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Welcome to Inside the Suns, a deep down analysis of the current Phoenix Suns team in which the Fantable — a round table of Bright Siders — give their takes on the Suns’ latest issues and news.
Fantable Questions of the Week
Q1: Last season, Devin Booker’s shooting was his 4th least-effective (.507), and his three-point shooting (33.0%) was his second-worst ever. How important is it for him to get to at least above his career averages in these areas in 2026-27?
GuarGuar: Definitely was a down year shooting-wise for Book last season. His high free throw rate and percentage is what kept him a decently efficient player last year still. He’s going to need to figure out the three-point inconsistency. There are plenty of guys later in their careers who became more consistent from three, and we need Book to achieve that. His shooting form is different in some way since he came into the league. I think it was to maximize his midrange percentage, but the cost has been consistency from 3. It’s really off-the-dribble threes where he struggles, catch and shoot he’s been solid historically. He’s gotta regain confidence from behind the arc, and I believe in him to do it.
zenzino: Very important. Next question.
For reals, Ishbia has unequivocally stated on numerous occasions that he is ride or die with Devin Booker. Great! Then build the team around him rather than having him adjust to the players that are brought in.
He spent a lot of time last season getting his teammates involved, which is great and what was needed last season, but I agree with many that point Book is not the most effective Book.
The ball is always going to go through Book, and that’s fine. But run some sets that get Book open looks and then, when he gets blitzed (top 10 in getting blitzed), open up passing lanes so the other guys can use his gravity to get open shots.
I’d really like to see Book be more offensively minded this season. Be slightly more selfish about getting his shots. I’d also like to see him be more selective with his 3-pointers. He shouldn’t try to be a high-volume shooter. If he averages around 28 per game, I’d be fine with his assists staying around 6 per game.
For him personally, I really hope he does and puts an end to the ridiculous narrative that he is declining.
Ashton: This feels almost like a loaded question because any self-respecting Suns fan would read this and go “of course this a problem!”
So, I reached for my contrarian hat to try to put this in context. Let’s start with this. Every now and then I get a job description interview from a recruiter that is a literal laundry list of hard to master skills that concludes with “and the kitchen sink”. I wonder what type of job description they would have to write up for Booker? Must be an all-star, must be an able defender, must be able to take over the game in the final minute, must be a play-making facilitator, must be a leader in locker room presence and mentor to players, must lead a winning team to the finals, and the list goes on, finishing with “and the kitchen sink”. This is how the Suns fans would want to write up their HR job description for Booker.
But I rarely encounter the “must-haves” and “nice-to-haves” in these job descriptions smorgasbord. To answer this question, is 3-PT shooting a “must-have”? No. For one, Book was never a volume three-point shooter. We used to joke if this would be the game that Book would put up and make seven or more three-pointers. It was the easiest prop bet in the world to say he wouldn’t. Why? Because teams long ago knew that targeting Book on the offensive end was the key to their defensive scheme. The sweep by the Thunder in last year’s playoffs showed exactly that.
Book is asked to do a lot of things on the court, and improving his three-point efficiency is a “Nice to Have,” but not that relevant in the grand scheme of Ott’s coaching. Playmaking is my “Must Have”. Olympic Book is what I am looking for this year, the same as last year.
Rod: Career averages in those areas would be acceptable but far from optimal. Book doesn’t have to carry this team, but he does have to lead the way…at least on the court. Playing more efficiently while sharing the scoring load with others is the way to do that, in my opinion.
This year, I think he’ll be sharing the court with the best supporting cast he’s had since 2021-22…with a deeper and arguably better bench. The loss of Mark Williams hurts the team, but I think they can make it through his downtime with the depth they have without dropping off too much. I know a lot of fans would be against Ighodaro starting in Mark’s place, but his ability to facilitate could work very well with a starting unit without a true point guard and allow Book to spend less time trying to play point and more time concentrating on putting points on the scoreboard.
Q2: The Suns were 28th in free throw attempts last season (20.3 per game). Do you believe they will get to the line more often in 2026-27?
GuarGuar: I think losing Royce and Grayson will help the team have a higher free throw rate this year. Those guys did not draw many fouls, and adding Bridges, who is a more aggressive slasher, should help too. As aggressive as Brooks is, he’s not much of a foul drawer, and it’s an area I’d like to see him get better at. We basically relied on only Booker to draw fouls last year.
zenzino: I hope so.
Book’s free-throw attempts jumped up by almost 2 to 8.1, which was good for 5th in the league. Hopefully, he can continue his physicality on the offensive end and repeat that.
Green has averaged under 4 per game in previous years. That dropped by half last season because of his injuries. He should be able to bring that up and maybe add 1 or 2 if he stays aggressive.
Surprisingly, Bridges also only averages around 4 per game. I would have guessed more. If he’s concentrating more on putting pressure on the rim, maybe his average goes up too.
I never really count on the Suns getting the benefit of the whistle, though. It’s the curse of the purple and orange since circa 1968.
Ashton: Nope. Sorry to say, Suns fans, but the evidence is just not there. I expect this statistic to be about the same as long as:
There is no dominant frontline to draw fouls
The Suns still have a line-up that is dependent on the mid-range shot. Especially on ISO plays where that is what the player is left with when being defensively shut down.
With Booker’s mouth and Brooks penchant to draw technical fouls, the Suns will not win the Zebra’s favoritism
This ranking may facilitate somewhat, but I just don’t see getting to the FT line in the cards. Oh, yeah, how many times do we play the Lakers again? My nod to the third point. There is just no diplomacy between the Suns players when encountering flopping and maybe phantom fouls and the refs. I am a firm conspiracy theorist that the refs hate us, but the players have a lot to do with that. I am not saying buy the refs flowers before the game, but the way the players conduct themselves on the court is just as important as off the court. Put the egos aside and play the game.
Rod: I think they’ll get to the line more often this year. How much more often? I won’t speculate, but it looks like the Suns are gearing up to attack the basket more often, which generally adds up to more trips to the line than a team that prioritizes three-point shooting. I don’t want the team to seek out contact, though, at least not at the expense of getting off a good shot, but I don’t want them to avoid it either. If they can just be at the league average for FT attempts, I’d be very happy with that.
Q3: Do you expect Koa Peat to get more playing time with the “big team” this year than Maluach and Fleming did in their rookie seasons?
GuarGuar: I don’t expect Koa to play any more than Fleming and Man Man did last year, to be honest. He’s got Fleming, Bridges, and maybe Oso ahead of him on the depth chart for the power forward position. I think the focus is gonna be developing him in the G League until the spring, as we did with Rasheer and Maluach last year. I will say though, Koa has looked way more polished than those two did this time last year.
zenzino: Before the Bridges trade, I would have said 100%.
Now, I’m not so sure. He’s very young with only his freshman season in college under his belt. And now there are thee power forwards on the team. They can afford to be patient even more than they were with the rookies last season.
However, one of the things about Man Man and Sheer was them needing to get their bodies NBA-ready. Koa comes with an NBA body out of the gate. So he has that going for him.
I’d like to see him play a lot with the G-League when the season starts. If he picks up where he left off in Summer League, he’ll soon be dominating. Then he might just earn some minutes with the “big team”.
Addendum: After writing this, news surfaced that Mark Williams will be out for 5-7 months with a torn labrum. I think this might have a bearing on Koa Peat’s playing time.
Because of how the rotations are going to need to be adjusted, I can see situations where the Suns will play a semi-small ball with Bridges and Sheer being the ‘bigs’ and the rest guards. I can also see Peat slotting in for Bridges when he needs a break.
Either way, small ball haters – prepare to hate. When they traded for Bridges and now with this MW injury, the Suns are going to be playing even more small ball than they did last season.
Ashton: This is the rare instance that I get to suggest a new rule. No Fantable member who actively supports their university as an alum must answer this question due to bias concerns about a former college player. This is out of respect for the Sun’s community that is composed of ASU supporters, people who do not give a damn about college athletics, and our international friends overseas (the University of Arizona beat the Lithuanian national squad before FIBA competition in an exhibition game. Michigan did not). Okay, I know my audience. So, Rod, I will pass on this question.
Ah, screw that. I want Koa to get all the minutes he can steal. Starters, developing bench players in KM and Fleming, it doesn’t matter. Steal those minutes, Koa! Show everyone how to get to the free thorw line (Q2) and be an free throw average shooter (which he is). Sun fans will surely enjoy the effort, though. Koa can quickly become a favorite of the Suns fans.
Will it happen? No. Sheer and KM, rightfully, need their development minutes and will take those minutes away from Koa. But you never know. At this point, I thought it was undetermined if Koa Peat would even play on the “Big Team” but rather spend most of his time tearing it up in G League.
Rod: At this point in time, I’d be very surprised if he got more court time than last year’s rooks but it also wouldn’t surprise me if he does get more. Maluach and Fleming obviously weren’t ready for prime-time minutes last season, but Peat still has time to prove himself worthy of some court time in training camp and in the preseason games.
Right now, I expect Fleming to be Bridges’ primary backup at PF with Peat behind him. Fleming and Peat look like different types of PFs to me, though, with Fleming as a 3&D type and Peat as a driving, attack-the-rim sort. Which type is ultimately going to be the best fit with the other players on the court? I have no idea…yet.
I also don’t know how well Peat is going to be defensively in the NBA, and that could play a big role in his court time as well. I’m hoping that he turns out to be a major surprise for the Suns, but I’m not counting on it.
As always, many thanks to our Fantable members for all their extra effort this week!
Suns Trivia/History
On September 12, 2005, the Suns signed former Arizona State University star shooting guard Eddie House to a one-year deal. House didn’t disappoint, appearing in 81 games off the bench; he averaged 9.8 points per game and 38.9% from beyond the arc in 17.5 minutes per game. The Suns would finish the 2005/06 season with a 54-28 record and make it to the Western Conference finals before finally being sent home by Dallas 2-4.
On September 13, 1978, Curtis Perry, a major figure in the Suns’ NBA Finals run in 1975-76, retired after four seasons in the Valley. Perry set career highs during the 1974-75 season of 13.4 points and 11.9 rebounds per game. His 11.9 rpg that season is the 5th highest single-season rebounding average in Suns history, and his career average of 9.49 rpg for the Suns is 7th on the Suns’ All-Time leaders list.
On September 16, 1974, the Suns acquired Curtis Perry, Dennis Awtrey, Nate Hawthorne and a 1976 first-round pick (Adrian Dantley) from the New Orleans Jazz for Neal Walk and a 1975 second-round pick (Clyde Mayes).
Walk, the Suns’ first-ever draft pick (2nd in 1969), averaged 14.7 points and 8.9 rebounds per game, missed only two regular-season games during his 5 seasons in Phoenix, and in 1973 averaged 12.42 rebounds per game which is the second-highest single-season rebounds-per-game average in Suns history behind only Paul Silas’ 12.53 rebounds in 1971. His career high for the Suns was 42 points vs. the Milwaukee Bucks on January 11, 1972. The Suns won 115-114 and Walk outscored future Hall of Fame member and the man picked first above him in the 1969 NBA Draft, Kareem Abdul-Jabbar, 42-27.
In 1988, while Walk was living in Phoenix, it was discovered that he had a benign tumor enveloping his spine. Following surgery, he was left in a wheelchair, from which he played wheelchair basketball for the LA-Phoenix Samaritans in the Southern California league of the National Wheelchair Basketball Association. In 1990, he was honored at the White House by President George H. W. Bush as the “Wheelchair Athlete of the Year.”
He later worked for the Phoenix Suns in the Community Affairs department and sadly passed away on October 4, 2015, due to an unspecified blood disease.
On September 16, 1994, on the same day that the NBA finally approved a one-year, $1 million deal for Danny Manning, the Phoenix Suns submitted a one-year, $850,000 deal for power forward Wayman Tisdale, arguably making the Suns the deepest team in the NBA at that time.
Important Future Dates
Sept. 28 – Media Day Sept. 29 – Training Camp opens Oct. 5 – Suns @ Pistons (preseason) 4:00 PM Oct. 7 – Suns @ Bulls (preseason) 5:00 PM Oct. 10 – Suns vs. Spurs (preseason) 7:00 PM (ESPN2) Oct. 14 – Suns @ Spurs (preseason) 5:00 PM Oct. 16 – Suns vs. Jazz (preseason) 7:00 PM Oct. 20 – 2026-27 NBA Season Begins Dec. 15 – Most players signed to new contracts can be traded Jan. 5 – 10-day contracts may now be signed Jan. 10 – All NBA contracts are guaranteed for the remainder of the season Jan. 15 – All players signed to new contracts can be traded Feb. 11 – Trade Deadline Feb. 19-21 – NBA All-Star 2027
In the slowest point of the offseason — at least until the NBA Board of Governors' meeting next week — here is a quick weekend update on a few topics.
Derrick Jones Jr. not seeking trade
After the NBA brought the hammer down on the Clippers, fans across the league scurried to trade machines, thinking LA's players would scramble to abandon a sinking ship. Nowhere is that truer than among the fans of that other franchise in Los Angeles, which did not land Jonathan Kuminga. Said fans are scrambling to come up with ways they think Rob Pelinka should upgrade their roster — often in ways not grounded in reality.
Enter Derrick Jones Jr. A solid veteran two-way forward, he could help 29 other teams around the league, so speculation started flying. One small problem: He hasn't asked for a trade, nor is he expected to, notes plugged-in Clippers writer Tomer Azarly of Clutch Points.
To address a recent post I saw, Derrick Jones Jr. has not requested a trade from the Clippers, per source.
Both he and the team have a great relationship and the two sides are open to extension talks to keep the forward in Los Angeles.
As Azarly and others have noted recently, agents are constantly looking for ways to get their players paid more, or moved into a position where they get more playing time or a chance to chase a ring. It's an agent's job to think that way. However, it's another couple of steps from there to a player pushing for a trade. Jones is in the final year of his contract at $10.5 million and could hit the free agent market next summer, but that always comes with risk. He could extend with the Clippers — clearly a team in a transition phase but a place Jones likes playing — on a tradable contract, then work with them when other teams come calling. Or, he could let the Clippers know he doesn't intend to re-sign and that they should trade him at the deadline. Jones has options. A smart agent keeps all of those in play while working to get the client what he wants.
In this case, that does not mean a trade from the Clippers in the short term.
Hawks waive Devin Carter, Celtics interested
Back in June, Atlanta picked up a second-round pick from Sacramento for taking on Devin Carter's $5.1 million salary. However, the Hawks have a roster crunch so they have officially waived Carter, who will become a free agent once he clears waivers.
Boston is interested in Carter, a point guard, reports NBA insider Jake Fischer. The Celtics have an open roster spot and the money to sign a player to a minimum contract (or slightly more), but Carter also has two-way eligibility, so Boston could be thinking about that if they want to keep that final roster spot open for flexibility.
Carter played two seasons in Sacramento, totaling 74 games, and last season averaged 8.9 points per game when he did get in, but he is not a floor-spacing guard and shot just 26.3% from beyond the arc. Would that be different in 3-happy Boston?
Worth nothing: Atlanta still has 16 players on guaranteed contracts and has to make one more move — a trade or waiving another player — before the start of the season.
Board of Governors meeting
Next Monday and Tuesday, the NBA owners convene in New York for a Board of Governors meeting, and this one should be interesting. On the docket:
• The Clippers findings and punishments. It's unclear as of now who, if anyone, will represent the Clippers at this meeting. Also unknown is whether they plan to take this to court and fight the stiff punishments handed down by the league. One thing teams are asking about, according to Brian Windhorst at ESPN:
One topic rival front offices have discussed is the less-talked-about but draconian-sounding "compliance and monitoring program by the league office for a period of five years" penalty that was also leveled on the Clippers. The terms were nebulous, probably for a reason, and the devil will surely be in the details.
• Expansion. The NBA is in the process of vetting potential ownership groups for both Las Vegas and Seattle. What we know is there are more bidders for Vegas, the price tag is expected to be higher and it is expected to be approved first, with Seattle to follow. One interesting note about this from ESPN's Windhorst:
Some teams have been projecting the per-team payout for expansion to be $500 million to $600 million, which would put the combined expansion fee at around $15 billion to $18 billion.
• NBA Europe. This is the one owners appear to care more about than domestic expansion, and the league is still on track to open NBA Europe in October of 2027. That said, there are still a lot of questions that remain.
Those start with a potential partnership with EuroLeague, the current peak of European basketball. EuroLeague team owners are meeting in Italy on Oct. 5, and there will be more clarity about that partnership (or lack thereof) after that, Windhorst notes.
The league will have 12 permanent members and another four teams that will play their way in. Exactly what that will look like and who the permanent members may be will come into focus in the coming weeks.
The Lakers may not be finished retooling their roster.
Last month, the entire Lakers roster traveled to Slovenia for a four-day minicamp hosted by Luka Doncic. It appears that two players in attendance for the bonding experience may be on the trade block.
Jarred Vanderbilt has been a trade candidate prior to this offseason. Alonzo Adams-Imagn Images
The Lakers are reportedly looking to trade Jarred Vanderbilt and Dalton Knecht before Opening Night, according to Bleacher Report’s Jake Fischer. The Lakers have 16 players on their roster and need to trim it to 15.
Trading or waiving a player is a possibility with Vanderbilt and Knecht seemingly top candidates.
In February 2025, the Lakers traded Knecht to the Hornets for center Mark Williams. Three days later, Williams failed his physical and Knecht was sent back to LA.
Dalton Knecht could be traded by the Lakers as general manager Rob Pelinka continues to recreate the roster. NBAE via Getty ImagesLakers general manager Rob Pelinka may not be done retooling the roster. IMAGN IMAGES via Reuters Connect
Vanderbilt has two years remaining on his $48 million contract, which makes trading or waiving the forward more difficult for the Lakers. Knecht is entering his third year in the league and is still on his rookie deal.
The 25-year-old has failed to be a reliable or relevant piece for the Lakers, though, since the Hornets trade was rescinded. Knecht had received less playing time because of the lack of production, which is likely why the Lakers are shopping their once highly touted first-round pick.
The Lakers missed out on Jonathan Kuminga, who would have given the the squad a versatile wing defender. LA still has a hole on the roster, but the Lakers evidently still are looking to address their biggest need before the start of the season.
LOS ANGELES, CA - MARCH 23: Chris Paul #3 of the Phoenix Suns and Anthony Davis #3 of the Los Angeles Lakers high fives after the game on March 23, 2023 at Crypto.Com Arena in Los Angeles, California. NOTE TO USER: User expressly acknowledges and agrees that, by downloading and/or using this Photograph, user is consenting to the terms and conditions of the Getty Images License Agreement. Mandatory Copyright Notice: Copyright 2023 NBAE (Photo by Juan Ocampo/NBAE via Getty Images) | NBAE via Getty Images
The Los Angeles Lakers shocked the world in February 2025 by trading championship-winning franchise icon Anthony Davis, keeping it quiet to almost everyone involved — including Davis — essentially blindsiding one of the most important figures of the franchise’s future.
Davis, rightfully so, felt betrayed by Los Angeles for a moment. (“They traded me,” Davis said in the team’s group chat the night he was swapped for Luka Dončić).
Now, sit back and consider this hypothetical:
Imagine if the season after Davis was traded, Deandre Ayton was given permission to wear No. 3.
Utter blasphemy.
The Los Angeles Clippers just did this, perhaps to an even grander scale, to the most important player in the history of their franchise by allowing Bradley Beal to use Chris Paul’s No. 3 this season, a jersey number the NBA universe almost unanimously assumed would be untouched and hanging in the rafters at Intuit Dome.
The Clippers’ latest misstep is not only another wrinkle in a tumultuous offseason, but it’s what seems to be a nail in the coffin of what’s been a turbulent swansong for the franchise’s icon.
Paul’s accomplishmentswith the Clippers may not pale in comparison to Davis’s with the Lakers, considering Davis got a title during his tenure. But relative to the history of both franchises, Paul was infinitely more of an impactful figure to his than Davis, plain and simple.
And the Clippers sent him on his way as if he never existed.
Los Angeles scheduled the latter giveaway for when it hosts Davis and the Washington Wizards on Sunday, Jan. 24, honoring the six-year-old Finals win with one of its most important figures.
AD, like nearly every Lakers fan, probably expected to retire in the purple and gold. Despite an at-times bitter departure that is validated by the NBA simply being a business, the Lakers are making it a point to ensure that Davis is secure in his standing and place in the franchise’s history.
It’s been deduced that, behind closed doors, both sides were ready to move on from each other (perhaps the Lakers more than James’ side is willing to accept). And yet, the Lakers treated the league’s all-time leading scorer with the same respect throughout. Unlike the Clippers, who sent Paul home while the team was in Atlanta during a December road trip.
The Nos. 3 and 23 will be left untouched until they are sent to the rafters, an example of how Los Angeles has made a routine effort to treat its former stars with the utmost esteem, no matter how ugly the departure.
A few examples of Lakers handling past stars
How could we forget how acrimonious Shaquille O’Neal’s departure was? The split still sparks some tension over 20 years later — O’Neal still feels Lakers fans “didn’t love [him] like Kobe” amid contention within the fanbase as James left the franchise in August — but he is still held in high regard by the franchise. O’Neal’s No. 34 is retired and he has a statue outside of the arena.
On the other hand, after Paul’s first departure from Cliptown, Blake Griffin was set up to be the guy moving forward. Los Angeles signed him to a five-year extension and sold him to fans as the next franchise icon. Seven months later, they traded him to Detroit.
Franchise legends like Magic Johnson, Kobe Bryant, Kareem Abdul-Jabbar and Pau Gasol have all been treated with the same dignity in their post-playing careers. It’s the mark of a storied and serious franchise.
Sure, the Clippers don’t have the lineage of players that the Lakers do, but Chris Paul was the closest thing to that.
And now Bradley Beal is wearing his jersey number.
OKLAHOMA CITY, OKLAHOMA - APRIL 02: Maxi Kleber #14 of the Los Angeles Lakers looks on against the Oklahoma City Thunder at the Paycom Center on April 2, 2026 in Oklahoma City, Oklahoma. NOTE TO USER: User expressly acknowledges and agrees that, by downloading and or using this photograph, User is consenting to the terms and conditions of the Getty Images License Agreement. (Photo by Cooper Neill/Getty Images) | Getty Images
Since then, the roster has been transformed and includes Siena, Italy native Nico Mannion, who was selected 48th overall by the Golden State Warriors in 2020. Among others who could reportedly fill out the roster for BC Roma SPQR (previously Vanolia Cremona) is former Los Angeles Laker and a teammate of Dončić’s, Maxi Kleber, as reported by the Slovenian news outlet SportsKlub.
According to Italian media, former German international and Dončić’s long-time teammate in Dallas and Los Angeles, Maxi Kleber, is also in talks for a possible move to Rome”
Kleber spent his first seven-and-a-half seasons in the NBA as a member of the Dallas Mavericks before joining Los Angeles in February 2025 as part of the shocking Dončić-Anthony Davis trade. He played a key reserve role for the Mavericks in 2022, when they made the Western Conference Finals, and 2024, when they made the NBA Finals.
Across 483 career games, he averaged 6.0 points, 4.2 rebounds and 1.1 assists, providing Dallas with floor-spacing and versatile defense off the bench.
Injuries played a role in Kleber never finding a consistent spot in the Lakers’ rotation, though he did help the team pick up some wins last season in spot duty. Heading into free agency this summer, rumors suggested his next stop would be in Europe.
Having that stop be a team owned by Luka, though, would be a cool plot twist.
Maxey was the Sixers’ go-to clutch player in a way that went far beyond him playing the most minutes. The All-NBA guard took 99 clutch field goals. VJ Edgecombe was next with 46, followed by Joel Embiid with 40. The Sixers’ clutch shot distribution will presumably be much less lopsided in the 2026-27 season.
Though Maxey has his challenges as a 6-foot-2 lead ball handler, he’s an ultra-explosive athlete with deep shooting range and doesn’t mind clutch responsiblity.
“His speed is unlike others,” new Sixer Anfernee Simons said of Maxey in a July virtual press conference. “His ability to shoot the ball, his ability to get downhill, his ability to just change the game. I think that’s what makes him special. …That’s one of the things that stands out, just his ability to hit big shots and change the game completely.”
Notably, Edgecombe excelled down the stretch of games his rookie year. He went 58.7 percent from the field and 54.5 percent from three-point range in the clutch, hit game-winning shots, and frequently found the ball with timely rebounds, steals and blocks. We don’t imagine Edgecombe isolations will feature in head coach Nick Nurse’s late-game play calls, but the 21-year-old guard should continue to log heavy clutch minutes and make important plays.
Brown was the Celtics’ primary clutch offensive option last season, tallying 91 points in 95 minutes. He wasn’t close to flawless in the clutch, posting five more turnovers than assists (15-10) and missing 15 of his 21 three-point tries. Still, Brown should be a valuable player for the Sixers in clutch moments because of his isolation scoring ability, physicality and knack for drilling difficult shots. Those traits are all handy when the game is on the line and it’s typically harder to run fluid offense.
James was the Lakers’ No. 2 clutch scorer last year behind Luka Doncic. The hunch here is that he’ll often be the hub of the Sixers’ clutch offense. Every Sixer will respect James’ multi-decade track record and trust his end-of-game problem-solving. Even when he isn’t delivering a flurry of jumpers or burning defenses with clever passes, James will likely be central to the Sixers’ clutch plans.
Embiid should not be forgotten by any means.
The seven-time All-Star’s post-ups will continue to draw heaps of double teams. Embiid’s two-man game with Maxey is well-oiled and dangerous, especially when the 32-year-old big man is in his groove as a short roller and mid-range shooter. Embiid will also hope to build on the Olympic chemistry he had with James two years ago. While Embiid has never been a traditional pick-and-roll center, he’s smart, skilled and very capable of clicking in the clutch with the Sixers’ new stars.
When the clock is winding down and the Sixers are searching for points, they shouldn’t be short on promising options.
For Nurse and his players, the goal will be landing on the right ones against specific opponents and matchups. James and Brown now being Sixers should help in terms of both adaptability and pure star power.
SACRAMENTO, CALIFORNIA - APRIL 10: Devin Carter #22 of the Sacramento Kings dribbles the ball against the Golden State Warriors in the second half of an NBA basketball game at Golden 1 Center on April 10, 2026 in Sacramento, California. NOTE TO USER: User expressly acknowledges and agrees that, by downloading and or using this photograph, User is consenting to the terms and conditions of the Getty Images License Agreement. (Photo by Thearon W. Henderson/Getty Images) | Getty Images
The Celtics are reportedly interested in signing Devin Carter, per NBA reporter Jake Fischer. Carter, who was drafted 13th overall by the Kings in 2024, was traded to the Atlanta Hawks in June in a salary dump to help them escape the second apron. Then, on Friday, NBA reporter Michael Scotto reported that the Hawks were waiving Carter.
The Boston Celtics have shown interest in signing Devin Carter, sources say, once the Providence product clears waivers. https://t.co/xO4Ez6rQCj
The 24-year-old guard averaged 8.9 points, 3.3 rebounds, and 2.7 assists in 18.4 minutes across 38 games played for the Sacramento Kings last season. He shot 41.4% from the field and 26.3% from three, while averaging 3.3 rebounds and 2.7 assists.
Carter had several big games in his sophomore season; in a win over the Indiana Pacers on March 10th, he finished with 24 points, 22 points of which came in the fourth quarter.
Before the NBA, Carter played for the University of South Carolina (2021-2022) and Providence (2022-2024). In his senior season, he was named the BIG EAST Player of the Year after averaging 19.7 points, 8.7 rebounds, and 3.6 assists.
The Celtics could add Devin Carter to their guard rotation
The Celtics currently have 14 players under contract entering the season, as well as two players under two-way contracts. Carter could become their 15th rostered player, but it’s also possible that the Celtics will waive or trade a player to clear up room for him.
The Celtics currently have Derrick White and Payton Pritchard as their lead guards, with free agent Mike Conley coming off the bench. But outside of that, the roster doesn’t feature a ton of guards; Baylor Scheierman and Ron Harper Jr. can both handle the ball, but they’re not traditional point guards.
The Celtics will introduce Paul George, Mike Conley, and Mitchell Robinson on Tuesday, and training camp is set to begin on September 28th. Whether they’ll bolster the roster by adding Carter before the year begins remains to be seen, but it has emerged as an intriguing possibility.
On October 15, 2026, NBA legend Robert Parish will be in Dallas talking about his book “The Chief”, which was published earlier this year. The event is part of the Dallas Jewish Bookfest and will be hosted at the Aaron Family JCC. Dallas Mavericks radio play-by-play announcer Chuck Cooperstein will emcee, while legendary broadcaster Brad Sham will give an introduction to the evening. Tickets are $36 (found here) and include dessert and a copy of the book, which can be signed by Parish afterward.
Parish was a Hall of Fame center, best known for his time with the Celtics in the 1980’s. He won three championships there as their defensive anchor, and one more with Chicago at the end of his career. He is a nine-time All-Star, a member of the NBA’s 75th anniversary team, and one of the game’s most iconic figures. His memoir talks about all of this, as well as getting drafted, his life before the NBA, and his upbringing in Louisiana.
Any time a legend of the game talks about their experiences, it is a treat. When you add in a guy like Cooperstein, who has worked in basketball for over 30 years, to run point on the operation, there are no limits to the insight those two will provide. It will be a very special night with plenty of incredible stories and new perspectives on some of the most important moments in NBA history. Getting more behind-the-scenes on Larry Bird, one of the most important players the NBA has ever had, will be like Christmas morning for fans of all ages. Hearing him speak about his experiences growing up in a vastly different and largely fragmented world is something you can only get from someone who lived it. It is going to be awesome, and if you live in Dallas, consider going. If you don’t, the book can be found online, most easily on Amazon.
TEMPE, AZ - MARCH 2: Koby Brea #14 of the Valley Suns looks on during the game against Salt Lake City Stars on March 2, 2026 at Mullett Arena in Tempe, Arizona. NOTE TO USER: User expressly acknowledges and agrees that, by downloading and or using this Photograph, User is consenting to the terms and conditions of the Getty Images License Agreement. Mandatory Copyright Notice: Copyright 2026 NBAE (Photo by Kate Frese/NBAE via Getty Images) | NBAE via Getty Images
Every day, we’ll take a closer look at another member of the 2026-27 Phoenix Suns, examining what they bring to the roster and what their role could mean for the season ahead as we count down to training camp and the preseason.
Koby Brea
Shooting Guard, 6’5, 215lb, 23 years old, 2nd season
Of all the draft picks the Phoenix Suns have acquired over the last three seasons, Brea has flashed the least at the professional level. Coming into the NBA Draft, Brea was touted as one of, if not the best, shooters in his group. At Kentucky and Dayton, he was an above-40 % shooter from 3 on high volume. That shooting has not carried over to his NBA career so far, but it will be his calling card if he has a long NBA career.
The Suns desperately need shooting on the roster and are putting their trust in Luke Kennard and Colin Gillespie to carry the majority of the floor spacing they need this upcoming season. Kennard has a player option at the end of the season and could go elsewhere, which would leave Phoenix with just one sniper on the team.
If Brea can return to form after a disappointing showing in his rookie season and in summer league, he has a chance to stay with the Suns long-term because the best version of himself is exactly what the Suns are looking for. If Brea cannot turn it around this season, this will likely be his last year in the organization on a two-way contract.
Last Season
In Brea’s rookie season, he played 12 games and just 85 minutes for the NBA squad and 34 games with the Valley Suns. In a very limited sample size at the NBA level, Brea did connect on 43.3% of his attempts from long range. He played the second-fewest minutes of anybody in the organization last year, only ahead of CJ Huntley.
With the G-League affiliate Valley Suns, Brea had a much more impactful role. He played 34 minutes per game and scored 16.4 points on 39.8% from the field and 34.9% from 3 on 10.0 attempts per game. In the G League, Brea showcased his ability to shoot off the dribble as well as off the catch, and got to the free-throw line at a decent clip, but his efficiency was far too low for the level of competition he was facing which carried over into Summer League.
As a defender, Brea did not excel at either level because of his lack of athleticism, and for a player that at best projects to be an off-the-bench sniper in the NBA, that is expected as long as you consistently hit over 40% from long range. The good news for Brea is that he made it through an entire professional season healthy because of his medical history. In 2023, when he was playing for Dayton, he had stress fractures in his legs that limited him to using a wheelchair.
The bad news is that the shooting has to improve for him to survive at the NBA level.
GP
MIN
PPG
RPG
APG
STL
FG%
3PT%
FT%
OFFRTG
DEFRTG
+/- (TOTAL)
12
7.0
3.8
0.7
0.8
0.1
41.7%
43.3%
1.00%
101.8
106.0
-15
Contract and Roster Context
Brea enters the 2026-27 season on a one-year two-way contract after re-signing with the Suns in July. It will be his second two-way contract with the Suns, and he will have one two-way contract available to sign for the 2027-28 season to remain in Phoenix unless he earns his way onto the Suns on a standard contract.
What He Brings
Shooting. The most important skill in basketball. Brea is not an elite athlete, a high-level creator, an elite defender, or a dribble-drive guy, but if he can shoot it, he’ll have a spot on the Suns. That’s the main reason Collin Gillespie earned a big payday this offseason, and why the Suns went out and aggressively pursued Luke Kennard this offseason. Brea’s career in Phoenix and elsewhere in the NBA will come down to just how elite of a shooter he can be at the professional level.
While the make-or-break aspect of Brea’s game is his 3-point shooting, he does offer more than that. While Brea is undersized and an average athlete, he also sees the game at a high level. Rarely is Brea ever rushed and out of control. While he is not a player who is going to pressure the rim, he has shown flashes as a crafty midrange scorer. Brea is as polished as you can be when it comes to creating his own shot off the catch, off the dribble, and off movement; it all comes down to how consistent he is as a shooter.
What Needs to Improve
Brea has to show more consistency shooting the long ball. In an extremely limited sample size this season at the NBA level, he did shoot over 40% from 3, shooting 13-of-30 in the 2025-26 season. At the G League level, Brea did not shoot above 35% from 3 on 10.0 attempts per game. Most recently, Brea showed how streaky of a shooter he has been as a professional, scoring in single digits in multiple games and then exploding for 29 points in another game. Brea has to be a more reliable shooter to remain on the Suns roster.
If Brea can develop another skill outside of shooting, that will greatly improve his chances of remaining a Phoenix Sun past this season. Whether he improves as an isolation scorer, a playmaker, or becomes a better defender, it will help his case immensely. But again, it really comes down to Brea and his confidence in himself as a shooter.
Prediction
If you have made it this far, you can already guess how I feel this season goes for Brea. Unfortunately, the Suns are even deeper this season than they were last year, and this is likely Brea’s last year on the roster unless he makes a significant jump from his rookie season. The Suns now have even more guys on the roster that need playing time, especially at the wing position. The Suns’ newest two-way signing, Pat Spencer, fills more of a position of need as an on-ball creator and facilitator, as well as more grit and toughness that the Suns want from their role players. So Brea’s opportunity to contribute is getting squeezed out.
However, if Gillespie or Kennard miss significant time due to injuries this season, Brea may get a chance to have a role because he is the only other stereotypical shooter on the Suns bench. If he gets that opportunity, he will need to contribute similarly to how Jamaree Bouyea played last season to remain a Sun long-term.
The Suns have as deep a bench unit as any team in the NBA, which is a good problem to have. There are casualties because of that, and Brea’s development may be one of them. Even if the Suns do move on from Brea, I believe he will still get more bites at the apple because of how well he could be as a shooter. The key for him will be to make the most of his opportunity, whether it’s in the G League or at the NBA level. If he does that, then it will be a successful season.
PHOENIX, ARIZONA - FEBRUARY 26: Mark Williams #15 of the Phoenix Suns posts up on Deandre Ayton #5 of the Los Angeles Lakers during the first half at Mortgage Matchup Center on February 26, 2026 in Phoenix, Arizona. The Suns defeated the Lakers 113-110. NOTE TO USER: User expressly acknowledges and agrees that, by downloading and or using this photograph, User is consenting to the terms and conditions of the Getty Images License Agreement. (Photo by Chris Coduto/Getty Images) | Getty Images
Former Duke Blue Devil Mark Williams and the Phoenix Suns have some bad news: Williams suffered a torn labrum in his left shoulder, was operated on Thursday, and is expected to be out for several months.
That’s terrible news for Williams, but it could be very positive news for fellow Brotherhood member Khaman Maluach.
Expected to be Williams’ understudy and to eventually become the starting center for the Suns, now there’s a lot of pressure on Maluach to produce now.
He entered the NBA last year as a very raw rookie, but like we saw at Duke, he’s a fast study. He got a lot out of his time in the G League, and we expect he’ll continue his rapid improvement.
NEW YORK, NEW YORK - APRIL 30: Miles McBride #2 of the New York Knicks reacts after his shot during the second half against the Philadelphia 76ers at Madison Square Garden on April 30, 2024 in New York City. The Philadelphia 76ers defeated the New York Knicks 112-106 in overtime. NOTE TO USER: User expressly acknowledges and agrees that, by downloading and or using this photograph, User is consenting to the terms and conditions of the Getty Images License Agreement. (Photo by Elsa/Getty Images) | Getty Images
Miles “Deuce” McBride enters the 2026-27 season as the longest-tenured New York Knicks player following Mitchell Robinson’s exit and he’s surely turned into an important contributor for the reigning champs after averaging a career-high 12.0 points while shooting 41.3% from three last season.
According to SNY’s Ian Begley, the Knicks and McBride’s representatives have remained in regular contact, but New York’s financial situation could make a long-term extension difficult.
“This one is tricky because Miles McBride has definitely earned a raise,” Begley reported. “He’s outplayed his contract (3 years, $13 million) by a significant amount.”
"It's worth noting that the Knicks and McBride’s representatives have been in regular contact ahead of the season. In a perfect world, those conversations would produce a multi-year extension for McBride."
McBride is entering the final season of that contract. Begley noted Knicks owner James Dolan’s mandate not to exceed the NBA’s $221 million second apron this season as the major roadblock for reaching such an agreement.
Potential extensions for Karl-Anthony Towns, Josh Hart and eventually Jalen Brunson will inevitably increase the money committed to New York’s starting lineup, and McBride looks like the one set to absorb most of the collateral damage — assuming all parties find a way for him to stay.
“So there isn’t much financial wiggle room for a McBride extension,” Begley reported.
In a promising updated and despite the constraints, neither side has given up on the possibility of extending their relationship.
“In a perfect world, those conversations would produce a multi-year extension for McBride,” Begley reported. “The longest-tenured Knick, McBride loves New York, loves his teammates; he was an integral part of this team’s rise.”
We all know the alternative, as harsh and hard to stomach it might be: trading Deuce before next year’s deadline. That said, there’s no doubt McBride is one of (if not the absolute best) the lague’s most valuable sixth-man trade chips and would attract significant interest from other teams.
“We’re certainly not there yet,” Begley reported. “But logic tells you that’s where things could be headed.”
For now, McBride is set to enter the season with New York with one year left on his deal and a date we’ll all remember no matter what ends up happening circled in his calendar: ring night in late-October.
Dwight Howard of the Los Angeles Lakers smiles during a game against the Golden State Warriors on April 7, 2022, at Chase Center in San Francisco, California.
Dwight Howard’s retirement didn’t last long.
It didn’t even last a year.
Six months after announcing that he was stepping away from basketball, the Basketball Hall of Fame center — inducted in 2025 — is returning to the court for another stop in an increasingly well-traveled post-NBA career.
Howard, who turns 41 in December, will be joining Black Fortress Tbilisi in the Georgian Super League.
No, not the same Georgia where the Atlanta native is from, but the Georgia across the Atlantic, home to — among others — Magic center Goga Bitadze and Lakers forward Sandro Mamukelashvili.
And yes, Howard is aware of the Georgia connection.
“I saw all your flags in the comments on my last post and decided that’s where we should take the journey!”
Dwight Howard speaks onstage at the Above the Rim panel at Fanatics Fest NYC 2026 at Jacob Javits Center on July 17, 2026 in New York City. Getty Images for Fanatics
Black Fortress earned promotion to the country’s top division after previously competing in the second tier.
The GSL is far from being considered one of the premier overseas leagues, a list including Liga ACB in Spain, Serie A in Italy, the NBL in Australia and the French LNB Elite, among others.
Still, Howard will join the GSL as he continues to play pro basketball into his 40s.
“I’m coming here to spread the game of basketball, the game that I love,” Howard said in Thursday’s video. “I cannot wait to start with the Black Fortress team, baby. Hey, we breaking everything down.”
Howard announced his retirement from basketball in March, saying he wanted to step away from the game and devote more time to his family.
Dwight Howard of the Los Angeles Lakers smiles during a game against the Golden State Warriors on April 7, 2022, at Chase Center in San Francisco, California. NBAE via Getty Images
It continues a lengthy basketball journey for Howard since his final NBA season with the Lakers in 2021-22.
Howard joined the Taoyuan Leopards of Taiwan’s T1 League for the 2022-23 season, averaging 23.2 points, 16.2 rebounds and five assists per game.
He later played for the Philippines-based Strong Group Athletics in the 2024 Dubai International Basketball Championship and joined the Taiwan Mustangs in the Asian Tournament later that year.
Howard also signed with the Mets de Guaynabo of Puerto Rico’s Baloncesto Superior Nacional in 2024, although he never appeared in a game for the league.
His stateside basketball career continued in 2025 when he joined the Los Angeles Riot of Ice Cube’s BIG3.
Howard was selected first overall by the Magic in the 2004 NBA Draft and spent 18 seasons in the league, earning eight All-Star selections and eight All-NBA honors.
At his peak, he was one of the best players in the league and the focal point of the Magic’s 2008-09 team that made the NBA Finals.
He won three consecutive Defensive Player of the Year awards from 2009 through 2011 and was named All-Defense on five occasions, including four first-team honors from 2009 to 2012.
PHOENIX, AZ - FEBRUARY 11: Oso Ighodaro #11, Khaman Maluach #10 and Rasheer Fleming #20 of the Phoenix Suns arrive to the arena before the game against the Oklahoma City Thunder on February 11, 2026 at PHX Arena in Phoenix, Arizona. NOTE TO USER: User expressly acknowledges and agrees that, by downloading and or using this photograph, user is consenting to the terms and conditions of the Getty Images License Agreement. Mandatory Copyright Notice: Copyright 2026 NBAE (Photo by Barry Gossage/NBAE via Getty Images) | NBAE via Getty Images
The season hasn’t even begun, and the Suns are already dealing with unfortunate injury news. We learned today that Mark Williams suffered a torn left labrum during a scrimmage, and there is currently no timetable for his return.
This injury will have Mark Williams out several months from what I am told. There is no timetable on his return at this point. https://t.co/gSzu7Gc456
Can I get a Homer Simpson “Doh!” from the crowd? Pop open a Duff beer and absorb the fact that for a team that needs health to compete successfully in the Western Conference, this is a significant blow. Phoenix will now be without its starting center for an undetermined amount of time before the season has even tipped off. I guess it’s better that he misses the first half than the second half, right?
Mark Williams has always carried questions about his ability to stay healthy, and this injury is only going to fan the flames of that narrative. For a player who signed a three-year, $38 million contract this offseason, the timing is brutal. From Williams’ perspective, however, there is at least some security. He got the contract. Phoenix committed to him. Now the focus has to shift away from the narrative surrounding his health and toward getting back on the floor.
So what does this mean for the Suns moving forward?
First and foremost, it completely changes a topic I wrote about earlier this week, when I called Phoenix’s center depth one of the more underrated aspects of the roster. Maybe this one is on me, and for that, I am sorry. Goodbye optionality, hello testing of the depth.
The one advantage here, if you want to call it that, is that Williams was projected to be the fifth option offensively. Phoenix wasn’t building the offense around him, which makes this injury easier to absorb than it would be if he were the team’s primary, secondary, or even tertiary scoring option. His role was going to be complementary. Create extra possessions on the offensive glass, finish putbacks, set some screens, roll hard, and provide a vertical threat around the rim. That was his destiny. So while losing Williams is far from ideal, it isn’t a death blow for Phoenix.
The biggest beneficiary of this situation is sophomore center Khaman Maluach. The 10th pick in the 2025 NBA Draft is going to get his chance. He flashed this summer in Las Vegas, and based on what he showed from a development and productivity standpoint, there were already questions about how the Suns would begin integrating him into the rotation and giving him more opportunities to grow. Well, the door is wide open now. Time for the 7’2” center to walk on through it.
There will be an adjustment period for Khaman and for the fan base. As Maluach puts more tape out there, opposing teams will learn how to attack what he does well and where he remains vulnerable. Expectations must be tempered accordingly, but the tools are obvious and provide a basis for excitement. He has size, rim protection, screening, rim running, and the potential to stretch the floor.
The bigger question is how Jordan Ott decides to structure the rotation. Does Oso Ighodaro step directly into the starting role vacated by Williams? Or does Maluach get the opportunity right away? There probably isn’t an answer yet. Training camp and preseason should help dictate how Phoenix handles it.
My assumption is that Ott would lean toward starting Oso because of how connective he is offensively. Oh, and Ott adored Oso last season and his skillset. His screening, ball-handling, ability to facilitate from the five, and quick decision-making allow him to raise the level of the players around him. On a team where center is an ancillary position, that kind of connectivity can be extremely valuable with the starters.
But there’s another side to that argument. Those same attributes also make Oso an ideal backup big because he can help organize the second unit and elevate the players around him. His ability to keep possessions flowing could make the bench more productive and efficient.
And maybe the starters don’t need as much help creating offense. Devin Booker, Jalen Green, Dillon Brooks, and Miles Bridges already give Phoenix plenty of creation. That group may benefit more from having Maluach next to them because he brings a completely different set of skills. He may not be as switchable on the perimeter as Oso, but his length and rim deterrence can give Phoenix’s perimeter defenders more freedom to gamble. His size should also make him a positive rebounder on both ends, creating extra possessions and fitting directly into the philosophy Jordan Ott established last season.
That is the decision Phoenix now has to make. Do you use Oso’s connectivity to make the starters even cleaner offensively, or do you let Maluach’s size and defensive presence complement what those four already do well?
My guess is there will be a transition period. Oso Ighodaro probably starts the season at center as the Suns try to stabilize the offense, while Maluach comes off the bench and Phoenix gets a better look at what he can handle against NBA competition.
But at some point, I think it’s in the Suns’ best interest to flip that switch. Give Maluach the reins. Let him play through mistakes, learn what works, learn what doesn’t, and find out how quickly his tools can translate into consistent production. Then you can move Oso back into a role where his connectivity can strengthen the second unit. The rotations will fluctuate regardless. Jordan Ott will have opportunities to build different combinations depending on what a game requires, whether that’s more shooting and spacing, more size and rebounding, or more athleticism and pace.
Losing Williams is not ideal. But it does force the organization to accelerate Maluach’s development. And that is where the stakes become more interesting. The Suns are no longer developing him entirely on their own timetable. They may need him now. That means the organization has to find the balance between giving a 20-year-old enough responsibility to grow without asking him to become something he isn’t ready to be.
The challenge will be avoiding overreactions in either direction. If Maluach struggles for a few games, that doesn’t mean he isn’t ready. If he dominates for a week, that doesn’t mean he has arrived. Development isn’t linear. There will be highs. There will be lows. There will be nights where he looks like the future and others where he looks every bit like a 20-year-old center still learning the NBA.
What Williams’ injury does is guarantee that we’re going to learn more about Maluach much sooner than expected. And that fits into the larger evaluation taking place this season. Phoenix isn’t only trying to win games. The Suns are also figuring out which young players can become legitimate pieces of the future while evaluating Jalen Green and what his own long-term place in the organization looks like.
Maluach was always going to be part of that process. Now he may be one of the most important parts of it.
With it being the 25th anniversary of the 911 attacks, people around the world remember the people who were lost that day and honor the heroes who sacrifice their lives not only that day but every day of the year. Organizations across the city, including the Houston Rockets, took part in events celebrating the role first responders play in our everyday lives.
The Rockets have held events for several years to show their appreciation for 911 Dispatchers, firefighters, police, and all first responders across the city. Last year, the Rockets visited the Tunnel to Towers Foundation to serve lunch to military veterans on Patriot Day.
For the 25th anniversary, the Rockets, Houston Comets, and Toyota Center staff will visit the remaining Houston Police Department and Houston Fire Department stations to deliver T-shirts, collectibles, premium snacks, and complimentary tickets to an upcoming Rockets home game.
On Saturday, the Rockets will support the 9/11 Heroes Run hosted by the Travis Manion Foundation. For today’s event: Rockets General Manager Rafael Stone, Head Coach Ime Udoka, Rockets Guard Reed Sheppard, Rockets Forward Jae’Sean Tate, Bruce Thornton, Bogdan Boganovich, and Rockets Chief Operating Officer Ryan Tanke all visited the Houston Police Department – South Central Substation and the Houston Fire Station 8.
During the event, the media spoke with each individual about what this day means to them and the upcoming season. The DreamShake asked Stone how much better the bench will be this season with the additions of Boganovich and Marcus Smart.
Rafael Stone talked about the veterans brought in this past offseason but also spoke what will ultimately determine the Rockets success this season.
“Our team only gets to where we want to get if our younger players continue to really improve so the onus is still on them.” pic.twitter.com/vWGCqtxohS
The Rockets were a bottom-five team in the league in bench scoring, which forced them to rely heavily on their starters, particularly Kevin Durant and Amen Thompson. Stone and the coaching staff hope they have improved that part of the team so there isn’t so much pressure on the starting five.
Stone also said it is good to have veterans on the team, but ultimately it comes down to the young players.
Rafael Stone talked about the veterans brought in this past offseason but also spoke what will ultimately determine the Rockets success this season.
“Our team only gets to where we want to get if our younger players continue to really improve so the onus is still on them.” pic.twitter.com/vWGCqtxohS
Udoka also spoke with the media about what this day means to him and the organization, and how it felt to see his floor general, Fred VanVleet, back on the court.
Here Ime Udoka talks about seeing Fred VanVleet back on the court.
“It’s great in the last month or so he has really ramped it up in San Diego doing his rehab.” pic.twitter.com/nx9v2hPZki
VanVleet missed all of last season after suffering a season-ending injury right before training camp during an offseason team workout. The Rockets spent all season trying to make up for the loss of their point guard but never replicated what VanVleet brought to the team. Now, with VanVleet’s return, the Rockets hope he is the missing piece they need to take the next step this upcoming season.
Reed Sheppard, Jae’Sean Tate, and rookie Bruce Thornton also spoke to the media about what it feels like to support first responders around the city, especially on September 11th. They also talked about the upcoming season and how excited they are to get it started.
The Rockets’ next big event is media day and training camp, which should take place in the next few weeks. The Rockets play their first preseason game on October 9th as they travel to China to take on the Dallas Mavericks in back-to-back games, then finish their preseason on October 15 against the Oklahoma City Thunder at the Toyota Center.
