Category: NBA

The Golden State Warriors enter the 2026-27 season as an afterthought to some but are one of the more profound sleeper teams in the league. Golden State returns with practically the same roster from last season, only adding their 2026 draft picks and a couple free agent signings.

The Warriors battled extensive injuries throughout the previous season and managed to sneak into the NBA Play-In Tournament, but failed to make the playoffs, losing in an elimination game for the No. 8-seed to the Phoenix Suns. It was just the second time since their 2022 championship that they missed the postseason which brought questions whether it was the last dance.

The only players remaining from their four-title dynasty that began in 2015 are Stephen Curry, Draymond Green and head coach Steve Kerr and all could have been gone this offseason after expiring contracts. Kerr contemplated retirement last year, but he's in for two more years. Green is back for another season and talks to ensure Curry retires a Warrior have already started. It might not be the last dance, but this is surely, the final act.

With an eerily similar roster, Golden State are putting emphasis on team-chemistry but they remain one of the deadlier threats on one contingency – maintaining health. Jimmy Butler missed 44 games with a torn ACL injury last season, while Moses Moody is recovering from a patellar tendon tear in his left knee that caused him to miss the final 22 games. Curry was out 27 games last year with jumper's knee. They answered questions at center by acquiring versatile big man Kristaps Porzingis in a deal with the Atlanta Hawks, but he played on minute-restrictions as he recovered from earlier injuries and illness. Still, his natural fit, and the need to fill the position, was every reason for the Warriors to sign him to an extension this offseason.

Golden State has perennial "what-if" potential and there's belief within the organization that – if healthy – there is a path to a championship.

Here's a breakdown of the Golden State Warriors' offseason moves and what to expect from them heading into the 2026-27 NBA season:

GOLDEN STATE WARRIORS SCHEDULE: Dates, times and opponents for 2026-27 season

Golden State Warriors offseason review

• Record last season: 37-45 (10th in Western Conference)
• Playoff finish: Lost in NBA Play-In Tournament, No. 8-seed elimination game
• Coach: Steve Kerr (13th season)
• 2026-27 title odds: +6600 (per BetMGM)
• Projected record : 41-41
• Offseason grade : F

Key roster additions

• G Brandon Williams (free agent signing)
• F Georges Niang (free agent signing)
• F Yaxel Lendeborg (No. 11 pick in 2026 NBA Draft)
• F Lajae Jones (No. 56 pick in 2026 NBA Draft)

Key roster losses

• C Quinten Post (free agent, Warriors decline offer)
• F Pat Spencer (free agent)

Biggest question entering training camp

Can the Warriors remain healthy enough to compete?

• The Warriors have a variety of questions to answer: will rookie Yaxel Lendeborg have an immediate impact? will Brandin Podziemski get a new contract? how will new additions fit-in? how consistent can this supporting cast be? However none of those questions the Golden States faces are larger than the question of their health. Last year, despite all the setbacks, they managed to squeak into the Play-In tournament. The likelihood of aging superstars being 100% by April takes some luck, simply put. If the Warriors are healthy, you can place them on the court with anyone and there's belief they have a chance to win.

Projected starting lineup and rotation

Starters

• G Stephen Curry
• G Jimmy Butler (ACL) - Expected by early 2027
• F Yaxel Lendborg
• F Draymond Green
• C Kristaps Porzingis

Rotation players

• G Brandon Williams
• G Brandin Podziemski
• G Gary Payton II
• G De'Anthony Melton
• F Gui Santos
• F Georges Niang
• C Charles Bassey
• C Al Horford

What to expect in 2026-27 season

The Warriors have potential to be in the mix for a Western Conference postseason berth on the strength of returning players and building on team chemistry. But first they have to get there through enduring a grueling 82-game season that's already starting without key guys, Butler and Moody. It expected that Curry will do what he's capable of doing, even still at 38. The Warriors will only go as far as Curry can take them but their focus will be on everyone else. How guys acclimate to Kerr's system, where else offensive production comes from and the little details defensively is how success will appear in the Bay Area. In the meantime, getting – and staying – healthy is the Warriors' No. 1 priority.

This article originally appeared on USA TODAY: Golden State Warriors season preview: Lineup, roster and prediction

Information in this article was imported automatically into a template written and reviewed by a USA TODAY Sports editor. You can send feedback using this form.

There’s something to be said about a team that understands a change, one potentially with risks, needs to happen.

The alternative would be stagnation, and the Minnesota Timberwolves went into this offseason clearly determined to avoid that at all costs.

The focus was on generating more offensive creation and shot opportunities outside of All-NBA shooting guard Anthony Edwards, who has been the face of the franchise. So Minnesota traded away Julius Randle and Naz Reid in separate deals, both clearing up cap space and adding former Hornets guard LaMelo Ball, who will have to embrace efficiency in Minnesota.

Will that be enough for the Timberwolves to get over the hump?

Here's a breakdown of the Minnesota Timberwolves' offseason moves and what to expect from them heading into the 2026-27 NBA season:

TIMBERWOLVES: Sign free agent Jonathan Kuminga. What deal means

MINNESOTA TIMBERWOLVES SCHEDULE: Dates, times and opponents for 2026-27 season

Minnesota Timberwolves offseason review

• Record last season: 49-33 (6th in Western Conference)
• Playoff finish: Eliminated in conference semifinals (2-4, against Spurs)
• Coach: Chris Finch (sixth season)
• 2026-27 title odds: +2500 (per BetMGM)
• Projected record: 55-27
• Offseason grade: B

Key roster additions

• G LaMelo Ball (trade)
• F Jonathan Kuminga (free agent signing)
• F Cody Williams (trade)
• F Trey Lyles (free agent signing)
• G Isaiah Evans (NBA draft)

Key roster losses

• F Julius Randle (trade)
• F Naz Reid (trade)
• G Mike Conley (free agency)
• F Kyle Anderson (free agency)
• G/F John Konchar (waived)

Biggest question entering training camp

How will LaMelo Ball and Jonathan Kuminga reshape Minnesota’s offense?

In the past three seasons, the Timberwolves have reached the conference finals twice. Last year, they failed to get out of the second round. Each time, the opposing team did the same thing: they threw extra bodies and double teams at Anthony Edwards, forcing him to be more of a facilitator than a pure scorer. Minnesota’s other players, however, could never generate enough offense to propel the Timberwolves through. Now, Edwards will have other outlets who can create offense, most notably LaMelo Ball, who should take over ball-handling duties. Ball can also create his own shot, though he was a high-volume option in Charlotte. Here, he’ll need to be more selective, and free agent addition Jonathan Kuminga is another threat who can slash to the rim. Both players are defensive liabilities, though the Timberwolves have enough in Rudy Gobert and Jaden McDaniels to mask those deficiencies. The big question, however, lies on offense, and whether Ball and Kuminga (and guard Ayo Dosunmu, who shined in the playoffs) can take enough pressure off of Edwards.

Projected starting lineup and rotation

Starters

• G LaMelo Ball
• G Anthony Edwards
• F Jonathan Kuminga
• F Jaden McDaniels
• C Rudy Gobert

Rotation players

• G Ayo Dosunmu
• G Terrence Shannon Jr.
• F Joan Beringer
• G Donte DiVincenzo (injured)
• G Isaiah Evans
• G Bones Hyland
• F Cody Williams
• F Enrique Freeman
• C Rocco Zikarsky
• F Jaylen Clark

What to expect in 2026-27 season

A team taking chances to break through. Look for Minnesota to scheme up ways for LaMelo Ball, Jonathan Kuminga, Jaden McDaniels and Ayo Dosunmu to get easy offense. In theory, that should allow Anthony Edwards to both conserve energy and pick his spots. Furthermore, if teams continue to double Edwards, that should give him plenty of viable options to knock down shots. Minnesota’s defense may take a bit of a step back, but an increase in shooting productivity makes the Timberwolves an interesting team to watch. But with the Oklahoma City Thunder, San Antonio Spurs, Denver Nuggets and other teams looming in the West, the path won’t be easy. The Timberwolves do deserve some credit, however, for understanding they needed to make tweaks to stay competitive, especially if they were unwilling to pay Julius Randle. One role that remains up for grabs is sixth man, where Naz Reid had shined. Could that become a spot for Dosunmu? Or, perhaps Kuminga, if he becomes a reserve? Either way, the Timberwolves will need a spark off the bench.

This article originally appeared on USA TODAY: Minnesota Timberwolves season preview: Lineup, roster and prediction

Information in this article was imported automatically into a template written and reviewed by a USA TODAY Sports editor. You can send feedback using this form.

It’s a new era for the Philadelphia 76ers.

After making the playoffs eight of the last nine seasons — but failing to get past the second round in each of those trips — the Sixers overhauled their front office and roster to seriously contend for an NBA championship.

It started with the May 12 dismissal of former president of basketball operations Darryl Morey. Then came Morey’s replacement, Mike Gansey, who had plenty of experience with the Cleveland Cavaliers. It was Gansey’s ties to LeBron James — and the team’s splash acquisition of Jaylen Brown — that lured James away from Los Angeles for the chance to compete for a title.

The Sixers were the clear winners of the offseason. What comes next?

Here's a breakdown of the Philadelphia 76ers' offseason moves and what to expect from them heading into the 2026-27 NBA season:

PHILADELPHIA 76ers SCHEDULE: Dates, times and opponents for 2026-27 season

Philadelphia 76ers offseason review

• Record last season: 45-37 (7th in Eastern Conference)
• Playoff finish: Eliminated in conference semifinals (0-4, against Knicks)
• Coach: Nick Nurse (fourth season)
• 2026-27 title odds: +850 (per BetMGM)
• Projected record : 62-20
• Offseason grade : A

Key roster additions

• F Jaylen Brown (trade)
• F LeBron James (free agent signing)
• F Dean Wade (free agent signing)
• G Anfernee Simons (free agent signing)
• G Kentavious Caldwell-Pope (free agent signing)
• C Ariel Hukporti (free agent signing)
• G Labaron Philon Jr. (NBA draft)

Key roster losses

• F Paul George (trade)
• C Andre Drummond (free agency)
• G Quentin Grimes (free agency)
• F Kelly Oubre Jr. (free agency)
• C Johni Broome (trade)
• F Trendon Watford (free agency)
• G Dalen Terry (waived)

Biggest question entering training camp

Will this superteam gel, and is it built to win a title?

• If there was one team that went all-in this offseason, it was the 76ers, who made massive splashes with their trade for five-time All-Star Jaylen Brown and their signing of NBA icon LeBron James. And with that, suddenly, the Sixers have the best starting lineup in the Eastern Conference, from top to bottom. The issue with superteams is that players are forced to sacrifice and alter their traditional styles of play. That might mean Brown taking on a far smaller usage share, or James limiting his jumpshot attempts in favor of play-making. The reality is that there may be a learning curve and period of assimilation. To be clear: this is a good problem for coach Nick Nurse and the Sixers to have. But expectations — both internal and external — will be sky-high, as these moves were clearly made to deliver a championship, which would be Philadelphia’s first in 44 years. The other question lingering within this larger question is whether star center and former MVP Joel Embiid, who has played just 96 of a possible 246 games (39%) across the last three seasons, can stay healthy.

Projected starting lineup and rotation

Starters

• G Tyrese Maxey
• G VJ Edgecombe
• F Jaylen Brown
• F LeBron James
• C Joel Embiid

Rotation players

• F Dean Wade
• G Anfernee Simons
• G Kentavious Caldwell-Pope
• G Labaron Philon Jr.
• C Adem Bona
• C Ariel Hukporti
• F Dominick Barlow
• F Justin Edwards

What to expect in 2026-27 season

A team that is making a push for a championship. The 76ers are all-in and will have to incorporate new star players Jaylen Brown and LeBron James. It will also be interesting to see how Tyrese Maxey’s role changes with all this; in the games Embiid missed last season, Maxey took on a massive offensive responsibility. As long as the Sixers embrace movement and sharing the ball, the offense should prove to be incredibly difficult to defend. The issue for Philadelphia will be on the other side of the court; the 76ers may struggle to defend opposing offenses. Another thing the 76ers should do is limit the regular-season workloads of James and Embiid, the latter of whom seemingly has worked to get in excellent shape this offseason. Philadelphia may very well end up with the top seed in the East. The real test will be what the Sixers do in the postseason.

This article originally appeared on USA TODAY: Philadelphia 76ers season preview: Lineup, roster and prediction

Information in this article was imported automatically into a template written and reviewed by a USA TODAY Sports editor. You can send feedback using this form.

The Detroit Pistons were an overwhelming success last season, finishing with the best record in the Eastern Conference. But a discouraging playoff exit in the conference semifinals and an unnerving offseason have tempered expectations heading into the 2026-27 NBA season.

Cade Cunningham is back as a legitimate MVP candidate capable of carrying the Pistons to another strong regular season. The front office also tinkered with his supporting cast while embroiled in a prolonged contract standoff with All-Star center Jalen Duren. Detroit addressed its lack of outside shooting by trading for former Oklahoma City Thunder sharpshooter Isaiah Joe and added forward John Collins as a replacement for veteran Tobias Harris.

There are lingering questions after the Pistons couldn't replicate their regular-season performance in the playoffs as to whether the roster is good enough to match or even approach what they did a season ago, reaching 60 wins for the first time in 20 years. Duren's status looms large for the franchise's trajectory, but Detroit should remain a dangerous threat in the Eastern Conference as long as Cunningham is healthy.

Here's a breakdown of the Detroit Pistons' offseason moves and what to expect from them heading into the 2026-27 NBA season:

DETROIT PISTONS SCHEDULE: Dates, times and opponents for 2026-27 season

Detroit Pistons offseason review

• Record last season: 60-22 (1st in Eastern Conference)
• Playoff finish: Lost to Cleveland Cavaliers in conference semifinals
• Coach: J.B. Bickerstaff (3rd season)
• 2026-27 title odds: +3000 (per BetMGM)
• Projected record: 45-37
• Offseason grade: B-

Key roster additions

• G Ebuka Okorie (No. 17 pick in 2026 NBA Draft)
• G Isaiah Joe (trade)
• G Gary Harris (trade)
• F John Collins (trade)
• F Taurean Prince (trade)
• C Ugonna Onyenso (No. 53 pick in 2026 NBA Draft)

Key roster losses

• G Caris LeVert (trade)
• G Marcus Sasser (trade)
• F Tobias Harris (free agent)
• F Isaiah Stewart (trade)

Biggest question entering training camp

Can the Pistons find common ground with Jalen Duren?

• Jalen Duren's playoff performance last year failed to match his breakthrough 2025-26 regular season and that dynamic has complicated contract extension negotiations with the Pistons. Duren is a restricted free agent who, as of Sept. 17, had yet to even sign a qualifying offer from Detroit, with reports indicating mutual interest with the Sacramento Kings. The Pistons are taking an understandable approach with Duren given his limitations, but their ceiling this season and beyond is considerably lower without their All-Star center.

Projected starting lineup and rotation

Starters

• G Cade Cunningham
• G Isaiah Joe
• G Ausar Thompson
• F John Collins
• C Jalen Duren

Rotation players

• G Daniss Jenkins
• G Duncan Robinson
• G/F Kevin Huerter
• F Ron Holland III
• F Taurean Prince
• C Paul Reed

What to expect in 2026-27 season

The Pistons have the fifth-best NBA title odds among Eastern Conference teams entering the preseason, but there remain doubts about whether their offseason moves improved the team enough. Cunningham's emergence as one of the league's best players gives this team a high floor and should keep Detroit among the top six in the East. Advancing past the conference semifinals this year will depend on how the front office sorts out its differences with Duren and whether Joe or Collins emerges as a viable third option.

This article originally appeared on USA TODAY: Detroit Pistons season preview: Lineup, roster and prediction

Information in this article was imported automatically into a template written and reviewed by a USA TODAY Sports editor. You can send feedback using this form.

Paolo Banchero hit an overtime game-winner in Brooklyn in January. Three months later he dropped 38 points on 14-for-25 shooting in a Game 7, and the Orlando Magic still lost by 22.

That gap, between what Banchero can do alone and what happens when nobody else shows up, cost coach Jamahl Mosley his job.

Orlando let Mosley go in May and hired Sean Sweeney, who arrived with a defensive reputation and a mandate to fix an offense that has finished 19th or worse in efficiency three consecutive years. Then the Magic did essentially nothing else. President of basketball operations Jeff Weltman said in the spring that the summer would be quiet, and it was. Nikola Vucevic came back on a minimum deal. Jonathan Isaac and Jevon Carter re-signed on minimums. Moritz Wagner left. That's the offseason.

Weltman's position is that Orlando was a top-five defensive and top-10 offensive team when healthy, and that the roster already contains everything it needs.

Here's a breakdown of the Orlando Magic's offseason moves and what to expect from them heading into the 2026-27 NBA season:

ORLANDO MAGIC SCHEDULE: Dates, times and opponents for 2026-27 season

Orlando Magic offseason review

• Record last season: 45-37 (8th in Eastern Conference)
• Playoff finish: Eliminated in the first round (4-3 by Pistons)
• Coach: Sean Sweeney (first season)
• 2026-27 title odds: +8000 (per BetMGM)
• Projected record : 36-46
• Offseason grade : C-

Key roster additions

• C Nikola Vucevic (free agent signing)
• Izaiyah Nelson (trade)

Key roster losses

• F Moritz Wagner (free agency)
• G Jett Howard (trade)

Biggest question entering training camp

Can a new voice fix the shooting?

• Orlando shot 39.7% from the field across seven playoff games against the Pistons and scored 97.7 points per game in that series. Five players in the rotation were top-eight draft picks, and Banchero's 53% career effective field goal percentage is lower than every top-five pick taken since 2018 except Cooper Flagg. Sweeney inherits the best young defensive personnel in the East and a shot diet that has never once worked in a playoff game. He has one summer of tape and no new players to blame.

Projected starting lineup and rotation

Starters

• G Jalen Suggs
• G Desmond Bane
• F Franz Wagner
• F Paolo Banchero
• C Wendell Carter Jr.

Rotation players

• G Anthony Black
• G Jase Richardson
• F Tristan da Silva
• F Noah Penda
• C Goga Bitadze
• C Nikola Vucevic

What to expect in 2026-27 season

Health is the bet. Franz Wagner and Jalen Suggs have each missed significant time in back-to-back seasons, and Suggs has admitted his playing style is part of why. The Suggs-Bane-Wagner-Banchero-Carter group was a plus-13.5 in 272 minutes last season, including the postseason, which is both encouraging and a reminder of how rarely they were all upright at once.

Vucevic gives Sweeney a backup center who can shoot, which Orlando badly needed and got for the minimum.

Nothing else about this team changed. The Magic are running back a 45-win roster with a rookie head coach in a conference that added two former NBA Finals MVPs during the summer.

This article originally appeared on USA TODAY: Orlando Magic season preview: Lineup, roster and prediction

Information in this article was imported automatically into a template written and reviewed by a USA TODAY Sports editor. You can send feedback using this form.

The Memphis Grizzlies officially moved on from one era of the franchise and began a new one this offseason.

First came the selection of Cameron Boozer with the No. 3 overall pick in the 2026 NBA Draft and soon thereafter, the Grizzlies finally executed a trade of star Ja Morant after looking for a deal to unload him at last year's trade deadline. Combined with the trades of Desmond Bane and Jaren Jackson Jr. over the past year, Memphis has effectively flipped its roster.

The core is filled with compelling young pieces, with Boozer joined by recent first-round picks Cedric Coward and Zach Edey. Jerami Grant, who arrived via the Morant trade, as well as returning guard Ty Jerome give Memphis some experience and should help avoid finishing in the Western Conference cellar.

Though this team isn't expected to be a contender, there's intrigue that this rebuild could come together quicker than expected.

Here's a breakdown of the Memphis Grizzlies' offseason moves and what to expect from them heading into the 2026-27 NBA season:

MEMPHIS GRIZZLIES SCHEDULE: Dates, times and opponents for 2026-27 season

Memphis Grizzlies offseason review

• Record last season: 25-57 (13th in Western Conference)
• Playoff finish: Did not qualify
• Coach: Tuomas Iisalo (3rd season)
• 2026-27 title odds: +75,000 (per BetMGM)
• Projected record: 20-62
• Offseason grade: B+

Key roster additions

• F Cameron Boozer (No. 3 pick, 2026 NBA Draft)
• F Karim Lopez (No. 21 pick, 2026 NBA Draft)
• F Jerami Grant (trade)
• C Isaiah Stewart (trade)
• C Quentin Post (free agent signing)
• F Kris Murray (trade)
• G De'Angelo Russell (trade)

Key roster losses

• G Ja Morant (trade)
• F Santi Aldama (trade)
• G Kentavious Caldwell-Pope (contract buyout)
• F Brandon Clarke (death)

Biggest question entering training camp

How much will Zach Edey play?

• The Grizzlies’ 2024 first-round pick has been an effective anchor in the paint when healthy, and Memphis drafted Boozer, in part, because of his potential long-term fit alongside the 7-foot-3 Edey. But the 24-year old from Purdue played in just 11 games due to a lingering foot injury that required a second surgery in March. How quickly the Grizzlies’ rebuilding plans take shape depends on Edey’s availability and whether the double-double he averaged last year is sustainable over an entire season.

Projected starting lineup and rotation

Starters

• G Ty Jerome
• G Cedric Coward
• F Jerami Grant
• F Cameron Boozer
• C Zach Edey

Rotation players

• G Scotty Pippen Jr.
• G/F Jaylen Wells
• F Karim Lopez
• F/C Quinten Post
• C Isaiah Stewart

What to expect in 2026-27 season

The Memphis Grizzlies are a candidate to exceed expectations and challenge for a postseason berth in the West if their young core can come together quickly this season. The full-time return of Jerome, as well as the consistent presence of Edey and the health of guard Scotty Pippen Jr., are crucial for the team's chances of approaching a .500 record. The bet here is the Memphis front office's strong draft track record pays off again, and this group is battling for one of the final play-in spots by the end of this season.

This article originally appeared on USA TODAY: Memphis Grizzlies season preview: Lineup, roster and prediction

Steph Curry watching, waiting as he makes Warriors contract extension decision originally appeared on NBC Sports Bay Area

OAKLAND – As summer ends with the Warriors responding to a forgettable season with marginal moves, forming twin clouds of disappointment and despair above Dub Nation. The outlook for next season would seem to be gloomy.

But the brightest star in Golden State’s solar system remains cool and analytical. Stephen Curry, observing the franchise from views both panoramic and microscopic, straddles encouragement with anticipation.

Which is partly why Curry’s contract extension – he has been eligible for almost four weeks – remains on hold not because of complications but by choice.

“This is a very unique situation,” Curry said late Wednesday afternoon after visiting a school in east Oakland. “I’ve been pretty straightforward and honest about it: I’m not going anywhere. There are just dynamics of where we’ve been the last four years, where we’re trying to go, and things that are related to my contract that can determine a lot of different things.”

The abiding sense is that Curry longs for reasons to believe with his entire soul that the Warriors are headed up rather than staying relatively flat. He’s not entirely there yet. He is, for now, leaning on hope.

Curry joined the rest of his teammates earlier this week for a sort of conclave arranged by Jimmy Butler III in San Diego. It’s the same way the Warriors closed last summer, the group gathering to spend time together, equal parts re-bonding and sharpening focus as training camp begins next week.

“We just had a great little minicamp as a team and got together for the whole team for the first time,” Curry said. “It was great to see everybody and get prepared for the year, which is where my mind is at really.”

Curry, 38, wants to play with a quality roster, one capable of crashing the postseason party and playing well beyond April. He absolutely wants it to be in Golden State, partly out of loyalty and partly out of stability. He has spent 80 percent of his adult life living and playing in the Bay Area, enjoying the highs and enduring the lows while remaining steadfast to the belief there will be more highs.

How can Steph know? He can’t.

The Warriors are drifting toward a season steeped in trepidation. Last season went south after Butler and Curry went down 11 days apart. Butler, the starting small forward, is expected to miss at least three months. The status of starting center Kristaps Porziņģis is questionable until confirmed otherwise. Al Horford, who missed 37 games last season, returns as a 40-year-old backup to Porziņģis. Draymond Green, 36, is being asked to adjust his role in the offense. Coach Steve Kerr took a month off before deciding to return.

And the youngsters, while showing shades of promise last season, ultimately proved not ready to shine without the veterans.

So, please understand if Curry is in no hurry to sign an extension. He is studying Golden State’s landscape before pinning himself – or the franchise – into an inflexible position.

“I’m pretty sure . . . just know the dynamics of our team, where we’re at, and all that,” Curry said. “It’s not really an obvious type of ‘Let’s just do this and keep it moving’ type situation. This is one of the rare ones in my career (where) you’re trying to make sure you have peace of mind with it all. I don’t know if there’s any more new information. It’s just the conviction of I’m doing the right thing for me, for the team, for now, for the future, like all those things.

“And it’s obvious I don’t have that many more bats at the plate. So just want to make sure I’m doing right by me and by the team.”

Curry never has been a free agent. Never wanted to be. His goal is to retire with the same franchise that brought him into the NBA. To represent one franchise, like Kobe Bryant with the Lakers and Tim Duncan with the Spurs and Dirk Nowitzki with the Mavericks.

That desire, while admirable, has given Golden State’s shot-callers enough comfort to feel less urgency than they otherwise might. The longshot pursuit of LeBron James deep into July was, in a sense, a desperate attempt to upgrade the roster. A belated effort to assuage Curry’s aspirations.

It failed, and now Curry is in observation mode. A contract extension is the least of his worries. He’s preparing to play basketball at an All-Star level while also inspecting potential organizational moves up close and from a distance. 

Whether Steph or Stephen or Wardell, he is a skilled multitasker. Don’t doubt he can do that and still get buckets.

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Late Wednesday night, the Lakers announced that longtime PA announcer and voice of the Lakers and Staples Center and Crypto.com Arena, Lawrence Tanter, had passed away.

Lawrence Tanter, forever in our hearts as a member of the Lakers family 💜 pic.twitter.com/IOmRECqu8m

— Los Angeles Lakers (@Lakers) September 24, 2026

We are deeply saddened to share the news of the passing of legendary Lakers public address announcer Lawrence Tanter. For 43 years, LT’s voice served as the soundtrack to Lakers games at the arena. He will be remembered as a cherished member of the Lakers family.

In June, Tanter resigned from his role following a stroke suffered earlier in the year. According to Dave McMenamin of ESPN, Tanter entered hospice care in August with a strong message via text.

“Quote me,” he wrote, “‘It’s been a blessing.'”

With a career that began in 1982, Tanter saw countless players, teams, dynasties and Hall of Fame careers come and go through multiple arenas. As a result, Tanter is one of those people who everyone has a positive story about.

A true original that added his unique style to Showtime. Rest in peace, LT. https://t.co/GTDopukHGs

— Jeanie Buss (@JeanieBuss) September 24, 2026

I am so sad to hear. He was a great vibe dude, always engaged me in conversation about jazz, he was a music lover and the best announcer in the nba. I realized when attending many other nba arenas that noone else came close. Bless his beautiful heart. https://t.co/8gVC9YmFPL

— Flea (@flea333) September 24, 2026

On top of being a great person, LT took his job very seriously, truly understanding his critical role for fans.

He’d come up to me before every game and inquire – with that glorious baritone – about the starting lineup and any changes for either team.

True legend. 💛💜 https://t.co/I8vLeYjZqi

— Mike Trudell (@LakersReporter) September 24, 2026

For me, the moment I associate with and remember the most from Tanter was when he announced every Laker as Kobe Bryant in the first game after his passing.

From 2020…

Lawrence Tanter announcing every Laker starter as Kobe 😢pic.twitter.com/ZwqdsxPZ4ehttps://t.co/wOwYrYMqQK

— Oh No He Didn't (@ohnohedidnt24) September 24, 2026

“He’s an iconic voice,” head coach JJ Redick said back in March when Tanter initially stepped away from the team. “Playing against the Lakers for 15 years…just playing against them in the Finals, it’s almost a comfort with him being in this arena.”

I think I speak for all Lakers fans when I say that Lakers games are never goign to be the same without him.

You can follow Jacob on Twitter at @JacobRude or on Bluesky at @jacobrude.bsky.social.

Longtime Lakers public address announcer Lawrence Tanter died, the franchise announced on Wednesday night.

He was 76 years old. 

“We are deeply saddened to share the news of the passing of legendary Lakers public address announcer Lawrence Tanter,” the Lakers said in a statement Wednesday. “For 43 years, LT’s voice served as the soundtrack to Lakers games at the arena. He will be remembered as a cherished member of the Lakers family.”

Tanter began working as the Lakers’ P.A. announcer during the 1982-83 season, with his signature smooth delivery and baritone voice being a fixture at the franchise’s home games for over 40 years. 

The Lakers won 10 NBA championships during Tanter’s tenure with the franchise. 

“A true original that added his unique style to Showtime,” Lakers governor and co-owner Jeanie Buss said in a statement. “Rest in peace, LT.”

Tanter retired as the Lakers’ P.A. announcer in June, ending a 43-season run, with the team saying at the time that he’d continue to work with the franchise as a special advisor for game presentation.   

He was the longest tenured P.A. announcer in franchise history.

“Lawrence Tanter has been an integral part of the Lakers gameday experience for more than four decades, setting the tone for countless memorable moments with his professionalism, energy and signature booming voice,” Buss said in a statement in June. “Since the 1980s, LT has narrated every chapter of Lakers basketball, connecting generations of fans, players, coaches and staff while becoming a trusted and unforgettable part of the Lakers experience. I am incredibly grateful for everything he has given to this franchise.”

Tanter missed the Lakers’ last six regular season home games and the playoffs after a health setback. 

ESPN reported that Tanter suffered a stroke in March. 

The team didn’t name Tanter’s successor after his retirement. 

Jason Barquero, the P.A. announcer for the Lakers’ G League affiliate, filled in for Tanter to close out the 2025-26 season.

“He’s an iconic voice,” Lakers coach JJ Redick said in March after Tanter’s first absence. “It’s almost a comfort level with him being in this arena.”

Tanter was born in Chicago in 1949. 

Standing at 6-foot-7, Tanter played forward on his high school basketball team and earned a scholarship to play at the University of Dubuque.

He moved to Southern California in the early 1970s before working at radio station KJLH, and eventually joining the Lakers.

The Lakers’ longtime public address announcer Lawrence Tanter died Wednesday, the team announced. He was 76.

Remembered for his smooth, baritone voice, Tanter served as the voice of the Lakers for more than four decades. Tanter narrated chapters of Kareem Abdul-Jabbar and Magic Johnson, Kobe Bryant and Shaquille O’Neal, LeBron James and now Luka Doncic. After a stroke suffered in March forced him to retire from his game day role, he transitioned to an advisory role in June.

“For 43 years, LT’s voice served as the soundtrack to Lakers games at the arena,” the team said in a statement Wednesday. “He will be remembered as a cherished member of the Lakers family.”

Tanter started with the team in 1982 when the Lakers played in the Forum. His signature calls — “toooo many steps,” “Kobeee Bryant,” “Lllaker Girlsss” — were not boastful or over the top. For a franchise that came to embody old Hollywood glamour, Tanter’s voice became the ideal soundtrack.

Lawrence Tanter, forever in our hearts as a member of the Lakers family 💜 pic.twitter.com/IOmRECqu8m

— Los Angeles Lakers (@Lakers) September 24, 2026

“A true original that added his unique style to Showtime,” Lakers governor Jeanie Buss wrote on X on Tuesday. “Rest in peace, LT.”

He backed fans up as they celebrated 10 championships during his tenure. He offered comfort in other, painful times.

Days after Lakers legend Kobe Bryant died in a helicopter crash in 2020, Tanter guided a sold out crowd through a tearful pregame routine, introducing all five of the Lakers’ starters with a familiar call: “Number 24, 6-6, 20th year out of Lower Merion High School, Kobeeee Bryant.”

The 6-foot-7 Tanter towered over many, but greeted everyone with a kind smile and warm conversation. Just as the players he serenaded with his calls became institutions in the sport, so did he. Tanter was inducted into the Southern California Sports Broadcaster Hall of Fame.

“I hope the team wears an LT patch this season,” former Lakers center and current team broadcaster Mychal Thompson wrote on X on Tuesday.

“He was a great vibe dude, always engaged me in conversation about jazz, he was a music lover and the best announcer in the NBA,” Red Hot Chili Peppers bassist and longtime Lakers fan Flea wrote on X. “I realized when attending many other NBA arenas that no one else came close.”

While many in his profession brought energy with loud, hyped up calls, Tanter held firm with his cool style. He “never tried to be a cheerleader,” Tanter told The Times’ Bill Plaschke in June.

“It’s been a great run,” Tanter said after announcing his retirement. “I’ve been blessed.”

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This story originally appeared in Los Angeles Times.

Shreyas Laddha of the Salt Lake Tribune was kind enough to join me on the Hoops Nerd Podcast. We discussed all of the following:

• Laddha’s journey to the NBA and how he got to Utah
• Darryn Peterson, his injury history, and whether he’s healthy for the upcoming season. We also discussed intel from Jazz workouts
• How Ace Bailey is looking in workouts and what the Jazz are impressed with
• Keyonte George and his new contract and what his role might be
• His prediction, as of today before camp, of what the Jazz starting lineup might look like
• The food in SLC and what he’s looking for, and what he thinks of fry sauce (very important reporting on this one).

Make sure to give Shreyas a follow on Twitter: @shre98

And make sure to read him at the Salt Lake Tribune! https://www.sltrib.com/staff/sladdha@sltrib.com/

Also, make sure to leave your best food recommendations in Salt Lake and Utah in the comments.

And as always, make sure to download the SB Nation app to make sure you don’t miss out on any Utah Jazz coverage.

Lawrence Tanter, who served as the public address announcer for the Los Angeles Lakers for 43 years, has died, the team announced on social media on Sept. 23. He was 76 years old.

"Lawrence Tanter, forever in our hearts as a member of the Lakers family," the Lakers posted on X, formerly Twitter, with a purple heart emoji.

The post was accompanied by the following statement announcing Tanter's death: "We are deeply saddened to share the news of the passing of legendary Lakers public address announcer Lawrence Tanter. For 43 years, LT's voice served as the soundtrack to Lakers games at the arena. He will be remembered as a cherished member of the Lakers family."

Lawrence Tanter, forever in our hearts as a member of the Lakers family 💜 pic.twitter.com/IOmRECqu8m

— Los Angeles Lakers (@Lakers) September 24, 2026

Tanter, who began working for the Lakers in 1982, announced his retirement at the end of the 2025-26 season but planned to stick around the team as "Special Advisor for Game Presentation," the Lakers announced in June. Per ESPN, Tanter suffered a stroke in March 2026 and missed the Lakers' final six home games of the regular season and the playoffs.

NBA world reacts to Lawrence Tanter's death

Tanter was a beloved individual throughout the NBA landscape. Social media tributes poured in immediately once the news was made public.

NBA insider Marc Stein said Lakers games will never be the same in an X post.

The Brooklyn Nets have filled out their NBA roster and are putting the final touches on training camp which begins next Tuesday, adding two new players Wednesday, both of whom could ultimately help their G League affiliate this season.

On Wednesday, Brooklyn signed 6’9” forwards Dain Dainja and Ben Humrichous, both of whom were with the squad in Summer League and according to team source, will be in Brooklyn’s training camp next week. NBA teams can carry up to 21 players on their camp roster.

Humrichous and Dainja are the latest signings announced by the team whose 18-man roster — 15 standard deals and three two-ways — appears set, making if difficult for Humrichous or Dainja to find a way into a Brooklyn uniform by October 19. That’s the final cutdown date for NBA rosters.

In the last week, Brooklyn also added 6’10” Nick Pringle who played at Alabama and Arkansas as well as signing and waiving 6’6” small forward D.J. Rodman, son of five-time NBA Champion Dennis Rodman, and 6’7” shooting guard Aaron Scott, who played with the Nets in Summer League. The first week of the month, Long Island traded for Dwight Murray, a 6’0” point guard who played for Rider University in New Jersey. All of them will most likely spend the year with Long Island.

G League teams can carry up to 10 players on standard contracts and three two-ways, which the organization has already locked up with second round pick Tyler Bilodeau, Chaney Johnson and Grant Nelson who played with Pringle at Alabama.

Long Island has nine of their 10 roster spots locked up, leaving just one to fill. Their nine rostered players include Humrichous, Dainja, Pringle, Rodman, Scott, Murray, international draft pick Tidjiane Dioumassi, and two 6’3” guards acquired in trades earlier in the month: Isaiah Wong, who played in Spain and Joey Calcaterra, a UConn product who was part of the Huskies 2023 NCAA championship squad.

Just like the NBA, though, the G League has a training camp. Unlike the NBA, however, there isn’t a precise hard cap on how many players can be carried into camp. That suggests there will likely be more than one addition for LI before training camp kicks off. Deon Brown, a 6’5” combo guard who played for the Nets in summer league and registered a triple double in one game, has been rumored as a potential camp invite as well although there’s been no confirmation

Overall, Nets’ Summer League alumni currently include Dainja, Humrichous, Murray, and Scott.

More on the summer league faces

Out of those four players, Dainja, 24, is the most intriguing. At 6’9” and 255 pounds with a ridiculous 7’7” wingspan, he is a very physical player who spent the 2025 season with the Sioux Falls Skyforce, the Miami Heat’s G League affiliate. With the Skyforce, he averaged 13.1 points on 62.3% shooting, 5.9 rebounds, and one block across 36 appearances.

Throughout those 36 games, he logged an impressive eight double-doubles. In Summer League with Brooklyn, he consistently remained in the rotation despite being an invite player. Across five games in the Las Vegas portion, he averaged 6.8 points and 5.4 rebounds.

Humrichous, the other 6’9” forward, is much more of a shooter. In Summer League action, he averaged 4.8 points and 3.8 rebounds while hitting 35.3% of his threes in Vegas. His most memorable outing came in the California Classic, where he logged 15 points, eight rebounds, and five three-pointers in an 89-69 win over the Milwaukee Bucks.

Scott, 23, stands at 6’7” and weighs 190 pounds. He went undrafted in 2025 after playing at North Texas and St. John’s. While he struggled to find the floor much in Summer League, he averaged 6.7 points, 3.4 rebounds, and 1.2 steals in 40 games with the Maine Celtics last season.

Lastly, there is Murray. Standing at 6’0” and 181 pounds, Murray has appeared in 90 career G League games (51 starts) across two seasons with the Skyhawks. In the G League, the 26-year-old has averaged 8.9 points, 3.6 rebounds, and 5.0 assists in 23.5 minutes per game. Similar to Scott, he didn’t receive many Summer League minutes.

Other new faces

While a large portion of the roster is occupied by Summer League players this year, there are also a handful of new faces.

Out of the new guys, Wong has the strongest resume. The 25-year-old averaged 14.6 points in Spain’s top league last season. In his most recent G League stint, he averaged 20.6 points across 14 games. Wong also had NBA experience, having spent 21 career games in the pros with the Indiana Pacers (1 in 2023-24) and the Charlotte Hornets (20 in 2024-25).

Brooklyn also signed and waived Rodman, indicating that he is most likely Long Island-bound. The 6’6” wing averaged 7.3 points, 3.5 rebounds, and 1.2 assists with the Greensboro Swarm last season, the Charlotte Hornets’ affiliate.

Calcaterra was acquired in a three-team trade that sent Yuri Collins’ rights to the Memphis Hustle. Calcaterra has been an end of the bench player across several G League teams, averaging 2.8 points in 41 career games in the G.

Then there’s Dioumassi, the 6’4” French guard Long Island selected in July’s G League International Draft. At Western Carolina last season, the Paris native averaged 8.9 points, led the team with 78 assists and made 36.4% of his threes.

Roster math

In addition, NBA teams like Brooklyn can assign up to three players on NBA standard players. Of the 15 players on the Nets roster, the team’s eight picks in last two drafts would be eligible for tours in Long Island.

The sign-and-waive moves, often completed with hours, may seem odd, but they are part of how G League rosters are built. An Exhibit 10 deal can give a waived player a bonus of up to $91,000 if they join a G League affiliate and spend the 60 days there. Sources told ND that Brooklyn is one of a few teams that fully guarantees their Exhibit 10 deals. That’s on top of the $49,000 standard G League deal.

There is also a trade-off between two-way contracts and Exhibit 10’s. A two-way contract pays substantially more ($678,882 for the 2026-27 NBA season), but a player who clears waivers and joins Long Island on a G League deal remains an NBA free agent, unlike a two-way which ties them to the NBA club. Agents have told ND that, for some players, the chance to develop while staying available to all 30 teams can make the Exhibit 10 route more enticing compared to being trapped on a two-way deal.

Overall, LI has a lot of turnover this season. None of their standard players from last year are returning, and the only familiar faces are Nelson, who was an Exhibit 10 signing and is now on a two-way deal, and Johnson, who remains on a two-way deal. Both played in Brooklyn at the end of last season. Johnson played in the Summer League for Brooklyn. Nelson was also on the Summer League roster, but didn’t play following an off-season procedure to treat his patella tendinitis, which is also known as “jumper’s knee.”

Long Island will begin its season on November 6, with its home opener on Friday, November 13, at the Nassau Coliseum.

He’s been eligible for a contract extension for nearly a month and has likely been discussing terms with the Golden State Warriors for longer than that. Still, Steph Curry says that the delay in his signing an extension in no way suggests he’s wavering on his “obvious goal” of playing with the Warriors for his entire career.

Steph Curry tells ESPN his unsettled extension will have no impact on his play or the team's vibe: "No drama. No talking points. This team should be competitive and go win."

If he waits, it's about future flexibility: "Information and patience is key."https://t.co/eOVt2jsc7g

— Anthony Slater (@anthonyVslater) September 23, 2026

There’s no reason to debate what Curry deserves after delivering four championships to the Warriors, who are worth roughly 25x what they were before he arrived. If he wants to take a max deal for two seasons, the Warriors are going to pay it, and we’ll get a big retirement tour, complete with a heartfelt, scrappy battle for a play-in spot. He’d also have the chance to get a rare no-trade clause, not that it seems likely the Warriors would trade him without his cooperation.

But it certainly sounds like Curry isn’t going to simply take as much money as possible, or he would have already done it. Speaking to ESPN, he made it clear he wants to resolve his contract situation before the season and have “No drama, no talking points.”

It’s an interesting conundrum, because while the Warriors have limited options for improving next season if Curry takes a max, which would lower their potential cap space from over $100M to around $45M, with the contracts of Jimmy Butler, Draymond Green, and Kristaps Porzingis all expiring. That’s a huge difference, but it comes with a lot of questions.

1. Do the Warriors have a plan to exploit all that cap space?

It’s all well and good to create cap space and options, and the Warriors have a mixed record in exploiting that. Clearing money in the summer of 2016 and landing Kevin Durant? A-plus. Amassing a collection of tradeable deals and trading for Jimmy Butler in 2025, after striking out on a Durant return? Solid B-plus. Getting Green to opt out of his deal and standing pat while waiting for LeBron James this year? D-minus.

2. Where do the Warriors spend that money?

The list of unrestricted free agents available next season is unexciting. The biggest prize would look to be 22-year-old All-NBA center Jalen Duren, but even with his contentious negotiations this summer, it’s hard to believe the Detroit Pistons would let a 22-year-old All-NBA center hit unrestricted free agency. As long as the Denver Nuggets don’t implode, Nikola Jokic is unlikely to be going anywhere, nor is Giannis Antetokounmpo after the Miami Heat emptied the chamber of picks and players to get him.

The best player who could be available is Karl-Anthony Towns of the New York Knicks, who is quite good indeed! Towns is an underrated defender and perhaps the best-shooting center in NBA history, which allows his teams a lot of flexibility in who plays around him. Head coach Mike Brown and the Knicks offense unlocked a previously-unknown level of passing from Towns during their title run. Towns has a $61M player option for 2027-28 but extension talks with the Knicks have reportedly stalled.

Beyond Towns, the players who can opt out of their 2027-28 deals tend to be older: Jrue Holiday, Kyrie Irving, Paul George, Julius Randle, Damian Lillard, and Rudy Gobert. On the younger side, Jalen Green of the Phoenix Suns has a player option, as does Bennedict Mathurin of the New Orleans Pelicans. And if the Warriors want to bang their head against the same wall, Durant and James can both become free agents.

3. How good could the Warriors be if Steph Curry played for the minimum?

$100M is really a lot of money, and opens up a lot of options for trades, signings, sign-and-trades. Should the team have extra money, they’ve got more to work with, in front of a roster that would have Curry, Al Horford, Yaxel Lendeborg, Gui Santos, plus whoever they sign or trade for. And a lot of question marks beyond that.

4. What about Brandin Podziemski?

Going into his fourth year, Podziemski is eligible for a rookie extension. But as we’ve seen with Jonathan Kuminga, teams have far more leverage than players until they can hit unrestricted free agency, much less restricted status. The Warriors have very little motivation to lock up Podz early unless they get a discount. Even if he’s facing restricted free agency in the summer of 2027, the cap hold for Podziemski should be around $17M, which could be similar to what he’d get in a long-term deal. If he signed for less than that for 2027-28, it would mean even more cap savings.

5. How long do the Warriors and Curry have to decide?

Technically Curry can sign an extension at any time during the season, but his “no drama” comments indicate he’d like to wrap things up before the season begins. But at least for now, the idea of Curry leaving in free agency doesn’t seem to be something he’s considering. It’s up to the front office to convince him that if he gives up money, they’ll actually do something with the extra cap space.

Gregg Popovich added to his ring collection after marrying the ex-wife of one of his former assistant coaches.

The five-time NBA champion head coach of the Spurs tied the knot with Mary Barth Budenholzer on Sept. 16 in Texas, according to a marriage license obtained by TMZ. 

Barth Budenholzer was once married to former San Antonio assistant and current Suns head coach Mike Budenholzer, who was by Popovich’s side with the Spurs for nearly two decades from 1996 to 2013.

The duo won four titles together before Budenholzer left to coach the Hawks.

Mike and Mary Budenholzer divorced in 2016, according to TMZ, and share four children — sons William Vincent and John Brent and daughters Savoia Elizabeth and Hanna Louise.

Popovich’s first wife, Erin, died in 2018 at the age of 67 after a prolonged illness. The couple were married for 41 years and had two children — Jill and Mickey. 

It’s unclear when the 77-year-old Popovich and Barth Budenholzer’s relationship began, but Mike Budenholzer has moved on, too.

He thanked his partner Lisa during his introductory Suns press conference in May 2024.

Popovich, now the Spurs president of basketball operations, was forced to retire from coaching after 29 years with San Antonio in 2025 due to health issues after suffering a mild stroke before a game against the Timberwolves in November 2024.

He is the NBA all-time leader in coaching wins at 1,390.

Budenholzer, 57, also has had a successful career as a head coach with 520-363 overall record and two NBA Coach of the Year awards. He won the 2020-21 NBA championship with the Bucks.

Coach Pop got an ovation at the Austin Spurs G-League game

(via hispanosatx/ig) pic.twitter.com/TtjRG3dtqi

— Bleacher Report (@BleacherReport) January 25, 2026

He went just 36-46 in his first season in Phoenix.