Category: NBA

LOS ANGELES — The offseason is where rosters and expectations are formed. Training camp is where the process to meet those goals begins, and the Los Angeles Lakers have been putting in the work through the first two days.

The Lakers came into the new season expected to take a dip defensively, but if what we heard at training camp on Wednesday is true, two players are looking to turn that perception on its head in Matisse Thybulle and Ziaire Williams.

Take it directly from the guy who’s dealt with their defensive impact first-hand.

“Trying to score on Matisse and Zaire…is not easy,” Austin Reaves said after practice on Wednesday. “Had to deal with that all day yesterday and today, and it’s not fun…I think that they’re two of the best defenders in the league. They can guard multiple positions. Matisse’s anticipation is top tier. So excited to have them on our team and see what they can do.”

Thybulle and Williams both come to Los Angeles on minimum deals — the former a veteran, the latter still just 25 — each looking to prove they still belong in the league. If the impression they’re making on the rest of the roster bears true, they both may be integral pieces in making the Lakers one of the best defenses in the league.

“It starts with the defense,” JJ Redick said of Williams. “He’s a pest. He’s disruptive. He’s got great length. I think even going back to September when we watched pickup games and through the first two days of camp, his physicality stood out. I know he probably doesn’t have a reputation as being invisible, and you combine that with the length and the instincts, and he’s got just a solid base defensively.”

Modifying practice

Redick has been a coach of great detail in his tenure with the Lakers. So, naturally, when he has to modify practice, you’d think it would be a problem for him. Not on Wednesday.

“[Today] was great,” Redick said. “I mean, we actually had to modify the latter third of practice because these guys were just giving great effort and physicality. So we cut a couple things, but it was wonderful.”

Redick expanded, saying the wings were the main source of that physicality, especially on defense, being early disruptors, eating at the shot clock and maintaining that physicality off the ball.

“It’s been high intensity from the start,” Quentin Grimes said. “We kind of set the tone defensively with who we want to be as a team. Picking up full court, everybody, all five guys trying to switch one-through-five. We went smaller a couple times today, so just having that intensity the whole practice. JJ can see it. We could all feel it. The coaches can feel it.”

“It was very intense,” Sandro Mamukelashvili added. “Everybody’s very intense, hands-on, very, very physical. We try to set the tone from the beginning of the practice, make sure we pick each other up. But at the same time, it’s very, very healthy competition and everybody tries to establish themselves and get comfortable with each other and learn each other’s tendency.

“But today, it was very, very hard. We were going at it. We’re pushing, shoving, and just trying to make sure we help each other get better.”

Imposter syndrome subsiding

The majority of Lakers fans welcomed Redick with open arms three seasons ago despite no professional coaching experience. Many pointed to his lengthy playing career, the brief, but impactful, media career that followed and the natural charisma he’s had since he was at Duke as reasoning. Outwardly, he’s always had a confidence to him, too.

That wasn’t always the case internally, though.

“As I reflected this summer,” Redick said candidly. “Probably shouldn’t admit this, but early in my coaching career, it felt like I was cosplaying a little bit. It was like I was pretending to be a coach. You get more reps, you get more comfortable. I don’t think the confidence was ever not there, and you also just know what you want.

“When I played, I played with an anger. There was an inner anger that drove my competitiveness. That’s not always a good thing as a coach, particularly now. So, yeah, just working through all that stuff. But I think the biggest thing is just intrinsic knowledge. You do things enough, you just feel more comfortable.”

Redick led the Lakers to 50-plus wins in each of his first two seasons as head coach, something the franchise hasn’t seen since Pat Riley’s first two years. Aside from the few more gray hairs Reaves jokingly said he’s noticed, there’s been a tangible impact in his coaching style.

“He’s been great,” Reaves said. “Care factor is high. Intelligence is high. He cares more than anybody else in the gym. He’s been a good leader since day one. He’s confident in what he wants to do. He’s confident in himself and confident in his basketball.”

Other notes:

• Austin Reaves had to pause his media sessions to admire Luka Dončić hitting five halfcourt shots in the span of 30 seconds.
• Redick says Walker Kessler and Kevon Looney will be playing closer to the basket on defense while Mamu’s usage in that role will be more matchup-dependent.
• Mamu is concentrating on learning team principles and being a reliable contributor rather than worrying about starting or coming off the bench.

You can follow Connor on Twitter at @cmorenoNBA.

Two days into Lakers training camp while integrating nine new players during yet another physical practice session, Austin Reaves has been impressed with just how good this Lakers group can be.

As he stood before the media after practice Wednesday, Reaves was asked if he saw the makings of a championship team.

“I do,” he replied.

Reaves has such high hopes because of the defensive intensity the Lakers have displayed in camp.

It starts with center Walker Kessler, the team’s new rim-protecting 7-foot-2 center.

Then it goes all the way to the group of wing players the Lakers have who have been showing their defensive capabilities.

Read more:'This is a meritocracy': Lakers open training camp with mandate of competition

Reaves was quick to mention newcomers Matisse Thybulle and Ziaire Williams, two wings the Lakers are depending on to be top-notched defenders, and second-year forward Aduo Thiero, who had a strong showing in the NBA Summer League in Las Vegas and during offseason pick-up games as a defender.

“Let me tell you, trying to score on Matisse and Ziaire, especially with Adou out there too, and then Walker on the back line, is not easy,” Reaves said. “I had to deal with that all day yesterday and today, and it’s not fun. So, defensively, we’re going to be much better. Those guys compete every possession, and then everybody else, you know, fills in their roles and plays the right way. So, yeah, I see how special we can be.”

Quentin Grimes and Collin Sexton are two other new players who have been on point on defense.

Jake LaRavia and Jarred Vanderbilt are two returners who are known for their defense.

It gives Lakers coach JJ Redick a solid group of defenders on the wing.

During practice Wednesday, Redick had to make it shorter than anticipated.

“We had to modify the latter third of practice because these guys were just giving great effort and physicality, so we cut a couple things,” Redick said. “But it was wonderful.”

Read more:How a healthy and motivated Walker Kessler could transform the Lakers' defense

When asked who stood out at practice, Redick didn’t hesitate.

“I would just say all our wings,” Redick said. “We talked about a line of confrontation, so picking the ball up earlier, being disruptive earlier, eating at the shot clock earlier. And I think our physicality off the ball has been really good. We worked on some squared-up reps today. Guys great effort, but it’s the entire group of … of wings. Anybody that’s been out there, it’s been really good.”

Redick mentioned how Lakers assistant coach Greg St. Jean talked about “deploying the soldiers.”

“Like, the guys on the wing that know their assignment, we’re going to deploy them and they’re going to attack and they’re going to be aggressive,” Redick said. “And then we got to have commanders behind them using their voices and that’s the responsibility of Walker and (Kevon) Looney.”

The Lakers’ defensive rating last season in the NBA was 115.5, ranking them 20th in the league.

They gave up 114.6 points per game, ranking them 11th, and they allowed teams to make 48.3% of their shots , ranking the Lakers 24th.

Yet after only two days of practice, Reaves has a stronger belief in this team’s defensive abilities.

And with that, he believes the Lakers can be championship contenders.

“I mean,” Reaves said. “I left here yesterday and headed to the golf course and was very excited on the drive over there with how yesterday went and kind of what I’ve seen this team could be.”

The Thunder and Spurs are considered the best teams in the NBA and both reside in the Western Conference. Last season, the Thunder was ranked first in defensive rating (106.5) and the Spurs were third (112.3).

With that in mind, Grimes was asked if the Lakers are being viewed as an underrated defensive team on the perimeter.

“I don’t think they’re underrating it, but I think it might be getting, like, overlooked a little bit because of the presence that teams like San Antonio and OKC have set the standard for it,” Grimes said. “But I don’t think we are getting … I think it might be overlooked a little bit. So, I feel like that’s kind of cool to fly under the radar, and we’ll surprise people maybe during the season.”

Sign up for our weekly newsletter on all things Lakers.

This story originally appeared in Los Angeles Times.

Landry Shamet has never had this luxury. 

Entering his ninth season in the NBA, Shamet is with the same team three years in a row for the first time. 

At this point the past two years, he was on nonguaranteed deals and had to fight his way onto the Knicks roster.

Last year, he seemed to be on the outside looking in until Malcolm Brogdon unexpectedly retired, prompting Shamet to win the battle for the last roster spot. 

But after emerging as a key bench piece during the championship run, he was rewarded with a four-year, $24 million deal this past offseason. 

“It definitely gives you a sense of perspective and appreciation that I’m grateful for,” Shamet said after practice on Wednesday. “To be believed in and have that offered to me, for me and [his fiancée] Cammi to be able to stay here in New York and continue to grow this thing, it’s pretty special. To be asked to be a part of it is humbling and I’m grateful for it every day. It means a lot.” 

To finally have certainty and clarity about his standing is freeing — and extremely rewarding. 

“In a way, it just makes me proud of myself,” Shamet said. “That’s why you work through the difficult times and the challenging and the questioning ones. Typically, there’s really good stuff on the other end of that. It feels good, it feels good to be a part of this moving forward. I don’t want to drop my level or get complacent or any of that, that’s definitely not the feeling. It’s more, it just feels good to know that you don’t have that heavy wave right on your ass again this training camp.” 

Shamet was one of a trio of backup guards — along with Jose Alvarado and Jordan Clarkson — who were free agents this past offseason but opted to return to the Knicks. All three spent various points of last season both in and out of coach Mike Brown’s rotation. 

That all three eagerly wanted to be back, despite at times not seeing the court last year, is indicative of a close bond that defines this group. 

“We care about each other,” Shamet said. “We want to win for each other. We’re willing to take on different roles and we know that we’ve got each other’s back. If Jose’s got it going and my minutes are shortened, awesome. And vice versa. All of us, Deuce [McBride] included in that, I would throw him in that as well, all of us kind of feel that way. That’s really cool. 

“I’ve been saying it, I’ve been a broken record about it, but you don’t see that — from a backup guard position, that’s very rare where no ego or ulterior motives get involved. That’s something special that you want to be a part of.”

Austin Reaves was asked what he has learned from playing alongside Walker Kessler at Lakers practice on Wednesday.

He began waxing poetic about Kessler’s care factor — before abruptly cutting himself off. 

Reaves lost his train of thought. 

Something stunning caught his eye. He came to a full stop. He had to acknowledge it. 

“Luka’s made five f–k,” Reaves said before pausing to collect himself. “Five half-court shots in the last 30 seconds. So, this is ridiculous. And he just made another one. I hate him.”

Reporters swung their heads in time to witness Doncic’s final halfcourt shot swish through the net. 

In other words, it was a typical Wednesday in Laker Land. 

This is the type of thing that can happen when Doncic plays around after practice. He led the league in scoring last season with 33.5 points per game. 

Last March, he averaged 37.5 points, 8 rebounds and 7.4 assists per game before suffering a strained hamstring on April 2 that sidelined him for the entire postseason. 

Doncic is back. He’s healthy. And he has apparently found his stroke. 

So much so that he made Reaves, a star himself who signed a four-year, $180 million contract in July, feel the need to take stock of the moment. 

It was especially striking because Reaves and Doncic have a brotherly rapport in which they love to tease one another. They joke about beating one another in golf. They throw towels at each other during their TV interviews. They’ve used the words “idiot” and “stupid” to describe one another. 

So when one of them heaps praise on the other one, it means something. 

All jokes aside, they’re good friends who have palpable on-court chemistry. 

In fact, Doncic made it abundantly clear to Lakers’ brass that he wanted to keep playing alongside Reaves, who turned down his $14.9 million player option in June. The Lakers then signed Reaves to the richest contract in NBA history for a player who went undrafted. 

Last season it became obvious that Doncic and Reaves soar together on offense. 

When LeBron James was sidelined at the start of last season because of sciatica, Doncic and Reaves led the Lakers on a 15-4 run. And when James missed a smattering of games in March, Doncic and Reaves helped ignite what went on to become a 16-2 run. 

This season, there are hopes that Reaves will develop into an All-Star. As for Doncic? He finished fourth in MVP voting last season behind Shai Gilgeous-Alexander, Victor Wembanyama and Nikola Jokic.

Here’s to guessing he’s going to try climb higher up that ladder this season as he attempts to lead the Lakers to their first championship since 2020. 

The Lakers are now Doncic’s team after James left in free agency for the 76ers. 

And if Wednesday’s theatrics are any indication, he’s more than ready to put on a show while embracing that challenge. 

Kawhi Leonard may no longer be with the Clippers – or even be in the United States – but the scrutiny surrounding him has followed him north of the border.  

Pablo Torre, the Pulitzer-winning journalist whose reporting about the Clippers’ salary cap circumvention sparked an investigation by the NBA, released another episode of “Pablo Torre Finds Out” related to Leonard’s deal with Boingo Wireless.

Boingo Wireless was one of the four companies with endorsement deals with Leonard that were at the center of the NBA’s investigation.

Torre and his show reported that as part of his $1.9-million payment from Boingo, the lone “work” Leonard did as part of his contract was an hour-long photo-op with members of the U.S. military at Camp Pendleton in 2022

A former Boingo executive, who was granted anonymity, described the arrangement as “really gross” to Torre.

Leonard, who’s since been traded back to the Raptors, was asked by a Toronto media member whether he keeps up with Torre’s reporting.

“No, I don’t follow it,” Leonard responded. “I don’t know what to think of it all, [or] really, expect. I’m not really entertained by it.”

Leonard started his Raptors media day availability on Monday by saying he wasn’t going to discuss the NBA’s investigation that found the Clippers broke the league’s salary cap rules. 

In addition to a $30-million fine to the franchise, the team being stripped of five first-round draft picks (2029-33) and Clippers owner/CEO Steve Ballmer being suspended for a year, president of business operations Gillian Zucker (one year) and president of basketball operations Lawrence Frank (six months) were also suspended for their roles in the scandal involving Leonard.

Leonard was forced to pay the NBA $700,000 for restitution for improper benefits provided by the Clippers, while his uncle and former business manager, Dennis Robertson, has been banned by the NBA from all business dealings for five years.

“Like I said before, the NBA did their job,” Leonard said. “The PA did their job. I don’t know. I don’t even know what [Torre is] talking about.”

Federal prosecutors and the Securities and Exchange Commission opened investigations into the Clippers over allegations it circumvented the NBA’s salary cap for Leonard.

BOSTON — Jayson Tatum organized the workouts in Los Angeles that many of the Celtics’ players attended last month in an effort to get a head start on building chemistry between a new-look roster on and off the court. The roughly week-long trip to the west coast included Tatum and LA native Paul George, who returning players Payton Pritchard, Jordan Walsh, Sam Hauser and more received the opportunity to get to know before they all converged on Boston in September. It also gave Mike Conley Jr. his introduction to his new team.

“From the outside looking in, I always thought he was one of the best players in the league,” Conley said. “Getting to know him now, he’s a guy that I feel like is really coming into his own as a leader, a guy that’s ready to make a jump, I think after the last couple of years with the injury.”

“He called everybody and said, let’s go workout, let’s go meet,” Conley recalled. “Let’s spend about 7-8 days out there, go golf, go out to eat. I feel like he’s setting up all kinds of things off the court. He’s bringing in huddles after practices. After every workout we we have, he has something to say, calling guys out, just really taking ownership of the situation, so that’s big.”

The newest Celtics see a vocal and involved Tatum through their first impressions of him, and Joe Mazzulla left room on media day for Tatum’s voice to grow into his 10th season. Tatum typically leads quietly by example, teammates have long observed, through his work ethic, consistent availability and versatile and unselfish approach to the game. Mazzulla said on Wednesday that he wants Tatum to continue that approach on the floor. Off it, Jaylen Brown’s absence leaves a void where he embraced an outspoken approach to leadership.

Payton Pritchard noticeably spoke out more often about play style preferences, things that the team has to do better while accepting various roles to make the team work. Mazzulla, the tone-setter in many ways, stressed a culture of connectivity since the offseason, acting on it through his trips to Nashville, Spain, Portugal, Dallas, Iowa and more. He also planned the Charleston, South Carolina trip that the team will take as part of camp next week, sensing a new-look team needed the bonding time after nearly a decade since Brad Stevens’ Newport, Rhode Island trip tipped-off Tatum’s rookie season.

Conley also plans to act as an extension of the coaching staff, pulling teammates aside whenever he sees something, but the Celtics want Tatum to embrace his standing as one of the league’s best players.

“We need him to come in with a high level of effort, a high level of attention to detail and competitiveness on the defensive end,” Mazzulla said. “Reading the game every possession, giving the game and the possession exactly what it needs all the time and playing with a high level of confidence.”

“When he’s at his best, our team’s at its best. Nothing changes in that. It’s been that way for a long time. It’s gotta stay that way.”

Tatum’s emergence into camp came at a time of sweeping change in the organization and inherent consolidation around him following Brown’s departure through an offseason trade. That’ll create a before-and-after storyline, highlighting the differences between George’s dynamic as a teammate in Brown’s place, how the team operates stylistically and the general vibes around it. Tatum and Brown certainly gained breathing room on and off the court following the 2023 Marcus Smart trade after playing alongside and leaning on him for leadership early in their careers. For the first time, Brown leaving centers the team around Tatum.

He’s not looking at it that way, however, stressing the importance of everyone across the roster in his comments at media day. Tatum paid respects, again, to Brown for the time they spent together and emphasized that his camaraderie with George stems from the fact that he idolized the veteran growing up watching him star for the Pacers. Other teammates have shied away from drawing comparisons to the state of the team before and after Brown.

Conley, obviously not present until this year, still sensed that Tatum begins this season wanting to prove something. It’s his first full season back from his Achilles tear, and he’s reflected on the perspective nearly losing his career gave him. He reached 80% this year and now has the chance, with expectations relatively lower for the Celtics compared to their championship-chasing seasons, to power them back to that level, help teammates grow and expand his game.

“This is 9-10 years in the league and if you take a 30,000 foot view on just his career, he’s accomplished a lot,” Mazzulla said on media day. “He’s been through a lot of experiences. That phase of his career, being coached by Brad, coming in as a rookie, going through all those Eastern Conference Game 7s and all those journeys, and then being coached by Ime, getting to the Finals … getting hurt and the process of coming back … every experience has to make you better and get you closer to the person and player that you’re trying to be.”

“I think he does a great job of learning from those. This is the next step. This is the next phase of that.”

HeraldHow Jayson Tatum showed leadership after Celtics’ Jaylen Brown trade

Celtics newcomer surprised by team’s talent level in training camp

Globe Bruins’ CEO Charlie Jacobs discussed future of Celtics at TD Garden

CelticsBlog Two Celtics players forming close bond as training camp kicks off

Jayson Tatum looked up to Paul George growing up

NBC Sports BostonMike Conley Jr. raves about Jayson Tatum’s leadership for Celtics

NESN Why Mike Conley Called Celtics’ Payton Pritchard a ‘Crazy Person’

Why Thursday Is So Important For Payton Pritchard’s Celtics Future

Celtics Get Paul George News That Could Change Everything

Mass Live Jayson Tatum already getting rave reviews for renewed Celtics role

New Celtics center makes surprising declaration ahead of season

Celtics center rotation under spotlight, already has nickname

Bruins CEO hopes Celtics stay at TD Garden amid new arena talk

Celtics Wire Mazzulla on how Celtics will deal with a stronger Eastern Conference

Jayson Tatum on first season of Celtics career without Jaylen Brown

Today in Boston Celtics history: New Boston Garden opens; Ruben Wolkowyski born

Mazzulla on how Celtics keep balance in mind when crafting play style

Everybody’s ready to play: Jordan Walsh on Celtics training camp

Luka Garza sees Celtics big depth as advantage, not obstacle

Jaylen Brown still unsure how Celtics return will go with 76ers

Celtics star Jayson Tatum keeps promise to Timberwolves guard Donte DiVincenzo

Luka Garza on how Celtics training camp has roots in offseason workouts

Jordan Walsh on working out with Paul George, what he brings to Celtics

What do we need to know about Celtics Media Day?

Despite new faces, Mazzulla comfortable forging Celtics identity on court

Boston Sports JournalSimone’s Training Camp Notebook: A Baylor Scheierman breakout may be inevitable

Hardwood HoudiniHow Mitchell Robinson plans to unlock Boston’s offense without scoring

Luka Garza has admirable reaction to Celtics signing Mitchell Robinson

Jayson Tatum’s ongoing support for Donte DiVincenzo highlights his leadership

Celtics’ 2028 pick swap value rises after Clippers’ nightmarish injury news

What Chris Cenac Jr. and Dillon Mitchell must show the Celtics at training camp

Devin Carter could have Jae Crowder-like rise after stamp of approval

Mike Conley’s impact on Payton Pritchard is already paying off for the Celtics

CLNS Media/YouTubeHow Jayson Tatum is STEPPING UP at Celtics Training Camp

Joe Mazzulla: Jayson Tatum Needs to Give What he Always Has

Mike Conley SHOCKED by How Much Talent Celtics Have | Celtics Practice Interview

Amari Williams on Learning from Mitchell Robinson | Celtics Practice Interview

6 Most Intriguing Celtics Training Camp Battles | Still Poddable

What Can Celtics Get Out of Paul George?

Locked on CelticsWhat Playing Fast WILL REALLY Look Like For the Boston Celtics | Paul George Impact

Celtics HeroicsBoston Celtics’ Jayson Tatum Gets Candid on Being the Team’s Main Franchise Player for 2026-27

Fadeaway World 2026 Knicks vs. 2024 Celtics: Comparing The NBA’s Last Two Champions From The Eastern Conference

FansidedTop breakout candidates for every NBA team in the Eastern Conference

SI .comDonte DiVincenzo Says Jayson Tatum ‘Very, Very Helpful’ During Achilles Injury Rehab

Joe Mazzulla Has a Warning as Celtics Continue Their Quest to Play Faster

One Young Celtic Has Already Really Impressed Mike Conley: ‘I Like Him A Lot’

Predicting the 2026–27 NBA Award Winners: MVP, Rookie of the Year and More

Payton Pritchard Called ‘A Menace’ and ‘A Crazy Person’ by Celtics Teammate

Hoops WireNBA Notes: Jazz, Lauri Markkanen, Celtics, Jayson Tatum, Kings, Ben Simmons

Hoops Rumors Atlantic Notes: Tatum, Robinson, Leonard, Yoshimoto

Clutch PointsCeltics star Jayson Tatum’s ‘explosive’ update is scary for rest of NBA with Achilles injury in rearview

Celtics guard Mike Conley Jr.’s ‘outrageous’ reaction to age gap with teammate

Bleacher Report NBA Drops Video Announcing New ‘Points of Emphasis’ for Referees During 2026-27 Season

HeavyNBA Trade Rumors: Jalen Duren Deal Deadline, Celtics-Paul George & More

Celtics’ Joe Mazzulla Makes Feelings Clear on Paul George as Camp Begins

Gameday NYCCeltics Face Same Shooting Disappointment With Robinson

The Sixer SenseJoel Embiid exposes overlooked emotional side of the Paul George trade

The LeadCeltics Believe In ‘Big Fella University’ as a Position of Strength

Celtics Roundtable Boston Celtics Head Coach Praises Big Man at News Conference

Boston Celtics’ Neemias Queta Drops Hilarious Nickname For Collection of Big Men

Mike Conley Continues to Sing Same Refrain After Signing with Boston Celtics

Payton Pritchard Makes Vow as Boston Celtics Camp Starts

ESPNNBA preview 2026-27: What Bobby Marks is watching at 30 training camps

NBA issues new guidelines, instructs refs to crack down on push-offs

Fan RecapCeltics Still Carry One Surprising 2026-27 Ceiling After Major Change

NBA Officiating Change Just Put An Ex-Celtics Star In Focus

Brad Stevens Sees A Bigger Celtics Role For Baylor Scheierman

Jayson Tatum Is Already Shaping Another Stars Achilles Comeback

Celtics Suddenly Hold A Pick Swap Fans May Start Obsessing Over

Tatum And George Already Face Bostons Biggest New Celtics Test

Jayson Tatum Now Faces The Pressure Celtics Fans Feared

Hoops Habit Payton Pritchard is about to show the NBA what Celtics fans have known all along

Warriors training camp takeaways: Starting five competition underway in Hawaii originally appeared on NBC Sports Bay Area

LAIE, Hawaii – While the second day of Warriors training camp on the campus of BYU-Hawaii was a bit lighter than the first, the team again went through controlled 5-on-5. Wednesday’s emphasis was a lot of work in transition. 

“We were a very poor transition team last year,” Warriors coach Steve Kerr said. “One of our main focal points at camp is to try to clean up our transition, be more efficient. Gave away too many points last year, and we’re working hard on that.” 

The Warriors allowed the eighth-most points in transition per game last season (24.7). 

Bringing in veteran coach Frank Vogel to run the Warriors’ defense already is being felt by all, with a major focus on being a better team in transition. Vogel, 53, has 21 years of coaching experience in the NBA – 12 as a head coach and nine as an assistant. He ran the Dallas Mavericks’ defense last season after a one-year stint as the Phoenix Suns’ head coach.

“We’re using some of his transition defensive drills, some of his rebounding drills,” Kerr said. “We’ve been watching tape of Dallas’ training camp from last year. The drill work that Frank did with them, and Frank said, ‘No more Dallas tape after the game.’ Those guys don’t like watching another team, so now we have enough tape for ourselves to watch our own camp tape. 

“But Frank’s awesome. He’s a great, great coach, and he’s doing a really good job getting these guys organized, giving them kind of the expectations for how we’re going to defend, our terminology – I’m very confident.”

Here are three takeaways from the second day of Warriors training camp, which featured comments from Kerr and De’Anthony Melton. 

Gui Santos’ Next Steps

The best story last season, on the Warriors and perhaps throughout the NBA, was Golden State forward Gui Santos. Taken with the No. 55 pick in the 2022 NBA Draft, Santos spent his entire first season in Santa Cruz playing for the Warriors’ G League affiliate. Santos transformed his body and his game, slowly earning more opportunities. 

He played in 23 NBA games the next season, and 56 in 2024-25, watching his minutes per game go from 8.3 to 13.6. Last season was Santos’ breakout, knocking down the door and playing 68 games with 30 starts while averaging 20.5 points per game. 

“Gui’s great,” Kerr said. “Just from Day 1, the energy that he brought, coachability, wanting to get better, being in the gym all the time, soaking up the knowledge that he needed, and then building up the reps in Santa Cruz. Playing there for at least a couple years – two, three years – night after night, playing heavy minutes … now he’s worked his way up where he’s going to be again one of our most important players. He’s a guy everybody would love to coach. Just how hard he plays, and the knowledge and the awareness of how to play.” 

Santos averaged career highs in points per game (9.2), rebounds per game (3.9) and assists per game (2.3). Where he really shone was down the stretch of the season when the Warriors were hit hard by injuries to Steph Curry, Jimmy Butler and eventually Moses Moody. In a season where the team was searching for silver linings, Santos was one of them. 

From the time that Butler sustained a torn ACL on Jan. 19 through the end of the regular season, Santos played in 35 games and started 28. His numbers rocketed to 14.3 points, 5.4 rebounds and 3.6 assists per game, shooting 50.8 percent from the field. As the Warriors wait on Butler and Moody’s returns from injury, Kerr wants Santos to stay within himself and build off the block he already has created. 

“Just continued growth shooting the ball. We asked a lot of him last year, and he turned it over quite a bit in those last 25 games when Steph was out,” Kerr said. “It was a good process for him to have to create shots for us because we didn’t have any other options, and then feel the mistakes that he made at the same time. 

“We’re just looking for continued growth. He’s a focal point of our team, our offense. But fitting next to Steph, next to Jimmy when he’s back, where he’s still able to attack and make plays, but also being the role player, fill-in guy that he’s so good at.” 

Yaxel’s Versatility 

On a team that still has Curry, Butler and Draymond Green, the spotlight is shining equally as bright on rookie Yaxel Lendeborg. He’s almost impossible to miss, whether it’s his size or bravado. And that size already has stood to Warriors veterans. 

“Man, Yax is … I think the big thing about Yax is he’s such a smart player,” Melton said. “So stuff just comes to him naturally. I don’t think he even notices sometimes. But like you said, his versatility. Like, he’s a big body. He can guard space, and that’s important. And he can go out to the rim not scared about it. And offensively, I mean, running into him when he sets a screen, you can feel the physicality you need, and that’s what you get from Draymond too. 

“Him rolling to the basket, we’re trying to tell him, ‘I don’t think nobody wants to step in front of you rolling to the basket.’ He’s such a versatile player. We just got to continue to have him do it more and more.” 

At 6-foot-9 and 241 pounds with a wingspan that stretches past 7-foot-3, Lendeborg is one of the biggest players on the Warriors. Lendeborg, who turned 24 years old on Wednesday, began his college career as a center at Arizona Western College, played bully ball his two years at UAB and then found himself on the wing at Michigan. 

There already have been instances in controlled 5-on-5 where Lendeborg essentially has been the Warriors’ center, which Kerr isn’t worried about offensively but acknowledged that would be a big adjustment defensively. Ideally, he’ll find his way as one of the Warriors’ two forward positions. 

The advantage of having Lendeborg’s strength, length and ability to shoot the ball makes Kerr comfortable playing him as a small forward or a power forward. 

“He’s just a basketball player,” Kerr said. “I mean, he can dribble, pass, shoot. It doesn’t really matter what position you play him.” 

Open Competition 

Kerr on Tuesday was adamant that Green will continue to be in the Warriors’ starting lineup to pair him with Curry as much as he can. The next day, the Warriors coach strongly stated the other three positions in the starting five are up for grabs as an open competition. 

“For sure,” Kerr said. “Yeah, yeah. Nothing has been decided yet.” 

Kristaps Porziņģis was expected to be the Warriors’ starting center like he was last season. But a health issue has him home instead of in Hawaii with the rest of his teammates. Al Horford could slot into that position, as could Green. Kerr preferably would have Horford come off the bench and Green play much more power forward than center to save his body. 

Santos has etched his name into the Warriors’ rotation for the foreseeable future, but even he could find himself in a competition with Lendeborg. Maybe they both start to give the Warriors newfound size on the wings. 

Who starts next to Curry has been a question since Klay Thompson departed in the summer of 2024. That also has been a question for Brandin Podziemski and Melton for stretches over each of the past two years, as well as this season, too. Podziemski played all 82 games last season and started 43 of them. Melton played in 49 games after making his season debut on Dec. 4 and started 24.

The elder of the two says he couldn’t care less about starting or coming off the bench going into his ninth season and third as a Warrior. 

“Nah, I think for me it’s just, man, we got such a deep team,” Melton said. “It’s just about collecting wins and adding them up. And I think, end of the day, we want to see where we’re at in April. … So for me, it doesn’t really matter. I think I just want to collect as many wins as possible.” 

Time is on the Warriors’ side to find the right winning formula of a five-man combination to start games. That’s what training camp is for, and that’s what playing six preseason games is for three weeks away from the regular-season opener against the Lakers in Los Angeles.

Download and follow the Dubs Talk Podcast

Phoenix Suns guard Dillon Brooks has been formally charged with driving under the influence, stemming from his March arrest in Scottsdale, Arizona.

According to court filings from the City of Scottsdale, Brooks was charged Monday, Sept. 28 with driving under the influence, which is a Class 1 misdemeanor and carries a presumed fine of $1,623.11.

A court date has been set for the morning of Oct. 28 for his arraignment. The Suns have a break in their schedule at that time; they’ll play the Thunder in Oklahoma City on Oct. 26, and their next game is Oct. 30, against the Denver Nuggets, at home.

On March 6, officers conducted a traffic stop in Scottsdale at around 1 a.m. local time, hours after the Suns lost at home to the Chicago Bulls. After an investigation, Brooks, 30, was arrested. He was released around 3:30 a.m., following the booking process.

PHOENIX SUNS SEASON PREVIEW: Lineup, roster, prediction and biggest question mark

Brooks also has a pair of other traffic charges to address, from a separate incident. According to court records, Brooks has been charged with a Class 3 misdemeanor for exceeding the speed limit by more than 20 miles per hour and a Class 2 misdemeanor reckless driving charge, which is when a driver surpasses the speed limit by 35 miles per hour. Those two charges carry a presumed fine of $600 combined.

A trial readiness conference has been set for the morning of Nov. 9 for those charges. The Suns host the San Antonio Spurs later that evening.

A separate alleged speeding incident on Feb. 11 was eventually dismissed by the court in July.

Brooks posted a career-high 20.2 points per game last season, though he played just 56 games as he dealt with a left hand fracture. He also shot a career-best 43.5% from the floor and added 3.6 rebounds and 1.8 assists per game.

This article originally appeared on USA TODAY: Suns guard Dillon Brooks officially charged with DUI from March arrest

As John Voita always puts it, it felt like the first day of school again at Suns Media Day. Mostly familiar faces, with some new ones sprinkled in, and the same objective for everyone: figuring out who this team is.

There’s only so much you can learn from a group with plenty of *checks notes* continuity (that was the buzzword today), but it’s always fun to get the state of the front office, coaching staff, and players.

From aligned to continuity, here’s what stood out.

1) Ishbia, Gregory, and Ott bring consistent messaging in different ways

I mean this in the best way possible. Mat Ishbia, Brian Gregory, and Jordan Ott couldn’t be any more different from each other personality-wise. They each have their own communication style and approach to dealing with the media, but the important thing is that they’re aligned on their vision.

Ishbia brings a very direct, intense, and passionate approach that shines through in every word he says. He speaks with conviction and isn’t afraid to confront the tough questions head-on.

“Am I still going to pay the luxury tax? Yes,” said Ishbia, who stated that he has purchased an additional 14% of the team and now owns ~80% of the franchise.

“Are we still going to do crazy things for the fans? Yes, yes, yes. I always say this, I don’t own the team, it’s the city’s team.”

Brian Gregory is more analytical and calculated and provides answers with great detail.

One Gregory moment that stood out was him saying how Khaman Maluach’s body has changed in the past year. He said that he is stronger and runs/moves differently than he did as a rookie. Gregory credited Maluach for taking every step by putting in the work every day, sometimes even twice a day. And yes, he mentioned the word continuity as well.

Jordan Ott looked much more comfortable and personable with the media than he did last season, which is the usual development after knocking out your first year as a head coach and building relationships with the media.

He reiterated his love for Phoenix and said how lucky we are to live here.

When asked about the center battle, Ott said: “Camp is three weeks. We’re gonna mix around with some lineups.” As expected, they will keep things pretty close to the chest right now and not reveal too much about their scheme, overall plans or any lineup talk as they prepare for camp.

2) Khaman Maluach = Media Day Winner

There was no bigger “winner” than Khaman Maluach at media day. Members of the front office, coaching staff, and even veteran players brought him up, unprompted, several times.

"When we talk about the work ethic and putting in the time for that development, he's done every single day, a lot of times, twice a day. He understands where he's at in this spectrum of where he wants to get to. I think that's a great trait for him, because he's never gonna get…

— Stephen PridGeon-Garner 🏁 (@StephenPG3) September 28, 2026

Luke Kennard said he’s the “one of the hardest workers” he’s been around in his career. Coming from a 10-year vet, that means something. Pat Spencer praised his energy. Devin Booker said he’s been pleased with his development and willingness to work.

Khaman quotes and praise will be sprinkled throughout this article. It’s quite impossible to leave them out with how often we heard his name. He is clearly hungry to keep improving, and is doing all of the right things to get where he (and we) want him to be as a player. The next step is translating that to consistent production in games that count.

I asked Khaman Maluach how he doesn’t let the pressure of competing for the team’s starting center spot get to him.

“It’s not like, oh who's gonna start or who's gonna play this kind of minutes. It’s what the team needs. If that night Oso is a good matchup for whatever center… pic.twitter.com/rAKdcsIKEU

— Hayden Cilley (@HaydenCilley) September 28, 2026

3) Devin Booker said all the right things

I typically don’t feed into the generic offseason buzzwords or “great shape” everyone seems to be in when entering camp. Have you ever heard someone come in and say, “Yeah, I’m in pretty bad shape right now.” Of course not. But Devin Booker isn’t the type to talk himself up like this, specifically about the shape and overall state of mind he’s in.

He also mentioned that he “loves the game more than he ever has” right now.

Devin Booker said this is the best his body has ever felt going into a training camp. Credited learning over the years the new ways to train and take care of his body.

(This is saying something because Booker always comes into the season in fantastic shape)

— Kellan Olson (@KellanOlson) September 28, 2026

Another fun Booker quote: “Sometimes I fall into passing too much and this year, hopefully, I fall into shooting too much.” Yeah, inject that into my veins. If we get a more aggressive and assertive Booker, that will only make the Suns better. He’s always at his best in attack mode. That doesn’t mean to force up dumb shots, but to look for his more rather than being too unselfish at times when they need him to take over.

Building off that last point regarding Maluach, Devin Booker and Khaman got some work in together this summer.

Devin Booker said Khaman Maluach texted him about working out together and the two have followed up with workouts.

Said Maluach made the biggest jump from last year to this year thar he has seen. #Suns

— Duane Rankin (@DuaneRankin) September 28, 2026

“He’s asking a lot of questions, but you can tell he’s asking them when he already knows the answer and knows what to do. It’s been a pleasure to watch him grow.”

"That guard and big relationship is super important."

Book on his summer workouts with Khaman and the growth he's seen from our young big man. pic.twitter.com/S5BkAZ9OXF

— Phoenix Suns (@Suns) September 30, 2026

4) Luke Kennard was told to be aggressive

Kennard said on a call with Coach Ott that it was “great” that I led the NBA in 3PT%, but that may not be the case this year, because “we want to see you take tougher shots”.

He said he is excited for the opportunity in Phoenix and feels like there is a ton of confidence in him and his game, which makes his job easier.

Luke Kennard says the message for him has been to shoot as many 3's as possible this season 🎯

"I'm excited for it." pic.twitter.com/LR6NeZycpC

— Erik Ruby (@ErikRuby) September 28, 2026

While that is music to many Suns fans’ ears, it may be wise to pump the brakes there. LeBron and JJ Redick were each in Kennard’s ear last season, constantly telling him to shoot more to no avail.

Maybe it will be different for us, and we can get him back in the 6+ attempt range that he hit a few times earlier in his career in Memphis, Los Angeles (Clippers), and Detroit. It’s time for Luke Kennard to let it fly!

5) Pat Spencer fits right in

As we all predicted, Pat Spencer is going to fit right in with this team from a culture and mindset perspective. He is a competitor through and through and will bring a feisty style of play every time he steps on the court.

I wrote about his seamless fit, linked below.

This quote was one of my absolute favorites from the entire day. He and Dillon Brooks are going to absolutely agitate opponents, and I’m here for it.

I asked Pat Spencer about his brother Cam having a dustup with Kevin Durant and if it surprised him.

Pat said he wasn't surprised at all and that with all due respect to everyone and players of that pedigree, once they are between the lines "we don't give a shit who you are."

— Kellan Olson (@KellanOlson) September 28, 2026

Spencer also joined in on the Maluach praise, saying he has the “best energy” he’s ever seen in the NBA. For Maluach to get kudos from a couple of new guys, plus returners, speaks to the impact and impression he’s made in a short period of time leading into the new season.

All aboard the Khaman train, full steam ahead.

Among the many free agent signings the Los Angeles Lakers made this summer was Ziaire Williams, a Lancaster, California native who attended Sierra Canyon High School, where he played alongside Bronny James. After being drafted by the Memphis Grizzlies and heading to the Brooklyn Nets via trade, Williams is back in southern California with a chance to contribute for his hometown team.

“It’s a blessing, man, to come back first circle. I remember being six years old in a YMCA Jr. Lakers jersey in Lancaster, California,” Williams told reporters at Monday’s media day. “Just growing up and seeing the LA culture, watching the championship parades on the street. It’s purple and gold everywhere. My family bleeds purple and gold so just to be able to throw the jersey and be able to play on the biggest stage of the world, it’s a blessing for sure.”

While the Lakers are stocked with wings, most are unproven and yet to earn a rotation spot. Williams is part of that group and could certainly step into a consistent role with his cutting, off-ball movement and point-of-attack defense, all of which complement Los Angeles’ franchise centerpieces, Luka Dončić and Austin Reaves.

Williams has previously spoken with head coach JJ Redick about his role this season, one rooted in being a defensive stopper. Carving out a sizable workload would be made easier if Williams can be a consistent 3-point shooter. He’s only knocked down 32.2 percent of his career long balls, including a career-high 34.3 percent last year. But if he remedies that shortcoming to amplify his defensive prowess, it would undoubtedly inject some life into Los Angeles’ perimeter defense and make his SoCal reunion that much sweeter.

You can follow Jackson on Twitter at @jackfrank_jjf.

Knicks center Karl-Anthony Towns’ wife Jordyn Woods took a break from attending his games after witnessing the New York fan base heckle him in front of her.

In a joint interview with The Athletic, the pair — who were married this offseason after the Knicks secured their first NBA title in 53 years — explained that things got ugly before the team’s playoff run.

“I honestly stopped going to the games for a little while. It was turning dark,” Woods said as they looked back on the Knicks’ 2-9 stretch in January that drew insults and boos at Towns from fans.

At the time, Towns’ name and Bucks star Giannis Antetokounmpo (now with the Heat) were mentioned in trade rumors. They were were previously linked in trade rumors during the summer of 2025.

“We were on Zillow looking at Milwaukee,” Towns said, smiling and mimicking his conversations with Woods about using the real estate marketplace. “Like, ‘Hey, babe, I went around town, and it’s not that bad. This could be a good spot right here.’”

Towns played a pivotal role defensively in helping New York turn their season around, en route to a 16-3 playoff run — and winning four of five against the Spurs to win the 2026 NBA title.

His plus-minus in the playoffs was the best since the league officially started tracking the stat 20 years ago, according to The Athletic.

“It just proves that you’re in the right place and doing the right thing,” Woods said. “It silences a lot of those haters that we were talking about.

“A lot of these people who didn’t believe now can’t say anything.”

Woods was at the Knicks’ championship ticker-tape parade in New York on June 18.

Towns, who has two years and almost $120 million left on his contract, is in talks for an extension.

Earlier in the interview, Towns explained how playing in a smaller market during his nine seasons with Minnesota from 2015-24 helped prepare him for New York.

“We talk about (playing in a) small market as a bad thing,” Towns said. “It was a great thing for me because it protected me from having to be a perfect form of myself for the big media markets and stuff.

“I was able to really grow and hone myself as a person and fine-tune the things that I needed to so when I got (to New York), which wasn’t part of my plan, I was truly the best version of myself.”

The Knicks open the regular season against the Philadelphia 76ers on Oct. 20, and will host their championship banner ceremony that night at Madison Square Garden.