Category: Basketball

The Toronto Raptors have had a history of success with European centres: Jonas Valanciunas, Marc Gasol, and now, Jakob Poeltl. But, can the Austrian big man reach the same heights as those that came before him, or will his inability to stay on the floor condemn the Raptors to another season of mediocrity?

Big man in the middle

Starting with the positives: Yak is a very capable low post scorer, and acts as an imposing presence in the paint on both sides of the floor. In his best years, he’s giving you more than two stocks a game while averaging a near double double with points and rebounds. He’s got a nice touch around the basket, boasting a good floater game. He’s a very solid screener, and all together, contributes those fundamental things that a traditional centre does that impact the game in a big way.

In the 2024-25 campaign, arguably his best season, Poeltl averaged 14.5 points and 9.6 rebounds, shooting 62.7% on more than ten shots a night. He played 57 games that year, and had a big role on a team that was going through a lot of growing pains and injury difficulties. Standing at seven feet tall, Poeltl is one of two players on the team taller than 6’11”, and with Nate Bittle still a rookie and 6’10” Trey Jemison on a two-way contract, he’s the player who ideally would be absorbing heavy minutes at centre for a wing-heavy roster. But, unfortunately, that might be easier said than done.

On the court, off the court

Poeltl will be making north of 25 million dollars a year starting next season, and currently has the third-highest amount of guaranteed money coming to him on the team. This is less than ideal for a player who had struggled with a back injury throughout all of the last season, had a down year scoring and rebounding, and played less than 20 minutes per game in the playoffs.

It’s the last one that is especially concerning for the team, as this year, it’s all but guaranteed the Raptors are playoff bound after acquiring Kawhi Leonard. Playoff performance is what the Raptors really need now, and if Poeltl is still being hampered by back injuries into next spring, the Raptors will be much weaker than they should be stepping into the postseason. What raises some eyebrows, in particular, is the lack of communication from either Poeltl or the Raptors in regards to his health. While the adage might be that no news is good news, some reassurance as to what be can expected from Yak going into the next season would go a long way.

There are good reasons for the team to keep their cards close to their chest, ranging from wanting to preserve Poeltl’s privacy, to maintaining his trade value. Regardless, as the season inches closer, it will become clearer the state that Poeltl is in, and both the team and the fans will be able to get a clearer approximation of what the Austrian Hammer will bring to the team this year.

Is it fair for the Raptors to put so much weight on Poeltl’s shoulders? In some ways, yes. The man is being paid handsomely to perform well, and was unable to do so last year. At the same time, the Raptors haven’t prioritized putting together a ready-to-go lineup of backup big men, and are choosing to test the waters this year, rather than immediately address size concerns. History will tell us if that was a mistake.

Wants and needs

The folks over at Raptors Rapture raise an excellent point, citing reporter Sam Quinn, who said that “there are maybe like 16 or 17 centers in the entire NBA that are really reliably playoff-viable.” It’s true that the NBA is in an era where big men are once again prized, but relatively few and far in between when needed to perform at the highest level. Whether in the Eastern or Western Conference, you’re not getting far without a good centre (or two) and for all of the Raptors’ strengths, reliability at the 5 is not one of them.

Jakob Poeltl doesn’t need to be Nikola Jokic this year for the Raptors to succeed, but he does need to be playable. Availability is the best availability, and hopefully now with Kawhi Leonard bringing Poeltl down to the fifth scoring option, Yak can rest a little easier on offence and save his strength for when it really matters down the line.

Warriors draft pick Lajae Jones signs with Italian team Pallacanestro Trieste originally appeared on NBC Sports Bay Area

After filling their final NBA roster spot with forward Graham Ike on a two-way contract, the Warriors have agreed to let their second-round draft selection develop overseas.

Lajae Jones, selected by Golden State with the No. 54 pick in the 2026 NBA Draft out of Florida State, officially has signed with Italian basketball team Pallacanestro Trieste of Lega Basket Serie A, the team announced on Monday.

The Warriors still retain Jones’ rights in any potential trades.

“His decision to proudly wear our Trieste uniform and pursue his basketball dreams and evolution as a player with us is evidence of his great belief in our team, staff, fans and the potential for a very special season in 2026-27,” Pallacanestro Trieste general manager Michael Arcieri wrote in a statement.

“Our collaboration throughout the season with (the) staff of the Golden State Warriors as regards (to) Lajae’s development is an incredibly exciting development and opportunity for our own staff and organization.”

Jones averaged a decent 12.7 points and 5.7 assists per game as a senior during his only season as a Seminole, but his measurables at 6-foot-7, 215 pounds clearly piqued the Warriors’ interest. In 16.3 minutes of summer league action, Jones scored 8.7 points per game on 48.8-percent shooting as a part of the Warriors’ title-winning roster 

Jones is the latest Golden State second-rounder to begin his career in Italy, following Arizona guard Nico Mannion, who also played in Italy during the 2021-2022 season after the Warriors selected him in the second round of the 2020 draft.

Another Golden State connection, is fan favorite Juan Toscano-Anderson, who also plays for Pallacanestro Trieste and will be teammate with Jones.

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You and a buddy are watching the Knicks game at home when the refs make an egregiously erroneous call. The two of you hurl obscenities and whatever’s handy at the TV. Meanwhile, on the sideline, coach Mike Brown flaps his arms as if trying to fly, but he’s unsure of whether to call a challenge. He cranes his neck toward someone in the second row behind his bench. Your buddy asks, “Who’s the dork with the iPad?”

Dork? No. That’s a hero. 

In Game 2 of the Finals, the eagle eyes of assistant coach Jordan Brink led to a challenge that became three OG Anunoby free throws with 2:37 remaining in the Knicks’ 105-104 victory over San Antonio. One assistant coach watching an iPad helped alter an NBA Finals game. I didn’t spot Brink at the victory parade—frankly, I couldn’t pick him out of a lineup—but he deserved a prominent spot among the celebration. 

Brink’s official title was a lot to fit on a business card: Assistant Coach / Director of Video Services and Player Development. Unfortunately, his contract expired after last season, and he accepted an assistant-coaching position on Tiago Splitter’s Chicago staff. Seems like a nice promotion. 

According to Stefan Bondy of the New York Post, the Knicks have hired Ed Flynn to fill the job. He was formerly the head video coordinator for New Orleans. Like Brink, Flynn will serve as Brown’s primary “challenge guy,” monitoring replay and advising Brown in real time on whether to challenge officials’ calls.

Before his three seasons with the Pelicans organization, he did video work with Charlotte and a graduate-assistant stint at Miami.

Don’t sleep on these video guys. Many prominent NBA head coaches and assistants began their careers chewing up film in dark backrooms as video coordinators or video interns. Spoelstra, Vogel, Malone, Budenholzer, Clifford all spring to mind. And even Mike Brown started as an unpaid video intern with the Nuggets.

One day you’re eating stale pizza way past midnight to get a series of clips ready for the coach in the morning. A few years later, you’re getting showered with confetti in the Canyon of Heroes.

After the addition of Flynn, the Knicks’ primary assistants otherwise remain intact: Chris Jent, Rick Brunson, Brendan O’Connor, Maurice Cheeks, and Darren Erman are returning, as are development coaches Kwadzo Ahelegbe and Peter Patton.

Welcome Ed! You’ll never be just a dork with an iPad to us.

Go Knicks!

Four years after being drafted, Khalifa Diop is gearing up for his rookie season with the Cleveland Cavaliers.

Diop has spent the last few years as a stashed prospect overseas, but will finally make his debut in the 2026 season.

What should we expect?

Diop is a mobile 6’11” big who can block shots and run the floor. He is a hulking presence with broad shoulders that can clear space for rebounds — while also being agile enough to soar above the rim for highlight plays on either side of the action.

His athletic profile, alone, makes Diop an interesting prospect.

Khalifa Diop is excellent as a lob finisher, which is one of his biggest strengths as a P&R roll man. Dynamic aerial threat with long arms and plus athleticism; he can finish above the rim in traffic consistently pic.twitter.com/azg3nQunyx

— Rich Stayman (@RichStayman) May 24, 2022

The floor for players like this is much higher than other archetypes. He simply has more to work with than some of his peers. But piecing the full puzzle together has always been key.

Diop’s game is still raw.

He’s limited outside the paint and isn’t a threat to dribble or create for himself. He hasn’t notably improved either part of that overseas.

Diop’s defensive impact isn’t consistent, either. He’s often a step behind the play — and is still working to establish the core fundamentals that separate good athletes from good basketball players.

His averages of 3.5 points and 4.3 rebounds last season reflect this. Diop is too gifted athletically to be scoring fewer than two baskets a game.

There’s an art to running the pick-and-roll, and the details are what’s holding him back.

Finishing a lob pass is great, but there’s just as much reward in catching in the short-roll and nailing a jump-hook. Not as flashy, but worth the same amount of points. Diop can make a big difference by becoming a more well-rounded finisher who can convert in multiple scenarios.

Other aspects of Diop’s game that need polishing include defensive positioning and timing.

He isn’t always great at containing the ball or executing the correct rotation. Again, the simplicity of deterring a shot is just as valuable as rejecting one off the backboard. Diop can benefit from consistently sealing off the paint more so than making the recovery to block shots.

Cleveland won’t expect Diop to achieve this overnight. He’ll spend his rookie season developing behind the scenes, both in practice and potentially with the Charge. This will allow Diop to work on his game without being needlessly thrown into the fire.

When on the court, Diop should keep things simple.

The Cavs won’t ask him to anchor their defense or create for himself. Instead, his job will be to hustle, grab rebounds, and try to be a force in the paint. Those are things Diop can bring on paper. And if he does, he’ll be a fan favorite in Cleveland.

Diop’s raw ability to run the floor and play above the rim could translate well to the NBA. The league thrives on energy guys like him. Diop might be able to exceed expectations if he embraces the junkyard dog mentality that Cleveland originally wanted to mold this team around.

He can learn behind two elite bigs in Evan Mobley and Jarrett Allen. Diop should also soak up as much insight from James Harden’s PNR mastery as possible. Even just watching those guys from afar will give Diop the blueprint he needs.

Meanwhile, Diop joins an organization that has numerous developmental success stories under its belt. Prospects like Craig Porter, Sam Merrill, and Nae’Qwan Tomlin are recent examples. Diop will look to join that group this season.

Still, I’d practice patience.

The Cavs can give Diop a quality path towards improvement, but I wouldn’t expect him to play meaningful minutes in his rookie season. Most of his development will happen behind closed doors, where Cleveland will be able to place the building blocks right in front of him.

It’s not that he’s the winningest coach in NBA history. It’s not how he created a culture in San Antonio that continues to grow as the next generation of enter the fold. It’s not who he is at his core. It’s all of that and then some.

From time to time, we have to remind ourselves just how remarkable a man Gregg Popovich is. How amazing a coach he was. And how dominating a career he maintained for the better part of three decades.

And these reminders aren’t simply for those of us fortunate enough to witness the greatness in real time. This is for the younger fans who are just now learning about the Spurs, understanding what made the team special before Victor Wembanyama, Keldon Johnson, Devin Vassell, Stephon Castle, Dylan Harper, and Carter Bryant were drafted.

Things like this:

Gregg Popovich has won more playoff games than the:

Pelicans
Hornets
Grizzlies
Timberwolves
Raptors
Magic
Clippers
Nets
Kings
Wizards
Nuggets
Trail Blazers
Jazz
Pacers
Cavaliers
Bucks
Suns
Heat

Oh yeah, and the Mavs & Rockets. pic.twitter.com/6HFj2FpQiS

— SpursMuse (@spurs_muse) September 21, 2026

Over his illustrious career, Pop won 170 playoff games as head coach of the San Antonio Spurs. More than the grand total for 20 NBA franchises. That is twenty teams (out of the twenty-nine that didn’t have Gregg Popovich as head coach) that as a franchise have not won more NBA playoff games than he did.

Only the Lakers, Celtics, 76ers, Hawks, Warriors, Bulls, Pistons, Knicks, and Thunder have won more. But that takes into account their franchise history. The Lakers, Celtics, 76ers, Hawks, Warriors, and Knicks starting competing in 1946. The Pistons have been in Detroit since 1957. The Bulls joined in 1966, and the SuperSonics in 1967.

If we limit the timeline to the same year that Gregg Popovich anointed himself head coach (the 1996-1997 season), then he has clearly bested each and every team the NBA threw at him.

• The Lakers (his closest rival) have won 169,

•The Celtics have won 160,

•The Hawks have won 57,

•The Warriors have won 118,

•The 76ers have won 79,

•The Bulls have won 70,

•The Pistons have won 89,

•The Knicks have won 80,

•The Thunder/SuperSonics combined have won 104 (90 as the Thunder and 14 the SuperSonics won from 1997 until the move to OKC).

From 1997 to 2025, no one won more playoff games than the Spurs. And considering the Spurs did not make the playoffs in 1997 or after 2019, El Jefe’s numbers pop (see what I did there) even more.

There are so many ways to point out Popovich’s greatness. This is just one. But it is important to note. The Spurs are at the dawn of a new era. In their first trip into the postseason since the pandemic, the Spurs made it to the Finals.

It’s time to lift your heads up and prepare to root for a great year. The foundation was laid years ago when a coach from Pamona-Pitzer caught the eye of Larry Brown. At the time no one knew, but that relationship changed the trajectory of the San Antonio Spurs and the NBA.

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Ramp to Camp: One bold Celtics prediction for 2026-27 season originally appeared on NBC Sports Boston

Boston Celtics president of basketball operations Brad Stevens made the boldest move of his front office tenure when he dealt away Jaylen Brown at the start of the summer. The dramatic roster shakeup adds a somewhat unique layer of volatility to how the 2026-27 season might unfold for Boston.

For the latest installment in our Ramp to Camp series, we asked our experts to harness that boldness and make one intrepid prediction about the upcoming season.

Our experts didn’t disappoint. We got six audacious suggestions, ranging from a Jayson Tatum MVP season to two first-time All-Stars to Neemias Queta emerging as a double-double machine.

The underlying theme, though, was optimism that Boston can patch things together despite the departure of a five-time All-Star, with the remaining pieces elevating their play to keep Boston competing at a familiar level.

Here’s our bold prediction: The Celtics finish atop the Eastern Conference in defensive rating this season.

The Celtics have lived in the top 5 of defensive rating the past half decade, but all the roster changes have stressed their ability to maintain that feat. While so much of the attention about Brown’s departure falls on Boston’s need to fill his offensive void, his willingness to defend elite scorers must be replaced as well.

But when we examine Boston’s roster construction, we see a team that could soar defensively, especially given some of the talent added this offseason.

Derrick White is an All-Defense stalwart; Tatum’s defense — both his rebounding and ability to contest shots with his length — has long been underrated; and Paul George remains an above-average, steal-hunting defender even at an advanced age. Neemias Queta and Mitchell Robinson could emerge as one of the best big-man defensive tandems in the entire NBA, with Robinson likely back-lining for a second unit that could deploy energetic wings like Hugo Gonzalez and Jordan Walsh to harass opposing scorers.

We wanted to be *really* bold and suggest the Celtics could have the best defense in the NBA. But Oklahoma City exists, and the Thunder had the best defensive rating in the league by more than 2 full points last season. The Spurs with Victor Wembanyama are going to live near the top of the league in defense for a long time.

But even in a beefed up East, we like the chaos potential of these Celtics. The Robinson addition, along with another season of progress from Queta, could really allow the guards and wings on this team to crank up the intensity on the perimeter.

The Celtics ranked 26th in opponent turnover rate last season (12.9%). That number should improve. Boston should be one of the best rebounding teams in the NBA and routinely limited second-chance opportunities last year. The Celtics have been elite at keeping teams off the free throw line.

It should all add up to one of the best defenses in the NBA. And while everyone obsesses about the scoring lost in Brown’s departure, the best defense in the East would certainly take some stress off Boston’s need to fill his void.

Josh Canu: Editor

Payton Pritchard will be an All-Star. For the second straight year, Pritchard will have endless opportunities to put up big numbers on this team. I think even Pritchard would agree that he came up a little short of expectations last season and I think he is primed and ready to explode this year. Jayson Tatum is going to get a lot of different looks thrown at him defensively and Pritchard will have the chance to make teams pay for that every single night.

Justin Leger: Producer, Multi-Platform Content

Derrick White gets his first career All-Star nod. I fully expect him to shake off last season’s shooting struggles, and if he does that while continuing to play elite defense, he should at least be in the conversation.

Nick Goss: Producer, Multi-Platform Content

Jayson Tatum will win MVP. He is going to be highly motivated to return to his typical All-NBA status.

Michael Hurley: Producer, Multi-Platform Content

I think their regular-season record will be worse, but I think they’ll do better in the playoffs. Jaylen Brown was excellent in leading the Celtics to the 2 seed last year, but there was no change on the roster as significant as the addition of Paul George. That chemistry is going to take some time to develop, so I don’t think the Celtics will be rolling to another 56 wins. At the same time, come April, I’m expecting at least one series win while leaving open the possibility of Tatum driving them to the conference finals.

Kevin Miller: Vice President, Content Creation & Strategy

Last year, the Celtics ranked 19th in points per game. I think this year they will be a top-10 points-per-game offense this season.

Jason Levine: Executive Producer, Content Integrations

Neemias Queta is the big that makes the biggest impact (not Mitchell Robinson). He and Tatum are a dynamic pick-and-roll duo, and Queta averages 13 points and 10 rebounds per game.

Why Warriors' Draymond Green compares himself to 49ers star LB Fred Warner originally appeared on NBC Sports Bay Area

Having a defensive presence sets the tone for your team’s identity. The Warriors and 49ers share one thing in common: they know their defensive anchor.

Former Defensive Player of the Year Draymond Green, on the latest episode of his podcast, “The Draymond Green Show,” made NBA-to-NFL player comparisons, and chose another legendary Bay Area athlete for his.

“I think the way that Fred Warner at linebacker can completely f–k up an offense,” Green said. “He hasn’t been your typical linebacker, and yet he created his path and became great. I would say the Fred Warner comp is none other than myself. A guy who would absolutely f–k your entire team’s offense. Not quite the status quo of what everyone was looking for at that position. And yet, come out, and kind of recreate.”

Coming out of college, neither prospect was expected to develop into the impact player they ultimately became. Green, a second-round pick out of Michigan State, had to earn his minutes with relentless effort on both sides of the floor. Warner, a third-round pick out of BYU, was in a similar boat.

It didn’t take long for Warner to earn the respect of his teammates and coaches. He was first named a captain ahead of the 2020 NFL season.

“Everybody’s looking for the next Fred Warner,” Green continued. “I kind of recreate that space, you know. Played the position at such a high level that everybody’s looking for that next one. But wasn’t touted that way. I got it out the mud and became that.”

Fred Warner is the king of the punch out pic.twitter.com/qjEdZgpGLU

— Alex Tran (@nineralex) September 20, 2026

Green impacts the game in many of the same ways as Warner. The 36-year-old single-handedly sent the Clippers home last year in the NBA Play-In Tournament with a defensive masterclass.

DRAYMOND GREEN WITH A PAIR OF INCREDIBLE STEALS IN THE CLUTCH.

WARRIORS KEEP THEIR SEASON ALIVE. https://t.co/8SITELoXjEpic.twitter.com/7Hre7jG5TX

— NBA (@NBA) April 16, 2026

Positionless basketball has been a trend in the NBA for years now. Players are becoming more and more versatile, and Warner shares those qualities on the football field. He can line up in different spots and be just as effective in different ways.

The 49ers are hoping Warner can be the defensive difference-maker who helps bring a championship to San Francisco, much like Green did four times with Golden State.

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The Sacramento Kings enter the 2026-27 season as a team with plenty of room for improvement. The Kings snapped a 16-year long playoff drought in 2023 and haven't been back to the postseason since as a lot has unfolded, including a new general manager, head coach and face of the franchise.

The Kings finished their most recent campaign with a 22-60 record, the second-worst in franchise history since moving to Sacramento. It was the first full season for head coach Doug Christie, who initially went from assistant to interim coach when Mike Brown was fired in December 2024. The interim was tag removed last season under new general manager Scott Perry, whose focus has been set on rebuilding the team infrastructure and identity.

Perry has been able to begin the retooling process largely through the draft. In the 2025 NBA Draft he selected Nique Clifford and Maxime Raynaud and signed Dylan Cardwell as an undrafted rookie. All found their way into the rotation last season after the roster faced multiple injuries. They proved to be potential cornerstone pieces to a new era brewing in Sacramento. Perry followed that draft performance by selecting Darius Acuff Jr. with the No. 7 pick in the 2026 NBA Draft, later selecting Alex Karaban and Emanuel Sharp to round out the event.

The Kings' fresh crop of talent is complimented with vets including Domantas Sabonis, Keegan Murray, Malik Monk and Zach LaVine. During the offseason, Sacramento was busy. They re-signed Precious Achiuwa, Daeqwon Plowden and recently added free agent 6-foot-10 guard Ben Simmons into the mix, giving the team more defensive versatility. De'Andre Hunter also returns from an eye injury that limited him to just two games with the Kings.

Sacramento will be an interesting case study in the league as the franchise attempts to field a competitive team and improve on their previous record while navigating the development its young players and monitoring potential trade offers vets like Sabonis and LaVine.

Here's a breakdown of the Sacramento Kings' offseason moves and what to expect from them heading into the 2026-27 NBA season:

SACRAMENTO KINGS SCHEDULE: Dates, times and opponents for 2026-27 season

Sacramento Kings offseason review

• Record last season: 22-60 (14th in Western Conference)
• Playoff finish: Did not qualify
• Coach: Doug Christie (2nd season)
• 2026-27 title odds: +100000 (per BetMGM)
• Projected record : 18-64
• Offseason grade : D

Key roster additions

• G Ben Simmons (free agent signing)
• G Darius Acuff Jr. (No. 7 pick in the 2026 NBA Draft)
• F Alex Karaban (No. 29 pick in the 2026 NBA Draft, trade with Cleveland)
• G Emanuel Sharp (No. 45 pick in the 2026 NBA Draft)

Key roster losses

• G Russell Westbrook (retirement)
• G DeMar DeRozan (free agent)
• C Dario Saric (international)
• F Doug McDermott (free agent)

Biggest question entering training camp

How will the Kings' mix of veterans and young players mesh together?

• Last season, the Kings' draft picks Nique Clifford, Maxime Raynaud and Dylan Cardwell earned minutes through development and injuries to Domantas Sabonis, who played just 19 games, Keegan Murray who played 23 games, and Zach LaVine who played 39 games. With incoming highly touted draft picks Darius Acuff Jr., Emanuel Sharp and Alex Karaban, it'll be interesting to see how everyone fits and minutes are divided. The Kings also added Ben Simmons, who's looking to have a resurgent season after sitting out last year with a back injury. Head coach Doug Christie is going to have his work cut out for him figuring that out.

Projected starting lineup and rotation

Starters

• G Darius Acuff Jr.
• G Zach LaVine
• F De'Andre Hunter
• F Keegan Murray
• C Domantas Sabonis

Rotation players

• G Malik Monk
• G Ben Simmons
• G Nique Clifford
• G Emanuel Sharp
• G Adam Flagler
• F Precious Achiuwa
• F Daeqwon Plowden
• F Alex Karaban
• F Jonathan Mogbo
• C Maxime Raynaud
• C Dylan Cardwell

What to expect in 2026-27 season

The Kings have a fun team. No one is predicting they will win a bunch of games, but expect the Kings to play hard. Sacramento will be exciting, energetic and to some extent entertaining. Monitor the gradual development of their future core, it could very-well influence the trade market. Overall, the growing pains will continue in California's capital. Anticipate struggle and expect lots of ugly games with the Kings – that's the price of development. Growth is coming. Try to appreciate the process and brace yourself for the ride.

This article originally appeared on USA TODAY: Sacramento Kings season preview: Lineup, roster and prediction

Information in this article was imported automatically into a template written and reviewed by a USA TODAY Sports editor. You can send feedback using this form.

Julian Phillips

Phillips is a 6’6” small forward who signed with the Rockets in the offseason after going to the Chicago Bulls in the second round of the 2023 NBA Draft. He spent two and a half seasons with the Bulls before being traded to the Minnesota Timberwolves at last year’s deadline. He then joineed the Rockets as a free agent this past summer. In case you’re noticing a trend, Phillips is the type of defense-first forward that Ime Udoka loves, as he has the length an athleticism to be NBA-ready on defense. However, the 22-year-old struggles offensively, shooting just 43.5 percent from the field for his career and 32 percent from deep. He also struggles creating offensively, but if the Rockets need another long, lanky wing defender to throw at teams, Phillips is your guy. He only averages 3.6 points in 11 minutes per night over his career, but we all know it’s your defense that could get you on the floor for Udoka.

Isaiah Crawford

Crawford is another 6’6” small forward, but this one played for the team last year after first spending his rookie year with the Sacramento Kings. He originally went undrafted in 2024 after earning Conference USA Player of the Year and Defensive Player of the Year for Louisiana Tech. Crawford is another Udoka defensive specialist, and though he hasn’t gotten much run with the big boys, he had a pretty good line in Rio Grande Valley last year, going for 18.3 points, 7.2 rebounds, 4 assists and 2.2 steals per game on 53.4 percent from the field and 37.3 percent from deep. Crawford is 24, so I’m not sure how much ceiling he has left, but the Rockets have a baller in tow in case they need to break glass in case of emergency. I don’t expect much run this year barring injury, but Crawford is another guy that’s a good fit for what Udoka wants to do.

It’s a new era for the Utah Jazz.

After years of irrelevance and rebuilding, after a season spent tanking, the Jazz have an unproven but talented roster in place. So, now, expectations are elevating in kind.

The pillars are forwards Lauri Markkanen, who is now going into his fifth season with the franchise, and Jaren Jackson Jr., the mid-season trade acquisition from February. But with No. 2 overall draft pick Darryn Peterson and Keyonte George, who was just awarded a massive, $157.5 million extension, the Jazz have a pair of dynamic guards to anchor the backcourt, too.

Here's a breakdown of the Utah Jazz's offseason moves and what to expect from them heading into the 2026-27 NBA season:

ANALYSIS: Jazz ink Keyonte George to huge extension. Was it worth it?

UTAH JAZZ SCHEDULE: Dates, times and opponents for 2026-27 season

Utah Jazz offseason review

• Record last season: 22-60 (15th in Western Conference)
• Playoff finish: Did not qualify
• Coach: Will Hardy (fifth season)
• 2026-27 title odds: +20000 (per BetMGM)
• Projected record : 44-38
• Offseason grade : A-

Key roster additions

• G Darryn Peterson (NBA draft)
• C Jaxson Hayes (free agent signing)
• G Josh Okogie (free agent signing)
• G Josh Green (trade)

Key roster losses

• C Walker Kessler (trade)
• F Cody Williams (trade)

Biggest question entering training camp

After years of rebuilding, can this Jazz team finally compete in the West?

• Across the last four seasons, the Jazz have won 107 of a possible 328 games (.326). Across the last two, they’ve won only 39 of 164 (.237). They’ve missed the postseason each of those four seasons, as the team was in a full rebuild after it traded away franchise cornerstones Donovan Mitchell and Rudy Gobert. Now, the roster has a solid balance of young players — Keyonte George, Darryn Peterson and Ace Bailey — and veterans — Lauri Markkanen, Jaren Jackson Jr., Jusuf Nurkić — in place to compete. There might be some growing pains along the way, but there’s so much raw talent on the roster now — especially among the top eight players in the rotation — that the time for excuses is gone. These Jazz need to take a jump.

Projected starting lineup and rotation

Starters

• G Keyonte George
• G Darryn Peterson
• F Ace Bailey
• F Lauri Markkanen
• C Jaren Jackson Jr.

Rotation players

• C Jusuf Nurkić
• G Isaiah Collier
• F Kyle Filipowski
• F Brice Sensabaugh
• C Jaxson Hayes
• G Josh Okogie
• G Josh Green
• C Mo Bamba
• G Trey Alexander
• F Svi Mykhailiuk

What to expect in 2026-27 season

A team that is much better than it has been the last four seasons. The Jazz are a young and talented team, and there are some questions that need to be answered, but they could fly under the radar and emerge as a playoff contender. As to the questions: does coach Will Hardy, who is normally patient and deliberate with rookies, break his rule and start No. 2 overall rookie Darryn Peterson right away? Does Hardy opt to start Jusuf Nurkić at center, instead of Jaren Jackson Jr., who has expressed a desire to play power forward? And, in a related question, what then happens to Ace Bailey, the 20-year-old No. 5 overall selection from the 2025 draft? These are good problems to have, and they signal a team that is on the rise.

This article originally appeared on USA TODAY: Utah Jazz season preview: Lineup, roster and prediction

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Arguably no team has undergone more change over the course of the year than the Portland Trail Blazers.

They’ve seen their head coach at the start of the 2025-26 season charged in an alleged illegal gambling ring. They surprised and broke through in the NBA Play-In Tournament to make the playoffs as the No. 7 seed. Their interim coach was not retained, despite the success, and their new owner, Tom Dundon, has floated relocation in negotiations to upgrade the Moda Center, the Trail Blazers' home venue.

And, the offseason also saw a big trade with the Memphis Grizzlies to acquire two-time All-Star Ja Morant, who is as dynamic an athlete as there is in the NBA, though his availability has been an issue.

Here's a breakdown of the Portland Trail Blazers' offseason moves and what to expect from them heading into the 2026-27 NBA season:

PORTLAND TRAIL BLAZERS SCHEDULE: Dates, times and opponents for 2026-27 season

Portland Trail Blazers offseason review

• Record last season: 42-40 (7th in Western Conference)
• Playoff finish: Eliminated in first round (1-4, against Spurs)
• Coach: Micah Nori (first season)
• 2026-27 title odds: +8000 (per BetMGM)
• Projected record : 34-48
• Offseason grade : C+

Key roster additions

• G Ja Morant (trade)
• F Jeremy Sochan (free agent signing)
• F/C Micah Potter (waiver claim)
• C Branden Carlson (free agent signing)

Key roster losses

• F Jerami Grant (trade)
• F Kris Murray (trade)
• G/F Matisse Thybulle (free agency)

Biggest question entering training camp

Can the Trail Blazers find some semblance of stability?

• This was a surprise playoff team, one that had to deal with chaos just days into the 2025-26 regular season, when former head coach Chauncey Billups was charged for his role in an alleged illegal gambling ring. But, after righting the ship and getting the most out of the young Trail Blazer roster, former coach Tiago Splitter was not retained. In comes in first-time coach Micah Nori, who was an excellent assistant with the Minnesota Timberwolves. But Nori was signed to a one-year deal, which is wildly unconventional. It also points to more potential changes in the future, as Portland could theoretically have four different head coaches in four seasons, if Nori is not retained next season. When players cycle between different offensive and defensive philosophies and coaching styles, it can create a whiplash and can stymie the development of younger players. There’s decent talent on this roster, but ownership does these players a disservice by not sticking to a long-term plan.

Projected starting lineup and rotation

Starters

• G Ja Morant
• G Damien Lillard
• F Deni Avdija
• F Toumani Camara
• C Donovan Clingan

Rotation players

• G Scoot Henderson
• G Jrue Holiday
• C Robert Williams III
• G Vit Krejci
• F Sidy Cissoko
• F Jeremy Sochan
• C Micah Potter
• G Blake Wesley
• C Yang Hansen

What to expect in 2026-27 season

Honestly, it’s a little difficult to project. This team has a blend of young and veteran talent. Damian Lillard’s return should provide plenty of perimeter shooting, and Ja Morant could eventually become a low-cost upgrade, if he can return to form and stay healthy. Deni Avdija was a first-time All-Star last season. But, given the tumult in the coaching staff, and given that Micah Nori is a first-time head coach, the Trail Blazers could be a candidate for regression. Whether that comes true or not will hinge on Morant’s ability to assimilate and operate Portland’s offense and whether Lillard has more left in the tank.

This article originally appeared on USA TODAY: Portland Trail Blazers season preview: Lineup, roster and prediction

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The Washington Wizards had an interesting way of building toward this season.

Trae Young played just 15 games last season, a career low, and only five of them for Washington. He called it "a blessing in disguise," the deal that sent him out of Atlanta after the Hawks never offered him an extension. The Wizards then gave him four years and $212.8 million – the most any team could have offered him – and agreed to it the day before they used the No. 1 pick in the 2026 NBA on AJ Dybantsa.

Nobody was actually bidding against them though.

The Wizards had already landed Young and Anthony Davis in midseason trades, then won the lottery after losing 26 of their final 27 games. Dybantsa led the nation in scoring as a BYU freshman.

Deandre Ayton came from the Los Angeles Lakers for Jaden Hardy and two second-round picks. Khris Middleton arrived in a six-team sign-and-trade at three years and $17.6 million, but only the first year is fully guaranteed.

Washington has gone 50-196 over three seasons and has not won a playoff series since 2017.

Here's a breakdown of the Washington Wizards' offseason moves and what to expect from them heading into the 2026-27 NBA season:

WASHINGTON WIZARDS SCHEDULE: Dates, times and opponents for 2026-27 season

Washington Wizards offseason review

• Record last season: 17-65 (15th in Eastern Conference)
• Playoff finish: Did not qualify
• Coach: Brian Keefe (fourth season)
• 2026-27 title odds: +15000 (per BetMGM)
• Projected record : 30-52
• Offseason grade : C+

Key roster additions

• F AJ Dybantsa (draft, No.1)
• F Khris Middleton (sign-and-trade)
• C Deandre Ayton (trade)
• G Tre Mann (trade)

Key roster losses

• F Cam Whitmore (trade)
• G D'Angelo Russell (free agency)
• G Jaden Hardy (free agency)

Biggest question entering training camp

Do these guys fit on the same roster?

• Young is 27, Davis is 33, Middleton is 35. Dybantsa is 19, Alex Sarr is 21, Tre Johnson is 20. Keefe has to get all of them shots without stalling any of the development that got him a fourth season in the first place. His record so far is 43-160. Then there is Davis, who wants a max extension. If Washington declines, a trade request is the logical next move, and it would land in the middle of the season the Wizards have spent two years setting up.

Projected starting lineup and rotation

Starters

• G Trae Young
• G Kyshawn George
• F AJ Dybantsa
• F Anthony Davis
• C Alex Sarr

Rotation players

• G Tre Johnson
• G Bub Carrington
• G Tre Mann
• F Bilal Coulibaly
• F Khris Middleton
• C Deandre Ayton

What to expect in 2026-27 season

Thirty wins would be progress. Washington finished 30th in defensive rating at 122.7 and 30th in net rating at minus-11.8, and it has finished last in net rating in back-to-back seasons. Young and Davis alone should move both numbers several points, and Davis, Dybantsa and Sarr give Young three pick-and-roll partners who can all finish, easily the best supporting cast of his career.

The defense will still be a problem. So will the East, which is no longer anybody's soft landing.

Washington opens at home against the Milwaukee Bucks on Oct. 21. General manager Will Dawkins, asked in April whether the coach who went 17-65 would be back, did not hesitate. "Yeah, I anticipate Brian Keefe to be here," he said.

This article originally appeared on USA TODAY: Washington Wizards season preview: Lineup, roster and prediction

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The Chicago Bulls underwent drastic changes this offseason, adding three new starters, a new front office leader and a new coach. This makes better days easier to envision even though the Bulls once again appear positioned as neither a legitimate Eastern conference contender nor a doormat entering the 2026-27 NBA season.

First-year coach Tiago Splitter, who successfully led the Portland Trail Blazers to the NBA playoffs in an interim capacity last season, takes over for Billy Donovan. Bulls executive VP of basketball operations Bryson Graham arrived from the Atlanta Hawks and acquired impact veterans in Norman Powell and Nic Claxton. The biggest reason for optimism, however, might be forward Caleb Wilson, the No. 4 pick in the 2026 NBA Draft.

After years of holding on to a core that was only good enough to be a play-in team, the Bulls have finally turned the page while retaining potential foundational players in Matas Buzelis and Josh Giddey. If Wilson has an immediate impact, Chicago can suddenly look forward to one of the East's most intriguing young trios.

Here's a breakdown of the Chicago Bulls' offseason moves and what to expect from them heading into the 2026-27 NBA season:

CHICAGO BULLS SCHEDULE: Dates, times and opponents for 2026-27 season

Chicago Bulls offseason review

• Record last season: 31-51 (12th in Eastern Conference)
• Playoff finish: Did not qualify
• Coach: Tiago Splitter (1st season)
• 2026-27 title odds: +75000 (per BetMGM)
• Projected record: 40-42
• Offseason grade: A-

Key roster additions

• G Norman Powell (free agent signing)
• F Caleb Wilson (No. 4 pick in 2026 NBA Draft)
• F Dailyn Swain (No. 15 pick in 2026 NBA Draft)
• C Nic Claxton (trade)

Key roster losses

• G Collin Sexton (free agent)
• G Anfernee Simons (free agent)
• F Guerschon Yabulsele (free agent)
• C Nick Richards (free agent)

Biggest question entering training camp

Is Caleb Wilson the franchise cornerstone the Bulls have been searching for since Derrick Rose?

• Wilson was widely regarded as one of four elite prospects in the 2026 NBA Draft, and he's the most likely to emerge as a star from the Bulls' rebuilding pivot. The success of Chicago's new direction will largely depend on Wilson's development over the next several seasons and a productive rookie campaign is especially important for this new regime after 2025 first-round pick Noa Essengue struggled to gain traction last year.

Projected starting lineup and rotation

Starters

• G Josh Giddey
• G Norman Powell
• F Matas Buzelis
• F Caleb Wilson
• C Nic Claxton

Rotation players

• G Tre Jones
• G Isaac Okoro
• F Dailyn Swain
• F Patrick Williams
• F Noa Essengue
• F/C Jalen Smith

What to expect in 2026-27 season

It's been more than a decade since the Bulls won a playoff series and that's unlikely to change this season. But the franchise has more optimism than recent years with the arrivals of Wilson and Powell to help Buzelis and Giddey. Expect this group to hover closer to .500 than last year, with the chance to push for one of the East's last playoff spots if the new pieces come together quickly.

This article originally appeared on USA TODAY: Chicago Bulls season preview: Lineup, roster and prediction

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The Indiana Pacers are poised to return as NBA championship contenders after a one-year hiatus following the Achilles injury suffered by star Tyrese Haliburton in Game 7 of the 2025 NBA Finals. But Haliburton is set to make his long-awaited comeback to start the 2026-27 season, and the Pacers are a leading candidate to make a dramatic jump in the standings.

Haliburton will have a new center to play with after Indiana acquired Ivica Zubac at last February's trade deadline and mostly kept him under wraps as the franchise chose to position itself for a lottery pick. The strategy backfired; the selection fell just outside the top-four protected range and the No. 5 pick was conveyed to the Los Angeles Clippers.

The Pacers should nonetheless be in the playoff mix again, with much of the core that won the Eastern Conference finals less than 16 months ago still intact. If Haliburton is healthy enough to once again be one of the NBA's best playmakers, Indiana will quickly re-emerge as a title threat.

Here's a breakdown of the Indiana Pacers' offseason moves and what to expect from them heading into the 2026-27 NBA season:

INDIANA PACERS SCHEDULE: Dates, times and opponents for 2026-27 season

Indiana Pacers offseason review

• Record last season: 19-63 (14th in Eastern Conference)
• Playoff finish: Did not qualify
• Coach: Rick Carlisle, 6th season
• 2026-27 title odds: +6600 (per BetMGM)
• Projected record: 53-29
• Offseason grade: C

Key roster additions

• F Kelly Oubre Jr.
• F Larry Nance Jr.

Key roster losses

• G Kam Jones (trade)
• C Micah Potter (waived)

Biggest question entering training camp

Can Tyrese Haliburton return to all-NBA form?

• Haliburton missed the entire 2025-26 season rehabbing from an Achilles injury and also dealt with a frustrating case of shingles that slowed his recovery. He appeared to be at the peak of his powers before getting hurt, hitting game-winning shots and orchestrating Indiana's high-powered offense throughout its run to the 2025 NBA Finals. Advances in Achilles rehabilitation and Haliburton's diverse skill set provide reasons for optimism, but last season only reinforced that the Pacers are counting on him to remain a franchise star. Indiana's roster is built around Haliburton's ability to create shots for himself, and his ability to bounce back from injury will determine this team's outlook.

Projected starting lineup and rotation

Starters

• G Tyrese Haliburton
• G Andrew Nembhard
• F Aaron Nesmith
• F Pascal Siakam
• C Ivica Zubac

Rotation players

• G T.J. McConnell
• G Ben Sheppard
• F Kelly Oubre Jr.
• F Jarace Walker
• F Obi Tobbin
• F Larry Nance Jr.
• C Jay Huff

What to expect in 2026-27 season

Nobody in the NBA should improve their record more than the Pacers this season, even if Haliburton isn't quite what he once was in his first year coming back from a major Achilles injury. That's how strong the combination of Pascal Siakam and Zubac could be in the frontcourt and how much the team's record suffered while tanking in Haliburton's absence. But Haliburton's re-emergence as a star is the key to this group separating itself from the other Eastern Conference contenders trying to challenge the Knicks this season.

This article originally appeared on USA TODAY: Indiana Pacers season preview: Lineup, roster and prediction

Information in this article was imported automatically into a template written and reviewed by a USA TODAY Sports editor. You can send feedback using this form.

It’s clear that a lot of the NBA is starting to figure out that the Utah Jazz might be on the verge of a special season. But they’re not getting just how good it might be.

The Utah Jazz might finish Top 5 in the West this year 👀 pic.twitter.com/0PrGKHgDm0

— Gil’s Arena (@GilsArenaShow) September 20, 2026

But they’re missing the biggest point of all of this. Utah has a team that would have been a playoff team last year if they’d pushed as hard as they could. That core, which added a former DPOY/All-Star in Jaren Jackson Jr., is adding a player who could be a top-ten player in the NBA. If anything, it’s very likely.

Darryn Peterson is not getting enough buzz for how good he’s going to be this upcoming season. You name it with Peterson, and he’s able to do it at a high level. Even the numbers that aren’t as high as you’d like have context that shows a chance to improve once he steps on the floor with Utah.

For example, everything that Peterson did in college has to be viewed with the understanding that Peterson was the #1 option with an extremely high usage percentage of 30.9. You also have to remember that Peterson was dealing with documented cramping issues, an ankle sprain, and a hamstring pull. All those injuries had him playing tentatively for multiple games. When he did play, opposing offenses focused on him, and he still managed to put up awesome efficiency.

For the college season, Peterson shot 38.2% from three. That was off the bounce and off the catch. It’s the stat that has to make Jazz fans as excited as anything. That ability to shoot the ball regardless of pressure will only get better. It’s safe to assume that Darryn Peterson will be one of the best shooters in the NBA.

Some numbers show a player with the potential to develop into one of the elite three-level scorers in the league. Peterson shot 48.7% from two. It’s a slightly above-average number, but it’s nothing to sniff at. Also, Peterson shot 59.7% at the rim. That’s also above average, but not necessarily elite. As I mentioned, Peterson was dealing with cramping, an ankle, and a hamstring, and still put up solid numbers at the rim and on 2PT shots. What happens when Peterson is on the floor with elite talent around him? Utah has the potential to have 5-out lineups with shooters all over the floor. At Kansas, Peterson was playing with multiple non-shooting bigs. The paint was almost never open. When it was, Peterson would take advantage. And even with a clogged paint in the stifling college basketball setting, he still put up good numbers. The pull-up two was good for him, and he finished at a good percentage.

Again, what happens when he has NBA spacing with elite talent around him? What you’re going to have is a season that will shock the NBA. There’s a lot of attention being given to Cam Boozer, and he’s leading in the odds at FanDuel to be the ROY, with Peterson not too far behind. But that’s a mistake. Darryn Peterson is going into a winning situation, and he’s not going to put up empty stats. His stats are going to be high-level, and they’ll be the type of stats that lead to winning. Those stats should also improve. Don’t be surprised if Peterson not only has a ROY season, but an all-star caliber season as well.

Yes, I’m about as positive as they come, but the numbers paint a picture of a potentially incredible season. If Peterson is as locked in as he appears, Jazz fans are in for a fun ride.