The previous projection had been $174 million. While a $2 million increase may not seem like much, it's good news for teams.
The $176 million figure is a 6.7% increase over the $164.96 million cap for this coming season. After the massive new national television deal was signed a couple of years ago, the expectation was that the league would see 10% salary cap increases for at least half a decade and likely longer. Instead, because of the collapse of the local television market for many teams, that percentage has dropped.
The concern for teams with star players on max contracts is that those come with 8% annual raises, but now the salary cap does not keep pace. Suddenly, a player projected to earn 35% of the salary cap can earn a slightly higher percentage, making it more difficult to build a team around him.
The increased cap also means that players who signed max contracts that kick in next season, such as Victor Wembanyama and Shai Gilgeous-Alexander, will earn slightly more.
In Friday’s episode of the “Tom Tolbert Show,” Kerr joined his former college teammate at Arizona to discuss the Warriors’ recruitment of James and the rather awkward dilemma it created for many in Dub Nation.
“I don’t think it’s exactly earth-shattering news, or I don’t think I’ll get fined for saying, like, it never really felt like he was coming here,” Kerr told Tolbert. “To me, it was more speculation than anything. I think we would have had a much better sense that, you know, something was going to happen.
“It’s been really interesting, though, hearing fans around the Bay — like, you know, people will randomly come up to me and say, ‘I’m glad we didn’t get LeBron.’ And I’m like, ‘Really?’ And they’re like, ‘Yeah, it’s like he’s not supposed to be on our team. He’s a rival.’ And I get that as a sports fan. It’d be like, you know, should Magic [Johnson] and [Larry] Bird have played on the same team?
“So, I mean, just as a coach and having coached him in the Olympics — sign me up. … But it’s been interesting hearing our fans. I think fans, you know, because of the emotional connection you have to your team and rivalries and all that stuff, I think it was just a weird thought. That’s the reaction I’m getting from a lot of people.”
On one hand, the thought of James playing with Steph Curry is mouth-watering to most basketball fans, especially after they teamed up to win gold at the Paris 2024 Olympics with Kerr as the coach.
But at the same time, as Kerr acknowledged, it likely would have been weird for Warriors fans, who have seen James has a primary rival for over a decade.
Maybe that latter factor played into James’ decision not to join Golden State in the end — and possibly his lack of perceived interest in the first place.
NEW YORK, NEW YORK - MARCH 09: Ziaire Williams #1 of the Brooklyn Nets reacts during the second half against the Memphis Grizzlies at Barclays Center on March 09, 2026 in the Brooklyn borough of New York City. The Nets won 126-115. 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 Sarah Stier/Getty Images) | Getty Images
With the NBA season fast approaching, the Lakers have numerous lineup decisions to iron out. None is more immediate than the starting lineup.
This can shift during the season, but four out of five are likely locked in with Luka Dončić, Austin Reaves, Quentin Grimes, and Walker Kessler.
The fifth can go in a multitude of directions, whether it’s an offensive-leaning spacing four with Sandro Mamukelashvili, the high defensive pedigree vet in Matisse Thybulle or an uber-athletic defender looking for a fresh start.
For the latter, enter Ziaire Williams, who has the highest-upside wing profile on the team and a skill set that matches what the Lakers desperately need.
Williams enters his sixth season in the league, bouncing around from being the No. 10 pick with the Grizzlies to trying to find a home with the Nets. Listed at 6’9” with a 6’10” wingspan, he has intriguing tools as a potential disruptor.
Tools mean nothing without the desire to use them, though. As is the case with most young players, the defensive concentration comes in flashes. The tanking Nets won 46 total games in the two years Williams was on the roster, which isn’t exactly the environment where high energy and defensive focus are cultivated.
When locked in, Williams showed a level of versatility left for the best defenders in the league. Displaying good technique and quickness navigating screens on the perimeter, Brooklyn tagged him on top playmakers where he held his own.
In the clip below, he’s matched with Jalen Brunson at the top of the key. Defending a ball screen, the reach-in gives up the first step. He quickly recovers, avoids the foul while chasing behind and cleanly blocks the shot to ignite the break the other way.
While composure and solid fundamentals are critical, Williams brings athletic defensive playmaking to a team lacking it elsewhere. His length allowed him to play back on ball handlers and still recover in time to block 3-point attempts.
He collected just 0.4 blocks per game but was always alert and opportunistic, including coming over for weakside denials with his quick-twitch jump.
Great hands and excellent timing cause havoc for opposing offenses. In the clip below, he waits for Kevin Durant to turn his head before quickly swiping the ball free and heading the other way.
Williams gets a ton of unexpected steals in the backcourt, patiently waiting for the offense to relax and bring their guard down. The chaos creator led the Nets with 3.2 deflections per game, a number that would have led the Lakers as well.
With a cluster of wings vying for minutes, defense will get Williams on the floor, while offense will determine whether he stays.
It’s no secret how the Lakers offense will run. Luka and Reaves will eat a majority of the offensive possessions and shoulder the bulk of playmaking. Whatever is left will go to Grimes and Kessler for finishing or short roll touches.
The presumed fifth starter will need to be productive without any offense running through them. Years removed from his original draft-night potential, this role as a contributor to high-level winning fits his archetype.
As is typical for any supporting player in the modern NBA, it starts and ends with the ability to make an open 3-point shot. Although the soon-to-be 25-year-old has never shot above 34% from 3-point range, as he did last season, there is hope he can eventually find the range.
Williams has taken over four attempts from behind the arc per game over the last two seasons, revealing little apprehension. Last year, he hit 41% on wide-open attempts, tracked with a defender six plus feet away.
Attaining a dependable jumper, even slightly, not only raises the impact he makes on the other end but opens up the room to reveal his timely cutting, attacking the basket or lobs his new guards love to throw.
One place athletic wings with questionable jumpers end up around the league is the dunker spot. It’s a tougher place to rotate help to and it opens the door for quick slips behind the defense.
Watch below as he’s stationed in the corner and slides toward the rim as the action unfolds. The short roll pass opens the three-on-two advantage, leading to the lob at the basket.
In the clip below, he sets an off-ball screen. He quickly notices the defense pre-switching the action and correctly counters by slipping to the basket. Williams gets on his trampoline for the athletic finish over contesting Aaron Gordon.
Paired with young, unproven ball handlers, Williams was still in the efficient 81st percentile on low volume as a cutter and finished 66% of his attempts at the basket last year.
He’s a prototypical 3-and-D player if the shot comes around, with a game in hopes of mirroring successful players such as Derick Jones Jr.
While he’s recently said all the right things, questions remain about a shaky jumper and defensive engagement. If Williams can put the offense together and maintain his defensive focus, he can find himself in line for many of the available minutes left on the team.
It has been a wild offseason for the Lakers, who revamped their roster around Luka Dončić and are preparing to try to compete for their first championship since 2020.
There’s a lot of uncertainty after they lost their superstar of the last eight years in LeBron James and underwent their second ownership change in the last 14 months, but there’s also a lot to be excited about.
Here are the five things Lakers fans have to look forward to heading into next season.
Luka Dončić at an outdoor basketball court during the Los Angeles Lakers’ visit in Ljubljana, Slovenia in August 2026. SOPA Images/LightRocket via Gett
1. Luka Dončić is on a mission
After James chose to go to the 76ers in free agency, the Lakers are unequivocally Dončić’s team. For the first time in his career, he took all of his teammates to his home in Slovenia this summer to host a minicamp to build chemistry.
Dončić is clearly taking the responsibility of being the Lakers’ superstar very seriously. He knows he’s playing for a 17-time championship organization and all eyes are going to be on him to lead the team back atop the league.
Last season, Dončić led the league in scoring (33.5 points), finished third in assists (8.3) and was fourth in MVP voting before he suffered a hamstring strain that sidelined him for the playoffs.
This season, here’s to betting he’s going to be on a personal mission to carry the roster he helped select deep into the postseason.
Austin Reaves signed the richest contract in NBA history this offseason for a player who went undrafted. Getty Images
2. Austin Reaves is due for a breakout season
Reaves signed the richest contract in NBA history this offseason for a player who went undrafted. Dončić wanted him as his sidekick. He has officially gone from being one of the league’s wonderful surprises to becoming one of the torchbearers for the NBA’s second-winningest franchise.
Reaves had so many moments last season where he proved he’s a star, including a 51-point performance followed by a 41-point performance in October and a jaw-dropping floater at the buzzer during a game against Denver in March.
Now expectations are going to be even higher for a player who scraped his way into the league and is now a borderline All-Star.
The Lakers went all in on Walker Kessler, whom Dončić wanted as his center. Getty Images
3. All eyes on Walker Kessler
The Lakers went all in on Kessler, whom Dončić wanted as his center. They acquired him from the Jazz for unprotected first-round picks in 2031 and 2033 and first-round swaps in 2028 and 2030, signing him to a four-year, $130 million contract.
So, they essentially mortgaged their future for him.
How does Kessler feel about that?
“I’m going to run through a brick wall for them,” Kessler said during his introductory Lakers news conference in July in Las Vegas.
Kessler, who’s one of the league’s top shot blockers and rebounders, has every reason to pour out his heart for Dončić and the Lakers.That’s good news considering they need him to transform into a superstar to have any chance in the very crowded Western Conference.
4. The Lakers‘ new owners have a lot to prove
After Mark Walter stunningly sold the Lakers to Bob Iger and Josh Kushner, there were a lot of questions around the team. But there’s also a lot of optimism, especially considering there’s a federal law enforcement probe into Walter’s financial affairs.
The Lakers have a fresh start under Iger, the former CEO of Disney, and Kushner, a venture capitalist.
While Iger’s and Kushner’s plans have yet to take form, there’s hope that things could trend upward for the Lakers under the new owners who are eager to prove themselves in their new endeavor.
5. The Lakers have been front and center
Say what you will about the Lakers, who have been embroiled in a seemingly endless cascade of drama all summer — ranging from James leaving, to new ownership, to more Buss family drama — but the Lakers are still dominating the spotlight.
The Lakers are exciting. They’re the talk of the league. They’re full of surprises.
Regardless of what happens, it’s obvious that next season is going to be a fun-filled thrill ride full of twists and turns that captivates the basketball world’s attention.
Cheers to the adventure being around the corner.
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OKLAHOMA CITY, OKLAHOMA - APRIL 12: Jamaree Bouyea #17 of the Phoenix Suns passes the ball during the second half against the Oklahoma City Thunder at Paycom Center on April 12, 2026 in Oklahoma City, Oklahoma. 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 William Purnell/Getty Images) | Getty Images
Every day, we’ll take a closer look at another member of the 2026-27 Phoenix Suns, examining what they bring to the roster and what their role could mean for the season ahead as we count down to training camp and the preseason.
Jamaree Bouyea
Point Guard, 6’2’, 180lb, 27 years old, 4th season
Last season, Jamaree Bouyea was an early pickup for the team after he signed a two-way deal in November, coming from the Austin Spurs. They saw the potential in the guard who had floated around the league his first three years. The move let them add someone who could make the roster, and with injuries to Jalen Green early on, extra guard play was key.
This let them waive C.J. Huntley, a solid G-League player, and give him time to develop into the piece they wanted. Bouyea then proved in his early minutes that he could contribute to the rotation when the team was injured. Bouyea fought for those minutes and, similar to Collin Gillespie in the previous season, was allowed a full-on roster spot at the end of the year.
He then stayed with the team, and even though key players returning cost him minutes in the rotation, he solidified his spot and learned more. That is where this year comes into play for Bouyea, as he faces an uphill battle given how deep this team truly is at guard. That said, with his ability to overcome those obstacles last year, I hope he can make that impact again.
Last Season
In his first year in Phoenix, Bouyea suited up in 46 games for the Suns, a career best for the guard. For the Suns, this was a huge win, as they had done well on the margins by landing guys who hadn’t performed or hadn’t been given an opportunity elsewhere to really pan out. Even if he got a little worse as the season went on, Bouyea still put his name on the map after being a two-way pickup in the first half of the season.
Bouyea really showcased that he’s a jack-of-all-trades, able to help the team in many ways. He could distribute the ball and be a solid ball handler; he could be a catch-and-shoot guy for the team if they were lacking three-point scoring, and he also fought like hell on the defensive end, trying to be as big of a pest as he could. This was key, as Jordan Ott clearly wanted this playstyle, and like Mat Ishbia and Brian Gregory said preseason, they were going to build the team around the scheme and not the team around big names. This gave a player like Bouyea that opportunity, since they knew he would be a perfect fit.
GP
MIN
PPG
RPG
APG
STL
FG%
3PT%
FT%
OFFRTG
DEFRTG
+/-
46
14.0
5.7
1.8
1.8
0.6
45.8
29.5
68.6
106.0
104.6
1.4
Contract and Roster Context
As Michael A. Scotto of HoopsHype reported, the Suns picked up Bouyea’s team option this summer. This allowed him to stick with the team for this year on a deal just shy of $2.6 million. This contract is non-guaranteed, though, allowing the Suns to waive him and not owe any dead money if he does get injured, if one of the two-way guards does better, or if they see someone better out there they can pick up. He is at the bottom of the guard room, and with two other guards on two-way deals, this could be a competition battle for Bouyea all season long.
What He Brings
As I mentioned earlier, Bouyea brings a bit of everything to his game. As a scrappy guard who has yet to really solidify himself in a true role, he does have to bring it all and help in any area of need. That said, his strongest suit is probably his aggressiveness and how much he cares, which truly shows on the court. As stated previously, the front office built this team around Ott’s expertise, and Bouyea fits that mold they are looking for. Look at a guy like Jordan Goodwin, for example, who had a similar trajectory early on and now found himself in Phoenix this past season.
Bouyea should use him as inspiration to keep that fight in him and always know that an opportunity is there for him to capitalize on. This year could be that for Bouyea if he gets the time to shine and proves he can be another disruptor in this system who can be valued long-term.
What Needs to Improve
Even if he is pretty good at everything, Bouyea still has areas where he lags behind others. One of those is his three-point shooting, as he shot under 30% from three this year. His shot was solid and did drop off later in the year with less run, which makes sense, but it is something to keep an eye on. IF that number can go up and he can be a solid spot-up shooter, especially now with Royce O’Neale and Grayson Allen being gone, he can truly solidify himself as one of those spots. Goodwin did that this past season, getting better from three and earning himself a contract with the team—all that could be said about Bouyea next year if he can get on this path.
Prediction
If you can not tell from this article, it’s clear I have a soft spot for Bouyea and want him to succeed. Last year, I wrote many articles about his early appreciation in the rotation and how he could contribute in future seasons if he stuck around. Now that opinion will be put to the test as we gear up to watch a year where he has training camp and a full year to make an impact with this team. Now, will he succeed? That is the difficult thing to wrap my head around,
With how deep this guard room is (Booker, Green, Gillespie, Goodwin), he lines himself up as the fifth guard in that rotation of PG minutes, and with Kennard there too, it definitely clouds his SG minutes as well. This is where the uncertainty may strike, as he could be forgotten in the depth of this bench. Yet, we see every season something is always in the water in Phoenix, as the injury bug always strikes in the Valley. We wish to avoid that this season, but with that being the case, Bouyea will have opportunities to make his case for being a part of this team long term. Do I think he will stick? Yes, at this point I think he will make it to the end of the season, as the Suns truly see something in him, but I wouldn’t be shocked if Pat Spencer or Koby Brea forces a tough situation on the front office at the trade deadline.
Ultimately, this will be an uphill battle for Bouyea, but I am sure he knows the challenge ahead this season. Truly, with how deep this bench unit is, it’s hard to see a clear path for Bouyea to excel this season, but in any year of basketball, you have to expect the unexpected. At this point, last year no one pictured Phoenix doing what they did, and they proved their doubters wrong. The same could be said for Bouyea entering this year with this team. All the expectations are on him, and he’s truly one of the underdog stories for this team as he finds his path to a long-term roster spot. This is just the beginning of his journey, but hopefully it’s a long-lasting one here, with a breakout year coming.
TARRYTOWN, NY - AUGUST 7: Darco Milicic #31 of the Detroit Pistons poses for a portrait during the 2003 NBA Rookie Photo Shoot at the Madison Square Garden training center on August 7, 2003 in Tarrytown, New York. NOTE TO USER: User expressly acknowledges and agrees that, by downloading and/or using this Photograph, User is consenting to the terms and conditions of the Getty Images License Agreement. Mandatory copyright notice: Copyright 2003 NBAE (Photo by: Jesse D. Garrabrant/NBAE via Getty Images) | NBAE via Getty Images
As we near training camp and the preseason, the New York Knicks are starting to fill out their roster, with more than several slots and opportunities still available behind the defending NBA champions’ established rotation.
On Saturday, a familiar name entered the Knicks realm when, out of the blue, we read the name “Milicic” linked to the New York franchise.
Polish outlet Interia Sport’s Karol Wasiek reported that free agent forward Igor Milicic Jr., no relation to Serbian native Darko, agreed to an Exhibit 10 contract with the Knicks, allowing the 24-year-old to compete for a roster spot or a two-way deal during the upcoming camp.
“@SportINTERIA has established that Igor Milicić Jr. is the next Pole with an NBA contract. According to our information, the basketball player has signed an exhibit-10 type contract with the New York Knicks.” — Karol Wasiek
GOTOWI NA BOMBĘ ❓💣@SportINTERIA ustaliła, że Igor Milicić Jr. jest kolejnym Polakiem z umową w NBA. Z naszych informacji wynika, że koszykarz podpisał kontrakt typu exhibit-10 z New York Knicks.#plkpl
The 6-foot-10, 225-pound forward went undrafted in 2025 following a four-year college career that included stops at Virginia (16 games), Charlotte (66) and Tennessee (37). Milicic averaged 9.4 points, 6.7 rebounds and 1.9 assists across 37 starts during his final college season with the Volunteers.
That said, Igor’s best amateur season came a year earlier when he put up a 13-8-2 stat line shooting 48.7% from the field and 37.6% from three with the 49ers.
Milicic spent last season with the Delaware Blue Coats, the Philadelphia 76ers’ G League affiliate. He averaged 6.9 points, 5.0 rebounds and 0.9 assists in 18.8 minutes across 45 appearances.
The Polish lad also played seven Summer League games with the San Antonio Spurs this offseason, and the truth is that his age, size, and positional flexibility should give him an opportunity to compete for a place within New York’s organization, whether that’s in the majors (more than unlikely) or the minors (slightly less likely).
The Knicks currently have all three two-way contract slots available. According to Wasiek, all those openings factored heavily into Milicic’s decision to join New York, hoping to snatch one of them along with the developmental opportunity the Knicks offered him.
For context, an Exhibit 10 contract can be converted into a two-way deal, and Milicic could also receive a bonus of up to approximately $91,000 if New York waives him before the regular season and he subsequently spends at least 60 days with the Westchester Knicks.
SAN ANTONIO, TX. - MAY 2026: Minnesota Timberwolves forward Julius Randle (30) before Game 5 against the San Antonio Spurs at Frost Bank Center in San Antonio, Texas, on Tuesday, May 12, 2026. Minnesota Timberwolves vs. San Antonio Spurs, NBA Western Conference Semifinals, Game 5. NBA Playoffs. (Photo by Carlos Gonzalez/The Minnesota Star Tribune via Getty Images) | Star Tribune via Getty Images
Julius Randle has a simple message for anyone setting expectations for the Brooklyn Nets this season: prepare to be surprised.
Shortly after the Nets acquired Randle in June, first-round rookie Mikel Brown Jr. shared with reporters that the three-time All-Star had told him Brooklyn was going to “shock the world.”
So, when NetsDaily caught up with Randle on Saturday at a community basketball event, we asked him what he meant by “shock the world.”
“Exactly that,” Randle said. “Whatever your expectations are, whatever expectations that are put upon us, we’re gonna exceed them and we’re gonna do things at a very high level. We’re gonna build, come in with the right habits every single day, and we’re gonna do exactly that.”
The 31-year-old spent Saturday afternoon at the Brooklyn Basketball Training Center, hosting a back-to-school clinic for 75 local middle and high schoolers.
Randle is no stranger to New York City, having spent five seasons across the East River with the Knicks before playing two years with the Minnesota Timberwolves. Nevertheless, he understands the importance of giving back to the community.
“It’s really just about giving my time to the community,” Randle said. “Really just, you know, touching the community, touching the kids, just being a part of the community. Anytime I can give back, put a smile on a kid’s face or a parent’s face. These are the people who support us year-round, whether we know it or not, and they make the game what it is, so it’s how I can give back.”
“So many people have poured into my life and helped me become who I am, and idols that I’ve looked up to, so I feel like it’s my job to pay back as well,” he continued.
Despite being acquired in June, Randle said he wasted no time familiarizing himself with Brooklyn’s youngsters.
The veteran worked out in Texas this summer with Egor Dëmin, Mikel Brown Jr., and Josha Jefferson, giving him an early look at how they look before training camp begins.
“Egor, Mikel, Joshua, all those guys, like extremely, extremely hard workers,” Randle told NetsDaily. “Attention to detail, but just really, really hard workers. Competition level is really high. Whether it’s, you know, playing one-on-one or we’re in a shooting drill, whatever, like everything is done, you know, at game speed. Attention to detail. Smart, high-IQ basketball players.”
Dëmin is gearing up for his second NBA season after an encouraging rookie year and an even stronger summer, leaving fans excited for what his future in the league holds. Brown is getting ready to anchor Brooklyn’s backcourt around Dëmin in his rookie campaign, while Jefferson is also a first-year pro.
Randle also spent time with the youngsters away from the court, including one particularly memorable round of golf in the Texas heat.
“Played a little golf in the Texas heat, which was a little interesting for them,” Randle said. “I think about the third hole; they were all trying to take their shirts off on a golf course, and you can’t do that. So we got a little warning in the middle of playing golf.”
At the end of the day, Randle said he is building relationships with his teammates that are over a decade younger than him. And he’s enjoyed that, particularly their energy.
“It’s refreshing being around youthful energy like that,” he said. “Definitely refreshing for me.”
Randle’s experience is valuable to have in the building, but there is no doubt he can still produce. During the 2025 season, he averaged 21.1 points, 6.7 rebounds, and 5.0 assists in 33 minutes per game across 79 outings.
Most importantly, though, production aside, he has clearly embraced a leadership role… before even suiting up for the Nets.
Now comes the hard part: actually shocking the world as the veteran promises.
Such a contract typically transfers to a G-League deal. The Knicks did not confirm the signing.
Igor Milicic of Poland in action during the FIBA Basketball World Cup 2027 qualifier match. ADAM WARZAWA/EPA/Shutterstock
Milicic, a 6-foot-10 forward who hails from Croatia, played four NCAA seasons for three schools — including a senior campaign at Tennessee — before going undrafted in 2025.
Last season, Milicic played with the Sixers’ G-League squad.
The Knicks still have to fill one roster spot and could sign three two-way players.
Tyler Nickel, their second-round pick, remains unsigned but logic indicates he’ll get a deal.
The team’s other second-round pick — Jack Kayil — is playing overseas next season.
New York Knicks guard Tyler Kolek drives to the basket during Game 1 of the NBA Playoffs Eastern Conference Semifinals against the Philadelphia 76ers on Monday, May 4, 2026, at Madison Square Garden. The Knicks defeated the 76ers 137-98.
Tyler Kolek isn’t making any predictions or declarations about cracking a crowded championship backcourt. As he said Saturday, the goal is just “every day be consistent.”
But the third-year Knicks guard also understands he needs to be more aggressive when given the opportunity.
“Early on in the season, I was finishing at a high level. And then later on in the year, I was getting in there, maybe I was looking a little too passive,” Kolek said Saturday. “So just looking for my shot, being more aggressive in the paint, and then that opens everything else up. Having the defense collapse, and then finding sprays for our guys.”
Kolek enjoyed success and acclaim during a brief foray in the Knicks rotation last season, when injuries to Miles McBride and Landry Shamet left him as Jalen Brunson’s first backup.
Kolek shined in December — including during the NBA Cup championship run — and quickly evolved into a fan favorite.
But the 25-year-old also was out of the rotation after Jose Alvarado’s arrival at the February trade deadline.
With Alvarado, Brunson, Mikal Bridges, Shamet, McBride and Jordan Clarkson all returning, Kolek faces another uphill battle for consistent playing time.
But injuries or trades happen every season, and Kolek will have a chance to impress in the preseason starting Oct. 5 in Philadelphia. He also has the ideal archetypal teammate to study as an undersized point guard.
New York Knicks guard Tyler Kolek drives to the basket during Game 1 of the NBA Playoffs Eastern Conference Semifinals against the Philadelphia 76ers on May 4, 2026, at Madison Square Garden. Charles Wenzelberg / New York Post
“Obviously, Jalen is amazing in the midrange, amazing with floaters, finishing at the rim,” Kolek said. “So taking that aspect of the game as a smaller guard — I need to be really efficient in the paint and around the rim. And that’ll open everything else for us.”
In the meantime, Kolek is enjoying the waning days of a championship offseason. In and around New York City, the players still are being treated like kings. Proof of Kolek’s popularity was displayed Saturday at a FlexWork Sports camp at the House of Sports in Ardsley, N.Y., where youngsters mobbed the point guard on the court.
Kolek, like his teammates, warned against turning the adulation into complacency, which might be more difficult on ring night for the Oct. 20 regular-season opener.
“The first game will feel like a great celebration. But internally we got to block out what the fans are thinking and everything that the media is going to say,” Kolek said. “Even though we may not be picked to be the favorites, New York fans are still going to say we’re the champs and we should run it back, we should win again. But we got to stay locked in. … At this stage, though, we shouldn’t have to be motivated. We’re champions. We know what it looks like. And we’re not just satisfied with one.”
New York Knicks guard Tyler Kolek puts up a three-point shot in the first half at Madison Square Garden in New York, New York on Feb. 4, 2026. JASON SZENES/ NY POST
Plus, the Eastern Conference got tougher with expected improvement from Philadelphia, Miami, Indiana, Orlando and Toronto — not to mention the potential contenders in Detroit, Boston and Cleveland.
“It happens every year in the NBA. The Thunder won the year before; everybody loads up to try to beat the Thunder. We win, [and the same thing happens],” Kolek said. “It happens every single year. It’s a copycat league. Teams are trying to beat the best and compete with the best. So they do what they can.”
Julius Randle meets with the media after visiting The Brooklyn Basketball Training Center for their Back to School Clinic on Saturday, September 12, 2026, in Brooklyn, NY.
Julius Randle wasn’t kidding when he told rookie Mikel Brown Jr. that the Nets plan to “shock the world” this season.
“Exactly that,” Randle said Saturday when asked what he meant.
The optics — including an over/under of 24.5 wins on BetMGM, a 20-62 record last season, an influx of first-rounders from the last two years trying to mesh on the fly, and an organization trying to take its rebuild to the next stage — suggest otherwise.
But Randle, in his return to New York City after five seasons with the Knicks and two away in Minnesota with the Timberwolves, has a vision to make those an afterthought. He will, of course, be at the center of that, along with Michael Porter Jr., the type of player Randle said he loves playing with.
If Randle can replicate his numbers from the last time he was a primary scorer with the Knicks in 2023-24 (24.0 points per game), he could position himself to become just the second player — joining Michael Ray Richardson — to earn an All-Star Game nod with both the Nets and Knicks.
“Whatever your expectations are, whatever expectations that are put upon us, we’re gonna exceed them and we’re gonna do things at a very high level,” Randle said Saturday at the Brooklyn Basketball Training Center while hosting a back-to-school basketball clinic for 80 kids. “We’re gonna build, come in with the right habits every single day, and we’re gonna do exactly that.”
Julius Randle meets with the media after visiting The Brooklyn Basketball Training Center for their Back to School Clinic on Sept. 12, 2026, in Brooklyn. J.C. Rice for NY Post
Randle, 31 years old and carrying a contract with a player option at the end of the year, said he hasn’t thought too much about the rare spot he’s in — with the chance to carve out a legacy with two NBA teams in one city. He doesn’t spend time thinking about possible trades and rumors, either.
When the Nets acquired him ahead of the draft in June, Randle’s exit in Minnesota gave the Timberwolves some needed cap space and his arrival gave Brooklyn another needed focal point of the offense. But as with anything in a rebuild, stints might not last long.
This also marked a return to the city where Randle thrived for half a decade with the Knicks. There he was Saturday, cycling around the basketball courts, going through drills with the kids at his camp. There he was, posing for pictures and walking around in his clinic T-shirt.
“It’s definitely a place that just feels like home,” Randle said, “and I’m happy to be back here.”
When the season starts, Randle and Porter will be tasked with sparking the Nets offense, and Randle — who has already spoken with Porter a lot — said they can “really complement each other.” Porter, who averaged 9.3 3-pointers per game last season and hit 36.3 percent of them, can move away from the ball and serve as a catch-and-shoot wing.
Randle, who averaged 21.1 points per game last year while playing alongside Anthony Edwards in Minnesota, has thrived when creating off the dribble and with his passing.
Julius Randle shoots over Jalen Brunson during the first quarter of the Timberwolves’ blowout win over the Knicks on Nov. 5, 2025 at Madison Square Garden. Charles Wenzelberg / New York Post
“I told him that like players like him, I love playing with because of how well he can space the floor,” Randle said of Porter. “He loves big shots, big moments, and, like, they always seem to know exactly like where to be. He does it at an extremely high level, so I’m excited.”
For now, Randle was focused on his camp Saturday, on the present, on his return to the New York City community, on the new place he just moved into Monday and the school year that began Tuesday for his kids.
“That’ll definitely wake you up a little bit,” Randle said.
But later this month, the roots of Randle’s Nets vision will start to take shape in training camp. Offseason chatter will fade. And then the real tests — the ones that’ll gauge the ultimate success of his homecoming and his ability to carve out a legacy with two teams in the same city — will come into focus.
“It was like, actually, kinda refreshing because it was like I lived here for five years but it felt like a fresh start,” Randle said. “And I was kinda like a newbie again.”
The NBA suspended Clippers owner Steve Ballmer for one year from all league and team activities. AP
Clippers beat writer Joey Linn believes the team has an insecurity problem surrounding the Lakers. On SiriusXM NBA Radio, Linn discussed why the manner in which the organization operates isn’t typical of a professional sports franchise.
“This is an organization, that whether they want to admit it or not, have operated as if they are trying to get out of the Lakers’ shadow. And look no further than right after they acquired Kawhi Leonard and they ran this L.A. Our Way campaign across the city of Los Angeles basically trying to establish themselves as their own team in LA.
“But it’s a lot deeper than that. Some of the things that go on, some of the tactics that are used to control the narrative on the Clippers’ side of things, at least in the way they’re carried out, aren’t exactly typical of what you would see from a professional sports organization.
“And that’s just where it does seem like an insecurity problem.”
“Whether they want to admit it or not.”
Why did the Clippers feel the need to go through the Kawhi Leonard saga?@joeylinn_ tells @BGeltzNBA & @SamMitchellNBA it’s because they were trying to separate themselves from the Lakers.
Kawhi Leonard of the Los Angeles Clippers in action against the Sacramento Kings at Intuit Dome in Inglewood. Getty ImagesKawhi Leonard (right) and Steve Ballmer (left) alongside Paul George. MediaNews Group via Getty Images
The Clippers have tarnished their reputation over the ongoing Kawhi Leonard saga. Leonard was fined $700,000 due to his involvement in violating the NBA’s salary cap rules. One could argue the franchise’s desire to be seen as the premier basketball team in LA propelled the downward spiral into the NBA’s investigation.
Bronny James’ contract with the Lakers became fully guaranteed the day before LeBron James informed the Lakers he would leave the organization. Getty Images
He is set to be Real Madrid’s lead guard after spending the last three years carving out a bench role in the NBA.
As for James, his tenure with the Lakers continues despite his father signing with the 76ers. James’ $2.3 million contract with the team became fully guaranteed the day before LeBron James informed the Lakers he would not return with them for the 2026-27 season.
Bronny James will continue his Lakers tenure without his father, LeBron James. Corey Sipkin for NY Post
Out of his father’s shadow, James has the chance to blossom into his own NBA player donning the Purple-and-Gold.
The 23-year-old joined Minnesota on a two-year, $12.4 million deal despite the Lakers offering a deal that would allow Kuminga to earn roughly the same amount annually.
Timberwolves forward Jonathan Kuminga listens to questions during an NBA basketball news conference at Target Center. AP Photo/Ellen Schmidt
But the forward has been adamant that he made the right decision, saying he wanted to join a winning culture. The Timberwolves have never won an NBA championship, let alone an appearance in the Finals.
Former NBA All-Star Gilbert Arenas didn’t mince words when he discussed Kuminga’s puzzling decision on his podcast.
“Someone is getting you paid to look the other way because there’s no f–king way that you should have been signing these bulls–t deals,” Arenas said.
“There’s no way [Kuminga] should be signing these bullsh*t deals!”
“Now you’re talking about you’re in a two-year deal. You signed a podcast deal, like I said. You’re playing with two max players, three max players. You’re the fourth, fifth option. And you think you’re gonna do what?”
Kuminga joins LaMelo Ball and Anthony Edwards in Minnesota as part of the backcourt. The Lakers’ pitch to the wing was starting alongside Luka Doncic and Austin Reaves.
Gilbert Arenas criticized Jonathan Kuminga for signing with the Timberwolves. @GilsArenaShow/XWith Jonathan Kuminga going to the Timberwolves, the Lakers will have to pivot to other options. Getty Images
Throughout the offseason, the Lakers and Kuminga had gone back and forth on a potential contract but never reached an agreement.
Nick Smith Jr. of the Los Angeles Lakers takes a foul shot during the second half of a game against the Phoenix Suns. Getty Images
The guard has agreed to a one-year deal with Real Madrid, according to Michael Scotto of Hoops Hype. Klutch Sports agents Lucas Newton and Calvin Andrews negotiated the deal.
Smith averaged 7.6 points in 17.5 minutes across three NBA seasons with the Hornets and Lakers. Now, he’ll be Real Madrid’s primary guard in the Euroleague.
Free agent guard Nick Smith Jr. has agreed to a one-year deal with Real Madrid, agents Lucas Newton and Calvin Andrews of Klutch Sports told @hoopshype. He averaged 7.6 points in 17.5 minutes during three NBA seasons with the Hornets and Lakers. He’ll be Real Madrid’s lead guard. pic.twitter.com/nDJo7H65hb
The Lakers initially signed Smith to a two-way contract in September 2025 after he was waived by Charlotte. In April 2026, the team converted Smith’s deal into a standard NBA contract to make him eligible for the playoffs following injuries to Luka Doncic and Austin Reaves.
The Lakers declined Nick Smith’s team option this offseason. NBAE via Getty ImagesNick Smith Jr. was drafted by the Hornets in the first round of the 2023 NFL Draft. Charles Wenzelberg/New York Post
While Smith provided backcourt depth for the Lakers last season, LA declined his $2.5 million team option. His most memorable moment as a Laker was when he had 25 points and six assists in a thrilling Nov. 3 win against the Trail Blazers.
The 22-year-old was once a highly touted prospect: The Hornets drafted the guard 27th overall in the 2023 NBA Draft. There’s no confirmation that Smith didn’t receive an NBA opportunity in free agency, but it appears he’s chosen to play overseas for Real Madrid after attempting to carve out a role as a bench-scorer stateside.
Fans react after New York Knicks forward Og Anunoby (8) puts up a three-point shot during the first quarter of Game 6 of the NBA Playoffs on Thursday, April 30, 2026, at State Farm Arena in Atlanta, Georgia.
Secondary ticket prices to the New York Knicks home opener have shot up more than 500% from last year — now costing over $1,300 to get in the door.
The cheapest seats on the secondary market for the Oct. 20 opening night game against the Philadelphia 76ers at Madison Square Garden cost $1,346 a piece, including fees, according to data company TicketIQ.
That is a massive 526% increase from the 2025 home opener against the Cleveland Cavaliers, which had a final get-in price of $215, according to the company.
Knicks fans will be shelling out more than 500% more for opening night this season than last season. Aristide Economopoulos for NY Post
Opening Night get-in price is higher than all Knicks playoff games last season except for Game 3 and Game 4 of the NBA Finals, TicketIQ reported.
“The championship has completely reset the Knicks ticket market,” said Jesse Lawrence, CEO of TicketIQ.
The get-in price for games at MSG will be roughly 47% higher than last year — jumping from $234 last season to $344 this upcoming season, according to TicketIQ.
The opening night will see the Knicks raise a championship banner into the rafters thanks, in part, to NBA Finals hero OG Anunoby (left) and Karl-Anthony Towns (right). Charles Wenzelberg / New York Post
Driving the price surge for the home opener are two major basketball milestones.
The Knicks will raise a championship banner into the rafters in MSG for the first time in 53 years — when the team last won the NBA Finals in 1973.
The game will also be the debut of LeBron James as a 76er after he ditched the Los Angeles Lakers for the City of Brotherly Love this past off season.
The market for tickets on opening night is still fluid and the get-in price is down 5% over the last four days from $1,417, according to TicketIQ.
The Post reached out to MSG for information regarding ticket prices for the 2026-27 season.
Bronny showing love to Nick Smith Jr. after his Real Madrid signing:
(@PurpGoldLakers) 
