MIAMI, FLORIDA - FEBRUARY 25: Deandre Ayton #22 of the Phoenix Suns talks with head coach Igor Kokoskov against the Miami Heat during the first half at American Airlines Arena on February 25, 2019 in Miami, Florida. 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 Michael Reaves/Getty Images) | Getty Images
Just when everyone had (mostly) healed and moved on from all of the emotions surrounding the Deandre Ayton era, we were reminded of a decision made in 2018 that wasn’t nearly as close as we believed. Former Phoenix Suns head coach Igo Kokoshov recently spent time on the X&O’s Chat podcast, stating, “We never, literally never, had a single serious strategic conversation about who we were going to draft, which gave me more than enough of an indication that the decision had already been made. So, Robert Sarver went to Arizona, so he had an emotional connection to Ayton.”
“We never, literally never, had a single serious strategic conversation about who we were going to draft… Robert Sarver went to Arizona, so he had an emotional connection to Ayton.”
Igor Kokoskov on the Phoenix Suns not drafting Luka Doncic 😬
This provides a degree of validation to what many Suns followers have speculated and feared. If true, it means the 2018 front office was not even permitted to consider a generational talent. Not 20-20 vision here, but rather a player who was regarded so highly that a case can be made he hasn’t fully lived up to projections made at the time of that draft. Not allowing his consideration adds another song to Sarver’s “Worst of” album.
Many of you are probably playing the mental what-if game right now. What if we had made that selection to pair Luka Doncic with Devin Booker (and Mikal Bridges as part of that same draft)? Like all basketball — and life — the ripple effect of one event is impossible to determine. There is no way to know how the big man rotation would have worked out. Doubtful we would have had a CP3 signing. Unknown if the level of defense would have allowed an NBA Finals run. Dominos such as signing KD also may not have fallen. Maybe that perfect frontline/defensive piece would have come along, and we’d all have t-shirts with two trophies on them now.
There’s just no way to know. But we do know the disgraced owner adds another chapter to a disappointing legacy.
When NBA owners met in New York this week, they discussed expansion to Las Vegas and Seattle, but no final decision has been made. Yet.
While the latest round of bids for Las Vegas are "coming in shortly," NBA Commissioner Adam Silver said — those are due Thursday, according to reports — those will not be the final bids for the "several active groups" in the mix to bring a team to Sin City.
"The NBA and Silver are in deeper and deeper stages of the expansion conversation, and I'm told specifically for Las Vegas the next round of bids for an expansion team in Las Vegas are due on Thursday, and then final bids expected to be some point shortly thereafter. My understanding is proposals for that Vegas team is reaching and potentially exceeding $10 billion, and so far, the Vegas process has moved with more pace than Seattle, but those Seattle conversations are continuing as well."
Dallas Mavericks governor Patrick Dumont — the CEO and chairman of Las Vegas Sands — led part of the discussion around the Las Vegas team, specifically focusing on arena location, Silver said.
"I'll say that there was a discussion led by Patrick Dumont, of course, who is a Las Vegas resident, enormous operating experience there in Las Vegas, just sort of as an independent objective party," Silver said. "[Dumont] led a discussion around the various sites, potential sites, in Las Vegas."
While there is the T-Mobile Arena just off the Strip — the home to the WNBA's Aces, the NHL's Golden Knights, and it has been home to the final rounds of the NBA Cup the past couple of years — Silver said "it needs some significant improvements" before an NBA team could move in. Some ownership groups are proposing building new stadiums, Silver added.
While the Las Vegas process is moving faster and generated more discussion — and that team is expected to go for $2-3 billion more than the Seattle franchise — it is possible the Seattle team actually takes the court sooner because of the arena situation.
"In Seattle, we have had [NBA] operational groups out to Climate Pledge [Arena], Silver said. "You clearly have a state-of-the-art arena there. May require some modifications for NBA basketball. If we were opening in five weeks, we could be ready in Seattle."
The owners took no votes on expansion at this meeting, but Silver reiterated that "it's our goal to have decisions by the end of the year."
WASHINGTON, DC - APRIL 07: Anthony Gill #16 of the Washington Wizards in action against the Chicago Bulls during the second half at Capital One Arena on April 7, 2026 in Washington, DC. 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 Scott Taetsch/Getty Images) | Getty Images
On Tuesday, the Washington Wizards announced that they have re-signed forward Anthony Gill. Per various reports, the contract is for one season, according to Michael Scotto of HoopsHype.
The Washington Wizards have re-signed Anthony Gill to a one-year deal, league sources told @hoopshype. Gill has shot 54.5% from the field over the past six seasons with the Wizards and has been a beloved locker room presence. Gill now holds Washington’s 15th roster spot. pic.twitter.com/M6Jv6nt3Hn
Gill is the longest tenured Wizards player among players on the active roster, entering his seventh season in Washington. He averaged a career-high 5.8 points and 2.9 rebounds per game in 55 appearances in the 2025-26 season. Gill’s time extends back to the 2020-21 season, the last time Washington made the NBA Playoffs.
The 2020s has certainly been a time where the Wizards started the decade with a playoff appearance but were never able to come back close anytime since. Much of it is their own doing due to their rebuild, but my point is that rosters often turnover completely over six years when there is a significant front office shift. And despite it all, Gill has remained as a consummate professional, getting minutes where he can while setting a good example for younger players.
NBA Commissioner Adam Silver, addressing the media following the Board of Governors meetings on Tuesday, said the Clippers’ salary-cap circumvention penalties are “final”. NBAE via Getty Images
Among the many things he made clear during his media availability Tuesday following the NBA’s Board of Governors meetings was this: He doesn’t expect for there to be any further sanctions stemming from the scandal.
“The discipline is final,” Silver said during his first public comments since the league announced harsh punishments against the Clippers two weeks ago.
The NBA, through an independent investigation conducted by the law firm of Wachtell, Lipton, Rosen & Katz, found the Clippers violated the league’s salary cap circumvention rules by “initiating off-court income opportunities” for Leonard with four different companies that also did business with the team.
The league dropped staggering punishments on the Clippers, fining the franchise $30 million, suspending owner/chairman Steve Ballmer for one year and stripping the franchise of five first-round draft picks from 2029-33.
Leonard was forced to pay the NBA $700,000 for restitution for improper benefits provided by the Clippers, while his uncle and former business manager, Dennis Robertson, has been banned by the NBA from all business dealings for five years.
Kawhi Leonard was traded back to the Raptors. AP Photo/Jenny Kane
Silver said he met with Leonard but didn’t want to get into the details of his conversations with the National Basketball Players Association that led to Leonard’s punishment.
“I think we all agree it’s time to move forward here,” Silver said. “[NBPA Executive Director] David Kelly represented his player well and the interest of the Players Association. All I can say is I think we reached a fair outcome for everyone.”
As for the Clippers, Silver said the league looked at previous violations when figuring out how to punish the Clippers.
“There is precedent of a team for cap violation, circumvention violation, losing five picks, Silver said. “That was something we looked to.”
With Clippers owner Steve Ballmer suspended, the franchise wasn’t represented at the NBA’s Board of Governors’ fall meetings. AP Photo/Ryan Sun
He was referencing when then-NBA Commissioner David Stern stripped the Timberwolves of five first-round draft picks (selections in the drafts from 2001-05) in October 2000 for circumventing the salary cap for Joe Smith.
The NBA gave the Timberwolves back their 2003 first-round draft pick in December 2000 after then-owner Glen Taylor accepted a suspension and executive Kevin McHale took a leave of absence.
By December 2001, the league also restored the Timberwolves’ 2005 first-round pick.
But, at least for now, it doesn’t appear the Clippers will be getting any of their draft picks back.
Silver acknowledged the tough place the Clippers’ sanctions puts their fans in.
“To your point, I think that’s in some ways the most difficult part of adjudicating these disputes,” Silver said. “Because while there have to be competitive consequences, our view, if these rules are violated, we still want to be a 30-team league. We recognize that in some ways we’re unfortunately punishing the fans of that team as well. That’s the balance we’re trying to seek.
“I don’t think in any way we’ve done permanent damage to this franchise. No question, this is a setback for the team. As I said, the ultimate goal in terms of these type of sanctions is to ensure that other teams don’t engage in this type of behavior in the future. So there has to be something beyond suspensions and financial consequences. That has to go directly to competition.”
“Putting aside the precise words he chose to use, most importantly he indicated a willingness to accept the league’s decision in this case and the accompanying sanctions,” Silver said.
NBA Commissioner Adam Silver speaks to the media before the NBA Cup game between the San Antonio Spurs and the New York Knicks on Tuesday, Dec. 16, 2025, at the T-Mobile Arena in Las Vegas, Nevada. Charles Wenzelberg / New York Post
That change in posture mattered. Ballmer had previously rejected the investigation’s findings, but said Sunday that the Clippers would comply, had paid their $30 million fine and would move forward. He also apologized and accepted responsibility as principal owner.
Silver suggested Ballmer may have had a reason to avoid an admission.
“There are other inquiries that have nothing to do with the NBA that the Clippers and Steve Ballmer are now dealing with,” Silver said, adding that Ballmer may need to “choose his words carefully.”
Silver did not identify those inquiries or accuse Ballmer of a federal crime. But the Justice Department has reportedly opened a criminal investigation into the Clippers’ dealings with Kawhi Leonard, leaving the owner potentially exposed beyond the league’s disciplinary process.
The NBA hammered the Clippers with a $30 million fine and the loss of five first-round picks after finding salary-cap violations. Ballmer was suspended for one year, while Leonard was ordered to pay $700,000.
The Clippers were not represented at the meetings because they are appointing an interim governor, who must be vetted.
Los Angeles Clippers owner Steve Ballmer celebrates after guard Chris Paul hit a last second basket during the second half of Game 7 in a first-round NBA basketball playoff series against the San Antonio Spurs on Saturday, May 2, 2015, in Los Angeles. The Clippers won 111-109. APSteve Ballmer, former CEO of Microsoft, addresses a plenary session entitled “Civic Engagement: Understanding Government by the Numbers” on the third day of the National Governors Association’s meeting Saturday, July 15, 2017, in Providence, R.I. AP
Despite the outside uncertainty, Silver signaled that the NBA’s case is effectively closed. The discipline is final, and Ballmer’s decision to stand down marked a sharp break from the organization’s early defiance.
Silver expects further conversations with Ballmer over the next year and sees every reason for him to return as an owner in good standing after serving his suspension.
The NBA is ready to turn the page. Whether federal authorities are is a separate question — and perhaps why Ballmer chose every word with care.
And one month later, in October 2025, Walter was officially approved as the Lakers majority owner and purchased the franchise.
NBA Commissioner Adam Silver addressed Mark Walter during his media availability after the league’s Board of Governors meetings. Charles Wenzelberg / New York Post
“I will say at the time that we vetted Mark Walter to be the principal governor of the team, again, he was already a part owner, minority owner in the Los Angeles Lakers. We went through the full process we all do,” Silver said Tuesday. “We spoke to governmental agencies. We spoke to, in the case of Mark Walter, a heavily regulated insurance agency. We spoke to other leagues in which he has investments. We found no red flags.”
Walter’s holding company, TWG Global, released a statement in late August defending business practices and denying any wrongdoing.
The statement also made it clear the Dodgers are “not being sold and no sale process has been initiated,” and added that Walter/TWG isn’t considering selling their stakes in the Cadillac Formula 1 team or any other part of TWG Motorsports.
Commissioner of the NBA Adam Silver (far left) learned Mark Walter was selling the Lakers to Josh Kushner (middle left) and Bob Iger (middle right) after he heard from Kushner and Iger they had a handshake deal with Walter. Getty Images
Silver said he didn’t know Walter was selling the Lakers until after the deal was made with Kushner and Iger.
“Even to this day, as you know, these are — call them allegations,” Silver added. “There are issues that are now being looked into. Independent of Mark Walter choosing to sell his team right now, he was not being investigated by our league. I don’t know what’s happening in other leagues right now…I had no prior notion that he was intending to sell his team until I heard from the buyers that they had a handshake with him.”
Two of Walter’s companies — Delaware Life Insurance Company and its affiliate Clear Spring Life and Annuity — received grand jury subpoenas in February.
Federal prosecutors in New York and the U.S. Securities and Exchange Commission (SEC) are undergoing their own separate investigations.
The scrunity surrounding Walter has raised questions whether the NBA should’ve approved for him to become the Lakers owner.
But Silver defended the league’s vetting process for owners and ownership groups.
“We take the vetting process very seriously,” Silver said. “A lot of what we do is intensive database searching. You would think in this day and age with AI and everything else, everything is centralized. It’s not. In many cases, you’re going state by state. In certain cases, people are of industries that are regulated state by state. So you have to go there as well.
“We also talk to as many people as we can find who have knowledge about these people. We do interviews. But beyond that, I will say we’re always reassessing to see if we can do more. In fairness to the parties involved, even Mark Walter, as we sit here, I know no more about him than we did when we vetted him. I read newspaper articles. In fairness to him, I don’t know where those investigations are going to come out. I don’t know where any government inquiries are going to come out. We’re always seeing if we can do things better. I don’t see a trend or some widespread issue certainly among our principal owners that gives me cause for concern.”
NEW YORK - NBA Commissioner Adam Silver said the league looked at precedent before taking away five first-round draft picks from the Los Angeles Clippers for circumventing salary cap rules, though noted that the decision was difficult because of the impact it could have on the team’s fans.
Silver, speaking Tuesday at the end of a two-day Board of Governors meeting, pointed to how the Minnesota Timberwolves were once docked five picks for cap circumvention as the precedent used in this case. And while noting that he doesn’t believe the loss of picks will lead to what he called “permanent damage” to the Clippers, it is still a major setback.
“I think that’s, in some ways, the most difficult part of adjudicating these disputes,” Silver said. “While there have to be competitive consequences, in our view, if these rules are violated we still want to be a 30-team league and we recognize that in some ways we’re unfortunately punishing the fans of that team as well.”
Those were Silver’s first public comments after the Clippers were found to have circumvented salary cap rules on Kawhi Leonard’s behalf — something the team vehemently denied during a yearlong investigation. The NBA hit the Clippers earlier this month with massive penalties as a result of that probe, suspending owner Steve Ballmer for one year, fining the team $30 million and forcing it to forfeit five first-round draft picks, among other sanctions.
The trade sending Leonard back to Toronto was finally completed Monday after the Raptors and Clippers got the customary league approval required for such deals. And Ballmer, earlier this week, said he would accept the penalties and that the fine has already been paid.
The Clippers were not represented at the board meeting, Silver said, since the team remains in the process of finding an interim governor.
The 2026-27 NBA season could determine whether the Golden State Warriors extend their aging foundation or finally tear it down.
Stephen Curry, Draymond Green and Jimmy Butler are all playing on expiring contracts, giving Golden State an opportunity to disband its veteran core if the season begins poorly.
Marcus Thompson II, who has covered the Warriors for more than a decade as a beat writer and columnist for The Athletic, raised the possibility of Green being traded during an appearance on “The Kevin O’Connor Show.”
Stephen Curry and Draymond Green during an NBA game for the Warriors. Robert Sabo for NY Post
“I think this might be the time,” Thompson said. “Right now, we’re gonna figure out what happens next. I think by the trade deadline, we’ll know. This is gonna be tough, and we could really, fully be saying goodbye. Draymond could be traded at the trade deadline.”
Thompson could also envision Butler being moved, but he did not believe the Warriors would consider dealing Curry, whom he described as a franchise “lifer.”
Moving Green would not be simple. He would be an expensive rental earning $27.7 million and likely would not command the return he once did, despite remaining one of the NBA’s most impactful defensive players.
A contender looking to upgrade its defense could still pursue Green without surrendering a major portion of its future.
Stephen Curry and Warriors face important transition ahead of the NBA trade deadline. Draymond Green could potentially be traded. Robert Sabo for NY Post
Butler presents a different complication. He turned 37 on Monday and is recovering from the torn ACL he suffered last season. The veteran forward is not expected to return until late January or early February.
Golden State acquired Butler from the Miami Heat at the 2025 trade deadline. The move has not produced the intended results, with Butler appearing in only 68 games for the Warriors over parts of two seasons.
With Stephen Curry locked Jimmy Butler becomes a trade candidate if Warriors underperform during 2026-2027 NBA season. Robert Sabo for NY Post
Thompson noted that Golden State has approximately $100 million in expiring contracts, much of it attached to the core of its roster. That flexibility would allow the front office to make a dramatic pivot if it determines the current group can no longer contend.
“That’s the core players,” Thompson said. “Klay’s already gone. If Draymond leaves, there’s a sense you could feel like they just might start this thing completely over.”
Resetting during the final years of Curry’s career would be seismic, but the Warriors are already attempting to build their next generation. Coach Steve Kerr recently praised the influx of young talent on Golden State’s roster, particularly No. 11 overall pick Yaxel Lendeborg.
If the Warriors stumble, the trade deadline could become more than an opportunity to adjust the roster. It could mark the end of their championship foundation.
LAS VEGAS, NV - JULY 18: The sneakers worn by Matthew Cleveland #35 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
NEW YORK — NBA commissioner Adam Silver said the punishment of the Los Angeles Clippers for their role in circumventing the salary cap is final and was meant as a deterrent for other teams not to engage in breaking league rules.
Silver discussed some of the league's pressing matters as they concluded the two-day Board of Governors meeting in midtown Manhattan, while preparing for their 81st season starting Oct. 20, when the New York Knicks begin their defense of the championship against the Philadelphia 76ers.
Los Angeles had five first-round picks taken away, was fined $30 million, and Clippers owner Steve Ballmer was suspended from all league and team activities for one year for what the NBA said was the team "knowingly seeking to help" star forward Kawhi Leonard obtain off-court income opportunities.
Two other Clippers executives were suspended, and Leonard was fined $700,000 for their roles in the scheme; they were not represented at this Board of Governors meeting. Ballmer apologized to the team's fans and said in a statement he won't fight the salary-cap circumvention penalties.
Silver said during a press conference that there was difficulty in punishing the team, but there had to be "competitive consequences" for rule violations, and he doesn't think that he has done permanent damage to the franchise.
"We still want to be a 30-team league, and we recognize that, in some ways, we're unfortunately punishing the fans of that team as well. And so that's the balance we're trying to seek," Silver said. "The ultimate goal, in terms of these type of sanctions, are to ensure that other teams don't have to engage in this type of behavior, in the future, so there has to be something beyond suspensions and financial consequences, and that has to be to regulate competition"
The Clippers concluded the June 30 trade that sent Leonard back to the Toronto Raptors, where he helped win the NBA championship in 2019, for forward Brandon Ingram, guard Gradey Dick, as well as two unprotected first-round picks, one first-round pick swap, and two second-round selections. That deal had been on hold at the team's discretion while the NBA concluded its investigation into the Clippers.
Latest on Lakers sale
Silver also updated the situation with the Los Angeles Lakers, which is being sold by Los Angeles Dodgers co-owner and TWG Global CEO Mark Walter for a record $12.5 billion to businessman Josh Kushner and former Disney CEO Bob Iger.
Lakers controlling owner Jeanie Buss is challenging that sale, saying her five siblings don't have the right to sell the family's 17.8% remaining stake in the team. Buss, by virtue of having more than 15% ownership of the team, remains the Lakers' governor.
Silver said he had no prior knowledge that Walter, whom federal prosecutors are investigating for potential financial improprieties at two insurance companies he controlled, wanted to sell the team until he heard from buyers who had a handshake deal with him. When dealing with Walter, Silver said the league found no red flags when he originally bought the team in October 2025.
"Even to this day, as you know, these are allegations," Silver said. There are issues that are now being looked into, but independent of Mark Walter choosing to sell this team right now, he was not being investigated by our league."
NBA expansion?
Silver discussed the potential league expansion into Las Vegas and Seattle, as well as the situation in Portland with the Trail Blazers, where the fight for a new arena drags on under owner Thomas Dundon.
Silver made it clear that the team needs a new arena to replace the Moda Center, which opened in 1995 and is considered one of the league's worst venues. He added that they haven't discussed the team relocating and that it would be a "failure" if the team moved.
"It is important, at the same time, that Tom Dundon reaches a deal with the city officials and the state elected officials that makes operating important and viable for the long term. So that's what we're focused on."
There is no timetable for the expansion of the new teams, the last of which was added in 2004 with the Charlotte Bobcats, bringing the league's total to 30. The Bobcats were renamed the Hornets a decade later.
As far as Vegas and Seattle, Silver said the next round of bids will be coming in shortly.
"I think that there is real excitement around either, you know, a renovated T-Mobile Arena," Silver said of Vegas. "I think it still needs some significant improvements, but at the same time, there are groups who have presented plans to go, what I would call, you know, a modern entertainment palace in Las Vegas, and it's a unique market."
INDIANAPOLIS, IN - JANUARY 10: Lindy Waters III #43 of the Golden State Warriors celebrates during the game against the Indiana Pacers on January 10, 2025 at Gainbridge Fieldhouse in Indianapolis, Indiana. 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 A.J. Mast/NBAE via Getty Images) | NBAE via Getty Images
For a few glorious weeks in 2024, Lindy Waters III looked like an incredible free-agent find for the Golden State Warriors. He sank seven of his first 12 three-point attempts to start the season and went 20-for-52 from deep in his first 15 games as the Warriors started the season 12-3. It sounds crazy in hindsight, but there was genuine discussion about whether the Warriors had too much depth for a functional rotation.
He hit some big shots, though his sickest one came to win a preseason game, which kicked off a huge celebration. Don’t tell these guys exhibition games don’t matter!
Eventually Waters cooled off, shooting 33.1% for the Warriors overall, and was part of the mega-trade that brought Jimmy Butler to Golden State. Waters ended up with the Detroit Pistons, where he played sparingly and didn’t appear in the playoffs, before spending last season with the Western Conference champion San Antonio Spurs.
Now he’s doing just what Victor Wembanyama did last summer: Heading to China to further his career.
Former Warriors and Spurs wing Lindy Waters III is leaving the NBA to join the Beijing Ducks in the CBA.
Waters will join the Beijing Shougang Ducks, a Chinese Basketball Association team best known in America for winning three titles with Stephon Marbury from 2012-15, who starred in a musical about his life called “I Am Marbury” in the middle of that run. Marbury has a bronze statue in his honor, his face on a postage stamp, and a museum dedicated to him in China.
Gotta make a religious pilgrimage to the bronze Stephon Marbury statue in China pic.twitter.com/rCIky3G71A
The Ducks also have former Warrior Omari Spellman, who played alongside another former Warrior, JaVale McGee, during the end of last season in Beijing. McGee has not yet retired at age 38, splitting his time last season between the Ducks and Australia’s Illawarra Hawks.
With Waters ineligible to sign a two-way deal, there simply aren’t a lot of NBA roster spots available, even for a solid outside shooter like Waters. He has a chance to make more money and start a second career in China at age 29. Sure, there will be some culture shock, but after Waters spent most of the past five years in San Antonio and Oklahoma City, he’s probably getting a serious lifestyle upgrade.
There simply wasn’t a place for Waters on the Spurs roster with the team adding two first-round picks, Jayden Quaintance and Tarris Reed, Jr., while also adding Tobias Harris in free agency. Plus, the already-stocked Spurs backcourt still has David Jones Garcia on a two-way deal and newly-drafted Tennessee star Ja’Kobi Gillespie.
It was a weird summer for Waters, who was accidentally part of a Spurs controversy. The team dismissed announcer Jacob Tobey after someone (almost certainly his girlfriend) posted on Tobey’s Instagram that he had cheated on her with Loren Waters, the sister of the Spurs guard. However, after two months, the Spurs welcomed Tobey back last week.
I thank the Spurs for allowing me time to step away to sort out issues in my personal life. I understand that I will have to regain trust within the organization and across our community, a community where I will continue to be present with enthusiasm and passion. I believe I…
Tuesday marked the first day of a new chapter in Celtics history, when the team introduced Paul George and Mike Conley at the Auerbach Center in Brighton.
George entered the league as the 10th overall pick in 2010, and he’s played in 945 regular-season games and 125 playoff games, making nine All-Star teams along the way. Few active players in the NBA could top that kind of experience, but Conley is one of them, with 1,226 regular-season games and 120 playoff games under his belt after being selected fourth overall way back in 2007.
And while the city and the organization is obviously still transitioning out of the Jaylen Brown era, Tuesday’s introduction to George and Conley helped move the process along.
“These are two guys who have been in the league, have incredible legacies when it comes to the NBA, but neither has won a championship yet. And that was something that they each brought up themselves multiple times,” Abby Chin told Chris Forsberg on the latest Celtics Talk Podcast. “And there is no question a sense of urgency with both of those guys.”
Abby then shared her expectations for both George and Conley in the upcoming season while also sharing an outlook on Jayson Tatum.
Expectations for Paul George
“Coming off of this press conference, I’m expecting more from Paul George than I think I was initially,” Abby said. “I think Paul George is gonna bring a lot, and he expects himself to bring a lot.”
Abby added: “He’s saying all the right things. He’s also saying that he feels great physically. … As of late, all of his offseasons have been about rehab and getting back to health. Having that time off has allowed his body to heal naturally, and he feels ready to go and is — there is no question in my mind — motivated for this season.”
George has only averaged 49 games per season, but Forsberg shared that the veteran is setting a goal to simply be more available this coming season.
“I think that’s really refreshing. The guy wants to be out there,” Forsberg said. “And he’s still gotta balance it. He’s gotta make sure he’s the best version of himself when the games matter the most. If the Celtics get that playoff version of Paul George, though, it’s gonna be interesting to see. And his willingness to try to make everyone else around him better could be really good for this team.”
“The leadership,” Abby said. “Using his experience to kind of coach guys along as well. I think you get another coach out there on the floor. I think Joe Mazzulla is very excited to have a Mike Conley around, someone who can kind of be his guy on the floor directing traffic and just kind of explaining what he’s seeing and the decisions that he’s making, why he’s making them to help this team evolve.”
“I’m expecting a 100 percent Jayson Tatum. Are you not?” Abby said. “You can’t put a ceiling on Jayson. He has fulfilled any sort of expectation that anyone has put on him. If last season was the challenge to Jaylen Brown to step up and be the guy for this team, this is Jayson Tatum’s season. And I have absolutely no reason to doubt him.”
Forsberg anticipates that the team will still tread with caution when it comes to managing Tatum’s workload, but the potential for a monster season is clearly present.
“Look,” Forsberg said, “last time I saw him when he had two healthy legs, he was top four in MVP voting, he was averaging 30 points per game a couple of seasons before that.”
LOS ANGELES, CA - FEBRUARY 28: Paul George #13 of the LA Clippers talks with Mike Conley #10 of the Minnesota Timberwolves during the game on February 28, 2023 at Crypto.Com Arena in Los Angeles, California. NOTE TO USER: User expressly acknowledges and agrees that, by downloading and/or using this Photograph, user is consenting to the terms and conditions of the Getty Images License Agreement. Mandatory Copyright Notice: Copyright 2023 NBAE (Photo by Adam Pantozzi/NBAE via Getty Images) | NBAE via Getty Images
BRIGHTON — At age 38, Mike Conley is entering his 20th NBA season. Two years Conley’s junior, Paul George is entering his 17th campaign.
Together, the Celtics’ two veteran players have accomplished a boatload: they’ve combined for 10 All-Star appearances and collectively scored more than 36,000 career points. They’ve each made the NBA playoffs 12 times.
Still, despite their long list of accolades, neither Celtics offseason addition has achieved the thing they want most: an NBA title.
As such, on Tuesday afternoon, when Conley and George sat side-by-side at the Auerbach Center podium for their introductory press conference with the Celtics, the two made clear how desperately they wanted that to change.
“I believe I’m a winning guy,” George said. “And so that’s always gonna be a chip on my shoulder.”
Mike Conley explained he chose to sign with the Celtics as a free agent in pursuit of his first-ever championship, while George stressed that joining such a banner-filled organization only increased his own desire to win one.
“You look around the league, there are very few organizations and teams that you look at that honestly are trying to win every year,” Conley said. “The culture here in Boston speaks for itself — the championships, the banners, the fanbase.”
Conley, who will likely serve as the team’s backup point guard, noted he still feels he has plenty to give on the court this year. But it’s his off-court leadership that might end up being most impactful when it’s all said and done — and a burning desire to win his first-ever NBA championship at age 38.
“It’s that sense of urgency that maybe reignites that for the guys who have been on this team who’ve already won it,” Conley said. “To kind of continue to push them every day, continue to show them how bad we want to win in practices and try to translate that to games.”
In a similar vein, when George was asked about his overall impressions of the Celtics, he emphasized his own desire to win a title: “When you think of Boston, it’s winning.”
“I haven’t won yet, so I’m on the other side of that,” George said. “So the chip on my shoulder is — I believe I’m a winning player. I believe I’m all about winning, being a winning teammate, a winning locker room guy.”
And, both players stressed that they planned to bring desperation and urgency to a Celtics squad that is just two years removed from a title.
Many on the current Celtics roster do have championship experience
Jayson Tatum, Derrick White, Payton Pritchard, Sam Hauser, Neemias Queta, and Jordan Walsh were all on the 2024 title team, as was the majority of the current coaching staff, minus a few exceptions.
On top of that, Mitchell Robinson, who has yet to be formally introduced in Boston, joins the Celtics just a few months removed from his first-ever championship with the Knicks,
Joe Mazzulla said the Celtics will tap into all of the different experiences that the new additions bring to the roster, both Robinson’s newfound championship pedigree and Conley and George’s pursuit of a first-ever title.
“We have Mitch, who’s coming off a win, so we have to take that wisdom and experience. He was around great coaches and great players,” Mazzulla said. “And Mike alluded to it — Mike and Paul have a different perspective on not getting there yet, and that desperation, and we need to be able to leverage that as a team, and that’s where they could lead and help us.”
Paul George is a 9-time All-Star, a 6-time All-NBA member, and a 4-time All-Defense team member. He’s won an Olympic gold medal with Team USA. He’s scored nearly 20,000 points in his regular-season career.
Still, he’s well-aware of the one thing his resume lacks, and he’s eager to change that.
“I’m a guy that, when it’s all said and done, where my legacy falls [when] being compared to guys in my category, I’ve yet to have something to show for it.”
Jan 25, 2025; Minneapolis, Minnesota, USA; Minnesota Timberwolves forward Julius Randle (30) is defended by Denver Nuggets forward Michael Porter Jr. (rear) and guard Russell Westbrook (4) during the second quarter at Target Center. Mandatory Credit: Jeffrey Becker-Imagn Images | USA TODAY Sports via Reuters Con
Let’s face it, last June’s big move, the three-team deal that brought Julius Randle to Brooklyn, was a salary dump on behalf of the Minnesota Timberwolves. Nets got the 31-year-old Randle — and a second first round pick in the next night’s draft — for Nic Claxton who wouldn’t even be sent to Minnesota.
Claxton would wind up with the Chicago Bulls. The T’Wolves got a second rounder from the Nets, along with cap space and a big trade exception. The deal permitted Minnesota to sign Ayo Dusumu to a five-year $112 million deal hours later. Clearly, the T’Wolves valued the young Dusumu over the veteran Randle.
Still, it should wind up as a good deal for Sean Marks & co., just like last year’s big salary dump with Denver Nuggets that brought them Michael Porter Jr. Randle is one of a handful of players to average 20+points, grab 6+ rebounds and hand out 5+ assists last season … and he played in 79 games.
There are a lot of people though who look past that stat and the three NBA All-Star selections and two All-NBA selections and see a relic of another era, someone who makes his money pounding in the paint. Most of all they wonder how Randle can fit with MPJ. Those two will be getting the bulk of the minutes upfront along with Day’Ron Sharpe.
Steve Lichtenstein writing for his Steve’s Newsletter laid out the basics.
It can be tricky for a HC to have two players who consider themselves the team’s alpha, especially when one, in this case Porter, will be playing on an expiring contract (barring the remote event an extension agreement is reached before the season). Randle has a $35.8 million player option for 2027-28.
Porter is coming off the most prolific season of his seven-year career in nearly every raw category, not to mention breaking his previous high usage percentage by a large margin. With the exception of the 18 games he played with Cam Thomas, Porter was typically Brooklyn’s sole available offensive force, which he seemed to relish by performing at an All-Star level (even if he was robbed of the honor).
That offense was the worst in the NBA in both offensive efficiency and points scored last season. Any help would be welcomed and Randle could be a big help. He’s seen as having done a good job deferring to Anthony Edwards in Minny after being “the man” with the New York Knicks. And in a talk with the media at the Brooklyn Basketball Training Center a few days back, he dismissed any concerns. Two different games that can mesh, he said in essence.
“I told him that like players like him, I love playing with because of how well he can space the floor,” Randle said of MPJ’s forte. “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.”
Lichtenstein said he can see how Jordi Fernandez could stagger the two player (perhaps giving the overage to Noah Clowney?) and utilize Randle’s underrated passing. He’s averaged better than five assists per game over the past six years. Here’s how Lichtenstein envisioned the fit when the two are on the court together:
Fernandez used a variety of screen techniques and dribble handoffs to free Porter last season and that was with non-shooting center Nic Claxton often acting as the hub. NBA.com tracking had Porter leading the team in offensive miles run per game, an absolute necessity given all the attention he received from opposing defenses. It may take a while for Randle to replicate that chemistry, but his superior scoring prowess should make things easier because opponents will have to think harder about the consequences from ignoring him with the ball in his hands like they routinely did with Claxton.
Lichtenstein also debunks the notion that Randle takes too many dribbles, writing “his average dribbles per touch generally a little over 2.0. That’s not a ton, maybe a little over the league median.”
Brian Lewis tackled the same issue today for the Post. He pointed out that the combination could help the Nets get to that nirvana of quick shots and quick decision-making they’ve prioritized in their personnel choices during the rebuild.
Randle averaged 4.02 seconds per touch last season, which would have trailed only backup point guards Ben Saraf and Nolan Traoré on the Nets. Meanwhile, Porter got off the ball quickly, his scant 2.17 seconds per touch the quickest of all the Brooklyn regulars.
Lewis also mentions that should the two mesh, that could make for better trade packages in return for MPJ, come the early February deadline.
That ability to play off a ball-dominant scorer should make Porter a good fit to scale into any offense and alongside any star, making him all the more valuable to a contender before the trade deadline. But while the Nets still have both he and Randle together, it should make the duo effective.
Of course, there’s the other end of the court where neither Porter Jr. nor Randle are seen as stalwarts on D. Far from it.
“Jordi’s gonna want to play with a high pace and the right way, but you’re gonna hang your hat on the other end of the court as well,” said Marks in Las Vegas. “Defensively — not only Julius and MPJ, but the entire roster — our expectations are diving on the floor for loose balls, being a disruptor, hands in the passing lane, and just playing a brand of basketball that the borough can get behind.”
As Lichtenstein wrote:
However, we all should be horrified at the prospect of a defensive nightmare with the two on the court. Just among the Atlantic Division’s forwards, which one is guarding Philadelphia’s LeBron James, Boston’s Jayson Tatum, and Toronto’s Kawhi Leonard? Randle tried his hand at taking New York’s Karl-Anthony Towns in their two meetings last season—it didn’t go well, per NBA.com’s tracking. Towns scored 21 points on 7-for-13 shooting with Randle as the nearest defender.
But if you assessed Randle’s defensive metrics as substandard, they looked stellar in comparison to Porter, whose effort on that end is often lacking on and off the ball. Neither player is known for sprinting back in transition either, so that’s going to be a major problem.
Or as Lewis noted, it’s not beyond Fernandez’s desire for D to suggest that the Nets could occasionally bench his two scorers. Bottom line, though, for Randle will be able to put points on the board. The Flatbush 5’s growth should help and Mikel Brown Jr. proved he could score in a number of different ways while at Louisville.
Randle told Lewis that having two established scorers should help the youngest team in the NBA grow. He was asked if he and Porter Jr. have talked about the fit since Randle was traded back on June 23.
“A lot. We talked a lot and spent some time together for a few days,” Randle said of Porter. “And he’s cool. We’ve been around for a minute, and understand each other’s games very well and how we can really complement each other, honestly.
“[We are] two guys who can obviously both score the ball, but do it very different ways; his ability to be able to catch and shoot and move being a big wing, move off the ball. And me, my ability to be able to create off the dribble and with my passing.”
ORLANDO, FL - MARCH 31: Rasheer Fleming #20 of the Phoenix Suns handles the ball during the game against the Orlando Magic on March 31, 2026 at Kia Center in Orlando, Florida. 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 Fernando Medina/NBAE via Getty Images) | NBAE via 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.
Rasheer Fleming
Power forward, 6’9”, 240 pounds, 22 years old, 2nd season
Ah, Rasheer Fleming. He’s a player with much promise, and someone you can’t help but get excited about when you project who and what he could be. Expectations must be tempered, of course. He was taken with the 31st pick in the 2025 NBA Draft, meaning 30 teams passed on him for a reason. But when we watch him play, as he glides with his condor-like wings, your heartbeat starts to spike. He looks like an NBA player, which sounds like half-assed scouting. But when you see it, you know it.
After a freshman year in which he showcased promise, the true test begins. The sophomore year is typically when we see the largest developmental jump, as prospects no longer are taken aback by the inaugural sights and sounds of the Association and have had an entire summer to focus on strength training, film study, and routine.
For an organization that needs its young talent to pop, Fleming represents the possibilities for the next phase of Phoenix Suns basketball. While the expectations that sit upon his broad shoulders aren’t nearly as heavy as those of his fellow draftmate Khaman Maluach, a season in which he plateaus developmentally would hurt the long-term viability of the franchise.
Last Season
GP
MIN
PPG
RPG
APG
STL
FG%
3PT%
FT%
OFFRTG
DEFRTG
+/- (TOTAL)
55
12.2
4.3
2.3
0.3
0.4
40.5%
34.6%
55.9%
112.7
106.6
+97
Rasheer made his NBA debut last season in the second game of the season, and scored his first NBA points in the team’s third. And while the stat sheet says he played in 55 games last season, his usage in the rotation was sporadic. Such is life for a rookie drafted in the second round. It wasn’t until late February that we began to see Felming with regularity, and with repetitions, we began to see what he could be as a player.
In the Suns’ final 25 games, Fleming played in 24 of them, averaging 18.9 minutes, 6.6 points, and 3.4 rebounds. He shot 40.2% from three-point range while averaging 1.3 stocks (steals + blocks). He was displaying his ability as a true 3-and-D player, impacting both sides of the floor. You couldn’t help but smile seeing him deny someone on one end and pump a three-ball in on the other.
He scored 10+ points in only 5 of his appearances, which is fine when you consider the role he was being asked to fulfill as a reserve. If you’re looking at box scores in an effort to define the productivity of a rookie, you’re certainly going to walk away disappointed. If you were to look at his only start of the season, game 82 when the team rested all of their regulars, there was a fortification of the promise Fleming brings. He scored 16 points on 6-of-8 shooting, including 4-of-7 from deep, adding 6 rebounds, 3 stocks, and 2 assists.
Fleming was pretty much a non-factor in the postseason as the Suns were swept by the Thunder, although he could have been if he had been provided more opportunities. I know, I know…the ‘Disease of What If’. What if he had more run? It would’ve made sense, as one of the ways to jam up two-time MVP is to throw length at him at the point of attack. It’s something the Suns chose not to do, and SGA made them pay. When Collin Gillespie guarded him for 71.9 partial possessions, he scored 30 points on 58.8% shooting and 40% from deep. Fleming guarded him for just 1.8 possessions. The result? A block.
We’ll never know what would have happened if Fleming played more than 18 minutes in the postseason. And at this point in time, we don’t have to. What’s done is done, and we’re looking forward to what he could be, not at a series that was ultimately sealed before the tip ever occurred.
Contract and Roster Context
Fleming is entering year two of a four-year, $8.7 million contract. It is guaranteed through the end of next season, with 2028-29 being a team option.
What He Brings
Hope. That is, from a fanalyst perspective, what Fleming brings first and foremost. Effective rosters are built upon the prospects that flourish within the system. These are the players who become fan favorites. Not the mercenaries, not the veteran minimums. It is the players you draft and develop who have your heart the most. Mikal and Cam. Rasheer and Khaman. That thread of “they are ours” is what endears them to a fanbase.
Exploring the traits Fleming possesses fortifies that hope. He can shoot. He can defend. He has length, athleticism, the ability to rebound, the ability to play small-ball five, and adds size. From a prospect perspective, you salivate over the upside. From a realist perspective, you know that continued development and patience must be practiced in order for him to maximize when you believe he ultimately could be.
He should see more opportunities this season, slotting in as the backup power forward. And I assume that his versatility will put him in some unique rotations where he will shine as an ancillary player. The injury to Mark Williams should open the door for him to play center in lineups when speed and spacing are prioritized. I’m interested to see him in as a small forward as well, in lineups that emphasize size and rebounding.
What Needs to Improve
For any sophomore, the goal is not to plateau. To continue to grow and develop. What does this look like for Fleming? It starts with consistency and decision-making.
Consistency can only occur when opportunity is provided, and we witnessed this in the final 25 games of last season. That needs to carry over into this season. Consistency in shooting, consistency in positioning, consistency in rebounding, effort, and defensive discipline. If you look at who Rasheer was during Summer League in 2025 and who he was a season later, you see growth. But that needs to carry over into the minutes he will be provided this season.
Decision-making is another opportunity for Fleming. There are times you can feel him thinking just a half-second too long, and processing speed needs to become instantaneous rather than processed. That ability to react quickly is the difference between a rotation player and someone sitting on the bench.
Prediction
This is a big year for Fleming, with plenty of opportunities. His versatility should give him numerous looks in different lineup combinations, and I believe he will thrive. What does thrive mean? It’s not necessarily statistical dominance, rather, it’s someone who can contribute to the greater good of the team in a multitude of ways. The skill set is there. It’s time to see the execution.
I feel that we’ll look back at the 2026-27 campaign for Fleming as one in which growth occurred. Where confidence grew. Where he impacted the game with regularity. Will there be hiccups and mental lapses? Of course. But by the end of this season, we will have confidence that this is a rotational piece moving forward, if not a core piece.
If there is one thing that is clear, it is that I am a Rasheer Fleming Stan. I believe he has the ability to be the Suns’ version of Kawhi Leonard, without all the cap-circumvention crap. He may be quiet and unassuming, but he’s an absolute beast on the hardwood. He can lock you up and hit you with a dagger three on the other end. Does he possess the upside that Kawhi does? Probably not. He possesses the intangibles that every team needs in order to be successful. It now comes down to what happens between the ears.
