Category: Basketball

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Steve Kerr throws support behind Erik Spoelstra as Team USA coach, 'Spo is a perfect choice'

Miami Heat head coach Erik Spoelstra is expected to be named head coach of USA Basketball’s men’s team for the next cycle, including the 2028 Los Angeles Olympics.

He has the backing of the last guy to have the job, Warriors coach Steve Kerr.

"I mean, Spo is incredible. He's a phenomenal coach," Kerr said after a Warriors practice Friday. "And, just watching him the last two summers and getting to know him up close, rather than just from afar, where I've admired him for so long, I got a first-hand glimpse at what a great coach he is."

Spoelstra was one of the assistant coaches on Kerr's staff for the Paris Olympics, where Team USA won its fifth consecutive gold medal. That staff was also together for the World Cup in the Philippines the year before. Kerr said being an assistant coach for Team USA matters before moving over to the big chair.

"I think the assistant coaching is almost a prerequisite for coaching USA," Kerr said. "It's really a different job, and now he has that experience, just like I did with [Gregg Popovich], in the World Cup in '19 and the Olympics in '21.

"Spo is a perfect choice. He's gonna be great."

Spoelstra is the longest-tenured coach in the NBA, entering his 18th season, and has led the Heat to six NBA Finals appearances, winning two (2012 and 2013). In a sign of how respected he is around the league, a poll of NBA GMs voted him the "best coach in the NBA" as well as the best manager and motivator of players.

Spoelstra's contract with USA Basketball is not finalized and has to be approved by the organization's board of directors, but that is all expected to be wrapped up before the end of the month.

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Steph Curry, several Warriors starters out for third preseason game vs. Lakers

Steph Curry, several Warriors starters out for third preseason game vs. Lakers originally appeared on NBC Sports Bay Area

The Warriors will be without several starters for their third game of the 2025 NBA preseason.

Steph Curry, Jimmy Butler, Al Horford and Moses Moody all will miss Sunday’s game against the Los Angeles Lakers at Crypto.com Arena, coach Steve Kerr told reporters Saturday (h/t ESPN’s Anthony Slater).

Kerr already had informed media members on Friday that Butler would be away for Sunday’s game as an excused absence, stating the reason was positive.

Meanwhile, Kerr said Curry is “banged up,” but the plan is for him to play Tuesday against the Trail Blazers in Portland.

Horford made his unofficial Warriors debut in Golden State’s preseason opener last Sunday, finishing with three points, four rebounds, three assists, three blocks and one steal. He was a plus-13 in 14 minutes.

Moody, after leading the Warriors with 19 points and five 3-pointers last Sunday, will miss the game in Los Angeles due to a calf issue. Kerr said Moody will undergo an MRI later Saturday, but the team believes it is minor.

The Warriors will start Brandin Podziemski, Buddy Hield, Jonathan Kuminga, Draymond Green and Quinten Post.

Strength in numbers will be tested early this season.

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What's new about Knicks' offense heading into 2025-26 NBA season?

We’re just three games into the preseason, but it’s been a transformative stretch for the Knicks as they build up the foundations of their restructured offense under new head coach Mike Brown.

A primary reason for hiring him was to diversify and maximize an offense that finished top five last season, but steadily declined into the playoffs and stagnated too often by admission of the players running it.

We won’t see the final results until months from now, and even early returns should be taken with a grain of salt, given the undertaking of installing a new read-and-react system in a low-stakes preseason environment. Still, we can start to spot the big differences and how that might inform what this team looks like, fully formed. 

Here are three major ways this Knicks offense is different from prior iterations.

Three-point emphasis

Brown wants 40 three-pointers per game out of these Knicks, a mark well above their previous 34.1 average and one met by only four other teams during the 2024-25 season. New York is currently on pace this preseason, averaging 44 behind a revamped shot diet.

A big focus for them this training camp has been getting two feet in the paint to collapse the defense and create catch-and-shoot opportunities for shooters. The Knicks have been doing more of this thanks to increased ball and player movement, pace, and cutting down on mid-range shots. 

All of their top scorers have aligned early shot diets with these principles. Out of the 32 shots Jalen Brunson has taken this preseason, only two have come from the mid-range -- ditto for Karl-Anthony Towns (1 of 19), OG Anunoby (1 of 15) and even Mikal Bridges (1 for 26).

The Knicks will probably want to get a little more out of the paint and free throw line, but this is probably just a preseason thing. We’ll see how stringent these changes remain, how the personnel adjusts, and how much it boosts the offense once we’re well into the regular season.

Oct 9, 2025; New York, New York, USA; New York Knicks head coach Mike Brown reacts as he talks with center/forward Karl-Anthony Towns (32) during the first half against the Minnesota Timberwolves at Madison Square Garden.
Oct 9, 2025; New York, New York, USA; New York Knicks head coach Mike Brown reacts as he talks with center/forward Karl-Anthony Towns (32) during the first half against the Minnesota Timberwolves at Madison Square Garden. / John Jones-Imagn Images

Freelance fundamentals

One thing that looks to be consistent with last year’s approach is a reliance on freelanced offense, or trusting the talent on the court to make the right reads without relying on too many canned plays. However, where the 2025 Knicks could stagnate in their approach -- often simplifying to a pet pindown or weave to get Brunson the ball in pick-and-roll or isolation -- this year promises increased motion and sharing to generate looks. 

Brown mentioned running no set plays in the Knicks’ most recent win, in an effort to familiarize them with the new system. Two major tenants of the approach are spacing principles and emphasis on movement.

New York is trying to be more diligent with spacing the floor by keeping players spread and in motion behind the arc, while also being smarter about how they cut into the paint. There were times last season when guys would be bunched up in the same corner, or cutting into each other on a drive. Hyperfocusing on the right positioning with no plays running should help deter those mistakes.

The other piece is increased player movement, including a ton of quick-hit dribble hand-offs, give-and-gos, and weak-side cuts and flares to keep the opportunities flowing with no set being run. There also seems to be an informal dribble or isolation limit, as the ball is moving much freer than in years past. 

Quicker pace

This change has been a little tougher to gauge on the eye test and by the numbers. Partially from preseason obfuscation, partially because this might be the biggest new adjustment for New York’s top players, and partially because it’s not as simple. Increased pace means more fast breaks and quicker shots. 

Some of the changes have been more subtle -- like Brown preaching for guys to spread out to the corners as quick as possible semi-transition, which we’re seeing the beginnings of. But the results may not look like what some expect right away.

The Knicks won’t be turning into seven seconds or less anytime soon and probably at all, but they’re trying to get more leak-outs in transition, make space for trailers, and even get into their halfcourt stuff much quicker, which may bring the biggest impact. 

A big issue with last season's offense was just taking six seconds to cross halfcourt and another eight to finally begin the action. It happened often.

Again, drawing any concrete conclusions from these early games is a fruitless exercise, but they’ve given us a real look into the core tenants Brown has been preaching for this new-look offense all training camp. It may take some time to fully realize, but we can see the building blocks starting to emerge.

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Mike Dunleavy admits Kuminga distractions are ‘impossible' for Warriors to avoid

Mike Dunleavy admits Kuminga distractions are ‘impossible' for Warriors to avoid originally appeared on NBC Sports Bay Area

Jonathan Kuminga and the Warriors are ready to turn the page to basketball after a strenuous offseason, but Mike Dunleavy can’t avoid the obvious.

Dunleavy joined 95.7 The Game’s “Steiny & Guru” on Friday and addressed the reality of the aftermath of Kuminga’s contract situation.

“This is the nature of the business, especially in the offseason,” Dunleavy said. “You got to cover news, cover things that are going on. But once camp starts and you jump into basketball, that’s what our guys are focused on. Of course, there are going to be things that come up in the season, rumors and all those things, and the players have to deal with that.

“I think it’s impossible to go through a season without distractions and things like that.”

After a 92-day standoff, Kuminga and the Warriors finally agreed on a two-year, $46.8 million contract with a team option in the second year.

The 23-year-old returned to the Warriors’ practice facility for training camp last week, and all parties involved have downplayed any bad blood or drama between Kuminga and the rest of the team.

While his role within Steve Kerr’s offense still needs to be sorted, Kuminga’s sole focus is doing whatever he can to help the Warriors win. And a few weeks ahead of the 2025-26 season opener, that’s the only vibe Dunleavy has got thus far.

“But I don’t see the JK stuff from what’s happened in the offseason in terms of figuring out a contract for him carrying over into the season,” Dunleavy said. “That would be pretty surprising to me. He’s not that type of guy. We’re moving forward. The rest of the team is moving forward. I haven’t really seen any of those things lingering thus far in camp, even.”

As Dunleavy stated, the team won’t be able to avoid any outside noise. But as long as the Warriors are good within their own walls, Kuminga’s presence should be nothing but a positive for Golden State.

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Fantasy Basketball 2030: Projecting the top 25 players of the future

Figuring out where to rank players is difficult enough in any particular season. But how about doing it with an eye towards what the NBA may look like in five years? That's the point of this exercise, with Rotoworld basketball writers Raphielle Johnson and Noah Rubin combining to put together their top-25 fantasy list for 2030. While the list is primarily populated with players currently in the NBA, there are a few who have yet to play an official NBA game.

Some players, whether in the NBA now or yet to reach that point, will break through by 2030. Here's our top 25, and it should not be surprising who leads the way.

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1. C Victor Wembanyama, San Antonio Spurs

Age (as of October 10): 21

After taking the NBA by storm as a rookie, Wembanyama's impact was muted last season due to a blood clot that sidelined him from the All-Star break onward. The 7-foot-3 phenom has been given a clean bill of health and is poised to usher in a new era in the NBA. Before his season-ending injury in February, Wembanyama averaged 24.3 points, 11.0 rebounds, 3.7 assists, 1.1 steals, 3.8 blocks and 3.1 three-pointers per game with 47.6/35.2/83.6 shooting splits.

2. F Cooper Flagg, Dallas Mavericks

Age: 18

Flagg has yet to play in an official NBA game, but the incoming rookie is deserving of being high on any list that's looking ahead to five years from now. He won't turn 19 until just before Christmas, making it possible (likely, even) that the Mavericks forward still will not have reached his prime by 2030. He's got all the skills a franchise could want in a cornerstone, which is a void the Mavericks need to fill after trading Luka Dončić to the Lakers.

3. G Shai Gilgeous-Alexander, Oklahoma City Thunder

Age: 27

Gilgeous-Alexander, who won NBA Most Valuable Player and NBA Finals MVP honors while leading the Thunder to their first title last season, is still not 30 years old. Yet it feels like he's been around for far longer than that, with the Canadian point guard being the 11th overall pick in the 2018 draft. Who knows how many titles and individual accolades he'll have on his résumé by the time 2030 rolls around, but SGA should remain one of the best assets in fantasy basketball.

4. G Cade Cunningham, Detroit Pistons

Age: 24

Cunningham's production has increased in each of his four NBA seasons, with the 2024-25 campaign being the one in which his growth coincided with that of the franchise he leads. Appearing a career-best 70 games, Cunningham averaged 26.1 points, 6.1 rebounds, 9.1 assists, 1.0 steals, 0.8 blocks and 2.1 three-pointers. The Pistons point guard recorded career-high averages in points, assists, blocks and three-pointers with a 46.9/35.6/84.6 shooting split. If Cunningham can keep the turnovers in check, as he averaged 4.4 per game last season, he'll be an even better player to have rostered in fantasy leagues.

5. G Luka Dončić, Los Angeles Lakers

Age: 26

Like many who follow basketball, Dončić was stunned when the Mavericks traded him to the Lakers in late January. He appeared in a career-low 50 games in 2024-25, appearing in 60 or more in each of his first six seasons. While LeBron James remains active currently, the Lakers have already made it clear that the franchise has begun the "Dončić Era," and this summer, he signed an extension that runs through the 2028-29 campaign. As long as Luka is healthy, he'll be one of the best players in fantasy basketball in 2030.

6. F/C Evan Mobley, Cleveland Cavaliers

Age: 24

Mobley's fourth NBA season was his best, with the Cavaliers forward/center averaging 18.5 points, 9.3 rebounds, 3.2 assists, 0.9 steals, 1.6 blocks and 1.2 three-pointers per game. His role on the offensive end of the floor expanded in the first season of Kenny Atkinson's tenure as head coach, and there's still plenty of room for growth. The only question is what will Cleveland's frontcourt look like in 2030. Will Mobley continue to share the court with another big man, as he currently does with Jarrett Allen? Or will he shift to center full-time?

7. G Anthony Edwards, Minnesota Timberwolves

Age: 24

Like Mobley, Edwards' position could change by the time the year 2030 rolls around. Current Timberwolves starting point guard Mike Conley turns 38 on October 11, meaning there could come a point in the near future where Edwards is either sharing the backcourt with Rob Dillingham or being utilized as an uber-athletic scoring point guard. Whatever is decided, Ant-Man has the skill needed to be a cornerstone for his franchise and fantasy rosters.

8. C Alperen Şengün, Houston Rockets

Age: 23

Şengün, who led Türkiye to a silver medal at EuroBasket this past summer, turned 23 in late July. While his scoring average decreased by two points compared to his 2023-24 number, the Rockets center earned his first All-Star Game appearance last season and averaged a double-double for the first time in four NBA seasons. Şengün's all-around skill set makes him a center who should be highly valuable in fantasy leagues five years from now, especially if he were to develop a more reliable perimeter shot.

9. G/F Amen Thompson, Houston Rockets

Age: 22

After taking on a supplementary role as a rookie, the versatile Thompson figured more prominently in the Rockets' rotation last season. And with Fred VanVleet sidelined by a torn ACL, the 2025-26 season could be a preview of what's to come for Thompson. Compared to his rookie season, the 6-foot-7 wing's averages improved in all major categories while shooting nearly 56 percent from the field. Like Şengün, Thompson is in a position where things could get truly scary if he's able to develop a consistent perimeter shot over the next five years.

10. F/C Chet Holmgren, Oklahoma City Thunder

Age: 23

The biggest concern for Holmgren is the injuries. After sitting out the entire 2022-23 season with a foot injury, he was limited to 32 games last season by a broken hip. Sandwiched in between those two seasons was a 2023-24 campaign in which Holmgren did not miss a game. When on the floor, he's a gifted frontcourt player who can be used at power forward or center, and that versatility will serve Holmgren well over the next five years.

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11. F Jalen Johnson, Atlanta Hawks

Age: 23

Like Holmgren, availability has been an issue for Johnson during the early stages of his NBA career. He's appeared in more than 60 games just once and is coming off a 2024-25 campaign in which he was limited to 36 appearances. However, Johnson did finish last season with career-high averages in points, rebounds, assists, steals and blocked shots while shooting 50 percent from the field. As long as he stays relatively healthy, the tools are there for Johnson to be a highly impactful fantasy player in 2030.

12. G Darryn Peterson, Kansas Jayhawks

Age: 18

Peterson is the first of three players on this list who have yet to play a college game, much less enter the NBA. But the Kansas freshman is that good. A combo guard who can play on or off the ball, the 6-foot-5 Peterson is on the short list of many regarding the top draft-eligible prospects for 2026. Winner of the 2025 Naismith Trophy Boys School Player of the Year award, Peterson was also a McDonald's All-American this past season.

13. G Tyrese Maxey, Philadelphia 76ers

Age: 24

Maxey, who will turn 25 in early November, has averaged 25.9 and 26.3 points per game over the last two seasons. While there are significant questions regarding teammate Joel Embiid's injury history, the 2024-25 campaign was the first in which Maxey failed to play at least 60 games. In five years' time, he should be the cornerstone in Philadelphia and an elite player worthy of first-round consideration, regardless of league format.

14. F Cameron Boozer, Duke Blue Devils

Age: 18

The 6-foot-9 Boozer, whose father Carlos enjoyed a 13-year NBA career, was a two-time winner of the Gatorade National Player of the Year award while in high school. The combination of build, athleticism and skill set makes the younger Boozer a player capable of playing anywhere in the frontcourt, and that versatility tends to make for an excellent fantasy option. Like Peterson and another player a little further down on this list, Boozer is projected to be among the top draft-eligible talents for 2026.

15. G Tyrese Haliburton, Indiana Pacers

Age: 25

While it remains to be seen how Haliburton's recovery from a ruptured Achilles tendon will go, he's already one of the best players in fantasy basketball when healthy. Last season, he averaged 18.6 points, 3.5 rebounds, 9.2 assists, 1.4 steals, 0.7 blocks and 3.0 three-pointers per game while leading the Pacers to their first NBA Finals appearance since 2000. He'll miss the entire 2025-26 campaign, but Haliburton should remain one of the best players in fantasy basketball in 2030.

16. F Franz Wagner, Orlando Magic

Age: 24

After three seasons in which he played at least 70 games, Wagner suffered an oblique injury that limited him to 60 appearances last season. However, he was excellent when on the floor, providing fourth-round value in eight- and nine-cat formats. A healthy Wagner can be an even greater asset, regardless of league format, because of his efficiency and versatile game. Like a few of the players above him on this list, Wagner needs to improve his perimeter shot, as he's shot 28.1 and 29.5 percent from three over the past two seasons.

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17. F Jalen Williams, Oklahoma City Thunder

Age: 24

The reigning champion Thunder have three players on this list, and none are over 27 years old. Williams can be plugged in just about anywhere within a lineup; that's how versatile his game is. Due to injuries, he even spent some time at the center position last season. Williams' averages have increased in each of his three NBA seasons, and he earned third-team All-NBA and second-team All-Defense honors in 2024-25. He won't be 30 years old until the latter stages of the 2030-31 regular season and still has not begun his athletic prime.

18. F Jayson Tatum, Boston Celtics

Age: 27

Like Haliburton, Tatum is recovering from a ruptured Achilles tendon suffered during last season's playoffs. However, the Celtics star's recovery will be interesting to watch, as he has not been officially ruled out for the 2025-26 season. Will Tatum attempt to return? And how would that impact the next five years of his NBA career? Tatum already has eight NBA seasons under his belt, but he has the skill set that can make him a serious factor in fantasy basketball when 2030 rolls around.

19. F AJ Dybantsa, BYU Cougars

Age: 18

The third and final current collegian on this list, Dybantsa will also be in contention to go first overall in next summer's draft if he declares. The 6-foot-10 forward will be the biggest story in the state of Utah this season, especially with the Jazz in the midst of a rebuild. Dybantsa was the top-ranked prospect in the Class of 2025 and is a three-time FIBA gold medalist. Dybantsa's explosive athleticism and varied skill set make him a player who can have a significant impact in fantasy basketball by the time 2030 rolls around.

20. G Dylan Harper, San Antonio Spurs

Age: 19

The second overall pick in the 2025 draft, the 6-foot-6 Harper can be used anywhere on the perimeter. During his lone season at Rutgers, he spent most of his time on the ball but can also take on an off-ball role. On a Spurs roster that includes Wembanyama, De'Aaron Fox and Stephon Castle, that may be something Harper has to do early on, but he's capable of progressing into a lead playmaker role over the next five seasons.

21. F Paolo Banchero, Orlando Magic

Age: 22

The 6-foot-10 Banchero has recorded increased points and rebounds averages in each of his three NBA seasons, but turnovers have limited his impact in fantasy basketball, especially in category leagues. However, that should not be the case in 2030, when Banchero may be beginning his athletic prime. Five years from now, this spot on the list may prove to be egregiously low for Banchero.

22. G LaMelo Ball, Charlotte Hornets

Age: 24

Despite his age, Ball has already played five NBA seasons. However, while production has not been an issue for the Hornets' point guard, staying on the court has. The 2021-22 season is the only one in which Ball has played at least 60 games; he's appeared in 47 or fewer in each of the last three. The injury concerns have knocked Ball down many fantasy draft boards; hopefully, that won't be an issue five years from now.

23. C Nikola Jokić, Denver Nuggets

Age: 30

Jokić is the only player on this list aged 30 years or older. However, the skill set and elite production cannot be ignored, especially for a player whose game is not reliant on "jump out of the gym" athleticism. The Joker has been the top-ranked player in fantasy basketball in per-game value in four of the last five seasons, and no lower than second in totals in six straight. Will Jokić still be in the NBA in five years' time? We'll see, but the track record of excellence is why he has to be on this list.

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24. F Scottie Barnes, Toronto Raptors

Age: 24

After earning his first All-Star Game appearance in 2023-24, Barnes recorded similar numbers last season. And he's capable of doing more, provided he becomes a more consistent shooter. Barnes shot 27.1 percent from three last season and is a career 30 percent shooter from deep on 3.6 attempts per game. He doesn't have to turn into the next Stephen Curry, but consistent shooting would improve Barnes' fantasy profile, given what he can already do as a playmaker and defender.

25. G Trae Young, Atlanta Hawks

Age: 27

Young has played 73 games or more in three of the last four seasons, and most recently, he led the NBA in assists. Having averaged a points/assists double-double each of the last three seasons, the Hawks' point guard can remain a fantasy force for years to come. Something to watch is how young players like Jalen Johnson and Dyson Daniels progress, as their development may benefit Young in the turnover category. He's averaged at least four per game each of the last six seasons, lowering Young's value in nine-cat formats.

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Star PG Russell Westbrook, Kings reportedly share ‘strong mutual interest'

Star PG Russell Westbrook, Kings reportedly share ‘strong mutual interest' originally appeared on NBC Sports Bay Area

Will Russell Westbrook sign with the Kings? That certainly appears to be an option as the 2025-26 NBA season inches closer.

There is notable mutual interest between Sacramento and the nine-time All-Star, ESPN’s Shams Charania reported Friday on “NBA Today.”

“I’m told there is strong mutual interest between Russell Westbrook and the Sacramento Kings,” Charania said. “The Kings have a need for a reserve point guard. They were 29th in bench points, 29th in bench assists last season. Russell Westbrook helps with that and he has got relationships across that organization. Domantas Sabonis, he’s close with, played with him.He played with Dennis Schröder as well.

“DeMar DeRozan, Zach LaVine, they have LA ties as well. B.J> Armstong, the new assistant general manager there. He knows B.J. Armstrong from the agency side and he does have respect with Scott Perry, their new general manager and Doug Christie, their new head coach. We’ll see if a deal gets done before the season or during the upcoming year.”

Westbrook’s decorated resume speals for itself, with an NBA MVP and two scoring titles to his name. While the 37-year-old guard is a ways removed from his prime, Westbrook appears to still have plenty left in the tank after serving as a vital cog in the Denver Nuggets’ rotation during the 2024-25 NBA season.

Westbrook averaged 13.3 points, 4.9 rebounds and 6.1 assists per game in 75 appearances for Denver in his last campaign, shooting 44.9 percent from the floor and 32.3 percent from deep.

The Kings signed Schröder to a three-year contract that likely slots him into Sacramento’s starting point guard role, but the addition of Westbrook could prove to be a vital step in insulating the team’s backcourt for the marathon that is the NBA season.

Sacramento opens the regular season on the road against the Phoenix Suns on Oct. 22. Whether or not Westbrook will be in a Kings jersey by then remains to be seen, but it certainly is something to keep an eye on going forward.

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3 observations after Sixers drop 1st home game of preseason vs. Magic

3 observations after Sixers drop 1st home game of preseason vs. Magic  originally appeared on NBC Sports Philadelphia

The Sixers moved a step closer to meaningful basketball Friday night.

They also stayed winless in the preseason, falling to a 128-98 loss to the Magic in their first exhibition game at Xfinity Mobile Arena.

VJ Edgecombe sat because of left hip soreness. He took part in the Sixers’ morning shootaround and is considered day-to-day, according to a team official. 

Other absences included Joel Embiid (left knee), Paul George (left knee), Trendon Watford (right hamstring) and Jared McCain (right thumb). Quentin Grimes was inactive two days after his first practice of the season.

The Sixers will hold their annual Blue-White scrimmage Sunday and finish their four-game preseason next Friday vs. the Timberwolves. Here are observations on the team’s loss to Orlando:

Maxey, Barlow shine in 1st quarter

Tyrese Maxey and Dominick Barlow were early standouts. 

The Sixers’ first basket came on a Maxey transition three-pointer. To no one’s surprise, Maxey came out aggressively. He fired up nine shots in under seven minutes and played with tons of speed and confidence. Maxey poured in 17 first-quarter points and watched the rest of the game.

Barlow scored the Sixers’ next bucket on a put-back layup. He did strong work on the offensive boards in his third straight start and had 12 points and nine rebounds over 29 minutes. Barlow has a 7-foot-3 wingspan and good athletic tools, and he’s rebounded the way those on-paper traits would suggest. 

Notably, the Sixers plan to be a guard-heavy team and know they must improve their rebounding. Barlow’s boosted his case for minutes with his preseason showing on the glass. Well done for a 22-year-old on a two-way contract.

Pros and cons for Bona

Not for the first time, Adem Bona had a rough start on the foul front. He committed two personals in under two minutes, including on a Wendell Carter Jr. and-one jumper.

Of course, the other side of Bona’s ball-hungry defensive style is that he’s often rewarded with rejections. His bounce and rim-protecting instincts popped as usual. Bona swatted Desmond Bane, Paolo Banchero and Anthony Black layup attempts in the first half.

Andre Drummond continued to play behind Bona. The highlights of Drummond’s night were a pair of corner three-pointers. Drummond made three long-range jumpers and missed 17 last season. He’s 18 for 140 (12.9 percent) in his career. 

Challenges for rookies off the bench 

Hunter Sallis received first-quarter minutes and got an and-one runner to drop against fellow rookie guard Jace Richardson. The Wake Forest product tallied seven points and three assists in 34 minutes.

The Sixers used a five-man bench in the first half of Sallis, Drummond, Kennedy Chandler, Jabari Walker and Johni Broome. Emoni Bates and Malcolm Hill checked in after halftime.

Broome (six points, three steals) played at both power forward and center. He had some tough moments defensively against players like Banchero and Carter. Banchero tried to drive baseline past Broome and throw down a powerful slam. Broome stopped him with a clear-cut foul. 

The 23-year-old lefty’s physicality and shot blocking were strengths in college. It’s an open question how he’ll adapt to NBA-level size, quickness and leaping.

Chandler was the Sixers’ lead ball handler for much of the game and had a 16-point, five assist, four-steal night. Sixers head coach Nick Nurse has given him significant minutes in all three of the team’s preseason contests.

“He’s played very well,” Nurse said following the Sixers’ practice Thursday. “He’s got pretty good feel for running and organizing the team. He’s also got some juice to get by people and get to the basket. And he’s also a very good shooter.

“He didn’t shoot as much from three in those games as he’s been doing in practice. He’s a legit threat from three. … I’ve been impressed with his knowledge of the game, the way he’s picked things up and the way he’s transferred that to keeping the team fairly organized.” 

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Jalen Brunson reportedly 'untouchable' in Knicks' Giannis Antetokounmpo talks with Bucks

Talks in August between the Knicks and Bucks about a Giannis Antetokounmpo trade never gained real traction. That shouldn't be a real surprise. If the Bucks are forced to trade one of the five best players walking the face of the earth — and they would only do so if Antetokounmpo demands it — they will want back a massive haul of first-round draft picks and promising young players, two things the Knicks do not have.

One other thing that shouldn't be a surprise out of those talks: Knicks point guard Jalen Brunson was "untouchable in these talks," something Sam Amick reported at The Athletic. Not only is Brunson an All-NBA player on a favorable contract, but he is also a fan favorite and hero in New York. Trading him would anger the fan base, even if it was for Antetokounmpo.

One of the financially cleanest trade options between the Knicks and Bucks is Brunson and Josh Hart for Antetokounmpo, those salaries come within about $300,000 of each other and work under the salary cap restrictions. It's also a non-starter for both sides — the Knicks aren't giving up Brunson, while the Bucks want picks and young players to jump-start a rebuild, not veterans. Any eventual Knicks offer likely involves Karl-Anthony Towns and a player such as OG Anunoby or Mikal Bridges (who can't be traded until Feb. 1 and has a massive new contract kicking in).

A mid-season trade of Antetokounmpo and his $54.1 million salary — to the Knicks or any team — is highly unlikely. Things get interesting if Antetokounmpo says he does not intend to sign the four-year, $260 million extension the Bucks can offer next offseason. If that happens, there would be a massive line of teams that would want in on an Antetokounmpo deal and many of them — Houston, San Antonio, Chicago and others — have the young players and picks Milwaukee would be seeking in a deal. Likely the only way Antetokounmpo ends up in New York is if he forces his way there, telling teams he will only sign an extension with the Knicks, and if these other teams trade for him, he will be a rental. Even then, like Toronto did with Kawhi Leonard in 2018, those teams still may be willing to take the gamble.

For now, everyone wants to see how this season plays out. The Knicks rightfully see themselves as a team that can come out of the East. The Bucks want to see what Antetokounmpo and Myles Turner look like together. Houston with Kevin Durant, San Antonio with its young backcourt, and just about every other team wants to see how things look before making a massive move like trading for Antetokounmpo. Which is why it's likely there is no action until next offseason.

That's not going to stop the chatter and rumors.

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LeBron James reportedly first developed sciatica in late July or early August

While the Lakers just announced this week that LeBron James is suffering from sciatica and will be out for the first couple of weeks of the season — at least — it turns out he has been dealing with this for months.

LeBron first started experiencing sciatica nerve pain in late July or early August during on-court workouts, reports Shams Charania of ESPN on NBA Today. Here is what he said:

"My understanding is this injury for LeBron, this nerve issue, first developed, first occurred, in late July, early August, during an on-court workout. So it's now two-and-a-half months and counting that he's had to deal with it and manage it. So even before the Lakers' Media Day on Sept. 29 and the start of training camp, I'm told LeBron James had not done much basketball for well over a month prior to that. So it had been a normal routine summer for him. He's a creature of habit, we know that by the way he maintains his body. So for him to be out to start the season and miss his first-ever Opening Night, it shows an admission by him and the Lakers that he needs more time to ramp up, getting into basketball shape, getting into the right basketball conditioning that he's accustomed to. He's not there yet."

Because of the pain on his right side — the sciatic nerve runs from the tailbone down the leg to the feet — LeBron has been limited in his workouts, both physically and on the court. Once he's pain free, it's going to take time for him to get his conditioning up to speed and shake some of the rust off his game. All that can take longer at age 40. LeBron will be re-evaluated in 3-4 weeks, but could well be out longer.

For the Lakers, that puts more on Luka Doncic's plate to start the season. It will also start to give GM Rob Pelinka and the Lakers front office a view of what Austin Reaves looks like as the No. 2 option next to Doncic. Reaves can be (and is expected to be) a free agent next summer, and the Lakers have to decide if he's worth it to them to pay him $25-30 million a season and keep him around, or if they should look elsewhere.

How this injury heals — and what's causing the compression of the sciatic nerve, whether it's muscular, a herniated disc, or something else — could also impact LeBron's decision about how much longer he wants to play. LeBron is entering a record 23rd NBA season and will be a free agent next summer, giving him a lot of options for what the final year or years of his playing career could look like.

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Brothers Steph, Seth Curry swap jerseys during Warriors' annual open practice

Brothers Steph, Seth Curry swap jerseys during Warriors' annual open practice originally appeared on NBC Sports Bay Area

The Warriors’ open practice last week delivered more than drills and shooting — it gave us a priceless sibling moment.

Seth Curry donned No. 30 while Steph sported No. 31, swapping their usual jersey numbers for the day in a playful nod to their shared basketball lineage.

Steph Curry has been a Warrior for life. Drafted by Golden State in 2009, he has become the face of the franchise, a multi-time MVP and champion. He has worn No. 30 for all 16 seasons of his Warriors career, a number that’s become part of his identity as much as his shooting form.

So when his younger brother joined Golden State, one question lingered: what number would Seth Curry take?

He wasn’t able to secure No. 30 from Steph.

“I tried to buy it from him,” Seth joked. “He said he didn’t need the money.” 

Seth actually has worn No. 30 for most of his own career, including recent stints with the Brooklyn Nets, Dallas Mavericks and Charlotte Hornets. Before that, he spent two seasons with the Philadelphia 76ers wearing No. 31, and earlier in his career bounced between 30, 31 and 10 as he moved from team to team.

This NBA season is the first time since Seth entered the league as an undrafted rookie in 2013 that the two have shared a training camp, finally taking the floor as teammates instead of competitors.

The 35-year-old joined the Warriors on an Exhibit 9 contract, which allows him to participate in training camp and the preseason. Because of the NBA’s second-apron restrictions, Golden State will need to waive him before finalizing its roster — but the team can re-sign him as early as Nov. 11 while staying under the tax threshold.

The lighthearted jersey swap at open practice gave Warriors fans a glimpse of the brothers’ easy chemistry — and a reminder of how rare it is to see both Currys on the same court.

Steph remains the Warriors’ cornerstone, while Seth begins a new chapter in familiar territory, wearing a familiar number — just not No. 30.

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How effective will the Knicks bench be during the 2025-26 season?

Over the past two years, depth has been one of the largest challenges for the Knicks' roster. 

The Knicks bench ranked dead last in scoring during the 2024-25 regular season. In the playoffs, the club was ranked second to last in bench scoring, as then-head coach Tom Thibodeau often went to a seven-and-a-half man rotation for long stretches of the postseason.

New York responded this offseason by adding depth. 

The club signed free agents Guerschon Yabusele and Jordan Clarkson to bolster the rotation. The two new Knicks join Miles McBride and either Josh Hart or Mitchell Robinson in the bench rotation. New York also added veteran guards Malcolm Brogdon, Landry Shamet and Garrison Mathews, who are all vying for spots on the roster. Second year players Ariel Hukporti, Pacome Dadiet and Tyler Kolek are in the mix as well.

It does seem likely that Robinson will start at center at the beginning of the season since he’s started all three preseason games, while Hart has missed two of the three games due to injury and illness. 

McBride and Robinson were both crucial off the bench for the Knicks in the postseason. If Hart is a reserve this season, he adds a versatile wing capable of rebounding and making plays who can help add some pace to the offense.

Adding Yabusele specifically has given the Knicks more versatility in the frontcourt and another outside threat. The Frenchman can play as a power forward with Karl-Anthony Towns or Robinson at the five. He can also be a small ball center for stints with smaller lineups. Clarkson brings an ability to create his own scoring opportunities while occasionally setting up teammates. 

Early returns

With new head coach Mike Brown implementing a read-and-react offense, the Knicks bench could see more opportunities. Brown has focused on upping the pace, moving the ball and bombing away from behind the three-point line.

The offense is still a work in progress. 

In New York’s Thursday night preseason win against the Minnesota Timberwolves, the club tossed up 57 three-point attempts, missing 42 of them. New York was 27th in three-point attempt rate last season. The club hoisted over 50 three-pointers once all season. So far in preseason, New York is shooting just 26.5 percent from beyond the arc.

It’s going to take some time for all the players to get comfortable under a new offensive system. But the potential for a free-flowing offense that relies on more ball movement can loosen up scoring opportunities for the bench, making the reserves more of a strength. That will be important in the long run so the Knicks don’t overuse their core four of Towns, Jalen Brunson, OG Anunoby and Mikal Bridges.

Brown said during training camp that he expects to play a nine-and-a-half to 10-man rotation. In three preseason games, it’s been clear that McBride, Yabusele and Clarkson are locked into the rotation, as well as the absent Hart. Shamet received rotation minutes against Minnesota after Brogdon’s run of minutes against the Philadelphia 76ers last Saturday. Those two, as well as Hukporti or Dadiet, could see action situationally. It will all depend on who ends up with the final roster spots at the end of preseason.

Defense from the reserves will also be important to watch. Clarkson is a subpar defender, and Yabusele is not elite on the defensive end. When fully healthy, the Knicks bench should be less of a glaring weakness compared to last season despite defensive concerns. There’s more offensive versatility and perimeter shooting featured across the roster which should help throughout both the regular season and playoffs.

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Jimmy Butler's dominant practice sends strong message about Warriors' ceiling

Jimmy Butler's dominant practice sends strong message about Warriors' ceiling originally appeared on NBC Sports Bay Area

SAN FRANCISCO – The Warriors went through a spirited scrimmage on Friday, and the performance of one of the team’s elder statesmen drew rave reviews.

The gym on this day belonged to Jimmy Butler III.

“He just had an incredible practice,” coach Steve Kerr said.

“He wasn’t on my team, so I didn’t like to see it,” Stephen Curry said partly in jest.

“But it was indicative of the ceiling that we can get to with a guy like that. A guy who at any moment knows how to win.”

Even Butler’s faux nemesis, Buddy Hield, offered nothing but props to the man who turned 36 last month.

“Jimmy dominated practice today,” Hield said. “It was great for him. He looked really good and professional today. It was great. Great energy.”

Though general praise tends to flow freely in every training camp, the reaction in this instance is highly encouraging for the Warriors. There are many stories of Butler dominating scrimmages in his previous stops, whether Chicago or Minnesota or Philadelphia or Miami.

Butler’s infamous scrimmage with the Timberwolves in 2018 is one that made its way around the NBA. Three weeks after asking to be traded, he led a group of reserves to victory over a squad that included four starters, with center Karl-Anthony Towns often the target of his ferocity. Butler was loud, hyperaggressive and, well, a winner.

That last trait is welcome in Golden State. Though there was no indication hostility, seeing him bring juice to a scrimmage warms the heart of the team’s established veterans like Curry and Green.

For doing so with the Warriors, who belong to Curry more than anyone, suggests Butler still is capable of being The Man. That while he embraces being “Robin” to Curry’s “Batman,” – the roles can be interchangeable upon request.

“I just think he took it up a notch today,” Hield said. “He wasn’t chirping like that Jimmy we know of. He was a silent killer, and his work speaks himself.”

There were shades of that Jimmy last season, as Butler occasionally took over portions of a game, usually when Curry was off the floor. He managed to make a significant impact despite being the new guy, tossed onto the roster during the searing heat of a playoff chase.

“Last year, Jimmy didn’t know any defensive terminology,” Draymond Green said last week. “We were just making it work.”

Butler this season is with the Warriors for a full training camp, which followed team workouts he arranged in the days before camp officially began. He’ll miss the third preseason game, Sunday against the Lakers in Los Angeles, for what Kerr called a “wonderful” personal matter, but he is scheduled to practice Saturday in LA before departing.

This was, in a way, a reminder. Butler putting together a “Himmy Lives” display can only be beneficial for young Warriors to witness and veterans to realize his back pocket contains plenty of what they hope to see once the regular season begins on Oct. 21.

“He was very impactful, across the board, getting to his spots, (flashing) his competitive will,” Curry said. “Our practices have been at pretty high level. Not every day, scrimmaging, but he kind of built up to a good session today. From the jump, Jimmy was attacking the rim, dictating the pace on both ends.”

This is the Butler the Warriors need to threaten teams beyond Curry, and every occasion he shows up will be greeted with delight.

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Watch Steph Curry, Jimmy Butler, hilariously troll Buddy Hield during practice

Watch Steph Curry, Jimmy Butler, hilariously troll Buddy Hield during practice originally appeared on NBC Sports Bay Area

Training camp is well underway ahead of the 2025-26 NBA season, meaning the Golden State Warriors are locking in and getting everything they need sorted ahead of their Oct. 21 season opener against the Los Angeles Lakers. 

So, why not have a little fun to break up the tension? 

That’s why the Warriors welcome fans into Chase Center for their annual open practice, giving Dub Nation an introduction to the 2025-25 squad. 

The event includes plenty of autographs, young fans welcomed to the court and rookie karaoke. 

While we’re at it, you might as well throw in a little trolling of guard Buddy Hield as well. 

Video shows one of the kids on the court with Hield’s practice jersey. Hield yanks at it appearing to want it back. 

We then see Steph Curry and Jimmy Butler start to concoct a plan with the young Warriors fan. The kid takes off Hield’s jersey and then rifles it at him. 

Curry and Butler burst with laughter in the background at Hield’s expense. Buddy tends to be on the butt-end of jokes, but he’s always a good sport about it. 

It’s also another chapter in the fun Butler-Hield “rivalry” that’s been unfolding since the Warriors acquired the star forward from the Miami Heat last season. 

Butler and Hield’s fun spats have typically come during postgame press conferences, which will be immortalized this season with a bobblehead giveaway. 

Most importantly, the vibes seem to be high in San Francisco heading into the new NBA season. 

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Annual NBA GM survey predicts Thunder repeat, Nikola Jokic wins MVP, Cooper Flagg ROY

The annual NBA GM Survey offers a fantastic yearly glimpse into what the lead executives around the league value and how they think.

It's also a terrible predictive tool — don't place your bets based on their responses (might I recommend the clever folks at the NBC Sports betting page for your tips). A year ago, 25 of the 30 GMs picked Boston to repeat (that was probably 26, Brad Stevens can't vote for his own team), yet Oklahoma City won 68 games and the title — the GMs have picked the champion just once in the last seven years (the 2024 Celtics).

So, is it a worrying sign for Oklahoma City that 24 of the 30 GMS picked them to repeat as champions? No, it's more a sign of the conventional wisdom thinking around the league, which this survey certainly provides. Some highlights from the voting:

NBA Champion: Oklahoma City Thunder (80% of the vote). Cleveland and Denver were tied for second (7% each).

East Champion: Cleveland Cavaliers (63% of voters had them first, 27% second), with the New York Knicks second (30% first-place votes, 53% second).

West Champion: Oklahoma City Thunder (87% of voters had them first). Denver was second (10% had them first).

Who will win MVP? Nikola Jokic, 67% of the vote. The next three in line were Luka Doncic (10%), Shai Gilgeous-Alexander (8%), and Victor Wembanyama (7%).

Who will win Rookie of the Year? Cooper Flagg, who got all but one vote (and Nico Harrison can't vote for his own guy, so there was one vote for VJ Edgecombe). Flagg was also overwhelmingly voted the rookie that will be the best in this class five years from now (just know five years ago the GMs voted James Wiseman that honor).

What player would you pick to start a franchise? Victor Wembanyama (83% of the vote, which makes you wonder what the other 17% are thinking).

Player most likely to have a breakout season: Amen Thompson in Houston (30% of the vote). Brandon Miller (Charlotte), Ausar Thompson (Detroit) and Victor Wembanyama (San Antonio) were tied for second.

Which team made the best overall moves this offseason? The Atlanta Hawks (53% of the vote). The second choice went to the Houston Rockets (27%).

Which one player acquisition will make the biggest impact? Kevin Durant to Houston (73% of the vote). Desmond Bane to Orlando was second, and also voted the most underrated move of the offseason.

Most surprising move of the offseason: Milwaukee waiving/stretching Damian Lillard (second on this list was the Bucks signing Myles Turner, which only happened because of the waive/stretch of Lillard).

Who was the biggest steal in terms of where they were drafted? In a bit of a surprise, it went to Kasparas Jakucionis to Miami, selected at No. 20. Tied for second was Ace Bailey to Utah at No. 5 and Carter Bryant to San Antonio at No. 14.

Best defender in the NBA: Victor Wembanyama with 80% of the vote. Dyson Daniels was voted the best perimeter defender in the league.

Who is the best head coach in the NBA? Newly minted USA Basketball head coach Erik Spoelstra of Miami, with 52% of the vote (OKC's Mark Daigneault was second, and the Clippers' Tyronn Lue was third).

Which team's level of success this season is toughest to predict? The Philadelphia 76ers got 47% of the vote (Dallas and Golden State were second and third). With all due respect to the questions around the Mavs and Warriors, how do you not pick the Sixers?

Which player is the most athletic? Amen Thompson got 58% of the vote to finish first (Anthony Edwards in Minnesota was second).

Here's one I questioned a little: The GMs voted Stephen Curry the best leader in the NBA. That surprised me. Not that Curry isn't a strong leader, but would you put him ahead of Jalen Brunson, LeBron James, or even the injured Damian Lillard?

One other interesting question and answer: What rule most needs to change? The No. 1 answer was concerns about roster construction, specifically that the tax apron rules are too harsh, and that there should be a salary cap discount for a team's own drafted players. A lot of fans feel the same way.