Category: NBA

Sixers pre-camp questions: How many young players will earn minutes?  originally appeared on NBC Sports Philadelphia

The Sixers’ new era is on deck.

With LeBron James and Jaylen Brown on board and training camp set to begin in late September, we’re taking a look at key questions for the 2026-27 Sixers. 

We’ve asked: 

• Just how dramatic of an impact will James make?
• What role will Brown play on his new team?
• Will the Sixers be healthy when it matters most? 
• Who will the Sixers run their late-game offense through?
• Can the Sixers’ retooled second unit get the job done in the playoffs?
• How will the Sixers’ backup center situation shake out?
• What’s the next step for VJ Edgecombe?

Next up: How many young players will earn minutes? 

Let’s start with the numbers.

The Sixers have eight players 25 years old or younger on their standard roster. That goes up to 10 if you include two-way contract players Caleb Love and Rayan Rupert. On the other side, five Sixers will be at least 30 years old by the end of the season. James is easily the oldest of the bunch at 41. 

Here’s the full list of the Sixers’ youngsters, with ages as of mid-September: 

• Labaron Philon Jr. — 20 
• VJ Edgecombe — 21  
• Justin Edwards — 22 
• Rayan Rupert — 22 
• Dominick Barlow — 23 
• Adem Bona — 23 
• Jabari Walker — 24 
• Ariel Hukporti — 24 
• Caleb Love — 24 
• Tyrese Maxey — 25 

Deep discussion isn’t required for Maxey and Edgecombe, the Sixers’ expected starting backcourt. What about Philon, the No. 22 overall pick in this year’s NBA draft?

Sixers head coach Nick Nurse’s initial read was that Philon has the tools to play as a rookie. The Alabama product tallied 22.0 points and 5.0 assists per game his sophomore season. His ball handling shiftiness shined in summer league, too.

“He’s a really talented scorer,” Nurse said on draft night. “He’s really fast and explosive and can really get it in the bucket. And I think with a lot of guys that can score, there’s the mentality. The swagger or confidence or something that he has is obviously one of his traits that has served him well. He played in a system at Alabama that is very pro-style. … And I think he’s certainly got two-way capability. I think he can guard.” 

Philon’s defense will likely play a large role in whether or not he snags a spot in the Sixers’ rotation. As a rookie who weighed 176 pounds at the draft combine, Philon won’t be anywhere near mistake-free defensively. Nurse will care about focus, effort and attention to detail. And he’ll expect Philon to watch and learn from fellow guards Maxey, Edgecombe, Anfernee Simons and Kentavious Caldwell-Pope.

The blueprint for Edwards securing a rotation place appears simple. If he sinks a fair share of three-pointers, plays sturdy defense on the wing and rebounds at a decent rate, that may very well do the trick.

Edwards averaged 6.0 points, 1.5 rebounds and 1.3 assists last season in 15.3 minutes per game. He shot 37.2 percent beyond the arc in the regular season and 22.2 percent in the playoffs, although that postseason number is perhaps a bit harsh because of some garbage-time misses. 

Nurse has admired many of the nuances in Edwards’ game over the Philadelphia native’s first two NBA seasons, including his knack for finding open space.

“I think I’m just always in the right spot. … I always put myself in the right position,” Edwards said in April.

If Edwards is playing valuable basketball without posting eye-catching stats, Nurse will recognize it. 

Hukporti and Bona look like they’ll compete for center minutes behind Joel Embiid. Bona has a left foot sprain and will be re-evaluated at the start of camp. 

Both Barlow and Walker can also play at center, but each served primarily as a power forward last season. As things stand, Barlow has a far higher chance of receiving steady minutes. Only Maxey and Edgecombe started more regular-season games for the Sixers last year than Barlow. He got 59 starts and averaged 7.7 points, 4.8 rebounds, 1.2 assists and 0.9 steals in 23.8 minutes per game.

His role diminished in the playoffs, however, and new Sixers forward Dean Wade is a proven veteran who’s historically offered much more as a shooter. Barlow should still have plenty of viable routes to substantial playing time. He showed last year that he’s a smart cutter next to Embiid, a useful short-roll passer, and a hustling player who habitually chips in offensive rebounds, steals and blocks.

Barlow’s 2025-26 season is also a reminder that two-way contract players shouldn’t be automatically excluded when considering an NBA team’s rotation picture. He started on opening night and was excellent in the Sixers’ win over the Celtics. By February, it was obvious to everyone that Barlow deserved his conversion to a standard NBA contract.

The Sixers currently have two of their three two-way slots filled with Love and Rupert.

Love is a 6-foot-3 guard who played 49 NBA games last season as a Trail Blazers rookie. He posted 10.4 points and 2.5 assists per game, shooting 38.8 percent from the field and 31.8 percent from three-point range. Rupert is a 6-7 wing with a 7-2 wingspan who’s played 155 times in the NBA over the past three seasons and averaged 4.1 points, 2.3 rebounds, 1.0 assists and 0.5 steals in 14.0 minutes per contest. 

It would be quite surprising to see either Love or Rupert jump over more established players to seize regular NBA minutes. Of course, injuries always pop up and preseason projections are never perfect. 

Welcome to SB Nation Reacts, a survey of fans across the NBA. Throughout the year we ask questions of the most plugged-in Bucks fans and fans across the country.

Now that Giannis is gone, the question of who leads the team in trade value is pretty interesting. As you’ll see in my personal trade value rankings (dropping on Wednesday), I happen to believe there is a clear top three: Ryan Rollins, Brayden Burries, and Kel’el Ware, with the first two in a tier of their own. That said, you could certainly make a credible argument for a few others.

I can almost guarantee that inside the Bucks’ four walls, they would be doing similar exercises as the team transitions out of the state of flux it’s currently in. How much do you weigh raw ability, age, contract size, contract status (where they are in their contract), and a slew of other factors? These are complex, nuanced considerations. I don’t want to spoil all my thoughts on the matter, but tell us yours!

In his first two seasons with the Toronto Raptors, Ja’Kobe Walter has put up solid numbers. His rookie campaign saw him average 8.6 points, 3.1 rebounds, and 1.6 assists per game in 20 minutes of action. He followed that up with a sophomore season averaging 7.5 points, 2.6 rebounds, and 1.2 assists per game in similar floor time. 

It’s easy to panic when looking at the slight decrease, but in reality, the slight drop isn’t concerning at all. The opposite actually. Despite a marginal decline, there was actually a drastic increase in his efficiency. His field goal percentage climbed from 40.5% his rookie year to 44.6% his sophomore season. Considering exclusively long range shots, that goes from 34.9% to 40.9%. 

He was actually making more of the shots he was taking, even though he wasn’t taking as many.

And this is where Ja’Kobe’s biggest value to the team lies. He may not get a ton of shots every night, but he will make the ones he does get.

October vs. April 

Early on in the season, some fans were raising concerns over the decrease in the offensive abilities of Walter, amongst some of the other young Raptors. To some extent, the numbers were worrying. Shooting below 29% from long range on barely 2 points per game, the start of the season looked rough for Ja’Kobe. He showed some gradual improvement, but prior to the All-Star break, he was scoring 5 points per game and only 35% from long range. 

There was a steady improvement upon returning though, and by April, he was shooting 50% from 3-point range and scoring almost 10 points a game. His post-season was solid too, as he managed two 20-point appearances in the seven playoff games the Raptors had. 

This shows the continuous effort and development not only throughout the season, but also holistically as a player. 

It has to be everyone’s hope that he will continue on this trajectory.

The 3-Point Shooter

Floor spacing is a commodity in the NBA that teams will pay top dollar for. It’s not a positional skill anymore either, with even centers developing an outside shot. 

This is an area that Toronto has struggled in the last few years. They’ve brought a few people in over the years like Bruce Brown and Ochai Agbagi, took chances with draft picks like Gradey Dick, and even tried to develop their own players, but nothing has looked more promising than Ja’Kobe Walter. 

Ja’Kobe started in the same spot everyone does, by developing a solid corner 3-pointer:

JA’KOBE HEATING UP 🔥 pic.twitter.com/MhFKK4w7GX

— Toronto Raptors (@Raptors) April 8, 2026

He shoots about 50% from both corners, more than 12% better than the league average. His teammates clearly trust him out there, as they continue to feed him the ball. More than 99% of his 3-point shots were assisted. He’s not creating the shot entirely on his own, he’s creating opportunities, and capitalizing on them. He’s almost as good from the left wing, where he is also significantly better than the league average:

JA’KOBE QUICK WITH IT 😮‍💨 pic.twitter.com/KYIh4YcAaC

— Toronto Raptors (@Raptors) March 19, 2026

It’s clear he’s found his niche. In his rookie year almost 37% of his shots were inside the paint, where now less than a quarter of them are. They’re not coming from the midrange either, where only 1% of his points are generated. Ja’Kobe is developing his long range game from every location on the floor. It’s not situational either. He is happy to get out in front of the action or trail and wait at the top of the arc for a long range opportunity:

JA’KOBE ON FIRE 🔥 13 PTS | 3/4 FROM 3 pic.twitter.com/72K5GdyfOX

— Toronto Raptors (@Raptors) April 5, 2026

While he is predominantly a spot-up shooter, he’s starting to find ways to be incorporated in more complex actions that involve single and double screens for him to get open from almost anywhere:

JA’KOBE ON FIRE 🔥 13 PTS | 3/4 FROM 3 pic.twitter.com/72K5GdyfOX

— Toronto Raptors (@Raptors) April 5, 2026

If he continues to excel as a long range shooter, he could be one of the Raptors’ most valuable pieces, either as a starter, or coming off the bench. His ability to spread defenses out to open up space for guys like Kawhi, Scottie, RJ, and Poeltl who all like to operate in and around the paint could be crucial for Toronto’s success this season.

The (not) 3-point shooter

With the Raptors’ continued push towards ball movement under Darko Rajaković, everyone has seen some dramatic changes. Across the board, almost every Raptor has seen a significant drop-off in the points they’re scoring unassisted. Scottie’s unassisted scoring fell from 50% to 40% in only one season, while Barrett, Quickley, and Walter all simultaneously saw similar >10% drops. 

Once teams find out how good you are at shooting, noting that your team keeps finding you, they’re going to start running you off the line. Ja’Kobe is showing the ability to adjust to this, and score anyways:

JA’KOBE GETTING DOWNHILL 😤 pic.twitter.com/0D70cbj4kt

— Toronto Raptors (@Raptors) April 18, 2026

If he’s being tightly guarded and doesn’t see an opening for himself beyond the arc, he’s happy to cut inside as well:

JA’KOBE SMOOTH WITH IT 😮‍💨 pic.twitter.com/4XPZFKOQ29

— Toronto Raptors (@Raptors) March 8, 2026

This movement makes him harder to guard outside the arc since he isn’t relying only on that shot. He’s becoming more versatile and adjusting to what defences are giving him. If they are giving him the long range shot, he’ll take it. If they’re not, he’s happy to find other ways to score. 

The Clutch Scorer

Close games are never an easy thing for a young player to navigate. Even tight possessions can wreak havoc on players’ shooting splits, as the added pressure can greatly affect performance. Already as a sophomore this didn’t seem to bother Ja’Kobe though, as he led the team in 3-point shooting efficiency with less than 4 seconds on the shot clock. Shooting 9-for-24 in those circumstances, he’s pretty young to already have the confidence and ability to knock down shots like that. Despite how poorly a possession can go, having someone you can kick the ball out to as a last option and actually have them convert it is invaluable. 

Ja’Kobe is starting to prove he can be that guy.

The Perfect Fit

Besides ball movement, the Raptors also capitalize on fastbreak points and defence. When Ja’Kobe is on the floor, 1.3 of his points per game (almost 18% of his scoring) comes from a fastbreak. Most of these are generated off of steals, which he is continuously getting better at as well. When he’s on the floor, he accounts for almost 26% of the Raptors’ steals. 

He fits their system and is continuing to develop within it.

Next Steps

Ja’Kobe has now had a fairly long summer to work and develop. There’s already been a few videos surfacing online showing some of the work he’s been doing, but it’s pretty clear that his development, skills, and fit within Toronto’s system will make him a huge asset that they’re willing to invest in. 

What would benefit him more than anything else is continued defensive development. In his rookie season, he held a 111 defensive rating. That improved marginally to 110.7 this past season. He’s not necessarily a liability, but there is definitely room for improvement. 

He also needs to continue to develop his shot from the right wing, the only spot in 3-point territory that he has been struggling. 

While small goals, hopefully those were his points of focus over the summer. 

Ja’Kobe doesn’t need to be able to do everything, but if he can defend and continue to be a scoring threat from anywhere beyond the arc, he could help the Raptors be a championship contender, providing space for everyone else to operate, and knocking down crucial baskets when he’s needed.

Hoo boy. OK, so the obvious place you have to start with Gary Trent Jr. is his contract. It is the elephant in the room. There’s natural resentment toward Trent because of the contract. I get that. However, to me, the ire of fans shouldn’t go toward the player; it should go toward the GM, who—in his flailing desperation to put the best team possible around Giannis last offseason—made a deal with the devil that could have much harsher implications than simply having what is, for all intents and purposes, $64m of dead money on your cap over the next four seasons.

Selfishly, I hope the league cannot prove a handshake deal was made and thus chooses not to prosecute, but as I understand it, they don’t need to. All the NBA needs to deduce is that, aside from cap circumvention, there is no other reasonable conclusion for why one of the NBA’s worst players last year inked such a lucrative deal. Look, there are smokescreens Jon Horst can throw out that are at least somewhat plausible—“he took minimums to play with Giannis, and now the Bucks have cap space and have to spend it on someone”—but none of them pass the smell test. That said, I also want to highlight that the “take consecutive minimum deals to get early Bird rights and then sign a big contract” tactic has been used by everyone over the years; GT’s deal just stands out more because he played so poorly the season before signing it.

In any event, it happened, and we will see what transpires from here. If the Bucks are penalised—and especially if the penalties are severe—Horst should be on thin ice; it’s tough to have much faith in his decision-making after this whole fiasco (if it wasn’t before that). Now let’s move on to the basketball side of things. As has been well-documented, Trent is coming off what was essentially his worst year in the league last season. Other than his rookie campaign, the 27-year-old has never had a worse shooting season. He averaged just 21.8 minutes per game—also the lowest since he was a rookie—and even spent stretches out of the rotation completely. Anecdotally, Trent’s defensive effort and engagement were some of the worst I’ve seen—and it’s not as if the bar for him was all that high.

Having said all of this, it’s worth mentioning that the team was a complete and utter mess all year—both on-court and off it—with Doc Rivers constantly switching up the starting lineup, rotations, etc. One could be forgiven for failing to find a groove amidst that mess. Crucially, Trent isn’t a player who thrives regardless of context; he’s at his best when he plays off elite talent and knows where his looks are coming from, which was far from the case last year. And to top it all off, there was some pseudo-tanking going on towards the back end of the year as well, which wouldn’t have helped.

Let me say this: I feel confident that in a more settled environment where the team 1) understands what is trying to be achieved from an on-court standpoint, and 2) doesn’t have to deal with rampant off-court drama, Trent will revert to the mean somewhat. Now, will he play to the level that he ends up being worth the coin he’s earning? There’s just no way; that contract is a howler. All I’m trying to say is that this man isn’t as bad as he played last season. He’s just not. This will be a bounce-back season for the eight-year vet—you heard it here first.

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Who do y’all have at 12?

Every day, we’ll take a closer look at another member of the 2026-27 Phoenix Suns, examining what they bring to the roster and what their role could mean for the season ahead as we count down to training camp and the preseason.

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Oso Ighodaro

Center, 6’11”, 235 pounds, 24 years old, 3rd season

Oso Ighodaro has had a lot of discussion surrounding his name in his short tenure here in Phoenix. Early on, he was viewed as a potential draft steal as a second-round pick, but fans ultimately had higher expectations. With last year being his first full season in the rotation, the big man is still looking to make a lasting imprint, as others in his role are in the same position.

With the tenth overall pick in Khaman Maluach expecting more leeway, and Mark Williams on the roster as well, the room does seem crowded. That said, Ighodaro has the trust of head coach Jordan Ott to get more burn, especially since Williams suffered a torn labrum in his left shoulder. This then prompted the team to sign Duop Reath to a training camp deal for insurance, but it also gives Ighodaro more competition and a bigger opportunity ahead.

Now, with training camp starting soon, Ighodaro has a chance to take the starting job and never let go of it if he chooses. He has said he is working on parts of his game to help him make that leap in his third season, and every fan is watching: who is the future center for this team?

Last Season

GP	MIN	PPG	RPG	APG	BLK	FG%	3P%	FT%	OFFRTG	DEFRTG	+/-
82	22	6.5	5.1	2.3	0.7	65.3%	0%	45.3%	114.8	109.7	5.1

The Suns’ big man was the true iron man for this squad, as he was the only one to register minutes in all 82 games this year. This is kind of an anomaly in the Valley, as we have seen the injury bug strike a bunch recently, so Oso dodging it is quite a miracle. With him available for every game, he could build momentum early, especially with Williams being out during the preseason and the first few games.

Unfortunately for Ighodaro, he ran into top-tier big men in Domantas Sabonis and Nikola Jokic early in the year, and those proved to be tough battles from the jump. This prompted many fans to turn on him and switch their stance from “draft steal” to “not needed.” Fortunately for Ighodaro, he didn’t let that get in his way in his sophomore season.

He proved that when Ott trusted him in big-time minutes, he could deliver, and he quickly formed a strong pick-and-roll duo with guard Collin Gillespie. This connection helped him on the court by letting the bench unit generate easy looks and points on these plays. With this tandem on the court, they elevated the bench play and brought promise to both of their games in this new system.

Contract and Roster Construct

Ighodaro is in the third year of his rookie-scale contract. He signed a 4-year contract just shy of $8M when he was drafted a few years back. Next year, he is on a club option, allowing the team to decline it and sign him to a comfortable extension or bring him back for just under $ 2M as they work out whether he will be part of the future.

Regardless, it seems he will remain in Phoenix, as the contract is too good to pass up; the extension will depend on how well he does this year.

What He Brings

Ighodaro brings a lot to the bench unit as a complementary big man who helps in most areas. His strengths, though, are definitely his passing and strong defensive utility. The big is truly one of the league’s better passers, and that is why his connection with Gillespie is so influential to their success. He is a very smart basketball player with a great IQ for knowing what to do or where to be in certain scenarios. This is why Ott does trust him and can see the light at the end of the tunnel for Oso.

He is also a sound defender who, with his high IQ, knows how to do it well. He can be a solid rim protector and block shots; he can switch and guard on to smaller defenders and be solid on the perimeter. He has quick feet and can match those who try to beat him to the basket. These areas prove he has a role in this league; it just may not be the grand one everyone envies.

What Does He Need to Improve

His shooting. Flat out in every area, he has to be better at making his shots. The big man has shied away from taking threes, which has limited the plausibility of having a stretch five here lately. Malauch has been working on it (and we have seen the growth), but Ighodaro also has to attend that camp alongside him. This truly limits his ability to grow as a player, so not having it in his bag limits the potential he can reach.

Not to mention, he is also a terrible free-throw shooter. Last season, opponents sometimes played “Hack an Oso” late in games, and it cost the Suns their lead or their ability to get back into the contest. This is one area of his game that Ighodaro knew he needed to improve this offseason and has been working on.

If he can at least pick up his free-throw shooting, then it is not a catastrophe if he is left in the game for a crunch-time moment. If the Suns are injured and need Oso (like they are now), this needs to be something they can bank on. As much as we want to see Malauch get more time, we can not throw him recklessly into the fire this season if we were against it last year. That means Ighodaro has to be more of a vet in this space and be ready for these moments.

Prediction

As I said last year, Ighodaro will have a bigger role than people anticipated heading into this season once again (even without the Williams injury). Even if he is relegated to the bench at some point this year, he will show he can be a solution at center for years to come and become a staple for fans.

Stat Prediction: 80 games, 8.3 ppg, 7.6 rpg. 3.0 apg, 1.1 stl, 1.0 blk, 68/8/60 shooting splits

Final Word

Ighodaro has a lot to prove this year, as he can earn a long-term extension if everything pans out this season. Now, with Malauch behind him, he needs to earn a real role, but he doesn’t need to be the best in the building. As long as he shows he can keep growing and be someone worth investing in, he will find himself a nice paycheck from Mat Ishbia and crew, which will bring a smile to his face and mine.

Athleticism is not a blanket term when it comes to its application in NBA games. There are a thousand different ways athleticism can manifest itself on a basketball court beyond slamming home an alley-oop. These days, it feels like NBA teams are looking less at how a player tests on their max vertical leap, and more at their balance, deceleration, and body control. I realize the incoming exercise is a bit silly for this reason, but I’m going to do it anyway.

A year ago at this time, we previewed the best shooters in the NBA. While that list doesn’t feel like it’s changed much over the last 12 months, any look at the sport’s best athletes has significantly more fluidity. Zion Williamson, Aaron Gordon, and Zach LaVine would have been a lock a few years ago, but they aren’t on this list today. It might seem obvious that someone like Ace Bailey should have been on this list a year from now, but he was one of the final cuts this year.

With the start of the 2026-27 NBA season just around the corner, here’s our list of the best athletes in the NBA. The focus here was mostly on explosiveness. Who did I overlook? Leave your snubs in the comment section below.

Amen Thompson, G, Houston Rockets

Thompson was one of two players to dunk 200+ times last season despite being only 6’7 and lacking a jump shot that defenses have to respect. The 23-year-old should be a staple on All-Defensive teams moving forward, and his ridiculous explosion gives him a strong foundation to continue to develop his skill level offensively. I predicted Thompson would be the most athletic player in the league from day one when he was entering the 2023 NBA Draft, and I think I nailed it.

Ausar Thompson, G, Detroit Pistons

AUSAR THOMPSON CHASEDOWN BLOCK

OH MY GOODNESS. 🔥🔥 pic.twitter.com/0nVxvoCktw

— Hoop Central (@TheHoopCentral) May 6, 2026

Ausar Thompson might be a tenth of a step below his twin brother in terms of burst, but he’s still an overwhelming athlete on the wing for the Detroit Pistons. He could be the scariest on-ball defender in the league going forward while also being excellent as a defensive playmaker away from the ball.

VJ Edgecombe, G, Philadelphia 76ers

It was easy to see Edgecombe was going to be a freak athlete during his one year at Baylor, and he’s already making game-breaking plays in the NBA after one year in the league. It’s going to be fascinating to see how he’s deployed as the Sixers’ fifth option this season.

Shaedon Sharpe, G, Portland Trail Blazers

Sharpe is the best dunker and most explosive leaper in the NBA when he gets a runway. Unfortunately, he’s already out with a meniscus tear entering the season.

Anthony Edwards, G, Minnesota Timberwolves

I remember speaking to Edwards in his high school classroom for a story about how he’d become the NBA’s next thing. That was a rare good call by your boy. I’ll never stop thinking about his dunk on John Collins.

Caleb Wilson, F, Chicago Bulls

Wilson dunked 67 times in 24 games as a freshman at North Carolina, and some of his best highlights came on the defensive end. His combination of extreme explosiveness, self-awareness, and a hard-charging work ethic gives him a chance to become the star player the Bulls have been desperate for.

Cooper Flagg, F, Dallas Mavericks

Cooper Flagg, sheesh pic.twitter.com/6ZJnYRosfU

— Steve Jones (@stevejones20) December 19, 2025

Flagg’s shot-blocking looked like it might make him Gen-Z Shawn Marion or Andrei Kirilenko entering Duke. His coaches have understandably tried to turn him more into the second coming of Jayson Tatum in the time since. He’s one of the more explosive young players in the league, and it feels like he’ll only continue to get scarier as his frame develops.

Dyson Daniels, G, Atlanta Hawks

Daniels is perhaps the NBA’s best thief on the defensive end, setting several age-based steals records during his first season in Atlanta in 2024-25. He can’t shoot at all, but his athleticism still makes him a pretty decent offensive player with his ability to hit the glass and fly in transition.

Bam Adebayo, C, Miami Heat

Adebayo is a wrecking ball defensively in the middle of the Miami defense with rare mobility for a player who is so strong with such a low center of gravity. His intersection of size, strength, quickness, and explosiveness allows him to play so much bigger than his size, and serves as the foundation for one of the NBA’s best overall defenders.

Joan Beringer, C, Minnesota Timberwolves

Joan Beringer driving dunk replay pic.twitter.com/kktTi9liuV

— Timberwolves Clips (@WolvesClips) April 8, 2026

Beringer basically got redshirted by the Wolves as a rookie last season, but he has some ridiculously fluid highlights for an NBA center whenever he steps on the floor. Minnesota will be counting him on him to backup Rudy Gobert this season, and I bet he’ll produce some spectacular moments.

Giannis Antetokounmpo, F, Miami Heat

Giannis is the oldest guy on this list at age-31. He still has incredibly rare movement ability for his size. It will be fascinating to see how he ages into his mid-30s with a game so dependent on being the biggest athletic freak around.

Scottie Barnes, F, Toronto Raptors

Barnes has become one of the best forwards in the league, and he could be primed for an All-NBA season next to Kawhi Leonard this year in Toronto. He’s so long and strong and mobile, and plays with a ferocity on the glass, all of which should make him an annual contender for an All-Defense spot. I can’t wait to see Barnes, Leonard, and Collin Murray-Boyles defend together.

Kel’el Ware, C, Milwaukee Bucks

Ware is a great lob threat with a huge catch radius and crazy bounce for a 7-footer. Helping Ware put it all together will be one of the top objectives of new Bucks coach Taylor Jenkins after the Giannis trade.

Victor Wembanyama, C, San Antonio Spurs

I wouldn’t keep Wemby off this list. Guys who are 7’5+ are usually statues, but Wembanyama is ridiculously flexible and fast. There’s never been anyone like him before, and his overall athleticism is a huge part of the appeal.

AJ Dybantsa, F, Washington Wizards

Dybantsa is truly a quick-twitch athlete at 6’9, 220 pounds, with a 7-foot wingspan. His wicked first step and explosion around the rim is going to make him an elite scorer before long.

Ron Holland, G, Detroit Pistons

Holland hasn’t really established himself yet as he enters this third season, but his crazy explosiveness makes him one of the league’s better per-minute wing defenders and a great transition scorer. He may have too much overlap with Thompson as non-shooters to make it in Detroit, but if the Pistons move on, some team should be willing to take a chance on him as a “second draft” type. Read my feature on Holland’s journey to the NBA here.

Josh Minott, F, Brooklyn Nets

Josh Minott THROWS DOWN! 💪

Watch #NETSonYES live on YES & The @gothamsports App: https://t.co/sWMqNZ0hcipic.twitter.com/MEpbyyZ9hQ

— YES Network (@YESNetwork) February 28, 2026

Minott has been a super disruptive defender who flies in the open floor and can jump out of the gym when he gets the chance. He’s improved his shooting and handle enough to get a real chance this season in Brooklyn.

Jonathan Kuminga, F, Minnesota Timberwolves

Will Kuminga’s production finally match his press clippings as he moves to Minnesota this year? We’ll see! He’s the third Timberpup on this list. I guess that makes them the most athletic team in the league.

Stephon Castle, G, San Antonio Spurs

Castle looks like a linebacker playing basketball, only there’s never been a linebacker who could detonate one of the greatest tomahawk dunks of all-time in the NBA Finals. Like many of the players on this list, he’s another great defender and poor shooter. The Spurs should hope he can cut down on the turnovers as much as improve as a shooter.

Peyton Watson, F, Cleveland Cavaliers

Watson is the platonic ideal of a toolsy wing who needed to grow into his body and his game. He took some strides over a small sample last year with the Nuggets, and now the Cavs are betting big on him to help take their team to the next level.

Ja Morant, G, Portland Trail Blazers

I was on the fence about putting Morant on this list, but ultimately still believe he’s one of the league’s most explosive guards. I kind of hate the fit next to Damian Lillard in Portland this year, but at the same time Morant still feels like a good bounce-back candidate after a couple disappointing seasons.

Matas Buzelis, F, Chicago Bulls

MATAS. BUZELIS. 🤯

What a HUGE one-handed throwdown!

ORL/CHI is tied at 59 at the break… tap to watch the 2H: https://t.co/KJXQbFKdBIpic.twitter.com/kfcEPtxTk0

— NBA (@NBA) January 3, 2026

Buzelis finished No. 7 in total blocks last year while also crushing 79 dunks in 77 games. Him and Wembanyama were the only players in the NBA with such a lofty intersection of dunks, blocks, and made threes.

Jalen Duren, C, Detroit Pistons

Duren looks like he was cut out of stone as a 250-pound big with a 7’5 wingspan and rare explosiveness. He crushed 189 dunks last year, fourth most in the league, but his athleticism often shows up in more impressive ways when he’s attacking off the dribble.

OG Anunoby, F, New York Knicks

Anunoby still deserves a spot on this list at age-29. He plays with great balance on both ends for someone with such a strong frame. His tip-in to win Game 4 of the 2026 NBA Finals will be replayed for as long as the NBA exists.

Derrick Jones Jr., F, Los Angeles Clippers

Jones felt like the most explosive guy in the league in his young days, and he’s still a freak at age-29. He won the 2020 dunk contest, and not just because Dwyane Wade rigged it.

Ramp to Camp: What is Brad Stevens' next big Celtics move? originally appeared on NBC Sports Boston

Maybe you’ve spent the better part of the past three months wondering why Boston Celtics president of basketball operations Brad Stevens elected to trade Jaylen Brown to an in-division rival. Maybe you refuse to worship at the altar of Optionality. But the arrival of a new season demands that we all stop obsessing about what happened, and shift the focus to what comes next.

While many panned Boston’s decision to trade Brown, fresh off a top six finish in MVP voting, for 36-year-old Paul George and a pair of future first-round picks, the reality is that the trade can’t fully be judged until we see what Stevens does with the assets acquired in the swap.

To kick off the third and final week of our annual Ramp to Camp series, we asked our panel to predict Stevens’ next big move.

Trading Brown certainly highlighted the roster reshuffling the Celtics have embarked upon in the aftermath of Banner 18. But it’s still very much a work in progress. Entering the 2026-27 season, Boston is banking that a healthier Jayson Tatum, coupled with increased opportunity for players like Derrick White and Payton Pritchard, along with the arrival of newcomers Paul George and Mitchell Robinson is enough to keep the Celtics competitive near the top of the East.

But the team’s ability to truly chase Banner 19 might hinge heavily on what Stevens does next.

Stevens hasn’t been bashful in admitting there’s risk involved in a deal of this magnitude. He’s suggested that, even after finishing second in the East last year, the team simply didn’t feel it was truly positioned to chase another title. Boston struggled against the league’s elite then fumbled away a 3-1 series lead to the same 76ers team that they’d eventually deal Brown.

“At the end of the day, you just have to do what you think is the best thing for the organization. And it’s not always gonna be the popular thing,” Stevens said during an appearance on Sirius XM last week. “And it may be right, it may be wrong, who knows, right?

“But I think that, ultimately, we were really lucky. We had Jaylen Brown here for 10 years. And 10 years is a long run in the NBA. And 10 years with that kind of success, and the experience that he brought to the table, and all of his teammates around him brought to the table, and what they were able to do collectively, was a heck of a run. And we’re just trying to sustain this now, so that we can be sustainably in the mix moving forward.”

The Celtics essentially decided that their best path forward was to reshape the core around Tatum. With the pieces acquired in the Brown trade, Boston can now at least get in the conversation for any player that lands on the trade market. Couple that with the potential to reset pesky repeater tax penalties if Boston spends another season below the tax line, and there are multiple pathways to adding impact talent moving forward.

The question is who would be the sort of player that they’d cash in their optionality to pry away and could pair best with Tatum.

The safe answer here is the next disgruntled star. Maybe that’s Nikola Jokic pondering his future if things go sideways for Denver. Maybe that’s Anthony Edwards if the LaMelo Ball experiment fizzles in Minnesota. Or maybe there’s a non-max player that Stevens believes best complements Tatum, while preserving the cap flexibility that didn’t exist with Tatum and Brown commanding such monster slices of the cap.

Ron Chenoy-USA TODAY Sports

With George soon to be an expiring contract, and with two attractive future picks acquired in the Brown swap, the Celtics can kick around a bunch of possibilities that didn’t exist before the trade. We get it: Optionality isn’t a whole lot of fun until there’s a tangible return. Tom Petty told us the waiting is the hardest part.

The next big name available on the open market might be a surprise; the fact that someone lands there shouldn’t be. It happens every year, but we act surprised when a Luka Doncic or a Jaylen Brown get dealt. Especially now in the apron era, teams are going to be forced to make tough roster decisions and pivoting even faster than ever.

The Celtics clearly entertained some big-name hunting this summer with the Giannis Antetokounmpo flirtation. It’s hard to see any of the NBA’s biggest names seeking new homes now, but things change fast in the association. A bad start, some roster drama — it doesn’t take much to ignite the next trade rumors.

What sort of timeline might the Celtics operate on? Again, that might depend on the player that becomes available. If a megastar hits the market before the end of the 2026-27 season, the Celtics have to at least kick it around. George is probably easier to move once he’s truly an expiring contract but, again, the Celtics have options moving forward.

Our guess would be Boston hunts the big swing, knowing that competing with teams like Oklahoma City and San Antonio in the near term is going to require the most talent possible. But it’s also possible that the pathway to the deepest team possible involves pondering options outside the top 20 players in the NBA.

If the Magic don’t ever figure things out, can we rule out someone like Paolo Banchero becoming available? The Thompson twins just signed big-money extensions but this armchair GM would be tripping all over himself if one of them eventually got disgruntled. There’s some very intriguing pathways to building the deepest roster possible alongside Tatum, all while not getting sucked into the two max-contract vortex again.

The better question on this pathway is maybe who does Stevens believe is the next Derrick White? Can Stevens and Co. hunt another All-Star-level contributor who doesn’t make All-NBA money?

Stevens’ next move feels especially important. It could dictate whether this team is truly capable of competing for titles through Tatum’s prime. When you make the bold decisions to move off Brown, you better have faith in your plan to get back to a spot where you’re a legitimate championship contender.

Josh Canu: Editor

Steph Curry or Nikola Jokic If you want to try to win again in Jayson Tatum’s prime these are the two names that come to mind. Both are on aging teams that appear far away from contention and both players could be looking for one last run at a championship. The Paul George contract will be very valuable next season being a large expiring deal and could be used to land either Curry or Jokic.

Justin Leger: Producer, Multi-Platform Content

BIG move? Let’s have fun with this one. Stevens and the C’s send a package headlined by Paul George and draft capital to New Orleans in exchange for Trey Murphy, who was heavily linked to Boston throughout the offseason. Mark it down as my official trade deadline prediction.

Nick Goss: Producer, Multi-Platform Content

Trading for a disgruntled superstar in 2027 when the Celtics have more roster/salary cap flexibility.

Michael Hurley: Producer, Multi-Platform Content

What are you new here? You think I, or anybody on this planet, can predict anything Brad Stevens is going to do? I’m not answering this question. I know what I don’t know.

Kevin Miller: Vice President, Content Creation & Strategy

It seems like it will be centered around the 2028 pick they got in the Jaylen Brown trade. Obviously, they don’t control exactly what that pick becomes but I think it will become a very important chip for whatever the next big move is. And that may include using it in the draft for a top 5 player, or moving it as part of a trade package.

Jason Levine: Executive Producer, Content Integrations

It’s the obvious move: Package Paul George and other assets next summer for the next star that wants to be traded. Anthony Edwards? Devin Booker? Does San Antonio see the cap trouble coming for them fast and move Stephon Castle? J-Dub? It’s going to be fascinating to see who it will be.

The preseason is approaching fast, but it sounds like the roster for the upcoming season is still fluid.

Atlanta has signed and waived four names (Devon Higgs, Keyshawn Bryant, Lamont Butler, and Will Baker) in recent days — names that will likely end up on the roster of the College Park Skyhawks.

But even the 15 standard NBA contract spots are up in the air. Earlier this offseason, the team made the curious decision to guarantee Buddy Hield’s full $9.7 million or so salary as opposed to eating $3 million to waive him. But with his 2027-28 salary partially unguaranteed ($3 million again), he becomes an interesting trade chip going forward.

Now, Jake L. Fischer of both Yahoo and the Marc Stein substack reports that the Hawks have had discussions with the Hornets on a swap for Dorian Finney-Smith

The Toronto Raptors and Kawhi Leonard have held advanced discussions and are nearing an agreement on a contract extension, according to league sources. Leonard is eligible to sign for upwards of two years, $126 million.

More NBA from @TheSteinLine: https://t.co/DA9iabgPaL

— Jake Fischer (@JakeLFischer) September 17, 2026

The Atlanta Hawks and Charlotte Hornets both have moves to make to get into regular season roster compliance next month. That hasn’t stopped the two teams from discussing a trade of veteran players who are on the roster bubble.

Atlanta and Charlotte have discussed swapping Buddy Hield for Dorian Finney-Smith. The Hawks could be acquiring Finney-Smith with the idea of adding another defensive-minded player to the roster. Finney-Smith’s contract for the 2027-28 season is non-guaranteed. That means it would have no impact on Atlanta’s plans for cap space next summer.

Hield’s contract is partially guaranteed for just over $3 million for the 2027-28 season. It’s unlikely that Hield would make the Hornets regular season roster, as Charlotte is currently carrying 16 fully guaranteed contracts.

Finney-Smith, an aging 3-and-D forward, is coming off an injury-riddled last season after signing with the Rockets on a four-year, approximately $52.7 million contract. He is owed about $14.2 million this season, then north of $13.3 million unguaranteed the next two with the final year a player option per Spotrac.

It’s possible the Hawks can think they can get a bounce back season from Finney-Smith for cheap return while also shedding $3 million in future salary.

---

What do you think? Would this be a good move for the Hawks?

February 11, 2027. The NBA trade deadline. Between now and then, contenders will emerge, sellers will reveal themselves and new names will hit the market. In this February Forecast, we’re identifying potential Celtics targets before the deadline picture comes into focus. First up: Ryan Rollins.

Who?

Rollins is a 24-year-old, do-it-all guard with good size who has steadily worked his way up the NBA ladder. Drafted 44th overall in 2022 by the Golden State Warriors, he spent his rookie season struggling to crack a championship-calibre rotation before the team from the Bay moved on from him ahead of year two.

Without the cachet that comes with being picked in the lottery, it can be easy to fade into G League obscurity as a second-rounder. Before his second NBA season had even finished, Rollins had already donned two more jerseys. A short stint in Washington was cut short by legal trouble before the 6-foot-3 point guard eventually found his way to Milwaukee.

With the Bucks thinner than Ariana Grande on a press tour, opportunity finally arrived. Rollins played just under 15 minutes per game in his third NBA season, but he began to pop up in some of the nerdier corners of NBA Twitter. He knocked down shots, generated steals and shot well from the charity stripe. The buzz wasn’t mainstream, but Milwaukee’s coaching staff liked what they saw.

In 2025-26, Milwaukee’s depth chart bordered on translucent. With Damian Lillard waived (still can’t believe I’m saying that) and resources invested in the frontcourt, Rollins earned a spot in the starting lineup and hasn’t looked back. In 32.1 minutes per game, the former Toledo guard’s production exploded:

17.3 PTS | 4.6 REB | 5.6 AST | 1.5 STL
2.7 TOV | 47.2 FG% | 40.6 3P% | 6.1 3PA

Forty percent from deep. A 2:1 assist-to-turnover ratio. Thirteenth in steals. In a desert of an NBA season for the Bucks, Rollins was one of the few springs of hope in an otherwise desolate year. Despite an unorthodox path, Rollins is entering year five of his NBA career as one of the more well-rounded backcourt players in basketball.

As the Bucks look to rebuild in a post-Giannis world, one might think Rollins would be at the center of their plans, but I’m not so sure. Here’s the case for why he’ll be available in February and why Boston should pull the trigger.

Why he’ll be available:

Rollins is on an expiring deal and set to become a UFA in the summer of 2027. I don’t know about you, but if I were a 24-year-old who had just enjoyed the best season of his career, I wouldn’t necessarily look at Milwaukee as the place to be as I enter my prime. To keep Rollins, the Bucks would have to pay him handsomely. Conventional wisdom dictates that rebuilding teams should latch onto whatever young talent is already in the building in the wake of a mega-trade, not move it on, so perhaps Milwaukee will fork out the big bucks. I’m just not convinced that would be the smartest use of their resources.

In pulling the trigger and relinquishing franchise legend Giannis Antetokounmpo to the Miami Heat, the Bucks acquired not one but two guards in return for their star. One-time All-Star and Milwaukee native Tyler Herro made up the bulk of the salary in that transaction and, while some may view him as little more than salary matching, there’s a good case to be made that he can be this season’s billboard player. A spaced-out paint and increased touches could give Herro the platform to re-enter the All-Star conversation, secure his next big payday or perhaps rehabilitate enough value to net Milwaukee something meaningful in a deadline deal further down the line.

The major sticking point in the negotiations was 20-year-old Lithuanian-born Kasparas Jakucionis. Jakucionis was projected as a lottery-level talent for much of the 2025 draft cycle and, while his counting stats weren’t earning him All-Rookie plaudits, his 42.3% three-point shooting and defensive resilience offered signs of encouragement. That development contrasted with his freshman season at Illinois, where he profiled far more clearly as an on-ball creator than a useful off-ball player. Add Milwaukee’s No. 9 pick, Brayden Burries, another guard who was incredibly exciting in his Summer League showings, and the Bucks suddenly have a very crowded backcourt.

Yes, Herro could be moved instead of Rollins, but he doesn’t have first-round-pick value at the moment. While Milwaukee acquired as many picks as it could from Miami in the Giannis trade, three firsts and a swap, they’re still roughly pick-neutral over the next seven years. A small-market team looking to create another title contender needs to operate from a position of pick superiority. More bites at the apple, particularly in a league with flattened lottery odds, represent Milwaukee’s clearest route back to relevance without an all-time great already in the building. Their route to becoming pick-positive runs through trading current members of the roster for future assets, or taking on bad salary as their financial flexibility increases.

Right now, Rollins is the player on the roster who could bring in picks. Any contender can realistically find a way to acquire his $4 million salary, while paying him in the coming offseason would eat into the flexibility Milwaukee should be trying to create. He is simultaneously cheap enough to be accessible to almost every contender, productive enough to attract real interest and young enough for the Bucks to justify demanding meaningful draft compensation. For that reason, I expect that, much like Coby White and Ayo Dosunmu with the Bulls last year, Rollins will be available at the deadline.

The Fit:

Much like his contract is easy to fit into a trade, Rollins’ skill set is easy to fit into just about any roster in the association. As mentioned above, he’s a capable defender with on-ball talent, a great spacer and a player who, over the last two seasons, has flourished with increased on-ball responsibility. Teams could look at Rollins as a Swiss Army knife-type player who can play off stars, or bet on him as something more, with untapped on-ball upside in a different situation.

I think that with Neemias Queta and Mitchell Robinson as Boston’s primary options at center this season, the Celtics will be less reliant on Derrick White’s unique rim-protection ability at the guard spot. With less switching versatility from those two at the five than Boston enjoyed with, say, Al Horford in past seasons, the need for point-of-attack defense increases, and that’s where Rollins could really come into his own. Milwaukee was five points per 100 possessions better defensively with Rollins on the court this year.

Rollins is a great halfway house between Pritchard and White. A better defender than Pritchard, a more dynamic self-creator than White and the kind of guard who would thrive playing in an offense focused on Jayson Tatum, while also carrying second units when he sits. Want proof of concept? Just check out his numbers last year depending on whether or not he shared the court with Giannis in Milwaukee:

WITH GIANNIS: 18.0 USG% | 15.0 PTS | 5.7 AST | 5.2 REB | 59.0 TS% | 40.3 3P%
WITHOUT GIANNIS: 27.3 USG% | 22.4 PTS | 6.8 AST | 5.3 REB | 58.0 TS% | 40.7 3P%

The jump in usage with Antetokounmpo off the court, coupled with the stability of his efficiency, indicates that Rollins really may be a late bloomer with star upside still in the tank.

Some of that star upside can be seen down below in Rollins’ career night against the Dubs last year:

The Cost:

Coby White and Ayo Dosunmu arguably set the market for players in the Rollins archetype with a year left on their contracts, but he’s a better player than both former Bulls on an even cheaper deal. I expect that, if Rollins were made available at the deadline, he’d attract interest from multiple teams and be particularly valuable to those dealing with apron or tax issues.

Any of Houston, Toronto, Atlanta, Detroit, Charlotte or Denver could pounce, with all of those teams a little short in the backcourt and possessing the picks to acquire Rollins if they want to strengthen prior to the postseason. With that healthy market and Rollins’ talent, I expect it would take more than a singular first-round pick to get Milwaukee’s attention. I’d suggest the following trade makes sense:

Boston Celtics receive:
Ryan Rollins

Milwaukee Bucks receive:
Jordan Walsh
Boston’s 2027 first-round pick
The less favorable of Boston’s two potential 2028 first-round picks, lottery protected

If the 2028 first does not convey, Milwaukee instead receives the less favorable of Boston’s two 2031 first-round picks, top-eight protected. If the 2031 first also fails to convey, the obligation converts to three future second-round picks.

This move would take advantage of Boston’s surplus on the wing, give Milwaukee another entry into the first round of the 2027 draft and maintain the upside of the Philadelphia trade for Boston. It’s a high price to pay, but one I think is worth paying.

The Verdict:

If Boston wants to build the next great Celtics team sustainably, they’ll have to make smart moves rather than simply going all-in on sure things. Trading for Rollins isn’t the kind of star move that breaks social media, but it reminds me of the Derrick White trade Brad Stevens made in 2022. Both were analytics darlings languishing on rebuilding teams, with the potential to ascend to another level in a winning context.

Trading for Rollins isn’t without risk, but it’s a move that strengthens the Celtics for next season while preserving financial flexibility. It’s a move that could soften the sting of Derrick White’s expected decline over the next few seasons. It’s a move that would still allow Boston to use its full mid-level exception next offseason, utilizing Rollins’ $7.6 million cap hold.

If I were in Brad Stevens’ shoes, I’d be looking to bring Rollins in. What do you think?

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Feel free to use this thread to chat about (almost) anything you want: video games, food, movies, non-football sports, you name it. As long as it’s allowed by the site’s ToS, it’s fair game here.

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As far as NBA offseasons go, this was a wild one.

There were blockbuster trades — with Giannis Antetokounmpo heading to the Miami Heat and Jaylen Brown going from the Boston Celtics to their Atlantic Division-rivals, the Philadelphia 76ers.

There were culture-swinging free agency decisions — most notably NBA icon LeBron James, the league’s leading scorer, opting to break away from the Los Angeles Lakers to join Brown in Philadelphia. 

There were coaching changes and players re-signing max extensions, and there was — finally — the resolution to the Kawhi Leonard saga with the Los Angeles Clippers and Toronto Raptors.

Yet, all that said, everyone is chasing the New York Knicks, who went on a historic postseason run in June to snap a 53-year championship drought. Fans in New York celebrated the Knicks all summer long, and players have said the right things about not being satisfied with one title and wanting another. The core remains in place, but the reality is no team has repeated as NBA champions in eight seasons, since the Golden State Warriors did so in 2018.

The runner-up San Antonio Spurs will come out hungry, and the Oklahoma City Thunder remain a powerhouse. The 76ers, Heat, Boston Celtics, Cleveland Cavaliers and Indiana Pacers are also all candidates to emerge out East.

But the real work starts now, with NBA training camps set to open in late September.

The NBA crew at USA TODAY Sports prepared season previews for every team. Six will be published each day beginning Monday, Sept. 21 through Friday, Sept. 25. This page will be updated daily with links to new previews. Clink the link on each team's name below to be taken to the preview page and check back for updates.

Eastern Conference

Atlantic division

• Boston Celtics
• Brooklyn Nets
• New York Knicks
• Philadelphia 76ers
• Toronto Raptors

Central division

• Chicago Bulls
• Cleveland Cavaliers
• Detroit Pistons
• Indiana Pacers
• Milwaukee Bucks

Southeast division

• Atlanta Hawks
• Charlotte Hornets
• Miami Heat
• Orlando Magic
• Washington Wizards

Western Conference

Northwest division

• Denver Nuggets
• Minnesota Timberwolves
• Oklahoma City Thunder
• Portland Trail Blazers
• Utah Jazz

Pacific division

• Golden State Warriors
• Los Angeles Clippers
• Los Angeles Lakers
• Phoenix Suns
• Sacramento Kings

Southwest division

• Dallas Mavericks
• Houston Rockets
• Memphis Grizzlies
• New Orleans Pelicans
• San Antonio Spurs

This article originally appeared on USA TODAY: Previewing each NBA team as 2026-27 season approaches

Coach Tyronn Lue and the Los Angeles Clippers could struggle to make a significant run during the 2026-27 season.

The organization has fallen from playoff contention to a team likely dropping near the bottom of the Western Conference as a result of its offseason.

The NBA announced disciplinary action against the team on Sept. 2 after an external law firm completed enough of its investigation and shared its findings with league commissioner Adam Silver.

The Clippers were fined $30 million and were told to forfeit five first-round draft picks (2029–2033). Clippers owner Steve Ballmer and two of the team’s executives were also suspended.

The Clippers also used the offseason to create a younger roster. The team traded Kawhi Leonard, who is 35 years old, and moved on from Nicolas Batum (37) in free agency while adding players such as Brandon Ingram (29) and Gradey Dick (22). The Clippers were one of the oldest teams in the league, with an average age of 33.2 years last season.

The team will have signs of inexperience, but it could create an opportunity for players such as first-round pick Keaton Wagler to get significant playing time early and often.

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

LOS ANGELES CLIPPERS SCHEDULE: Dates, times and opponents for 2026-27 season

Los Angeles Clippers offseason review

• Record last season: 42-40 (9th in Western Conference)
• Playoff finish: Did not qualify
• Coach: Tyronn Lue (seventh season)
• 2026-27 title odds: +75000 (per BetMGM)
• Projected record : 31-51
• Offseason grade : C+

Key roster additions

• G Keaton Wagler (draft pick)
• F Baba Miller (draft pick)
• F Rui Hachimura (free agency)
• G Max Strus (traded)
• F Nick Martinelli (traded)
• F Johni Broome (traded)

Key roster losses

• F Kawhi Leonard (traded)
• F Nicolas Batum (free agency)
• G Bogdan Bogdanović (free agency)
• F/C John Collins (free agency)

Biggest question entering training camp

Who will step up as the Clippers' top player?

• The Clippers traded Kawhi Leonard to the Toronto Raptors, officially ending a chapter in the organization's history. The Clippers will start the season without a bona fide star player and MVP contender on its roster. Newly acquired Brandon Ingram will have an opportunity to fill the role, but he will have to show he can be durable, which was something that worked against Leonard at times as well. Leonard did play 65 or more games in two of the last three seasons, but was limited to just 37 games played during the 2024-25 season. Ingram did take a step forward, playing in 77 games for the Raptors last season, just two games shy of his career-high during his rookie season. The forward was limited to just 18 games played with the New Orleans Pelicans during the 2024-25 season.

Projected starting lineup and rotation

Starters

• G Darius Garland
• G Keaton Wagler
• F Brandon Ingram
• F Rui Hachimura
• C Brook Lopez

Rotation players

• C Yanic Konan Niederhauser
• C Isaiah Jackson
• G Kris Dunn
• G Max Strus
• G Bradley Beal
• G Gradey Dick
• G Kobe Sanders
• F Derrick Jones Jr.
• F Jordan Miller
• F Baba Miller

What to expect in 2026-27 season

Expectations won’t be high for the Clippers for the upcoming season. The Clippers already took a step back with a 42-40 record last season after making the playoffs in 2025. The Clippers are likely to take another step back. The team is projected to win just 31 games this season.

The team had championship expectations after acquiring Leonard and Paul George in 2019. Both players are now back in the Eastern Conference, while Los Angeles will battle for a chance at the play-in tournament.

This article originally appeared on USA TODAY: Los Angeles Clippers 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.

With training camp about to begin, our 2026-2027 Houston Rockets Players Previews kick off with their trio of two-way contracts. These are some new names among the two-way group this year, so pay keep your eye on these three this preseason.

Quadir Copeland

Copeland is a 23-year-old 6’6” guard who came over to the team after being undrafted this summer. He averaged 13.9 points, 3.6 rebounds and 6.5 assists as a senior last year at NC State. He also shot 49.4 percent from the field and 39.7 percent from deep. Copeland is an Ime Udoka special — a defense-first guard that can control games with his size and athleticism. He’s not a bad shooter, but is not a volume shooter, and while his size allows him to see over defenses when running point, he also averaged 2.8 turnovers per game his senior season, meaning he can be prone to turnovers. Still, his size and athleticism make him an intruguing prospect for the Rockets.

Sean Pedulla

Pedulla went undrafted in 2025 NBA Draft, but the 6’1” point guard linked up first with the Portland Trail Blazers last season, then spent some time with the L.A. Clippers and the Minnesota Timberwolves. With the Wolves, Pedulla earned G League Rookie of the Year honors, averaging 23.6 points, 6.7 assists, 5 rebounds and 1.6 steals with Minny’s G League affiliate. The 23-year-old now links up with the Rockets on a two-way deal. He’s a solid shooter who shot 39.2 percent from deep his senior season and replicated that by shooting 39.6 percent last year in the G League. He also has some good playmaking chops, though his size has him struggling some as a defender. Not exactly the way to get on the floor for Udoka.

Rafael Castro

Castro is a 23-year-old, 6’10” center, finalizing a complete overhaul of Houston’s two-way deals. Castro went undrafted in the 2026 NBA Draft after averaging 15.3 points, 9.1 rebounds, and 1.7 blocks in his senior season for George Washington. He is smart, athletic and fast, and he plays that way, with plenty of rim running and pick-and-roll action. Despite averaging just 1.7 assists per game his senior year, he is well-regarded as a passer, but he is mostly a traditional big man without shooting range. He’s also slight, at just 224 pounds, which could be an issue until he puts on his big boy muscle with an NBA strength program, but Castro is an intruging prospect you’ll want to keep an eye on.

Year one with Kevin Durant didn't go as the Houston Rockets hoped. The 2026-27 NBA season is shaping up as a basketball do-over.

The Rockets will largely run it back with their roster mostly intact after a disappointing first-round playoff exit in the wake of their much-hyped Durant acquisition. Houston is hopeful the return of veteran point guard Fred VanVleet, who missed all of last season with a knee injury, can unlock a talented core that never seemed to fit together consistently without an established primary ballhandler.

The Rockets have locked up young stars Alperen Sengun and Amen Thompson to long-term deals in recent offseasons, but this may be their last chance to maximize the Durant era in Houston. The 37-year-old has a player option in his contract for next year. There's enough talent for the Rockets to contend with the best teams in the Western Conference if they've sorted out the chemistry issues with Durant a season later than expected.

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

KEVIN DURANT: Says best team he ever played for 'on paper' was not Golden State Warriors

HOUSTON ROCKETS SCHEDULE: Dates, times and opponents for 2026-27 season

Houston Rockets offseason review

• Record last season: 52-30 (5th in Western Conference)
• Playoff finish: Lost to Lakers in 1st round (4-3)
• Coach: J.J. Redick (3rd season)
• 2026-27 title odds: +5000 (per BetMGM)
• Projected record: 55-27
• Offseason grade: C-

Key roster additions

• G Marcus Smart (free agent signing)
• G Bogdan Bogdanovic (free agent signing)
• G Bruce Thornton (No. 31 pick in 2026 NBA draft)
• F/C Oscar Tshiebwe (free agent signing)

Key roster losses

• G Josh Okogie (free agent)
• F Dorian Finney-Smith (trade)

Biggest question entering training camp

Can the return of Fred VanVleet solve the Rockets' point guard woes?

• The Rockets never actually settled on a full-time replacement for VanVleet last season, turning to 2024 first-round pick Reed Sheppard and 23-year-old Amen Thompson at point guard while embracing oversized lineups and a bully ball approach. The strategy fizzled in the most important games of the season, particularly after a season-ending ankle injury suffered by center Steven Adams. VanVleet expects to be ready for the start of the 2026-27 season, and the Rockets added veteran Marcus Smart and rookie Bruce Thornton to bolster their backcourt depth. But this team's ceiling will depend on how VanVleet looks at age 32 coming back from a torn ACL.

Projected starting lineup and rotation

Starters

• G Fred VanVleet
• G Amen Thompson
• F Jabari Smith Jr.
• F Kevin Durant
• C Alperen Sengun

Rotation players

• G Reed Sheppard
• G Marcus Smart
• G Bogdan Bogdanovic
• F Tari Eason
• C Steven Adams
• C Clint Capela

What to expect in 2026-27 season

The Rockets theoretically have the roster best-positioned to challenge the San Antonio Spurs and Oklahoma City Thunder among the next tier of Western Conference contenders. If VanVleet is still capable of being a major contributor at point guard, it should facilitate better offense in crunch time where placing the burden completely on Durant is too much at this point in his career. Expect the Rockets to eclipse 50 wins again and make a deeper playoff run than they did a year ago.

This article originally appeared on USA TODAY: Houston Rockets season preview: Lineup, roster and prediction

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The Dallas Mavericks are in the process of reinventing themselves after the disastrous Luka Doncic trade, and the past few months have reshaped the franchise ahead of the 2026-27 NBA season.

Former Toronto Raptors general manager Masai Ujiri was hired this offseason to be the Mavericks' new team president, and former ESPN NBA draft analyst Mike Schmitz, most recently an assistant GM with the Portland Trail Blazers, was tabbed to be the new Dallas GM. They then made a huge splash by hiring Dusty May as the franchise's new coach after he led Michigan to the 2026 national championship in college basketball.

On the court, Kyrie Irving and Dereck Lively II are expected to return from lengthy injury absences, and they're set to play alongside reigning NBA rookie of the year Cooper Flagg. They'll be surrounded by a mixture of reliable veterans and an intriguing collection of newcomers, including four drafted rookies, that could force May into some tough (and awkward) lineup decisions.

There's enough talent to return to the playoffs for the first time since the 2024 NBA Finals but also a lot of variables to overcome.

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

DALLAS MAVERICKS SCHEDULE: Dates, times and opponents for 2026-27 season

Dallas Mavericks offseason review

• Record last season: 26-56 (12th in Western Conference)
• Playoff finish: Did not qualify
• Coach: Dusty May (1st season)
• 2026-27 title odds: +20000 (per BetMGM)
• Projected record: 32-50
• Offseason grade: B

Key roster additions

• F Zaccharie Risacher (trade)
• F Santi Aldama (trade)
• F Tarik Biberovic (trade)
• G Marcus Sasser (trade)
• F Morez Johnson Jr. (No. 9 pick, 2026 NBA Draft)
• G Sergio de Larrea (No. 25 pick, 2026 NBA Draft)
• F Tobi Lawal (No. 48 pick, 2026 NBA Draft)
• G Vsevolod Ishchenko (No. 56 pick, 2026 NBA Draft)

Key roster losses

• G Klay Thompson (contract buyout)
• G Khris Middleton (trade)
• G Ryan Nembhard (trade)
• G A.J. Johnson (trade)
• G Brandon Williams (free agent)
• F Marvin Bagley (free agent)

Biggest question entering training camp

How will Kyrie Irving and Dereck Lively II perform coming back from major injuries?

• Though the Mavericks are building around Flagg for the long term, their ability to exceed expectations during the 2026-27 season could hinge on the effectiveness of Irving and Lively. Both were key starters when Dallas went to the NBA Finals in 2024, but injuries have largely sidelined them since. Lively has played in just 43 games since then (including only seven appearances last season) due to a foot injury, while Irving missed the entire 2025-26 campaign recovering from a torn ACL. Their health, and Irving's partnership with Flagg, will be a focal point early on this season.

Projected starting lineup and rotation

Starters

• G Kyrie Irving
• G Max Christie
• F Cooper Flagg
• F P.J. Washington
• C Dereck Lively II

Rotation players

• G Marcus Sasser
• F Naji Marshall
• F Santi Aldama
• F Zaccharie Risacher
• F Morez Johnson Jr.
• C Daniel Gafford

What to expect in 2026-27 season

If Irving and Lively can return close to the form they showed before being derailed by injuries over the past year, and Flagg builds upon his intriguing rookie campaign, the Mavericks are positioned to be a dangerous team that should compete for a play-in tournament spot and finish with a much better record than a season ago. But a first-time NBA head coach, health concerns and several newcomers with uncertain roster fits behind Flagg make Dallas a risky team to trust as a legitimate contender this year.

This article originally appeared on USA TODAY: Dallas Mavericks 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.