After spending seven years as a member of the Los Angeles Lakers, LeBron James departed in free agency this summer and signed with the Philadelphia 76ers on a veteran minimum contract worth $7.9 million total over two seasons. For the last 1.5 years of his tenure with the Lakers, James shared the court alongside Luka Dončić. They appeared in 72 regular-season games together and Los Angeles posted a 47-25 record in those contests.
When James left the Lakers, he contacted Dončić, who expressed his gratitude for their abbreviated stint together donning the purple and gold.
“And I reached out to him. Thank you for everything,” Dončić said. “Obviously, it was amazing being his teammate. Learned so many things”
Luka says Lebron reached out to him when he left. Adds that there was no pressure knowing he was the face of the Lakers but an honor.
“And I reached out to him. Thank you for everything. Obviously it was amazing being his teammate. Learned so many things”… pic.twitter.com/iNZjvlv1Xt
James’ exit makes Dončić the official face of the franchise. Los Angeles significantly overhauled the roster this offseason by signing a bevy of complementary archetypes for him and retaining his co-star in the backcourt, Austin Reaves. Despite now leading the NBA’s most renowned organization, Dončić doesn’t see the responsibility as newfound weight on his shoulders and said it never suddenly hit him at any point that he is the face of this franchise.
“Obviously, they’re gonna say it’s a lot more pressure,” Dončić said. “But it’s not really pressure, it’s an honor.”
Watching James and Dončić join forces for 1.5 seasons was a fascinating experience. James is the greatest men’s basketball player of all time while Dončić is one of the most revered prospects in modern history and among the league’s top players currently. Both are splendidly gifted playmakers who can spoon-feed teammates the easiest of shots.
Yet for all their collective passing feel and general talent, they didn’t always mesh on the court. Their synergy often fluctuated night to night or week to week and it never seemed like they enjoyed a lengthy runway of harmonic hoops together. Much of that was due to external factors.
They both missed some time, which cut into their opportunities to assimilate, and the unexpected nature of the Dončić trade threw the Lakers’ roster into serious flux over the past 1.5 years. It always felt mismatched and jumbled, with Dončić, James and Reaves covering up for a lot of flaws elsewhere to propel Los Angeles to 50-plus wins both seasons.
Regardless, their shared tenure as Lakers was cool to watch as a basketball fan and it’s nice to hear their relationship seems to be on good terms.
A Mississippi Valley State men’s basketball player has been detained by U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement.
Qingfang Pang, a junior power forward on the Delta Devils, is in ICE custody at the Richwood Correctional Center in Richwood, Louisiana, according to the ICE database.
Pang is from China, with a listed hometown of Queens, New York on the official Mississippi Valley State roster. Before enrolling in college, Pang played high school basketball at Christ the King High School in Queens.
Pang’s Houston-based attorney, Marcus Session, told WJTV that Pang was in the process of going to New York to be with his sponsor, a family friend, to get his visa issue sorted out when he was detained by ICE.
🚨 BREAKING: A MVSU men's basketball player has been detained by ICE
Power forward Qingfang Pang is a junior originally from China, listed as having a US hometown in Flushing, Queens
The station, citing an unnamed source close to the case, said it’s believed that it’s a delayed paperwork issue with the university. Session had filed a request for an emergency bond hearing.
“He wants to resume going to school,” Session said to WJTV. “He wants to play college basketball. He wants to be a 21 year old kid who’s just trying to make a life for himself.”
In a statement to USA TODAY Sports, Mississippi Valley State said it is aware of the situation and is "deeply concerned for the student's well-being."
"The student is registered as a full-time student at Mississippi Valley State University. University officials are closely monitoring the situation and are committed to providing appropriate support as circumstances develop," the university said in the statement.
The school, citing the Family Educational Rights and Privacy Act (FERPA), said it is limited in the information it can publicly disclose about a student's educational records or personal circumstances.
A request for comment from USA TODAY Sports to the Department of Homeland Security has not been immediately returned.
Pang transferred in from Monroe University in New York, where he had played on the school’s basketball team. In 31 games last season, he averaged 8.3 points and 4.4 rebounds per game. According to WJTV, he had been at Mississippi Valley State for about a year.
He's not the first college basketball player to be detained by ICE this year.
Before being released this week on a $2,500 bond, Kentucky State women's basketball player Aminata Seck was in ICE custody for 61 days. A native of Senegal, Seck was detained by ICE at Muhammad Ali International Airport in Louisville, Kentucky on Aug. 7. In a statement to USA TODAY Sports, DHS said Seck "chose to overstay her welcome in violation of our nation's laws" after legally entering the country in 2019 on a temporary basis. Seck's attorneys said that she had been moved to at least four different detention centers while in ICE custody.
Trading away Walker Kessler this summer meant the Utah Jazz were going to lean heavily on veteran center Jusuf Nurkic this season to anchor a team a lot of people are high on (*raises hand*).
That's now on hold. Nurkic has "sustained a partial plantar plate tear of the second toe of his right foot during Utah's first preseason game against Denver on Oct. 4," the team announced. He will be reevaluated in four weeks, meaning he will miss at least the first few weeks of the season.
The plantar plate is a ligament that connects the toe to the rest of the foot, and when it is torn (even partially), the toe can become unstable and move out of alignment. It can also cause some pain and discomfort, which isn't ideal for a sport where Nukic is paid to run up and down a hardwood floor.
Jaxson Hayes started the second half against Denver and likely moves into a starting role, which would have Utah leaning hard into its offense and giving up some defense in the process. Jaren Jackson Jr. will be back to playing the center spot more than he prefers (he is best at the four). Mo Bamba could see more run now (he is on a non-guaranteed contract but is likely to make the opening-day roster), and Kyle Filipowski likely gets some time at the five as well.
None of them are as solid and consistent as Nurkic (except Jackson Jr., but they want him more at the four).
Nurkic, who played just 11 minutes in that preseason opener, played 41 games for the tanking Jazz last season, averaging 10.9 points and 10.4 rebounds a game. This summer he signed a two-year, $22 million deal to be Utah's starting center. For this team to reach the playoffs, as is its goal, it will need a healthy Nurkic most of the season.
PHILADELPHIA, PENNSYLVANIA - OCTOBER 5: Labaron Philon Jr. #00 of the Philadelphia 76ers dribbles the ball against the New York Knicks during a preseason game at Xfinity Mobile Arena on October 5, 2026 in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania. The 76ers defeated the Knicks 120-97. NOTE TO USER: User expressly acknowledges and agrees that, by downloading and or using this photograph, User is consenting to the terms and conditions of the Getty Images License Agreement. (Photo by Mitchell Leff/Getty Images) | Getty Images
The Philadelphia 76ers offseason was dominated by blockbuster headlines with the acquisitions of LeBron James in free agency and Jaylen Brown from the Boston Celtics.
In all of that excitement, one might nearly forget they also made a first-round draft pick just a few months ago. Back on day one of the 2026 NBA Draft, the Sixers used the 22nd overall selection to draft Labaron Philon, a 20-year-old guard coming off an impressive sophomore season at Alabama.
Philon’s first season as a freshman at Alabama was focused more on his defensive contributions, with him excelling on that side of the floor more. His sophomore year was a different story, with Philon thrust into a high-usage offensive role, where he met the challenge and began putting up impressive numbers. In that 2025-26 season, Philon averaged 22.0 points per game on 50.1% field goal shooting and 39.9% shooting from long range with 5.0 assists across 33 games (32 starts).
So Philon is no stranger to changes in expectations. And good thing, too, because a lot of things have changed for Philadelphia and Philon since he heard his name called at the draft. He was already due to share a court with players like Joel Embiid, Tyrese Maxey and VJ Edgecombe. Now, expectations on the squad are higher than ever as LeBron and Brown have joined the mix.
Talk about having some stellar players to set the example for someone transitioning to the NBA — and Philon is ready to learn all he can.
“It’s a blessing just to be around guys like that. To be able to have a young guy in VJ who can help me with stuff that he’s seen his rookie year. It’s great to have four guys, five guys like that,” Philon told reporters at the team’s media day. “A rookie doesn’t normally get to play on a team like that or play with the stars like that. So I would say being able to have questions ready every day for those guys — I’m a rookie. I don’t really know a lot, and those questions can help me go to the next level.”
One can imagine it might be hard, however, for a 20-year-old rookie to relate all their experiences with a player like LeBron, one of the greatest to ever do it in his 24th season in the association. For a fresher perspective on being the young new guy in town, Philon looks to Edgecombe, the 2025 No. 3 overall pick that has gone from fresh-faced newbie himself to bona fide NBA player with a bit of experience under his belt. Philon, who’s known Edgecombe for years, is taking full advantage of his perspective.
“[Edgecombe] being young, in the same age around I am, it’s definitely been helping me just to reflect on the things he had to go through his his rookie year, and then the things I’m going through now,” Philon explained. “It’s been definitely great to be around him and talking on and off the court — you know, even while we’re on the game, we’re still talking about basketball and stuff like that. So it’s been a great relationship with him, and I’ve been knowing him since high school, so that relationship just picked back up, and it’s been going great.
“So I would say he’s one of the guys I’ve been trying to learn from the most right now.”
Philon has gotten his first kindof taste of NBA action with the preseason getting underway. In the Sixers preseason opener, the young guard played 25 minutes. His stats for the night were nothing spectacular, but he’s already showing promise in a number of ways in his game, from his impressive handles and footwork to his willingness to run the offense.
Labaron Philon with the footwork and handles to dance his way right to the rim pic.twitter.com/Ijn7UuifoZ
“I really like his ability to run the team, as you guys probably could notice,” Sixers coach Nick Nurse told reporters after the game Monday night. “He’s really, really communicative. He really gets the guys set up.
“[The Knicks] certainly had a certain coverage for him that we’ll be able to let him work on now and give him a counter move to that.”
That seems to be the running theme with Philon, the idea of learning as things come throughout his transition to the NBA and adapting to new challenges as they arise. He certainly has some work ahead of him to establish himself in a rotation filled with stars and veterans, but it seems like Philon is willing and eager to prove himself at the professional level.
Boston, MA - November 3: Boston Celtics head coach Joe Mazzulla talks with assistant coach Tony Dobbins in the third quarter at TD Garden on November 3, 2025. (Photo by Matthew J. Lee/The Boston Globe via Getty Images) | Boston Globe via Getty Images
CLEVELAND — Joe Mazzulla doesn’t typically speak at Celtics shootaround.
But standing by the court at Rocket Mortgage FieldHouse, Mazzulla had something he wanted to share: for the first time in his head-coaching tenure, he decided to give his assistant coaches the responsibility of coaching the team in a preseason game.
Tony Dobbins will coach the first half of Thursday’s preseason game between the Celtics and the Cleveland Cavaliers, and DJ MacLeay will coach the second half. Mazzulla, meanwhile, will watch the game from the locker room.
“I want to give them the opportunity to be able to just build themselves as coaches,” Mazzulla said. “Both those guys had head coaching interviews this past summer, and I want them to be able to build on that.”
Joe Mazzulla said that Tony Dobbins and DJ MacLeay will coach tonight’s preseason game against the Cavaliers
Both were finalists for head coach positions this past summer
“They'll be running the show, and excited for them, and want them to continue to grow.” pic.twitter.com/JIpyTxDWx4
Both Dobbins and MacLeay were interviewed for NBA head coaching positions, with Dobbins among the finalists for the Dallas Mavericks job and MacLeay interviewing for the Portland Trail Blazers job. And, both coaches have previously served as Celtics Summer League head coaches; Dobbins in 2023 and MacLeay in 2024.
Now, they’ll both coach an NBA game for the very first time. Mazzulla said he decided to have them coach preseason games over the summer, after they interviewed for other head coaching positions.
“To me that’s a huge testament to them and the work that they do,” Mazzulla said. “And so, you’re just always looking for opportunities to give them more experience. And sometimes, the only experience is being out there on the sideline. So, I want to give that to them. They deserve it. They earned it. They’re great at what they do. I think we have one of the best staffs.”
Sam Cassell, Mazzulla’s lead assistant, will coach the Celtics’ final preseason game, an October 16th matchup against the Philadelphia 76ers.
Mazzulla said he stands to benefit from watching the game from the Celtics locker room
“I’ll stay quiet,” Mazzulla said, noting that he’ll be watching the game from the video coordinators’ perspective. “I’ll watch it in the back with some of the guys that won’t play, and the video guys who do the halftime edits and just really see what I don’t see when they’re out there. So, it’s just as much for me as it is for them.”
Tony Dobbins and DJ MacLeay have both established themselves as two of the team’s most important assistants
In addition to being a member of the Celtics’ defense, Tony Dobbins served as Jayson Tatum’s individual coach over the past season. Celtics players have routinely lauded his character off the court.
“He’s one of the best people you’ll ever be around,” Tatum said last year.
“As far as human beings go? He’s one of the most patient people I’ve been around,” Payton Pritchard said. “I don’t think you could ever say something bad about him.”
Mazzulla said the MacLeay has grown significantly as a leader over the years; the 32-year-old has led the Celtics’ defense for the past few seasons while also serving as Luka Garza’s player development coach.
“DJ has done a great job leading our defense team and helping some of the young coaches develop and bringing people along with him,” Mazzulla said.
Boston, MA – July 8: Boston Celtics summer league coach D.J. MacLeay speaks to the media at the Auerbach Center. (Photo by Suzanne Kreiter/The Boston Globe via Getty Images) | Boston Globe via Getty Images
The players, for one, are excited by the wrinkle.
“I think it’s awesome,” Garza said. “We hear a lot from Tony and DJ all the time, so it’s cool to see them have that opportunity.”
Mike Conley hasn’t worked with Dobbins and MacLeay quite as long, but he nonetheless appreciated the sentiment behind Mazzulla’s decision.
“Joe’s a guy that seems like he just empowers everybody around him, players and coaches included,” Conley said. “So D-Mac and Tony getting that opportunity tonight, I know it’s going to be a good chance for them to just feel what it’s like.”
Celtics-Cavaliers will tip off at 7pm ET at Rocket Mortgage FieldHouse, and Dobbins and MacLeay will be front and center.
“I’m excited for them,” Mazzulla said. “And I want them to continue to grow.”
PHILADELPHIA, PA - OCTOBER 5: Mikal Bridges #25 of the New York Knicks drives to the basket during the game against the Philadelphia 76ers during a 2026 NBA Preseason game on October 5, 2026 at the Xfinity Mobile Arena in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania NOTE TO USER: User expressly acknowledges and agrees that, by downloading and/or using this Photograph, user is consenting to the terms and conditions of the Getty Images License Agreement. Mandatory Copyright Notice: Copyright 2026 NBAE (Photo by Nathaniel S. Butler/NBAE via Getty Images) | NBAE via Getty Images
New York will watch the Knicks play basketball inside the Garden for the first time since they waved them goodbye after the Game 4 win over the Spurs and before they hoisted the Larry O’B back in Texas.
The MSG faithful will have to wait a couple of weeks for the unveiling of the banner(s?), but it’s not that having the Knickerbockers playing closer to them won’t be welcomed.
Here’s the latest from a heated Brown and a few other people before tip-off.
Mike Brown took the Knicks' starting five aside, looked at his bench players today at practice and said:
"Everybody else in this gym, you're fighting – either to make the team or for minutes" pic.twitter.com/GweTAITsOT
On challenging the Knicks’ bench players to compete harder in practice:
“I brought it up today, when we weren’t competing. I’m like, you know what? And I specifically went down the line talking about Jalen, Mikal, OG, KAT and Josh. I said those five: they are going to play. If they do something wrong, I’m going to get on them and we’re going to figure it out, but they still are going to play. I said, everybody else in this gym: you [are] fighting.
“You’re fighting either to make the team or you’re fighting for minutes. I said, look around. This is not just because we won last year. This has nothing to do with last year’s team. Those five guys are the same. But this is a new year, a new team. We got to look forward. And so, every day, it’s a competition. We should be pushing each other to get better while competing for minutes and/or to make the team. So, you’re 100% accurate. It’s going to be hard.”
On how the Warriors avoided complacency after winning the first of two consecutive titles:
“There was no slippage. And when I say no slippage, there was no slippage in our process from Year One to Year Two. Guys embraced the details. They embraced the little things. They knew we couldn’t just show up and turn the light switch on and think just because we won last year, we’re going to win this year.
“That group was very, very good, and it started with the core players. The core players didn’t allow it to happen, which made it easy for our staff to say what we needed to say when we did start having slippage, because everybody is human, so it’s going to happen.
“We have to embrace all the work and the details that go into it along with the effort every single day.”
On how winning a championship could affect Mikal Bridges’ confidence and the scrutiny he faces:
“It definitely can be freeing. It can definitely help with the validation that every human being looks for in life or in whatever they do. But at the end of the day, everybody has a short-term memory. It’s ‘what can you do for me lately?’ Nobody can ever take that away from any of us because we were all a part of it. But if you want to stay on top, it’s gonna be hard. It’s gonna be even harder. …There’s gonna be more scrutiny. And that scrutiny might even be at a higher level.”
"I hold myself accountable at all times. That's the thing that I do love about this organization and the fans, even though some might be a little more crazy than others, but they want the best out of you. I'll never take that for granted."
On Mike Brown holding the Knicks accountable after a lackluster practice:
“I think that’s what makes Coach a great coach, just holding us accountable. It can be human nature to relax a little bit. As a player, as a coach, as a fan, you can relax after having a lot of success. It’s difficult to do something great and continue to try and get better.
“And that’s our goal. We did something great last year; it was last year, and I think the biggest thing coming into this year is that we know what it takes.
“It’s just great that coach did that, holding us accountable because we want to be the best team we can be. And the best team we can be, we can’t be the same exact team that we were last year. It’s a different team; we gotta be even better. Those lapses where we might get a little human nature in us, where we play a game and have a little day in between and we’re kind of, maybe sometimes going through the motions, it was great for coach to do that to us because the thing about us, we’re all competitors and we all want to win. So as soon as Coach says something like that, none of us are going to back down and be like ‘whatever.’ We’re going to pick it up and keep fighting and get better.”
On dealing with criticism and scrutiny following his trade to the Knicks:
“I got a phone. Even if I don’t want to see it or anything, it’s always there. That’s just life. People talk about anything, and that’s all right; you just gotta go about your business. People can think however they want to think; I just know that I’m gonna work hard and try to be the best teammate that I can be and best player that I can be and continue to try and help win as much as I can.”
On whether he feels fully appreciated by Knicks fans after winning a championship:
“I don’t know. I’m not sure about that. Can just say that I’m appreciative of fans. If I see them when I’m walking my dog or something like that, just a lot of nice things to say. That’s foremost, kind of more like a human-to-human interaction, just very nice and grateful to be in this position. I don’t need to feel like there’s validation and there’s like, ‘OK, now he can…’ No, I hold myself accountable at all times.”
On how Knicks fans’ expectations have pushed him to improve:
“That’s the thing that I do love about this organization and the fans, even though some might be a little more crazy than others, they want the best out of you. I never take that for granted. I talk to myself a lot when I go through a lot of things and I got people that help me as well, but that’s one thing that I do take from it, is that they get the best out of me. When I’m struggling and I know I gotta be better, I can’t hide from it sometimes — even though I know internally, the people let me know as well. As much as you get frustrated about it, the only thing it does is drive me and I continue to try and get better. I’m always appreciative of it.”
On the Knicks still having something to prove after winning the championship:
“I think we all still have something to prove.”
"That was probably the closest dude to me on the team, honestly.
On avoiding complacency and raising the Knicks’ intensity during training camp:
“I think throughout the year, we’re gonna have our ups and downs. The first week, second week of training camp, we’ll have days like that, but we just don’t want to get complacent at all. If we continue to try to win every single day, we try to compete every single day — for us [during] training camp, we just wanna pick up the level and be ready for the home opener in two weeks and get it rolling for the regular season.
“We just wanted to pick the energy up, keep continuing to play at a high level and pick the physicality up. I think that was a big thing that he said from last game.”
Nick Nurse was "surprised" to hear the LeBron/Embiid story Mike Breen told.
— Zach Ciavolella (Cha-vo-lel-la) (@CiavoNBA) October 7, 2026
Mike Breen
On his disappointment with how his LeBron James and Joel Embiid story was interpreted:
“I’m so disappointed how the story was interpreted. The whole intent was praising LeBron for already having an impact on the team’s professionalism and accountability, even something so benign as a player getting on the court for practice a minute or two late.”
On apologizing for the report and accepting James’ denial:
“I thought it would be an interesting anecdote to show LeBron’s leadership already on display in Philly. For me, the fact that the teammate was Joel was meaningless. In hindsight, I should have realized the fact that it was Joel is what made it a story. I’ve always been a huge fan of Joel and feel awful that it put the focus on him the way that it did.
“I don’t know why the person who told me the story would make it up, but if LeBron says it never happened then I believe him and apologize for putting it out there.”
"I might be being prisoner of this moment because A.I. is Godly to me, God-like, but what Jalen Brunson did … I can't argue with it." – @RealSkipBaylesspic.twitter.com/FFdU4gPnFS
On choosing between Jalen Brunson and Allen Iverson:
“That is a great question that I’m struggling with because I was a big A.I. fan. Jalen Brunson against the odds… my eyes were ready to not embrace him throughout the playoff run, but he just kept saying, ‘Watch this; watch this.’
“I might be being a prisoner of this moment because A.I. is Godly to me, God-like, but what Jalen Brunson did to the favoured Spurs… I can’t argue with it.”
CLEVELAND, OHIO - MARCH 08: James Harden #1 of the Cleveland Cavaliers drives to the basket around Baylor Scheierman #55 of the Boston Celtics during the fourth quarter at Rocket Arena on March 08, 2026 in Cleveland, Ohio. The Celtics defeated the Cavaliers 109-98. NOTE TO USER: User expressly acknowledges and agrees that, by downloading and or using this photograph, User is consenting to the terms and conditions of the Getty Images License Agreement. (Photo by Jason Miller/Getty Images) | Getty Images
The Cleveland Cavaliers open up their preseason campaign against the Boston Celtics tonight at home. This is the first of three exhibition games for Cleveland.
Preseason basketball can be interesting. How much you take from it is completely up to you. Each team has different goals when coming into these contests.
One of the goals for the Cavs is to figure out lineup combinations, specifically, trying to figure out how to split up the backcourt pairing of Donovan Mitchell and James Harden with the frontcourt of Evan Mobley and Jarrett Allen. Head coach Kenny Atkinson said after practice yesterday that they’d “mess around” with different lineup configurations in their three preseason games and will also use one of their planned inter-squad scrimmages to help with this as well.
Meleek Thomas’s preseason debut is something to also keep an eye on. Several players have mentioned him as a standout in training camp so far. We’ll see if that carries over to preseason.
Atkinson was asked yesterday if there’s a clear frontrunner for backup point guard minutes. He declined to name one, saying that Mitchell and Harden will serve that role, with his intention to have one of them on the court at all times. That means that they’re really only looking for a “secondary ball handler” that “can hold up defensively.”
The simplest way for Thomas to earn minutes this season will be on the defensive end. We’ll see how he looks on that end this game.
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PHILADELPHIA, PENNSYLVANIA - OCTOBER 5: Vj Edgecombe #77 of the Philadelphia 76ers dribbles the ball against the New York Knicks during a preseason game at Xfinity Mobile Arena on October 5, 2026 in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania. The 76ers defeated the Knicks 120-97. NOTE TO USER: User expressly acknowledges and agrees that, by downloading and or using this photograph, User is consenting to the terms and conditions of the Getty Images License Agreement. (Photo by Mitchell Leff/Getty Images) | Getty Images
The Philadelphia 76ers began their preseason on Monday night against the New York team currently atop the NBA’s success ladder, and they’ll now face the New York team down towards the bottom.
The Sixers are in Brooklyn tonight for their second of four preseason contests as they continue to ramp up to the beginning of the regular season now less than two weeks away. Monday’s win over the Knicks was a huge success with the glaring exception of the injury to Ariel Hukporti, who has since been declared out for the season with a torn right Achilles.
In addition to missing Hukporti tonight, Philadelphia will also be without Dominick Barlow (back soreness), Anfernee Simons (hamstring) and Adem Bona (foot). Nick Nurse spoke yesterday about wanting to get the “majority” of the guys out on the court tonight, which seems to indicate to me that we could be perhaps see the full projected starting five, after Tyrese Maxey, Joel Embiid and LeBron James all sat out against the Knicks. Down both of their backup centers, the big man position is obviously an open question. Nurse mentioned small ball lineups anchored by Jabari Walker, Dean Wade, Barlow (when healthy) and LeBron. Walker had an excellent performance on Monday, securing a double-double with 11 points and 11 rebounds in just 19 minutes, even knocking down three shots from behind the arc. I’d expect him to get plenty of minutes backing up Embiid tonight.
If we do see the full starting group together, it should make for an exciting product. The Blue x White scrimmage showed a great start in those guys building chemistry together, and Jaylen Brown and VJ Edgecombe both played extremely well against the Knicks. Brown scored a very efficient 22 points in 17 minutes, and Edgecombe flashed an improved handle and playmaking ability from his rookie season.
As for Brooklyn, the Nets are thick in the midst of a rebuild with a whopping 12 players either in their first or second year in the league on the roster. Julius Randle now joins Michael Porter Jr. as the vets on the squad after coming over from Minnesota via trade this summer. Former Louisville guard Mikel Brown Jr. was taken sixth overall in the 2026 NBA draft, but has been out with an ankle injury and missed Brooklyn’s first preseason game on Tuesday, a 124-90 win over Charlotte.
Not that winning “matters” in the preseason, but it’s certainly a game in which the Sixers should come out on top. More important, though, is the new guys, particularly in the starting group, building the foundation against their first live opponent. Also, obviously, we want everyone to remain healthy coming out of this one. The Knicks game provided plenty of highlights for us to salivate over. Hopefully tonight’s action provides more of the same. As an added bonus, LeBron won’t have to take the helicopter home after tonight’s game.
Game Details
When: Thursday, October 8, 7:30 p.m. ET Where: Barclays Center, Brooklyn, NY Watch: NBCSP+/PCK-PHI Radio: 97.5 The Fanatic Follow:@LibertyBallers
CHICAGO, ILLINOIS - OCTOBER 07: Luke Kennard #8 of the Phoenix Suns dribbles the ball as Buddy Hield #7 of the Chicago Bulls defends during the first half of the preseason game at the United Center on October 07, 2026 in Chicago, Illinois. NOTE TO USER: User expressly acknowledges and agrees that, by downloading and or using this photograph, User is consenting to terms and conditions of the Getty Images License Agreement. (Photo by Daniel Bartel/Getty Images) | Getty Images
It was the second loss in as many games for the Phoenix Suns on Wednesday night, falling 124–117 to the Chicago Bulls.
In reality, the wins and losses don’t matter right now. Case in point? The closing five for Phoenix consisted of Jamaree Bouyea, Pat Spencer, Koa Peat, Ryan Dunn, and Haywood Highsmith. If the Suns ever find themselves in a position where that’s their closing five during the regular season, we can go ahead and assume the title of the Eagles’ reunion album has come true and hell has frozen over. So don’t get caught up in wins and losses at this time of year. This is an opportunity for experimentation, for progress, and for players to get their sea legs underneath them as they prepare for the gauntlet that is an 82-game season.
Even when I see Devin Booker go 0-of-8 from beyond the arc, I’m not overly concerned. Yet. But for somebody who shot 33% from three last season, with the hope that he can elevate his game this year, it certainly isn’t the greatest start. Again, temper expectations.
"Back to the lab."
Suns All-Star Devin Booker on his 1-of-12 shooting from 3 through two preseason games.
0-for-8 tonight in Suns 124-117 loss to the Bulls.
"Just getting more reps up, looking at film at the shots I did get and see what I can do better." #Sunspic.twitter.com/ViNghCT296
The highlight of the game was clearly the second unit. By the time all five starters had taken their seats on the bench, the Suns were trailing by three points. What followed was an impressive display of energy from Collin Gillespie, Luke Kennard, Ryan Dunn, Jordan Goodwin, and Khaman Maluach. They were more than a spark off the bench. They were a hurricane of activity.
For the second consecutive game, we’ve seen the collective energy rise when this group takes the floor. And that’s what makes it so encouraging. It isn’t one player creating disruption or providing a burst of energy. It’s the entire unit working together, applying pressure, and making life miserable for the opposition.
Knowing the Suns have that kind of production coming off the bench is exciting for the upcoming season. If the starting unit plays well, this group has the potential to extend leads. If the starters struggle, they possess the energy and defensive intensity to erase deficits and swing momentum back in Phoenix’s favor. And when you begin thinking about the different combinations Jordan Ott can experiment with, mixing and matching members of this second unit with the starters, the possibilities become even more intriguing. There’s plenty of reason for excitement in what we’ve seen from this group through two preseason games.
There were challenges along the way. The Suns also looked undersized compared to the Bulls and struggled to secure rebounds. Phoenix finished with 16 rebounds classified as “team rebounds” last night, a reflection of how hard they had to work collectively to secure possession rather than having a dominant presence inside who could simply take the ball away from the opposition. With Mark Williams out for the foreseeable future, and the Suns potentially undersized at the five if they elect to start Oso Ighodaro, rebounding could become a legitimate concern for this team.
We know Phoenix possesses tenacity and desire, two admirable attributes when it comes to chasing down rebounds. But that also requires expending additional energy and effort when the solution could be as simple as having more size on the floor. So as we anxiously await the third preseason game on Saturday, there are plenty more thoughts I have about what we’ve seen through these first two games. I’ll put those together in other articles as we continue working our way toward the regular season.
For now, I’ll close with a reminder to avoid getting caught up in the losses. Focus on the progress, the development, and occasionally recognize where that progress has yet to materialize. That’s what this time of year is for.
Bright Side Baller Standings
Goodie’s 7 points weren’t earth-shattering against the Pistons, but his effort was, garnering him the first Bright Side Baller of the season.
Bright Side Baller Nominees
Preseason Game 2 against the Bulls. Here are your nominees:
LOS ANGELES, CA - MAY 23: (L-R) Actors Rob McElhenney, Glenn Howerton, Kaitlin Olson, Danny DeVito and Charlie Day act during a dance scene on the set of "It's Always Sunny In Philadelphia" on May 23, 2007 in Los Angeles, California. (Photo by Michael Buckner/Getty Images) | Getty Images
With the preseason already up and running, it’s time for our signature Roundtable, where Brew Hoop staff put their meteorologist hats on and forecast the future, hoping their words don’t come back to bite them (like last year—eek!). This time, despite the name, it was less roundtable and more secret ballot—so you know what you’re getting isn’t peer influenced. As a result, writers had a lot to say, meaning you’ll get your fix in two doses instead of one. Let’s get to it!
Editor’s note: This pair combines to form the first of four Roundtables this year—we’re checking in more often in our continued quest to, like the Bucks, “Compete. Together. Get Better.”
What record will the Bucks end up with and where will they finish in the Eastern Conference standings?
Jack: 26-56, 12th. I was way too high on the Bucks last season, so I’m hedging my bets this year and trying to be modest. The team is in transition and could be a mess at times.
Jackson: 27-55, 13th in the East. Even with all the drama of last year, the Bucks still managed 32 wins. This team could be scrappy and surprise some, but I’m expecting another 50+ loss season.
Zac: 28-54, 12th in the East. The Bucks are fun again, but they’re also young. And while this season will be so much better for the soul, the East is just too deep and these Bucks too raw for them to do much damage.
Aiden: The Bucks will finish 25-57. That should put them 13th in the Eastern Conference standings. I believe the Bucks will have a similar record to the 2025-2026 season with their new depth and coaching staff, along with the new game plan they will bring, but the output will be much better. We will be looking at new key players for our team and their shining moments, along with a lot of player development.
Nate: 42-40, 8th. I am going to count last year as the official bottom-out season. This year we know several players will take a step forward, and a young, high energy team could do some damage and find itself on a hot streak post-All Star Break.
Dax: 30-52, 12th in the Eastern Conference. The way the East shakes out, I see the Bucks only being better than the Nets, Bulls, and Hornets (sneaky pick). I can’t project this year’s team to be better than last year’s with the loss of Giannis, but I wouldn’t be surprised if I were forced to eat my words.
Where will the Bucks finish in the league rankings for offence and defence?
Jack: 23rd, 24th. I think the anti-tanking rules will hurt Milwaukee’s chances of finishing above 20th in either category. That said, it’s not like the Bucks don’t have the tools to be a decent offensive team; if nothing else, they’ve got talent that caters to getting buckets. Defensively, they could be a mess trying to have Herro guard at the point of attack, along with the Ware-Turner experiment.
Jackson: Offense: 20th, defense: 28th. I think this offense has a chance to put up big numbers at some points. They have a lot of intriguing options across the roster with Tyler Herro, Rollins, Brayden Burries, Jamie Jacquez Jr., Kevin Porter Jr., Kel’el Ware, and Caris LeVert to a certain extent. Defensively, there’s just not a lot to write home about on that end. KPJ will get some steals, and I think Ware and Myles Turner will be a decent big man rotation, but there really aren’t plus-plus defenders on this iteration of the Bucks. Taylor Jenkins will certainly get the most out of them on both ends, but I just don’t know how much that’s going to be.
Zac: 26th in offence, 20th in defence. Offensively, the Bucks have more depth than they’ve had in recent years, but they don’t have a bona fide number one option anymore, so will take a slight step back from last year’s 24th placing. On defence, they’ll improve on last year’s 26th placing and Taylor Jenkins will get this team to a point that they’ll be dogs (dawgs?), but that’ll take time and they’re playing catchup in a league full of “win now” squads.
Taylor Jenkins will reignite a competitive nature within this team and create a grit-and-grind system that will use the players’ length and athleticism to make their defence a talking point.
Aiden
Aiden: 25th in offensive rating and 23rd in defensive rating. Taylor Jenkins will reignite a competitive nature within this team and create a grit-and-grind system that will use the players’ length and athleticism to make their defence a talking point. The offence will take a drop-off as players fill out their new roles and figure out where the points will come from, but the defence will lead them to defy predictions.
Nate: 8th, 15th. Offensively, this could be a very solid and exciting team: up and down the roster there are myriad ways to put pressure on the rim and space the floor, and Taylor Jenkins feels like just the coach to figure out how to best put together an effective offensive attack with this personnel. Defensively, I believe Jenkins will get the best out of his players, and I am high on a handful of players’ defensive ceiling, but currently I am just not as sold on our ability to defend at a very high level just yet. Turner still brings elite rim protection (6% block percentage, good for fourth overall) and Rollins had a habit of putting opposing guards in strait jackets, but our defense on the wing remains a big question mark. I think Jenkins will definitely find a way to maximize both Dieng and Jaquez Jr. at the small forward position but I sort of envision this process being a one-step forward one-step back progression and may take more time to materialize than the offensive side of the ball. By being a net neutral-to-positive team, the young Bucks will find a way to hang in to games and then figure out how to close them later in the year.
Dax: 24th in offensive rating, 25th in defensive rating. A team doesn’t get better on offense with the loss of a consistent 30 PPG scorer who facilitates well; however, I don’t think it gets worse. Tyler Herro is a bona fide scorer who’s averaged 20 PPG in, at best, 1A-1B roles. And Jaime Jaquez Jr. can’t be disregarded on offense. He would have been the Bucks’ fourth-leading scorer, even while in a sixth-man role. This offense is more balanced, but lacks a “freak.” The defense will also miss its staple in the DPOY race; however, again, there’s a counter. Taylor Jenkins emphasizes defense, Ryan Rollins and Kevin Porter Jr. lock down the perimeter, and Myles Turner is more than serviceable in the paint. Both sides of the ball will remain similar to last year.
Who will emerge as the Bucks’ most valuable player?
Jack: If we are talking most valuable, let’s go with Jaime Jaquez Jr. Firstly, he’s a great player in his own right just from a production standpoint—and I think there will be plenty of production—but his value will come via his ability to be a leader on this young team. Jaquez just seems like a guy who can be a calming presence in the locker room and help teach the young fellas how the league works. I reckon he’s going to quickly become one of coach Jenkins’ favourite players. Also, think he’ll be in Milwaukee a while.
Jackson: He was in spurts last year, so I’m going to go with Ryan Rollins. The leap he made last season was a sight to behold, and now with more responsibility being thrust to him, I imagine his numbers will only grow more. I don’t think he’s going to be in All-Star conversations, but of all the players on this Bucks roster, I trust Rollins the most to be the guy when the time comes.
Zac: Brayden Burries will emerge as the Bucks’ most valuable player, but it won’t be obvious until the second half of the season, after the Bucks start to really embrace the youth movement (and have made a trade or two). Then, Burries will prove me prophetic, showing off the offensive and defensive upside that makes him the team’s most valuable player (and asset) in the long term, even if the season-long stats say it’s someone else (namely Ryan Rollins or Tyler Herro).
MILWAUKEE, WISCONSIN – OCTOBER 05: Jaime Jaquez Jr. #24 of the Milwaukee Bucks in action against the Minnesota Timberwolves in the third quarter during the preseason NBA game at Fiserv Forum on October 05, 2026 in Milwaukee, Wisconsin. NOTE TO USER: User expressly acknowledges and agrees that, by downloading and or using this photograph, User is consenting to terms and conditions of the Getty Images License Agreement. (Photo by Patrick McDermott/Getty Images) | Getty Images
MILWAUKEE, WISCONSIN – OCTOBER 05: Ryan Rollins #13 of the Milwaukee Bucks dribbles the ball against Terrence Shannon Jr. #4 of the Minnesota Timberwolves in the first quarter in a preseason NBA game at Fiserv Forum on October 05, 2026 in Milwaukee, Wisconsin. NOTE TO USER: User expressly acknowledges and agrees that, by downloading and or using this photograph, User is consenting to terms and conditions of the Getty Images License Agreement. (Photo by Patrick McDermott/Getty Images) | Getty Images
MILWAUKEE, WISCONSIN – OCTOBER 05: Brayden Burries #0 of the Milwaukee Bucks dribbles the ball against the Minnesota Timberwolves in the fourth quarter during the preseason NBA game at Fiserv Forum on October 05, 2026 in Milwaukee, Wisconsin. NOTE TO USER: User expressly acknowledges and agrees that, by downloading and or using this photograph, User is consenting to terms and conditions of the Getty Images License Agreement. (Photo by Patrick McDermott/Getty Images) | Getty Images
MILWAUKEE, WISCONSIN – OCTOBER 05: Tyler Herro #11 of the Milwaukee Bucks passes the ball against Rudy Gobert #27 of the Minnesota Timberwolves in the first quarter in a preseason NBA game at Fiserv Forum on October 05, 2026 in Milwaukee, Wisconsin. NOTE TO USER: User expressly acknowledges and agrees that, by downloading and or using this photograph, User is consenting to terms and conditions of the Getty Images License Agreement. (Photo by Patrick McDermott/Getty Images) | Getty Images
Aiden: There may be two cliché answers for who will be the Bucks’ MVP this season: Tyler Herro and Brayden Burries. For me, Burries will be our MVP by the end of the season. He will have some growing pains, as all rookies do, but once he gets comfortable with the NBA pace and pressure, I see him becoming the Bucks’ connecting piece, leading on both the defensive and offensive ends, even as a point-of-attack defender at times. His stats by the end of the season might not shout that he is our MVP, but I believe his motor and IQ will be a magnet for wins, and he will mark a turning point in the Bucks’ future trajectory.
Nate: Ryan Rollins. I think the one thing missing more than almost anything last season for the Bucks was steady playmaking, and by steady I mean each night having a reliable ball handler who could respond to varying looks and mismatches thrown at them by the other team. While some players showed flashes and either could not stay consistent or healthy, Rollins was tasked with stepping in as the starting point guard last season after Kevin Porter Jr. went down in the first game of the season. While I agree that there is an abundance of guards in the league, there is a real shortage of highly effective guard play as the team’s floor general. Further, I think that becoming a highly effective floor general usually takes years to develop, and I believe with all of the tools he has in his toolkit, Rollins can be that floor general for this team.
This is easy to speculate on, but what would that really look like? Well, Rollins last year went for an impressive 17.3 PPG/4.6 RPG/5.6 APG while averaging over 32 MPG. The reason why it was impressive is that he became just the 11th player to log a slash line like that age 23 or younger, with the other 10 going on to multiple All-Star Games, and he was just as dangerous if not more dangerous on the other side of the floor: when on the floor, opposing teams were held to almost 6 points fewer per 100 possessions, while his steal percentage was in the 84th percentile for his position last season. So again, how does he improve upon this and become this year’s MVP and franchise floor general? Well, beyond the numbers he can slash, let’s assume that his usage and minutes remain constant. Then, if he can turn his assist percentage up from 27% last season to 32% this season, his rebounding percentage up from 8% to 11%, and takes four more shot attempts on the same splits, then Rollins would move into being a 21/7/7 player for the whole season. While there is a long season ahead of us and anything could happen, I see no reason to not be optimistic when the reality of him becoming that sort of player is right there in front of him at the ripe old age of 24. To be clear: if he slashes that he will become more than just our team’s MVP but at that point a potential All-Star. I am riding the Hopium Express—and there are seats still available to anyone who wants to join me.
Dax: Ryan Rollins will be the Bucks’ MVP. While the Bucks had few bright spots last year, Rollins was one of them. All odds were against him: starting his career as an end-of-the-bench guy, playing under a coach in his twilight years, and hearing the noise that comes with a struggling team and a star wanting more. This didn’t shake him, as he finished fifth in MIP voting. Now, under developmental leader Taylor Jenkins, the sky’s the limit for the young floor general. Let’s not forget Jenkins being in the corner of Ja Morant.
Which Buck will make the biggest leap?
Jack: With Giannis gone, Ryan Rollins is my pick to take a huge leap. Honestly, the way he dealt with last season’s drama and just kept his head down was amazing. With a clear mind and a coach who we assume will put him in the best spots to succeed, I could see him pushing himself into All-Star consideration. Yep, I said it.
Jackson: I think Kel’el Ware is in line to make the biggest jump. We’ll see what Taylor Jenkins decides to do with the starting lineup, but even if Ware plays behind Myles Turner, I think he gets an expanded role with some more playing time. I could see a world where he gets 25+ minutes a night and starts to show some of the potential he’s flashed on a more consistent basis.
Zac: It feels like cheating but if I said anything else it’d be a lie, so I’ll reiterate my answer from our offseason chinwag: I think Ryan Rollins doubles down on his improvement from a year ago but this time gets the recognition for it (at least from a league-wide perspective). He increases his points to about 20 a night—those off-season workouts with James Harden pay dividends at the stripe—and, more importantly, becomes one of the leaders on the team, cementing his place as the team’s point guard of the present and the future.
Kel’el Ware will make the biggest leap as he jumps ship, and it’ll come with minutes… He’s seven-foot, a double-double threat, and shot nearly 40% from three last year. What’s not to love?
Dax
Aiden: Kel’el Ware will make the biggest jump for the Bucks this season. I’m expecting Ware to be a top 3-5 finisher in the Most Improved Player award, and I would not be surprised to see him win it. The big man positions are wide open, and he is in prime position to become the Bucks’ next star big man.
It’s widely accepted amongst the league that Ware’s upside and potential are through the roof; he just needs the right situation and to be driven to compete every possession. Ware averaged 18 points and 14 rebounds, along with 3 blocks a night when playing more than 30 minutes last season. You’d expect that this number is slightly inflated from limited samples, but anywhere near that kind of production and he will solidify himself as one of the best young players in the league.
Nate: Ousmane Dieng. Milwaukee’s favorite Frenchman, Dieng is a former first round pick who will finally get a full season to ball out. His rookie season he broke his wrist twice, and in that year the Thunder became a contender. When he was healthy, Dieng had limited opportunities to earn minutes, and was primarily used as a 5. With Milwaukee, he just signed essentially a “prove-it” deal and will get plenty of minutes at the 3 and 4, which seemed to be a more natural fit for him on this team last season. Watching someone with length and IQ on the wing was a breath of fresh air for all Bucks fans, and if he can limit his turnovers I can see him starting and becoming a fan favorite glue guy. While I am also high on Jaquez Jr. and his potential ceiling with us, Dieng comes in motivated and with something to prove.
Dax: Kel’el Ware will make the biggest leap as he jumps ship, and it’ll come with minutes. Sure, Myles Turner starts to begin the season, but Ware is a threat. Turner doesn’t fit the timeline, and Ware may be the blueprint. He’s seven-foot, a double-double threat, and shot nearly 40% from three last year. What’s not to love?
Agree with our forecasts or are we like your local weatherman, predicting clear skies when there’s rain? Let us know in the comments and, more importantly, share your predictions. And don’t forget to tune back in tomorrow for Part II, where things get a little whackier.
DALLAS, TEXAS - SEPTEMBER 25: Tarik Biberovic #13 of the Dallas Mavericks poses for portraits at Mavericks Media Day at American Airlines Center on September 25, 2026 in Dallas, Texas. NOTE TO USER: User expressly acknowledges and agrees that, by downloading and or using this photograph, User is consenting to the terms and conditions of the GettyImages License Agreement. (Photo by Stacy Revere/Getty Images) | Getty Images
The Dallas Mavericks had a few holes last season that had them stuck near the basement at 12th in the Western Conference. Perhaps the biggest hole was a lack of shooting. in what could go down as one of the team’s savviest under-the-radar offseason move, the Mavericks added Bosnian-Turkish sharpshooter Tarik Biberović after a series of trades following the NBA Draft.
The 25-year-old forward has spent nearly a decade playing professional basketball in Europe, establishing himself as one of the better shooters in the EuroLeague before making the jump to the NBA this summer. Dallas acquired his draft rights as part of the six-team deal that brought Santi Aldama to the Mavericks, while adding Biberović on a two-year deal.
Biberović enters the NBA with a clear calling card: he can shoot. Last season with Fenerbahce, he averaged 10.7 points and 3.1 rebounds in 36 regular-season games while shooting 39.9 percent from 3-point range and 95.1 percent from the free-throw line. He was even better in the playoffs, averaging 15.8 points and making 52.9 percent of his 3-pointers.
That shooting touch could be a massive benefit to the Mavericks. Dallas shot just 34.4 percent from three as a team last season, and Biberović’s ability to stretch the floor could give a new-look offense another weapon around Cooper Flagg and Kyrie Irving.
Biggest question
He can shoot, but can he defend? Shooters shoot, but how well will his defensive skills translate to the NBA? Can Dusty May trust him enough on both sides of the ball to give him meaningful minutes?
Biberović is 6-foot-7 and 218 pounds, giving him enough size to play either forward spot, but NBA athleticism is a different challenge than what he has faced in Europe. Dallas already has a crowded group of wings and forwards, including Zaccharie Risacher, Naji Marshall, P.J. Washington, and Morez Johnson Jr., all of whom will be getting minutes ahead of the rookie.
While considered a slightly below-average defender in Europe, Biberović’s defense has reportedly been ahead of expectations during training camp. Coach Dusty May specifically said Biberović’s defense has been “a little bit further along” than he anticipated. That’s important. If he can defend his position, rebound and make the right rotations while providing elite shooting, there is a legitimate role for him. This could be the difference between being a specialist who gets played when the Mavericks need offense and being a legitimate rotation player.
Best case scenario
Biberović quickly proves that his EuroLeague shooting translates to the NBA. If he can shoot somewhere around 38-40 percent from deep while making defenses pay for leaving him open, Dallas has a useful rotation piece. The dream scenario is that he becomes the kind of player opposing defenses simply cannot ignore. Put him alongside Flagg or Irving, and suddenly driving lanes become a little wider. Help defenders have to think twice before leaving him. A possession that previously ended with a difficult shot can instead become a kick-out 3-ball. That is the value of a player like Biberović.
He doesn’t necessarily have to score 15 points per game to provide it. If he can give Dallas 15-20 minutes a night, knock down a couple of 3-pointers, rebound at a decent clip and hold his own defensively, he could become one of the more interesting bench pieces on the roster. There is also something to be said for the experience he brings as well. He isn’t a typical rookie. He has already played professionally for years and was part of Fenerbahce’s 2025 EuroLeague championship team. The NBA game will be new. Basketball won’t be.
Worst case scenario
We never like to look at this side, but we have to. Here, Biberović’s shooting doesn’t translate quickly enough, and his defense keeps him glued to the bench. This is the obvious concern with any international player making the jump to the NBA at 25. The NBA is faster, longer, and more athletic than anything he’s seen, and Biberović is going to have to figure out where his shots come from within an offense that is less structured than the one he played in previously. May has already acknowledged that learning to find shots within the flow of Dallas’ offense will be part of the adjustment.
If he struggles to create separation, gets targeted defensively, or has trouble adjusting to the speed of NBA closeouts, his one elite skill may not be enough to keep him on the court. And the Mavericks have alternatives. Risacher is expected to receive an opportunity. Marshall has established himself as a versatile veteran. Washington Jr. is a staple piece. Morez Johnson Jr. will get big minutes his rookie season. Caleb Martin remains on the roster. There are only so many wing minutes to go around. Biberović will have to earn them with his big skill that the others lack — shooting.
Season goal
Become a trusted rotation player. That’s really all Dallas should be asking from Biberović in year one. If he can establish himself as a reliable shooter, prove that he isn’t a defensive liability, and learn how to play alongside Flagg and Irving, the season will have been a success. Something like 10-15 minutes per game would be a reasonable starting point, with the opportunity to earn more as the season progresses. More importantly, he needs to make the coaching staff comfortable putting him on the floor when the game matters. The 3-point shooting is the ticket into the rotation. Everything else determines whether he stays there.
Overall
Biberović is one of the more intriguing unknowns on the Mavericks’ roster. There is a very real chance he becomes exactly what Dallas needs: a big wing who can punish defenses from the outside and provide valuable spacing around its best players. There is also a very real chance that adjusting to the NBA takes time. The good news for Dallas is that he seems to understand the challenge. He has repeatedly emphasized that he didn’t come to the NBA simply to say he made it. He wants to make an impact and earn his minutes. That’s the right mentality for a player entering a crowded rotation.
The Mavericks don’t need the sniper to become a star. They don’t even need him to become a high-volume scorer. They need him to shoot, be an average defender, play within himself, and make the game easier for the players around him. If he can do those things, Dallas may have found one of the better shooting specialists in its new-look rotation.
Derrick White is poised to improve his offensive efficiency this season. | NBAE via Getty Images
There’s nothing quite like basketball season.
Turning on the TV whenever we want and marveling as the best players in the world put on a show is a treat. Watching the Celtics play never gets old, and each season brings a new flavor.
This year is particularly intriguing, for obvious reasons, as they enter a new era with Just the Jay.
Here are 10 things I’m looking forward to as the action begins tonight:
1) A full season of Jayson Tatum
I think we can all agree Jayson Tatum looked even better than we expected when he returned at the end of last season. At the same time, we collectively held our breaths every time he did anything. This year, it will be fun to see Tatum play freely, without any inhibition, and run the operation. He’s ready to remind everyone exactly who he is.
Jayson Tatum appears to have been cooking during 5v5 scrimmages today 👀🍿
We need to collectively agree to not compare Paul George to Jaylen Brown. If we do, there’s a very good chance he’ll fall short of our expectations. If we don’t, and we view him as a reliable, sharp-shooting, 36-year-old key contributor, I believe he’ll meet or possibly even exceed our expectations. The key, of course, is health, but I genuinely believe he’ll have a great season.
3) Derrick White shooting the lights out
Derrick White would be the first to admit he didn’t shoot the way he wanted to last year. I expect his splits to rise significantly this season, with a full offseason of work behind him and Jayson Tatum setting him up for high-quality looks. White is arguably the biggest X-factor on the team, and I’m confident he’ll bounce back as a shooter while continuing to excel everywhere else.
4) Battle among the bigs
It will be fun to see who earns coach Joe Mazzulla’s trust – both to start games and finish them – between Neemias Queta and Mitchell Robinson. Both will play, and both will contribute at a high level, but it will be an entertaining subplot to see how it shakes out. My guess is it will depend on the matchup, but Robinson will start more than Queta and Queta will close more than Robinson.
Mitchell Robinson is a perfect fit for Celtics basketball, and his teammates are already seeing it pic.twitter.com/zd9kQbduc8
The Celtics finished last in pace (97.7) a season ago, and it will be interesting to see if they make a conscious choice to up that number this season. Pace doesn’t equate to good, and lack of pace doesn’t equate to bad, but there is a case to be made that they should play with more of it. At the same time, the Celtics got older this offseason, with George, Robinson and Mike Conley Jr., so it’s possible they’ll stay right where they are. It may take some time to figure out what works best, and that’s OK.
6) Taking the next step
It will be a joy to watch players like Baylor Scheierman, Hugo González, Ron Harper Jr. and Jordan Walsh take the next step. My guess is Scheierman and Harper Jr. make the most significant leaps, but all four are fully capable of taking their games to another level. Scheierman and Tatum is a pairing I want to see a lot of this season.
7) Jockeying with Jaylen
Celtics-76ers games are going to be extremely intense. Watching Tatum vs. Brown will be must-see TV, and oh yeah, LeBron James is there, too. The 76ers are the more talented team, but talent doesn’t always equate to wins. Plus, the Celtics are the deeper team and have more experience playing with one another. I have a hunch they’re going to meet in the playoffs as well and it’s going to live up to the hype.
Jaylen Brown was HOOPIN' in the first half of his @sixers preseason debut 🔥
While it’s unlikely Chris Cenac Jr. and Dillon Mitchell will see heavy minutes, they do have a chance to see some. Cenac, in particular, is a very intriguing player who moves well for his size, can block shots and has shown he’s capable of stepping out and hitting 3-pointers. Mitchell is a high flyer who may occasionally enter as a defensive stopper. Both have a solid chance to blossom into strong NBA players long term.
9) AJ Dybantsa at TD Garden
Brockton’s own AJ Dybantsa will play back-to-back games at TD Garden in mid-December. I think the Wizards are going to be better than people expect if they stay healthy, and that’s one of the sneaky great schedule quirks of the season. He likely won’t sleep in his childhood bed, but he will get to play in front of family and friends twice in a row. Don’t sleep on those matchups.
10) Something to prove
The final one is simple: The Celtics have a chance to prove they’re better than people think. I’m not entirely sure why people are doubting them this season, but in a way, those seasons are more fun than when expectations are extremely high. I think the 76ers and Knicks are a bit better on paper, but the Celtics have as good a chance as anyone at knocking them off. The vibes were immaculate last season, and I expect that to continue this year. The wait is over. Basketball is back, baby.
DENVER, CO - OCTOBER 4: Generic photo of the official NBA Wilson basketball during the NBA preseason on October 4, 2026 at CU Events Center, Boulder, Colorado. NOTE TO USER: User expressly acknowledges and agrees that, by downloading and/or using this Photograph, user is consenting to the terms and conditions of the Getty Images License Agreement. Mandatory Copyright Notice: Copyright 2026 NBAE (Photo by Garrett Ellwood/NBAE via Getty Images) | NBAE via Getty Images
On Monday, the NBA announced that selected preseason games will include the use of a smart basketball with a Bluetooth sensor that collects data which could eventually be utilized in real-time officiating. Wilson has developed the technology that is currently only considered research, not part of the official game or stat collection.
Additionally, some officials in a specific exhibition games test wrist wearables to communicate with the replay center in designated situations, including reviews, scoring changes and clock malfunctions. The league piloted a program during the summer and though the experiment was considered a success, the technology will not be applied in the regular season.
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ORLANDO, FLORIDA - APRIL 01: Jock Landale #31 of the Atlanta Hawks reacts after scoring a three-point shot against the Orlando Magic during the third quarter at Kia Center on April 01, 2026 in Orlando, Florida. NOTE TO USER: User expressly acknowledges and agrees that, by downloading and or using this photograph, User is consenting to the terms and conditions of the Getty Images License Agreement. (Photo by Rich Storry/Getty Images) | Getty Images
Jock Landale made his presence in Atlanta known almost immediately, recording a career night after a trade deadline acquisition.
Landale was on his way to Utah in a trade from the Grizzlies until he was told to “get off the [dang] plane.” He found out he was being rerouted to the Hawks, and so he then made the 6.5-hour drive from Memphis to Atlanta to suit up with his new team.
In his debut with teammates with which he was mostly unfamiliar (save for, of course, his country-mate Dyson Daniels), he dropped 26 points on 10-for-14 shooting with five triples. And, for good measure, he added 11 rebounds and four blocks.
From there, he settled into a role as the burly backup center who can space the floor for his team to operate. In 23 games for the Hawks, he averaged 9.1 points per game on 60% shooting from two and 39% shooting from three plus 4.1 rebounds per game on 19.4 minutes per contest — mostly coinciding with a blistering 20-6 end to the regular season for the Hawks.
But then on a fateful day on April 1st against the Orlando Magic, his season was ended prematurely due to a dirty foul from Goga Bitadze.
Ultimately, he was unable to return for the Knicks series — a series where he could have battled Karl Anthony-Towns and Mitchell Robinson down low and provided screening and physicality.
“My ankle injury took a little while to get over,” Landale talked about his steps of recovery at media day. “So initially when I went back to Australia, there was a lot of time spent towards that. I’m going on 31 in a couple of weeks, so I just decided it was time for me to trim up a little bit. Worked on my body in that capacity.”
In the offseason, Landale signed a one-year, $14.1 million contract — almost doubling his career earnings with one swift stroke of the pen. With Onyeka Okongwu returning, he’ll remain the backup center for 2026-27 but it’s possible we could see lineups with the two of them sharing the frontcourt.
Defensively, he’s largely a liability in space, and frankly that won’t change this season. Once Mouhamed Gueye returns from an injury of his own, he or rookie Zuby Ejiofor could be a natural partner off the bench to help cover ground. But as a bigger body than Okongwu, he can certainly be helpful against bruising bigs throughout the 82-game grind and beyond.
Most of all, he sounds absolutely thrilled to be back in Atlanta after contemplating ending his NBA dreams and returning home to Australia.
“It meant a lot,” said Landale about the Hawks’ interest in re-signing him. “A lot of conversations with Quin [Snyder] and Onsi [Saleh] about what the team needs. How I can continue to help out. That was more towards when I was in the moment playing. I really felt as though from day one when I got here back in February, it felt like I was involved. It felt like I was valued. And they really cherished the skillset I brought and the level of maturity.”
There’s no doubt that Landale will be a welcome returnee to the Hawks for hopefully a productive and helpful season.
CLEVELAND, OHIO - APRIL 08: Evan Mobley #4 celebrates with James Harden #1 of the Cleveland Cavaliers during player introductions before the game against the Atlanta Hawks at Rocket Arena on April 08, 2026 in Cleveland, Ohio. NOTE TO USER: User expressly acknowledges and agrees that, by downloading and or using this photograph, User is consenting to the terms and conditions of the Getty Images License Agreement. (Photo by Jason Miller/Getty Images) | Getty Images
The Cleveland Cavaliers had opportunities to drastically reshape their core over the summer. Giannis Antetokounmpo and Jaylen Brown were available in trades. Reports suggested both the Milwaukee Bucks and Boston Celtics were interested in Mobley as a centerpiece for potential deals. And if one of those trades were made, maybe LeBron James would’ve decided to come back as well.
Instead, the Cavs chose not to make Mobley available. They doubled down on their belief in the 25-year-old former Defensive Player of the Year. But in doing so, they took on a much bigger risk than they would’ve if they traded him for a big name.
Moving Mobley for an established star would’ve raised this team’s ceiling in the short term and fit better with the shortened, self-imposed timeline they created by acquiring James Harden last winter. Yet, they decided to keep Mobley, presumably believing he can be the player the team needs to lift this core to a championship now, while also providing long-term stability.
It’s easy to believe in Mobley on his best days. His scoring looks effortless when he’s getting to the rim. He has enough vision and touch as a passer to make him effective when he can clearly see the doubles. And when the outside shot is falling — as it was at times last postseason — he can be a complete scorer. That is on top of being one of the most disruptive defensive players in the league.
Yet, Mobley doesn’t reach those heights as often as you’d like him to. His baseline is a high-level offensive contributor, but not the kind that you build an offense around. There’s tremendous value in a big that can roll out of bed and give you 18 points. But that impact pales in comparison to the All-NBA offensive superstars that were available over the summer.
This has left the Cavs with a very good player. One who can be All-NBA Second Team when he’s put in the right position, although he isn’t likely to be the focal point of an offense. That’s okay, but may not be enough to get the Cavs over the hurdles they’ve continually run into in the postseason.
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Basketball is a team sport, despite how we sometimes frame the narrative. Nothing happens in isolation on the court. That is especially true for big men like Mobley, who are more dependent on their teammates to feed them the ball and hold up their end defensively. This is where the reshaped roster could work to Mobley’s benefit.
Having a full offseason with Harden will make a difference. And based on some of the lineups from training camp in Spain, Harden and Mobley could be the pairing head coach Kenny Atkinson sticks with this upcoming season, even though nothing is set in stone yet.
“A lot of discussion [goes into] who works best with who,” Atkinson said when asked about how he’s going to split the core four after practice yesterday.
“Collaborating with the players on what they like. Then, you have to consider minute stints. You have to match that. Does Evan function better in longer stints? Does JA (Jarrett Allen) function in longer stints? How you combine them plays a role in that. And then who are the three around them? It’s a lot of discussion with the staff and players, but we haven’t decided yet.”
Mobley and Harden only shared the court for about 2,000 possessions last season across the regular season and playoffs. For context, Mitchell and Mobley were on the court for over 4,000 possessions in the regular season and playoffs last season.
The Harden and Mobley pairing had solid results in the regular season as they were in the 77th percentile in net rating (+5.5), 80th percentile in offensive rating (119.5), and the 68th percentile in defensive rating (114). The really encouraging numbers came when Harden and Mobley were on the court without Allen and Donovan Mitchell. Those lineups were in the 97th percentile for net rating (+13.9), 96th percentile for offensive rating (124.2), and 88th percentile for defensive rating (110.4). Those lineup combinations dipped drastically in the playoffs — as to be expected — but the structure of a solid two-man pairing is there. This is also where the addition of Peyton Watson should help most.
Mobley is most optimized when surrounded by four shooters. This is why lineups with him and Dean Wade — Cleveland’s previously longest-tenured stretch four during the Mobley era — historically did well even though Wade was hardly a consistent offensive contributor despite having a respectable outside shot. This is where Watson should help most.
Watson’s three-point shot is more of a question mark than last season’s shooting percentage would suggest (41.1%) due to him only attempting 3.6 threes per game last season (for context, Wade attempted 3.3 threes per game last season). That said, opponents can’t cheat off Watson on the perimeter due to his shooting and ability to attack off the dribble, which will stretch defenses out. Watson has shown throughout his career that lineups can succeed when he plays power forward due to his length and ability to hold up as a rebounder.
Mobley hasn’t benefited from this ideal of a point guard and forward pairing before. The closest we’ve seen was Darius Garland and De’Andre Hunter during the 2024-25 season, yet that year Mobley spent most of his minutes with Mitchell, and Hunter wasn’t an optimal four alongside Mobley due to his poor rebounding and defense. On paper, this latest trio should be the perfect lineup combination to let Mobley’s skills shine.
That all said, the Cavs still need to fine-tune the Mobley and Allen minutes.
Cleveland was bad last postseason when both were on the floor (-6.8 net rating, 25th percentile), and even worse when they played together without Wade (-18.4 net rating, 5th percentile). We’ve seen that duo play extraordinarily well in the regular season, but it hasn’t translated over ot the playoffs as you’d envision it.
There’s an argument to be made that Cleveland’s two-big lineup can’t work in the postseason against elite competition. Playoff opponents have the game plan and personnel to take away what opposing offenses do best. This doesn’t necessarily mean that the Cavs need to trade one of their bigs. It does, however, mean that Watson and, to a lesser extent, Mario Hezonja need to be capable of playing high-leverage playoff minutes at the four.
At 25, it’s unreasonable to expect Mobley to drastically change who he is. It’s unlikely that he develops an elite face-up game or becomes a high-volume outside shooter. That’s historically not how development works. Yet, he could still fine-tune the areas of his game that he’s already good at.
Marginal improvements combined with lineup combinations that accentuate his abilities could be enough for Mobley to have a career year. After all, a big like Mobley is more reliant on his teammates and lineup construction than a score-first guard like Mitchell.
The biggest gamble the Cavs have made this era is betting on Mobley. So far, that bet has led to consistent regular-season success and mixed playoff results. The former will likely continue this season. Whether or not the latter flips to more consistently positive outcomes will determine if that gamble was worth it.
