Category: Basketball

Knicks fans get the privilege of seeing their team before 28 other fanbases to kick off this 2025-26 season, as New York prepares to face the Philadelphia 76ers on Thursday in the NBA’s Abu Dhabi Games. Though the core of the roster remains intact from last year’s run to the Eastern Conference Finals, a new head coach and roster spot battle make these exhibitions more intriguing than usual.

Here are the five biggest things to watch this preseason for the Knicks...

How the starting five evolves

After the Knicks’ defeat at the hands of the Pacers, a lot of attention turned to their starting lineup of Jalen Brunson, Mikal Bridges, OG Anunoby, Josh Hart and Karl-Anthony Towns. Whether by choice (playing more Miles McBride for Hart) or by force (Mitchell Robinson’s injury) then-head coach Tom Thibodeau heavily relied on that five despite declining returns, until he was forced to switch with his back against the wall.

Many expect the Knicks to go with the adjusted five of Robinson in for Hart, or perhaps McBride, under the new leadership of Mike Brown. These games should give us some clarity on what to expect, or serve as a stage for some experimentation.

Ultimately, New York will need to be comfortable with a combination of looks in a matchup-dependent league with a couple of injury-prone options for that fifth spot. Expect a fluid process, perhaps newcomerGeurschon Yabusele gets a chance, but no final decisions anytime soon.

The new-look offense

One of the biggest changes expected from Coach Brown this season is the injection of a quicker, facile offense. He’s preaching an increased tempo, output from three, and means to get paint touches, a large part of the promise in hiring him to replace a Conference Finals-reaching coach. 

How this actually conveys on the floor is still a mystery. Brown stated Brunson will get the ball in his hands to close games; how bought in will he be to the new system in the prior 43 minutes? 

As part of his wish for 40+ threes a night, Brown wants Brunson taking more on catch-and-shoots. If that happens, who is going to be generating that shot for him, and how? There are real roster limitations to consider — Towns as a playmaker has been a mixed experiment — should we expect much more ball handling out of Bridges? 

It should be fun watching this play out in a low-stakes environment. It will obviously take a good bit into the regular season for this team to really click, but the seeds will be planted in the coming days and weeks, and we can get a glimpse of what’s to come. 

Different team emphases

Under Thibodeau, no matter the matchup or roster change, the Knicks would inevitably fall neatly back into their Thibs-ball identity: slow the pace, pound the glass, play smashmouth defense. While some of these qualities won't be going anywhere, this will be the first time in years fans see the Knicks emphasize new things on the court and maybe culture a new identity.

It will be interesting to see what that is. Brown has been less revealing on the defensive specifics, but expect the Knicks to still favor offensive rebounding with Robinson healthy and the many bigs around him.

Previously, New York exclusively played drop coverage in pick-and-roll and emphasized protecting the rim above all, sometimes sacrificing too many open threes to the opposition. What will Brown’s fundamentals be, and how will he get Towns to buy into the scheme?

Battle for the final training camp spot

As of right now, the Knicks currently have two veteran options for one open minimum slot this season — Malcolm Brogdon and Landry Shamet. They can also trade one of their young pieces to make room for both vet guards.

Shamet spent most of last year rehabbing a preseason injury with the Knicks before rejoining the team for some solid spot minutes down the stretch and in the playoffs. Brogdon is two years removed from winning Sixth Man of the Year, but has battled injuries throughout his career while bouncing between lottery teams since that award.

Potentially dealing one of Tyler Kolek or Pacome Dadiet, two of few remaining team prospects, just to make room for a 10th or 11th man is an aggressive move, but also the type a championship-contending team sometimes needs to make. Neither played a material amount of NBA minutes their rookie year, so this preseason on may be serving partially as their tryout.

While preseason may be low-stakes for the fans and starters, it could be deciding some players’ livelihoods. Let’s see what the Knicks end up doing for their final roster spot, and if its ultimate recipient can be an impact guy in the playoffs.

How the young core looks

Beyond making the roster, it’s imperative the Knicks see some dividends from their current crop of young talent. Their last batch of knockout draft picks have been largely dealt, along with most of their upcoming picks, and the current roster is as capped out as can be.

While they will have some future flexibility, ensuring their only prospects for the foreseeable future develop positively is key to current and later success. Injuries and randomness happen, and the Knicks will find themselves depleted at some point this postseason, badly needing somebody to step up.

It could be Brogdon or Shamet, or the hero could be a homegrown project. Even if they aren’t ready this year, the young players blossoming into real talent on team-friendly contracts will help the Knicks remain competitive beyond the peak of this core.

Warriors GM Mike Dunleavy details team's plan for Seth Curry's contract originally appeared on NBC Sports Bay Area

The Warriors are a family affair.

From the front office to the coaching staff and — with the Warriors’ signing of Seth Curry — even on the court.

Golden State general manager Mike Dunleavy made it known just exactly why they signed the younger Curry.

“I think any time you can add shooting in this league in this day and age, a guy who’s, what, top two, second-best 3-point shooter of all time by percentage — a couple other guys in this building today, they’re top three,” Dunleavy said Wednesday. “So, all about adding shooting. We’re looking forward to having him.”

Curry, who isn’t yet with the team, is a career 43.3-percent shooter from long range — seventh best in NBA history and six spots ahead of his brother Steph, who sits 13th at 42.3 percent.

While it took time to put pen to paper due to the Jonathan Kuminga situation, Dunleavy says the Warriors are expecting Curry to be at practice on Thursday.

Of course, that’s not the end of it, as Dunleavy stated the team still has to figure out some numbers to make it all make sense.

“As far as the season goes, yeah, he’s on a one-year deal, and we’ll figure it out as we go,” Dunleavy said. “There’s some cap and apron stuff that we’ve got to deal with, but that’s something for our strategy team to figure out.”

For now, the Warriors boast a pair of literal Splash Bros. And in a league where shooting the ball is all-important, it seems like it will be a solid fit.

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Al Horford reveals why Warriors were only NBA team he would leave Celtics for originally appeared on NBC Sports Bay Area

SAN FRANCISCO – Headlines the past few years in Boston belonged to Celtics stars Jayson Tatum and Jaylen Brown. On the court and behind the scenes, Al Horford became a Bean Town legend in his own ways as an integral piece of a historic franchise that won an NBA championship with him two seasons ago and competed for a title in each of the seven years he spent with them.

Horford and his wife, Amelia, needed a number of walks together over the offseason to contemplate their future. They had dug roots into Boston, becoming a major part of the community outside of establishing a basketball legacy. 

Horford was born in the Dominican Republic. He went to high school in Michigan and played collegiately for the University of Florida before being in Atlanta the first nine years of his NBA career. There had been stops in Philadelphia and Oklahoma City, but Boston looked like his final destination. 

Instead, the Warriors signed the five-time NBA All-Star center on Wednesday after months of a handshake deal that was waiting to become official. 

“It was very difficult,” Horford said Wednesday at his Chase Center introductory press conference. “Boston became a second home for me. Just being that community and a part of that city was something very special for me and my family, so it wasn’t an easy decision for me.” 

There were rumors and speculation that the only obstacle getting in the way of Horford becoming a Warrior was the 39-year-old contemplating retirement. Horford immediately squelched any of those thoughts, saying he never entertained that idea. 

But there only was one team that Horford ever considered leaving the Celtics for: The Warriors. 

“It’s a great opportunity to compete and win at a high level,” Horford said. “When I think about the Warriors I think about Steph [Curry] and Draymond [Green] and Steve Kerr. Seeing Jimmy Butler here, what he did in that second half of the season last year after the trade and how they were playing. 

“For me, if there was one place I was going to leave, it was for this.” 

Over the course of Horford’s 18-year NBA career, almost all of his time has been in the Eastern Conference. The only experience he waded into the waters of the West were the 28 games he played for the Thunder in the 2020-21 season. Horford admitted he didn’t have prior relationships with players on the Warriors, including Curry and Green. 

His battles against the Heat when Butler was starring in Miami have been well documented. Horford also has been a problem for the Warriors in the handful of games he has gone against them. 

Horford averaged 12.5 points and 8.5 rebounds per game against the Warriors in the 2022 NBA Finals, shooting 60.5 percent from the field (26 of 43) and 62.5 percent on 3-pointers (15 of 24). He also has averaged 14.9 points and 9.4 rebounds per game in 25 regular-season games against the Warriors for his career, both being career highs for him against one team. 

The veteran big man continues to be a versatile defender at the final stages of his career, as well as a near-perfect fit in Steve Kerr’s offense stretching the floor and distributing the ball out of the block. 

“It’s huge to have a space-5,” Kerr said of Horford’s addition. “But it’s not just any space-5 – it’s Al Horford. He rebounds, defends, he’s smart, good passer. Just watching him today, you can see the fit.

“He can play with Draymond and space the floor as a 5. You can play him with Trayce [Jackson-Davis]. Trayce can be the dive man. You can play two bigs with him. He can also play the 5 himself. We can have a 5-out lineup. Al’s versatility, and just the fact that he fits in any lineup, just makes him hugely invaluable.” 

He’s also now the oldest Warriors player that also features a 37-year-old Curry, 36-year-old Butler and 35-year-old Green. No team in NBA history has ever used four players 35 and up in their opening night starting lineup. Horford understands the doubters based on the Warriors’ historic ages, and he still has the utmost confidence this was the right team to help him compete for another ring. 

“It’s fair,” Horford admitted. “It is true, but we have a very solid team. It’s not only the four of us. We have a lot of depth in this group, and a lot of the young guys I feel are going to play a big role in it. For us, it’s staying the course. Obviously health plays a big part in it. The focus is on the season and getting better. 

“I’m excited. I know those guys take care of themselves. They’re going to do everything they need to be on the floor, and we have a lot of experience.”

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Report: Grimes accepting Sixers' qualifying offer, ending his restricted free agency  originally appeared on NBC Sports Philadelphia

On the final day he could accept it, Quentin Grimes has reportedly decided to sign the Sixers’ qualifying offer and end his restricted free agency.

ESPN’s Shams Charania reported Wednesday afternoon that Grimes will return to the team for one season at the $8.7 million qualifying offer salary and with an inherent no-trade clause. Discussions between Grimes’ camp and the Sixers continued through training camp, but the two sides couldn’t find common ground on either a one-year “balloon” deal or a longer-term contract.

The Sixers’ qualifying offer would have expired Wednesday at 11:59 p.m. ET.

After acquiring the 25-year-old guard at last season’s trade deadline, Sixers president of basketball operations Daryl Morey was open about his plan to re-sign Grimes.

“We’re excited to bring him back,” Morey said at media day last week. “Quentin’s a big part of what we’re trying to do now and into the future, if we can get things resolved.”

With the Sixers dismally shorthanded and on their way to a 24-58 record, Grimes thrived in a high-usage, do-it-all role. When he joined the Sixers, Grimes believed he could do much more than a 3-and-D job. 

“I feel like this whole year in Dallas, I showed I’m capable of playing on the ball, off the ball, making a lot of plays with my teammates out,” he said on Feb. 7. “Luka (Doncic) out or Kyrie (Irving) out, I can step in and fill that role.

“I feel like I can do that here, just playing with the ball in my hands — making plays for Joel (Embiid) and (Paul George), getting guys involved, or getting myself involved off the dribble.” 

Over 28 games last year with the Sixers, Grimes averaged 21.9 points, 5.2 rebounds and 4.5 assists. He shot 46.9 percent from the floor, 37.3 percent from three-point range and 75.2 percent at the foul line. Highlights included a 44-point performance in a win over the Warriors and a career-high 46-point night in the Sixers’ double-overtime loss to the Rockets. 

The Sixers will hope Grimes is able to build chemistry this year with fellow guards Tyrese Maxey, Jared McCain and VJ Edgecombe, although McCain is out after undergoing surgery to repair a UCL tear in his right thumb.

Grimes did not fly with the Sixers for their preseason trip to Abu Dhabi for games vs. the Knicks on Thursday and Saturday. The team’s regular-season opener is Oct. 22 against the Celtics.

This story will be updated.

Report: Grimes accepting Sixers' qualifying offer, ending his restricted free agency  originally appeared on NBC Sports Philadelphia

On the final day he could accept it, Quentin Grimes has reportedly decided to sign the Sixers’ qualifying offer and end his restricted free agency.

ESPN’s Shams Charania reported Wednesday afternoon that Grimes will return to the team for one season at the $8.7 million qualifying offer salary and with an inherent no-trade clause. Discussions between Grimes’ camp and the Sixers continued through training camp, but the two sides couldn’t find common ground on either a one-year “balloon” deal or a longer-term contract.

The Sixers’ qualifying offer would have expired Wednesday at 11:59 p.m. ET. Grimes will become an unrestricted free agent next summer.

After acquiring the 25-year-old guard at last season’s trade deadline, Sixers president of basketball operations Daryl Morey was open about his plan to re-sign Grimes.

“We’re excited to bring him back,” Morey said at media day last week. “Quentin’s a big part of what we’re trying to do now and into the future, if we can get things resolved.”

With the Sixers dismally shorthanded and on their way to a 24-58 record, Grimes thrived in a high-usage, do-it-all role during the second half of the 2024-25 season. When he joined the Sixers, Grimes believed he could do much more than a 3-and-D job. 

“I feel like this whole year in Dallas, I showed I’m capable of playing on the ball, off the ball, making a lot of plays with my teammates out,” he said on Feb. 7. “Luka (Doncic) out or Kyrie (Irving) out, I can step in and fill that role.

“I feel like I can do that here, just playing with the ball in my hands — making plays for Joel (Embiid) and (Paul George), getting guys involved, or getting myself involved off the dribble.” 

Over 28 games last year with the Sixers, Grimes averaged 21.9 points, 5.2 rebounds and 4.5 assists. He shot 46.9 percent from the floor, 37.3 percent from three-point range and 75.2 percent at the foul line. Highlights included a 44-point performance in a win over the Warriors and a career-high 46-point night in the Sixers’ double-overtime loss to the Rockets. 

The Sixers will presumably hope Grimes is able to build chemistry this year with fellow guards Tyrese Maxey, Jared McCain and VJ Edgecombe, although McCain is out after undergoing surgery to repair a UCL tear in his right thumb.

Grimes did not fly with the Sixers for their preseason trip to Abu Dhabi for games vs. the Knicks on Thursday and Saturday. The team’s regular-season opener is Oct. 22 against the Celtics.

Signing Grimes will put the Sixers at 14 players on standard contracts, which is one under the maximum. They’ve used their three two way-contract slots on Dominick Barlow, Jabari Walker and Hunter Sallis.

Grimes accepts Sixers' qualifying offer, ending his restricted free agency  originally appeared on NBC Sports Philadelphia

On the final day he could accept it, Quentin Grimes decided to sign the Sixers’ qualifying offer and end his restricted free agency.

ESPN’s Shams Charania reported Wednesday afternoon that Grimes will return to the team for one season at the $8.7 million qualifying offer salary and with an inherent no-trade clause. The Sixers announced that they re-signed Grimes hours later.

Discussions between Grimes’ camp and the Sixers continued through training camp, but the two sides couldn’t find common ground on either a one-year “balloon” deal or a longer-term contract.

The Sixers’ qualifying offer would have expired Wednesday at 11:59 p.m. ET. Grimes will become an unrestricted free agent next summer.

After acquiring the 25-year-old guard at last season’s trade deadline, Sixers president of basketball operations Daryl Morey was open about his plan to re-sign Grimes.

“We’re excited to bring him back,” Morey said at media day last week. “Quentin’s a big part of what we’re trying to do now and into the future, if we can get things resolved.”

With the Sixers dismally shorthanded and on their way to a 24-58 record, Grimes thrived in a high-usage, do-it-all role during the second half of the 2024-25 season. When he joined the Sixers, Grimes believed he could do much more than a 3-and-D job. 

“I feel like this whole year in Dallas, I showed I’m capable of playing on the ball, off the ball, making a lot of plays with my teammates out,” he said on Feb. 7. “Luka (Doncic) out or Kyrie (Irving) out, I can step in and fill that role.

“I feel like I can do that here, just playing with the ball in my hands — making plays for Joel (Embiid) and (Paul George), getting guys involved, or getting myself involved off the dribble.” 

Over 28 games last year with the Sixers, Grimes averaged 21.9 points, 5.2 rebounds and 4.5 assists. He shot 46.9 percent from the floor, 37.3 percent from three-point range and 75.2 percent at the foul line. Highlights included a 44-point performance in a win over the Warriors and a career-high 46-point night in the Sixers’ double-overtime loss to the Rockets. 

The Sixers will presumably hope Grimes is able to build chemistry this year with fellow guards Tyrese Maxey, Jared McCain and VJ Edgecombe, although McCain is out after undergoing surgery to repair a UCL tear in his right thumb.

Grimes did not fly with the Sixers for their preseason trip to Abu Dhabi for games vs. the Knicks on Thursday and Saturday. The team’s regular-season opener is Oct. 22 against the Celtics.

Signing Grimes puts the Sixers at 14 players on standard contracts, which is one under the maximum. They’ve used their three two-way contract slots on Dominick Barlow, Jabari Walker and Hunter Sallis.

Warriors' long, exhaustive NBA offseason journey ends with series of good moves originally appeared on NBC Sports Bay Area

SAN FRANCISCO – After addressing the assembled media for about 17 minutes on Monday, Warriors general manager Mike Dunleavy rose from his seat, strolled toward the exit and allowed himself an audible expression of delight.

Dunleavy started clapping his hands. Not because he survived a contentious news conference because it was anything but. More likely because he felt no need to conceal his sense of feeling victory at the finish line.

In the prolonged matter of the Golden State Warriors v. Jonathan Kuminga, Dunleavy and the Warriors prevailed. The process was long and fraught with angst within Dub Nation, but they achieved a desirable outcome.

“We’ve got everything signed, sealed, delivered roster-wise and (we’re) pretty excited about this group, about this season,” Dunleavy said in his opening statement. “(We) feel like we made some really good additions and obviously have some really good key returning players as well as some young guys that we think will be able to take a step.

“The main thing here is the team we put together, we feel like will be in the mix this season.”

Health permitting, the GM is correct. Golden State’s 2025-26 roster is, on paper, capable of a top-six finish in the Western Conference, bypassing the play-in tournament.

Dunleavy and his front office comrades entered the offseason exploring potential sign-and-trade deals in which they would replace Kuminga with someone more compatible with core players Stephen Curry, Draymond Green and Jimmy Butler III. When nothing acceptable materialized, they entered negotiations with Kuminga’s agent, Aaron Turner.

In the end, with Kuminga signing on Tuesday, the Warriors made small compromises but no painful concessions. They won the four issues most relevant to the franchise now and in the years to come.

-They didn’t budge from their desire to have a team option, despite Turner and Kuminga pushing for a player option.

-They avoided $8 million qualifying offer that was on the table. Neither side really wanted to take that route, but it would have been particularly harmful to future team-building options.

-They got the sizable salary slot ($22.5 million in 2025-26) that can be used to balance a future transaction. They are in position to, one way or another, expect a return on their four-year-plus investment in Kuminga.

-They retained the flexibility to trade Kuminga. They can explore possibilities for a deal within the three-week window between Jan. 15 and the Feb. 5 trade deadline. If nothing materializes, they can revisit options next summer.

The process that began with Kuminga entering restricted free agency and ended with him re-signing with the Warriors stretched out over 92 days. It was at times grueling, and always required exercises in patience and restraint. The contract is worth $48.5 million over two seasons, with only the first guaranteed.

Dunleavy worked alongside Golden State CEO Joe Lacob, executive vice president Kirk Lacob and chief strategist Jon Phelps, who joined the franchise last summer after 10 seasons in the front office of the Detroit Pistons. As the resident “capologist,” Phelps’ advice is crucial to anything Dunleavy or the Lacobs wish to do regarding contracts and the salary cap.

“I don’t know what I’d do without Jon,” Dunleavy said. ‘I’m fortunate to work with a great group. He’s one of the guys in that group. I’ve got a great team, support staff.

“Jon and his group, they know their stuff in and out and really was a valuable resource for me to be able to rely on, ask questions, understand. And, frankly, after this summer I feel like I’m an expert on the cap and restricted free agency and aprons and all that stuff.”

In a 14-hour window between Tuesday evening and Wednesday morning, the Warriors signed Kuminga, followed by Al Horford, De’Anthony Meltonand Seth Curry. All three veterans bring something the team needs.

Horford, who projects as the starting center, is highly skilled with a 3-point shot so respected it spreads the floor. Once Melton is fully recovered from surgery on his left ACL – he’ll be reevaluated in four weeks – his two-way attributes will allow him to compete to be Stephen Curry’s partner in the starting lineup. Seth Curry, who last season led the NBA in 3-point shooting percentage, will be a sharpshooter off the bench once he is elevated to standard contract next month

The journey to this Warriors roster was long and at times dusty. There were peaks and valleys and, of course, Turner’s brazen late-September media campaign.

The destination, though, was satisfying for the Warriors. Patience was rewarded. Their fans can breathe and hope, sigh and anticipate, cross their fingers and squint. Some may be moved to cheer. Or even clap.

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How Jonathan Kuminga's contract compares to other restricted free agent deals originally appeared on NBC Sports Bay Area

Fifth-year veteran forward Jonathan Kuminga, who was a restricted free agent this offseason, received a bag from the Warriors.

After months of slow negotiations and offer refusals, Kuminga signed a two-year contract reportedly worth $48.5 million contract on Tuesday.

Compared to the rest of what was a somewhat calm 2025 NBA free agency period, the two parties were involved in one of the relatively pricier restricted free-agent deals of the offseason. Here’s how Kuminga and Golden State’s newfound partnership stacks up against other deals.

Jonathan Kuminga got the 2nd-highest AAV of any restricted free agent this summer, 5th-highest in the last 3 offseasons (Via Spotrac)

And he will re-enter free agency at 23 or 24 years old with roughly $49-million to $73 million in career earnings, getting out after 5 or 6 years…

— Jackson Lloyd (@JacksonLloyd952) September 30, 2025

Kuminga was rewarded with a new average annual value of $23.4 million, giving him the second-largest restricted free-agent deal of the offseason after Chicago Bulls guard Josh Giddey. Giddy signed a four-year, $100 million contract with Chicago early on Sept. 12, giving him an AAV of $25 million.

The difference between Kuminga’s and Giddey’s AAVs isn’t much in NBA terms — about $1.6 million. However, there’s a decent-sized gap after Kuminga. Grizzlies center Santi Aldama, with an AAV of $17.5 million, is third on the list after signing a three-year, $52.5 million contract with Memphis on June 30. 

And after Aldama, Miami Heat guard Davion Mitchell is the last restricted free-agent signee on the list with a double-digit AAV ($12 million). Mitchell signed a two-year, $24 million contract with Miami on July 8.

When looking at previous classes, as Jackson Lloyd’s X post explains, Kuminga earned the fifth-highest AAV of any restricted free agent over the past three offseasons; quite impressive for a 22-year-old.

Golden State appears to have high expectations for Kuminga, the franchise’s choice with the No. 7 overall pick in the 2021 NBA Draft. The Warriors certainly will pay the swingman — at least for one season — at a rate that rivals some of the league’s top up-and-comers.

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Doug Christie, Kings hope to see more aggressive Keegan Murray this NBA season originally appeared on NBC Sports Bay Area

The Kings are expecting big things from Keegan Murray as he enters his fourth season in the NBA, and that starts on the offensive side.

For first-year head coach Doug Christie, he understands all that Murray brings to the table, but he wants to see the 25-year-old be more aggressive.

“Part of things I talk to Keegan about is hunting shots. … Keegan has to learn that mentality and it’s a learned thing,” Christie told reporters Tuesday following the team’s first training camp practice. “It’s like whenever you catch it, I want him to catch it — not catch it and then think about shooting as he’s coming there.

“He needs to be already thinking about it. Matter of fact, when he’s in the corner he should be thinking ‘when I get up there, I’m going to shoot the basketball’ and that comes off to your defender and then it sprinkles through their team.”

Christie also said that when Murray doesn’t prove he’s willing to shoot the ball, it makes it easy for a team to take away the key, among other options.

“He needs to hunt shots and … for him, I think the number is around 10,” Christie added. “If he can get up 10 threes, that would be a beautiful, beautiful thing.”

Murray averaged just 5.9 3-point attempts last season after averaging 6.3 and 6.6 attempts in his rookie and sophomore seasons.

Last season, the Kings added DeMar DeRozan and Zach LaVine, which likely had something to do with the limited attempts Murray was able to take.

However, LaVine says he wants to see the Iowa product looking for his shot, as well.

“I told him, ‘Look, when I throw you the ball up, don’t just catch and hold it and turn around and look for somebody. Go get it, this isn’t something that where you have to look over your shoulder or try to find somebody. Go try to find your buckets, go explore and then I’ll always be right here for you,’” LaVine said. “I think it’s an opportunity for him.

“Obviously, we have a lot of guys on the team that shoot the ball and do what they do out there … but you know in spots where he’s out there and he’s the second option or if he has it going we’re going to go to him or at least I am.”

The Kings have asked a lot of Murray since his historic first season, when he set the rookie record in 3-point makes; he also has become the team’s top defender and typically has taken on opposing teams’ star players over the past two seasons.

Now, they’re asking a little more of Murray and are hoping he can deliver.

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Sam Cassell: Celtics' goal is to be NBA's ‘hardest-playing team' originally appeared on NBC Sports Boston

The Boston Celtics lost plenty of talent this offseason. But they have a plan to make up for it.

The Celtics held their first training camp practice Tuesday with an overhauled roster that lost four key members of its championship core — Jrue Holiday, Kristaps Porzingis, Al Horford and Luke Kornet — and will be without star player Jayson Tatum for most (or potentially all) of the 2025-26 season.

And to hear assistant coach Sam Cassell tell it, head coach Joe Mazzulla welcomed Boston’s newcomers by putting them to work.

“We want be the hardest-playing team in basketball, and that’s how our camp is going right now,” Cassell told 98.5 The Sports Hub’s Zolak & Bertrand on Wednesday.

“We’re having a hard training camp. I’ve been in this business for 34 years, my 34th training camp, and this is the hardest training camp right now. It’s only one day, but it’s a lot. But our players are embracing it.”

That’s a bold statement from Cassell, who has played with or coached for nine different NBA teams over more than three decades in the league. So, what has made this Celtics training camp harder than the rest?

“We’re going three hours nonstop, and that’s just the practice time,” Cassell explained. “We’re going 30 for 30: 30 minutes of individual work, 30 minutes of just weight room work, then practice.”

The Celtics brought in several newcomers with high motors this offseason, from first-round pick Hugo Gonzalez to free agent acquisition Josh Minott, whose relentless energy earned him the nickname “The Lawnmower.”

That play style should appeal to Mazzulla, who wants Boston’s new group to crank up the effort even more this season, according to Cassell.

“Joe wants to push the envelope,” Cassell said. “He wants to force the issue. He wants to, not break them, but take them to a point where, ‘Man, this is hard,’ you know what I’m saying? And that’s how we’re going to have to play this year.

“We’re going to play this year balls-out. We’re gonna turn our hat backwards and get after it, and that’s Joe Mazzulla. We’re gonna turn our hat backwards and get after it.”

The Celtics will need more than just extra effort to win games this season, especially with so many unproven players thrust into the rotation. But don’t be surprised if Mazzulla’s club plays with an extra chip on its shoulder that could help this group exceed expectations.

Warriors reportedly anticipate De'Anthony Melton missing early portion of season originally appeared on NBC Sports Bay Area

It appears the Warriors will be without one of their offseason additions to begin the 2025-26 NBA season.

Golden State anticipates veteran guard De’Anthony Melton, who reportedly agreed to a contract with the Warriors on Sunday, missing the early portion of the season as he wraps up the final stages of his ACL rehab, ESPN’s Anthony Slater reported Wednesday, citing sources.

De’Anthony Melton is still in the late stages of ACL rehab. The Warriors anticipate he will miss the early portion of the regular season, per sources. Melton had ACL surgery in early December, about 10 months ago. They like where he’s at but will take careful approach. https://t.co/QyzSw56Vrx

— Anthony Slater (@anthonyVslater) October 1, 2025

Melton signed with the Warriors last offseason and played six games with Golden State before tearing his ACL on Nov. 12 against the Dallas Mavericks at Chase Center. The Warriors then traded Melton’s contract to the Brooklyn Nets in a deal on Dec. 15 that brought veteran guard Dennis Schröder to the Bay.

After missing the majority of the 2024-25 season, Melton will return to where his seventh NBA season began, but will be sidelined for the time being.

However, whenever he is ready to play, the 27-year-old should provide Warriors coach Steve Kerr reliable two-way depth at the guard position this season.

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