Any concerns about Steph Curry leaving the Warriors can be put to rest.
During an interview with CNBC, Curry was asked if seeing LeBron James leave the Lakers during free agency was “appealing” to him, to which the future Hall of Famer immediately shut down.
“Not at all. I’ve always stated that I want to be a lifer with Golden State,” Curry said. “What we’ve built there. The fact that I get to run it back this year with Draymond [Green] and Coach [Steve] Kerr.”
Stephen Curry calls himself a Warriors “lifer.” Anadolu via Getty Images
Since James departed from the Lakers in July after an eight-season run, rumors started to emerge that Curry could be entering his final season in a Golden State uniform.
Curry, 38, is entering the final year of his four-year, $215.4 million deal he signed with the team in 2022 and is nearing the end of a Hall of Fame career.
“All the contract stuff, this NBA thing from year-to-year is crazy. Things change really fast,” Curry said. “But I do know my interest and mission is to stay in Golden State and be competitive is there, and the contract stuff will take care of itself.”
Curry is eligible to receive a two-year, $136.7 million contract extension that would keep him with the Warriors through the 2028-2029 season.
Stephen Curry calls himself a Warriors “lifer.” Getty Images
The moves the organization made during the offseason were focused on acquiring depth and building around young talent, such as Yaxel Lendeborg, who was selected by the team with the No.11 pick of the 2026 NBA Draft.
Thompson II added that he doesn’t think the team would trade Curry and called him a “lifer.”
Golden State Warriors’ Stephen Curry calls himself a Warriors “lifer.” Robert Sabo for NY Post
Aside from being considered one of the greatest shooters of all time, Curry is the most iconic Warriors player. He’s led them to four NBA championships, including being Finals MVP in 2022.
Curry was crowned NBA MVP in back-to-back seasons in 2015 and 2016. He also was the league’s scoring champion in 2016 and 2021.
LAS VEGAS, NEVADA - JULY 18: Nolan Hickman #27 of the Dallas Mavericks wears Nike shoes against the Orlando Magic in the first half of a 2025 NBA Summer League game at the Thomas & Mack Center on July 18, 2025 in Las Vegas, Nevada. The Mavericks defeated the Magic 92-69. NOTE TO USER: User expressly acknowledges and agrees that, by downloading and or using this photograph, User is consenting to the terms and conditions of the Getty Images License Agreement. (Photo by Candice Ward/Getty Images) | Getty Images
New York Knicks fans who were outraged at exorbitant ticket prices for home games when they went on sale earlier this week are getting some relief.
Madison Square Garden Corp. (MSG), the parent company of the Knicks, said Thursday, Sept. 17 it made a mistake in its pricing structure when individual game tickets for the 2026-27 NBA seasn went on sale the day prior, resulting in face value seats for the regular-season opener against the Philadelphia 76ers being listed in excess of $1,000.
And those were the prices for tickets in the upper deck of Madison Square Garden.
The Knicks, who in June won their first NBA championship in 53 seasons, had toiled in mediocrity for years during the 2010s, leading to several loyal fans voicing their indignation.
“A multibillion-dollar franchise pricing its own non-wealthy fans out of the Garden on a night the fanbase has been dreaming about for 50 years,” one fan wrote on social media. “Shameful.”
In some cases, the ticket prices represented increases of 400% from last season. As a result, the company has decided to pause sales so that it can correct the issue.
“We are pausing Knicks individual ticket sales due to a mistake in our pricing,” MSG said Thursday, Sept. 17 in a statement. “We are rolling back to last year’s prices plus an average increase of 12%. We will restart sales with new prices shortly, and anyone who already purchased individual tickets will be refunded for the difference. Our intention was never to overcharge our loyal fans, and we thank everyone for their support of the Knicks and their patience as we get this right.”
The Knicks have increased prices in the past, particularly as they have had recent success, making the postseason five of the last six seasons.
The regular-season opener against Philadelphia is scheduled for Oct. 20, when the team will raise the banner to commemorate New York’s championship.
The Lakers, who won their first championship in 10 years in 2020, are trying to climb back atop the league after acquiring Dončić in a stunning trade in February 2025.
Meanwhile the Warriors, the league’s modern-day dynasty after winning four championships in eight years from 2015-2022, are trying to enable Steph Curry to play meaningful basketball amid the sunset of his career in a league that has gotten younger and faster, passing them by.
So, where will the Lakers and Warriors rank next season in the very crowded Western Conference?
Here are our predictions:
The Lakers have Luka Doncic as their centerpiece now. Corey Sipkin / NY Post
Lakers: No. 3
The Thunder and Spurs are head and shoulders above the Lakers.
Those teams have no obvious weaknesses. They have youth. They have superstars. They have depth. They have incredible defense. And they’ve proven they have the chemistry and mental fortitude to go deep in the playoffs.
They need an elite perimeter defender. They need time to jell. They’re a few tweaks away from being considered real contenders.
Could the Lakers finish higher than Nikola Jokic and his Nuggets? Yes. The Nuggets had a disappointing offseason following a first-round playoff exit in April, including losing Peyton Watson, Tim Hardaway Jr. and Bruce Brown.
As for the Timberwolves? They could give the Lakers fits behind perennial All-Star Anthony Edwards and four-time Defensive Player of the Year Rudy Gobert. The Timberwolves added LaMelo Ball and Jonathan Kuminga to their roster and could be a fringe contender.
The Rockets are also a team to watch. Sure, the Lakers jumped to a 3-0 series lead over them last postseason without Doncic and Austin Reaves, but both teams are going to look completely different in October. Kevin Durant is expected to be healthy, and Fred VanVleet is returning from injury. As for the Lakers, they’re only returning two starters from last season in Doncic and Reaves.
If the Lakers finish third in the West over the Timberwolves and Rockets that would be an incredible showing for Doncic, who’s eager to prove he can be the Lakers’ next superstar. He wants to win his first championship. He wants to prove his detractors wrong. And now he’s backed by a 17-time championship organization that views anything short of a title as a failure.
Here’s to betting Doncic is able to carry the Lakers to a third-place finish in the highly competitive West.
Steph Curry and his Warriors teammates might surprise but won’t dominate the Western Conference. Getty Images
Warriors: No. 8
We held our breath when the Warriors were pursuing Giannis Antetokounmpo. Bust.
We were on the edge of our seat when they were pursuing James in an attempt to pair him with the team he faced in four straight NBA Finals from 2015-2018. Slump.
The league is more fun when the Warriors are good. Curry is the greatest shooter ever. Draymond Green is a fiery defender who’s endlessly exciting to watch. Warriors coach Steve Kerr is brilliant.
But alas, all of the Warriors’ attempts to become contenders flatlined.
So, as of now, the Warriors are a fringe playoff team. It’s a shame for Curry, who’s turning 39 next season and is still one of the NBA’s top players. Last season, he became the oldest point guard in NBA history to be named a starter on the All-Star team.
The Warriors are expected to try to work some magic ahead of the trade deadline to breathe some life into Curry’s 18th season.
But until then, with Jimmy Butler and Moses Moody set to miss the start of the season due to injuries, the Warriors aren’t expected to make much noise.
That said, if Curry, Green and Kristaps Porzingis are healthy, this team can’t be counted out. Remember what they did in their first play-in game against the Clippers, when Curry went unconscious finishing with 35 points (27 of which he scored in the second half), Green bottled up Kawhi Leonard (holding him to just two points in the fourth quarter) and Porzingis had 20 points, five rebounds and five assists.
If you add Butler and Moody to that mix, the Warriors could be tough.
But as of now, too many questions surround their health and durability and too many teams with fresh legs are looking to sprint past them, including the Thunder, Spurs, Lakers, Timberwolves, Rockets, Nuggets and Mavericks.
Michael Sweetney, an All-American big man for the Georgetown men’s basketball team who went on to be a top-10 NBA draft pick, has died, his wife, India, announced on social media on Thursday, Sept. 17.
He was 43 years old. No cause of death was specified.
“No one loved him more and he loved no one more than his family,” India Murray Sweetney wrote in a message on Facebook. “His children were the light of his life, and he lived every day to give them the best life possible. He’s been my best friend for 30 years and my husband for almost 20. I’m not sure what we or I will do without him.”
Sweetney made his greatest on-court mark in the college game, where the 6-foot-8, 275-pound forward averaged 18.2 points, 9.2 rebounds and 1.9 blocks per game over three seasons at Georgetown. As a junior during the 2002-03 season, he averaged 22.8 points, 10.4 rebounds and 3.2 blocks per game for the Hoyas. His production that season earned him All-American distinction from the Associated Press, the National Association of Basketball Coaches and The Sporting News.
Despite playing only three seasons at Georgetown, he remains ninth on the program’s all-time scoring list and fifth on its all-time rebounding list.
Prayers to the family of Georgetown men’s basketball alum Michael Sweetney.
His size and college accolades made him a prized NBA prospect, with the New York Knicks selecting him with the No. 9 overall pick in the famed 2003 NBA Draft that also included LeBron James, Dwyane Wade, Carmelo Anthony and Chris Bosh. In four NBA seasons — two with the Knicks and two with the Chicago Bulls — he averaged 6.5 points and 4.5 rebounds per game.
He played professionally, primarily in South America and the Caribbean, until 2017.
Heading into his first season with the Knicks, Sweetney struggled with depression, maintaining his playing weight and suicidal thoughts after his father suffered a fatal heart attack in 2003, about a month after Sweetney was drafted.
“I was going through depression,” he said to the New York Post in 2019. “I honestly thought I would never get out of it,” Sweetney said. “When I share the story, as I’m talking, it’s still amazing to me this was going on. As an athlete, pride got in the way. I was fighting myself. I didn’t speak up. I kept it hidden and it became a snowball effect.
“Before my father(’s death), life was great. He came to every game. He was always there. I buried my father like two days before training camp. There was no time to digest it at all. Losing him, then coming to a basketball situation that wasn’t going the way I wanted, I’d never dealt with adversity.”
He remained in basketball after his playing days, serving as an assistant coach at Yeshiva University, a Division III school in Manhattan. With Sweetney on staff, the Maccabees won two conference championships and racked up a 50-game win streak from 2019-21.
“It’s not just about X’s and O’s,” Sweetney said to the Post in 2019. “Sometimes you need to see if a guy is going through something and pick them up. It’s been a great experience. I’m happy here. I’m comfortable here. I’m treated well here. It’s been amazing. To be happy and be at peace, I would’ve been shocked. I wouldn’t have thought it was possible.”
SALT LAKE CITY, UTAH - MARCH 30: James Harden #1 of the Cleveland Cavaliers in action during a game against the Utah Jazz at Delta Center on March 30, 2026 in Salt Lake City, Utah. NOTE TO USER: User expressly acknowledges and agrees that, by downloading and or using this photograph, User is consenting to the terms and conditions of the Getty Images License Agreement. (Photo by Alex Goodlett/Getty Images) | Getty Images
They spent weeks waiting for LeBron James to make a decision, only for the King to choose Philly over returning home. This put Cleveland’s offseason on the brink of disaster. They needed a wing — and with the free agency pool drained, the Cavs had almost nothing to show for it.
James Harden not only paused his contract extension to allow them to keep searching, but also played an active role in recruiting their biggest splash of the summer, Peyton Watson.
“Getting a call or text from [Harden] throughout my process to let me know the Cleveland Cavaliers are interested,” said Watson during his introductory press conference.
“ That matters a lot because obviously he has one of the great basketball minds we’ve ever seen. Being embraced by him immediately was something that was very flattering to me.”
Watson was one of the hottest sign-and-trade candidates on the market this summer. The 6’8” wing had a career-best season shooting the ball and fit the mold of what the Cavs have been missing.
Meanwhile, Harden waited until September to sign an extension that he could have signed in July. This gave Cleveland the financial flexibility to go big game hunting.
More importantly, Harden used his reputation as one of the game’s greatest playmakers to reel in an organizational assist.
“I was super, super blessed to hear from him, and it made me more excited about what my role could be on the team,” said Watson. “It was early on when he had first talked to me… when I got that call and was informed that I was gonna be a Cleveland Cavalier, it just made it mean that much more to me because I knew I was being embraced day one by the team and front office. That just matters.”
Vibes matter. Enthusiasm is what leads to chemistry. Watson is excited about being in Cleveland and building a relationship with Harden. That’s some of the best news that you can hear leading into training camp.
Harden can’t pick up the phone and make the trade himself. But he did everything else in his power to facilitate this deal.
Steph Curry shared his thoughts on the Clippers and owner Steve Ballmer’s punishment for circumventing the NBA’s salary cap.
“I wasn’t surprised,” Curry said. “I think the reason the investigation took as long as it did and the idea that Steve Ballmer, who I’ve gotten to know and is a great guy, is standing by the punishment. So there’s a reason it’s happened the way that it has.
“At the end of the day, Adam Silver had a job to do, and I think the punishment makes sense. And we all move forward.”
Golden State Warriors guard Stephen Curry is seen during an NBA basketball game against the Brooklyn Nets. AP
"I wasn't surprised. … Adam Silver had a job to do, and I think the punishment makes sense, and we all move forward."
Steph Curry on Steve Ballmer and the Clippers being punished for circumventing the NBA's salary cap
The Clippers were stripped of five first-round picks and fined $30 million for their violations. Ballmer faces a yearlong suspension, but after initially disputing the NBA’s findings, he has accepted the league’s punishment.
“This has been a very difficult time for everybody associated with the Clippers, and for that, I have sincere regrets,” Ballmer said in a statement. “I want to apologize to our fans, employees, and my fellow NBA team owners for the distraction and distress this matter has caused, for which I accept responsibility as principal owner.
“We are committing to put this chapter behind us. We have communicated to the NBA that we are complying with the penalties assessed by the league, have paid the fine, and are moving forward.”
As for Kawhi Leonard, he is officially a Raptor after he was given a $700,000 fine for his involvement in the scandal.
Who will run the Clippers’ day-to-day operations while owner/chairman Steve Ballmer is suspended? APKawhi Leonard of the Los Angeles Clippers in action during a game against the Sacramento Kings. Getty Images
Mike Sweetney, a Georgetown star whom the Knicks selected with the No. 9 pick in the 2003 NBA Draft, died at 43 years old.
The news was announced by his wife, India, in a Facebook post Thursday.
“With the heaviest hearts, we are deeply saddened to announce the passing of our beloved Michael,” India wrote. “To know Mike Sweetney was love to him. No one loved him more and he loved no one more than his family. His children were the light of his life, and he lived every day to give them the best life possible. He’s been my best friend for 30 years and my husband for almost 20. I’m not sure what we or I will do without him.”
Mike Sweetney #50 of the New York Knicks slam dunks the ball during the first quarter of a game against the Boston Celtics at Madison Square Garden, Wednesday, March 23, 2005. Charles Wenzelberg/NY Post
No cause of death was announced.
India recently set up a GoFundMe that simply said, “God Bless and thank you,” with a goal of $10,000. “He was the best son, brother, family member, friend, father and husband ANYONE could ask for,” India wrote. “We appreciate every call and text of love and support. We just asked that right now You give us all a little time before you start to reach out because it’s been pretty overwhelming. Thank you and God bless.”
Sweetney, who battled weight issues throughout his NBA career, played two seasons for the Knicks and showed improvement in Year 2, averaging 8.4 points and 5.4 rebounds per game.
Mike Sweetney #50 of the New York Knicks grabs his jersey during a game against the Milwaukee Bucks at Madison Square Garden, Sunday, January 23, 2005. Susan May Tell for NY Post
He was traded that offseason to the Bulls, though, in a deal that brought Eddy Curry and Antonio Davis to New York.
After two seasons in Chicago, Sweetney continued his basketball career overseas.
The Washington native played in China, Puerto Rico and South America before retiring in 2017.
Shaquille O’Neal #32 of the Miami Heat looks for an opening as Mike Sweetney #50 of the New York Knicks plays defense during the first quarter of a game at Madison Square Garden, Tuesday, March 15, 2005. Charles Wenzelberg/NY PostMike Sweetney #50 of the New York Knicks, Jerome Williams #31 of the New York Knicks, and Stephon Marbury #3 of the New York Knicks sit during a game against the Boston Celtics at Madison Square Garden, Wednesday, March 23, 2005. Charles Wenzelberg/NY Post
“The world lost a giant today. I lost a close friend,” Yeshiva head coach Elliot Steinmetz said on X. “The basketball world lost a beloved star. Our Jewish community lost an ally and someone who knew exactly how to show up.
“Mike Sweetney wasn’t just a friend. He was family. When you needed him, he was there. Always. You didn’t even have to ask.”
New York Knicks draft picks, from left, Slavko Vranes, Mike Sweetney and Maciej Lampe pose for photos outside of Madison Square Garden, Wednesday, June 25, 2003. Jim Alcorn for NY PostNew York Knicks 1st round draft pick Mike Sweetney attends a press conference at Madison Square Garden after being introduced to the press, Wednesday, June 25, 2003. Jim Alcorn for NY Post
Sweetney spoke to The Post’s Stefan Bondy in June about conquering his past mental health struggles and anxiety after not living up to the expectations that come with being a top draft pick in New York.
He said the Knicks invited him to three games this past season as they were on their way to the franchise’s first championship in 53 years.
“It means a lot,” Sweetney, who had moved to New Jersey five years ago, said. “I didn’t have the career I could have had. But for them to have me back and welcome me with open arms.”
Former New York Knick Mike Sweetney, center, and assistant coaches for Yeshiva University men’s basketball, Tuesday, Dec. 17, 2019, in New York. Corey Sipkin for NY Post
The world lost a giant today. I lost a close friend. The basketball world lost a beloved star. Our Jewish community lost an ally and someone who knew exactly how to show up.
Mike Sweetney wasn’t just a friend. He was family. When you needed him, he was there. Always. You didn’t… pic.twitter.com/mwRh9UQgjA
NEW ORLEANS, LOUISIANA - DECEMBER 11: Duop Reath #26 of the Portland Trail Blazers drives to the basket during the first half of a game against the New Orleans Pelicans at Smoothie King Center on December 11, 2025 in New Orleans, Louisiana. NOTE TO USER: User expressly acknowledges and agrees that, by downloading and or using this photograph, User is consenting to the terms and conditions of the Getty Images License Agreement. (Photo by Tyler Kaufman/Getty Images) | Getty Images
No sooner did I publish an article saying the Phoenix Suns didn’t need an immediate solution to their center depth following the injury to Mark Williams than the team went out and acquired Duop Reath. Timing, am I right?
On the surface, the addition of Reath appears to provide a stopgap at center while Williams works his way back from his torn labrum. Ultimately, however, that might not be what this is. According to Suns insider Duane Rankin, Reath will join the Suns on a non-guaranteed contract as a training camp invite. So while Phoenix has added another center to the mix, his roster spot is far from guaranteed.
Still on vacation. Still working.
Sources inform @azcentral Duop Reath is a training camp invite for Phoenix Suns, who begin camp Sept. 29.
Mark Williams has shoulder injury that'll sideline him for months.
Haywood Highsmith signing put Suns at 15 players for standard roster.…
I think that makes this a great move by the Suns because it invites healthy competition into the third-string center role. Phoenix already has CJ Huntley on a two-way contract, and he could fill that role if needed. The expectation isn’t for the third center to play 23 minutes a night, after all. It’s to provide depth when necessary, especially when foul trouble presents itself.
Rather than simply hand that role to Huntley, the Suns are bringing in competition. Huntley still has plenty of development ahead of him after missing Summer League with hamstring issues. Reath, meanwhile, is 30 years old and preparing for his fourth NBA season. And that fourth season matters. Reath is still eligible for a two-way contract. So if the Suns like what they see in him but don’t believe he’s done enough to earn a guaranteed roster spot, there is another path available.
A guaranteed spot would likely require Phoenix to move off Jamaree Bouyea, whose contract doesn’t become fully guaranteed until January 10. The Suns still value Bouyea and would like to keep him within the organization, so there’s no reason to force that decision right now. Phoenix also already has all three two-way spots occupied by Koby Brea, Pat Spencer, and CJ Huntley, which puts more pressure on those players to perform as well.
That’s what I like about this acquisition. It creates competition at the back end of the roster. It allows iron to sharpen iron and reinforces the idea that the best man wins. It’s a shrewd move and another example of Brian Gregory thinking ahead rather than waiting until he absolutely has to make a decision.
And while I wrote previously that the Suns didn’t need to make an immediate move at center, I still believe that. They haven’t really made a decision yet. They’ve created competition. Training camp will determine what happens next, and from there, the organization can decide how it wants to move forward.
LOS ANGELES, CALIFORNIA - OCTOBER 21: Jeanie Buss (L) and Mark Walter attend a basketball game between the Los Angeles Lakers and the Golden State Warriors at Crypto.com Arena on October 21, 2025 in Los Angeles, California. NOTE TO USER: User expressly acknowledges and agrees that, by downloading and/or using this Photograph, user is consenting to the terms and conditions of the Getty Images License Agreement. (Photo by Allen Berezovsky/Getty Images) | Getty Images
Earlier this summer, it was announced that Mark Walter, who agreed to buy majority control of the Los Angeles Lakers in June 2025, was under investigation for “allegedly using billions of dollars in policyholder funds from insurance companies he controls to buy sports teams without proper disclosure.” Shortly after that news came to light, Walter agreed to sell the Lakers to Josh Kushner and Bob Iger for $12.5 billion.
At the recent Board of Governors meeting, NBA commissioner Adam Silver told reporters no issues came up when Walter, who already held a minority stake in the Lakers before the June 2025 sale, was vetted as he took over majority ownership of the franchise.
“We went through the full process we all do. We spoke to governmental agencies. We spoke to, in the case of Mark Walter, in the heavily regulated insurance industry,” Silver said. “We spoke to other leagues in which he has investments and we found no red flags. Again, even to this day, these are, call them allegations, there are issues that are now being looked into. But independent of Mark Walter choosing to sell his team right now, he was not being investigated by our league.”
Silver also addressed a question from Pablo Torre about whether billionaires are buying into NBA ownership stakes with an aim to raise their public credibility and standing, given the NBA’s increasingly global popularity. Silver used the inquiry as an opportunity to touch on the league’s vetting process, which he said is taken “very seriously,” and specifically touched on Walter’s case.
Adam Silver, asked by @PabloTorre about concerns that (shady) sponsors and billionaires use the NBA to buy credibility, admits:
“Reporters can do things that traditional investigators can’t. … Even Mark Walter, as we sit here today, I know no more about him than I did when we… pic.twitter.com/wNGQ43OCtu
“A lot of what we do is intensive database searching,” Silver said. “We also take to as many people as we can find and who have knowledge about these people and we do interviews. But beyond that, I will say, we’re always reassessing to see if we can do more.”
Since news of the federal investigation broke, Walter remains an owner of the Los Angeles Dodgers. However, it was announced Wednesday that Clearlake Capital acquired his ownership interest in Chelsea, an English Premier League football club.
Anthony Edwards used the commercial debut for his latest Adidas signature shoe to take playful shots at fellow NBA stars in a hilarious roast for some of his rivals.
The Minnesota Timberwolves star cracked jokes at the expense of LeBron James, Jaylen Brown and even new teammate LaMelo Ball as part of a commercial released on social media on Thursday, Sept. 17. Edwards morphed into the host of a TV show called, "Minnatlantasota," with a DJ behind him, a laugh track for his punch lines and a warning delivered over a smile on his face.
"We old school," Edwards said. "We ain't going to play it safe."
Anthony Edwards jokes about LeBron James, LaMelo Ball in Adidas ad
The 25-year-old took his most direct shots at James, his 2024 Paris Olympics teammate who signed with the Philadelphia 76ers this offseason. The Timberwolves were reported to be one of the teams James considered. Edwards also appeared to reference new 76ers acquisition Jaylen Brown when he teased James about his receding hairline.
"You see where big dog ended up?" Edwards said of James. "He was gonna join me in Minnesota, but I guess his knees couldn't handle the cold weather. It's cool, though. We know why he really made that decision. Philly got some of the best barbers in the world. Between him and ol' boy from Boston, they gonna have a whole lot of enhancements going on in the locker room. I'm just playing, ya'll. No pun intended."
The full ad announcing the arrival of the Anthony Edwards 3 shoe in stores as of Sept. 18 runs more than two minutes. It also features Edwards welcoming Ball as his new backcourt mate while joking about his well-documented driving mishaps.
"I'm excited about my road dog. They brought my twin to the Twin Cities," Edwards said of Ball. "We've been working out together and doing all type of things. But one thing we ain't doing is carpooling if he driving. I ain't riding with him ya'all."
What other NBA players did Anthony Edwards mention?
Edwards included a "shoutout to my boy for winning the chip," a comment that appeared to be in reference to former Timberwolves teammate Karl-Anthony Towns. Edwards set career highs in points per game (28.8) and shot a career best 48.9% from the field and 39.9% from 3-point range last season and promised viewers in the ad, "I'm gonna be there soon, ya'll. Just wait on it."
"Everybody and they mama been asking me, 'Ant, what's the mindset this season?' It's simple, ya'll. The cage is open, and the dog is unleashed," Edwards said before displaying the Anthony Edwards 3 shoe to the audience.
"We ain't playing fair this year," Edwards said. "If you on the court against me, anybody could get it. Even your daddy. I don't care if he your assistant coach."
The commercial concludes with one more bit of intrigue that appeared to be a vehicle to fuel the Anthony Edwards 3 ad campaign moving forward once the 2026-27 NBA season begins in October.
"When I lace these up, it's over for all ya'll. Especially you know who," Edwards said as the camera did a close-up on his face.
The commercial closes without revealing who Edwards was talking about, and fans in the social media replies have already started to speculate about the mystery target.
PHILADELPHIA, PENNSYLVANIA - APRIL 24: Vj Edgecombe #77 of the Philadelphia 76ers celebrates with Justin Edwards #11 against the Boston Celtics during game three of the Eastern Conference first round playoffs at Xfinity Mobile Arena on April 24, 2026 in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania. The Celtics defeated the 76ers 108-100. NOTE TO USER: User expressly acknowledges and agrees that, by downloading and or using this photograph, User is consenting to the terms and conditions of the Getty Images License Agreement. (Photo by Mitchell Leff/Getty Images) | Getty Images
Whether he knew it or not, that shooting performance would propel him to a two-way deal with the Sixers later that season, and eventually a three-year contract extension following his rookie campaign in 2025.
A hometown kid, Edwards grew up in Philadelphia and attended Imhotep Charter School, where they won the city championship when he was a sophomore. As a junior, he led them to a class 5A state championship.
As a Sixer, Edwards has seen inconsistent minutes, especially last season, but his shooting, size and length make him a valuable bench piece for the new-look team.
With the top seven roster spots practically secured, Edwards finds himself in a tier with Dominick Barlow of holdover role players who will be competing for end-of-rotation minutes.
Edwards shot 37% from deep last season, a notch above his rookie-year mark, and will need to duplicate or improve that efficiency if he wants to continue being a vital piece for the team.
His perimeter defense has been steady, but a jump as an interior defender and rebounder could go a long way for this version of the Sixers who will presumably be searching for frontcourt help on the glass wherever they can get it. Edwards rebounding average fell over 50% from his rookie year (3.4 rpg) to last season (1.5 rpg). An uptick will be crucial if Edwards wants consistent minutes from Nick Nurse this season.
The undrafted Kentucky product has displayed an ability to finish at the rim, but an offseason bulking up and getting stronger could make him intriguing as an off-ball option off the bench. I am watching to see how strong he goes to the rim amidst taller defenders. If he can show a confidence and ability to fight through contact, as well as make an impact on the glass, there is a potential we see him play some power forward and help ease the load on guys like LeBron James and Dean Wade.
After a down year, it is very intriguing to see if Edwards can play his way into a consistent role for Nurse with the new additions. On paper, he should fit in easily off-ball and create the play that is available to him. An improvement cutting from the arc to the paint could be crucial, as the Sixers are equipped with great passers who can also draw multiple defenders themselves.
Edwards has seen the hype around him come back to earth after being named the top recruit in the nation by ESPN in 2023. But he has all the tools and measurables to stick in the NBA, and a chance to be a crucial piece to the Mike Gansey experiment happening on the South Philadelphia hardwood.
BROOKLYN, NEW YORK - SEPTEMBER 12: Julius Randle signs memorabilia for a fans during the Brooklyn Nets Back To School clinic on September 12, 2026 at The Brooklyn Basketball Training Center in Brooklyn, New York. NOTE TO USER: User expressly acknowledges and agrees that, by downloading and or using this photograph, User is consenting to the terms and conditions of the Getty Images License Agreement. Mandatory Copyright Notice: Copyright 2026 NBAE (Photo by Avery J. Munroe/NBAE via Getty Images) | NBAE via Getty Images
As we’ve written recently, we don’t put a lot of stock in off-season rankings and ratings, particularly those posted so close to Opening Night. After all, the real measure of a team’s off-season moves — wins and losses — are so close at hand. We’ll know soon enough exactly where things stand and said rankings and ratings will be forgotten.
Still, there have been some predictions of late that while not changing the overall belief that the Nets will be bad, they represent a bit of pundit pull-back, particularly in ESPN’s latest rankings of team futures. It was only a few weeks ago that the worldwide leader predicted 18 wins, which would be two less than last season’s tankathon and the third worst in the franchise’s history.
On Wednesday, an ESPN insiders’ panel released its rankings of NBA futures … where each team will be in three years time. The Nets ranked 24th, up from 27th last year. Progress?
The bottom line, written by Zach Kram, described the Nets outlook this way:
[T]he Nets rank near the top of both the draft and money categories. But beyond the frontcourt pairing of Michael Porter Jr. and new Net Julius Randle, this is still a roster devoid of win-now talent, as Brooklyn is still primarily focused on the development of a half-dozen recent first-round picks. That timeline means it’s hard to expect too many wins from this team in the near term.
Dean Oliver, an ESPN consultant, suggested that history is not on the Nets side.
The Nets are top five in both money and draft for the third straight season but bottom five in players. Usually, teams in that situation are two years away from being about average or better. But given Brooklyn’s low win predictions for this season, the franchise might have actually been two years away from being two years away back in 2024.
The big long term prediction by Oliver also stings:
Nets will get bored of rebuilding and make an all-in play for a superstar during one of the next two summers. This is just the natural life cycle for Brooklyn, which sold the farm for Kevin Garnett and Paul Pierce in 2013 and landed Kevin Durant and Kyrie Irving in 2019.
The rankings take into account teams’ current roster, management, draft, money and market. (Oddly and without much explanation, the panel dropped Brooklyn as a market from No. 7 to No. 11. A function of the Knicks’ championship?)
A great deal of the season preview focuses on the acquisition of Randle in what is generally seen as a salary dump. Kram sees the arrival of Randle as a short-term positive but nothing more.
Their largest outlay came from trading Claxton in a deal that brought back former All-NBA forward Randle, which should improve the team next season — because of Randle’s availability and floor-raising talent — but doesn’t do much to aid the Nets’ murky longer-term outlook.
Golliver offers a similar take.
Although Brooklyn acquired Randle in a deal with the Minnesota Timberwolves, the 31-year-old forward isn’t talented enough to carry a contender or young enough to shepherd the Nets’ next era. Randle should help Brooklyn make progress in the standings, but plugging him in as a stopgap doesn’t qualify as a long-term plan.
However, Oliver raises some flags even for this season, citing analytics, his specialty.
Randle’s decline in the second half of last season was plain to see. He posted plus-2.2 net points per 100 possessions in the first half of the season, just 0.0 in the second half, along with 10 negative games out of 13 in the playoffs. Such a sudden drop-off was probably either due to injury or the situation in Minnesota demotivating him. However, he should be solid and make the Nets a bit more competitive this season.
Injury? Randle did play 79 games.
Surprisingly, there’s little in the season preview about either Egor Demin or Mikel Brown Jr. which considering their age (20) and likely big role is a bit mystifying. Meanwhile, over at the mother ship, SB Nation, Ricky O’Donnell offers positives about both lottery picks and the man who will coach them, Jordi Fernandez
His assessment is in large part based on confidence in Fernandez.
I trust the Nets to beat their very low expectations coming into the season … provided they don’t trade Michael Porter Jr. before opening night. Porter enjoyed a career-year under Jordi Fernandez in Brooklyn last season one year after Cam Johnson enjoyed similar success.
Fernandez is one of the best young coaches in the game, and he has a little more talent to work with this season with the arrival of Julius Randle. Add in a potential sophomore leap from Egor Demin, a possible center upgrade with Day’ron Sharpe taking over for Nic Claxton, and the arrival of rookie guard Mikel Brown Jr., and I like Brooklyn more than the early prognostications. Fernandez will get the most out of this group as long as it doesn’t sell off parts.
Again, we will know in a little more than a month how the pundits’ views turn out. Not to mention the players own views. Ben Saraf is on the record as saying he and his teammates expect to make the playoffs and Porter Jr. thinks 50 is good round number.
LeBron James speaks onstage during the Mind the Game panel at Fanatics Fest NYC 2026. Getty Images for Fanatics
Edwards hasn’t forgotten about the Minnesota snub and went all in on roasting James in a new Adidas commercial promoting his third signature sneaker.
“Speaking of old school, you see where big dog ended up? He was gon’ join me in Minnesota. But I guess his knees couldn’t handle the cold weather,” Edwards said.
“It’s cool though. We know why he really made that decision.
“Philly got some of the best barbers in the world. Between him and ol’ boy from Boston, they gonna have a whole lotta enhancements going on in the locker room.”
Welcome to Minnatlantasota. The Cold Blooded Anthony Edwards 3 drops tomorrow.
The biggest news of the NBA offseason was where James would finish his career. Miami and Cleveland appeared to make the most sense on the outside looking in.
But teams like the Timberwolves and 76ers presented a new opportunity for the NBA’s all-time leading scorer. One thing was clear, James would not don the purple and gold for the 2026-27 season.
The veteran informed the Lakers he would not return for a ninth consecutive season at the end of June, kickstarting the free agency saga of the summer. While James didn’t end up teaming up with Edwards, it appears the two have kept things lighthearted ahead of the upcoming season.
Anthony Edwards roasts multiple NBA players in his latest Adidas commercial. Adidas HoopsAnthony Edwards’ third signature sneaker with Adidas is set to be released. Adidas Hoops
Center Adem Bona has picked up an injury late in the offseason, the Sixers announced Thursday.
An MRI confirmed that Bona has “suffered a left foot sprain,” the team said in a statement. He’s “expected to be re-evaluated at the start of training camp.”
Bona made 71 regular-season appearances last year in his second NBA season and averaged 4.8 points, 4.3 rebounds and 1.2 blocks in 17.4 minutes per game.
