CLEVELAND, OHIO - SEPTEMBER 28: Jarrett Allen #31 and Evan Mobley #4 of the Cleveland Cavaliers pose for a portrait during Cleveland Cavaliers Media Day at Rocket Arena on September 28, 2026 in Cleveland, Ohio. NOTE TO USER: User expressly acknowledges and agrees that, by downloading and or using this photograph, User is consenting to the terms and conditions of the Getty Images License Agreement. (Photo by Nick Cammett/Getty Images) | Getty Images
The Cleveland Cavaliers could be without a crucial member of the frontcourt in the season opener against the Philadelphia 76ers on Thursday evening. Center Jarrett Allen was added to the injury report with a right patellar tendinopathy injury. Colloquially, this is known as jumper’s knee. He is questionable for the opener.
Allen played throughout the preseason and was not one of the players head coach Kenny Atkinson has brought up when asked about injuries after recent practices. Presumably, this is a new development.
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Allen has had right knee issues off and on. He missed significant time at the end of the last regular season with a right knee injury. At this time, the severity of this current injury isn’t known. Last season, Allen averaged 15.4 points and 8.5 rebounds per game on 63.8% shooting.
This isn’t the only frontcourt injury Cleveland is dealing with. Nae’Qwan Tomlin has been ruled out of Thursday’s opener along with Khalifa Diop (left knee). Tomlin has missed the entire preseason with this injury and will be reevaluated in three to four weeks. Tomlin averaged 5.8 points and 2.9 assists in 64 games last season.
If Allen can’t play, the front court will be limited to Evan Mobley, Peyton Watson, Mario Hezonja, Jaylon Tyson, and two-way players Tristan Enaruna and Ernest Udeh Jr.
It’s worth noting that Sam Merrill, who missed the close of preseason, is not on the injury report and should be available to play.
The Sixers could have a thin frontcourt as well. Former Cavalier Dean Wade is questionable with a left ankle injury. He missed the team’s opener against the New York Knicks on Tuesday. Philadelphia will be without Dominick Barlow (back), Ariel Hukporti (Achilles tear), and two-way player Tacko Fall (quad).
With the Houston Rockets’ season underway today, many were wondering if Fred VanVleet and Steven Adams would be sitting out one or both of back-to-back games, and if so, who would start in their place. Well, earlier this week @WillGuillory on Twitter reported that “Fred VanVleet and Steven Adams will sit out back-to-backs to start the season, per Ime Udoka, Marcus Smart, not Reed Sheppard, will start at point guard when VanVleet is out.”
Fred VanVleet and Steven Adams will sit out back-to-backs to start the season, per @WillGuillory
Ime Udoka said Marcus Smart, not Reed Sheppard, will start at point guard when VanVleet is out pic.twitter.com/oDSNDjOFyP
The announcement was not unexpected. Adams, 33, missed the final 42 games of the regular season and the whole postseason following left ankle surgery in January, while VanVleet, 32, missed the entire previous season due to a left leg ailment. In three of the previous four seasons, Adams has either missed a lot of time or had his season cut short. This season, the Rockets will play 13 back-to-back games, the first of which will take place on Friday and Saturday of opening week. When VanVleet is not available, naming Smart the starter instead of Reed Sheppard can come as a small surprise. Smart is starting his 13th NBA season after agreeing to a two-year, $12.4 million deal over the summer. He started for Udoka’s Celtics, who advanced to the 2022 NBA Finals.
Sheppard played in six postseason games and all 82 regular-season games for the Rockets the previous season, and Udoka reaffirmed that the third-year guard will play a big part in his third NBA season. Does the decision to rest Fred and Steven on one half of back-to-backs surprise you? Do you agree with Smart starting over Reed when Fred is out? Who do you think will start when Adams doesn’t play? Let us know in the comments, and as always, check back at The Dream Shake for all things Houston Rockets news, analysis, and more.
Collin Sexton is out for the Lakers in their season debut against the Warriors on Wednesday. Sexton, who missed all five preseason games because of a right soleus strain, appeared in his first full practice on Monday and was considered day-to-day before being ruled out.
The Lakers will also be without rookie guard Cameron Carr (right oblique strain) and second-year forward Adou Thiero (left knee effusion), both of whom were ruled out Tuesday.
Collin Sexton is out for the Lakers in their season debut against the Warriors. IMAGN IMAGES via Reuters ConnectLos Angeles Lakers player Collin Sexton (10) poses during media day at the UCLA Health Training Center in El Segundo, Calif., Monday, Sept. 28, 2026. IMAGN IMAGES via Reuters Connect
Sexton appeared to be trending in the right direction and said he “felt good” after Monday’s practice, but he added that his leg had been experiencing tightness.
Sexton, who signed a two-year, $19 million contract with the Lakers this offseason, has career averages of 18.3 points on 47.2% shooting (38.9% from beyond the arc), 2.7 rebounds and 3.6 assists per game over his eight seasons in the league with the Cavaliers, Jazz, Hornets and Bulls.
The Lakers host the Warriors at Crypto.com Arena at 7 p.m. PST.
LAS VEGAS, NEVADA - JULY 18: A detail view of a pair of Nike shoes worn by Michael Foster Jr. #43 of the Houston Rockets against the Memphis Grizzlies in the second half of a 2026 NBA Summer League semifinal game at the Thomas & Mack Center on July 18, 2026 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. (Photo by Ian Maule/Getty Images) | Getty Images
Philadelphia 76ers forward LeBron James yells during the second half of an NBA basketball game against the New York Knicks Tuesday, Oct. 20, 2026, in New York. AP Photo/Frank Franklin II
“Ain’t nothing soft in the Midwest. I don’t know what the f—k you talking about,” James, who was born and raised in Akron, Ohio, said to the fan.
“I’m not from the West Coast. I’m from Ohio, baby. I’m not a Midwest kid, I’m an Ohio baby. F–k is you talking about?”
Full audio of LeBron GOING OFF on a Knicks fan who called him soft
“Ain’t nothing soft in the Midwest.”
“I’m not from the West Coast, I’m from Ohio, baby. I’m an Ohio baby, f*ck is you talking about?” pic.twitter.com/IGQPTnEX3X
Given that the fan was seemingly calling James, soft, his response of “I’m not from the West Coast” could be interpreted as him equating West Coast roots with being soft.
LeBron James of the Philadelphia 76ers reacts during the first quarter of a game against the New York Knicks at Madison Square Garden in New York, Tuesday, Oct. 20, 2026. Getty ImagesLos Angeles Lakers guard Bronny James looks on during an NBA preseason game against the Sacramento Kings, Monday, Oct. 5, 2026, at the Golden 1 Center in Sacramento, Calif. NBAE via Getty Images
LeBron could have gotten his point across without implicating the entire West Coast, which is one reason why many Lakers fans were irked about his response.
Perhaps Bronny James will have some choice words for his dad’s West Coast shade when the two talk next, if only to prove that not everyone from Los Angeles is soft.
MINNEAPOLIS, MN - OCTOBER 14: Jonathan Kuminga #24 of the Minnesota Timberwolves prepares to shoot a free throw during the game against the Detroit Pistons during a 2026 NBA Preseason game on October 14, 2026 at Target Center in Minneapolis, Minnesota. NOTE TO USER: User expressly acknowledges and agrees that, by downloading and or using this Photograph, user is consenting to the terms and conditions of the Getty Images License Agreement. Mandatory Copyright Notice: Copyright 2026 NBAE (Photo by David Sherman/NBAE via Getty Images) | NBAE via Getty Images
The 2026-27 NBA season is officially underway! A new season kicked off on Tuesday with a trio of exciting games, and tonight the Golden State Warriors begin their campaign when they take on the Los Angeles Lakers.
It goes without saying that the most intriguing players for Warriors fans to watch this year are … well … Warriors. But there are a lot of other players around the NBA to keep an eye one. Here are nine players on other teams that Warriors fans will want to be watching closely.
Jonathan Kuminga
The Warriors and Kuminga tried for years to form a fruitful pairing, and it simply never worked out. I don’t think anyone is to blame in that situation, and even if Kuminga goes on to materialize his potential elsewhere, it won’t necessarily mean that Golden State messed up.
But it’s worth keeping an eye on. After a brief stint with the Atlanta Hawks last year following his departure from the Dubs, Kuminga signed with the Minnesota Timberwolves this offseason. On paper, it’s a great fit: the Wolves are a team that is dependent on athleticism, have a clear spot on their roster for him to fill, and have two players (LaMelo Ball and Anthony Edwards) who like to make audacious passes. Kuminga should be flying to the rim every other possession, hoping to catch a highlight-reel lob.
Warriors fans still have some investment in Kuminga. For some, it’s a matter of believing in his talent. For others, it’s a curiosity as to whether that talent can blossom in a different environment, and with a new coach. And for some, it’s simply a matter of rooting for a player who, despite having a complicated history with the team, was always very likable.
Klay Thompson
It’s still weird to see Klay in a different jersey, and it should delight no one that his tenure with the Dallas Mavericks didn’t pan out. But Thompson is on the Miami Heat now, reunited with Andrew Wiggins, and things are primed to go better. Sure, Klay had a rough preseason, but an Erik Spoelstra-coached team that stars Giannis Antetokounmpo and Bam Adebayo should play right into Klay’s strengths, and give him a chance to compete for a deep postseason run. And let’s be honest: South Beach seems on Klay’s wavelength in a way that inland Texas never was.
I’m still holding out hope that Thompson will return to the Bay, but for now, it will just be fun to see if he can resuscitate his career with the Heat.
James Wiseman
As long as we’re talking about former Warriors, it will be fun to track Wiseman’s progress. After looking like he might have to go outside of the country for opportunities, the Dubs’ former No. 2 overall pick signed on with the defending-champion New York Knicks, and with Mitchell Robinson now playing in New England, there should be an opportunity for Wiseman to get reps. The lefty didn’t play in New York’s season-opening loss to the Philadelphia 76ers on Tuesday, as he’s firmly behind starter Karl-Anthony Towns and backup Andre Drummond on the depth chart. But those two won’t both stay healthy all year, and Wiseman should get his chance at some point. After injuries and poor play limited him to just five games over the last two seasons, it will be fun to see if Wiseman can secure his spot as a quality NBA role player.
LeBron James
The big news for the Warriors this offseason was someone who didn’t actually join their team. The Dubs went all in on James, trying — certainly not for the first time — to acquire the league’s all-time leading scorer. Ultimately, James chose to sign with the Sixers, and had a decent debut on Tuesday, with 14 points, nine rebounds, and seven assists.
After many years, the dream of teaming LeBron with Steph Curry is officially dead, and we’re left to wonder what it would look like. It’s always fascinating to follow the paths of players that the Warriors almost acquired; based on how James looks in his league-record 24th season, we’ll get a chance to see whether the Warriors narrowly missed out on a franchise-changing signing, or if they got fortunate that he gave another team a rose.
Brayden Burries
It’s repeated every year: the draft is a crapshoot. There’s certainly a lot of scouting skill involved, but so much rests in the hands of chance and fate. The Warriors, for example, had their entire franchise changed by drafting Curry seventh overall in 2009. But what if another team drafted him first? Or what if they had a higher selection; would they still have taken him? Golden State maintains that Curry was No. 2 on their draft board, and even if you take that at face value — and I don’t — it means that they would have drafted Blake Griffin had they won the draft lottery that year. And while you can certainly do worse than drafting a six-time All-Star with highlight reel dunks and SNL-level comedic chops, it’s safe to say that if the Dubs had drafted Griffin over Curry in 2009, they would not have four titles, a dynasty, and a league-leading valuation.
All of that is to say: you need to draft well, but sometimes the situation matters more than the scouting. And that was very relevant in June’s draft, when the Dubs used the No. 11 pick on forward Yaxel Lendeborg. Golden State was always high on Lendeborg, and the fit seemed perfect, but reports came out that the team was enamored with Arizona guard Brayden Burries. We’ll never know exactly how they felt, but it certainly appears as though the Warriors were hoping Burries would fall to them, and were exploring options to trade up and nab him.
Ultimately, Burries went one spot ahead of the Dubs, to the Milwaukee Bucks. And so far, that looks fortuitous: Lendeborg was one of the stars of the preseason, prompting Draymond Green to anoint him the next face of the franchise, while Burries struggled to find offense in his preseason games, averaging 14.0 points but shooting just 41.3% from the field and 11.8% from deep. Watching the rookie progression of Lendeborg and Burries — who both figure to play prominent roles on their respective teams — will be fascinating.
Cooper Flagg
In many ways, the Warriors and Mavericks are polar opposites. The former is trying to maintain their recent highs, while the latter is trying to climb the mountain. The Dubs are built around a player in his 18th season, while the Mavs are constructed around a teenager.
But there’s something tying the two franchises together. Both are hoping to be competitive this year, while also building a strong future for years to come. And Flagg is at the heart of both timelines for Dallas.
Last year’s No. 1 pick certainly didn’t disappoint in his first year — he won Rookie of the Year honors and averaged 21.0 points per game — but it’s not yet clear whether he’s a really good player or a superstar. If he’s merely the former right now, it makes Golden State’s path to the playoffs this year much smoother; no one is counting on Dallas being a standout team, but a leap from their cornerstone player could change that. And as the Dubs look to build a consistently competitive team in the post-Curry era, one of their primary adversaries could be the Mavs, depending on how Flagg develops.
Kevin Durant
As with James, the Warriors have tried a few times over recent years to acquire Durant, who of course had a wildly-successful three-year stint with the team during the dynastic days. They were close to a reunion at the 2025 deadline, but stopped pursuing a trade when it was made clear that KD did not want to return to the Bay Area.
That could eventually change. Durant tends to bounce from situation to situation, and he maintains a stellar relationship with Curry, and a strong one with Draymond Green, despite their prior drama. We know the Dubs always want to go deep sea fishing to add a star, and if the situation with the Houston Rockets sours, it seems like a safe bet that they’ll poke around a reunion. And if not … well, Durant is worth paying attention to anyway. Who doesn’t love watching an all-time great bucket-getter who loves to be petty online?
Nikola Jokić
This one’s a bit of a stretch, but again: we know that Joe Lacob always wants to make a splash and acquire a huge star. The Warriors failed in their pursuits to land Antetokounmpo and James, but it won’t slow them from fishing in the deepest depths of the ocean.
It seems highly unlikely that Jokić, who has stunningly finished as the MVP or the runner-up in each of the last six seasons, will be leaving the Denver Nuggets anytime soon. But there have been a few whispers and murmurs, and he could elect to test free agency next summer. It would be very difficult for the Warriors to swing an in-season trade for the eight-time All-Star, as matching his salary will be hard, and Denver is highly unlikely to consider any offers. But it’s worth monitoring his situation with the Nuggets: if it’s not a great year for Denver, and rumors persist that Jokić isn’t convinced his future is in the Mile High City, then it could open the door for the Warriors to try to make a seismic splash next summer.
Myles Turner
They haven’t played their first game yet, but the Warriors already have a bit of a center situation on their hands. On Wednesday morning, news broke that the Dubs are already exploring options to trade Kristaps Porziņģis, who reportedly is reconsidering his NBA future as he continues to deal with health issues.
Porziņģis figured to be the team’s starting center, while Al Horford — who is 40 years old, played just 45 games last year, and doesn’t play back to backs — is the primary backup. That means that the team is desperately lacking in options at the five, barring a huge turnaround in the Porziņģis situation.
It seems likely that the Dubs will try to replace KP at some point, and who better than Turner? The Bucks’ center does all the things that made Porziņģis so attractive to Golden State: he’s a physical force who plays strong defense (he’s led the league in blocks twice), fits the system well on both ends, and stretches the floor (he’s shot 38.9% on threes over the last two years, on high volume). The only difference between Turner and Porziņģis is that the former has a reliable bill of health, having played in over 70 games in each of the last three years.
The Bucks already seemed to regret signing Turner even before they traded Antetokounmpo, and now that they’re likely in rebuild mode, it seems as though they’ll be shopping their center. So keep your eye on Turner: if he has a good season and Milwaukee does not, he could be starting for Golden State by the end of the year.
NEW YORK, NEW YORK - OCTOBER 20: Jalen Brunson #11 of the New York Knicks inspects his ring during the Ring Ceremony prior to the game against the Philadelphia 76ers at Madison Square Garden on October 20, 2026 in New York City. NOTE TO USER: User expressly acknowledges and agrees that, by downloading and or using this photograph, User is consenting to the terms and conditions of the Getty Images License Agreement. (Photo by Sarah Stier/Getty Images) | Getty Images
Madison Square Garden waited 53 years to hand out championship rings, and what a glorious celebration it was. Knicks fans were losing their minds, Spike Lee looked like he was finally vindicated, and the ring/banner combo was luxurious.
You ever seen a championship ring that turns into an arena, son??
And it took the Philadelphia 76ers about two and a half hours to make the whole thing feel like the beginning of the end. Knicks legends handed out the jewelry, the banner went up, and then Philly walked into the building and won 106-100.
Roughly 1,600 miles southwest, the reigning Western Conference champion Spurs were preparing for a revenge tour after fumbling a title away to the Knicks a few months ago. But while the Knicks raised a championship banner, San Antonio raised nothing and got the smackdown laid on them by the previous NBA champion, the Oklahoma City Thunder. OKC came into San Antonio and beat them 116-104, a defeat so sound even the greatest Spurs fan apologist would have to hang their head in shame.
So the two teams that met in June’s Finals both started 0-1. If you’re a Warriors fan, you’ve seen this movie. Hell, you’ve starred in it. But let’s give the Knicks their rightful due as champs and focus on them for this exercise.
Deep breath….how come nobody warned the Knicks that ring night ain’t no joke?!
Here’s what makes the L especially sting: it was Philly. The Knicks swept the Sixers in the second round last spring on the way to a 16-3 playoff run, and a sweep like that usually tells a team it’s a few levels short of contending. Philly didn’t treat that sweep like a minor setback. They treated it like a demolition order, went out and added LeBron James and Jaylen Brown, and came back looking for revenge. Those moves turned a team New York had already handled into a team built to beat New York specifically.
Tyrese Maxey had 28 while the newly acquired Brown had 19 points, eight rebounds, and six assists. LeBron put up a chill 14-9-7 and then told reporters that winning on somebody else’s ring night was “pretty special”. Twenty-four seasons in and the man still collects other people’s celebrations like trophies. And don’t get it twisted, HE’S AN OHIO BABY!
LeBron goes OFF on a Knicks fan:
“Ain’t nothing soft in the Midwest…I’m not from the West Coast, I’m from Ohio, baby. I’m an Ohio baby, fu*k is you talking about?”
Dub Nation knows what it’s like to fumble an emotional ring night, like on October 17th, 2017. Oracle Arena. The Warriors were raising the banner from the Kevin Durant revenge tour, Durant was getting his first ring, the rings themselves had more diamonds than any championship ring in the history of the four major American sports, and the Houston Rockets showed up with Chris Paul playing his first game in red. The Warriors led by 17 but Houston clawed back to steal a one-point win.
Houston to the Warriors was as the Philly is to the Knicks of this era, and not just because they were mad at the Dubs. Daryl Morey built that roster as an answer key to the Warriors’ switching defense. Golden State’s whole identity was switching everything, so Houston loaded up on two of the best isolation guards on earth and spent possession after possession hunting Steph on switches until the defense broke.
It nearly worked. Seven months after ring night, Houston had the Warriors down 3-2 in the Western Conference Finals, and if Chris Paul’s hamstring holds up, Houston fans would argue the Warriors lose that series. Hilariously crazy hypothetical since that era of Rockets basketball was literally incapable of eliminating the Warriors from the playoffs, but that opening night game proved just how intense the rivalry was and how close the margins were.
So when I watch Philly celebrating on the Knicks’ own ring night, I see potentially more than a regular-season win. I see a team that rebuilt itself around one opponent telling New York exactly where it plans to be in May. That’s why the ring night loss isn’t the scary part. It’s about the full season of taking everyone’s best shot while all your rivals gain more and more intel on your strengths, weaknesses, and emotional temperature.
The Warriors have won six Western Conference titles since 2015, and no other team in the West has more than one in that span. That’s four championships in eight seasons and four ring nights. And for all that dominance, the Warriors successfully defended their title exactly once.
Funny how that works. Steph said that night in 2022 that ring night is never an easy game. He was talking about the nerves of one evening, but I think it describes the whole year after. When you’re climbing the first time, you’re preparing to beat everybody. The second time up, everybody has spent the summer preparing to beat you. Houston built a roster to attack our switches. Philly went out and got LeBron and Jaylen to get past the team that swept them. And the Knicks are going to see that same energy from Miami, Cleveland, Boston and whoever else circled the Garden on their schedule.
Brunson told the crowd before tipoff that the joy the city felt this summer was something the team would love to replicate. Every champion says some version of that on ring night, including the dynasty Dubs. New York got its nemesis on opening night. Now it gets to find out whether it can survive the six months that follow.
(Photo by Christian Petersen/Getty Images) | Getty Images
Would you believe that Kristaps Porzingis graded out as one of the better players in the NBA last season? It’s true. Porzingis ranked No. 50 in the league in Estimated Plus-Minus and nearly cracked the top-25 in LEBRON, which are a pair of metrics that measure a player’s impact with some luck adjustments and player tracking data built in. Every all-in-one stat is going to have blindspots and needs to be taken with a large grain of salt, but both teams Porzingis played for last season — the Atlanta Hawks and Golden State Warriors — were much better with him on the court in his 32 total games, and that’s no coincidence.
Porzingis showed the whole world how good he could be on the Boston Celtics’ run to the 2024 NBA championship, when his combination of outside shooting and rim protection made him the rare center who could space the floor to the max without giving much back on defense. Porzingis’ effectiveness hasn’t been much of a question since his career-defining season in Boston, but his availability has been. Unfortunately, Porzingis remains out for the Warriors as they begin the 2026-27 season, and now the team appears ready to move on without him.
The Warriors are exploring trade packages for Porzingis as he deals with POTS (Postural Orthostatic Tachycardia Syndrome), a nervous system disorder that causes dizziness, brain fog, chronic fatigue, and other unwanted symptoms. Porzingis is “contemplating his future in basketball” according to ESPN insider Shams Charania.
Speculation on Porzingis’ rampant health problems dating back to the Celtics’ 2024 playoff run had grown so out of control that the 31-year-old felt obligated to put out a pair of statements clarifying that doesn’t have AIDS or HIV last week. Now his NBA career might be over as the Warriors scramble for a backup plan.
Hello people, I'm working with doctors and experts to figure out how to be fully back to good health asap. Honestly, I'm getting better and better. I just have to stay patient, and I believe I'll be feeling great again soon.
It has definitely been frustrating dealing with some…
I appreciate all the internet doctors trying to diagnose and help, but I'm in the best hands. So everyone can relax now 😄🙏🏼 and I don’t have hiv or aids.
The biggest story here is the premature end of Porzingis’ career for health problems entirely out of his control. It’s an incredibly sad development for such a talented player who had so much promise early in his career, and appeared to find renewed value after being dumped to the Washington Wizards in 2022. This is also deeply disappointing news for the Warriors, because it’s going to be tough to find another player who can approximate his skill set without adding the type of valuable future assets Golden State has resisted including in other deals.
What team would trade for a player who might be finished? Porzingis’ contract could still make him valuable around the league depending on a few factors. He only has $3 million guaranteed for next season, but counts for $20 million in a trade. If another team was looking to dump a player they don’t want around anymore with long-term money on the books, they might be incentivized to trade for Porzingis and then just cut him while stomaching the $3 million next season.
Let’s say the Milwaukee Bucks decide that they just want Myles Turner off the books as he enters the second season of a four-year, $109 million deal. The Warriors could take Turner, the Bucks could take Porzingis, and then Milwaukee could waive him to save some money. The Chicago Bulls could build a similar trade around Patrick Williams, who has three years remaining on his contract as this season begins.
The Turner idea in particular could sound good in theory, but it takes two sides to make a deal, and the Warriors don’t have much leverage. Golden State’s only real backup center is Al Horford, who is 40 years old. Charles Bassey is around too, but he’s never been counted on for more than a small role. Losing Quentin Post to the Memphis Grizzlies over the summer in free agency was a tough blow, and now the Warriors seem like they’re totally out of options in the front court unless they want to part with a meaningful asset.
Warriors lead executive Mike Dunleavy is already on the record saying fixing the team’s center problem is “not as simple as hey, let’s go find someone new” with 15 players already on the roster. Golden State is already without Jimmy Butler as he recovers from a torn ACL, and Moses Moody as he tries to come back from a ruptured patellar tendon. That’s $90 million in salary not in the lineup to start the year.
This is no way to build around Stephen Curry in his age-38 season. Rookie forward Yaxel Lendeborg looks amazing, but it’s hard to win without a reliable center, and the Warriors are being immediately put in a compromising position.
This is a bummer of a story. Let’s hope Porzingis can find peace after basketball if this really is it for his career.
The Golden State Warriors have grown increasingly concerned about Kristaps Porzingis's availability and are exploring other options for the 31-year-old center, according to a new report.
Golden State has begun to search for trade partners to part ways with Porzingis, according to ESPN. Porzingis is reportedly contemplating his basketball future as he continues to deal with postural orthostatic tachycardia syndrome (POTS) autoimmune symptoms.
USA TODAY Sports reached out to the team, but the Warriors were not available to comment on the matter.
Head coach Steve Kerr told reporters after practice Tuesday that he and Porzingis spoke recently, exchanging phone calls "a couple days ago" and text messages throughout the last couple of weeks.
"Other than my concern for him and his own well-being, I don't think of it," Kerr said when asked how he's handling the situation. "When we come to practice, I don't think of it because I have to focus on the guys who are here. That's my concern."
"When we come into the building, it's 'how are we going to play? How are we going to start? Who's going to back up the 5s? If Al (Horford) doesn't play, does (Ike) Graham play? Do we use one of the two-way games that he has? Those are all the basketball thoughts," Kerr added. "But as I've mentioned to you guys out first order of business is to support Kristaps and help him through this."
The team said the details of that meeting would "remain private," but Porzingis posted on X (formerly Twitter) that he was working with medical professionals to figure out how to get back to full health.
"I'm working with doctors and experts to figure out how to be fully back to good health asap. Honestly, I'm getting better and better. I just have to stay patient, and I believe I'll be feeling great again soon," Porzingis wrote. "It has definitely been frustrating dealing with some health stuff that you can't exactly pinpoint, on top of injuries throughout my career, so it has added up for sure, but we will get through it. Health is wealth. Thank you for all the support at the Warriors practice facility"
He's heard the jokes and seen the Internet trolls who have had think-pieces about Porzingis's health.
"I appreciate all the internet doctors trying to diagnose and help, but I'm in the best hands," Porzingis wrote on social media. "So everyone can relax now and I don’t have HIV or Aids."
The Golden State Warriors have begun exploring trades of center Kristaps Porziņģis, who remains away from the team and is "seriously contemplating his future in basketball," ESPN’s Shams Charania reports.
Porziņģis has been away from the Warriors since before training camp, and Charania's report confirms he is still dealing with postural orthostatic tachycardia syndrome, or POTS. People with this condition see their heart rate race for a minute or more after standing up from sitting or lying down (as part of the disorder, more blood stays in your lower body even after a person stands, causing the heart rate to race as it tries to get blood flowing again). This condition has limited Porziņģis' ability to play for a couple of seasons.
Porziņģis signed a two-year, $40 million contract extension with the Warriors last offseason, but only $3 million of the 2027-28 season is guaranteed, essentially making him an expiring contract. Golden State is looking into packaging Porzingis (mostly as salary ballast) with players or picks to bring in someone of value in a trade. Teams that acquire Porziņģis would very likely waive him next summer, as they'd get the financial savings plus the real draw of whatever the Warriors add to the trade package.
Porziņģis came into the Warriors' practice facility last week to discuss his situation with team doctors and management. Afterward, he posted this on X.
I appreciate all the internet doctors trying to diagnose and help, but I'm in the best hands. So everyone can relax now and I don’t have hiv or aids.
Golden State acquired Porziņģis at last year's trade deadline, envisioning him as a stretch big who can protect the rim and fit very well next to Stephen Curry. Porziņģis played in 15 games for Golden State last season and averaged 16.1 points, 5.3 rebounds and 1.1 blocks per game. Based on that, the Warriors bet on Porziņģis this summer and gave him an extension.
LAS VEGAS, NEVADA - OCTOBER 13: Luka Doncic #77 of the Los Angeles Lakers warms up before a preseason game against the Golden State Warriors at T-Mobile Arena on October 13, 2026 in Las Vegas, Nevada. The Warriors defeated the Lakers 101-89. 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 Ethan Miller/Getty Images) | Getty Images
Despite owning four top-five finishes and six All-NBA First Team nods, Luka Dončić has never been all that close to winning MVP. Through eight years, his best chance has come in 2023-24, when he finished third behind Nikola Jokić and Shai Gilgeous-Alexander. But even then, Dončić only received four first-place votes as Jokić ran away with his third MVP trophy in four seasons.
As he continues his prime, the 27-year-old is open about wanting a distinguished honor like that while still making clear the ultimate goal is hoisting the Larry O’Brien Trophy alongside his teammates.
“It would definitely mean a lot,” Dončić told Melissa Rohlin of the New York Post. “Obviously a championship, that’s what you play for every game. That’s what you train for everyday. But obviously it would be nice to win the MVP also. Not everybody can say they have an MVP, so obviously that would be nice.”
Dončić understands individual and team-wide accolades are intertwined. If he and the Lakers are competing for a championship because he’s performing at a high level, his likelihood of finally winning MVP is much higher than if they’re sitting well below title contention. As such, his priority is team success.
“But that comes with the team first. If you don’t play good, you’re never going to win championships or MVP,” Dončić said. “So, we’ve got to play good. I’m very excited to go to war with these people. I think we had a great training camp and we’re ready to go.”
As I see it, the key for Dončić to win MVP is sustaining the MVP-caliber peaks he seemingly reaches for extended stretches every season (well, duh). Too often, he’ll have a month or prolonged period in which the decision-making and/or shot-making are underwhelming and the defense is a glaring issue. Other months, he’s an ethereal scorer and offensive engine whose defense perks up (and can even be a positive!) to look like the best player on the planet.
Now, he doesn’t have to average 38-8-7 on 63% true shooting featuring impactful defense for a full season like he did last March but 31-8-7 on 57% true shooting with 71 assists to 47 turnovers like last December cannot happen either. He has to elevate his floor to better complement his ceiling. And if he does that, the elusive MVP might be his as he leads the Lakers near the top of the Western Conference.
LOS ANGELES, CA - OCTOBER 13: Charles Bassey #28 of the Golden State Warriors dunks the ball during the game against the Los Angeles Lakers on October 13, 2026 at 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 2026 NBAE (Photo by Adam Pantozzi/NBAE via Getty Images) | NBAE via Getty Images
The Golden State Warriors are already missing center Kristaps Porzingis to start the 2026-27 NBA season, and head coach Steve Kerr will have even thinner front court depth on opening night. According to Danny Emerman of The SF Standard, the Dubs have ruled center Charles Bassey out for Wednesday night’s game against the Los Angeles Lakers. Bassey was listed as questionable on the injury report with knee tendinitis heading into the day. It seems Bassey was unable to make enough progress to play.
In 17 games (16 starts) with the Santa Cruz Warriors last season, Bassey averaged 20.4 points, 11.7 rebounds, and 2.1 blocks in 29.1 minutes per game on 61.0%/40.5%/.65.9% shooting. In eight NBA games, he averaged 2.9 points and 2.6 rebounds on 62.5% shooting from the field in 6.6 minutes per game (15.6 points, 14.3 rebounds, 2.7 blocks, and 1.4 steals per 36 minutes).
Given his impressive G-League line, and a positive impression he made with Golden State down the stretch last season, Bassey re-signed a one-year deal with the Warriors. During the preseason, with Porzingis out, Bassey was the clear third center behind Al Horford and Draymond Green. With Bassey sidelined, rookie two-way big man Graham Ike will likely crack the rotation. Rookie first-round pick Yaxel Lendeborg may also see a few minutes as the small-ball five.
LOS ANGELES, CALIFORNIA - OCTOBER 08: Bronny James #9 of the Los Angeles Lakers dribbles the ball against the Sacramento Kings in a preseason game at Crypto.com Arena on October 08, 2026 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. (Photo by Luke Hales/Getty Images) | Getty Images
The third preseason stint of Bronny James’ career was not kind to him. In five games, the Los Angeles Lakers guard averaged 2.2 points, 2.8 assists and 2.4 rebounds while playing 16.4 minutes each night. He committed 12 turnovers and shot 25% from the floor and 12.5% beyond the arc. It was certainly not the sort of production that would endear James to anyone as he vies for a slim chance at rotation minutes to begin the year.
“James, for his part, has been limited by a quad contusion he suffered just before the start of training camp, sources told ESPN,“ McMenamin wrote, ”and Redick added that the third-year guard has often shared the court with training camp invitees, rather than rotation players and noted how James finished last season as a playoff contributor.“
The Lakers presumably will not be counting on James for crucial minutes to open 2026-27 or whenever they’re mostly healthy. But James did occasionally crack the rotation last season and Redick’s previously harped on the important of back-end bench guys to step up when others are unavailable. He and the entire Lakers organization will hope James’ quad contusion was the catalyst for his poor preseason and that he’ll be able to offer solid minutes if called upon.
Ahead of James in the guard room are the likes of Austin Reaves, Luka Dončić (if he counts), Collin Sexton, Quentin Grimes and Matisse Thybulle, though I suspect the latter two here will see their fair share of minutes on the wings. Others such as Jaden Hardy, Chris Mañon and rookie Cameron Carr will duke it out with James for spot minutes in the backcourt.
When in form, James’ on-ball defense, shooting (38.6% from 3 last year) and connective passing can be of use. But he’ll have to prove last year was not an aberration beyond the arc and that he’s at least a mild threat with the ball in his hands, which has been a struggle throughout his career.
PHOENIX, ARIZONA - MARCH 08: Devin Booker #1 of the Phoenix Suns celebrates with Collin Gillespie #12 after scoring against the Charlotte Hornets during the second half of the NBA game at Mortgage Matchup Center on March 08, 2026 in Phoenix, Arizona. The Suns defeated the Hornets 111-99. 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 Christian Petersen/Getty Images) | Getty Images
Dear Phoenix Suns Nation,
A year ago, if someone had told you that coming into this season, the Suns would be looking to build off a 45-win season and a playoff appearance, what would you have said?
Your response and perspective may dictate how you feel about this season.
Whether it’s the 2022 New York Giants, who made the NFC divisional round and haven’t returned to the playoffs since, or the Sacramento Kings back in 2023, who were the Western Conference’s third seed and have been at the bottom of the standings ever since, just because a team has a surprising season doesn’t mean that the following one is just as successful.
But it also doesn’t mean that expectations should be dimmed by the surprise of the previous season. Based on their continuity, offseason acquisitions, and internal development, the Suns should be a better team than they were a season ago, pending health, of course.
The team has brought back an overwhelming majority of its key players in a conference that saw a lot of turnover from a season ago. LeBron James is in the city of brotherly love, Kawhi Leonard is in Canada, and the Minnesota Timberwolves and Los Angeles Lakers’ starting lineups are vastly different from what they were a season ago. With Jalen Green healthy to start the year, unlike a season ago, the team is looking at their season-long starting lineup set to be mostly the same from game 1 to game 82, once they decide whether Khaman Maluach or Oso Ighodaro will be the team’s starting center.
The only new starter on the team? While there are numerous questions about him off the court, he should be a significant upgrade over Royce O’Neale at the starting power forward spot because of Bridges’ ability to create his own shot and experience playing alongside ball-dominant guards. Luke Kennard, who is set to replace Grayson Allen, is coming off the best playoff performances of his career and is one of the NBA’s best three-point shooters. Expect Phoenix to jack up a lot of triples this year.
Collin Gillespie, Dillon Brooks, Jordan Goodwin, and Oso Ighodaro? All back in Suns uniforms, with new contracts. Along with Mark Williams as well, but he should be out for the majority of the season, dealing with a shoulder injury he suffered in the offseason. The extensions and re-signings of key members of the team’s core from a season ago add stability that should provide the team and players more confidence to grow on their strong seasons while in the early or middle primes of their careers.
The Western Conference, however, is deeper than it was a season ago. Even if the Suns are a better team than they were a year ago, it might not translate to more wins.
The top eight in the Western Conference all made moves to stay competitive, but the teams in the bottom half of the standings have either made moves or are getting players back from injury that should make them more formidable.
The anti-tanking rules, along with the 2026 draft class projected to be one of the most star-studded in recent memory, have raised the floor of many of the conference’s worst teams from last season. The incentives to bottom out and lose as much as possible are gone, and teams in the conference have responded.
The Utah Jazz, who selected Kansas’ Darryn Peterson second overall in the draft and traded for former Defensive Player of the Year Jaren Jackson Jr. back in February, are expected to take a leap this year despite losing young center Walker Kessler to the Lakers in free agency. The Memphis Grizzlies, albeit a young team, are expected to make some noise after taking who many executives believe is the most NBA-ready prospect in Cam Boozer. And the Dallas Mavericks, who were without All-Star guard Kyrie Irving for the entirety of the 2025-26 season, should be vastly improved from last year with Cooper Flagg a year older and the team another season removed from the disastrous Luke Dončić trade.
The Suns might be better than they were a season ago. They might not have the drop-offs that the Kings and Giants mean, and it might mean that they’re out of the playoffs again, let alone the play-in tournament. But if you can remember just 365 days ago when the idea of the Suns playing in the playoffs sounded as likely as the Cowboys in the Super Bowl, then maybe it’ll be easier to deal with whatever the 2026-2027 season has in store.
No matter good or bad, like every season, it’ll be an entertaining one. It’s NBA basketball.
Unsurprisingly, Victor Wembanyama didn't have fun during the Spurs' opening-season loss to the Thunder. He started the game by missing his first 12 shots, and while he had six blocked shots and impacted the game in other ways, he was the key reason San Antonio started the season 0-1.
"I need to go back to playing the basketball I like. This is not the sport I like, right here," Wembanyama said. "I got no reason to be hesitant, no reason to not be myself. For me, it's as simple as that. I'm good when I have fun...
"I missed lots of lots of shots, which I usually don't miss. But after that, I didn't go back to these shots. I wasn't decisive. I might be overthinking it, and I feel like it's a chance for me. What I have to do is really let go. I don't need to do more. I need to think less, probably."
Was part of his overthinking it the adjustment to new spacing — less of it — with the three-guard De'Aaron Fox, Stephon Castle and Dylan Harper lineups?
"I would say we haven't been good enough to find that out," Wembanyama said.
Part of that also is that the Spurs were playing the Thunder, the best defensive team in the NBA last season and one of the few teams with the depth and size to throw multiple 7-footers at Wembanyama to be physical with him. OKC is also loaded with quality perimeter defenders who made life tough for the Spurs trio of guards.
Wembanyama still made his presence felt with six blocks, fantastic overall defense and 13 rebounds.
Wembanyama, at 22, is a thoughtful, high-IQ player, but he would be far from the first great player to suffer "paralysis through analysis." When Wembanyama is playing his best, there is a flow to what he is doing, it happens naturally, instinctively.
If the Spurs are going back to the NBA Finals, they need more out of Wembanyama — and specifically more against the Thunder. This was just one of 82, there is a long road ahead, but Wemby understands he has to get back to being himself, to having fun, or that road will seem even longer.
