SAN FRANCISCO ― Basketball season is just a month a way and the Golden State Warriors are starting the season banged up.
The team announced Monday, Sept. 28, that Jimmy Butler III and Moses Moody are both still out and won't be available for the season-opener as they rehab from their knee injuries they suffered last season.
Butler and Moody have performed some light work on the court but still they're not close to a return. Warriors center Kristaps Porzingis was ruled out indefinitely with an specified health issue that was recently discovered. There has not been a timeline established for his return. He will miss the start of camp, Warriors general manager Mike Dunleavy said.
"We're a little banged up to start, but you know we've got plenty of depth. We'll get through it. We feel good about the group we have: a nice mix of young guys, some old guys but everybody can play." Dunleavy told reporters Monday. "I know we're looking forward to taking on the challenge."
Porzingis won't travel to Hawaii for their training camp, however Butler and Moody will.
"I want to give you as much information as I can," Dunleavy said. "It's a health thing that we can't really comment on."
The clock is ticking for Jalen Duren and the Detroit Pistons to reach an agreement on a new contract and end the contentious negotiations that have consumed the team's offseason.
The 22-year-old center is coming off the best season of his NBA career, becoming an All-Star for the first time and earning third team all-NBA honors while the Pistons soared to the best record in the Eastern Conference. But Duren's playoff performance didn't match his regular-season production, creating an increasingly contentious contract standoff in recent months.
Here's the latest on the Pistons' contract situation with restricted free agent Jalen Duren:
Duren is eligible for a five-year, $287-million supermax extension based on his all-NBA selection last season. The Pistons' most recent reported offer was five years, $200 million and also included a weight clause. Duren turned it down, according to ESPN and The Athletic.
Since Duren is a restricted free agent, Detroit has the ability to match any contract offer an outside team makes. Those teams can also only offer Duren a four-year deal that's capped at $177.4 million.
Duren has until Thursday, Oct. 1, to sign a one-year qualifying offer worth $9.6 million that would make him an unrestricted free agent after the 2026-27 NBA season. If he doesn't sign the qualifying offer, he would remain a restricted free agent. The Pistons could also choose to extend the qualifying offer past the deadline, according to ESPN.
Why Pistons, Jalen Duren remain far apart on contract
There are several factors that have put the Pistons and Duren at this impasse, beginning with Duren's postseason performance.
After averaging 19.5 points and 10.5 rebounds per game during his breakout regular season, Duren couldn't produce at that level during the Pistons' abbreviated playoff run. His struggles to replicate that in high-leverage playoff moments raised concerns about whether it was prudent to give him a supermax commitment.
The dichotomy in his play last season, combined with the NBA's collective bargaining agreement and the league's second apron, has put the two sides at odds for months.
The Pistons already have star Cade Cunningham signed to a supermax contract extension and recently gave guard Ausar Thompson a $155 million contract extension. Awarding Duren a supermax would limit the front office's future salary cap flexibility as it builds a contender around a core of Cunningham, Duren and Thompson.
Duren has not received an offer sheet from another team to this point and the Pistons have not yet been open to sign-and-trade opportunities, according to the Detroit Free Press, part of the USA TODAY Network.
As a restricted free agent, Duren's only leverage is to make this uncomfortable for Detroit and eventually sign a one-year qualifying offer on Oct. 1. That path would allow him to reach unrestricted free agency after the 2026-27 season, but it would also expose both sides to significant risk.
The Pistons could potentially lose their star center for nothing because Duren could become an unrestricted free agent after the 2026-27 season. Any prospective trade option would either need to sign Duren to a new contract, or take him on as a rental, which could limit his value at the trade deadline.
It's even riskier for Duren as he could be forfeiting an enormous amount of money if he gets injured or can't match what he did in the 2025-26 regular season. The Philadelphia-area native could also continue his upward trajectory and earn the max extension he and his representatives sought this offseason.
It's that time of the year again. With training camps set to open, fantasy basketball drafts will pick up. If you're experienced, an article like this won't do much for you. However, plenty of basketball fans may be getting into fantasy basketball for the first time. For those people, welcome. This article aims to introduce you to fantasy basketball in a way that hopefully makes your experience positive. Let's get into how to play fantasy basketball.
1. Decide who you want to play with.
For some, playing with people they know will be the best course of action. If there's an entry fee, it should (in theory) be easier to collect everyone's money before the league starts. For others, simply entering an online league with strangers that does not charge a fee will be the preferred entry into fantasy basketball. The good news is that fantasy managers have plenty of options.
Regarding the money, here's an important tip: only put up what you're willing and able to lose potentially. The good thing about season-long fantasy leagues is that the possibility of falling into the trap of chasing one's losses is off the table. Committing money that you can't afford to lose financially (or mentally) is a good way to make the fantasy experience a bad one.
2. What kind of league do you want to compete in?
If you're entering online leagues, you make this decision when sifting through available options. Do you want to compete in a category league or a points league? For the latter, point values are assigned to each category (points, rebounds, assists, steals, blocks and turnovers). For Yahoo! default points leagues, here are the values for those categories:
Points: 1
Rebounds: 1.2
Assists: 1.5
Steals: 3
Blocks: 3
Turnovers: -1
Understanding the scoring will impact how you approach your draft, especially in the later rounds. Also, do you want to compete in a head-to-head league, which offers weekly matchups with other managers, or a rotisserie league? In the latter, a slow start could be harder to rebound from. That also means managers may need to be more open to making a major trade earlier in the season.
Also, do you want to compete in a redraft league or a dynasty league? For redraft leagues, you'll pick your team every year. Dynasty leagues have a first-year draft, usually including players who are currently in college, and run for multiple years. If you don't want to commit to a league for multiple years, the redraft format is usually preferred.
3. What kind of draft do you want to have for your league?
Snake drafts are the most common, but the question is whether it includes a reversal every two rounds. That means the person with the final pick in the first round, for example, would have the first pick in the third round, and the order would alternate every two rounds. Another question for snake drafts: do you want to complete this in one sitting, as in-person drafts do, or hold an online slow draft? For slow drafts, managers will have more time to make their picks, and they usually run for multiple days.
Word of advice: set up email alerts for when you're either on deck or on the clock. Filling your queue with a few potential options is something else to consider doing, but most managers will prefer to look at the board before making a pick.
If you don't want to go with a snake draft, you can also do a salary draft. In this format, you're given a salary cap, $200 in default leagues, and can spend the money however you like. Want to spend $75 (or more) on Victor Wembanyama or Nikola Jokić? Go right ahead. Managers can either choose to splurge on a couple of stars and fill out the roster with low-cost options, or take a more balanced approach. From personal experience, salary drafts are far more efficient online than in person.
For in-person drafts, regardless of format, instituting some penalty for those who consistently try to select or nominate players already off the board would be a good idea.
4. Do your research before draft day.
Finding time to research players before draft day can be challenging. But the worst approach is to take a rankings sheet and go off that alone. We'll have preseason articles available throughout the coming weeks, and there are other good resources out there as well, whether in written or podcast form. The reason research matters: injuries, potential rotation battles, and coaching changes will all impact a player's value, and those discussions aren't included on a rankings sheet.
If you prefer the "cheat sheet" method, don't fret: we've got those for you, too.
5. Don’t be afraid to participate in a few mock drafts before your big day.
You can certainly do this before finalizing the kind of league you'll be competing in, but it makes more sense to do mock draft exercises afterward. Mocks aren't perfect, but they can help you get used to surprises that may come up in a draft. For example, if someone uses a first-round pick on a frequently injured player, here's how you can potentially pivot to take advantage.
Mock drafts are also helpful in salary leagues because they can show you how players are perceived price-wise. And it also allows you to figure out the approach that's best for you, as noted in the third point. Spend it all on a few stars, or spread your cap dollars more evenly? Testing this out in a mock draft or two ensures that you won't be flying blind on draft day.
️ 6. Once the season begins, set aside some time to set your lineups.
Life can get busy, making it easy to forget to set your lineup each day. Leagues can allow a new lineup every day, or you may have to set your lineup for the entire week before Monday's games start. Regarding daily lineups: does your league have a weekly games cap? If so, paying closer attention to matchups and how many games a player's team has scheduled becomes even more important.
The optimal approach for leagues that allow for daily lineups: one check in the morning, and a second in the afternoon/early evening to account for any potential absences due to injury or suspension.
7. If you have to shift your strategy, don’t be afraid to do so.
Panicking after one week of fantasy basketball wouldn't be wise, but there may come a point when you have to make major moves to salvage the season. As noted above, it can get "late" earlier in roto leagues than in category leagues. Is the change as simple as a few waiver-wire pickups? Or do you need to make a major trade?
If a trade is needed, please don't get into the habit of trying to get over on other managers. Trades should benefit both parties, and trying to fleece other managers is a good way to ensure no one wants to do business with you in the future. Also, if your league has a trade block, use it. Not just to list players you're willing to give up, but also to list categories that your team is either struggling or excelling in.
8. Last but not least: this is supposed to be fun. Don’t ruin the experience for others by sabotaging the league.
This is especially important if you're playing for money and sharing the league with people you know. Sure, "it's just fantasy basketball." But that's exactly why colluding and cheating should not happen. Real relationships shouldn't become strained or severed over fantasy sports. If you approach it the right way, a league can last for years, and strangers can become friends.
LAS VEGAS, NV - JULY 14: Meleek Thomas #15 of the Cleveland Cavaliers poses for a portrait during the 2026 NBA Rookie Photo Shoot on July 14, 2026 at the University of Nevada, Las Vegas campus 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 Brian Babineau/NBAE via Getty Images) | NBAE via Getty Images
The Cleveland Cavaliers traded out of the first round in this past year’s draft. At the time, there was frustration for a team that has very limited opportunities over the next five years to take first-round talent. With the 34th selection, the Cavaliers were able to take Meleek Thomas, whom draft experts had in the first round of their mock drafts.
The Cavaliers were immediately validated for their trade down and selection of Thomas in the Summer League. He set Las Vegas ablaze to the tune of 27.3 points per game. This not only led all players in the circuit but also earned Thomas a spot on the Summer League First Team. Thomas was the only non-lottery player to earn this selection.
It’s early, but the Cavaliers appear to have selected a player with a solid foundation.
The Cavaliers have shuffled their bench this offseason, leaving some question marks. When Summer League ended, the bench still consisted of Max Strus and Dennis Schröder. With both now residing on other teams, the bench has a lot of “mystery box” players. Mario Hezonja, Tyrese Proctor, Craig Porter Jr., Khalifa Diop, and Nae’Qwan Tomlin are all interesting players; however, they are a far cry from what you would call “stable” or “safe” options.
This is where the Cavaliers will enter a conundrum early in Thomas’s career. It is more likely than not that one or more of the players listed above will not meet the expectations or needs the Cavaliers have for them in their role at the start of the season. If so, Thomas will be thrust into meaningful minutes.
Thomas has already shown a knack for putting the ball in the basket. In Summer League, Thomas accompanied his 27.3 points per game with sizzling .500/.438/1.000 shooting splits over four games. Thomas is a natural scorer, but don’t expect the level of efficiency and opportunity that was present in Summer League.
In Vegas, the Cavaliers had one true prospect to showcase, and that was Thomas. That wouldn’t be the case in the regular season. With James Harden and Donovan Mitchell, Thomas will need to be more complementary. At Arkansas, he did something similar with fellow NBA draftee Darius Acuff Jr.; however, the opposition now is much more formidable.
The worst-case scenario for Thomas is that the Cavaliers whiff on quite a few of their mystery-box role guys, and the pecking order on the bench needs major renovations. Thomas will get less of the Jaylon Tyson treatment from a few years ago — one where he got to develop and play in garbage time to get his feet under him — and instead be thrust out there to salvage poor decisions made by the front office in constructing the bench. That may not be best for his overall development.
Thomas is a natural scorer, which should help in the early returns of his first minutes in the NBA, and is his most likely role if he does get thrown into early minutes. However, it would be a disservice to Thomas to isolate his development to solely being a scorer. Koby Altman hinted at the draft presser that the Cavaliers want to allow him to develop his facilitating and offense-running capabilities. It will be nearly impossible with one of the two All-Star guards also on the floor. It will be interesting to see how the front office and coaching staff toggle Thomas between a project and a break-glass-in-case-of-emergency role.
The Cavaliers are in win-now mode, so they are more likely to sacrifice long-term upside for an opportunity to improve the roster now. Therefore, Thomas could be put in a position where he will need to sink or swim this season, even if it isn’t what’s most beneficial for his development.
LAS VEGAS, NV - JULY 15: AJ Dybansta #4 of the Washington Wizards poses for a portrait during the 2026 NBA Rookie Photo Shoot on July 15, 2026 at the University of Nevada, Las Vegas campus 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 Garrett Ellwood/NBAE via Getty Images) | NBAE via Getty Images
The Washington Wizards are hosting Media Day at CareFirst Arena starting at 11 a.m. ET. Greg Finberg is in Congress Heights for us. Monumental Sports Network will air the coverage and I’ll post an embed as soon as we can. Enjoy the first day of the NBA calendar!
Wizards Media Day is here!
We’ll speak with Brian Keefe at 11 a.m., followed by 12 Wizards players, including Trae Young, Anthony Davis and AJ Dybantsa.
PHILADELPHIA, PA - JANUARY 31: A close-up photo of the Philadelphia 76ers hardwood classic edition jersey during the game against the New Orleans Pelicans on January 31, 2026 at the Wells Fargo Center in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania 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 David Dow/NBAE via Getty Images) | NBAE via Getty Images
In what can only be described as a no-brainer, the Sixers will bring back their Allen Iverson era black jerseys for the 2026-27 season.
According to Nike/the NBA’s uniform rules, the Sixers technically could not wear the black jerseys this season. You’re not allowed to wear throwback uniforms unless it falls on an anniversary (like last season when the team celebrated the 25th anniversary of the 2000-01 team). As they say, rules are meant to be broken.
And thank goodness.
These jerseys are iconic. So much so, Jaylen Brown couldn’t wait to get his hands on one to wear for a live stream. And when the news broke of LeBron James signing in Philly, guess which jersey was photoshopped onto him? That’s right. Tyrese Maxey and other Sixers are also huge fans of these jerseys.
In total, the Sixers will wear six different jerseys this season, including the return of the black “Hardwood Classic”.
In addition to the red, white and blue jersey variants that have become standard for the Sixers and the return of the Iverson-era black uniforms, the team will also debut their new “Specter” uniform (the black with red stars) this season. The league and Nike announced earlier this month that eight of the NBA’s oldest franchises will wear the new line of uniforms this season. It is not exactly clear yet how often or when these jerseys will be utilized specifically.
All of the Sixers’ jerseys will also feature a new patch sponsor, replacing the Crypto.com logo that has featured on the team’s jerseys and courts for years now. The Sixers have a new, multi-year deal with Bloom Energy. ESPN’s Dave McMenamin reported on social media that the deal is worth over eight figures, annually making it one of the most lucrative in the league.
DETROIT, MI - APRIL 27: Karl-Anthony Towns #32 and Jalen Brunson #11 of the New York Knicks smile during a press conference after the game against the Detroit Pistons during Round 1 Game 4 of the 2025 NBA Playoffs on April 27, 2025 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 2025 NBAE(Photo by Chris Schwegler/NBAE via Getty Images) | NBAE via Getty Images
The moment you’ve been waiting for months has finally arrived, folks!
After a considerably shorter offseason than we Knicks fans are accustomed to, the build-up to the 2026-27 NBA season officially begins today with Media Day.
The reigning, defending, undisputed NBA champions are back together after their run to the championship, with their first press conference of the new season scheduled to begin at 10 a.m. ET.
All players and head coach Mike Brown will meet with reporters and turn their attention toward the challenge of doing it all over again, as well as dealing with questions about health (Jalen Brunson’s wrist), money (Karl-Anthony Towns’ extension), and destiny (Deuce McBride’s future), among many other things.
Ultimately, Media Day will give us all the first real chance to “officially” hear from the Knicks since the offseason began, with plenty to discuss before the team gets back on the court when Training camp (Tuesday, Sept. 29) and the preseason (Oct. 5 against the Philadelphia 76ers) get going. The Knicks will also face Washington, Minnesota and Toronto twice before the exhibitions wrap up Oct. 15.
Then, the real real thing will arrive when New York raises the curtain and the banner (should we say banners, though?) on the 2026-27 regular season at Madison Square Garden on Tuesday, Oct. 20, hosting Philly.
Follow along throughout Media Day as the quotes, photos, videos and assorted preseason optimism start pouring in. Drop everything you hear, see and think about today’s festivities in the comment section below and discuss it all with your fellow Knicks fans, and we’ll put it all together in multiple posts during the next few hours and days for you to find everything in one place.
PHILADELPHIA, PA - DECEMBER 9: Joel Embiid #21 of the Philadelphia 76ers embraces LeBron James #6 of the Los Angeles Lakers after the game on December 9, 2022 at the Wells Fargo Center in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania 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 2022 NBAE (Photo by Jesse D. Garrabrant/NBAE via Getty Images) | NBAE via Getty Images
Nearly two months from the day his signing was announced, LeBron James will speak to the Philadelphia media for the first time. There’s still over three weeks before he can play his first regular season game with his new team, but saying this hasn’t gotten old yet: LeBron James is a member of the 76ers.
The last two years have been a whirlwind for the franchise. No one would have predicted they would be signing the best player in the history of the sport 15 months after a season so disastrous the topic of Joel Embiid going into medical retirement was legitimately broached. Now they have loaded up to compete in an Eastern Conference as loaded as it’s ever been.
The acquisition of James was very different from the three previous times he switched teams in his career. He is no longer the seismic presence that instantly launches a team into title contention. Not only did he not take the max contract for the first time in his career, but the 41-year old signed with Philadelphia for the league minimum.
Since James chose the Sixers as his new team, the predominant question that’s been raised for this team is how will they share just the one basketball across this star-studded starting five? James will be at the center of that answer. Shortly after he chose the Sixers, it was reported that James will be the primary point guard.
That was always the logical step. While both Embiid and Maxey have made strides in becoming better passers, neither of their elite skillsets contains facilitating — the same can be said for Brown. There’s been a lot of concern over how that will impact Maxey in particular. His massive jump in scoring production has come as a product of having one of the highest usage rates in the league.
Maxey will definitely sacrifice some on-ball reps, and probably a few points per game because of it, but at the team’s benefit. Maxey is a lethal shooter, and one that’s always been consistently considerably better shooting off the catch.
He’s one of the best play finishers in the league and he hasn’t had that opportunity in years because the Sixers have needed him at the center of everything. It won’t look quite the same because James Harden is so unique in how he dominates the ball, but Maxey should get a similar amount of high quality looks playing off the ball he had back in the 2022-23 season.
Being a long time offseason workout buddy with James, their fit feels like it will be figured out the easiest. While boasting an even higher usage rate for much of his career, the pairing with Embiid doesn’t feel like it will be that hard to figure out. Embiid is obviously an elite hub himself operating from the free throw line, but like Maxey, his best years came because of his pick-and-pop with Harden.
James and Embiid are both so talented, they won’t have to do much more than that to create good shots when they are on the floor together. How often they are on the floor together is a legitimate concern. The aforementioned health of Embiid is something that will always be a question mark. James’ durability is one of the most incredible feats in sports, but even the healthiest 41 year old, turning 42 early in the season, should not take on the full grind of an 82-game season.
He’s yet to pick up a major injury so far in his career, but as a Laker he picked up nagging injuries that caused him to miss big chunks of seasons for the first time in his career. He played 55 and 56 games in the 2021-22 and ‘22-23 seasons, respectively. Amazingly, he played 70 games in each of the next two seasons, and a lot of that came down to the Lakers needing him on the floor to get through the season and to the playoffs. He played in 60 games last season, dealing with and on and off glute injury.
The priority for James and Embiid needs to be getting them through the regular season and as healthy as possible for mid-April. That will come at the cost of sacrificing game reps during the regular season to build chemistry. It’s a tough balance to strike, one they attempted but never really succeeded at with Embiid and Paul George.
They’re going to have very different versions of this team depending on who is available on any given night. It’s tough to win games like that, but the Sixers won 45 of them last year. There’s no one more prepared to do that than Maxey and with an objectively better roster this year, the team should be up to the task.
The key to eating those regular season innings is the trickiest fit with James to figure out, and that’s Jaylen Brown. There’s no one part of Brown’s game you can easily point to and say, they can just run that action with him and LeBron. It’s easy to say he’ll be great to eat up these reps in the games James misses, but ideally, they will share the court a lot together.
It will take a sacrifice that’s never been asked of a guy who’s won a Finals MVP before, but the fact that it will take that level of buy-in from everyone on the team could bode well for this effort. No one can afford to get mad about their touches, all five of them will have to figure this out.
The level of talent in the starting five is fantasy team levels of star-studded. There’s no frame of reference for fitting this much together outside of firing up 2K. It certainly isn’t the path the Sixers thought they’d take when they set out star hunting eight years ago.
But when you get the chance to add LeBron James and Jaylen Brown to your team, you don’t turn it down.
The NBA offseason is officially history. With the Knicks set to host media day on Monday, there will surely be plenty of questions for the defending champions.
Contract extension talks for Karl-Anthony Towns, Josh Hart, and Miles McBride will be central topics in training camp. Also, the team’s mindset in a championship-defending season will be another big theme brought up. Let’s look at what players are facing the most questions heading into the new season.
Karl-Anthony Towns
Coming off a title, the Knicks are still on cloud nine. Jalen Brunson just continued the good times hosting the season premiere of Saturday Night Live.
However, one potential rain cloud on the way is Towns’ contract extension talks. The team and the big man have yet to come to terms on a new deal. Towns can sign for a maximum of four years and $276 million. SNY’s Ian Begley noted last week that the Knicks have made offers to Towns that started between $45 million and $50 million per season, which would equal a range of $180 million to $200 million over a four-year deal.
Towns is vital to New York’s championship hopes. The center’s mix of elite outside shooting and post-up makes him a difficult cover for opposing defenses. He has also grown as a playmaker and defender over two seasons in New York.
If the Knicks and Towns can’t come to an agreement, the team would be in serious trouble. First, if he accepts his $61 million player option for next season, New York would likely cross the second apron. If Towns opts out, he can enter unrestricted free agency and sign with another team. That would leave the Knicks with limited options to replace him.
Towns and the Knicks have all season to come to terms on a deal, so the alarm bell hasn’t officially been rung yet. Will he sign an extension? That will be a question that hovers over the team until an agreement is reached.
Miles McBride
Another contract extension to watch is McBride. The reserve guard is set to become an unrestricted free agent next summer.
McBride’s extension hinges on what happens in Towns and Hart’s contract extension talks. Specifically, if Towns signs an extension at a lower cap figure than his $61 million player option for the 2027-28 season, the Knicks might have room to negotiate with McBride and re-sign him. If not, then the Knicks could move the guard either in-season or he can leave as a free agent.
McBride is a key part of New York’s plans. He’s a high-volume three-point shooter and is accurate from long distance. McBride has shot 39.6 percent from beyond the three-point arc over the last three seasons. A very good point-of-attack defender, the former second-round pick has also been able to guard some wings, despite being listed at just 6-foot-2. Over the years, McBride has proven effective from the bench, but he’s also been able to fill in as an occasional starter at either guard position.
At 26 years old, is there still any more room for McBride to grow? In the NBA Finals, he struggled with the San Antonio Spurs’ full-court defensive pressure, scoring just 11 points in five games. While McBride’s development will be important to watch, how the Knicks handle the guard’s pending free agency will ultimately be a storyline all season.
Mohamed Diawara
It would be easy to go the contract extension route and have Hart as a topic. But I think the Knicks and Hart have an easier path to an extension since his fit to the current Knicks roster is ideal. Also, the Knicks have a team option on Hart for the 2027-28 season.
Let’s focus on Diawara. Entering his second year, Diawara showed signs of being a rotation player with solid defense and a better-than-expected jumper. However, he eventually fell out of New York’s rotation in the second half of the regular season. The Knicks believed in Diawara’s potential, signing the French forward to a four-year, $11.2 million contract.
Diawara had a rough Summer League showing, but he still has promise as a useful rotation player. At 6-foot-9, he offers a mix of length and skill that could be helpful to a Knicks bench that is small. The perimeter bench players in the rotation are all 6-foot-5 or under. Can Mike Brown find minutes for the forward?
As I mentioned earlier in the offseason, Diawara’s development with the Knicks will be important for the future of the franchise. As the club looks to avoid the second apron over the next few years, there’s a chance key rotation players will depart. Developing young players on cheap contracts will be important to New York in maintaining a contender.
NEW YORK, NEW YORK - JUNE 18: Jalen Brunson #11 of the New York Knicks celebrates with the Larry O'Brien Championship Trophy during the New York Knicks Championship ticker tape parade and victory rally celebrating winning the 2026 NBA Finals on June 18, 2026 in New York City. The New York Knicks defeated the San Antonio Spurs in five games to win their first NBA Championship in 53 years. (Photo by Angelina Katsanis/Getty Images) | Getty Images
It might seem like football season just started, but the NBA is already back. Every team in the league will have opened training camp for the 2026-27 season by Monday, with media days servicing as the unofficial start of the new year. It feels like only yesterday when the New York Knicks outlasted the San Antonio Spurs in one of the wildest NBA Finals series in recent memory, but so much around the league has happened since then.
Let’s dive into some of the biggest themes in the league entering the 2026-27 season.
The NBA has 3 clear championship front-runners. Will one of them win it all?
The San Antonio Spurs, Oklahoma City Thunder, and New York Knicks are going to be the top-3 teams in any preseason edition of NBA power rankings in some order entering the season. It feels likely that one of these teams will eventually be crowned the 2027 champion, but the league has been incredibly tough to predict in recent years. The NBA has seen eight straight unique champions dating back to the 2019 Toronto Raptors, and no team has won multiple championships or even made back-to-back NBA Finals trips over that time.
NBA history is defined by dynasties. That isn’t the case in the present era for several reasons, starting with the second-apron, which makes it incredibly difficult to keep together a great team for longer than a few seasons by functioning as a hard cap. The increased pace and space of today’s game also leads to added injury risk, with several recent champions losing their repeat bids to untimely injuries in the playoffs. The NBA wanted parity with the current Collective Bargaining Agreement rules, and they got it.
I’m starting to favor the Spurs as my championship pick. Their young core should all continue to improve after winning 62 games and reaching the NBA Finals last year, which is terrifying. Victor Wembanyama is already one of the most dominant defenders of all-time, and he could be the consensus best player in the world by the end of the season. I also think adding Tobias Harris in free agency will help them a bit this year. San Antonio is my team to beat entering the season, but if recent NBA history has taught us anything, it’s that the championship race will eventually prove to be wide open.
4 teams I’m higher on for the playoffs than the regular season
Minnesota Timberwolves: I had the Wolves at the No. 4 seed in my West predictions, and even that felt a bit generous, but I like their playoff upside. The core trio of Anthony Edwards, Rudy Gobert, and Jaden McDaniels has been highly successful the last three years, and LaMelo Ball injects playmaking and pull-up shooting into the mix that adds high variance in a good way come playoff time. I’m not sure how any team beats the Spurs or Thunder in a seven game series, but having two super talented guards bomb threes off the dribble seems like a decent punch to throw.
Philadelphia 76ers: I had the Sixers at the No. 6 seed in my East predictions for the regular season, but I’m talking myself into their playoff upside. Philly won a series last year and got noticeably better by adding LeBron James, Jaylen Brown, Dean Wade, and more over the offseason. James proved he can still turn it up in the playoffs last year, and Brown’s determined one-on-one scoring feels more functional during the playoffs than the regular season to me. Philly’s regular season defensive projection is the biggest reason I’m lower on them — along with injuries and unavailability for their core players — but Nick Nurse is smart, this team could still be really good come spring time.
Miami Heat: Erik Spoelstra is the best coach in the NBA. Giannis Antetokounmpo is the best player in the East. I’m worried Miami’s poor depth could hurt their regular season chances, but I’ll never be surprised when this franchise makes a Cinderella run to the NBA Finals.
Golden State Warriors: I had Golden State at No. 11 in West regular season projection, but I have them seventh among West teams in my championship chances rankings here. I don’t think Golden State is going to be any good this season, but if they do make the play-in, they should have Jimmy Butler back from injury and have the assets to add another key piece if they want to. I’m fading the Warriors in general, but Steph is always scary in the playoffs.
Who’s your 2027 NBA championship pick?
Let me know in the comments. NBA basketball is back, and it feels great.
CHICAGO, ILLINOIS - APRIL 05: Devin Booker #1 of the Phoenix Suns looks on against the Chicago Bulls during the first half at the United Center on April 05, 2026 in Chicago, Illinois. 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 Jayden Mack/Getty Images) | Getty Images
Every day, we’ll take a closer look at another member of the 2026-27 Phoenix Suns, examining what they bring to the roster and what their role could mean for the season ahead as we count down to training camp and the preseason.
Devin Booker
Shooting Guard, 6’5”, 206 lbs., 29 years old, 11 years of experience
Happy Media Day, folks!
Devin Booker has lived many lives during his Suns career. From a wide-eyed rookie absorbing everything he could from his “vets” to a grizzled veteran giving the next generation advice as they look to pave their own way. Oh, and he’s wearing number 15 now. Remember that? It’s been a long offseason.
He is still in his twenties somehow, but not for long. The Suns’ star turns 30 on October 30th, when the Suns are set to host the Denver Nuggets in their 4th game of the season.
We all know by now that Devin Booker is the Suns’ offensive engine. They go as he goes. He has been consistently one of the best scorers in the NBA, and quietly one of the most underrated playmakers.
Last Season
Devin Booker earned his 5th All-Star appearance of his career last season. Phoenix exceeded expectations as a team by a wide margin and secured themselves a ticket to the NBA Playoffs. Ultimately, Booker and company got swept by the Thunder, but they left the season with a reason for optimism.
Devin Booker has eight straight seasons averaging 25+ PPG, putting him in some historically elite company with the likes of LeBron, Giannis, and his former teammate Kevin Durant as the only active players with longer streaks throughout their careers.
GP
MIN
PPG
RPG
APG
STL
FG%
3PT%
FT%
OFFRTG
DEFRTG
+/- (TOTAL)
64
33.5
26.1
3.9
6.0
0.8
45.6%
33.0%
87.3%
118.7
117.5
+201
Contract and Roster Context
This is where the discourse will get interesting as the years go by. Devin Booker is making a lot of money, and he is going to make a whole lot more in the years to come. He will be one of the top-paid players in the association, and with that comes increased expectations and responsibilities.
Devin Booker originally signed a 4-year, $220,441,984 contract with the Phoenix Suns, all guaranteed, with an average annual salary of $55,110,496. In 2026-27, Booker will earn a base salary of $57,078,728, while carrying a cap hit of $57,078,728.
Booker signed a 2-year, $132,594,000 contract with the Phoenix Suns last summer, including $132,594,000 guaranteed, and an average annual salary of $66,297,000, per Spotrac.
What He Brings
Devin Booker’s offensive gravity is easy to take for granted. Not just his ability to get a bucket in tight quarters, but his ability to draw the defense, make quick reads, and give his teammates a chance to capitalize.
Collapsing a defense and demanding attention oftentimes has a ripple effect that can go unnoticed on the box score. Luckily, there are other ways to track playmaking, driving, and potential assists created, as Shane Young notes in the tweet linked below.
His playmaking continues to be undersold in discourse when it comes to the top playmakers in the association. The gravity he possesses, along with the fortitude to make the right play when he’s being targeted relentlessly by defenses, needs to be talked about more.
Devin Booker’s final stats as a driver and playmaker this year:
• 1,006 total drives, 5th most in the NBA • 38% pass rate on those drives
• 785 potential assists and 12.3 per game, 13th among all qualified players. • 1,053 total points generated by assists • 77 secondary…
Phoenix needs a lot from Devin Booker. That comes with the territory of his massive contract. He must be a leader. He must take over games when needed. He must make others around him better and find creative ways to get them involved.
The Phoenix Suns need him to play like a superstar more than he plays like a star. That means showing up every night.
What Needs to Improve
By now, it’s obvious that Devin Booker has a few flaws. We all know by now that the opposing defense will game plan to slow him down in any way they can. Sending another body his way. Putting an aggressive point-of-attack defender on him.
At times, he can make what looks like careless turnovers against smaller guards with quick hands like the Jrue Holidays and Alex Carusos of the world. That’s just what those guys do. He can struggle to get his shot off against longer, more athletic defenders like Jaden McDaniels, for example. He also seems to struggle against Orlando, with their big wings and forwards thrown at him every possession. Cutting down on some of the unnecessary turnovers would be item number one to focus on. Number two would be a modest increase in 3PT%. And lastly, continued consistency in his defensive intensity. And a bonus take… if the jumper isn’t falling, attack the rim with more frequency. Downhill Book is a threat as a scorer and playmaker.
The defensive questions he faced earlier in his career have dissipated over time as well, as he’s proven to be a feisty one-on-one defender and smart team defender. The run with Team USA woke some people up to that, but his defensive growth was brewing long before that for those who paid attention. He will never be on an All-Defensive team, but he is solid. And when he turns it up a notch, he can be an impactful defender.
Steve Kerr on Devin Booker:
"He's probably the guy who's been most adaptable to go from a different role in the NBA to a new one here. He's such a big scorer in the league, but just like in Tokyo, he's adapted to being an on-ball guy, ball mover, the offense clicks when he's out… pic.twitter.com/rrVfUbjEj1
He and the rest of the league know who he is at this point. The question is… does he have another gear to showcase?
Prediction
This could be the best year possible for Devin Booker to take a stealthy leap. He is sort of flying under the radar on the national scale. Dillon Brooks draws the “villain” role and allows Booker to focus more on the game, whereas in the past there were times that Booker felt he needed to fill that role while also being the franchise player.
I’m excited to see how he leads this group. They have youth, athleticism, rim pressure, and a bit more continuity as a group. The lack of playmaking and floor spacing can be solved with the right offensive game plan and rotations. Good luck figuring that out, Jordan Ott!
Devin Booker dropped four spots (from a year ago) to the 20th-ranked player in the NBA, according to ESPN. I predict that they will need to correct that and place him back into the top-15 after a “late-career” breakout. But as noted, a breakout season for Booker doesn’t look like a ton of more points scored. It’s improved efficiency, continuing to improve his already elite playmaking, and serving as the engine for a Suns team that overachieves for a second straight season.
A successful season for Devin Booker is mostly predicated on team success. Yes, his individual numbers matter, but as we all know, if he’s finding ways to impact the game, the stats will come.
Could this be Devin Booker’s best season yet?
PHOENIX, ARIZONA – APRIL 27: Devin Booker #1 of the Phoenix Suns looks on during the third quarter against the Oklahoma City Thunder in Game Four of the First Round of the NBA Western Conference Playoffs at Mortgage Matchup Center on April 27, 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
MILWAUKEE, WI - APRIL 10: Ousmane Dieng #21 of the Milwaukee Bucks drives to the basket during the game against the Brooklyn Nets on April 10, 2026 at Fiserv Forum Center in Milwaukee, Wisconsin. 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 Gary Dineen/NBAE via Getty Images). | NBAE via Getty Images
Ousmane Dieng was one of Milwaukee’s breakout players last year. Dieng, a 22-year-old wing out of the French town of Villeneuve-sur-Lot, wound up in Milwaukee after a series of deadline-day trade deals. The Bucks acquired him in a three-team transaction that sent Amir Coffey and Cole Anthony to Phoenix. Dieng hasn’t looked back since, starting hot and averaging 11.0 PPG, 4.6 RPG, and 3.6 APG in 26.8 minutes per night with Milwaukee. He agreed to a three-year, $17.5m contract in June and is expected to be an exciting piece of the Bucks’ young core.
The Frenchman is tall at 6’9”, but weighs a slender 185 pounds, giving him the athletic and positional versatility to play as a jumbo wing or even a really, really tall guard. Dieng is also a solid athlete; despite his size, he moves quickly and fluidly, which allows him to stay in front of shifty guards and create for teammates.
Tactically, Dieng can create some exciting scenarios for new coach Taylor Jenkins. He featured as a secondary creator for much of last season alongside lead guards like Ryan Rollins and Kevin Porter Jr., but when those guys were out toward the back end of the season, Dieng was the primary creator, averaging 6.3 assists in his final seven games. Dieng can physically overpower smaller point-of-attack defenders and shift past larger guys due to his mobility. He’s also been proficient as a pick-and-roll operator, with his highlight reel including many fancy dimes.
Dieng could be a major source of offence for Milwaukee this season, since he can score at all three levels. He leans heavily on his jump shot (which is partly because of his relatively lean frame, if we’re being honest). He struggled heavily with his three-ball as the season wore on, though, shooting just 20.3% from three during his last 12 games.
Relatedly, Dieng often takes low-percentage shots, and his diet of pull-ups and side steps further bogs down his shooting splits; turning his streaky jump shot into a consistent one would make Dieng a dangerous offensive weapon. He also finishes well through contact when he attacks the rim, but he avoids going there much of the time because of his relatively skinny frame.
Dieng had some very solid games for Milwaukee last season. Chief among them were a 19-point double-double against the Thunder and a 36-point, 10-assist outburst in a loss to Houston. However, these highs came with sluggish lows as he navigated tough shooting slumps and adjusted to greater responsibilities in Milwaukee.
All in all, Dieng’s contract, age, and portfolio for Milwaukee make him an intriguing piece for the future, but also give him trade value, as Jack noted in his trade value rankings. If, for whatever reason, Jon Horst decides to ship Dieng out before the trade deadline, he can expect a decent return.
Selected 19th overall by the Raptors in the 2026 NBA Draft, the Santa Clara forward enters Toronto with an intriguing combination of size, shooting, rebounding and defensive ability. Unlike some first-round picks, however, Graves does not need to become an immediate star.
If he can defend, hit open threes, rebound and make smart decisions, Toronto will have plenty to work with.
What Did He Do Last Year?
After redshirting his first year at Santa Clara, Graves appeared in all 35 games during the 2025-26 season, averaging 11.8 points, 6.5 rebounds and 1.8 assists in 22.6 minutes per game.
He shot 51.2 percent from the field, 41.3 percent from three and 75.0 percent from the free-throw line while adding 1.9 steals and 0.9 blocks per game.
His season earned him West Coast Conference Freshman of the Year, Sixth Man of the Year and First Team All-WCC honours.
Graves also showed up when the stakes were higher, scoring 17 points and grabbing seven rebounds against Kentucky in the NCAA Tournament.
Mar 20, 2026; St. Louis, MO, USA; Santa Clara Broncos forward Allen Graves (22) reacts after making a basket against the Kentucky Wildcats during the second half of a first round game of the men's 2026 NCAA Tournament at Enterprise Center. Mandatory Credit: Jeff Curry-Imagn Images | Jeff Curry-Imagn Images
What Makes Graves Intriguing?
Graves does not need the ball in his hands to be effective, which could make him a natural fit alongside Toronto’s higher-usage players.
At 6-foot-9, his ability to space the floor, cut, rebound and defend multiple positions gives him several ways to contribute. His 41.3 percent three-point shooting is particularly encouraging.
The Raptors will not need him to create every possession. If he can make open shots and take advantage of the attention given to players like Scottie Barnes and Kawhi Leonard, there could be a clear role for him.
What Can We Realistically Expect?
Expectations should remain reasonable.
Graves was the 19th pick and has just one college season under his belt. A realistic goal would be competing for a rotation role rather than immediately becoming a starter.
If he earns around 10–15 minutes per game, defends, rebounds and knocks down open threes, that should be considered a successful rookie season.
His Summer League performance provided some encouragement. Through his first four games, he averaged 16.8 points, 6.8 rebounds and 3.0 assists while shooting 50 percent from three, showing flashes of his offensive versatility.
Of course, Summer League is not the NBA regular season. The real test will be whether those skills translate against NBA competition.
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
Could the Raptors 905 Be Good For Him?
This may be one of the more important decisions Toronto makes with Graves.
If he is only playing limited minutes in the NBA, spending time with the Raptors 905 could give him an opportunity to handle the ball, create shots and make reads he may not get to make in a limited NBA role.
That does not mean Graves is not ready for the NBA. Sometimes, playing 30-plus minutes in the G League can be more valuable for development than playing 10 minutes in the NBA.
At the same time, if he proves during training camp that he belongs in the rotation, Toronto should not force him into the G League simply because he is a rookie.
The Biggest Thing To Watch
The three-point shot could determine how quickly Graves earns a role.
He shot 41.3 percent from three at Santa Clara, but NBA defenders close out faster and open shots are harder to find.
His ability to attack those closeouts will also be important. If he can put the ball on the floor and make plays when defenders run him off the line, he becomes much more than a spot-up shooter.
LAS VEGAS, NV – JULY 13: Allen Graves #22 of the Toronto Raptors looks on during the game against the Indiana Pacers during the 2026 NBA Las Vegas Summer League on July 13, 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 David Becker/NBAE via Getty Images) | NBAE via Getty Images
The Verdict
The realistic expectation for Allen Graves should not be that he immediately becomes a star. It should be that he develops into a reliable NBA player.
His size, shooting, rebounding and defensive instincts give him multiple ways to stay on the floor, and Toronto does not need to rush his development.
If he earns a rotation role, great. If he spends time with Raptors 905, that should not be viewed as a setback.
Graves has the foundation of a modern NBA role player. Now he has to prove he can consistently translate it to the NBA level.
DETROIT, MI - SEPTEMBER 26: Justin Verlander #35 of the Detroit Tigers hugs his daughter Genevieve, with Spencer Torkelson #20 looking on, right, before leaving his final game against the Pittsburgh Pirates during the sixth inning at Comerica Park on September 26, 2026 in Detroit, Michigan. (Photo by Duane Burleson/Getty Images) | Getty Images
I get it, baseball news does not necessarily belong on Pounding the Rock, a Spurs fan site. During the offseason — when content can be few and far between — I may from time to time veer away from the Spurs and share some basketball-oriented news. If there is absolutely nothing going on in the basketball world, I may broaden the scope to “sports” at large. And some stories transcend into the fan experience. I saw this post on Saturday and initially ignored it. But Sunday it hit me again and decided sharing it was appropriate.
On Saturday evening, Justin Verlander pitched his final MLB start. After a twenty-one year career, two World Series championships, ten MLB All-Star appearances, three American League Cy Young awards, a 2011 Triple Crown, the 2006 AL Rookie of the Year award, and earning the 2022 AL Comeback Player of the year award at age 39, Verlander is riding off into the sunset.
In the fifth inning of Saturday night’s Detroit Tigers/Pittsburgh Pirates matchup, Verlander (pitching for the Detroit Tigers) was approached by manager A.J. Hinch to hand over the ball for a relif pitcher. Before he could exit the mound, he was met by his daughter, Genevieve.
This literally made me cry…more than once.
Justin Verlander has played 21 seasons in the majors. His final start was today.
After 5⅓ innings, manager A.J. Hinch came out to take him out, then pointed to the stands. Genevieve, his 7-year-old daughter, sprinted onto the field in his jersey, ran to the mound, and hugged…
Happy Monday, Pounders. Have a great start to your week.
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In a reserve role for the first time, DeAndre Ayton will have a chance to reset his career with the Washington Wizards. | Getty Images
With training camp opening tomorrow, there’s time for one or two trips on The Statistical Doppelganger Machine. Next up: the guy who figures to be the team’s backup big man this season, DeAndre Ayton.
According to Basketball-Reference and other online sources, it only feels like Ayton has been in the NBA forever. Somehow, this will be only his ninth season. Somehow, he’s still just 28 years old.
Since going first overall in the 2018 NBA Draft — before players like Luka Doncic, Trae Young, Jaren Jackson Jr., Mikal Bridges, and Shai Gilgeous-Alexander — Ayton’s performance has been a frustrating mixture of good (at times) and puzzling. The puzzling part was often characterized by low motor and lack of awareness (especially on defense). His personality and attitude has been primarily frustrating, befuddling, and perhaps a bit delusional.
Coming off the bench for the first time in his career, DeAndre Ayton has a chance with the Washington Wizards to reset the direction of his career. | NBAE via Getty Images
Three teams have been happy to move on from him, including the Phoenix Suns, which he helped reach the NBA Finals and then back to the Western Conference semifinals the following two seasons. By the end, the Suns were dumping him — taking back Jusuf Nurkic, Grayson Allen, Keon Johnson, and Nassir Little — and getting no draft picks.
While Ayton’s individual production has been pretty good (his next below average PPA will be the first of his career), his impact on team metrics has been meh — modest positive on offense, about-the-same on defense.
The defense part is a bigger issue with a starting center, which Ayton has been throughout his career so far. He’s played 470 regular season games and not started seven times. All the non-starts came in his first two seasons. While he’s a legit seven-footer with better-than-adequate length, agility, and leaping ability, he’s not much of a shot blocker or rim protector. That loops back to the motor and awareness issues.
Even with effort, awareness, and attitude issues, Ayton’s still been a pretty good player. Certainly not what his teams have hoped he’d be, and not as good as his tools and talents would suggest he could be, but overall still an above-average NBA player.
Before running Ayton through the doppelganger machine, I kinda-sorta expected to see names like Joe Barry Carroll or Benoit Benjamin — talented 1980s-era bigs who had inconsistent motors, awareness, and attitudes. Ayton’s better than either, however. Ayton’s worst seasons (PPAs in the 130s) are about the level of Carroll’s and Benjamin’s best years.
This season could be a fascinating experiment for the Wizards and Ayton. Washington will be starting two centers, and one of them won’t be Ayton. The team should have plenty of minutes for Ayton — I figure Alex Sarr and Anthony Davis will consume 28-30 minutes each. Ayton could play another 28-30, and the team would still have 10-12 minutes a night at forward for someone else — perhaps Kyshawn George or AJ Dybantsa.
On the last year of an expiring contract, Ayton should be highly motivated to perform his very best. He could parlay a productive season into starting role with another team, or perhaps cement a spot in a Wizards big man triumvirate for the next few seasons. Of course, he could also low motor his way to a starting job with Olympiacos.
Let’s get to the doppelgangers. For new readers: this is the latest installment in a Bullets Forever annual Dog Days of Summer tradition, which involves me running players through my Statistical Doppelganger Machine. The Machine is a (not so) fancy-schmancy algorithm that compares the reference player season to every other NBA player season since 1977-78 and then tells me who was most similar. The Machine uses 14 statistical and biographical characteristics including minutes and age. While it doesn’t include position, players tend to get comps from their position group. The ones who don’t are usually interesting.
In this case, Ayton’s comps are not so interesting — at least positionally. Which is to say they’re all centers or 1990s/early 2000s power forward types.
Here are the player seasons with similar production at a similar age:
Richaun Holmes | 2020-21 | Sacramento Kings | Age: 27 — Worth mention that Holmes’ previous season ranked second most similar. While Ayton is physically bigger, their pace-adjusted production was remarkably similar across the 14 comparison points except for blocks (Holmes had more) and fouls (Holmes also had more). One other difference: Holmes was all effort all the time. If Ayton played with Holmes’ effort, he’d be first team All-NBA. Or perpetually injuried. These were Holmes’ two best seasons. Last season was something of a down year for Ayton.
Ivica Zubac | 2023-24 | Los Angeles Clippers | Age: 26 — Zubac’s career has been marked with year-to-year inconsistency. He posted a 184 at age 22, which he followed with a 121, 135, and 120. Remember, in PPA average is 100 and higher is better. In this comp season, he was on the way back up — 157, which he followed with a 183. Then he got hurt and his production dropped again. Interestingly, Zubac has faced criticism at different points of his career for his motor and alleged softness.
Derrick Favors | 2017-18 | Utah Jazz | Age: 26 — This was the first year of Favors’ short-but-high prime, which included a 200+ PPA at age 27. His last above average season was age 28, and he was out of the NBA after his age 30 season.
Loy Vaught | 1993-94 | Los Angeles Clippers | Age: 25 — Another guy whose career peak was around the level of Ayton’s “worst” seasons. This was the high point for Vaught (131 PPA). His production slid from there. After being a veritable Iron Man by playing in at least 73 games in each of his first seven seasons (80+ for the last three of those, including all 82 in 1996-97), the end of Vaught’s career was ruined by a serious back injury. His final NBA stop was in Washington — he arrived in the trade that sent Juwan Howard to the Dallas Mavericks.
Robin Lopez | 2015-16 | New York Knicks | Age: 27 — Known as Captain Hook during his year in Washington, this version of Lopez was still a good scorer on lower volume, offensive rebounding machine, and an all-82 iron man. Like Ayton, he was challenged on defense. He also generally seemed more interested in other stuff (like “feuding” with opposing team mascots) than basketball. That was often entertaining, like when he responded Hermione Granger. Which is both funny and wrong because Granger wasn’t a wizard at all — she was a witch. Also, the correct answer is Rincewind.
The honorable mentions are are most in that mid-tier big guy range who were pretty good at their best but either weren’t good enough to do better or weren’t always fully concerned with giving their best: Timofey Mozgov, Joe Smith, Jakob Poeltl, Tristan Thompson, and Randy Breuer.
Odds are that even if Ayton as a poor year by his standards, it’ll still be a significant improvement for Washington in the backup big man role. He’s a pretty good player who’s at something of a crossroads of his career.
