Category: NBA

CAMDEN, NJ — When LeBron James signed with Philadelphia 76ers, one of his reasons was his belief that he could help make the NBA franchise a championship team with its already established stars and new additions to the roster.

He doubled down on that Monday, Sept. 28 in front of a packed room at 76ers media day.

"I didn’t leave my family to lose in the second round," James said. "I know that for sure. Work needs to be done, and I’m ready to get to work."

The four-time NBA champion spent more than 18 minutes at the podium inside the 76ers' training facility on Monday, answering questions before a packed room that included team executives, Mike Gansey, the team's new president of basketball operations, with whom he had a previous relationship dating back to their Northeast Ohio roots and later their time together with the Cleveland Cavaliers.

RETIREMENT LOOMING? NBA star weighs in on retirement and whether 76ers is last stop

The session began with James cracking a joke as he removed his name tag from the table: "You guys know who I am, right?" But as his' introductory news conference continued, one overarching theme remained: Why Philadelphia?

Why return to the Eastern Conference and pick the 76ers, who got swept by the New York Knicks in the second round of the NBA playoffs last season and haven't reached the Eastern Conference Finals since 2001 with Allen Iverson?

Simply put, it was Tyrese Maxey.

James has developed a close relationship with the Sixers' All-Star point guard over the years, as the two share the same agent, Rich Paul, the founder and CEO of Klutch Sports Group, and have frequently worked out together.

LeBron on how his relationship with Tyrese Maxey served as a big factor in his decision to sign with the #Sixers: pic.twitter.com/Gv2E4vCtre

— John Leuzzi (@ByJohnLeuzzi) September 28, 2026

"I have a really, really good, great relationship with Tyrese," James said. " We talked a lot, and I kind of picked his brain a lot, not only about where he sees his career going, how he sees the franchise here, and how much he believes in the franchise. And if I was to come here, how does he see me fitting in? Do we think it'd be a plus, or do we think it'd be a negative?

"Because I understand my personality and what comes with me. Sometimes it can be a negative."

But in the end, when James weighed his options, which he said consisted of a group of five teams, Maxey was a main deciding factor in making the City of Brotherly Love the next stop in his Hall of Fame career. 

"I was just asking all the questions I could ask him, and it wasn’t just one conversation," James said. "… When I broke a lot of the teams down, (when) I broke a lot of the franchises down that I could possibly play for, he was one of the main deciding factors."

Maxey said once the 76ers traded Paul George to the Boston Celtics for Jaylen Brown and then once James wasn't expected to re-sign with the Los Angeles Lakers, he believed Philadelphia had a legitimate chance to land the NBA's all-time leading scorer.

"He called me one day, we chopped it up and I think he may be coming," Maxey said. "But him being here is really cool, really cool. I think it's going to be really good for our team, good for the organization, good for the city, for our team. He's someone who's done it before, who's won before. ... He's going to just uplift the whole entire team, entire organization."

James looking to bring veteran presence to 76ers

In addition to teaming up with Maxey, James will join a star-studded starting lineup featuring 2023 MVP Joel Embiid, Brown, the 2024 NBA Finals MVP, and VJ Edgecombe., a member of the 2025-26 All-Rookie team.

Maxey is entering his seventh season in Philadelphia, while Edgecombe begins his second NBA campaign after finishing third in Rookie of the Year voting last season. Embiid and Brown bring plenty of experience as established veterans, with the Sixers' All-Star center still searching for his first NBA title despite an accomplished career.

JOEL EMBIID HEALTH UPDATE: 76ers center 'feeling pretty good' entering season

The 76ers bench includes Kentavious Caldwell-Pope, 2026 first-round pick Labaron Philon Jr. and Dean Wade among others.

James hopes his championship pedigree, leadership and postseason experience can help unite Philadelphia's blend of young talent and veteran stars as the franchise looks to finally break through and make a deep playoff run.

"I have a lot of experience in this game, obviously, so I hope that I could bring that experience, bring that knowledge, bring the blueprint to guys that are trying to accomplish some things that they haven't done in their career," James said. "I've seen everything that this league has to offer on the floor and off the floor. I hope that every single day with my approach to the game, approach to the work that it can translate to every single guy and even guys that's being able to win at the highest level.

"Looking forward to that challenge."

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This article originally appeared on USA TODAY: LeBron James on 76ers' title goals: 'I didn’t leave my family to lose in second round'

Media day has arrived once again, and while historically for the Detroit Pistons it has been about getting a sense of players’ offseason work, getting in the best shape of your life, and building on whatever you learned last season, this year it had a bit of extra drama — the Jalen Duren contract standoff.

Duren, the All-Star and All-NBA restricted free agent of the Pistons, was not in attendance at media day, and that left others to do the talking about Duren. There isn’t much people can say — Pistons president Trajan Langdon categorically refused to comment on anything even tangentially related to contract negotiations.

However, if I am free to award myself the latitude of informed speculation and intuition, I think there was plenty to learn about the Jalen Duren saga from today’s media day. Here are my top 5 takeaways.

1. Jalen Duren WILL be a Detroit Piston this season

Look, everything could be positioning and a negotiating tactic. But Trajan Langdon provided little daylight in his expressed expectations regarding Duren this season. “He will be a Detroit Piston,” Langdon said. You can’t get more unequivocal than that.

Moreso, Langdon seemed to go into today’s media session with a game plan to make one thing clear — whenever this drama plays itself out to its inevitable conclusion, mission one was to make clear that it will all be water under the bridge when Duren does arrive back with the team, whether that be on a new long-term deal or on a one-year qualifying offer.

“He’s going to be a huge part of the team, regardless of which decision he does make. He will be a Detroit Piston, and we’ll do everything we can to support him and get the best version of him, which is what we’ve done the past two years, and that will not change. Those are things that we can control. His decision is not a point that we can control,” Langdon said.

2. Jalen Duren’s reps might be off of the Christmas card list this year

Langdon was exacting and elegant with his word choice, but I think it’s pretty clear that as much as it’s all water under the bridge once Duren is finally back with the team, there is no love lost between Duren’s reps and Langdon. When Langdon was asked about the media reports that indicate that Duren feels disrespected by the franchise over how these talks have played out, Langdon felt particularly measured. Sometimes its the sense of what you’re not saying that says a lot, you know what I mean. That didn’t mean Trajan delivered useless pablum.

“I won’t let anybody’s feelings get in the way of decisions that I make professionally. That has nothing to do [with it]. So reports that are out there are also meaningless to me.”

It felt clear to me that Langdon understands that this is a bit of asymmetric warfare where Duren’s people are able to easily plant narratives into the media and that he isn’t going to get into the business of playing the same game. Whether that amounts to understandable hardball or not negotiating in good faith, I can’t quite tell. But it feels like if there is any bad blood, it is not on Duren and is instead on Duren’s reps.

3. Trajan Langdon hasn’t spoken to Jalen Duren all summer

This is the most straightforward — Langdon literally said, “I have not spoken to the young man all summer” in regards to Duren. I wanted to list this as its own line item because I am speculating it might get picked up and aggregated on social media. But please understand that a GM not being in direct contact with a player during negotiations is completely normal and expected. When you get to the point of negotiating big contracts, it can involve big feelings. We’ve certainly seen that play out. So it’s best to have a bright dividing line between the hard work of putting dollar numbers to worth and personal relationships. Contract talks are for agents not for players.

4. Even if the fans are in their feelings, the players have no beef with JD

It’s just business. That was a clear message anytime a player was asked about Jalen Duren. Most notably, that was the message delivered by Cade Cunningham. Much was made in the media of the fact that Cunningham organized a team retreat, and Duren opted not to attend while he was still negotiating his contract. Cunningham couldn’t have seemed to care less. Cunningham equated it to the high-level negotiations he himself had with the Pistons last offseason, and that Duren was just doing what was best for him.

“I mean, that’s my brother. You know, on the court, off the court, we went to war together, obviously. But you know, we’ve had dinners together. I’ve met his family. He’s met my family. The negotiation is between front office and his representation, and so they’re gonna figure that out,” Cunningham said. “So the best thing I can do is be there for them to support them, encourage them, not let them get too down whenever it’s such a crazy time for them.”

5. In Paul Reed we trust

While Duren was the main topic of the day in the minds of the media, nearly everyone spontaneously had great things to say about Paul Reed, who will serve as Duren’s backup or maybe even the team’s starting center should Duren continue his holdout deep into the season.

JB Bickerstaff called him the hardest-working player he’s ever been around. That is not faint praise when you consider how many players Bickerstaff has been around during his long coaching career. Cunningham praised Paul. Javonte Green praised Paul. Isaiah Joe reminisced about how they both entered the league in Philadelphia together and that he was the first player he heard from after the trade from OKC.

As for Paul himself, he was his typical self — hates losing, obsessed with working hard, and not making anything more complicated than it needs to be. Just do what you do to help the team be successful. We will see just how much will get put onto Paul’s plate once the season finally arrives.

SAN FRANCISCO ― Jimmy Butler III is in a rehabilitative state following a torn ACL injury in January that sidelined him for the remainder of the 2025-26 season. He still isn't back.

General manager Mike Dunleavy told reporters during Monday's media day that Butler is doing light court work but won't be available for opening night.

Still, Butler's presence shines a light in the Golden State Warriors locker room. Butler is always good for an annual meme, especially on media day. He stared and smirked at teammate Draymond Green as he was finishing his interview session with media members.

They shared a warm embrace as Green left the podium and Butler took his place. Butler rocked a new haircut and dangling diamond earrings that shone from ear to ear as he shared how great he felt.

Jimmy Butler injury update

"Rehabbing every day. I'm to a point now where I get to start running a little bit," Butler said. "I can dunk a basketball, in case anybody wants to know. Very excited about that. But it's still a process, but at least I get to play basketball a little bit now, and I know that all the work that I have been putting in, it's starting to get to basketball."

A vulnerable Butler shared how tough the process has been for him, not being able to play the game he loves.

"I think it's difficult to me because I do love to play basketball, and I know that I will return still being able to play at a high level, but I want to hoop now. I wanted to hoop two months ago, three months ago," Butler said. "I want to go out there and compete with my guys, with Dray, be Robin again to Steph's Batman. I know I will be able to do that at an incredibly high level, but I just miss the game. I miss not being around my guys. So any time I get to be around them and laugh, joke, compete in ways that I can't compete, it's all a plus for me."

Jimmy Butler on missing the game

Being around the guys is infectious. Butler knows that his personality can bring up their spirits. He relishes that aspect of being a favored teammate.

"Probably just being very vocal and just being around the guys. Honestly, I think it's more about the smiling, even when it's not going the way that we would want it to go, it's still okay to have fun and to smile," Butler said. "I'm coming back from an ACL. I'm smiling, I'm happy. I get to be around these guys, some of the greatest players of all time, phenomenal organization. It's never all bad. I'm not going to sit here and say it's all good either."

"I think my main job is going to be like, hey, guys, I can't go out there and play with you individuals, but that doesn't mean that this is a bad day," he added. "You know, I still get to be around y'all. I still get to call myself an NBA player. So as bad as things might seem, I promise you, it's definitely not that bad."

He's not listening to any naysayers. He knows he's 37. He doesn't care, nor listen to what critics say about him recovering from injury and returning to the player he once was.

"I am confident that whenever I come back, I'll be more than ready, I'll be more than healthy, and I'll be more of a better player, all-around player than I was whenever I went down," Butler said.

He doesn't have a target but simply said, "when it's time, it's time".

This article originally appeared on USA TODAY: Jimmy Butler injury update: Warriors star opens up, 'I just miss the game'

After being massively underpaid for the first five seasons of his NBA career, Austin Reaves signed a four-year, $184 million deal this summer to stay with the Los Angeles Lakers for the foreseeable future. His 2025-26 salary ($41.2 million) rightfully ranks him among the league’s 40 highest-paid players as the 28-year-old presumably enters his prime and should vie for All-Star appearances out West over the next few seasons.

During Monday’s media day, Reaves described those contract negotiations as “weird” because he didn’t want to be anywhere else and told reporters he mostly took a hands-off approach by letting his agents handle things.

“It’s weird, to be honest with you. I’m glad that’s behind us and we got that over with. It’s difficult because I’ve been here for five years, this is going on my sixth year,” Reaves said. “This is home to me. I want to be here. Both parties wanted that to happen. It was just how can we figure out what’s best for our team, figure out what’s best for me at the same time. We had a good time doing it.

“I didn’t talk much. My agents took care of all that. Stay out of the way and then when we get a number we like, we take. Like I said, my heart was always here. I didn’t want to go anywhere else. I’m just happy to be back.”

Between Monday’s comments and ones he made during the summer, it’s evident the entire process weighed on Reaves. Shortly after he signed his new deal this summer, he called it “a sigh of relief” and a “breath of fresh air” to remain in Los Angeles.

Throughout multiple free agency negotiations, Reaves has always made it clear that he’s wanted to remain in Los Angeles and with the Lakers. The franchise has repeatedly rewarded that loyalty with big paydays.

Reaves clearly loves being a Laker and is ecstatic to be around for the long haul as the only franchise he’s ever known embarks on a new era with him and Luka Dončić leading the way.

You can follow Jackson on Twitter at @jackfrank_jjf.

Devin Booker kicked off his 12th season for the Phoenix Suns with a new number, but just as cool and as confident as ever.

As Booker approaches his 30th birthday in October, he has accomplished a lot in his career, but there is still a lot left in the tank.

“I love the game more than ever,” said Booker during his media day press conference. “Honestly, my body feels better than it’s ever felt going into a training camp. So, I think, you know, as you get older you know, you learn new ways to train, new ways to take care of your body… I’ve been a sponge to, you know, a lot of guys that have had success and played a lot of years in their career.”

Last year, Booker played in just 64 games and averaged 33.5 minutes per contest, both his lowest marks since his rookie season. No matter what version of him we get this season, the Suns need him healthy and confident to be the best team they can be this year. His level of play and status have fallen in the NBA player hierarchy, but the Suns cannot function without him in the lineup.

Because the Suns brought back almost the entire roster from last season, Booker expects more success and growth from the team this season.

“I’m excited about it. In the past, you know, I’ve been more successful; the team has been more successful when you know, we know what to expect going into the year,” said Booker.

“We’re coming in all with the same mindset to win. So time will tell, but you know, it’s definitely gonna be nice seeing some familiar faces back, with the same coach. We’re all on the same page. This summer was a big summer for us to keep all the same guys in the same building.”

For Booker, Jordan Ott is only the second head coach he has played consecutive seasons for in his career, with the other being Monty Williams. That alone, plus bringing back most of the roster, puts the Suns and Booker in a better position to begin the season strong.

“We got together a few times, you know, as a full team,” Booker said. “You know, I know Dillon [Brooks] had about half the guys in Toronto too. We all met in Vegas. We all were in Flagstaff, and you know, this past month we’ve been running a lot of open gyms, probably three times a week in the facility… There isn’t an off season anymore. You know, we’ve been building; we’ve been getting that chemistry together.”

For Booker, Jalen Green and Dillon Brooks, building chemistry together is vital to the Suns’ success this season, with the trio only playing in 10 regular season games last season. Throw Miles Bridges and Khaman Maluach into the mix, and there is still a lot of untapped continuity for this team to figure out.

As for Maluach and Booker’s chemistry, the two have been working together this offseason to figure it out.

“You know, we would end up being in the gym at the same time late night, and then one time he just texted me and was like, you know, can we get some work in together?” said Booker. “So, you know, I think that guard and big relationship is super important, and you know, he’s way ahead of the curve.”

With all the Suns’ offseason work and hours together, they need to start fast and start healthy.

“To start the season, we’re gonna be definitely ahead of where we were to start the season last year,” said Booker.

“We have to remain healthy, and you know, we’re gonna get that chance to, you know, like I said, start this season off more on the same page than we were last year.”

Booker and the Suns have the chance to hit the ground running this year because of their depth and continuity, and the Suns franchise player has been leading the way all offseason.

SAN FRANCISCO ― Draymond Green is excited for the 2026-27 season for plenty of reasons.

Green signed a one-year, $27.7 million deal to return to the Golden State Warriors; he's back paired with his right-hand Steph Curry and he's the vet who will teach rookie Yaxel Lendeborg the ropes. They immediately developed a friendly banter, having gone to rival schools: Lendeborg to Michigan, and Green to Michigan State. College rivalry aside, Green likes what he sees from their rookie.

"Needless to say, he's going to be -- obviously we know what Steph does, myself, but he's going to be important," Green said about Lendeborg. "I think from what I've seen already, I think my role for him will be to make sure he's always aggressive. You know, he's one of those guys that has the skill set to do certain things, but the way you see the game could affect that negatively. Meaning I can just go get a bucket, but I'm watching this play out, so let me try to make this play. It's, like, no, the right play is actually for you to probably go get the bucket."

Green made a point to himself to stay on top of Lendeborg's development in the league. Mainly, staying aggressive.

"At all times you should be downhill trying to get to the rim. Like, there will be a time in his career where, you know, you may become, like, the playmaker, but I don't know if everybody is going to need him making plays for them his rookie year," Green said. "You need to have the play made for you, and not necessarily made for you because he can make the play himself, but let guys be making the play for you and you're going to score."

Draymond Green on new challenges

With the amount of injuries that the Warriors have suffered, it will be on everyone to step up, including more from Green. Head coach Steve Kerr expressed a change in their offense, going to a more modern style with five-out on the perimeter.

There will be more offensive expectations from Green, especially with injuries to guys like Jimmy Butler III and Moses Moody to start the season.

“[Yaxel] is REALLY good, I was very impressed. I actually hate to say it because that means he was really good last year at Michigan.” 😅🤝

Draymond Green says he’s impressed by Yaxel Lendeborg’s game and believes he will be an important piece this season. pic.twitter.com/9tiohDmKcI

— 95.7 The Game (@957thegame) September 28, 2026

There’s no doubting that the Golden State Warriors will enter the 2026-27 NBA season with a whole lot of talent. Instead, the question with the Dubs has always been whether they can stay healthy, with Steph Curry and Draymond Green’s mounting list of ailments, Jimmy Butler III’s ACL, and Moses Moody’s patellar tendon.

The biggest injury question mark, however? That of Kristaps Porziņģis. After trading Jonathan Kuminga for him at February’s deadline, the Warriors somewhat surprisingly gave Porziņģis a two-year, $40 million extension to kick off the offseason.

When the Dubs inked the All-Star to that extension, the reasoning was simple: he fit in brilliantly both on offense and defense in his short stint last season, and can transform the team on both ends of the court. The concern was equally simple: for a variety of reasons, the 7’2 Porziņģis has been unable to stay on the court throughout his career. Just look at his games played totals for the last nine seasons:

48
0
57
43
51
65
57
42
32

And unfortunately, that trend is already continuing to start this season. When the Warriors arrived in Hawaii to start training camp on Monday, the 31-year old Porziņģis was not there with them. He is officially listed as out indefinitely due to a health issue, though the team has not provided more details than that.

According to GM Mike Dunleavy Jr., Porziņģis was fully cleared last week, but informed the team on Sunday of a health issue, and won’t join the team in Hawaii. The Dubs are in Hawaii for the first week of camp, which includes a preseason game on Sunday against the LA Clippers in Honolulu. They return to the Bay Area after that, as they host the Los Angeles Lakers next Tuesday in a preseason contest.

While the Warriors are being vague about what Porziņģis is dealing with, Dunleavy did try to temper concerns, tell reporters that the center is out for the week, but has not been ruled out for the start of the season in late October.

Dunleavy on Porzingis: "I'm not marking him down as being out to start the season or anything like that. He's just not available this week."https://t.co/ec5irIUgXC

— Anthony Slater (@anthonyVslater) September 28, 2026

Sadly, none of this is surprising. But hopefully good news is on the horizon for Porziņģis and the team.

With three starters from last year’s team now gone — LeBron James, Deandre Ayton and Rui Hachimura — the Los Angeles Lakers have dramatically overhauled their roster, led by a lively series of transactions during free agency.

Among those brought in to help Los Angeles compete near the top of the Western Conference was Quentin Grimes, who has a chance to earn a starting spot alongside Luka Dončić, Austin Reaves and Walker Kessler. During Monday’s media day, Grimes told reporters that a Lakers team full of new faces is getting along well and gelling rather quickly.

Quentin Grimes says that the team has gotten along well quickly, and has gelled on the court at a rapid pace.

Grimes says that the Lakers will "shock" a lot of people in the NBA season ahead.

— Benjamin Royer (@thebenroyer) September 28, 2026

He also said Los Angeles has the talent to “shock a lot of people this year, for sure” and wants to claim one of the two remaining starting spots up for grabs.

Quentin Grimes wants to win a starting spot as he joins the Lakers. He says they’re talented enough to “shock a lot of people this year, for sure.” pic.twitter.com/wHQcyPF9UH

— Greg Beacham (@gregbeacham) September 28, 2026

With his point-of-attack defense, outside shooting, finishing and connective passing, Grimes profiles as an ideal fit next to Dončić. He briefly played with Dončić on the Dallas Mavericks and spent 2.5 seasons alongside Jalen Brunson in New York, so he’s experienced in the sort of role he’ll likely enjoy alongside Dončić and Austin Reaves moving forward.

The keys for Grimes will be to streamline his offensive decision-making and ratchet up the defense to his pre-Philadelphia ways. Sometimes, he’s a bit erratic and rushed attacking closeouts while he never really resembled the menacing on-ball defender folks were previously accustomed to during his tenure as a Sixer.

If he refines those areas, he’ll be a wonderful complementary starter for the Lakers and play a major role in whether they can actually surprise for the better this season.

You can follow Jackson on Twitter at @jackfrank_jjf.

SAN FRANCISCO ― The Golden State Warriors will only go as far as their franchise leader Stephen Curry will take them.

That is partially why it was important for him to ink a deal to return to the Warriors for the next year or two. Now that the dust has settled and the ink is dry, an area of focus for Curry will be his availability.

Curry missed 39 games for the Warriors last year with knee issues. Entering his 18th season, he's not getting any younger. He spent the offseason nursing his knee through many rounds of golf during the summer, now he's ready for basketball.

"Knee is feeling great, ready to go. No issues at all. There is a management element of it for sure where you just have to be mindful of everything that you're doing in practice, games, preparation," Curry said. "We haven't talked about the game schedule yet or anything like that where I'm kind of getting too far ahead of myself, but for training camp and the preseason schedule and getting myself into shape and ready to go, there's no limitations at all."

Curry is more confident going into the year, he said, after becoming stronger and understanding that he doesn't have 18-year-old knees anymore, let alone 28-year-old ligaments.

"So I'm excited to get out there and hoop. I feel like I've built a really good foundation over the summer to be in a much better position up until, what, November last year, it wasn't really any kind of signs or symptoms, but I feel a lot stronger and more understanding of what I'm dealing with," he said. "That gives me a lot of confidence going into the year."

Celtics head coach Joe Mazzulla understands what’s ahead for Boston.

In fact, he’s anticipating it more than anything else. Mazzulla made that clear when he took the podium Monday during the team’s media day at the Auerbach Center.

“The most thing I’m excited about is the unknown,” Mazzulla told reporters, per CLNS Media. “I always get excited about that because there’s risk to the unknown, but there’s also opportunity to the unknown.”

For the second consecutive postseason, the Celtics have failed to make it beyond the second round. It hasn’t been since the team was led by Isaiah Thomas (in 2015-16) that Boston has gone back-to-back years without securing a spot in the Eastern Conference Finals.

Last time the Celtics took the floor, they fumbled a 3-1 series lead over the 76ers for the first time in franchise history — in front of their home crowd in a disappointing Game 7.

For Mazzulla, entering his fifth season at the helm, that does two things: it mounts pressure and keeps him fueled in the most Mazzulla way imaginable.

“I know the stories I tell myself to keep myself internally motivated,” Mazzulla shared, “which are healthy and unhealthy at the same time.”

Mazzulla has seen it all since replacing Ime Udoka four years ago, shortly before the team’s training camp in 2022. From coaching the team through a 3-1 series deficit to fight for a Game 7 to going 16-3 en route to raising Banner 18, Mazzulla has undergone more than he’d be willing to admit.

First look 👀 pic.twitter.com/NBQ9Xs0RK3

— Boston Celtics (@celtics) September 28, 2026

Last season, without Jayson Tatum for most of the regular season, and with a talent-depleted roster, Mazzulla coached the C’s to 56 wins. He was even named the NBA’s Coach of the Year, becoming the youngest recipient at 37 years old in over 50 years (since Phil Johnson in 1974–75).

By maximizing last offseason’s group, most notably Neemias Queta, Luka Garza, then-rookie Hugo González and Jordan Walsh, Mazzulla changed the discourse surrounding the Celtics. Rather than linking the team to a justified tanking-for-draft-capital case throughout the regular season, the Celtics were being talked about as legitimate championship contenders to make it out of the East.

When it all came to a crashing end in Game 7 of the first round, Mazzulla took time and reflected.

“The first couple of weeks of a end of a season, even when you win, is kind of a debrief of the type of person and coach you became,” Mazzulla explained, “based on everything you went through. And then you take the rest of that summer of like, ‘OK, with all that information, who do I wanna become? And what do I wanna get better at?”

That’s been a constant obsession for Mazzulla.

Even with a championship ring and a COTY trophy to his name, Mazzulla hasn’t abandoned his student-of-the-game approach. He’s willing to accept the discomfort of blowing a 3-1 lead to Philadelphia and extract something of value to apply moving forward. To him, there’s value in both the highs and lows of an NBA season.

Everything the Celtics, including Mazzulla, went through last season shaped them through experience and perspective.

“I’m different,” Mazzulla continued. “I’m a product of the experiences that you go through. So you wanna get better at those, and the great thing about the NBA season is it’s gonna put you in more situations that you’re gonna become a product of. And you work to use those to your advantage to grow as a coach, as a person and as a team.”

Just as the Celtics faced what looked to be a colossal challenge in starting the season without Tatum nearly a year ago, the team took their circumstances in stride. Mazzulla treated the season as any other, regardless of what Boston had to work with, and made the absolute most despite suffering a historic tumble to close it out.

This time, it’ll be Round 2 as Mazzulla undergoes his next test.

Boston moved on from Jaylen Brown this offseason and replaced him with Paul George, who’s only a year younger than Mazzulla. The demand for support guys like Derrick White, Payton Pritchard, Queta and González remains high, as is the standard to make a deep playoff run this go-around.

That hasn’t gone anywhere.  

“I don’t know that it’s necessarily the phrase ‘without Jaylen,’” Mazzulla said. “It’s really every year that it gets answered. Every year you’re getting new players, old players, the same players you have coming back to expand their games, and they look differently. So it’s not as much of what does it look like without one person or the other as much as what’s our roster? How can we take advantage of the strength and the talent that we have? How can we take advantage of the offseason and the work that the guys have put in? And turn that into an offense and a defensive philosophy.”

Subtracting Jrue Holiday, Kristaps Porziņģis, Al Horford, Luke Kornet, and over 70 percent of Tatum’s ninth season put Mazzulla’s clipboard to the ultimate test. He’s been there, faced it, and found ways to work around it.

This upcoming season will be no different in that regard.

There’s an emotional rupture still within the fanbase mourning Brown’s departure. There’s the thrust of Tatum back to the forefront as Boston’s alpha, coming off his career-threatening Achilles tear in 2025. There’s the need for guys to deliver, maneuver and buy into what Mazzulla and the coaching staff deem the formula.

That — all of that — is the unknown.

It’s finally that time! After a shorter offseason than any other this decade but still a long 3 1/2 month wait, it’s finally Media Day for the 2026-27 Spurs. There was definitely a different vibe than recent years with the team fresh off a trip to the Finals but with a chip on their shoulder from the loss and still plenty of room to learn and grow. Here are the biggest takeaways.

Staff additions and promotions

Before things got started, the Spurs did a press release with all staff hires and promotions, including Billy Donovan as new assistant coach as well as his son, Billy Donovan III (who was an Austin Spurs assistant back in 2017) in player development.

Spurs welcome Billy Donovan as new assistant coach and announce several new promotions and additions to the Basketball Ops crew. pic.twitter.com/uAJDRKyTTV

— Dan Weiss (@DanWeissPBP) September 28, 2026

Dealing with higher expectations

With this being the first time most of these Spurs enter a new season fresh off a playoff appearance, let a lone a Finals ones, a new factor to deal with this season are greater expectations and having a target on their back. Here is what head coach Mitch Johnson, who in just two years of coaching has been on both ends of the expectation spectrum, had to say about meeting the moment:

“I understand that’s what comes with the field we’re in and the positions that we hold in our jobs, but it really doesn’t mean anything. There’s things we want to improve upon and things we felt like we did a good job of that we want to continue to grow in. The expectations are kind of like big games, right? There’s added enthusiasm, excitement, criticism, opinions. And I guess I’d say I’ve been on both sides of it now in this league one way or another, and I’ll take the (high) expectations.”

Speaking of higher expectations, Victor Wembanyama not only enters the season as the potential favorite for MVP, but he also managed to establish himself as a villain during the playoffs with his play, antics and emotions. As far has he’s concerned, that’s a sign of respect.

Victor Wembanyama shared his perspective on being vilified at times during the playoff run: “It feels like going through something of great magnitude and feels like destiny of anybody — We're fighting for the top spot of the mountain. We're going to have to move people in our… pic.twitter.com/deumzMvtWC

— Jared Weiss (@JaredWeissNBA) September 28, 2026

Acknowledging the past, preparing for the future

Everyone remembers what happened in the Finals and are using it has motivation. Wemby acknowledged that the losses kept him up at times but he learned to accept that it is part of the growing curve.

Wemby on sitting with the emotions of the Finals loss: “It’s been hard to fall asleep sometimes. Hard emotions. But there is a point where you accept that you have to go through it. You have to feel all of it. We don’t want to hide from anything.” pic.twitter.com/Yhh1CJOtCn

— Jared Weiss (@JaredWeissNBA) September 28, 2026

De’Aaron Fox also addressed falling short of expectation in the Finals while playing on a bad ankle, while also having to get past that mental hurdle and move on.

"Injuries happen. I was able to play through it, so I played. I wish I played better, but I didn't. I have a gift of being able to move on. I move on, and I reflect. But it's a new season. It's a new day." pic.twitter.com/kAfmfi4X9I

— Josh Paredes (@Josh810) September 28, 2026

At the same time, folks should watch out, because another factor in the loss was Wemby’s lack of stamina in the Finals, which he has addressed, to the point where he has surprised even himself.

"My [conditioning] baseline has increased. I'm in better shape than I could've expected, just from experience and growing. It doesn't mean I pushed myself less this summer." pic.twitter.com/bkyDsfOUxv

— Josh Paredes (@Josh810) September 28, 2026

On the motivation side, Wemby said he couldn’t imagine a better motivation than losing. Redemption 2.0 incoming?

"Is that loss in the Finals the ultimate motivation for this season for you?"

"I can't imagine a better motivation." pic.twitter.com/Tb3vwE67Mq

— Josh Paredes (@Josh810) September 28, 2026

Welcoming Tobias Harris

As the main offseason addition, Harris said all the things we’re used to hearing from player who join the Spurs, whom after 15 years in the league, he has admired from afar.

"Excited to be here. Since I came into the league, this organization has truly epitomized excellence. When the opportunity was presented, I was really excited. [To] strive for something I haven't achieved yet. I'm blessed to be a part of it." pic.twitter.com/EffaR946p0

— Josh Paredes (@Josh810) September 28, 2026

He also had extremely high praise of Wemby thanks to their summer workouts together despite only knowing each other for a couple of months now.

Tobias Harris gave some of the HIGHEST praise about Victor Wembanyama:

“He’s the most talented player in the NBA…”

“I’ve been in the league for 16 years/seasons. I have not seen a guy work as hard as he works.” pic.twitter.com/9QqGRR5iju

— SpursNationSA (@SpursNation_SA) September 28, 2026

Finally, he said he’s willing to except any role, with his only goal being to win. That will be a good thing, because there is a lot of talent on this team and more than five players capable of being starters anywhere else in the NBA.

First Spurs media day for @tobias31 📸 pic.twitter.com/8FkO8gWLPj

— San Antonio Spurs (@spurs) September 28, 2026

The Slash Bros

Questions have and will continue to persist about the Spurs’ dynamic guard trio of Fox, Dylan Harper and Stephon Castle. Johnson addressed it head on, saying they plan on playing all three together more this season but couldn’t say how much.

Mitch Johnson's full answer on the three-guard rotation of Fox, Castle, and Harper. pic.twitter.com/OEvgTAErl9

— Josh Paredes (@Josh810) September 28, 2026

All three guards also said all the right things when asked about it, saying they expect/hope to play more together, but there won’t be any tension over who’s starting or coming off the bench.

"I think we had some success when us three were on the court. It didn't happen a lot, but I definitely expect to see it more, and for us to continue to grow both offensively and defensively." https://t.co/baU5TV783kpic.twitter.com/U3ev3W8gQv

— Josh Paredes (@Josh810) September 28, 2026

#Spurs’ Stephon Castle speaks on the De’Aaron Fox-Dylan Harper narrative, and why he feels it’s all “outside noise”: pic.twitter.com/jwPRgalaqf

— Matt Guzman (@mattgzman) September 28, 2026

"Everyone has a competitive edge to them. The biggest thing for me is whatever I can do to help the team win, whatever position all the coaches think is best for me to be in — that's the position I have to go in. Whatever happens this year, I'm always going to stay positive." pic.twitter.com/PzRBDoGz7i

— Josh Paredes (@Josh810) September 28, 2026

They’ll be fine.

Slash Bros 🏰🦊🪉 pic.twitter.com/Z9MMlfxrxr

— San Antonio Spurs (@spurs) September 28, 2026

Picking on Castle

Castle appeared to be the butt of jokes today. First, Devin Vassell and Carter Bryant crashed his press conference, with Vassell asking if Castle or Carter had more bounce. Castle scoffed and said himself, but honestly, considering they’re the two reigning Dunk Context runners-up, it’s hard to say. Maybe we need a dunk off?

Devin Vassell and Carter Bryant crash Stephon Castle’s Media Day interview 🤣

Vassell: “Who got more bounce, you or Carter and why is it Carter?”

Castle: “You know the answer to that bro. You know Carter doesn’t have more bounce than me.”

(via @spurs) pic.twitter.com/s9ObcgZqVN

— ClutchPoints (@ClutchPoints) September 28, 2026

Carter also harassed Castle about his “killer” little dog. (Don’t laugh! I had a miniature dachshund I had to hold or put in another room when strangers came to the house; she once grabbed a worker’s jeans and he freaked out!)

Spurs’ Carter Bryant asks Stephon Castle when he’s going to unleash his dog, Steph Says his dog is a killer and he’s gonna unleash him when he’s ready:@spurfectblog#PorVidapic.twitter.com/qxRuMP7pEi

— Carolina Teague (@CTtheMicSlayer) September 28, 2026

And of course, Keldon Johnson interrupted Castle with one of his classic yells. Who can’t love this team?

lmaoooo Keldon doing an AHHHHH in the background 😭 pic.twitter.com/koFjn7jvYg

— dylan (@dylangonzalez21) September 28, 2026

These are just the main points, but there was plenty more, including from Harrison Barnes and Julian Champagnie, so be sure to watch the whole thing when you have the chance.

Training camp starts tomorrow and preseason next week. Are you ready, Pounders?

We're BAAAACK 🤠📸 pic.twitter.com/ULFSbAV5hW

— San Antonio Spurs (@spurs) September 28, 2026

LeBron James once envisioned sporting the orange and blue.

That was before the Knicks won their first NBA title in 53 years.

James admitted as much to ESPN during the 76ers’ Media Day on Monday.

“I had visions of playing in [Madison Square] Garden and finishing my career in the Garden,” James said. “One of the best places I’ve ever played.

“I think it’s the No. 1 arena in the world, as far as for a basketball player. But after they beat San Antonio, I was like, ‘Hey, I can’t.’ I couldn’t do it.”

Following the Knicks’ championship in June, the 41-year-old only considered his current team along with the Cavaliers, Heat, Warriors and Timberwolves for his free agency decision this offseason. James felt he would be taking a lot of heat from Knicks fans and the media if he jumped on the team after a historic season.

“Y’all wouldn’t have let me lay that down, at all,” he said, referring to the media. “But much respect to the Knicks, obviously. An unbelievable team, unbelievable players. Shout out Jalen Brunson. I love that guy, he’s unbelievable. But, yeah, I’m happy where I’m at, and I’m looking forward to it.”

The Knicks “checked in” with James in July, however The Post reported the signing was “very, very unlikely.” His agent Rich Paul expanded on the Knicks’ lack of appeal following their NBA title while on his “Game Over” podcast on Netflix.

“It’s difficult. The last thing you want to do is mess up something like that,” Paul said. “The Knicks have a good thing. … If the Knicks hadn’t have won [the title], there would be no board [of teams]. He’d be going to the Knicks.” 

James, who plans to spend time between residences in Philadelphia and New York, went on to sign a two-year, $8 million deal with the 76ers, but the 22-time All-Star continuously emphasized it was never about the money for him.

Rather, James wants to have an impact and bring a championship home to a new city at what is the twilight point of his career.

The four-time NBA champ even bluntly stated: “I didn’t leave my family to lose in the second round” on Monday.

The Knicks swept the 76ers swiftly in the second-round of the playoffs in May. Philly has not been to the NBA Finals since losing in the 2000-01 season to the Lakers in five games.

Alongside Joel Embiid, Tyrese Maxey, Jaylen Brown and young star VJ Edgecombe, James will start his Sixers era on Oct. 20 against the Knicks at Madison Square Garden.

Amid a busy offseason full of signings, trades and departures, the Los Angeles Lakers’ most notable addition was center Walker Kessler, whom they acquired via sign-and-trade from the Utah Jazz. Ideally, Kessler will serve as the long-term answer at center during the Luka Dončić era, a position which has eluded the Lakers since trading away Anthony Davis to acquire Dončić in February 2025.

During Monday’s media day, Dončić spoke about Kessler, telling reporters he “really wanted him” and that he believes Kessler is “gonna help [the Lakers] a lot.” Dončić noted Kessler was always a challenging opponent to face during his four years with the Jazz and considers the 25-year-old “an amazing fit” for Los Angeles.

"I really wanted him," Luka Doncic says of landing Walker Kessler as the Lakers' franchise center.

"He's gonna help us a lot."

— Benjamin Royer (@thebenroyer) September 28, 2026

Luka Doncic, when asked about why/how he identified Walker Kessler as a player he wanted on the Lakers, says Walker was always tough to play against. Added that Walker will be an "amazing fit for us" and "he’s going to help us a lot.”

— Khobi Price (@khobi_price) September 28, 2026

Between his generational passing and defensive inconsistencies, Dončić has long paired well with defensive-minded, play-finishing centers, so his desire to land Kessler is no surprise. When the Dallas Mavericks made the 2024 NBA Finals, Dereck Lively II and Daniel Gafford played some of the best basketball of their careers alongside Dončić. Last season, Deandre Ayton’s true shooting percentage was 5.4 points higher (69.6 vs. 64.2) with Dončić on the floor, according to Databallr.

Since entering the league, Kessler’s converted 74.7% (716-of-959) of his shots around the rim and posted a block rate no lower than the 95th percentile (excluding last year’s five-game sample), per Cleaning the Glass. He is both a reliable interior scorer and high-level rim protector who will benefit from Dončić‘s offensive splendor while helping cover for his struggles defending in space.

Most interestingly is the lengths to which head coach JJ Redick deploys Kessler as a screening and playmaking hub. He’s developed in both areas over the past four years and could be a short-roll outlet when Dončić is doubled or help create easier scoring chances for Dončić and Austin Reaves off the ball. The finishing and interior defense are bankable. It’s the scope of his offensive capabilities that could further validate Dončić‘s belief Kessler is “an amazing fit.”

You can follow Jackson on Twitter at @jackfrank_jjf.