Category: NBA

After an exciting offseason with a lot of movement, the NBA season opens this week. 

Giannis Antetokounmpo was traded to the Heat. LeBron James took his talents to the 76ers. Luka Doncic is now the head of the snake for the Lakers. The Knicks are poised to try to repeat as NBA champions after breaking a 53-year title drought. Victor Wembanyama hopes to put his 7-foot-4 body in the way. 

There’s a lot of intrigue. A lot could happen. But in the meantime, here are our very early NBA awards predictions:

MVP: Luka Doncic

Doncic has taken over the Lakers after James left in free agency following an eight-season stint in Los Angeles. Last season, Doncic led the league in scoring (33.5 points) and was third in assists (8.3). This offseason, he put his fingerprints all over the roster, including urging the Lakers to acquire Walker Kessler at center. Doncic then hosted a minicamp in Slovenia for the first time in his career to build chemistry. Doncic is all in. He wants to win his first championship. He wants to carry the 17-time championship Lakers back atop the league. And he feels wronged after finishing fourth in the MVP race last season despite his eye-popping stats. Here’s to guessing we’re going to see the best out of him yet.

Sixth Man of the Year: Ajay Mitchell

Did you see what Mitchell did to the Lakers in the second round of the 2026 playoffs when the Thunder swept LA? Mitchell looked like a star. He averaged 22.5 points. He met the moment. Rob Pelinka, Lakers general manager and president of basketball operations, brought him up unprompted as the type of player the Lakers need to find in the draft. In his third season expect him to make even more leaps. 

Defensive POY: Victor Wembanyama

No one will compete with Wembanyama for this award for the foreseeable future unless he somehow fails to meet the 65-game threshold. Wembanyama is a beast on defense. He alters shots. He blocks shots. He can run the floor. His 7-4 height and 8-foot wingspan leave stars looking like G League players against him. 

Rookie of Year: Cameron Boozer

The hype is real, folks. Boozer might be the No. 1 option on the Grizzlies soon. He’s going to have high usage. He’s going to be a double-double machine with his shooting and rebounding ability. He impressed in summer league play in Las Vegas and the preseason, and he appears poised to make a major statement.

Coach of the Year: Nick Nurse

If he can turn the 76ers into championship contenders, he should win this award. There are so many cooks in the kitchen, including James, Jaylen Brown, Joel Embiid and Tyrese Maxey. Nurse is going to have to figure out how to manage egos, how to keep everyone engaged and involved and how to make a bunch of alpha superstars willing to star in their roles. It’s a tall task. He’s working with some of the world’s top ingredients. Now it’s up to him to see if he can make a cohesive recipe. If he does, props to him. We’ve seen too many other superteams wildly fail, including the Nets, who never made it past the second round of the playoffs with Kyrie Irving, James Harden and Kevin Durant on the roster. 

Most Improved Player: Amen Thompson

Thompson made leaps last season and here’s to betting that trend is going to continue this year. Now that Fred VanVleet is back, Thompson is going to get way more scoring opportunities. He apparently dramatically improved his jumper over the offseason. He has the basketball IQ and natural talent to keep transforming his game, and he’s going to play for a very competitive Rockets team. His growth has been marked and should continue rapidly. 

Western Conference winner: Spurs

Wembanyama is next in line for the face of the league behind James. He wants to be the best. You can see it in the way he advocates for himself, the way his emotions spill out and the way he plays on both sides of the court. Well, we saw the origin of his villain story develop in real time last postseason when the Spurs blew double-digit leads in each of their four losses to the Knicks in the Finals. Wembanyama isn’t going to allow that to happen again. Most of the greats had to get knocked down before rising to the top. Expect nothing different from Wembanyama, who has a talented team behind him in Stephon Castle, Dylan Harper, Keldon Johnson, De’Aaron Fox, Devin Vassell and Tobias Harris.

Eastern Conference winner: Knicks

No one had the Knicks winning the championship on their bingo card last season. We won’t make that mistake this time around. Jalen Brunson is a superstar. OG Anunoby is now a legend. And the team is returning 10 of its 12 rotational players. The Knicks are the favorites in the East until proven otherwise. 

NBA champion: Spurs

Wemby’s time has arrived. You can feel it. It’s similar to how the air feels different ahead of a major storm. We all knew it would be a matter of time before he owned the league. What we didn’t know was how quickly it would happen.

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This is the first of a series of roundtable questions I’m asking the staff here at Peachtree Hoops about the Hawks this upcoming season. The first question: which newly acquired player will have the biggest impact for the Hawks this season?

Wes: I think Luguentz Dort will bring a level of toughness, defensive versatility, and an ability to play his role on offense that the team desperately needed. Now that the reins are in the hands of Jalen Johnson to run the show, Dort will fit in as a corner three-point shooter who has tons of experience operating around a star player.

But clearly, defensively is where he’ll make his name. He’s a bigger body than even all-world defender Dyson Daniels, so he, Daniels and Nickeil Alexander-Walker can share the load of taking on the other team’s best perimeter player depending on the night.

Malik: I’ll have to agree and say and say Lu Dort. I think he was the biggest addition to the team this offseason, and it’s because of what he brings to the defensive side of the ball. He’s going to make life easier for Dyson Daniels, and he could guard almost every position on the floor. The Hawks’ defense was good last season, but it’s going to be even better with Dort in the fold.

It’s also hard not to mention the championship experience he’ll bring to the team. That will go a long way for a team that’s looking to be contenders.

Garrett: Luguentz Dort. To me, he was Onsi Saleh’s biggest addition this offseason. The Knicks exposed Atlanta’s struggles with physicality in the playoffs, and Dort directly addresses that issue. He’s one of the league’s best defenders, embraces tough assignments and knows what it takes to win in the postseason. That combination is a major plus for a Hawks team looking to take the next step.

Graham: I really like the deal to acquire Aaron Wiggins, I think he’ll have more of a positive impact than expected, but it’s hard to overlook just what Lu Dort is going to bring. It’s not just what Dort brings – which I’ll discuss in a moment – but the commitment the Hawks have made stylistically, and philosophically. 

Dort’s shooting struggles in the postseason are well documented, as are those of Dyson Daniels. It’s going to be difficult to have both of those players out in crunch-time, but on the defensive end of the ball the Hawks have made a clear commitment to a defensive mentality. Now, Dort can be included into ‘chaos’ lineups which can involve Nickeil Alexander-Walker, Daniels, Dort, Johnson, and Okongwu – every single one of those players can hold their own defensively and excel (Johnson is more than capable of this when he applies himself to do so).

The Hawks may have an offensive ceiling with Daniels and Dort on the floor, but they have the defense to still bring a net rating in those scenarios. If Dort and Daniels can improve their three-point shooting and sustain it in the postseason, then the ceiling is removed for this squad. With Dort, the Hawks can have at least two plus defensive wings on at all times. The versatility he provides to what the Hawks can now run out on the court lineup-wise is a big step forward.

Dort himself will bring a toughness, a mentality that the Hawks will thrive off of, and championship experience to learn from. Everything Dort brings will only help Atlanta grow on and off the court as they try to take the next step; Dort is the perfect acquisition for the Hawks’ next phase of their journey. The message is clear: it’s defense first. 

Welcome to Inside the Suns, a deep down analysis of the current Phoenix Suns team in which the Fantable — a roundtable of Bright Siders — give their takes on the Suns’ latest issues and news.

Fantable Questions of the Week

Q1: What is your boldest prediction for the Suns’ 2026-27 season?

GuarGuar: My boldest prediction is we will be a Top 4 seed in the Western Conference this year. I think the cohesiveness and development of this group will show big time, and I also think we will have better injury luck overall.

zenzino: Instructions said ‘3 or less’. Less? I don’t think so. I’m taking it to the limit! Shocking, I know.

1. Suns finish 5th or 6th seed and, due to some favorable matchups, make it to the Western Conference Finals.
2. Maluach has an ok start to the season but then hits his stride and wins the NBA Most Improved Player.
3. Goodie is Goodie all season long and makes NBA All-Defensive 2nd team. I’d say 1st team but the bias against being a Suns player will work against him.

Ashton: My boldest prediction? Is Rod trying to set me up for a positive answer? Though I suppose I could swing to the dark side and give out some predictions that would really make “Bightsiders” PO’ed. Let’s roll with the positive.

1. Suns win 45 games
2. Suns miss fewer games than last season due to injury concerns and rest management issues.
3. Let’s take it a step further. Sun fans actually get true updates on players’ status reports rather than the same mealy-mouthed spoon-fed crap we get season after season. “Oh, it’s just tweaked a little” turns into 4-6 weeks out. I like transparency.

Do I believe these to be true? Probably not.

Rod: I’m not sure how bold this one is, but I think Ryan Dunn is going to be a key rotation player for the Suns this year. He’s looked both confident and competent in preseason, and has obviously regained Jordan Ott’s trust.

I think the Suns will not only be a top 10 defensive team this year, but in the top 5 defensively. Overall, they’ve ranked only 17th in preseason, but in 1st quarters (played mostly by 1st and 2nd unit players) they ranked 4th in defense.

By the time the playoffs roll around, the return of Mark Williams is going to give the team a significant boost that pushes them up in the final seeding and plays a big role in winning at least their first-round playoff series.

Q2: ESPN recently called the center position as the Suns’ “biggest roster hole”.  What are your thoughts on this?

GuarGuar: I agree, given that Maluach is unproven and Oso would be very undersized for a starting center. I’m hopeful Man Man can prove to be a quality big this year so it’s not a big issue, but I’d be lying if I said I wasn’t concerned about our Center spot this year. The Duop signing makes me feel a tad better.

zenzino: My thoughts are that ESPN is the biggest hole in the sports media roster.

I’m actually surprised they took enough time away from stroking LeBron to worry about the Suns. It’s all those short helicopter trips.

Obviously, there’s no roster hole at either guard position. I’m cool with the depth at SF. For me, it’s a toss-up between PF and Center. Even though there are more possible bodies at the SF position, I’m pretty confident in Oso and Man Man to be ‘good enough’ and hold it down for the first half of the season.

Sheer is going to take a little longer than we hoped, but like Man Man, I think he’s going to start trusting in the work he’s doing more and more and work his way into consistent rotation.

It’s probably pretty obvious; I’ve made a conscious decision to look on the bright side of things with the Suns (see what I did there?). So understand my takes are going to focus on the positive.

I like this team as currently constructed. Are they bursting with talent 1-15? Not really. But all 15 guys go out there, play hard, and usually contribute.

Ashton: You cannot say that ESPN will state the obvious and run with it. Oh wait, I can! That is exactly what they do. We have been calling that topic on the board ever since, and maybe even before Mark Williams went down with injury. KM has been more of a revelation in the preseason, so maybe the raw center can hold up. I thought he did just fine against Wemby. Why in the world did Coach Ott sit Oso? Unless he is not healthy, he could have really used those minutes against Wemby on Wednesday.

Also, I need to slip this in somewhere, and this question will work. But what is the point of preseason if all the starters (now including Oso) are sitting out? Yes, preseason games have been reduced from eight games to four, but it is still glorified Summer League. Just increase the age requirements for the Summer League games while scrapping the preseason altogether.

Rod: They call it a hole; I call it a question mark. It could turn into a roster hole, but that’s still undetermined at this point. Maluach has shown enough promise that it’s very possible that he could begin to be a force in the lineup fairly early on in the season, and Ighodaro is already a proven, quality backup center. It all depends on how quickly Khaman adapts and settles into playing a much bigger role than he’s used to.

Another big question mark that could become a hole is the lack of a true point guard in the starting lineup. Can they get the Booker/Green backcourt to function well enough together to make that lack a non-factor? Sure, having Gillespie move up into the starting lineup could fill that potential hole, but it could create another one on the 2nd unit…or at least an adjustment to the 2nd unit roles which might not go smoothly.

Q3: Eddie Johnson recently said that Devin Booker needs to be aggressive and be taking the most shots for the Suns this season.  What’s your opinion on this?

GuarGuar: I 100% agree with Eddie; we need Book to be ultra aggressive and our leading shot taker. I’m as big of a Book fan as it gets, as evidenced by my history here on BSOTS…but I’ll be honest when I say I’m concerned about Devin. His elevation on his jump shot hasn’t been there the past 2.5 years. I don’t know if it’s just declining athleticism, the Books, or what…but he’s not elevating anywhere near what he used to do. And that is why I think his jump shot has been off the past couple seasons. 

He needs to gain that alpha confidence again more than anything, though. Too many times he gets passive and is obsessed with just making the right play. And while I commend his discipline and self-sacrifice for the betterment of the team…it gets to a point where it’s too much. And it was way too much last year. We need Book to get back at least close to his prime a couple seasons ago in order to be a future contender. And I still believe in him to lead us.

zenzino: EJ has a pretty high basketball IQ. Smart guy.

That being said…duh.

Yes! Book needs to be the primary bucket getter. I’ve been wanting Book to get back to his scoring ways for quite a while now. I hope Book sticks to what he said on media day about looking to shoot more.

This will be facilitated by others. Oso’s passing and playmaking have improved to the point where he is a primary connector when he’s on the court. We just caught a glimpse of it in the first game; Bridges’ passing and playmaking are underrated. And Green is making strides, working with Nash. I posted a great video in the feed of a film breakdown showing the change in Green’s reads and decision-making. If he continues to progress, that’s another effective tool in the Suns’ toolbox.

All of this will get Book off the ball more and greatly reduce the pressure on Book to be the main facilitator and playmaker so he can concentrate on what he does best. If these things come together, Book could have the best scoring season of his career.

And I’m here for it.

Ashton: For those not aware, Eddie Johnson is the color commentator for the Arizona Family Suns games and has had the same stints with ASU and the Phoenix Mercury. Also, a co-host on NBA Today. He has had an illustrious NBA career and should not be confused with “Fast Eddie”, who is Eddie L. Johnson. I enjoy listening to his color commentary.

Eddie is not wrong in his statement, but Book has received little play in the preseason, mainly due to rest. This is being submitted before Friday’s Utah Jazz game, but I highly doubt a Booker start happens. Book has looked pretty fly in his street clothes while negotiating his next endorsement deal on the cell.

Rest management does not make you an aggressive player. In fact, I am beginning to side with the crowd that thinks Book may have already turned his corner for wanting to prove he is one of the best in the NBA. Depending on what top NBA 100 player rankings you read, Book is aging like vinegary wine that has corresponded with his age. I last saw him ranked at number 26 (CBS Sports), but 30 is not out of the question. Is this a call to trade? No. He is still the heart and soul of the team, but I think he is slowing down. He will still be the best player on the team.

Which is why I want Booker to use his NBA experience and be a playmaker for the Suns. I have maintained this stance for a while. Sorry, Eddie, you will not find support for your “aggressive” statement from me. I want him to act more like a mentor and a veteran. Something which he did not do in preseason, while passing up an excellent chance to bond with his on-court teammates.

Rod: I agree with one caveat…he needs to concentrate on his bread-and-butter mid-range game and limit his long-range three-point attempts. If they leave him alone at the three-point line, he should fire away, but otherwise I’d rather see him get closer to the FT line and get off one of his fadeaway mid-range jumpers that he’s so good at. We’re going to need him to average about 25 points and he can do that, and probably do it more efficiently, sniping from mid-range (and at the FT line) than bombing away from three.

As always, many thanks to our Fantable members for all their extra effort this week!

Quotes of the Week

“We have a lot of weapons, guys that can have a big night any night and we know that.” – Luke Kennard

“I love Luke (Kennard). You can plug and play him anywhere. He has a tremendous shot, knows how to play the game, and is not only a three-point shooter as you see. He can create for himself in the midrange; he’s got a great handle. He’s going to be another scorer for us coming off the bench. He guards; he stays in front. He was a perfect pickup for us this offseason, and I can’t wait for Phoenix to see all the types of games he’s going to have. He’s going to have some tremendous games.” – Dillon Brooks

“He (Ryan Dunn) has had a great camp so far. I’m sure it will continue because of the way he works.” – Jordan Ott

“For the team, whatever is asked of us, we’re going to do.” – Oso Ighodaro

Suns Trivia/History

Teams With The Most 2nd Chance PPG In The 2026-27 NBA Preseason

1. Boston Celtics — 26.0
2. Dallas Mavericks — 23.7
3. Houston Rockets — 23.3
4. Orlando Magic — 20.0
5. Portland Trail Blazers — 18.7
6. Cleveland Cavaliers — 18.0
7. Phoenix Suns — 17.8
8. Sacramento Kings — 17.8
9. Miami Heat — 17.5
10. New York Knicks — 16.4

From Stat Defender (Twitter/X)

On October 18, 1968, Dick Van Arsdale scored the Suns’ very first basket at Arizona Veterans Memorial Coliseum as Phoenix beat the Seattle Supersonics 116-107 in their inaugural regular season opener. Van Arsdale (21 pts), Gail Goodrich (27 pts) and Dick Snyder (20 pts) led the way in scoring with 68 of the Suns’ total points (58.6%). Goodrich and center George Wilson would share the honors of being the first two Suns players to ever record double-doubles, with Goodrich getting 27 pts and 10 assists and Wilson scoring 16 points while pulling down 19 rebounds. Goodrich was also just one rebound short of getting the first triple-double in Suns history.

On October 18, 1977, 6-time All-Star Walter Davis made his NBA debut for the Phoenix Suns in a 100-83 win over the Golden State Warriors. In his first-ever NBA game, Davis scored 20 points, grabbed 6 rebounds, and made 5 steals in 31 minutes.

On October 22, 1976, twin brothers Tom and Dick Van Arsdale played together in a game for the Phoenix Suns, becoming the first pair of twins to play for the same NBA club. Unfortunately, the Suns ended up losing the game 111-98 to the New Orleans Jazz.

On October 23, 1993, in the finals of the sixth McDonald’s Championship, held at the Olympiahalle in Munich, Germany, the Phoenix Suns defeated Italian League champion Buckler Bologna 112-90. Charles Barkley led all scorers with 28 points and was awarded the Drazen Petrovic Trophy as MVP of the tournament after scoring 52 points in two games.

The Week Ahead

Wednesday: Phoenix Suns @ Portland Trail Blazers, 7:00 pm AZ time

Saturday: Phoenix Suns vs Golden State Warriors, 7:00 pm AZ time

Important Future Dates

Oct. 19 – All rosters set for NBA Opening Day (5 p.m. ET)
Oct. 20 – 2026-27 NBA Season Begins
Oct. 24 – NBA G League Draft
Oct. 26 – NBA G League Training Camps open
Oct. 30 – Emirates NBA Cup 2026 Group Play tips off
Nov. 6 – NBA G League Tip-Off Tournament begins
Dec. 15 – Most players signed to new contracts can be traded
Jan. 5 – 10-day contracts may now be signed
Jan. 10 – All NBA contracts are guaranteed for the remainder of the season
Jan. 15 – All players signed to new contracts can be traded
Feb. 11 – Trade Deadline
Feb. 19-21 – NBA All-Star 2027
March 1 – Playoff Eligibility Waiver Deadline
April 11 – 2026-27 Regular Season ends (All 30 teams play)
April 12 – Rosters set for NBA Playoffs 2027 (3 p.m. ET)
April 13-16 – SoFi NBA Play-In Tournament
April 17 – NBA Playoffs 2026 begin

After multiple weeks of waiting, the Lakers were finally able to see what it looked like when their Big 3 was on the floor together.

The results made it clear there’s plenty of room for growth.

With Luka Doncic, Austin Reaves and Walker Kessler available for Friday’s preseason finale loss to the Nuggets on Friday night at Crypto.com Arena, the wait to see how the team would look with its most consequential players alongside each other ended. 

Finally, the highly anticipated Doncic-Kessler pick and roll would be unleashed on an opposing team instead of held within the confines of the team’s practice floor. 

The 7-foot-2 center, who made his debut in Tuesday’s loss to the Warriors in Las Vegas, would be able to build off his first NBA game in nearly a year in a positive way and complement both of the team’s star guards.

And the Lakers’ wing defenders — this time with Matisse Thybulle and Ziaire Williams in the first unit in what could be a preview for the regular-season opener against the Warriors — would have their defensive anchor behind them, allowing them to be more aggressive with their perimeter defense. 

Some of this came to fruition. 

But other aspects left a lot to be desired.

The biggest among them: too many early turnovers, with the Lakers recording six giveaways by the end of the first quarter and 10 turnovers by the middle of the second.

It was evident that Kessler was adjusting to what his new life will look like when defenses load up on Doncic and Reaves, and the playmaking responsibilities that’ll come in those moments. 

“There’s going to be some growing pains, just lack of reps together so far,” Reaves said. “More than likely going to pick up on it sooner than later. So we’ll continue to grow that over the next couple days and be ready for Opening Night.” 

The growing pains didn’t take away from the good the Lakers were able to accomplish.

Sandro Mamukelashvili and Williams showed immediate connections with Doncic.

Kessler was able to get a better idea of what his life will look like in the short roll when Doncic and Reaves are blitzed in the pick and roll — a strategy that the Nuggets deployed early and often against the Lakers. 

“Obviously there’s a transitional period playing with both Luka and AR on the floor together,” Kessler said. “Kind of what I was saying before, about the blitz and ball screens and playing out of that pocket. I started to get it a little bit. Obviously Luka and AR are pretty used to that.”

The hiccups on Friday made it even more apparent how helpful it would’ve been for the Lakers to get more reps with their Big 3 on the court together. 

How certain rhythms and cadences can only be understood when players are on the court together against another team.

Coach JJ Redick made it clear his team will be ready to go when the games start to matter in the standings when they kick off the regular season against the Warriors on Wednesday.

Friday will be an important part in making sure Redick is correct.

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Each week, Melissa Rohlin of the California Post will power rank the NBA’s 30 teams:

1. San Antonio Spurs

There was palpable pain on Victor Wembanyama’s face after the Knicks eliminated the Spurs in the NBA Finals. The Spurs had double-digit leads in each of their four losses in that series. Wembanyama blamed himself. Here’s to betting he’s going to be a beast this season. 

2. New York Knicks

We underestimated the Knicks last season and won’t repeat that mistake. They return 10 of their 12 rotational players. They’ve proven that no deficit fazes them. And Jalen Brunson is fearless. 

3. Oklahoma City Thunder 

The 2025 championship Thunder were stunned by the Spurs in the Western Conference finals last season. This roster is deep, young, talented and hungry to get back atop the league. Shai Gilgeous-Alexander, who has won two straight MVP awards, isn’t going to take his foot off the gas this season. 

4. Philadelphia 76ers

LeBron James, Jaylen Brown, Joel Embiid and Tyrese Maxey? This should be fun. It might take them a second to figure things out and develop chemistry. But if they do, watch out. It’ll be interesting to see if this superteam takes over the league or flames out, such as the disappointing Nets who never got past the second round of the playoffs despite having Kevin Durant, Kyrie Irving and James Harden on the roster. 

5. Cleveland Cavaliers

The regular season doesn’t matter for this Cavs team. They keep combusting in the playoffs, including getting swept by the Knicks in the 2026 Eastern Conference finals. Either they make a deep run with Donovan Mitchell, Harden, Peyton Watson and Evan Mobley or else it’s hard to imagine there isn’t going to be a reckoning soon. 

6. Los Angeles Lakers

This team has a lot of question marks. But also a lot of potential. If Luka Doncic, Austin Reaves and Walker Kessler play to their potential and the team’s perimeter defense surpasses expectations, the Lakers could be very good. But this team has nine new players, including Kessler, who played only five games last season after having season-ending shoulder surgery. So, yeah, lots of questions. 

7. Houston Rockets

Fred VanVleet has returned after missing last season because a torn ACL and meniscus in his right knee that he suffered in an offseason workout in September 2025. Alperen Sengun is looking good. Durant is still very much Durant. This team could be the dark horse of the West. 

8. Indiana Pacers

Didn’t you learn not to overlook Tyrese Haliburton back in 2025? You know, when he stunned the NBA by leading the Pacers to the NBA Finals before suffering a torn Achilles tendon in Game 7 of that series? Sure, he’s going to be shaking off rust this season. But he’s someone to keep your eye on. 

9. Detroit Pistons 

The Pistons added more scoring threats after Cade Cunningham and Jalen Duren were overcrowded by defenders in the paint last postseason. If Ausar Thompson can also be counted on having a reliable outside shot, they could be good. 

10. Minnesota Timberwolves

The Timberwolves’ ceiling rose after they acquired LaMelo Ball, pairing him with Anthony Edwards, Rudy Gobert and Jaden McDaniels. Jonathan Kuminga was another great addition to the roster. If the hype is real, the Timberwolves could give the top teams in the West a run for their money. 

11. Boston Celtics

Brown is gone. We’re going to see what Jayson Tatum can do without his longtime counterpart, with whom he won a championship in 2024. And this should be a revenge season of sorts for Paul George, who caught a lot of strays from pundits amid the Brown trade. 

12. Denver Nuggets

The Nuggets had an underwhelming offseason. But any team with Nikola Jokic is going to be in the championship hunt. Their starting five of Joker, Jamal Murray, Aaron Gordon, Cameron Johnson and Christian Braun is very skilled, but their lack of depth could haunt them. 

13. Miami Heat

Giannis Antetokounmpo and Bam Adebayo are going to be a lot of fun on both sides of the court. This team should be a title threat in the next couple of years. 

14. Toronto Raptors

Kawhi Leonard has returned to the Raptors, whom he carried to a championship in 2019. After far too many injury-riddled seasons with the Clippers, he looked great last year, averaging 27.9 points on 50.5% shooting, 6.4 rebounds, 3.6 assists and 1.9 steals per game over 65 contests. When he’s healthy, he’s one of the league’s best players.

15. Dallas Mavericks

Cooper Flagg is gearing up for a breakout season, and Irving is returning to the lineup after missing last season because of torn left ACL. It’ll be interesting to see what new coach Dusty May can do with this group in the wake of the Doncic-Anthony Davis debacle. 

16. Orlando Magic

Paolo Banchero, Franz Wagner and Jalen Suggs are formidable, but a lot of questions remain around this team, especially with its outside shooting. Their eye-popping payroll coupled with the fact that this team hasn’t gotten past the first round of the playoffs the last three years means they’re on a very short rope to figure things out quickly. 

17.  Atlanta Hawks

This team should have a strong defense behind Lu Dort and Dyson Daniels. If Jalen Johnson can continue to take leaps, this team could make some noise. 

18. Golden State Warriors

The Warriors didn’t have the offseason they hoped. Antetokounmpo was traded to Miami. James chose the 76ers. But if Jimmy Butler returns healthy in a few months from his torn right ACL, he, Steph Curry and Draymond Green could make some noise in the West, especially if Yaxel Lendeborg keeps impressing. 

19. Utah Jazz

This team is lacking frontcourt depth at the start of the season after Jusuf Nurkic suffered a partial plantar plate tear in the second toe of his right foot during the preseason. But Lauri Markkanen and Jaren Jackson are exciting, and Darryn Peterson could be a difference-maker. 

20. Washington Wizards

Trae Young and Davis both feel as though they have a lot to prove. Young’s star has fallen. Davis has been on a wild downswing ever since he was dealt to the Mavericks for Doncic. Those two guys should be very fun to track this season as they seek revenge. 

21. Los Angeles Clippers

This team is down in the dumps following the Aspiration scandal. They’ve hit rock bottom. They’re racked with injuries. But don’t be surprised if coach Tyronn Lue somehow brings out the best in them. 

22. Phoenix Suns

Devin Booker really needs a great year following last season’s subpar performance. He shot 45.6% from the field, his lowest percentage since his third season in the league. If he can reemerge as a superstar, he and Dillon Brooks could be fun. 

23. Portland Trail Blazers

This team could be ranked much higher. It depends how Damian Lillard looks after missing last season because of a torn Achilles tendon. And how quickly Lillard, Deni Avdija and Ja Morant can develop a rhythm. There’s a lot of wild cards here. But this team also has the potential to skyrocket in these rankings very soon. 

24. Chicago Bulls

Caleb Wilson should compete for Rookie of the Year. Josh Giddey is always fun. And Matas Buzelis made leaps last season. The Bulls have a lot of growing to do. But there’s also intrigue here. 

25. New Orleans Pelicans

We’re entering this season with the same tired storyline. The Pelicans won 26 games last season, yet they refused to pull the plug. Don’t expect much to change this time around. 

26. Memphis Grizzlies

Cameron Boozer is living up to the hype. He joins some young hotshots in Cedric Coward, Zach Edey, Jaylen Wells and Cam Spencer. This team should be fun. But it’ll be a while before it can make noise. 

27. Charlotte Hornets

Ball is out. Let’s see what the team’s creators can do without him, especially Brandon Miller, Kon Knueppel, Coby White and Naz Reid. 

28. Sacramento Kings

Darius Acuff is an electric scorer, and if he lives up to his potential, this team could be worth monitoring. Domantas Sabonis claims he’s healthy following knee surgery. And there’s also always intrigue around Ben Simmons. But winning games is another issue altogether. 

29. Brooklyn Nets

While everyone suspects the Timberwolves of taking veiled shots at Julius Randle, he could raise the Nets’ ceiling. But it’s a very low ceiling, despite Michael Porter Jr. and Mikel Brown Jr. being on the roster. 

30. Milwaukee Bucks

Welp, at least the Bucks won a championship in 2021 before everything fell apart. 

Welcome to the Den! Over the course of the season I want to take 10 game snap shots and ask and answer a few questions about the Wolves. Some of these questions are about serious hoop, some of them are the silly questions I think about riding the Green Line to the Target Center. So curl up with a beverage of your choice, get comfy, and stay awhile.

1. Are Ant and LaMelo better together?

If we can take anything from preseason (we shouldn’t), and if head coach Chris Finch is giving us any hints to his plan for the season in his quotes about lineups (he isn’t), then Anthony Edwards and LaMelo Ball will share the floor a lot. The reasons to keep them separated are obvious. Both players can handle the ball. Both players have tremendous gravity on offense creating opportunities for others. The Wolves have a dearth of ball handling and keeping someone on the court at all times who won’t get bullied in a full-court press is imperative.

So why would Finch ever play a minute without one of his star guards on the court? Well…

1. Overwhelming Offense: With both guards on the court, they create a Sophie’s Choice for how to guard the Wolves that leads to easy mismatches easily exploitable with Ant’s athleticism or Ball’s passing. If both players are loaded up on, there are plenty of other players to kick the ball to for easy looks.
2. Bench Strengths: Fresh off Terrance Shannon Jr.’s impressive 2026 playoff performance, Finch noted the need to put the ball in his hands to get the most out of him. Ball or Edwards might play well alongside TJ by spotting up for threes as Shannon barrels to the hoop and collapses the defense. That said, both players are better when their usage is higher and the Wolves have other bench shooters that TJ can feed.
3. Establishing Roles: Melo knows his primary role. Its the one role he has always known. He is there to stir the drink on offense and get everyone involved. Ant is going back to his best role as a shooting guard. He will move off-ball and create advantages for his team. On the defensive side of things, Ant will need to establish himself on defense and that will be easier when he is not the primary creator.

There will be moments in games where the pair are split up. Ant will likely play more minutes than Melo. To get the most out of both players skillsets, those times apart should be limited.

2. What is Joan’s good/bad ratio?

As reported by Jace Frederick of The Pioneer Press during the short tenure of Rob Dillingham, head coach Chris Finch said of Dillingham,

“If you play three games, you hope that you get one good, one not so good, and one maybe stinker. And you got to turn that into two positives and maybe one negative. Once we get there, then things start to go.”

If Finch is holding Joan to a similar standard, how many bad games can the Wolves withstand for every good game Joan provides. I believe the Wolves can weather two bad games for every one that impresses. For all the talk of a team focused on defense, this is a team built to score in bunches. There will be games where defense is wanting any minute Rudy Gobert is off the floor. So long as the offense is humming and it should be, then the Wolves can handle Joan riding the pine on account of leading the league in fouls.

The second year player needs minutes and needs opportunities to make mistakes and learn from them. The bench defense does rely on him, but this is a team that will win with their offense as they learn and adapt to a leaner and smaller team.

3. How many minutes should Melo average?

In his six-year NBA tenure, LaMelo Ball has only played 61% of games. Much of that was due to injury, some of that was due to being on a team in the tank for a better lottery pick. He has played over 50 games in a season three times. Last season was his second most games played. He also played his fewest average minutes per game at 28 minutes.

The early preseason returns, such as they can be relied on, have shown how dynamic the Wolves can be with Ball on the floor.

It will be imperative for Coach Finch to go against his nature of leaning on his starters. The Wolves do have a bevy of guards to slot into the starting spot should Melo miss a few games but none of them offer the dynamism of size, dribbling, shooting, and passing. To keep LaMelo available while also getting the most out of him, I look to the Wolves former floor general Mike Conley in the 2024 season. At 29 minutes a game, the 36-year-old guard was able to suit up for 76 games.

If Ball plays over 70 games the Wolves will be in contention for a top four seed in the playoffs.

4. How long can effort outlast physicality?

Everyone is talking about it: the Wolves got smaller this season. With Naz Reid, Julius Randle, Mike Conley, Kyle Anderson, and Joe Ingles all playing elsewhere, the Wolves lost just under 32 feet and 11 inches of height. Minnesota added Melo, Jonathan Kuminga, Trey Lyles, Cody Williams, and Isaiah Evans for a total of 33 feet and one inch of height.

Unfortunately this pedantic look doesn’t actually dispel the fact that the Wolves are not as big as their rivals and will need to be creative to counteract this discrepancy. Mostly they will rely on effort in the hopes that sweat equity will overtake size. And it is here that I have my biggest concern for the year.

In the early parts of the season, as teams are trying to figure themselves out and miscommunications are more common, this effort strategy has a better chance of working. In the bleak mid-winter especially with the new anti-tanking rules in place, that effort will be harder to summon and the size issue will still be there. I don’t foresee a trade unless the Wolves are dealing away one of their cheaper contracts and that likely doesn’t bring back much of a needle mover. No amount of weight room work is going to build the requisite muscle in time for it to be of use.

Minnesota will need to get clever in their defense to earn the extra possessions that decide close games. An option could be found in gambling for more steals at the risk of drawing fouls. Per Stat Muse the Detroit Pistons were called for the most fouls last year while also forcing the most turnovers. This style of play led to the third best point differential for the season last year behind the Oklahoma City Thunder and the San Antonio Spurs.

The Wolves fouled the third most last season while only forcing the 12th most turnovers. In a league trending bigger, general manager Tim Connelly gambled on smaller players. Those players will need to take similar risks to earn extra possessions when the effort to rebound runs into a bigger and stronger wall.

5. Which Wolf Takes the Leap?

Ant, Melo, Rudy Gobert, and Jaden McDaniels all have accolades in their trophy case. There are things each of them could do to improve. McDaniels could move into All-Star territory, though with Ant and Ball on the team, barring the Wolves holding the number one seed, I don’t see them getting three all-stars. Melo could join Ant in the All-NBA space in a best of all worlds eventuality for the Wolves. Ant could win MVP, the pinnacle of the league.

The likely leaper candidates are Jonathan Kuminga, Ayo Dosunmu, Joan Beringer, Terrance Shannon Jr.

1. Kuminga’s Case: I will keep beating this drum until he proves otherwise. Kuminga needs to model his game after Josh Hart. He won’t win Most Improved Player, but he will win a decade plus career.
2. Sixth Man Ayo: Posting one of four triple doubles for the Wolves last year and scoring 43 points off the bench in the playoffs when Ant and Donte DiVincenzo were injured, Dosunmu showed the ability to morph into whatever player his team needed. If he can find consistency while maintaining this doppelganger, he’ll put himself solidly into the Sixth Man of the Year race and likely the Most Improved Player race.
3. Go On Joan: If Joan can keep his fouling to below four a game and increase his rebounding to six or more a game, up from his 2.3 average now, then they Wolves have answered one of their biggest concerns. This leap would likely only be seen amongst the Minnesota faithful and deep NBA stat head sickos.
4. TJ Gets a Payday: TJ is on the cusp of a contract extension. For him to earn a payday he will need to win his minutes. Whether that is by scoring, setting up his teammates, or using his leaping ability and size to grab defensive rebounds to end possessions, TJ’s next contract appears directly tied to his EPM for this season.

My bet is on Ayo who has the most versatility.

6. Which Wolf has the Dunk of the Year?

I wish this could be Joan because of how angrily he dunks, but there are few dunks by big men who make the cut for Dunk of the Year. Shaquille O’Neal dunking Chris Dudley to the floor and DeAndre Jordan’s alley-oop dunk over Brandon Knight are top of mind and beyond that a struggle unless the backboard is shattered. Dunks of the Year belong to the players who break the bonds of gravity to violently flush it through the rim. The three most likely candidates for the Wolves are Ant, Kuminga, or TJ.

• TJ treats the rim like it pulled up Urban Dictionary and started listing derogatory terms to describe his mother. He has the speed and leaping ability to capture the imagination. Very strong candidate.

• Kuminga has listened to years of criticism about his deficiencies and has watched his annual earnings drop back to below what he made on the third year of his rookie contract. With a team looking to set him up, if he puts all of his frustration at Steve Kerr, the national media, and maybe his agent into a single dunk, we might see the backboard shatter.

• Ant has the greatest advantage of name recognition and a highlight reel worth of past DOTY finalists. Given the popularity of the Wolves backcourt, if he posterizes an opponent off a Melo alley-oop then…

7. Which Wolf gets a new nationally recognized nickname?

According to Basketball Reference these are the nicknames for the Wolves likely nine man rotation. In bold after them, I have added a few of my thoughts for consideration.

• LaMelo Ball: Melo – LaFrenchConnection LaFrench is his middle name
• Anthony Edwards: Ant, Ant-Man – Ripleyfor when he defeats “the Alien” Victor Wembenyama.
• Jaden McDaniels: Seatbelt, Big Mac, Slim – Sith Lord already sort of out there with the Darth Jaden Memes, The Warden (puts people in cells + Game of Thrones Warden of the North tie-ins.
• Jonathan Kuminga: none listed – DR3 a play on where Kuminga is from, the Democratic Republic of the Congo aka the DRC, heavily contingent on him becoming a + three point shooter.
• Rudy Gobert: The Stifle Tower, The French Rejection, The Gobert Report, Gobzilla, Big Ru – Rudy has plenty and I don’t think I can do any better.
• Quamdeen Ayopo “Ayo” Dosunmu: none listed – Ayo is already too good. It has a singularity to it, it is easy to yell, and conjures both someone grabbing your attention while asking you, “what’s up?” (For clarity, his name is pronounced “EYE-o”)
• Terrence Shannon Jr.: none listed – SouthpawI don’t know if his right hand will ever be reliable.
• Joan Berringer: none listed – The Baron of Blocksmuch as I love Baron J, I don’t see much of a jump shot emerging
• Trey Lyles: TreyMamba – Spanish Honeymaker because he played for a Spanish team last year and you know, el bees, as in this team is twiggy up and down and Finch is gonna need to add some pounds to some lineups

For my money, I think McDaniels is primed for a nationally recognized nickname. Clyde Frazier was calling him Mac during the recent Wolves versus Knicks bout. While a few on this list do not have any and Jaden has three, none are called out with the type of exuberance that leads to water cooler talk where he is spoken about only in nickname.

8. Is this The Year?

In a word…

No.

I think the Wolves are going to be a very good team. I think they have a better than 50% chance to be in the top four of the Western Conference. I even think they could surprise the world and beat one of San Antonio or Oklahoma City and make it to the Western Conference Finals. I do not think they are good enough to beat both of those teams if all are healthy.

All that said… HOWL! 82-0! Hope springs eternal!

9. Where are we in the Marathon?

While basketball was the first sport I fell in love with, distance running was the first sport I was actually good at. I have run a few marathons and given the grind of an 82-game season, I wanted to take a look at where the Wolves are in the grand scheme of the most famous distance race.

The Wolves are wrapping up preseason which equates to the final week before the race. The energy is high, there is a touch of nervousness, mileage and workouts are not maxing out the legs or lungs. The Wolves’ regular season rotations aren’t playing in all of the games, and the deep bench are getting more run than they normally would. In those final days before the race there is a mix of feeling incredible, muscles are relaxed with a spring in your step. Other days any small twinge can feel like a five alarm fire that your body isn’t ready.

The starting lineup makes sense. With Jaden at the point of attack and Rudy minding the hoop, Ant, Ball, and Kuminga are showing the effort needed to force stops. On the other side of the court, the ball is moving more than any Wolves offense in recent memory. Opposing defenses are struggling deciding which player to concede a shot from. Even still, it is a long season and injuries are sure to creep up and sap some of the strength of the team.

On the bench there are bright spots but an equal number of worries, some already mentioned in this article. Can Joan keep his hands to himself enough to stay on the court? Should so much of the point guard duties be foisted upon TJ’s left hand? Is there a more glaring reason Trey Lyles spent a year out of the league?

None of these things will be known until the games start mattering and the minute distribution comes into alignment. At this point, there isn’t much left for Connelly, Finch, or the rest of the Wolves players to do but get to opening day ready and healthy. Anxiety and excitement grows with each passing day until the starting gun fires and all the worry melts away and you have to contend with the course in front of you.

One step at a time.

10. Wolves Record Through Ten

The Wolves first ten games are filled with hard-nosed defensive teams. The Giannis and Bam Heat, the Magic, the Raptors, the Cavaliers, the Rockets and the Spurs. If they can go 50-50 in that stretch, they have the talent to dispatch the Warriors, Clippers, Bucks and Pelicans.

Wolves start the season 7-3.

Canis Comment Section: What questions do you have? How would you answer any of the these questions?

The Washington Wizards have signed Reece Beekman to a two-way contract, the team announced Saturday.

Beekman, 24, spent four seasons at Virginia before going undrafted in 2024. He spent his rookie season with the Golden State Warriors and later the Brooklyn Nets.

The 6-foot-3 guard played last season with the Osceola Magic — the Orlando Magic’s G League affiliate. He averaged 8.8 points, 4.6 assists and 1.9 steals per game.

Beekman excelled with Washington’s Summer League team in July. The stout defender capped his showing with a 13-point, 15-assist performance against the Atlanta Hawks’ Summer League squad.

He signed an Exhibit-10 contract with the Wizards and joined the team for training camp before inking a two-way deal. He joins Jamir Watkins and Felix Okpara as Washington’s two-way players, which means the team’s 2026-27 roster is now set.
G: Young | Johnson | Carrington | Mann
W: Dybantsa | George | Coulibaly | Riley
F: Davis | Champagnie | Middleton | Gill
C: Sarr | Ayton | Vukcevic
Two-way: Watkins | Okpara | Beekman

The Wizards also announced they waived Chris Livingston, Trevor Keels and Alondes Williams — all of whom had previously signed Exhibit 10 deals.

Teams can offer an ~$90k bonus to players who sign an Exhibit-10 contract and spend at least 60 days with their G League affiliate. It’s essentially an incentive for the players to sign with the Go-Go.

So, expect those three to sign with the Go-Go in the near future.

Former Spurs guard George Hill was once called Gregg Popovich’s favorite player. Trading the 2008 draft pick was a difficult decision for Pop and the Spurs, but it has yielded continued dividends.

For starters, it landed the Spurs Kawhi Leonard, Dāvis Bertāns, and draft rights to  Erazem Lorbek. Leonard helped bring the Spurs fifth NBA championship, picking up Finals MVP honors. The eventual trading of Kawhi Leonard started a domino effect that resulted in the Spurs drafting Keldon Johnson as well as multiple moves for which they still future draft picks.

Since moving on from the Spurs, Hill has maintained ties to the region. Most notably, the IUPUI standout has a 850-acre ranch outside San Antonio.

“Former NBA player George Hill @indianageorge3 reportedly owns a 850 acre ranch in Texas, home to more than 1,000 animals!“

According to Wikipedia, “He employs 16 ranch workers to tend to the big herbivores he houses on his ranch. There are dozens of species on the ranch such as fallow deer, sables, kangaroos, wildebeests, donkeys, elk, antelope, scimitar oryx, Arabian oryx, red lechwes, New Zealand red stags, kudus, ostriches, and zebras among others.”

Pretty impressive for a child from Indiana whose neighborhood growing up was smaller than the estate he currently owns.

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The preseason is over for the Celtics so here are ten things that we learned about the 2026-27 Celtics in the preseason.

1. Jayson Tatum is all the way back

The return of Jayson Tatum was a success. The end was disappointing but for him to look as good as he did that early off of the torn Achilles was a big deal for him and the Celtics.

This year is about getting back to peak Jayson Tatum and the preseason was an awesome start.

Tatum averaged 21.0 points, 6.5 rebounds, 5.0 assists and 1.5 steals per game on 48% from the field and 39% from three in 28 minutes per game in the two games he played in.

His two man game with Mitchell Robinson was one of the things that jumped off the page to me.

pic.twitter.com/GpOUiNvvap

— #LetsGoCeltics (@gobosceltics) October 17, 2026

— #LetsGoCeltics (@gobosceltics) October 17, 2026

pic.twitter.com/bumRblNDGU

— #LetsGoCeltics (@gobosceltics) October 17, 2026

— #LetsGoCeltics (@gobosceltics) October 17, 2026

Tatum was also scoring in all his typical ways, he has gotten really good at splitting the defense on pick and rolls and getting to the rim for a layup or dunk. His three point shot was very good, his defense was top notch, he was rebounding the ball, he was passing it well. He was doing all the things that he does when he is at his best,

Jayson Tatum is rounding into form and looks like he is ready to get back to All-NBA first team Jayson Tatum again and that is one of the reasons the Celtics ceiling could be really high.

One note I do have is that J.T. does need to get to the line more, one free throw over two games isn’t nearly enough. He can very easily increase his scoring by just getting fouled more.

2. Offensive rebounding is going to be a massive advantage

I wrote about this last week but the Celtics are going to dominate the offensive boards.

In their 4 preseason games, the Celtics had an offensive rebounding rate of 38.2%, which was the best in the preseason.

Dominating the margins is something that Joe Mazzulla talks a lot about and one of those margins is the offensive glass as he wants to create extra possessions.

Mitchell Robinson will play a big part in this. His is the best offensive rebounder in the NBA and on a team that is already really good at that, Robinson will fit right in. He was 2nd on the team for offensive rebounding in the preseason, Luka Garza lead Boston in that category.

3. Boston’s defense is so good and will force more turnovers

I also wrote about this but the Celtics are going go as far as their defense takes them. Boston is set up to have a defense on the level of the Thunder and Spurs. That is why I think this team has a high playoff ceiling.

The preseason only confirmed these beliefs.

In the 2 preseason games Boston played its starters, the Hornets had an offensive rating of 89.4 and the 76ers had an offensive rating of 95.5. It is the preseason and both Philly and Charolette were without some starters but the Celtics defense has looked very good.

One thing Boston has struggled with defensively in recent years is forcing turnovers. Last season, the Celtics ranked 23rd in opponent turnover percentage at 13.1%. In the two preseason games the starters played, the Sixers turnover percentage was 20.9% and the Hornets was 28.8% (they had 29 turnovers in the game).

Paul George is going to be a big part of the Celtics forcing more turnovers. In the game against the Sixers, George had 5 steals.

pic.twitter.com/ycfh0msxRP

— #LetsGoCeltics (@gobosceltics) October 17, 2026

— #LetsGoCeltics (@gobosceltics) October 17, 2026

Forcing turnovers matters, it creates a fast break opportunity to get an easy shot on offense and it is a possession where a team doesn’t get a shot up.

Brad Stevens and Joe Mazzulla know the Celtics need to create more turnovers and I expect them to do just that this season.

4. Payton Pritchard needs to start

Enough is enough, it is time for Joe Mazzulla to insert Payton Pritchard to the starting lineup.

I don’t know how much it really matters but starting the game with your 2nd best offensive player on the bench is just not something I think the Celtics should be doing. Pritchard is plain and simply too good to not start.

He had 25 points and 6 assists in his first preseason game and 19 points and 11 assists in his 2nd preseason game.

Let’s not over think this, teams should start their best players in the NBA and Pritchard is one of the Celtics best players. He is ready to be the starting point guard so let him be the starting point guard.

With that said, he probably won’t start and I will be annoyed on Twitter (I don’t like calling it X) every game he doesn’t.

not starting payton is so unserious

— jack (@janderson22_) October 14, 2026

(If they don’t start Payton, I’d rather start Baylor Scheierman than Jordan Walsh, who started three preseason games.)

5. Hugo Gonzalez is really good and will probably be every national TV color guy’s favorite Celtic

In the Celtics preseason finally on Friday in Philadelphia, Hugo Gonzalez had 21 points, 4 rebounds and 3 assists.

Hugo Gonzalez 21 PTS, 6/10 FG, 6/8 FT vs 76ers https://t.co/iPMqMjOPeS

— Every Bucket (@EveryBucketNBA) October 17, 2026

For the preseason, Gonzalez shot 63% from the field and 55% from three in the four games.

He plays with such hustle, is a really good defender and is usually always in the right spot. Every national TV color analyst is going to talk about how much they love Hugo all season.

In fact, Stan Van Gundy already said as much on the Zach Lowe Show this week.

(You need to watch past the part of them talking about how to say Sandro Mamukelashvili’s name to get to the Hugo love.)

Gonzalez is just really good. He makes a big impact on the game on both sides and is very quick in everything he does. His foot speed and decision making and chief among those.

I think there may be a world where Hugo gets Sixth Man of the Year love at the end of the season.

6. The Mitchell Robinson and Neemias Queta lineups are something I am interested in

In the Hornets game, Mazzulla unleashed a new look that had Robinson and Queta share the floor for a few minutes in the Hornets game.

Unfortunately I could not find what their plus minus or net rating was with them on the court but the eye test said it could work.

Now, it won’t be a thing in the playoffs but in the regular season, I would like to see Joe try it out and see what it looks like. Both guys are good defenders and Robinson’s ability to move his feet and guard on the perimeter helps that a lot.

The spacing could be clunky but there are ways to work around it.

Give me a heavy dose of Mitch and Neem in real games. With Tatum that’s dunk city. Can’t play off either of them or you can flow into a pick and roll or DHO, OREBs for days, mobility on defense + 2rim protectors.

— Trey (@TA1297) October 15, 2026

7. Neemias Queta threes might be a thing and I am not sure they should be

I remember the days when Luke Kornet stopped shooting threes and everyone wanted him to let them fly again. There was no need for Luke Kornet to shoot threes on those teams and I don’t think there is a need for Neemias Queta to shoot threes on this team.

Queta went 0/4 in the preseason however he did make the one with his toe on the line in the corner.

His TOENAIL was on the line 😅 https://t.co/ZXHlFuNycU

— Celtics on NBC Sports Boston (@NBCSCeltics) October 15, 2026

Let’s call him 1/5, which is 20%. If Neemy is going to be shooting 20% on threes, I don’t think he should be taking them. Now, it was pointed out several times in the broadcasts that Queta does take threes when he plays for Portugal in FIBA but he was 0/2 in quailfiers this year and 2/7 in Euros last year.

In a small sample size, it has not proven to be a good shot. As a result, I will remain a skeptic on Neemias Queta three point shots.

8. Dillon Mitchell jumps off the screen

My favorite moment of the preseason is when Dillon Mitchell sank a clutch pull up three in overtime of the Sixers game on Friday night.

DILLON MITCHELL CLUTCH RIP AND RUN PULL UP 3 WE LIVE https://t.co/V0CGZTQ6OA

— Nik Land | NikNBA🏀 (@NIKNBAYT) October 17, 2026

Mitchell was a bad three point shooter in college and if he can find that in the league, the Celtics could have a useful player. Everything else he does jumps off the screen when you are watching him.

He is a one of one athlete. How high he jumps and how fast he gets off the ground are two things that have stood out. He is also fast and has really long arms that make an impact on the defensive side of the court.

The three point shot is not promised to come but if it ever did, even if he just was consistently just above 30%, the Celtics could have a very good player on their hands.

Also, Sam Cassell used him as a small ball 5 in overtime on Friday, which is something make me raise my eyebrow.

9. Devin Carter was the right choice for the last two-way spot

Carter only played in one of the four preseason games but he was still able to secure the last two-way spot, according to Michael Scotto.

The Boston Celtics are converting Devin Carter to a two-way deal, league sources told @hoopshype. Carter averaged 8.9 points, 3.3 rebounds, and 2.7 assists in 18.4 minutes during 38 games for the Sacramento Kings last season. https://t.co/CZJQfZb4F6

— Michael Scotto (@MikeAScotto) October 17, 2026

Carter was a first round pick for the Sacramento Kings in 2024 and had an impressive debut for the Celtics in the win over the Cavaliers with 17 points, 5 rebounds, 3 assists and 2 steals. He flashed the potential that many thought he could show when he was the Big East Player of the Year for the Providence Friars in 2024.

He was all over the court in the game against Cleveland and he will have a chance to make a real impact on the Celtics this year.

He missed the last three preseason games due to an illness.

10. Preseason Champions!

The Celtics went 4-0 in the preseason and that means they are the preseason champions (please note: I don’t know if anyone else went undefeated in the preseason).

The last time the Celtics went undefeated in the preseason was 2019.

There have been some incredibly iconic moments in NBA history. Consider Julius Erving’s under-the-basket layup. Consider Michael Jordan pumping his fist after eliminating the Cleveland Cavaliers, or Jerry West hitting a 60-foot shot to put a Finals game vs. the Knicks into overtime…or Magic Johnson hitting that hook shot against the Boston Celtics in the Finals.

Now consider Willis Reed in Game 7 of the 1970 Finals.

Reed had torn his right quadricep, and that would be brutal for the average person walking around the house. In his case, he had to play professional basketball, and not only did he have to do that, his opposite number was Wilt Chamberlain, perhaps the most powerful athlete in American history.

Up until game time, it wasn’t at all clear that Reed would be able to go. However, he got 200 ccs of Cortisol just before tip-off, and when he came out of the tunnel, the Knicks and their fans were electrified.

Reed took the first two shots of the game, made both, and the game was effectively over. It was that powerful.

It remains the definitive example of courage on a basketball court.

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The Memphis Grizzlies are in full rebuild mode. Their young duo of the last seven years is completely gone. Ja Morant was shipped to Portland, Jaren Jackson Jr. was traded to Utah, and Memphis now has its eyes set on the draft picks they made over the last few seasons. Cameron Boozer from Duke and Cedric Coward highlight their exciting new core, but guys like Jaylen Wells and Zach Edey have shown promise as well. Memphis has just four players on its roster with over three years of NBA experience.

Having direction in the NBA is a good thing. There are some teams stuck on their sunk costs. Memphis is not one of those teams. 2027 will be a learning year for both their young players and their inexperienced coach, Tuomas Iisalo. Expectations for the Grizzlies are low, but their talent could surprise a lot of people. 

Memphis Grizzlies: Over/Under 30.5 wins (-110/-115)

To win the NBA Finals: +100000

Last Season: 25-57, missed playoffs

Key Additions: Cameron Boozer, Quentin Post, Jerami Grant. Isaiah Stewart

Key Losses: Ja Morant, Jaren Jackson Jr., Kyle Anderson, Santi Aldama

Mavericks fans should be very familiar with this Memphis team. They beat the Mavericks three times last season, all by double digits. Cedric Coward, Scotty Pippen Jr., Jaylen Wells, and Zach Edey all had good games against Dallas and now return a year better. Boozer looks to be one of the most ready and NBA-conditioned skill sets out of this draft and will contribute right away. They have a high-energy, young group that will get after it on defense and move the ball on offense. Jerami Grant is a seasoned veteran who has won a lot of meaningless games in his career. Isaiah Stewart will give this team a percentage of the edge that the old grit-and-grind Grizzlies used to play with. I don’t see this scrappy team as a bottom-feeder in the West. Getting to 35 wins is not out of the question.

Prediction: Over 30.5 wins (-110)

James Wiseman almost gave up on the NBA. Now he’s on the opening night roster for the defending champs.

The Knicks invited a number of veterans to compete for the last spot on their roster, an approach that worked well last season when Landry Shamet emerged from a crowded field to become one of the team’s most important bench players. Wiseman beat out John “Jitty” Konchar, Ochai Agbaji, Tony Bradley and Bruce Brown, while his competition at center, Drew Eubanks, tore a pectoral muscle and got waived.

Now Wiseman steps in as the third center for the Knicks, behind Karl-Anthony Towns and rebounder supreme Andre Drummond. He’s in a very different position than he was when the Warriors selected him with the No. 2 pick in the 2020 draft, having had his career derailed by injuries.

Wiseman wasn’t a good fit as a raw rookie who played just three games in college before turning pro, trying to find his place on a veteran team that had championship aspirations. His pandemic-shortened rookie season had virtually no training camp, then he suffered a meniscus tear that cost him the end of the year and all of his sophomore season. Golden State eventually traded him to the Detroit Pistons in 2023, more to ditch his salary than anything else.

The Pistons had a glut of young centers and Wiseman again had trouble getting playing time. It looked like he had found a home with the Indiana Pacers in 2024, only to tear his Achilles in the first game of the season.

Why is he getting another chance in New York? The answer is head coach Mike Brown, who had experience coaching Wiseman with the Warriors and called him a “fantastic human being.” Wiseman is still just 25 years old, younger than both Quinten Post and Charles Bassey and only a year-and-a-half older than Yaxel Lendeborg. He has a fantastic chance to rebuild his career, especially if he can win over Tracy Morgan, Timothee Chalamet, and Spike Lee.

Wiseman’s NBA future may depend on him turning into a solid shot-blocker and rebounder, who can be a reasonable threat as a perimeter shooter. He should get chances to prove himself, as Towns is going to play a lot of minutes at power forward, and the 33-year-old Drummond is no longer the iron man he used to be. The limited, specific role the Knicks need from Wiseman might just be what he needs to establish himself as a reliable backup big.

It’s a tiny role on an extremely famous team, and one that could showcase Wiseman, not necessarily as a future star, but as a competent NBA center, After all, Wiseman has played only 152 games in a six-year NBA career, which is only five more than Gui Santos. And while he hasn’t found success on the court, Wiseman has never been a jerk — he just keeps getting hurt.

For the Knicks, it’s a calculated gamble for a team with very little financial wiggle room. While Wiseman is officially the third center, the potential upside of Wiseman, especially when playing with someone like Jalen Brunson, is quite intriguing. The Knicks only need Wiseman to be an adequate backup center. If he provides more than that, it’s a huge bonus for the defending champions.

Three years ago, would you have believed that James Wiseman was closer to winning an NBA title than Steph Curry? This is the world we’re living in.

At the start of October, I had high hopes for a fan’s Triple Crown for 2026-27.  My main team, the Spurs, are co-favorites to win it all this season.  My two local teams were also favorites – the Dodgers were already into the NLCS looking for a three-peat, and the Rams were everyone’s favorite to win the Super Bowl.  While nothing has changed for the Spurs, a lot has changed for the Dodgers and Rams.  The Dodgers, two-time defending World Series champs, were just swept 4 – 0 by the Milwaukee Brewers.  Preseason favorite Rams are 2 – 3, and about to fall three games behind the 49ers, who are now Vegas favorites.  At least the Rams have better chances than the Dodgers, who have none.  

To make it worse, I just realized that if we look backwards,  each of my teams lost in the “final four” for each of their leagues.  The Rams lost to the Seahawks in the NFC Championship game, the Spurs in the NBA Finals, and the Dodgers lost to the Brewers.  Just like the Spurs against the Knicks, the Dodgers led in every game. I don’t know what you would call the opposite of my hoped-for Triple Crown, but it would not be very nice.

But let’s look forward instead of back.  The Spurs remain co-favorites with OKC to win it all this season.  Indeed, league GMs picked the Spurs ahead of OKC to prevail, with 77% predicting that Victor Wembayama will be the MVP.  2,000% of the GMs also predicted that Victor would repeat as Defensive Player of the Year, though I might have that percentage slightly off.

Closer to the main point of this post, Dylan Harper was voted the player most likely to have a break-out year, ahead of Cooper Flagg (27% to 7%).  That vote may reflect that Flagg is starting at a much higher baseline, as he averaged 21 points, 6.7 boards and 4.5 assists last season.  It is a bit harder to “break out” from numbers like that.

But I do want to address the “three guard” debate going on in the Spurs universe. I addressed this point several times last season, pointing out that having three excellent guards is a good thing and not a “problem”.  For instance, even before training camp opened in 2025, I wrote this:

“The basketball universe unanimously approved the Spurs’ selection on Dylan Harper as the clear second best player in the 2025 NBA draft. The only concern I have heard is that Harper’s skills overlap with those of the anticipated starting backcourt of De’Aaron Fox and Stephon Castle.

Having coached a bit, I know that having three good guards for the two backcourt spots is a good thing, not a bad one. The reason is simple — players don’t play all 48 minutes. Indeed, the Spurs’ best player last year (you know his name) averaged just 33 minutes per game. In 17 games with the Spurs, Fox averaged 34 minutes while Castle averaged 27. If Fox and Castle play the same amount this season, they will play a total of 61 minutes out of the 96 minutes available. That leaves 35 minutes for Harper or others — for instance. if Devin Vassell splits his time between the 2 and the 3. Harper will be not be 20 years old until March 2026 — and 20 is probably about the right number of minutes for such a young player in his rookie season.”

This prediction was remarkably accurate – in the regular season, Fox averaged 31 minutes, Castle 30 and Harper 22.  In the playoffs, those numbers ticked up to 33, 33 and 27.  Interestingly, Devin Vassel led the team in playoff minutes with 34.8 per game, slightly more than Victor.  Of course, Victor was ejected early in a T’Wolves game, pushing his average minutes per game down a bit.

But back to the three guards issue.  Fox, Castle and Harper’s playoff minutes totaled 93 minutes per game, very close to the 96 minutes available for the two guard spots.  Which meant that the Spurs had two of their excellent guards on the floor virtually all the time – just the way you want it. If the Spurs play all three of them at the same time for portions of each game, and try to keep the per player minutes close to 32 per game, that will necessarily mean that for portions of each game, only one of them will be on the floor. If the goal is to maximize the number of lead ball-handlers on the floor, last season’s system seems preferable.  (Side note – the Spurs won 62 games last season and made it to the NBA Finals. If it ain’t broke, don’t fix it.). I am certainly OK with increasing Harper’s minutes from the 22 he played in the regular season, and the 27 in the playoffs, but that can be done with the 2026-27 season model instead of forcing a three guard line-up.  

Indeed, no one on the Spurs averaged more than 32 minutes per game in the regular season – a Spurs tradition that keeps the players fresh and their careers long.  This also allows the non-starters to get real minutes and stay sharp.  So long as Harper is getting his minutes, no one should care who is starting. Something Manu Ginobili can certainly attest to. 

This is especially true because while the Spurs do not have a logjam at guard, they do in the frontcourt.  Assuming Victor, Luke Kornet and the rookie soak up all 48 of the center minutes, that leaves 96 minutes for the two frontcourt spots.  And the Spurs have a bunch of good players vying for those minutes.  Vassel, Julian Champagnie, Tobias Harris, Keldon Johnson, Carter Bryant, and Harrison Barnes.  That is six legitimate NBA players.  

Last season, the two starters, Vassel and Champaigne, combined for 58 of the 96 minutes. Harris averaged 28 minutes in Detroit, and should play about the same this year.  We are up to 86 minutes, leaving only 10 minutes for 6^th Man of the Year Johnson, potential star Bryant and whatever minutes Barnes gets.  If the Spurs use the three guard line-up for even ten minutes per game, that leaves ZERO minutes for Johnson, Bryant and Barnes.  And I am pretty sure the Spurs don’t want to significantly cut the minutes of either Vassel or Champagnie.  Fun fact:  those two had the second and third best plus-minus on the team.  You can guess who had the best. 

If I had a vote, which I don’t, I would vote for minimizing the three-guard line-up.

POSTSCRIPT:

I wrote most of this before the Spurs’ Friday night preseason game against the Suns.  The Spurs started the game with the three-guard line-up, plus Vassel and Victor.  When the Spurs made their first substitution (Champagnie for Fox) at the 6:34 mark of the first quarter, they were already up by 16 points, 24 – 8. Mitch Johnson said that they will start the three guards against OKC in the season opener on Tuesday. Maybe that is why I don’t have a vote.

When the Detroit Pistons traded Jaden Ivey at the deadline last season for Kevin Heurter, I was a bit underwhelmed. I hadn’t spent a ton of time watching Heurter play throughout his career and pretty much just viewed him as a shooter whose shot had been failing him the last couple seasons.

Say what you want about Jaden Ivey and where things have gone for him since that trade, but getting that value out of somebody you spent the 5th pick on just a few years earlier could be viewed as selling low. Especially since that player had seemingly lost the one skill that he had banked on throughout their career, and Ivey was in the midst of a breakout season before suffering his season-ending injury the prior season and was still hypothetically getting his legs back when dealt.

When Heurter arrived, the shooting was mostly still dormant, but what stood out was all of the little things on the court he was able to do. His finishing around the basket is fantastic, and he can defend well in a team setting. I wouldn’t call him a shot-creator, but he does have some ability to put the ball on the floor and create a little offense for himself and others, especially when playing off of another ball handler, a skillset the Pistons badly need.

All of these things are why he was given a three-year, $27 million deal to return to the team in the offseason. Those are the things that still have value for a bench player, even if his shot never gets back to where it was early in his career. But as the Pistons look to keep their reign at the top of the Eastern Conference, they will need bench players who can provide skills their main rotation players do not, and one of those skills is outside shooting.

If Kevin Heurter hopes to carve out a consistent role in the Pistons’ regular-season rotation, getting his shot back is going to make or break his season.

The Shooting

Kevin Huerter is a 36.8% three point shooter for his career. But that is skewed heavily by four of his first five seasons in which he shot over 38% from beyond the arc, which is also where he got his reputation as a shooter. After hitting a career-high 40.2% of his outside shots as a key member of the 2022-23 Sacramento Kings that ended the season as the 2-seed, his shooting has fallen off a cliff.

He shot 36.1% during the 2023-24 season, still a solid number. However, he only shot 33.8% from beyond the arc in 2024-25 with both the Kings and Bulls. Then, he shot 30.8% last year with both the Bulls and Pistons, but only 29.4% with the Pistons.

It was a small sample size, and he was trending up a bit towards the end of the season before a hip injury kept Heurter out for most of the playoffs. Heurter actually got minutes in game 1 of the playoffs and appeared like he was going to be a part of JB Bickerstaff’s playoff rotation, so the timing of his injury was unfortunate.

Heurter reportedly underwent a procedure to clean up this injury, which had been bothering him for most of last season, so maybe being fully healthy will help get his shooting back on track.

The reason why Huerter has stuck around in team’s rotations the last couple seasons despite the drop-off in shooting are the things I listed above, like his finishing ability and his ability to do the tertiary things that may not show up on a box score. Huerter has shot 75% or above from 0-3 feet since the 2022-23 season with the Kings. He has actually been above 80% from that range the last couple of seasons. That is a very solid number for any player, but especially one who has the reputation as a one-dimensional shooter.

However, over 50% of his shots still come from beyond the arc, which is why recapturing his early-career shooting ability is so crucial.

The Pistons spent the offseason acquiring more players who can put the ball in the basket from beyond the arc. With their young core of Cade Cunningham, Ausar Thompson, and Jalen Duren locked in, the Pistons are positioned well to be a very good regular-season team for the foreseeable future. But, two of those three are not outside shooters, so surrounding them with guys that can shoot is almost as important as getting a secondary offensive option that can take some creation pressure off of Cade Cunningham.

You know that guys like Isaiah Joe, Duncan Robinson, and even John Collins are going to shoot in the high-30s and low-40s from beyond the arc, as that is something they have done for at least the last 3 or 4 years. In the case of Kevin Heurter, you don’t have that same level of trust because of how much the shooting has fallen off over the last couple of seasons.

You also still have players getting rotation minutes beyond the “Big Three,” like Ron Holland, who are still a work in progress from beyond the arc.

So, having a player like Kevin Heurter come off the bench and return to being the 38%+ shooter he was early in his career could be a boon to the Pistons’ rotation. It would also make the contract he signed in the offseason very good value since he does do other things on the basketball court well.

The Pistons don’t need another one-dimensional offensive player who can score inside and play a little defense. They need guys that can hit shots from outside, so Cade Cunningham, Ausar Thompson, and Jalen Duren can attack the basket and dominate games inside like they did all last year. Kevin Heurter, at his peak, can provide exactly that while also being able to put the ball on the floor a bit, finish inside, and not get played off the floor defensively.

The Verdict

JB Bickerstaff seems to trust Kevin Heurter regardless of whether or not he is hitting outside shots. That is evidenced by the fact that he was in the playoff rotation last season before his injury. But, the Pistons did add some more backcourt players in the offseason that will fight for minutes like Ebuka Okorie and Isaiah Joe. Heurter has a size advantage over those two and has the positional versatility to play minutes at the three.

The Pistons also have a few players who will see minutes at the three like Duncan Robinson, Ron Holland, and Javonte Green. Heurter probably can’t reach the level of defense of a Holland or Green or the level of shooting of Duncan Robinson, but some of his complementary skills can be very useful if he is able to get back to form from beyond the arc. He can be somebody who puts some of the skills of both groups of players into one body and can kind of split the difference between all of these likely rotation mainstays.

I don’t see a season quite as good from beyond the arc as he was at his peak, but even getting back to that 2023-2024 season shooting of 36.1% from beyond the arc will be a huge help to the Pistons and give a reason for JB Bickerstaff to continue giving minutes to Heurter.

Mat Ishbia is confident about the Phoenix Suns escaping the first round of this year’s playoffs. Is this fake-it-till-you-make-it internet bluster or are the Phoenix Suns built for playoff success?

It wouldn’t be the first time Ishbia expressed his confidence in the potential of the Phoenix Suns. To open the 2025-26 season, The Ringer predicted the Suns’ defense to finish at the bottom of the league, an assertion that Ishbia vehemently rejected. The Suns stamped his words with an exclamation point, finishing in the top 10 in defensive rating. Can the Suns do it a second time and deliver Phoenix its first playoff series win after three years of disappointment?

The answer to that may depend on who they play.

The following are my predictions of how the Suns might fare against the presumptive top 6 teams in the Western Conference in a seven-game playoff series.

Suns 0 – Thunder 4

The Thunder are the team that the Phoenix Suns are building to be. It was very clear in last year’s playoff matchups that the Thunder consistently turned aggressive defensive pressure on the perimeter and active hands into turnovers that sparked eight- to twelve-point runs. That’s exactly what the Suns have described this iteration of the roster to become over the course of the remaining years of Booker’s contract. I don’t think they get there this season. If the Suns want to avoid another first-round exit, they must avoid the play-in and the Thunder.

Suns 2 – Spurs 4

If there’s anything the preseason has shown us, it’s that the Suns have the Spurs number. Despite this, I think handling Wemby, in the manner in which the Suns have been able to contain him, takes its toll, and the supporting cast of Castle, Harper, Fox, and the refs are going to prove to be too much for the Suns to take down. However, I don’t think they go quietly into the night in this scenario and score at least two wins in a six-game scuffle.

*In the event of a Wemby-less Spurs. Suns 4, Spurs 1. Last year, Victor Wembanyama played a total of 1,866 minutes in the regular season. He went on to play an additional 750 minutes in the Spurs’ Finals run, totaling 2,616. In his rookie year, he totaled 71 games played and 2,106 minutes. He followed up with 1,527 minutes and 46 games played his sophomore season. If Wemby struggles to stay on the court, expect a very different playoff experience from the Spurs this season.

Suns 1 – Rockets 4

Houston is a team the Suns don’t match up well against. They have athletic defenders on the perimeter, size inside, and elite scorers that can close out games in the clutch. The Suns struggled in their regular season matchups against the Rockets last season, losing all four. The Rockets are in a similar position to the Suns, where they are leaning on a second year of continuity and improved injury luck to improve off last season’s disappointing finish. While I don’t think Houston is necessarily better than teams that I’ll discuss as possible series wins for the Suns, I do think they are one of the worst postseason matchups the Suns could face.

Suns 4 – Nuggets 3

Nikola Jokic has done his time with the Nuggets, and it shows. By this time next year or the year after, he will be teaming up with Luka on the Lakers and the Nuggets will sink back into the depths of the Western Conference.

Until then, I think the Suns, like every team in the league, will have their hands full with Jokic. This year with Maluach and possibly a healthy Mark Williams, the Suns will have the length and strength to at least make things difficult for the two-time MVP. Denver is, at the end of the day, a finesse team, and the Suns’ new physical defense could give Denver’s potent offense problems they haven’t been able to give them in past matchups.

Still, I think the Suns will need to run the total up when Jokic hits the bench, and the role players will have to deliver an outsized performance for that to happen. Add to that the altitude, and this is a series that screams out for the Suns to secure a 3-4 seed if they want to advance against the Nuggets.

Suns 4 – Lakers 3

The Lakers are retooling for life after Bron, but by the time the playoffs roll around, they should have most of the kinks worked out. There are questions about the defensive acumen of the Lakers’ starting guards, and the Booker/Green backcourt may prove too much for even the best defensive efforts of Luka and Reeves.

Answers to Luka Doncic on offense are hard to come by, and as the Suns saw in ‘22, home-court advantage doesn’t guarantee anything, but if the Suns sneak into a 5 or 6 seed, I like their chances against the Lakers better than a potential matchup against the Rockets or Nuggets.

Suns 4 – Timberwolves 1

Close your eyes and repeat after me. Suns first-round matchup against the Timberwolves. Now say this seven times in the mirror every morning until the playoffs start. This is the clearest path to backing up Ishbia’s bold claim. They moved off of the size that made Minnesota a difficult matchup in hopes of Lamelo being something he hasn’t proven to be in the NBA: a winner. If the Timberwolves make it through the regular season without completely unraveling, the Suns will mop them up in the first round.

There are still a lot of questions to be answered about who each of these teams are going to be by the time the playoffs roll around. There may be some young upstart teams, such as the Jazz or Trail Blazers, that sneak into the top 6. But it seems to me significant that Ishbia and the Suns organization feel optimistic internally. He didn’t set any expectations for the 45-win Suns team to win a playoff series last season. Mat Ishbia is always confident, but never full of expletive. If he says it will happen. I give it a 60 percent chance that it will. That’s a number.

To me, it all depends on who we play, but others might think differently. Let me know in the chat what teams you think give the Suns the best chance to advance, or which teams you think the Suns need to avoid at all costs.