He might be the one defender disappointed to miss Luka Doncic.
Warriors rookie Yaxel Lendeborg got a taste for how quickly things can change in the NBA ahead of his preseason game Tuesday night against the Lakers.
Golden State Warriors’ Yaxel Lendeborg (1) looks to pass the ball during a preseason game against the LA Clippers on Sunday, Oct. 4, 2026, at Bankoh Arena at Stan Sheriff Center in Honolulu. NBAE via Getty Images
Doncic was given the night off by coach JJ Redick, but the Warriors didn’t know that when they were going over the defensive plan of attack leading up to tipoff. Lendeborg had held his own on offense, averaging 19 points per game over his previous three exhibitions, and the Warriors decided they wanted to put the No. 11 pick’s defensive versatility to the test.
Lendeborg did a double-take when assistant coach Frank Vogel informed him of his assignment. He was the two-time Defensive Player of the Year in the American Athletic Conference and a first-team defender last year in the Big Ten.
But this would be a new challenge.
“I’m on my phone chilling and [Vogel] comes up to me, ‘Hey, you’re guarding Luka tonight,’” Lendeborg recalled. “I said, ‘What the f–k? You’re just gonna throw me in the fire?’”
The rookie’s eyes widened as he shook his head retelling the story at his locker after the game.
“I tried to act all cool, but I was spooked,” he said. “That was crazy.”
Los Angeles Lakers guard Luka Doncic (77) reacts after a play during the first quarter against the Sacramento Kings at Golden 1 Center in Sacramento, California, Oct. 5, 2026. IMAGN IMAGES via Reuters Connect
Doncic led the NBA in scoring for the second time in his career last season, averaging 33.5 points per game on a league-high 22.8 shots from the field and 10.1 attempts at the foul line.
“I think [Vogel] said he averages like 30, 35. Nobody can stop him, so do your best,” Lendeborg said. “That was it. My mind was all over the place after that.”
A short while later, Lendeborg learned he wouldn’t have to try to stay in front of the 6-8, 230-pound Doncic. He’d instead be giving up 5 inches to the 7-2 Kessler.
In his first game in a Lakers uniform, Kessler scored 11 points and grabbed nine rebounds in 16 minutes. Lendeborg got to the line nine times and scored 17 points in 26 minutes.
It wasn’t exactly what he had in mind.
But he learned another lesson along the way.
In the NBA, change can come in a moment’s notice — he’d better be ready.
BOSTON, MASSACHUSETTS - OCTOBER 14: Neemias Queta #88 of the Boston Celtics attempts a three-point basket against the Charlotte Hornets during the first half of the preseason game at the TD Garden on October 14, 2026 in Boston, Massachusetts. 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 Brian Fluharty/Getty Images) | Getty Images
It’s not uncommon to see Neemias Queta practicing threes out on the TD Garden parquet before Boston Celtics home games — though the average fan may be asking why he’s even working on that part of his game. The Portuguese big man has done the majority of his scoring in the NBA around the basket in catch-and-finish spots.
He’s attemped just 11 total three-pointers (one make) across the first five seasons of his professional career. This year, though, it might be #DifferentHere for Queta. Through two preseason appearances this fall, he’s already fired up four — five if you include a make from the corner with his right big toe (not to be confused with Al Horford’s left big toe) on the line.
Wednesday’s win over the Charlotte Hornets featured three of those four long-range tries (and the long-two). Seeing Queta try to lean into a floor-spacing role was interesting. He looked both comfortable and confident taking the shots when the opportunities were there.
The first and last attempts came within the flow of the offense. Queta was open, a teammate found him, and he squared up with confidence. Even though both attempts came up short, they were still fine misses and were on line. The middle attempt… well, that came out of a broken play and the result reflected that.
What may seem like a small development that has yet to pay any real dividends for Neemi or the Celtics has been years in the making.
“I think it’s just over the years, just after practice, just getting the reps and getting getting more consistent in general with the form, the way I stick the landing, all that type of stuff makes a difference,” Queta explained after the win. “I think [the coaching staff has] seen over the years that I got better at it. It’s a two-way street on the trust. I’ve been making more of them during the offseason. They trust me to shoot them. I just gotta make them.”
The sheer amount of thought and effort that goes into adding a skill like three-point shooting into an NBA player’s game is incredible. Think about it. Queta can probably make 70 of 100 attempts in an open gym (the number could very well be higher, but let’s set this as the baseline). If any of us mere mortals did that ourselves, we’d tell all of our friends about the insane shooting clinic we’d just put on. If we saw Queta do it, we’d be questioning why he isn’t getting these chances in games.
“I want to empower him to take his game to a different level,” head coach Joe Mazzulla said of Queta potentially getting more opportunities to shoot from distance. “At the same time, we have to fight to get the best shots at the right time.”
I guess the simple answer is that there are probably multiple guys on the floor at all times that would make upwards of 85 out of 100. So, it’s tough to justify taking shots away from them to let Queta try and space the floor.
If the Celtics can find a place for it, however, letting No. 88 let it fly once or twice a game might wind up being valuable to them.
“I think it can help us,” he said of potentially taking more threes throughout the season. “It can be a weapon that we can use at certain points. And obviously, it’s not going to derail my attention span too often and take away from things that I do best on the court, but we can see what we use as a weapon and a strength.”
This isn’t the first time Queta’s featured threes in his game. When he led Portugal to the nation’s first-ever knockout stage berth at last summer’s EuroBasket tournament, the big man took seven total threes and made two of them. He averaged 15.5 points, 8.0 rebounds, and 1.7 blocks per game across six appearances. Shooting threes certainly didn’t take away from his production.
Whether or not it’ll become part of his role with the Celtics in the regular season has yet to be seen, but Mazzulla seemed open to it in the right spots.
”I think as we open that up a little bit, it’s an ongoing conversation about timing,“ he added. ”When’s it a good shot? When’s it not? What that looks like? It could be different depending upon what the lineup is, what the matchups are, etc. But at the end of the day he’s a guy that continues to get better and better, and it’s a space that we’ll look to to to see how he can take advantage of it.“
The Knicks waived three players on nonguaranteed contracts ahead of Thursday’s preseason finale, leaving James Wiseman and Bruce Brown as the two remaining for at least one roster spot.
Centers Drew Eubanks and Tony Bradley were cut, along with athletic wing Ochai Agbaji. Eubanks suffered a torn pectoral muscle this week, sealing his fate with the Knicks.
James Wiseman #35 of the New York Knicks boxes out during the game against the Toronto Raptors. NBAE via Getty Images
But Wiseman was the frontrunner since camp started, as The Post reported, and the 25-year-old enhanced his standing with an 18-point, 10-rebound effort in Tuesday’s preseason loss to the Raptors.
The Knicks, who are thin in the frontcourt with only Karl-Anthony Towns and Andre Drummond, have prioritized a center for their final roster spot, placing Wiseman in strong position to make the final roster. The former second overall pick has been saddled by injuries throughout his career – and was waived last season by the Pacers – but has a fan in Knicks head coach Mike Brown, who coached Wiseman as the top assistant with the Warriors.
Bruce Brown, a combo guard, has also impressed in camp and holds, by far, the best NBA résumé of the players on non-guaranteed deals.
To keep both Wiseman and Brown, the Knicks would have to make a trade to free up enough cap space under the second apron.
Raptors forward Kawhi Leonard, back, tries to steal the ball from New York Knicks guard Bruce Brown. Nathan Denette/The Canadian Press via AP
Pacome Dadiet is the most logical to be shipped out by the Knicks – as a first-round disappointment, he has no path to playing time – but that would likely require second-round picks attached to compel a team to take his $3 million salary.
Tyler Kolek and especially Miles McBride are more valuable in the trade market.
Who will win the NBA Championship? • San Antonio Spurs 50% • Oklahoma City Thunder 43% The Knicks and 76ers each got one vote each.
Who will be named the 2026-27 MVP? • Victor Wembanyama 77% • Nikola Jokic 10% • Anthony Edwards 7%
Who is the best defensive player in the NBA? • Victor Wembanyama 97% The one vote for someone else (Ausar Thompson) had to come from the Spurs, since they cannot vote for their own player,
Which player forces opposing coaches to make the most adjustments? • Victor Wembanyama 47% • Nikola Jokic 33% • Shai Gilgeous-Alexander 7%
Who will win Rookie of the Year? • Cameron Boozer 50% • Caleb Wilson 20% • AJ Dybantsa 17% • Darryn Peterson 13% It's worth noting that when asked who will be the best player from this class five years from now, Dybantsa and Wilson each tied with 33%.
Who is the best coach in the NBA? • Erik Spoelstra (Miami) 43% • Mark Daigneault (Oklahoma City) 37% • Mike Brown (New York) 10%
Which player is the most athletic? • Amen Thompson 63% • Anthony Edwards 20% • Ausar Thompson 10% Amen and Ausar Thompson are twins.
Which player is the best leader? • Jalen Brunson 53% • Stephen Curry 20% • Shai Gilgeous-Alexander 7%
Which team will be the most improved? • Indiana Pacers 43% • Washington Wizards 23% • Utah Jazz 13%
Which team had the best overall offseason? • Philadelphia 76ers 73% • Miami Heat 10% It's worth noting that two GMs picked Charlotte here, supporting the decision to trade away LaMelo Ball.
What player acquisition will have the biggest impact? • Giannis Antetokounmpo (Miami), 53% • Jaylen Brown (Philadelphia), 20%
What is the most underrated player acquisition? • Tobias Harris (San Antonio) 20% • Mitchell Robinson (Boston) 17% • Naz Reid (Charlotte) 10%
Which player would you want taking the shot with the game on the line? • Stephen Curry 50% • Jalen Brunson 17% • Tie between Luka Doncic and Shai Gilgeous-Alexander at 10%
While these results are interesting, GMs are often quite wrong. For example, last season 80% predicted the Thunder would repeat as champions, the MVP was going to be Nikola Jokic (67%), the biggest impact acquisition was Kevin Durant (73%), and the most improved was going to be the Orlando Magic (47%).
The NBA published its annual GM survey – in which the league’s power brokers answer 48 questions – Thursday, Oct. 15, and the Sixers, unsurprisingly, garnered significant attention. When asked which team made the best overall offseason moves, NBA general managers overwhelmingly voted for the 76ers, with 73% picking Philadelphia. The next closest team, the Miami Heat, drew just 10% of votes, by comparison.
Yet, when asked which team’s level of success for the 2026-27 season is most difficult to project, the Sixers also garnered most votes, at 27%. The second place team in that category, the Minnesota Timberwolves, generated 17% of the vote.
The uncertainty is not unfounded.
The 76ers must incorporate two new stars, as the entire starting five is essentially having to adapt to new wrinkles in their roles. In Philadelphia’s first preseason game in which all five starters played, Oct. 8 against the Nets, the 76ers committed 14 first half turnovers, against 12 assists on 16 made field goals.
Other interesting findings from NBA general manager survey
The Spurs got plenty of love. Half of the GMs who voted picked San Antonio to win the NBA Finals. An overwhelming 87% of general managers selected the Spurs as having the best young core.
Victor Wembanyama also was the leader in votes for eight different questions: projected 2026-27 Most Valuable Player (77%); player they would want most to start a franchise (93%); player who forces opposing coaches to make most adjustments (47%); best international player (53%); best defensive player (97%); best interior defender (97%); most versatile defender (30%) and most versatile player (57%).
The player most likely to have a breakout season was also a Spur, second-year guard Dylan Harper, at 27%.
The most underrated offseason acquisition: another Spur, forward Tobias Harris (20%).
The 2026 NBA Draft class was loaded with talent, and GMs picked the most polished, pro-ready player in Grizzlies forward Cameron Boozer as the projected 2026-27 Rookie of the Year (50%), over Bulls forward Caleb Wilson (20%), No. 1 overall pick AJ Dybantsa (17%) and No. 2 overall pick Darryn Peterson (13%), of the Jazz.
When asked which player would be the best in five seasons, however, both Dybantsa and Wilson tied for first, at 33%.
Although the 76ers were picked as the best offseason, Miami’s Giannis Antetokounmpo was picked as the one player acquisition who will make the biggest impact, at 53%, compared to Brown (20%) and James (13%).
The person who will be coaching him, Miami’s Erik Spoelstra, was picked as the best head coach in the NBA for the second consecutive season. His vote share, however, fell from 52% last year to 43% this season.
Two teams tied for most fun to watch: the Timberwolves and Spurs, each at 30%.
The best pure shooter in the world continues to be Warriors guard Stephen Curry, who overwhelmingly secured 97% of the vote.
The league’s best passer wasn’t a point guard or forward, but Denver Nuggets center Nikola Jokić, who garnered 87% of the vote.
LOS ANGELES, CA - OCTOBER 13: Sandro Mamukelashvili #54 of the Los Angeles Lakers dribbles the ball during the game against the Golden State Warriors on October 13, 2026 at Thomas & Mack Center in Las Vegas, Nevada. 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 Adam Pantozzi/NBAE via Getty Images) | NBAE via Getty Images
Sandro Mamukelashvili has showed off the full complement of his vast offensive arsenal thus far in the preseason. Playing 20 minutes per game, he’s averaging 13.0 points, 3.3 rebounds and 3.3 assists (1.8 turnovers). Aside from the box-score production, he’s been incredibly efficient, shooting 10-of-18 (55.6%) on 2-pointers and 10-of-17 (58.8%) beyond the arc.
Throughout the preseason, the Lakers have entrusted Mamukelashvili as an open-floor ball-handler and half-court playmaker, where his intersection of dribbling, passing and shooting strain opposing defenses and enable him to operate off the ball as well.
Following the Lakers’ loss Tuesday night to the Golden State Warriors, Austin Reaves spoke about the 6-foot-9 Mamukelashvili’s capabilities as a point forward and how much trust he has in Mamukelashvili to fill that role. Shortly after, Mamukelashvili illuminated what praise like that from a player of Reaves’s ilk means to him.
“I think it’s amazing to hear those words from Austin. I look up to him. Even though we’re the same age, he’s a very, very established All-Star-caliber player,” Mamukelashvili said postgame Tuesday. “So that coming from him means a lot to me. It just makes my life easier.”
Clearly, Reaves is not the only one who believes in Mamukelashvili to lather up the offense and create quality looks for everyone. Earlier this week, head coach JJ Redick talked with reporters about Mamukelashvili’s game and what his blend of shooting and passing opens up for the Lakers offensively.
“He’s a good passer… Part of it for him is the threat of his shot, so he has the initial action with the ball and then what comes after that when he doesn’t have the ball,” Redick said. “He’s able to sort of get that space and create an advantage because of the threat of his shot. I’m going to have some fun running plays and ATO’s for him. We’ll have a little Mamu package.”
The Lakers project to be among the league’s elite offenses this season and Mamukelashvili’s malleability is a prominent reason why. He can space the floor and attack closeouts when Reaves or Luka Dončić commandeer possessions or he can let them work off the ball while he functions as a playmaker and screener. It should be fun to watch exactly how he’s deployed to elevate this unit offensively.
LeBron James of the Philadelphia 76ers looks on during the game against the Brooklyn Nets at Barclays Center in Brooklyn, New York, Thursday, Oct. 8, 2026. NBAE via Getty Images
West has denied the rumor over the years. But his response when asked about the situation last night is reinvigorating these rumors once again.
“A gentleman never tells,” West said on Wednesday when asked straight-up whether he slept with LeBron’s mom.
This came when West was part of a pre-fight press conference for Adin Ross’ “BRANDRISK 016” event, which is taking place in Miami, Florida on Friday.
Delonte West answering a question about LeBron James’ mom during a BRANDRISK pre-fight press conference. (X/@Fullcourtpass).
Nobody asked any follow up questions because West didn’t appear keen to elaborate. But him not denying the allegations outright has been enough for his four-word response to go viral on social media.
These rumors started back in 2010, when James and West were still teammates on the Cleveland Cavaliers. They didn’t come from a reliable source but still gained a lot of traction among the social media community.
And they’ve continued to persist nearly 15 years later.
Delonte West when asked if he slept with LeBron James’ mother
LeBron James #23 of the Philadelphia 76ers reacts during the second quarter of a preseason game against the Brooklyn Nets at Barclays Center in the Brooklyn borough of New York City, Thursday, Oct. 8, 2026. The Brooklyn Nets won 114-108. Getty Images
Perhaps West losing his influencer boxing fight against Michael Beasley on Friday will make him, and this rumor, irrelevant once again.
If that’s the case, it’s easy to imagine who LeBron will be rooting for.
NEW YORK, NEW YORK - OCTOBER 08: Jalen Brunson #11 of the New York Knicks in action against the Washington Wizards at Madison Square Garden on October 08, 2026 in New York City. 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 Sarah Stier/Getty Images) | Getty Images
The annual NBA GM poll was released on Thursday, and we got a rare result.
A Knick leads one of the 48 questions that were asked to the executives.
It wasn’t too long ago that you’d need a magnifying glass to find a mention of the Knicks in a positive light, but now they’re all over the place, particularly with the captain himself, Jalen Brunson.
When asked who the NBA’s “best leader” is, the executives moved away from the perennial choice, Steph Curry, and crowned Brunson at the top with 53%. The longtime Warrior clocked in at 20%, followed by SGA and a bunch of players who received one vote, including Wemby (somehow).
But that isn’t the only mention in this long survey.
One year after receiving a single vote to win the NBA Finals, the Knicks got… one. All but two executives voted for either the Spurs or the Thunder, boo.
The big difference is that, while just 30% of executives picked the Knicks to finish atop the East (a firm second behind Cleveland), that’s shot up to 60% this year. All but one executive picked them to finish in the top two.
In the positional rankings, one-fifth of them drank the Kool-Aid after the NBA Finals. Brunson was picked as the NBA’s top point guard in 20% of responses, trailing only SGA.
OAKAAK (sigh) Mitchell Robinson finished second in “Most Underrated Player Acquisition”, getting 17% in his new green and white gigs (ew).
After not getting a single vote in the category last year, OG Anunoby got one vote when asked about the league’s best perimeter defender. I’m not sure what Alex Caruso is doing to get 17% here, but hey.
When it comes to defensive versatility, nobody should be shocked that Wemby is No. 1, but OG finished tied for fourth with 10% with Bam Adebayo. He also received a vote for in general versatility.
It’s not just the players getting love. Mike Brown got three votes for “Best Coach”, only trailing savants Mark Daigneault and Erik Spoelstra. I guess when you get a ring, you join an exclusive club.
He also got 10% when asked about the best leader of men, or “Best Motivator of People”. In this one, he finished fourth, behind Spo, Joe Mazzulla, and Steve Kerr.
Coach Brown also received votes in the in-game adjustments and offensive categories, but far too few. Did they not watch that playoff run? Yet, 17% of executives believe the Knicks’ offense will be the most efficient this year, trailing only OKC and Denver. Make that make sense.
Knicks assistants Darren Erman and Chris Jent got shoutouts in the “Best Assistant Coach” category, one that was won by Jeff Van Gundy and Billy Donovan, two ex-head honchos who are much more known quantities.
When asked who would make the best coach one day, the retirement of Chris Paul opened the door for Mike Conley to win this category in a landslide. Brunson came in third, trailing playoff foe T.J. McConnell. Hm.
The Knicks are not a fun watch sometimes, so I can’t be mad that only one executive voted for the reigning champions on that, but that depends on your definition of fun. They’re fun in the sense that no game is ever over until it’s actually over, but that more cause heart palpitations and not blockbuster excitement.
What I am mad at is that only 20 percent voted for MSG as the best home-court advantage. Seriously? Tied for first were OKC (which is fair) and Denver, which I feel is more geography-based than anything.
Finally, when it comes to what player you want taking the shot with the game on the line, it should be obvious, no?
Well, according to executives, it’s still Curry. Brunson did go from receiving just one vote to finishing in second at 17%, but it seems a lot of people are still stuck in 2016.
When the NBA season tips off on Tuesday, teams can only have 15 guaranteed contracts on the roster (plus three two-way contracts).
Three teams — the Lakers, Grizzlies and Bucks — currently have 16 or more guaranteed contracts on their rosters. Each team is exploring trades to reach 15 players, but may end up just waiving someone, reports NBA insider Jake Fischer.
The Lakers have been exploring for months a 2-for-1 trade that could send a combination of Jarred Vanderbilt (who has looked like an odd man out in the rotation much of this preseason), Jaden Hardy and Dalton Knecht to get a player back. There were rumors they explored that kind of trade for Buddy Hield, but it never came together. They are still looking, according to Fischer.
If the Lakers have to waive someone and eat the salary, Knecht — the 2024 No. 17 pick out of Tennessee — appears to be the guy. After two seasons, he has fallen out of favor in JJ Redick's rotation.
Memphis has 16 guaranteed contracts, plus Jaylen Wells, who is on a non-guaranteed deal but, from all reports, is likely to make the opening-day roster. That means the team needs to trade or waive two players. Signs seem to point to Kris Murray and Micah Peavy — two players the Grizzlies traded for this summer — as the most likely to go.
Milwaukee technically has 17 players, so two must go, but with Pete Nance on a non-guaranteed deal, he is likely one of them. Reports out of Milwaukee suggest veteran Caris LeVert could be the other guy. Milwaukee traded for him this summer primarily to acquire two second-round picks, he is on an expiring $14.8 million contract, and he has struggled in the preseason.
If the Bucks can find a trade, it is more likely to be for someone of value around the league like AJ Green or Kevin Porter Jr., who could net the Bucks a second-round pick or two.
LOS ANGELES, CA - OCTOBER 13: Walker Kessler #14 of the Los Angeles Lakers warms up before the game against the Golden State Warriors on October 13, 2026 at Thomas & Mack Center in Las Vegas, Nevada. 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 Adam Pantozzi/NBAE via Getty Images) | NBAE via Getty Images
Through the first three seasons of Walker Kessler’s NBA career, he averaged 65 games played per year. Last season, however, a torn labrum in his left shoulder spoiled his campaign before November arrived and he only suited up for five games. After the lengthy layoff, he’s back and equipped with a newfound drive to help the Los Angeles Lakers win as many games as possible in 2026-27.
“I think what I missed most was just competing, quite frankly. Competing to win,” Kessler said following Tuesday’s loss to the Golden State Warriors. “And I think as far as making me a better basketball player, I just think it has made me long to go try to win every game and win every night. So in turn, that probably makes me a little better basketball player.”
This season will also mark the first time in Kessler’s career he’s playing for a team fully committed to immediate winning. That’s not to besmirch the Utah Jazz but merely a recognition of their emphasis on development and willingness to sacrifice short-term gains in pursuit of better lottery odds to land the best prospects possible throughout Kessler’s Salt Lake City tenure. While they were competitive and won 37 games during his rookie season in 2022-23, they traded away some key contributors and went 18-29 following a 19-16 start, which they could’ve propelled into a postseason berth had they so chosen.
The Lakers, meanwhile, are led by two in-your-prime stars with Luka Dončić and Austin Reaves, who are flanked by a slew of other players, Kessler included, in the prime of their careers. It’ll be interesting to see whether entering win-now circumstances provides Kessler a subtle on-court boost, in addition to how energized he sounds to simply be back on the floor again.
Kessler and the Lakers return to the court Friday night in their preseason finale at home against the Denver Nuggets. Then, they’ll welcome the Warriors to town for their regular-season opener Wednesday night at 7 p.m. That’s when we’ll get our first meaningful glimpse as to how Kessler is faring in his new surroundings.
Knicks center Drew Eubanks (17) battles for position against Toronto Raptors forward Allen Graves (22) and forward Collin Murray-Boyles (30) during the first half of an NBA basketball game at Scotiabank Arena in Toronto, Ontario, Tuesday, Oct. 13, 2026.
The battle for the Knicks’ final roster spot lost a candidate.
Drew Eubanks, a veteran center, suffered a torn pectoral muscle and will be waived by New York, a source confirmed Thursday morning.
Eubanks was among three centers on non-guaranteed deals in training camp, joining James Wiseman and Tony Bradley. As The Post reported a couple weeks ago, Wiseman was the early frontrunner to secure the 14th roster spot. His play recently — he scored 18 points with 10 rebounds in Tuesday’s loss to Toronto — seemed to only bolster his case.
Knicks center Drew Eubanks (17) battles for position against Toronto Raptors forward Allen Graves (22) and forward Collin Murray-Boyles (30) during the first half of an NBA basketball game at Scotiabank Arena in Toronto, Ontario, Tuesday, Oct. 13, 2026. IMAGN IMAGES via Reuters Connect
Coach Mike Brown outlined what he wants from the winner of the competition.
“We just hope that there’s a passion and an energy and a focus coming from that spot because, I’m sure at times that person will start, at times they may be the first backup and at times they may be second backup,” Brown said. “So as the minutes are fluctuating, you’re going to have to generate some internal energy at times, to go play in a low-minute game.
“Sometimes he’ll maybe not play one or two, maybe three games in a row. You look for that, and then you know, you just look for somebody that’s going to play hard at the end of the day – try to do the things that you’re asking on both sides of the floor. And bring a little something different than what the two guys in front of you bring.”
During Tuesday’s loss in Toronto, he played 15 minutes with eight points and two boards.
Knicks center Drew Eubanks (17) passes the ball against Toronto Raptors forward Trayce Jackson-Davis (32) during the second half of a game at Scotiabank Arena in Toronto, Ontario, Tuesday, Oct. 13, 2026. IMAGN IMAGES via Reuters Connect
The Knicks can only keep one more player and stay under the second apron. They also have veteran guard Bruce Brown on a nonguaranteed deal in training camp but have prioritized a center.
To keep Brown, the Knicks would have to unload salary in a trade.
DALLAS, TX - FEBRUARY 7: Anthony Davis #3 of the Dallas Mavericks poses for a photo during a press conference on February 7, 2025 at the Dallas Mavericks Practice Facility 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. Mandatory Copyright Notice: Copyright 2025 NBAE (Photo by Glenn James/NBAE via Getty Images) | NBAE via Getty Images
It’s the middle of October. Football is underway. This is the Cowboys’ year again, somehow. The best part of October, though, is that basketball is back.
For us casual football fans, this is when I start getting locked back into sports. And one thing basketball has over football is the drama: the rumors, the roster construction, and, of course, the trades.
So naturally, let’s hypothesize about who could be on the move this upcoming season.
Anthony Davis
A local Mavericks favorite.
While Anthony Davis was nothing but a professional during his brief tenure in Dallas, the contract extension situation was almost guaranteed to complicate things eventually. I fully expect Davis to play to start the season, but the Wizards are in an interesting position.
They have a roster built around a strange combination of young players, Davis and Trae Young, while simultaneously trying to develop their new cornerstone, AJ Dybantsa. If Dybantsa is the future of the franchise, Washington needs to be careful about how much long-term money it commits to an aging superstar.
That is where things could get interesting. Two teams that could have interest in Davis are the Celtics and Nets.
Boston bolstered its center rotation this offseason with the addition of Mitchell Robinson, but they still don’t have a true defensive anchor who can hold up against the best teams in the playoffs. Davis would give them exactly that while also getting off the Paul George contract.
The Celtics also have a significant amount of draft capital, which gives them the flexibility to make a substantial move without completely sacrificing their future. They could either let Davis’ contract play out or potentially extend him if the fit works.
Washington receives: PG13 + 2027 Celtics FRP + Two SRPs
Boston receives: Anthony Davis
Brooklyn is an even more interesting possibility.
The Nets don’t control their own pick in 2027, so they have little incentive to intentionally bottom out. Their young cornerstones play guard, meaning Davis could take some of the pressure off them offensively while providing a defensive foundation without interfering with their development.
Like Boston, Brooklyn has plenty of draft capital and veteran contracts that could facilitate a deal. They also have significant cap flexibility moving forward. They could extend Davis if the fit works, or let his contract run out and shift their focus back toward their young core.
Washington receives: MPJ + Terrance Mann + 29’ Knicks FRP + 1 SRP
Brooklyn receives: Anthony Davis
For Washington, either scenario gives them a chance to reshape the roster around Dybantsa.
A starting lineup of Trae Young, Kyshawn George, Porter Jr./Paul George, Dybantsa and Sarr would give the Wizards a much clearer timeline and allow them to build around their new franchise centerpiece.
My prediction: I don’t expect Davis to be traded immediately, but if Washington struggles to find a clear identity early in the season, he could become one of the biggest names available at the trade deadline.
Everyone on the Clippers
Adam Silver showed us that he is willing to bring down the hammer on a team, no matter how influential or powerful its owner is. That puts the Clippers in an incredibly awkward position.
They have no real reason to be bad, but they also don’t have a conventional path to acquiring the kind of talent that would turn them into a legitimate contender. If I were the Clippers’ GM, outside of Keaton Wagler, almost everyone would be available.
The strategy would be pretty simple: turn veterans with value into draft capital and younger players. There are a number of different versions of this. Hachimura, Strus, Beal and Jones Jr. could all potentially bring back some combination of picks, young players or future flexibility.
The goal wouldn’t necessarily be to tank. It would be to avoid NBA purgatory.
Clippers receive: Duncan Robinson + Two SRP’s
Detroit receives: Rui Hachimura
The Clippers are in the dangerous territory where they won’t be good enough to seriously contend while not having the conventional path of the draft to get better. There is little reason to hold onto veteran contracts that could be converted into future assets.
Clippers receive: Jalen Suggs + Tristan da Silva
Orlando receives: Max Strus + Bradley Beal + Rui Hachimura
My prediction: I expect the Clippers to be aggressive in looking for opportunities to turn veteran talent into draft capital. If they get the right offer, almost anyone outside of their true foundational pieces should be available.
One of Suggs, Banchero or Wagner
This time last year, the Magic had just made the blockbuster trade to acquire Desmond Bane, and expectations were high.
We all know how that turned out.
Now Orlando enters another season with a talented roster, but one facing some increasingly difficult financial and basketball questions. With Anthony Black’s upcoming extension and the amount of money already committed to the roster, another disappointing season could force the Magic to reconsider how their core is constructed.
At some point, repeated first-round exits become more than bad luck. They become evidence that something about the roster may not be working. If Orlando gets off to another disappointing start, I could see them examining whether their best path forward is to rearrange the core rather than simply adding more pieces around it.
The obvious question is which of the three young stars becomes expendable: Jalen Suggs, Paolo Banchero or Franz Wagner.
The Clippers could potentially swoop in and take a swing on Suggs while Orlando adds depth and flexibility as demonstrated in the trade above. Another possibility could be a Jalen swap with Phoenix.
Orlando receives: Jalen Green
Phoenix receives: Jalen Suggs + Tristan da Silva
Green is on a shorter contract and would give the Magic something they desperately need: another dynamic scoring option. Obviously, trading one of these three would be an enormous decision. These aren’t role players we’re talking about. They’re the players Orlando has spent years building around.
But that’s exactly why this is worth watching. If the Magic believe the current core has reached its ceiling, eventually someone has to make the uncomfortable decision.
My prediction: I don’t expect Orlando to break up the core before the season starts. But if they have another disappointing year, I wouldn’t be shocked if one of these three becomes the centerpiece of a blockbuster trade.
Daniel Gafford
Alas, what is an article on a Mavericks site without one of our own getting traded?
Daniel Gafford will always have a place in Mavs fandom after being the starting center during a Finals run, but his time in Dallas may have simply run its course.
With Morez Johnson Jr. and Dereck Lively fingers crossed projecting as the frontcourt of the future, and even Moussa Cisse potentially entering that conversation, Gafford is the natural player to move.
The key is that Gafford still has established NBA value. Dallas doesn’t necessarily need to trade him, but if the Mavericks believe Lively and Johnson are the long-term answer at center, Gafford becomes one of their more obvious trade chips.
Things can obviously change as the season progresses, but I think getting a first-round pick outright for Gafford is unlikely at this point. If a FRP was ever on the table for him, he would already have been on another team.
As much as I don’t want to be in the Jakob Poeltl business, a deal involving Toronto is one of the better ways Dallas could potentially turn Gafford into a first-round pick while also addressing another area of need.
Dallas receives: Jakob Poetl + TOR 29’ FRP + two SRPs
Toronto receives: Daniel Gafford
Corey Kispert is another player who makes sense for Dallas. He could be a solid ninth- or tenth-man option who provides shooting and spacing, while Atlanta could bolster its center rotation with Gafford.
Dallas receives: Corey Kispert + two SRP’s
Atlanta receives: Daniel Gafford
The exact return is difficult to predict, but the logic behind moving Gafford is pretty straightforward: if Dallas has two young centers they believe in, why not turn their established veteran into another asset?
My prediction: Gafford is the Maverick I would be most surprised to see finish the season in Dallas if the right offer comes along. I don’t think a trade is inevitable, but the fit between his trade value and Dallas’ long-term roster construction makes him an obvious candidate.
Who Actually Gets Moved?
The NBA trade market rarely operates on a predictable timeline. Sometimes it takes one bad month, one injury, or one disappointing playoff series to completely change the direction of a franchise.
That’s what makes trying to predict trades so much fun.
Of the names on this list, Gafford is the player I feel most confident could be available. The Mavericks have a young frontcourt they clearly want to develop, and Gafford is the one player who already has established value around the league. If Dallas can turn him into draft capital or a young player who fits the timeline of this roster, I think it makes too much sense not to explore it.
The more interesting situations are the ones where a team has to make a much bigger decision. Does Washington really want to keep Anthony Davis and Trae Young while AJ Dybantsa develops? Can Orlando keep its core together if another season ends without meaningful playoff progress? Can the Clippers find a path forward after losing 5 years worth of first round picks?
Those are the situations I’ll be watching most closely.
And if there’s one thing we know about the NBA, it’s that the trade nobody saw coming is usually the one that changes everything.
SAN FRANCISCO – Steve Kerr on Thursday gave NBA fans something to think about. It pertains to Stephen Curry, and it’s profoundly logical.
Before digging into your wallet in hopes of coming to an arena and seeing the splendor of Curry in action, please consider that your wish might not be granted.
“We have fans who buy tickets expecting to see Steph,” Kerr said Thursday after practice. “Usually Steph, sometimes other players. People expecting to see vets. And then we have a back-to-back, and we don’t play him. I would just come out and tell the fans out there to be mindful (of the schedule) when you’re buying the tickets because we’ve got not just Steph, but we’ve got multiple vets we are going to try to manage because it’s the only way we can do this.”
This is a warning that goes far beyond basketball fans. This is about being prudent with Curry. About acknowledging that the man who has been scampering circles around NBA defenses since 2009 is now 38 years old and coming off a season in which he missed 27 late-season games after being diagnosed with runner’s knee.
First and foremost, this is about saving Steph, a notorious pusher of envelopes, from himself.
And, in the process, hoping that will keep the Warriors in position to compile a much better record than the 37-45 mark posted last season.
Everyone on Golden State’s payroll understands that Curry the team’s barometer. If he’s available and healthy, the Warriors have a chance to beat any team in the league. If he’s neither, they can tumble like a house of toothpicks. They were 9-18 while Curry was coping with a malady he’d never experienced – and can become chronic if mistreated.
Curry’s body is different than it was 10 years ago, or even five years ago, which has forced an adjustment to his legendary conditioning regimen. He had to curtail the amount of offseason running that was at the base of his fitness.
In four preseason games, Curry has played a total of 64 minutes. He made his first second-half appearance Tuesday night against the Los Angeles Lakers and was on the court for a preseason-high 23 minutes. Normally, when the regular season is so close, he’s closer to 30.
“We are purposely ramping up Steph more slowly this year, this training camp, than he’s used to,” Kerr said. “In the past, by this time he was already in such good playing shape and rhythm because of his routine and his work ethic.
“We purposely are holding him back this year, trying to lessen the load with the knee in mind in particular. So, we’re ramping him up more slowly. He’s right on schedule. This is exactly how we planned it to this point, but every day means he’s doing less.”
Curry’s practice time once again will be reduced in the regular season, just as it has been throughout training camp and the preseason. He participated in only a portion of the team’s practice on Thursday.
“We’re really scaling back his overall workload,” Kerr said, “and trying to find that sweet spot where he can still be in rhythm and be ready to play 32, 34 minutes without all the load that that comes. It’s a different approach.”
This will be a season in which Curry plays few, if any, back-to-back sets. There could be instances in which he misses consecutive games. He’ll hate it, but he’s better about listening to his body than he was 10 years ago.
And Curry won’t be alone.
Golden State’s roster is deeply reliant on a group of players over 35, with Al Horford the oldest at 40 and Draymond Green the youngest at 36. Jimmy Butler III is 37 and won’t be a factor when the season begins on Oct. 21. Kristaps Porziņģis is only 31, but various health issues have made his anatomy considerably older.
Caution is the word for this season, as it should be. It won’t be popular, but it is absolutely necessary.
LOS ANGELES, CA - OCTOBER 13: Walker Kessler #14 of the Los Angeles Lakers warms up before the game against the Golden State Warriors on October 13, 2026 at Thomas & Mack Center in Las Vegas, Nevada. 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 Adam Pantozzi/NBAE via Getty Images) | NBAE via Getty Images
With Kessler on the floor in the first half, the Lakers scored 46 points in 16 minutes. Across the 32 minutes he rested overall, they mustered just 43 points. His pick-and-roll connection with Austin Reaves was quite effective between his vigorous dives to the rim and Reaves’ playmaking abilities. Of Reaves’s seven assists Tuesday night, four stemmed from ball-screens with Kessler, whether it be directly feeding Kessler inside or Kessler commanding extra attention to open up looks on the perimeter.
“I mean, he created probably four or five really good looks for us from three just rolling hard,” Reaves told reporters postgame. “Nobody’s going to give him credit for it, but him putting pressure on the rim and roll opportunities is going to make the X-man [on defense] sink, and we’re going to get wide open threes. We had quite a bit of them tonight.”
Kessler made clear postgame he’s still establishing his footing and timing after not playing since Halloween last year. But he already senses the stress he and Reaves can impose upon defenses out of ball-screen actions, which should also presumably extend to his partnership with Luka Dončić, who received a night off Tuesday.
“With Austin, he’s so good at making the right decision out of the pick and roll. Even if I’m not getting the ball, my roll, that corner guy cracks down and Austin’s so good at throwing that corner pass,” Kessler said. “It’s a lot of fun to play with. I think as I play more, my rhythm will kind of come back as well as kind of game sense. I mean, that first layup I made, I almost fell out of bounds. I had no footing whatsoever. But yeah, it was good to be out there.”
MILWAUKEE, WISCONSIN - OCTOBER 05: LaMelo Ball #1 of the Minnesota Timberwolves celebrates against the Milwaukee Bucks in the second quarter during the preseason NBA game at Fiserv Forum on October 05, 2026 in Milwaukee, Wisconsin. NOTE TO USER: User expressly acknowledges and agrees that, by downloading and or using this photograph, User is consenting to terms and conditions of the Getty Images License Agreement. (Photo by Patrick McDermott/Getty Images) | Getty Images
The Minnesota Timberwolves head to the Windy City to close out their preseason schedule against the Chicago Bulls. After a series of games that showed the awe-inspiring flashes of the starting five’s offense and the tenuous causeway the bench will need to walk to maintain leads, we’re ready for the games to actually matter. Before we can get started with the real stuff, once more we head into the breach.
The Chicago Bulls are a team on the rise. After years of playing towards the play-in, they dismantled much of their team for second-round picks and young players, including four seconds from Minnesota along with Leonard Miller and Rob Dillingham to acquire Ayo Dosunmu. After that mid-season overhaul, they moved up in the lottery odds and selected UNC forward Caleb Wilson.
Head Coach Chris Finch has extended his starters’ minutes more and more as the preseason has worn on, and I expect the same, especially with four full rest days before the opening tip in Miami.
Between both Chicago and Minnesota’s combined starters and benches, this will be a battle of young talent. The Wolves core, most of whom are around 25 years old, have played minutes deep into the playoffs and are gearing up for a long season. They’ll play with their newfound “giddiness” – as Chris Finch called it – with a shade more maturity.
The Bulls, who boast the second-youngest team in the league, will play with a “Giddeyness” of their own. Bulls guard Josh Giddey will be helming the offense and looking to feed the ball to slashing forwards Matas Buzelis and aforementioned top pick Caleb Wilson. If the defense collapses too hard, he will kick out to newly acquired three-point threats, Norman Powell and Buddy Hield.
Giddey, like LaMelo, is a point guard bigger than some NBA forwards at 6’7”. He has a strong handle and averaged a shade over nine assists per game to a decent 3.5 turnovers. His great deficiency is his outside shot, which allows teams to frequently go under screens and dare him to let it fly.
The Bulls figure to be at the bottom of the Eastern Conference standings. Even in the weirdness of preseason, this is a game the Wolves should win.
Minnesota’s starting five showed in the Detroit Pistons game that they can score in bunches out of the gate. What’s more, whether in the lead or chasing, these young Wolves are looking for highlight plays that spark energy throughout a team. The primary concerns for Minnesota were shown in their recent bout as the Pistons’ big and physical team continued to disrupt the flow on defense and pushed their way to the hoop through the Wolves’ skinnier players.
Containing Big Forwards
DENVER, CO – OCTOBER 11: Caleb Wilson #8 of the Chicago Bulls drives to the basket during the game against the Denver Nuggets during a 2026 NBA Preseason game on October 11, 2026 at Ball Arena in Denver, Colorado. NOTE TO USER: User expressly acknowledges and agrees that, by downloading and/or using this Photograph, user is consenting to the terms and conditions of the Getty Images License Agreement. Mandatory Copyright Notice: Copyright 2026 NBAE (Photo by Garrett Ellwood/NBAE via Getty Images) | NBAE via Getty Images
In Buzelis and Wilson, the Bulls have two dynamic forwards who love to put their heads down and drive. Buzelis was in the 92nd percentile last season in rim frequency and saw his average points nearly double as the Bulls put the ball in his hands more.
Wilson apparently reminds people of Kevin Garnett, but thems fighting words in these parts. I do see shades of the Big Ticket’s energy in Wilson’s twiggy 6’10” body, so I won’t begrudge the national media their deja vu. The rookie is developing a three-point shot but butters his bread at the rim.
With defensive legend Rudy Gobert minding the paint, he should be able to shut off most of these attempts by less experienced players. The Bulls’ presumed starting center Nic Claxton, who they acquired as the third team in the Julius Randle trade, has missed all of preseason with an injured hamstring.
To try and give their wings room to fly, Chicago will look to Jalen Smith, who shot 37% from three on over four attempts a game last season. This might juice the offense a bit, but at 6’8”, Smith at center allows the Wolves to contend in the rebound battle.
Bring the Illinoize
AMES, IOWA – OCTOBER 07: Ayo Dosunmu #13 of the Minnesota Timberwolves shoots the ball during the first half against the Indiana Pacers at Hilton Coliseum during a preseason game on October 07, 2026 in Ames, Iowa. NOTE TO USER: User expressly acknowledges and agrees that, by downloading and or using this photograph, User is consenting to terms and conditions of the Getty Images License Agreement. (Photo by Tyler Clouse/Getty Images) | Getty Images
This will be Ayo Dosunmu’s first time playing against Chicago since he was traded. He was drafted by the Bulls in 2021 with the 38th pick.
As a kid who grew up in Chicago in the twilight of the Jordan era, he watched the rise and fall of the Thibe-Bulls headed by Derrick Rose, Joakim Noah, Luol Deng, Taj Gibson, and Jimmy Butler.
On the cusp of reclaiming their relevance behind the play of DeMar DeRozan, former Wolf Zach LaVine, and Lonzo Ball, he was selected to play for his hometown team and even given starter’s minutes several times in his first two seasons. From there, the Bulls unfortunately fell apart due to injury and bad management.
Despite his bench assignment, Ayo continued to improve. He honed his three-point shot (save for a weird 2025 season), improved his rebounding, and continued to bring energy to a team badly in need of it. When he was traded to Minnesota, he went right to work finding where he could fit in and help his new team. Now, with the bag secured and more familiarity with his team, he is primed for a breakout.
There will be plenty of emotions playing against his old team in their home arena in front of his community. The Bulls are looking for direction after tearing down their team. For Ayo Dosunmu, his eyes are raised higher than the Willis Tower.
