Category: NBA

It takes a big man to admit when they are wrong about something. Hand up, I was wrong about the Cleveland Cavaliers after the James Harden trade of last year. Now, in fairness to me, the Cavs drew perhaps the softest possible playoff draw that they could. But even then, a very flawed Raptors team took them the distance, and Jalen Duren couldn’t stop vomiting all over himself for long enough to help Cade Cunningham and the Pistons take advantage of their opportunity.

So alas, the Cavs made the East Finals and proceeded to be dump trucked by the Knicks. It is surely progress from the results sense, as the Cavs hadn’t made an East Finals since the LeBron days of the late 2010’s. But, it never felt like they were serious about contending for anything. This year marks a real fork in the road moment for basically everyone in the Cavaliers organization. There is real pressure to win big, or else the winds of change will begin blowing in full force.

Cleveland Cavaliers: Over/Under 48.5 wins (-105/-120)

Last season: 52-30, lost in four games to the Knicks in the East Finals

Key additions: Peyton Watson (via Denver), Meleek Thomas (NBA Draft), Mario Hezonja (Euro League)

Key losses: Max Strus (Clippers), Dean Wade (Sixers), Dennis Schroeder (Hornets)

The Cavs have their proverbial chips in the middle of the table. They have doubled and tripled down on this roster, as they extended James Harden this offseason and refused to listen on calls for Evan Mobley and Jarrett Allen. Peyton Watson comes in from Denver after his contract dispute, and they are banking on him taking the leap and fulfilling the flashes of promise that he has shown.

To be blunt about it, I think the Cavs are extremely volatile in both the positive and negative connotations. There are worlds where everything fits, this team wins mid-to-upper 50’s regular season games and is exactly what they think they can be. But at the same time, this thing could really go off the rails. I worry about the lack of shooting across the roster. All of their guys have been given so many chances in the playoffs, just to always come up short. And to top it all off, I don’t believe that Kenny Atkinson is a coach that can get any team to the mountaintop, let alone one with this many potential hurdles.

Prediction: Under 48.5 wins (-120)

Welcome to our Lakers Season Preview Series! For the next several weeks, we’ll be writing columns every weekday breaking down the biggest questions we have about every player the Lakers added this offseason. Today, we look at Walker Kessler.

Heading into the summer, the top item on the Lakers’ to-do list was to find the big man of the future.

Multiple attempts at make-do options left the team wanting more by season’s end. Patchwork solutions for a position so vital with Luka Dončić on the roster would no longer suffice, so the Lakers had to make their move.

After some deliberation or bluffing — or a mix of both — Walker Kessler was the center the team pulled the trigger on, paying a premium for a big man with still lots of questions surrounding him.

It was a bet on what Kessler could become, both alongside Luka and in a bigger role. It’s a bet the Lakers can’t afford to be wrong about either. No player on the roster has more pressure on them to perform this season than Kessler. A haul of draft picks sent out and a big new contract with his signature puts him squarely in the spotlight and at the center, figuratively and literally, of the Lakers’ future.

What is his best-case scenario?

It turns out the franchise focused entirely on losing games in recent seasons wasn’t the best place for young players to thrive.

Given freedom and direction while being empowered by the franchise, Kessler blossoms. While he isn’t a high-flying lob-catcher, his crushing screens and finishing around the rim are more than enough to make him a positive offensive force.

But his biggest value will come on the defensive end where he anchors a team that has sorely needed one. In the post-Anthony Davis era, the Lakers have cycled through many bigs, none of which could protect the rim.

Kessler comes in and provides head coach JJ Redick with a solution on that end of the floor, which gives the Lakers a margin for error that hasn’t existed defensively for most of the last two seasons. Gone are the need for switch-heavy or zone defenses, as Kessler can defend the interior and, nearly equally important, help finish possessions with rebounds.

The two aspects of his game that few question are his ability defensively and his rebounding. Those are two areas the Lakers struggled last season and are welcome additions this year.

Add it all up, and Kessler’s performance not only establishes him as the team’s center of the future, it also solidifies the Lakers as a contender on the rise.

What is his worst-case scenario?

Given a bigger role with bigger expectations, Kessler isn’t able to meet the moment.

Offensively, his inability to be an above-the-rim finisher and his overall lack of athleticism mean he never quite clicks with Luka in the pick-and-roll. Akin to Deandre Ayton last season, while there are moments of success, the chemistry never really clicks between the two, which is paramount for the future of the franchise.

Defensively, it’s all a bit too much for Kessler. Tasked with leading a defense of a contending team, Kessler is unable to be the anchor the team needs. Instead of elevating players around him on that end, he still needs talent around him to make an impact.

Overall, it all feels like he’s been put in a role that’s too big. Making the jump from one of the worst teams in the league to the spotlight of playing in LA will challenge any player and Kessler is no different.

The threat of injury could factor into any player’s worst-case scenario, but it’s something that already has slowed Kessler in the past.

Obviously, his 2025-26 season was cut short after just five games due to an injury. He played 58 games in the 2024-25 season due to some late-season injuries/tanking. It’s enough of a track record that no one would be surprised if it popped up again this season, even if it would still be disappointing.

What is his most likely role on the team?

Assuming health, it feels like there’s a decent floor from Kessler this season, particularly defensively. He should be able to stabilize the Lakers on that end, letting them be more aggressive and rely less on gimmicky defense like zones or heavy switching.

Offensively, Luka can make just about any center look viable. Kessler will need to build that chemistry not just with him, but with Austin Reaves. Much of his potential impact depends on that and if it comes, he also has a relatively high floor because he can finish what will be easy buckets around the rim.

Bringing in Kessler was a gamble, but the Lakers had a long time to calculate it. They chose him over Jalen Duren this summer, so the team clearly sees something in him.

If they’re right, it catapults them into the future. If they’re wrong…let’s just hope they’re right.

You can follow Jacob on Twitter at @JacobRude or on Bluesky at @jacobrude.bsky.social.

If this offseason for the Detroit Pistons was a plane ride, you’d call it an eventful one.

There has been turbulence, with the front office missing out on players they thought could fit the team’s present and future. They’ve also moved on from two players who were foundational pieces of their identity in Tobias Harris and Isaiah Stewart.

Above all, they still haven’t been able to land the plane on a Jalen Duren contract that satisfies both sides.

At this rate, the stalemate could last into the season.

As the vibes continue to feel off in some ways, Detroit is now less than a month away from opening the NBA season against Boston at Little Caesars Arena. And while the Pistons have not gotten everything they wanted this offseason, Trajan Langdon and the front office are still doing their part to preserve a brighter future.

As the staring contest with Duren’s camp continued, Langdon did not waste any more time locking up another foundational piece. Detroit agreed to a five-year, $155 million rookie-scale extension with Ausar Thompson, securing his place alongside Cade Cunningham for the foreseeable future.

I’m sure the preference would have been to have Duren’s situation resolved first. Instead, Detroit moved forward without him.

And honestly, that’s refreshing.

Detroit still has leverage

So, do the Pistons still have leverage in the negotiations?

Yes.

Duren is a restricted free agent, meaning Detroit retains the ability to match an offer sheet from another team. He can also accept a $9.6 million qualifying offer that would make him an unrestricted free agent next summer. That deadline is Oct. 1.

After averaging 19.5 points and 10.5 rebounds and earning Third Team All-NBA honors at just 22 years old, Duren became eligible for a five-year maximum extension with Detroit worth a projected $287 million.

But the market has not materialized around that number.

Detroit’s reported offer yesterday is in the neighborhood of $200 million over five years, still well below Duren’s maximum eligibility. And with teams operating under increasingly restrictive cap situations, there has not been an obvious market willing to meet the number Duren is seeking.

The Pistons are essentially betting on their evaluation of Duren rather than reacting to the pressure of losing him.

Langdon won’t budge

That, more than anything, is what gives me optimism about Detroit’s future.

Former front offices might have looked at Duren’s age, production and All-NBA selection and simply given him the money to make sure the situation disappeared before training camp.

Langdon hasn’t done that.

Detroit clearly wants Duren back – but they also appear unwilling to let the desire to keep him dictate the rest of their roster construction.

That’s important when you consider where this franchise is right now. Cunningham is entering his prime if not in it. Thompson is now under contract through the 2031-32 season. The Pistons have already started reshaping the roster around their young stars, and their biggest challenge is figuring out how to maximize the years in which Cunningham is playing at an elite level.

That requires discipline.

Paying Duren whatever he wants simply because he’s already here would remove some of that flexibility.

Business is business

Does the situation sting in the short term for everyone involved?

I’m sure it does.

The Pistons would love to have Duren back in the building, especially with a roster that has undergone significant turnover this offseason. They want him to continue building chemistry with Cunningham, Thompson and the rest of the young core.

And from Duren’s vantage point, it is easy to understand why the situation feels frustrating. He just put together the best season of his career, made his first All-Star team and earned Third Team All-NBA honors at 22 years old. From his perspective, those accomplishments provide a strong case for being paid accordingly.

At the same time, Detroit has to separate what Duren accomplished last season from what it believes he will become over the next five years.

That’s where the real disagreement lies.

The price of the max

Duren is eligible for a five-year deal worth up to a projected $287 million, a number that would require Detroit to make a massive investment in his development. There is certainly a world where that becomes the right decision. He is only 22 and has improved every season. His rebounding and finishing around the rim are already major strengths, and his offensive development has given Detroit reason to believe there is more there.

But paying the full maximum also means making a significant bet on his ability to become one of the league’s premier big men over the life of that contract.

That’s a different question than whether Duren is a good player – he’s already proven that.

The question is whether he will become good enough (particularly in the playoffs) to justify occupying that much of Detroit’s future salary structure.

And that’s exactly the question Langdon should be asking.

A stalemate with a purpose

So we’ll see how this ends.

There is still plenty of time for the two sides to find common ground, and Detroit has many reasons to want Duren back. But the longer the stalemate lasts, the more realistic the qualifying-offer route becomes. Duren would then bet on himself for one season before entering unrestricted free agency next summer.

That would be an uncomfortable outcome for everyone.

But it would also be a sign that Detroit is operating differently than it did during the lean years.

The Pistons aren’t simply trying to keep everyone happy anymore, they’re trying to build a sustainable contender around Cade Cunningham, and that means making difficult decisions about where every dollar goes.

Duren may ultimately be a major part of that future, but if Langdon believes the right number is lower than Duren’s camp does, he’s showing a willingness to wait rather than blink first.

For a franchise that has spent years making short-term decisions, that might be the most encouraging development of the entire offseason.

It did not take long for LeBron James to make his imprint on the Sixers’ roster construction. The last player Philadelphia signed to a standard contract this offseason was 13-year veteran and two-time NBA champion Kentavious Caldwell-Pope.

Most known for his stops with the Los Angeles Lakers and Denver Nuggets, KCP made his name as a prototypical 3-and-D wing that’s become so sought after in today’s game. The last two seasons haven’t been very kind to him. As the league’s backup plan to signing Paul George in the 2024 offseason, Caldwell-Pope landed with the Orlando Magic on a three-year, $66 million deal.

After one underwhelming season there, he was used as salary to acquire Desmond Bane from the Memphis Grizzlies. Last season in Memphis was one of the worst of his career. He averaged 8.4 points per game, his lowest since his rookie season. It had been 10 years since he shot as poorly as his 41% field goal percentage and 31% from three on 3.4 attempts per game. The Grizzlies bought out the final year of his contract, allowing him to sign with the Sixers for the veteran’s minimum.

It’s fair to note that Caldwell-Pope had surgery on his right pinky, ending his season in February. The procedure was to “address the misalignment of the finger.” We’ve become painfully aware around these parts of how a pinky injury can affect a player’s jumper.

So how much should the Sixers expect from a guy who’s washed out of his last two teams, signing on to chase one last ring? If the Sixers are getting the version of Caldwell-Pope that was in Orlando and Memphis, the answer is not very much. Caldwell-Pope’s minutes will of course come at the 2 or 3 position on the wing. That could mean he’s competing with Anfernee Simons, depending on how Nick Nurse shuffles his guards, as well as Justin Edwards and potentially Dean Wade.

Edwards has been a flat out better shooter than Caldwell-Pope his last two seasons. KCP’s reputation as a defender is far greater than anything Edwards has accomplished on that end so far, but he’s been less effective on that end as well as time catches up to him.

The hope for Caldwell-Pope having a bounce back season is simple: he’s been a substantially better player when sharing the floor with LeBron James or Nikola Jokic, and he’ll be teammates again with James this season.

The best stretch of KCP’s career spanned from 2018-19, when LeBron joined the Lakers, to 2023-24, his final season with the Nuggets. In those six seasons, even with a miscellaneous year on the Wizards sandwiched in between, he averaged 10.8 points, 2.7 rebounds, 1.9 assists and 1.1 steals per game. He shot 44% from the field and 39% from three on 4.5 attempts per game. He shot over 40% from three in three of those seasons after only shooting over 35% from three once before that.

The hack to unlocking Caldwell-Pope as a shooter is having one of the best passers of all time on your team. Luckily, the Sixers have already gone out and cleared that hurdle. Much like LeBron, Caldwell-Pope’s best years may be well behind him, but that doesn’t mean he can’t be of help.

At this point in his career, he should start the season far down the depth chart. Ideally, Edwards is ahead of him to start the year. If Caldwell-Pope is more of a regular in the rotation, it won’t be a disaster by any means. The weak points for this bench are at guard and potentially at center. The wings are going to be asked to take on a lot defensively, especially when and if they’re sharing the court with James.

If Caldwell-Pope is bringing competence to that end of the floor, it could make him someone Nurse depends on in that spot. Regardless of how the depth chart shakes out, he should get plenty of opportunity. Nurse is the type of coach that prefers veteran experience, and he is definitely going to do so with this roster’s aspirations.

How Steve Kerr convinced former NBA coach Frank Vogel to join Warriors staff originally appeared on NBC Sports Bay Area

Many have speculated that former NBA coach Frank Vogel only was being considered as a Warriors assistant to strengthen the team’s pursuit of LeBron James. That is not the case.

“LeBron and I still have a great relationship, so that may have been something that could’ve been enticing to him,” Vogel told the San Francisco Chronicle on Wednesday at Chase Center. “But whether we had LeBron or not – and we, from what I understand, felt like it was still a long shot to get him. So that was not the purpose in hiring me.”

During their three years together, Vogel and James won the COVID-19-shortened 2020 championship inside the NBA bubble in Orlando, Florida.

After one year as an assistant on the now-fired Jason Kidd’s Dallas Mavericks coaching staff, Vogel takes on a new challenge with the Warriors.

“Most scenarios or situations in the NBA, it would’ve been a ‘no’ for me to jump right back into another job,” Vogel said.

Head coach Steve Kerr was persistent in recruiting Vogel. He tried to get Vogel to join the staff back in 2024, but it wasn’t the right time for the former Suns head coach. Now two years later, it was too good of an opportunity for Vogel to pass up.

“Any team with Steph [Curry] and Draymond [Green] can win,” Vogel said. “They’ve just had injuries the last couple of years. That’s the only reason. So, that starting point alone gives you confidence that you can win at a high level.

The Warriors have suffered some unfortunate injuries over the last two seasons, with star forward Jimmy Butler sustaining a torn ACL midway through the 2025-26 campaign, and Curry, two years ago, with a hamstring strain during the Western Conference semifinals. Golden State feels it can compete with anybody when fully healthy.

“It wasn’t a fair fight for them, the last couple of years,” Vogel added, reflecting on Golden State’s run of injuries. “So hopefully we have some health, and some buy-in to a new defensive system that’ll help us be great.” If you can keep your head above water to start the season, those guys come back – now you become one of the most dangerous teams in the league. And you can have a very high ceiling.”

The defensive system Vogel refers to is going to take some adjustment on the players’ part. One big man, in particular, that Vogel feels can flourish is center Kristaps Porziņģis.

“I’m really excited about putting him in my defensive system,” Vogel stated. “Because there are a lot of details I believe in with my defensive system and how I use shot-blocking bigs that really get a lot out of ’em on that side, and I really look forward to putting KP in those spots.”

Green still will be the anchor on defense, as he has been for years. The role players all will have to step up, including rookie first-round draft pick Yaxel Lendeborg.

“Most rookies get overpowered early in their career,” Vogel said. “Ain’t nobody gonna punk this kid.”

At 6-foot-9, 250 pounds, Lendeborg will be a force to be reckoned with. Vogel wouldn’t have jumped back into coaching right away if he didn’t see the potential this group has.

If health stays on the Warriors’ side this season, Vogel could play a role in helping Curry and Green secure their fifth ring.

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Several rotational decisions warrant extensive conversations. For the Washington Wizards, starting point guard isn’t one of them.

In June, the Wizards signed Trae Young to a four-year, $212 million contract extension to serve as their starting PG for the 2026-27 season and beyond. He’s the team’s best distributor since Russell Westbrook. And they paid him like it.

Who backs Young up is the real question.

Will head coach Brian Keefe side with more traditional point guards like Bub Carrington or Tre Mann? Could Kyshawn George or Will Riley play a point-forward role?

Below, we examine the point guard position, with statistics and analysis of each option Keefe must weigh as training camp approaches.

The starter

As mentioned above, Young is the clear choice here. And for good reason.

The 28-year-old is a four-time NBA All-Star who’s just one season removed from averaging a league-best 11.6 assists per game. His career 9.8 assists per game ranks third all-time behind John Stockton (10.5) and Magic Johnson (11.2). That’s pretty good company.

An MCL sprain, a quad contusion and back irritation held Young to just five games after a January trade sent him to Washington for Corey Kispert and CJ McCollum. He averaged 15.2 points and 6.2 assists while shooting 59.5% from the field and 42.9% from 3-point range.

The Wizards’ 109.7 offensive rating ranked 29th last season. In just five games with Young, that figure rose to 114.3, tied for 16th best in the league.

Players like Bilal Coulibaly, a career 31% 3-point shooter, saw a spike in their efficiency thanks to the gravity and court vision Young brings. Coulibaly shot 41.4% (12-29) from 3-point range during that stretch.

Washington’s offense will run through Young, whose on-ball percentage peaked at 51.9% in 2021 and hadn’t dipped below 45% until last season. Furthermore, Young had a stretch from 2020-2025 in which he created more than 47 points per game, a figure that each year ranked in the 96th percentile or better among guards.

While the 6-foot-2 guard possesses elite PG tools, his defense was a primary reason Atlanta shopped him to the highest bidder. The stats tell the story.

Atlanta went from one of the league’s worst defenses (122.0 defensive rating) to a top-10 unit (112.9 defensive rating) after Young’s departure. Apart from contract concerns, the Hawks ran out of patience on the defensive end.

Washington believes surrounding Young with size and impactful individual defenders can mitigate his past defensive struggles. A frontcourt of Alex Sarr and Anthony Davis alongside perimeter defenders like Coulibaly and Kyshawn George is a good start.

Who backs up Young?

Carrington vs. Mann

This is where the conversation gets interesting because, on a roster filled with depth, Keefe must decide if development trumps winning.

A traditional battle centers around Carrington and Mann — two combo guards who’ve each played their fair share of NBA point guard.

Carrington, Washington’s No. 14 selection in the 2024 draft, was named the team’s opening-night starter before early struggles brought him to the bench just five games in. His inability to get two feet in the paint and break down defenses led to high turnover numbers (2.5 per game as a starter) and an inefficient Wizards offense.

But it wasn’t all bad for Carrington, who shot an impressive 40.8% from three on five attempts per contest. He also averaged nearly 11 points and five assists, which is a solid offensive season for a 20-year-old guard.

While Carrington’s court vision and decision-making require improvement, defense remains his greatest flaw. The Pitt product’s 125.7 defensive rating ranked dead last among qualified players last season, as did his -746 plus-minus rating.

Those numbers are inflated due to Washington’s rebuilding philosophy and Carrington once again playing in all 82 games. But his defense certainly needs to improve if he’s tabbed as the team’s backup PG.

Mann isn’t much different than his counterpart. If anything, his numbers indicate he’s a less efficient version of Carrington whose 32.3% clip on threes, 39% rate on twos and 1.6-to-1.0 assist-to-turnover ratio are those of a rather poor offensive player.

A point-forward in D.C.?

Forwards, now more than ever, are capable point guards.

Think LeBron James, Ben Simmons, Luka Doncic and other 6-foot-7 and taller forwards who, over the last decade, have headlined a shift in who qualifies as a point guard.

George (6-foot-8) and Riley (6-foot-9) fit into this realm. And each has proven worthy of minutes at the position.

Tasked with heavy on-ball minutes last season, George produced 4.5 assists and created 25 points per game. His ability to see over opposing defenses helped him navigate screens and find open shooters or rollers for easy buckets.

Riley showcased similar skills across the final 30 games of last season and two 2026 Las Vegas Summer League contests. Considering the Wizards’ battle for minutes, allowing George or Riley to run the second unit might be Keefe’s best option to get his nine or 10 best players on the floor every night.

If Young, Coulibaly, AJ Dybantsa, Davis and Sarr are the team’s starters, and Tre Johnson, Justin Champagnie and Deandre Ayton come off the bench, that leaves two potential openings between George, Riley, Carrington and Mann.

Does Washington fill those spots with the most deserving players, even if it means using a point-guard-by-committee approach during the non-Young minutes? Or do they task a more experienced guard to handle those responsibilities?

The decision rests with Keefe, with the season less than a month away.

Nicolas Batum announced his retirement from the NBA after 18 seasons on Monday, Sept. 21.

In a nearly 10-minute-long video posted to his Instagram account, the 37-year-old wing walked into Gym Even in Pont-l'Évêque, France – the same one where he started playing basketball exactly 35 years ago to the day on Sept. 21, 1991, when he was two-and a half years old, by his account. This time, Batum brought his son, Ayden, with him.

"You don't want me to retire?" Batum asked Ayden as they sat on the wooden bleachers.

"No," Ayden replied.

"Should I keep playing basketball?"

"Yes."

"No," Batum said with a sense of finality. "It's over."

21/09/1991
21/09/2026 pic.twitter.com/0IXH9Rs6wV

— Nicolas Batum (@nicolas88batum) September 21, 2026

The Frenchman's stat sheet won't make anyone's eyes pop. He was never an All-Star, let alone a star. But Batum had an undeniable respect from his peers in every locker room he stepped foot in.

He spaced the floor well with his shooting ability and his tendency to get the ball to his teammates and on the defensive side of the ball, Batum's 6-7 frame and 7-1 wingspan gave him the versatility to defend multiple positions. He was a crucial role player in his early years with a Portland Trail Blazers squad that made the playoffs in six of his seven seasons. Batum was traded to the Charlotte Hornets in 2015, where he spent the next five years before signing with the Los Angeles Clippers in December 2020 on the minimum.

That's where Batum spent the remaining six years of his career – well, five and some change. He was briefly traded to the Philadelphia 76ers five games into the 2023-24 season as part of the James Harden trade and returned to L.A. the following summer on a two-year, $9.6 million deal.

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

Luke Kennard

Shooting Guard, 6’4”, 190 lbs., 30 years old, 9 years of experience

Luke Kennard signed with Phoenix this summer and brings one immediate specialty: elite shooting. Phoenix lost two of its best (and most reliable) shooters in Grayson Allen and Royce O’Neale in the Miles Bridges trade. So, adding a sniper from deep like Kennard had to be a priority for this front office.

The smooth-shooting lefty brings a quick release and high basketball IQ to the mix. Phoenix could desperately need his floor spacing, with some of the concerns about who will reliably spread the floor in their projected starting lineup.

Kennard figures to slot into the second unit alongside Collin Gillespie and Jordan Goodwin as a dynamic three-man group that all bring different attributes to the table.

Last Season

Kennard appeared in 78 games for the Lakers last season. He led the NBA in three-point shooting percentage at an eye-popping 47.8%.

The Duke product played his role to a T. He doesn’t force it if it’s not there – he is wired to make the correct basketball play over anything. Which sometimes can frustrate you if he’s on your team, because sometimes you WANT him to force it.

He is one of the best movement shooters over the past half-decade and counting. (the strikethrough text was intentional)

Lakers fans will always remember Kennard for his Game 1 performanceagainst the Rockets when he put up 27 points on 5-for-5 shooting from three and 9-13 overall from the field.

He has ice in his veins, as some might recall this clutch game-winner he hit against the Magic in March to keep the Lakers’ win streak going at the time. He joins Jalen Green in the club of knocking down game-winning threes against Orlando… how about that?

Contract and Roster Context

Kennard is set to potentially spend two seasons in the Valley after inking a two-year, $13 million deal with Phoenix in late June.

Full details: 2-year, $12,431,200 contract, all guaranteed, with an average annual salary of $6,215,600.

In 2026-27, Kennard will earn a base salary of $6,064,000, while carrying a cap hit of $6,064,000 and a dead cap value of $6,064,000, per Spotrac.

He does carry a player option after this season, so he can hit the open market if he desires.

What He Brings

Let’s get this out of the way now. Luke Kennard is more than just a shooter.

His ability to make quick reads, cut, relocate, handle the ball, and move without it are some of his most underrated qualities. He is a high-IQ, plug-and-play guard who knows his role and doesn’t often play outside of it.

He doesn’t have the same downhill attack and athleticism as Grasyon Allen, for example, but he will shed some of the misconceptions about his game just as Grasyon did during his time here, to a lesser extent. He is great at attacking closeouts and can slice and dice in the midrange or drop in a little floater. Defenses respect his range and close out hard on him, and he has those counters mastered by now.

A Luke Kennard three (47.8%) was more accurate than an Oso Ighodaro free-throw (45.7%) last season. I repeat. A Luke Kennard three had a higher chance of going in than Oso shooting from the charity stripe. That statistic blew my mind a little.

Phoenix needs Luke Kennard to bring the same elite shooting he has brought everywhere he’s gone. He can shoot with the best of them; we all know that. He led the NBA in 3PT% a season ago at an astounding 47.8% clip.

What Needs to Improve

Phoenix will likely ask him not to be as shy as he has been in other stops on his per-game attempts from deep. He has only attempted more than 6 threes per game.

Last season, he only attempted 3.1 threes per game. I get it being in his DNA to not force it, but he needs to let it fly far more often this season in Phoenix. I am hoping he can double that and get back to the per-game numbers he had in Memphis.

And of course, we move on to the primary concern for Kennard, his defense. He is not someone they signed to defend, but it would be remiss not to mention that he can often be the “pigeon” in others’ game plan of who to single out and attack. As long as he competes and makes the right defensive rotations (team defense + help), then he should be passable enough, which is all you can ask for.

Prediction

I expect Kennard to play a similar role to what he did for the Lakers a season ago, and what he’s done for most of his career. He figures to slot in for about 18-22 minutes per night and provide quality minutes and give opponents fits alongside Collin Gillespie in the backcourt. Kennard will have the occasional flamethrower game that carries you to a win.

There will be some matchups he may not be a perfect fit for in Ott’s rotation, but more often than not, he will be a reliable rotation piece, and you know exactly what you’re going to get from him.

He will also get run with the starting unit or at least some sort of combination of bench and starters for floor spacing purposes.

Stat Prediction: 77 Games, 9.1 PPG, 2.2 RPG, 2.2 APG, 52/44/89 shooting

Final Word

A successful season for Luke Kennard is a continuation of doing what he’s done throughout his career. If he provides another elite shooting season and ticks up the volume a bit, then we’re talking.

I look forward to watching the lefty quick release. Kennard will be needed this season with the lack of shooting in the starting five. Give him the green light, Jordan Ott.

Training camp is here, and the Minnesota Timberwolves have reported. The starting lineup looks to be locked up with Anthony Edwards, LaMelo Ball, Rudy Gobert, Jaden McDaniels, and Jonathan Kuminga.

Level of play, injuries, and selective rest will shift that lineup as the season goes on, but those starters are more vital than ever. In past seasons, Coach Chris Finch has been near dogmatic about sticking with his rotation and playing sparingly with players on the far end of it. With 14 players rostered and 3 players signed to two-way contracts, there are over 6,000 potential combinations for Finch and the coaching staff to play with.

(Side note: how many players on two-way contracts would be considered two-way players, as in productive on both sides of the ball?)

With that in mind, I wanted to play with some lineups that, while unlikely, we could potentially see.

The Jaden Show

• Jaden McDaniels
• Isaiah Evans (Donte DiVincenzo if/when he comes back)
• Ayo Dosunmu
• Trey Lyles
• Rudy Gobert

The Vision: I want to see Jaden run the show. In this lineup, McDaniels is the primary dude in half-court sets with some additional ball-handling from Ayo as needed. I see him getting the action going, driving off a Rudy pick to the hoop for a pull-up middy or finding Rudy with a lob or a bounce pass. If the defense collapses, the ball springs out to Evans, Ayo, or Lyles on the wings for an open three.

Some Data: McDaniels USG% has risen each of the past three seasons from 15.7% in 2024, to 16.4% in 2025 and finishing last season with 18.5%. His points per game have increased roughly 40% in that time, and his assists per game have nearly doubled from 1.4 to 2.7 per contest.

In his “They’re All Bad Defenders” two-game stretch against the Denver Nuggets, we got a glimpse of what he can do with a small uptick in touches.

• ​Game 4: 19.1% 12 points, 8 rebounds, 3 assists
• Game 4: 26.1% 13 points, 3 rebounds, 1 assist
• ​Game 5: 26.3% 32 points, 10 rebounds, 3 assists

Reality of the Situation: So long as Jaden shares his court time with either Ant or LaMelo, the ball will not be in his hands as much. For this lineup, or any lineup where Jaden is the straw that stirs the drink, an injury or foul trouble will be the triggering event. The only other reason I could see Finch turn to on-ball Jaden is if he looks across the court at the opponent and sees nothing but bad defenders.

Track Meet

• Bones Hyland
• Ayo Dosunmu
• Anthony Edwards
• TJ Shannon
• Jaden McDaniels

The Vision:

But really though, that lineup is full of speedy dudes looking to get to the rim. There isn’t much size. Defensive rebounds would be hard-won, but if any semblance of a fast break sparks… Boom goes the dynamite.

Some Data: In their pre-draft workouts:

• Bones Hyland ran a 3.15 3/4 Court Sprint (baseline-to-opposite-free-throw-line sprint) and was the fastest guard at the 2021 combine in the lane agility drill.
• Edwards ran a 2.75-second 3/4 Court Sprint. Per Jon Krawczynski of The Athletic, “The team didn’t believe the stopwatch and made him do it twice more; he followed it up with times of 2.75 and 2.80 seconds.“
• TJ Shannon ran a 3.06 seconds 3/4 Court Sprint. (Top time in the 2023 combine class)
• Ayo Dosunmu ran a 3.23 seconds 3/4 Court Sprint.
• Jaden McDaniels did not post a 3/4 Court Sprint in any public workouts (someone on this unit needs to defend the point of attack)

Reality of the Situation: The only way this lineup sees the floor is if the Wolves bring back a Dunks After Dark showcase during pre-season.

Lob City 2.0: Lobo City

• LaMelo Ball
• TJ Shannon
• Jaden McDaniels
• Jonathan Kuminga
• Joan Beringer

The Vision: The freedom of movement rules were made to allow for the Steph Currys of the world (there are very few of these) to run literal circles in the half-court. Desperate defenders chased after him or asked, while breathing out mist like in some horror film, “Where’s Steph?” Curry would then appear, the ball suddenly in his hands and out in the same instant, splashing through the net.

This era has largely seen players ground-bound, hunting for shots on the perimeter. In this lineup, LaMelo Ball would look to the heavens to find a squadron of Wolves ready for pinpoint passes to cascade down on defenders unable to prevent the sudden liftoff.

Some Data: I have none. I just have NBA.com’s Advanced Stats/LaMelo Ball/Assists and then scrolling the feed for alley oops.

Let me tell you, every single one of them had my imagination running wild. I just superimposed the faces of Shannon, McDaniels, Kuminga, or Beringer over Brandon Miller, Moussa Diabate, and LaMelo’s other former teammates.

I dreamt of them snatching the ball from the air in one motion and yamming it through the cylinder the next as the Target Center collective leapt to their feet in euphoric wonder.

Reality of the Situation: Maybe this lineup can get some burn. All five players figure to be in Finch’s top eight. A lineup like this could get burn in the second half for a few minutes of a Wolves blowout victory. Just after the opponent has sent in the garbage-time lineup but before Finch matches with his own.

Ant Highway

• Bones Hyland (Donte if/when he returns)
• Anthony Edwards
• Ayo Dosunmu
• Trey Lyles
• Rudy Gobert

The Vision: Ant with a familiar pick-and-roll partner and shooters. Make the simple read: if doubled, get to the rack or kick out for a catch-and-shoot three if not. This is Finch letting Ant play heliocentric Luka Dončić or James Harden ball.

I don’t want the Wolves to go to a look like this often. It is not fun to watch, but I do concede that on many a night in the regular season, this is a winning formula.

SomeData: There is no easily available (free) tracking data on the frequency with which a player sees a double team. All we have is the eye test and our memory of Ant crossing half-court and suddenly having double vision. With reliable release valves like Bones/Donte, Ayo, and Lyles, and a center who waits for the body to hit on the pick before rolling, Ant’s life gets a lot easier.

Reality of the Situation: If LaMelo has any extended period of injury, then this lineup, or one very much like it, will see some run. Edwards is one of the most lethal scorers in the league, and his combination of burst and outside shooting creates difficulties for the best defenders. Forcing the opponent to weigh the risk of leaving a shooter open to help on Ant is just the analysis paralysis he needs to make them pay.

Blow Out Brigade

• Bones Hyland
• Isaiah Evans
• Jaylen Clark
• Trey Lyles
• Rocco Zikarsky

The Vision: Hopefully this lineup gets a lot of fourth-quarter burn after the Wolves have built a sizable lead. There is enough manic energy here to power the greater Twin Cities metro. Every player has at least one thing they do well in theory. Every player knows they have to prove something to stick in the league.

Some Data: You want data on this? I’m as much a Wolves sicko as the next but even that is beyond the mid-January, has not gone outside except to shovel in the bleak morning or bitter night, pale.

Let’s just hope that if the Wolves use this lineup, it is with victory cigars and not a recipe game (though I’ve got plenty of these that could be celebratory in nature)

Reality of the Situation: If the Wolves really show up this season and put away the teams they view as lesser, a lineup like this could see some burn.

So Canis: What lineups, strange or otherwise, do you want to see this season?

Kasparas Jakučionis—still just 20 years old—arrives in the Cream City via the Giannis trade as a young, intriguing guard prospect. Jakučionis is a 6’5” second-year guard who averaged 6.2 PPG, 2.6 RPG, and 2.6 APG in just under 18 minutes per contest for Miami. Except for his three-point percentage (42%), most of his stats don’t jump off the page. That said, in games where KJ played over 25 minutes, he averaged 12.5 PPG and 4.5 APG. I hope that the (presumed) increase in usage and minutes with Milwaukee will allow him to flourish.

We saw Jakučionis debut for the Lithuanian senior national team before Summer League; he looked great, with 16 points, eight assists, and five rebounds. Jakučionis dominated in the pick-and-roll and showed some great potential as a lead guard. However, he struggled in Vegas, having major issues controlling the ball and getting quality looks at the rim.

Still, I think the Bucks have found something in Jakučionis; he has a solid baseline and a high ceiling. Unfortunately, considering the logjam at the guard positions, I don’t think we’ll see as much of him as we should early on. Hopefully he gets into the 15-20 minute range each game, and that can grow throughout the season as he proves his worth. There will be plenty of opportunities as the roster changes throughout the season, and if Jakučionis proves himself as a spark off the bench and a good point guard option, his role should expand from there.

Overall, I don’t see KJ playing a major role in Milwaukee immediately; young guys need time to grow and learn. I reckon we’ll see some of his best games in matchups where the main guards are out. We also need to be prepared for the highs and lows, and even the high moments won’t necessarily translate into immediate success and wins, but they are a key part of building for the future.

With Jakučionis now gone, who’s next?

The Toronto Raptors have had a history of success with European centres: Jonas Valanciunas, Marc Gasol, and now, Jakob Poeltl. But, can the Austrian big man reach the same heights as those that came before him, or will his inability to stay on the floor condemn the Raptors to another season of mediocrity?

Big man in the middle

Starting with the positives: Yak is a very capable low post scorer, and acts as an imposing presence in the paint on both sides of the floor. In his best years, he’s giving you more than two stocks a game while averaging a near double double with points and rebounds. He’s got a nice touch around the basket, boasting a good floater game. He’s a very solid screener, and all together, contributes those fundamental things that a traditional centre does that impact the game in a big way.

In the 2024-25 campaign, arguably his best season, Poeltl averaged 14.5 points and 9.6 rebounds, shooting 62.7% on more than ten shots a night. He played 57 games that year, and had a big role on a team that was going through a lot of growing pains and injury difficulties. Standing at seven feet tall, Poeltl is one of two players on the team taller than 6’11”, and with Nate Bittle still a rookie and 6’10” Trey Jemison on a two-way contract, he’s the player who ideally would be absorbing heavy minutes at centre for a wing-heavy roster. But, unfortunately, that might be easier said than done.

On the court, off the court

Poeltl will be making north of 25 million dollars a year starting next season, and currently has the third-highest amount of guaranteed money coming to him on the team. This is less than ideal for a player who had struggled with a back injury throughout all of the last season, had a down year scoring and rebounding, and played less than 20 minutes per game in the playoffs.

It’s the last one that is especially concerning for the team, as this year, it’s all but guaranteed the Raptors are playoff bound after acquiring Kawhi Leonard. Playoff performance is what the Raptors really need now, and if Poeltl is still being hampered by back injuries into next spring, the Raptors will be much weaker than they should be stepping into the postseason. What raises some eyebrows, in particular, is the lack of communication from either Poeltl or the Raptors in regards to his health. While the adage might be that no news is good news, some reassurance as to what be can expected from Yak going into the next season would go a long way.

There are good reasons for the team to keep their cards close to their chest, ranging from wanting to preserve Poeltl’s privacy, to maintaining his trade value. Regardless, as the season inches closer, it will become clearer the state that Poeltl is in, and both the team and the fans will be able to get a clearer approximation of what the Austrian Hammer will bring to the team this year.

Is it fair for the Raptors to put so much weight on Poeltl’s shoulders? In some ways, yes. The man is being paid handsomely to perform well, and was unable to do so last year. At the same time, the Raptors haven’t prioritized putting together a ready-to-go lineup of backup big men, and are choosing to test the waters this year, rather than immediately address size concerns. History will tell us if that was a mistake.

Wants and needs

The folks over at Raptors Rapture raise an excellent point, citing reporter Sam Quinn, who said that “there are maybe like 16 or 17 centers in the entire NBA that are really reliably playoff-viable.” It’s true that the NBA is in an era where big men are once again prized, but relatively few and far in between when needed to perform at the highest level. Whether in the Eastern or Western Conference, you’re not getting far without a good centre (or two) and for all of the Raptors’ strengths, reliability at the 5 is not one of them.

Jakob Poeltl doesn’t need to be Nikola Jokic this year for the Raptors to succeed, but he does need to be playable. Availability is the best availability, and hopefully now with Kawhi Leonard bringing Poeltl down to the fifth scoring option, Yak can rest a little easier on offence and save his strength for when it really matters down the line.

Warriors draft pick Lajae Jones signs with Italian team Pallacanestro Trieste originally appeared on NBC Sports Bay Area

After filling their final NBA roster spot with forward Graham Ike on a two-way contract, the Warriors have agreed to let their second-round draft selection develop overseas.

Lajae Jones, selected by Golden State with the No. 54 pick in the 2026 NBA Draft out of Florida State, officially has signed with Italian basketball team Pallacanestro Trieste of Lega Basket Serie A, the team announced on Monday.

The Warriors still retain Jones’ rights in any potential trades.

“His decision to proudly wear our Trieste uniform and pursue his basketball dreams and evolution as a player with us is evidence of his great belief in our team, staff, fans and the potential for a very special season in 2026-27,” Pallacanestro Trieste general manager Michael Arcieri wrote in a statement.

“Our collaboration throughout the season with (the) staff of the Golden State Warriors as regards (to) Lajae’s development is an incredibly exciting development and opportunity for our own staff and organization.”

Jones averaged a decent 12.7 points and 5.7 assists per game as a senior during his only season as a Seminole, but his measurables at 6-foot-7, 215 pounds clearly piqued the Warriors’ interest. In 16.3 minutes of summer league action, Jones scored 8.7 points per game on 48.8-percent shooting as a part of the Warriors’ title-winning roster 

Jones is the latest Golden State second-rounder to begin his career in Italy, following Arizona guard Nico Mannion, who also played in Italy during the 2021-2022 season after the Warriors selected him in the second round of the 2020 draft.

Another Golden State connection, is fan favorite Juan Toscano-Anderson, who also plays for Pallacanestro Trieste and will be teammate with Jones.

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You and a buddy are watching the Knicks game at home when the refs make an egregiously erroneous call. The two of you hurl obscenities and whatever’s handy at the TV. Meanwhile, on the sideline, coach Mike Brown flaps his arms as if trying to fly, but he’s unsure of whether to call a challenge. He cranes his neck toward someone in the second row behind his bench. Your buddy asks, “Who’s the dork with the iPad?”

Dork? No. That’s a hero. 

In Game 2 of the Finals, the eagle eyes of assistant coach Jordan Brink led to a challenge that became three OG Anunoby free throws with 2:37 remaining in the Knicks’ 105-104 victory over San Antonio. One assistant coach watching an iPad helped alter an NBA Finals game. I didn’t spot Brink at the victory parade—frankly, I couldn’t pick him out of a lineup—but he deserved a prominent spot among the celebration. 

Brink’s official title was a lot to fit on a business card: Assistant Coach / Director of Video Services and Player Development. Unfortunately, his contract expired after last season, and he accepted an assistant-coaching position on Tiago Splitter’s Chicago staff. Seems like a nice promotion. 

According to Stefan Bondy of the New York Post, the Knicks have hired Ed Flynn to fill the job. He was formerly the head video coordinator for New Orleans. Like Brink, Flynn will serve as Brown’s primary “challenge guy,” monitoring replay and advising Brown in real time on whether to challenge officials’ calls.

Before his three seasons with the Pelicans organization, he did video work with Charlotte and a graduate-assistant stint at Miami.

Don’t sleep on these video guys. Many prominent NBA head coaches and assistants began their careers chewing up film in dark backrooms as video coordinators or video interns. Spoelstra, Vogel, Malone, Budenholzer, Clifford all spring to mind. And even Mike Brown started as an unpaid video intern with the Nuggets.

One day you’re eating stale pizza way past midnight to get a series of clips ready for the coach in the morning. A few years later, you’re getting showered with confetti in the Canyon of Heroes.

After the addition of Flynn, the Knicks’ primary assistants otherwise remain intact: Chris Jent, Rick Brunson, Brendan O’Connor, Maurice Cheeks, and Darren Erman are returning, as are development coaches Kwadzo Ahelegbe and Peter Patton.

Welcome Ed! You’ll never be just a dork with an iPad to us.

Go Knicks!

It’s not that he’s the winningest coach in NBA history. It’s not how he created a culture in San Antonio that continues to grow as the next generation of enter the fold. It’s not who he is at his core. It’s all of that and then some.

From time to time, we have to remind ourselves just how remarkable a man Gregg Popovich is. How amazing a coach he was. And how dominating a career he maintained for the better part of three decades.

And these reminders aren’t simply for those of us fortunate enough to witness the greatness in real time. This is for the younger fans who are just now learning about the Spurs, understanding what made the team special before Victor Wembanyama, Keldon Johnson, Devin Vassell, Stephon Castle, Dylan Harper, and Carter Bryant were drafted.

Things like this:

Over his illustrious career, Pop won 170 playoff games as head coach of the San Antonio Spurs. More than the grand total for 20 NBA franchises. That is twenty teams (out of the twenty-nine that didn’t have Gregg Popovich as head coach) that as a franchise have not won more NBA playoff games than he did.

Only the Lakers, Celtics, 76ers, Hawks, Warriors, Bulls, Pistons, Knicks, and Thunder have won more. But that takes into account their franchise history. The Lakers, Celtics, 76ers, Hawks, Warriors, and Knicks starting competing in 1946. The Pistons have been in Detroit since 1957. The Bulls joined in 1966, and the SuperSonics in 1967.

If we limit the timeline to the same year that Gregg Popovich anointed himself head coach (the 1996-1997 season), then he has clearly bested each and every team the NBA threw at him.

• The Lakers (his closest rival) have won 169,

•The Celtics have won 160,

•The Hawks have won 57,

•The Warriors have won 118,

•The 76ers have won 79,

•The Bulls have won 70,

•The Pistons have won 89,

•The Knicks have won 80,

•The Thunder/SuperSonics combined have won 104 (90 as the Thunder and 14 the SuperSonics won from 1997 until the move to OKC).

From 1997 to 2025, no one won more playoff games than the Spurs. And considering the Spurs did not make the playoffs in 1997 or after 2019, El Jefe’s numbers pop (see what I did there) even more.

There are so many ways to point out Popovich’s greatness. This is just one. But it is important to note. The Spurs are at the dawn of a new era. In their first trip into the postseason since the pandemic, the Spurs made it to the Finals.

It’s time to lift your heads up and prepare to root for a great year. The foundation was laid years ago when a coach from Pamona-Pitzer caught the eye of Larry Brown. At the time no one knew, but that relationship changed the trajectory of the San Antonio Spurs and the NBA.

Welcome to the Thread. Join in the conversation, start your own discussion, and share your thoughts. This is the Spurs community, your Spurs community. Thanks for being here.

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Four years after being drafted, Khalifa Diop is gearing up for his rookie season with the Cleveland Cavaliers.

Diop has spent the last few years as a stashed prospect overseas, but will finally make his debut in the 2026 season.

What should we expect?

Diop is a mobile 6’11” big who can block shots and run the floor. He is a hulking presence with broad shoulders that can clear space for rebounds — while also being agile enough to soar above the rim for highlight plays on either side of the action.

His athletic profile, alone, makes Diop an interesting prospect.

The floor for players like this is much higher than other archetypes. He simply has more to work with than some of his peers. But piecing the full puzzle together has always been key.

Diop’s game is still raw.

He’s limited outside the paint and isn’t a threat to dribble or create for himself. He hasn’t notably improved either part of that overseas.

Diop’s defensive impact isn’t consistent, either. He’s often a step behind the play — and is still working to establish the core fundamentals that separate good athletes from good basketball players.

His averages of 3.5 points and 4.3 rebounds last season reflect this. Diop is too gifted athletically to be scoring fewer than two baskets a game.

There’s an art to running the pick-and-roll, and the details are what’s holding him back.

Finishing a lob pass is great, but there’s just as much reward in catching in the short-roll and nailing a jump-hook. Not as flashy, but worth the same amount of points. Diop can make a big difference by becoming a more well-rounded finisher who can convert in multiple scenarios.

Other aspects of Diop’s game that need polishing include defensive positioning and timing.

He isn’t always great at containing the ball or executing the correct rotation. Again, the simplicity of deterring a shot is just as valuable as rejecting one off the backboard. Diop can benefit from consistently sealing off the paint more so than making the recovery to block shots.

Cleveland won’t expect Diop to achieve this overnight. He’ll spend his rookie season developing behind the scenes, both in practice and potentially with the Charge. This will allow Diop to work on his game without being needlessly thrown into the fire.

When on the court, Diop should keep things simple.

The Cavs won’t ask him to anchor their defense or create for himself. Instead, his job will be to hustle, grab rebounds, and try to be a force in the paint. Those are things Diop can bring on paper. And if he does, he’ll be a fan favorite in Cleveland.

Diop’s raw ability to run the floor and play above the rim could translate well to the NBA. The league thrives on energy guys like him. Diop might be able to exceed expectations if he embraces the junkyard dog mentality that Cleveland originally wanted to mold this team around.

He can learn behind two elite bigs in Evan Mobley and Jarrett Allen. Diop should also soak up as much insight from James Harden’s PNR mastery as possible. Even just watching those guys from afar will give Diop the blueprint he needs.

Meanwhile, Diop joins an organization that has numerous developmental success stories under its belt. Prospects like Craig Porter, Sam Merrill, and Nae’Qwan Tomlin are recent examples. Diop will look to join that group this season.

Still, I’d practice patience.

The Cavs can give Diop a quality path towards improvement, but I wouldn’t expect him to play meaningful minutes in his rookie season. Most of his development will happen behind closed doors, where Cleveland will be able to place the building blocks right in front of him.