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Game Thread: Welcome to the preseason!
Observations after Sixers win preseason opener, Brown scores 22 in 1st half
Observations after Sixers win preseason opener, Brown scores 22 in 1st half originally appeared on NBC Sports Philadelphia
The Sixers kicked off their preseason Monday night with a 120-97 win over the defending champion Knicks at Xfinity Mobile Arena.
Jaylen Brown scored 22 points in the first half and watched the second from the bench.
The Sixers sat a slew of players, including LeBron James, Joel Embiid, Tyrese Maxey, Anfernee Simons, Dominick Barlow, Adem Bona (left foot sprain) and Tacko Fall (left hip strain).
Ariel Hukporti exited in the first quarter after a non-contact injury, More on that below.
Sixers head coach Nick Nurse said before the game that Barlow has a minor back injury and Simons has “muscle tightness.” He expected both players to see game action soon. Simons worked out with Brown following the Sixers’ Monday morning shootaround.
Nurse did not note any other Sixers health issues pregame. He said he anticipates most of the Sixers’ key pieces playing in at least two of the team’s four preseason contests. Next up is a road game Thursday night against the Nets.
Here are observations on the Sixers’ preseason opener:
Hukporti exits early
The Sixers started VJ Edgecombe, Brown, Kentavious Caldwell-Pope, Dean Wade and Hukporti.
The night’s first points came courtesy of reigning Finals MVP Jalen Brunson. He sunk a turnaround jumper for the Knicks, who began with their typical starters and were close to a full-strength squad,
Hukporti assisted the Sixers’ first make with a sharp dish to Wade for a backdoor layup. Unfortunately for the new Sixers center, he didn’t make it through the first quarter.
Hukporti fell awkwardly while guarding Karl-Anthony Towns on the perimeter and stayed down with an apparent right lower leg or ankle injury. He limped to the sideline with heavy assistance from Towns and Sixers teammates at the 7:06 mark of the first.
Jabari Walker checked in at center and drained a top-of-the-key three-pointer soon after entering. Walker competed well on the glass, knocked down two more triples and finished with 11 points and 11 rebounds in 19 minutes.
Wade later slid up to the five. For the time being, the Sixers are sparse on conventional centers behind Embiid. They’ll hope for the best with Hukporti’s injury and that Bona continues to progress in his recovery. The Sixers haven’t set a specific timeline for Bona’s return, though Nurse said last week that he believed the goal was for Bona to play in multiple preseason games.
Brown gets rolling as a Sixer
The Sixers took an early 7-4 lead on a Brown baseline jumper.
The five-time All-Star was the focal point of the Sixers’ offense and settled into a nice groove as an isolation scorer. Coming off of a career-high 28.7 points per game season, he posted 13 in the first quarter on 5-for-8 shooting.
Brown tends to look comfortable attacking against just about anyone who’s in front of him. It’s not difficult to imagine the Sixers leaning on that ability in certain lineups that are relatively light on stars. Monday’s performance was a reminder that even with all the adjustments to come in Brown’s first Sixers season, he’s the sort of player who can be very productive in any situation.
Edgecombe had a good outing serving largely as a facilitator next to Brown. He tallied 12 points, seven assists and zero turnovers.
First look at young guards
Rookie Labaron Philon Jr. was first off the Sixers’ bench.
He hit his first shot, a smooth mid-range jumper. Philon generally made sensible decisions with the ball, including on a drive-and-kick feed in the second quarter that set up a Rayan Rupert three. He had six points on 2-for-9 shooting and four assists in his preseason debut.
The 20-year-old should refine his sense for how to counter NBA size and athleticism as he gains experience. Purely in terms of offensive tools, Philon has plenty to work with.
Two-way contract players Rupert and Caleb Love each played alongside Philon in the first half. Love’s shotmaking talent shined.
He drilled his third long-range jumper of the second quarter with a buzzer-beater right in front of the Sixers’ bench, giving his team a 14-point advantage. With the big names on both sides sitting, the Sixers maintained their lead in the second half.
Love scored 15 points on 4-for-10 shooting in the game. Improved three-point efficiency would be a significant step for the second-year guard, who shot 32.6 percent from deep over five college seasons and 31.8 percent last year.
Can Brandon Williams be the 2nd unit spark plug for the Warriors?
There were plenty of reasons why the Golden State Warriors shocked the world four-and-a-half years ago, and won their fourth NBA championship in a span of eight years. Steph Curry was the main reason, obviously, while Steve Kerr, Draymond Green, and Klay Thompson were huge factors. Andrew Wiggins’ temporary leap to stardom was integral, as were the contributions of the team’s rookies.
One of the most underrated reasons for the Warriors championship that year? Jordan Poole, who blossomed from an inconsistent and often inefficient youngster into a bonafide bucket. Bouncing between a starting role and a sixth man gig, Poole dropped in 18.5 points per game that year on remarkable efficiency, while jump-starting the offense seemingly every time Curry needed a breather.
And ever since that breakout campaign, the Warriors have been in search of someone to fill that role. Whether it was due to regression or the result of being punched at practice by Green, Poole was unable to reprise his role as effectively the next season, and was traded at the end of the year. The Warriors tried to shift Thompson into a similar role, but it was clunky and awkward, and he left town. They hoped Jonathan Kuminga could fill the void, but it never happened. Buddy Hield was signed for that explicit purpose, but was far too inconsistent. Seth Curry arrived as a feel-good story, but was never healthy.
For the Warriors to have another surprising year of contention, a lot of things will need to go right. One of those things is the emergence of someone to fill that role that Poole perfected all those years ago.
And after one preseason games, Brandon Williams certainly looks like he could be that player.
Williams was sensational in Sunday’s meaningless Hawaiian loss to the LA Clippers. He attacked the basket relentlessly and effortlessly, scoring 11 points in just 15:30 of action, while adding two rebounds, three assists, and one steal, and finishing with a team-high plus/minus of +16. He gave the Dubs something that they’ll sorely be lacking until Jimmy Butler III returns from his ACL surgery: scoring inside the arc. While Williams missed both of his three-point attempts (and is just a career 28.0% shooter from deep), he went 4-for-7 from inside the arc, and compounded that with a trio of free throws (where he’s shot 77.5% for his career).
Three of Williams’ four buckets were on plays where he cut through the defense and got to the rim, and afterwards it was fairly clear that Kerr was excited by what the speedy 26-year old can bring to the offense.
It’s a downhill dynamic that has been missing from the Warriors since Poole’s departure. We all remember Poole hoisting heat-check three after heat-check three, but the element he brought to the offense that impacted the team the most was his ability to splice through the defense and attack the rim. That ability is crucial when the team is in need of a bucket, and it opens up perimeter opportunities for the rest of the team.
And it’s an area where Williams has thrived. Last year, when he averaged a career-best 13.0 points per game (in just 22.2 minutes), the majority of his shots were near the hoop, despite always being one of the shortest players on the court. An impressive 59.0% of Williams’ shots last year were within 10 feet of the hoop, with more than half of those shots coming at the rim. That’s compounded by the shots that aren’t counted: despite the modest minute totals, Williams attempted 4.6 free throws per game last season.
The Warriors need someone who can attack, attack, attack, and Williams could perfectly fit that role. Of course, as is always the case with the Dubs, so much of his success will be dependent on if he can make the right reads and decisions, and commit to defense and other factors in the game. After all, Kuminga had no problem attacking the rim, but trying him out for the spark plug role was a five-year demonstration of shoving a square peg through a round hole. Thankfully, after his first stint in a Warriors jersey, Williams seems to be endearing himself to his new team, which would suggest that Golden State is happy with the other elements of his game.
We’ll learn more in the coming weeks, but Williams certainly has a chance to be one of the steals of the offseason. With Yaxel Lendeborg and Brandin Podziemski looking like they can be high-impact role players this year, the door is open for Williams to be the spark plug off the bench who leads the second unit when Curry is off the court.
NBA season 2026-27 Preview: Seven best Duos in the NBA
The NBA moves fast. Just a couple of seasons ago, a list of the top duos would have included Jaylen Brown and Jayson Tatum on the Celtics, LeBron James and Anthony Davis on the Lakers, and Giannis Antetokounmpo was paired with Damian Lillard in Milwaukee. Just a season ago, a similar list would have included James Harden and Ivica Zubac on the Clippers, but by the trade deadline, both were on new teams.
Which is to say, teams need to take advantage of the windows with top duos while they can. Heading into the 2026-27 season, here are the NBA's top seven duos.
1. Nikola Jokic & Jamal Murray (Denver)
This is the most tested and reliable elite duo in the NBA — we know how well they play off each other, and we've seen them lift the Nuggets to a title. Both also are coming off monster seasons. Jokic averaged a triple-double of 27.7 points, 12.9 rebounds, and 10.7 assists per game, shot 38% from 3, and finished second in MVP voting. Murray had his best statistical season, averaging 25.4 points and 7.1 assists — both career highs — and shooting 43.5% from 3-point range, which earned him All-Star and All-NBA honors.
When Jokic and Murray were on the court together last season, the Nuggets had a +11.6 net rating. This remains one of the league's elite duos. What held back Denver last season — and the concern heading into this one — is health and the depth around Jokic and Murray. But that duo? Nobody is worried. Jokic is making midseason passes in the preseason.
NO-LOOK. CROSSCOURT. BEHIND-THE-BACK DIME.
— NBA (@NBA) October 4, 2026
ARE YOU SERIOUS, JOKER pic.twitter.com/A5upVabWYw
2. Shai Gilgeous-Alexander & Jalen Williams (Oklahoma City)
We didn't see much of this duo last season. While Gilgeous-Alexander was on his way to his second consecutive MVP award, Williams played just 33 regular-season games and five in the playoffs due to injuries. J-Dub was not himself.
Williams is back healthy this season, and he and SGA are ready to resume the form that had the Thunder with a +13.1 net rating when they shared the court two seasons ago — the season they lifted OKC to the title. Gilgeous-Alexander, 29, and Williams, 25, are at their peak, have incredible depth around them (it's really a trio with Chet Holmgren), and will have the Thunder back in title contention again.
3. Victor Wembanyama & Stephon Castle/Dylan Harper (San Antonio)
Wembanyama's standing in the game is unquestioned: He became the first unanimous Defensive Player of the Year last season, and at age 22 was the youngest player in NBA history to both make First Team All-NBA and lead his team to the NBA Finals. He is the MVP betting favorite heading into this season for a reason.
The question is who you pair with him in a duo. A year ago at this time, we would have said De'Aaron Fox, but during the regular season Stephon Castle looked like the better fit with Wemby, averaging 16.7 points and 7.4 assists per game while shooting 35% from 3, and the Spurs had a +17 net rating when they shared the court. Then during the playoffs, Dylan Harper asserted himself — especially in the NBA Finals — and looked like the future No. 2 option for the Spurs.
This season, either Castle or Harper could take over that role — but if you start to look at them as an elite trio, San Antonio becomes that much scarier. And they are all 22 or younger.
4. Jalen Brunson & Karl-Anthony Towns (New York)
If you want to argue this duo should be higher up the list, I'm not going to push back — the proof comes on opening night when Adam Silver hands them their championship rings.
The stats around this duo are impressive — the Knicks had a ridiculous +20.3 net rating when Towns and Brunson shared the court in the playoffs — but their stories are even better. Jalen Brunson has been dismissed and questioned before he even got to Villanova, and Dallas underestimated him so much he walked out the door. Town faced similar questions about whether he was really a championship big, and Minnesota shipped him out to avoid the second apron of the luxury tax. Together, Brunson and KAT bonded, eventually found a rhythm on the court and became New York legends. The Knicks need to pay up to keep this duo together.
5. Giannis Antetokounmpo & Bam Adebayo (Miami)
We haven't seen this duo together yet, but they deserve to be on the list. We may have questions about how smoothly they fit together on offense, and whether there is enough talent around them, but make no mistake, Pat Riley went out this summer and made the Miami Heat must-watch again.
What is this all going to look like?
"You got two front court guys that can dribble, shoot, pass. Who can rebound," Adebayo said on the LeBatard Show recently. "Obviously, the defensive side is what it is. We know how great we want that to be. But you got two guys going downhill that are very mobile. They have high IQ that can pass. People are underappreciating it right now because they haven't seen it, but as the time goes by people will learn to appreciate what we will do."
6. Luka Doncic & Austin Reaves (Los Angeles Lakers)
Luka Doncic is as elite an offensive player as there is in the game. An MVP-level player just entering his prime at age 27. A six-time All-NBA player who last season averaged 33.5 points, 8.3 assists and 7.7 rebounds per game.
Doncic also works best with a high-level secondary shot creator next to him, which is why the Lakers paid up this summer to retain Austin Reaves (four years and $184 million). Reaves is coming off a season where he averaged 23.3 points and 5.5 rebounds per game and showed he could run the team when Doncic is out.
When Doncic and Reaves are tight, they have a Jalen Brunson-and-Josh Hart kind of comedy vibe off the court. They also work on the court, where the Lakers had a +8.9 net rating last season when the duo played together. However, Los Angeles needs them to do that in more than 41 games (injuries limited both at times last season), and the Lakers need a lot of other things — their defense, Walker Kessler, depth — to go right as well to get to the level Rob Pelinka likes to talk about.
Anthony Edwards & LaMelo Ball (Minnesota)
Minnesota will be must-watch this season. Anthony Edwards paired with the best passer he's ever played with, LaMelo Ball, will lead to a dynamic, up-tempo offense full of highlights. Whether that leads the Timberwolves back to the Western Conference Finals is a different question, but we're not going to be able to take our eyes off them.
Edwards averaged 28.8 points and five rebounds a game last season, shooting 39.9% from 3-point range. He's going to get some easier looks now, Rudy Gobert is going to be finishing alley-oops and the Timberwolves are going to be entertaining. However, the real key to their season may be whether Jaden McDaniels takes another step forward. That and whether LaMelo Ball is ready for this spotlight and this kind of playoff pressure.
Two duos of note not on this list:
• No Cade Cunningham and Jalen Duren from Detroit, who came very close to taking the last spot (from the Timberwolves). To be fair, Cunningham and Duren proved they can lead a 60-win team, but that playoff performance has given me pause (especially since Pistons management didn't fix things this offseason). It really can't be said enough: if Duren and Ausar Thompson both remain non-shooters, playing them together in the postseason is going to be an issue.
• No Philadelphia 76ers are on this list because I don't know what to do with them as a duo: Reach into a hat and pull out the names of two of Tyrese Maxey, Jaylen Brown, LeBron James and Joel Embiid. Two of them probably should be on this list, which two is the question. The 76ers may not have the answer to their best duo until around Christmas, so they were not making the cut here before the season tips off.
Pistons vs. Suns: Jalen Duren and the Detroit Pistons kick off preseason
We can finally put contract drama behind us and focus on some honest-to-goodness, doesn’t quite count, but it’s still great because it’s basketball basketball. In other words, the preseason starts tonight as the Detroit Pistons face the Phoenix Suns.
This game will be at Little Caesars Arena and will feature zero blown coverages by the Detroit Lions’ secondary, so we can all take a little comfort in that. The game will also feature the Detroit Pistons, including superstar Cade Cunningham and the newly signed duo of Jalen Duren and Ausar Thompson, who received a collective $355 million from the Pistons this offseason.
This is also the first year of our post-FanDuel lives, so remember that the Pistons have transitioned to games being on local, free channels in many Michigan markets. That includes TV20 in Detroit. For those looking at a streaming option, the team also signed a deal with DAZN to carry games (and replays) digitally.
Game Vitals
When: 7 p.m. ET
Where: Little Caesars Arena, Detroit, Michigan
Watch: TV20 Detroit (TV), DAZN (Streaming)
Odds: Pistons-3.5
Analysis
Tonight’s game will also be a chance to see just how different this offense and defense will look. Detroit has added some serious shooting. While Duncan Robinson was one of the best, most prolific, and most reliable shooters in the NBA last season, he was just one man. What if two?
Robinson will be joined by Isaiah Joe, and while they won’t start alongside each other, I wouldn’t be surprised if they share plenty of minutes on the floor. Joe joined Robinson as one of the NBA’s premier movement shooters last season, and the hope is that the threat of those two shooting from deep opens up the floor for Cunningham, Duren, and Thompson.
Those weren’t the only shooters Detroit added to its roster, however. New starting power forward John Collins is a perimeter-shooting upgrade over Tobias Harris, and Taurean Prince offers some corner shooting off the bench. Heck, it’s preseason, the time when we can still dream that Kevin Huerter is going to rediscover the deadly shooting stroke that has somehow abandoned him for the past few years.
Defensively, the team has many more questions than answers. Not that they still shouldn’t be a very good defense, but they were one of the best last year. But the team lost its interior defensive anchor in Isaiah Stewart, and while Thompson is perhaps the league’s best perimeter defender, there are concerns about how vulnerable the paint could be. That means that Duren needs to take his game to yet another level. He went from awful and a bit lost on defense in his first few years to passable last season. This year, passable just won’t be good enough. He needs to read and react quicker and put much more mental energy into that side of the floor for the Pistons to have the kind of success they’re hoping for.
Elsewhere, we’ll get our first looks at things like Ausar’s offensive responsibilities, rookie Ebuka Okorie, and what Daniss Jenkins can do after coming out of nowhere as a two-way player last season.
Projected Lineup
Detroit Pistons (0-0)
Cade Cunningham, Duncan Robinson, Ausar Thompson, John Collins, Jalen Duren
Phoenix Suns (0-0)
Devin Booker, Jalen Green, Dillon Brooks, Miles Bridges, Oso Ighodaro
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Sandro Mamukelashvili is excited to be a Laker after growing up a Kobe Bryant fan
One of the Los Angeles Lakers’ most intriguing offseason pickups was Sandro Mamukelashvili. Once struggling to find his NBA footing through four seasons after stints on the San Antonio Spurs and Milwaukee Bucks, he broke out in 2025-26 as a key reserve for the Toronto Raptors. He averaged 11.2 points, 4.9 rebounds and 1.9 assists per game, and helped juice their offense with his shooting (38.9 percent from deep), driving and playmaking.
The Lakers rewarded his career-best campaign with a four-year, $52 million deal in free agency. That lucrative contract provides Mamukelashvili a chance to play for one of the few teams he could watch on TV as a kid in Eastern Europe. Back then, he was drawn to Kobe Bryant’s determination and mindset as an athlete, both of which have shaped how he approaches his own dedication to the craft.
“Growing up, I really respected Kobe as a player, as a mentor. I didn’t know him. I wish I did. Always read his interviews, always watched his videos” Mamukelashvili told reporters at Media Day. “I always kind of tapped into his mentality and understanding there’s no Plan B. There was only Plan A. You got to execute until there was nothing you could do. He’s an amazing player.”
Mamukelashvili’s versatility could complement Luka Dončić and Austin Reaves quite well to help render Los Angeles among the league’s most potent offensive units. He can space the floor off the ball for them, attack closeouts and form nifty two-man games with them as a screener, roller and handoff hub. If he thrives in his new home, it’ll harken back to his roots, when he was well aware of Los Angeles’ global reach as a franchise and first drew inspiration on how he should look to improve his own game.
“The Lakers organization, I think, is the biggest organization in the world when it comes to basketball. Even in Georgia where I could rarely find an NBA game on TV, you would only see Lakers games,” Mamukelashvili said. “Growing up, I was a big fan of Kobe. I think that’s what influenced me to get his tattoo because I really work hard. I think Mamba Mentality is important in this sport and the dedication, passion and everything that comes with it. I love being a Laker and I’m really excited.”
You can follow Jackson on Twitter at @jackfrank_jjf.
Quentin Grimes says it was ‘surreal’ to sign with Lakers after father grew up a fan
Quentin Grimes was an unrestricted free agent for the first time this summer. He’d bounced around the league a bit during his first five years, trekking from New York to Detroit to Dallas to Philadelphia, and the 2026 offseason was his first opportunity to truly pick his NBA home. When it became clear the Los Angeles Lakers were a potential fit, which would reunite him with Luka Dončić, whom he played well alongside in Dallas, it also represented a chance to pay for the team his dad, Marshall Grimes, grew up supporting.
“It’s crazy because he grew up in the Oakland, San Jose area, played with Kurt Rambis for two years over there at Santa Clara, so he always had a Lakers connection,” Grimes told ESPN LA radio at Media Day last week. “His team was the Lakers and so just being back here and knowing that he always wore Lakers gear when we would work out and he would train me and whatnot, it was kind of surreal that when the feeling of mutual interest when the offseason came, that the Lakers were where I wanted to be. It was kind of fun to see that kind of come back.”
Los Angeles displayed considerable trust and optimism in Grimes by handing him a four-year, $60 million deal over the summer. The full-circle moment he gets to enjoy with his father could be amplified if he actualizes the sensible fit he seems to be for this roster.
He’s a good shooter who can attack closeouts and owns a history of impressive on-ball defense, a skill he’s looking to embrace again after skewing a bit more offensive-minded during 1.5 years with the Sixers. Those are all valuable traits alongside Dončić and Austin Reaves, and it sounds like Grimes is entering the year with plenty of reasons for excitement as he begins his Lakers tenure.
You can follow Jackson on Twitter at @jackfrank_jjf.
Draymond Green shares humbling perspective on changing role in Warriors' offense
Draymond Green shares humbling perspective on changing role in Warriors' offense originally appeared on NBC Sports Bay Area
Draymond Green enters his 15th season with the Warriors, serving as one of the main facilitators of the offense for most of those years.
The new season will shake up that status quo as Steve Kerr institutes a 5-out offensive system. Much of the play-making responsibility, particularly beyond the three-point line, will shift away from Green, with Kerr hoping to jumpstart the four-time All Star’s 3-point shotmaking.
Green was asked if he could feel the difference in the Warriors’ preseason opener against the Los Angeles Clippers, and whether he liked it or not.
“Yeah, I definitely feel it,” Green told reporters Sunday after the 104-101 preseason loss. “Whether I like it or not, it’s going to happen. So, I don’t want to get off into it — whether I like it or dislike it. It is what it is.”
The statement signals an acceptance of the change. He avoided saying whether or not he likes it, but Green humbly displayed some buy-in to the new look.
Green also was asked how much of an adjustment the new offensive look creates for him, personally.
“It’s a big adjustment. You know, after playing a certain way for so long,” Green explained. “It’s a big adjustment, but I’ll figure it out.”
Steph Curry and Green averaged the most and second-most turnovers, respectively, on the team last season. It’s not a surprising statistic given the fact that Kerr has allowed the duo to control the flow of the offense and has encouraged aggressive passing and movement.
But the Warriors averaged 15.7 total turnovers per game last season, tied for third-most in the NBA. It’s part of what prompted Kerr to alter the overall strategy.
There will surely be some growing pains, but Green is confident that the team will make the adjustment.
“We’re getting in better shape,” Green said of the first week of training camp. “Learning a new offense. Kind of sped up. But, you know, it’ll come together eventually, but it’s going to take a little time.”
If there’s any certainty heading into the new season, it’s that Kerr does not want to split up the Curry-Green duo, telling reporters on the first day of camp that Green will not be coming off the bench.
Regardless of what system is implemented, the Curry-Green duo will still be the backbone of the Warriors starting lineup.
Austin Reaves is not concerned about bigger expectations this season
For the first time in his NBA career, Austin Reaves is on a deal that actually reflects — or, comes close to it — his league-wide standing as a player. No longer is he on a two-way contract or four-year, $54 million deal, despite being among the Los Angeles Lakers’ top players and one of the NBA’s better guards. Now, he is rightfully beginning year one of a four-year, $184 million deal, which was agreed upon during the offseason.
While a larger payday may elevate the standard people set for Reaves’ performance, he isn’t worried about that sort of thing. He’s focused on winning games and how he can best help the Lakers do that, regardless of whatever box-score numbers he may produce in the process.
“It doesn’t really matter to me. In a sense, there has to be. I would assume that people would look at it that way, but at the end of the day, like, I got to go out there and play basketball and I’ve been playing basketball for 15 years now,” Reaves told ESPN LA radio at Media Day last week. “It’s the same thing I’ve done since I was a kid and I’m going to enjoy it the way that I’ve always enjoyed it. The main thing is winning. If you go out there and win, nobody really – if I have 15 points and we win, it’s better than me having 30 [points] and losing. So just figuring out how to win games and win games at the highest level is the main thing for me.”
It’s natural that expectations for Reaves’ game could raise now. But it’s also natural for Reaves to be unbothered by that outside noise. When not hampered by injury, he had a tremendous 2025-26 and showcased encouraging chemistry with Luka Dončić, especially offensively. If he stays healthy and keeps playing like that, the Lakers will win plenty of games, just as Reaves wants.
You can follow Jackson on Twitter at @jackfrank_jjf.
Lakers rookie hazing confirmed as mom reveals In-N-Out stunt as airplane antics go viral
Cameron Carr was busy ahead of the Lakers’ first preseason game against the Kings.
As the team boarded the plane for a quick flight to Sacramento, the Lakers rookie hauled 30 cheeseburgers from In-N-Out in two large brown boxes. Jarred Vanderbilt made sure to capture the moment via Instagram Stories and the team’s social media team also posted about Carr’s first task of the year.
“Rookie’s first road trip? Had to get the squad right 
” the Lakers’ social media account wrote in a post on X.
Carr held his head high as he carried the humongous food order onto the plane.
“Rookie duties,” Carr said in the video. “Make sure the guys is fed. If they eat well, they play well.”
Rookie’s first road trip? Had to get the squad right
— Los Angeles Lakers (@Lakers) October 5, 2026
Carr’s mother, Tanya, vouched for the rookie fulfilling his duties as she shared she was on the phone with him while he made the monstrous order.
“I was on the phone when he ordered 30 cheeseburgers in the drive thru….gotta feed his teamates! 
” Tanya Carr wrote in a post on X.
The Lakers play basketball for the first time in 147 days. Monday’s night matchup agains the Kings kicks off the Lakers’ five-game preseason slate.
The game officially marks the start of the Luka Doncic era after LeBron James informed the Lakers he would not be returning for the 2026-27 season this summer. While it may just be the preseason, the new look Lakers will debut for the first time as fans eagerly await the results of a major roster reconstruction.
Training Camp Day 6: Alex Sarr a full participant in Monday’s practice
WASHINGTON — Nearly four months removed from surgery to repair his fractured right foot, Alex Sarr said he was a full participant at Monday’s practice.
Sarr had been a partial participant through the first five days of training camp but has now progressed to 5-on-5 work and live drills.
“I was a full go today, [did] most of the drills at the position. Felt good,” Sarr said. “It’s been a long process … After being on the sidelines for months, you’re just excited to get back out there and compete with the guys.”
Brian Keefe later added that Sarr is still “in the ramp-up phase” of his recovery, so it appears the young center has a few more checkpoints before his full return.
Videos of these interviews with Sarr, Keefe and Tre Mann are available on wizardscentral.com.
Washington’s No. 2 pick in the 2024 draft endured a rough start to his career. His 0-15 shooting performance in his Summer League debut made headlines, as did his sub-40% shooting season as a rookie.
He shed those struggles during a breakout sophomore campaign that included meaningful improvements in his shot diet, shooting efficiency and defensive production.
The Wizards’ defense ranked 28th and 30th, respectively, during Sarr’s first two seasons, which was no fault of his own. Sarr’s 2.0 blocks per game trailed only Victor Wembanyama last season. His 9.7 rim attempts defended per game ranked first. And amid that volume of contests, he held opponents to an -8.8 FG% vs. expected, according to Basketball University.
Sarr needed help. So Will Dawkins traded for Anthony Davis, a five-time All-Defense selection who’s known as one of the league’s best shotblockers.
After two seasons of Sarr’s defense or nothing around the basket, Washington has built one of the league’s most formidable rim-protecting duos. And Sarr couldn’t be happier.
“I’m very excited. Once you get past me, you’ve got AD on the back, and the other way around, it’s the same,” Sarr said. “AD will allow me to be more aggressive in pursuing blocks, knowing I have someone to rebound the ball or box out the big behind me.”
Keefe talks Thursday’s preseason opener
As expected, Keefe didn’t budge when I asked him whether Sarr would play in Thursday’s preseason opener against the New York Knicks.
He did, however, confirm that Tristan Vukcevic (hip) and Jamir Watkins (ACL) wouldn’t play, which were not surprising developments. And he praised Sarr’s recovery as the 7-footer eyes an opening-night return.
“It was good to see [Alex] out there,” Keefe said. “He’s been diligent about his work this offseason with his rehab. And we were happy to see him out there.”
Watkins, who underwent surgery to repair a torn ACL in July, shot free throws and joked around with his teammates during the media-viewing portion of Monday’s practice. The stout defender is unlikely to play this season, but it was an encouraging sign to see him participating in some fashion at practice this early in his rehab process.
Preseason serves as an early evaluator for coach’s to understand what works, and what doesn’t, before meaningful games begin. Keefe said preseason evaluation is focused on the team, not individual player performances, as Thursday’s opener nears.
“It’s about the team first, trying to evaluate if we’re following the principles and the things we worked on during camp,” Keefe said. “We don’t expect to be perfect, but we want to make strides each day. There’s always great lessons to learn from a game.”
Mann talks buying into his role
Tre Mann joined the Wizards in August following a trade that reunited him with Will Dawkins, who worked in the Oklahoma City Thunder’s front office when they selected Mann with the No. 18 pick in the 2021 draft.
Mann has learned a lot through his first five NBA seasons. Namely, how to buy into his role — how to be more than just a scorer.
“My whole life, I’ve been a scorer,” Mann said. “And I feel like, in OKC and Charlotte, when I wasn’t scoring, my mindset wasn’t to flip it on to defense or switch it to something else. It’s been, ‘How can I start scoring better.’ Now, I’ve realized that I’m more of a complete basketball player. If I’m not scoring, I’m gonna get guys involved, I can defend.”
So, after discovering there’s more to earning rotational minutes than pure scoring, what does Mann see as his role in a crowded Washington backcourt? The answer is simple: Whatever Keefe needs him to do.
“Whatever they need. Just a leader, a veteran presence,” Mann said. “Whether I’m playing or not, just being in guys ears, trying to help us win. If they want me to distribute, if they want me to score [or defend] — just whatever they ask me to do.”
Bonus Notes
Sarr participated in practice during the media-viewing portion for the first time during Wizards training camp:
AJ Dybantsa and Bub Carrington got shots up during Monday’s practice.
For more coverage like this, subscribe to wizardscentral.com.
Karl-Anthony Towns on odds of contract extension before season: 'It don’t look good'
Coming off an All-Star season in which he helped anchor the 'Knicks' run to a title — and made himself a New York legend in the process — Karl-Anthony Towns had hoped he and the Knicks could quickly agree on a contract extension.
Speaking Monday, Towns sounded frustrated and turned up the heat on the talks. Here is what he said, via Stephon Bondy of the New York Post.
"Simply put, I want to do something to keep the team together and can work with the Knicks and also values me," Towns said Monday before the preseason opener. "And none of those things are close to happening."
Will he have a new contract in place before the season starts?
"It don't look good."
It's not new news that the contract talks between Towns and the Knicks have stalled, but Bondy now details just how far apart the sides are. Towns will make $57.1 million this season and has a player option for $61 million next season. He is extension eligible for up to four years and $276 million but has said he would take a discount off that number because he wants to stay in New York (the sides have until the end of the season to reach a deal).
The Knicks have offered around four years, $200 million, according to Bondy. Not only is that $76 million his max, but also the average annual salary of $50 million in the Knicks offer is asking him to take a pay cut off what he is making this season — coming off a title.
The Knicks see a financial crunch on the horizon under the NBA's luxury tax and apron system. Starting in 2028-29, there very likely will be a Jalen Brunson extension — don't expect another $113 million discount there — and that's also when a Josh Hart extension would start, and an OG Anunoby extension could begin. Keeping all of them will be somewhere between difficult and impossible.
Towns feels he has earned his payday, coming off a season where he averaged 20.1 points and 11.9 rebounds per game. Towns was asked whether he felt he should be rewarded for his role leading the Knicks to a title. His response?
"No s***, Sherlock."
That sums up where things are with Towns and the Knicks pretty well.
Raptors sign Tyson Degenhart, waive Andre Jackson Jr.
The Raptors certainly have a type. On Monday, Toronto waived guard Andre Jackson Jr. and signed 6’8” forward Tyson Degenhart.
Degenhart has played in the G League for the Raptors 905 since 2025, and was efficient last year in a reserve role, shooting 54/38/71 for the season in an average of 21 minutes per game. The forward had a four-year college career at Boise State where he finished with the record of total points for the institution, averaging 18 points in his final season, and leading the conference in effective field goal percentage.
After putting up 19 points last December in a game against the Maine Celtics, Degenhart was asked by broadcaster Chris McKee what he had learned from his time in the G-League. His response was that “defence will take you a long way, that’s for sure.” Speaking to his history as a volume scorer in his collegiate days, the former Bronco dismissed the need for him to contribute in that manner, arguing that he wanted to win, and was capable of impacting games in other ways.
This humility and willingness to take on the dirty work could take him far in the Raptors’ system, while his physical stature puts him alongside Scottie Barnes, Collin-Murray Boyles, and Allen Graves in the Raptors’ growing list of do-it-all forwards. It never hurts to have a back-up for your back-up’s back-up. Toronto certainly doesn’t think so, at least.
2026-27 Fantasy Basketball Mock Draft: Building around Nikola Jokić in a roto league
While most fantasy basketball focuses on head-to-head competition, whether in categories or points leagues, some prefer the rotisserie route. A slow start can be harder to rebound from in that format, but it also opens the door for managers to take more gambles to strengthen their roster through trades or the waiver wire throughout the season.
Rotoworld fantasy basketball writer Raphielle Johnson recently participated in a 12-team, nine-category roto mock draft, building a team with the first pick. Which player is the superior option to start a roster with: Nikola Jokić, Victor Wembanyama, or someone else? How does that choice affect how a manager should build out the rest of their roster? Let's take a look.
Round 1
Round 1 | Position(s) | Player | Team |
1 | C | Nikola Jokić | Denver Nuggets |
2 | C | Victor Wembanyama | San Antonio Spurs |
3 | G | Luka Dončić | Los Angeles Lakers |
4 | G | Shai Gilgeous-Alexander | Oklahoma City Thunder |
5 | G | Cade Cunningham | Detroit Pistons |
6 | G | Tyrese Maxey | Philadelphia 76ers |
7 | G | Anthony Edwards | Minnesota Timberwolves |
8 | F/C | Giannis Antetokounmpo | Miami Heat |
9 | F | Jayson Tatum | Boston Celtics |
10 | F | Jalen Johnson | Atlanta Hawks |
11 | G | Donovan Mitchell | Cleveland Cavaliers |
12 | G | Tyrese Haliburton | Indiana Pacers |
While there has been no shortage of managers going the Wembanyama route with the first overall pick, I stuck with the reliable Jokić. He's been the best player in fantasy basketball for years, and even if he doesn't retain that crown this season, his overall skill set means Jokić won't fall far down the rankings if that changes. The Joker led the NBA in rebounds and assists last season and has finished first or second in league MVP voting each of the last six seasons. And with the Nuggets' depth taking a hit via Peyton Watson's exit, they may need even more from the three-time MVP to remain a contender in the West.
The roto format tends to favor Luka Dončić, as it can minimize the impact of his turnover number. One could argue for him going second in this mock instead of Wembanyama, but the 7-foot-5 phenom can win the blocks category for a manager on his own. If there was a surprise in the first round of this mock, it may be Johnson, even with the strides he's made in Atlanta. That roster has gotten deeper, and having CJ McCollum in the fold from the start could cut into Johnson's usage.
Round 2
Round 2 | Position(s) | Player | Team |
1 | G/F | Cooper Flagg | Dallas Mavericks |
2 | F/C | Scottie Barnes | Toronto Raptors |
3 | G/F | Kevin Durant | Houston Rockets |
4 | F/C | Karl-Anthony Towns | New York Knicks |
5 | G | Jamal Murray | Denver Nuggets |
6 | G | Josh Giddey | Chicago Bulls |
7 | G | Trae Young | Washington Wizards |
8 | F/C | Chet Holmgren | Oklahoma City Thunder |
9 | G/F | Austin Reaves | Los Angeles Lakers |
10 | G | Amen Thompson | Houston Rockets |
11 | G | LaMelo Ball | Minnesota Timberwolves |
12 | G | Jalen Brunson | New York Knicks |
For the Round 2/3 turn, I wanted to get at least one high-usage player, preferably a guard, to supplement Jokić's production. Enter Jalen Brunson, whose ADP is hovering around this point in early drafts. While the Knicks could continue the path they took to their first NBA title in 53 years last spring by running more of the offense through Karl-Anthony Towns, Brunson will still have the ball in his hands plenty.
Also, Austin Reaves could prove to be the steal of the second round if the Lakers decide to stagger his and Dončić's minutes more to ensure at least one of them is on the floor at all times.
Round 3
Round 3 | Position(s) | Player | Team |
1 | F/C | Evan Mobley | Cleveland Cavaliers |
2 | G | Stephen Curry | Golden State Warriors |
3 | F/C | Domantas Sabonis | Sacramento Kings |
4 | G | Devin Booker | Phoenix Suns |
5 | F/C | Alperen Şengün | Houston Rockets |
6 | G | James Harden | Cleveland Cavaliers |
7 | G/F | Jaylen Brown | Philadelphia 76ers |
8 | G/F | Deni Avdija | Portland Trail Blazers |
9 | F/C | Bam Adebayo | Miami Heat |
10 | G/F | Kawhi Leonard | Toronto Raptors |
11 | F | Lauri Markkanen | Utah Jazz |
12 | G/F | Trey Murphy | New Orleans Pelicans |
While better offensive options were available going into the third round, I targeted defense by selecting Evan Mobley. His usage dipped slightly last season, but the 2025 Defensive Player of the Year still offered reliable fantasy value. His scoring and rebounding averages also improved after the All-Star break, as did his field goal percentage. A full season sharing the court with James Harden may boost Mobley's fantasy value.
In this mock, the third round had some significant injury question marks, most notably Leonard, Markkanen and Murphy. If he's available for most games, Leonard can provide elite fantasy value, so keep an eye on his ADP this month.
Round 4
Round 4 | Position(s) | Player | Team |
1 | C | Jalen Duren | Detroit Pistons |
2 | C | Walker Kessler | Los Angeles Lakers |
3 | F | Jalen Williams | Oklahoma City Thunder |
4 | C | Donovan Clingan | Portland Trail Blazers |
5 | F | Brandon Miller | Charlotte Hornets |
6 | G | Derrick White | Boston Celtics |
7 | F | LeBron James | Philadelphia 76ers |
8 | F/C | Jaren Jackson Jr. | Utah Jazz |
9 | F/C | Anthony Davis | Washington Wizards |
10 | G/F | Kon Knueppel | Charlotte Hornets |
11 | F/C | Pascal Siakam | Indiana Pacers |
12 | F | Paolo Banchero | Orlando Magic |
Paolo Banchero hasn't been a great category-league option for most of his career, mainly because of percentages and turnovers. Jokić, Brunson, and Mobley are good in the field-goal percentage category and can help offset Banchero's deficiency there. Also, he's played at least 72 regular-season games in three of his first four seasons, so availability shouldn't be a major concern.
This mock draft was held not long after the Hornets announced that Kon Knueppel is likely to miss the start of the regular season with a hamstring injury, so it was surprising to see him go in the fourth round. Also, Duren continues to slip down draft boards as his contract situation remains unresolved.
Round 5
Round 5 | Position(s) | Player | Team |
1 | G/F | Dyson Daniels | Atlanta Hawks |
2 | F | Franz Wagner | Orlando Magic |
3 | G/F | Desmond Bane | Orlando Magic |
4 | G | Kyrie Irving | Dallas Mavericks |
5 | C | Onyeka Okongwu | Atlanta Hawks |
6 | G | Keyonte George | Utah Jazz |
7 | F | Michael Porter Jr. | Brooklyn Nets |
8 | G | Nickeil Alexander-Walker | Atlanta Hawks |
9 | G/F | Brandon Ingram | LA Clippers |
10 | F/C | Naz Reid | Charlotte Hornets |
11 | F | Cameron Boozer | Memphis Grizzlies |
12 | G | Damian Lillard | Portland Trail Blazers |
I targeted defense with this pick, selecting Dyson Daniels to lock down the steals category. His 2025-26 production in that category didn't match his 2024-25 output of three steals per game, but no one will be upset about a player averaging two steals per game. The key to Daniels' fantasy outlook is whether he can improve his shooting, having made 18.8 percent of his three-point attempts and 61.5 percent of his free throws last season. That second number noticeably affects Daniels' fantasy ceiling.
Other serious swings came in this round, including George and Boozer. The Ingram pick is questionable after the Clippers revealed that doctors found a partially torn Achilles when they operated on his heel this offseason. Should managers draft him at all? Or should they look to take a late-round flier? Personally, I'd leave that problem to another manager.
Round 6
Round 6 | Position(s) | Player | Team |
1 | C | Joel Embiid | Philadelphia 76ers |
2 | G | Darius Garland | LA Clippers |
3 | C | Ivica Zubac | Indiana Pacers |
4 | G | Dejounte Murray | New Orleans Pelicans |
5 | C | Jarrett Allen | Cleveland Cavaliers |
6 | C | Zach Edey | Memphis Grizzlies |
7 | G | Tyler Herro | Milwaukee Bucks |
8 | C | Alex Sarr | Washington Wizards |
9 | C | Kel'el Ware | Milwaukee Bucks |
10 | G | Ryan Rollins | Milwaukee Bucks |
11 | F | Matas Buzelis | Chicago Bulls |
12 | F | OG Anunoby | New York Knicks |
Count me among those who believe that OG Anunoby is once again undervalued in fantasy rankings. Getting him in the sixth round is a major steal, especially since availability wasn't an issue in either of his first two full seasons in New York. Embiid and Garland are two other potential steals at the start of this round, as long as they stay healthy. Regarding Garland, Ingram's injury raises his ceiling, especially early in the season.
While the Ware pick offers some intrigue, I've got concerns about Milwaukee's perimeter rotation going into the season. Herro could put up big numbers in a contract year, but he'll face a lot of competition for scoring opportunities, including Rollins.
Round 7
Round 7 | Position(s) | Player | Team |
1 | G | De'Aaron Fox | San Antonio Spurs |
2 | C | Rudy Gobert | Minnesota Timberwolves |
3 | G | Payton Pritchard | Boston Celtics |
4 | F | Julius Randle | Brooklyn Nets |
5 | F | Paul George | Boston Celtics |
6 | F | Mikal Bridges | New York Knicks |
7 | G | Stephon Castle | San Antonio Spurs |
8 | G | VJ Edgecombe | Philadelphia 76ers |
9 | G/F | Cedric Coward | Memphis Grizzlies |
10 | F | Caleb Wilson | Chicago Bulls |
11 | G | Coby White | Charlotte Hornets |
12 | F/C | Zion Williamson | New Orleans Pelicans |
Can fantasy managers and basketball fans in general overemphasize a player's postseason struggles when evaluating their potential? I wonder if that's the case with De'Aaron Fox, whose first NBA Finals experience wasn't good. Add in Dylan Harper likely getting more chances, and Fox could lose some playing time. However, the seventh round is a good spot to draft the veteran point guard, especially if you aren't too concerned about free-throw percentage.
Castle could be more of a gamble than Fox, but getting him in the seventh round makes more sense than his current (at the time of publishing) fifth-round ADP. Then again, if you aren't concerned about percentages or turnovers, Castle will be higher on your draft board.
Round 8
Round 8 | Position(s) | Player | Team |
1 | G/F | Norman Powell | Chicago Bulls |
2 | C | Nic Claxton | Chicago Bulls |
3 | C | Day'Ron Sharpe | Brooklyn Nets |
4 | G | Immanuel Quickley | Toronto Raptors |
5 | F | Jaden McDaniels | Minnesota Timberwolves |
6 | G/F | Ausar Thompson | Detroit Pistons |
7 | F/C | Derik Queen | New Orleans Pelicans |
8 | G | Dylan Harper | San Antonio Spurs |
9 | G/F | Andrew Wiggins | Miami Heat |
10 | F/C | Jabari Smith Jr. | Houston Rockets |
11 | F | AJ Dybantsa | Washington Wizards |
12 | G | Ty Jerome | Memphis Grizzlies |
With Ja Morant no longer in the fold, is it Ty Jerome time in Memphis? That certainly seems to be the case going into the preseason. Of course, he's only surpassed 50 games once in his NBA career, so fantasy managers should keep that in mind. Given the guards on my roster at this point in the draft, I was comfortable gambling on Jerome. Quickley, who was close to a top-50 player last season, could be the steal of this round, while the Queen pick felt ambitious.
Round 9
Round 9 | Position(s) | Player | Team |
1 | G/F | Josh Hart | New York Knicks |
2 | G/F | Zach LaVine | Sacramento Kings |
3 | C | Kristaps Porziņǵis | Golden State Warriors |
4 | F | Miles Bridges | Phoenix Suns |
5 | C | Myles Turner | Milwaukee Bucks |
6 | F | Toumani Camara | Portland Trail Blazers |
7 | C | Isaiah Hartenstein | Oklahoma City Thunder |
8 | G | Ja Morant | Portland Trail Blazers |
9 | C | Jusuf Nurkić | Utah Jazz |
10 | G | Jalen Suggs | Orlando Magic |
11 | G | Andrew Nembhard | Indiana Pacers |
12 | G | CJ McCollum | Atlanta Hawks |
Points were no longer my concern at this point in the draft, so I opted for versatility and selected Hart. Despite everything said about his postseason shooting struggles, he shot 41 percent from three during the regular season. Given what he can bring to the table, Hart shouldn't have much trouble providing top-100 fantasy value. However, LaVine (selected with the next pick) can offer excellent value to any manager who can get him outside the first 75 picks.
Round 10
Round 10 | Position(s) | Player | Team |
1 | F/C | Collin Murray-Boyles | Toronto Raptors |
2 | F | Peyton Watson | Cleveland Cavaliers |
3 | G | Davion Mitchell | Miami Heat |
4 | F/C | John Collins | Detroit Pistons |
5 | C | Jakob Poeltl | Toronto Raptors |
6 | G | Ayo Dosunmu | Minnesota Timberwolves |
7 | C | Khaman Maluach | Phoenix Suns |
8 | G | Darryn Peterson | Utah Jazz |
9 | C | Neemias Queta | Boston Celtics |
10 | F/C | Aaron Gordon | Denver Nuggets |
11 | F/C | Sandro Mamukelashvili | Los Angeles Lakers |
12 | F | Keegan Murray | Sacramento Kings |
Is Keegan Murray the forgotten man in Sacramento? He missed most of last season due to injury, which has impacted his early ADP. He may be underrated, especially with the Kings moving on from DeMar DeRozan. If the Kings move LaVine at some point, Murray's value could get a welcome boost.
The Maluach pick was interesting because he isn't guaranteed to be the Suns' starting center with Mark Williams sidelined. Oso Ighodaro filled that role last season, and he could win the opportunity again. Maluach certainly has upside, but it isn't a foregone conclusion that he'll be the Opening Night starter.
Round 11
Round 11 | Position(s) | Player | Team |
1 | G | Brandin Podziemski | Golden State Warriors |
2 | G | Reed Sheppard | Houston Rockets |
3 | G/F | Kyshawn George | Washington Wizards |
4 | G | Kevin Porter Jr. | Milwaukee Bucks |
5 | G/F | Devin Vassell | San Antonio Spurs |
6 | F | Yaxel Lendeborg | Golden State Warriors |
7 | G/F | Jalen Green | Phoenix Suns |
8 | G/F | Cason Wallace | Oklahoma City Thunder |
9 | G/F | Jaime Jaquez Jr. | Milwaukee Bucks |
10 | G | Tre Jones | Chicago Bulls |
11 | G | Ajay Mitchell | Oklahoma City Thunder |
12 | G/F | RJ Barrett | Toronto Raptors |
I went with Brandin Podziemski here because he played all 82 games and had his most productive season to date in 2025-26. With Jimmy Butler III and Moses Moody sidelined by knee injuries, Podziemski has more room to produce offensively. Another Warrior, Lendeborg, was selected in the 11th round, and the rookie forward is well-equipped to contribute immediately.
Thunder guards Wallace and Mitchell could both be fantasy steals after Luguentz Dort's departure. With Aaron Wiggins and Isaiah Joe also gone, Wallace and Mitchell are worth considering within the first 100 picks. Sharing the floor with a ball-dominant guard like Shai Gilgeous-Alexander may lower their fantasy ceilings in a roto format, but their floors should be reliable.
Round 12
Round 12 | Position(s) | Player | Team |
1 | G | Jrue Holiday | Portland Trail Blazers |
2 | F | Jimmy Butler III | Golden State Warriors |
3 | C | Maxime Raynaud | Sacramento Kings |
4 | G | Fred VanVleet | Houston Rockets |
5 | G | Collin Gillespie | Phoenix Suns |
6 | F/C | Paul Reed | Detroit Pistons |
7 | G/F | Tari Eason | Houston Rockets |
8 | F/C | Bobby Portis | Miami Heat |
9 | C | Wendell Carter Jr. | Orlando Magic |
10 | F/C | Draymond Green | Golden State Warriors |
11 | G/F | Christian Braun | Denver Nuggets |
12 | G/F | Quentin Grimes | Los Angeles Lakers |
This early in the preseason, three Lakers starters are essentially known: Dončić, Reaves, and Walker Kessler. Grimes will have every opportunity to lock down one of the two remaining spots, and given Dončić and Reaves' defensive deficiencies on the perimeter, the Lakers need him to. Grimes' key will be whether he can produce more as a rebounder and defender than he did in Philadelphia. Getting starters' minutes could help, improving his fantasy value.
Round 13
Round 13 | Position(s) | Player | Team |
1 | F | Saddiq Bey | New Orleans Pelicans |
2 | C | Nikola Vučević | Orlando Magic |
3 | C | Moussa Diabaté | Charlotte Hornets |
4 | G/F | Aaron Nesmith | Indiana Pacers |
5 | F | Tobias Harris | San Antonio Spurs |
6 | G/F | Herb Jones | New Orleans Pelicans |
7 | F | Dillon Brooks | Phoenix Suns |
8 | F/C | PJ Washington | Dallas Mavericks |
9 | F | Ace Bailey | Utah Jazz |
10 | G/F | Anthony Black | Orlando Magic |
11 | G | Daniss Jenkins | Detroit Pistons |
12 | G | Jeremiah Fears | New Orleans Pelicans |
I decided to go with Bey for my final pick, adding even more points production. However, the Pelicans' rotation is a concern because of the mix of veterans and young players who need opportunities. Bey is coming off the most productive season of his NBA career, showing no ill effects from missing all of 2024-25 while rehabbing from a torn ACL. Even with limited defensive output, he finished last season as a top-100 fantasy player.
At this point in the draft, most managers are taking a swing on someone far exceeding preseason expectations, but this mock draft had a lot of "safe" choices. Harris has a lower ceiling in San Antonio than he did as a starter in Detroit, and the same goes for Vučević returning to Orlando. Washington is likely to be the subject of trade rumors again due to Dallas' frontcourt depth, while Fears' role may expand in New Orleans, even if he comes off the bench.
Final Team
- Nikola Jokić
- Jalen Brunson
- Evan Mobley
- Paolo Banchero
- Dyson Daniels
- OG Anunoby
- De'Aaron Fox
- Ty Jerome
- Josh Hart
- Keegan Murray
- Brandin Podziemski
- Quentin Grimes
- Saddiq Bey
Points, assists, steals, and three-pointers were strengths in building out this roster, while percentages and blocks were weaknesses. I'm not too much of a "punt" person, but the blocks category stands out. Daniels and Anunoby do most of their defensive work in steals, with Mobley as the lone reliable shot-blocker on this roster.