Can we have a "Pass of the Year" candidate in the preseason?
Nikola Jokic made the case for one with a cross-court, behind-the-back pass from one corner to the other, landing right in Cameron Johnson's shooting pocket — this is wizardry.
If Jokic, Jamal Murray and Aaron Gordon can largely stay healthy this season — and especially if Johnson can find his groove again — Denver is going to be a problem in the West.
A 4-month-old giant otter (Pteronura brasiliensis) swims at the Cali Zoo in Cali, Colombia on January 19, 2026. (Photo by Joaquín SARMIENTO / AFP via Getty Images) | AFP via Getty Images
Last time I checked, we were celebrating. Turns out, we’re now back to watching games take place again! Not Knicks on Friday Night, but hey, the boys can only play when they tell them to, and I won’t complain. Links and things today, quotes (probably) tomorrow.
Karl-Anthony Towns made it very clear on Monday morning that he and the New York Knicks aren’t even remotely close to agreeing to a contract extension at this point.
“Simply put, I want to do something to keep the team together and can work with the Knicks and also values me. And none of those things are close to happening.
“(Reaching an agreement before the start of the regular season) doesn’t look good.
“No s–t Sherlock (an extension shouldn’t be understood as a reward for last season). I just won a championship. You’d think it was pretty easy. Unless you guys (reporters) think I have something else to prove.”
JUST IN: Karl-Anthony Towns reiterated that he's not close to an extension agreement.
“Simply put – I want to do something to keep the team together and can work with the Knicks and also values me. And none of those things are close to happening.”
More on that inside the newsletter, but here’s a summary for the lazy: the Knicks enter the season with the highest preseason over/under win total in the Eastern Conference for the first time since 1993, with sportsbooks setting them around 52.5 to 53.5 wins, but New York has finished with the East’s No. 1 seed only four times in franchise history and hasn’t done it since 1993. Something has to give, doesn’t it?
Nitty-gritty breakdown of KAT’s contract situation by The Athletic’s Fred Katz and how it could eventually have major implications for Miles McBride’s future in New York.
Carmelo Anthony believes neither LeBron James, Joel Embiid or Jaylen Brown should remain the central figure in Philadelphia after the Sixers’ blockbuster offseason.
Speaking of Good Ol’ James, he’s dealing with chronic arthritis in his left foot. I mean, yeah, we all age, you know what I’m saying?
Giannis Antetokounmpo made it clear he still has “five, six good years” remaining in his career, all of which would probably go for nothing while the Heat remain in cap hell without a strong-enough roster around the Greek. Hooray!
Old-man-yelling-at-a-cloud Cedric Ceballos argued last year that Stephen Curry wouldn’t have been given the same freedom to launch extremely deep 3-pointers in his era and would never have become a great hooper, let alone the man who changed basketball, and recently explained his take. Not sure it convinces me.
Cedric Ceballos got COOKED for saying Steph Curry couldn’t play in the ’90s 😳
CLEVELAND, OH - SEPTEMBER 28: James Harden #1 of the Cleveland Cavaliers poses for a portrait during NBA media day on September 28, 2026 at Rocket Mortgage FieldHouse 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. Mandatory Copyright Notice: Copyright 2026 NBAE (Photo by Lauren Leigh Bacho/NBAE via Getty Images) | NBAE via Getty Images
James Harden is arguably the most divisive member of the Cleveland Cavaliers. For all his talent, there is a track record of a player who loses patience quickly with his team. After acquiring him for fan favorite Darius Garland, Cleveland chose to buy into the full Harden experience, with everything that comes with it.
Cleveland and Harden agreed to a three-year, $97 million deal this offseason. It felt like it had been done for a while, but Harden, to his credit, waited to sign until the Cavaliers completed their big offseason swing: acquiring Peyton Watson in a sign-and-trade with the Denver Nuggets.
Harden is content when his team is stable, in a state he considers contention-ready, while also having a good contract. Theoretically, he has all of those things now. Cleveland knew the risks that come with him lately and took that swing at last year’s trade deadline anyway. Now, as the Cavaliers and Harden enter their second season together, the question is what the partnership looks like with a full runway.
There wasn’t much time last season for Harden to learn the offense and build rapport with his teammates. Across the regular season and playoffs, he suited up for 44 games. He averaged 20.5 points, 8 assists and 4.8 rebounds in the regular season, and in the playoffs those numbers dipped to roughly 19/5/5.
For all the negativity directed at Harden in the series against the New York Knicks, there is a legitimate case that he was, at worst, the second-best Cavalier of the postseason. His performances in Games 4 and 5 against the Detroit Pistons and Games 2 and 5 against the Toronto Raptors get lost in the conversation, which fixates instead on Jalen Brunson hunting him on defense.
The extension carries Cleveland to Harden’s 39th birthday, and contracts like that rarely age well. But Cleveland has been chasing a championship for the past few years, and for a team in a win-now window, the back end of the deal is a problem for later.
The focus for 2026-27 is whether Cleveland can best use Harden as the offense’s de facto operator. On paper, he has thrived beside other ball-dominant guards, most notably Chris Paul in Houston. The harder question is how Kenny Atkinson fits him next to Donovan Mitchell, Cleveland’s other All-NBA guard. Who initiates the offense? Do they stagger minutes so one is always on the floor creating, or play together and let Mitchell work off the ball? And with two high-usage guards, who takes the toughest backcourt defensive assignment?
If the answers are right, the payoff is significant. By commanding so much attention on the ball, Harden can make life easier not only for Mitchell but also for Evan Mobley and Jarrett Allen, and he has a long history of elevating teammates and setting up role players.
Cleveland’s best chance to get the most out of Harden is this upcoming season. Whether or not they do — and whether the Cavs can advance at least as far as they did in the playoffs this past season — will go a long way in determining if this trade and contract extension are viewed as a successful gamble.
Jimmy Butler has played alongside a lot of talented teammates across 16 NBA seasons, but none of them compare to the one he has now.
Speaking with NBC Sports Bay Area’s Kerith Burke at Warriors Media Day on Sept. 28, Butler was asked to reflect on the kind of longevity most athletes only dream about as he enters his 16th year in the league.
“My knee aches a little bit, but outside of that, I feel amazing,” Butler said, referencing his ongoing recovery from a torn ACL. “I’m super blessed to be able to play for some amazing organizations with some Hall of Fame players, and I can say I am probably with the greatest player that I’ve ever played with right now on this team, for the greatest organization. So, 16 years in, to end up over here with the Warriors — couldn’t ask for a better story.”
The claim carries real weight, given the group Butler is including Curry in. Drafted No. 30 overall by the Chicago Bulls in 2011, Butler shared a locker room with Derrick Rose during his six seasons in Chicago, later played alongside Karl-Anthony Towns in Minnesota and Joel Embiid in Philadelphia, and spent six seasons paired with Bam Adebayo in Miami, reaching two NBA Finals along the way.
Calling Curry the best of that entire group is not a passing compliment — it is Butler ranking him above a roster of All-Stars and franchise cornerstones he has played with across four different organizations.
Butler joined the Warriors via trade during the 2024-25 NBA season and since has become one of Golden State’s most reliable two-way pieces when healthy, pairing with Curry and Draymond Green to form one of the more experienced cores in the league.
As he continues working back from the ACL injury that ended his season prematurely, Butler’s message was clear — of everywhere he has been and everyone he has played with, this is the version of his career he considers the best story yet.
PHILADELPHIA, PA - OCTOBER 3: Tyrese Maxey #0 plays defense on VJ Edgecombe #77 of the Philadelphia 76ers during practice on October 3, 2026 at the Wells Fargo Center 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 Jesse D. Garrabrant/NBAE via Getty Images) | NBAE via Getty Images
After about as special an offseason as any Sixers fan can remember, the team will be out on the floor Monday night as they host the defending champion New York Knicks.
It’s hard to preview much of this one because we don’t know who will play. The Sixers are relatively healthy as we saw during the Blue X White Scrimmage on Saturday. Nick Nurse said last week he wanted to see all the starters during the preseason at some point, but he wasn’t sure when that would happen.
The Sixers are in a unique and tricky spot. On one hand, they need as many reps as possible given literally half the roster is new. The starters will especially need time together to see how it all works with Tyrese Maxey, VJ Edgecombe, Jaylen Brown, LeBron James and Joel Embiid. Then again, it’s a long season, and they’ll need James and Embiid to be as healthy as possible for when the games start to matter. Perhaps we’ll learn more at shootaround or when Nurse talks pregame.
As we’re all painfully aware, the Knicks are coming off a dominant run to their first championship since 1973. Unlike the Sixers, their group has been together so long, building early chemistry likely isn’t as important as making sure they’re all healthy after a long summer. Jalen Brunson is fully cleared after undergoing left wrist surgery back in July. Again, though, you’d have to imagine the Finals MVP and his shooting wrist will be eased into action.
It should still be a fun night at Xfinity Mobile Arena. You should get to see newcomers like Dean Wade and former Knick Ariel Hukporti, who will both potentially have big roles this season. Rookie Labaron Philon, who could push for minutes this year, will also get a taste of higher level NBA competition.
It does seem more likely we’d get to see the full starting five, including James and Embiid, at home than on the road, but we’ll just have to wait and see.
Update: 1:53 p.m. ET: Sixers fans will in fact not see the full new starting five in the preseason opener, but they will see some new faces. Tony Jones of the Athletic has reported that LeBron James, Tyrese Maxey, Joel Embiid, Anfernee Simons, Dominick Barlow and Adem Bona are all out for the preseason opener vs. the Knicks.
There is no reason to be concerned about those first three names, they were always going to have a light preseason. Simons and Barlow both sat out the Blue and White scrimmage over the weekend, it seems they’ve picked up some training camp bumps and bruises, but the team hasn’t officially announced any injury for either player. Bona of course sprained his foot over the summer and the team hopes he will be back soon.
So while 60% of the starting lineup will sit this one out, it will be worth tuning in to see Jaylen Brown’s first game as a Sixer. With Simons out as well, rookie Labaron Philon Jr. should get a lot of run in this one as well.
LeBron James, Tyrese Maxey, Joel Embiid and Anfernee Simons and Dominick Barlow and Adem Bona are all OUT tonight for the Philadelphia 76ers against the New York Knicks in the Sixers’ preseason opener
HONOLULU, HI - OCTOBER 4: Keaton Wagler #1 of the LA Clippers shoots the ball during the game against the Golden State Warriors during the 2026 NBA Preseason game on October 4, 2026 at Bankoh Arena at Stan Sheriff Center in Honolulu, Hawaii. 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 2025 NBAE (Photo by Jay Metzger/NBAE via Getty Images) | NBAE via Getty Images
Keaton Wagler’s NBA preseason debut did not go exactly according to plan, but the former Illini guard made sure it ended on a high note.
Wagler made his preseason debut Sunday with the Los Angeles Clippers, helping his new team defeat the Golden State Warriors 104-101 in Hawaii.
The No. 5 overall pick in the 2026 NBA Draft finished with 15 points, six rebounds, three assists, two steals and one block in 30 minutes off the bench.
Wagler went just 3-for-15 from the field and 1-for-11 from three-point range. But he stayed aggressive all night and delivered the biggest shot of the game.
With the Clippers trailing 101-100, Wagler created space for himself and knocked down a 19-foot step-back jumper with 14 seconds remaining to give Los Angeles the lead for good.
It was a fitting moment for the former Illinois star, who earned Big Ten Freshman of the Year honors and averaged 17.9 points, 5.1 rebounds and 4.2 assists during his lone season in Champaign.
Nets fans sat through two tanking seasons — and suffered through almost 120 losses — to land first Egor Dëmin and then Mikel Brown Jr. as the payoff.
It’s no surprise, then, that those fans have pinned their hopes on the pair of 20-year-olds as the backcourt of the future and the foundation of their franchise.
With their preseason about to tip off Tuesday at Charlotte, what message did Dëmin and Brown — the latter coming off an ankle injury, and just now cleared for some contact — have for their fans?
“[Just] that we’re going to try to win every single day, whether it’s a game or practice or whatever it is,” Dëmin said at Sunday’s Nets Fest. “And all we need from them is support and being there for us and not against us.”
Brooklyn Nets guard Egor Demin (8) talks with media at the Brooklyn Nets HSS Training Center in Brooklyn, N.Y., Monday, Sept. 28, 2026. IMAGN IMAGES via Reuters Connect
As hard as it may be for the Nets to flip the switch from the lottery and losing, it might be just as hard for their fans. Every victory was greeted with rampant panic from the tank-obsessed fanbase.
This season should be different.
“My message is just, 1) show out. Come to the game, pack it out, because we need all the help that we can get, all the love that we can get for one,” Brown said. “And then 2) I’m gonna keep saying it, I feel like we’re gonna shock the world.
“I really do feel like we’re going to shock the world with this team and this group of guys that we got.”
Even before the Nets dove headlong into a tank, the Barclays Center crowd all too often felt like a neutral court, if not like playing on the road when a contender like the Warriors or Lakers, Celtics or Knicks came to Brooklyn.
But Dëmin and Brown represent at least a chance to somewhat change that. If they do their jobs, of course.
During Nets Fest at Major R. Owens Health & Wellness Community Center, no players were more surrounded and mobbed by young fans than them. When Dëmin hit a go-ahead 3-pointer with 3.6 seconds left in overtime vs. Orlando on Jan. 7, it brought the loudest roar from a Nets crowd in years.
Brooklyn Nets’ Mikel Brown Jr. looks on during practice at the HSS Training Center, Tuesday, Sept. 29, 2026, in Brooklyn, N.Y. Corey Sipkin for the NY POST
As not only a homegrown player but one of the two lottery picks the team tanked for, Dëmin fully grasps why fans gravitated toward himself and Brown and understands the responsibility that comes with it.
“I’m not taking that for granted. That’s the honor to be a part of that. Being able to experience that, and be a part of their community that really cheers and really roots for us, that’s very special for me,” Dëmin said. “That’s one of my biggest motivations is to keep bringing people joy — for all of us, me and the whole team in general. Those moments are definitely very, very, very special.”
Brown never experienced that weird vibe that Dëmin had as a rookie, with wins treated as losses. But after the Nets tanked last season to wind up with the No. 6 pick used on Brown, the rookie can’t wait to make his debut and represent Brooklyn, whether that comes Tuesday or at a later date.
“I don’t look at this as pressure. I just feel like people that love you for who you are. The burden of playing for this city, I wouldn’t even call it pressure; it’s a privilege,” Brown said. “It’s a privilege to be able to represent the city and represent all those fans out there.”
It’s unclear when Brown will get his first chance. He was cleared for contact right ahead of the preseason opener on the road. The regular season opener is Oct. 21 at home against those same Hornets they face Tuesday.
“I’m getting back on the court, and I’m moving way better. I’m starting to get to full speed now, starting to get a little bit of contact in as of right now in my workouts and stuff like that,” Brown said. “But as of now, I’m just leaning on my performance staff to put me in the best situation possible.”
MIAMI, FL - MARCH 12: Kel'el Ware #7 of the Miami Heat drives to the basket during the game against the Milwaukee Bucks on March 12, 2026 at Kaseya Center in Miami, 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. Mandatory Copyright Notice: Copyright 2026 NBAE (Photo by Issac Baldizon/NBAE via Getty Images) | NBAE via Getty Images
Kel’el Ware is one of Milwaukee’s most exciting pieces after the Giannis trade. A 7’0” center who turned 22 in April, Ware showed flashes of high-level athleticism, brute physicality, and floor spacing that could make him one of the league’s best bigs in no time. In his second season, Ware averaged 11.1 PPG and 9.0 RPG on .530/.395/.740 shooting splits while averaging 2.0 stocks per contest.
Ware has the physical ability to break down opposing defences, given his height and 250-pound frame. That strength comes into play when he battles for rebounds, sets iron-hard screens, or backs down opposing centers in the paint. Moreover, he has surprising mobility and foot speed, while his 7’5” wingspan also proves invaluable when defending in the post and blocking shots.
Ware’s physical abilities translated decently well into production throughout his first two seasons in Miami. For one, he quickly became one of the league’s premier rebounders. His three-point volume also skyrocketed to match his red-hot shooting—about 36% of his field-goal attempts came from beyond the three-point line; he not only has the confidence to pull it from deep, but he can also convert those shots dependably. Ware’s three-point shot even made him a threat coming off screens, and he was dangerous barreling down the paint when rolling.
Ware was also an above-average defender for the Heat last year. He ranked 11th in block percentage (4.4%) and has the mobility to handle perimeter players. However, the big man occasionally struggled against the pick-and-roll, and more physical opposing centres sometimes exploited him. Additionally, as Jack has chronicled, concerns remain about Ware’s mentality and maturity; the young center frequently butted heads with head coach Erik Spoelstra in Miami.
On the positive side, though, Ware’s contract is also valuable for Milwaukee. As a high-upside young center, he is worth far more than the $4.7m cap hit the Bucks took to bring him to the Cream City. Milwaukee also holds a $7.1m team option for the 2027-28 season before he enters restricted free agency in the summer of ‘28. All in all, Ware is already a versatile piece that any head coach would love; he will be a breakout candidate this season for sure.
And it’s all come down to Rollins or Herro. Remember, this vote is for who is second.
DETROIT, MI - JANUARY 18: Devin Booker #1 of the Phoenix Suns handles the ball during the game against the Detroit Pistons on January 18, 2025 at Little Caesars Arena in Detroit, Michigan. 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 2025 NBAE (Photo by Chris Schwegler/NBAE via Getty Images) | NBAE via Getty Images
Suns basketball is back! Starting today until at least early April, Phoenix will have at least one game a week to entertain Arizona fans, tipping things off tonight when they head to Michigan to face the Detroit Pistons.
Here are the three main questions we want your thoughts on with preseason finally here
Preseason strategy
While NBA teams aren’t as cautious as NFL squads are when the games don’t count, no team puts the investments into winning a preseason game like they do to win a regular-season game. This means that many players sit out games and don’t play the entire preseason slate, and many key contributors will sit out at least one leg of a back-to-back. I think it’s more likely that the Cardinals win the Super Bowl than Steph Curry plays both games of the Golden State Warriors’ back-to-back this week.
That being said, we have seen varying levels of playing time from the Suns and their key contributors in the preseason. How much do you want to see the main players playing this time around, and what benefit do you think it will provide?
Who needs to impress
With the Suns’ roster sitting at 21, six players will not make the roster. While players like Devin Booker, Dillon Brooks, and Jalen Green are locks, unproven guys like CJ Huntley, Phillip Wheeler, and Koby Brea are not and are in legitimate danger of not making the roster.
Of the players who are on the bubble to make the team, who needs to make the biggest impression to get a spot on the roster, and what do they need to show you in preseason for you to believe in them?
What new guy are you excited to see most?
The Phoenix Suns kept their core from their surprising 2025-2026 campaign mostly intact, but they added three new players who are set to play three distinct roles this year.
Miles Bridges, who was traded for Grayson Allen, Royce O’Neale, and draft compensation, is set to start at the power forward spot alongside Devin Booker, Jalen Green, Dillon Brooks, and either Oso Ighodaro or Khaman Maluach at center. Luke Kennard, who is coming off arguably the best season of his career, which included a 27-point playoff game for the Lakers, is set to replace Allen as the marksman off the bench. Koa Peat, drafted 30th overall out of Arizona, adds to the young core that Phoenix is looking to build around the margins while being thin on draft assets. He looks to play a lot of minutes alongside many of the other young members of the team, both in the NBA and in the G League this season.
Of the three key additions the team made this offseason, who are you most excited to watch in the preseason and why?
On the Suns’ Plate This Week
After playing the Pistons tonight at 4:00 pm AZ time, they’ll head to Chicago to face the Bulls on Wednesday at 5:00 pm AZ time and then will have their preseason home opener on Friday at 7:30 pm AZ time against Victor Wembanyama and the San Antonio Spurs.
INGLEWOOD, CA - APRIL 7: Max Christie #00 of the Dallas Mavericks looks on during the game against the LA Clippers on April 7, 2026 at Intuit Dome in Los Angeles, California. NOTE TO USER: User expressly acknowledges and agrees that, by downloading and/or using this Photograph, user is consenting to the terms and conditions of the Getty Images License Agreement. Mandatory Copyright Notice: Copyright 2026 NBAE (Photo by Tyler Ross/NBAE via Getty Images) | NBAE via Getty Images
The Dallas Mavericks are less than a month away from the start of the 2026-2027 regular season. With that comes year-two Cooper Flagg, the return of Kyrie Irving, the eventual return of Dereck Lively and a handful of new faces from overseas. Within that mix is the last remnant from the Luka Doncic trade: Max Christie.
Perhaps lost between the excitement of Flagg’s rookie year and the sideways tank of a 26-win season, was a very solid 2025-2026 campaign for Christie. He played in 77 games with 68 starts. Across those appearances, he shot 50.2% on two-point attempts and 40.4% from beyond the arc. Even more than his 3-point shooting percentage, his willingness to get them up was a bright spot as well. Christie paired the second-best 3-point shooting clip of his career with the most attempts per game of his career (5.8; more than a shot higher than his previous high). At 12.3 points per game, Christie had probably the best year of his young career, especially considering the state of change around the team last season.
The big question
The big question for Christie is whether or not he can take the next step. Coming off a solid season — arguably his best — this year will be a big one in determining if Christie can manage a leap in productivity. One thing that is often forgotten about Christie is that he is only 23 (and not turning 24 until February). He is barely entering his prime, but has already established a strong foundation of continuous improvement. Can he take the next big step forward, and will he do so this year?
Best case scenario
The best-case scenario for Christie is that he outright replaces Klay Thompson. Please don’t misconstrue that statement. I am not suggesting that Christie replaces one of the greatest shooters of all time this coming season. I am suggesting that his best-case scenario is that he becomes the team’s No. 1 3-point threat and commands his own gravity over the opposing defense. To do this, he will need to a) play a few more minutes per game (up from 29.1 last season), b) consistently hit 40% or more from deep and, c) shoot at least six 3-pointers per game. None of this should be out of the question, as he was already right there last season. If he can maintain accuracy with another attempt or two per game, that will be a very dangerous combination.
Worst case scenario
The worst-case scenario is that Christie doesn’t fit within the coaching overhaul the Mavericks have undergone. Assuming he gets the same minutes and opportunities he got last year at the start of this season, he should be fine. Thompson is gone, so Christie’s biggest competition at shooting guard is probably Zaccharie Risacher, who will also play other positions on the court. If Christie simply isn’t a Dusty May guy and/or struggles from the outset, that would be the worst-case scenario for a player poised to make a leap on what has been continual, gradual improvement since he entered the league.
Season Goal
Christie needs to avoid becoming a one-trick pony. His 3-point shooting is critical, sure. That said, he can’t simply live behind the arc waiting for the ball to find him. Part of what will give him a little added gravity will be development in the mid-range game and improving on the drive. Christie showed flashes of this for a stretch of games last season, then fell back into waiting at the 3-point arc. If the 3-ball isn’t falling on a given night and you have nothing else to fall back on, you’re cooked. Christie absolutely has the skills to drive to the hoop and pull up for mid-range shots (again, he shot over 50% inside the arc last year). He just needs to make sure he attacks at all levels this coming season.
Overall
Christie has a great opportunity to cement himself as the go-to starter at shooting guard this season and beyond. The team is forward-heavy, Thompson is in Miami, and even the return of Irving shouldn’t force him out (provided Flagg isn’t the primary point guard). Christie is right there as one of the best shooters on the team and he may only get better as time goes on. If he can consistently feature some versatility in his game, it’s not unreasonable to think he can average 15-17 points per game this season. He fits the timeframe of the team’s young core and could find himself being a big part of the franchise going forward if things go right.
I invite you to follow me @_80MPH on X, and check back often at Mavs Moneyball for all the latest on the Dallas Mavericks.
DALLAS, TEXAS - JANUARY 15: Naji Marshall #13 of the Dallas Mavericks is defended by Cody Williams #5 of the Utah Jazz during the first half at American Airlines Center on January 15, 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 Getty Images License Agreement. (Photo by Stacy Revere/Getty Images) | Getty Images
The Utah Jazz have spent the last few seasons collecting young talent without ever really focusing on winning. I think that changes this year.
Utah went 22-60 last season, but this roster looks completely different. They moved up to No. 2 in the draft. They landed Darryn Peterson, added Josh Green, Jaxson Hayes, and Josh Okogie, re-signed Jusuf Nurkić, and already had Lauri Markkanen, Jaren Jackson Jr., Ace Bailey, and Keyonte George in place. Peterson is obviously the biggest addition, but there is enough NBA talent here now that another sub-30-win season would be hard to understand.
Utah Jazz: Over/Under 37.5 wins
Over: -110 Under: -120 To win an NBA Championship: +12500 To win Western Conference: +6000 To win Northwest Division: +7500
The case for the over starts with Peterson. I have extremely high expectations for him immediately. Utah did not just draft another developmental prospect. They drafted one of the best shot-makers in the class and someone I think can impact winning from Day 1. Put him next to Ace Bailey, who now gets another year of development, and suddenly Utah has two legitimate young building blocks instead of just a collection of prospects.
Then there is Markkanen. Health has obviously been the issue, but when he plays, he is still exactly the kind of offensive player you want around Peterson. He can shoot, score without dominating the ball, and punish defenses that load up on a primary creator. Jaren Jackson Jr. gives them another proven frontcourt piece, and even though I don’t love Keyonte George defensively, he averaged 23.6 points and 6.1 assists while shooting 37.1 percent from three. This roster has real scoring now.
Losing Walker Kessler hurts, but Utah at least attacked the position. Nurkić averaged 10.9 points, 10.2 rebounds, and 4.8 assists before his season ended, and Hayes gives them another athletic center who can run the floor and finish around the rim. It is not the same rim protection Kessler gave them, but I do not think the center spot ruins everything else they improved.
Thirty-eight wins is a massive jump from 22, but I honestly think Utah might have one of the biggest year-over-year improvements in basketball. Peterson, Bailey, Markkanen, and Jackson are a really compelling core if they stay healthy.
I am not ready to call them a playoff team, but they do not need to be one to hit this over.
Sunday, October 4, was my official kick off into the new season of the San Antonio Spurs.
From noon until 3pm, the organization held the second annual Gregg Popovich Coach the Coaches Clinic. Organized in part through the Positive Coach Alliance, they held a quick ice breaker before introducing Spurs head coach Mitch Johnson. Johnson spoke about the values of the program and the importance of sharing knowledge. He spoke of the inspiration behind the event, Gregg Popovich.
While Johnson was speaking, Pop was escorted onto the court by Brett Brown. Johnson thanked Pop and then asked him to share a few words.
In typical Pop fashion, he spoke little of basketball, humorously stating “to some degree, it’s all bull$h!t.” Instead, he spoke passionately about creating relationships. He shared how both Dejounte Murray and Derrick White had called him in the years since leaving San Antonio to share gratitude for what they learned during their time with the Spurs. Pop emphasized that the goal is to “sustain the culture whether you’re winning or losing.”
They started their presentations with Dr. Guy W. Nicolette, Director of Sports Medicine who set a tone regarding health and well-being as the primary goals of sports, coaching, and competition. There is a wealth of knowledge on how many young players get injured and how many burn out on sports early on due to the pressures of the modern game.
There were presentations by Mike Noyes, Director of Player Development, Assistant Development Coach Jimmy Barron, and Lead Assistant Coach Billy Donovan. Each utilized members of the Veterans Memorial Men’s Basketball who attended to support in demonstrations. Coaches attending represented all age groups from elementary to collegiate teams, and the staff did a wonderful job of incorporating skills and philosophies universal to players of all ages.
The entire presentation was a bout two hours, but it went by so quickly, you feel as if they are just scratching the surface at a much larger swatch of information.
There was a break for a couple of hours while the rest of the 14,000+ fans who were slowly lining up outside prepared to enter the Frost Bank Center for the annual Silver & Black Scrimmage. The teams played four 10-minute quarters with continuous clock (minus time outs and the last two minutes of each quarter).
The Silver & Black Scrimmage is a wonderful launch into the preseason. Fans can see starters, rotation guys, new draftees, and camp invitees playing in a similar way to how they scrimmage in daily practice. For the most part, it is a laid back look into the inner workings of the players and their dynamic. There is also some insight into their behind the scenes personalities.
For the second year in a row, Keldon Johnson served as MC while the draftees participated in karaoke for the crowd. Jayden Quaintance and Maliq Brown both performed Drake tunes, Ja’Kobi Gillespie sang Chris Brown, and Tarris Reed, Jr brought down the house with a rendition of the classic Bon Jovi tune “Living on a Prayer.” Keldon threw Carter Bryant into the mix and sang with him until Luke Kornet stole the mic and the spotlight. It really is obvious how much these players enjoy one another’s company. And it looks like the rooks have found their footing in an already tight-knit group.
Three more days until preseason. If the excitement when Victor Wembanyama slam dunked was any indication, this is going to be raucous season for Spurs and fans alike.
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DENVER, CO - OCTOBER 4: Nikola Jokic #15 of the Denver Nuggets prepares to shoot a free throw during the game against the Utah Jazz 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 Bart Young/NBAE via Getty Images) | NBAE via Getty Images
Denver Nugget star Nikola Jokic often gets compared to Larry Bird, which is only partly fair. The funny part is, when people talk about Bird, they often suggest that he would be too slow to play in today’s NBA, but Jokic is far slower than Bird ever was, and he’s doing just fine.
The primary reason they are compared is because both have phenomenal vision and passing skills. Bird had an ability to pass to people when his back was turned. Somehow, he always knew where everyone was on the court at all times.
Jokic has some of that too, as we see here: He’s in the corner near the bench, half-turned, when he whips a behind-the-back pass through the defense to former UNC player Cameron Johnson, who is alone deep in the opposite corner. Caught completely off-guard: Lauri Markkanen, Jusuf Nurkic, and Svi Mykhailiuk.
In our opinion, this is the rare play that Bird could not have made. Why?
Because to move a ball that far, that fast, behind your back, takes a lot more strength than Bird had. But if you’d told Bird that, the basketball sociopath would have just told you that he didn’t need to do that because he had plenty of other options. Then he would have told you what he was going to do to you, and then done it, and taunted you afterwards because you couldn’t even stop what you knew was coming.
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HOUSTON, TEXAS - SEPTEMBER 22: Fred Vanvleet #5 of the Houston Rockets speaks with the media during the Houston Rockets Media Day at Hilton Americas-Houston on September 22, 2026 in Houston, Texas. (Photo by Kenneth Richmond/Getty Images) | Getty Images
As the Houston Rockets headed into the 2025-2026 season, the biggest question is how Kevin Durant will fit with his new team. The Rockets made the biggest move of that offseason when they traded Jalen Green and Dillon Brooks for the future Hall of Famer.
With the move, the Rockets were expected to be a favorite in the 25-26 season, bringing back three of their five starters and coming off their first playoff appearance since 2020. Adding Durant, Alperen Sengun, Jabari Smith, and Fred VanVleet should have given the Rockets one of the NBA’s best starting lineups. But that’s not what happened for the Rockets last season.
As the Rockets prepared to start day one of their 2025 training camp, VanVleet suffered a major injury during an offseason workout. At the time, no one knew if it would be season-ending, but the Rockets realized VanVleet would be out for a long time, at the very least. The Rockets prepared as if VanVleet would not see the floor for at least the entire regular season.
As the season went on, two things became clear to everyone following the Rockets. First, the Rockets lacked a suitable replacement for their veteran point guard. The Rockets at times had Reed Sheppard take over as the starting point guard, but for the most part, Amen Thompson was the lead guard, a position he did play frequently before entering the NBA.
Despite both players’ progress throughout the season, it wasn’t always enough to help the Rockets win games. That led Ime Udoka and his staff to improvise by having Durant or Sengun initiate the offense at the top of the key, with mixed results. The Rockets struggled in close games and in the playoffs as teams increasingly blitzed their ball handlers throughout the season.
That’s exactly why the Rockets brought VanVleet in via free agency a few years ago: they needed someone who could orchestrate the offense and limit turnovers. VanVleet has done that since joining the team, especially in his first season, when the Rockets finished with one of their best seasons in years, and he took care of the ball.
The Rockets ranked 24th in turnovers last season, their worst ranking since VanVleet joined the team. The previous season, when VanVleet was in the lineup, the Rockets ranked 15th with over a full turnover less per game. Although VanVleet wasn’t seen as a typical point guard before coming to the Rockets, he proved he could be a pass-first guard, posting a career-high in assists in his first season with the team.
Another area that VanVleet will help the Rockets this upcoming season is from beyond the arc. Despite a down season from the 3-point range in 2024-25, VanVleet has a career average of 37.1% from downtown, and with the addition of Durant, he is expected to bounce back from that .345 average he shot that season.
SB Nation asked VanVleet about the benefits of being a veteran, and even though he hadn’t played with Durant before, they should hit the ground running because of their experience.
I asked Fred even though him and Kevin did not play together last season will both of them being vets will make it a lot easier to hit the ground running this season.
“Kevin is probably maybe the greatest plug and play guy y’all find He can play in any system any court any team… pic.twitter.com/5HXMXuAiup
Another positive of having VanVleet back on the court is that it puts everyone back in their normal position, specifically Thompson. Thompson has thrived in the NBA playing at the dunker spot from his forward position. Last season, as mentioned earlier, Thompson had to play a lot more lead guard, which at times slowed down his offensive output. Now he can play more off-ball, which should lead to a career year on offense.
Another plus is that the Rockets bench should be much better than its league-worst ranking last season. The additions of veterans like Marcus Smart and Bogdan Boganovich will defintely help, and having Sheppard and Tari Eason off the bench will help too, since they won’t have to start games with VanVleet back.
Of course, VanVleet’s return won’t solve all of the Rockets’ issues. They still have to shoot better overall as a team, communicate better on the defensive end, play at a faster pace, and have better team chemistry, but getting their on- and off-court leader back this season will make everyone’s life a alot easier than last season.
