Lakers guard Matisse Thybulle says he has been tested on defense daily by dynamic scorers Luka Doncic and Austin Reaves. (Eric Thayer/Los Angeles Times)
“I mean, you have to work soooo hard. They’re soooo talented,” Thybulle said, laughing. “And it’s just … I think for me it’s great because getting to play against two of the best offensive players in the NBA every day just primes you for — I think it primes all of us, but me specifically — just primes you for what to expect. And I think it was a big thing when you’re growing up that practice should be harder than the games. And I think in the NBA it’s a little different because you just have to pace yourself for such a long season. But guarding Luka and AR, practice is definitely going to be harder than the games.”
During the first four days of Lakers training camp, Thybulle was frequently listed as one of the players who has been a menace on defense.
Austin Reaves said Matisse Thybulle "annoys" him. How do Luka and Austin annoy him? "You have to work soooo hard! They're so talented." pic.twitter.com/Qz8g1NLGSt
It was why the Lakers signed the 6-foot-5 free-agent wing to a one-year, $3.2-million contract.
Thybulle, along with Ziaire Williams and Adou Thiero, has been praised for how disruptive he has been during workouts.
“I just think naturally it’s going to be a healthy competition and it gets you better. It’s going to make Austin better when Ziaire is picking them up full court every possession and Matisse is in the passing lane trying to blow things up,” Lakers coach JJ Redick said. “I think [Thybulle and Williams] — [and] Adou with his physicality — those guys are getting better from practicing that way. It goes both ways.”
Thybulle made a name for himself on the defensive end of the floor. He is a two-time NBA all-defensive second team selection, both times with the Philadelphia 76ers in 2021 and 2022.
Still, Thybulle said he’s picking up new skills.
“I think, like the best offensive players in the league — Luka being probably one of the best — change pace so well,” Thybulle said. “And I think as I’m growing in this league, growing as a defender, learning when to change pace and go for steals versus sitting back and being solid and make it more of a cat-and-mouse game as opposed to trying to be in every passing lane every single time.”
On offense, Thybulle will try to mold his game around Doncic and Reaves.
Thybulle will be asked to knock down corner threes and fill the lane on the fast break.
Over the course of his seven-year career, he has made 34.9% of his three-pointers.
“I think luckily for me, I started my career in an offense that was similar to that, and just understanding you never know when it’s going to come, but just to be ready,” Thybulle said. “And just for me personally, at this point, having the confidence in my shot to know that when it comes, I’m ready for it, as opposed to just hoping for the best. I think it goes a long way as well.”
Health has been an issue for Thybulle during the past two seasons with the Portland Trail Blazers.
He played in just 30 games last season while recovering from a torn ulnar collateral ligament in his left thumb and in just 15 games during the 2024-25 season because of right knee and right ankle injuries.
But he’s healthy now and ready for a breakout season.
He’s one of nine new players on the roster and he’s one of the Lakers that will compete for a starting role.
“I leave those decisions up to the coaches,” Thybulle said. “Yeah, so for me, if my teammates are happy with how I’m playing and the coaches are happy with how I’m playing, that’s a good sign to me that I’m doing a good job. But if that means I’m coming off the bench or that means I’m starting, I trust that the coaches know how to use me best to create the most impact, and we’ll go with that.”
Two starting spots up for grabs
When the Lakers play their first exhibition game Monday night in Sacramento, the big story line will be the starting five.
Redick has said Doncic, Reaves and Walker Kessler will for sure start and that the other two spots will be decided by an open competition.
Redick was asked who would be available in Sacramento.
“Obviously, [we’re] still working through stuff,” he said.
CLEVELAND, OHIO - MAY 09: Jalen Duren #0 of the Detroit Pistons waits during the fourth quarter of Game Three of the Second Round of the NBA Eastern Conference Playoffs against the Cleveland Cavaliers at Rocket Arena on May 09, 2026 in Cleveland, Ohio. The Cavaliers defeated the Pistons 116-109. 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
Jalen Duren wanted to make one thing clear — he’s happy to have signed his long-term deal with the Detroit Pistons and wants to finish his career with the team that drafted him.
That might come as a surprise to many fans, who have been living and dying by unsourced media reports about him angling for a trade out of Detroit, feeling disrespected by the franchise, and the relationship being beyond repair.
During his introductory press conference following signing his five-year, $200 million deal to return to the Pistons, Duren said those reports certainly didn’t come from him.
“I’ve never spoken to anyone in the media, made any statements or comments about anything or everything that’s been out there, so you can accept those as rumors,” Duren said. “They do not represent how I feel or what I think.”
So what does Duren think?
That he loves his teammates, loves his team, loves his coaching staff, and sees himself in the Motor City for the long haul.
“I’ve built lifelong bonds and relationships with the people here, and I’ve always seen myself finishing my career here, leaving a legacy in an already legendary organization and city,” Duren said during his opening statements.
The bottom line for Duren?
“I am a Detroit Piston. I want to be a Detroit Piston for life. I want to give everything I’ve got to the Pistons and the fans.”
So how did we get here? Well, Duren said he also learned how much of a business the NBA is, and that all sides are working for the best situation for their respective sides. The Pistons certainly didn’t handle everything perfectly. Perhaps if they started out negotiations much closer to a $200 million number, we never would have gotten here. Duren’s camp seemingly did everything in its power to extract every potential dollar for Duren. That’s their job. But it can also lead to contentious negotiation and some fractured relationships.
If I were going to extrapolate from that just a bit further, I’d say it’s pretty clear where those unattributed comments were coming from that just kept finding their way into reporters’ notebooks, but it’s best to move on. Because there is no reason we all shouldn’t move on.
Jalen Duren wants to be a Piston. The Pistons want Jalen Duren to be their starting center in a legitimate title window. They made a deal that brings the big man back for the next five years. Nothing else really matters.
SAN FRANCISCO, CA - SEPTEMBER 28: Yaxel Lendeborg #1 of the Golden State Warriors poses for a portrait during NBA media day on September 28, 2026 at Chase Center in San Francisco, 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 Getty Images License Agreement. Mandatory Copyright Notice: Copyright 2026 NBAE (Photo by Mike Rasay/NBAE via Getty Images) | NBAE via Getty Images
Golden State Warriors basketball is officially back as the team tips off their 2026 preseason opener with Sunday night’s matchup against the Los Angeles Clippers. The game will be played at 4:00 p.m. PT in Honolulu, Hawaii, and can be watched on NBA League Pass.
The 2025-26 season for the Warriors will unfortunately be remembered for injuries. Jimmy Butler and Moses Moody both suffered significant knee injuries that cut their seasons short, while Stephen Curry missed a significant portion of the year with a lingering runner’s knee issue. Midseason trade acquisition Kristaps Porzingis also missed multiple games due to illness. Despite the injuries, the Warriors managed to finish the regular season as the 10th seed in the Western Conference with a 37-45 record. Their season ultimately came to an end with a loss to the Phoenix Suns in their second game of the Play-In Tournament.
What to watch for tonight:
Sunday will provide the first glimpse of this year’s group, as Golden State’s starting lineup will feature Curry, Draymond Green, Brandin Podziemski, Al Horford and rookie Yaxel Lendeborg. Lendeborg, in particular, is coming off an impressive summer in which he earned Summer League MVP honors, averaging 14.8 points, 6.8 rebounds, and 4.0 assists per game. The team has been impressed with what they’ve seen from their 11th overall pick in the draft, so it should be interesting to see how quickly he can translate that success alongside Golden State’s veteran core.
Snippet of Steve Kerr interview with ESPN out in Hawaii on the Steph Curry paycut, the cap space flexibility and Yaxel Lendeborg’s immediate major rotation role: “Frankly, he deserves it. Summer league or pickup games or now, he’s one of our best players already.” pic.twitter.com/KCmiLCgKTE
BOSTON, MASSACHUSETTS - MAY 02: A detailed view of the shoes on Joel Embiid #21 of the Philadelphia 76ers during the fourth quarter of a game against the Boston Celtics in Game Seven of the First Round of the NBA Eastern Conference Playoffs at TD Garden on May 02, 2026 in Boston, Massachusetts. 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 Maddie Meyer/Getty Images) | Getty Images
LAS VEGAS, NV - JULY 10: Egor Demin #8 of the Brooklyn Nets looks on during the game against the New York Knicks during the 2026 NBA Las Vegas Summer League on July 10, 2026 at the Thomas & Mack Center in Las Vegas, Nevada. 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 Candice Ward/NBAE via Getty Images) | NBAE via Getty Images
There’s been so much written and spoken about Egor Dëmin’s greatly improved strength and how it’s helped him amplify his offense, drive the lane and finish without fear. But as C.J. Holmes reports, there are other aspects to his new physique. He wants to play more with the ball in his hands, as he did in college, and wants to see the best player on the opposing team in front of him.
“I’ve been working there a lot this summer, so I’m willing to take a role and take those opportunities to go there,” Dëmin said, adding how he wants to create as he did at BYU where he got the reputation as having the best court vision in his draft class. That’s not something we saw much of last year. Defense is a priority as well, he said.
”Last season it was harder for me, but I think this year what I’m emphasizing on is getting to the lane, getting to the paint, which is going to open up so much more opportunities for exactly that,” Dëmin said. “For being able to create not just for myself but for others and having opportunities for passes and playing in transition, playing fast basketball with gravities like Mike [Porter Jr.], like Julius [Randle], like Mikel [Brown Jr.].”
Indeed, that stronger and more versatile Dëmin should be just one of several improvements to Brooklyn’s distributing game. Mikel Brown Jr. is one of the most electrifying passers in this year’s draft class and Julius Randle is one of the NBA’s top passing big men, averaging five assists a game last season. And although the No. 28 pick in the draft, Joshua Jefferson, will likely see a lot of time out on the island, the 6’9”, 240-pounder played point forward for Iowa State last season.
All of that plus that newly acquired strength should add new wrinkles to Jordi Fernandez’s offense. As Holmes writes:
Dëmin sees opportunity. Porter, Randle and Brown can draw defenders and finish the looks he creates, giving him options in the paint even as Brooklyn distributes the ball among more playmakers.
Porter Jr. thinks it will work out well for everyone. He’s no longer just a 2 who can play the 1, no longer just a shooter but a distributor.
“So, I think Egor is very comfortable playing the point guard position or the shooting guard position,” Porter said at Media Day. “I mean, I think he definitely has physically matured enough to play the point guard if that was needed because guys aren’t bothering him when he’s pressured.
“And now that he’s getting in the paint and finishing around the rim, I think he’ll make a humongous jump.”
Demin also likes reminding people of his game at BYU.
“I think last season it was a lot more off the ball, kind of catch-and-shoot type of plays,” Dëmin said. “While at BYU I was 80% of the game, I was with the ball in my hands.”
Boston, MA - October 4: Boston Celtics guard Payton Pritchard at practice at the Auerbach Center on October 4, 2025. (Photo by Matthew J. Lee/The Boston Globe via Getty Images) | Boston Globe via Getty Images
CHARLESTON — For the first time in nearly a decade, the Celtics are hosting a portion of their preseason training camp on the road: in Charleston, South Carolina, at The Citadel. The team arrived in Charleston on a rainy Saturday afternoon, and began camp at the McAllister Field House on Sunday morning.
“It’s really been 10 years since we did it, a bunch of new guys, so just wanted to really take a step back, get away, and vibe with each other in a different environment,” Mazzulla said at practice earlier in the week. “It’s always good to shake it up a little bit.”
Mazzulla said Charleston serves as a continuation of training camp, which started in Boston last Tuesday.
Payton Pritchard said that although he’s a big fan of South Carolina — particularly for its golf — the location of camp doesn’t impact him.
“It’s cool to be down here, but it don’t matter where I’m at,” Pritchard said. “The mindset’s the mindset, so we could be in the mountains, desert — don’t matter. It’s never changed.”
Several Celtics are working with new player development coaches
It’s common practice for Celtics practice to get a new player development coach most seasons. While the Celtics’ coaching staff is exactly the same, a lot of the players are working with new coaches.
Mike Conley and Payton Pritchard are working with God Shamgod Jr, who last year led Jaylen Brown’s player development. Paul George is working with Amile Jefferson, who last year worked with Nikola Vucevic. And, Mitchell Robinson is working with Nana Foulland, who last year worked with John Tonje.
Paul George getting up shots here this morning with Amile Jefferson, his player development coach this season pic.twitter.com/McJ4cErCjU
Some players, like Jayson Tatum, continue to work with the same player development coaches as last season. Celtics assistant coach Tony Dobbins helped Tatum through his recovery from an Achilles tendon rupture, and continues to be his point person.
Jayson Tatum is getting in some work with Tony Dobbins, who helped him through his Achilles rupture recovery last season pic.twitter.com/Sfr1ILAeAF
Craig Luschenat, who is the head of player development, has been tasked with working with rookies Chris Cenac Jr. and Dillon Mitchell (last year, Luschenat worked more with Sam Hauser and Baylor Scheierman).
Hugo Gonzalez and Baylor Scheierman are working with assistant coach Tyler Lashbrook, who was a finalist for the Portland Trail Blazers head coach job.
Jordan Walsh feels more comfortable in Year 4
Jordan Walsh is coming off a big season: he was in the rotation for the first time, established himself as an elite defender, and started 25 games. Then, in July, he signed a 3-year, $15 million contract extension.
All of that has combined to make him feel a little bit more relaxed than before.
“It feels more stress-free, honestly,” Walsh said. “It’s the first year where I can kind of take a breath of fresh air. Obviously I still have a job and some role I have to play to be able to play. But it finally feels like ‘All right, we got we got a little bit of wiggle room.‘ Like I can breathe a little bit, but of course, never forgetting what the standard is, and what the expectation is.”
Despite being just 22 years old, Walsh is also one of the longer-tenured players on the roster (only Jayson Tatum, Payton Pritchard, Sam Hauser, and Derrick White have been in Boston longer). So, he’s begun to view himself as somewhat of a vet.
“I told Joe that, and I think that was my biggest mistake of the year so far,” Walsh said. “And now I think he’s trying to hold me to a whole ‘nother standard. So I’ll just go around not say that anymore. But yeah, I definitely feel different. I definitely feel older. I feel more experienced, especially with this team.”
Joe Mazzulla and Jordan Walsh are catching up at practice here in Charleston
Jordan shared this morning that he told Joe he feels like a vet
Walsh already feels the ramifications of having referred to himself as a veteran to his head coach.
“We were having a drill one day, and we were losing,” Walsh said. “Me and PG were on the same team, and Joe was like, ‘Yo, you know what the standard is here? You know what to strive for — like, go tell PG that.’”
Walsh was thrown off; how was he going to coach up a storied player like Paul George, who is 14 years older than him?
“Like, you want me to coach PG? You want me to mentor him?” he asked Mazzulla. Mazzulla responded. “You’ve been here for a while. You should do that.”
The Celtics have established a new post-flight yoga routine
The Celtics are now beginning to implement a mandatory, 15-minute yoga session at the team hotel upon landing in new cities for roadtrips.
“We did a little team mobility thing,” Jordan Walsh said. “Had a good time.”
Payton Pritchard said that, in previous years, some players did yoga together upon landing, but many, like himself, did not: “It wasn’t mandatory before, so many people didn’t do it. I wasn’t one that really did it before, but it’s a lot of benefits to it. It’s cool that we all did it together, so hopefully we’ll continue it.”
The sessions are lead by Celtics athletic trainer Paul West, who has been with the team since 2020.
“He’s good at it,” Pritchard said.
The Celtics begin preseason action in Cleveland on Thursday
Celtics training camp continues on Monday in Charleston. On Wednesday, the team will fly to Cleveland for their first preseason game of the season.
The vibes so far have been high. But, Joe Mazzulla noted at practice that it’s easy to be connected and in good spirits this early in the season.
“Every team you lead is the most together team right now,“ Mazzulla said. ”Because we haven’t traveled. No one’s gotten benched. No one’s been on a losing streak. No one’s gotten blamed in the media. No one’s had to go stand in the corner for 10 minutes and not get the ball. So, you learn those things as the season goes on, and you just learn how to work through those things together. And you can’t simulate those. It just comes with time. And so, right now I would say all 30 teams feel great about themselves, and we got to wait till adversity hits. And adversity is even a strong word. There’s nothing really adverse about playing in the NBA. But we got to wait until stuff doesn’t go your way, and then you got to figure out who we are and how we’re going to be at our best.”
HOUSTON, TEXAS - MAY 01: Head coach Ime Udoka of the Houston Rockets looks on during the first quarter against the Los Angeles Lakers in Game Six of the First Round of the NBA Western Conference Playoffs at Toyota Center on May 01, 2026 in Houston, 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. (Photo by Kenneth Richmond/Getty Images) | Getty Images
Is it officially a hot seat? I’m not sure, but ESPN recently put out their list of NBA coaches with the most pressure to win this season, and Houston Rockets coach Ime Udoka is listed at number two. Here’s what ESPN had to say about Houston’s leader, and the fact he hasn’t been able to get the Rockets past the first round.
Ime Udoka, Houston Rockets
Jamahl Mosley had the most success of the six coaches who were let go this summer, leading the Orlando Magic to 46 wins and a seven-game first-round playoff series loss to the Detroit Pistons. Ultimately, the Magic concluded that Mosley had been given enough chances and it was Sean Sweeney’s turn to try to deliver the franchise’s first playoff series win since 2010.
Udoka’s path with the Rockets mirrors Mosley’s time with the Magic: Udoka has transformed a lottery team into a playoff team, but he has been unable to get out of the first round in multiple tries despite a talented young roster. With Houston committing big dollars to Kevin Durant, Alperen Sengun and Amen Thompson, it’s officially time for Udoka to translate his team’s potential into actualized success.
The good news for Udoka is that veteran guard Fred VanVleet will return to the court after missing last season with a knee injury and Houston didn’t lose any crucial rotation players this summer.
The bad news? Serious questions linger about the Rockets’ ability to create enough spacing on offense and execute in close games. Udoka, who made his name as a defensive-minded coach, must prove he can find creative answers to the scoring issues.
Houston’s collapse in last season’s first round against the Luka Doncic-less Lakers was the type of painful defeat that can pull a group closer together or fracture its chemistry. While Udoka has some peace of mind thanks to a lucrative long-term contract extension he signed in 2025, the time has come for the Rockets to turn the corner.
So as we get closer to the season starting and the Rockets are facing expectations again this year, the seat is definitely warming up for Udoka, even if it isn’t quite hot yet. The biggest issue from my standpoint is the lack of accountability. The same accountability that Udoka expects from his players, he has yet to exhibit himself, at least publicly. And while it’s certainly the players that play the game, one of the biggest culprits for the Rockets’ lack of playoff success under Udoka is that he has such a rudimentary offensive system (if you can even call it that). Some may even consider it THE single biggest culprit. So while we can blame Alperen Sengun for not developing a three, Kevin Durant not developing any maturity, and Reed Sheppard for not playing stronger D, the failure of Udoka to maximize the offensive talent he does have on the team stands just as high on the list as any if those. If it continues this season, will it cost Udoka his job?
TARRYTOWN, NEW YORK - SEPTEMBER 28: OG Anunoby #8 of the New York Knicks speaks to the media during New York Knicks Media Day at the Knicks Training Facility on September 28, 2026 in Tarrytown, New York. 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 Caleb Bowlin/Getty Images) | Getty Images
Paying homage to my biggest brain fart…
Would you believe the Knicks play basketball tomorrow!?
Here’s the latest from around Tarrytown and those places.
Mike Brown expects his starters to play in the Knicks' first preseason game on Monday, but "not much" pic.twitter.com/U38NeDx5kI
On Mohamed Diawara’s increased comfort and development entering Year 2:
“Last year, you could see he was a little jittery when he was out there, because he didn’t quite know what to do, and he knew when he did it, he just had to go hard. So a lot of times, he would just play at one speed. There’s a comfort level now, so his cadence is better, especially offensively. His ability to communicate on the floor is at a little bit of a higher level, because he has a better feel not just offensively, but defensively — not just what he should do, but what he should be telling his teammates to do, especially if he’s on the backside or bottom side of the defense, because he sees everything in front of him. He’s one of those players that needs to take a step forward.”
On his plans for the preseason opener:
“(Starters will play,) but not much. We’ll try to ease them in. The last game is always a dress rehearsal, but we’ll try to build them up leading to that game.”
On accepting preseason mistakes and emphasizing next-play speed:
“Any time you have new guys, because we have new guys on this team that we’re trying to mix in with guys that have been here, you’re gonna make some mistakes. I’m 100 percent OK with that. Once somebody makes a mistake, I’m looking for how quickly do they try to make up for the same mistake? I’m huge on the next-play speed.
“So there’s gonna be a a lot of mistakes, but are guys gonna drop their head a little or hesitate? It happened anyway. Move on, try to correct it. and then address it during the day also.”
On what he’ll prioritize seeing in preseason:
“Overall effort, the little things like boxing out every single time, competing, offensively, to offensive rebound, and then sprinting corner-to-corner in transition.”
On ending practices with a must-make free throw:
“It puts pressure on guys, you know, and then everybody’s standing there watching. So if you miss it, everybody’s got to run. I got it from Pop. It also, at the end of the day, brings the group together.”
On Tony Bradley making the final free throw on Saturday:
“You see everybody came and gave him love. So you feel good when you do it.”
On being followed home by a family of Knicks fans after the championship:
“I stopped at the red light. The first vehicle was kind of honking at me and I could see the kids waving out. So I go through and they turn into a driveway three or four houses past the red light and the father and kids jump out of the car and start waving and they had their Knicks gear on and I gave them a wave.
“But I had my helmet and my sunglasses, so I didn’t think anybody noticed me. So I ride home and I’ve got my country music blasting, and I pull into my driveway in my garage, and the next thing you know, that car was pulling into my driveway. They followed me home.
“I don’t know how they got back in their car that quickly and followed me home. But they followed me home. And the guy owns a company and he had some food products, so he brings out a box of cereal and all that. And he’s got his three kids and they just start telling me what the championship meant . . .
“This is like August, two months after the championship, but you could still feel that passion. So was it scary? Yes. It was scary. Any time you get followed home, it is very, very scary, but just to see the joy and excitement, especially on kids’ faces.
“The dad was more excited than the kids, by the way, but to see that, you realize this is not just a championship. This is special.”
"I always knew Knicks fans were another kind of fans…I was prepared for it to be a big thing. But I was surprised, it was great to see."
On falling out of the Knicks’ rotation during his rookie season:
“Honestly, It didn’t really need explanation. I think I was a rookie. That was my first year. So you just got to be ready, whatever the team wants you to do. We have a great team with big players, so if I was in the rotation and I’m not in the rotation anymore, I think it’s just part of the game for the whole team. I wasn’t really thinking about that, I was just ready to take any opportunity. I wasn’t thinking about not playing and stuff.”
On better understanding how to prepare his body for the NBA:
“Now that I know a little bit more the physicality that I need in the league, how I need to prepare my body. … I think now that I have a year in the league, it’s a little bit easier to see how I can prepare for the new season.”
On the Knicks’ championship parade and his offseason:
“I always knew Knicks fans were another kind of fans…I was prepared for it to be a big thing. But I was surprised, it was great to see.
“Best summer of my life… went back to Paris, it was nice. Everybody was happy about it.”
OG Anunoby calls Mike Brown a "special coach":
"He deserves all the praise…he's always been a great coach. When you win, you get more recognition. Everything is coming together for him." pic.twitter.com/qa88Qf16hv
“I think he has endless upside. He’s very talented, can do a lot: shoot, defend, pass. He can do everything; a really versatile player. I’m excited to see him grow. I think he’s going to keep getting better and better, so I’m really excited for him.”
On receiving the key to his hometown of Jefferson City:
“Yeah, they just told me they were going to do it. I grew up in Jeff City, went to high school out there, have lifelong friends, and I just — I grew up there.
“So Jeff City, Missouri is special to me. So it’s an honor.”
On believing more recognition will come after the Knicks’ championship run:
“Throughout the season, that’s where more recognition will come. This next season, I think I put it on display every night, the versatility, being able to guard anyone and affect the game offensively and defensively. I’m a two-way player, that’s what I take pride in, helping the team win games. I think I’ve always done it.
“Maybe there’s more of an eye on it right now because we just won the championship. That’s what I pride myself in.”
On Mike Brown’s coaching chops:
“He deserves all the praise… he’s always been a great coach. When you win, you get more recognition. Everything is coming together for him.”
On his work with Pacome Dadiet and Mo:
“I encourage them when they’re doing well… be there for them any way I can.”
On appearing on SNL:
“It was fun, we were there for Jalen. Was really cool that he got to host it. We were there for the intro. It was cool to see him do that, some funny skits. It was a good time.”
Jalen Brunson on getting props from stars around the NBA, including LeBron James and Giannis Antetokounmpo:
"I really do appreciate it, I respect the hell out of them…it shows where I've grown, but still a lot of work to do" pic.twitter.com/yl2uj41XgM
“I really do appreciate it and I respect the hell out of them. It’s honestly really cool and it’s a sign of respect. To hear that from those guys, I really do appreciate it.
“It’s just like a lot of things. When you hear praise, when you hear negativity, it has to go through one ear and out the other. You got to continue to be the best version of yourself or people are going to pass you. I really do appreciate it. It shows where I’ve grown, but still got a lot of work to do.”
In today’s NBA, the only thing tougher than winning a championship is defending one. The Knicks' front office worked to nearly wholly return their winning roster from last season, but as age, injury and finances make their impact, they’ll need new blood to step up in the coming campaign.
Here are the three Knicks whose roles are likeliest to grow this season, as New York pursues the first repeat in recent NBA history.
OG Anunoby
The only lynchpin on this list, Anunoby should still see a sizable change in responsibility from last season given how much his game blossomed during the championship run. He was the third leading scorer on the team at 16.7 points a night with modest efficiency during the regular season, but he rose to over 20 points per game, finishing second to only Jalen Brunson during the postseason.
Not only did he score more, but did so with ridiculous accuracy and major confidence in his isolation game. Head coach Mike Brown hassuggested giving him more pick-and-rolls this season in response.
Not only that, but Brown noted he will play more small-ball center as well, a necessity given the Knicks’ newfound dearth at the position. With all this lined up, Anunoby should follow up a career-best playoffs with a career-best regular season.
Mohamed Diawara
New York’s most intriguing prospect, the 6-foot-9 incoming sophomore was a pleasant surprise during his rookie campaign, but wasn’t a rotation option for the big playoff run. Things should change materially this season as the Knicks aren’t entering the season with a veteran at his position, and need more frontcourt contributions in a guard-heavy lineup.
The front office and coaching staff will also want to give Diawara real opportunities given how effective he was last year and New York’s lack of developmental projects. It took giving him spot minutes and seeing some results before he could break the rotation for a decent stretch -- this time he’s at least starting on first base.
While it may be expected for Diawara to have serious regular season contributions, the big question for 2026-27 will be can he prove himself to be reliable come the postseason? He’s shown flashes of guarding elite players and hitting big shots, but he’ll need to have a big year to make his mark in April and May.
Tyler Kolek
One formula the Knicks fell back on often in a pinch last season was playing Brunson next to another ball handler. In their miraculous Game 4 comeback during the NBA Finals, it was Jose Alvarado, but before acquiring him at the trade deadline, Kolek had a similar performance against the very same team in the NBA Cup Championship Game.
With Jordan Clarkson moving to more of a wing role and Alvarado being the only other ball handler, last year’s NBA Cup likely won’t be the last time we see Kolek inserted in a big moment. He had a solid regular season in 2025-26 and has a team option for 2027-28, making this year an inflection point on if he sticks around long-term or not.
Brown will also want to once again maximize experimentation and minimize his starters’ load ahead of another deep postseason run, so it may not even take injury or circumstance for Kolek to find real minutes. Can he make the most of them?
Jun 29, 2026; Dallas, TX, USA; New Dallas Mavericks’ head coach Dusty May, along side Masai Ujiri, Dallas Mavericks’ President of Basketball Operations, answers questions from the media during an introductory press conference at American Airlines Center. Mandatory Credit: Raymond Carlin III-Imagn Images | IMAGN IMAGES via Reuters Connect
Welcome back to Moneyball Mailbag! Here we will answer your questions relating to anything and everything Dallas Mavericks. Questions are gathered from our very own Feed, as well as social media and face-to-face.
If you asked a question, we’re grateful and thank you for joining in. If you haven’t, please both spread the word and also let us know what’s on your mind – We have a spot in The Feed where you can easily post questions to us.
With Media Day in the books, we have a few items to pique our curiosity. For questions of a similar nature asked by multiple people, we’ve simply distilled it down to a single iteration to best cover what may be on the minds of most readers. Also, some questions are edited for proper context. Let’s get to the questions!
“Is there any realistic chance Naji Marshall can shoot 45% from beyond the arc this season?”
If this question isn’t on your mind, it should be. If you peeped my player preview piece on Marshall from Monday, you know that I listed his best case scenario as being the third best player on the team and his season goal as improving his three-point percentage. I wrote that piece prior to Media Day, so I was thrilled to see his plans about shooting 45% from downtown.
To answer the question directly: no, I don’t think that’s realistic. Exactly two qualifying players accomplished that level of efficiency last season. Luke Kennard at 47.8% and Bobby Portis at 45.6%. Marshall wasn’t in the top 150 players in the category, as he shot a woeful 29.1% from deep. For his career, Marshall shoots exactly 30.0% with his best season clocking in at 38.7%. If he jumped to 45% this season, it would be one of the most incredible improvement you could imagine.
None of that is really the point, however. The point is that Marshall knows he needs to improve this area of the game, and he’s aiming for the next galaxy while hoping to land on the moon. That’s a great start and a great sign that he focused on the right things this offseason. If he can pull himself back to his career high 38.7%, we should all be throwing a party.
“Are the two preseason games in Macao going to be televised on channel 29?”
-Reh
The Mavericks are set to take on the Houston Rockets on Friday October 9 and Sunday October 11 in Macao, China. As of this writing, the official TV broadcast is “TBD,” which is a bit unfortunate for those wanting their first taste of Mavericks’ basketball since Summer League wrapped in July. What we do know is that the October 9 game will take place at 7:00am Dallas time, and the October 11 game will be at 5:00am.
“What will be the most important things to see from the Mavs during their first 10 games of the regular season?”
-DCON
My top three most important things for the first 10 games are health, cohesion and .500 basketball.
The Mavericks have had more than their fair share of injuries over the past two seasons and can’t afford any setbacks out of the gate. This is especially true with Kyrie Irving’s return. He is critical to the success of the team and his pairing with Cooper Flagg is something we’ve all been waiting to see. Which leads us to the cohesion factor.
There are some outright new faces on the team, but also a ‘new old’ face or two with key players like Irving reentering the fold. They need to maximize training camp so everyone knows their roles and tendencies and the team isn’t figuring things out as they go (as was the case last year). Fortunately, it seems like Irving and Flagg already have some chemistry building from offseason work.
As for playing .500 basketball, that doesn’t sound too ambitious, but a look at the schedule indicates splitting wins and losses over the first 10 games is probably a good outcome. The Mavs play six games at home and four on the road over the first 10 games, however they play three games in the first four nights of the season and will play the Oklahoma City Thunder once and the San Antonio Spurs twice in that span. They also play the Houston Rockets twice, Indiana Pacers and the rebuilt Miami Heat. If a new team with returning players can get five wins in that mix, that’s a pretty good start.
I invite you to follow me @_80MPH on X, and check back often at Mavs Moneyball for all the latest on the Dallas Mavericks.
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: What grabbed your attention the most from the information that came out on Media Day?
zenzino: Let’s call it what it is. Media Day is a hype day to get us excited about the season. From that standpoint, it was hugely successful as far as I’m concerned. Color me excited.
There was a genuine positivity and excitement to get the season going. Starting with the head cheerleader and team owner, Mat Ishbia. Do I take everything he says as gospel? Nope. Do I love his rosy outlook and enthusiasm for the team and the city? Hells yeah!!! And it went from the top down.
I’ll limit my takeaways to three (more).
While training camp officially started on Tuesday, it definitely sounds like training camp has been going on all summer long for them. This group could rival the 21-23 team in terms of teammates who genuinely like each other and love playing together. These guys have each other’s backs and have been working out together almost since they got knocked out by the Thunder, anxious to get back to it. My wish that the Suns hit the ground running when the season starts instead of working themselves into shape at the beginning seems likely to come true.
We only caught a glimpse of what Jalen Green was capable of last season. So much raw talent, desperately needing the right coaches to harness. He didn’t have a lot of that in his first few years. Now he’s spent some quality time with the coaching staff this summer and, notably, practice and film sessions with Steve Nash. I expect to see a leap forward from Green this season.
Finally, under the radar, when Goodie was asked who surprised him the most this summer, without hesitation, he said Book. Goodie says he guards Book most of the time, and he was surprised at how much stronger Book has gotten and that he’s shooting even better. There were a couple other stories/comments about how much Book was in the gym this summer. Not an ounce of complacency there.
Ashton: I was all jacked and jazzed to catch the livestream on Monday, but I decided to run an errand before and ran out of gas. Not like Booker running out of gas because he played too many minutes, but a faulty fuel gauge led to me getting my steps in. It was like I was back in high school. So, I missed the livestream and could have caught it post-hoc, but at that time the write-ups were in with most of the main talking points, leaving me with breadcrumbs. John Voita summarized it just fine here.
And apparently a lot of smoke was in the air.
I would turn to Dillon Brooks answer about studying Kung Fu while meditating in the Wudang Mountains over the summer. I have watched a lot of martial arts movies over the years, but the one thing I never saw was a basketball court in the Chinese scenic backdrops. And all of that was to learn to how to drop-kick an official?
Dillon, maybe you should have meditated on your upcoming court case because, knowing Arizona’s tough DUI laws, a suspension from the NBA seems inevitable before you get to performing your inner Kareem Abdul-Jabbar on an official. That, or you could have just hit the practice court with Booker and KM. Also, as a former martial artist, Kung Fu really is not the way to go. You could have practiced thumb or finger locks before the official reaches for his whistle. Which will happen.
OldAz: I was out of town during media day, so I only caught the write-ups and X highlights. For my biggest takeaway, see question #2. I was struck by how many comments were all about Maluach. It seemed each and every player made it a point to call out his hard work, his physical transformation, or his on-court development. Everything else I heard sounded like typical media day blabber.
Rod: One thing that stood out to me was that both Khaman and Oso said that which one of them starts should depend on what’s best for the team. Khaman spoke about matchups and how, against different opponents, different players might need to start. Oso also talked about how he worked well with the 2nd unit last season, which was a good role for him. They both just seemed more interested in team success than feeding their own egos. They both seemed more mature than their ages might suggest, and I love the “team first” attitude from them.
Q2:Khaman Maluach received a lot of praise from just about everyone on Media Day. What are your thoughts on this?
zenzino: I hated that. Felt like they were blowing smoke. Ha! Just kidding.
Loved it! It really sounds like he has made a huge leap forward. The patience and sticking to his development could really pay off. Teammates talked about him ‘brightening up the room’ with his presence and enthusiasm. We’re seeing the beginnings of Khaman being the future of the Suns, and it sounds like he’s impressing everyone, on and off the court.
It’s going to be fun to watch him play and develop through the season. Hopefully, everyone will stay patient and understand that this is a journey, and even if he’s just playing significant minutes this season, he’ll be right on schedule. If he works his way to starting, he’ll be ahead of schedule.
Ashton: It sounds great and it led to the Suns using those references to pick up his third year. And it is really a glimpse of what players are working on over the summer, something that is lacking in written articles during the dead times. Yes, practices are closed, but you would think there would be a leak here and there. Learning that Book and KM were working on the court together and then having a cacophony of other players chime in shows there is truly some dedication to training on the court over the summer. To be honest, I am never sure if the players are on a permanent vacay, fishing, or hitting the links around the world.
Except for Brooks. He was trying to overtake Wemby in a future Kung Fu competition (Wemby has also trained in China in Kung Fu – great article on ESPN if you want to look it up). But all that meditation does not lead to better playmaking; as Brooks has stated himself, he was working on improving those skills.
OldAz: Like I said in Q1, the sheer quantity of comments from other players pointing to Maluach was eye-opening. With Williams down for much of the season, the hope is that this is not just more Media Day spin. If Maluach truly is both growing into his body, while also working on his game, and showing a Booker-like commitment to being great, then Maluach may turn out to be the most consequential addition since, well, since Booker.
It’s especially encouraging to hear about all the time working with Booker because a real two man game between those two would be great to see. We have talked before in this space about who will start in Williams’ absence. If the comments on KM were legitimate and based in reality, then I suspect we will see him get a real shot at starting during the preseason.
Rod: It actually got me a little more excited to see him on the court. I thought he played very well in Summer League but…that was Summer League, not really the NBA. Hearing all the praise coming from his teammates, old and new, is quite encouraging as was he and Book spending time working out together over the Summer. The more in sync he and Book are on the court, the higher the ceiling of this team in my opinion.
All this just blends into what I’ve heard all along about Khaman, that he’s a sponge, working to soak up every bit of basketball knowledge he can, and to work as hard as he can, to become the best basketball player he can possibly be. Hopefully, that will turn out to be someone special.
Q3: One of the reasons Luke Kennard said he was excited to be in Phoenix was, “This is going to be an opportunity to be a basketball player, not just a shooter.” What are your thoughts on this?
zenzino: Settle down, Sparky. Nobody is asking you to play basketball.
Kidding. It’s great! We saw some surprisingly good play from him when he was starting in place of the injured Reaves in the first round of the playoffs. If that’s something he can build on, that’s great news for the Suns.
I’m firmly in the camp that we are going to feel the absence of GA and Royce in a not-so-good way. Anything extra Kennard can bring to his game will help to mitigate that.
I also love that Ott told him that his three-point percentage is going to go down because he will be shooting more threes.
Finally, it was very cool how he said that he wanted to come to Phoenix because he’s seen players have career years here and he wants to have a breakout year. I think that’s proof of concept to what the Suns are building.
Ashton: What an odd response. It almost seems like he made a dig at his former team’s coaching staff in LA (and others) for utilizing him heavily on the perimeter. And this is exactly what the Suns should do.
Look, I get it. NBA players want to be an NBA All-Star and view themselves in that light. I do not fault Kennard for wanting to improve in all the facets of the game and applaud it. But not every player can be an NBA All-Star, and his bench role is to provide spot-up perimeter shooting when called upon.
Like with Q1 on media day, there was a lot of smoke.
OldAz: After I finished rolling my eyes, I realized that “In Brian Gregory we trust.” It is possible BG saw the potential to replace more of Grayson Allen’s game than just shooting. If so, it would be a coup for the Suns to replace those elements of GA’s game at a much lower price point. On the other hand, this is a middle-of-the-bench signing and these comments sound a whole lot more like Media Day spin and typical overestimation of one athlete’s own abilities.
Rod: It’s interesting because I’ve read that the team has also given him the green light to shoot more. It sounds as though someone’s recognized that he can be more than just someone who stands at the three-point line waiting for the ball to come to him. I haven’t really watched him play much, but there have been comments that he can do much more and could be a Grayson Allen replacement in more than just three-point shooting.
I did watch some of his playoff highlights with the Lakers and saw he had pretty good ball-handling skills and a nice midrange game, which should get him rotation minutes even on this deep Suns team. If he can bring even close to what Grayson gave the Suns in areas other than three-point shooting, he’ll be an even nicer addition than I initially thought he would be.
As always, many thanks to our Fantable members for all their extra effort this week!
Quotes of the Week
“It’s not like, oh who’s gonna start or who’s gonna play this kind of minutes. It’s what the team needs. If that night Oso is a good matchup for whatever center we’re playing, then if coach thinks it’s the best thing also we’ll play. If the other night I’m the better matchup, I will play. I don’t see it like an individual competitive thing. I see it like a team thing, what the team needs.” – Khaman Maluach
“They want me to shoot, and they want me to shoot a lot. Whether it’s wide open or it’s more difficult shots.” – Luke Kennard
“It’s going to be great and super competitive. All of the guys work hard. We all have the same goal.” – Rasheer Fleming (on training camp)
“We have no reason, no excuse not to be in elite shape.” – Jordan Ott
For those who enjoyed the Suns picking up full court and applying early defensive pressure, this season will be even more electric
After ranking Top 10 last year in pickup distance and ball pressure, one of Jordan Ott’s goals now? Double down and increase that frequency: pic.twitter.com/7II7cthFQw
Fun fact: Since making his NBA debut in 2015, Devin Booker has been responsible for 29% of the Suns’ points scored or created. pic.twitter.com/XUUK75R4ZI
The Suns are returning 76.2% of their player minutes from last season, which is the sixth-highest continuity rating in the league behind San Antonio (93.8%), Orlando (90.2%), New York (87.7%), Houston (85.0%), and New Orleans (84.6%).
On October 8, 2018, the Suns fired former GM Ryan McDonough and appointed James Jones and Trevor Bukstein as interim co-GMs.
On October 9, 1972, the Suns waived SG/SF John Wetzel who was picked up by the Atlanta Hawks. Three years later, the Suns claimed Wetzel after he was waived by the Hawks on Oct. 24, 1975.
Important Future Dates
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 Oct. 24 – NBA G League Draft Oct. 26-Nov. 5 – NBA G League Training Camp Nov. 6 – NBA G League Tip-Off Tournament 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
LAS VEGAS, NV - JULY 16: Allen Graves #22 of the Toronto Raptors shoots a three point basket during the game against the Miami Heat on July 16, 2026 at the Cox Pavilion in Las Vegas, Nevada. 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 Mike Kirschbaum/NBAE via Getty Images) | NBAE via Getty Images
6 Foot 7 Foot by Lil Wayne was one of 2011’s hottest songs, but also seems to have served as the blueprint for Allen Graves’ growth spurt. The Raptors’ first round draft pick shot up from 6’0” to 6’7” over his first two summers in high school, and this massive bodily change, in part, brought him to professional basketball. He hold this story over the summer, and with the preseason underway, it’s worth reflecting on where Graves came from.
Louisiana is a football state, hands down, with the New Orleans Saints being far more successful than the New Orleans Pelicans. Factor in college ball (the state’s most popular sport), and you get a group of people who really like watching the pigskin get thrown around.
“I love football,” said Graves in a presser. “Growing up in Louisiana you kind of have to play football. You gotta love it.” When playing his “first love,” Graves was a quarterback and wide receiver at the beginning of high school, but after an elbow injury and the development of a “shooting arm,” he told his mother at the end of the football season that he was done with the gridiron, and would follow in the footsteps of his family members, going to play college basketball.
His mother, looking at her six-foot son, told him in no uncertain terms that “I don’t think you’re athletic enough… you’re not tall enough. If you want to play a college sport, then I think it’s going to be football, so you need to stick with it.”
Graves’ response? “I’m gonna show you, mom.”
Then, over the next year, Graves grew up to be the 6’7” forward that he is to this day. His height has been reported as varying between 6’8” and 6’9” as a rookie, so it seems that he still had some growing left in him before beginning his professional basketball career.
#19 pick Allen Graves FILLED the stat sheet for the @Raptors in his NBA Summer League debut:
Allen Graves averaged nearly 17 points and 7 assists in Summer League, shooting 50% from three across all games played. While it cannot be overstated how much Summer League production does not necessarily translate to the NBA’s regular season, as a first gauge of the temperature, Allen Graves came off blazing hot. While the selection of Graves was met with some controversy at the time, in the wake of his production over the summer, Raptors fans seemed to have warmed up to the former Santa Clara Bronco.
While he didn’t play in the team’s first outing of the preseason due to injury, it was reported by Josh Lewenberg of TSN that the tweaked groin wasn’t serious. Soon, Graves will be showing what he can do in meaningful games for the Raptors, bringing all the defence and shooting he’s shown to be able to provide. Not bad for someone who grew seven inches out of a desire to prove his mother wrong.
MINNEAPOLIS, MINNESOTA - SEPTEMBER 28: LaMelo Ball #1 of the Minnesota Timberwolves poses for a portrait during Media Day at Target Center on September 28, 2026 in Minneapolis, Minnesota. 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 David Berding/Getty Images) | Getty Images
Grades are an imperfect metric, but they are a widely shared cultural reference point. As a former teacher, the A-F grading system is baked into my brain. A few years ago, I created a grading system for the Minnesota Timberwolves because I thought it would be fun to try and channel each player’s contribution to the team into an easy-to-sum-up format by focusing on key stats based inplayer role.
After a couple seasons away, I’m thrilled to be back diving deep into the numbers with my favorite team, hoping that these grades lead to good conversation, debate, and all the fun that comes with processing the upcoming 82 game rollercoaster ride.
A handful of quick reminders about how the grades work:
These grades are roles-based, so the stats I’m looking at for each player are different and meant to highlight their team role.
Roles on the team can change as the roster and playing time changes —I will alter or add statistical categories throughout the season as needed. Especially in a preseason article, the expectation is that some of these initial stats will change as we get to know the team better.
The grade ranges and their correlation to stats are educated speculation based on previous career averages, team role, and minutes expectation. Like the categories themselves, if there is a range that is clearly missing the eye test, expect some tweaks as the season goes along.
The season is divided into four quarters; twenty to twenty-one game increments. There will be mid quarter (10ish games), quarter (20ish games), semester (41 games) and final grades (82 games) throughout the regular season and series grades in the playoffs.
Let’s get to it!
LaMelo Ball: The Mixologist
The Stats: Team Offensive Rating, Games Missed, Defensive Rebounds Per Game
The Why Behind Them: Having Mike Conley as a point guard is like drinking an Old Fashioned with lifelong friends. There is safety, comfort, and familiarity. Having LaMelo Ball as your point guard is going to be like going to a fancy new bar that doesn’t have a menu, and behind the bar is a mixologist that takes a long, studious look at you, starts working behind the bar, and then places a whole new concoction in front of you.
It could be a terrible experience, but it also might be one of the best drinks you’ve ever had. You just will never know unless you actually walk out the door and try it.
Also the mixologist was traded to your city because he has a history of tripping over barstools and missing nights at the bar so there’s a decent chance he might not be in the night you go out for drinks and… I think I’ve stretched this metaphor too thin so let’s get back to basketball.
Here’s the thesis on LaMelo: he was brought here to unlock the offense and set up Anthony Edwards to be the best version of himself (more on that soon). If things go according to plan, this is phase one of a long relationship as LaMelo injects pace, creativity and joy back into Minnesota’s offense. The best signs that this project is working? Overall offensive numbers and Ball being healthy and available for the majority of the season.
The final stat is all about his role on the other end of the floor: defensive rebounding. Ball is never going to be expected to be a defensive stalwart, but where he can best contribute is in helping to close out defensive possessions and start offensive ones.
For those that are unaware, the Wolves’ new 6’7’’ point guard is one of the best defensive rebounding guards in the NBA. Last season, Cleaning the Glass had him as a 95th percentile defensive rebounder as he averaged 4.8 rebounds per game, a career low overall number. However that coincided with about four less minutes per game.
For a player like Rudy Gobert, a defensive rebound means closing out a possession. But for a player like LaMelo, it means that the ball gets in his hands as quickly as possible for a hit-ahead pass or initiating a fast break. It’s an immediate adrenaline boost to a starting group that has had a habit of playing slow the last few years. It is a desperate team need meeting an elite player strength.
Anthony Edwards: The Charizard
The Stats: True Shooting Percentage, Personal Fouls Drawn, Conference Standing
The Why Behind Them: Welcome to the Anthony Edwards final evolution.
So much of the offseason talk by president of basketball operations Tim Connelly and head coach Chris Finch has been about shaping the roster around what Edwards does best. A recurring theme throughout any longform interview (special shoutout to Britt Robson’s interview with Chris Finch) was about the weight of point guard duties and the effect that had on the all-star guard’s defensive energy. Ant is more Kobe Bryant than James Harden, and the big bet the team is making is that this shift will allow him to find his final form as he enters the prime of his career.
The first stat is simple: If Anthony Edwards is in his ideal offensive role, this should be the most efficient shooting season of his career. His previous career high TS% last season was 61.7%, so that’s the highwater mark that he needs to get over.
On the second stat, personal fouls drawn (PFD), I feel compelled to elaborate more. I have multiple doctorates from Foul-Baiting-Ruins-Basketball University. I’ve gotten into a fight with one of my best friends after saying, “I’d rather watch Julius Randle on my team than Shai Gilgeous-Alexander” because of how much I hate that style of play. I cannot stress enough my credentials in this department.
This is not a plea for four-time All-Star to overexaggerate contact, flop, or spend large portions of TV timeouts working the officials. This stat came about because the more I dug into Edwards’ numbers and the final step he needs to take into the MVP conversation, the reality is he is the worst among his superstar peers at drawing contact.
He was 29th in the league at drawing fouls with 4.5 PFD per game. Every single player that received an MVP vote comfortably drew more fouls per game than Ant:
Giannis Antetokounmpo: 8.1 (not eligible for MVP last season, just the high standard mark for this stat)
Luka Dončić: 7.3
Nikola Jokić: 6.7
Jaylen Brown: 6.3
Victor Wembanyama: 6.3
Shai Gilgeous-Alexander: 6.1
Jalen Brunson: 5.1
Kawhi Leonard 5.1
Edwards doesn’t need to be in the top tier, but when you look at a player with a similar build to him like Jaylen Brown it does point to room for improvement. Drawing contact forces good defenders into foul trouble, puts your team in the bonus, and often is an outcome of attacking shifting/off-balance defenses. With LaMelo taking over point guard duties this season, part of the Atlanta native’s final alpha form evolution needs to involve him doing the thing he was built in a basketball lab for; getting downhill and punishing rotating defenses with his once-in-a-generation athleticism.
The final stat I’ll be tracking is the most obvious one: is Anthony Edwards’ team a threat to win the Western Conference? One third of Edwards’ overall grade will be pulled in the direction of the team’s standing – a fair next step for a player looking to plant his flag in the MVP conversation for the next decade in the league.
Jaden McDaniels: The “Whose Car Are We Going To Take?” Guy
The Stats: 3-Point Percentage, Points Per Shot Attempt, Defensive Estimated Plus/Minus
The Why Behind Them: You cannot win a title in the NBA without a player like Jaden McDaniels.
If I were in charge of building an all-time Timberwolves Mount Rushmore, Mr. “They’re all bad defenders” has earned his place on my monument. He does the little things, the big things when asked, and if something is going down and you need some backup, simply asks “Whose car we taking?”
In fact, when things go down, there is no time to even ask that question because he’s already charged headlong into the fray like Leeroy Jenkins.
In order for this team’s offense to reach its full potential, McDaniels has to be a capable shooter from deep to help offset the heretofore streakiness of Jonathan Kuminga and Rudy Gobert’s lack of spacing. The most common three-point look that Jaden gets? Wide open: no defender within six feet when he shoots the ball. If Jaden can hit these at a consistent clip, the whole offense opens up.
You know the stat that consistently bumps up to an elite level (playoffs) vs a good level (regular season) as the calendar turns to April? Jaden McDaniel’s points per shot attempt (PPSA). Besides the San Antonio series last season, McDaniels offensive efficiency with his PPSA goes from above league average (60th percentile) to 97th, 96th, and 82nd percentile in his three previous playoff runs. Like so many of the offensive stats I’m looking at for the starters, this is all about efficiency and making regular season monotony look more like post season excellence.
The final stat is McDaniels overall defensive EPM, a number where he finished at in the 90th percentile in the league last season. I’ve set the “A” season grade at a number that would have finished in the 95th percentile, and presumably be the marker of an all-defense team.
Jonathan Kuminga: The Knife-Wrench
The Stats:Rebounds Per Game, Contested Shots Per Game, Offensive Estimated Plus/Minus
The Why Behind Them: Perhaps my millennial is showing with a Dr. Ján Ïtor reference, but alas, it was the first place my mind went. Much like Jonathan Kuminga, the knife-wrench is an out of the box idea; a combination of two common tools (a toolsy prospect if you will!) that in theory could solve multiple problems at once. It also, in theory, could stab you in your thigh if placed at the wrong angle on your toolbelt. While the answer to his fit will come in time, the more you get to know him, the more you’ll find yourself pulling for him to succeed.
So what are the tools that this team most needs to see? Defense, rebounding and finding his niche as a slice of the offensive pie.
If Kuminga is committed to the defensive side of the floor, the ceiling of this roster completely changes. Presuming Gobert anchoring his presence in the paint, the DRC-native has the same opportunity Nickeil Alexander-Walker did when he came over in the trade from Utah: Re-invent yourself as a defensive dog and go into the offseason and get paid.
The departure of Julius Randle (6.7) and Naz Reid (6.2) opens up 13 rebounds per game that are up for grabs for the regular rotation guys. As mentioned above, I expect LaMelo Ball to get his fair share of the defensive boards, so the number reflected for Kuminga’s “A” rebounding grade comes with an expectation that the best version of himself is a weapon on the offensive glass.
According to Cleaning The Glass, Kuminga has been anywhere from a 61st-88th percentile offensive rebounder at the forward position since his rookie season. It’s a real part of his skillset and one I expect to be intentionally utilized to offset a lower usage number.
As for Kuminga’s final stat, offensive EPM, this is all about his offensive effectiveness as a role player. There aren’t a lot of pieces of the offensive pie left, but if he’s able to fit into the flow of offense and find his moments, it will be reflected in his offensive EPM as the team scores and thrives. The 0.5 “A” grade number would him around a 75th percentile.
Rudy Gobert: The GOAT-ee
MINNEAPOLIS, MINNESOTA – SEPTEMBER 28: Rudy Gobert #27 of the Minnesota Timberwolves poses for a portrait during Media Day at Target Center on September 28, 2026 in Minneapolis, Minnesota. 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 David Berding/Getty Images) | Getty Images
The Stats: Screen Assist Points Per Game, Dunks Per Game, Team Defensive Ranking
The Why Behind Them: Did you know that the facial hair formation known as the goatee derives its name from bearing a resemblance to a billy goat? The look is literally goaty.
Did you know that the goatee’s first rise in popularity is connected to a seventeenth century Flemish painter due to the widespread popularity of his self-portraits?
Did you know that after disappearing for centuries the goatee re-emerged hundreds of years later, made famous by Napoleon III and eventually being immortalized on the faces of “The Three Musketeers” by French author Alexander Dumas?
You may find yourself asking, “what does any of this have to do with Rudy Gobert’s upcoming basketball season?” And the answer to that is so simple you should frankly feel embarrassed for asking. Before the ball has bounced even one single time on the practice floor at Mayo Clinic, that tuft of hair on the Frenchman’s face has made a louder statement than any media day quote ever could: “All for one, and one for all. United we stand, divided we fall.”
And speaking of being united, Gobert has always been one of the best screen setters in basketball, finishing in the top five in screen assists for the past decade (seriously, he was #2 in the ‘16-‘17 season!). While you can debate LaMelo Ball being the best point guard that Gobert has played with, LaMelo is the most dynamic point guard of Gobert’s career. The French Big is a hall of fame screener and this season could be the pièce de résistance of his storied career.
The last two stats are short and sweet. Continuing on the same thesis of playing with the most dynamic passing point guard he’s ever played with, the goateed Frenchman should have a little bit of rejuvenation in dunking around the basket. And finally, team defensive ranking as a season long stat. Rudy Gobert has long been said to be a top ten defense in and of himself. The Wolves will once again test that theory and rely on his prowess to anchor the team on that end.
That’s it for now! Comment below if there is a potentially better category or stat to track – I’ve adjusted metrics based on ideas from the comment section in past seasons and will look closely at it if it falls within the date-oriented stat systems I can use for tracking.
I’ll be back soon with a preview of the bench, until then, may Rudy Gobert’s goatee offer us all peace and comfort while we wait for the preseason to start.
MIAMI, FLORIDA - APRIL 12: Rayj Dennis #00 of the Atlanta Hawks dribbles the ball against the Miami Heat during the first quarter of the game at Kaseya Center on April 12, 2026 in Miami, Florida. 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 Megan Briggs/Getty Images) | Getty Images
As we embark on a new Hawks season, it’s time to preview the members that will shape the next nine months or so.
The Hawks have all three of their two-way spots filled, but these contracts don’t count against the salary cap and so these spots are often subject to movement throughout the season. Still, two players are familiar faces to the organization, and a third has a decent amount of NBA experience for young player.
As such all three possess enough tangible upside that they could earn themselves a full standard contract before the end of this upcoming season.
PG — RayJ Dennis
RayJ Dennis is back after signing a two-way contract with the team last December. He only appeared in four games with the Hawks, but in 31 games with the College Park Skyhawks, he averaged 24.3 points, 10.3 assists, and 2.1 steals per game while shooting 45% from the field and 37% from three.
Had Dennis had enough games to qualify for the G League leaderboard, his points per game and assists per game marks would have ranked sixth and second in the league respectively.
As a 6’1” point guard with no issue getting buckets against G League competition, the real question is how his skillset translates to the NBA level. There’s no doubt that his size is an obstacle to overcome on both ends of the floor, but after waiving Devin Carter and trading away Ryan Nembhard, there could be minutes available for the young point guard.
At media day, Dennis had this to say about how the Hawks are approaching his development, “[h]elping me get better and making sure I’m ready for any opportunity and hopefully a bigger role coming this year.”
PG/SG — Keshon Gilbert
The off guard to Dennis’ primacy on the ball, Gilbert is an athletic, downhill scorer who averaged 20.1 points per game in nine games with the Skyhawks.
“Me and RayJ [Dennis], we been knowing each other for a while,” he had to say at media day about his College Park backcourt partnership. “I worked out with him in St. Louis before. Played against him in college. Me and RayJ, we got history, so it was easy. We [are] two unselfish players, and at the end of the day both of us want to win. That’s why we click so good on the court, I feel.”
Gilbert signed a two-way contract with the Hawks just ahead of the deadline to do so on March 3rd. From that date until the end of the Skyhawks’ season, the team went 8-2 largely behind their explosive guard duo.
Can that carry over to the Hawks this season?
The biggest worry is that Gilbert is just a career 24% shooter from three in the G League as a 6’4” guard and often needs the ball in his hands to be most effective. I think he’s slated for another year mainly in the lower league, but his familiarity with the program should give him a leg up in his development journey.
SF/PF — Jalen Wilson
You can never have enough forwards named Jalen.
Wilson was drafted 51st overall to the Nets in 2023 after a standout career at Kansas before spending three seasons with the team — first on a two-way contract then later on a standard contract.
Wilson brings 176 games of NBA experience to Atlanta, all with the Nets. He wasn’t asked to do much with the ball in his hands other than to shoot catch-and-shoot threes (career 36% shooter from deep). Often deployed as a small ball power forward with Brooklyn, at 6’6” he may shift up and defend more opposing wings with the Hawks and Skyhawks going forward.
On why he chose to sign with the Hawks this offseason, Wilson responded at media day, “I just saw the group of guys and saw the work ethic. I saw how hard they played in the playoffs. The type of fit that I can have. A lot of good wings here. Playing around guys like Jalen [Johnson], he’s been able to be in a in a position to make guys better.”
If I had to choose, Wilson would be the player of this trio that has the best path to rotation minutes because of his prior NBA experience as well as his ability to fit into lineups as a 3-and-D wing or forward. Wilson even went so far as to label himself ‘3-and-D’ later on at the same press availability.
New additions like Lu Dort and Dorian Finney-Smith are among the most well-regarded NBA players of that archetype, so there may be no better examples than the ones he’ll be practicing every day against going forward.
I like Minnesota’s roster a lot. I also think this is one of those teams where the over could look great for two months and then completely fall apart because one injury changes everything. The LaMelo Ball trade raised Minnesota’s ceiling, but it also came at a real cost. The Timberwolves traded Naz Reid, Julius Randle, and major draft capital to get him, then added Jonathan Kuminga and Cody Williams to rebuild the forward rotation.
Minnesota Timberwolves: Over/Under 48.5 wins
Over: -110 Under: -115 To win NBA Championship: +3000 To win Western Conference: +1400 To win Northwest Division: +1100
Last season: 49-33, sixth in the West, lost in the second round
Key additions: LaMelo Ball, Jonathan Kuminga, Trey Lyles, Cody Williams, Isaiah Evans Key losses: Julius Randle, Naz Reid, Mike Conley, Kyle Anderson, Sandro Mamukelashvili
The under case really comes down to how much Minnesota lost and how much it is now relying on two stars who have had injury problems.
Edwards only played 61 games last season after being much more durable in previous years. LaMelo has struggled to stay on the floor throughout his career. Minnesota is now counting on both of them not only to stay healthy, but to carry a huge amount of the offense.
That is risky when the line is 48.5.
The other thing I keep coming back to is the loss of Reid and Randle. Reid gave Minnesota shooting, size and lineup flexibility. Randle gave them another legitimate creator and rebounder. Those are not small departures. Kuminga is talented, but he has never really found a consistent role, and Cody Williams is still young. SB Nation’s preseason look at Minnesota basically framed this roster as boom-or-bust for that exact reason: the Wolves traded proven depth for more upside.
I still think Minnesota is good. LaMelo should make Edwards better, Gobert keeps the defensive floor high, and McDaniels is still one of the league’s better defenders.
I just think this roster has less margin for error than last year’s.
If Edwards or LaMelo misses 15 or 20 games, or if Kuminga does not fit cleanly, this could easily become a 45- or 46-win team in a loaded West.
That would still make Minnesota dangerous in the playoffs.
