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The best moments and Twitter reactions from Big Blue Madness

When it’s Big Blue Madness, basketball season is officially underway in the Bluegrass.

Friday night, a sold-out Rupp Arena welcomed the men’s and women’s teams in their first looks at both of them ahead of their upcoming seasons. It was a raucous crowd, with excitement building for the season.

Women’s Team shows off shooting ahead of highly anticipated season

The Women’s Basketball team tipped off the festivities as they entered the arena. Coming off a Sweet 16 berth last year, Kenny Brooks and the Cats have a lot of momentum coming into this season. The crowd at Rupp Arena clearly concurs, giving each player and Brooks a rousing ovation when they were introduced.

In the “Hot Shot” competition, Team 1 featured Asia Boone, Me’Arah O’Neal, Gabby Brooks, and Savvy Swords. They put up a solid 16 points to tip off the drill. They were followed by Team 2, featuring Clara Strack, Diana Collins, Emily McDonald, and Jemma Amoore. Behind a blistering start, they started draining shots from deep to take the lead.

On Team 3, a fan joined Ajša Sivka, Maddyn Greenway, and Dominika Paurová. They tied Team 1 with 16 points, meaning Team 2 won the drill.

Then came everybody’s favorite: The 3-point shooting contest. Asia Boone tipped it off with a solid 15 points, with Me’Arah O’Neal draining her final two shots to put up 18 points. A confident Emily McDonald made six in a row early and came up just one point shy of the lead with 17. All three advanced to the final round; Boone made all five shots on the final rack to accumulate 20 points.

McDonald responded by hitting her final shot to tie the score. It came down to O’Neal, who made all five from straightaway and then her final two shots on the last rack to tie the score at 20. That brought the tiebreaker to half-court, with a moneyball rack and the first player to make a shot winning the contest. Boone rattled one in after multiple rounds of attempts to take home the trophy.

Mark Pope welcomes back Karl-Anthony Towns

First of all, the thunderous applause started when Malachi Moreno was introduced. Then, things got real. A tall white sheet acted as a projector screen to play an intro video for Mark Pope, who appeared on a gigantic pedestal to address the crowd in Rupp Arena. Dressed in all black, including a Kentucky varsity jacket, Pope then said he had one more Cat to introduce. Pope unveiled that he was wearing a Karl-Anthony Towns No. 12 jersey, a fitting welcome home for one of the greatest Cats of all time.

Coming off winning the 2026 NBA Championship with the New York Knicks, Towns was greeted to a raucous ovation from the Rupp Arena crowd. In just one season with Kentucky, Towns averaged 10.3 points per game and 6.7 rebounds per game. Keep in mind, he played on Kentucky’s platoon squad. NBA scouts knew what Towns had, and he was drafted No. 1 overall in the 2015 NBA Draft.

In the NBA Playoffs this past Spring, Towns averaged 15.9 points per game and 10.6 rebounds per game, while shooting 55.1% from the field and 45.6% from 3-point range. Towns tipped San Antonio Spurs’ Dylan Harper’s final inbounds pass in Game 4 of the NBA Finals, enabling Josh Hart to hold serve underneath the basket against the Spurs’ Stephon Castle and cement the greatest comeback in NBA Finals history, with the Knicks coming back from down 29 points in the second half.

Mark Pope Shines Spotlight on coaching staff

I think it’s great that Pope took several minutes to highlight his assistant coaches and staff, particularly what each of their roles are. Pope introduced each of them, with all of the members in various entrances to different sections in the upper deck of Rupp Arena.

Earlier this week, Pope said there’s great synergy with this current coaching and basketball staff. That was on display Friday night at Big Blue Madness.

Lighting it up from deep

Mark Pope said earlier this week that he thinks this Wildcats’ team’s shooting will be elite and they have a depth of shooters. In the 3-point shooting competition, we saw glimpses of what that can look like. Mason Williams tipped off the competition with 24 points. Then, Alex Wilkins showed off his shooting potential with a blistering 31 points. Milan Momcilovic participated and got hot at the end to finish with 22 points.

Then, it was reigning 3-point champion Trent Noah, who went 4-5 on the final rack to finish with 18 points.

The final round came down to Wilkins and Ousmane N’Diaye. N’Diaye finished with eight points, with Wilkins following it with a raining performance at 21 points and deciding to dunk in the final ball for the win.

Milan wins fan $10,000

A fan named Jake from the crowd got two half-court shots to win $10,000. He missed both, but he was able to select one player on the team to shoot from half-court to win him the money. He chose Milan Momcilovic. Wise choice. Momcilovic calmly let it fly, banking it in and winning Jake $10,000.

McBride and N’Diaye WOW in dunk contest

Justin McBride started off the dunk contest with an explosive between-the-legs dunk. In the final round, Ousmane N’Diaye threw a pass off the backboard that he put back for an emphatic slam. McBride followed with a thunderous windmill reverse dunk that netted him a 50 score from the judges.

Twitter Reactions to Big Blue Madness

Kentucky players lit up the Blue Carpet and then made it a memorable night in Rupp Arena. Here are some Twitter reactions from Big Blue Madness.

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Heat to host Vice City night to promote 'GTA 6' and Giannis game vs Bucks

Every day they're hustlin'.

The Miami Heat announced Friday, Oct. 2 that they are hosting "A Night in Vice City" to promote the highly-anticipated release of "Grand Theft Auto 6."

The event will serve as the backdrop for the Nov. 18 game against the Milwaukee Bucks, which is the night before the Nov. 19 release date for the latest edition of the popular and controversial video game. It also will be the first time Giannis Antetokounmpo faces off against the team that drafted him and facilitated his journey to superstardom.

In a news release, the Heat said that the partnership with Rockstar Games will transform the Kaseya Center into an immersive experience based on Vice City. The fictional location is where the latest edition of the game is based, "the darkest side of the sunniest place in America." In previews for "Grand Theft Auto 6," there's palm trees, alligators, exotic cars, gold chains, dark alleys and art deco buildings on the beach with neon lights. Basically, Miami.

Best storylines for NBA preseason: Heat vibes, Alpha Sixers, Doncic domination top our list

For the game, the court will have a special design, the players will wear a new uniform and there will be other activations throughout the night. There is also a merchandise collection of T-shirts, hoodies and hats.

The campaign for "A Night in Vice City" started on Thursday, Oct. 1 with a lighting of a neon sign that says, "Welcome to Vice City" on top of the arena. The team said that it will release more information about the event leading up to it.

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CSR Weekend Warriors

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Don’t forget about Labaron Philon

CAMDEN, NEW JERSEY - SEPTEMBER 28: Labaron Philon Jr. #00 of the Philadelphia 76ers poses for a portrait during media day at the Philadelphia 76ers Training Complex on September 28, 2026 in Camden, New Jersey. (Photo by Emilee Chinn/Getty Images) | Getty Images

When Daryl Morey sent Jared McCain to the Oklahoma City Thunder for a draft pick package at last season’s trade deadline, it was not a widely praised move.

Quite the opposite, actually — amongst fans, media members and McCain’s former teammates alike.

With Morey gone and his replacement Mike Gansey having one of the greatest offseasons in Philadelphia sports history, Sixers fans no longer have to lament every productive performance from McCain for one of the NBA’s best teams.

As a reminder, one of the picks the Sixers received in that deal was a 2026 first-rounder, which the team used to select Alabama guard Labaron Philon, Jr. 22nd overall. If not for the additions of LeBron James and Jaylen Brown, Philon would’ve likely been unfairly compared to McCain all season. Now, Philon is free to be himself and play.

And so far, he’s made a strong impression.

Head coach Nick Nurse has been effusive in his praise for the 20-year-old guard. Earlier in the week, Nurse complimented Philon’s compete level after a couple defensive-heavy and physical practices. Nurse also said the young guard’s vision has stood out.

On Friday, Nurse spoke about Philon’s ability as a natural point guard to get his teammates organized.

“What’s showing more is his ability to kind of run an offense,” Nurse said at the team’s practice facility, “get guys where they need — like really, really takes command of getting people where they need to be, making a decisive play call or whatever it is, and getting it executed.

“And then also he’s got a bit of when things are getting a little haywire, and he’s got a little bit of ability to break away and get some space and get into the paint, and then create the offense that way.”

Philon showed off his two-way prowess at Alabama, but not during the same season.

As a freshman, he was the Crimson Tide’s guard stopper, picking up full court and hounding opposing ball-handlers, while All-American Mark Sears ran the offense. As a sophomore last season, it was Philon’s show as he averaged over 22 points a game and was named an All-American himself.

Now, it’s about Philon finding a way to meld those abilities at the NBA level. At his first pro training camp, he’s learning and earning praise.

“Teammates and coaches just encouraging me to be myself, really,” Philon said. “That’s one of the things Coach Rico [Hines] and the guys been telling me — just be yourself and be able to play great basketball, make plays for your teammates, and cheer on your teammates too, and just like be a great leader, be a great teammate. I feel like everybody’s been doing that so far, and that’s what we’ve been preaching.”

There’s no shortage of veteran teammates to learn from.

He asked Brown about his ability to make tough shots in traffic. He’s picked James’ brain about his longevity.

James also provided a fun “Welcome to the NBA” moment on the first day of camp.

“I would say the first play of training camp, LeBron was coming at me full speed,” Philon said. “I was backpedaling, and that’s when the moment really hit. I was like, ‘Alright, like it’s here now.‘”

A benefit of being surrounded by star teammates is getting to practice against them on a daily basis.

“But I would say just being able to stand my ground, like knowing that I can compete against these guys at high levels,” Philon said. “Jaylen’s been making me work every day, all day. So it’s like going against guys like that. I can build more confidence if I’m guarding my teammates in a great way. But those guys are trying to do their best to go at me, and just as a young guy, that’s what you want because if I can guard these guys, I feel like I’m gonna be able to guard anybody across from us or the next opponent.”

But what did he do when James, a physical specimen at 6-foot-9 and 250 pounds, came barreling towards him?

“I tried to go for the strip,” Philon said. “He passed the ball across [the court].”

Of course there’s probably no better player for Philon to learn from than Tyrese Maxey.

The Sixers drafted Maxey 21st overall and he was also joining a team with stars and championship aspirations. Even under Doc Rivers, who was notorious for not playing young guys, Maxey forced his way into minutes as a 20-year-old. While Nurse doesn’t have the reputation to the level of Rivers, he also doesn’t have the greatest track record with playing young players.

Philon has a great sounding board in Maxey.

“I would just say the one-on-one talks,” Philon said, “like during practice, like when I’m making great plays, he’ll probably pull me to the side and just like tell me the concepts and the reasons that if this is not open or I don’t have a shot, these are the reads we want to make and stuff like that. … He’s been helping me out pretty well. Ever since I got on the floor and stepped into this building, he’s been helping me.”

Philon has also learned a bit from a former Sixers nemesis — Rajon Rondo, who visited Mobile on occasion when Philon was there. Philon said he’s studied the retired point guard’s defense and wants to be to able get in passing lanes and create turnovers like Rondo once did.

In his second season, Rondo was surrounded by future Hall of Famers Paul Pierce, Ray Allen and Kevin Garnett. Much like Rondo in helping the Boston Celtics win a championship, Philon’s focus will be on keeping things simple.

“I feel like for me, the best decision is making the easiest play,” Philon said. “Right now, I don’t really need no showtime or kind of flashy plays. The position I’m in right now, it’s like making the right play every time, it’d be great for me.”

With James and Brown here, Sixers fans have largely forgotten about the Jared McCain trade.

Labaron Philon might make people remember it for all the right reasons.

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Boston Celtics Daily Links 10/2/26

BOSTON, MA - MAY 2: The sneakers worn by Kelly Oubre Jr. #9 of the Philadelphia 76ers during the game against the Boston Celtics during Round One Game Seven of the 2026 NBA Playoffs on May 2, 2026 at TD 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 2026 NBAE (Photo by Jesse D. Garrabrant/NBAE via Getty Images) | NBAE via Getty Images

HeraldWhy Celtics draft pick chose not to return to college: ‘Easy decision’

What Joe Mazzulla appreciates about lottery pick on Celtics tryout

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Basketball NetworkMitchell Robinson explains why he didn’t sign with the Knicks: “It’s a business at the end of the day”

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Anne Hathaway reveals what she’d give up for a second Knicks championship

An image collage containing 2 images, Image 1 shows Actress Anne Hathaway during an interview on
Anne Hathaway made it clear that her Knicks fandom doesn't waver.

Anne Hathaway made it clear that her Knicks fandom doesn’t waver.

During an appearance on “The Tonight Show Starring Jimmy Fallon” on Wednesday, Hathaway prioritized another Knicks championship over winning a second Academy Award while playing a game called “Best Thing Ever.”

The game forced her to choose among two things to decide which is the best and which she would “get rid of forever.”

Fallon held one card that said, “Another Oscar Win” and a second card labeled, “Another Knicks Championship.

Hathaway, a New York City native and lifelong Knicks fan, put down the card with the Oscar trophy on it and didn’t say anything.

That’s when the live audience in Studio 6B at 30 Rockefeller Plaza applauded and cheered on Hathaway’s pick.

“The way my nervous system is reacting to that choice is really intense,” she said with a laugh.

The Knicks won four of five to beat the Spurs in the 2026 NBA Finals to win their first championship in 53 years.

Hathaway won the Oscar for Best Supporting Actress in 2013 for her performance as Fantine in “Les Misérables.”

Actress Anne Hathaway during an interview on “The Tonight Show Starring Jimmy Fallon” on Wednesday, September 30, 2026. Ralph Bavaro/NBC via Getty Image

Earlier in the show, Fallon gifted Hathaway a signed jersey from Knicks star OG Anunoby.

“Are you serious? Oh my god!” Hathaway said before putting the jersey on.

The Knicks gave Hathaway, who is pregnant, a basket of gifts for her baby, along with a card that read, “All my best” signed by Anunoby.

“I’m so excited about my jersey,” Hathaway said.

During an April appearance on “The Tonight Show,” Hathaway told Fallon that she considered wearing an Anunoby jersey on the show because “when I’m at the game, I want them to know that I know who they are and that they’re going to win.”

The next night, the Anunoby scored 29 points and the Knicks pulled off a historic win over the Hawks in a series-clinching Game 6 in the first round of the playoffs.

OG Anunoby #8 of the Knicks shoots a free throw during the game against the Spurs during Game 5 of the 2026 NBA Finals on June 13, 2026 at Frost Bank Center in San Antonio. NBAE via Getty Images

Many said Hathaway was their good luck charm.

Hathaway has been a fan of Anunoby since he nearly crashed into her and her son while they sat courtside during a game at Madison Square Garden in 2024.

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NBA's Las Vegas expansion team may not debut until 2029-30 season

While the assumption in many quarters was that the two NBA expansion franchises — one in Seattle, one in Las Vegas — would begin play for the 2028-29 season, that may not be a realistic timeline for Vegas. NBA Commissioner Adam Silver hinted at this last month.

"There was not as much discussion around Seattle as there was around Las Vegas, largely because... it's not even clear what the site will be, let alone the arena yet," Silver said after the Board of Governors meeting. "Therefore, it's a much longer timeline before we can throw the ball up for NBA basketball. On the other hand, in Seattle, we have had operational groups out to Climate Pledge. You clearly have a state-of-the-art arena there. It may require some modifications for NBA basketball. If we were opening in five weeks, we could be ready in Seattle."

Now Mike Vorkunov’s reporting at The Athletic says it may be 2029-30 before the NBA tips off in Las Vegas.

The league had initially hoped its new expansion franchises would begin play during the 2028-29 season — if it added ones in Las Vegas and Seattle — but it has explored whether a Sin City team could debut in 2029-30 instead. However, that is just a discussion at this point.

The NBA is expected to choose soon between three potential ownership groups in Las Vegas: Golden Knights owner Bill Foley and former Suns owner Jerry Colangelo; Nancy Walton Laurie and her husband, Bill Laurie, with Lauri being a Walmart heir and Bill having owned the St. Louis Blues; former Bucks owner Marc Lasry, former Turner Broadcasting president David Levy and Canadian billionaire Steve Apostolopoulos.

The issue isn't the ownership group, it's the arena. All three groups are looking to build a new arena, likely as an anchor for a resort/casino complex and entertainment district. Exactly where this new arena and resort would go is undecided, which is part of the delay. It takes time to design, get approved and build a state-of-the-art arena.

While Las Vegas has the T-Mobile Arena just off the Strip — home to the NHL's Golden Knights, the WNBA's Aces, and where the NBA has hosted the final rounds of the midseason NBA Cup the past two years — it would need up to $400 million in renovations to host an NBA team, according to the report.

The expectation is that the new owners will pay about a $10 billion expansion fee to the league for the rights to the team, then spend at least a couple of billion more building the new arena.

Silver said a formal decision on both Las Vegas and Seattle expansion and who will own those teams is expected by the end of the year.

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Warriors star Steph Curry reveals toughest defender he’s ever faced

An image collage containing 3 images, Image 1 shows New York Knicks guard J.R. Smith dribbles past Boston Celtics defenders Brandon Bass and Avery Bradley, Image 2 shows Portland Trail Blazers guard Jrue Holiday (5) reacts after scoring, Image 3 shows Golden State Warriors' Stephen Curry reacts on the court during the second half of a game against the Brooklyn Nets at Barclays Center in Brooklyn, N.Y., Monday, Dec. 29, 2025

Steph Curry is entering his 18th NBA season.

In an interview with ABC7 News Bay Area, the 38-year-old revealed who has been the toughest defender he’s ever faced throughout his career.

Golden State Warriors’ Stephen Curry reacts on the court during the second half of a game against the Brooklyn Nets at Barclays Center in Brooklyn, N.Y., Monday, Dec. 29, 2025. Robert Sabo for NY Post

“It’s a tie for me between Avery Bradley and Jrue Holiday. Yeah, those are the guys,” Curry said.

In head-to-head matchups against Bradley, Curry averaged 26.2 points, 5.8 assists and 5.4 rebounds. While those are still good numbers, the Warriors star gave credit to Bradley, who was NBA All-Defensive First Team (2015-16) and NBA All-Defensive Second Team (2012-13) during his time with the Celtics.

Curry averaged 25.2 points, 6.8 assists and 4.4 rebounds per game in head-to-head matchups against Holiday, who boasts six selections to the NBA All-Defensive Team. Though he’s never won Defensive Player of the Year, Holiday has been a finalist for the prestigious honor.

Defenders have tried to stop one of basketball’s greatest shooters, but it appears even Curry’s most challenging defensive matchups couldn’t quite contain the Warriors star.

Portland Trail Blazers guard Jrue Holiday (5) reacts after scoring during the second half of an NBA basketball game against the LA Clippers. AP
New York Knicks shooting guard J.R. Smith #8 looks for an opening as Boston Celtics power forward Brandon Bass #30 and Boston Celtics point guard Avery Bradley #0 defend in the second half in a game against the Boston Celtics. Anthony J Causi
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Disturbing allegations from ex-NBA star J.R. Smith’s assault arrest emerge

Former NBA star J.R. Smith allegedly roughed up a woman, leading to his arrest earlier this week, according to new court documents obtained by the California Post.

Smith “intentionally, knowingly, or recklessly” caused “bodily injury” on Sept. 18 to a female who was a member of Smith’s family or household or with whom he had a dating relationship, a criminal complaint filed on Friday stated.

Smith allegedly committed the crime in Texas “by hitting, grabbing or pushing” the woman “with [his] hand,” according to the filing.

Former NBA star J.R. Smith allegedly roughed up a woman, leading to his arrest earlier this week, according to new court documents obtained by the California Post. NBAE via Getty Images
Smith “intentionally, knowingly, or recklessly” caused “bodily injury” on Sept. 18 to a female.

A warrant for Smith’s arrest was issued by the Southlake Police Department a short time after the alleged incident, and the ex-Los Angeles Laker was formally taken into custody over the matter during a traffic stop in Royse City on Monday afternoon.

Smith’s attorney, Justin A. Moore, said in a statement to The Post on Friday that his client “is eager to see this matter resolved and has full confidence in the legal process.”

“He is presumed innocent,” Moore added, “and we will address this matter in Court. We ask that everyone respect the privacy of all involved throughout the process.”

Former NBA player J.R. Smith is pictured.

Smith was pulled over on a Texas interstate after authorities said an automatic license plater reader alerted a nearby officer that Smith was “a wanted person.”

“The check of the license plate showed an active warrant for a wanted person out of the Southlake Police Department,” Royse City Chief of Police Kirk Aldridge said in a statement to The Post on Tuesday.

“The wanted person was Earl Joseph Smith III [J.R. Smith’s full name] and the charge was for Family Violence Assault Causing Bodily Injury. A traffic stop was conducted and the driver of the vehicle was identified as Earl Joseph Smith III. The warrant was confirmed and Mr. Smith was taken into custody.”

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Former NBA player JR Smith reacts on the second hole during the second round of the BMW Charity Pro-Am presented by TD SYNNEX 2026 at Thornblade Club on Friday, June 5, 2026, in Greer, South Carolina. Getty Images

Jail records showed Smith was booked on one misdemeanor count of assault causing bodily injury family violence. He was released on $5,000 bond on Tuesday night, the records showed.

He’s due in court for a hearing in the case later this month, according to court records.

Smith played in the NBA from 2004 to 2020, logging minutes for several teams, including the Denver Nuggets, Cleveland Cavaliers, New York Knicks and LA Lakers.

Smith won two championships in his career, and also earned the 2012-13 Sixth Man of the Year award.

Smith has been seen recently competing in amateur golf tournaments after he walked on to the men’s golf team at North Carolina A&T.

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The case for Khaman Maluach to be the Suns’ starting center

PHOENIX, AZ - SEPTEMBER 28: Khaman Maluach #10 of the Phoenix Suns poses for a portrait during NBA Media Day on September 28, 2026 at the Mortgage Matchup Center 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

Nobody had a better Summer League than Khaman Maluach.

He was knocked to the All-Summer League Second Team because the First Team went all rookies, and whatever, that’s fair. But we all know what we saw.

That’s the kind of dominance you’d expect from a lottery pick entering his second season on that stage. But just because you expected it does not mean we take it for granted. A double-double in all four games. The Summer League leader in rebounding. The first Suns player on an All-Summer League team since 2021.

Pair that performance with a media day where his name came up more than anyone else’s, and the picture gets clear. Mark Williams will miss a large chunk of the season with a torn labrum in his shoulder, and Oso Ighodaro is the clear competition for Khaman. The starting center job should be his, and here’s why.

What the Tape Says

The production was real. Khaman put up 19.5 points, 12.8 rebounds, 2.0 blocks, and 1.3 steals per game in Vegas while shooting 53.2% from the field and 40% from three. Summer League numbers can sometimes lie, but he passed the eye test as well. On Portland’s first possession of the opener, he bodied his man and walled off the rim. That’s a filled-out frame doing grown-man work.

He is the vertical threat this starting unit needs. At 7’1″ with a 7’6¾” wingspan, every Devin Booker ball screen forces the low man to commit. Koa Peat found him for an alley-oop on the Suns’ first bucket in Vegas, and that’s the move. When the tagger has to respect the lob, the corner shooters get a cleaner look.

The “pop” is the new, potentially huge wrinkle. He attempted just 21 threes as a rookie, and 40% across four Vegas games is a small sample, so pump the brakes on calling him a stretch five. But even a willing, competent trail three drags the opposing center out of the paint. That opens a runway for Booker and others to get downhill, which is where Phoenix wins games.

If he is a vertical threat at the rim, and also has the ability to drag a big out to guard him on the perimeter, that’s a deadly combo.

Size Matters

This front office has spent two years chasing length and athleticism. Khaman is the purest version of that plan on the roster, along with fellow incoming sophomore Rasheer Fleming.

PHOENIX, ARIZONA – MARCH 24: Nikola Jokic #15 of the Denver Nuggets handles the ball against Khaman Maluach #10 of the Phoenix Suns during the first half of the NBA game at Mortgage Matchup Center on March 24, 2026 in Phoenix, Arizona. NOTE TO USER: User expressly acknowledges and agrees that, by downloading and or using this photograph, user is consenting to the terms and conditions of the Getty Images License Agreement. (Photo by Christian Petersen/Getty Images) | Getty Images

Oso has earned real respect, and he is without a doubt a long-term rotation piece. He started 24 games last season, and he’s a high-IQ playmaking hub with real defensive versatility. But the size gap matters. Khaman is listed at 7’1″ and 250 pounds with a 7’6¾” wingspan, while Oso is listed at 6’11” and 235 pounds. That shows up on the glass and at the rim against true centers. In a Western Conference full of size, the Suns can’t start a game giving that away.

Starting Khaman also makes the bench better. Oso slides into a second unit where his playmaking out of the short roll fits the reserve guards. Oso and Collin have developed some insane chemistry that is reminiscent of Steph-Draymond levels of in sync.

When Williams returns, Phoenix has a three-man center room and some serious depth to play with. Newcomer Duop Reath will be a factor in the meantime, especially if foul trouble or health issues come into play.

The Building Already Believes

Media day was a Khaman Maluach appreciation event. Front office members, coaches, and veterans brought him up unprompted.

Booker said Khaman reached out by text this summer asking to work, and the two ended up in the gym late at night together. His verdict: “I’d say he’s taken the biggest leap out of anybody that I’ve seen this summer.” Brian Gregory said Khaman’s body has changed and that he put in the work every single day, often twice a day.

New guard Pat Spencer said Khaman has the “best energy” he’s seen in the NBA. 10-Year veteran Luke Kennard said he’s one of the hardest workers he’s been around in the league. Even Oso, his direct competition, admitted that Khaman has gotten a lot better.

Khaman’s own words tell you the rest. “Tired is in the mind,” he said, and he defined a successful season by team wins and a playoff run, not his own numbers. That’s the guy you hand the keys to, raw or not.

The bigger picture matters too. Booker played some of his best basketball when Deandre Ayton was a rising young center (occasionally) catching lobs and finishing around the rim. A No. 10 pick with this work ethic, growing next to Booker, is how Phoenix raises its physical ceiling without another trade.

Will it come with growing pains? Of course.

When, Not If

Jordan Ott didn’t name a starter at media day, and the battle runs up to the Oct. 21 opener. “Camp is three weeks. We’re gonna mix around with some lineups,” he said.

This job becomes Khaman’s at some point this season. It feels inevitable. The only question is how many games Phoenix wants to waste finding that out. Start him on Oct. 21st. Live with the foul trouble and occasional miscues. Let him take his lumps next to Booker now, so they’re paying off and corrected come April.

Khaman Maluach is the future, and there’s no reason he can’t be the present either.

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Top 10 Fantasy Basketball Rookies: Cameron Boozer, Caleb Wilson lead the way for 2026-27

The 2026 NBA Draft Class is one of the most talented in recent memory, so how should managers treat the best of the best in their fantasy drafts?

Here are the Top-10 fantasy rookies for the 2026-27 fantasy basketball season.

Indiana Pacers v Detroit Pistons
2026-27 Fantasy Basketball: Kyrie Irving, Tyrese Haliburton among big names returning from injury
How will notable players returning from injuries fare in the upcoming NBA campaign?

1. Cameron Boozer (F - MEM)

Boozer earned AP Player of the Year honors behind averages of 22.5 points, 10.2 rebounds, 4.1 assists, 2.0 “stocks” and 1.4 triples as he led Duke to a 35-3 record. His elite collegiate performance landed him at No. 3 in the NBA Draft behind AJ Dybantsa and Darryn Peterson.

Boozer was phenomenal in Summer League play, posting 18 points, 7.4 rebounds, 3.8 assists and 1.8 “stocks” per game as the Grizzlies lost a tight contest to the Warriors in the Summer League Final.

Of all the picks in this year’s draft, Boozer could see the highest usage, joining a Grizzlies team in desperate need of frontcourt help. Memphis has struggled to stay healthy at forward and center in recent seasons, and Boozer should see big minutes as a Day 1 starter. Thanks to his ability to rack up counting stats and shoot efficiently from the floor, Boozer projects as a multi-category contributor with mid-round fantasy value.

2. Caleb Wilson (F - CHI)

Wilson earned All-ACC first team and All-American second team honors with UNC last season, but a broken thumb in March cut his season short before the NCAA Tournament tipped off.

Wilson was a dominant force in Summer League with averages of 21.8 points, 7.3 rebounds, 1.3 steals, 2.5 blocks and 3.3 triples per game. Lack of a long-range game was a major concern for Wilson coming out of college, but his shooting in Summer League allayed those concerns.

At 6’10 with a seven-foot wingspan, Wilson has the length to be a disruptor on defense, and his elite athleticism gives him upside as a paint protector who can rack up blocks and boards. The Bulls are still working through their rebuild in the post DeRozan-LaVine-Vucevic era, but they’re getting close to having the starting five of the future with Matas Buzelis, Josh Giddey and Nic Claxton.

Wilson is the highest-upside player on the roster, and he should be featured as a two-way menace right out of the gate. He’s co-favored to win the ROY with Cameron Boozer, and Wilson has major appeal as a Top-100 fantasy option with upside.

3. Darryn Peterson (F - UTA)

Peterson may be the best pure scorer in the draft, and he’ll get an immediate opportunity to contribute. Utah has dealt with numerous injuries in recent seasons, and the team has perennially been in the lottery since the Donovan Mitchell-Rudy Gobert era ended.

Utah’s poor records don’t reflect the talent on the team. Heading into the 2026-27 season, the Jazz sport a projected starting five of Keyonte George, Jaren Jackson Jr., Lauri Markkanen, Jusuf Nurkic and Peterson. Markkanen is a capable scorer, but Utah lacks a true “go-and-get-a-bucket” guy who can take over a game when needed. That’s where Peterson comes in. If not for the loaded roster around him, he would be higher on this list, but Peterson has the upside to end up as fantasy’s top rookie.

4. Keaton Wagler (G - LAC)

Everything finally blew up for the Clippers last season as the team dealt James Harden for Darius Garland and swapped Kawhi Leonard for Brandon Ingram and Gradey Dick. Ingram is dealing with a partial Achilles tear, and he won’t be available for the season-opener. It’s unclear when BI will return, but his absence creates a major void for an already-thin roster.

Wagler flashed a ton of upside at Illinois last season, showcasing his ability to score, rebound, facilitate, defend and hit triples. He’s got a high basketball IQ, and his size (6’6) gives him an advantage over others at his position. Wagler’s got a phenomenal mix of talent and opportunity that give him a Top-4 floor, and it wouldn’t be surprising if he finished higher by the end of the season.

5. Yaxel Lendeborg (F - GSW)

Reliable frontcourt production is something the Warriors have lacked for years, and it will be more of the same for Golden State heading into the 2026-27 campaign. Jimmy Butler still isn’t ready to return from a torn right ACL suffered in January, and Kristaps Porzingis is out indefinitely due to an undisclosed health issue.

Longtime veterans Draymond Green and Al Horford are the next two guys up, but Horford is unlikely to play back-to-backs, and Green is far past his prime. Lendeborg was named Summer League MVP after leading the Dubs to the title and averaging 14.9 points, 6.7 rebounds, 4.0 assists and 2.3 “stocks.”

Lendeborg has a clear path to immediate playing time, and his stat-stuffing abilities make him a rookie with tremendous upside.

6. Darius Acuff Jr. (G - SAC)

Darius Acuff Jr. is an elite scorer and facilitator who should get the keys to Sacramento’s offense from Day 1. Viewed as a franchise cornerstone and highly touted by Kings’ leadership, Acuff Jr. joins a team that finished with the NBA’s fourth-worst record a season ago.

DeMar DeRozan is now with the Nuggets, and Sacramento is reportedly shopping Domantas Sabonis and Zach LaVine, two veterans with monster contracts. Even if the pair remain with Sacramento through the season, Acuff Jr. should see ample playing time.

7. AJ Dybantsa (F - WAS)

The No.1 pick in the draft doesn’t come in at No. 1 in my rookie rankings because there are simply too many mouths to feed in the nation’s capital. Assuming he’s a Day 1 starter, Dybantsa will have to contend with Trae Young and Anthony Davis in the first unit, and productive options like Bilal Coulibaly, Khris Middleton and Kyshawn George will all be vying for minutes.

Dybantsa is a multi-level scoring threat who can rebound and defend effectively, however, so he’ll see enough court time to be an end-of-bench guy in standard leagues.

8. Morez Johnson Jr. (F - DAL)

New head coach Dusty May gets Johnson Jr. back after coaching him at Michigan a season ago, and he’s already talked about him joining the rotation as a rookie. Dallas’ frontcourt has been one of the most injury-plagued units over the last two seasons, and Johnson Jr. can fill a clear need. Johnson Jr.’s status is worth monitoring, as he’s dealing with lower-leg soreness, but the issue doesn’t appear to be serious.

9. Hannes Steinbach (C - CHO)

Steinbach averaged 18.5 points, 11.8 rebounds, 1.6 assists, 1.1 steals, 1.2 blocks and 0.6 three-pointers in his lone season with Washington. He led D-1 in rebound average and earned All-Big Ten team honors. The big man was selected 14th overall, and he’ll immediately compete with Moussa Diabate and Ryan Kalkbrenner to be the Hornets’ starting center, though he may see some run at PF.

Naz Reid will see plenty of run in the frontcourt too, but Steinbach’s draft capital and versatility as a four or five suggests he’ll see meaningful minutes right away. Even if he starts, Steinbach’s upside is capped in this crowded rotation, but he should see enough work to finish as a Top-10 rookie.

10. Kingston Flemings (G - ATL)

The Hawks kicked off the post-Trae Young era last season when they dealt the superstar guard to Washington for CJ McCollum. Atlanta exceeded expectations and made the playoffs thanks to strong contributions from McCollum, Nickeil Alexander-Walker, Jalen Johnson and Dyson Daniels.

Flemings joins an already-established backcourt, but McCollum and Alexander-Walker are score-first guys, and the rookie can earn playing time through his playmaking abilities as the true PG that Atlanta needs.

Three More

Cameron Carr (G/F - LAL)

Carr was a standout in Summer League, averaging 17.4 ppg. The 24th pick out of Baylor is 6’5 with a seven-foot wingspan, and he can offer immediate 3-and-D production as a disruptor and floor-spacer. He’s gotten praise from JJ Redick and Rob Pelinka, and Carr has a chance to carve out a meaningful role for a new-look Lakers team in the post-LeBron era.

LaBaron Philon Jr. (G - PHI)

Philon Jr. has been turning heads at training camp, and he could play a key role off the bench for Philadelphia. The Sixers’ starting five is one of the best in the Association, but the team could opt to go lighter on minutes and heavier on rest days for LeBron James or Joel Embiid to make sure they’re healthy for the postseason. Philon Jr. is worth a late-round flier in deep leagues.

Aday Mara (C - OKC)

The 7’3 big man from Michigan will compete with Jaylin Williams for backup center minutes behind Isaiah Hartenstein and Chet Holmgren. Given Hartenstein’s and Holmgren’s injury histories, it wouldn’t be surprising if Mara started multiple games and logged serviceable minutes off the bench.

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A “special NBA guest” is coming to Big Blue Madness: Who will it be?

It appears Kentucky is planning to have a surprise guest tonight who currently plays in the NBA.

Cullen Honohan, also known as Coach All Hail, appears to have been welcomed by Kentucky to gain some behind-the-scenes access and showcase the facilities in and around campus.

Honohan has posted videos from the Rupp Arena locker room, film room, players’ lounge, and Rupp Arena. 

In one video, Honohan said a surprise NBA guest is coming to Big Blue Madness on Friday night.

“You guys are going to have to stay tuned, because apparently tomorrow there’s a special NBA guest coming on.”

Many people have speculated on who the guest for this year’s Big Blue Madness could be. Following up Rick Pitino in year one and John Wall in year two is pretty tough shoes to fill. 

My guess is that it will be someone in the group of Karl-Anthony Towns, Anthony Davis, Shai Gilgeous-Alexander, Devin Booker, or Tyrese Maxey. Obviously, there are many, many more names in the NBA world currently, but that group makes the most sense. 

Karl-Anthony Towns

Coming off winning an NBA championship with the New York Knicks would be a perfect time to bring the big man back to Lexington. KAT has always been a fan favorite, but if he came back and maybe brought his new friend, the Larry O’Brien Trophy, with him, it would make for a magical night in Rupp Arena. 

Anthony Davis

Davis is arguably the greatest to ever play in a Kentucky jersey and an NBA champion. Now heading into his 15th season in the association, making us all feel old, would be an awesome name and face to bring back in 2026, 14 years removed from his team cutting down the nets. Also, my favorite Kentucky Wildcat of all time, so that would make it even sweeter. 

Shai Gilgeous-Alexander

On the heels of back-to-back MVPs and a new Nike contract, SGA could be considered the face of basketball as of today. An NBA champion two years ago and named the best player in the world over the last couple of years makes for a great time to bring the man back to Lexington.

Devin Booker

Now that he has his new shoe line with Nike, Devin Booker has released a couple of Kentucky-themed shoes in the Book 1 and Book 2 models. He also chose to release the “Must Be The Denim” Book 2 early on campus during last year’s basketball season. Booker played for one of the most beloved teams in school history and had a ton of success here, so let’s bring him back. 

No matter who it ends up being, there are a ton of reasons to be excited for tonight, with it being the unofficial start of the Kentucky basketball season! 

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Rebuild-era Trades: How they impact the Spurs today and going forward

SAN ANTONIO, TX - NOVEMBER 20: De'Aaron Fox #4 of the San Antonio Spurs talks with Harrison Barnes #40 during game against the Atlanta Hawks in the second half at Frost Bank Center on November 20, 2025 in San Antonio, Texas. NOTE TO USER: User expressly acknowledges and agrees that, by downloading and or using this photograph, User is consenting to terms and conditions of the Getty Images License Agreement. (Photo by Ronald Cortes/Getty Images) | Getty Images

Since Kawhi Leonard and Tony Parker left and Manu Ginobili retired in the summer of 2018, ending the Spurs’ long era as a championship contender under the Big Three and preventing a Kawhi-led era (or at least ending a short one), there have been several mini-eras. They tried to start a new chapter led by LaMarcus Aldridge and DeMar DeRozan, but it never amounted to anything. After that, they entered a youth movement that quickly switched to rebuild mode through the 2024-25 season, with the major acquisitions that brought them back to title contention being the drafting of Victor Wembanyama, Stephon Castle and Dylan Harper and trade for De’Aaron Fox.

However, there were several other transactions in there that also got them where they are today, some of which still have draft payoff in the future, and that will be huge when the Spurs have to start minding the cap as soon as next offseason. With that in mind, I thought we would go over all the trades of the of the Rebuild Era and see how they are paying off today and what assets the Spurs are still owed in the future, beginning with the trade of DeMar DeRozan in 2021 (which on its own is resolved but still has indirect future pay-off). But first, a few notes:

August 2021: DeMar DeRozan to the Bulls

Bulls receive:

Spurs receive:

Trade Status: Resolved

January 2022: Bryn Forbes to the Nuggets

Nuggets receive:

Spurs receive:

Trade Status: Resolved (*the 2027 2nd round pick was a separate trade)

February 2022: Thaddeus Young, Drew Eubanks to the Raptors

Raptors receive:

Spurs receive:

Trade Status: Resolved

February 2022: Derrick White to the Celtics

Celtics receive:

Spurs receive:

Trade Status: Pending

June 2022: Dejounte Murray to the Hawks

Hawks Receive:

Spurs Receive:

Trade Status: Pending

February 2023: Jakob Poeltl to the Raptors

Raptors Receive:

Spurs receive:

Trade Status: Resolved (*separate trade)

Here we take a minor break from “major” trades to note of some of the relatively small ones the Spurs made in the Summer of 2023, including a 2023 draft-night trade of 2nd round pick Leonard Miller to the Timberwolves for their 2028 2nd round pick. The Spurs also acquired/waived Cameron Payne and the Suns’ 2024 2nd round pick in a salary dump (more in this below).

With Victor Wembanyama now in tow, here is where we start seeing the Spurs acquire talent instead of just draft assets.

July 2023: Spurs acquire Cedi Osman

Heat receive:

Spurs receive:

Trade Status: Pending

February 2024: Doug McDermott to the Pacers

Pacers receive:

Spurs Receive:

Trade Status: Pending

July 2024: Spurs acquire Harrison Barnes

Kings receive:

Spurs receive:

Trade Status: Pending

February 2025: Spurs acquire De’Aaron Fox and Jordan McLaughlin

Bulls receive (from Spurs):

Kings receive (from Spurs):

Spurs receive:

Trade Status: Resolved

And that pretty much ends all the Spurs’ rebuild era trades! They’ve been a minor part of a few others since then, either taking on and waiving salary or trading 2nd round picks (such as playing a small role in the trade that sent Kyle Kuzma to the Bucks). They also traded Branham and Wesley to the Wizards for Kelly Olynyk last summer (no draft capital received back), but I consider all of those “post rebuild” trades and inconsequential today.

This has been quite the rabbit hole to go down, but it’s a good way to remember how we got here, plus it was funny to see some of the random connections you wouldn’t have otherwise considered. For example, who remembered or even knew that Bryn Forbes indirectly led to Tarris Reed? (Now I need Reed to pay off more than ever.) Or that the original DeRozan trade to Chicago really amounted to nothing for the Spurs, but they benefited greatly from the Bulls moving him to the Kings a few years later? Talk about playing the long game.

To conclude, here are the assets the Spurs currently own or are owed in the future from these trades for future reference:

Players (traded for or drafted)

Future 1st round draft picks

Future 2nd round draft picks

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Trail Blazers fire new play-by-play announcer hours after hiring due to racist social media posts

Of all the head-scratching, penny-pinching decisions Tom Dundon has made since buying the Portland Trail Blazers, lowballing longtime, popular play-by-play broadcaster Kevin Calabro — who left after what he called a "subprime" contract offer — ranks near the top of the list.

The guy announced to take over was Braiden Bell — who had the job for about two hours before the Trail Blazers fired him over racist and misogynistic social media posts, which were unearthed by NBC affiliate KGW 8 in Portland.

Bell, 29, posted the comments on X (then Twitter) back in 2012-13, when he was a teenager, but the account has recently been made private. By the time he had launched his broadcasting career, his posts were about sports. Bell was working as the play-by-play broadcaster for the Phoenix Mercury and the G League's Valley Sun (both part of the Phoenix Suns organization) before accepting the Portland job.

The Trail Blazers are now scrambling to find a new play-by-play voice less than three weeks before the season starts. Calabro (who had been with the team since 2016) isn't an option, he was hired as the new play-by-play voice of the Minnesota Timberwolves.

Dundon and the Trail Blazers remain in negotiations with the City of Portland over nearly $600 million in renovations for the Moda Center and signing a long-term lease with the city. Those negotiations have a deadline of the end of the year, before some of the state money pledged to the renovation would go away if a deal is not reached.

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A Tale of Two Trades: LaMelo, KAT, and Aggression in the Star Market

Minnesota Timberwolves v Charlotte Hornets

To many modern fans, the Karl-Anthony Towns trade was a pivot point of their fandom.

I can speak to this myself as well. It’s hard for me to move on from a player who defined the era of Minnesota Timberwolves basketball to which I felt the most connected. I watched KAT battle with the reputation that Jimmy Butler had assigned to him, trying so hard to prove that he was, in fact, a winning, capable player who deserved the money he had just signed for.

I celebrated when he was reunited with draftmate and friend D’Angelo Russell in a pairing that would ultimately produce very little but was still incredibly fun. I spent evening after evening watching him blossom again, renewed in his vigor and joy, alongside Anthony Edwards, and you know what? It was fun!

Charlotte Hornets v Minnesota Timberwolves

I still remember where I was when that trade happened. I used to live in Washington Heights, at the very tip of Manhattan, and I remember walking down the streets of New York and seeing Towns stitched onto the back of a Dominican Republic national team jersey.

It was so weird to know that he would be so loved here, but still deeply miss him. I think it was even cooler, however, to watch him win his title this past year.

Now, time has come and gone, and while sentimentality never fails to cloud objectivity with nostalgia, it seems clear now that the Wolves lost that Karl-Anthony Towns trade pretty overwhelmingly. I know, who could have seen it coming when you trade an All-NBA center for a role player, a star that had outstayed his welcome, and a fake first-rounder (that turned out to be real)?

Still, it’s hard to blame the Wolves.

Managing money in the modern NBA is hard. The aprons are complicated and forever limit any type of sustainable build. That, more than any on-court problem, is why KAT is a Knick. He made too much money to retain.

If we break the deal down to its clearest bullet points, the Knicks were able to capitalize on a team that couldn’t pay one of their best players. That allowed them to bring in a star that they hoped would make the life of their offensively focused superstar easier en route to taking the team to an entirely different level.

In a weird way, that’s exactly what the Wolves did this off-season with the LaMelo Ball trade.

How’s that for a long intro? I can still hear my old editors leaving the note “shorten” in my submitted Google Docs.

The Charlotte Hornets have just had their most impressive season since Kemba Walker was in the fold. They did that behind a career year from LaMelo Ball and his maximization of Kon Knueppel, Moussa Diabate, and Brandon Miller.

While the heights that Charlotte reached are not nearly as high as the Western Conference Finals the Wolves managed to make just a few months before dumping KAT, it is still their current magnum opus to have created a lineup that was among the league’s best.

That was the type of thing that is usually a foundation, and yet the Hornets decided to abandon it.

At this point in their respective careers, KAT was a much better player than Ball. One was a multi-time all-star and had been good enough to be an All-NBA player, while the other was known just as much for his poor driving and health concerns as he was for his massive talent level at doing cool things on bad teams (well, maybe that was more similar).

But the logic for the move was remarkably similar. Even now, the cult-like love that Donte DiVincenzo still has in New York is nearly the same level of care that Naz Reid will forever have in Minnesota. It’s safe to say there is some comparison to be made there, however aesthetically focused it might be.

As it was with the KAT deal, the Wolves included pick equity that may never really come to pass. While the Wolves got lucky that Detroit took a massive leap the year that Minnesota owned their pick, it is still uncertain whether Minnesota will fall below the Hornets in total record over the next 7 years when those pick swaps would convey.

That may be a lot to understand so let’s simplify it:

The Hornets built a foundation like the Wolves did. The Hornets moved off of the most mercurial and unreliable piece of that lineup, in their eyes, by selling high and trying to make sure that their build was sustainable in doing so. They gave up a talented player that could certainly reach another level, just as he could prove to be unworthy of his current contract.

Towns proved he was capable of reaching that new superstar benchmark. He has made that deal look ridiculously stupid. It may not be the worst in franchise history, but it’s not like Minnesota got even an adequate return on their former number one overall pick unicorn big man who was a near-perfect fit alongside their best player.

For their part, the Hornets’ outlook is now far murkier without said star in the fold. Although they did get some decent pieces back in Naz Reid and a 2033 unprotected first-round pick, they now have a team of shooters with no one to set them up.

One team will try to retool with their young core already in place, while the other is bringing in that other star to try to push a core beyond what seemed to be the logical limit of where they could end up to a new zenith.

Maybe Minnesota will win a title in the next few years. Maybe they will instead completely crumble to dust, like many expected New York to do after making that move for a star that many could not stand.

However, the truth remains that just a few years after Tim Connolly closed the Wolves’ window with an ill-thought-out KAT trade, he has tried to open one up by being on the opposite end of the very move he made three summers ago.

The door to a title run is flapping open and closed just like a saloon door. Trade after trade for a star player coming in or going out is constantly changing team makeup and resulting expectations.

Would it be better to still have KAT on the roster? Hard to say (yes), but if LaMelo can do for Anthony Edwards what KAT did for Jalen Brunson, then Wolves fans will likely no longer have to be sore about the move that sent out yet another franchise legend to win their first championship somewhere else