Category: Basketball

The Golden State Warriors can finally take a moment to breathe.

After Steph Curry left Sunday’s open practice early due to an ankle injury, head coach Steve Kerr said on Monday that Curry is fine and he expects him to play in their season opener on Wednesday night, against the Los Angeles Lakers.

“He’s fine. Yeah, he practiced full today,” Kerr said to Kendzo Fukuda of Clutch Points.

The potential loss of Curry came after he was seen gingerly limping off the court with a non-contact injury during an open practice at the Chase Center.

Kerr said that initially, it gave him a bit of a scare seeing Curry exit early, but after he went and checked on him in the training room, he knew everything was okay.

“He told me immediately that he was fine,” Kerr said.

Last season, Curry appeared in only 43 games for Golden State after missing an extensive amount of time due to runner’s knee.

When he was on the court, the Warriors were 24-19. When he wasn’t, they were 13-26.

Last season, Curry averaged 26.6 points, while having a 46.8 shooting percentage from the field and 39.3% from downtown.

When he wasn’t scoring points, Curry was also averaging 3.6 rebounds, 4.7 assists, and 1.1 steals while playing an average of 30.9 minutes per game.

Last month, Curry and the Warriors agreed to a two-year $116 million contract extension that includes a player option after the 2028-2029 season.

While the NBA season has yet to start, Golden State is already being impacted by injuries.

Both Jimmy Butler and Kristaps Porzingis won’t be available for the season opener as Butler is returning from a torn ACL and is expected to return to action around late January or early February next year.

Porzingis’ timeline is currently unknown, as he’s out indefinitely.

Kerr said that while his center is out, he won’t be traveling with the team and that he wanted to give him space so that he can focus on the rest of the team.

Once a draft steal for the Lakers, Dalton Knecht’s drastic fall has bottomed out.

On Monday, the Lakers made official a move many had speculated this preseason in waiving Knecht, bringing their roster to 15 players.

Prior to Friday’s preseason finale for LA, head coach JJ Redick spoke about Knecht’s situation and what changed from his rookie year to this season.

“I think the biggest thing is the team changed,” Redick said. “The team changed. The needs changed. The fit changed. I think he got better as a player over the last two years. I think each guy has, particularly last year, each guy got plenty of opportunities with the amount of injuries we had. I just think, coming into this year, we got a lot of wings and he’s in a tough spot right now.”

For a brief moment in his rookie career, Knecht looked not only like a diamond in the rough but also a potential Rookie of the Year. But as fast as he burst onto the scene, he faded into the background.

The lasting memory of his tenure in LA will be the failed trade for Mark Williams. After the team acquired Luka Dončić, they immediately moved to bring in a lob-catching center, sending Knecht in a trade package to the Hornets.

That trade, though, was rescinded days later after the deadline. Although he was already on a downward trajectory before then, that moment seemed to seal his fate.

He was given various opportunities throughout his remaining time with the team, but was never able to make an impression. Much of that was due to his continued defensive shortcomings with little progress made on that end of the floor throughout his time in the league.

Coming into training camp, the Lakers had 16 guaranteed contracts with only 15 players allowed on a roster, meaning there was a competition for the final spot. Knecht’s lack of presence throughout the preseason, whether that be in quotes from head coach JJ Redick or actual playing time, showed where he stood.

The limited time he did get on the court offered little reason for optimism. He didn’t make much of an argument to keep him on the roster, bringing us to this decision.

The Lakers now are at 15 players on the roster.

You can follow Jacob on Twitter at @JacobRude or on Bluesky at @jacobrude.bsky.social.

After months of anticipation, the Lakers finally made the necessary move to become compliant with the league’s roster rules. 

The team waived Dalton Knecht on Monday ahead of the league’s 2 p.m. deadline to trim their roster from 16 to 15 players signed to standard contracts. 

The Lakers have been needing to trim their roster since signing Matisse Thybulle to a veteran’s minimum contract in late July.

When asked after the team’s practice on Monday whether a decision had been made, coach JJ Redick responded, “those decisions will be made at 2 [p.m.].”

After nearly three months of deliberation, and less than a couple of hours after Redick spoke with reporters, the Lakers decided to part ways with the third-year wing whose role with the team has diminished over the last couple of years. 

Knecht and third-year guard Bronny James were excused from Monday’s practice.

The franchise selected Knecht with the No. 17 pick in the 2024, with the former Tennessee Volunteer making a big splash early on as a rookie.   

He was in the rotation from the start of the 2024-25 season, stepping into the starting lineup in mid-November amid injuries — which produced the best stretch of his brief NBA career: Knecht averaged 18.9 points and 4.9 rebounds in the final nine games of November 2024 (nine starts). 

Even when he hit a shooting slump in January and December, the 6-foot-5 wing was still getting consistent playing time as a part of the rotation. 

It looked like Knecht was going to come out of the slump after scoring 14 points on 6-of-9 shooting in the Lakers’ win over the Clippers on Feb. 4, 2025. 

But his career hasn’t been the same since. 

The Lakers included him in the trade for Mark Williams that was rescinded, and Knecht’s playing time for the Lakers wasn’t the same after he returned to the team. 

That was still true during his second season with the Lakers in 2025-26: He played 553 total minutes during the regular season across 54 games after recording 1,494 minutes in 78 regular-season games as a rookie. 

“The biggest thing is the team changed,” coach JJ Redick said last week when asked where things went wrong for Knecht. “The team changed. The needs changed, the fit changed. I think he got better as a player over the last two years. I think each guy has, particularly last year, each guy got plenty of opportunities with the amount of injuries we had. So I just think coming into this year, we added a lot of wings and he’s in a tough spot right now.”

Knecht averaged just 2.8 points (11.8 minutes per game) in four of the Lakers’ five preseason games.

As rumors swirl about their pending roster crunch, the Lakers were without two players during Monday’s practice. 

Third-year wing Dalton Knecht and third-year guard Bronny James were excused from the session, according to Lakers coach JJ Redick. 

The Lakers have until 2 p.m. to trim their roster from 16 players signed to standard NBA deals to the maximum of 15 today. 

Redick said the Lakers had a couple of players who were “under the weather” before adding that James and Knecht were excused from practice. 

Redick added that the Lakers hadn’t made a decision about their roster crunch as of the time of post-practice media availability.

“Those decisions will be made at 2 [p.m.],” Redick added.

Knecht’s name has swirled in Lakers’ roster crunch rumors for the last several weeks.

And, as of an hour ago and after nearly three months of deliberation, the team decided to part ways with the third-year wing whose role has diminished over the last couple of weeks. 

The No. 17 pick in the 2024 draft, the former Tennessee Volunteer made a big splash early on as a rookie with the Lakers before his role with the team lessened.

He was in the rotation from the start of the 2024–25 season, stepping into the starting lineup in mid-November amid injuries — which produced the best stretch of his brief NBA career: Knecht averaged 18.9 points and 4.9 rebounds in the final nine games of November 2024 with nine starts.

Even when he hit a shooting slump in January and December, the 6-foot-5 wing was still getting consistent playing time as part of the rotation. It looked like Knecht was going to come out of the slump after scoring 14 points on 6-of-9 shooting in the Lakers’ win over the Clippers on Feb. 4, 2025. 

But his career hasn’t been the same since. 

The Lakers included him in the trade for Mark Williams that was rescinded, and Knecht’s playing time for the Lakers wasn’t the same after he returned to the team. 

That was still true during his second season with the Lakers in 2025–26: He played 553 total minutes during the regular season across 54 games after recording 1,494 minutes in 78 regular-season games as a rookie. 

“The biggest thing is the team changed,” coach JJ Redick said last week when asked where things went wrong for Knecht. “The team changed. The needs changed, the fit changed. I think he got better as a player over the last two years.”

He continued, :I think each guy has, particularly last year, each guy got plenty of opportunities with the amount of injuries we had. So I just think coming into this year, we added a lot of wings and he’s in a tough spot right now.”

Knecht averaged just 2.8 points (11.8 minutes per game) in four of the Lakers’ five preseason games.

James, the oldest son of former Lakers superstar LeBron James, has struggled during the preseason after taking significant strides in his development to close out last season. He’s averaged just 2.2 points on 25% shooting in the Lakers’ five preseason games.

Download The California Post App, follow us on social, and subscribe to our newsletters

In his latest Stein Line newsletter, Marc Stein reported that the Knicks “did not shop reserve guard Tyler Kolek to try to make roster room for Bruce Brown.”

According to Stein, only a trade for a center would have pried Kolek from New York’s bench.

Prior to the recent release of the veteran Brown on October 17, there were reports that the team was shopping both Pacome Dadiet and Kolek. Of the two, we assumed there would be more interest in Kolek, who is the more polished player. The third-year, third-string point guard might be a little old for a development project (he’ll turn 26 in March), but he logged one triple-double last season and was key in a 114–113 win over Indiana, posting 16 points and 11 assists.

Dadiet and Kolek appear set to be in uniform for opening night—as will James Wiseman, who beat out Brown and a few others for the 14th roster spot. To stay below the second apron, the Knicks are carrying only 14 players into the season. Signing Wiseman allowed the them to add another center without sacrificing Kolek.

Coach Mike Brown is reported to be a fan of Wiseman and was an assistant coach on the Warriors when they drafted the 6’11” center in 2020. Stein quoted Brown as saying, “[Karl-Anthony Towns is] not athletic like that and Andre [Drummond] was once that—he still has some of it… [Wiseman’s] vertical threat at the rim, the vertical threat defensively, how good he runs, you welcome that at his size and age and athleticism.”

Coincidentally, Wiseman will also turn 26 in March, four days after Kolek.

Go Knicks.

After practice Monday, Knicks coach Mike Brown, as well as guards Jalen Brunsonand Landry Shamet, spoke about what it means to turn the page on their championship berth and enter a new campaign with largely the same group.

Turning the page on a title

The Knicks will kick off their 2026-27 campaign with one last celebration of their historic NBA title: a ring presentation and banner raising ceremony hosted at MSG ahead of their season opener against the Philadelphia 76ers Tuesday night. 

As fun as it's been to revel in their success the last few months, much of the team is already trying to move forward.

"Every year, it's a new year to attack something,"Brunsonsaid. "When people say we're defending the title — I mean, that's one way to look at it, but it's something we won. We've put in our past, and now we're just trying to attack another."

Shamet added that although fans across New York City are still riding the high of the championship, once the new season starts, everyone will be more focused what lies ahead.

"I think the fascinating part about sports is that starting tomorrow, no one cares [about the championship],"Shametadded. "After the ceremony's over, it's 0-0. We're a competitive bunch, and by no means is anybody expecting to just coast or anything like that. That's definitely not the tone of our group."

Between the ring presentation, the roar of the home crowd, and the excitement of a new season, having a ceremony immediately before the opener against Philly could be distracting. But Brown said he trusts his players to compartmentalize.

"It's hard, because they're human, and there's a part of you that wants to keep celebrating, but we've got to turn it off," he said. "The challenge is to try to get them enjoy the moment, but not fully. You have to try to supress all that early, before the ceremony, so that you can quickly get not just your body, but your mind and your emotions into the task in front of you."

The hard part, Shamet said, is to not get so wrapped up in what they've already accomplished that they become cocky or complacent. 

"I think that's maybe some of the challenge that I've read about and seen in the past that championship teams have," Shamet added. "How do you take the high in the celebration at the beginning of the game, and still go out and perform, play the brand of basketball that you'd want to play?" 

Jalen Brunson on Knicks fans seeing a new banner raised tomorrow night: "They deserve it. This is something that's been brewing for a long time...to share this moment with them is definitely going to be special." https://t.co/IlRiUGpGil

— SNY Knicks (@sny_knicks) October 19, 2026

Shamet grateful for another year in New York

For the first time in his eight-year career, Shamet is spending a third-straight season with the same team. 

After splitting his freshman season between the 76ers and the Clippers, he floated from the Nets, to the Suns, to the Wizards, until finally landing in the Knicks organization in 2024. He then dislocated his shoulder, got waived by the Knicks, spent a few months recovering, and worked his way from New York's' G-League affiliate back onto the major league bench.

Shamet ended up a crucial piece of the Knicks bench late in the playoffs, shooting 55.6 percent and 41.7 percent from the field in Games 1 and 2 of the Finals, respectively. In June, he inked a four-year deal with the team worth $24 million, marking Shamet's first long-term commitment with a team.

"It's not lost on me. I feel like I try and do a good job of not taking much for granted," Shamet said of his tenure with the Knicks. "[I've] never spent three consecutive training camps with the same organization, so feels really good ... to be here and have a familiar group and feel comfortable and confident with the people I'm around. I feel like they feel the same way about me, so I don't take that for granted at all."

He's one of several key players the Knicks were able to retain in the offseason — a fact that should give them a boost against many of their Eastern Conference rivals, whose rosters saw major shakeups over the summer: Boston got Paul George and former Knick Mitchell Robinson, Philadelphia added LeBron James and Jaylen Brown, Toronto welcomed Kawhi Leonard back after seven years away from the team, and Miami acquired Giannis Antetokounmpo after a lengthy trade battle with Boston.

While those teams spend the early months of the season working out the kinks that come with a roster rebrand, the Knicks are hoping to lean on their well-established system to get ahead early.

"[It's] very valuable," Brunson said of returning so many key players. "For us to come back, it's good to have our chemistry continue to grow, understanding that we've done it, but are we still hungry, are we still satisfied? Do we continue to get better every single day, or are we just content? That's our big question that's going to be answered within the first couple weeks of the season. However we answer it, we're going to attack it and get better every single day after that."

New York Post may be compensated and/or receive an affiliate commission if you click or buy through our links. Featured pricing is subject to change.

The King is about to meet the champs.

On Tuesday, Oct. 20, LeBron James will play his first regular season game as a Philadelphia 76er (along with fellow splashy acquisition Jaylen Brown) when his new-look club visits Madison Square Garden to take on Jalen Brunson’s defending champion New York Knicks.

This won’t be just a high-profile opening night game, though.

Prior to tip-off, Mike Brown’s squad is celebrating their 2025-26 Finals victory over the San Antonio Spurs with a pregame ceremony where a) players and coaches will receive championship rings, b) the championship banner will be risen to the rafters and c) a special video looking back at the team’s first title in 53 years will play.

“It’s gonna be a great night,” Brunson smiled.

If you’d like to be there for the momentous occasion, last-minute tickets are still available.

At the time of publication, the lowest price we could find on seats for opening night was $1,063 including fees on StubHub.

While not exactly cheap — this is reportedly the most expensive regular season game in NBA history after all — ticket prices have dropped over the past week. When our team last reported on how much it cost to get in to this contest on Oct. 14, prices started at $1,149 including fees on Vivid Seats.

In the off chance you don’t have a calculator on hand, they’re now $86 less than they were five days ago.

And, prices may continue to drop leading to tip-off. We recommend refreshing this link to see if any surprise deals pop up.

Still too rich for your blood?

That’s OK. Other Knicks home games at MSG have tickets going for as low as $178 including fees on Vivid Seats (that’s actually for the Oct. 25 showdown with the Magic at the Garden).

For more information, our team has everything you need to know and more about the Knicks’ 2026-27 MSG home opener against the 76ers below.

How much are tickets for the Knicks opening night game against the 76ers?

A complete breakdown of all the best prices on seats by section at Madison Square Garden for the Oct. 20 Knicks vs. 76ers game are listed here:

What do tickets cost for the Knicks’ other 2026-27 home games at MSG?

All Knicks home game dates, opponents, start times and links to the cheapest tickets available are listed below.

October 2026 regular season games at MSG

November 2026 regular season games at MSG

*Games listed as “NBA Cup Game” are part of the NBA in-season tournament.

December 2026 regular season games at MSG

January 2027 regular season games at MSG

February 2027 regular season games at MSG

March 2027 regular season games at MSG

April 2027 regular season games at MSG

Where are the Knicks playing on the road in 2026-27?

Here’s where you can find Brunson, Towns and the team when they’re not at MSG from October 2026 through April 2027.

How can I watch the Knicks on TV in 2026-27?

There are a number of options for fans who prefer to watch games from the comfort of their own home.

MSG Network, ABC, ESPN, NBC, Amazon Prime Video and NBA TV are likely your best bets.

For cord cutters, we recommend looking into Fubo, Hulu + Live TV, Sling or YouTube TV.

Just make sure to check local listings before tuning in.

Huge shows at MSG in 2026-27

Want to catch a show at the Big Apple’s one-of-a-kind entertainment epicenter?

Here are just five of the biggest acts headed to the Garden these next few months.

• Dave Chappelle (Nov. 6-7)

• Dave Matthews Band (Nov. 12-13)

• Stevie Wonder (Nov. 19)

• Doja Cat with Latto (Dec. 1)

• Andrea Bocelli (Dec. 16-17)

Who else is headed to the Garden? Take a look at this list of all the biggest events at MSG these next few months to find the show or game for you.

Why you should trust ‘Post Wanted’ by the New York Post

This article was written by Matt Levy, New York Post live events reporter. Levy stays up-to-date on all the latest tour announcements from your favorite musical artists and comedians, as well as Broadway openings, sporting events and more live shows – and finds great ticket prices online. Since he started his tenure at the Post in 2022, Levy has reviewed a Bruce Springsteen concert and interviewed Melissa Villaseñor of SNL fame, to name a few. Please note that deals can expire, and all prices are subject to change.

DETROIT — The Celtics will be at near-full strength when they face the Detroit Pistons for their first game of the year on Tuesday at 3pm ET.

The only exception is Devin Carter, who is listed as out with an illness. Carter, who signed a two-way contract with the Celtics on Sunday after beginning the year on an Exhibit 10 contract, was diagnosed with mononucleosis and could miss several weeks.

The rest of the roster is good to go. In the two preseason games in which the Celtics were at full strength, they started Derrick White, Jordan Walsh, Jayson Tatum, Paul George and Mitchell Robinson, though it remains to be seen if that will be their go-to starting lineup when the regular season begins.

The Celtics went 4-0 in preseason, racking up two wins against the Philadelphia 76ers, a win against the Cleveland Cavaliers, and a win against the Charlotte Hornets.

The Celtics face the reigning No. 1 seed in the season opener

The Celtics went 1-3 against the Pistons during the regular season last year. The Pistons finished the season with the Eastern Conference’s best record at 60-22; the Celtics’ finished with the second-best record at 56-26. Detroit’s season ended at the hands of the Cleveland Cavaliers in the Eastern Conference Semi-Finals.

This Pistons team is different than the one that dominated last year’s regular season; they lost two key rotation pieces in Tobias Harris, who left in free agency to join the San Antonion Spurs, and Isaiah Stewart, who was traded to the Memphis Grizzlies.

Their biggest additions are forward John Collins, who they acquired via trade from the Los Angeles Clippers, and Isaiah Joe, who they acquired via trade from the Oklahoma City Thunder.

The Pistons, who went 3-1 in the preseason, are expected to start Cade Cunningham, Duncan Robinson, Ausar Thompson, John Collins and Jalen Duren when the two teams face off on Tuesday.

With direct access to Lakers memorabilia, the franchise’s global fan base and eBay’s live-commerce infrastructure, Goldin is drawing on decades of auction expertise to bring sports history to mainstream fans and established collectors alike.

Magic Johnson signed his name three times across a purple Los Angeles Lakers jersey before Ken Goldin brought it to auction.

The five-time NBA champion was among the Lakers legends participating in an invitation-only gathering at a private residence in West Hollywood on October 13. Public figures, private collectors, athletes, and industry figures, including Rob Veres of Burbank Sports Cards and members of the Trove Media team, gathered for an evening of live signings, historical memorabilia and auctions streamed through eBay Live.

 

View this post on Instagram

 

A post shared by SOMOS Index I Sports Culture & Memorabilia (@somos.index)

Johnson’s signed jersey was auctioned, with proceeds benefiting the Magic Johnson Foundation. Lakers legends Kurt Rambis and Derek Fisher also participated in the evening, while Goldin presented an assortment of collectibles spanning generations of Lakers history.

Elsewhere in the residence, a Wilt Chamberlain jersey photo-matched to Game 3 of the 1972 NBA Finals stood alongside a Magic Johnson jersey worn during his 1989–90 MVP season. Kobe Bryant’s twice-signed Nike Air Zoom Huarache 2K4 sneakers, worn during his 42-point playoff performance against the San Antonio Spurs in 2004, were also on display. Five championship rings belonging to longtime Lakers public-address announcer Lawrence Tanter represented the franchise’s championship runs from 2000 to 2002 and 2009 to 2010.

The evening marked the first major activation of Goldin’s multiyear partnership with the Lakers, announced in July, which named the eBay-owned company the franchise’s official auction house sponsor. Beginning October 28, Goldin will introduce weekly Wednesday auctions on eBay Live, bringing together historical memorabilia and equipment used during the current NBA season.

For Ken Goldin, the choice of partner was deliberate.

“Look, for me, I wanted to start at the top,” Goldin told Sam Goodman, Mantel contributor and founder of SOMOS Index, pointing to the Lakers’ championship history, international recognition and generations of culturally significant players.

The agreement represents more than an opportunity to sell memorabilia associated with one of basketball’s most recognizable franchises. It connects Goldin directly with the organization producing and preserving those objects, while opening access to the global audience that gives them cultural and commercial significance.

The Goldin Advantage

Auction houses have traditionally relied on private collectors, dealers and consignors to bring valuable memorabilia to market. A historically significant jersey might remain in a personal collection for decades before its owner decides to sell.

Goldin’s Lakers partnership introduces a different approach, establishing a direct relationship with the franchise rather than depending exclusively on owners bringing memorabilia to auction.

“How does working with professional sports organizations change your approach to sourcing inventory?” Goodman asked.

“For us, it gives us a guaranteed supply without competition,” Goldin responded.

The agreement gives Goldin access to selected memorabilia from the Lakers’ historical archives alongside contemporary game-used equipment, including jerseys, basketballs and nets. Rather than competing for those objects once they enter private collections, the auction house can source them through the organization itself.

That relationship is particularly important in a market where an object’s value depends not only on who used it, but also on the ability to establish its history.

“To us, provenance and authenticity is the number one thing,” Goldin explained. “Is it real? Is it authentic? We are getting it from the source.”

Acquiring memorabilia directly from the franchise provides a clearer chain of custody, connecting an item’s documented use to its eventual sale. For collectors, that provenance can be as important as the athlete or performance associated with it.

Direct sourcing also changes how quickly memorabilia can reach the market.

Goldin described how equipment associated with a significant performance could potentially reach auction as soon as the following day, rather than spending years circulating through private collections. The same relationship could allow collectors to pursue objects before their significance has even been established.

He outlined plans for a service allowing fans to arrange the purchase of game-worn memorabilia before an upcoming matchup. A collector, for example, could request an Austin Reaves jersey without knowing whether the player will deliver an ordinary performance or a career-defining night.

The distinction is significant. Historically, collectors have often pursued memorabilia after an athlete or moment has become important. Goldin’s approach could allow them to acquire objects tied to moments whose place in sports history has yet to be determined.

For an auction house built around bringing desirable collectibles to market, the Lakers relationship provides a closer connection to the athletes, games and organizations responsible for creating them.

The Power of the Purple and Gold

The Lakers offer Goldin something beyond a collection of historic jerseys and game-used equipment.

Few professional sports franchises have a cultural identity as recognizable as the Lakers. From Magic Johnson and Kobe Bryant to LeBron James and Luka Dončić, the team’s history extends across generations of basketball, entertainment and popular culture.

That recognition also gives Goldin access to an audience far larger than the established sports memorabilia market.

“Part of our deal is that this is going to be promoted to the millions of fans that are in the Lakers database and maybe not in my auction database,” Goldin explained.

For an auction house accustomed to reaching customers through collectors, dealers and existing marketplace participants, the franchise relationship creates another path to potential buyers.

A lifelong Lakers fan may have attended games, purchased jerseys and followed the team’s biggest moments without ever participating in a memorabilia auction. Through the partnership, that same fan could encounter an opportunity to own an object directly connected to a favorite player or memorable performance.

Goldin has previously used entertainment to introduce collecting to audiences outside the traditional hobby.

Why Season 3 of Netflix’s King of Collectibles: The Goldin Touch, is Ken Goldin’s Biggest Statement Yet

Netflix’s King of Collectibles: The Goldin Touch, which premiered in 2023, brought viewers inside the auction house, following the personalities, historic objects and competitive transactions that define its business.

The Lakers partnership approaches audience development from another direction.

Where Netflix introduced collecting through entertainment, the franchise relationship allows Goldin to reach potential customers through their existing attachment to a team and its players. Rather than asking viewers to become interested in collectibles generally, Goldin can introduce memorabilia connected to athletes and moments they already care about.

The inventory itself is intended to serve a broader range of buyers.

 

View this post on Instagram

 

A post shared by gigi michelle (@gigimichellee)

“We’re going to have something for everybody and we’re going to have something from every player,” Goldin said.

Alongside premium game-worn jerseys and historically significant artifacts, Goldin plans to offer more accessible collectibles and unusual objects connected to players throughout the roster. Potential offerings include media-day jerseys, game-used basketballs, locker-room nameplates and equipment associated with the franchise.

For established collectors, that creates another source of rare and historically significant memorabilia. For Lakers fans unfamiliar with auctions, it introduces collecting through a relationship they already have with the team.

Exposure to the Lakers’ global audience does not guarantee that those fans will become collectors. But it gives Goldin a direct channel to potential customers beyond the people who already participate in its auctions, expanding the audience for the memorabilia the partnership brings to market.

Beyond the Auction Block

Ken Goldin’s experience with live selling dates back decades. Long before the rise of livestream shopping, he sold sports memorabilia to television audiences through QVC and the Home Shopping Network.

In 2024, eBay acquired Goldin, connecting its established auction business with a global marketplace and digital commerce infrastructure.

The Lakers partnership brings those capabilities together with something traditional auction houses cannot always count on: a continuing source of memorabilia tied to a franchise whose history is still being written.

Beginning October 28, Goldin will introduce weekly Wednesday Lakers auctions through Goldin on eBay Live, offering historical collectibles alongside contemporary game-used equipment throughout the NBA season.

 

View this post on Instagram

 

A post shared by Goldin (@goldinco)

“We’re doing so much more than an auction; we’re creating a real show each week that is entertaining, fast-paced, and interactive,” Goldin said in the company’s October announcement.

For an auction business historically organized around consignments and scheduled sales, recurring programming introduces a different rhythm.

Rather than waiting for individual collections to become available, Goldin can organize regular auctions around memorabilia sourced through the franchise. The NBA season provides a natural calendar, with each game creating the possibility of another significant performance, while the Lakers’ archives offer decades of material beyond the current roster.

The October 13 activation offered an early example of how those elements could work together.

 

View this post on Instagram

 

A post shared by ROMY MARIE 🫶🏼 (@romyybae)

Magic Johnson’s live jersey signing placed one of basketball’s most recognizable figures directly into the presentation of an object associated with his career. Ken Goldin brought the jersey to auction, while eBay Live extended participation beyond the collectors and guests gathered in West Hollywood.

The athlete, the memorabilia and the transaction became part of the same event.

Goldin’s traditional auction platform will continue offering Lakers memorabilia alongside its eBay Live programming, allowing the partnership to serve established collectors while developing a recurring format for new audiences.

For Ken Goldin, whose career has spanned televised selling, high-end auctions and digital marketplaces, live commerce represents another way to connect collectors with the objects and stories that have long defined his business.

The difference now is that Goldin has a direct relationship with the franchise supplying those stories.

A League of Opportunities

The Lakers are not the only professional sports organization Goldin is pursuing.

 

View this post on Instagram

 

A post shared by Goldin (@goldinco)

The company has also announced a partnership with the Detroit Pistons, reflecting a broader effort to establish direct relationships with teams rather than relying solely on traditional consignment channels.

During his conversation with Mantel, Goldin discussed the possibility of expanding the model across major professional sports leagues. But he made clear that the company is not interested in accumulating partnerships simply for the sake of increasing their number.

 

View this post on Instagram

 

A post shared by Goldin (@goldinco)

“We’re not looking to sign 100 teams,” he said.

Instead, Goldin described a selective approach focused on franchises with established histories, strong fan communities, recognizable identities and championship potential.

The Lakers provide a particularly compelling starting point. Their decades of championships, internationally recognized players and extensive historical archives offer valuable inventory, while the team’s global audience creates opportunities to reach collectors and fans well beyond the existing auction market.

Whether other franchise relationships can deliver similar results remains an open question.

For Goldin, the success of the Lakers partnership will depend on more than the number of objects brought to auction.

“I think success is going to not only be determined by sales,” he explained. “Success is going to be determined by selling prices. Are we getting good prices?”

The company is also looking at whether the partnership attracts new bidders, increases Goldin’s visibility and generates interest from other professional sports organizations.

“How much do we raise our profile? Did we gain X number of tens of thousands new bidders?”

Those measures offer a clearer picture of the company’s ambitions. Strong auction results would demonstrate demand for the memorabilia itself. New bidders would suggest that access to the Lakers’ fan base is translating into customers. Additional franchise relationships could indicate that the model has applications beyond one of basketball’s most recognizable teams.

None of those outcomes is guaranteed. But the partnership gives Goldin an opportunity to test how direct access to professional sports organizations can change both the supply of memorabilia and the audience participating in its sale.

Goldin has spent decades building a business around bringing pieces of sports history to auction. Its partnership with the Lakers creates an opportunity to connect that business more directly with history as it unfolds.

More roster transactions have occurred for the Phoenix Suns. On a day in which the organization waived two-way player Koby Brea, the team has opted to move on from CJ Huntley as well.

Huntley originally joined Phoenix on a two-way contract after going undrafted out of Appalachian State in 2025. In November of last year, the Suns terminated that contract, making him a free agent. He continued playing with the Valley Suns, however, and following the conversion of Jamaree Bouyea’s two-way contract to a standard NBA deal in March, Huntley was brought back on another two-way contract.

Hamstring issues prevented Huntley from participating in the Summer League, but he put together a productive season with the Valley Suns last year. In 42 appearances, the 6’11” big man averaged 15.4 points and 7.9 rebounds in 27 minutes per game, shooting 63% from the field, 34% from beyond the arc, and 67% from the free throw line.

Despite that production, Phoenix has decided to move on from Huntley as it continues adjusting its roster ahead of the regular season. His departure, along with Brea’s, leaves the Suns with one open two-way contract spot and one standard roster spot.

Ben Simmons’ comeback attempt with the Sacramento Kings generated more than one blip on the basketball radar during the preseason before it came to an abrupt end Sunday when he suffered a torn Achilles tendon during practice.

Injuries had restricted the former No. 1 overall draft pick to appearing in only 107 games the last five seasons, but his return on a one-year $3.5-million, non-guaranteed contract had gone well enough that he was set to start in the regular-season opener Wednesday against the Clippers.

Simmons, considered the greatest player to come out of Australia, made news in August by taking part in the national team’s player-driven minicamp in Melbourne, a precursor to the 2027 FIBA World Cup and 2028 Olympics. Simmons, 30, has never played in a major tournament for his home country.

He also became an unwitting part of an embarrassing episode three weeks ago at Kings media day when open microphones captured an off-air conversation between female reporters discussing the physical appearance and personalities of Simmons and teammates.

A woman’s voice said, “That’s what comes with being Ben Simmons. He is cringe, cringe,” and another woman added that he is “lucky he’s so fine.” The first media member agrees, saying, “He’s a good-looking dude. His skin is, like, so smooth, I was like, damn, no tattoos?” The media members have yet to be identified.

Read more:Hot mic catches Sacramento Kings reporters calling Ben Simmons ‘cringe’ and Zach LaVine ‘hella fine’

He refrained from commenting on the exchange except to back teammate Zach LaVine, whose personality also was criticized by the reporters. But Simmons will be in street clothes from now on. The Kings said he will undergo surgery to repair the tear, which normally requires a recovery period of six to 12 months.

“I’ve faced challenges before that tested me mentally, physically, and emotionally, and I’ve found a way through every single one of them,” Simmons said in a statement posted to his Instagram Stories.

Being sidelined is nothing new for Simmons. He missed his entire first NBA season with the Philadelphia 76ers in 2016-2017 with a foot injury, missed the entire 2021-2022 season with a back injury and the entire 2025-2026 season to focus on his physical recovery from back and leg issues as well as his mental well-being. He last played for the Clippers in the spring of 2025, averaging 16.4 minutes and 2.9 points over 18 games.

That production was a far cry from the promise he displayed coming out of Louisiana State, where in his one season was a consensus All-American after averaging 19.2 points, 11.8 rebounds and 4.8 assists a game. A 6-foot-10 point guard, Simmons was NBA rookie of the year in 2017-2018, joining Hall of Famers Oscar Robertson and Magic Johnson as the only rookies to reach 1,000 points, 500 rebounds and 500 assists. And Simmons was an All-Star the next three seasons before injuries began mounting.

His return this preseason was intentionally low-key, sliding onto the roster of the last-place Kings (22-60 last season) without much fanfare. Simmons was quietly repairing a reputation marred by his succession of injuries and the performance anxiety and emotional burnout he has openly discussed.

He also seemed keen on representing Australia for the first time. Simmons was forced to miss the 2024 Paris Olympics with a back injury after passing on the Rio 2016 and Tokyo 2021 Games even when relatively healthy. Now any sort of return is again in jeopardy.

Get the best, most interesting and strangest stories of the day from the L.A. sports scene and beyond from our newsletter The Sports Report.

This story originally appeared in Los Angeles Times.

Ladies and gentlemen, Adam Silver has done it again. The commissioner and the rest of his coroporate teammates at the NBA office continue to ensure the league’s viewers have the maximum amount of fun, thanks to the endless amount of jerseys each franchise wears.

That, of course, includes your Boston Celtics. Boston is one of eight franchises to have a “Specter” edition uniform bestowed upon them this season.

*NSFW Image Below

When I saw this, I almost spiked my phone. What a disgusting piece of moneygrabbing slop.

Now, I’m the defininition of a traditionalist, so there’s definitely some bias here. I think the home team should always wear white, and road teams can wear any of their more colorful uniforms.

With that being said, there’s simply no way that these should’ve seen the light of day. The Northern Lights-esque design doesn’t work. The small font that reads “Boston” (you might not even have noticed it on the chest of the jersey) looks ridiculous.

Who is this even for?

There are seven other fanbases who are likely asking themselves the same question.

The New York Knicks, Detroit Pistons, Atlanta Hawks, Los Angeles Lakers, Sacramento Kings, Philadelphia 76ers, and Golden State Warriors will all feature a similar looking monstrosity in their respective wardrobes this season.

Ironically, the league picked its eight oldest franchises to force these disguting unis on as part of this Specter series.

“The new Specter Edition uniforms open a new chapter in how team identity for the Sacramento Kings, Detroit Pistons, Atlanta Hawks, Golden State Warriors, New York Knicks, Philadelphia 76ers, Los Angeles Lakers and Boston Celtics — the teams tracing their history back to the earliest chapters of the NBA — appears on court,” the league wrote in an official release last month. “Bringing forward the same obsession with the game that defines the NBA Standard Issue collection, each uniform features details inspired by the franchises’ history, city heritage and fan culture.“

You know what would’ve been a great way to honor history?

Maybe whip up some cool throwback jerseys.

It’s possible. We’ve seen the Celtics run with throwbacks in the past, despite not having changed much about their uniforms over the course of 80 years.

Thankfully, every single post I’ve seen related to these jerseys has been a negative one. Having read through the full press release, it seems like the NBA is trying to capitalize on the hypebeast culture of wearing silly looking things just because they’re rare.

Featured several times throughout is the “1:1” tag.

More or less, the goal of the entire charade is to break into the fashion world by having players serve as models for this new line.

Does the league know that they can just release obscure merch without making the teams wear it?

There is some “good” news woven into this story, though. The Celtics will only put these things on three times this season. Three, by the way, is the bare minimum amount of games that teams are required to wear any special edition uniform.

In other words, the Celtics themselves know that these stink just as much as the rest of us do.

It’s tough because I was actually felling good about Nike heading into the season. They allowed teams to bring back their preferred City Edition uniform from the past decade, and Boston nailed their choice with the green and yellow unis from the 2018-19 season.

Jayson’s reaction is actually the opposite of mine when I heard this news.

Besides the St. Patrick’s Day uniforms off the 2000’s, these are probably my favorite non-traditional Celtics uni. So, good job, Celtics.

Boston won’t actually wear these beauties until Jan. 20, 2027, though. They do, however, understand how fire they actually are since they’ll be wearing them 11 total times throughout the back half of the season.

Globe The Celtics believe they have a good team, but will it be good enough to compete with the elite of the Eastern Conference?

How will the Celtics fare in the East? Who makes the Finals? Our predictions for the 2026-27 NBA season.

CelticsBlogReacting to your Celtics Hot Takes

Devin Carter diagnosed with mono after signing two-way deal

Payton Pritchard doesn’t care about starting

NBC Sports Boston Simulation Station: Can Celtics make surprise NBA Finals run from loaded East?

NBA power rankings: Are experts underestimating the 2026-27 Celtics?

NESNCeltics’ New-Look Era Gets an Immediate Test Against the Team That Beat Them Three Times

Ex-Celtics Big Man Traded Alongside Rajon Rondo Waived After 12-Year Run

Why Paul George Is Ready to Rediscover All-Star Form After Celtics-76ers Trade

Celtics Power Rankings Roundup: Where Does Boston Rank Heading into 2026-27 NBA Season?

ESPN’s Bold Celtics Prediction Has Mitchell Robinson, Neemias Queta Producing Like an All-Star

Paul George Hints at How Long He Wants to Stay With Celtics

Celtics Finally Know What Illness Is Keeping Devin Carter Out

Mass Live4 Celtics predictions for the 2026-27 season from Jayson Tatum to more

How Paul George is embracing ‘beautiful challenge’ ahead of Celtics debut

Former Celtics forward chats Jaylen Brown trade, fatherhood

Celtics Wire Celtics history: Ford trade; Minor signs; Stacom, Maxwell debut; Mangurian passes

Derrick White, Boston Celtics host Curbside care event

Are the Boston Celtics proving they are a better team without star forward Jaylen Brown?

The Celtics camp squad just beat the 76ers in preseason play

Mazzulla on how Devin Carter earned two way deal in one Celtics preseason game

The Athletic Tatum’s solo act, a boost in offensive rebounding and more 2026-27 Celtics predictions

Hardwood HoudiniThis Celtics preseason was more exciting than most for unusual reasons

What the Celtics’ burgeoning wings can take from Payton Pritchard’s journey

Payton Pritchard has perfect mindset when it comes to starting role

Jayson Tatum is why Ben Simmons should still be optimistic after devastating injury

Paul George sends strong, encouraging message on future with Celtics

Going from 76ers to Celtics has saved Paul George’s basketball life

Payton Pritchard is built to thrive in Boston: ‘Break you or really make you’

CLNS Media/YouTube Paul George LOVES Playing for the Boston Celtics | Celtics Practice Interview

Derrick White Excited About New Celtics Season | Celtics Practice Interview

Joe Mazzulla: Paul George Can Reach Another Level | Celtics Practice Interview

Devin Carter STAYS with Celtics on Two Way Contract | Celtics Daily

Bob Ryan Does NOT Trust Celtics Ownership…Yet | Bob Ryan & Jeff Goodman NBA Podcast

Locked on Celtics Is Payton Pritchard REALLY Too GOOD To START For Boston Celtics?

HeavyCeltics Coach Explains Why Team Invested In Former Lottery Pick

Celtics’ Paul George Reveals Long-Term Wish After Jaylen Brown Trade

Celtics Guard Makes Feelings Clear About Boston After $44 Million Deal

Boston Celtics’ Newly Acquired Center Makes Surprise Career Move

Celtics’ Paul George Delivers Jayson Tatum Verdict Ahead Of Opener

Spurs Chose Not to Trade for Payton Pritchard — Celtics Star Reflects on Request

Bleacher Report Paul George Says He Rediscovered ‘Love’ for Basketball After Being Traded to Celtics from 76ers

Final Win-Loss Record Predictions for Every NBA Team

BasketNewsPaul George makes big revelation about his future in Boston Celtics

NBA Draft RoomUpdated NBA Dynasty Rookie Rankings – Mid October

Celtics RoundtableBoston Celtics: Joe Mazzulla Divulges What He Wants to See From Team

Barstool Sports Who The He** Is Going To Be The 5th Starter For The Boston Celtics? The Good News Is There Is No Wrong Answer

talkSPORT Paul George reveals candid Boston Celtics retirement decision on eve of Year 17

Piston PoweredJayson Tatum will challenge Pistons’ biggest defensive weakness in opener

Sporting NewsJoe Mazzulla declares Payton Pritchard will be key to Jayson Tatum-led Celtics’ success

SI .comHard Work Literally Pays Off for ‘Delusional’ Payton Pritchard

Fadeaway WorldPaul George Hopes To Retire With Celtics After Rediscovering His Buried Love For Basketball In Boston

5 NBA Players Who Earned Their Team’s Final Roster Spot Before Opening Night

Clutch PointsCeltics star Paul George shares eye-opening admission on impact of immense pressure

Celtics player who will shock NBA world with breakout 2026-27 season

ESPN2026-2027 NBA season expert picks for East, West, Finals champs

First to the Floor/YouTube The Celtics’ Regular Season is Finally Here | Opening Night Preview

PFSN‘What Leaving Philly Does to a Guy’ — NBA Fans React As Paul George Admits Finding ‘Love’ For Basketball Again After Celtics Trade

Fan RecapCeltics Suddenly Have A Frontcourt Problem Luka Garza Cant Ignore

Hugo Gonzalez Is Giving Celtics Fans A New Reason To Pay Attention

Paul George Just Said Something Celtics Fans Will Love

Payton Pritchard Just Showed Why Celtics Wanted Him Long Term

Paul George Is Giving Celtics Fans A Reason To Dream

Devin Carter Could Be Bostons Next Low-Cost Roster Win

Paul George Just Created A Real Celtics Roster Question

Payton Pritchards Celtics Role May Matter More Than Fans Think

Jayson Tatum Is Still Getting Undervalued In One NBA Debate

Celtics Are Leaving One Roster Spot Open For A Bigger Reason

NBA .comWhy depth is one word dominating the 2026-27 preseason discourse

Power Rankings: How all 30 teams measure up

Hoops WireNBA Notes: Cavs, Jarrett Allen, Celtics, Paul George, Wizards

SLAM/YouTubeBehind the Scenes of Jayson Tatum’s London Summer Tour | Exclusive Interview

Sky Sports Amari Williams: Boston Celtics’ British big man ‘ready’ for Detroit reunion after career-defining moment

The Ringer26 Increasingly Bold Predictions for the 2026-27 NBA Season

Sixers exercise Edgecombe's 3rd-year contract option for 2027-28 season  originally appeared on NBC Sports Philadelphia

The Sixers on Monday checked off the formality of exercising the third-year rookie scale option on VJ Edgecombe’s contract for the 2027-28 season.

The third overall pick in the 2025 NBA draft, Edgecombe stepped right into the Sixers’ starting lineup last year. The Baylor product averaged 16.0 points, 5.6 rebounds and 4.2 assists and finished third in Rookie of the Year voting.

According to Spotrac, Edgecombe’s 2027-28 option is for approximately $12.2 million. He’s set to make $11.7 million this season. 

The four players expected to start with Edgecombe on Tuesday night in the Sixers’ regular-season opener against the Knicks have all made multiple All-Star Games. LeBron James and Jaylen Brown have joined Tyrese Maxey and Joel Embiid.

Even with their collection of stars, the Sixers want the 21-year-old Edgecombe to stay vocal and confident in his game. And they don’t expect him to take anything resembling a step back in Year 2. 

“He’s around a lot of great players, great people to learn from,” Embiid said of Edgecombe on Oct. 3. “He’s doing a great job leading, whether it’s by example or with his voice. He’s been amazing.”

Nets first-round pick Joshua Jefferson practiced full contact on Monday and will be available for the team's season opener against the Charlotte Hornets on Wednesday, according to multiple reports.

Jefferson, the No. 28 pick in the 2026 NBA Draft out of Iowa State, missed all of Brooklyn's preseason games due to back soreness and had not fully practiced yet.

In three Summer League games, the 22-year-old averaged 7.3 points, 1.7 rebounds, 1.3 assists, 2.0 steals, and 0.7 blocks across 21.3 minutes of action. 

During his senior year of college, Jefferson was the Cyclones' second-leading scorer with 16.4 points, 7.4 rebounds, 4.8 assists, 1.6 steals, and 0.8 blocks per night over 35 games.

While Jefferson hopes to see the court on Wednesday night, fellow rookie Tyler Bilodeau will miss the first game of the year due to a shoulder injury, per the New York Post's Brian Lewis.

Bilodeau, the No. 43 overall pick in the second round of the 2026 NBA Draft, scored five points in both of the preseason games he played.