DALLAS, TX - APRIL 5: Cooper Flagg #32 of the Dallas Mavericks drives to the basket during the game against the Los Angeles Lakers on April 5, 2026 at American Airlines Center in Dallas, Texas. NOTE TO USER: User expressly acknowledges and agrees that, by downloading and or using this photograph, User is consenting to the terms and conditions of the Getty Images License Agreement. Mandatory Copyright Notice: Copyright 2026 NBAE (Photo by Nathaniel S. Butler/NBAE via Getty Images) | NBAE via Getty Images
Former Blue Devil Cooper Flagg had a tremendous rookie season last year, winning Rookie of the Year over former roommate and teammate Kon Knueppel.
What will he do for an encore? Well, it’s going to be interesting.
First, many fans think that he’s grown significantly. And at 19, that’s certainly possible. He entered the NBA at 6-9. If he’s now 6-10 or 6-11, with his mobility and skills, he’s that much more of a problem.
But that’s only part of the problem the rest of the NBA faces: according to his trainer, Matt MacKinzie, Flagg has put in the work to be significantly improved this season.
You can be sure he put a lot of time in the weight room as well. If he’s up to, say, 220, that would mean he’s gained 15 pounds. If he’s grown taller as well, he’s going to cause a lot of problems. And if he has improved his outside shooting, he’s going to be a nightmare.
ATLANTA, GEORGIA - APRIL 10: Nae'Qwan Tomlin #35 of the Cleveland Cavaliers goes to the basket for a dunk against the Atlanta Hawks during the fourth quarter at State Farm Arena on April 10, 2026 in Atlanta, Georgia. 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 Paras Griffin/Getty Images) | Getty Images
The NBA game forces players into boxes. They’re asked to play specific, and sometimes simple, roles to help the team. The best players can both fit into and transcend that box when they need to.
Nae’Qwan Tomlin’s unorthodox basketball upbringing has made him a unique player. He didn’t play in the AAU circuits or even in high school. Instead, his skills were developed through high-level pick-up games that reward all-around talent rather than someone who is just an expert at one or two things.
Most players come into the league having already been forced into their mold. Tomlin didn’t, meaning he possesses skills that are uncommon for someone in his position. Those are seen most when he’s running in the open court or when attacking off the dribble if a defender closes out too hard.
That versatility is intriguing. Yet, it means little if you ultimately can’t fit into the box that the NBA puts you in. This is what Tomlin needs to figure out this season.
The simplest offensive role for him would be as a stretch four who operates mostly from the corner since he isn’t a pick-and-roll finisher. The Cavs tried him in that role last season, but he struggled to make a positive offensive impact once opponents stopped closing out to him, aside from being a strong offensive rebounder.
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You can only attack closeouts if you’ve given your defender a reason to actually close out. Tomlin didn’t do that last season, as he went 26-for-107 (24%) on corner threes. That was the worst percentage for a power forward last season from that spot. That’s on pretty high volume as well, since over a third of his field-goal attempts came from the corner. It’s difficult to envision Tomlin as a valuable member of an NBA offense if this doesn’t drastically change.
Developing a corner three-point shot is easier said than done — especially for someone turning 26 this season. Even though Tomlin is younger than most in terms of basketball developmental years, he isn’t a young player waiting to mature physically. At 26, you typically are who you are.
Similar concerns are there defensively. Tomlin can nominally defend the three and the four, but last season he was often too slow to defend more athletic threes and wasn’t sturdy enough to hold his own in the paint against bulkier fours. This is partially why the Cavs were in the 37th percentile for defensive rebounding percentage when he was on the floor. Tomlin would be better served if he could guard at one of those positions well, as opposed to being in between both.
Tomlin is a jack of many trades, but a master of none. He isn’t a defensive specialist or a marksman. Those archetypes can work on their own, depending on how good a player is at their specialty. However, there isn’t often room on the court for someone who is merely passable at a lot of things. That is most useful if you can fit into a role first, and then expand your game from there.
Tomlin’s path to the league is nothing short of remarkable. His career has been an unquestioned success since the moment he signed his first NBA contract last season. Most players with his backstory don’t make it to this point. Yet, if he’s going to sign another contract or be more than the 13th man on a roster, it’ll be because he finds his role. And he’s running out of time to do so, considering this is the final year of his deal.
Just three seasons removed from an NBA championship and the Denver Nuggets suddenly feel like a team whose window to win is closing.
Yes, they have all-world center Nikola Jokić, and yes, they have Jamal Murray and plenty of other talented pieces. But key role players struggled to develop, and a debilitating salary cap situation have left the Nuggets in a precarious position.
So, while the Nuggets finished third in the West last season, they’ll need those role players to ease some of the pressure off Jokić and Murray, especially considering that the San Antonio Spurs, Oklahoma City Thunder and Minnesota Timberwolves — Denver’s three biggest threats in the conference — are each superb defensive teams.
Here's a breakdown of the Denver Nuggets' offseason moves and what to expect from them heading into the 2026-27 NBA season:
Strapped against the second apron, can this roster compete with the West’s best?
During the 2026 NBA Playoffs, the Nuggets suddenly looked old and slow. The Timberwolves harassed Denver’s role players, leaving much of the offensive responsibility to fall to all-world center and three-time Most Valuable Player Nikola Jokić and guard Jamal Murray. It became clear that the duo needed more help. Yet, because of Denver’s salary cap issues, major additions were going to be improbable, and the trade of ascending star Peyton Watson further depleted the roster. DeMar DeRozan is an excellent mid-range option, but he’s not enough to get the Nuggets past the Thunder and Spurs - perhaps even the retooled Timberwolves. Role players Cameron Johnson and Christian Braun disappointed last season, and they will need to prove their worth for Denver to make another push for a title.
Projected starting lineup and rotation
Starters
G Jamal Murray
G Christian Braun
F Cameron Johnson
F Aaron Gordon
C Nikola Jokić
Rotation players
G Tyus Jones
F DeMar DeRozan
F Marvin Bagley III
G/F Julian Strawther
G/F Spencer Jones
G Lonnie Walker IV
F Alpha Diallo
F Trevon Brazile
C Zeke Nnaji
F DaRon Holmes II
What to expect in 2026-27 season
A team that may see its championship window close. The Nuggets absolutely need a dose of good health from forward Aaron Gordon, the player who unlocks the entire offense. He missed three games in the postseason, and Denver’s offense stagnated. Cameron Johnson was an addition who mostly disappointed. Christian Braun regressed. The key for the Nuggets will be if those two return to form. The Nuggets still have the best offensive player in the world in Nikola Jokić and an All-Star in Jamal Murray, so they will be competitive. But it’s clear those two are not enough to carry the team to the top of the NBA, and Jokić, who turns 32 in February, may need some load management to ensure he’s fresh for the playoffs.
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For a team that has been at or near the top of the Eastern Conference for much of the past decade, this was something of a tumultuous offseason for the Boston Celtics.
Gone is Jaylen Brown, a mainstay All-Star who spent 10 seasons with the Celtics, his most recent being one in which he recorded a career-high 28.7 points per game. And in his place is veteran Paul George, which ushers in a new era for Boston, one in which star forward Jayson Tatum becomes the unquestioned face of the franchise.
None of this will change internal expectations for the Celtics, who always preach competition, culture and a pursuit of championships.
Here's a breakdown of the Boston Celtics' offseason moves and what to expect from them heading into the 2026-27 NBA season:
How will Jayson Tatum handle being the unquestioned No. 1 option?
There’s no doubt the partnership between Jayson Tatum, a six-time All-Star, and Jaylen Brown (five-time All-Star) was exceptional. The pair won the 2024 NBA Finals; and Brown, the Finals Most Valuable Player that year, was a reliable scoring threat. In the trade that shipped Brown to the 76ers, the most valuable asset returned was forward Paul George. There’s no way to spin this other than a downgrade for Boston; George is 36 and on the decline of his career and has seen his scoring production dip considerably.
Projected starting lineup and rotation
Starters
G Derrick White
G Payton Pritchard
F Paul George
F Jayson Tatum
C Neemias Queta
Rotation players
G Baylor Scheierman
G Ron Harper Jr.
G Mike Conley
G Hugo González
F Sam Hauser
F Jordan Walsh
F Chris Cenac Jr.
C Mitchell Robinson
C Luke Garza
What to expect in 2026-27 season
The starting lineup may be in flux, with the two-guard and center positions up for grabs. Baylor Scheierman emerged late in the season. Payton Pritchard has been a steady contributor for Boston, although he has shined coming off the bench. Mitchell Robinson was the big addition in the frontcourt, but Neemias Queta was a solid rim protecting option last season. Either way, the Celtics will need Tatum to take another massive step forward, as he becomes the clear-cut primary option. Teams will undoubtedly devote even more defensive attention to him, so George will need to do his part. Boston should give him free rein to shoot plenty of 3s, but, with a franchise cornerstone now gone, the Celtics may take a step back in an Eastern Conference that is suddenly deep. Boston, nonetheless, should remain a consistent threat to make a playoff push.
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The Milwaukee Bucks begin their first season without Giannis Antetokounmpo still dealing with the fallout of their drawn-out separation.
The franchise could match or improve upon last year's record thanks to the players it gained by trading Antetokounmpo this offseason and eliminating the distraction his uncertain future caused during the 2025-26 season. But the next era for the Bucks remains largely undefined in the immediate aftermath of Antetokounmpo's departure and the team's current salary cap situation suggests more moves are coming in this rebuild.
This roster, though, is full of expiring deals, tradeable contracts and no player capable of replacing Antetokounmpo in terms of talent or draw. Determining who should be part of Milwaukee's future, and getting in position for another high draft pick, could matter more than the win-loss record this season.
Here's a breakdown of the Milwaukee Bucks' offseason moves and what to expect from them heading into the 2026-27 NBA season:
F Bogoljub Markovic (No. 47 pick in 2025 NBA Draft)
F Malique Lewis (No. 60 pick in 2026 NBA Draft)
Key roster losses
F Giannis Antetokounmpo (trade)
F Bobby Portis (trade)
F Taurean Prince (trade)
G Gary Harris (trade)
Biggest question entering training camp
Is Tyler Herro part of the Bucks' long-term plans?
Herro was the most accomplished player included in the Antetokounmpo trade, with his $33 million salary needed to make the deal work financially. The 26-year-old is still a productive scorer and playmaker, but durability concerns and defensive shortcomings in recent seasons have complicated his long-term value. Herro is entering the final year of his contract and Milwaukee's front office will soon be faced with deciding whether to make Herro a core piece or trade him for more assets to use in its rebuild.
Projected starting lineup and rotation
Starters
G Ryan Rollins
G Tyler Herro
F Jaime Jaquez, Jr.
F Kyle Kuzma
C Myles Turner
Rotation players
G Kevin Porter Jr.
G Brayden Burries
G A.J. Green
G Gary Trent Jr.
F Ousmane Dieng
F Nate Ament
F/C Kel'el Ware
What to expect in 2026-27 season
Milwaukee knew life after Antetokounmpo would be difficult, and this season could be the most painful part of the transition. The Bucks have several veterans who don't fit their timeline and a collection of young players still finding their way in the NBA. This is a candidate to be one of the worst teams in the NBA this season, especially if Milwaukee's management embraces a full-on youth movement and sells off veterans for more assets at the trade deadline.
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The Phoenix Suns enter their second season with coach Jordan Ott at the helm.
Ott led the team to a playoff appearance in his first season but was swept by the Oklahoma City Thunder in the first round. It wasn’t the playoff run they were expecting after making it through the play-in tournament with a 1-1 record, after losing to the Portland Trail Blazers and beating the Golden State Warriors.
Devin Booker remains the focal point for the Suns, after leading the team in points (26.1) and rebounds (7.9) last season.
“He's the culture driver of what we've got going on,” Ott said about Booker during the play-in tournament. “He's a guy we are happy to have on our team. ... He's been through everything as a basketball player.”
The team will be without center Mark Williams, who is recovering from shoulder surgery after suffering a torn labrum. He led the team in rebounds (7.9) and blocks (0.9) last season. The Suns will likely lean on Oso Ighodaro to start the season at center. Williams is expected to miss close to five months after having the surgery in early September.
Here's a breakdown of the Phoenix Suns' offseason moves and what to expect from them heading into the 2026-27 NBA season:
How will Jalen Green perform for Phoenix when healthy?
Green was acquired as part of a seven-team trade along with Dillon Brooks and Khaman Maluach, but Green was limited in his first season with Phoenix. He played a career-low 32 games after suffering hamstring injuries. The Suns will be tasked with incorporating Green back into the starting lineup for the upcoming season. He shot 42.2% from the field and 31.3% from the three-point line.Booker would greatly benefit from having Green back in the lineup. Green could serve as a secondary option as a shot creator, using his athleticism and ability to create separation off the dribble.
Projected starting lineup and rotation
Starters
G Devin Booker
G Jalen Green
F Dillon Brooks
F Miles Bridges
C Oso Ighodaro
Rotation players
G Luke Kennard
G Collin Gillespie
G Jordan Goodwin
G Jamaree Bouyea
F Koa Peat
F Rasheer Fleming
F Ryan Dunn
C Mark Williams
C Khaman Maluach
C Duop Reath
What to expect in 2026-27 season
Ott helps break up a recent trend for the Suns, who had four different coaches in each of the past four seasons. The Suns still managed to reach the playoffs in five of the last six, including an appearance in the NBA Finals during the 2020-21 season.
While the Suns finished with a 1-5 record in the postseason last year, Phoenix is likely to be competing for a playoff spot again this season. Despite the offseason moves made across the league, the Western Conference remains stacked with several potential title contenders, leaving the Suns to fight for one of the final few spots.
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Kon Knueppel made 273 3-pointers as a rookie in the 2025-26 season – more than anyone else in the league – and no rookie had ever led the NBA in that category before. He nearly stole Rookie of the Year honors from Cooper Flagg.
Charlotte won 44 games last season, up from 19, in its best season since 2015-2016. Then the front office blew it up.
Ball has never competed in a playoff game in six seasons in Charlotte, though the team did beat the Miami Heat in the first round of the NBA Play-In Tournament last season. But Hornets president Jeff Peterson said the goal "isn't to get to the play-in or even the playoffs for one year."
His goal is build a team with sustained success.
Here's a breakdown of the Charlotte Hornets' offseason moves and what to expect from them heading into the 2026-27 NBA season:
Ball was infuriating, and he was also the answer to that question for six years. White has led a team as a primary ball handler in stretches with Chicago but has mostly been a scorer off a second option. Brandon Miller has the frame and the shot profile of a No. 1 option but has not stayed on the floor. Knueppel scored 17 or fewer in 12 of his last 15 games as a rookie.
Head coach Charles Lee now has more shooting, more defense and more bodies than he has ever had. But, he also has less shot creation than he had in April.
Projected starting lineup and rotation
Starters
G Coby White
G Kon Knueppel
F Brandon Miller
F Naz Reid
C Moussa Diabate
Rotation players
G Dennis Schroder
G Grayson Allen
F Royce O'Neale
F Dorian Finney-Smith
F Grant Williams
C Ryan Kalkbrenner
What to expect in 2026-27 season
A step back. Charlotte has said as much.
The Hornets ranked second in the league in offensive efficiency and net rating after the All-Star break, and the player who made most of that work now plays in Minnesota. What remains is a deep, connected defensive team with an enormous pile of somebody else's draft picks. Charlotte allowed 111.2 points per game last season, the stingiest mark in the division, and O'Neale and Dorian Finney-Smith should hold that line.
The play-in is reachable. Anything past it would be a shock. This roster is pointed at 2028, and the front office is not pretending otherwise.
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There will have to be significant internal improvements for that to change under former Orlando Magic coach Jamahl Mosley. The Pelicans were relatively healthy last season, with stars Trey Murphy III, Saddiq Bey and Zion Williamson each playing at least 62 games. New Orleans is also hoping for a more productive version of guard Dejounte Murray after he played in just 14 games following his return from a torn Achilles.
Yet Murphy, Bey and Murray have also been mentioned in trade rumors. Pelicans executive VP for basketball operations Joe Dumars has thus far resisted a full-fledged rebuild. How the first portion of this season goes should dictate what direction New Orleans takes around the trade deadline. Then again, many expected the Pelicans to recalibrate after last season went south, and they brought back their core.
Here's a breakdown of the New Orleans Pelicans' offseason moves and what to expect from them heading into the 2026-27 NBA season:
G Jason Pierre Jr. (No. 58 pick in 2026 NBA Draft)
F Trendon Watford (free agent signing)
Key roster losses
G Jordan Hawkins (trade)
F Micah Peavy (trade)
F/C Kevon Looney (free agent)
Biggest question entering training camp
Do the Pelicans' veterans fit with their youth?
The Pelicans won more games late last season when they played veterans at the expense of first-round picks Jeremiah Fears and Derik Queen for a stretch, but it also amplified concerns about the team's roster construction. One confusing offseason later, it's still unclear how Fears fits into the front office's plans after the recent signing of Mathurin, or whether Queen and Williamson can play on the floor together.
Projected starting lineup and rotation
Starters
G Dejounte Murray
G Saddiq Bey
G/F Trey Murphy III
F Herb Jones
F Zion Williamson
Rotation players
G Benedict Mathurin
G Jeremiah Fears
G Jordan Poole
F/C Derik Queen
C Yves Missi
What to expect in 2026-27 season
The Pelicans have enough intriguing talent to compete for a Western Conference play-in berth if the roster is intact for the entire season. But the same was true a year ago when this odd mix of developing young players and veterans without a defined role stumbled to one of the league's worst records. If Williamson isn't capable of being the franchise centerpiece New Orleans envisioned, the Pelicans seem more likely to break this core up than contend for the postseason.
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LAS VEGAS, NV - JULY 11: Ryan Nembhard #9 of the Dallas Mavericks dribbles the ball during the game against the Los Angeles Lakers on July 11, 2026 at the Thomas & Mack Center in Las Vegas, Nevada. NOTE TO USER: User expressly acknowledges and agrees that, by downloading and or using this Photograph, user is consenting to the terms and conditions of the Getty Images License Agreement. Mandatory Copyright Notice: Copyright 2026 NBAE (Photo by Candice Ward/NBAE via Getty Images) | NBAE via Getty Images
For the second time in the last two months, Gonzaga Bulldogs point guard Ryan Nembhard has been traded. This time, the Atlanta Hawks shipped him off, along with guard Buddy Hield and cash, to the Charlotte Hornets for forward Dorian Finney-Smith, per ESPN’s Shams Charania.
Charlotte plans to waive Nembhard, according to ESPN’s Ohm Youngmisuk, leaving the 23-year-old currently homeless. That doesn’t mean that the 5-11 primary ball handler won’t have many suitors with an open two-way spot, such as the favorite Denver Nuggets, plus the Boston Celtics, Chicago Bulls, Memphis Grizzlies, Milwaukee Bucks, New Orleans Pelicans, Philadelphia 76ers, Sacramento Kings, and Washington Wizards.
The Atlanta Hawks are trading Buddy Hield, Ryan Nembhard and cash to the Charlotte Hornets for Dorian Finney-Smith, sources tell ESPN. pic.twitter.com/bf3zzlZgVK
In his rookie season, Nembhard averaged 6.6 points on a shooting split of 41.5 field goal percentage/35.6 three-point percentage/80.6 free throw percentage, 5.3 assists, and 2.2 rebounds in 19.5 minutes across 60 appearances. He set an NBA rookie record with 23 assists in the Dallas Mavericks 2025-26 season finale against Chicago.
The undrafted lead guard, who has a way of controlling the floor and flow of any offense, averaged 8.0 points, 8.8 assists, 4.8 rebounds, 1.0 steals, and 1.0 blocks over two games with Dallas in the NBA Summer League, before dealing with an unknown illness that kept him out for the final three games.
Nembhard also competed with his home country of Canada during the third window of the 2026 FIBA World Cup Qualifiers over the summer.
Arden Cravalho is a Gonzaga University graduate from the Bay Area… Follow him on X @a_cravalho
Right now, things are looking pretty good for Kawhi Leonard.
He agreed to a two-year, $115 million contract extension with the Raptors on Tuesday, including a player option for the 2028-29 season. The 35-year-old, who’s now under contract for three years, is expected to finish his career with the Raptors, according to ESPN.
Meanwhile, the Clippers — and their fans — have pretty much had a limb amputated.
LA Clippers forward Kawhi Leonard reacts on the court during the fourth quarter of a game against the New York Knicks at Madison Square Garden, Jan. 7, 2026. Charles Wenzelberg / New York Post
Following the NBA’s investigation into the Clippers and Leonard for violating salary cap circumvention rules when the team signed him to an extension in 2021, Clippers owner Steve Ballmer was suspended for one year, the Clippers were ordered to forfeit five first-round draft picks and they were fined $30 million, among other penalties.
As for Leonard?
He got a $700,000 fine, which is pretty much a slap on the wrist, as well as having his uncle and former agent, Dennis Robertson, banned from all business dealings and league activities for five years.
Leonard wasn’t suspended. HIs trade to the Raptors went through. So, now he gets a fresh start alongside a team that he carried to a championship in 2019.
Not too bad.
This isn’t entirely over, though. The Justice Department has opened a criminal inquiry into the Clippers’ dealings with Leonard, according to The New York Times.
But as of now, Leonard gets to move forward while his former franchise will trudge through mud for the foreseeable future, an unfortunate situation for a team that has never won a championship while sharing a city with the 17-time champion Lakers.
As for Leonard. there are complaints that he’s getting off relatively scot-free. It’s unclear how much Leonard knew when he profited from no-show sponsorship deals involving Ballmer and the Clippers.
What we do know is Leonard signed a four-year, $28 million sponsorship deal with Aspiration and was given $20 million of equity in the company that went bankrupt. He also signed a deal with Boingo, Daktronics and Lockton, per the NBA’s findings.
FILE – Los Angeles Clippers owner Steve Ballmer sits on the sideline before an NBA basketball game against the Chicago Bulls on March 13, 2026, in Inglewood, Calif. AP Photo/Ryan Sun
At the least, this raises a lot of questions.
Should Leonard have received a harsher punishment? How much was his uncle to blame? How blameless was he? Does this set a bad precedent for players in the future? Were the penalties leveraged against Ballmer and the Clippers enough to prevent this kind of thing from happening again?
Without being privy to every interview in the NBA’s lengthy investigation of the matter, it’s impossible to know the answer to these questions.
But all of it raises eyebrows.
In the meantime, one of the best two-way players of the last decade will be able to finish his career with dignity.
Instead of being mired in scandal, he’s going to be focused on carrying a franchise that hasn’t made it past the first round of the playoffs in the last six years back to relevance.
The same can’t be said about the Clippers, whose fans are the biggest losers in all of this.
They lost Leonard. Their future was dealt a debilitating blow. Their owner has been temporarily banished.
The Clippers’ curse continues.
And Leonard escaped its throes in the nick of time.
Chris Spatola, a former Duke staffer from 2007 to 2012 and the son-in-law of legendary coach Mike Krzyzewski, died suddenly at age 47 on Monday, Sept. 21, Duke and ESPN confirmed in separate statements.
Spatola, who was also a college basketball analyst for ESPN and SiriusXM for more than a decade, played college basketball at Army, where his father-in-law got his coaching start. Spatola was a four-year starter who served in the Army upon his graduation before joining Coach K's staff. The Blue Devils won a championship in that span, in 2010, with now-Duke head coach Jon Scheyer as part of that team.
We write to you to share the incredibly difficult news that Chris Spatola passed away unexpectedly yesterday. Many of you have gotten to know Chris over the years as our funny and sharp witted K Academy emcee and hugely passionate and dedicated coach.
Chris was married to Coach K and Mickie's daughter, Jamie, and they shared 3 bright and delightful children. Chris served for the US Army, was a former member of our coaching staff, and a truly gifted basketball commentator. Chris was a huge part of our Duke Basketball and K Academy family.
Please see below for a statement from the Krzyzewski Family:
“There are no words to adequately express our heartbreak over the loss of our beloved Chris Spatola. Chris served our country, was a devoted husband and father, and was such an important part of our family. We are deeply grateful for the outpouring of love, thoughts, and prayers we have received during this incredibly difficult time. We respectfully ask for privacy as our entire family, particularly Jamie and her three beautiful children, grieve and process this unimaginable loss.”
ESPN also published a statement on Spatola's passing.
“Chris Spatola brought a unique perspective to ESPN’s college basketball coverage, shaped by his experiences as a student-athlete, Army veteran, coach and broadcaster," the network wrote. "He was thoughtful, prepared and passionate about the sport, earning the respect of colleagues, coaches, players and fans alike. We extend our heartfelt condolences to his loved ones during this difficult time.”
LOS ANGELES, CA - APRIL 29: Dorian Finney-Smith of Rockets warms up before the NBA playoffs game 5 between Los Angeles Lakers and Houston Rockets at the Crypto.com Arena on April 29, 2026 in Los Angeles, California, United States. (Photo by Tayfun Coskun/Anadolu via Getty Images) | Anadolu via Getty Images
The Atlanta Hawks have acquired forward Dorian Finney-Smith from the Charlotte Hornets, in exchange for guards Buddy Hield, Ryan Nembhard and cash considerations, the team announced today.
[…]
Hield was acquired by the Hawks on Feb. 5, 2026, from the Golden State Warriors, along with Jonathan Kuminga, in exchange for Kristaps Porzingis.
Nembhard was acquired by the Hawks on July 19, 2026, from the Dallas Mavericks, as part of a three-team transaction.
Finney-Smith is a veteran 3-and-D forward who can play multiple positions and provide defensive versatility. He’s coming off a season with the Rockets where he only managed 37 appearances due to a left ankle surgery last offseason.
He is owed around $14.2 million for this season with his next season’s $13.3 million figure completely unguaranteed. Hield and Nembhard make a combined total of around $11.8 million meaning the Hawks pushed themselves up towards the luxury tax line — but in the process they did shed $3 million in future money.
If Finney-Smith can rediscover his form he showed in previous stops in Dallas and Brooklyn, he could be a very valuable bench contributor.
NEW YORK, NEW YORK - FEBRUARY 09: Head Coach Jordi Fernandez of the Brooklyn Nets instructs his team against the Chicago Bulls in the second half at Barclays Center on February 09, 2026 in New York City. 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 Evan Bernstein/Getty Images) | Getty Images
What marks the first day of autumn on most people’s calendars is just another checkpoint for the Brooklyn Nets, but it’s a key one at that.
As of today, September 22, the Nets are one month removed from the start of their 2026-27 season, which will tip off in the Barclays Center against the Charlotte Hornets on October 21. It’ll mark the team’s 60th season as a franchise, which will also be celebrated all year long.
But while the one month break is significant point to surpass, and we’ll be crossing days off with little-to-no reserve from now until October 21st, several other big days are on deck first. Here’s everything you need to keep an eye out for as we come down this home stretch:
Media Day & Fan Fest
This coming Monday, on September 28th, the media will meet with Sean Marks, Jordi Fernández, and Nets players for their annual media day at HSS Training Center in Brooklyn. It’ll be the first time Marks and Fernández will be made available since the days following the NBA draft. In years past, Media Day has been nothing short of eventful…
Soon after, on October 4th, the Nets will host Fan Fest in Crown Heights. The event looks like an upgraded version of Practice in the Park, though more concentrated on the team’s 60th anniversary rather than the upcoming season alone. There will be panels, interviews, fan Q&As, skills clinics, 3-point contests.
The Preseason
Two days after that, on October 6th, the Nets will play their preseason opener, also against the Hornets but on the road. There, Brooklyn has a shot to get the first look at Naz Reid and former Net Dennis Schröder on their new teams.
Dennis Schröder Nets highlights so good, you’d think it’s a 10-minute feature film 🎬 pic.twitter.com/hp0wnFqqff
Then, on October 8th, the Nets will have their only preseason game at home, hosting the Philadelphia 76ers at the Barclays Center. It’s unlikely the 41-year-old LeBron James plays in that one, but you never know.
On October 12th, they’ll hit the road again to get their first look at AJ Dybantsa and the Washington Wizards. Brooklyn will then wrap things up two days later in Miami on October 14th against the new look Heat, possibly facing old rival Giannis Antetokounmpo in his new threads.
The Charlotte and Washington games will be broadcasted exclusively on DAZN. The Miami and Philadelphia games will be on both DAZN and the YES Network, the two networks announced Tuesday.
Final Steps
After the preseason, Brooklyn will need to make any final roster cut down decisions by October 19th. However, the team already appears set with 15 players on standard contracts and their three two-way slots filled. There will be announceement
Then, on October 21st, it’s game time. As mentioned, the Nets will host the Hornets at the Barclays Center, with the opener scheduled to tip off at 7:30 p.m. EST. The starting line-up? Don’t expect much until Jordi Fernandez meets the media just before tipoff. With that, the wait will be over.
PHOENIX, AZ - MARCH 22: Collin Gillespie #12 and Jalen Green #4 of the Phoenix Suns look on after the game against the Toronto Raptors on March 22, 2026 at PHX Arena in Phoenix, Arizona. NOTE TO USER: User expressly acknowledges and agrees that, by downloading and or using this photograph, user is consenting to the terms and conditions of the Getty Images License Agreement. Mandatory Copyright Notice: Copyright 2026 NBAE (Photo by Barry Gossage/NBAE via Getty Images) | NBAE via Getty Images
Many NBA teams can look you in the eye and say they have talented bench units, and they’d be right. The Oklahoma City Thunder, with Ajay Mitchell, Jared McCain, and Jaylin Williams; the New York Knicks, with Deuce McBride, Landry Shamet, and Jose Alvarado; and the San Antonio Spurs, with Keldon Johnson and Dylan Harper, all have cases for boasting some of the deepest rosters in the league. But how many of them think they have six starters?
Steve Kerr used that term to describe the 2023-24 Golden State Warriors heading into the season after the team traded for Chris Paul. Paul was coming off a season in which he helped the Suns finish fourth in the West and ranked fifth in the NBA in assists per game. Despite their struggles on the road the season before, the Warriors had one of the best starting lineups in the league and were adding a player who had made his third straight All-Star appearance in 2021-22. While the Suns’ starting lineup during the 2025-26 campaign wasn’t as strong as the Warriors’ was before they added Paul, one major contributor to Phoenix’s surprising success last year is slated to start this season on the bench.
Collin Gillespie.
Gillespie started 70% of the team’s games last season and averaged career highs in nearly every statistical category. He’s now slated to be the Suns’ first man off the bench, with Jalen Green taking his place in the starting backcourt alongside Devin Booker. While the team had a better record when Gillespie didn’t start (Phoenix was 30-28 in his starts and 15-9 when he didn’t), he played an integral part in the team’s rotations and helped Phoenix reach the playoffs in a season expected to be marked by regression. The Suns also had a higher winning percentage when Gillespie started than when Green did, and their worst stretch of the season came while Green was starting.
Some of Gillespie’s best games of the 2025-26 season came in starts: his 28-point, eight-three-pointer game against the Lakers, his 30-point double-double against the Trail Blazers, and his 25-point outing against the Wizards. With Green out for most of the season, Gillespie took on many of his starting guard responsibilities and provided floor spacing and another ballhandler alongside Booker.
With Green playing a major role for the 2024-25 Houston Rockets, who finished second in the Western Conference with 52 wins, and averaging at least 17 points in four straight seasons, he has proven himself as a consistent scorer. While his efficiency remains a concern, his upside and experience as a starter helping teams develop put him firmly in the starting guard spot next to Booker. But this isn’t about comparing Green to Gillespie; it’s about whether Gillespie is a starting-level guard.
At the end of last season, Gillespie struggled mightily, averaging 7.7 points, 3.9 rebounds, and 3.3 assists on 34.1/28.1/85.7 shooting splits in his final 15 games of the regular season. But his body of work for the season is more important than how he ended it, considering the injuries Phoenix dealt with late in the season and the adjustment of reinserting Dillon Brooks and Booker into the starting lineup after their injuries.
The biggest difference for Collin Gillespie from last year to this year (outside of his paycheck) is that the team knows he’s capable of playing heavy minutes and contributing to winning. The question, however, is whether his performance a season ago showed he’s ready for a larger role and capable of consistently starting, rather than doing so out of necessity.
When it comes to the Lakers’ lineup rotation for 2026-27, it’ll look a lot different for the team and coach JJ Redick compared to when the 2025-26 season ended just a few months ago.
While there are multiple players guaranteed to be featured in the Lakers’ rotation as long as they’re healthy and available, there are still several spots to fill.
In light of training camp starting next week, and preseason games kicking off in 1 ½ weeks, here is the California Post’s best projection for what the Lakers’ rotation will look like once the regular season tips off in a month:
Starting lineup locks
Austin Reaves and Luka Doncic are locks to start as the Lakers’ star players. NBAE via Getty Images
Luka Doncic, Austin Reaves, Walker Kessler
Let’s get the easy decisions out of the way.
Doncic and Reaves are the Lakers’ star players, and were the league’s highest-scoring duo during the 2025-26 regular season.
In addition to sending the Jazz two unprotected first-round draft picks and two protected first–round picks, the Lakers are paying Kessler at least $30 million in each of the next few seasons after having interest in him the last few years.
They didn’t make that investment to bring him off of the bench.
Doncic, Reaves and Kessler are sharpied as starters.
He played in all 82 regular season games for the Lakers in 2025-26, but started nearly half of the season when one (or multiple) of the regular starters were sidelined. It’s clear he won the trust of the Lakers’ coaching staff. And at 25 years old, he has room to grow as a player. His familiarity with Doncic and Reaves helps, too.
Jake LaRavia should be the Lakers’ fifth starter. NBAE via Getty Images
The Lakers made a significant investment in Mamukelashvili, signing the 6-foot-9 big man to a four-year, $52 million contract. He’ll be the first or second option off of the bench for the power forward or small-ball center looks.
Redick mentioned in May that the team needed to improve with dribbling, passing and shooting.
Collin Sexton (left) and Jake LaRavia (right) should be locks for the Lakers’ regular rotation. REUTERS
Outside of Doncic and Reaves, Sexton and Mamukelashvili provide the best combination of all three skills.
Williams, a lottery pick in 2021, has untapped potential entering his sixth season in the NBA.
Thybulle is the Lakers’ best perimeter defender, even if there are questions about his durability after playing a combined 45 regular season games the last two seasons.
The Lakers have used nine- and 10-men rotations under Redick.
If the plan is to have a 10-man rotation, there will be a fierce competition for the final spot.
Each player brings distinct strengths and weaknesses.
Vanderbilt is the best defender, but his lack of shooting can cramp the offensive spacing alongside a traditional big man.
Jarred Vanderbilt should have a legitimate shot at being in the Lakers’ rotation as the 10th man. Alonzo Adams-Imagn Images
Looney remains a high-level screener and rebounder, but he’s coming off of playing 21 regular season games for a Pelicans team that chose to have multiple big men ahead of him in the depth chart.
Carr is the best shooter of the group and provides vertical athleticism, but needs to get stronger to be a reliable defender on the wings.
Thiero is the best athlete but needs to refine his skills.
Mamukelashvili’s ability to be a floor-spacing center opens up an opportunity for Vanderbilt to be the swiss-army knife defender the Lakers would benefit from in the frontcourt next to Mamukelashvili.
Thiero may be the Lakers’ long-term focus, but Vanderbilt should be ready to contribute more to winning from Day 1 and be in the rotation to start the season.
There should be opportunities for Thiero and Carr to get minutes, but they’ll have to earn that playing time, starting with next week’s camp.
