Interim president of basketball operations Trent Redden opened Clippers media day with an apology.
“Our fans deserve to hear from us before this, and for that we’re sorry,” Redden said Monday. “We’ve been listening to the thoughts, the concerns, and feeling the emotions of our fan base. They mean everything to us. … We hope to fulfill our promises to them, to build their trust and move forward through this time.
“This franchise often has done its best work with its back against the wall … We hope to represent our fans the same way we always have in dark times, by coming out fighting.”
Los Angeles Clippers head coach Tyronn Lue talks to reporters during the NBA basketball team’s media day. AP Photo/Jae C. Hong
This summer marks a torrential turning point for the Clippers as the NBA punished the team for violating its salary cap circumvention rules. The Clippers were stripped of five first-round picks and fined $30 million.
Owner Steve Ballmer was suspended for a year and president of basketball operations Lawrence Frank received a six-month suspension. The Clippers also parted ways with its franchise player, Kawhi Leonard, who was traded to Toronto after paying a $700,000 fine for his involvement in circumventing the salary cap.
Monday’s media day signaled the team’s official effort to move forward despite the scandal.
The Clippers already have a plethora of injuries as Brandon Ingram, Bradley Beal, Jordan Miller and Yanic Konan Niederhauser are all sidelined. But the latter is progressing well.
It’s evident that rather than chasing a championship, the team will do its best to keep its head above water amid the trying season ahead.
A journalist arrives for the Los Angeles Clippers’ media day. AP Photo/Jae C. HongLos Angeles Clippers forward Brandon Ingram (7) during media day at Intuit Dome. IMAGN IMAGES via Reuters Connect
“It’s been difficult,” Clippers head coach Ty Lue admitted. “But I give our players a lot of credit … the leadership is great [and] the morale is great, even in these tough situations.
“That’s good to see, when you have your players coming in every day, giving everything they have; a lot of teams don’t have that.”
Rui Hachimura, former Lakers forward, had the most ironic quote of the day.
“One thing everyone says about the Clippers is how well they take care of players,” Hachimura said.
It could be argued that Leonard was indeed treated well. Franchise legend Chris Paul likely won’t say the same.
NEW YORK, NEW YORK - SEPTEMBER 28: Julius Randle #30 of the Brooklyn Nets speaks during a press conference at Brooklyn Nets Media Day at Brooklyn Nets HSS Training Center on September 28, 2026 in New York City. NOTE TO USER: User expressly acknowledges and agrees that, by downloading and/or using this Photograph, user is consenting to the terms and conditions of the Getty Images License Agreement. (Photo by Dustin Satloff/Getty Images) | Getty Images
If we learned anything at Media Day this year, it’s that the Brooklyn Nets aren’t very good at golf. When Julius Randle hit the links with Mikel Brown Jr. and few other Nets youngsters this summer, he came to that realization quickly.
“Third hole in, they were trying to take their shirts off, and it’s just like, they didn’t understand golf etiquette,” Randle said. “Mikel broke a club, a driver, on one of the holes. So I learned really fast that I’m dealing with kids.”
“Shirtless golfing? Julius said that?,” Brown Jr. later remarked. “I’m going to talk to him. Don’t worry about it. That is not true.”
“Yeah, we broke a couple of clubs just, because we got stronger this summer,” a grinning Egor Dëmin later said. “The swing is not getting better. Yeah, it’s just been kind of a struggle over there, but good thing it’s not what we do. Good thing for us and for others.”
Indeed, that’s not the sport Dëmin and his teammates specialize in. That would be basketball. Unlike golf, it’s fast, more focused on physicality, and about the team rather than the individual. That’s exactly how this year’s interview and photoshoot extravaganza was today as well.
Health & Team Building Tendencies
Sean Marks and Jordi Fernández were first to address reporters at HSS Training Center. They didn’t waste time giving up the biggest news of the day, reporting early on that Brown Jr. rolled his ankle last week. Marks said he’d need to be “ramped up” in training camp but that they “don’t expect him to miss considerable time.” He also said Nolan Traoré, who had his knee scoped this summer, would also need to ramp up, but is good to go by all other accounts. Grant Nelson, who also had a minor knee issues over the summer, is a “full go,” according to Marks. Nelson in fact has been seen scrimmaging with teammates in videos posted on social media in recent days.
“Physically, those guys are ready for camp,” he said. “Nolan will be ramped up a little bit through camp, but I don’t see him missing any days. Grant, same way. Grant is full go now.”
“My knee is completely fine now,” Traoré, who also weighed in 10 pounds heavier and an inch taller than he did last year, later said. “I’m fully here, so there’s no concern.”
A noticeably-beefed up Nolan Traore said his knee is 100% as the Nets open training camp. pic.twitter.com/LQUR6CGdGW
Once they got that out of the way, Marks and Fernández continued to echo what we’ve heard from them in the past handful of months: they value flexibility and look forward to continuing this rebuild project.
“It’s exciting that we’ve been able to add this youth to this team, watch these guys develop,” Marks said. “I think we’ve always said over the course of the last couple of years, it’s like we’re looking for the next Nets. Who are those guys? So we have a training camp and another year to figure this out as we build.”
When asked what the team needs to do warrant an “all-in,” aggressive move that elevates the roster, Marks mentioned the developmental pace of those players and how that coincides with the free agent or trade market.
“It’s going to be on how these guys develop, whether it’s Egor, whether it’s Nolan, or whether it’s Julius,” he said. “It runs the gamut, right across the whole lot of them. Who can take that next step? But then, it’s also a combination of what becomes available. I can’t predict when players from other teams become available, what free agency looks like down the road, and so forth. I think that’s where you just keep your flexibility.
“We’re always listening. I’m not sure we’re going to be any more active than we have been in the past, but it doesn’t mean we’re not listening. It doesn’t mean we’re not shaking trees and seeing what’s out there, for sure.”
MPJ’s Contract Situation
Whether or not Michael Porter Jr. will be a part of that long term plan remains to be seen. The forward coming off his best campaign as a pro is on the last year of his contract. Expectedly, Marks declined to comment on extension negotiations, only stating that they’re ongoing and in no rush to end them.
“I’ll leave the negotiations internal,” he said. “That’s obviously between the Nets, Mike and his agent, but I think they’re ongoing. The dialogue is ongoing, I think. But again, we are in no hurry to do this. I don’t think he’s in any particular hurry either.”
Marks later added that to in order commit to Porter Jr. as a long term piece, he’d like to see him round out his game a bit more by widening his skillset on the court while being a mentor off of it.
“I think for us, we’re looking for consistency from him,” he said. “We’re looking for him to take another step on the defensive end of it, and rebounding of it. Just become more of a complete player on the court. The other one is the intangibles, right? That’s important for us in the locker room. This goes for all the guys, specifically the guys who are a little bit older, who have seen it, been around a little bit, what’s their leadership look like? Mike knows that. We’re expecting big things from not only him, but Mo [Wagner], Keon [Ellis] and Julius, the guys we brought in who have seen other environments.”
“It might sound strange, but it’s literally not on my mind at all,” Porter Jr said of the contract situation. “I hired a great agent (Mark Bartelstein) and I know him and Sean, they’ve been speaking, but for me, I’m just excited to play basketball. I never was a dude who played basketball for a big contract or for the money. So for me, I’m just excited to play with these guys, be in Brooklyn, and build this organization as one of the leaders. I’ve voiced that I would love to be in Brooklyn and that I’m enjoying playing with these guys, and I think we’ll be a lot better this year, obviously.”
Porter Jr. also said he’s excited to play with Randle, viewing him as someone who’ll be able to open things up for him and vice versa in return. He also praised Dëmin for his work in the gym, as well as Brown Jr.’s maturity.
“He’s super dedicated to his craft,” Porter Jr. said. “It doesn’t feel like he’s a rookie when he’s in the locker room, when he’s on the court.”
🎙️ Michael Porter Jr. on Egor Dëmin’s growth, confidence and work heading into Year 2 pic.twitter.com/VP67VLjY1r
MPJ also mentioned that he wants to be the best off-the-ball player in the NBA this year. He wants the team to set high expectations for themselves, even if they’re well beyond what appears within their reach, and even they takes them beyond our atmosphere.
“I do genuinely believe that you’re supposed to go out on the floor every night with delusional confidence and compete to win,” said Porter Jr., who recently predicted a 50+ win season for Brooklyn. “I do think that we have the players, that every single night, our goal should be to win. Obviously, the NBA is stacked right now. The Eastern Conference is stacked. There’s a lot of good teams, but we definitely did nothing but get better last year, and I think that there were a lot of games that we were in last year that we could have won. So for me, it’s like we have no choice but to go up, and why not shoot for the stars?
“[O]f course I’m not going to say, ‘No, we can’t win 50 games.’ And I do genuinely believe that you’re supposed to go out on the floor every night with delusional confidence and compete to win. And I do think that we have the players that every single night our goal should be to win and we can win.:
He was not alone in the 50-win club either. Terance Mann, one of the team’s other veterans, revealed that 50 wins is a team goal.
“I mean, that’s the goal from day one,” said Mann. “We said our goal is to get 50 wins. So you’re going to have to go in there with the mentality that we’re going to get 50 wins. And that’s through the guys with years leading that. Most of us came from winning situations, so we know what it takes and that’s just what we’re going to do.”
Young Dogs, Old Tricks
Beyond contracts and cracked clubs, much of the conversation on Media Day continued to center around Brooklyn’s young players. Porter Jr. and Randle weren’t the only veterans to notice their youthful nature, yet mature approach to the game
“Extremely competitive, extremely hardworking,” Wagner said of the group. “This is the hardest I’ve worked in the summertime with an organization, and the young guys obviously take lead on that. It’s great timing in my career after my injury to come here, be challenged on a whole another level physically and extremely excited to build a bridge towards winning here.”
Keon Ellis shouted out Drake Powell when asked about the team’s top defensive prospects, calling him one of Brooklyn’s better prospects at that end of the floor.
“I love the way he guards,” Ellis said. “He’s picking up full, guarding with his chest and not fouling a lot.”
Joshua Jefferson seems to have found a veteran to model his game after, also Randle. Both players are 6’9” forwards who can handle, shoot the rock and make an impact on the glass. Jefferson says he’s already tried to learn as much as he can from his new, hopefully friendlier, Hal Jordan in Randle.
“I’ve been able to ask him a couple questions about what he looks for,” Jefferson said. “I think the biggest thing that I’ve learned so far is the point of emphasis on his physicality, when he’s initiating contact and then getting to what he wants to get to. Something I’ve learned, is to not do finesse every single time, just a mix of finesse and physicality within my game. I’m excited to keep on learning from him.”
Once the laughter subsided after Randle explained Brown Jr. and Dëmin’s golf etiquette, or lack thereof, he also praised for the pair and Brooklyn’s broader youth movement.
“I learned they’re kids, man, but they’re so eager to learn and get better,” he said. “They’re obviously really, really talented, extremely talented, but they have a competitive nature, being around them early, and just a hunger to get better…
“Usually when you’re a young player, you want to try to get a basket every single time, but [Mikel’s] coming off a pick-and-roll and really understands how to read and play the game. And Egor does the same. Egor can really shoot the ball. He’s 6’9″, athletic, moves really well with and without the ball. He really understands how to play the game. So, these guys are going to be great for a long time.“
Mikel Brown Jr. Begins His Journey
Brooklyn’s top pick this year got behind the podium closer to the end of the day. He sounded even less concerned over his rolled ankle than Marks.
“I’m doing everything possible to get back on the floor, and I’m back on the floor shooting and moving around a little bit,” Brown Jr. said. “It’s coming along well. I’ve progressed very fast. We’re just attacking it. We’re attacking the rehab and taking it a day at a time.”
Brown Jr. was even more confident when speaking about his transition to the NBA level, once more referring to himself as a “savant” and expressing trust in his own ability to learn and process things quickly on the court.
“Honestly, it hasn’t been too much of a transition for me just because of who I am. I’m a savant when it comes to that stuff,” he said, raising a few eyebrows. “So, anything that they really throw at me is not really just a surprise. It’s more about the terminology on how they word it. I’ll say that. But I mean, it’s been easy for me. It hasn’t been such a big transition just because I’m constantly studying and the coaches are helping me as well. I watch film with the coaches every single day.”
For his rookie year goals, Brown Jr. only mentioned winning, noting that as a priority above any accolades. He also wants to turn the ball over less this season.
“That’s something that I definitely looked at during this pre-draft process and something that I’m continuing to cut down,” Brown Jr. said. “And honestly, any read that I think I’m going to make, I’m thinking it’s going to be the right read and if it goes bad, it goes bad. It’s just the flow of the game…I’m a high-risk, high-reward guy. I know sometimes it’s better to hit the single, that’s what I’ve been talking to my coaches about, and I’ve gotten better at that. So, at the end of the day, it’s taking them one day at a time and one game at a time.”
Egor Dëmin & The Flatbush Five Continue Theirs
Dëmin’s development this offseason has been well-documented, primarily with his stellar play in Summer League. He touched on his growth, in terms of his on-court capabilities and physical frame, early.
“I’ve been always saying, once I get stronger, it’s going to be different for me,” Dëmin said. “It might sound as an excuse, but I truly believe that the stronger I’m going to get, the better player I’m going to be, because skill-wise, I can work on that stuff every day, but if somebody in front of me is way stronger than me, I can’t go through him.”
Dëmin came in at 212 pounds today, up just two from what he came in at last year. He said he’ll define “play bigger” primarily at the defensive end this year, where he’ll want to be able to go out and guard an opposing team’s best player. That said, he also wants to attack the rim more, like how he did in Las Vegas.
“This year, what I’m emphasizing is getting to the lane, getting to the paint, which is going to open up so much more opportunities for [catch and shoot type plays],” he said. “Being able to create, not just for myself, but for others, having opportunities for passes, playing in transition and playing fast basketball. With gravities like Mike, Julius, Mikel, and not just gravities, but also having them on the court helps a lot. Obviously, when you know that I pass, whoever it is on the floor, I know that the ball’s going to go in.”
Dëmin later called Brown Jr. “my brother,” explaining that they’ve forged a tight bond despite having only known each other for a few months.
“I think my goal is to make this group not just coworkers with each other, but being actual friends,” Dëmin said of Brown Jr., who’s only three months younger. “I’m not going to say ‘family’ because it’s a strong word to use. And when you become a family, I think that’s where you become a championship contender, but I think becoming friends is very important. So, that’s my goal for the season, not just with Mikel, but everybody else.”
Saraf and Powell echoed Dëmin’s emphasis on team camaraderie. When asked about the expanded guard rotation and the limited minutes available, they both framed the competition as an opportunity for the group to push one another.
“I think the healthy competition part only makes us better, and ready to go out and compete when we have games,” Powell said.
“For me, I think it’s only going to help for the team,” Saraf added. “It’s always good when you have a healthy competition. I think it pushes everyone to to be their best version of themselves. Then, it’s going to help us as a team, of course.
Saraf spent most of the 2025-26 campaign on Long Island. However, Traoré and Powell each had extensive stints out there as well.
“To speak for me, I feel like I’m ready for the competition,” Saraf added. “Everybody needs to fight for his minutes, and I’m ready for it.”
Nelson, asked about his summer, which was spent in rehab, said he had focused on his shooting mechanics, adding that he feels more confident now that he had.
What’s Coming Next
That’ll all begin tomorrow for Saraf and company, with Nets training camp officially kicking off Tuesday morning. A week later, they’ll play their first preseason game against the Charlotte Hornets.
Brooklyn will play three more preseason games on October 9th, 12th, and 14th. They’ll need to shave their roster down to 15 standard contracts before the official start of the season at 5 p.m. EST on October 19th. Then, it’s game time, two days later on October 21st.
NEW YORK, NEW YORK - SEPTEMBER 28: Julius Randle #30 of the Brooklyn Nets speaks during a press conference at Brooklyn Nets Media Day at Brooklyn Nets HSS Training Center on September 28, 2026 in New York City. NOTE TO USER: User expressly acknowledges and agrees that, by downloading and/or using this Photograph, user is consenting to the terms and conditions of the Getty Images License Agreement. (Photo by Dustin Satloff/Getty Images) | Getty Images
If we learned anything at Media Day this year, it’s that the Brooklyn Nets aren’t very good at golf. When Julius Randle hit the links with Mikel Brown Jr. and few other Nets youngsters this summer, he came to that realization quickly.
“Third hole in, they were trying to take their shirts off, and it’s just like, they didn’t understand golf etiquette,” Randle said. “Mikel broke a club, a driver, on one of the holes. So I learned really fast that I’m dealing with kids.”
“Shirtless golfing? Julius said that?,” Brown Jr. later remarked. “I’m going to talk to him. Don’t worry about it. That is not true.”
“Yeah, we broke a couple of clubs just, because we got stronger this summer,” a grinning Egor Dëmin later said. “The swing is not getting better. Yeah, it’s just been kind of a struggle over there, but good thing it’s not what we do. Good thing for us and for others.”
Indeed, that’s not the sport Dëmin and his teammates specialize in. That would be basketball. Unlike golf, it’s fast, more focused on physicality, and about the team rather than the individual. That’s exactly how this year’s interview and photoshoot extravaganza was today as well.
Health & Team Building Tendencies
Sean Marks and Jordi Fernández were first to address reporters at HSS Training Center. They didn’t waste time giving up the biggest news of the day, reporting early on that Brown Jr. rolled his ankle last week. Marks said he’d need to be “ramped up” in training camp but that they “don’t expect him to miss considerable time.” He also said Nolan Traoré, who had his knee scoped this summer, would also need to ramp up, but is good to go by all other accounts. Grant Nelson, who also had a minor knee issues over the summer, is a “full go,” according to Marks. Nelson in fact has been seen scrimmaging with teammates in videos posted on social media in recent days.
“Physically, those guys are ready for camp,” he said. “Nolan will be ramped up a little bit through camp, but I don’t see him missing any days. Grant, same way. Grant is full go now.”
“My knee is completely fine now,” Traoré, who also weighed in 10 pounds heavier and an inch taller than he did last year, later said. “I’m fully here, so there’s no concern.”
A noticeably-beefed up Nolan Traore said his knee is 100% as the Nets open training camp. pic.twitter.com/LQUR6CGdGW
Once they got that out of the way, Marks and Fernández continued to echo what we’ve heard from them in the past handful of months: they value flexibility and look forward to continuing this rebuild project.
“It’s exciting that we’ve been able to add this youth to this team, watch these guys develop,” Marks said. “I think we’ve always said over the course of the last couple of years, it’s like we’re looking for the next Nets. Who are those guys? So we have a training camp and another year to figure this out as we build.”
When asked what the team needs to do warrant an “all-in,” aggressive move that elevates the roster, Marks mentioned the developmental pace of those players and how that coincides with the free agent or trade market.
“It’s going to be on how these guys develop, whether it’s Egor, whether it’s Nolan, or whether it’s Julius,” he said. “It runs the gamut, right across the whole lot of them. Who can take that next step? But then, it’s also a combination of what becomes available. I can’t predict when players from other teams become available, what free agency looks like down the road, and so forth. I think that’s where you just keep your flexibility.
“We’re always listening. I’m not sure we’re going to be any more active than we have been in the past, but it doesn’t mean we’re not listening. It doesn’t mean we’re not shaking trees and seeing what’s out there, for sure.”
MPJ’s Contract Situation
Whether or not Michael Porter Jr. will be a part of that long term plan remains to be seen. The forward coming off his best campaign as a pro is on the last year of his contract. Expectedly, Marks declined to comment on extension negotiations, only stating that they’re ongoing and in no rush to end them.
“I’ll leave the negotiations internal,” he said. “That’s obviously between the Nets, Mike and his agent, but I think they’re ongoing. The dialogue is ongoing, I think. But again, we are in no hurry to do this. I don’t think he’s in any particular hurry either.”
Marks later added that to in order commit to Porter Jr. as a long term piece, he’d like to see him round out his game a bit more by widening his skillset on the court while being a mentor off of it.
“I think for us, we’re looking for consistency from him,” he said. “We’re looking for him to take another step on the defensive end of it, and rebounding of it. Just become more of a complete player on the court. The other one is the intangibles, right? That’s important for us in the locker room. This goes for all the guys, specifically the guys who are a little bit older, who have seen it, been around a little bit, what’s their leadership look like? Mike knows that. We’re expecting big things from not only him, but Mo [Wagner], Keon [Ellis] and Julius, the guys we brought in who have seen other environments.”
“It might sound strange, but it’s literally not on my mind at all,” Porter Jr said of the contract situation. “I hired a great agent (Mark Bartelstein) and I know him and Sean, they’ve been speaking, but for me, I’m just excited to play basketball. I never was a dude who played basketball for a big contract or for the money. So for me, I’m just excited to play with these guys, be in Brooklyn, and build this organization as one of the leaders. I’ve voiced that I would love to be in Brooklyn and that I’m enjoying playing with these guys, and I think we’ll be a lot better this year, obviously.”
Porter Jr. also said he’s excited to play with Randle, viewing him as someone who’ll be able to open things up for him and vice versa in return. He also praised Dëmin for his work in the gym, as well as Brown Jr.’s maturity.
“He’s super dedicated to his craft,” Porter Jr. said. “It doesn’t feel like he’s a rookie when he’s in the locker room, when he’s on the court.”
🎙️ Michael Porter Jr. on Egor Dëmin’s growth, confidence and work heading into Year 2 pic.twitter.com/VP67VLjY1r
MPJ also mentioned that he wants to be the best off-the-ball player in the NBA this year. He wants the team to set high expectations for themselves, even if they’re well beyond what appears within their reach, and even they takes them beyond our atmosphere.
“I do genuinely believe that you’re supposed to go out on the floor every night with delusional confidence and compete to win,” said Porter Jr., who recently predicted a 50+ win season for Brooklyn. “I do think that we have the players, that every single night, our goal should be to win. Obviously, the NBA is stacked right now. The Eastern Conference is stacked. There’s a lot of good teams, but we definitely did nothing but get better last year, and I think that there were a lot of games that we were in last year that we could have won. So for me, it’s like we have no choice but to go up, and why not shoot for the stars?
“[O]f course I’m not going to say, ‘No, we can’t win 50 games.’ And I do genuinely believe that you’re supposed to go out on the floor every night with delusional confidence and compete to win. And I do think that we have the players that every single night our goal should be to win and we can win.:
He was not alone in the 50-win club either. Terance Mann, one of the team’s other veterans, revealed that 50 wins is a team goal.
“I mean, that’s the goal from day one,” said Mann. “We said our goal is to get 50 wins. So you’re going to have to go in there with the mentality that we’re going to get 50 wins. And that’s through the guys with years leading that. Most of us came from winning situations, so we know what it takes and that’s just what we’re going to do.”
Young Dogs, Old Tricks
Beyond contracts and cracked clubs, much of the conversation on Media Day continued to center around Brooklyn’s young players. Porter Jr. and Randle weren’t the only veterans to notice their youthful nature, yet mature approach to the game
“Extremely competitive, extremely hardworking,” Wagner said of the group. “This is the hardest I’ve worked in the summertime with an organization, and the young guys obviously take lead on that. It’s great timing in my career after my injury to come here, be challenged on a whole another level physically and extremely excited to build a bridge towards winning here.”
Keon Ellis shouted out Drake Powell when asked about the team’s top defensive prospects, calling him one of Brooklyn’s better prospects at that end of the floor.
“I love the way he guards,” Ellis said. “He’s picking up full, guarding with his chest and not fouling a lot.”
Joshua Jefferson seems to have found a veteran to model his game after, also Randle. Both players are 6’9” forwards who can handle, shoot the rock and make an impact on the glass. Jefferson says he’s already tried to learn as much as he can from his new, hopefully friendlier, Hal Jordan in Randle.
“I’ve been able to ask him a couple questions about what he looks for,” Jefferson said. “I think the biggest thing that I’ve learned so far is the point of emphasis on his physicality, when he’s initiating contact and then getting to what he wants to get to. Something I’ve learned, is to not do finesse every single time, just a mix of finesse and physicality within my game. I’m excited to keep on learning from him.”
Once the laughter subsided after Randle explained Brown Jr. and Dëmin’s golf etiquette, or lack thereof, he also praised for the pair and Brooklyn’s broader youth movement.
“I learned they’re kids, man, but they’re so eager to learn and get better,” he said. “They’re obviously really, really talented, extremely talented, but they have a competitive nature, being around them early, and just a hunger to get better…
“Usually when you’re a young player, you want to try to get a basket every single time, but [Mikel’s] coming off a pick-and-roll and really understands how to read and play the game. And Egor does the same. Egor can really shoot the ball. He’s 6’9″, athletic, moves really well with and without the ball. He really understands how to play the game. So, these guys are going to be great for a long time.“
Mikel Brown Jr. Begins His Journey
Brooklyn’s top pick this year got behind the podium closer to the end of the day. He sounded even less concerned over his rolled ankle than Marks.
“I’m doing everything possible to get back on the floor, and I’m back on the floor shooting and moving around a little bit,” Brown Jr. said. “It’s coming along well. I’ve progressed very fast. We’re just attacking it. We’re attacking the rehab and taking it a day at a time.”
Brown Jr. was even more confident when speaking about his transition to the NBA level, once more referring to himself as a “savant” and expressing trust in his own ability to learn and process things quickly on the court.
“Honestly, it hasn’t been too much of a transition for me just because of who I am. I’m a savant when it comes to that stuff,” he said, raising a few eyebrows. “So, anything that they really throw at me is not really just a surprise. It’s more about the terminology on how they word it. I’ll say that. But I mean, it’s been easy for me. It hasn’t been such a big transition just because I’m constantly studying and the coaches are helping me as well. I watch film with the coaches every single day.”
For his rookie year goals, Brown Jr. only mentioned winning, noting that as a priority above any accolades. He also wants to turn the ball over less this season.
“That’s something that I definitely looked at during this pre-draft process and something that I’m continuing to cut down,” Brown Jr. said. “And honestly, any read that I think I’m going to make, I’m thinking it’s going to be the right read and if it goes bad, it goes bad. It’s just the flow of the game…I’m a high-risk, high-reward guy. I know sometimes it’s better to hit the single, that’s what I’ve been talking to my coaches about, and I’ve gotten better at that. So, at the end of the day, it’s taking them one day at a time and one game at a time.”
Egor Dëmin & The Flatbush Five Continue Theirs
Dëmin’s development this offseason has been well-documented, primarily with his stellar play in Summer League. He touched on his growth, in terms of his on-court capabilities and physical frame, early.
“I’ve been always saying, once I get stronger, it’s going to be different for me,” Dëmin said. “It might sound as an excuse, but I truly believe that the stronger I’m going to get, the better player I’m going to be, because skill-wise, I can work on that stuff every day, but if somebody in front of me is way stronger than me, I can’t go through him.”
Dëmin came in at 212 pounds today, up just two from what he came in at last year. He said he’ll define “play bigger” primarily at the defensive end this year, where he’ll want to be able to go out and guard an opposing team’s best player. That said, he also wants to attack the rim more, like how he did in Las Vegas.
“This year, what I’m emphasizing is getting to the lane, getting to the paint, which is going to open up so much more opportunities for [catch and shoot type plays],” he said. “Being able to create, not just for myself, but for others, having opportunities for passes, playing in transition and playing fast basketball. With gravities like Mike, Julius, Mikel, and not just gravities, but also having them on the court helps a lot. Obviously, when you know that I pass, whoever it is on the floor, I know that the ball’s going to go in.”
Dëmin later called Brown Jr. “my brother,” explaining that they’ve forged a tight bond despite having only known each other for a few months.
“I think my goal is to make this group not just coworkers with each other, but being actual friends,” Dëmin said of Brown Jr., who’s only three months younger. “I’m not going to say ‘family’ because it’s a strong word to use. And when you become a family, I think that’s where you become a championship contender, but I think becoming friends is very important. So, that’s my goal for the season, not just with Mikel, but everybody else.”
Saraf and Powell echoed Dëmin’s emphasis on team camaraderie. When asked about the expanded guard rotation and the limited minutes available, they both framed the competition as an opportunity for the group to push one another.
“I think the healthy competition part only makes us better, and ready to go out and compete when we have games,” Powell said.
“For me, I think it’s only going to help for the team,” Saraf added. “It’s always good when you have a healthy competition. I think it pushes everyone to to be their best version of themselves. Then, it’s going to help us as a team, of course.
Saraf spent most of the 2025-26 campaign on Long Island. However, Traoré and Powell each had extensive stints out there as well.
“To speak for me, I feel like I’m ready for the competition,” Saraf added. “Everybody needs to fight for his minutes, and I’m ready for it.”
Nelson, asked about his summer, which was spent in rehab, said he had focused on his shooting mechanics, adding that he feels more confident now that he had.
What’s Coming Next
That’ll all begin tomorrow for Saraf and company, with Nets training camp officially kicking off Tuesday morning. A week later, they’ll play their first preseason game against the Charlotte Hornets.
Brooklyn will play three more preseason games on October 9th, 12th, and 14th. They’ll need to shave their roster down to 15 standard contracts before the official start of the season at 5 p.m. EST on October 19th. Then, it’s game time, two days later on October 21st.
Luka Dončić was nervous before his teammates came to Slovenia.
He had never hosted a mini camp before, let alone asked a bunch of 20 and 30-something-year-old men to travel to Europe for him.
But with nine new players on the Lakers’ roster and the hopes of a 17-time championship franchise on his shoulders, he decided to step outside his comfort zone.
So, he paid for his teammates to come to his home country so they could build chemistry.
Why Slovenia?
Luka Doncic signs autographs for young fans during the Los Angeles Lakers’ visit to Slovenia on Sunday, August 23, 2026. Andrej Tarfila/Shutterstock
He didn’t want to leave his two daughters (two-year-old Gabriela and nine-month-old Olivia), both of whom he shares custody with his ex-fiancée, Anamaria Goltes, who lives in Slovenia.
“Obviously, I was with my daughters,” Doncic said at Lakers media day on Monday. “So we decided that we would bring the team to Slovenia. It was an amazing trip.”
Luka Doncic talks during media day at the UCLA Health Training Center in El Segundo, California, Monday, September 28, 2026. IMAGN IMAGES via Reuters Connect
It deepened their relationships. It helped the Lakers get to know their superstar, who finished fourth in MVP voting last season.
“It was very important for me to show them where I’m from, and I think everybody liked it,” Doncic said. “We had some great time. Just, you know, it was very nice that all of them came, which I know it’s not easy. But that just showed what kind of group we are.”
When Austin Reaves was asked about the trip, he couldn’t help but trash talk Doncic a bit.
“We won the rowing, we won the golf, we won bowling,” Reaves said. “Luka tried to put on a blue shirt when his rowing team lost, which is crazy. But he did host us, so we let him hold the first place trophy for once.”
The Lakers enter training camp Tuesday already having taken an international trip together. They have inside jokes. They feel gratitude for Doncic, who paid for them to share that experience.
It’ll help expedite their biggest challenge next season: gelling.
With so many new faces, the quicker they can bond, develop trust, and learn one another, the faster they’ll be able to compete in the very crowded Western Conference.
Luka Doncic of the Los Angeles Lakers drives to the basket as Michael Porter Jr. of the Brooklyn Nets defends him on Feb. 3, 2026. Corey Sipkin for NY Post
As for Doncic, he made it clear that he’s looking forward to the challenge of being the Lakers’ biggest superstar after LeBron James left for the 76ers in free agency in July.
“I was in this position in my career a lot of times, so it’s not new to me,” Doncic said. “But I feel great. I feel excited. And like I said, I’m ready to go. It’s been a long time since I played basketball, so I’m ready.”
Doncic missed all of last postseason after suffering a strained hamstring in April. He said he’s entering training camp healthy and without any restrictions.
“I’m feeling great,” he said. “I feel rested. Mentally I feel great, so I can’t wait just to start.”
Luka Dončić was nervous before his teammates came to Slovenia.
He had never hosted a mini camp before, let alone asked a bunch of 20 and 30-something-year-old men to travel to Europe for him.
But with nine new players on the Lakers’ roster and the hopes of a 17-time championship franchise on his shoulders, he decided to step outside his comfort zone.
So, he paid for his teammates to come to his home country so they could build chemistry.
Why Slovenia?
Luka Doncic signs autographs for young fans during the Los Angeles Lakers’ visit to Slovenia on Sunday, August 23, 2026. Andrej Tarfila/Shutterstock
He didn’t want to leave his two daughters (two-year-old Gabriela and nine-month-old Olivia), both of whom he shares custody with his ex-fiancée, Anamaria Goltes, who lives in Slovenia.
“Obviously, I was with my daughters,” Doncic said at Lakers media day on Monday. “So we decided that we would bring the team to Slovenia. It was an amazing trip.”
Luka Doncic talks during media day at the UCLA Health Training Center in El Segundo, California, Monday, September 28, 2026. IMAGN IMAGES via Reuters Connect
It deepened their relationships. It helped the Lakers get to know their superstar, who finished fourth in MVP voting last season.
“It was very important for me to show them where I’m from, and I think everybody liked it,” Doncic said. “We had some great time. Just, you know, it was very nice that all of them came, which I know it’s not easy. But that just showed what kind of group we are.”
When Austin Reaves was asked about the trip, he couldn’t help but trash talk Doncic a bit.
“We won the rowing, we won the golf, we won bowling,” Reaves said. “Luka tried to put on a blue shirt when his rowing team lost, which is crazy. But he did host us, so we let him hold the first place trophy for once.”
The Lakers enter training camp Tuesday already having taken an international trip together. They have inside jokes. They feel gratitude for Doncic, who paid for them to share that experience.
It’ll help expedite their biggest challenge next season: gelling.
With so many new faces, the quicker they can bond, develop trust, and learn one another, the faster they’ll be able to compete in the very crowded Western Conference.
Luka Doncic of the Los Angeles Lakers drives to the basket as Michael Porter Jr. of the Brooklyn Nets defends him on Feb. 3, 2026. Corey Sipkin for NY Post
As for Doncic, he made it clear that he’s looking forward to the challenge of being the Lakers’ biggest superstar after LeBron James left for the 76ers in free agency in July.
“I was in this position in my career a lot of times, so it’s not new to me,” Doncic said. “But I feel great. I feel excited. And like I said, I’m ready to go. It’s been a long time since I played basketball, so I’m ready.”
Doncic missed all of last postseason after suffering a strained hamstring in April. He said he’s entering training camp healthy and without any restrictions.
“I’m feeling great,” he said. “I feel rested. Mentally I feel great, so I can’t wait just to start.”
For Ziaire Williams, signing with the Lakers was even more significant compared to most of the team’s offseason additions.
Williams, the 25-year-old forward the Lakers signed to a veteran’s minimum contract after playing for the Grizzlies (2021-24) and Nets (2024-26), was born about 60 miles north of Los Angeles in Lancaster.
He was born just after the second championship of the Lakers’ Shaquille O’Neal/Kobe Bryant-led three-peat in the early 2000s, and was a kid when Bryant led the franchise to two more championships in 2009 and ‘10.
Joining the Lakers is a homecoming for Ziaire Williams. AP Photo/Mark J. Terrill
Williams went to high school at Notre Dame in Sherman Oaks before transferring to Sierra Canyon for his senior year, playing alongside his now Lakers teammate Bronny James.
He referred to joining the Lakers as a “full circle” moment.
“It’s a blessing, man,” Williams said. “I remember being six years old in a YMCA Junior Lakers jersey in Lancaster. Just growing up and seeing the LA culture, watching the the championship parades on the street. It’s purple and gold everywhere, man. My family bleeds purple and gold, so just to be able to throw the jersey on and be able to play on the biggest stage of the world is a blessing for sure.”
Williams isn’t alone one of the Lakers’ new additions who grew up loving the franchise.
Collin Sexton, the veteran guard the Lakers signed to a two-year deal (player option for 2027-28), said during the Lakers Monday media day that he “grew up loving Kobe Bryant”.
Walking into the Lakers’ practice facility brought back memories for Sexton, who reflected on watching the team’s games when he was a little kid, but also talking with fans of the franchise since joining the team this summer.
Quentin Grimes is used to playing in big-market NBA cities like Los Angeles. William Liang for CA Post
“You can tell they love their team,” Sexton said. “I’m super excited to be here and just thankful to be a part of the organization. I can remember my first basketball recreation [team], I was playing for the Lakers jersey, number 10, so that’s why I also chose number 10. So I got to pull that picture up somewhere so you guys can see that.”
Sexton and Williams are among the nine new players the Lakers added during the offseason to complement star guards Luka Doncic and Austin Reaves.
Walker Kessler, the franchise’s marquee offseason addition, got a taste of how far the Lakers’ reach is while the team was in Slovenia for the Doncic-sponsored mini camp.
“The amount of Lakers fans, and obviously Luka fans, but just Lakers jerseys and kids and adults, just everyone just being so excited to see the Lakers, I mean, it’s one of the biggest brands in all of sports internationally,” Kessler said. “With the fan base and everyone loves the Lakers and wants them to succeed.”
Walker Kessler already feels the level of expectations that comes with being a Laker. William Liang for CA Post
Kessler felt the Lakers historic significance when he got a firsthand look at the Lakers’ 17 NBA championship banners hanging in their El Segundo practice facility.
“That can be looked at as pressure, so to speak,” he added. “But I think it’s more of an opportunity to play for a historic franchise, to play for a franchise that has done. I mean, you can look to your left [gestures to championship trophies] and see it, I mean, it’s insane. To play for a history like this, I don’t really feel pressure. I just feel grateful, grateful for this opportunity and grateful to play for this franchise.”
Quentin Grimes, who’s already played for the 76ers and Knicks, as well as the Pistons and Mavericks, is well aware of the pressure that comes with playing for an NBA team in a big market like Los Angeles.
Matisse Thybulle is eager for his Lakers experience. William Liang for CA Post
“L.A. is a different beast,” Grimes said. “It’s one of the, if not the most coveted sports team basketball-wise in the country for sure, one of the most prestigious ones as well. Everybody knows the Lakers. You go anywhere around the world and everybody knows that Lakers logo, everybody’s heard of the Lakers. But like I said, it’s one of the top markets in the world in general, sports aside. So you just gotta not worry about if you get good praise, bad praise.
“At the end of the day, I’m here to play basketball, and I’m here to handle business every single day. So you can’t get caught up in external noise because you got our team, that’s the only noise we’re really worried about. So that’s the only thing you got to worry about. Just keep the main thing the main thing and everything will be alright.
For Matisse Thybulle, another wing the Lakers signed to a one-year deal, is looking forward to experiencing what it’s like to play for the NBA’s marquee franchises.
“Just as an NBA player, it’s just widely accepted that it’s a big deal to play for the Lakers,” Thybulle said. “And for me, not having yet done that, just being able to put the jersey on and take some photos, I don’t think it’s fully settled in. But I look forward to the first game and just to get this season going and see what that support really feels like from a local and global standpoint.”
For Ziaire Williams, signing with the Lakers was even more significant compared to most of the team’s offseason additions.
Williams, the 25-year-old forward the Lakers signed to a veteran’s minimum contract after playing for the Grizzlies (2021-24) and Nets (2024-26), was born about 60 miles north of Los Angeles in Lancaster.
He was born just after the second championship of the Lakers’ Shaquille O’Neal/Kobe Bryant-led three-peat in the early 2000s, and was a kid when Bryant led the franchise to two more championships in 2009 and ‘10.
Joining the Lakers is a homecoming for Ziaire Williams. AP Photo/Mark J. Terrill
Williams went to high school at Notre Dame in Sherman Oaks before transferring to Sierra Canyon for his senior year, playing alongside his now Lakers teammate Bronny James.
He referred to joining the Lakers as a “full circle” moment.
“It’s a blessing, man,” Williams said. “I remember being six years old in a YMCA Junior Lakers jersey in Lancaster. Just growing up and seeing the LA culture, watching the the championship parades on the street. It’s purple and gold everywhere, man. My family bleeds purple and gold, so just to be able to throw the jersey on and be able to play on the biggest stage of the world is a blessing for sure.”
Williams isn’t alone one of the Lakers’ new additions who grew up loving the franchise.
Collin Sexton, the veteran guard the Lakers signed to a two-year deal (player option for 2027-28), said during the Lakers Monday media day that he “grew up loving Kobe Bryant”.
Walking into the Lakers’ practice facility brought back memories for Sexton, who reflected on watching the team’s games when he was a little kid, but also talking with fans of the franchise since joining the team this summer.
Quentin Grimes is used to playing in big-market NBA cities like Los Angeles. William Liang for CA Post
“You can tell they love their team,” Sexton said. “I’m super excited to be here and just thankful to be a part of the organization. I can remember my first basketball recreation [team], I was playing for the Lakers jersey, number 10, so that’s why I also chose number 10. So I got to pull that picture up somewhere so you guys can see that.”
Sexton and Williams are among the nine new players the Lakers added during the offseason to complement star guards Luka Doncic and Austin Reaves.
Walker Kessler, the franchise’s marquee offseason addition, got a taste of how far the Lakers’ reach is while the team was in Slovenia for the Doncic-sponsored mini camp.
“The amount of Lakers fans, and obviously Luka fans, but just Lakers jerseys and kids and adults, just everyone just being so excited to see the Lakers, I mean, it’s one of the biggest brands in all of sports internationally,” Kessler said. “With the fan base and everyone loves the Lakers and wants them to succeed.”
Walker Kessler already feels the level of expectations that comes with being a Laker. William Liang for CA Post
Kessler felt the Lakers historic significance when he got a firsthand look at the Lakers’ 17 NBA championship banners hanging in their El Segundo practice facility.
“That can be looked at as pressure, so to speak,” he added. “But I think it’s more of an opportunity to play for a historic franchise, to play for a franchise that has done. I mean, you can look to your left [gestures to championship trophies] and see it, I mean, it’s insane. To play for a history like this, I don’t really feel pressure. I just feel grateful, grateful for this opportunity and grateful to play for this franchise.”
Quentin Grimes, who’s already played for the 76ers and Knicks, as well as the Pistons and Mavericks, is well aware of the pressure that comes with playing for an NBA team in a big market like Los Angeles.
Matisse Thybulle is eager for his Lakers experience. William Liang for CA Post
“L.A. is a different beast,” Grimes said. “It’s one of the, if not the most coveted sports team basketball-wise in the country for sure, one of the most prestigious ones as well. Everybody knows the Lakers. You go anywhere around the world and everybody knows that Lakers logo, everybody’s heard of the Lakers. But like I said, it’s one of the top markets in the world in general, sports aside. So you just gotta not worry about if you get good praise, bad praise.
“At the end of the day, I’m here to play basketball, and I’m here to handle business every single day. So you can’t get caught up in external noise because you got our team, that’s the only noise we’re really worried about. So that’s the only thing you got to worry about. Just keep the main thing the main thing and everything will be alright.
For Matisse Thybulle, another wing the Lakers signed to a one-year deal, is looking forward to experiencing what it’s like to play for the NBA’s marquee franchises.
“Just as an NBA player, it’s just widely accepted that it’s a big deal to play for the Lakers,” Thybulle said. “And for me, not having yet done that, just being able to put the jersey on and take some photos, I don’t think it’s fully settled in. But I look forward to the first game and just to get this season going and see what that support really feels like from a local and global standpoint.”
After having multiple months to reflect, franchise superstar Luka Doncic provided his thoughts of the Lakers’ efforts to construct a team around him that they hope will contend for an NBA title.
“I like everybody that we signed,” Doncic said during the team’s Monday media day. “There’s a lot of underrated guys, a lot of new guys that are underrated. Got to spend some time with them obviously off court. Now the training camp is going to help us a lot, focus on basketball, get to know what they like on the court, but I’m very excited to play with all of them.”
Luka Doncic gave his thoughts on the Lakers’ roster moves. William Liang for CA Post
The Lakers enter the start of training camp on Tuesday with nine new players.
But none of them are bigger – figuratively and literally – than Walker Kessler, the 7-foot-2 center the Lakers not only signed to a four-year, $130 million contract, but also sent the Jazz unprotected first-round draft picks in 2031 and 2033 and first-round swaps in 2028 and 2030 to acquire.
Doncic identified Kessler as a player he wanted the Lakers to acquire.
And the franchise, led by president of basketball operations/general manager Rob Pelinka, got the type of big man rim-protecting, lob threat Doncic had been wanting to play alongside since coming to Los Angeles in February 2025.
“I played a lot of games against Walker, so it was always tough to play against him,” Doncic said. “I really wanted him. The organization wanted him, I wanted him, all the players wanted him, so I think it’s an amazing fit for us. Obviously a rim protector, but then offensively he improved so much that he’s going to help us a lot.”
Walker Kessler is the Lakers’ biggest offseason addition. William Liang for CA Post
Kessler found himself fitting in quickly.
He recalled receiving his first lob from Doncic during the team’s Doncic-sponsored trip to Slovenia last month.
“I don’t even think he was looking at me, and he kind of just threw it and I was there,” Kessler said. “I mean, I’ve heard a lot of people say that about playing with him. So caught it, dunked it, ran back down, high fived and I was like, ‘yup, I can get used to this’.”
Kessler wasn’t the only significant addition to the Lakers’ roster.
Quentin Grimes is also one of the Lakers’ key additions. William Liang for CA Post
Sexton agreed with Doncic’s assessment of the roster moves.
“We’re all underrated, if that makes [sense],” Sexton said. “We’re competitors. I feel like we added people that are willing to compete, and we added guys that [don’t] back down to anyone. I know for myself, I’m somebody that’s not gonna back down to any challenge or not gonna back down to anyone.
“Whenever I step between those lines, there’s no friends. It’s us versus them. So I know it can look like we’re underrated [at] times.”
The re-signing of Austin Reaves was the Lakers’ most important offseason move. William Liang for CA Post
With LeBron James with the 76ers and no longer with the Lakers, Doncic and Reaves are stepping into more significant leadership roles.
“He improved a lot,” Doncic said of Reaves. “He just talks more to a lot of people. Obviously the new players, they look up to him, asking things. So I think he [took] a big step forward.”
After having multiple months to reflect, franchise superstar Luka Doncic provided his thoughts of the Lakers’ efforts to construct a team around him that they hope will contend for an NBA title.
“I like everybody that we signed,” Doncic said during the team’s Monday media day. “There’s a lot of underrated guys, a lot of new guys that are underrated. Got to spend some time with them obviously off court. Now the training camp is going to help us a lot, focus on basketball, get to know what they like on the court, but I’m very excited to play with all of them.”
Luka Doncic gave his thoughts on the Lakers’ roster moves. William Liang for CA Post
The Lakers enter the start of training camp on Tuesday with nine new players.
But none of them are bigger – figuratively and literally – than Walker Kessler, the 7-foot-2 center the Lakers not only signed to a four-year, $130 million contract, but also sent the Jazz unprotected first-round draft picks in 2031 and 2033 and first-round swaps in 2028 and 2030 to acquire.
Doncic identified Kessler as a player he wanted the Lakers to acquire.
And the franchise, led by president of basketball operations/general manager Rob Pelinka, got the type of big man rim-protecting, lob threat Doncic had been wanting to play alongside since coming to Los Angeles in February 2025.
“I played a lot of games against Walker, so it was always tough to play against him,” Doncic said. “I really wanted him. The organization wanted him, I wanted him, all the players wanted him, so I think it’s an amazing fit for us. Obviously a rim protector, but then offensively he improved so much that he’s going to help us a lot.”
Walker Kessler is the Lakers’ biggest offseason addition. William Liang for CA Post
Kessler found himself fitting in quickly.
He recalled receiving his first lob from Doncic during the team’s Doncic-sponsored trip to Slovenia last month.
“I don’t even think he was looking at me, and he kind of just threw it and I was there,” Kessler said. “I mean, I’ve heard a lot of people say that about playing with him. So caught it, dunked it, ran back down, high fived and I was like, ‘yup, I can get used to this’.”
Kessler wasn’t the only significant addition to the Lakers’ roster.
Quentin Grimes is also one of the Lakers’ key additions. William Liang for CA Post
Sexton agreed with Doncic’s assessment of the roster moves.
“We’re all underrated, if that makes [sense],” Sexton said. “We’re competitors. I feel like we added people that are willing to compete, and we added guys that [don’t] back down to anyone. I know for myself, I’m somebody that’s not gonna back down to any challenge or not gonna back down to anyone.
“Whenever I step between those lines, there’s no friends. It’s us versus them. So I know it can look like we’re underrated [at] times.”
The re-signing of Austin Reaves was the Lakers’ most important offseason move. William Liang for CA Post
With LeBron James with the 76ers and no longer with the Lakers, Doncic and Reaves are stepping into more significant leadership roles.
“He improved a lot,” Doncic said of Reaves. “He just talks more to a lot of people. Obviously the new players, they look up to him, asking things. So I think he [took] a big step forward.”
SAN FRANCISCO ― A decade ago the Golden State Warriors were the clear-favorite to win a NBA title, now, 10 years later, many don't have them making the playoffs – and that's okay with them.
A shocking prediction, yes. But they are perfectly fine with not having those expectations as they step into the 2026-27 season with a fresh outlook.
Head coach Steve Kerr is back after contemplating retirement, signing a two-year extension with the Warriors. Golden State has practically the same roster as last year – returning nearly every key player, while adding Georges Niang and Brandon Williams.
"It's been a long offseason, too long, not making the playoffs last year. But I'm thrilled about starting the climb again, day one, and training camp. There's always a sense of excitement," Kerr said. "I feel really good about this team, and I'm really optimistic. I love our guys, and I think we have a chance to have a really good year. There's a lot of really good players and a lot of good energy with what we're doing right now."
The Warriors finished with a 37-45 record but still managed to creep into the NBA Play-In tournament. They lost the elimination game for the No. 8-seed to the Phoenix Suns, however, marking just the second time since their 2022 championship that they missed the postseason.
Many experts predict the Warriors to have a similar record in the 2026-27 season, which makes sense seeing as they have a nearly identical team. USA TODAY Sports' Lorenzo Reyes projects Golden State to finish 41-41 in the regular season, ninth in the Western Conference. ESPN predicts the Warriors to finish two games worse than last year at 35-47.
Players and coaches aren't paying attention to outside noise, however. Here are the main takeaways from Warriors Media Day on Monday, Sept. 28:
Warriors starting forward Jimmy Butler III has been rehabilitating a torn ACL he suffered last year. Moses Moody missed the final 22 games of the 2025-26 season with a torn patellar tendon but showed he can be a key rotational piece off the bench.
Neither Butler nor Moody will be suiting up on opening day, but they will travel with the team to Hawaii for training camp and preseason games. Another key player who will be missing is center, Kristaps Porzingis, who is out with an undisclosed health issue, Warriors general manager Mike Dunleavy said.
Lendeborg helped lead the Warriors' summer league team to a title and earned MVP honors along the way. His awards might not stop there. He believes that he can make his way to an All-Rookie first team and even win Rookie of the Year.
His teammates had high praise for his skill and physique. Butler's thoughts on Lendeborg is that "he's (expletive) massive."
Jimmy Butler when asked about his initial thoughts on Yaxel Lendeborg:
SAN FRANCISCO, CALIFORNIA - SEPTEMBER 28: Yaxel Lendeborg #1 of the Golden State Warriors poses for a picture during media day at Chase Center on September 28, 2026 in San Francisco, California. NOTE TO USER: User expressly acknowledges and agrees that, by downloading and/or using this photograph, user is consenting to the terms and conditions of the Getty Images License Agreement. (Photo by Ezra Shaw/Getty Images) | Getty Images
Golden State Warriors rookie Yaxel Lendeborg turned heads with his infectious confidence and humor during NBA Media Day. The 11th overall draft pick reflected on his rapid adjustment to the professional level following an impressive Summer League campaign.
Lendeborg expressed awe at playing alongside Stephen Curry, pointing out the gravity Curry commands on the court. “I’ve never come off a screen and seen nobody in front or behind me,” Lendeborg joked when describing a scrimmage sequence. He also lightheartedly claimed to have blocked a Curry three-pointer during practice, telling reporters, “They said it was a foul. I told my friends it was a block.”
Yaxel Lendeborg on the slip cut in a scrimmage off Steph’s gravity: “I’ve never come off a screen and seen nobody in front or behind me.”
He also said he blocked a Steph 3: “They said it was a fouls. I told my friends it was a block. pic.twitter.com/JQxEr5yIaP
Beyond the humor, Lendeborg voiced ambitious personal goals for his debut season, targeting an All-Rookie First Team selection. Head coach Steve Kerr praised his size and versatility, confirming Lendeborg is poised to play a major role in the Warriors’ rotation this season.
Yaxel Lendeborg said he wants to be All-Rookie first team: "I feel like I could be Rookie of the Year, but that's not my main focus."
SAN FRANCISCO, CALIFORNIA - SEPTEMBER 28: Yaxel Lendeborg #1 of the Golden State Warriors poses for a picture during media day at Chase Center on September 28, 2026 in San Francisco, California. NOTE TO USER: User expressly acknowledges and agrees that, by downloading and/or using this photograph, user is consenting to the terms and conditions of the Getty Images License Agreement. (Photo by Ezra Shaw/Getty Images) | Getty Images
Golden State Warriors rookie Yaxel Lendeborg turned heads with his infectious confidence and humor during NBA Media Day. The 11th overall draft pick reflected on his rapid adjustment to the professional level following an impressive Summer League campaign.
Lendeborg expressed awe at playing alongside Stephen Curry, pointing out the gravity Curry commands on the court. “I’ve never come off a screen and seen nobody in front or behind me,” Lendeborg joked when describing a scrimmage sequence. He also lightheartedly claimed to have blocked a Curry three-pointer during practice, telling reporters, “They said it was a foul. I told my friends it was a block.”
Yaxel Lendeborg on the slip cut in a scrimmage off Steph’s gravity: “I’ve never come off a screen and seen nobody in front or behind me.”
He also said he blocked a Steph 3: “They said it was a fouls. I told my friends it was a block. pic.twitter.com/JQxEr5yIaP
Beyond the humor, Lendeborg voiced ambitious personal goals for his debut season, targeting an All-Rookie First Team selection. Head coach Steve Kerr praised his size and versatility, confirming Lendeborg is poised to play a major role in the Warriors’ rotation this season.
Yaxel Lendeborg said he wants to be All-Rookie first team: "I feel like I could be Rookie of the Year, but that's not my main focus."
Their megastar over the last eight years was nearly 3,000 miles away, talking about trying to win a championship in Philadelphia.
It was weird.
This has never happened to the Lakers before. A superstar has never chosen to leave the purple and gold. Let that sink in for a second.
LeBron James left the Lakers this offseason. JASON SZENES/ NY POST
The Lakers’ biggest stars have all opted to end their careers in Los Angeles, including Wilt Chamberlain, Kareem Abdul-Jabbar, Magic Johnson and Kobe Bryant. Some superstars have been traded, such as Shaquille O’Neal.
But none have chosen to leave.
So, things felt a little odd at the Lakers’ practice facility in El Segundo on Monday.
There were fewer reporters. There was less sparkle. Less intrigue.
The longest-tenured player on the Lakers now? Austin Reaves. The most charismatic? Arguably Walker Kessler, who keeps talking about wanting to run through walls for the Lakers.
Sure, James not being on the Lakers is old news. He chose to sign a two-year, $8 million deal with the 76ers in free agency in July. But this is the first time we saw it. This is the first time we felt it.
James was wearing a blue and red jersey. And the Lakers were really without him.
LeBron James poses for a photo during media day in Camden, N.J. IMAGN IMAGES via Reuters Connect
Some people think they’re better off.
Lakers coach JJ Redick said Thursday that this is the first time since he took over the helm in June 2024 that all of the pieces fit.
Doncic didn’t hesitate when asked how he feels now that the Lakers are his team.
“It feels great,” Doncic said. “…I was in this position in my career a lot of times, so it’s not new to me.”
Even Bronny James didn’t blink when asked about his father taking his talents across the country.
“We’re men of very little words when it comes to talking about business and what we’re going to do and how we feel about each other, so there wasn’t really much to be honest with you,” Bronny James said of their discussions over the summer. “I mean he’s got his own path and I got my own. So he knows that I want to make a name for myself and continue my career and keep growing as a player. And he knows that I want to focus on that.”
The world moves on.
Reaves praised James for giving him the cheat code on how to care for his body. Lakers general manager and president of basketball operations Rob Pelinka said Thursday that James’ tenure with the Lakers was a “great era.”
But this is a new phenomenon for a team that has seen it all while under the harshest of microscopes in the NBA.
Maybe the Lakers wanted to move on from James. Maybe James felt underappreciated. Maybe he wanted a fresh start. Maybe all of that is true.
James is still one of the top players in the league at age 41, having single-handedly carried the Lakers to a 3-0 lead over the Rockets in the first round of the playoffs last season without Doncic and Reaves.
But his time with the Lakers had turned stale. Pelinka spent the offseason tailoring the roster around Doncic, including emptying out the cupboard for Walker Kessler. The Lakers are ready to move forward.
Luka Doncic attends media day at the UCLA Health Training Center on Monday, September 28, 2026, in El Segundo, California. IMAGN IMAGES via Reuters Connect
It’s a major period of transition for a franchise that has no patience for anything but winning.
Not only did James leave, but the Lakers experienced their second ownership change in 14 months after being under the Buss family’s reign for 47 years. It’s a lot.
But there’s also a lot of optimism around the Lakers.
Doncic is healthy after suffering a strained hamstring in April that sidelined him for the playoffs. Reaves is already stepping up as a leader. Walker wants nothing more than to prove that he was worth the Lakers sending two unprotected first-round draft picks and two first-round pick swaps to Utah to acquire him.
There are nine new players. They’re all thrilled to be playing for a franchise that has won 17 NBA championships. They’re all excited to share the court with Doncic.
But there’s also a weird feeling in Laker Land.
LeBron James is gone.
He chose to leave.
And let’s call it like it is: That dulls the shine on the purple and gold.
Their megastar over the last eight years was nearly 3,000 miles away, talking about trying to win a championship in Philadelphia.
It was weird.
This has never happened to the Lakers before. A superstar has never chosen to leave the purple and gold. Let that sink in for a second.
LeBron James left the Lakers this offseason. JASON SZENES/ NY POST
The Lakers’ biggest stars have all opted to end their careers in Los Angeles, including Wilt Chamberlain, Kareem Abdul-Jabbar, Magic Johnson and Kobe Bryant. Some superstars have been traded, such as Shaquille O’Neal.
But none have chosen to leave.
So, things felt a little odd at the Lakers’ practice facility in El Segundo on Monday.
There were fewer reporters. There was less sparkle. Less intrigue.
The longest-tenured player on the Lakers now? Austin Reaves. The most charismatic? Arguably Walker Kessler, who keeps talking about wanting to run through walls for the Lakers.
Sure, James not being on the Lakers is old news. He chose to sign a two-year, $8 million deal with the 76ers in free agency in July. But this is the first time we saw it. This is the first time we felt it.
James was wearing a blue and red jersey. And the Lakers were really without him.
LeBron James poses for a photo during media day in Camden, N.J. IMAGN IMAGES via Reuters Connect
Some people think they’re better off.
Lakers coach JJ Redick said Thursday that this is the first time since he took over the helm in June 2024 that all of the pieces fit.
Doncic didn’t hesitate when asked how he feels now that the Lakers are his team.
“It feels great,” Doncic said. “…I was in this position in my career a lot of times, so it’s not new to me.”
Even Bronny James didn’t blink when asked about his father taking his talents across the country.
“We’re men of very little words when it comes to talking about business and what we’re going to do and how we feel about each other, so there wasn’t really much to be honest with you,” Bronny James said of their discussions over the summer. “I mean he’s got his own path and I got my own. So he knows that I want to make a name for myself and continue my career and keep growing as a player. And he knows that I want to focus on that.”
The world moves on.
Reaves praised James for giving him the cheat code on how to care for his body. Lakers general manager and president of basketball operations Rob Pelinka said Thursday that James’ tenure with the Lakers was a “great era.”
But this is a new phenomenon for a team that has seen it all while under the harshest of microscopes in the NBA.
Maybe the Lakers wanted to move on from James. Maybe James felt underappreciated. Maybe he wanted a fresh start. Maybe all of that is true.
James is still one of the top players in the league at age 41, having single-handedly carried the Lakers to a 3-0 lead over the Rockets in the first round of the playoffs last season without Doncic and Reaves.
But his time with the Lakers had turned stale. Pelinka spent the offseason tailoring the roster around Doncic, including emptying out the cupboard for Walker Kessler. The Lakers are ready to move forward.
Luka Doncic attends media day at the UCLA Health Training Center on Monday, September 28, 2026, in El Segundo, California. IMAGN IMAGES via Reuters Connect
It’s a major period of transition for a franchise that has no patience for anything but winning.
Not only did James leave, but the Lakers experienced their second ownership change in 14 months after being under the Buss family’s reign for 47 years. It’s a lot.
But there’s also a lot of optimism around the Lakers.
Doncic is healthy after suffering a strained hamstring in April that sidelined him for the playoffs. Reaves is already stepping up as a leader. Walker wants nothing more than to prove that he was worth the Lakers sending two unprotected first-round draft picks and two first-round pick swaps to Utah to acquire him.
There are nine new players. They’re all thrilled to be playing for a franchise that has won 17 NBA championships. They’re all excited to share the court with Doncic.
But there’s also a weird feeling in Laker Land.
LeBron James is gone.
He chose to leave.
And let’s call it like it is: That dulls the shine on the purple and gold.
“The key was I was playing great golf,” Doncic said. “He gave me some strokes, I’m not going to lie — as he should.”
Reaves spoke about the events his group won in Slovenia and how they beat Doncic in the process.
“We won the rowing, we won the golf, we won bowling,” Reaves said. “Luka tried to put on a blue shirt when his rowing team lost, which is crazy. But he did host us, so we let him hold the first-place trophy for once.”
The two friends and teammates have developed a closeness that their teammates have noticed.
“They get along so well that it’s kind of easy for them to co-lead this team — in different ways sometimes,” Jake LaRavia said. “I think sometimes Luka leads by example and we watch him and we watch how he goes about himself. AR can sometimes be a bit more vocal. But I think they both do a great job at what they are good at it when it comes to being leaders for this team.”
Doncic led the NBA in scoring last season (33.5 points per game) and was third in assists (8.3). He averaged 7.7 rebounds and shot 47.6%, including 36.6% from three-point range.
Lakers guard Luka Doncic speaks during the team's media day in El Segundo on Monday. (Eric Thaye r/ Los Angeles Times)
The three-year, $165-million contract extension Doncic signed last year kicked in this season.
“Obviously, it’s a new challenge,” he said about his leadership role. “I was in this position in my career a lot of times, so it’s not new to me. But I feel great, I feel excited, and like I said, I’m ready to go. It’s been a long time since I played basketball, so I’m ready.”
Reaves is entering his sixth season with the Lakers, making him the longest-tenured player on the team. In June, he signed a four-year, $180-million deal, the largest contract for an undrafted player in NBA history.
Reaves earned it by averaging career-highs in points (23.2) and rebounds (4.7).
The Lakers have nine new players and Reaves knows he’ll need to provide guidance.
“I think it’s different for everybody,” Reaves said. “I’m not going to lead the same way Bron does. I’m not going to lead the same way Luka does. I like to do things a little different. I was talking about doing more one-on-one conversations. There will be times where I need to speak up in group settings and I’ll do that when the time comes. But I think you just got to be true to yourself and do what’s comfortable for you.”
Doncic played in just 64 games last season. He missed the last five regular-season games and all of the playoffs with a left hamstring strain. After spending time in Europe rehabbing his hamstring over the summer, Doncic said he’s healthy and ready to go with no restrictions when the Lakers begin training camp Tuesday.
“I know I had a lot of time, just taking it slowly, not taking no risks,” Doncic said. “But right now, I’m feeling great. I feel rested. Mentally I feel great, so I can’t wait just to start.”
With Walker Kessler, Quentin Grimes, Jaden Hardy, Kevon Looney, Sandro Mamukelashvili, Collin Sexton, Matisse Thybulle and Ziaire Williams among the newcomers on the Lakers, Doncic and Reaves are looking forward to what comes next.
“I like everybody that we signed,” Doncic said. “I think there’s a lot of underrated guys. ... Now training camp is going to help us a lot, focus on basketball, get to know what they like on the court, but I’m very excited to play with all of them.”
