Category: NBA

It's always hard to gauge the potential of first-year players entering the NBA, especially from a fantasy perspective. However, this 2025 class is different because there's one prospect who stands out head and shoulders above the rest. There are other rookies who could have sizable fantasy roles as well, particularly as the season goes on.

Cooper Flagg, Mavericks

That one prospect we're talking about the most is none other than Cooper Flagg, the first overall pick in the 2025 NBA Draft, who will begin his NBA career as a member of the Dallas Mavericks. The former Duke standout is one of the most hyped college prospects in recent memory, and he seems ready to contribute right away from Day 1. Flagg had already turned heads when he trained with Team USA before the 2024 Olympics, but now he'll get to show what he can do on the biggest stage.

He's expected to make a strong, sustainable two-way impact at the NBA level. Flagg might not be the go-to option on offense for the Mavericks, which is understandable considering the team has Anthony Davis and Kyrie Irving (once he's healthy) to lead the way. However, Flagg should be a consistent secondary weapon on offense. Plus, the former Duke standout doesn't have any glaring weaknesses in his game. He's ready to contribute at the NBA level right away, either as a defensive stopper or as a slashing forward who could excel when cutting to the basket.

Flagg's numbers in his lone year at Duke were impressive. He averaged 19.2 points, 7.5 rebounds and 4.2 assists while shooting 48.1 percent from the field and 38.5 percent from three-point range. The Maine native surpassed expectations as an off-the-dribble shot creator, and the early-season absence of Irving should see him experience an uptick in his usage, possibly as a second-best option behind Davis.

Flagg also showcased his two-way versatility and scoring ability during his two Summer League appearances, averaging 20.5 points, 5.0 rebounds, 2.5 assists, 1.5 steals and 1.0 blocks across 31.5 minutes per game. While he's not expected to put up those numbers once the regular season begins, don't be surprised if he averages somewhere around 15 points, five rebounds and around 3.5 assists per game as a rookie. Those would be solid-enough numbers to give him fantasy consideration across most formats.

Other Rookies

Unless a player is drafted into the Top 10, or occasionally the Top 5, and lands in an excellent situation, it's difficult to see first-year players making a considerable impact in fantasy. There are some cases, though, and some examples in the 2025 NBA Draft could be Ace Bailey (Utah Jazz), Kon Knueppel (Charlotte Hornets) and Dylan Harper (San Antonio Spurs).

Ace Bailey, Jazz

Bailey is a natural scorer who fell into the best possible situation as a rookie, as he landed with a Jazz team that's early in their rebuilding process and considers Bailey a franchise cornerstone. The former Rutgers star will have numerous opportunities to grow and adapt in the NBA as a prominent figure on his team, rather than as a bench option, which should accelerate his development. Bailey should post excellent scoring numbers right away, though he shouldn't contribute a lot in other categories -- at least not in the early stages of his career.

Kon Knueppel, Hornets

Knueppel figures to open the season as the Hornets' starting forward, and his three-point shooting ability could translate to a solid role right away in an offense led by one of the most creative passers in the league, LaMelo Ball. 

Dylan Harper, Spurs

Harper could enjoy an uptick in usage early on since De'Aaron Fox (hamstring) isn't expected to be available for the start of the season. However, once Fox is healthy, Harper opens the season behind the reigning Rookie of the Year, Stephon Castle, in the rotation.

Fantasy Sleepers: Other rookies to consider

There's another tier of rookies who could potentially become solid fantasy contributors, although for that to happen, some circumstances would have to go in the player's direction. Some of these players to keep close tabs on are V.J. Edgecombe in Philadelphia, Tre Johnson in Washington and Jeremiah Fears in New Orleans. The talent is there for them, but it's unclear if they'll enjoy a substantial role right away to become valuable fantasy contributors.  The same could be said for Khaman Maluach, who is easily the biggest boom-or-bust prospect in this year's lottery. Maluach has excellent size and is a polished defender, but it's unclear if his offensive game will ever develop to become a consistent fantasy option.

New Kings GM Scott Perry lists six key tenets for team ahead of 2025-26 season originally appeared on NBC Sports Bay Area

SACRAMENTO – First-year Kings general manager Scott Perry has a list of six tenets that he wants Sacramento to adhere to during his first season in the state capital. It’s a simple, straightforward message that he believes hopefully will establish a foundation for years to come.

“We want to be competitive, tough, team oriented, accountable, disciplined and professional,” Perry told reporters at Golden 1 Center during media day on Monday. “Everything that we do this year, I’m going to look at it through those pillars, on the court, off the court, and how we are holding up to those values. That’s what I’m most excited about.

“It’s about establishing an identity this year of who the Sacramento Kings are going to be, both on and off the basketball court.”

Perry, who was hired in April to replace Monte McNair, is orchestrating yet another makeover of the Kings. Only two years after the team ended the longest playoff drought in NBA history, Sacramento once again is on the rebuild.

Doug Christie had the interim title removed from his name and is the unquestioned head coach. The Kings also have a new point guard, having signed Dennis Schröder in the offseason. Schröder recently was named MVP of the EuroBasket tournament after leading Germany to the gold medal.

“Obviously kept my eye on Dennis and what he was doing, and stayed in contact with him,” Perry said. “Was really happy for him, because I know how much it meant to him and his country, for him, not only to play well, but go ahead and win the championship and be the MVP of that tournament, with so many great players in the tournament. I think that allows him to come here with even a little more confidence and really ready to take on this task and helping this basketball team.”

There have been some other minor tweaks to the roster, giving Christie some flexibility as he enters his first training camp as an official NBA head coach.

“It is different,” Christie said. “There’s a lot of different aspects to it, but I’ve just tried to relish each moment, take it as it comes, and try to deal with it head on. It’s been interesting. It’s been a lot of fun at the same time. That’s the one thing that I always try to do is be happy and have fun and enjoy the process.”

Winning will help facilitate that feeling go a long way.

It also would help erase the sting of last season, when the Kings held high expectations heading into the campaign, only to see the whole thing blow up.

Mike Brown, the first unanimous Coach of the Year following the 2023-24 season, was fired early last season after the Kings stumbled to start the year. That was followed by a franchise-changing trade that shipped long-time point guard De’Aaron Fox to San Antonio while making way for two-time All-Star Zach LaVine.

Given the presence of three-time All-Star and double-double machine Domantas Sabonis and a mercurial scorer like LaVine, the Kings shouldn’t have much problem putting the ball in the hoop.

Christie, however, is more concerned about how his squad plays on the other end of the court.

“More than anything, defensively, we want to create an identity,” Christie said. “There’s a beautiful side to basketball, obviously, on the offensive end, and we want to share the basketball, but defense is where we want to hang our hat.”

The hope is that, along with Perry’s six basic tenets, will get the Kings back to the promised land – the playoffs.

“Are we following those six pillars in each and every night? Are we laying it all on the line?” Perry said. “If we’re giving everything we have each and every night, whether it’s practice or game, that I can live with whatever the results are going to be. But I think it’s extremely important, though, that we identify, just identify and establish this culture this year.

“It’s all about that, because if you want to build a sustainable winner, you have to have a foundation, and our foundation has got to be rooted in how hard we play, how tough we are, and how we do this as a team, to do this together.”

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After shocking the NBA by trading for Luka Doncic, Lakers general manager and president of basketball operations Rob Pelinka compared piecing together a roster midseason to "trying to build an airplane in the sky.”

This year, the Lakers get their full runway.

Retooled and locked in from what Pelinka called an “intentional and productive offseason,” the Lakers officially begin training camp Tuesday in El Segundo as Doncic starts his first full season in L.A.

With the team set for media day Monday, here are five questions entering the preseason:

Will this be the end of LeBron James’ Lakers era? 

The Luka era has arrived. But does that mean the LeBron era has to end?

For the first time in his storied career, James is playing in the final year of a contract. He exercised a $52.6-million player option in June to pave the way for a record-setting 23rd NBA season.

James, the NBA’s all-time leading scorer, is 50 games away from Hall of Famer Robert Parish’s record for most regular-season games played. He already achieved his previously stated goal of playing with his son Bronny.

More championships are all James has left to chase in his career. While the Lakers attempt to launch the 26-year-old Doncic’s reign, James’ title aspirations still remain at the forefront for the franchise.

“We’ve been very intentional this summer in terms of the pieces we add with Luka and LeBron, once LeBron opted in,” Pelinka said last Thursday at a news conference alongside head coach JJ Redick, “making sure that they had the necessary pieces around them to be on a really competitive, strong team.”

Read more:Lakers have given coach JJ Redick a contract extension

But when it comes to James’ future, Pelinka left it up to the 21-time All-Star, saying James has “absolute respect to choose his story” regarding how much longer he wants to play. But the team's general manager knows how he wants the tale to end.

“We would love if LeBron’s story would be [that] he retired a Laker,” Pelinka said. “That would be a positive story.”

How will James and Doncic coexist in their first full season together?

The Lakers underwent a significant makeover after Doncic debuted in February.

The team ranked eighth in the NBA with 40.4 three-point attempts per game in the regular season with Doncic compared to 33.8 before, which ranked 27th. James’ offensive rating ticked up from 111.8 to 114.4.

After rushing to create cohesion at midseason, Doncic, whose Lakers debut was slowed by a lingering calf injury, said in August he looked forward to getting a whole preseason to build chemistry with his teammates. Doncic was second in the league in usage rate among players who appeared in more than seven games after Feb. 10. Redick said Doncic and guard Austin Reaves, coming off a career season, will be the team’s primary ballhandlers while James remains a focal point of the offense.

“I think the word I would use would be ‘share,’” Redick said of how he envisions the three stars working together. “I think in a team sport, you have no choice but to share: share the basketball, share the spotlight, I think all those three guys have a ton of respect for each other’s skill sets, for each other’s abilities.”

What will Austin Reaves show entering a critical contract decision?  

Austin Reaves averaged 20.2 points, 4.5 rebounds and 5.8 assists per game, all career highs, while shooting 37.7% from three-point range. But his playoff struggles left a sour impression entering the offseason. Reaves shot 31.9% from three in the first-round series against Minnesota, attempted just 1.4 free throws per game and was a constant target for the Minnesota offense.

The 27-year-old has a player option worth $14.9 million next year but will likely test free agency after vastly outperforming his initial four-year, $53.8-million contract awarded when he was an undrafted free agent. With pressure to perform as a third star behind Doncic and James, Reaves is already impressing Lakers staff this offseason.

“Every day in the gym, he’s been the best player in the gym,” Redick said. “This goes back to last May, all summer, his body is really good right now. He’s really strong. His burst, his athleticism, it’s evident that he’s spent a lot of time working on his body this summer.”

Read more:'We wanted to throw a twist on it': Why an iconic Kobe Bryant image was altered for a Dodger-themed mural

Is Deandre Ayton the answer to the Lakers’ center woes?

Deandre Ayton's 7-foot frame isn't the only reason why he might be the Lakers' biggest offseason acquisition.

Pairing Doncic with a lob-catching center was one of Pelinka's major offseason objectives after the lack of a reliable big man became so pressing that Redick resorted to playing the same small-ball, five-man lineup for the entire second half in Game 4 against Minnesota. Ayton is coming off two forgettable seasons in Portland, where the former No. 1 overall pick averaged 15.7 points and 10.7 rebounds per game. Since he was traded by the Phoenix Suns, Ayton has been the target of criticism for inconsistent effort and a low motor.

Yet the Lakers believe they can unlock the 27-year-old’s talent. Ayton, Redick emphasized, was once Chris Paul’s pick-and-roll partner in Phoenix. No one is more detail-oriented than the now-Clippers guard. So playing alongside Doncic should come easily.

“His feel for two-man action is just super high,” Redick said of Ayton, “and really excited to see him play with Luka.”

Center Jaxson Hayes, who fell out of the rotation during the playoffs, figures to come off the bench after re-signing with the team on a one-year deal. After recovering from foot surgery, forward Maxi Kleber played only five minutes in a desperate postseason loss after joining the Lakers in the blockbuster trade with Doncic, but could add a valuable floor-spacing dimension if healthy.

Read more:NBA All-Star Game format changes up again for L.A. in 2026

What impact can Marcus Smart make? 

Redick knows personally what Marcus Smart can deliver. The coach recalled the forehead full of stitches he once received courtesy of the former NBA defensive player of the year.

“Toughness,” Redick said of what Smart will bring to the team. “I already told him this: We need his voice as part of communication. His competitive spirit.”

The Lakers ranked 17th in defensive rating last season, giving up 113.8 points per 100 possessions. The 31-year-old Smart, who signed with the Lakers after the Washington Wizards bought out his contract, still grades in the 80th percentile of every defensive metric, Redick said.

Doncic’s defensive improvement at EuroBasket drew raves from Redick, but the star guard will remain far from a defensive anchor. With Reaves and James, who will turn 41 in December, and Ayton, Smart’s defensive prowess and career 32.4% three-point shooting could be vital to solidifying the potential starting lineup.

Redick named his starting lineup before training camp last season but, in a step of growth for the second-year head coach, declined to disclose his plans this year. He learned what often happens to the best-laid plans.

Last year’s intended leading group of James, Reaves, Anthony Davis, Rui Hachimura and D’Angelo Russell started only seven games together.

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This story originally appeared in Los Angeles Times.

18 shamrocks: Reflecting on Al Horford's unique legacy in Boston originally appeared on NBC Sports Boston

Eighteen shamrocks.

That’s how we’ll always remember Al Horford’s time in Boston. Nine years ago, that was how he declared his intention to join the Celtics on social media. It was both a celebration and a promise. For the first real time in team history, a big-time free agent was choosing to come to Boston and, with him came true hope of raising the franchise’s next banner.

It took almost another decade — and two different stints in green — but Horford delivered on that promise. He nurtured a young team, twice delivered them to the championship stage, and finally secured that elusive Banner 18 in 2024. He helped restored Celtics Pride while ensuring the team was a title threat in nearly every season he wore green.

On Sunday, after months of speculation that Horford would eventually land in Golden State, Horford reportedly agreed to a multi-year deal with the Warriors.

It’s fair to wonder if Boston’s superstar tandem of Jayson Tatum and Jaylen Brown would have had the early success they enjoyed without Horford in Boston, or whether they would have gotten over the final hump without his return. Horford’s stat lines have never jumped off the page, but he was a rock-steady presence whose thirst for a title inspired everyone around him to give everything they had on the court.

Players routinely named Horford their favorite teammate. In the aftermath of falling short in title quests before 2024, coach Joe Mazzulla often noted that his biggest regret was not being able to help Horford complete his own elusive title goal.

But they got there, eventually. There’s a series of photos that show Tatum’s hands wrapped around Horford’s shoulders as he exults on the podium while the Celtics are being presented with the Larry O’Brien trophy. Brown is smiling widely next to them. Boston had accomplished its elusive goal.

Peter Casey-USA TODAY Sports

When Horford first arrived in Boston, there was a different core he expected to guide forward. It was Jae Crowder, Isaiah Thomas, and Kelly Olynyk who had steered Boston back on track to being a contender. Horford marveled at the energy inside TD Garden as Boston took two games off his Hawks in Round 1 of the 2016 playoffs.

Less than three months later, he agreed to come to Boston. Celtics brass were boarding a private plane on the tarmac in the Hamptons, having just pitched Kevin Durant on the possibility of also being in Boston too, when word arrived that Horford was joining the Celtics.

A celebration erupted. The Celtics’ title hopes had been given a major jolt with Horford’s arrival. Six trips to the conference finals followed over the next eight seasons. There were heartbreak and frustration along the way, enough that Horford departed for the rival Sixers after a maddening 2018-19 season. But his return for the 2021-22 season reignited Boston’s title hunt.

Even at his advanced NBA age, the Celtics worked diligently to keep Horford healthy, knowing how vital he was to their title hopes. They sat him on the second night of back-to-backs and limited his overall wear and tear. They were rewarded as he routinely thrived on the biggest stages.

The image of Horford flexing after steamrolling Giannis Antetokounmpo on the way to the basket during the 2022 run was a signature moment in Boston’s march to the Finals that year.

Invariably, because this is Boston, where an astounding number of jersey numbers mingle amidst the 18 title banners, the question will be asked whether Horford’s No. 42 deserves to hang among the Celtics’ other legends.

Getting up there with only one title is a tough chore, but not impossible. Horford didn’t change the culture the way Kevin Garnett did in joining a team that had been tanking hard a year before. Horford also didn’t have the longevity of a player like Paul Pierce.

But the Celtics did a whole bunch of winning with Horford, who sits 10th all time with 72 playoff wins in a Boston uniform. The only players ahead of him: John Havlicek (108), Bill Russell (107), Robert Parish (100), Sam Jones (100), Larry Bird (99), Kevin McHale (98), Don Nelson (81), Satch Sanders (81), and Brown (80).  Horford is tied with both Jayson Tatum (at least for now) and Pierce in playoff victories.

Horford’s career averages in Boston don’t leap off the page: 11.2 points and 6.8 rebounds per game over 465 career games in seven seasons with the Celtics. Those numbers perked up a bit (11.5 points and 7.7 rebounds per game) over 119 playoff games, including 113 playoff starts.

But Horford taught the Jays how to be professionals, and instilled in them that winning is all that matters. He accepted any role the team desired, including shuffling to a reserve role after the team acquired Kristaps Porzingis and Jrue Holiday during the summer of 2023. That selflessness was a huge part of Boston’s march to Banner 18.

Maybe that’s not enough to get No. 42 to the rafters. But the people who were here during Horford’s tenure know how vital he was, and there will be supporters to get 42 up there.

Even in the immediate aftermath of his departure in 2019, the long-term outlook was bleak. Kemba Walker brought a bunch of joy, but his knee betrayed him. Brad Stevens’ very first deal as president of basketball operations was to bring back Horford and get off Walker’s remaining money, and it fueled the team’s return to title contention.

It’s hard not to wonder if Horford’s time here might have extended another season (or two) if Tatum never tore his Achilles in the 2025 playoffs. The Celtics couldn’t quite commit to the money necessary to keep Horford around without being a surefire contender while Tatum rehabbed.

It won’t be the same not having the Horfords at TD Garden. Over the last two seasons, Horford’s young son, Ean, was a staple near the Boston bench. Horford’s wife, Amelia, and other children were routinely courtside.

The Celtics can’t possibly replace the intangibles that Horford brought. It places even more responsibility on Brown and Tatum to be the leaders of this team.

But Horford’s mark will sit above TD Garden in perpetuity: the team’s 18th banner delivered in the aftermath of Horford’s 18 shamrocks.

‘What's our advantage here?' Sixers plan to lean into guard play in new season  originally appeared on NBC Sports Philadelphia

Though their most important player is 7 feet tall, the 2025-26 Sixers plan to lean into guard play.

The Sixers hope Joel Embiid is healthy enough to play and to star. They also expect to feature small, skilled and fast lineups.

At Friday’s media day, Sixers head coach Nick Nurse highlighted the team’s ability to play a variety of guard combinations, including three-guard units and “maybe a four-guard rotation at times.”

Some waiting will be required before Nurse can test all of his guard experiments. 

Jared McCain is sidelined by a UCL tear in his right thumb and Quentin Grimes’ restricted free agency is unresolved. Jake Fischer reported Sunday that, “short of accepting a one-year ‘balloon’ payment, Grimes appears headed toward accepting” the Sixers’ single-season, $8.7 million qualifying offer. Grimes did not join the Sixers on their trip to Abu Dhabi for two preseason games vs. the Knicks. 

For now, Tyrese Maxey and rookie VJ Edgecombe are both working to gel and competing against each other at practice. Following Sunday’s session, the two were part of a small group that played 1-on-1 with a five-second limit. In the brief period open to reporters, Edgecombe fared well. 

“For the most part, we’re going to have them together, but there is a good 40 percent of practice where they’re going at it,” Nurse said. “And they like to go at it after practice. … That’s good to see, too.”

Back in January, Maxey talked about his comfort in three-guard lineups with Kyle Lowry and Reggie Jackson, citing his college days alongside Immanuel Quickley and Ashton Hagans. The Sixers’ three-guard units this season project to be much more youthful. 

“I think the biggest thing is you’ve got to be unselfish,” Maxey said Friday, “and you’ve got to have an open mind. …That just really helps, especially when you have dynamic shooting, dynamic playmaking, guys that can play off the catch, play off closeouts, attack the paint. … It makes you more dangerous.”

Of course, lineups loaded with guards usually have vulnerabilities. Nurse has said defensive rebounding will need to be a “collective effort” that the Sixers purposefully drill and game plan. The team struggled on the defensive glass the past two seasons. 

With that said, no team is excellent in all areas. For instance, the defending champion Thunder ranked 21st last year in defensive rebounding rate, per Cleaning the Glass. 

Nurse wants to identify the Sixers’ strengths and make the most of them. 

“I always try to look at the positives,” he said Sunday. “You’ve got to always keep thinking of, ‘What’s our advantage here?’ … Are we faster, are we quicker? Are we better shooters? Do we have more handlers out there? Keep reminding yourself that there are advantages. 

“And then you’re saying, ‘Oh my God, how are we going to guard the low post when we switch the 1-4 pick-and-roll, or the 2-3 pick-and-roll, or the 2-4 pick-and-roll?’ So yeah, we know we’ve got to work. We’ve got to drill guarding bigger people on the low block or drill schemes on the low block. … The rebounding, we’ve got to drill it and we’ve got to scheme it. 

“… But I’ve always got to keep reminding myself that yeah, that’s going to be tough to guard on the low block. And yes, it’s going to be tough to rebound against size. But can we pull ‘em away and get more space? Can we get more threes because they’re too slow for us? Can we go around them and offensive rebound? … Mostly, I think it’s just making sure we put some thought into those two areas — guarding the low block and defensive rebounding.”

Addressing top three questions, concerns for Kings entering 2025 training camp originally appeared on NBC Sports Bay Area

We’re back.

Training camp is hours away, which means the 2025-26 NBA season is upon us.

It’s been a long, particularly quiet offseason, not just for the Kings but throughout the entire league. Specifically for Sacramento, though, some questions need answers.

Some might be answered through training camp, some might require more time and carry into the regular season. While there are dozens of questions and concerns we can address, let’s break down NBC Sports California’s top three questions entering the Kings’ 2025 training camp, set to begin on Tuesday.

What does this roster look like?

The Kings’ roster construction was heavily criticized last season, especially after their trade deadline moves left them without a point guard.

There was a belief that under new general manager Scott Perry and assistant GM B.J. Armstrong, big moves would be made, and the Kings would “blow it all up” in the offseason. They, in fact, didn’t blow anything up and will enter the 2025-26 season with essentially the same roster as last season.

Sacramento’s big offseason acquisition was signing veteran guard Dennis Schröder, who instantly fills the void at starting point guard. The rest of the projected starting lineup, one would think, is Zach LaVine, DeMar DeRozan, Keegan Murray and Domantas Sabonis.

Here’s a roster breakdown as it currently stands:

Guards

Dennis Schröder
Zach LaVine
Malik Monk
Keon Ellis
Devin Carter
Terence Davis

Forwards

DeMar DeRozan
Nique Clifford
Keegan Murray
Doug McDermott

Centers/Bigs

Domantas Sabonis
Isaac Jones
Dario Šarić
Maxime Raynaud
Drew Eubanks

The question then turns to what the rotations will look like. After losing Jonas Valančiūnas in the offseason, who will back up Sabonis at the center position? Who will be the first player off the bench for Sacramento in that “sixth man” role? Is it Monk, who has thrived in that role, or maybe Ellis?

Also, will the closing lineups be the same as the starting lineup? Or, will Doug Christie experiment with other players, such as Ellis, for defensive purposes?

This might not be answered until a few games into the season.

Expectations for Keegan Murray in Year 4?

As with most lottery picks, the expectations always have been high for Keegan Murray since the Kings selected him No. 4 overall in the 2022 NBA Draft.

But many people don’t believe he has lived up to the hype through three seasons with Sacramento.

A large part of that last season was that so many players on the Kings’ roster last season required the ball in their hands, limiting the amount of touches Murray got. As we stated earlier in this article, a vast majority of those players will return to the Kings this season, so the “issue” hasn’t been resolved for Murray.

While not being able to contribute consistently on offense as much as he — or the Kings — have liked, Murray has grown enormously as a defender since his rookie season. He now stands as the unquestioned best defender on the team, with the ability to defend one through five.

However, it isn’t something he wants to do on a nightly basis. At his exit interview following the 2024-25 season, Murray was honest about his ideal defensive assignments.

“Yeah, ideally I don’t want to be guarding the five-man,” Murray said in April. “It’s not the most fun thing in the world. If I have to do it, I have to do it, regardless of who’s on our team [or] who’s not. At the end of the day, team defense wins championships.”

The Kings have lacked wing depth for years, and even after Murray’s seemingly public cry for help, they still haven’t addressed it.

Defending Kevin Durant or chasing Steph Curry around for 35 minutes and then trying to contribute offensively is a lot to ask of a young player, but as Murray said, it’s something he’s willing to do if he must. Getting him some help along the wing, however, could unlock a whole other level for the 25-year-old who’s itching to break out and live up to his two-way star potential.

A report from the Sacramento Bee’s Jason Anderson earlier this summer stated that the two players the Kings kept out of trade talks were Murray and Ellis. So, if that’s true, how are the Kings’ decision makers laying out a clear path to stardom for these players they supposedly value so much if they aren’t giving them the right opportunities?

With all that being said, what are the Kings’ realistic expectations for their former No. 4 pick as he enters Year 4 with the team?

How will Dennis Schröder fit?

The obvious answer is that Schröder addresses Sacramento’s point guard void after the team traded De’Aaron Fox last February.

OK, cool. But how else will he help the Kings?

Schröder is a 12-year NBA veteran who’s played on nine different teams. He has been to the playoffs nine times in his career, including two trips to the conference finals. He’s an unselfish player who creates for his teammates, which should benefit players such as LaVine and Murray. He also can get his own bucket when he needs to.

Not to mention, he’s fresh off leading Germany to the EuroBasket gold this summer and was named the EuroBasket MVP after averaging 20.3 points, 7.2 assists and 3.4 rebounds per game.

His energy, tenacity and leadership should be a welcome addition to the Kings, especially in a locker room full of several young and inexperienced players.

Defensively, his contributions should be an immediate upgrade. Schröder isn’t a lockdown defender by any means, but his effort and commitment on the end of the court never is something coach Christie will have to worry about. Fox, for example, became a much better defender over the course of his eight-year career with Sacramento. With a player like Schröder, though, it’s not something Christie and the Kings coaches will have to teach him, but rather, something already instilled in him.

One area we’re curious to see is how he meshes with Sabonis, who isn’t your typical five-man. As we’ve seen with other Kings guards, it usually takes them some time to adjust and adapt to Sabonis’ play style. But when it works, it works and it’s beautiful basketball. Hopefully for the Kings, a full training camp together will allow them the time to figure it out.

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De'Anthony Melton's return to Warriors prompts familiar backcourt question originally appeared on NBC Sports Bay Area

De’Anthony Melton’s long-awaited Warriors return has come close to official after committing to sign a deal with the Warriors before the 2025-26 NBA season, ESPN’s Shams Charania reported Sunday evening, citing sources.

Melton signed a one-year, $12.8 million contract to join the Warriors at the opening of NBA free agency last year on the mid-level exception. His injury concerns became apparent early on, as did his perfect fit on the team.

The veteran guard began the 2024-25 campaign coming off the bench through the first three regular-season games, then was shelved for the Warriors’ next five games because of similar back issues that held him to only 38 contests with the Philadelphia 76ers a season prior. His return to health immediately showed what kind of impact he could have on the Warriors. In his first game back, Melton had 10 points and three assists in a blowout loss to the Cleveland Cavaliers, prompting coach Steve Kerr to insert Melton into the starting lineup. 

That wasn’t just any game. It was an 11-point win on the road over the eventual champion Oklahoma City Thunder in which Melton scored 19 points while going 5 of 8 from 3-point range with 10 rebounds, two assists and three steals. The Warriors then welcomed Klay Thompson back to Chase Center in a win to remember against the Dallas Mavericks, and had to say goodbye to Melton without even knowing it. 

Undoubtedly, the Splash Brothers of Steph Curry and Thompson were the story of the night. Curry was the showman, sending his former teammate out of his old home with a loss after scoring the final 12 points of the game. Melton was the unsung hero, showing why he could be the new ideal complement next to Curry. 

Before Curry went on his scoring spree, Melton showcased his two-way ability by first diving on the floor for a loose ball and then hitting a massive three to cut the Warriors’ deficit to four points with a little under four minutes left in the game.

He finished that game, just his sixth of the season, as a plus-12 by tallying 14 points, four rebounds, four assists and one steal. But Melton also sustained an injury late in the win that later was revealed as a season-ending torn ACL. The Warriors used his contract to then acquire Dennis Schröder and never truly made up for his absence. 

Melton being back in Warriors colors will make plenty of people within the franchise happy, especially Curry. It also creates the same questions as when he arrived last year: Who starts in the backcourt next to Steph? 

The options also are the same as last season. Kerr will be choosing between Melton, Brandin Podziemski and Buddy Hield. Each brings something different to the table. Melton easily is the best on-ball defender of the three, Podziemski is the connector who really came into his own after the Warriors traded for Jimmy Butler, and Hield is one of the best threats in the league behind the 3-point line. 

Even though it was an extremely small sample size, Melton was exactly what the Warriors needed next to Curry because of his defensive tenacity and underrated offense. The two played 47 minutes together and were a plus-39, producing a 136.5 offensive rating and 98.1 defensive rating for a 38.4 net rating. Curry had a 10.4 net rating (120.0 offensive rating, 109.5 defensive rating) next to Podziemski over 652 regular-season minutes, and a 9.0 net rating (119.3 offensive rating and 110.3 defensive rating) in 969 regular-season minutes alongside Hield. 

“That was really the perfect mix. De’Anthony does a little bit of everything: On-ball defense, rebounding, 3-point shooting, playmaking,” Kerr said in mid-November. “It was great fit, and that’s why we targeted him.”

Can Melton step into big minutes and a starting role right away coming off his ACL surgery, as well as previous injury issues to his back? Probably not. The job likely will be Podziemski’s to start the season entering Year 3. 

If so, that leaves Hield as a feared sharpshooter off the bench, and Melton doing a bit of everything on and off the ball also in a reserve role. The real likelihood is all three get starting nods throughout the season based on health and matchups, and closing games always will be more important anyway. The Warriors used 38 different starting lineups in the 2024-25 regular season, 11 more than the previous year. 

Even when it’s not at the start of games, getting Curry and Melton on the court together will have to be a priority for Kerr against the toughest teams. 

Bringing Melton back into the fold isn’t a move for October, November and December. It’s one for the stretch run of the regular season and a hopeful playoff push for a chance at title contention. At his contract number, he’s a worthy bet but a gamble nonetheless for an older team that already will need everything to go right health-wise. 

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Gary Payton II still holds plenty of value, even if Warriors role decreases originally appeared on NBC Sports Bay Area

It was three years ago, after the Warriors’ improbable 2022 NBA championship run, that they were faced with a dilemma of having to part ways with one of two revered role players among coaches, teammates and the fan base.

When the Portland Trail Blazers offered Gary Payton II a three-year contract worth $28 million that offseason, he couldn’t turn down a contract the Warriors couldn’t match, despite his hope to stay with the franchise that first believed in him and changed his career. His departure also opened the door for Kevon Looney to stay in Golden State on a three-year, $22.5 million contract. 

Three years later, Looney is the one on the move and Payton is the one walking back through the doors of Chase Center.

Looney and the New Orleans Pelicans agreed to a two-year, $16 million contract a few hours after the opening of NBA free agency on June 30, a number that the Warriors never were going to come close to. Indications going into free agency also suggested Payton’s time with the Warriors likely was coming to an end. But he always wanted to remain a Warrior, and after waiting three months, that became a reality Sunday.

Payton has committed to sign a deal with the Warriors, ESPN’s Shams Charania reported Sunday evening, citing sources.

And even if Payton’s role continues to drop, he still holds value to the Warriors for a handful of reasons. 

He played 62 regular-season games last year, his most since that 2021-22 championship season, but Payton’s 15 minutes per game were his lowest ever as a Warrior. By now, it’s well known how unique of a player Payton is. At 6-foot-2, Steve Kerr uses him as a power forward in the dunker spot on offense and a point guard on defense who can go up against multiple positions and players of varying sizes and skill sets. 

There isn’t a player on the roster Kerr trusts more to disrupt a top scorer on the ball. Payton will pick you up full-court and make you work for every inch. It’s in his blood. 

The Western Conference is full of stars that make Kerr confident in plucking Payton from the bench and unleashing his tenacity to throw them off rhythm and flip the game in the Warriors’ favor. The list includes the likes of Anthony Edwards, James Harden, Shai Gilgeous-Alexander, Ja Morant and many more. But Payton last season wasn’t quite as effective as the past. 

He finished the season with a 110.1 defensive rating, which was the same number as Buddy Hield, a 3-point specialist whose pluses aren’t associated with that side of the ball. Payton’s defensive win shares were among the worst on the team. But he also ranked fifth in the NBA in deflections per 75 possessions, and was the fourth-best wing stopper by D-LEBRON last season. 

Some stats will be in his favor, others won’t. Some games will call for Payton’s duties, others won’t. Plenty of Payton’s services are based on matchups, and there will be nights where he undoubtedly is a game-changer. 

There also is the fact he’s another player on Rick Celebrini’s long list of injury concerns, needing to find the right concoction to keep his motor running at the right times. That includes making sure Payton doesn’t keep popping up on the injury report with an illness, too. 

But aside from his stingy defense and poster dunks, there’s another reason it was important to keep Payton in a Warriors jersey. Steph Curry is the reason. 

Curry always has vouched for Payton’s importance. He’s one of a few who perfectly understand how to play next to Curry, freeing him with a mixture of screens, movement and knowing where he’s going to wind up on the court. The two played 53 games together last season and produced a 5.2 net rating with a 117.8 offensive rating and 112.7 defensive rating. 

Those are essentially the same numbers Curry and Jimmy Butler had as a duo – slightly better, actually. Butler played 128 fewer minutes next to Curry than Payton and had a 5.0 net rating with a 117.5 offensive rating and 112.5 defensive rating. 

In an 82-game regular season, Payton could receive more DNPs than in the past and might see limited action at times. There also will be games where he’s absolutely invaluable. That’s how it goes. 

Payton’s personality is loved throughout the franchise and his impact is felt in the community. The Bay has become, and always will be, home to the son of an Oakland legend. Add in his play that’s uniquely him for a team and coach that best utilizes his ability and it’s easy to see why Payton still holds value in being on the Warriors’ roster.

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Gary Payton II, De'Anthony Melton reportedly committed to sign Warriors deals originally appeared on NBC Sports Bay Area

The Warriors appear on track to reunite with two familiar faces for the 2025-26 NBA season.

Both Gary Payton II and De’Anthony Melton have committed to sign contracts with Golden State, ESPN’s Shams Charania reported Sunday, citing sources.

The Warriors also signed Will Richard to a four-year contract with two years fully guaranteed, Charania reported, citing his agents.

Payton II played five seasons with the Warriors across two different stints, first from the 2020-21 NBA season through the 2021-2022 campaign, before signing with the Portland Trail Blazers as a free agent in the summer of 2022 before he was traded back to Golden State at the trade deadline the very next season and has played with the Warriors ever since.

In 194 career games with the Warriors, Payton has averaged 6.2 points, 3.0 rebounds and 1.1 assists per game on 59.2-percent shooting from the field and 35.3 percent from 3-point range.

Payton once again will provide the Warriors depth at the guard position behind superstar Steph Curry, Brandin Podziemski and Buddy Hield.

Meanwhile, Melton, who has been rumored to return to Golden State all offseason, will pick up where he left off before suffering a season-ending ACL injury last year. Melton signed with Golden State last offseason but played in just six games before suffering the injury and later being traded to the Brooklyn Nets. In six games (two starts), Melton averaged 10.3 points on 40.7-percent shooting from the field and 37.1 percent from 3-point range, with 3.3 rebounds, 2.8 assists and 1.2 steals in 20.2 minutes.

In the two contests Melton started, he dramatically helped elevate the offense alongside Curry, averaging 16.5 points on 47.8 percent shooting from the field and 50 percent from distance, with 7.0 rebounds, 3.0 assists and 2.0 steals in 26.5 minutes.

The Warriors were 4-2 with Melton in their lineup.

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On the eve of Clippers training camp, owner Steve Ballmer and the team are facing pressures over an NBA probe into allegations that the team circumvented the league salary cap when a sustainability firm paid star Kawhi Leonard $21 million.

Since purchasing the team a decade ago, Ballmer has been on a quest to bring the also-ran Clippers their first NBA title. The billionaire philanthropist has been alternately encouraged and frustrated with a team that has posted a winning record every season under his ownership, but has made early exits from the playoffs a habit. He also spearheaded the construction of the most technologically advanced and environmentally friendly arena in sports — the $2-billion Intuit Dome that opened a year ago to rave reviews.

Now, a top-rated law firm hired by the NBA is trying to determine whether the team violated league rules by funneling extra money to Leonard through a separate company in which the Clippers' owner was an investor.  

Over the last few weeks, Ballmer has been pressed for details about his $50-million investment and 2%-3% ownership stake in the firm Aspiration Partners, and whether the Clippers knew that the now-defunct company paid millions to Leonard through an endorsement deal. Aspiration provided what the company described as "socially-conscious and sustainable banking services and investment products.”

The Clippers have issued statements forcefully denying wrongdoing and saying they welcome the probe. Leonard and his representatives have not responded to requests for comment.

Read more:Adam Silver says NBA needs clear evidence Clippers made secret deal before lowering boom on Ballmer

“There’s nothing fun about being highlighted in this way,” Ballmer said at a recent forum hosted by the Sports Business Journal. “It’s a whole lot more fun to be highlighted for building a great arena. But this too shall pass.”

A Clippers spokesman said Thursday that they aren’t scheduling any interviews for Ballmer “at the moment,” but Ballmer told the SBJ forum he “feels quite confident … that we abided [by] the rules. So, I welcome the investigation that the NBA is doing.” He stressed his investment in Aspiration came well before it made its deal with Leonard, and that he was not involved in that deal. 

The salary cap limits what teams can spend on player payroll to ensure parity and prevent the wealthiest teams from outspending smaller-market teams to acquire the best player. NBA Commissioner Adam Silver has called attempts to circumvent it a "cardinal sin."  

In this case, Leonard agreed to a $28-million contract for endorsement and marketing work for Aspiration, which went out of business in March. Players are allowed to have separate endorsement and other business deals. At issue in this case is whether the Clippers participated in arranging the side deal beyond simply introducing Aspiration executives to Leonard.

The most painful penalties the NBA could impose would be suspending Ballmer for a maximum of one year and docking the Clippers their first-round draft picks for up to five years. The team already is without a first-round pick in 2026 and 2028, having traded them away. Forfeiting the remaining picks through 2032 would make it harder for Ballmer to realize that championship dream.

The maximum fine the league can impose is $7.5 million, a pittance relative to Ballmer’s estimated net worth of $171 billion. Leonard’s performance has fallen short of expectations, so even the league voiding the last two years of his contract would have limited sting, and save the franchise the $100 million owed to the 34-year-old forward.

Proving that the Clippers violated the salary cap could be difficult, as NBA commissioner Adam Silver made clear at a meeting of team owners. Much is riding on the outcome of the investigation.

Ballmer, 69, has forged a strong relationship with Silver, who became commissioner the same year Ballmer bought the Clippers. The 2026 NBA All-Star Game is scheduled to take place at the Intuit Dome in February, and Ballmer chairs the league’s audit committee on the Board of Governors.

Ballmer’s philanthropy is well-established. He and his wife, Connie, have given away billions through their Ballmer Group to improve the economic mobility of children and families in disadvantaged communities. (The Ballmer Group is one of the foundations sponsoring the Los Angeles Times’ early childhood education initiative.)

Ballmer turned his attention to the Clippers in 2014, buying the team from disgraced owner Donald Sterling, who was forced to sell for making racist comments.

The price tag of $2 billion, nearly four times what anyone had previously paid for an NBA team, was considered ludicrous at the time. The value of the franchise has nearly tripled to an estimated $5.5 billion.

Read more:Clippers considered naming dome after bankrupt firm at center of Kawhi Leonard allegations

Bankruptcy documents show that Aspiration paid Leonard $21 million — and still owes him $7 million — after agreeing to a $28-million contract for endorsement and marketing work at the company. The Boston Sports Journal reported that Leonard was also promised a $20-million ownership stake in Aspiration.

There is no record of anything Leonard did on behalf of Aspiration. Several former employees told the Athletic that Leonard’s deal was a “no-show” arrangement in which Leonard wouldn’t have to do any endorsement work.

Former Aspiration chief operating officer and chief legal officer Mike Shuckerow told ESPN that he was one of three company executives who signed a statement that read, “The [Aspiration] team expressed concerns at the time regarding the high cost of the arrangement [with Leonard] and its lack of alignment with Aspiration’s brand and business strategy. While subsequent marketing efforts were undertaken, they were ultimately discontinued and should not be interpreted as support for the deal itself.”

However, former Aspiration CEO Andrei Cherny wrote on X that Leonard’s contract “contained three pages of extensive obligations that Leonard had to perform. And the contract clearly said that if Leonard did not meet those obligations, Aspiration could terminate the contract.”

Aspiration’s initial funding included a $50-million investment in December 2021 from Ballmer, which he has acknowledged. The Clippers also agreed to a 23-year, $300-million sponsorship deal with Aspiration, but turned down its $1-billion offer for naming rights to the new arena. Intuit, the creator of QuickBooks, TurboTax and other widely used applications, paid $550 million.

In December 2022, Clippers minority owner and vice chairman Dennis J. Wong — who was Ballmer’s roommate at Harvard in the 1970s — invested $1.99 million in the company nine days before Leonard received a $1.75-million quarterly payment from Aspiration, according to documents obtained by the Athletic. The Clippers declined to comment about Wong’s investment.

Read more:Steve Ballmer: NBA owner in search of a miracle

In March 2023, Ballmer invested another $10 million, according to the Athletic. The investment contributed to a last-ditch fundraising round by Aspiration at a time it was nearly out of cash.

The NBA investigation is now trying to establish whether the Clippers knowingly broke a league rule to slip more money to a player they were already paying the maximum allowed under the salary cap, which makes this situation different than what the league envisioned as motivation for a team to circumvent the salary cap.

Language in the NBA collective bargaining agreement describes skirting the cap as instances where a team pays a player a lower than market salary and makes up for it by paying him some other way in secret. That way the team would have more money under the cap to pay other players.

The Clippers situation differs because money Leonard made from Aspiration was in addition to the maximum salary he could be paid under salary cap rules and not a way to create cap space for teammates.

Ballmer acknowledged to ESPN that he introduced Leonard to Aspiration executives, but not until after the team had agreed to a contract extension with Leonard and the $330-million sponsorship deal with Aspiration.

“We were done with Kawhi, we were done with Aspiration,” Ballmer said. “The deals were all locked and loaded. Then, they did request to be introduced to Kawhi, and under the rules, we can introduce our sponsors to our athletes. We just can’t be involved.”

Read more:Questions over Kawhi Leonard payments put focus on NBA salary cap

Ballmer was adamant that he knew nothing of the details of the endorsement agreement, that in fact teams are required to stay out of negotiations between players and companies they endorse.

Michael McCann, a sports law expert and a visiting professor at Harvard, said the investigation will center on whether the investments into Aspiration by Ballmer were a quid pro quo for the firm to turn around and give Leonard millions.

Silver has indicated the investigation must demonstrate that the Clippers knew of or participated in Leonard’s deal.

Some experts believe Ballmer is entering the probe with a strong image and could maintain it depending on the outcome of the investigation. “The fact that he’s done a great job, that he’s captivated fans and sponsors, is likely to be in his favor as this goes forward,” said David Carter, a professor of sports business at USC and principal of the Sports Business Group.

Silver said the NBA will revisit its investment and endorsement rules as a result of the allegations involving the Clippers, Ballmer and Leonard

Around the league there is a belief that if the NBA does find wrongdoing, Silver will have to act.

“The only thing I hear consistently around the league is that they want the league to come down really hard to deter other teams from [circumventing the salary cap],” said an NBA executive who requested anonymity to speak freely. “Because if there is no big penalty, other teams are going to start doing that, and then competitive advantage is just going to be, the imbalance is going to be out of control.”

Leonard joined the Clippers in July 2019 on a three-year, $103-million contract after leading the Toronto Raptors to the NBA title. The 6-foot-7 forward from Moreno Valley signed a four-year, $176.3-million extension in 2021, when Aspiration made its sponsorship deal with the Clippers and Ballmer became a minority owner in the company.

After signing a three-year, $153-million extension a year ago, Leonard will have been paid or is under contract for $375 million in career salary.

The NBA looked into allegations that the Clippers paid Leonard or his representative and uncle, Dennis Robertson, a side deal when he first joined the team in 2019. No wrongdoing was found, although the Toronto Star recently reported that Robertson made demands of the Raptors during unsuccessful negotiations in 2019. The Raptors rejected the $10-million demand and Leonard signed with the Clippers, the newspaper said.

Neither Robertson nor Leonard’s agent responded to emails or texts asking for comment on the endorsement arrangement with Aspiration and the allegation reported in the Star regarding Robertson.

Times staff writer Broderick Turner contributed to this story.

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This story originally appeared in Los Angeles Times.

Al Horford leaving Celtics to join Warriors in free agency: Report originally appeared on NBC Sports Boston

At long last, Al Horford’s time in Boston has come to an end.

The veteran big man has agreed to a multi-year contract with the Golden State Warriors in NBA free agency, his agent confirmed to ESPN’s Shams Charania on Sunday. After spending eight of his 18 NBA seasons with Boston (five in his second stint), Horford likely will end his illustrious career in a new uniform.

Horford confirmed his departure on Instagram, posting a farewell message to Boston fans:

Horford, who turned 39 on June 3, remained productive during the 2024-25 season despite his age. The five-time All-Star averaged 9.0 points over 42 regular-season games, then 8.0 points and 6.0 rebounds over 11 playoff appearances.

Above all else, the Celtics will miss Horford’s veteran leadership. Horford was beloved in Boston’s locker room, with superstar Jayson Tatum going as far as to call him his “favorite teammate.”

Horford’s absence will be glaring during what could be Boston’s most challenging season in years. Multiple pieces of the championship core already have been moved — the Celtics traded Jrue Holiday and Kristaps Porzingis, then lost big man Luke Kornet in free agency — while Tatum will spend most (if not all) of the 2025-26 campaign recovering from a ruptured Achilles.

Tatum’s injury as well as the offseason departures of Holiday, Porzingis and Kornet factored into Horford’s decision to sign elsewhere, according to The Boston Globe’s Adam Himmelsbach, but it was still “quite hard” for Horford to leave Boston, “which he considers a second home,” Himmelsbach reported.

With Horford, Porzingis and Kornet out of the picture, Boston’s current frontcourt consists of Neemias Queta, Xavier Tillman Sr., free-agent addition Luka Garza and rookie Amari Williams.