could miss the entire 2025-26 season, ESPN’s Shams Charania first reported Monday.

The injury transpired at a recent offseason workout, Charania added.

Because of Houston’s tight cap space situation, it cannot fill its one open roster spot with a free agent due to being $1.25 million below the first apron, barring a trade.

Current available point guards on the market include Russell Westbrook, Ben Simmons and Cam Payne, among others.

It’s a significant blow for a Houston side that has hopes of rocketing into the top tier of the Western Conference following the addition of Kevin Durant alongside many young talents.

But the 31-year-old VanVleet played an underrated two-way role on the team, ranking in the top three in assists, steals and 3-pointers made. He averaged 14.1 points, 5.6 assists, 3.7 rebounds and 1.6 steals on a 37.8/34.5/81 shooting split. Not having him available likely straps them in the tier below contending.

It was his second season with Houston following a seven-year run with the Toronto Raptors. He signed a two-year, $50 million extension in June, which includes a player option for next season.

If the Rockets opt for internal solutions, head coach Ime Udoka has 2018 first-round pick Aaron Holiday and 2024 No. 3 overall pick Reed Sheppard as the next men up.

Sheppard, a Kentucky product, played 52 games as a rookie but averaged just 12.6 minutes. In that time, he posted 4.4 points a game and 1.4 assists on a 35/33/81 shooting split on 4.6/2.7/0.3 volume.

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Why the 2025-26 Knicks are set up to win franchise's first NBA title in over 50 years

Nothing goes together like sports fans and saying “this is the year” when it almost certainly is not -- a tradition the Knicks’ faithful haven't genuinely participated in for decades. 

However, coming off their first Conference Finals trip of the millennium with a new coach and bolstered depth, New York is giving its fans a real chance to capture this timeless delusion.

While usually safer to lower expectations, the Knicks are in a real place to compete and believe they can win their first championship in over 50 years. 

Here are the reasons fans should think this is the year...

The talent is there and ready to be maximized 

Let’s not forget these Knicks came an unlucky bounce and one win away from making the Finals last year, while going through the ringer in the physical Pistons, champion Celtics and eventual runner-up Pacers. They’ve returned largely the same roster, with a coaching change and some depth additions that should assure the roster is reaching its potential.

It didn’t feel that way last year and the numbers reflected it. No Jalen Brunson-led, Karl-Anthony Towns-spaced offense should finish 16th in offensive rating post Jan. 1 -- or seventh in the playoffs. And Mike Brown was brought in to help turn that around.

Assuming he adds the necessary offensive zest without jeopardizing the defense, it’s hard to find better rosters on paper. New York has two top players at its respective positions and multiple borderline All-Star level guys to support them, with some of the best bench pieces in the league when productive. 

Add onto that Jordan Clarkson and Guerschon Yabusele and you have the total package. These two not only bring strong individual production, but address specific needs that should keep the returning rotation in their ideal roles and fresher overall. 

The East is vulnerable

This isn’t just about how ready the Knicks are to win it all, but how unprepared the rest of their conference is. Make no mistake, anybody is susceptible in a seven-game series, but not having to seriously worry about the usual major threats inspires confidence.

The Pacers and Celtics, arguably the two biggest obstacles in the Knicks' way, will be going into this season without their best players -- Tyrese Haliburton and Jayson Tatum -- who both suffered Achilles tears during the postseason. 

Without them, these two teams aren’t title contenders, and their front offices appeared to operate from that mindset this offseason, so don’t expect these guys to get rushed back, either.

May 7, 2025; Boston, Massachusetts, USA; New York Knicks forward Mikal Bridges (25) defends against Boston Celtics forward Jayson Tatum (0) in the last seconds of the fourth quarter during game two of the second round for the 2025 NBA Playoffs at TD Garden.
May 7, 2025; Boston, Massachusetts, USA; New York Knicks forward Mikal Bridges (25) defends against Boston Celtics forward Jayson Tatum (0) in the last seconds of the fourth quarter during game two of the second round for the 2025 NBA Playoffs at TD Garden. / David Butler II - Imagn Images

Cleveland has been lurking as a top seed and high-talent threat for years, but can’t seem to win a pivotal playoff series to take them over the hump. They’ve doubled down this season and look to be New York’s biggest foe, but they’ll have to prove it first.

Giannis Antetokounmpo and Joel Embiid are still in the conference, but their teams are loaded with question marks coming off disappointing seasons. 

Milwaukee may fall victim to a Giannis trade request once he gets a feel of Myles Turner as his second best player, and the 76ers need to prove they can stay relatively healthy for more than a couple of weeks.

Chips will be on shoulders

For the reasons above, the Knicks are going to be expected to compete for a championship -- both internally and externally. 

This makes 2025-26 an especially pivotal one for a franchise that’s really been in a rebuilding phase until maybe last season.

Now is the time to actually win, everybody knows it, and they’ve all got a ton to prove in that pursuit. 

Despite All-NBA honors and postseason domination, Brunson is constantly dismissed in top player conversations and is still having to cement his eliteness like a plucky underdog.

Like every Towns year of the past five seasons, he looked shaky defensively in the postseason and some still questioned whether a team could win with him. Mikal Bridges is tied to the pick price it took to acquire him, a value only deemed fair once he’s helped deliver a championship.

OG Anunoby signed the biggest contract in Knicks history after they traded two homegrown, fan favorite pieces to get him. Leon Rose, the man who brought all these guys together, fired the coach who helped get them here to prove this team can win it all, and the entire legacy of his era now rests on that bet. 

And don’t think Brown isn’t looking to prove his championship mettle. After falling short with LeBron James and Kobe Bryant, he wants to show it was the fault of his stars and not his coaching.

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Pre-camp Sixers questions: Can Sixers avoid another disastrous start to season?

Pre-camp Sixers questions: Can Sixers avoid another disastrous start to season? originally appeared on NBC Sports Philadelphia

The Sixers will travel to Abu Dhabi for preseason games vs. the Knicks on Oct. 2 and Oct. 4. They’ll begin their regular season by facing the Celtics on Oct. 22. 

Before the action commences, we’re looking at key questions for the 2025-26 Sixers. 

So far, we’ve covered: 

Next up: Can the Sixers avoid another disastrous start to the season? 

In retrospect, the Sixers’ 2024-25 season was over almost as soon as it started. 

The injuries and losses escalated. When they were available, veterans performed poorly. The team’s game-to-game energy was uneven and frigid shooting stretches clearly seeped into the Sixers’ defensive effort. 

“It’s been affecting us all year that way. … It’s hard,” Sixers head coach Nick Nurse said after a Nov. 24 blowout loss to the Clippers. “Just at the start of the game, when you see that you’re actually doing some good things and some of your better players are getting those looks and they just continually don’t go in, I think it does affect your defense in a couple of ways.

“One, you’re playing off a long rebound. And then you’re playing a little bit off of some disappointment that you did all that work to get a great shot and then it didn’t go in again. But hopefully, those will start going in.”

Nurse’s team dropped to 3-14 in its next game, an overtime defeat to the Rockets. The Sixers then strung together their best month of the season — 10-3 between Nov. 30 and Dec. 30 — but it wasn’t sustainable and the injury deluge never subsided. 

As usual, the most important variable will be the health of the Sixers’ stars. The team has shown Joel Embiid and Paul George out on the floor in recent social media posts. Embiid had arthroscopic surgery on his left knee in April, George in July.

Upgraded health is no guarantee, but it’s also a rather low bar to clear after the Embiid-George duo totaled 60 games last season. The Sixers hope their youngsters help mitigate the injuries that inevitably pop up throughout the year. 

As far as the Sixers’ early-season schedule, there’s pros and cons:

  • The Sixers will play the Jayson Tatum-less Celtics three times in their first 11 games.
  • They’ll face bottom-five Eastern Conference teams last year in four of their first nine games.
  • Over the Sixers’ first 15 games, they have four back-to-backs.
  • The Sixers don’t have a road trip over three games until a five-gamer between Dec. 26 and Jan. 3.
  • Their first extended homestand is a six-game stay in Philadelphia from Jan. 14 to Jan. 24. 

It feels like much more than two years ago, but the Sixers had a very strong start to Nurse’s first season. Following an opening-night loss to the Bucks, they won eight games in a row and sat at the top of the Eastern Conference standings. 

While that sort of turnaround would exceed expectations, it’s obvious the Sixers need some sort of bounce-back start. 

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Ramp to Camp: Predicting the Celtics' starting five on opening night

Ramp to Camp: Predicting the Celtics' starting five on opening night originally appeared on NBC Sports Boston

With the departures of Kristaps Porzingis, Jrue Holiday, Luke Kornet, and (eventually) Al Horford — combined with the absence of a rehabbing Jayson Tatum to start the season — the Boston Celtics are without a group that combined to start 234 games last season and 474 games over the past two seasons.

The Celtics’ starting five on opening night of the 2025-26 season will feature at least three new players. Will some familiar faces slide into those spots? For the 16th installment of our Ramp to Camp series — and kicking off “Predictions Week” — we asked our panel to predict the opening night starting five for the Celtics.

Our five: Payton Pritchard, Derrick White, Jaylen Brown, Sam Hauser, and Neemias Queta.

We’re basically trotting out the remaining core of the 2024 title team and leaning heavily into both their familiarity and skill. It’s one of the few groupings that we have some actual data on from past seasons. 

Our starting five has played 67 minutes together over the past two seasons with a +9.6 net rating. That includes a sizzling 144 offensive rating, per PBPstats tracking. That group shot 41 percent on 3-point attempts with a 68.7 true shooting percentage.

The bad news: That five-man unit was pretty rough on defense, giving up 168 points in 125 defended possessions. Opponents shot 41.5 percent on 3s with a 62.2 true shooting percentage.

It’s hard to pluck too much from that sample, especially when you consider their 67 minutes together was over the course of 18 games. This five never played more than nine minutes together in a game.

We have obvious concerns about rebounding with this lineup. It’s rather undersized and puts a lot of pressure on Queta to control the glass (though we’ve often joked that Pritchard might lead the team in total rebounds with his penchant for chasing down offensive caroms).

We like the idea of putting as much shooting as possible around Brown to start games, then letting newcomer Anfernee Simons get ample touches with reserve pairings. If Pritchard elevates to a starting role, the Celtics do need someone who can be the glue for a younger second unit, and it will be intriguing to see who earns Joe Mazzulla’s trust in that bench group. 

Maybe you need to slide Pritchard or Hauser to bench role at some point to best balance the rotation. Maybe the Celtics need to go bigger and add size at the starting power forward spot. But to start the season, this group is getting the first crack and Mazzulla can tinker from there. 

Training camp reps will be vital to figuring out exactly which players accentuate each other’s talents.

Let’s see what our panel came up with for starting fives:

Darren Hartwell, Managing Editor

Derrick White, Anfernee Simons, Jaylen Brown, Sam Hauser, Neemias Queta.

This was a harder exercise than I expected. In the backcourt, I’m choosing not to mess with a good thing and let Sixth Man of the Year Payton Pritchard be a super-sub, while White can help offset any of Simons’ defensive limitations. You could make the argument for going double-big with Chris Boucher and Queta, but Hauser’s experience earns him the nod as a stretch four for now.

Michael Hurley, Web Producer

I guess I’d go with Derrick White, Anfernee Simons, Jaylen Brown, Sam Hauser and Neemias Queta? 

Like many, I’m still not entirely convinced Simons will be in Boston to start the season, but I still like the idea of Payton Pritchard coming off the bench, even if he sees a big bump in minutes.

I’ve had some fairly high expectations for the team in terms of finishing with a winning record and winning a playoff series. But now that you’ve made me spell out the starting five like this, I’m tempted to adjust ever so slightly. Brown is going to have to do so much heavy lifting.

Josh Canu, Media Editor

Derrick White, Payton Pritchard, Sam Hauser, Jaylen Brown, Neemias Queta.

This seems like the obvious choice with the way this team is constructed. Five carry-over players who Joe Mazzulla will trust and we know all can play together. An undersized lineup for sure, but I think we will have to get used to that this season.

Kevin Miller, VP, Content

Payton Pritchard, Jaylen Brown, Derrick White, Chris Boucher, Neemias Queta.

A focus on shooting with this lineup. Queta needs to be an aggressive offensive rebounder, while Brown needs to be an aggressive defensive rebounder.

Adam Hart, EP, Content Strategy

Payton Pritchard, Derrick White, Jaylen Brown, Chris Boucher, Neemias Queta.

I like the idea of Anfernee Simons leading the second unit and spreading the offensive firepower, versus packing that starting five.

Kayla Burton, Celtics Pregame Live host

Jaylen Brown, Derrick White, Sam Hauser, Anfernee Simons, Neemias Queta. 

I struggled coming up with a starting five because I want to throw Payton Pritchard in there, but I think he is such a spark off the bench and thrives in that role. They also need bigger guys out there as a physical presence in the frontcourt.

Joe Mazzulla may play with the lineup early in the season to figure out his puzzle. 

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Jonathan Kuminga’s agent says qualifying offer in play, eventual trade out of Golden State likely

Three things remain true about Jonathan Kuminga and his future: 1) He wants a bigger role with a team, to be a top-two focal point, something not happening in Golden State anytime soon; 2) Kuminga remains at a stalemate with the Golden Warriors over his next contract (an issue that will be resolved by Oct. 1, one way or another); 3) A divorce between the sides seems inevitable.

All of which is why Kuminga's agent, Aaron Turner, made the media rounds recently. He made the case that if the Warriors don't up the offers to the restricted free agent — specifically giving Kuminga a player option rather than a team option on the final year of their offers — he will take the qualifying offer, play for one year, then become a free agent. Here is what Turner said on ESPN's “The Hoop Collective” podcast.

"He wants to pick where he wants to go. So the QO is real for sure."

Golden State has made three offers to Kuminga (that we know of). The most recent and largest contract is a three-year deal worth $75.2 million, with a team option for the third year. The other primary one was a two-year, $45 million offer, but with a team option on the second year and the Warriors are demanding Kuminga give up the no-trade clause that would come with this offer. The third was a three-year, $54 million deal that was well below fair market value for the forward entering his fifth season.

The first two of those are set up to make Kuminga a trade chip — but one where he has no real control. Kuminga's leverage is that he will take the Warriors' qualifying offer — he gets a no-trade clause, likely would play out the season with the Warriors, then become a free agent next summer. That comes with risk and about $16 million left on the table this season, but Turner emphasized it's in play.

"If JK wants to take [the qualifying offer], it does have upside, right? We've talked about that. You're not getting traded. You're going to have unrestricted free agency. People are going to say, 'Well, Aaron, there's not going to be 10 or 12 teams [with cap space].' Fine, there'll be six teams with cap space for the clear-cut under-35 top wing on the market. So there's a lot of upside."

One way or another, it seems the Warriors and Kuminga are headed for a split — on a team aiming to win now with Jimmy Butler and Draymond Green as natural fours, where does Kuminga fit in? Warriors coach Steve Kerr has never fully trusted Kuminga (with reason at times), and it feels like the sides are locked in. The Warriors talked trade with Sacramento and Phoenix, but no deal was reached.

The most likely outcome is a compromise contract between the Warriors and Kuminga that gets him some money, some control, but sets up a trade, something Turner talked about in an appearance on 95.7 The Game in San Francisco.

"Another point is: he's probably... there's a good chance he gets traded. Okay? There's a good chance he gets traded, and that's halfway through the year. And he has to go to some team that he doesn't necessarily know which team that's going to be, or what exactly that's going to entail. So when we look at those factors, and just the fact that he's been there for four years and it's been up and down and up and down... when you look at all that, you go, 'Okay, the player option is the signal to him that like, make this work.' And you know, for us, we view it as we see his market at a certain level right now, you know, $24 million. We could all argue about that or whatnot. But making sure that the [Warriors] can stay under the second apron? No problem. We can help with that."

It's a sticky mess of a situation, but one with an absolute deadline — Kuminga has to take the qualifying offer by Oct. 1. Either a new deal is worked out by then, or Kuminga will pick up the offer and play out this season with the Warriors, eyes forward on next summer. That's not a good situation for Kuminga or the Warriors, which is why some kind of two- or three-year contract likely gets worked out in the coming 10 days.

However it shakes out, by Oct. 1 Kuminga will have a new contract and be on a path to another team. Wherever that might be.

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12-Team, 9-Cat Fantasy Basketball Mock Draft 2025-26: Take Giannis Antetokounmpo and don't look back

Another day, another mock! I joined 11 other analysts in a nine-cat, head-to-head mock draft that was hosted by Adam King on Fantrax, selecting from the fifth spot. The other unique aspect of this draft is that it had a third-round reversal, which flips the draft order after the second round.

The top four picks in every draft should be pretty much locked in, which makes the fifth pick an interesting place to start, leaving you with plenty of options.

Round 1

1. Nikola Jokic (C - DEN)

2. Victor Wembanyama (C - SA)

3. Shai Gilgeous-Alexander (G - OKC)

4. Luka Doncic (G - LAL)

5. Giannis Antetokounmpo (F - MIL)

6. Anthony Davis (F - DAL)

7. Anthony Edwards (G - MIN)

8. Cade Cunningham (G - DET)

9. James Harden (G - LAC)

10. Trae Young (G - ATL)

11. Devin Booker (G - PHO)

12. Karl-Anthony Towns (C - NY)

To me, Giannis is the way to go, and he’s a fun player to build around, with a clear punt path. He’s dominant in a handful of categories, and his weaknesses are clear, meaning you can either try and make up for it, or lean into them. I opted to lean into his strengths by emphasizing points, rebounds, assists, steals and field goal percentage while largely disregarding the other four categories. The end of the first round feels weak this year, so the third-round reversal helped even out the league.

Round 2

13. Stephen Curry (G - GS)

14. Tyrese Maxey (G - PHI)

15. Evan Mobley (F - CLE)

16. Domantas Sabonis (C - SAC)

17. Kevin Durant (F - HOU)

18. Donovan Mitchell (G - CLE)

19. Amen Thompson (F - HOU)

20. Jalen Johnson (F - ATL)

21. Jalen Williams (G - OKC)

22. Josh Giddey (G - CHI)

23. Jaren Jackson (C - MEM)

24. LaMelo Ball (G - CHA)

I felt comfortable taking Johnson here. I’m expecting him to be an All-Star this year, and he fits in well with Giannis. I would’ve loved to get Thompson, but he went one pick before me, which made my decision regarding Johnson much easier. I also thought about Williams, who I have ranked higher than Johnson, but I opted for the better fit. There are quite a few options I really like in round two.

Round 3

25. Myles Turner (C - MIL)

26. Jamal Murray (G - DEN)

27. Scottie Barnes (F - TOR)

28. LeBron James (F - LAL)

29. Tyler Herro (G - MIA)

30. Chet Holmgren (C - OKC)

31. Dyson Daniels (G - ATL)

32. Alperen Sengun (C - HOU)

33. De'Aaron Fox (G - SA)

34. Jalen Brunson (G - NY)

35. Ja Morant (G - MEM)

36. Deni Avdija (F - POR)

While I love the second round, things start to drop off in round three. However, I really lucked out here in a way that made up for a previous mishap. I have Sengun ranked much higher than this and even higher than Johnson. It was an oversight on my part, but it ended up working out flawlessly. I also would’ve been thrilled with Holmgren or Daniels, but they went right before. Also, I suspect Herro will be drafted later after undergoing a procedure on his foot and ankle on Friday.

Round 4

37. Austin Reaves (G - LAL)

38. Darius Garland (G - CLE)

39. Derrick White (G - BOS)

40. Paolo Banchero (F - ORL)

41. Pascal Siakam (F - IND)

42. Kawhi Leonard (F - LAC)

43. Bam Adebayo (C - MIA)

44. Jimmy Butler (F - GS)

45. Cooper Flagg (F - DAL)

46. Franz Wagner (F - ORL)

47. Trey Murphy (F - NO)

48. Kristaps Porzingis (C - ATL)

I had three players on my mind entering this round, and I opted to go with the veteran player in Siakam, partially because Banchero was taken one pick before me. The other player was Zion Williamson, who went one pick before me in the next round, sadly. However, Siakam fits well and should be in for a monster season with Tyrese Haliburton (Achilles) sidelined and Myles Turner now in Milwaukee.

Round 5

49. Payton Pritchard (G - BOS)

50. Desmond Bane (G - ORL)

51. Jaylen Brown (F - BOS)

52. Walker Kessler (C - UTA)

53. Brandon Miller (F - CHA)

54. Coby White (G - CHI)

55. Zion Williamson (F - NO)

56. OG Anunoby (F - NY)

57. Zach LaVine (G - SAC)

58. Ivica Zubac (C - LAC)

59. Immanuel Quickley (G - TOR)

60. Mark Williams (C - PHO)

As I mentioned previously, I was hoping to get Zion, but that just didn’t happen. Anunoby isn’t my favorite fit with the rest of my team, but he is certainly a productive, helpful piece that isn’t going to hurt me anywhere. Plus, he’s a strong source of steals, which I hadn’t really addressed yet. Wasn’t part of my plan, but I’m not upset about it at all. Also, Pritchard in the top-50!

Round 6

61. Jordan Poole (G - NO)

62. Jalen Green (G - PHO)

63. Jakob Poeltl (C - TOR)

64. Fred VanVleet (G - HOU)

65. Ausar Thompson (F - DET)

66. Nikola Vucevic (C - CHI)

67. Rudy Gobert (C - MIN)

68. Lauri Markkanen (F - UTA)

69. Deandre Ayton (C - LAL)

70. Julius Randle (F - MIN)

71. Jalen Duren (C - DET)

72. Joel Embiid (C - PHI)

Yes, this was really early for me to select Thompson, but he fit my team too well for me to risk waiting another round. This Thompson twin is the one I’m hoping to leave every draft with, and I think he’s in for a breakout season like his brother had last year. He may not reach those heights, but he should play more than he ever has, and when he’s been on the floor, he’s been elite. I’m all in on Ausar.

Round 7

73. Miles Bridges (F - CHA)

74. Donovan Clingan (C - POR)

75. Brandon Ingram (F - TOR)

76. Andrew Nembhard (G - IND)

77. Paul George (F - PHI)

78. DeMar DeRozan (F - SAC)

79. Jarrett Allen (C - CLE)

80. Onyeka Okongwu (C - ATL)

81. Josh Hart (G - NY)

82. Matas Buzelis (F - CHI)

83. Alex Sarr (C - WAS)

84. Shaedon Sharpe (G - POR)

I didn’t expect Okongwu to be here, but I certainly wasn’t upset about it. I still think he could start for the Hawks this season at center, and he was producing at an elite level to close out last year. I would’ve loved to get Clingan here, and I was between Allen and Okongwu, though that decision was made for me.

Round 8

85. Isaiah Hartenstein (C - OKC)

86. Mikal Bridges (F - NY)

87. Kel'el Ware (C - MIA)

88. Cameron Johnson (F - DEN)

89. Jalen Suggs (G - ORL)

90. Toumani Camara (F - POR)

91. Keegan Murray (F - SAC)

92. Zach Edey (C - MEM)

93. Michael Porter (F - BKN)

94. Herbert Jones (F - NO)

95. Christian Braun (G - DEN)

96. Bradley Beal (G - LAC)

At this point, I didn’t have a guard, so I really needed to start adding some. I went with Suggs, who will add some defensive stats. He may not provide as many assists as he has in the past with Desmond Bane now in Orlando, but he’ll still be able to produce strong value. I also wanted Edey and Braun, but they didn’t fall to me in the next round.

Round 9

97. Tobias Harris (F - DET)

98. John Collins (F - LAC)

99. Jay Huff (C - IND)

100. Norman Powell (G - MIA)

101. Naz Reid (C - MIN)

102. Draymond Green (F - GS)

103. Kyrie Irving (G - DAL)

104. Brandin Podziemski (G - GS)

105. Devin Vassell (G - SA)

106. Scoot Henderson (G - POR)

107. Anfernee Simons (G - BOS)

108. Kevin Porter (G - MIL)

Podz fits my team perfectly, and I was happy he fell to me here. He’s an excellent rebounder from the guard spot, and he stepped up his play after the Warriors traded for Jimmy Butler. Golden State has a lot of questions left to answer this offseason, but Podz is locked in as a starter. He’ll end up being a bargain outside the top-100.

Round 10

109. Donte DiVincenzo (G - MIN)

110. Jaden McDaniels (F - MIN)

111. Jaden Ivey (G - DET)

112. Kyle Filipowski (C - UTA)

113. Tari Eason (F - HOU)

114. Kyshawn George (G - WAS)

115. Cameron Thomas (G - BKN)

116. Jrue Holiday (G - POR)

117. D'Angelo Russell (G - DAL)

118. RJ Barrett (F - TOR)

119. CJ McCollum (G - WAS)

120. Dennis Schroder (G - SAC)

At this point, I was looking for upside, and nobody fits that better than Eason. The addition of Kevin Durant isn’t going to limit Eason, and there aren’t many players that can contribute defensive stats like Eason. I also considered Schroder to get me some assists, and George is a player I’m hoping to get in the last few rounds of every draft. He just went a tad earlier in this mock.

Round 11

121. Bobby Portis (F - MIL)

122. Dereck Lively (C - DAL)

123. Cam Whitmore (F - WAS)

124. Dejounte Murray (G - NO)

125. Andrew Wiggins (F - MIA)

126. Malik Monk (G - SAC)

127. Nicolas Claxton (C - BKN)

128. Isaiah Collier (G - UTA)

129. Carlton Carrington (G - WAS)

130. Zaccharie Risacher (F - ATL)

131. Jabari Smith (F - HOU)

132. Aaron Nesmith (F - IND)

After missing out on Schroder, I really needed to get some assists in the later rounds, and Collier can certainly provide those. He doesn’t do much scoring, but the rest of my team can help make up for that. I just really needed the dimes.

Round 12

133. De'Andre Hunter (F - CLE)

134. Keyonte George (G - UTA)

135. Scotty Pippen (G - MEM)

136. T.J. McConnell (G - IND)

137. Bennedict Mathurin (F - IND)

138. Jonathan Kuminga (F - GS)

139. Aaron Gordon (F - DEN)

140. Cason Wallace (G - OKC)

141. Mitchell Robinson (C - NY)

142. Kyle Kuzma (F - MIL)

143. Isaiah Jackson (C - IND)

144. Stephon Castle (G - SA)

Mathurin doesn’t fit my team well, but at this point, I don’t really care. This was 20 spots after his Fantrax ADP and 40 spots after his Yahoo! ADP. He’s going to score a ton of points. That’s more than what can be said for most of the other players going in this range.

145. Collin Sexton (G - CHA)

146. Neemias Queta (C - BOS)

147. Lonzo Ball (G - CLE)

148. Ace Bailey (F - UTA)

149. Chris Paul (G - LAC)

150. Moussa Diabate (C - CHA)

151. Bruce Brown (G - DEN)

152. Taylor Hendricks (F - UTA)

153. P.J. Washington (F - DAL)

154. Chris Boucher (F - BOS)

155. Daniel Gafford (C - DAL)

156. Ty Jerome (G - MEM)

The last round is for upside swings, and Hendricks has a ton of upside. He’s the best perimeter defender on the Jazz, and any progression offensively will allow him to be a top-100 producer in nine-cat leagues. He’s not a guarantee, but that’s not what the final round of your draft is for.

Here’s what my full team ended up looking like:

  1. Giannis Antetokounmpo (F - MIL)
  2. Jalen Johnson (F - ATL)
  3. Alperen Sengun (C - HOU)
  4. Pascal Siakam (F - IND)
  5. OG Anunoby (F - NY)
  6. Ausar Thompson (F - DET)
  7. Onyeka Okongwu (C - ATL)
  8. Jalen Suggs (G - ORL)
  9. Brandin Podziemski (G - GS)
  10. Tari Eason (F - HOU)
  11. Isaiah Collier (G - UTA)
  12. Bennedict Mathurin (F - IND)
  13. Taylor Hendricks (F - UTA)

Overall, I was really happy with how this team turned out. The first three rounds were spectacular, and I was able to get a few of my favorite mid-late round targets. As far as the other teams, there was a nice mix of risky swings and value picks, making this an excellent replica of a competitive draft.