Denver Nuggets guard Julian Strawther has been diagnosed with a left knee sprain and is expected to miss the opening weeks of the 2026-27 NBA regular season, including the season opener against the Oklahoma City Thunder on Oct. 22.

The team announced that Strawther suffered the injury during a preseason matchup against the Los Angeles Clippers and will be sidelined as he undergoes rehabilitation.

Strawther sustained the injury in the third quarter of the game on Oct. 16 when his leg got caught under his body, causing him to bend and land awkwardly. After undergoing an evaluation by the Nuggets' medical staff, it was determined that he had suffered a left knee sprain.

Strawther will be re-evaluated in approximately six weeks to determine if he is healthy enough to resume basketball activities.

On the 80th anniversary of the 1946-47 Basketball Association of America (BAA) season, the Toronto Raptors get a rare opportunity to mark the occasion of the city’s first professional basketball team. But, unfortunately, they probably won’t take it.

The National Basketball Association as we know it has its roots in the BAA, which later went on to merge with the National Basketball League (NBL) in 1949, to create an early version of the NBA. The Association of America had its first game on November 1st, 1946, where the New York Knicks faced off against the Toronto Huskies in the Maple Leaf Gardens.

Right there at Church and Carlton, the Huskies lost their first game by two points, ending in a 68-66 loss for Toronto: the team would only play one season in the BAA, collapsing by 1947. But! En-route to making history (and failing soon after), the Huskies established the first brand identity for Torontonian professional basketball.

The blue jerseys are striking, bold, and a massive departure from anything the Raptors have done aesthetically in a long time. While taking on the Huskies’ colours is not reinventing the wheel, doing so would be a great callback not only to 80 years since the beginning of the BAA, but to the Raptors’ 2016-17 tribute to the Huskies, and those great years with Lowry and DeRozan.

Who would say no to the idea of a cute, giant dog on the hardwood, at least for a few nights a year?

The Raptors have had a somewhat stale brand identity over the years. It seems that the franchise has become allergic to divergence from the red-black-white colour scheme it’s maintained on-and-off for the past 20 years.

While there have been reports that the team will, next season, finally rebrand and bring back purple as a part of the team’s visual identity, my heart goes out to the Husky that could have been. It feels like every year, each time has a million jerseys. And the Raptors have maybe two good ones. And that’s being generous.

The Huskies have come back before, with the 2009-10 Raptors sporting it, but with Chris Bosh’s departure, so to went the sense of fun from the Raptors’ design choices.

Now, are either of the previous jerseys total works of art? I wouldn’t go that far. But, beyond being charming, these jerseys reflect Canada’s role in the history of basketball, something that can be easily ignored. In a league of 30 teams, with 29 of them being American, the Raptors should fight tooth and nail to set themselves apart, and remind their opponents that the basketball league they know and love started right here in the 6ix.

The Raptors have not yet announced their City Edition jerseys for this year, and the Husky look would be a perfect fit. But, it is entirely likely that they will choose to take this year to honour the retirement of Kyle Lowry by turning him into a Raptor, and putting that illustration on a city edition jersey.

Cool. Fine. And if it came down to it, nine out of ten times, I’m probably making that call as well.

But, every time I think about those jerseys, I remember DeRozan dropping 41 points and whipping the Celtics in them, on a bright blue and white court. And I wish that the Raptors would do a better job commemorating their roots.

Last weekend without official NBA content popping up our timelines, folks.

Last couple of sleeps before the next time you hit the sack there’s another (or multiple!) new banners hanging from the MSG rafters.

Here’s the latest on this beautiful sunny Sunday.

Mike Brown

On delegating responsibilities to his assistant coaches and veteran players:

“My coaches can do their job, they can teach, take the lead in the areas that they need to, going by the practice plan and then on top of that, our veteran players, especially with the new guys, they can coach those guys because they kind of got a feel and they kind of know what we’re expecting on both ends of the floor.”

On his emotions ahead of the Knicks’ championship ring ceremony and banner raising:

“Obviously I’m going to be filled with a lot of different emotions. That’s a special moment. I’m going to be a little selfish, but for me individually, not only that, for my family, for the people in the organization, the team, the players, the other coaches, but just as importantly, the city of New York and the fans of the Knicks all around the world … so to see that happening while knowing the history of it, and knowing how hard it is to let alone get there on top of winning it, it’s going to be an awesome feeling with a ton of emotion inside. We’re all human, the trick is now to really appreciate and enjoy that moment and still try to lock in and get ready for the game and know you got to move forward once it’s over.”

On the challenges of defending an NBA championship:

“There are a lot of challenges in trying to do that. That’s why it hasn’t happened in the NBA in the last eight, nine years. In all of sports, you don’t hear a ton about back-to-back champions in the modern sports world no matter what sport it is you’re playing. The added quote, unquote pressure that some people may allow to seep in as the year goes on, there could be more jealousies, that the team is not connected, and people forget about sacrificing for the betterment of the team. Everybody has naturally been telling you how great you are the whole summer, and so you think you’re great, and you don’t have to go through and/or embrace the process like you did when you got there the first time because you think you know and it’s just going to happen in moments when you think it needs to happen. There’s a lot that can impact it.

“And for me, the biggest thing is trying to make sure our group understands that this is a new season, it’s a new team, and there are new challenges in front of us. Therefore, it’s not about the end result, we have to really make sure we focus our energy and effort on the process, by embracing all the details of the process. And if we do, that’s going to give us our best opportunity to do it again.”

On how the Knicks will handle being the hunted team:

“That’s another one, everybody likes to play the Knicks anyway, especially in MSG, and now it’s just an added carrot to the whole deal. We have a mature group, and that’s one of the main things that gives me — I don’t know if hope is the right word — but gives me hope that we’re going to take this or embrace this process like no other. I truly believe that the maturity of the group is going to help when it comes to all of it, not just being The Hunted, but handling being patted on the back all year, and media scrutiny that we’re going to be under and pressures of the other things that we’re going to be under. I think that’s what’s going to help a ton.”

On Jalen Brunson’s superpower:

“His focus and determination.”

On OG Anunoby’s superpower:

“His potential with his size, his athleticism, and his skillset.”

On Karl-Anthony Towns’ superpower:

“His skillset and his size.”

On Mikal Bridges’ superpower:

“His versatility.”

On Josh Hart’s superpower:

“His ability to connect the group, with sacrifice and determination.”

On his expectations for the Knicks’ bench:

“I’m excited about it. I’m looking forward to giving guys an opportunity that they might not have gotten before.”

On replacing Mitchell Robinson’s contributions following his departure to Boston:

“I talked to our guys about this. When I was in Golden State, we had a really good team the year we won back-to-back (2017 and 2018) and KD [Kevin Durant] left after that [after the 2019 season] and everybody thought that, rightfully so, we were going to go into the tank, because you can’t replace KD with one player. In 2022, we won it again, we basically had the same core minus KD. We replaced him basically with a young Jordan Poole, Otto Porter and Andrew Wiggins. And collectively, those three guys plus the rest of the group just brought a little bit more to the table, and we were able to get it done in 2022. So it’s no different with Mitch. Mitch is a great player. We’re not bringing Andre [Drummond] in here to quote, unquote be Mitch. Andre’s going to be Andre, but that means everybody else has to give a little bit more defensively, and has to give a little bit more when it comes to offensive and defensive rebounding,”

On the Knicks fans and how New York celebrates its championship teams:

“It’s like no other. This is my fifth championship that I’ve been a part of in some really good cities.

“Love you guys, love your energy. Keep bringing it, because we’re looking forward to having another fun year.”

Mikal Bridges

On the improved Eastern Conference and increased competition:

“You see what goes on. A lot of teams got better, and it’s good. Excited for all of the other teams; you love when the competition’s high. Who doesn’t love that?”

Andre Drummond

On developing his jump shot throughout his NBA career:

“I did it when no one was watching. … So here we are, 15 years later, s–t, better late than never, right?”

On the skills that have allowed him to remain in the NBA entering his 15th season:

“Be a master of what I do. I mean, I’m able to rebound the ball at a high clip still. Obviously with the addition of the three-point shot, being able to be a good pick-and-roll defender, and just a great locker room guy altogether is really what keeps me around.”

On his passing ability and how his game has evolved:

“I love to pass, I love to see the floor, and I play well in the pocket. … The game is changing, [my] guards like to score, and I throw the pocket pass in.”

Jalen Brunson

On Andre Drummond establishing his own identity rather than replacing Mitchell Robinson:

“not coming in to be Mitch, he’s coming in to be himself.”

On Mike Brown taking time to build a personal relationship with him:

“He came down to Jersey in the summer, and we sat, had dinner, talked for two-and-a-half, three hours, whatever, and did not talk about basketball or what we were gonna do. So that just tells you who he is. That’s a genuine dude, and he just wanted to get to know all of us before we got into our jobs and to see what we had to do as a team. But it’s just genuinely who he is.”

Karl-Anthony Towns

On Mike Brown addressing the team’s personal struggles and contract uncertainty:

“Mike talked about mindfulness. He talked about the situation to all of us openly, and we all talked as a team, as a family — the coaches and players — and it’s still so amazing to see how connected this team is, to see how much of a family unit we really are.

“It was really cool to have a coach talk to us about being you, about the struggles in life, and us being together and understanding where everyone is in life and the situations they deal with as a family, as brothers, that will allow us to even be more connected and allows us to even be a better team. That was an amazing job by him as our leader to approach the elephant in the room and to allow us, the players and the coaches and the ones who are on that core into Game 4, Game 5, who really found a way to get this title back to New York, allowing us to be human.”

Josh Hart

On Andre Drummond’s skill set:

“Way better passing than I thought he was.”

On Mike Brown’s leadership style and personality:

“Honestly, I didn’t know he was a military baby until you said it. Obviously, he’s someone who commands attention and respect and those kinds of things.”

“Now, he’s super chill. He’s a great person, lets us know, holds us accountable when we’re out there not doing what we’re supposed to do.

“He’s more of a ‘Who let the dogs out’ kind of guy.”

Mark Bartelstein (Deuce McBride’s Agent)

On McBride’s desire for a contract extension and the possibility of future negotiations:

“No doubt, he would love to get that. But at the end of the day, you work for the Knicks and it takes two sides to get a deal done. And if the Knicks aren’t ready to do extensions right now, then we just gotta buckle up and go have a great season. He’ll be a free agent this summer, but we’ll see. We’ve got a great relationship with [president] Leon [Rose] and the front office. We’ll see: there may be opportunities during the season, maybe in the near future. Who knows where we’ll be able to have those conversations.”

On McBride’s contributions to the Knicks and his willingness to play through injury:

“We’ve spoken to the Knicks throughout the summer. Miles, like any player in his position, would love to get an extension. I think he’s earned it. He’s been a huge part of where that organization has gone over the last three or four years. He’s been their sixth man. A lot of people don’t realize how hurt he played last year in the playoffs. He had abdominal surgery that caused him to miss a couple of months. He came back and he wasn’t really right yet, but he didn’t want to miss the opportunity to be there for his teammates.”

Joel Embiid

On whether he will watch the Knicks’ championship ceremony before the 76ers’ season opener:

“I don’t really feel like watching that whole ceremony. I guess I’ll be in the locker room.”

Jaylen Brown

On facing the Knicks on opening night during their championship celebration:

“It’s an honor. Opening night, it’s primetime, the former champions, I think it’s serendipitous.”

Kendrick Perkins

On the Philadelphia 76ers being the biggest threat to the Knicks in the Eastern Conference:

“The East has caught up with the West. You have the 76ers, obviously, you have the Toronto Raptors, you have Giannis [Antetokounmpo] with Miami, I think they’re still a few pieces away. But to me, if I had to pick one, it would be the 76ers. Nick Nurse won a championship [as coach of the Raptors in 2019]. Nick Nurse had to figure how pieces worked when he was in Toronto. And when you have guys that have high IQs — Jaylen Brown is a Finals MVP, LeBron James is [not just] arguably the greatest player but one of the smartest players to play the game of basketball. That’s not going to be a hard adjustment. … Offensively I see them getting out and running. I could see them being probably the best transition team offensively in the league. But I also could see them figuring things out on the fly while they’re still winning games during the regular season. And I also see LeBron James bringing out the best in Joel Embiid.”

On how Mike Brown should handle Karl-Anthony Towns’ contract situation:

“KAT is an emotional guy. And if I’m Mike Brown, the biggest thing is from a personal side, I would just want Towns to know that he’s loved on a day-to-day basis. That don’t mean that there’s not going to be times where you have to call him out in film, but if I’m Mike Brown, I’d go the extra mile to extend my love, whether that’s on the road, him meeting him for breakfast before shootaround, maybe dinners, just to let him know his value. And to let him know that he’s a huge and the most important part of this team. … It would be through actions and less through words.”

On the challenges of defending an NBA championship:

“The first thing is health, obviously. The second thing is getting through the regular season knowing that everywhere in every game that you play, you’re going to get everyone’s best shot. But last but not least is having everyone continue to lose themselves in the team and play agenda-free basketball. Because what ends up happening is when you win a championship, because of the praise that you get in the offseason, everyone starts to believe that they were the reason and guys come back and want a bigger role, instead of staying and playing and being a star of that role that helped them win the championship.”

On Jalen Brunson’s development into an elite player and leader:

“Offensively, I believe that Jalen Brunson over the last three years before Giannis was injured, has been consistently the best player in the Eastern Conference. But last year we saw him take that leap of accountability. We saw him doing the little things of fighting to get over screens. We saw him doing things of getting back in transition and getting extra possessions by taking charges. We saw him take over a Game 4 in Madison Square Garden in the second half to direct traffic and get buckets. We just saw leadership, right? We saw a guy in probably the hardest market to play in, have composure, have leadership and be able to perform on the biggest moments. But I think the most important thing is that he accepted the challenge of actually playing defense and playing enough defense where he wasn’t a liability. But also playing defense where the Spurs couldn’t hunt him out on the big stage. … He’s one of if not my favorite players in the NBA, but history tells us that we haven’t had a back-to-back champion in the last 8-9 years.”

Every year there’s an abundance of lists that come out about the NBA’s players, coaches and teams, and none matter more than the general manager survey released before the season. The latest one was published on Thursday, and according to most top executives, Victor Wembanyama is primed to have one of the greatest seasons of all time in 2026-27. He got the most votes to win Defensive player of the Year as well the majority for the MVP crown, and the San Antonio Spurs are the favorite to win the title. 

Holy moly, such a season hasn’t been logged since the great Hakeem Olajuwon in 1993-94. Keep in mind that the NBA’s DPOY award started in the 1982-83 season, yet even if it existed earlier, the only bigs who could have arguably won it, earned the MVP and led a team to the chip were Bill Russell, Wilt Chamberlain and Kareem Abdul-Jabbar. Yet don’t forget that Michael Jordan claimed both awards in 1987-88, but his team lost in the Eastern Conference Finals. LeBron James would have been the first to accomplish this feat since Olajuwon, but he got robbed of the DPOY in 2012-13.

Olajuwon, who played three years at school and didn’t simultaneously win both awards until he was 31, was already on a tear when he turned 23. That was in his second season and at that age had already ascended into one of the most devastating players in NBA history. He was skinnier then, but an athletic marvel who could down turnaround jumpers with ease and soar through the lane. He wanted the big moment, and in Mirin Fader’s biography about him, there is a great line where he defended himself against complaining teammates for taking a shot with multiple defenders on him because he was the one paid to take that shot.

Wembanyama is only entering his fourth season and will turn 23 on Jan. 4. He has gotten closer to his grown man body every year and like the young Olajuwon, needs to be defended with all five players plus is a factor in fourth quarters, as he averaged 6.3 points in those periods during the playoffs. 

At this point, the only heavyweight on his level is Nikola Jokić, yet most GMs picked him over Wemby as the best center. That won’t be for long if he keeps improving at rapid speed and one example of how he has is the speed and timing of his pick-and-roll defense from his rookie year in 2023-24 until now. He impacts the game in more ways, so when his playmaking catches up to the Joker, he’ll jump to his own tier. He may never turn into the wow-passer Jokić is, but Wembanyama has the talent to average a triple-double, too. 

In 2026-27, the race for the MVP should come down to Wemby, Luka Dončić, Shai Gilgeous-Alexander, Giannis Antetokounmpo and Jokić, assuming they stay healthy, because they have a chance to win enough and put up incredible numbers. Wemby being the best in the league at guarding two players at once and creating a big intimidation factor with his shot blocking, will give him an edge over the field, while double-dipping for the other award. 

Notably, only three of the last 10 GM polls have correctly predicted who would win the MVP award. Three of the last 10 polls also predicted the correct champion, but two of those were very easy to call since they were the Kevin Durant and Stephen Curry-led Golden State Warriors. Still, lots of those teams that were picked to win and didn’t were not as deep as the current Spurs. Don’t be surprised if Dylan Harper, who most GMs picked to have a breakout season, produces like an All-Star off the bench because he was already a major player to end last postseason.

Next season, the Spurs will have a target on their backs, but it won’t matter much because they have good coaching and a surplus of motivated talent spearheaded by Wemby. Most GMs don’t always get it right, but they believe he’s going to take over the league like only the most special have, so maybe opposing teams should take the survey as a bad omen. 

Welcome to SB Nation Reacts, a survey of fans across the NBA. Throughout the year we ask questions of the most plugged-in Rockets fans and fans across the country.

This week’s question asked about Kevin Durant’s future in H-town. James asked the question this week if we thought the Rockets could trade KD, so we figured it best to get your opinion.

Houston moving on from Durant at the deadline likely means there is a prerequisite of the team underachieving this year, because Durant has a player option the following season. If the team is not living up to expectations, he’s probably not coming back. The Rockets will need to move him before they lose him for nothing.

So this question isn’t just about Durant, ultimately. It’s also about if the team will be in the position where moving him at the deadline is the better option than certainly losing him in free agency.

Here’s what you said:

The vast majority of you feel Durant is here to stay. It may be just wishful thinking on my part, but I’m a little more bullish on Durant leaving no matter what happens this year (short of a Conference Finals or Finals run), because that’s just his nature. Whether the Rockets see it that way and want to get ahead of it is another story entirely. We’ve already been told that KD was at the “top of the list” of the Rockets’ problems last year. I just don’t know if the front office sees it that way.

Don’t forget to make your way over FanDuel. They are ready to roll with title odds, parlays, player props and more. The Rockets are +2700 to win the title. That’s a nice payout on a $100 bet, if you’re feeling confident. Kevin Durant is a +2700 for MVP, while Alperen Sengun and Amen Thompson are at +12,500.

Thanks for voting. We’ll back soon with more Reacts.

Allen Graves has had a bit of a rough outing in the Raptors’ preseason games, but his coach sees things as going all according to plan.

In two games played, the forward has averaged just over 19 minutes of playing time, posting numbers of seven points, five and a half rebounds, and an assist and a steal a-piece per game. Less than stellar from a first round pick, especially considering that the scoring is being done at a clip of 25% accuracy, while shooting just over nine percent from three.

Offensively, Graves has struggled, especially in his last game, where he was four for thirteen, and missed all five shots from three. However, the rookie can’t be faulted for what he’s doing: after all, he’s just following his coach’s directions.

On the 14th of October, Darko Rajaković was asked about Allen Graves’ feel for the game despite his inaccuracy (the night before, the forward had shot 16% from three). The coach’s response?

“I don’t care if the shot is gonna fall or not.”

“He’s a great shooter,” Rajaković continued, intently. “I promise him this morning, the first time when I see him, that he does not take open shot when I see him, I’m going to sit him on the bench. 
It’s going to be simple as that.”

It’s this type of confidence and championing of his players that has characterized Rajaković‘s tenure as the Raptors’ head coach. This type of leadership and standing by players who are down can be instrumental in keeping a locker room united, but at the same time, the coach is not simply making a leap of blind faith.

“He’s a great shooter,” repeated Rajaković, as if drilling a lesson into schoolchildren who were liable to forget if not reminded. “He has a great feel for the game and yesterday was a typical rookie game playing for the first time in front of home crowd. 
That was such a typical game, I was so happy for him to get in a foul trouble, to miss shots, and I think that was awesome.”

It is this clear willingness to let a player develop that is a big part of what sets the Raptors apart as an organization. A few rough preseason games aren’t something to be ashamed of, in the mind of Darko Rajaković. They’re a learning experience, and more than that, a milestone for a young player. Showing flashes of greatness on the court are not being prioritized over working on oneself — yet.

It seems for now, Allen Graves will be given the room to make mistakes, to brick jumpshots, and take all the missteps that one might take in an NBA game, in the service of maturing into a well-rounded player. It would be nice if everyone was afforded the luxury of time and external validation that seems to be happening here. But, even if that can’t be the case, it’s good to know that some NBA coaches have real heart.

It seems that Rajaković was channelling his inner Dion Waiters when he spoke to the media last week.

Maybe Waiters, and Rajaković, are both right. Let’s make sure that Graves doesn’t lose confidence.

After an exciting offseason with a lot of movement, the NBA season opens this week. 

Giannis Antetokounmpo was traded to the Heat. LeBron James took his talents to the 76ers. Luka Doncic is now the head of the snake for the Lakers. The Knicks are poised to try to repeat as NBA champions after breaking a 53-year title drought. Victor Wembanyama hopes to put his 7-foot-4 body in the way. 

There’s a lot of intrigue. A lot could happen. But in the meantime, here are our very early NBA awards predictions:

MVP: Luka Doncic

Doncic has taken over the Lakers after James left in free agency following an eight-season stint in Los Angeles. Last season, Doncic led the league in scoring (33.5 points) and was third in assists (8.3). This offseason, he put his fingerprints all over the roster, including urging the Lakers to acquire Walker Kessler at center. Doncic then hosted a minicamp in Slovenia for the first time in his career to build chemistry. Doncic is all in. He wants to win his first championship. He wants to carry the 17-time championship Lakers back atop the league. And he feels wronged after finishing fourth in the MVP race last season despite his eye-popping stats. Here’s to guessing we’re going to see the best out of him yet.

Sixth Man of the Year: Ajay Mitchell

Did you see what Mitchell did to the Lakers in the second round of the 2026 playoffs when the Thunder swept LA? Mitchell looked like a star. He averaged 22.5 points. He met the moment. Rob Pelinka, Lakers general manager and president of basketball operations, brought him up unprompted as the type of player the Lakers need to find in the draft. In his third season expect him to make even more leaps. 

Defensive POY: Victor Wembanyama

No one will compete with Wembanyama for this award for the foreseeable future unless he somehow fails to meet the 65-game threshold. Wembanyama is a beast on defense. He alters shots. He blocks shots. He can run the floor. His 7-4 height and 8-foot wingspan leave stars looking like G League players against him. 

Rookie of Year: Cameron Boozer

The hype is real, folks. Boozer might be the No. 1 option on the Grizzlies soon. He’s going to have high usage. He’s going to be a double-double machine with his shooting and rebounding ability. He impressed in summer league play in Las Vegas and the preseason, and he appears poised to make a major statement.

Coach of the Year: Nick Nurse

If he can turn the 76ers into championship contenders, he should win this award. There are so many cooks in the kitchen, including James, Jaylen Brown, Joel Embiid and Tyrese Maxey. Nurse is going to have to figure out how to manage egos, how to keep everyone engaged and involved and how to make a bunch of alpha superstars willing to star in their roles. It’s a tall task. He’s working with some of the world’s top ingredients. Now it’s up to him to see if he can make a cohesive recipe. If he does, props to him. We’ve seen too many other superteams wildly fail, including the Nets, who never made it past the second round of the playoffs with Kyrie Irving, James Harden and Kevin Durant on the roster. 

Most Improved Player: Amen Thompson

Thompson made leaps last season and here’s to betting that trend is going to continue this year. Now that Fred VanVleet is back, Thompson is going to get way more scoring opportunities. He apparently dramatically improved his jumper over the offseason. He has the basketball IQ and natural talent to keep transforming his game, and he’s going to play for a very competitive Rockets team. His growth has been marked and should continue rapidly. 

Western Conference winner: Spurs

Wembanyama is next in line for the face of the league behind James. He wants to be the best. You can see it in the way he advocates for himself, the way his emotions spill out and the way he plays on both sides of the court. Well, we saw the origin of his villain story develop in real time last postseason when the Spurs blew double-digit leads in each of their four losses to the Knicks in the Finals. Wembanyama isn’t going to allow that to happen again. Most of the greats had to get knocked down before rising to the top. Expect nothing different from Wembanyama, who has a talented team behind him in Stephon Castle, Dylan Harper, Keldon Johnson, De’Aaron Fox, Devin Vassell and Tobias Harris.

Eastern Conference winner: Knicks

No one had the Knicks winning the championship on their bingo card last season. We won’t make that mistake this time around. Jalen Brunson is a superstar. OG Anunoby is now a legend. And the team is returning 10 of its 12 rotational players. The Knicks are the favorites in the East until proven otherwise. 

NBA champion: Spurs

Wemby’s time has arrived. You can feel it. It’s similar to how the air feels different ahead of a major storm. We all knew it would be a matter of time before he owned the league. What we didn’t know was how quickly it would happen.

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This is the first of a series of roundtable questions I’m asking the staff here at Peachtree Hoops about the Hawks this upcoming season. The first question: which newly acquired player will have the biggest impact for the Hawks this season?

Wes: I think Luguentz Dort will bring a level of toughness, defensive versatility, and an ability to play his role on offense that the team desperately needed. Now that the reins are in the hands of Jalen Johnson to run the show, Dort will fit in as a corner three-point shooter who has tons of experience operating around a star player.

But clearly, defensively is where he’ll make his name. He’s a bigger body than even all-world defender Dyson Daniels, so he, Daniels and Nickeil Alexander-Walker can share the load of taking on the other team’s best perimeter player depending on the night.

Malik: I’ll have to agree and say and say Lu Dort. I think he was the biggest addition to the team this offseason, and it’s because of what he brings to the defensive side of the ball. He’s going to make life easier for Dyson Daniels, and he could guard almost every position on the floor. The Hawks’ defense was good last season, but it’s going to be even better with Dort in the fold.

It’s also hard not to mention the championship experience he’ll bring to the team. That will go a long way for a team that’s looking to be contenders.

Garrett: Luguentz Dort. To me, he was Onsi Saleh’s biggest addition this offseason. The Knicks exposed Atlanta’s struggles with physicality in the playoffs, and Dort directly addresses that issue. He’s one of the league’s best defenders, embraces tough assignments and knows what it takes to win in the postseason. That combination is a major plus for a Hawks team looking to take the next step.

Graham: I really like the deal to acquire Aaron Wiggins, I think he’ll have more of a positive impact than expected, but it’s hard to overlook just what Lu Dort is going to bring. It’s not just what Dort brings – which I’ll discuss in a moment – but the commitment the Hawks have made stylistically, and philosophically. 

Dort’s shooting struggles in the postseason are well documented, as are those of Dyson Daniels. It’s going to be difficult to have both of those players out in crunch-time, but on the defensive end of the ball the Hawks have made a clear commitment to a defensive mentality. Now, Dort can be included into ‘chaos’ lineups which can involve Nickeil Alexander-Walker, Daniels, Dort, Johnson, and Okongwu – every single one of those players can hold their own defensively and excel (Johnson is more than capable of this when he applies himself to do so).

The Hawks may have an offensive ceiling with Daniels and Dort on the floor, but they have the defense to still bring a net rating in those scenarios. If Dort and Daniels can improve their three-point shooting and sustain it in the postseason, then the ceiling is removed for this squad. With Dort, the Hawks can have at least two plus defensive wings on at all times. The versatility he provides to what the Hawks can now run out on the court lineup-wise is a big step forward.

Dort himself will bring a toughness, a mentality that the Hawks will thrive off of, and championship experience to learn from. Everything Dort brings will only help Atlanta grow on and off the court as they try to take the next step; Dort is the perfect acquisition for the Hawks’ next phase of their journey. The message is clear: it’s defense first. 

Each week, Melissa Rohlin of the California Post will power rank the NBA’s 30 teams:

1. San Antonio Spurs

There was palpable pain on Victor Wembanyama’s face after the Knicks eliminated the Spurs in the NBA Finals. The Spurs had double-digit leads in each of their four losses in that series. Wembanyama blamed himself. Here’s to betting he’s going to be a beast this season. 

2. New York Knicks

We underestimated the Knicks last season and won’t repeat that mistake. They return 10 of their 12 rotational players. They’ve proven that no deficit fazes them. And Jalen Brunson is fearless. 

3. Oklahoma City Thunder 

The 2025 championship Thunder were stunned by the Spurs in the Western Conference finals last season. This roster is deep, young, talented and hungry to get back atop the league. Shai Gilgeous-Alexander, who has won two straight MVP awards, isn’t going to take his foot off the gas this season. 

4. Philadelphia 76ers

LeBron James, Jaylen Brown, Joel Embiid and Tyrese Maxey? This should be fun. It might take them a second to figure things out and develop chemistry. But if they do, watch out. It’ll be interesting to see if this superteam takes over the league or flames out, such as the disappointing Nets who never got past the second round of the playoffs despite having Kevin Durant, Kyrie Irving and James Harden on the roster. 

5. Cleveland Cavaliers

The regular season doesn’t matter for this Cavs team. They keep combusting in the playoffs, including getting swept by the Knicks in the 2026 Eastern Conference finals. Either they make a deep run with Donovan Mitchell, Harden, Peyton Watson and Evan Mobley or else it’s hard to imagine there isn’t going to be a reckoning soon. 

6. Los Angeles Lakers

This team has a lot of question marks. But also a lot of potential. If Luka Doncic, Austin Reaves and Walker Kessler play to their potential and the team’s perimeter defense surpasses expectations, the Lakers could be very good. But this team has nine new players, including Kessler, who played only five games last season after having season-ending shoulder surgery. So, yeah, lots of questions. 

7. Houston Rockets

Fred VanVleet has returned after missing last season because a torn ACL and meniscus in his right knee that he suffered in an offseason workout in September 2025. Alperen Sengun is looking good. Durant is still very much Durant. This team could be the dark horse of the West. 

8. Indiana Pacers

Didn’t you learn not to overlook Tyrese Haliburton back in 2025? You know, when he stunned the NBA by leading the Pacers to the NBA Finals before suffering a torn Achilles tendon in Game 7 of that series? Sure, he’s going to be shaking off rust this season. But he’s someone to keep your eye on. 

9. Detroit Pistons 

The Pistons added more scoring threats after Cade Cunningham and Jalen Duren were overcrowded by defenders in the paint last postseason. If Ausar Thompson can also be counted on having a reliable outside shot, they could be good. 

10. Minnesota Timberwolves

The Timberwolves’ ceiling rose after they acquired LaMelo Ball, pairing him with Anthony Edwards, Rudy Gobert and Jaden McDaniels. Jonathan Kuminga was another great addition to the roster. If the hype is real, the Timberwolves could give the top teams in the West a run for their money. 

11. Boston Celtics

Brown is gone. We’re going to see what Jayson Tatum can do without his longtime counterpart, with whom he won a championship in 2024. And this should be a revenge season of sorts for Paul George, who caught a lot of strays from pundits amid the Brown trade. 

12. Denver Nuggets

The Nuggets had an underwhelming offseason. But any team with Nikola Jokic is going to be in the championship hunt. Their starting five of Joker, Jamal Murray, Aaron Gordon, Cameron Johnson and Christian Braun is very skilled, but their lack of depth could haunt them. 

13. Miami Heat

Giannis Antetokounmpo and Bam Adebayo are going to be a lot of fun on both sides of the court. This team should be a title threat in the next couple of years. 

14. Toronto Raptors

Kawhi Leonard has returned to the Raptors, whom he carried to a championship in 2019. After far too many injury-riddled seasons with the Clippers, he looked great last year, averaging 27.9 points on 50.5% shooting, 6.4 rebounds, 3.6 assists and 1.9 steals per game over 65 contests. When he’s healthy, he’s one of the league’s best players.

15. Dallas Mavericks

Cooper Flagg is gearing up for a breakout season, and Irving is returning to the lineup after missing last season because of torn left ACL. It’ll be interesting to see what new coach Dusty May can do with this group in the wake of the Doncic-Anthony Davis debacle. 

16. Orlando Magic

Paolo Banchero, Franz Wagner and Jalen Suggs are formidable, but a lot of questions remain around this team, especially with its outside shooting. Their eye-popping payroll coupled with the fact that this team hasn’t gotten past the first round of the playoffs the last three years means they’re on a very short rope to figure things out quickly. 

17.  Atlanta Hawks

This team should have a strong defense behind Lu Dort and Dyson Daniels. If Jalen Johnson can continue to take leaps, this team could make some noise. 

18. Golden State Warriors

The Warriors didn’t have the offseason they hoped. Antetokounmpo was traded to Miami. James chose the 76ers. But if Jimmy Butler returns healthy in a few months from his torn right ACL, he, Steph Curry and Draymond Green could make some noise in the West, especially if Yaxel Lendeborg keeps impressing. 

19. Utah Jazz

This team is lacking frontcourt depth at the start of the season after Jusuf Nurkic suffered a partial plantar plate tear in the second toe of his right foot during the preseason. But Lauri Markkanen and Jaren Jackson are exciting, and Darryn Peterson could be a difference-maker. 

20. Washington Wizards

Trae Young and Davis both feel as though they have a lot to prove. Young’s star has fallen. Davis has been on a wild downswing ever since he was dealt to the Mavericks for Doncic. Those two guys should be very fun to track this season as they seek revenge. 

21. Los Angeles Clippers

This team is down in the dumps following the Aspiration scandal. They’ve hit rock bottom. They’re racked with injuries. But don’t be surprised if coach Tyronn Lue somehow brings out the best in them. 

22. Phoenix Suns

Devin Booker really needs a great year following last season’s subpar performance. He shot 45.6% from the field, his lowest percentage since his third season in the league. If he can reemerge as a superstar, he and Dillon Brooks could be fun. 

23. Portland Trail Blazers

This team could be ranked much higher. It depends how Damian Lillard looks after missing last season because of a torn Achilles tendon. And how quickly Lillard, Deni Avdija and Ja Morant can develop a rhythm. There’s a lot of wild cards here. But this team also has the potential to skyrocket in these rankings very soon. 

24. Chicago Bulls

Caleb Wilson should compete for Rookie of the Year. Josh Giddey is always fun. And Matas Buzelis made leaps last season. The Bulls have a lot of growing to do. But there’s also intrigue here. 

25. New Orleans Pelicans

We’re entering this season with the same tired storyline. The Pelicans won 26 games last season, yet they refused to pull the plug. Don’t expect much to change this time around. 

26. Memphis Grizzlies

Cameron Boozer is living up to the hype. He joins some young hotshots in Cedric Coward, Zach Edey, Jaylen Wells and Cam Spencer. This team should be fun. But it’ll be a while before it can make noise. 

27. Charlotte Hornets

Ball is out. Let’s see what the team’s creators can do without him, especially Brandon Miller, Kon Knueppel, Coby White and Naz Reid. 

28. Sacramento Kings

Darius Acuff is an electric scorer, and if he lives up to his potential, this team could be worth monitoring. Domantas Sabonis claims he’s healthy following knee surgery. And there’s also always intrigue around Ben Simmons. But winning games is another issue altogether. 

29. Brooklyn Nets

While everyone suspects the Timberwolves of taking veiled shots at Julius Randle, he could raise the Nets’ ceiling. But it’s a very low ceiling, despite Michael Porter Jr. and Mikel Brown Jr. being on the roster. 

30. Milwaukee Bucks

Welp, at least the Bucks won a championship in 2021 before everything fell apart. 

Welcome to the Den! Over the course of the season I want to take 10 game snap shots and ask and answer a few questions about the Wolves. Some of these questions are about serious hoop, some of them are the silly questions I think about riding the Green Line to the Target Center. So curl up with a beverage of your choice, get comfy, and stay awhile.

1. Are Ant and LaMelo better together?

If we can take anything from preseason (we shouldn’t), and if head coach Chris Finch is giving us any hints to his plan for the season in his quotes about lineups (he isn’t), then Anthony Edwards and LaMelo Ball will share the floor a lot. The reasons to keep them separated are obvious. Both players can handle the ball. Both players have tremendous gravity on offense creating opportunities for others. The Wolves have a dearth of ball handling and keeping someone on the court at all times who won’t get bullied in a full-court press is imperative.

So why would Finch ever play a minute without one of his star guards on the court? Well…

1. Overwhelming Offense: With both guards on the court, they create a Sophie’s Choice for how to guard the Wolves that leads to easy mismatches easily exploitable with Ant’s athleticism or Ball’s passing. If both players are loaded up on, there are plenty of other players to kick the ball to for easy looks.
2. Bench Strengths: Fresh off Terrance Shannon Jr.’s impressive 2026 playoff performance, Finch noted the need to put the ball in his hands to get the most out of him. Ball or Edwards might play well alongside TJ by spotting up for threes as Shannon barrels to the hoop and collapses the defense. That said, both players are better when their usage is higher and the Wolves have other bench shooters that TJ can feed.
3. Establishing Roles: Melo knows his primary role. Its the one role he has always known. He is there to stir the drink on offense and get everyone involved. Ant is going back to his best role as a shooting guard. He will move off-ball and create advantages for his team. On the defensive side of things, Ant will need to establish himself on defense and that will be easier when he is not the primary creator.

There will be moments in games where the pair are split up. Ant will likely play more minutes than Melo. To get the most out of both players skillsets, those times apart should be limited.

2. What is Joan’s good/bad ratio?

As reported by Jace Frederick of The Pioneer Press during the short tenure of Rob Dillingham, head coach Chris Finch said of Dillingham,

“If you play three games, you hope that you get one good, one not so good, and one maybe stinker. And you got to turn that into two positives and maybe one negative. Once we get there, then things start to go.”

If Finch is holding Joan to a similar standard, how many bad games can the Wolves withstand for every good game Joan provides. I believe the Wolves can weather two bad games for every one that impresses. For all the talk of a team focused on defense, this is a team built to score in bunches. There will be games where defense is wanting any minute Rudy Gobert is off the floor. So long as the offense is humming and it should be, then the Wolves can handle Joan riding the pine on account of leading the league in fouls.

The second year player needs minutes and needs opportunities to make mistakes and learn from them. The bench defense does rely on him, but this is a team that will win with their offense as they learn and adapt to a leaner and smaller team.

3. How many minutes should Melo average?

In his six-year NBA tenure, LaMelo Ball has only played 61% of games. Much of that was due to injury, some of that was due to being on a team in the tank for a better lottery pick. He has played over 50 games in a season three times. Last season was his second most games played. He also played his fewest average minutes per game at 28 minutes.

The early preseason returns, such as they can be relied on, have shown how dynamic the Wolves can be with Ball on the floor.

It will be imperative for Coach Finch to go against his nature of leaning on his starters. The Wolves do have a bevy of guards to slot into the starting spot should Melo miss a few games but none of them offer the dynamism of size, dribbling, shooting, and passing. To keep LaMelo available while also getting the most out of him, I look to the Wolves former floor general Mike Conley in the 2024 season. At 29 minutes a game, the 36-year-old guard was able to suit up for 76 games.

If Ball plays over 70 games the Wolves will be in contention for a top four seed in the playoffs.

4. How long can effort outlast physicality?

Everyone is talking about it: the Wolves got smaller this season. With Naz Reid, Julius Randle, Mike Conley, Kyle Anderson, and Joe Ingles all playing elsewhere, the Wolves lost just under 32 feet and 11 inches of height. Minnesota added Melo, Jonathan Kuminga, Trey Lyles, Cody Williams, and Isaiah Evans for a total of 33 feet and one inch of height.

Unfortunately this pedantic look doesn’t actually dispel the fact that the Wolves are not as big as their rivals and will need to be creative to counteract this discrepancy. Mostly they will rely on effort in the hopes that sweat equity will overtake size. And it is here that I have my biggest concern for the year.

In the early parts of the season, as teams are trying to figure themselves out and miscommunications are more common, this effort strategy has a better chance of working. In the bleak mid-winter especially with the new anti-tanking rules in place, that effort will be harder to summon and the size issue will still be there. I don’t foresee a trade unless the Wolves are dealing away one of their cheaper contracts and that likely doesn’t bring back much of a needle mover. No amount of weight room work is going to build the requisite muscle in time for it to be of use.

Minnesota will need to get clever in their defense to earn the extra possessions that decide close games. An option could be found in gambling for more steals at the risk of drawing fouls. Per Stat Muse the Detroit Pistons were called for the most fouls last year while also forcing the most turnovers. This style of play led to the third best point differential for the season last year behind the Oklahoma City Thunder and the San Antonio Spurs.

The Wolves fouled the third most last season while only forcing the 12th most turnovers. In a league trending bigger, general manager Tim Connelly gambled on smaller players. Those players will need to take similar risks to earn extra possessions when the effort to rebound runs into a bigger and stronger wall.

5. Which Wolf Takes the Leap?

Ant, Melo, Rudy Gobert, and Jaden McDaniels all have accolades in their trophy case. There are things each of them could do to improve. McDaniels could move into All-Star territory, though with Ant and Ball on the team, barring the Wolves holding the number one seed, I don’t see them getting three all-stars. Melo could join Ant in the All-NBA space in a best of all worlds eventuality for the Wolves. Ant could win MVP, the pinnacle of the league.

The likely leaper candidates are Jonathan Kuminga, Ayo Dosunmu, Joan Beringer, Terrance Shannon Jr.

1. Kuminga’s Case: I will keep beating this drum until he proves otherwise. Kuminga needs to model his game after Josh Hart. He won’t win Most Improved Player, but he will win a decade plus career.
2. Sixth Man Ayo: Posting one of four triple doubles for the Wolves last year and scoring 43 points off the bench in the playoffs when Ant and Donte DiVincenzo were injured, Dosunmu showed the ability to morph into whatever player his team needed. If he can find consistency while maintaining this doppelganger, he’ll put himself solidly into the Sixth Man of the Year race and likely the Most Improved Player race.
3. Go On Joan: If Joan can keep his fouling to below four a game and increase his rebounding to six or more a game, up from his 2.3 average now, then they Wolves have answered one of their biggest concerns. This leap would likely only be seen amongst the Minnesota faithful and deep NBA stat head sickos.
4. TJ Gets a Payday: TJ is on the cusp of a contract extension. For him to earn a payday he will need to win his minutes. Whether that is by scoring, setting up his teammates, or using his leaping ability and size to grab defensive rebounds to end possessions, TJ’s next contract appears directly tied to his EPM for this season.

My bet is on Ayo who has the most versatility.

6. Which Wolf has the Dunk of the Year?

I wish this could be Joan because of how angrily he dunks, but there are few dunks by big men who make the cut for Dunk of the Year. Shaquille O’Neal dunking Chris Dudley to the floor and DeAndre Jordan’s alley-oop dunk over Brandon Knight are top of mind and beyond that a struggle unless the backboard is shattered. Dunks of the Year belong to the players who break the bonds of gravity to violently flush it through the rim. The three most likely candidates for the Wolves are Ant, Kuminga, or TJ.

• TJ treats the rim like it pulled up Urban Dictionary and started listing derogatory terms to describe his mother. He has the speed and leaping ability to capture the imagination. Very strong candidate.

• Kuminga has listened to years of criticism about his deficiencies and has watched his annual earnings drop back to below what he made on the third year of his rookie contract. With a team looking to set him up, if he puts all of his frustration at Steve Kerr, the national media, and maybe his agent into a single dunk, we might see the backboard shatter.

• Ant has the greatest advantage of name recognition and a highlight reel worth of past DOTY finalists. Given the popularity of the Wolves backcourt, if he posterizes an opponent off a Melo alley-oop then…

7. Which Wolf gets a new nationally recognized nickname?

According to Basketball Reference these are the nicknames for the Wolves likely nine man rotation. In bold after them, I have added a few of my thoughts for consideration.

• LaMelo Ball: Melo – LaFrenchConnection LaFrench is his middle name
• Anthony Edwards: Ant, Ant-Man – Ripleyfor when he defeats “the Alien” Victor Wembenyama.
• Jaden McDaniels: Seatbelt, Big Mac, Slim – Sith Lord already sort of out there with the Darth Jaden Memes, The Warden (puts people in cells + Game of Thrones Warden of the North tie-ins.
• Jonathan Kuminga: none listed – DR3 a play on where Kuminga is from, the Democratic Republic of the Congo aka the DRC, heavily contingent on him becoming a + three point shooter.
• Rudy Gobert: The Stifle Tower, The French Rejection, The Gobert Report, Gobzilla, Big Ru – Rudy has plenty and I don’t think I can do any better.
• Quamdeen Ayopo “Ayo” Dosunmu: none listed – Ayo is already too good. It has a singularity to it, it is easy to yell, and conjures both someone grabbing your attention while asking you, “what’s up?” (For clarity, his name is pronounced “EYE-o”)
• Terrence Shannon Jr.: none listed – SouthpawI don’t know if his right hand will ever be reliable.
• Joan Berringer: none listed – The Baron of Blocksmuch as I love Baron J, I don’t see much of a jump shot emerging
• Trey Lyles: TreyMamba – Spanish Honeymaker because he played for a Spanish team last year and you know, el bees, as in this team is twiggy up and down and Finch is gonna need to add some pounds to some lineups

For my money, I think McDaniels is primed for a nationally recognized nickname. Clyde Frazier was calling him Mac during the recent Wolves versus Knicks bout. While a few on this list do not have any and Jaden has three, none are called out with the type of exuberance that leads to water cooler talk where he is spoken about only in nickname.

8. Is this The Year?

In a word…

No.

I think the Wolves are going to be a very good team. I think they have a better than 50% chance to be in the top four of the Western Conference. I even think they could surprise the world and beat one of San Antonio or Oklahoma City and make it to the Western Conference Finals. I do not think they are good enough to beat both of those teams if all are healthy.

All that said… HOWL! 82-0! Hope springs eternal!

9. Where are we in the Marathon?

While basketball was the first sport I fell in love with, distance running was the first sport I was actually good at. I have run a few marathons and given the grind of an 82-game season, I wanted to take a look at where the Wolves are in the grand scheme of the most famous distance race.

The Wolves are wrapping up preseason which equates to the final week before the race. The energy is high, there is a touch of nervousness, mileage and workouts are not maxing out the legs or lungs. The Wolves’ regular season rotations aren’t playing in all of the games, and the deep bench are getting more run than they normally would. In those final days before the race there is a mix of feeling incredible, muscles are relaxed with a spring in your step. Other days any small twinge can feel like a five alarm fire that your body isn’t ready.

The starting lineup makes sense. With Jaden at the point of attack and Rudy minding the hoop, Ant, Ball, and Kuminga are showing the effort needed to force stops. On the other side of the court, the ball is moving more than any Wolves offense in recent memory. Opposing defenses are struggling deciding which player to concede a shot from. Even still, it is a long season and injuries are sure to creep up and sap some of the strength of the team.

On the bench there are bright spots but an equal number of worries, some already mentioned in this article. Can Joan keep his hands to himself enough to stay on the court? Should so much of the point guard duties be foisted upon TJ’s left hand? Is there a more glaring reason Trey Lyles spent a year out of the league?

None of these things will be known until the games start mattering and the minute distribution comes into alignment. At this point, there isn’t much left for Connelly, Finch, or the rest of the Wolves players to do but get to opening day ready and healthy. Anxiety and excitement grows with each passing day until the starting gun fires and all the worry melts away and you have to contend with the course in front of you.

One step at a time.

10. Wolves Record Through Ten

The Wolves first ten games are filled with hard-nosed defensive teams. The Giannis and Bam Heat, the Magic, the Raptors, the Cavaliers, the Rockets and the Spurs. If they can go 50-50 in that stretch, they have the talent to dispatch the Warriors, Clippers, Bucks and Pelicans.

Wolves start the season 7-3.

Canis Comment Section: What questions do you have? How would you answer any of the these questions?

Welcome to Inside the Suns, a deep down analysis of the current Phoenix Suns team in which the Fantable — a roundtable of Bright Siders — give their takes on the Suns’ latest issues and news.

Fantable Questions of the Week

Q1: What is your boldest prediction for the Suns’ 2026-27 season?

GuarGuar: My boldest prediction is we will be a Top 4 seed in the Western Conference this year. I think the cohesiveness and development of this group will show big time, and I also think we will have better injury luck overall.

zenzino: Instructions said ‘3 or less’. Less? I don’t think so. I’m taking it to the limit! Shocking, I know.

1. Suns finish 5th or 6th seed and, due to some favorable matchups, make it to the Western Conference Finals.
2. Maluach has an ok start to the season but then hits his stride and wins the NBA Most Improved Player.
3. Goodie is Goodie all season long and makes NBA All-Defensive 2nd team. I’d say 1st team but the bias against being a Suns player will work against him.

Ashton: My boldest prediction? Is Rod trying to set me up for a positive answer? Though I suppose I could swing to the dark side and give out some predictions that would really make “Bightsiders” PO’ed. Let’s roll with the positive.

1. Suns win 45 games
2. Suns miss fewer games than last season due to injury concerns and rest management issues.
3. Let’s take it a step further. Sun fans actually get true updates on players’ status reports rather than the same mealy-mouthed spoon-fed crap we get season after season. “Oh, it’s just tweaked a little” turns into 4-6 weeks out. I like transparency.

Do I believe these to be true? Probably not.

Rod: I’m not sure how bold this one is, but I think Ryan Dunn is going to be a key rotation player for the Suns this year. He’s looked both confident and competent in preseason, and has obviously regained Jordan Ott’s trust.

I think the Suns will not only be a top 10 defensive team this year, but in the top 5 defensively. Overall, they’ve ranked only 17th in preseason, but in 1st quarters (played mostly by 1st and 2nd unit players) they ranked 4th in defense.

By the time the playoffs roll around, the return of Mark Williams is going to give the team a significant boost that pushes them up in the final seeding and plays a big role in winning at least their first-round playoff series.

Q2: ESPN recently called the center position as the Suns’ “biggest roster hole”.  What are your thoughts on this?

GuarGuar: I agree, given that Maluach is unproven and Oso would be very undersized for a starting center. I’m hopeful Man Man can prove to be a quality big this year so it’s not a big issue, but I’d be lying if I said I wasn’t concerned about our Center spot this year. The Duop signing makes me feel a tad better.

zenzino: My thoughts are that ESPN is the biggest hole in the sports media roster.

I’m actually surprised they took enough time away from stroking LeBron to worry about the Suns. It’s all those short helicopter trips.

Obviously, there’s no roster hole at either guard position. I’m cool with the depth at SF. For me, it’s a toss-up between PF and Center. Even though there are more possible bodies at the SF position, I’m pretty confident in Oso and Man Man to be ‘good enough’ and hold it down for the first half of the season.

Sheer is going to take a little longer than we hoped, but like Man Man, I think he’s going to start trusting in the work he’s doing more and more and work his way into consistent rotation.

It’s probably pretty obvious; I’ve made a conscious decision to look on the bright side of things with the Suns (see what I did there?). So understand my takes are going to focus on the positive.

I like this team as currently constructed. Are they bursting with talent 1-15? Not really. But all 15 guys go out there, play hard, and usually contribute.

Ashton: You cannot say that ESPN will state the obvious and run with it. Oh wait, I can! That is exactly what they do. We have been calling that topic on the board ever since, and maybe even before Mark Williams went down with injury. KM has been more of a revelation in the preseason, so maybe the raw center can hold up. I thought he did just fine against Wemby. Why in the world did Coach Ott sit Oso? Unless he is not healthy, he could have really used those minutes against Wemby on Wednesday.

Also, I need to slip this in somewhere, and this question will work. But what is the point of preseason if all the starters (now including Oso) are sitting out? Yes, preseason games have been reduced from eight games to four, but it is still glorified Summer League. Just increase the age requirements for the Summer League games while scrapping the preseason altogether.

Rod: They call it a hole; I call it a question mark. It could turn into a roster hole, but that’s still undetermined at this point. Maluach has shown enough promise that it’s very possible that he could begin to be a force in the lineup fairly early on in the season, and Ighodaro is already a proven, quality backup center. It all depends on how quickly Khaman adapts and settles into playing a much bigger role than he’s used to.

Another big question mark that could become a hole is the lack of a true point guard in the starting lineup. Can they get the Booker/Green backcourt to function well enough together to make that lack a non-factor? Sure, having Gillespie move up into the starting lineup could fill that potential hole, but it could create another one on the 2nd unit…or at least an adjustment to the 2nd unit roles which might not go smoothly.

Q3: Eddie Johnson recently said that Devin Booker needs to be aggressive and be taking the most shots for the Suns this season.  What’s your opinion on this?

GuarGuar: I 100% agree with Eddie; we need Book to be ultra aggressive and our leading shot taker. I’m as big of a Book fan as it gets, as evidenced by my history here on BSOTS…but I’ll be honest when I say I’m concerned about Devin. His elevation on his jump shot hasn’t been there the past 2.5 years. I don’t know if it’s just declining athleticism, the Books, or what…but he’s not elevating anywhere near what he used to do. And that is why I think his jump shot has been off the past couple seasons. 

He needs to gain that alpha confidence again more than anything, though. Too many times he gets passive and is obsessed with just making the right play. And while I commend his discipline and self-sacrifice for the betterment of the team…it gets to a point where it’s too much. And it was way too much last year. We need Book to get back at least close to his prime a couple seasons ago in order to be a future contender. And I still believe in him to lead us.

zenzino: EJ has a pretty high basketball IQ. Smart guy.

That being said…duh.

Yes! Book needs to be the primary bucket getter. I’ve been wanting Book to get back to his scoring ways for quite a while now. I hope Book sticks to what he said on media day about looking to shoot more.

This will be facilitated by others. Oso’s passing and playmaking have improved to the point where he is a primary connector when he’s on the court. We just caught a glimpse of it in the first game; Bridges’ passing and playmaking are underrated. And Green is making strides, working with Nash. I posted a great video in the feed of a film breakdown showing the change in Green’s reads and decision-making. If he continues to progress, that’s another effective tool in the Suns’ toolbox.

All of this will get Book off the ball more and greatly reduce the pressure on Book to be the main facilitator and playmaker so he can concentrate on what he does best. If these things come together, Book could have the best scoring season of his career.

And I’m here for it.

Ashton: For those not aware, Eddie Johnson is the color commentator for the Arizona Family Suns games and has had the same stints with ASU and the Phoenix Mercury. Also, a co-host on NBA Today. He has had an illustrious NBA career and should not be confused with “Fast Eddie”, who is Eddie L. Johnson. I enjoy listening to his color commentary.

Eddie is not wrong in his statement, but Book has received little play in the preseason, mainly due to rest. This is being submitted before Friday’s Utah Jazz game, but I highly doubt a Booker start happens. Book has looked pretty fly in his street clothes while negotiating his next endorsement deal on the cell.

Rest management does not make you an aggressive player. In fact, I am beginning to side with the crowd that thinks Book may have already turned his corner for wanting to prove he is one of the best in the NBA. Depending on what top NBA 100 player rankings you read, Book is aging like vinegary wine that has corresponded with his age. I last saw him ranked at number 26 (CBS Sports), but 30 is not out of the question. Is this a call to trade? No. He is still the heart and soul of the team, but I think he is slowing down. He will still be the best player on the team.

Which is why I want Booker to use his NBA experience and be a playmaker for the Suns. I have maintained this stance for a while. Sorry, Eddie, you will not find support for your “aggressive” statement from me. I want him to act more like a mentor and a veteran. Something which he did not do in preseason, while passing up an excellent chance to bond with his on-court teammates.

Rod: I agree with one caveat…he needs to concentrate on his bread-and-butter mid-range game and limit his long-range three-point attempts. If they leave him alone at the three-point line, he should fire away, but otherwise I’d rather see him get closer to the FT line and get off one of his fadeaway mid-range jumpers that he’s so good at. We’re going to need him to average about 25 points and he can do that, and probably do it more efficiently, sniping from mid-range (and at the FT line) than bombing away from three.

As always, many thanks to our Fantable members for all their extra effort this week!

Quotes of the Week

“We have a lot of weapons, guys that can have a big night any night and we know that.” – Luke Kennard

“I love Luke (Kennard). You can plug and play him anywhere. He has a tremendous shot, knows how to play the game, and is not only a three-point shooter as you see. He can create for himself in the midrange; he’s got a great handle. He’s going to be another scorer for us coming off the bench. He guards; he stays in front. He was a perfect pickup for us this offseason, and I can’t wait for Phoenix to see all the types of games he’s going to have. He’s going to have some tremendous games.” – Dillon Brooks

“He (Ryan Dunn) has had a great camp so far. I’m sure it will continue because of the way he works.” – Jordan Ott

“For the team, whatever is asked of us, we’re going to do.” – Oso Ighodaro

Suns Trivia/History

Teams With The Most 2nd Chance PPG In The 2026-27 NBA Preseason

1. Boston Celtics — 26.0
2. Dallas Mavericks — 23.7
3. Houston Rockets — 23.3
4. Orlando Magic — 20.0
5. Portland Trail Blazers — 18.7
6. Cleveland Cavaliers — 18.0
7. Phoenix Suns — 17.8
8. Sacramento Kings — 17.8
9. Miami Heat — 17.5
10. New York Knicks — 16.4

From Stat Defender (Twitter/X)

On October 18, 1968, Dick Van Arsdale scored the Suns’ very first basket at Arizona Veterans Memorial Coliseum as Phoenix beat the Seattle Supersonics 116-107 in their inaugural regular season opener. Van Arsdale (21 pts), Gail Goodrich (27 pts) and Dick Snyder (20 pts) led the way in scoring with 68 of the Suns’ total points (58.6%). Goodrich and center George Wilson would share the honors of being the first two Suns players to ever record double-doubles, with Goodrich getting 27 pts and 10 assists and Wilson scoring 16 points while pulling down 19 rebounds. Goodrich was also just one rebound short of getting the first triple-double in Suns history.

On October 18, 1977, 6-time All-Star Walter Davis made his NBA debut for the Phoenix Suns in a 100-83 win over the Golden State Warriors. In his first-ever NBA game, Davis scored 20 points, grabbed 6 rebounds, and made 5 steals in 31 minutes.

On October 22, 1976, twin brothers Tom and Dick Van Arsdale played together in a game for the Phoenix Suns, becoming the first pair of twins to play for the same NBA club. Unfortunately, the Suns ended up losing the game 111-98 to the New Orleans Jazz.

On October 23, 1993, in the finals of the sixth McDonald’s Championship, held at the Olympiahalle in Munich, Germany, the Phoenix Suns defeated Italian League champion Buckler Bologna 112-90. Charles Barkley led all scorers with 28 points and was awarded the Drazen Petrovic Trophy as MVP of the tournament after scoring 52 points in two games.

The Week Ahead

Wednesday: Phoenix Suns @ Portland Trail Blazers, 7:00 pm AZ time

Saturday: Phoenix Suns vs Golden State Warriors, 7:00 pm AZ time

Important Future Dates

Oct. 19 – All rosters set for NBA Opening Day (5 p.m. ET)
Oct. 20 – 2026-27 NBA Season Begins
Oct. 24 – NBA G League Draft
Oct. 26 – NBA G League Training Camps open
Oct. 30 – Emirates NBA Cup 2026 Group Play tips off
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
March 1 – Playoff Eligibility Waiver Deadline
April 11 – 2026-27 Regular Season ends (All 30 teams play)
April 12 – Rosters set for NBA Playoffs 2027 (3 p.m. ET)
April 13-16 – SoFi NBA Play-In Tournament
April 17 – NBA Playoffs 2026 begin

After multiple weeks of waiting, the Lakers were finally able to see what it looked like when their Big 3 was on the floor together.

The results made it clear there’s plenty of room for growth.

With Luka Doncic, Austin Reaves and Walker Kessler available for Friday’s preseason finale loss to the Nuggets on Friday night at Crypto.com Arena, the wait to see how the team would look with its most consequential players alongside each other ended. 

Finally, the highly anticipated Doncic-Kessler pick and roll would be unleashed on an opposing team instead of held within the confines of the team’s practice floor. 

The 7-foot-2 center, who made his debut in Tuesday’s loss to the Warriors in Las Vegas, would be able to build off his first NBA game in nearly a year in a positive way and complement both of the team’s star guards.

And the Lakers’ wing defenders — this time with Matisse Thybulle and Ziaire Williams in the first unit in what could be a preview for the regular-season opener against the Warriors — would have their defensive anchor behind them, allowing them to be more aggressive with their perimeter defense. 

Some of this came to fruition. 

But other aspects left a lot to be desired.

The biggest among them: too many early turnovers, with the Lakers recording six giveaways by the end of the first quarter and 10 turnovers by the middle of the second.

It was evident that Kessler was adjusting to what his new life will look like when defenses load up on Doncic and Reaves, and the playmaking responsibilities that’ll come in those moments. 

“There’s going to be some growing pains, just lack of reps together so far,” Reaves said. “More than likely going to pick up on it sooner than later. So we’ll continue to grow that over the next couple days and be ready for Opening Night.” 

The growing pains didn’t take away from the good the Lakers were able to accomplish.

Sandro Mamukelashvili and Williams showed immediate connections with Doncic.

Kessler was able to get a better idea of what his life will look like in the short roll when Doncic and Reaves are blitzed in the pick and roll — a strategy that the Nuggets deployed early and often against the Lakers. 

“Obviously there’s a transitional period playing with both Luka and AR on the floor together,” Kessler said. “Kind of what I was saying before, about the blitz and ball screens and playing out of that pocket. I started to get it a little bit. Obviously Luka and AR are pretty used to that.”

The hiccups on Friday made it even more apparent how helpful it would’ve been for the Lakers to get more reps with their Big 3 on the court together. 

How certain rhythms and cadences can only be understood when players are on the court together against another team.

Coach JJ Redick made it clear his team will be ready to go when the games start to matter in the standings when they kick off the regular season against the Warriors on Wednesday.

Friday will be an important part in making sure Redick is correct.

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The Washington Wizards have signed Reece Beekman to a two-way contract, the team announced Saturday.

Beekman, 24, spent four seasons at Virginia before going undrafted in 2024. He spent his rookie season with the Golden State Warriors and later the Brooklyn Nets.

The 6-foot-3 guard played last season with the Osceola Magic — the Orlando Magic’s G League affiliate. He averaged 8.8 points, 4.6 assists and 1.9 steals per game.

Beekman excelled with Washington’s Summer League team in July. The stout defender capped his showing with a 13-point, 15-assist performance against the Atlanta Hawks’ Summer League squad.

He signed an Exhibit-10 contract with the Wizards and joined the team for training camp before inking a two-way deal. He joins Jamir Watkins and Felix Okpara as Washington’s two-way players, which means the team’s 2026-27 roster is now set.
G: Young | Johnson | Carrington | Mann
W: Dybantsa | George | Coulibaly | Riley
F: Davis | Champagnie | Middleton | Gill
C: Sarr | Ayton | Vukcevic
Two-way: Watkins | Okpara | Beekman

The Wizards also announced they waived Chris Livingston, Trevor Keels and Alondes Williams — all of whom had previously signed Exhibit 10 deals.

Teams can offer an ~$90k bonus to players who sign an Exhibit-10 contract and spend at least 60 days with their G League affiliate. It’s essentially an incentive for the players to sign with the Go-Go.

So, expect those three to sign with the Go-Go in the near future.

Former Spurs guard George Hill was once called Gregg Popovich’s favorite player. Trading the 2008 draft pick was a difficult decision for Pop and the Spurs, but it has yielded continued dividends.

For starters, it landed the Spurs Kawhi Leonard, Dāvis Bertāns, and draft rights to  Erazem Lorbek. Leonard helped bring the Spurs fifth NBA championship, picking up Finals MVP honors. The eventual trading of Kawhi Leonard started a domino effect that resulted in the Spurs drafting Keldon Johnson as well as multiple moves for which they still future draft picks.

Since moving on from the Spurs, Hill has maintained ties to the region. Most notably, the IUPUI standout has a 850-acre ranch outside San Antonio.

“Former NBA player George Hill @indianageorge3 reportedly owns a 850 acre ranch in Texas, home to more than 1,000 animals!“

According to Wikipedia, “He employs 16 ranch workers to tend to the big herbivores he houses on his ranch. There are dozens of species on the ranch such as fallow deer, sables, kangaroos, wildebeests, donkeys, elk, antelope, scimitar oryx, Arabian oryx, red lechwes, New Zealand red stags, kudus, ostriches, and zebras among others.”

Pretty impressive for a child from Indiana whose neighborhood growing up was smaller than the estate he currently owns.

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The preseason is over for the Celtics so here are ten things that we learned about the 2026-27 Celtics in the preseason.

1. Jayson Tatum is all the way back

The return of Jayson Tatum was a success. The end was disappointing but for him to look as good as he did that early off of the torn Achilles was a big deal for him and the Celtics.

This year is about getting back to peak Jayson Tatum and the preseason was an awesome start.

Tatum averaged 21.0 points, 6.5 rebounds, 5.0 assists and 1.5 steals per game on 48% from the field and 39% from three in 28 minutes per game in the two games he played in.

His two man game with Mitchell Robinson was one of the things that jumped off the page to me.

pic.twitter.com/GpOUiNvvap

— #LetsGoCeltics (@gobosceltics) October 17, 2026

— #LetsGoCeltics (@gobosceltics) October 17, 2026

pic.twitter.com/bumRblNDGU

— #LetsGoCeltics (@gobosceltics) October 17, 2026

— #LetsGoCeltics (@gobosceltics) October 17, 2026

Tatum was also scoring in all his typical ways, he has gotten really good at splitting the defense on pick and rolls and getting to the rim for a layup or dunk. His three point shot was very good, his defense was top notch, he was rebounding the ball, he was passing it well. He was doing all the things that he does when he is at his best,

Jayson Tatum is rounding into form and looks like he is ready to get back to All-NBA first team Jayson Tatum again and that is one of the reasons the Celtics ceiling could be really high.

One note I do have is that J.T. does need to get to the line more, one free throw over two games isn’t nearly enough. He can very easily increase his scoring by just getting fouled more.

2. Offensive rebounding is going to be a massive advantage

I wrote about this last week but the Celtics are going to dominate the offensive boards.

In their 4 preseason games, the Celtics had an offensive rebounding rate of 38.2%, which was the best in the preseason.

Dominating the margins is something that Joe Mazzulla talks a lot about and one of those margins is the offensive glass as he wants to create extra possessions.

Mitchell Robinson will play a big part in this. His is the best offensive rebounder in the NBA and on a team that is already really good at that, Robinson will fit right in. He was 2nd on the team for offensive rebounding in the preseason, Luka Garza lead Boston in that category.

3. Boston’s defense is so good and will force more turnovers

I also wrote about this but the Celtics are going go as far as their defense takes them. Boston is set up to have a defense on the level of the Thunder and Spurs. That is why I think this team has a high playoff ceiling.

The preseason only confirmed these beliefs.

In the 2 preseason games Boston played its starters, the Hornets had an offensive rating of 89.4 and the 76ers had an offensive rating of 95.5. It is the preseason and both Philly and Charolette were without some starters but the Celtics defense has looked very good.

One thing Boston has struggled with defensively in recent years is forcing turnovers. Last season, the Celtics ranked 23rd in opponent turnover percentage at 13.1%. In the two preseason games the starters played, the Sixers turnover percentage was 20.9% and the Hornets was 28.8% (they had 29 turnovers in the game).

Paul George is going to be a big part of the Celtics forcing more turnovers. In the game against the Sixers, George had 5 steals.

pic.twitter.com/ycfh0msxRP

— #LetsGoCeltics (@gobosceltics) October 17, 2026

— #LetsGoCeltics (@gobosceltics) October 17, 2026

Forcing turnovers matters, it creates a fast break opportunity to get an easy shot on offense and it is a possession where a team doesn’t get a shot up.

Brad Stevens and Joe Mazzulla know the Celtics need to create more turnovers and I expect them to do just that this season.

4. Payton Pritchard needs to start

Enough is enough, it is time for Joe Mazzulla to insert Payton Pritchard to the starting lineup.

I don’t know how much it really matters but starting the game with your 2nd best offensive player on the bench is just not something I think the Celtics should be doing. Pritchard is plain and simply too good to not start.

He had 25 points and 6 assists in his first preseason game and 19 points and 11 assists in his 2nd preseason game.

Let’s not over think this, teams should start their best players in the NBA and Pritchard is one of the Celtics best players. He is ready to be the starting point guard so let him be the starting point guard.

With that said, he probably won’t start and I will be annoyed on Twitter (I don’t like calling it X) every game he doesn’t.

not starting payton is so unserious

— jack (@janderson22_) October 14, 2026

(If they don’t start Payton, I’d rather start Baylor Scheierman than Jordan Walsh, who started three preseason games.)

5. Hugo Gonzalez is really good and will probably be every national TV color guy’s favorite Celtic

In the Celtics preseason finally on Friday in Philadelphia, Hugo Gonzalez had 21 points, 4 rebounds and 3 assists.

Hugo Gonzalez 21 PTS, 6/10 FG, 6/8 FT vs 76ers https://t.co/iPMqMjOPeS

— Every Bucket (@EveryBucketNBA) October 17, 2026

For the preseason, Gonzalez shot 63% from the field and 55% from three in the four games.

He plays with such hustle, is a really good defender and is usually always in the right spot. Every national TV color analyst is going to talk about how much they love Hugo all season.

In fact, Stan Van Gundy already said as much on the Zach Lowe Show this week.

(You need to watch past the part of them talking about how to say Sandro Mamukelashvili’s name to get to the Hugo love.)

Gonzalez is just really good. He makes a big impact on the game on both sides and is very quick in everything he does. His foot speed and decision making and chief among those.

I think there may be a world where Hugo gets Sixth Man of the Year love at the end of the season.

6. The Mitchell Robinson and Neemias Queta lineups are something I am interested in

In the Hornets game, Mazzulla unleashed a new look that had Robinson and Queta share the floor for a few minutes in the Hornets game.

Unfortunately I could not find what their plus minus or net rating was with them on the court but the eye test said it could work.

Now, it won’t be a thing in the playoffs but in the regular season, I would like to see Joe try it out and see what it looks like. Both guys are good defenders and Robinson’s ability to move his feet and guard on the perimeter helps that a lot.

The spacing could be clunky but there are ways to work around it.

Give me a heavy dose of Mitch and Neem in real games. With Tatum that’s dunk city. Can’t play off either of them or you can flow into a pick and roll or DHO, OREBs for days, mobility on defense + 2rim protectors.

— Trey (@TA1297) October 15, 2026

7. Neemias Queta threes might be a thing and I am not sure they should be

I remember the days when Luke Kornet stopped shooting threes and everyone wanted him to let them fly again. There was no need for Luke Kornet to shoot threes on those teams and I don’t think there is a need for Neemias Queta to shoot threes on this team.

Queta went 0/4 in the preseason however he did make the one with his toe on the line in the corner.

His TOENAIL was on the line 😅 https://t.co/ZXHlFuNycU

— Celtics on NBC Sports Boston (@NBCSCeltics) October 15, 2026

Let’s call him 1/5, which is 20%. If Neemy is going to be shooting 20% on threes, I don’t think he should be taking them. Now, it was pointed out several times in the broadcasts that Queta does take threes when he plays for Portugal in FIBA but he was 0/2 in quailfiers this year and 2/7 in Euros last year.

In a small sample size, it has not proven to be a good shot. As a result, I will remain a skeptic on Neemias Queta three point shots.

8. Dillon Mitchell jumps off the screen

My favorite moment of the preseason is when Dillon Mitchell sank a clutch pull up three in overtime of the Sixers game on Friday night.

DILLON MITCHELL CLUTCH RIP AND RUN PULL UP 3 WE LIVE https://t.co/V0CGZTQ6OA

— Nik Land | NikNBA🏀 (@NIKNBAYT) October 17, 2026

Mitchell was a bad three point shooter in college and if he can find that in the league, the Celtics could have a useful player. Everything else he does jumps off the screen when you are watching him.

He is a one of one athlete. How high he jumps and how fast he gets off the ground are two things that have stood out. He is also fast and has really long arms that make an impact on the defensive side of the court.

The three point shot is not promised to come but if it ever did, even if he just was consistently just above 30%, the Celtics could have a very good player on their hands.

Also, Sam Cassell used him as a small ball 5 in overtime on Friday, which is something make me raise my eyebrow.

9. Devin Carter was the right choice for the last two-way spot

Carter only played in one of the four preseason games but he was still able to secure the last two-way spot, according to Michael Scotto.

The Boston Celtics are converting Devin Carter to a two-way deal, league sources told @hoopshype. Carter averaged 8.9 points, 3.3 rebounds, and 2.7 assists in 18.4 minutes during 38 games for the Sacramento Kings last season. https://t.co/CZJQfZb4F6

— Michael Scotto (@MikeAScotto) October 17, 2026

Carter was a first round pick for the Sacramento Kings in 2024 and had an impressive debut for the Celtics in the win over the Cavaliers with 17 points, 5 rebounds, 3 assists and 2 steals. He flashed the potential that many thought he could show when he was the Big East Player of the Year for the Providence Friars in 2024.

He was all over the court in the game against Cleveland and he will have a chance to make a real impact on the Celtics this year.

He missed the last three preseason games due to an illness.

10. Preseason Champions!

The Celtics went 4-0 in the preseason and that means they are the preseason champions (please note: I don’t know if anyone else went undefeated in the preseason).

The last time the Celtics went undefeated in the preseason was 2019.