Throughout Aaron Holiday’s NBA career, he was known as a reliable guard, a great locker-room presence, and, of course, one of the three Holiday brothers in the NBA.
Even though Holiday never reached the heights of his older brother Jrue, he was always a sought-after player throughout his eight-year career because of his ability to be not only a reliable ball handler but also an above-average 3-point shooter and, as mentioned before, a great teammate. Even though he never averaged double digits in a season, he was the type of player any contender would love to have on their bench.
That’s exactly what Holiday provided for the Rockets in his three seasons with the team. Holiday only started five games during that time, but Ime Udoka knew Holiday would come in and provide steady play even if he hadn’t played meaningful minutes in weeks.
It isn’t easy finding players like that in today’s NBA, and that is why Udoka trusted him in some late-game situations. Holiday’s best season with the Rockets was the first season in 2023 when he averaged 16.3 minutes, 6.6 points, and 1.8 assists per game.
The Rockets called on Holiday when they wanted a veteran presence on the court or were dealing with injuries, especially in his first season with the team. That is why the Rockets brought him back year after year. However, with Fred VanVleet returning this season, the addition of Marcus Smart, and the emergence of Reed Sheppard, there wasn’t much room left in the backcourt.
Aaron Holiday to play overseas this upcoming season
Holiday entered the 2026 offseason as a free agent, and after weighing his options, the veteran decided to take his talent to Europe, signing with Maxima Roma in Italy’s top league. Even though it hasn’t been reported why Holiday decided to forgo the NBA for the time being, the opportunity to play more minutes more than likely factored into his decision.
Holiday will join other former NBA player Xavier Moon, who played a few seasons with the Los Angeles Clippers but mostly with their G League team before eventually making his way to Maxima Roma, signing earlier this month.
Holiday, however, has not closed the door on an NBA return, as several NBA teams reportedly showed interest in the guard this offseason. Holiday has an out clause in his current contract that lets him return to the NBA if all requirements are met, so there is a chance we see Aaron Holiday back in the NBA at some point in the 2026-27 season. Holiday is still only 29, and with his willingness to play any role a team needs and his reliability when called upon, dont be surprised if Holiday isn’t back contributing in the NBA next season.
SANTA MONICA, CA - APRIL 5: Elisa Stad and Founder of Dragoneer Investment Group Marc Stad attend the 11th Annual Breakthrough Prize Awards and Ceremony at the Barker Hangar in Santa Monica of Los Angeles, California, United States on April 5, 2025. (Photo by Tayfun Coskun/Anadolu via Getty Images) | Anadolu via Getty Images
The Minnesota Timberwolves and Lynx have a new majority owner after founder and partner of the Dragoneer Investment group, Marc Stad, bought majority shares from Marc Lore to become the controlling owner.
American business leader Marc Stad has completed a deal to become the controlling owner and largest shareholder of the NBA’s Minnesota Timberwolves and WNBA’s Minnesota Lynx by buying the majority of co-owner Marc Lore’s stake at a $4.5 billion valuation, sources tell ESPN. pic.twitter.com/EUvuf9SGkQ
In a sale that seemingly came out of nowhere in the eyes of the general public, ESPN’s Shams Charania reported that Marc Stad bought Marc Lore’s shares to become the majority owner of both Minnesota pro basketball franchices. Lore and Alex Rodriguez started their multiple-year purchase of these teams in 2021 in a unique process from long-time owner Glen Taylor in sections. After the drama that ensued with this agreement between the two groups, culminating in full control of the team just over a year ago, Minnesota will undergo another ownership change.
Marc Stad was a part of the initial group as a minority investor with Marc Lore and Alex Rodriguez to purchase the team and has been working for the last few months to become the majority owner per Sharania.
According to The Athletic’s Jon Krawczynski, Alex Rodriguez is staying on in his same role with the teams and will work in tandem with Marc Stad in a similar capacity to the Lore-Rodriguez pairing. He will remain the “front-facing” member of the ownership group. Another wrinkle, as Krawczynki reported, is that Stad’s wife, Elisa, would be the “designated governor” for the Timberwolves, while Rodriguez remains in that same role with the Lynx.
Marc Lore is expected to stay on as a minority owner.
The franchise valuation was at $4.5 billion dollars which was three times the amount that Marc Lore and Alex Rodriguez bought the team for in 2021.
Full joint statement on stunning Timberwolves sale:
“We have been working together for years with a shared goal of building the Timberwolves and Lynx into the best organization in basketball on and off the floor. Our priority is and always will be championships. Our new…
While it is always a bit scary when new owners take over, especially with the recent drama coming from other organizations such as the Portland Trail Blazers and their new owner, or the Los Angeles Lakers Buss Family saga.
Minnesota fans should be encouraged with the continuity of Rodriguez staying on in the same capacity, and the fact that Stad was already a minority owner in the organization. Keeping some semblance of the leadership structure that has been guiding the Timberwolves massive offseason and the Lynx dominant season could be key.
Marc Lore and Alex Rodriguez had to go to court, fighting former owner Glen Taylor over the sale of the Minnesota Timberwolves and Lynx. Last June, Lore/Rodriguez were finally approved as the new owners and took control of the franchise.
Stad was a minority investor in the Lore/Rodriguez ownership group, now he and Lore are essentially switching places, with Rodriguez taking on a slightly larger stake — this will be the Stad/Rodriguez ownership group now. Marc's wife, Elisa Stad, will take over as team governor, according to Charania. She has a corporate executive background with a focus on consumer branding.
Rodriguez will remain the public face of the ownership group and be heavily involved with both the Timberwolves and Lynx, according to the reports.
Which means there will be little change on the ground for the franchise. For example, the plans to find a location and build a new arena for the Timberwolves in the Twin Cities will remain — this is not an ownership change where the new guy seems to want to move the team, as feels like the case in Portland. There are no planned shakeups on the basketball side of operations. Ultimately, this should feel more like a reorganization of the ownership group than a dramatic sale, as is ongoing with the Los Angeles Lakers.
That said, Lore is flipping his shares for a nice profit, the team had a valuation of $1.5 billion when he and Rodriguez agreed to a purchase price in 2021. Lore reportedly will step back from the basketball teams to focus on taking Wonder, a food delivery and takeout business he is leading through a public IPO process.
Stad is the founder and managing partner of Dragoneer Investment Group, which manages more than $35 billion in capital, according to Forbes.
Lore and Rodriguez agreed to buy the Timberwolves and Lynx from Taylor back in 2021 for a valuation of $1.5 billion, but it was an unusual three-part installment plan. When it came time for the third installment in 2024 and for Lore/Rodriguez to take control of the team, Taylor tried to pull out of the deal, saying Lore/Rodriguez had not lived up to the terms of the sale. That led to a war of words and then a war of lawyers in court, with Lore/Rodriguez ultimately winning and taking full control of the team last June.
Lore made significant changes in how the franchise was run, not the least of which was mending fences with Timberwolves icon Kevin Garnett. KG's No. 21 will finally be retired this season. Lore also paid up to recruit head of basketball operations Tim Connelly from Denver, and he built a roster that reached two consecutive Western Conference Finals. This past offseason, Connelly made a major and aggressive pivot for the organization, bringing in LaMelo Ball via trade to pair with Anthony Edwards. Under the new ownership, Connelly will still have the freedom to be aggressive in pursuit of winning.
While the Board of Governors must approve this sale, with Stad already being vetted as a minority owner of the team, this will be more of a formality.
WASHINGTON, DC - MARCH 16: Trae Young #3 of the Washington Wizards drives to the basket during the game against the Golden State Warriors on March 16, 2026 at Capital One Arena in Washington, DC. 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 Kenny Giarla/NBAE via Getty Images) | NBAE via Getty Images
In mid-August, we’re still a little far away from nailing down precisely how the Wizards will set up their rotation. The question remains as to how the Wizards will fill their final roster spot, whether with DeMar DeRozan, Anthony Gill, or somebody else.
But with a new-look roster likely featuring three new starters, there are some interesting questions lingering about how the Wizards will align their rotation. They are now attempting to toe the tricky line of rising up the standings quickly while also empowering a group of young players.
Let’s talk through some of the most interesting questions.
How often do they pair Trae Young and Tre Johnson?
Depending on Johnson’s development, this question could quickly become a defining one for this era of the Wizards. It is harder than ever now in the NBA to put two small guards who are below-average defensively on the court together for heavy minutes.
Young’s defense comes and goes, to be charitable, and Johnson faces an uphill battle to reach a passable level on that end given his slight frame. But Johnson is also likely too good to be shunted off to play only when Young sits, which might only be for around 15 minutes a game.
The most interesting (temporary) solution here is stealing a few minutes each game where Young and Johnson play alongside as many good defenders as the Wizards can muster at a time. This could even mean pulling a Cleveland Cavaliers and pairing the two guards with the two star bigs, though with Johnson coming off the bench, it could be difficult for Brian Keefe to organize the rotation that way.
Still, the idea of Johnson playing alongside a distributor like Young is an intriguing one. Johnson often worked off the ball last season as a movement shooter, coming off pindowns and dragging his defender around. By heavily staggering the two, Johnson would naturally step into a role as the backup point guard, which could orient him away from his strengths as a shooter.
Could Bub Carrington’s role diminish?
There is a crowded group of Wizards that need and deserve minutes off the bench. I wonder if Carrington and his unusual set of strengths and weaknesses could be minimized.
The central question of Bub Carrington is whether it’s possible for an on-ball guard to make a positive impact while treating the paint like lava. (This is very Pelicans-era Lonzo Ball coded.) Carrington shoots 40 percent from three on good volume and managed 4.6 assists last season, but he almost never shot the ball near the rim.
Instead, he often hot-potatoed the ball away or launched a (relatively efficient) pull-up. He shot just 0.8 times per game inside five feet, one of the lowest numbers in the league. Most of the others in that range are low-usage role players or specialty shooters. Carrington, by contrast, was running frequent pick-and-rolls.
The Wizards need more offensive diversity and off-the-dribble creation that empowers the collective. Carrington works hard on defense, but he’s only 6’4 and can have trouble staying attached to the elites of the league. He’ll have to expand his game and settle into a different niche to fit into a Wizards team that wants to play winning basketball.
How does Bilal Coulibaly fit into the new-look set-up?
The status of Coulibaly, whose development has somewhat disappointingly stalled, is now in question as the Wizards plan to start Alex Sarr and Anthony Davis. Coulibaly’s struggles to space the floor make his fit dicey in the Wizards’ best lineups.
Of course, no one is assuming that Davis is going to be healthy all year. Despite the presence of Deandre Ayton, there will be plenty of single-big minutes to go around. Keefe will have decisions to make about how he’ll integrate Coulibaly, but it would make sense to pair him with Sarr and minimize the impacts on spacing.
Kyshawn George and Will Riley, though, are going to get their shares of minutes around AJ Dybantsa. That’s a lot of forwards. Coulibaly is more defense-oriented and a more natural power forward than those guys, but he’ll likely have to show more juice offensively to beat out those guys for minutes.
LOS ANGELES, CALIFORNIA - JANUARY 18: Sandro Mamukelashvili #54 of the Toronto Raptors dribbles the ball against Luka Doncic #77 of the Los Angeles Lakers during the first quarter at Crypto.com Arena on January 18, 2026 in Los Angeles, California. The Los Angeles Lakers defeated the Toronto Raptors 110-93. 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 Katelyn Mulcahy/Getty Images) | Getty Images
The constant turmoil of the Buss family feud continues to linger around the Lakers franchise, but as they say, the show, or in this case the basketball, must go on.
Amid the noise, superstar Luka Dončić’s mini camp begins this week. All the participating players were pictured boarding and taking off to Slovenia on Wednesday.
A hopeful key contributor this season on board is Sandro Mamukelashvili, general manager Rob Pelinka’s most out-of-the-box signing of the summer. Listed at 6’9 and 240 pounds, the sharpshooting big man brings an essential stretch-five element with versatility at the forward position the Lakers have been in dire need of.
The heavily offensively-lenient big man comes in immediately as a dream fit around Luka and Austin Reaves. As with any supporting player, it starts with his ability to shoot and spread the floor. In a career year with the Raptors last season, Mamu shot 38.9% from 3-point range on 3.7 attempts per game.
He gives the Lakers a pick-and-pop option they didn’t have. In the clip below, Mamu is the center in a small-ball group for the Raptors, something he did often.
Toronto is spaced five out to maximize driving lanes. Mamu sets a ball screen up high with the opposing big man in drop coverage, sitting back in the paint waiting for the ball handler to engage. It’s an easy drive and kick back pass for a spot-up 3-pointer against a late contest.
He hits 3-pointers from all over the floor in any situation. He has a quick release with solid footwork on relocation and movement shots on off-ball screen actions. Playing with constant downhill forces like Scottie Barnes and Brandon Ingram, he used their attention to become a release valve.
The shooting opens the door for Mamu to show off his versatility. Modern big men not only must hit shots from the perimeter but handle the ball and make quick dribble-pass-shoot decisions. Mamu fits the bill.
In the Raptors system, he’d have offense run through him as the ball handler, showing comfort in coming up and making decisions in a variety of inverted actions. He collected dribble hand-offs like shown in the clip below, able to put the ball on the floor for drives and attacking closeouts.
Mamu finished 71% of his shots in the restricted area for the Raptors, second best on the team.
He also averaged just under two assists per game last season, exhibiting the ability to read and take advantage of defenses. He found teammates on kick-out passes or nifty back door bounces on overplays like the one below.
LA clearly opted for more youth and athleticism this summer, hoping to play a faster style with their dynamic backcourt. Mamu is an elite finisher in transition and brings an uptempo flair with his push-the-pace game.
He scores 21.7% of his points on the break and is in the 85th percentile in efficiency. He changes ends seamlessly as a fluid athlete and is versatile, able to hit 3-pointers as the trailer or collect posters, as shown on the unsuspecting Derrick White.
Mamu had career numbers across the board for the Raptors last season in 21.9 minutes per game, including 4.9 rebounds a night. At 27, the Lakers hope those numbers scale up with a bigger role and more minutes.
LA signed Mamu to a four-year, $52 million deal, and most, if not all, is tied to his offense.
Defense is where the question marks arise, and it’s the main reason his minutes dropped precipitously in the playoffs. He was targeted in the postseason on switches and ended up earning just under nine minutes in the Game 7 loss to the Cavs.
Toronto finished with a top-10 defense last season and was better on that end overall with Mamu on the court. All the smarts he uses on the offensive end transfer over when he crosses the half-court line. As a team defender, he has good hands, quick feet and fits an overall scheme. However, he can get in trouble when matched up against top-level playmakers on switches and can’t be relied on as a rim protector in high-leverage games.
The vision for LA is the small ball groups do just enough on defense while being an inferno on the other end. In two big lineups, the hope is he’s protected playing next to LA’s biggest addition this summer, Walker Kessler, as the defensive anchor in the middle while he spaces the floor.
Even with the defensive concerns, Mamu is an elite fit next to the star backcourt, and his stretch ability can be a main catalyst in taking a Lakers offense from good to great.
SACRAMENTO, CA - FEBRUARY 4: Santi Aldama #7 of the Memphis Grizzlies drives to the basket during the game against the Sacramento Kings on February 4, 2026 at Golden 1 Center in Sacramento, California. NOTE TO USER: User expressly acknowledges and agrees that, by downloading and or using this Photograph, user is consenting to the terms and conditions of the Getty Images License Agreement. Mandatory Copyright Notice: Copyright 2026 NBAE (Photo by Rocky Widner/NBAE via Getty Images) | NBAE via Getty Images
The Dallas Mavericks acquired Santi Aldama early in the offseason to give them some additional versatility in the form of a big that can shoot. Daniel Gafford is not a deep threat, and although Dereck Lively has shown behind the scenes that he is working on his 3-point shot, it is likely not game-ready and neither is he. Although Aldama is arguably better suited as a power forward, he can certainly play some center minutes, bringing an intriguing element that Dallas has not had at the five spot in quite some time.
Any concerns that Aldama would not be ready for the upcoming season due to an arthroscopic procedure performed on his right knee this past March while still a member of the Memphis Grizzlies, were largely unfounded. Although that procedure ended his season, he was expected to be ready to go when training camp opened. We now know that the native of Spain had been accelerating his rehab in an effort to join his national team in the FIBA World Cup 2027 qualifying games taking place later this month. Spain is set to take on Portugal on August 28 and Greece on August 31. It has now been reported that Aldama is dashing those intentions.
The belief in Dallas, I'm told, is Santi Aldama will be ready for training camp when practices start (Sept. 23-ish). Aldama had mid-March knee surgery.
The Mavs and Rockets are able to hold practices before the leaguewide Sept. 29 start because they play preseason games abroad. https://t.co/gL1zXeMD7S
Fear not, however. This apparently is not a case of any sort of setback or new injury. Rather, Aldama and the Spain national team thought better of hastening his return, opting instead to prioritize the upcoming NBA season over a rush to play in the qualifiers. This is great news for the Mavericks on multiple fronts.
The fact Aldama was progressing well enough to seriously consider a late-August return is an excellent sign. The Mavs are almost certainly going to start the season without the services of Lively, so having Aldama ready when the season tips off is important. Dusty May having too many options to tinker with is a much better option than him having too few.
Moreover, this scenario keeps Aldama rehabbing while simultaneously preventing him from any new in-game injury. While I would never begrudge a player wanting to represent his nation in international play – a true honor indeed – I am not a particularly big fan of it either. Tacking on more milage and fatigue via high-level competition in the offseason is problem enough, but should an injury occur during international play, the risk of the NBA team bearing the burden of such injury is real.
We will never know what would have transpired in the event Aldama played those two games, but it is welcome news that he will instead continue his rehab at pace and is expected to be ready for training camp in September.
I invite you to follow me @_80MPH on X, and check back often at Mavs Moneyball for all the latest on the Dallas Mavericks.
Jun 25, 2026; Washington, DC, USA; Washington Wizards first round draft pick and number one overall pick AJ Dybantsa speaks to the media during a press conference at InterContinental Hotel. Mandatory Credit: Amber Searls-Imagn Images | IMAGN IMAGES via Reuters Connect
In this week’s SB Nation Reacts survey, we asked if you thought Washington Wizards forward AJ Dybantsa will win the 2026-27 NBA Rookie of the Year. Our respondents were split, but a majority of 56 percent believe that Dybantsa, the No. 1 pick in the 2026 Draft, will be the Rookie of the Year when it is all said and done.
BOSTON, MA - 1992: Kevin McHale #32, Robert Parish #00, and Larry Bird #33 stand on the court during a game played in 1992 at the Boston Garden in Boston, Massachusetts. NOTE TO USER: User expressly acknowledges and agrees that, by downloading and/or using this Photograph, user is consenting to the terms and conditions of the Getty Images License Agreement. Mandatory Copyright Notice: Copyright 1992 NBAE (Photo by Dick Raphael/NBAE via Getty Images) | NBAE via Getty Images
As we celebrate History Month here at CelticsBlog, we just had to ask who would win a round robin of the Celtics greatest championship teams. Despite some crossover, we divided the franchise’s rich history into five squads by the stars that powered them: Bob Cousy and Bill Russell; Dave Cowen and John Havlicek; Larry Bird, Kevin McHale, and Robert Parish; Paul Pierce, Kevin Garnett, and Ray Allen; Jayson Tatum and Jaylen Brown.
The 80s Celtics were the resounding winners. Coincidentally, we’re right in the middle of that Big Three’s championship run with the ’84 banner to close out Week 3 of CelticsBlog’s History Month.
If the Lakers were the 80s personified, then the Celtics were the foundation and the first few floors of NBA history. They were run by Red Auerbach, who had been a fixture in the league from its inception. He had won fourteen championships by this point in time—nine as a coach and five as a general manager. They wore uniforms that were barely distinguishable from the ones that the team was wearing when Red was hired to coach them more than thirty years earlier. Their arena was a relic—a cramped relic painted mostly yellow, without air conditioning, with seats that were jammed together and placed behind columns and every one of them had been occupied for every single game the Celtics played for the past three seasons.
The Celtics played on a parquet court that had been trod by the league’s legends going back to the first year after World War II. It was a scarred and uneven surface that matched the tough and gritty character of the arena built around it.
The Celtics played in Boston—a crowded city where the past was present everywhere, where landmarks from the beginning of the nation were part of the fabric of everyday life, a city somehow nicknamed ‘Beantown.’ It had everything that L.A. lacked—history, tradition, cultural institutions—and it was hopelessly, helplessly uncool.
The 1984 Finals were a culture clash as well as a basketball contest.
There’s certainly a mystique surrounding those Bird teams. Part of it was the rivalry with the Lakers. Part of it was the personal history between Bird and Magic. And part of it was how the identity of the team perfectly mirrored the character of the city.
But there was also just the basketball part of it and how that team that also included Dennis Johnson and Danny Ainge could play different styles and handle the halfcourt ground war of the 80s and run-and-gun with the modern and old school NBA.
I’m probably biased because I grew up with the Bird teams, but I think they hit the sweet spot of being able to play the modern game (Bird and Ainge were great shooters, while McHale eventually learned to shoot a few threes and DJ would have if he’d come along a bit later) but also being able to match up well in the paint with the old-school teams.
We could argue about it over a thousand dinners or fire it up on NBA 2K, but ultimately, it’s an unanswerable question of who is best. Looking forward, Boston’s future next season is just as unpredictable, but our friends at FanDuel still have the Celtics (+1400) with the fifth highest odds to win a championship behind the Thunder (+230), Spurs (+280), Knicks (+900), and Sixers (+1000).
If Banner 19 goes to the rafters next spring, we might have to reignite this debate featuring Bird vs. Tatum.
The Tigers have four players listed on the 2026-27 roster, published on the school’s official website. I’m not great at math, but as classes begin Monday, Wade is set for his own Norman Dale moment.
And if SEC commissioner Greg Sankey has his way, it’s going to be more difficult for Wade to fill out his 2026-27 roster with real, live college basketball players.
Wade and LSU are awaiting eligibility rulings on numerous players, part of which flies in the face of Sankey’s edict that schools move carefully when adding players seeking a fifth year of eligibility through the court system.
The same court system that on Wednesday gave a group of former players — whose eligibility expired at the end of last season — a temporary restraining order to gain a fifth year in response to the NCAA’s new eligibility standard of five years to play five seasons.
The NCAA recently passed the standards, and has since been picking and choosing which appeals from the class of 2022 to approve and deny. Which, of course, is stupid.
Not surprisingly, those moves have led to multiple lawsuits against the NCAA — which eventually brings us back to LSU vs. the SEC. The inevitable we all knew was around the bend.
Former St. John’s star player RJ Luis, who left for the NBA after the 2025 season and signed an NBA two-way contract, has committed to play for LSU and has taken the friendly local judge route to do so.
There, in the same East Baton Rouge courtroom where a group of former players were given the TRO, Luis asked the court for a similar exemption. Sankey filed an affidavit in the Luis case, and said allowing athletes who have signed professional contracts to return to college disrupts the ecosystem of college sports — and harms other players in search of roster spots in the process.
I’m not sure any of us fully understand the legal gymnastics currently playing out, including the parties involved. But I do know this: LSU blatantly ignoring an edict from the SEC commissioner — the man works in lockstep with the league’s presidents and chancellors — is bad for business.
Bad for the SEC’s reputation as a win-at-all-cost conference, and bad for Sankey’s ability to herd 16 member institutions in the same direction in other future, critical structural moves. Like the SEC playing by its own rules if Congress can’t pass the Protect College Sports Act.
How does the conference believe it can get all 16 to play together and play fairly by the same rules, if LSU — and maybe others — can’t agree to the current, simple ask from Sankey and the presidents and chancellors to tread carefully?
Any by treading carefully, they mean don't do it.
When a single institution decides nothing will deter it from competing at the highest level, with the best coaches money can buy, and the best players money can buy — rules or edicts or simple professional courtesy be damned — not even the executives of its own conference can stop it.
LSU could end this charade by telling Luis we wish you luck on your appeal to gain an extra year of eligibility, but you can’t play here. That, and other member schools doing the same with the group of athletes that received the TRO ― three of whom played football last season at Ole Miss.
That’s what Sankey wants and expects.
But he better not get caught watching the paint dry on what could be the last shot at preserving order.
Matt Hayes is the senior national college football writer for USA TODAY Sports Network. Follow him on X at @MattHayesCFB. Listen to him daily, from 12-2 p.m., on 1010XL-Jacksonville.
PHILADELPHIA, PENNSYLVANIA - MAY 08: Vj Edgecombe #77 of the Philadelphia 76ers dribbles the ball during Game Three of the Second Round of the NBA Eastern Conference Playoffs against the New York Knicks at Xfinity Mobile Arena on May 08, 2026 in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania. NOTE TO USER: User expressly acknowledges and agrees that, by downloading and or using this photograph, User is consenting to the terms and conditions of the Getty Images License Agreement. (Photo by Emilee Chinn/Getty Images) | Getty Images
Young Sixers are doing their best to get you a basketball fix while we wait through the summer for this team to make its return. VJ Edgecombe, Labaron Philon and Dominick Barlow are playing in Rico Hines Runs and putting together their fair share of highlights.
Of course, we can’t take summer workouts and scrimmage videos too seriously (how many years did we have to endure videos of Ben Simmons making offseason jumpers and pretend it meant something?). It’s clearly a long way from NBA competition. Nevertheless, it’s fun to see how guys look, and get some indications of what players have been working on over the summer.
Edgecombe in particular has been standing out in the footage shared, from smooth threes to how he looks creating off the dribble. Him tightening his handle would be one way for him to take another step up as a creator off the dribble and playmaker, and unsurprisingly he seems to be heading that way with the footage we’ve seen from him this summer. He’s certainly looking fluid handling the ball inside the arc and creating space for pull-ups here.
VJ Edgecombe was frying at Rico Hines Runs 😮💨🔥 Y'all see a breakout season for him this year?? 🤔 pic.twitter.com/B75wDTuBDl
It won’t be remotely surprising to see Edgecombe go up another level next season with the work ethic, drive, upside, and growth he’s already shown in the NBA. And even if he isn’t always handling the ball as much with LeBron James and Jaylen Brown now on the team, Edgecombe has thrived as a secondary attacker and play finisher anyway. If he can pair that explosive complementary scoring, dynamic transition play, and his high-energy defense with improved play as a ball-handler whenever he has to initiate alongside a pair of his star teammates (who can be staggered effectively every night now given the Sixers’ top-end depth), Edgecombe should be in for a stellar sophomore year.
You can watch the full Rico Hines Run footage here:
Labaron Philon had his moments, too. The Sixers’ new rookie is joining a seriously stacked squad now in terms of offensive creators, but there’s still room for Philon to get some run as a backup behind Tyrese Maxey and Edgecombe. Not to mention the inevitable games where LeBron and/or Joel Embiid are out resting and there are extra touches to go around.
Philon is arriving with plenty of talent as a three-level scorer and pick-and-roll creator. But he’ll need to be able to operate effectively as more of a connector, secondary passer, and off-ball shooter as well on a team like this. Extra time working off Edgecombe this summer can only be a good thing as the young guards start building their chemistry.
The first of many Rico Hines Runs to come, featuring VJ Edgecombe, Labaron Philon, and many more. pic.twitter.com/LjvgBKpqe9
Dominick Barlow is in the mix too, and the form on his jumper is looking smoother. If he can improve at all on the 25.6 percent from three he shot last season, mainly being reliable enough from the corner with the easy spot-up opportunities he’ll have next to LeBron and Co., that would make a big difference to his potential as a contributor.
As Barlow mentioned in his recent interview with Adam Aaronson of PhillyVoice, he’s been putting a lot of work into his corner three this offseason. Especially because of LeBron’s arrival to create opportunities for Barlow to benefit with extra space when playing off James’s top-tier passing. Barlow’s going to find himself open in the corners whenever he plays, and LeBron will be able to set him up with ease.
As for Edgecombe, he’s had a pretty busy summer. Apart from getting into these Rico Hines Runs and all the work he’s putting into training, VJ has also been stepping up and recording some impressive numbers for the Bahamas in the FIBA Basketball World Cup qualifiers.
Bahamas needed a couple of huge games from V.J. Edgecombe, and he absolutely DELIVERED 📫
Klay Thompson, who spent the last two seasons with the Dallas Mavericks after 13 unforgettable years with Golden State, intends to sign with the Miami Heat upon clearing waivers, ESPN’s Shams Charania reported Friday.
BREAKING: Klay Thompson is expected to sign with the Miami Heat after he clears waivers upon a contract buyout with the Dallas Mavericks, sources tell ESPN. pic.twitter.com/jV40iKTyEz
This comes after it was announced that Thompson and the Mavericks reached a buyout agreement, making the four-time NBA champion an unrestricted free agent.
Exploring the open market apparently didn’t last very long for Thompson, as he’ll pack his bags for South Beach and join the Eastern Conference for the first time in his NBA career.
Thompson averaged 12.9 points on 40.3-percent shooting from the field and 38.7 percent from 3-point range in 141 games (80 starts) with Dallas.
“Klay is one of the great players and competitors of his generation, and we are grateful for everything he brought to the Mavericks organization,” Mavericks president of basketball operations Masai Ujiri said in a statement shared Friday. “We have tremendous respect for Klay and all that he has accomplished throughout his career, and we wish him nothing but the best moving forward.”
Thompson enters Year 16 in the league with a fresh start.
And it won’t take long for the Warriors to face him and his new squad. Golden State hosts Miami on Nov. 5 at Chase Center.
PHOENIX, ARIZONA - MARCH 21: Devin Booker #1 of the Phoenix Suns during the second half against the Milwaukee Bucks at Mortgage Matchup Center on March 21, 2026 in Phoenix, Arizona. The Bucks defeated the Suns 108-105. 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 Chris Coduto/Getty Images) | Getty Images
As we find ourselves buried in the unrelenting sands of the desert known as the NBA offseason, we can’t help ourselves. We begin projecting forward, wondering what could happen with the Phoenix Suns during the 2026–27 season. It’s only natural to dive into the statistics we already have and attempt to project what they might mean moving forward. Such is the cycle of sports.
We’ve already looked at five reasons why the Suns could fall short next season, so now it’s time to explore the other side of the equation. Why might they exceed expectations?
And what exactly are those expectations? We can all set our own. Maybe it’s securing a playoff spot and a top-six seed. Maybe it’s making a run to the Western Conference Finals. Maybe it’s winning a championship. All are viable expectations depending on how optimistic you want to be. For this exercise, though, I’m going to use the baseline provided by the oddsmakers in Las Vegas, where the Suns’ win total sits around 38.5.
So let’s talk about the five biggest reasons why Phoenix could exceed that number.
The Suns don’t need traditional positions
Yes, I understand the argument that the Suns don’t have a true point guard or a true power forward if you’re looking at the traditional expectations, archetypes, and historical significance of those positions. But this is where I remind everyone that simply because we don’t view this roster as having a traditional point guard or power forward doesn’t mean those roles don’t exist within the confines of the modern NBA.
Look at the two teams that played in the NBA Finals last season. Would you define Jalen Brunson as a traditional point guard? Maybe in terms of size, sure, but that’s about it. He ranked 16th in the NBA in assists last season at 6.8 per game. Since becoming a primary starter in 2021, his final season in Dallas, he has averaged 6.3 assists per game, which ranks 21st over that span.
He was also 14th in the NBA in scoring last season at 26.0 points per game. Brunson is a score-first point guard who possesses the ability to create for others, but distribution isn’t his primary role. That sounds very similar to what Devin Booker has been asked to do in the past, what he’ll be asked to do again this season, and something he has done successfully. Booker averaged 26.1 points last season, which ranked 13th, along with 6.0 assists, which ranked 29th. What separates Brunson from Booker is his ability to operate effectively in the clutch, but from an overall archetype standpoint, they aren’t all that different.
Then look at the power forwards who started in the NBA Finals last season. Were they big, bruising, 6’10” traditional power forwards? No. They were 6’7” OG Anunoby and 6’7” Julian Champagnie. So the idea that the power forward position has to be filled by some massive bruiser is rooted more in how we historically think about the position than how it functions in the modern NBA, where the ability to spread the floor is at a premium.
And yes, I understand that spreading the floor and consistently shooting the three point ball at a high percentage could be a weakness for this team. Of that there is no doubt. But that’s exactly why I think No. 2 on this list is so important.
The Suns’ depth gives them a margin for error
The Phoenix Suns are deep. In my opinion, it’s unbelievably impressive how they’ve navigated the cap sheet while still maintaining that level of depth. I guess that’s what happens when Kevin Durant and Bradley Beal are no longer on the roster. Sure, you’re still paying Bradley Beal $19.4 million not to play for the team, but you’re no longer paying him roughly $30 million more than that. That creates a significant amount of money to work with, and over the past two seasons, the Suns have done a stellar job of filling out the roster with both veterans and young prospects.
That depth is going to matter. From a three-point shooting perspective, Phoenix has options. Luke Kennard, Collin Gillespie, Jordan Goodwin, and the potential of what Rasheer Fleming can become all give the Suns shooting that can come off the bench and contribute.
They’re deep at the five. They have multiple wings that can come in and confidently contribute. The guard room has options as well, and all of that exists while the team also has two-way players capable of filling similar roles.
That depth also matters because every team eventually faces adversity. We can sit here all summer and project what this team is going to be, but you never truly know until you get punched in the mouth. You have to adjust to what the season gives you, and one thing the season will undoubtedly provide is injuries. That’s unavoidable. The fact that Phoenix has depth across multiple positions is something to appreciate because it gives them the ability to absorb injuries, provide rest when needed, and still remain competitive on a nightly basis.
And that’s especially important because of the new anti-tank rules. Which brings me to point No. 3.
The Western Conference has opened the door for Phoenix
You can already see it in the preseason projected over/unders across the league. The new anti-tanking rules, which will ultimately incentivize winning rather than losing, are going to have a profound effect on how teams operate. If you finish with one of the three worst records in the league, you no longer get more lottery balls. You get fewer.
What that means is a struggling team in March is no longer going to sit all of its starters in an effort to improve its lottery odds. Those teams are going to compete because they’ll want to avoid falling into that relegation zone. Which means there are no nights off.
For a team like the Suns, which did a good job beating up on bad teams last season, that creates some concern. But when you look at the entire landscape of the Western Conference, not only the teams projected to live near the bottom, I think the conference is weaker than it was a season ago.
Thunder – Sold off role players for picks Denver – Lost only young, defense talent Minnesota – Double ? At PF Lakers – Entirely new roster Rockets – Banking on healthy FVV Portland – 100000 PG’s Warriors – Old & no LeBron pic.twitter.com/Mb9pZYcroT
Oklahoma City is now flirting with the second apron and has to move off key pieces in an effort to become more fiscally responsible. Lu Dort is now with Atlanta, as is Aaron Wiggins. Isaiah Joe was sent to Detroit. Yes, Oklahoma City has players waiting in the wings to replace them, but I don’t think this is the same plug-and-play Thunder team we saw a season ago.
The Denver Nuggets also appear to have taken a step backward. They traded Peyton Watson because they couldn’t afford to keep him after making a poor financial decision to re-sign Christian Braun. Minnesota completely pivoted as well. LaMelo Ball, who has never won a playoff game, is now running point for a team that once possessed tremendous size and depth but no longer has Julius Randle or Naz Reid.
Who knows what the Lakers are going to be? Having Luka Doncic on your team feels like it guarantees you 50 wins, but Luka and Austin Reaves as a defensive backcourt isn’t something I’m particularly afraid of. Houston is relying on a healthy Fred VanVleet to improve its chances next season, and there’s something about having Kevin Durant on your team that reminds us success is never guaranteed.
The Western Conference is weaker. Players like LeBron James, Kawhi Leonard, several Thunder players, and Julius Randle have gone East. That creates an opportunity for Phoenix. And part of that opportunity leads me to reason No. 4.
Continuity could be the Suns’ biggest advantage
This is one of the biggest reasons I believe the Phoenix Suns are going to be better than they were last season, and why I’m happily taking the over on 38.5 wins.
Yes, there were periods of instability last year, and much of that was driven by injuries. You can show me all of the statistics from the back end of the season and try to point the finger at Jalen Green as the primary reason things didn’t work. I don’t buy that.
Green played a grand total of 32 games, but only 27 of them came with Devin Booker, 12 with Dillon Brooks, and 16 with Mark Williams. You can look at last season and pull whatever conclusions you want from that sample size, but my response is that there simply wasn’t enough time to fully understand what this team was or allow them to showcase what they could become while learning from the mistakes they made along the way.
Now you’re bringing back four of the five starters from last season, and that matters. There is familiarity. There is an understanding of spacing. There is camaraderie that you can’t quantify on any website. Basketball Reference isn’t going to show you a chemistry metric, and that is where opportunity exists for Phoenix. So many teams across the NBA will spend the first couple of months figuring out the basics of chemistry. The Suns already possess a good portion of that, and I think that advantage will manifest itself throughout the season.
The other side of the conversation is that Phoenix is still relying on progress to improve. Several players had career years, and now you’re asking them to improve again. You’re asking the youth to showcase development and continue fanning the flames of one of the pillars this organization is trying to build around.
Easier said than done? Absolutely. But continuity makes that progression easier to obtain. Roles are more established. Expectations are clearer. There is less instability. And for the first time since Monty Williams, the Suns are bringing back the same head coach for a second season. That matters too.
Although there is one guy who wasn’t on the team last season…
Miles Bridges changes what the Suns can do
I honestly believe this one. I understand who and what Royce O’Neale and Grayson Allen were, but in my opinion, Royce O’Neale plus Grayson Allen does not equal Miles Bridges plus Luke Kennard. That is an upgrade for this team. You now have more offensive options, players who can do more than stand in the corner and wait for a three.
Miles Bridges possesses a gravity that is going to affect everyone around him, and players like Devin Booker and Jalen Green should benefit from it. If Bridges has the ball, whoever is defending Booker has to be cognizant of what is happening. Miles isn’t going to stand behind the arc like Royce O’Neale and wait to fire away. He can put pressure on the rim, and when he does, defenses will naturally collapse. When defenses collapse, they’re doing it off of other players on the floor. Booker, Green, Brooks, and Williams can all benefit from that. Bridges can be a willing passer, and I expect him to be one within this offense.
Bridges is also a reclamation project, someone looking to resurrect his career, and I believe Phoenix is the right place for him. This is an organization that will do everything it can to put him in a position to succeed. Ultimately, it comes down to him executing both on and off the court, and that could be a defining factor for the Suns as a whole next season. Bridges has shown throughout his career in Charlotte that he can play in a multitude of different ways. That Swiss Army knife ability may need to shift from night to night depending on the opponent, and, given his experience, I believe he can adapt.
I’m looking forward to seeing what he looks like within the confines of this offense, these schemes, and this roster.
Yes, it’s all speculation at this point. We won’t truly know what this team is until they tip off on October 21 in Portland. But I do believe there is reason for optimism.
I can also recognize the arguments for why this team could falter. My challenge with many of those arguments comes from something I’ve learned over multiple years of doing this. We tend to look at previous statistical results and use them to project forward. And that makes sense. You identify trends and assume those trends will continue in the same direction. The problem is that I did the same thing last offseason, and I was wrong. I did it the two offseasons before that as well.
The lesson I’ve learned is that you can’t rely solely on previous statistical results to dictate what will happen next in the NBA. Continuity and chemistry don’t have clean metrics attached to them, yet both play vital roles in the success or failure of a team. Last year’s Suns had an abundance of chemistry. The team before that was almost completely devoid of it.
So while statistics should always be part of the conversation when trying to understand what a player or team could become, they can’t be the end-all, be-all of the argument. These points of view are much more nuanced than that. They depend heavily on the ecosystem a player is operating within, not simply what he did last season in Charlotte.
And that’s ultimately why I’m willing to take the over on 38.5 and believe they will be better than last season’s 45-37 record. It isn’t because the Suns suddenly solved every problem, or because the numbers guarantee some dramatic turnaround. It’s because the context around those numbers has changed. Phoenix has more depth, more continuity, more versatility and, in Miles Bridges, another player capable of changing how defenses have to operate. Sometimes the best projection isn’t based on what happened last season, but on what has changed since.
ATLANTA, GA - APRIL 18: Kel'el Ware #7 and Tyler Herro #14 of the Miami Heat high five during the game against the Atlanta Hawks during the 2025 SoFi Play-In Tournament on April 18, 2025 at State Farm Arena 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. Mandatory Copyright Notice: Copyright 2025 NBAE (Photo by Adam Hagy/NBAE via Getty Images) | NBAE via Getty Images
This week, our attention turned to the quartet of players—Tyler Herro, Jaime Jaquez Jr., Kel’el Ware, Kasparas Jakučionis—the Bucks acquired as part of the trade that sent Giannis and Bobby Portis to the Miami Heat. More specifically, we asked you how many of them you think Taylor Jenkins should start.
Turns out the magic number is two.
Arguably more important than the numbers, however, is the combination of starters. One prevailing line of thinking suggested that combination should be the backcourt/frontcourt tandem of Herro and Ware:
R984: …I selected 2. Herro just bc he’s probably our best offensive player (unless Rollins surpasses him, in which case move Herro to the bench imo), and I would like to see us start Ware, whether that is at the 4 or 5. I care much more about Ware being in the position to develop to his maximum potential than I do about Turner.
retired janitor: Two, Herro and Ware.
Thirty Point Buck: Hopefully there’s a trade before the season so they only have to showcase several for the deadline. Herro will start until traded . Ware will start but depending on matchups will come off the bench.
GBFanBoy: Herro and Ware all day. Keep Jaquez thriving off the bench. Let Turner have his way at the 4. Heck, he’s a better shooter than his sample size for sure. Ware as well in that regard, it’s got Cosby sauce all over it. Rollins and KPJ should get dynamic duo, Herro, Turner, Ware
Two wasn’t the only desirable total, with a fitting third of voters wanting to see three of the quartet start. But it wasn’t always for the same reason:
Knuckles: I went with 3: I still am a firm believer that Jaquez Jr. should start. High IQ, excellent secondary playmaker, and coming off a 6MOY campaign in a contract year. I think there is a very good chance he has a breakout season, and I want to see us either make him a part of the new future core (still 25 and this will be his fourth season) or make him available at the deadline. Same thinking with Herro… Ware is definitely a swingman in the front court, so I not only think he needs to start next to Turner but we want to figure out where his best fit is after we deal Turner.
naveed2000s: Three, only because currently JJJ is our best option at starting SF.
Of course, as R984 noted, some Bucks fans might think none of them should start—in which case those future picks better be great, otherwise we might really need to reevaluate the trade.
In all, as far as the comments go, it seems Bucks fans are set on—or at least accepting of—Herro starting, while also being in on a double-big lineup featuring Ware and Myles Turner. Even more surprising, discussion about who should start for the Bucks at point guard pointed to fans wanting Kevin Porter Jr. as the main distributor. So, is Ryan Rollins shafted to the bench or do the Bucks run with a three-guard lineup?
With trade target Peyton Watson now a Cleveland Cavalier, Jaquez accustomed to a sixth-man role, and the Bucks still searching for answers in the forward slots, that very much remains in play.
That question—and the rest of the small forward puzzle—will be explored in the next instalment of our “Choose Your Own Adventure” starter series, coming Tuesday.
Check out FanDuel, the official sportsbook of SB Nation.
MINNEAPOLIS, MINNESOTA - APRIL 30: Nikola Jokic #15 of the Denver Nuggets walks off the court after being defeated by the Minnesota Timberwolves 110-98 in Game Six of the First Round of the NBA Western Conference Playoffs at Target Center on April 30, 2026 in Minneapolis, Minnesota. NOTE TO USER: User expressly acknowledges and agrees that, by downloading and or using this photograph, User is consenting to the terms and conditions of the Getty Images License Agreement. (Photo by Stephen Maturen/Getty Images) | Getty Images
The Denver Nuggets and Cleveland Cavaliers feel like mirror images of each other in opposite conferences entering the 2026-27 season. Both teams are really good, but feel a step below their biggest rivals. Both have huge payrolls built around max superstars without much flexibility to tinker with the roster formula. Both have had frustrating offseasons before they came together to swap Peyton Watson as part of a massive five-team trade this week.
The Cavs will hope Watson can be the fifth starter they’ve long been missing while adding wing defense, transition scoring, and spot-up shooting. The Nuggets feel like they’re taking a step back this season with the deal, but they’re adding a valuable long-term asset by landing Cleveland’s unprotected 2031 first-rounder. The Clippers got involved to add Max Strus, while the Hornets picked up Dennis Schroder as part of the deal.
‘Who’s No. 4?’ remains the most interesting question in the NBA
Any dummy can see that the Thunder, Spurs, and Knicks are the best teams in the NBA in some order entering the season. Ask 10 people who should be No. 4 in the power rankings, and you might get seven different answers.
I’m favoring the Timberwolves here because of their playoff upside. I don’t expect them to be the NBA’s fourth-best regular season team this season, but I like their ability to advance in the postseason more than some of the other contenders for that spot. I’m always been a bit LaMelo Ball guy, and he’s quietly turned into a borderline top-20 player when he’s healthy. Obviously LaMelo’s health is a big if, but you can same thing for Aaron Gordon in Denver and Joel Embiid in Philadelphia. Ball is at least the youngest of that trio.
I’m intrigued by the Timberwolves apparent plan to try to beat the Spurs and/or Thunder with pull-up threes. Those are very tough shots to defend, and if they fall in a short series, it gives Minnesota some upset potential against the conference’s elite. I’m a bit worried about the Wolves’ depth, I don’t think the Ayo Dosunmu contract will age well, and there should be some concern about age-related decline from Rudy Gobert. The Wolves’ grip on the No. 4 spot is far from firm, but I still like their upside with Anthony Edwards and Ball leading the offense, and Gobert and Jaden McDaniels leading the defense. Let me know who you would have at No. 4 in the comments below.
I’m still not buying the Cavs even with Peyton Watson
I detailed my thoughts on the Watson deal for Cleveland in my trade grades, which is linked in the first paragraph of this story. In short, Watson feels like a better fit for the Cavs on paper than he will be in reality. I’m not convinced he’s a more impactful player than Max Strus, and I’m worried about Cleveland’s depth after giving up Strus and Dennis Schroder to land him.
The Cavs have been an Eastern Conference contender since trading for Donovan Mitchell. They should be trending up after a conference finals berth following two second-round exits, but to me it feels like other teams in the conference are passing them. James Harden — now inked to a new three-year, $97 million deal — should start to decline at age-37. I’ve long been a big Evan Mobley fan, but I’m a bit discouraged with his lack of offensive development the last two seasons. Watson could potentially be a really good fit for Cleveland, but they need him to buy into being an impactful defender and spot-up shooter when his defense has always been a little overrated, and he prefers to shoot from mid-range rather than maximizing corner three attempts (where he knocked down 52% last year).
I would take the Raptors with Kawhi over the Cavs, and I think I would take the Pistons over them too. Detroit addressed its lack of shooting over the offseason, and their core is still getting better while I’m not sure that’s the case for Cleveland. Ultimately, the Cavs move up one spot in my rankings from last time. I decided to flip flop on Toronto and Detroit because while I feel like the Pistons are a better regular season team, the Raptors have more playoff upside to me with Leonard in tow.
Obviously, I could be wrong about Cleveland. All these teams are pretty close. The Cavs are good every year, and in some sense I feel like that’s the best way to eventually breakthrough: just keep fielding competitive teams until you get the luck you need for things to break your way. For now, I like the Cavs more as a regular season team than a playoff team, and that’s why they can’t crack the top-10 of my power rankings.
Are the Nuggets done competing for championships around Nikola Jokic?
The Nuggets have done a lot wrong since winning the 2023 championship. Zeke Nnaji and Christian Braun are among the worst contracts in the league. Aaron Gordon is constantly hurt, and that might be Denver’s biggest issue. Jamal Murray is very good, but he feels a bit overpaid at $50 million this year, equating to the league’s 17th highest paid player. They traded an unprotected 2032 first-round and Michael Porter Jr. for Cameron Johnson only to watch Porter have a significantly better season in Brooklyn than Johnson had in Denver. They just lost Peyton Watson for nothing after originally giving up their 2027 first-round pick to get him. It’s been bleak.
I still think the Nuggets have a chance to build a contender around Jokic again even if this year could be another small step back. Of course, they have to extend Jokic for that to be possible, and right now he’s slated to be a free agent next summer despite continually saying he’ll spend his whole career in Denver. I’d rather have the Cavs’ unprotected 2031 pick than Watson in a vacuum. That can be a valuable trade chip in the future. I’m imagining a world where Braun bounces back this season, and Denver trades him plus the pick for a real contributor moving forward. I also wouldn’t be shocked if Denver eventually does its version of the Jaylen Brown trade with Murray.
Teams aren’t meant to stay together forever under this CBA. Front offices almost have to pitch a perfect game to keep the championship window extended, and Denver didn’t even come close to that. Still, all things are possible through Jokic, and now they have an actually valuable trade chip with the Cavs pick to flip for someone better than Watson. I don’t love where Denver is at this year, especially if Gordon’s body keeps breaking down. I’m just not ready to write their obituary for the Jokic era just yet.
MINNEAPOLIS, MN - JUNE 7: An overall view of the court before the Minnesota Timberwolves unveil new logo, uniforms and court on June 7, 2026 at Target Center in Minneapolis, Minnesota. NOTE TO USER: User expressly acknowledges and agrees that, by downloading and or using this Photograph, user is consenting to the terms and conditions of the Getty Images License Agreement. Mandatory Copyright Notice: Copyright 2026 NBAE (Photo by David Sherman/NBAE via Getty Images) | NBAE via Getty Images
It was fairly clear from the comments section and social media that the Timberwolves community strongly believe there aren’t any currently retired/soon-to-be retired players who’s jerseys should follow Kevin Garnett’s number 21 to the Target Center rafters.
Based on the list that was provided to fans, Ricky Rubio was the strongest contender. That said, there were significant arguments against all four of these players. Most of which were based on their individual accomplishments and/or lack of playoff success appearances.
For example, though Kevin Love’s best statistical seasons were spent in Minnesota, he had an unhappy breakup here. Most concurred that Gorgui Dieng was indeed a great humanitarian, but hardly worthy of basketball recognition. Good ol’ Sam Mitchell is still just good ol’ Sam Mitchell.
The general consensus was that none of the KG era, nor the pre-Karl-Anthony Towns era, players were worthy enough to have this distinguished honor. Karl-Anthony Towns seemed to be a divisive name, but players such as Anthony Edwards and Rudy Gobert often came up as the next names they’d like to see enshrined in Target Center.
Others such as Jaden McDaniels or Naz Reid fell more in the Towns tier, depending on how things shake out in the future.
No matter what, a Naz Reid towel certainly belongs up there.
If Joan Beringer turns into the next Kevin Garnett soon, then he might see his number 19 up there one day as well. Maybe he’ll show off a little shimmy-shake mid-range number. Turn into a Defensive Player of the Year. Make Tim Connelly overpay for a few of his French friends. Start a feud with Marc Lore and Alex Rodriguez.
