CLEVELAND, OH - APRIL 20: Cleveland Cavaliers logo before the game against the Toronto Raptors during round one Game two of the 2026 NBA Playoffs on April 20, 2026 at Rocket Arena in Cleveland, Ohio. 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 Jeff Haynes /NBAE via Getty Images) | NBAE via Getty Images
The Cleveland Cavaliers announced on Tuesday morning that they have agreed to a multi-year deal with DAZN for the team’s local broadcasts starting this upcoming season.
In the team’s official post on X it stated, “Fans in-market can stream all Cavs regular season games not selected for exclusive national broadcast, including 15 games for free this season, preseason games and team-produced original content.”
Another move hidden behind the new streaming host is that the Cavaliers plan to move the in-game production within the Rock Entertainment Sports Network, allowing for major changes to how games will be presented on DAZN.
The team’s in-game broadcast team including play-by-play announcer John Michael, analyst Brad Daugherty, reporter Serena Winters and pregame and postgame host Cayleigh Griffin, will return.
Further details of the extent of the service are yet to be announced.
The Cavaliers previously were streamed on the Bally Sports/Fanduel TV Network from 2021 through the 2025-2026 season.
LAS VEGAS, NV - JULY 18: The sneakers worn by Moussa Cisse #45 of the Dallas Mavericks during the game against the Orlando Magic during the 2025 NBA Summer League game on July 18, 2025 at the Thomas & Mack Center in Las Vegas, Nevada. 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 2025 NBAE (Photo by Tom O'Connor/NBAE via Getty Images) | NBAE via Getty Images
Victor Oladipo wants an NBA general manager to give him another chance, and he's not the only former NBA All-Star still looking for work as the start of training camp approaches.
Unlike the other veterans that are still free agents trying to latch on with a team, Oladipo is now making his pitch in the public domain. The No. 2 overall pick in the 2013 NBA Draft recently published an open letter through The Players Tribune and insisted he's ready to return to the league after several major injuries derailed his professional career.
"I believe my body is finally right," Oladipo wrote. "I believe I still have GREAT (and more importantly WINNING) basketball in front of me. I believe I can be a valuable contributor to an NBA locker room. And what I'm asking for right now is an opportunity to prove it."
But roster spots remain available, and several notable players are unsigned heading into the 2026-27 NBA season. Here's a breakdown of the best NBA free agents still available:
The former No. 1 pick in the 2016 NBA Draft announced earlier this offseason that he's attempting to make a comeback after spending last season out of the league. He last played for the Los Angeles Clippers during the 2024-25 campaign.
The 37-year-old spent last season mostly as a mentor on the bench after being traded to the rebuilding Utah Jazz in July 2025. Love could still potentially help a contender in a part-time role as a floor-spacing big man and there should be suitors if/when he decides to play this season.
Brown's return to Denver didn't go as well as when he played for the franchise during its 2023 NBA championship run, and the do-everything, undersized role player has yet to find a new home this offseason. He shot a career-best 38.5% from 3-point range last season.
Though there has been offseason speculation Batum could go overseas to finish his professional career, the 37-year-old forward indicated in a recent overseas interview he'd like to remain in the NBA if possible.
The 36-year-old veteran got to play alongside his older brother, Stephen Curry, last season after the Golden State Warriors released him before the campaign began then re-signed him on Dec. 1, 2025.
The former Kansas star is only one season removed from averaging more than 10 points and shooting nearly 40% from 3-point range as a two-way wing who started a majority of Toronto's games. He didn't catch on in Brooklyn after a mid-season trade last year.
The 30-year-old point guard has struggled to stay healthy since a breakthrough NBA Finals run with the Heat in 2023, and he's coming off his least productive season since his rookie year.
The 35-year-old Canadian could be an attractive option for teams still looking to add depth inside late. The Los Angeles Lakers (and a reunion with former Dallas Mavericks teammate Luka Dončić) have been mentioned as a potential landing spot.
The 35-year-old was a member of the San Antonio Spurs during their run to the NBA Finals last year, though he averaged a career-low 8.6 minutes per game playing behind Victor Wembanyama and Luke Kornet.
Those are Exhibit 10 contracts, which are training camp contracts where a player can get a bonus (up to $85,000) if they sign to play with Philadelphia's G League affiliate, the Delaware Blue Coats.
All three of Fall, Nelson and Thomas have two-way eligibility left, and the 76ers do have one open two-way contract spot they could give out if someone stands out in training camp.
Fall, the 7'6" fan-favorite center, spent two seasons in Boston and one in Cleveland, but has been out of the NBA since 2022, playing overseas. He also played in the NBA All-Star Friday Night Celebrity Game last February in Los Angeles.
Nelson is the son of former NBA player and current 76ers Executive Vice President of Basketball Operations Jameer Nelson. He was in the Spurs' training camp two years ago and then with their G League team, then in the Kings' training camp last season and played for their G League affiliate, the Stockton Kings. Last season with Stockton, he averaged 19.9 points and 3.7 assists per game.
Thomas, a 6'7" wing, was in training camp last season with Philadelphia and averaged 12.5 points and five rebounds a game for the Blue Coats when he played with them.
Unlike the NFL or other sports, there are very rarely training camp battles for a roster spot in the NBA, and in this case, Philadelphia's roster is set. It has 14 players under contract for next season and plans to enter the season at that number, deciding whether to add a 15th player down the line.
PHOENIX, AZ - FEBRUARY 1: Dillon Brooks #3 of the Phoenix Suns runs onto the court before the game against the LA Clippers on February 1, 2026 at PHX Arena in Phoenix, Arizona. 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 Kate Frese/NBAE via Getty Images) | NBAE via Getty Images
September. We made it. Perhaps it’s more of a psychological barrier than anything, but when the calendar flips to September, you can’t help but feel a tinge of excitement. We are officially one month away from basketball reentering our lives and dominating our conversations.
Media Day is September 28. The Suns’ first preseason game is October 5. Opening night for Phoenix is October 21. And while the mercury in the thermometer still tells us it’s summer, you know fall is right around the corner.
Seeing as it is September 1, it’s time once again for our annual preseason SunsRank. This is the thought exercise in which we take a look at the entirety of the Phoenix Suns roster and rank the players based on the very subjective question of who we believe is the best, the second best, the third best, and so on, all the way down to 18th. It’s also an opportunity to look back at where we were a season ago and then project where we think these players will land by the end of the year.
So, where did we end last season? Here are the 2026 SunsRank results from both our community and our writing staff following the conclusion of the 2025–26 season:
#
Community SunsRank
Writers SunsRank
1
Devin Booker
Devin Booker
2
Jalen Green
Dillon Brooks
3
Dillon Brooks
Jalen Green
4
Collin Gillespie
Collin Gillespie
5
Grayson Allen
Mark Williams
6
Jordan Goodwin
Grayson Allen
7
Mark Williams
Jordan Goodwin
8
Oso Ighodaro
Oso Ighodaro
9
Rasheer Fleming
Royce O’Neale
10
Khaman Maluach
Rasheer Fleming
11
Royce O’Neale
Ryan Dunn
12
Ryan Dunn
Khaman Maluach
13
Jamaree Bouyea
Haywood Higsmith
14
Haywood Highsmith
Jamaree Bouyea
15
Koby Brea
Amir Coffey
16
Amir Coffey
Isaiah Livers
17
Isaiah Livers
Koby Brea
18
CJ Huntley
CJ Huntley
Some summers bring more turbulence and, because of that, a much more obvious shake-up in the SunsRank rankings. That wasn’t really the case for Phoenix this offseason. Continuity and development were the North Star for the organization, and the Suns stayed true to that approach. They moved up in the NBA Draft and selected Koa Peat out of the University of Arizona with the final pick of the first round. They traded Grayson Allen and Royce O’Neale to the Charlotte Hornets for Miles Bridges. They moved on from Isaiah Livers and Amir Coffey, then added Luke Kennard in free agency and Pat Spencer on a two-way contract. That’s it. That’s the transaction history of the Phoenix Suns this offseason.
So you might look at this exercise, ranking players based on the subjective term of who is “best,” and think it feels somewhat pointless. I disagree. First, there has been an injection of new players, and part of the exercise is seeing where they fit within the hierarchy of this ecosystem. Second, “best” means something different to everyone. Best can mean highest upside. Best can mean the most complete player at this point in time. Best can mean where you think that player will ultimately land by the end of the season.
But before we start ranking individual players, the best way to approach this is by putting everyone into tiers. I could run a poll and ask you to rank every player from 1 to 18, but that feels like a lot to absorb at once. Instead, we’ll break the roster into tiers and then rank the players within those tiers.
So what are the tiers?
Tier 1: The Cornerstones
These are the stars the Suns are building around. They’re expected to have a major impact every night and will ultimately determine how far this team can go.
Tier 2: The Pillars
These are reliable rotation players who provide stability and help hold the roster together. They may not be the stars, but the Suns need them to consistently do their jobs.
Tier 3: The Wild Cards
These are the players who could end up being more important than expected. They’re not guaranteed to have a major role, but there’s enough potential for them to surprise and work their way into the rotation.
Tier 4: The Depth Pieces
These are your end-of-the-bench players who provide depth when needed. Their roles may be limited, but injuries, matchups, and circumstances can create opportunities for them to contribute.
And now? It’s your chance to place each player into their SunsRank tier. Based on the results of this voting, we’ll then begin going tier by tier, allowing you to rank the players within the confines of each group and ultimately build out our complete SunsRank for the 2026–27 season.
So let the SunsRank journey begin. Consider this the first step toward welcoming basketball back into our lives. Ahhh. September…
CHICAGO, UNITED STATES: Michael Jordan (L) and Scottie Pippen (R) of the Chicago Bulls talk during the final minutes of their game 22 May in the NBA Eastern Conference finals aainst the Miami Heat at the United Center in Chicago, Illinois. The Bulls won the game 75-68 to lead the series 2-0. AFP PHOTO/VINCENT LAFORET (Photo credit should read VINCENT LAFORET/AFP via Getty Images) | AFP via Getty Images
SB Nation launched a free app this week that will help make talking about sports with fans and rivals of your favorite team easier than ever. The app is available for iOS and Android. Did we mention that it’s free?
You can find all of your favorite team communities on the app, like our Lakers site Silver Screen and Roll. We even have dedicated message boards for the teams without a community. I grew up as a Chicago Bulls fan, and there’s a new Feed for everything Bulls on the app even without a community. You can start your own topics or comment on anyone else’s, and the awesome new notification system lets you know when someone else likes your post or replies to your prompt or comment.
In addition to dedicated team communities, there’s also an NBA-wide Feed. I’m going to be helping run this page, but I need your help. Post your best questions, conspiracy theories, and hot takes, and watch the comments flood in from other app users.
Talking about sports on social media platforms like Twitter and Instagram has become a drag. It’s hard to know who you are talking to on those platforms, and there’s no accountability or community for your comments. The SB Nation app changes that. In many ways, it reminds me of scrolling through forums in the early days of the Internet, when you knew names and reputations of the people leaving comments, and anyone could chime in on any subject.
This app still feels like SB Nation, but also feels like the best parts of Reddit, all rolled into one. Let’s hit some FAQs below:
Why should I download the SB Nation app?
It’s free
It makes reading and commenting on your favorite SB Nation sites easier than ever
It’s the best way to talk about sports on the internet
What can I do on the SB Nation app?
Talk about your favorite teams. Jump in game threads. Post on our new message board, The Feed. Read your favorite SB Nation sites. Talk trash to your rivals. Instantly see who is responding to your comments with notifications. If you are already a loyal SB Nation reader, this app will make the experience even better. If you’re a lurker, this is the best way to get into the mix with your own comments and posts.
How can I download the SB Nation app?
Head over to the App store or the Android store to download the app. The app is only available for users in the United States for now.
MINNEAPOLIS, MN - JULY 13: LaMelo Ball #1 of the Minnesota Timberwolves poses for portraits on July13, 2026 at the Minnesota Timberwolves and Lynx Courts at Mayo Clinic Square in Minneapolis, Minnesota. 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 David Sherman/NBAE via Getty Images) | NBAE via Getty Images
Welcome to SB Nation Reacts, a survey of fans across the NBA. Throughout the year we ask questions of the most plugged-in Timberwolves fans and fans across the country.
This has been perhaps the single most active offseason in Minnesota Timberwolves history. Between the trades of Julius Randle and Naz Reid, the move for LaMelo Ball, and the eventual signing of Jonathan Kuminga, there is an absolute glut of potential new storylines to watch.
There are other candidates, to be fair. The Wolves have a history of sandwiching fascinating roster overhauls between years of passivity and complacency. Whether it’s the summer of 2014, when Minnesota traded Kevin Love to the Cleveland Cavaliers for Andrew Wiggins while drafting Zach LaVine, or maybe the offseason in which the Wolves moved Kevin Garnett to Boston for a package including Al Jefferson or even the massive and unexpected deal for Rudy Gobert, Wolves fans are not new to massive change.
Despite it not being as uncommon as it is for other franchises, none of us are numb to the excitement a big move brings. With that in mind, it’s worth wondering: who are you, dear reader, most excited to watch spend their first year up North?
Apr 5, 2026; Minneapolis, Minnesota, USA; Charlotte Hornets guard LaMelo Ball (1) drives by Minnesota Timberwolves center Naz Reid (11) in the fourth quarter at Target Center. Mandatory Credit: Matt Blewett-Imagn Images | IMAGN IMAGES via Reuters Connect
Is it the aforementioned Ball? A tantalizing talent with durability issues who just put together his best season, only to be dumped by the Charlotte Hornets. There are amazing questions to ask. How does he mesh with Anthony Edwards? What about the rest of the roster? What does the guard rotation look like now? How fast will the Wolves play?
That final question reminds us of one of the primary reasons Kuminga joined the Wolves. A once slow and plodding offense will now be flying in the fast break. Can the uber-talented former seventh overall pick take his easily won starting spot and convey it to the big deal he’s been chasing? Can the Wolves maximize their one year with a player they will struggle to retain?
Maybe for some of you sickos (myself included), the answer is instead a more unheralded newcomer. Is it Isaiah Evans, the Duke sharpshooter who fell on draft boards after a disappointing sophomore year, as he attempts to fill the Donte Divincenzo void?
Better yet, is it Cody Williams? The forward went 10th overall just two short years ago to the Utah Jazz. During those two seasons, he has both played a lot of games and been called the worst player in the NBA. Reclamation projects are incredibly fun, and he wouldn’t be the first player to break out in Minnesota wearing number nine after flaming out in Utah (But it’s weird that I’d have two Nickeils (Get it?)).
We want to hear from you. Vote below and share your thoughts in the comments and we’ll give you a recap of the consensus as soon as we have enough votes to let you know!
NEW YORK - FEBRUARY 3: Michael Doleac #51 of the New York Knicks congratulates Dikembe Mutombo #55 and Kurt Thomas #40 after Thomas made a shot to give the Knicks a 93-90 lead over the Indiana Pacers on February 3, 2004 at Madison Square Garden in New York City. The Knicks won 97-90. NOTE TO USER: User expressly acknowledges that, by downloading and or using this photograph, User is consenting to the terms and conditions of the Getty Images License agreement. (Photo by Ezra Shaw/Getty Images) | Getty Images
September beckons, bitches. Let’s mailbag.
What would your team look like if you assembled it from the stinky years of the 2000s-2010s?
— Unmitigated Gall
In order to tackle this question, I had to settle on what exactly “2000s-2010s” meant. We talking just the awful aughts, ending with the 2009-10 season? Or the whole stinking two decades of stank? I found myself confronted by a mystery I’d never wanted to solve: who was worse, the 2000s Knicks or the 2010s Knicks?
To really get the stink marinating, I compared two nine-year abominations: the Knick teams from 2002-2010 and from 2014-2022. Combined that’s 18 seasons, 17 below .500, 16 missing the playoffs. eight losses in nine playoff games and a partridge in a pear tree. Before I give you the numbers, what does your gut tell you? Which Knicks feel like they were worse?
From 2002-2010 the Knicks were 279-459; adjusted for 82 games that’s 31-51. The 2014-2022 Knicks went 262-450, a 30-50 pace. The numbers wouldn’t settle this debate. Futility being in the eye of the beholder, I had to dig deep. Was there anything particularly sadder about one batch versus the other? For me, there is.
In 2013-14, New York was coming off a tremendous run the year before, plus three consecutive winning seasons and playoff appearances. Carmelo Anthony had just led the league in scoring while finishing third for MVP. J.R. Smith was top-20 in points, Jason Kidd top-20 in steals and Tyson Chandler top-10 in offensive rebounds, an All-Star and First Team All-Defense.
The writing was on the wall once Kidd retired and James Dolan strong-armed Glenn Grunwald outta town and Andrea Bargnani in, but there was reason to feel good heading into 2014. There was excitement in 2016 for the arrival of Kristaps Porziņģis. In 2019 there was hope — if not conviction — that Kevin Durant, Kyrie Irving and Zion Williamson were on their way to save the day.
The 2001-02 Knicks were post-Patrick Ewing and, not coincidentally, not good, failing to win a playoff series in 2001 for the first time since 1991. Jeff Van Gundy left, Marcus Camby and a lottery pick were soon to follow in exchange for the low point of Antonio McDyess’ career, Latrell Sprewell was almost out the door and Isiah Thomas about to walk through it. Gasp. Shudder.
At least the 2010s Knicks had the precedent of the 2000s teams to slightly soften the blow. Watching their initial sinking into stinking, from winning 17 playoff series in 12 years (1989-2000) to winning a single playoff game the next dozen, didn’t merely cause despair. It was a disorienting fall from grace. The 2010s were a bad headache. The 2000s were that plus vertigo.
Without further ado, my ‘02-’10 Knick faves:
Frank Williams Jamal Crawford David Lee Kurt Thomas Michael Doleac
One Saturday late in my sophomore year of college, some friends and I got in on some pickup games on campus. This was the long-gone dark ages, when I was active and thin and a pretty good baller, and that day I was on. The fadeaway couldn’t miss. People were calling me Jordan. It was a very small, insignificant time and place in history, and if you weren’t literally there experiencing it in real time, it makes neither sense nor difference.
So it goes with those of us who swore allegiance to the Frank Williams cult twentysomething years ago — if you weren’t there, it makes zero sense. To be fair, it didn’t make a lotta sense even if you were; Williams, a point guard, shot just 35% from the field and 30% from deep and started only three games over two years in New York. And yet if the Knicks announce tomorrow they’ve signed Williams outta retirement, I’d tell Jalen Brunson thank you for your service, now get thee to the bench. The prophecy must be fulfilled.
Crawford and Lee were that restaurant that used to be open near you that was delightfully, surprisingly good. It had no business being that good, and it closed years ago. But you appreciated it when it was there, and the memories still warm you today. Looking at you, Amy’s Place in Buffalo. R.I.P.
Kurt Thomas I loved because he was a true warrior for righteousness, willing to tangle with anybody and everybody who was in the wrong, no matter who it was. Whether that be a future Hall of Famer.
Or the biggest fish in his own pond, like in 2004 when Thomas told Knick teammate Stephon Marbury, “Everyone in this organization is afraid of you, but I’m not. I’ll beat your ass.”
Thomas joins Ewing — I think — as the only Knicks who’ve impacted winning for the club over a 14-year stretch. A key reserve for the 1999 Knicks, many of us still fondly remember the final game Thomas ever played down the stretch in 2013: the Knicks had lost a season-high four straight games and five of six as they played in Utah without Carmelo. Gutting through 27 minutes, Thomas helped the Knicks snap the losing skid and kickstart a 13-game winning streak, the finishing touch on their best season in 13 years.
I hold a special place in my heart for Dr. Michael Doleac because of December 30, 2002. I was driving from Rochester to New York City and a friend tagged along looking to visit a friend in Pennsylvania. My friend considered himself hilarious for not telling me the drinks he was downing the whole drive down were spiked; by the time I figured out he was drunk, he figured out we were lost. We were “near” enough that his friend came and got him, leaving without leaving me directions to get back toward the city. It was dark out in the middle of nowhere, Pennsylvania, pre-Google maps (the less said about Mapquest, the better).
I spent the drive low on gas, cursing my friend for my being lost in what looked like every horror movie ever and living and dying with the back and forth in WFAN’s broadcast of what ended up a one-point Knick win over the NBA champion Spurs. In arguably his finest hour as a ‘bocker, Doleac scored 16 points (two off his Knick-high) and grabbed eight boards (tying his Knick best) against Tim Duncan and David Robinson. I wanna end this with “This doctor makes house calls,” but the game was in New York. Then again, “This doctor takes patient visits” just doesn’t work at all. Gimme your best Doleac tag line.
[List your] ranking of trades/signings/moves that built the 2026 champion Knicks.
— Jslashnoel
16) Drafting Pacôme Dadiet 15) Signing Jeremy Sochan 14) Drafting Tyler Kolek 13) Signing Mo Diawara 12) Signing Ariel Hukporti 11) Drafting Miles McBride 10) Signing Landry Shamet 9) Drafting Mitchell Robinson 8) Trading for Mikal Bridges 7) Trading for Josh Hart 6) Signing Jalen Brunson’s first contract 5) Trading for Karl-Anthony Towns 4) Trading for OG Anunoby 3) Firing Tom Thibodeau & hiring Mike Brown 2) Signing Jalen Brunson’s second contract 1) Hiring Leon Rose
Clyde and Jalen in the backcourt with Willis, Patrick and Bernard up front. From my admittedly biased perspective, this starting five could match up with any all-time mythical squad the Celtics could put together.
— DeanJose
DeanJose’s five vs. Bill Russell, Larry Bird, Kevin McHale, John Havlicek and Paul Pierce — who ya got??
The Wizards traded Angel Reese’s brother Julian “Juju” Reese to the Nuggets, who then released him. While he only played 13 games (10 starts) and 30.9 minutes per game, he put up respectable numbers on a tanking team (11.8 points/10.5 rebounds, including the most offensive rebounds per game since Hakeem Olajuwon at 4.2). He’s a little undersized at 6’9, 230 lbs., but seems like a decent candidate for the third-string center job. Thoughts?
— Stan KGRY
First, if this is Angel Reese stanning for her hermano, I fully understand. And email me. Please. God, please email me, Angel Reese.
Assuming this is really Stan KGRY, my only thoughts are that there are definitely dudes who’ve beaten that Olajuwon number from 1987 — Dennis Rodman did a half-dozen times by himself — and that whatever downgrade there is between Mitch and Drummond, the Knicks are probably looking to make that up with an upgrade over Hukporti. You can’t count on KAT playing heavy minutes for 82 games followed by a two-month title defense, nor do I think they want to count on Drummond being the best next man up that whole time. There is 100% room for Juju Reese to make a home and career in the NBA. I don’t see it this year in New York, though.
That’s all she wrote for the mailbag, and it’s gonna be all she wrote for a while. I’m now writing about the Knicks at OnSI, and no longer at P&T. I’ve left before and returned; this feels less like “Goodbye” than “Later.” I’ll still pop into the comments sometimes, and have a few other pots starting to boil. Email if you want. I’m on Bluesky. I love you all. Not all. But you, reading this now, I love. Yes, you.
Naomi Osaka of Japan walks onto the court against Anastasia Zakharova before their first-round match on Day Two of the 2026 US Open at USTA Billie Jean King National Tennis Center on Aug.31, in the Flushing neighborhood of the Queens borough of New York City. (Julian Finney / Getty Images)
Anyone wondering what look fashion-forward tennis star Naomi Osaka would sport at the U.S. Open this year received “The Answer” on Monday night at Flushing Meadows in New York.
That is, her look was very much inspired by basketball icon Allen Iverson, complete with cornrows, a headband and arm sleeves.
After her 7-6 (6), 7-6 (3) first-round victory over Anastasia Zakharova, Osaka said she decided to pay homage to the Naismith Basketball Hall of Famer and his signature style after her apparel sponsor chose basketball as its U.S. Open theme.
“It’s my, I guess, my tribute to Iverson. I really like him a lot,” Osaka said during an on-court interview. “I mean, Nike said basketball, so I said, ‘OK, you want basketball, I’ll give you basketball.’”
Osaka took the court wearing a long, hooded gown — possibly inspired by Iverson’s hoodies and baggy clothes from back in the day — with newspaper clippings about her attached to it. She first took off the hood to reveal her hair and headband, then removed the gown to play in a black tank top and metallic tennis skirt.
Naomi Osaka arrives to compete against Anastasia Zakharova during the first round of the U.S. Open on Monday in New York. (Adam Hunger / Ap Photo/adam Hunger)Naomi Osaka reacts to winning the first set against Anastasia Zakharova on Monday at the U.S. Open. (Adam Hunger / Associated Press)
The two-time U.S. Open champion also gave a nod to the 11-time NBA All-Star during her media day news conference Saturday by wearing a T-shirt that featured the longtime Philadelphia 76ers star’s 1999 Slam magazine cover.
“For me, he’s a trailblazer,” Osaka said when asked about the shirt. “He’s also someone that I look up to a lot, because he’s done a lot in fashion, whether it’s on purpose or not, but he’s shifted the way that NBA players dress. And I also think the whole conversation around clothes in sports, and also just expressing yourself through style, I feel like he’s someone that I look up to in that regard.”
Philadelphia 76ers' Allen Iverson plays against the Boston Celtics pn March 8, 2006. (Winslow Townson / Associated Press)
With his hair, tattoos, jewelry and clothes, Iverson gained his reputation as an NBA fashion trailblazer during his playing career from 1996-2010 — so much so that in 2005, when then-commissioner David Stern instituted a stricter dress code for players arriving to games, many felt it was in response to Iverson’s look.
“I took the ass whooping for it, but the dress code thing I actually was just — I was 21,” Iverson said on “The Breakfast Club” last year. “Where am I going after the game? I’m going to the club. Before that, they were used to dudes wearing suits, and I was like, damn. I’ve never worn a suit growing up — going to church or to a funeral was the only time I put on a suit ... and the courtroom. I never wore a suit to the gym to play, to the park.”
On Saturday, Osaka said she had never communicated with Iverson — “but hopefully he’ll see this,” she added.
Turns out, he did. Iverson posted a photo of Osaka in the shirt featuring his image and a clip of her comments about him Monday on Instagram.
“Wow, what a honor!!” Iverson wrote. “BIG FAN can’t wait to meet you. @naomiosaka”
Michigan men's basketball freshman Brandon McCoy Jr., one of the top-ranked players of the 2026 recruiting class, will miss the entire 2026-27 season due to injury, the program announced on Tuesday, Sept. 1.
McCoy Jr. suffered an ACL injury in his right knee, per the announcement. The injury occurred in an exhibition game against KK Mega SUPERBET in Montenegro, the final game of Michigan's European tour.
The McDonald's All-American was averaging 14.5 points with five rebounds and four steals per game before the injury. He was expected to be a starter and one of Michigan's top scorers this season. The former five-star recruit was rated the No. 10 prospect nationally and No. 2 shooting guard, per 247Sports' Composite ratings.
Michigan replaces nearly its entire starting lineup from last season after Morez Johnson, Aday Mara and Yaxel Lendeborg were all selected in the lottery of the 2026 NBA Draft. The Wolverines return starting guards Elliot Cadeau and Nimari Burnett, though, along with former high-end recruit Trey McKenney, a sharpshooter off the bench as a true freshman last season.
Michigan also overhauled its front court after winning the national championship, adding former Cincinnati center Moustapha Thiam, former Tennessee forward J.P. Estrella and former LSU forward Jalen Reed.
Regardless, it's an unfortunate loss for the Wolverines and first-year coach Mike Boynton Jr., who has a lot to figure out trying to replicate last season's success without former coach Dusty May, who's now coaching the NBA's Dallas Mavericks, and the roster turnover.
Exhibit 10 deals are essentially training camp contracts that can be converted into two-way deals before the regular season. The Sixers currently have two of their three two-way spots filled by Caleb Love and Rayan Rupert. Players who do not make the NBA roster often remain in the organization and join its G League affiliate.
Fall, 30, is the most recognizable name of the group — and one of the tallest players in NBA history.
The 7-foot-6 center was born and raised in Dakar, Senegal before moving to the United States at 16. He attended high school in Texas and Florida before playing four seasons at UCF.
Fall set three records at the 2019 NBA Draft Combine. He measured 7-foot-7 in shoes with an 8-foot-2¼ wingspan and a 10-foot-2½ standing reach, all the largest measurements in the event’s history.
Fall went undrafted in 2019 but became a fan favorite during two seasons with the Boston Celtics. He later joined the Cleveland Cavaliers and made his first NBA start against Boston on Dec. 22, 2021, grabbing a career-high 10 rebounds.
He has not appeared in an NBA game since the 2021-22 season. Fall played 37 games over three seasons with Boston and Cleveland, averaging 2.2 points and 2.4 rebounds in 6.1 minutes.
Fall spent the past four seasons overseas, primarily in China. He most recently played for the Ningbo Rockets and averaged 11.2 points, 7.2 rebounds and 2.1 blocks in 18.1 minutes across his international stops.
He also played for the Xinjiang Flying Tigers and Nanjing Monkey Kings in China, along with the New Zealand Breakers of Australia’s National Basketball League.
Nelson, 25, brings strong local ties.
The Haverford native is the son of former Saint Joseph’s star and NBA All-Star Jameer Nelson, who now serves as the Sixers’ executive vice president of basketball operations. The elder Nelson played 14 NBA seasons after leading Saint Joseph’s to an undefeated regular season and an Elite Eight appearance in 2004.
Nelson Jr. attended The Haverford School and played five college seasons. He began his career at George Washington, transferred to Delaware and earned All-CAA honors in both of his seasons with the Blue Hens. He finished his college career at TCU in 2023-24.
The 6-foot-1 guard averaged 18.9 points on 47.5 percent shooting, 3.4 assists, 3.0 rebounds and 1.2 steals in 25 games for the Stockton Kings last season.
Nelson scored a career-high 45 points off the bench in March, shooting 62 percent from the field and making eight three-pointers. He previously played for the Austin Spurs in the G League and has also spent time professionally in Canada, China and Puerto Rico.
Thomas, 23, is already familiar with the Sixers’ organization.
The 6-foot-7 forward is from Omaha, Nebraska and attended Millard North High School. He played four college seasons across Loyola Chicago, Northern Colorado and USC.
Thomas earned first-team All-Big Sky honors and was named the conference’s Newcomer of the Year during his lone season at Northern Colorado. He went undrafted in 2025 and joined the Delaware Blue Coats.
According to the Sixers, Thomas averaged 12.5 points on 46.6 percent shooting, 5.0 rebounds and 3.7 assists in 60 appearances for the Blue Coats last season.
He remained with the organization during the 2026 Summer League, averaging 4.5 points, 4.2 rebounds and 1.0 assist in four games.
BOSTON, MASSACHUSETTS - DECEMBER 22: Tacko Fall #99 of the Cleveland Cavaliers (L) and Jaylen Brown #7 of the Boston Celtics talk after the game at TD Garden on December 22, 2021 in Boston, Massachusetts. 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 Omar Rawlings/Getty Images) | Getty Images
The gigantic Fall of course comes with the most NBA experience. After going undrafted in 2019 he spent two seasons with the Boston Celtics and one with the Cleveland Cavaliers. He averaged 2.2 points, 2.4 rebounds, and 0.8 blocks in 6 minutes a game during his NBA career. He’s spent the last four seasons bouncing between teams in the Chinese Basketball Association and the Australian National Basketball League.
Jameer Nelson Jr., obviously the son of the Sixers’ new executive vice president of basketball operations, was an undrafted free agent in 2024. He’s spent a year with the Spurs G-League affiliate and the Kings G-League affiliate, with a half a season in the Canadian Elite Basketball League in between. In 25 games for the Stockton Kings last season, he averaged 18.9 points on 47.5-percent shooting, along with 3.4 assists and three rebounds per game.
The final signing, Saint Thomas, has been in the Sixers organization since going undrafted in 2025. As a member of the Delaware Blue Coats he’s been on Philadelphia’s Summer League roster the past two years. He put up 12.5 points on 46.6-percent shooting, five rebounds, and 3.7 assists per game last season for the Coats in 60 appearances. In four summer league games this season he averaged 4.5 points, 4.2 rebounds, and one assist in 15.5 minutes per game.
NEW ORLEANS - FEBRUARY 16: Kobe Bryant, Carlos Boozer and Dirk Nowitzki of the West All-Stars look at Kobe Bryant's iPhone prior to the West All-Stars Practice on center court at NBA Jam Session presented by Addidas at the Earnest N. Morial Convention Center February 16, 2008 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. Mandatory Copyright Note: Copyright 2008 NBAE (Photo by Andrew D. Bernstein/NBAE via Getty Images) | NBAE via Getty Images
It’s a big day for Mavs Moneyball. Today, the SB Nation app is live, and it’s the best way to follow the Mavericks.
You can download it by searching SB Nation for iOS or Android.
A year ago we made some big changes to our community, including offering fewer ads and the addition of the Feed. Today, we want to give you even more community tools and fewer ads with this app. It will make starting and joining conversations here as simple as posting to your favorite social media platform.
You can check out the video below showing off some of the useful features of the app, and we’ll dig into them below.
Why should I download the app?
The app will be the easiest way to interact with everybody else in the community:
All your favorite teams’ posts in one dedicated feed
Notifications when someone replies or recs your post
New game thread section, with an experience that’s smoother and faster
Fewer ads
Easily navigating between your favorite communities with a swipe
It will be the fastest way to read every post from our community.
How do I download the app?
Head over to the Apple store or the Android store to download the app. Today, the app is only available for US users.
Victor Oladipo is a man robbed of his peak seasons by injuries. In 2017-18, he averaged 23.1 points and 4.3 assists per game for the Pacers, won Most Improved Player and was an All-Star, an All-NBA and an All-Defensive Team player. Then the next season he ruptured his quadriceps tendon, and he was never physically right again. Oladipo, now 34, hasn't played in the NBA in three seasons.
In an open letter to general managers at The Players Tribune, Oladipo said it took a long time for him to stop chasing what was lost and just be patient and get his body right. He said he is finally in that place, can still contribute to a winning basketball team, and wants that chance.
"Me, in this moment of my life, at 34 years old. The version of her dad that got kicked all the way down the mountain, then spent years trying to climb back up, only to get kicked back down, again and again … but never once quit trying to climb. The version of her dad that, let's be real, is probably getting counted out by a lot of people, and is probably getting laughed at by a few of them … but has managed to keep his faith, and keep his purpose. The version of her dad that's finally found the perspective, and the humility, to write a letter like this one.
"To say to any GM who's willing to listen: I believe my body is finally right. I believe I still have GREAT (and more importantly, WINNING) basketball in front of me. I believe I can be a valuable contributor to an NBA locker room. And what I'm asking for right now is an opportunity to prove it....
"So that's where I'm at with everything. I don't know how my journey here is going to end....... Maybe a team out there will give me a chance. Maybe no team will. That's really up to you all. But if you're in an NBA front office, and you took the time to read this: Thank you from the bottom of my heart."
Oladipo has been linked to Sacramento as a potential backup to rookie Darius Acuff Jr., but nothing official has come of that. Oladipo played in the G League for the Wisconsin Herd part of last season and averaged 13.5 points per game in the regular season, shooting 32.5% from 3-point range. He has also played some in China in recent years.
Oladipo faces the reality many older players do: Most teams would rather give a bench point guard spot (or any position) to a young player they can develop and hold on to for years than to one on the back end of a career. Still, there is a real role for mature, quality veterans in the locker room who can still contribute something on the court.
Whether Oladipo is that guy and gets a chance remains to be seen, but he's made his pitch.
Victor Oladipo is a man robbed of his peak seasons by injuries. In 2017-18, he averaged 23.1 points and 4.3 assists per game for the Pacers, won Most Improved Player and was an All-Star, an All-NBA and an All-Defensive Team player. Then the next season he ruptured his quadriceps tendon, and he was never physically right again. Oladipo, now 34, hasn't played in the NBA in three seasons.
In an open letter to general managers at The Players Tribune, Oladipo said it took a long time for him to stop chasing what was lost and just be patient and get his body right. He said he is finally in that place, can still contribute to a winning basketball team, and wants that chance.
"Me, in this moment of my life, at 34 years old. The version of her dad that got kicked all the way down the mountain, then spent years trying to climb back up, only to get kicked back down, again and again … but never once quit trying to climb. The version of her dad that, let's be real, is probably getting counted out by a lot of people, and is probably getting laughed at by a few of them … but has managed to keep his faith, and keep his purpose. The version of her dad that's finally found the perspective, and the humility, to write a letter like this one.
"To say to any GM who's willing to listen: I believe my body is finally right. I believe I still have GREAT (and more importantly, WINNING) basketball in front of me. I believe I can be a valuable contributor to an NBA locker room. And what I'm asking for right now is an opportunity to prove it....
"So that's where I'm at with everything. I don't know how my journey here is going to end....... Maybe a team out there will give me a chance. Maybe no team will. That's really up to you all. But if you're in an NBA front office, and you took the time to read this: Thank you from the bottom of my heart."
Oladipo has been linked to Sacramento as a potential backup to rookie Darius Acuff Jr., but nothing official has come of that. Oladipo played in the G League for the Wisconsin Herd part of last season and averaged 13.5 points per game in the regular season, shooting 32.5% from 3-point range. He has also played some in China in recent years.
Oladipo faces the reality many older players do: Most teams would rather give a bench point guard spot (or any position) to a young player they can develop and hold on to for years than to one on the back end of a career. Still, there is a real role for mature, quality veterans in the locker room who can still contribute something on the court.
Whether Oladipo is that guy and gets a chance remains to be seen, but he's made his pitch.
