With LeBron James signing in Philadelphia, it felt like the last major piece of a wild offseason. For the Knicks, their rotation has been long settled, with the team doing little but retaining their championship core early, signing Andre Drummond as a replacement for Mitchell Robinson, and drafting a couple of new prospects.
But there are still some straggling questions before we enter training camp.
Here’s three we’ll need answers to before New York kicks off its attempted repeat run...
Who gets the last roster spot?
The Knicks have one open roster spot they can fill using a minimum contract without encroaching on the second apron. They already took a shot at signing restricted free agent Moussa Cisse, but the Mavericks matched their offer sheet.
Third-string center is their biggest need, with options like Nick Richards, Tony Bradley, Drew Eubanks, and Kevin Love still available. They could bring back Jeremy Sochan as a small-ball five, or live with OG Anunoby sliding up a position more often to take a swing at a better player elsewhere.
Bruce Brown, Bradley Beal, Russell Westbrook, Nicolas Batum, and DeMar DeRozan are still free agents, but New York has yet to be linked to them. Signs point to a big, and the question remains which one ends up in the blue and orange.
Who gets the two-way deals?
Along with the last roster spot, the Knicks get three two-way slots to fill. These are often granted to developmental prospects or fringe veterans, but a couple may be up for grabs in New York’s case.
Their two rookies -- Tyler Nickel and Jack Kayil -- impressed enough at Summer League to warrant two-way deals. However, Kayil is more of a project and would be deep behind a packed guard rotation. Combine that with the earlier reports of the Knicks wanting to stash him overseas, and it’s possible somebody else gets his spot.
Depending on Kayil, there’s still one or two two-ways to fill. One option is bringing back Kevin McCullar Jr., whom the Knicks drafted in 2024 and saw sparse minutes last season.
They could also return other members of their 2026 championship squad, like Dillon Jones or Trey Jemison III. Another option is bringing in new blood from this year’s Vegas Summer League squad like Liam Robbins, another center.
How will Karl-Anthony Towns' extension talks play out?
The Knicks have already shown an aversion to going into the second apron by allowing Robinson to walk, and now they’re faced with another tough decision. Towns, a key piece of their championship run, is due for an extension worth up to $68 million annually, with an October deadline and player option for 2027-28 looming.
New York will obviously want a haircut off a maximum offer to retain flexibility and the rest of this core, especially with a new Jalen Brunson payday coming shortly after. How does Towns react to that, and is there middle ground when he could be looking to maximize value on possibly his last large contract in the NBA?
Fans better hope they can come to a resolution, as the alternative means potentially losing him to free agency as soon as next summer. Worse yet, it could serve as a distraction during this season, which could end in the Knicks trading him instead of risking losing him for nothing, much like they did with Julius Randle and Immanuel Quickley.
DETROIT, MI - APRIL 8: Wendell Moore Jr. #14 of the Detroit Pistons dribbles the ball during the game against the Milwaukee Bucks on April 8, 2026 at Little Caesars Arena in Detroit, Michigan. 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 Brian Sevald/NBAE via Getty Images) | NBAE via Getty Images
Former Blue Devil Wendell Moore has been in the NBA for four years now, and he hasn’t really established himself, and it looks like he’s going to go a different direction.
Moore is reportedly talking to several European teams, including Partizan Belgrade and Hapoel Tel Aviv. However, he may be more interested in BC Roma SPQR.
The ownership includes Donnie Nelson and Luka Doncic, and the team plays in Serie A, which is the highest level in Italy.
The thing about the NBA is that the margin of error is razor-thin. For most of us, Moore would be a stunning athlete, but on the NBA level, as it has turned out, he’s probably marginal.
In Europe though, he could have a long and lucrative career. It’s probably a smart move.
PHOENIX, ARIZONA - APRIL 07: Kevin Durant #7 of the Houston Rockets reacts to a three-point shot against the Phoenix Suns during the first half of the NBA game at Mortgage Matchup Center on April 07, 2026 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. (Photo by Christian Petersen/Getty Images) | Getty Images
Welcome to the start of the NBA’s second wave of player movement.
LeBron James’ prolonged free agency seemingly held up other moves around the league while he was making up his mind on where to play next season. Now that James has committed to the Philadelphia 76ers, the rest of the NBA is back open for business, and there’s likely another round of transactions coming. Restricted free agents like Jalen Duren and Peyton Watson will finally get some clarity on their futures in short order, and there are still plenty of possible trade candidates before rosters are finalized for the 2026-27 season.
Training camps around the league don’t open until the final days of September. Buzzer-beater trades have become a regular occurrence over the last few years, with blockbusters like Damian Lillard to the Milwaukee Bucks, and the Timberwolves trading Karl-Anthony Towns to the New York Knicks, immediately coming to mind. With tanking dead and so many teams having dreams of contention in both the East and the West, the regular season could be set for active trade deadline, too. These are the big names who could be available on the trade market over the next year.
Kevin Durant, F, Houston Rockets
Kevin Durant’s first year in Houston checked every box: there was a weird, unresolved Twitter burner scandal, a first-round playoff loss to the Lakers without Luka Doncic, and another hyper-efficient scoring season with 26 points per game on 64.1% true shooting. Durant is about to turn 38 years old, and he’s under contract for this season and next season. The Rockets could be really good this season if everything goes according to plan. Fred VanVleet is back from injury, Amen Thompson again feels like he’s on the verge of a true breakout, and there are multiple other young players who could level up with Alperen Sengun, Jabari Smith Jr., Reed Sheppard, and Tari Eason. Then again, the West is loaded, and if Houston doesn’t rise to the challenge, there’s bound to be a fall guy. It could be Sengun, or head coach Ime Udoka, but Durant has a history of wearing out his welcome pretty quickly in the latter stages of his career. KD has become the NBA’s ultimate mercenary, and no one should be surprised if he’s on the move again in the next year.
Kyrie Irving, G, Dallas Mavericks
The Mavs could really use Kyrie Irving’s ball handling to take pressure off Cooper Flagg to begin this season. I just wonder how long that will last with Dallas projecting as a likely lottery team this year. The Mavs need to align everything around the 19-year-old Flagg, and unfortunately for them, they don’t control their own first-round pick until 2031 due to trades originally intended to build around Luka Doncic. I’d expect more changes in Dallas with Masai Ujiri and Mike Schmitz now running the front office, and Irving should have plenty of suitors if he looks good early as he returns from a torn ACL. At 34 years old, Irving doesn’t fit Flagg’s timeline, and I doubt the Mavs are good enough in a loaded West to reject trade interest when it comes. The Mavs need all the future assets they can get if they hope to build a contender around Flagg by the time he reaches his prime, and trading Kyrie, P.J. Washington, and others is the best way to start that process.
Anthony Davis, C/F, Washington Wizards
Davis is extension eligible on Aug. 6, and that puts the Wizards in a tough spot. You know agent Rich Paul is going to want a lucrative contract, but Davis hasn’t played a game for Washington yet, and his age (33) and lack of durability make him a risky bet into his mid-to-late 30s. The Wizards already gave Trae Young a nonsensical max extension, so maybe Davis will get what he wants. If he doesn’t, I wouldn’t be surprised if the trade winds start blowing with AD aiming to land on a more competitive team. The Wizards could be pretty decent this year if everything comes together, but to me this is probably still a lottery team given the depth of the Eastern Conference. Washington can probably trade Davis for a lot more than they gave up for him if he starts the season strong. I have a hard time believing he’ll be in D.C. long term.
James Harden, G, Cleveland Cavaliers
Harden is still a free agent at the time of writing, but everyone expects he’ll return to the Cavs on a multi-year deal. The veteran guard helped Cleveland reach the conference finals last season, but it’s hard to feel good about that after the rest of the East improved this summer while the Cavs swung-and-missed on a LeBron reunion. Donovan Mitchell is locked in long-term, but the rest of this core shouldn’t be feeling too comfortable, and that’s especially true for Harden. On the brink of his 37th birthday, Harden is still a very good regular season player whose pull-up three-point shooting and playmaking brings value to any contender. If the Cavs take a step back this year, I’d imagine Cleveland tries to move off Harden before it finally listens to offers for Evan Mobley.
Tyler Herro, G, Milwaukee Bucks
Herro is entering the final year of his contract on a team that is just beginning what’s sure to be a long and painful rebuild. The Bucks have other guards who need opportunities with Ryan Rollins, Brayden Burries, and Kasparas Jakucionis. Herro feels likely to be on the trade regardless of whether he inks an extension. His next contract could be a bit dicey from a team perspective, but he’s still an excellent offensive player with true three-level scoring ability who can help juice any offense off the bounce. He’s firmly in his prime as he turns 27 years old in January, and he deserves to be spending these years with a team that is actually building toward something in the short-term. The Bucks would be wise to act quickly, let their young players get reps in a lost season, and help Herro get to his next destination before he hits free agency.
Zion Williamson, F, New Orleans Pelicans
Williamson’s nearly $45 million contract isn’t guaranteed for the 2027-28 season, and that gives New Orleans plenty of options if this season goes off the rails. The main objective for the Pelicans this season should be figuring out if Williamson can play with last year’s lottery picks Derik Queen and Jeremiah Fears. Queen and Williamson just feel like an odd match in the front court as two guys who need the ball in their hands and don’t play any defense. It would be nice to fully turn this team over to the young guns, and let Trey Murphy III, Herb Jones, and Yves Missi surround them in supporting roles, but that can’t happen until they finally turn the page on the Zion era. New Orleans has some talent, but the West is so unforgiving, and it just feels like the injury bug always hits this team at the worst time. New head coach Jamahl Mosley is known for his demanding defensive principles, and it’s hard to see how Zion and Queen will fit into that. It sure seems like New Orleans’ front office likes Williamson quite a bit, but they fully have an out on his contract, and aren’t going to win many games. That usually signals a breakup is coming eventually.
Michael Porter Jr., F, Brooklyn Nets
Nets head coach Jordi Fernandez helped Porter Jr. turn in the best season of his career at age-27, and it came at a good time with the wing now entering the final year of his contract. Will the Nets want to give MPJ an extension? His always treacherous health situation makes that a risky bet, and there will certainly be suitors for his off-ball scoring and floor spacing if he hits the trade market. If the Nets are scared to give Porter Jr. an extension, then they have to trade him because they can’t afford to lose him for nothing. Brooklyn is expected to be terrible this year, but there’s actually a decent foundation here with Porter Jr., Julius Randle, Egor Demin, Mikel Brown Jr., and Day’Ron Sharpe. It feels like MPJ has been waiting his whole career to play for a coach like Fernandez, so I’d like to see both sides reach a deal. If it doesn’t happen, expect there to be substantial trade interest as a rental.
SAN ANTONIO, TX - MARCH 29: Pau Gasol #16 and Head Coach Gregg Popovich of the San Antonio Spurs talk during the game against the Oklahoma City Thunder on March 29, 2018 at the AT&T Center in San Antonio, Texas. 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 2018 NBAE (Photos by Mark Sobhani/NBAE via Getty Images) | NBAE via Getty Images
In a recent interview, retires basketball player Pau Gasol sat down and shared that working with Gregg Popovich was a factor in his decision to join the San Antonio Spurs later in his career.
Pau Gasol says one of the main reasons for signing with the Spurs was to be coached by Pop and experience the Spurs culture. On what he appreciated about Coach Pop beyond the Xs and Os:
“Pop was also very caring about the social aspect. Understanding that we all had a platform,… pic.twitter.com/OUnN1onvdO
“Pop was also very caring about the social aspect. Understanding that we all had a platform, that that was important to have perspective of what was going on. That basketball was kind of our job, but what’s truly important is family, what’s truly important is giving back and being aware and sensitive to social injustices, to what’s going on and how we can affect our communities. So I appreciated those messages more than the basketball itself.”
Gasol played with the Spurs over three seasons before a stress fracture limited his play in his third year. He won two titles with the Lakers. He’s been celebrated in the NBA as well as overseas. His career is adorned with multiple FIBA and Liga awards. Since retirement, Gasol has increased his involvement UNICEF, St. Jude’s, and his own Gasol Foundation.
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During his playing days, Jerry West was devastated nearly every year when his Los Angeles Lakers lost to the Boston Celtics. He briefly coached, but given his high-strung nature, that really didn’t suit him in his post-player career.
He worked as a scout until 1982, when he took over as GM.
The Lakers had a nice base with Jamaal Wilkes, Norm Nixon, Michael Cooper, and the great Kareem Abdul-Jabbar, but things changed enormously when L.A. drafted Magic Johnson, and Showtime was born.
Johnson was a 6-9 point guard who could play any position on the court. He had immense charisma, and his teams tended to win.
Los Angeles started to run, and while the main focus was winning, the Lakers introduced a level of entertainment that the basketball world had never seen.
When West took over as GM, he truly found his second career. He drafted James Worthy, but he was part of the decision, and he traded Norm Nixon for Byron Scott.
Later, he would draft A.C. Green, who also did very well.
Nov 27, 2023; Philadelphia, Pennsylvania, USA; Philadelphia 76ers center Joel Embiid (21) talks with Los Angeles Lakers forward LeBron James (23) during the second quarter at Wells Fargo Center. Mandatory Credit: Bill Streicher-Imagn Images
There was a lot of hullabaloo last week when LeBron finally made his free agency decision and chose the Philadelphia 76ers, which was a surprise. Most people expected him to pick either Miami or Cleveland; in fact, Miami had already prepared a social media announcement, which was accidentally posted prematurely.
But it’s Philly, because, as always with James, it’s where he thinks he’s most likely to win a title. Is that going to happen?
Well, maybe, but the odds are against it. Let’s look.
First, there’s James himself. He’s played for 23 seasons already, and give him full credit: he’s done an amazing job of keeping himself in great shape, and still, at 41, remains a tremendous player.
But he’s not the player he once was. Last year, we saw several occasions when he just didn’t react on defense. He’s not nearly as explosive as he once was, and the brutal reality is that he will never be better than he was last season. Time catches up to everyone, even King James.
This is also important: He played 82 regular season games in 2017-18, but since then?
2018-19: 55 games
2019-20: 67 games
2020-21: 45 games
2021-22: 56 games
2022-23: 55 games
2023-24: 71 games
2024-25: 70 games
2025-26: 60 games
He missed more than a quarter of last season, and he’s missed plenty over the last eight seasons, as noted. But he’s not the biggest problem.
That would be Joel Embiid, who, at 32, has had even more problems.
Over the same period, here’s how his availability has been:
2018-19: 64 games
2019-20: 51 games
2020-21: 51 games
2021-22: 68 games
2022-23: 66 games
2023-24: 39 games
2024-25: 19 games
2025-26: 38 games
Now, bear in mind that in 2019-20, the season was limited by Covid, and no one played more than 67 games, but still, that’s not a great track record. And don’t forget that Embiid lost his first two seasons to injuries.
On the bright side, the Sixers now have Jaylen Brown, who has been outstanding for his entire career, VJ Edgecombe, who will really benefit from James’s experience, and Tyrese Maxey, who has really proven himself. That’s a great perimeter, but there’s a lot riding on James and Embiid staying healthy.
And if they don’t, who do they have to step in?
There’s not much on the bench.
If you were betting on next year, you’d probably be wise to look to the Spurs. They crashed hard against the Knicks in the finals, but their core is young, talented, and just got socked in the nose. They learned a lot from New York, and our guess is they’ll be highly motivated for another shot.
The Denver Nuggets made the right basketball decision, but now they face a steep tax bill and second-apron questions.
Denver has decided to match Oklahoma City's two-year, $11.8 million offer sheet to Spencer Jones, keeping him in a Nuggets uniform for next season, a story broken by ESPN’s Shams Charania.
From a basketball perspective, Denver made the no-brainer move, especially for a team with questions about depth. Jones is a 6'7" wing who is a strong on-ball defender, shot 39.6% from 3-point range, and started 37 games for Denver a season ago. Plus, he dropped 20 points on the Timberwolves in Game 5 of their playoff series, basically winning the Nuggets the game.
20 points on 78% shooting for Spencer Jones in Game 5 of the first round,
However, this was not a simple decision financially — just matching Jones' offer jumped the Nuggets' luxury tax bill from $36 million to $68 million, reports Bobby Marks of ESPN. That tax bill is going to climb to at least $112 million, and that's if Peyton Watson chooses to play for the $6.5 million qualifying offer. If he and the Nuggets agree to a new deal, the tax numbers only skyrocket from there.
Denver is now eight million above the second apron, according to Marks, and again that is without a new deal for Watson. Nuggets ownership and management have some tough calls to make about this roster and the tax.
Mar 23, 2026; Philadelphia, Pennsylvania, USA; Philadelphia 76ers forward Dalen Terry (14) dribbles the ball against the Oklahoma City Thunder during the second quarter at Xfinity Mobile Arena. Mandatory Credit: Bill Streicher-Imagn Images | Bill Streicher-Imagn Images
Turns out only one ex-Wildcat will get to be part of LeBron James’ latest NBA chapter.
Former Arizona wing Dalen Terry was waived by the Philadelphia 76ers on Sunday, two days after news broke the Sixers were signing James to a 2-year, $8 million contract.
The 24-year-old Terry appeared in 21 games for Philadelphia, technically his third team during the 2025-26 season after being traded from the Chicago Bulls to New Orleans in February and then waived by the Pelicans the next day. Philly signed Terry to a 2-way deal on Feb. 10, converting it standard deal on April 10 right before the regular season ended.
Terry averaged 4.1 points, 1.6 rebounds and 1.6 assists in 11.7 minutes during 14 regular season games with the Sixers, then in the NBA Playoffs had 13 points in 39 minutes over seven games.
Had Philly held onto him Terry would have been one of two ex-UA players on the Sixers in 2026-27, as they signed Caleb Love to a 2-way deal in early July.
Originally drafted by the Bulls with the 18th overall pick in 2022, Terry played 3-plus seasons in Chicago and started seven games. He spent two years at the UA, starting 14 games as a freshman in Sean Miller’s final season and then all 37 games on Tommy Lloyd’s first Wildcat squad.
Karl-Anthony Towns holds up the Larry O'Brien, NBA Championship Trophy during the Knicks' Ticker Tape Parade on June 18. 2026 in New York City.
The business side threatens to interrupt all the good vibes around the Knicks.
They are able to almost fully run back their championship squad next year, with the only significant loss being Mitchell Robinson going to the Celtics.
But there are certainly questions about the future that will hover over the present.
The modern NBA, with its current CBA, pushes for league parity, making it difficult for champions to keep their cores intact for prolonged periods.
The Knicks have one more year before that might become their reality, but pivotal decisions for their future are already staring them in the face.
Karl-Anthony Towns holds up the Larry O’Brien NBA Championship Trophy during the Knicks’ Ticker Tape Parade on June 18. 2026 in New York City. Bloomberg via Getty Images
Karl-Anthony Towns’ contract situation is the key question this offseason and will likely remain so all year.
He is set to make around $57 million next year.
Then, for the 2027-28 season, he has a $61 million player option.
Towns is already eligible for an extension, with the max deal the Knicks can offer him being four years for $272 million — a staggering average annual value of $68 million.
If they do not reach a deal and Towns decides to decline his player option and test the open market in 2027, the standard veteran max would be a little less, at $266.6 million over four years.
If he plays on that player option, though, and hits free agency in ’28, that number would be higher.
Towns’ value should be well recognized after he helped the Knicks reach the Eastern Conference finals for the first time in 25 years in Year 1, then helped them win their first championship in 53 years in Year 2.
The past two seasons have helped him shed some of his lingering reputation that dogged him for much of his career, instead turning into widespread praise and proven-wrong apologies from fans and media.
The Knicks transformed their offense in the postseason via a system that was heavily reliant on Towns and his playmaking ability.
He proved that he could unlock another level defensively, too.
His status as an elite big was cemented.
Karl-Anthony Towns holds up the NBA Championship Trophy at Fanatics Fest 2026 at the Jacob Javits Center on July 18, 2026 in New York City. Kevin Mazur/Getty Images for Fan
But that’s the type of salary that usually goes to a team’s best player, not the second best (or at times, maybe even third best).
Towns is currently the highest-paid Knick, but that is because of Jalen Brunson’s well-documented financial sacrifice of leaving roughly $113 million on the table.
Karl-Anthony Towns was instrumental in the Knicks’ 2026 Championship run. Jason Szenes for The New York Post
Towns will turn 31 next season, meaning any extension would carry him into his mid-30s — at a position that usually sees players age less gracefully than smaller players.
Brunson will be extension eligible in the ’28 offseason and has already hinted at his contract desires, telling Vanity Fair that “obviously we’d love for [the Knicks] to do right by me. I think anyone would. I feel like I sacrificed.”
President Leon Rose and his front office have been clever at manipulating the cap and making things work, but it does not seem feasible — with OG Anunoby and Mikal Bridges already locked into long-term contracts — to have both Brunson and Towns on such massive deals.
Josh Hart’s future is also up in the air — he is due to make just under $21 million next year, then has a roughly $22 million team option for the 2027-28 season.
The Knicks were already pinching pennies to stay under the second apron this offseason — there is no way all five starters can be brought back on new, much more expensive contracts.
Unless Towns believes it’s his turn to sacrifice, as Brunson did, he and the Knicks could reach an agreement on an extension below the max amount. But he might also view this championship as validation of the type of player — and most importantly, winner — he spent his whole career trying to prove he is.
Until there is clarity, it will be the new elephant in the room.
Former NBA veteran and Slam Dunk Contest champion Isaiah Rider is back behind bars.
Rider was taken into custody by authorities in Arizona after he failed to comply with a court order, TMZ reported on Sunday night.
He was taken into custody Thursday night and booked into jail the next morning, according to the report.
Isaiah Rider attends the boxing match between Gervonta Davis and Ryan Garcia at T-Mobile Arena on April 22, 2023. Getty Images
He will remain in custody until Tuesday over the misdemeanor that ended in a guilty finding.
Rider’s legal trouble is just the latest in a running list of issues he’s had to contend with since December.
The ex-NBA player was jailed twice that month related to a protective order his estranged wife Vanessa had filed against him back in July.
It’s unclear if the latest arrest is also related to the protective order.
Rider had been arrested back on Dec. 4 in Gilbert, Ariz., for violating a court order and was charged with a count of interfering with judicial proceedings.
He was arrested again Dec. 15 after he failed to show up for a court date that was set to determine whether a judge would extend Vanessa’s protective order against him.
Isaiah Rider Timberwolves attempts a dunk during the 1995 Slam Dunk Contest. NBAE via Getty Images
When Vanessa filed for the order of protection last summer, she alleged that Rider had been hostile toward her several times and had allegedly said, “You’re gonna get your ass slapped” to her and the couple’s 15-year-old son.
“Shut the f–k up before I kick this door down and whoop you,” she also alleged he said at the time.
The former basketball star denied the allegations and claimed that they were made due to their contentious divorce after he filed in November 2024.
Rider spent nine seasons playing in the NBA from 1993 to 2002, logging time with the Timberwolves, Trail Blazers, Hawks, Lakers and Nuggets.
He won an NBA championship with the Lakers in 2001, despite not being on the playoff roster that year, and the Slam Dunk Contest in 1994.
SAN ANTONIO, TX - APRIL 10: Harrison Ingram #55 of the San Antonio Spurs goes through drills before the start of a game against the Dallas Mavericks at Frost Bank Center on April 10, 2026 in San Antonio, Texas. NOTE TO USER: User expressly acknowledges and agrees that, by downloading and or using this photograph, User is consenting to terms and conditions of the Getty Images License Agreement. (Photo by Ronald Cortes/Getty Images) | Getty Images
The Utah Jazz announced they signed former UNC small forward, Harrison Ingram.
According to the Jazz, terms of the deal were not disclosed. From Utah Jazz PR:
The Utah Jazz announced today that the team has signed forward Harrison Ingram. Per team policy, terms of the deal were not disclosed.
In their release, the Jazz note that Ingram is 6’5” and played two seasons for the “spent the past two seasons (2024-26) with the San Antonio Spurs, appearing in 12 NBA games while also appearing in 88 contests with the Austin Spurs, San Antonio’s G League affiliate.”
Ingram was also a decorated collegiate player with Stanford and UNC. As I mentioned, the terms of this deal were not disclosed, so that means my favorite thing happens … assssummmmptiionnnns.
My guess is this is some sort of contract for training camp and preseason. Just like NFL teams, sometimes you need players to play on your “practice squad.”
But maybe it’s something more? Could this be a reaction to Summer League, and is Ingram a player who might be an upgrade to someone like Cody Williams? Maybe. It was not the most inspiring Las Vegas Summer League for the Jazz, and maybe this is to give someone a look that they like. Either way, it’s good to see the Jazz active. Having won the lottery and drafted a potential superstar in Darryn Peterson, who will join a solid core foundation, means the Jazz should be as active as possible trying to find depth pieces for the future. Perhaps Ingram is one of those.
OKLAHOMA CITY, OKLAHOMA - MAY 30: Shai Gilgeous-Alexander #2 of the Oklahoma City Thunder drives to the basket against Victor Wembanyama #1 of the San Antonio Spurs during the third quarter in Game Seven of the NBA Western Conference Finals at Paycom Center on May 30, 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 Christian Petersen/Getty Images) | Getty Images
I keep thinking about all the teams that don’t seem to have improved much if at all from last season. Detroit. Boston. Cleveland. Denver. Minnesota. What a weird Pangea of inertia.
Then again, some teams have actually made moves. Some are better for having made those moves. Here are the handful of biggest threats to the Knicks repeating as champions in June 2027, as of July 2026.
TORONTO/PHILADELPHIA
The Raptors and Sixers had essentially the same offseason, in that you can view them however you like and come up with completely polar opinions on both.
On the one hand, Toronto traded a hill of beans for one of the greatest players this century, who last year put up 28 points a game on 51/39/89 shooting. Worried about durability? Kawhi Leonard played over 2000 minutes last season, just the second time he’s done so since leaving Toronto for L.A. seven years ago, though that was the second in three years. And he fits a perfect position of need.
You might have missed it what with all the Mario Hezonja buzz of late, but for $8 million the 76ers signed the greatest player this century, who last year put up 21 points, six rebounds and seven dimes on 52% shooting. Worried about age? Last season LeBron James fell 11 minutes short of 2000, a mark he’s failed to reach only four times in 23 seasons. And he fits a perfect position of need.
On the one other hand, the last time Leonard and James were legit Larry O’Brien influencers, we’d never heard of COVID. The president being senile was a concern. It was a different world, a simpler time. And recent times don’t necessarily suggest better days ahead for either player’s new team.
Since leaving Canada for the Clippers, Leonard has played in one playoff series his team won, two they lost, two he missed parts of and three he missed altogether. Since leading the Lakers to the Bubble ‘chip, LeBron’s team won three of eight playoff series, beating a Memphis team led by two 23-year-olds, a Warriors side that started five 30-year-olds that series and a Houston team a year ago without Kevin Durant for five of the six games.
If there’s one NBA player with a seeming fix on who “is him” and who isn’t, it’s Scottie Barnes. And while Barnes is a great number of wonderful things on the 94×50, one thing he is not is “him.”
I figure he figured out pretty quick last year that Brandon Ingram is good enough at basketball to make the kind of money where his grandchildren will never buy store-brand ice cream sandwiches, but not good enough to be “him,” either. Whenever the NBA thinks enough time’s passed that we’ve forgotten the scandal finalizes the Aspiration investigation, assuming Leonard is a Raptor, he is most definitely a him-type. Kawhi would also make the Raptors a hydra-headed beast defensively. How many teams have the firepower to test Leonard and Barnes and Collin Murray-Bowles and Immanuel Quickley? With Jakob Poeltl the back line of defense?
But do the Raptors have enough 3-point shooting? Leonard is a better shooter than Ingram *when healthy*, which is sorta the rub. Ingram and Sandro Mamukelashvili were Toronto’s two best high-volume snipers from distance. Can third-year man Ja’Kobe Walter — 41% on moderate volume last year — level up his attempts without losing too much of his accuracy?
Do the Sixers have enough 3-point shooting? Lost amidst all the understandable elation of turning Paul George and Kelly Oubre into Lebron and Jaylen Brown is that while Philly is bigger and more athletic at the forward spots, they look to have taken a step back in their perimeter game. George and Oubre combined to make 186 of 494 3-point tries last year (37.6%); Brown and James were 217 of 647 (33.5%).
Both of these teams probably improved from last year to next. But neither feels like a realistic Finals threat.
HOUSTON
I have Houston here instead of Denver for one reason. And it isn’t Kevin Durant, who back in 2019 I thought was a foolish bet to continue his annual high level of play into his early 30s. All KD’s done since is carry it into his mid- and now late-30s.
It’s that the Rockets can reasonably hope that a year with instead of without Fred VanVleet, plus growth from any of Alperen Şengün, Amen Thompson and Reed Sheppard, paired with the perpetual greatness machine that is Durant, means a higher ceiling in 2027, maybe even one that sends them soaring above the last two Western champs. Whereas the Nuggets can reasonably hope that the next time they win a title in 15-25 years, it’s under new ownership that actually feels up for a title defense.
Admittedly, I think Houston is more than a little behind the Spurs and Thunder. But there’s enough “if it all goes right” there to think that if it does, it might be enough to send them to their first Finals since 1995.
INDIANA
Like Charlie Brown lining up for the kick, so many seemingly can’t wait to overlook and underrate the Pacers yet again. What is wrong with you people?
It wasn’t all that long ago that Tyrese Haliburton and not Jalen Brunson was the Eastern guard living a charmed life while leading his team to one inspiring, improbable win after another. Obviously Knicks’ fans biggest fear last season was that Indiana would land a top lottery pick in their gap year, draft a stud and come back even more frightening than the group that knocked off the Knickerbockers in 2024 and 2025.
Instead, they gambled and lost that pick in the Ivica Zubac trade. Props to the Pacers for adding a sneaky-good center who’s an elite rebounder (which Myles Turner was not). I’m a bit confused by that center not now or ever being able to space and shoot as a five-out center (which Myles Turner was). I think Roy Hibbert must have been the last Indiana big I remember who couldn’t shoot. Knicks fans saw how much the addition of Karl-Anthony Towns’ as a shooter and spacer unlocked all kinds of options for their offense. Haliburton is a brilliant playmaker who’ll now have to negotiate what would figure to be less room with Zubac firmly inside the arc.
Still, Indy has Haliburton. And Zubac. And Pascal Siakam. And Aaron Nesmith and Andrew Nembhard and T.J. McConnell and Obi. Oubre and Larry Nance Jr. are solid additions. It’s the Pacers. It’s the Knicks. You know.
OKLAHOMA CITY
This isn’t a huge deal. It’s a crack, is all. But sometimes a crack is enough. Just knowing a seemingly invincible foe is in fact vincible can create the kind of confidence that brings down mountains.
The Thunder are still awesome. Maybe still the title favorites, even. The Spurs barely snuck past them, even with Jalen Williams and Ajay Mitchell out hurt. OKC’s beaten New York six straight times and seven outta eight; last time the Knicks beat the Thunder RJ Barrett, Quentin Grimes and Jericho Sims suited up. Coming up short a year ago doesn’t mean Shai Gilgeous-Alexander and Chet Holmgren suddenly forget how to ball.
But OKC traded Lu Dort, Aaron Wiggins and Isaiah Joe for the Leon Rose Blue Plate Special — second-rounds picks in perpetuity. They’re still young. They’re still deep. They’re still awesome. Only not quite as young. Or deep. Or awesome. And after their destruction of the league in 2025 and into last year’s Western conference finals, there are now teams in both San Antonio and New York who see themselves as the title favorites.
The Thunder are still most of all the good things they were a year ago. Just not the defending champs, and not the consensus favorite. That either means nothing or something. We’ll know in ten months.
SAN ANTONIO
The Spurs have reason after reason after reason to see themselves as next in line to win the championship. You already know most of them. So I’m gonna pivot and point out the biggest reason to doubt the Spurs even make it back to the Finals. Pro’ly the biggest reason, if they never do win it all with this group, why they didn’t.
The Thunder. Duh.
These Spurs remind me of the Magic back in the day, when a young Shaq was anointed the heir apparent to His Airness. After leading Orlando to the Finals in only his second season, winning their first of several titles was unquestionably a matter of when and not if. But a funny thing happened on the way to immortality. That lot not only never won, they never made it back to the Finals. Know any other generational bigs who got to the Finals in year two, only to lose a heartbreaker at home early en route to getting gentlemanly swept? It wasn’t the team they lost to in the Finals that did them in; it was a conference rival they beat once and never again.
There’s a narrative forming about Victor Wembanyama’s work ethic and drive that could be true, but that also feels like marketing. I’m inclined to think Wemby works harder than Shaq did, even though I can’t possibly know that. There are stereotypes at play there. I must work to reject them.
The Spurs acted like Susan Lucci finally winning an Emmy when they beat a shorthanded Thunder squad in the WCF. Victor and the victors were entitled to that; there is no ugly crying when you win. But I have a feeling the Thunder haven’t forgotten. And that they watched the Finals and learned some things from the Knicks they’ll put their own wrinkle on in next year’s meetings with San Antonio.
This isn’t an Xs-and-Os argument for what OKC may have in store. I just think will is a helluva variable to try and plug into an equation. I suspect the Thunder are as driven to take down the Spurs as they are to lift themselves back up to the Association’s apex. I still think the Spurs are the biggest threat to the Knicks. But while New York are the defending champs, it’s the runners-up who may have the biggest target on their backs next year.
The Golden State Warriors’ interest in Trey Murphy III has not translated into meaningful progress because their current offer falls short of what the New Orleans Pelicans want.
Golden State has proposed a package centered around two first-round picks for the 26-year-old wing, according to ClutchPoints insider Brett Siegel. New Orleans has continued asking for three first-round selections and a young player it views as part of its long-term core.
That final piece may be the biggest obstacle.
The Warriors’ Trey Murphy III pursuit has stalled as the Pelicans demand three first-round picks and a promising young player. NBAE via Getty Images
“New Orleans has not changed their asking price of three first-round picks for Murphy and a young player they can add to their core, something the Dubs do not have to offer,” Siegel wrote.
The Warriors have several players aged 24 or younger, including Brandin Podziemski, Moses Moody, Gui Santos and rookie Yaxel Lendeborg. Those players apparently don’t move the needle for the Pelicans or the Warriors are not interested in mortgaging the future.
Murphy would address several of Golden State’s most glaring needs. He averaged 21.5 points, 5.7 rebounds, 3.8 assists and 1.5 steals last season while shooting 37.9% from 3-point range. His combination of size, shooting and defensive versatility would make him a natural fit alongside Stephen Curry.
He could also help carry the offense while Jimmy Butler recovers from a torn ACL.
The problem is that New Orleans has little incentive to lower its price. Murphy is entering his prime, remains under contract and is coming off the best season of his career. The Pelicans have also resisted previous offers while maintaining that they hope to compete next season.
Stephen Curry looks on from the bench during the game against the Sacramento Kings. NBAE via Getty Images
Golden State can increase its draft compensation, but matching the complete asking price would require either persuading New Orleans to value one of its current prospects or finding another team to help facilitate a deal.
The situation reflects a larger roster-building problem for the Warriors.
Golden State once had premium young trade assets in James Wiseman and Jonathan Kuminga but held onto both until their values declined. The franchise now has future first-round picks available but lacks the coveted young centerpiece that rebuilding teams commonly demand in blockbuster negotiations.
Trey Murphy III dunks the ball during the game against the Golden State Warriors. NBAE via Getty Images
That has made it difficult to land Murphy, much less established stars such as Jaylen Brown or Anthony Davis.
The Warriors must also decide whether Murphy is worth three first-round picks and another rotation player. His production and age make him appealing, but the Pelicans’ requested return resembles the price typically attached to a proven All-Star.
For now, Golden State appears headed toward returning much of the same roster that missed the playoffs last season. Draymond Green is expected to re-sign, but Butler’s injury leaves Curry without a dependable second scoring option to begin the year.
Murphy could provide both immediate help and long-term value.
The Warriors simply may not have what New Orleans wants to make it happen.
CLEVELAND, OHIO - MAY 09: Tobias Harris #12 of the Detroit Pistons reacts after a basket against the Cleveland Cavaliers during the fourth quarter in Game Three of the Second Round of the NBA Eastern Conference Playoffs at Rocket Arena on May 09, 2026 in Cleveland, Ohio. 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 Jason Miller/Getty Images) | Getty Images
The Spurs’ big offseason addition, Tobias Harris, is a known commodity. The 15-year veteran entered the league as a 19-year-old and had a strong career playing for several teams, with varying levels of success. He was never an All-Star but had some standout individual years and rarely missed the playoffs late in his career. Anyone who follows the league is familiar with his game.
What’s not as clear is how he fits on the Spurs. The power forward spot was one of the weaknesses that were exposed in the postseason for San Antonio, so the addition makes sense at first glance, but there are specific areas in which Harris will help and others in which he might not.
Harris brings shot creation that none of the other forwards offer
One of the reasons Harris was a divisive player at his peak was that he was getting paid like a star without producing like one. He simply wasn’t able to handle the shot creation responsibilities of a top option at a high enough level. But that doesn’t mean he’s unable to get his shot when needed.
Harris had years in which over half of his shots were unassisted. He’s slowed down in Detroit, in part because of his age but also because he shared the floor with an elite creator who is also ball-dominant in Cade Cunningham, but still created over a third of his shots. As a comparison, Keldon Johnson posted a similar percentage, but Harrison Barnes and Carter Bryant created for themselves half as many times, and Julian Champagnie posted an even lower percentage of unassisted buckets. As for Johnson, the percentage of unassisted field goals cratered in the playoffs while Harris’ remained at around the same level. Harris’ efficiency in the postseason wasn’t great, but that was in part caused by a dip in his shooting percentage on open threes, which are normally assisted field goal attempts.
It’s not just that Harris can create for himself, but how he does it that could help the Spurs. The wrinkle that he offers the offense is his ability to post up. Harris went to work on the block a lot last season and was effective at it in the regular season. It’s a skill he developed over his career and one that he can use to punish the switches that come from his screening. For comparison, Keldon Johnson and Harrison Barnes finished a combined 42 possessions in the post last year. Harris ranked 19th in the league with 136 possessions, the same number as Victor Wembanyama. His fadeaway in the post and his touch on floaters and from the midrange allow him to get his shot up without having to challenge rim protectors constantly, something Johnson couldn’t do.
There are swings in efficiency between the regular season and the playoffs for Harris, so it would be foolish to rely on him to be one of the first options. The beauty of his fit with the Spurs is that he doesn’t have to be one, like he often needed to in Detroit. If he can continue to be effective attacking gaps and running the floor while also picking his spots well, Harris can offer lineups the right amount of shot creation while also taking advantage of the easy looks the guards and Wembanyama will get him.
On defense and the boards, Harris’ size is a skill in itself
The Spurs did a fantastic job of hiding their lack of size at the power forward spot for most of the season. Everyone who played was either 6’7” or 6’6”, which is not exceedingly small but also not big enough to handle traditional fours and dominate the glass. Yet somehow, San Antonio not only survived but thrived with smallish units. Now, they won’t have to.
Harris is 6’8” and heavier than any forward the Spurs had available last season or will have available this year. He’s a stout post defender, ranking in the 79th percentile, according to Synergy Sports data, and has the size to handle the type of player San Antonio had to scramble to defend. Despite the Pistons having an elite defender in Ausar Thompson, Harris was routinely assigned to guard the big power forwards like Julius Randle as well as some centers in specific matchups, and he was up to the task. In the playoffs, he had to defend Paolo Banchero and Evan Mobley, and while he didn’t stop them from scoring or assisting, he made things difficult for them by being physical and disruptive without constantly fouling, something that the Spurs always value.
As mentioned, the Spurs did a good job of hiding their lack of size as a team, but Harris’ big body allows him to naturally do things that smaller guys have to exert more effort to achieve, which should free up others to do what they do best. His rebounding is a good example. On a stacked Pistons team, he pulled down around the same share of available defensive rebounds as Keldon Johnson and did much better than Harrison Barnes. The only Spurs non-big who did better was Julian Champagnie, who made it one of his priorities to clean the defensive glass. On the offensive end, he did similarly to San Antonio’s perimeter-oriented forwards while trailing Keldon Johnson, who was given the green light to crash the glass, getting the best offensive numbers of his career by a huge margin.
Simply put, by doing what a power forward is expected to do, like guarding other big forwards and contributing on the boards, Harris will help the Spurs. Whether he starts or comes off the bench, Mitch Johnson will have the opportunity to have someone out there who is as big, heavy, and strong as the guys other teams have instead of having to ask more of smaller players.
The weaknesses and downsides are real, but manageable
There are a few ways in which Harris’ skill set makes him an awkward fit in some areas. The main one on offense is a decent but not great outside shot. Opponents routinely left Harris open in the playoffs, and he couldn’t make them pay. He’ll likely be guarded by a center who roams while Wembanyama has a power forward on him if they share the floor, just as it happened when Harrison Barnes was the starter. And while his offensive game is more well-rounded than Barnes’, it’s based on power, which is not of much use against a seven-footer.
On defense, Harris’ size and age conspire against him at the point of attack. He normally does a decent job on big ball handlers who try to attack him in isolation but can struggle to navigate screens at times. A bigger issue is how small ball handlers target him on pick-and-rolls to force the switch and get a mismatch. Harris is a smart veteran who tries to either steer them towards help or use his length to space them out, but can be hurt by pull-up threes. He’s just not as swithable as the best power forwards out there.
The good news is he doesn’t hesitate to shoot and has made open looks in the regular season and has had success even in the playoffs aside from last postseason. He’s aging, so he might be slowing down as a shooter, but it’s also possible he hits enough looks to make the defense pay attention to him.
Defensively, the Spurs have the ultimate weapon to mitigate the weaknesses of others: Victor Wembanyama. Harris should be able to play ball handlers closer because he has the best rim protector in the world behind him, and San Antonio has traditionally lived with conceding mid-range jumpers.
Tobias Harris is not a game-changer. He’s just a solid veteran. What makes him potentially impactful for the Spurs is that he brings a combination of skills and size that no one else on the roster has. There will be times when his weaknesses and limitations become evident, but San Antonio seems to have ways to mitigate them.
There might have been more exciting free agents out there, but Harris seems to be a great fit for a Spurs team that needed the specific talents and tools he brings to the table.
He returns to the Eastern Conference after spending the past eight seasons with the Los Angeles Lakers before departing during the offseason as a free agent.
“I thought I was done when the season ended,” James shared on his social media accounts. “I wasn't ready to announce it, and I knew I needed some time to really decide, but I was pretty sure I played my last game.
“I was honest at that last press conference when I said I needed to look at myself and decide if I still love this game. I still truly love this game, and I have more to give.”
In his last appearance on the court, he produced a double-double with 24 points and 12 rebounds in 40 minutes of play during his last appearance for the Lakers at Crypto.com Arena on May 11. The Lakers' season concluded with a 115-110 Game 4 loss to the Oklahoma City Thunder.
When will LeBron James make his 76ers' debut?
The 76ers will play a pair of preseason games against the Boston Celtics in October.
The first preseason game will happen in Boston on Saturday, Oct. 10. The Celtics will travel to Philadelphia for a preseason game on Friday, Oct. 16.
The regular-season schedule has not been released.
James' status for the games at this point remains uncertain and it's worth noting the games against the Celtics are the Sixers' only scheduled preseason contests at present. The Lakers have five preseason games on their docket, for point of comparison, so it's possible more Sixers preseason games could come into focus later this summer.
James did not participate in preseason games for the Lakers last season and started the regular season sidelined with an injury, but did play in preseason games in 2024 alongside his son Bronny James.
When is LeBron James' introductory press conference?
A time and date for an introductory press conference has not yet been set by the 76ers.
James did not have an introductory press conference with the Lakers when he joined the team in 2018 and did not speak to the media in Los Angeles until media day.
