Knicks defeat 76ers as Mike Brown offers glimpse at starting lineup plans
Head coach Mike Brown won his Knicks preseason debut at the NBA’s Abu Dhabi Games, 99-84, against the Philadelphia 76ers. Miles McBride led the effort with 12 points off the bench, with Karl-Anthony Towns adding 11 points in 17 minutes.
Mitchell Robinson was in postseason form, scoring seven points and grabbing 16 boards in 18 minutes. Mikal Bridges added 10 while the captain Jalen Brunson had a quiet six points and four assists.
The Knicks were without OG Anunoby due to a sprained left hand; starting in his place was Pacome Dadiet. Robinson was the fifth starter after much training camp mystery.
Here are the key takeaways...
-- It sure looked like an overseas preseason opener out of the gates with some ugly turnovers and sloppy play early. A Dadiet offensive rebound and reverse and-one putback was the first bucket for the Knicks this season.
Tyrese Maxey looked in midseason form early with 10 first-quarter points on some quick takes inside. It took some time for New York to find their flow, but eventually Towns got some looks in transition and at the free throw line, scoring seven points in the first frame.
-- It was McBride who exploded late in the period, hitting a couple threes and a fading two in a confident stint. He played alongside newcomer Jordan Clarkson and Brunson in a sneak peek at a new three-guard set as the teams went into the second tied at 25.
-- As the first ended, Maxey tried to intercept Josh Hart’s dribble, and the Knick wing fell and hurt his lower back, flinging the ball into the stands in the process. The officials ejected Hart, ending his afternoon as he was helped back to the locker room area. After the game, the Knicks confirmed that Hart is dealing with a sore lower back, and the team will wait to see how he feels on Friday before deciding next steps.
-- Sixers rookie VJ Edgecombe ignited in the second quarter, going viral for a ludicrous attempted poster over Robinson, and finishing the half with nine points. Both teams kept it tight for most of the half, until the starters returned and got to work.
Brunson slipped inside for a couple floaters while Bridges hit a couple as the Knicks used a 15-6 run to close the half up 53-43 as the Sixers shot 1-20 from three as a team.
-- New York pulled the starters at halftime, letting the second and third units get some real burn after taking the long flight. The three guards fighting for one roster spot - Landry Shamet, Malcolm Brogdon and Garrison Mathews - got in early in the third and shared the court for a strong stretch to extend the league.
Brogdon hit a three, got a couple paint touches that led to corner threes, and recorded a steal and assist in his first six minutes. Mathews splashed three threes as part of a 22-5 run to give the Knicks an 81-55 advantage after three.
-- Ariel Hukporti played his only six minutes in the third quarter, scoring six points and grabbing six rebounds in a team-high +13 stint.
The Knicks coasted from there, playing every member of their extended training camp roster.
Highlights
23 with the SLAM 💥 pic.twitter.com/PJc8ezOQam
— NEW YORK KNICKS (@nyknicks) October 2, 2025
DEEEUUUUCCCCEEEEEEE pic.twitter.com/C8oylwucs8
— NEW YORK KNICKS (@nyknicks) October 2, 2025
The Piscataway Kid: Karl-Anthony Towns pic.twitter.com/3T1F5RG97g
— NEW YORK KNICKS (@nyknicks) October 2, 2025
Up next
The Knicks take on the Sixers once again in Abu Dhabi on Saturday at 11:00 a.m.
Why Seth Curry hilariously couldn't take Steph's No. 30 Warriors jersey from him
Why Seth Curry hilariously couldn't take Steph's No. 30 Warriors jersey from him originally appeared on NBC Sports Bay Area
Move over Steph, there’s a new Curry in town.
The Warriors signed Seth Curry to a one-year free-agent contract on Wednesday, bringing together the two sharpshooting brothers in the Bay for the 2025-26 NBA season.
And Seth wasted no time having fun with his new team and the local media. He told reporters on Thursday in San Francisco about his lighthearted effort to take Steph’s iconic No. 30 Warriors jersey.
“I tried to buy it from him,” Seth said about Steph’s jersey number. “He said he didn’t need the money. [I] don’t think the NBA would like it either.”
Steph … probably doesn’t need the money. The 37-year-old has made just $410.5 million entering his 17th NBA season — all with the Warriors.
Regarding his brother, though, maybe Seth truly deserves the right to wear No. 30. After all, the 35-year-old has worn No. 30 often over his 11 NBA seasons and holds the higher career 3-point shooting percentage, with 43.3 to Steph’s 42.3.
Though Steph has made 4,058 career triples compared to Seth’s 945. And the two have vastly different trophy cases, to say the least.
Steph has worn the No. 30 on his back for all of his 1,181 career games — including 155 NBA playoff games.
So, sorry, Seth, but there is no universe where he steals No. 30 as Steph’s teammate on the Warriors. He’ll have to make do with No. 31.
SEE IT: Knicks' Josh Hart suffers back injury in preseason meeting with Sixers
Preseason injuries are the last thing any NBA team wants to deal with, but Knicks guard/forward Josh Hart suffered an injury during the first half of Thursday's exhibition match against the Philadelphia 76ers in Abu Dhabi.
After grabbing a defensive rebound, Hart took a couple of dribbles before falling to the floor. There wasn't much, if any, contact on the play, and Hart stayed down for a few moments before getting helped towards the locker room.
Hart was also ejected on the play, as he threw the ball in frustration after the whistle blew.
Following the game, the Knicks classified Hart's issue as a "sore lower back."
Hart, 30, has been an extremely valuable piece for the Kicks since being acquired ruing the 2022-23 season. The Villanova product has averaged 11.3 points, 8.7 rebounds, and 4.8 assists per game in a Knicks uniform, while showcasing the ability to play anywhere on the floor from point guard to power forward.
Josh Hart appeared to get injured and was ejected from today’s preseason game after throwing the ball into the stands pic.twitter.com/MVHAhJPp5N
— Knicks Videos (@sny_knicks) October 2, 2025
Jonathan Kuminga downplays offseason drama, commits to winning with Warriors
Jonathan Kuminga downplays offseason drama, commits to winning with Warriors originally appeared on NBC Sports Bay Area
SAN FRANCISCO – Teammates were forced to answer questions for Jonathan Kuminga on Monday at Warriors Media Day because of his absence. Coach Steve Kerr fielded a few the next day before shutting them down and turning his attention to basketball. Finally, Kuminga on Thursday was able to speak for himself.
Kuminga on Wednesday ended his restricted free agency that lasted all three months of the offseason and bled into the beginning of training camp, signing a two-year, $48.5 million contract that has a team option on the second year. He went through his first training camp practice Thursday and later addressed the media for the first time since inking his new deal.
The business side of basketball was eye-opening to Kuminga, who turns 23 years old on Oct. 6. The longer it took for Kuminga and the Warriors to agree to a deal, the louder the outside noise grew.
But it was brought down to hush from Kuminga’s answers speaking on the situation for the first time.
“It’s part of what we do. It’s a business,” Kuminga said. “At the end of the day, all that matters is that we got it done and I’m excited to be here.”
The only time Kuminga somewhat hinted at where his head was at during his restricted free agency was when he posted a picture to Instagram story on July 30 of him and his agent, Aaron Turner, that read, “I’ll bet on myself all day #JustKnow” while tagging Turner.
Once Jan. 15 arrives, the Warriors have three weeks to trade Kuminga by the NBA’s Feb. 5 deadline. His contract helps the Warriors find an in-season trade partner to move Kuminga if they choose to do so, but he doesn’t view his new deal as purely betting on himself.
“I wouldn’t say that,” Kuminga said. “But I’ll tell you, me betting on myself is helping us win a championship. And I think that’s our goal and how we all look at it. I’m blessed, I’m glad I got this done.”
Kuminga was drafted No. 7 overall by the Warriors in 2021, one year after the team took James Wiseman No. 2 overall and the same year they selected Moses Moody at No. 14. A youth infusion appeared to be on the way as Steph Curry, Draymond Green and Klay Thompson entered the later part of their careers.
And then Curry led the Warriors to a championship in Kuminga’s rookie year that surprised many, possibly changing the franchise’s plans of what’s best for the present and future of the team. Yet the Warriors have turned down multiple trade offers for Kuminga in the past.
His 2024-25 season was hampered by a badly sprained ankle in early January that kept Kuminga sidelined for more than two months. Kuminga started the first three games of the season and then was back to the bench, starting just 10 regular-season games in total. He has played 258 regular-season games in his career and hasn’t even started a third of them.
Which brings everything to the ultimate question: Does Kuminga want to remain with the Warriors and play for one team like his idol, the late Kobe Bryant?
“I’m here now,” he said, throwing up his hands at the podium. “That’s everybody’s goal, to be somewhere for longer. You never know how your future will be determined. So far, that’s my goal and what I want to accomplish is being here longer.”
Kerr on Wednesday reiterated the Warriors will operate through their veteran star trio of Steph Curry, Jimmy Butler and Draymond Green. He emphasized what he always has for how Kuminga can earn more minutes and have a larger role: Run the floor, rebound and be the best defender he can.
Showing a focus for the small details has fell by the wayside for Kuminga at times over his first four seasons in the NBA. He has shown an affection for playing isolation ball offensively and has missed assignments defensively. Playing that way won’t get him on the court under Kerr, in particular with this roster.
When asked about how he views his role on the Warriors, Kuminga deferred to winning over anything individually.
“Just helping us win,” Kuminga says. “Find a way to help us win. Both ends – defense, offense – just find a way to be a piece that’s going to help us win games and hopefully a championship. Being involved on both sides. Finding a way to have an impact. If it’s defense, if it’s an assignment, just go guard the best player. Or if they need me to score. … I feel like that’s what I’m looking forward to and I am very open-minded.”
Kuminga’s role isn’t expected to change much, but over the course of a season, he can be a highly valuable player for a team run by players in their mid-to-late 30s. He’ll be relied on to be more of a scoring factor in games that Curry and Butler need off or can’t go, and called upon to do what’s necessary to win on a nightly basis. Plus, the better he plays, the better his trade value is for the Warriors, possibly creating a win-win for both sides.
However it all plays out for Kuminga and the Warriors, he’ll have a new look to his game. At least when it comes to the front and back of his jersey.
Kuminga switched his jersey number from 00 to 1, marking a new chapter in a story that feels far from complete.
“A new start,” Kuminga explained. “I wanted to go back to my actual number that I used to wear when I was at [St. Patrick High School]. I just wanted to try new things, you know.”
There wasn’t more fuel added to the fire by Kuminga’s first comments since re-joining the Warriors. How their relationship continues, however, can either burn the house down or be the spark he always needed to keep the flame all along.
NBA season 2025-26 preview: Five players under most pressure this season
It's become a sports cliché to say "pressure is a privilege."
By that logic, there are a lot of players — the five that follow in particular — who have a lot of privilege this season. There is always pressure in the NBA — pressure to win, but for most players it's more about pressure to keep their job and the paydays coming beyond this season. That pressure hits some players harder than others.
These five players are facing the most pressure in the league this season.
Trae Young
It's not just that Trae Young is playing for his next contract, although it's that, too. Atlanta could have offered Young up to a four-year, $229 million max extension this past summer if it wanted to. Instead, Atlanta's new front office built a roster that, on paper, is the best Young has ever had around him. Kristaps Porzingis is a pick-and-pop big who can also defend the paint, a perfect partner for Young. Nickeil Alexander-Walker to provide more wing defense and shooting. Luke Kennard to space the floor. A healthy Jalen Johnson and an improving Zaccharie Risacher can take some shot creation load off Young. This is a team with top-four finish and deep playoff run potential.
Atlanta is testing the biggest question facing the franchise: Can you build a contender around Trae Young? There are plenty of skeptics around the league, and if this goes sideways, the Hawks can pivot away from Young. If that happens, the market for the four-time All-Star may not be what he hopes. In Young's hands hangs the future direction of the Hawks organization and his next contract.
That's pressure, although on media day he seemed unfazed by it all.
"My focus is on the team. Whatever happens will happen," Young said. "If it doesn't happen, I'm still young and who knows what the future has in store for me."
Kristaps Porzingis
Let's stay in Atlanta with someone else playing for his next contract...
How much money is Kristaps Porzingis worth on the market? When he plays, he's a force — 19.5 points a game, shooting 41.2% from 3-point range last season, while adding 1.5 blocks a night. When Boston won the title two seasons ago, he was key to that run and averaged 20.1 points and 1.9 blocks a night — the Hawks brought him in and put him next to Young to be that guy for a new team.
However, he has played in 60+ games only once in the past seven seasons, and three times in his 10-year NBA career. Can he prove he can stay healthy enough this season and help lift the Hawks to the top four in the East, followed by a deep playoff run? Can he help make the Hawks more than the play-in team they have been in recent years?
Porzingis, 30, also is playing for his next contract. He's making $30.7 million this season and, no doubt, would like a new contract in the range Myles Turner just received from Milwaukee (four years, $109 million). Is he worth it? He's going to have to stay on the court and prove it this season, or next offseason, the offers may be smaller than he imagined.
DeAndre Ayton
DeAndre Ayton understands the pressure on him this season.
"Some people say it's my last leg, some people say it's my last chance," Ayton said at Lakers media day. "This is an opportunity I can say I'm truly not going to take for granted. It's almost like a wounded animal. I feel all the tension, and I know where I'm at. I've been in the gym every day."
Ayton has talent — even last season, in what was perceived as a down year in Portland, he averaged 14.4 points and 10.2 rebounds per game, and he is a plus defender in the paint. The questions have been focus — it's not there night-to-night, he can drift through games — and health, he has played 65+ games once in the past four seasons. Ayton's best seasons were in Phoenix, when Chris Paul was pushing him hard but also setting him up for easy buckets in the pick-and-roll. The Lakers are betting LeBron James and Luka Doncic can do that same thing this season and push Ayton to new heights.
The center position has become a mercenary role in the NBA. Unless you're a Jokic/Wembanyama/Towns kind of impact big, teams think they can get 85% of the production for close to the minimum and lean that way.
Ayton is a free agent next summer and he's not going to find a contract close to the $35.5 million he is making this season, but if he wants to be paid in the range of Ivica Zubac/Naz Reid/Nic Claxton — around $20 million a season or more — he has to prove he is worth it. Coach J.J. Redick praised Ayton's play and work ethic at media day, but praise from a coach before the practices start is cheap. Ayton must take advantage of this opportunity in Los Angeles, or he will be playing for the veteran's minimum in future years.
Donovan Mitchell (and entire Cavaliers team)
Last season, it seemed like Kenny Atkinson had turned the Cavaliers into a contender: 64 wins, No. 1 seed in the East, best offense in the NBA and a top-10 defense. Donovan Mitchell was on MVP ballots and was named First Team All-NBA.
Then came the playoffs, and they were run out of the second round by the Pacers in five games. There were reasons for that loss — Darius Garland's turf toe limiting him is at the top of the list, but Evan Mobley and De'Andre Hunter also had postseason injuries — that does not change the fact that it was an ugly and embarrassing playoff exit for a team with title aspirations.
Cleveland is running it back (but with the upgrade of Lonzo Ball in for Isaac Okoro). Cleveland has the most expensive roster in the league and a championship-or-bust mentality. That is pressure.
Cleveland is built to run it back one more season after this one, but if things go sideways for the Cavaliers, at what point does ownership balk at being in the second apron and paying all this to fall short?
Zion Williamson
It feels like Zion Williams is perpetually on this list.
Tell me if you've heard this one before: Zion is more focused on his health than ever before and is in the best shape of his career entering the season. He says he is focused. He is still putting on a show in warm-ups.
Zion says hello at the open practice in Australia pic.twitter.com/hnJivyUH8y
— New Orleans Pelicans (@PelicansNBA) October 2, 2025
New head of basketball operations in New Orleans, Joe Dumars, said all the right things about keeping Zion in the Big Easy, and talking to him about the accountability and responsibility that comes with his prodigious talent. Dumars is right. He's also not the first person to have that conversation with Zion. Did it sink in this time?
On one level, there is only so much pressure on Zion. He is just 25 and entering only his seventh NBA season. He will make $126.5 million over the next three seasons, guaranteed.
The pressure is centered on his place in the league, his ability to lead, and, ultimately, his legacy. Dumars didn't seriously try to trade Zion this past offseason because what little he heard showed him all the offers would be lowball — plenty of teams are willing to take a chance on Zion, but the return to the Pelicans was not going to help really jumpstart a rebuild like Dumars might wish.
His talent is not in question. Zion looks every bit the franchise cornerstone when healthy — 24.6 points, 7.2 rebounds, 5.3 assists a game last season — but he played in just 30 games last season due to a hamstring issue. In his six NBA seasons in New Orleans, he has played 214 games and missed 258.
Zion doesn't just need to be on the court, he needs to lead this team by example. He needs to demonstrate a level of maturity and show that the lessons of the first six years have truly taken hold. Or the rest of the league will start to move on, leaving Zion to the teams willing to take a long shot chance.
Jonathan Kuminga shares honest response to fans questioning Warriors commitment
Jonathan Kuminga shares honest response to fans questioning Warriors commitment originally appeared on NBC Sports Bay Area
Dub Nation, listen closely.
Days after signing a two-year, $48.5 million contract to return to the Warriors after a months-long standoff, forward Jonathan Kuminga addressed the fans that question his commitment to Golden State.
And, perhaps to no surprise, Kuminga made sure to draw a distinction between keyboard warriors and actual Warriors fans.
“I feel like a lot of the fans get in their feelings so much,” Kuminga told reporters on Thursday. “And it’s mostly not the ones that are actually at the game.”
“It’s the one that is on Twitter, on TikTok, on social media. The ones that actually come here every other day and support us, they are the real MVPs.”
After a drama-riddled offseason, Kuminga, sporting a new jersey number, returned to Golden State practice ahead of the 2025-26 NBA season.
The 22-year-old swingman, who became a restricted free agent at the conclusion of the 2024-25 NBA season, will collect a check from Golden State for at least one season.
It is then that Kuminga looks to demonstrate how committed he is to the franchise and Dub Nation.
“But the ones that are home every day just don’t know what’s going on; they don’t even read what’s happening and just go out there and say whatever,” Kuminga added.
“That’s what they love to do. I don’t have a problem with that, but the real me, the people I talk to, the front office, and my coaches, they know what’s happening, and they know how committed I am to this team and what I want to accomplish. I think that’s all that matters to me.”
Big East college basketball 2025-26 regular season and tournament streaming schedules
Nearly 75 Big East college basketball regular-season and tournament games will be streaming on Peacock this season, including 50 Big East men’s games and 25 women’s games.
2025-26 Fantasy Basketball: Hacking the Default Rankings
The NBA season starts in just three weeks, and fantasy basketball season is in full swing! While prepping for your fantasy drafts, it’s critical to examine rankings across multiple platforms. That’s where you can gain a decisive advantage over your competitors.
Some managers will draft using “best available” from their preferred platform’s default rankings list. These default rankings can and often do vary wildly, so identifying outliers from one to the next can be quite a helpful pre-season exercise.
We’ll be going through that exercise in this article, trying to “hack the default rankings” by comparing fantasy basketball rankings from ESPN, Yahoo, and Fantrax to our own here at Rotoworld.
Below you'll find some of the biggest variations among notable players.
Nikola Jokić headlines Rotoworld’s Preseason Top 200, but key injuries across the league make this one of the most unpredictable fantasy seasons in years.
Raphielle JohnsonG/F Amen Thompson (Houston Rockets)
Ours: 15
ESPN: 23
Yahoo: 31
Fantrax: 44
Thompson’s 2024-25 season started out slowly but quickly gained momentum. He ended his sophomore campaign with a full head of steam after earning a starting gig and making the most of his opportunities.
Thompson averaged 14.1 points, 8.2 boards, 3.8 assists, 1.4 steals and 1.3 blocked shots for the season, but those numbers rose to 15.9 points, 8.8 boards, 4.9 assists, 1.7 steals and 1.4 blocks across his final 44 games - all starts. His ability to stuff the stat sheet was evident by his 18 double-doubles and three triple-doubles, and he’s already drawing praise from new teammate Kevin Durant.
“I don’t think we have ever seen that type of athleticism.”
— Lachard Binkley (@BinkleyHoops) September 29, 2025
Durant on Amen. pic.twitter.com/EmcFeoMPtF
Thompson’s only deficiency is his shooting ability, but he is a hyper-athletic point forward who can rack up stats in bunches, and with Fred VanVleet out for the season, there should be no shortage of minutes for Thompson, who could operate as Houston’s starting point guard.
The Rotoworld crew is all in on Thompson taking another step forward and producing fringe first-round value. If you’re playing on Yahoo or Fantrax, Thompson’s ranked at least two rounds lower, making him a tremendous value on those platforms.
G Jalen Green (Phoenix Suns)
Ours: 79
ESPN: 42
Yahoo: 59
Fantrax: 33
Green was featured in this article last season, and some things never change. The young offensive-focused guard has been a polarizing fantasy option since he joined the league thanks to his “empty calorie” stats that lean heavily on high-volume, low-efficiency scoring. For that reason, we’re the lowest on him at Rotoworld, and if fantasy managers in your league want to bite in Rounds 3-5, let them!
Drafting Green in that range is taking him at his absolute ceiling, though he hasn’t come close to approaching that value thus far.
G Immanuel Quickley (Toronto Raptors)
Ours: 59
ESPN: 80
Yahoo: 83
Fantrax: 104
The Rotoworld crew is bullish on IQ due to his strong stat-stuffing abilities, but rankings from other platforms - not so much. Taking Toronto’s starting PG after Pick 75 presents a ton of value for a player with fifth-round upside. If you’re playing at ESPN, Yahoo or Fantrax, he’s worth targeting as a mid-round sleeper. That’s a “high IQ” strategy.
F Zion Williamson (New Orleans Pelicans)
Ours: 54
ESPN: 71
Yahoo: 32
Fantrax: 79
If you’re reading this article, you already know about Zion’s storied NBA career. He’s had trouble staying on the court due to numerous injuries, and the media has criticized him relentlessly about his diet and work ethic.
1️⃣ pic.twitter.com/odk5OHGc8j
— New Orleans Pelicans (@PelicansNBA) September 23, 2025
Based on his appearance heading into the 2025-26 campaign, it’s safe to say that the media won’t be offering many criticisms.
Williamson looks slim in his media day photos, and he says he feels great. His upside is tremendous thanks to his elite athleticism, scoring, rebounding and passing abilities.
F LeBron James (Los Angeles Lakers)
Ours: 29
ESPN: 15
Yahoo: 14
Fantrax: 42
“Father Time is undefeated.”
“The dropoff is imminent.”
“No one in NBA history has played 23 seasons.”
Blah, blah, blah. We’ve been hearing similar tropes about Bron’s age for over a decade now, and he has yet to make good on any of them. James averaged 24.4 points, 7.8 rebounds, 8.2 assists, 1.0 steals, 0.6 blocks and 2.1 triples last season. He’s played at least 70 games in back-to-back seasons, and fantasy managers can target him in the early-to-mid third round.
Despite posting strong numbers at age 40, James is getting older and has a lot of tread on the tires. Luka Doncic should be the focal point of the offense this season, and drafting James with a top-15 pick is a bit ambitious. If you’re playing on ESPN or Yahoo, you can sit back and watch fellow managers reach.
Your one-stop-shop for Rotoworld’s fantasy basketball draft coverage.
C Mark Williams (Phoenix Suns)
Ours: 67
ESPN: 94
Yahoo: 81
Fantrax: 167
Injuries have been the hallmark of Williams’ brief NBA career, and he’s played in no more than 44 games in any of his three seasons. The big man posted career numbers in 2024-25, finishing with 15.3 points, 10.2 rebounds, 2.5 assists, 0.7 steals and 1.2 swats. Phoenix was hurting at center so bad last season that they traded for Williams and selected Khaman Maluach in this year’s draft.
The former should open the season as the starter and, assuming he can stay on the court, a big season is in store. We’re the highest on him at Rotoworld and expect him to be a strong value in fantasy drafts.
F/C Santi Aldama (Memphis Grizzlies)
Ours: 106
ESPN: Outside top-150
Yahoo: 112
Fantrax: 159
The Rotoworld team has the highest expectations for Aldama as he gets set for what could be the best season of his career. With Jaren Jackson Jr. and Zach Edey set to miss time to start the 2025-26 campaign, Aldama could be in line for substantial minutes.
Aldama posted career-best numbers in 2024-25, averaging 12.5 points, 6.4 rebounds, 2.9 assists and 1.8 triples across 25.5 minutes. The Grizzlies inked him to a three-year, $52.5 million deal in the offseason, highlighting their confidence in him.
G Cam Thomas (Brooklyn Nets)
Ours: 80
ESPN: 92
Yahoo: 66
Fantrax: 119
Heading into the new season, Thomas finds himself being talked about for all the wrong reasons, and he’s looking to flip the narrative.
The young guard broke out at the end of the 2023-24 season, averaging 26.6 points, 4.2 rebounds and 3.6 dimes across his final 18 appearances. In 2024-25, he averaged a career-best 24 points per game, though injuries limited him to just 25 contests.
Thomas went through a tumultuous offseason with the Nets regarding his contract, but he ultimately picked up his $6 million qualifying offer to return for the 2025-26 campaign.
Asked Cam Thomas about his response to Zach Lowe and the "empty calories, ball hog" narrative around the league:
— Erik Slater (@erikslater_) September 23, 2025
“It gets frustrating, whether you want to admit it or not, that people keep trying to spread these narratives and lies about you that just aren’t true without… pic.twitter.com/exEXj9TKRR
He also addressed criticism from the media that he’s an “empty stats” player. Thomas is going to be playing pissed off this season, fueled by his desire to silence the critics and prove to Brooklyn’s front office that it undervalued him.
If you’re playing on ESPN or Fantrax, Thomas is vastly undervalued - just as he’s been in real life with the Nets.
F/C Naz Reid (Minnesota Timberwolves)
Ours: 103
ESPN: 66
Yahoo: 92
Fantrax: 57
Drafting Reid around Pick 100? Naz-ty.
Drafting Reid in Rounds 6-7? Nasty.
The 2023-24 Sixth Man of the Year should continue to provide instant offense off the bench for Minnesota while chipping in boards, blocks and treys, but he’s not an elite contributor in any of those categories.
Reid’s career-best 2024-25 season saw him finish 96th in per-game fantasy value, and taking him at least two rounds earlier than that for the 2025-26 campaign would be irresponsible.
C Myles Turner (Milwaukee Bucks)
Ours: 28
ESPN: 26
Yahoo: 74
Fantrax: 53
Indiana’s longest-tenured player finally left the team that drafted him after nearly a decade of trade rumors. After an unexpected run to Game 7 of the Finals, Turner felt like he wasn’t given the respect he deserved in Indy and left for the Central Division rival.
In Milwaukee, Turner should see plenty of playing time and usage as the clear No. 1 option at center. He should pick up right where he left off as a three-point and shot-blocking specialist, perfectly filling the void left behind by Brook Lopez.
Depending on the category you’re willing to punt, players like Giannis Antetokounmpo will have greater fantasy value.
Other notable comparisons
ESPN
Dejounte Murray: 46; Ours: 135
Dyson Daniels: 91; Ours: 35
Miles Bridges: 39; Ours: 77
PJ Washington: 62; Ours: 157
Fantrax
Cade Cunningham: 22; Ours: 7
Lauri Markkanen: 23; Ours: 50
Keegan Murray: 58; Ours: 99
Chet Holmgren: 67; Ours: 31
Yahoo
Jalen Suggs: 96; Ours: Outside top-200
Jeremy Sochan: 132; Outside top-200
Toumani Camara: 105; Ours: 126
RJ Barrett: 63; Ours: 159
Buy-Low Sleepers: 8 Fantasy Basketball Bounceback Candidates
Every successful fantasy basketball season is built on identifying undervalued players. After a 2024-25 campaign marked by injuries, slumps, or poor team fit, several high-potential stars have seen their Average Draft Position (ADP) plummet. This creates a massive opportunity for savvy managers to find sleepers who are set to drastically outperform their draft slot. We've zeroed in on eight players who are primed for a major statistical rebound. Stop drafting based on last year's stats—here's your guide to the ultimate bounce-back picks for your 2025-26 fantasy draft.
Fantasy Basketball Bounceback Sleepers
Point Guard: LaMelo Ball, Charlotte Hornets
On the surface, it's hard to say Ball can deliver a bounce-back performance in 2025-26. After all, he averaged a career-high 25.2 points per game to go along with 7.4 assists, 4.9 rebounds and 1.1 steals in 47 regular-season contests. That lack of durability is an issue with the star floor general, as Ball has played fewer than 50 games in each of the past three seasons. Simply staying on the court would be enough to believe he can deliver a bounce-back performance, although an improvement in his shooting numbers is also possible. The star floor general finished the 2024-25 campaign shooting 40.5 percent from the floor and 33.9 percent from beyond the arc. Those are subpar numbers regardless of the overall scoring output.
Shooting Guard: Brandon Miller, Charlotte Hornets
Miller is the second Hornets player on this list, and he suffered an unfortunate injury when he was showing signs of having a breakout campaign in his sophomore year. The 22-year-old underwent season-ending surgery in January to repair a torn scapholunate ligament in his right wrist after averaging 21.0 points, 4.9 rebounds, 3.6 assists and 1.1 steals across 27 regular-season games. The Hornets are expected to be an improved team in 2025-26, and Miller is likely to assume a prominent role as an offensive weapon capable of carrying the team on offense alongside Ball. If Miller stays healthy, he should have all the chances in the world to bounce back in 2025-26 and establish himself as a reliable fantasy option due to his excellent two-way ability and ever-improving offensive skill set.
Small Forward: Lauri Markkanen, Utah Jazz
Markkanen showed signs of being a star-caliber player while representing Finland in 2025 EuroBasket. However, the big question is whether he can translate that kind of success into the NBA. The forward had a down year in 2024-25 and averaged 19.0 points, 5.9 rebounds, 1.5 assists and a combined 1.1 steals-plus-blocks in 47 regular-season contests. That's even worse when considering he was coming off back-to-back seasons in which he averaged at least 20 points, eight rebounds and two assists per game. Markkanen also shot the ball poorly from three-point range and only made 34.6 percent of his outside shots on 8.5 attempts per game. Pairing the most volume with the second-lowest percentage of his career isn't ideal. However, if he stays healthy and manages to translate his European success into The Association, then Markkanen could be a strong bounce-back candidate.
Power Forward: Zion Williamson, New Orleans Pelicans
Williamson's main issues throughout his career have been his weight and injury history – playing more than 60 games in a regular season just twice in his five-year career. Williamson is reportedly healthier and slimmer heading into the 2025-26 campaign, which should boost his chances of having a better year. The talent is undeniable, but his durability will be the key to his having a successful fantasy campaign. Williamson averaged 24.6 points, 7.2 rebounds, 5.3 assists and 1.2 steals per game in 2024-25, and if he stays healthy, his role as the Pelicans' go-to weapon on offense should allow him to clear the 25-point-per-game mark with relative ease.
Center: Rudy Gobert, Minnesota Timberwolves
Gobert averaged 12.0 points, 10.9 rebounds and 1.4 blocks per game in the 2024-25 season. That was his worst scoring average, his second-worst rebounding tally and his joint-worst block-per-game figure since his breakout season in 2016-17. Gobert is clearly a complementary piece on offense in a Minnesota team led by Anthony Edwards and Julius Randle. Still, Gobert should remain productive enough to be effective in most fantasy formats. An uptick in his scoring and blocking numbers would go a long way toward allowing him to deliver a bounce-back effort after a 2024-25 season in which he was one of the biggest disappointments among frontcourt players when comparing the ADP vs. production.
Guard: Jalen Suggs, Orlando Magic
Saying that Suggs underachieved in 2024-25 might be a stretch, but the guard wasn't able to live up to expectations when healthy, and he also missed most of the season with an injury that limited him to a career-low 35 regular-season appearances. Suggs has shown flashes of stardom at times, averaging a career-best 16.2 points per game in the 2024-25 season. However, injuries have often limited him and prevented him from reaching his full potential. The Magic are primed for taking the next leap as a team in this upcoming campaign, and simply having Suggs healthy for the entire season would already be a bounce-back for the fifth-year veteran.
Forward: Kyle Kuzma, Milwaukee Bucks
Kuzma opened the 2024-25 season as one of the go-to offensive options on the Wizards roster and was later traded to the Bucks when Milwaukee wanted to add a punch to their lineup ahead of the second half of the campaign and the playoffs. The results weren't what anyone would've expected, though. Kuzma averaged 15.2 points per game in 32 regular-season games with Washington, and that number dropped to 14.5 ppg in 33 regular-season contests with Milwaukee. Kuzma is too good a scorer to be posting those numbers, especially since he was coming off two straight seasons with over 21.0 points per game in 2022-23 and 2023-24. While Kuzma isn't a dominant force in fantasy, he's tipped to bounce back after an underwhelming showing in 2024-25.
Utility: Terry Rozier, Miami Heat
Yes, there's a strong chance that Rozier won't even be fantasy relevant by the time training camp ends. However, he has a shot at earning regular playing time at the beginning of the season if he stays healthy, committed and overcomes the woeful showing he delivered in 2024-25. Rozier averaged 10.6 points, 3.7 rebounds and 2.6 assists per game last season, a far cry from the 19.8 ppg, 5.6 apg and 4.0 rpg he posted in 2023-24. Tyler Herro (ankle) will miss the start of the new campaign, so Rozier could carve out a role off the bench in an attempt to bounce back from one of the worst seasons of his career.
3 observations after Maxey-Edgecombe backcourt debuts in preseason loss to Knicks
3 observations after Maxey-Edgecombe backcourt debuts in preseason loss to Knicks originally appeared on NBC Sports Philadelphia
The Tyrese Maxey-VJ Edgecombe tandem now has one NBA (preseason) game under its belt.
Maxey and Edgecombe sharing the floor was the most significant Sixers item Thursday from the team’s 99-84 preseason-opening loss to the Knicks in Abu Dhabi.
In his preseason debut, Edgecombe tallied 14 points, six rebounds and three assists. Maxey had 14 points, four assists and four boards.
Key Sixers out with injuries included Joel Embiid (left knee), Paul George (left knee), Jared McCain (right thumb) and Trendon Watford (right hamstring).
The Sixers’ second preseason game in Abu Dhabi is scheduled for Saturday at 11 a.m. ET. Here are observations on their defeat Thursday:
The Maxey-Edgecombe backcourt
The Sixers paired Maxey and Edgecombe together to start the game alongside Kelly Oubre Jr., Dominick Barlow and Adem Bona.
That unit played with good defensive intensity out of the gate, pressuring the Knicks and hunting for turnovers. An Oubre steal on Mikal Bridges led to a Maxey fast-break bucket.
Edgecombe and Maxey’s chemistry as a duo will take time to build. Maxey threw a pass out of bounds late in the first quarter when he expected Edgecombe to stay on the wing and the rookie instead started to cut. The two talked things over as the Sixers headed to a timeout.
Individually, Edgecombe in the first quarter showcased many of the talents that made him the No. 3 pick. He grabbed a defensive rebound, pushed the ball ahead and tossed up a lob that Bona finished in high-flying fashion. Bona got another alley-oop slam about a minute later courtesy of Maxey.
Edgecombe displayed his passing instincts again when he received the ball on a backdoor cut and dropped off a dish to Johni Broome for an easy hoop.
Edgecombe tried for a giant highlight in the second quarter, soaring high and attempting to dunk over Knicks center Mitchell Robinson. He didn’t quite pull it off, but Edgecombe drew a foul and knocked down both of his free throws.
Meanwhile, Maxey was the Sixers’ top producer in the first quarter, running the show and scoring 10 points. He hit a smooth floater on the Sixers’ last possession of the period.
A shooting day to forget
The Sixers’ outside shooting was about as bad as it possibly could have been in the first half at 1 for 20 from three-point range. The Knicks (8 for 39) were also very subpar in that area Thursday.
The final numbers for the Sixers were 34.6 percent from the field and 8.6 percent (3 for 35) beyond the arc.
All teams have poor shooting days and preseason results deserve little scrutiny. Still, we’ll note that the Sixers went 34.1 percent from three-point territory last season, which ranked 27th in the NBA.
They need stars like Maxey and George to have better shooting seasons, and for role players to sink a higher percentage of the open jumpers those stars create.
No bench standouts
As is the norm in the preseason, the Sixers used a long bench. The team’s first five subs were Justin Edwards, Jabari Walker, Andre Drummond, Eric Gordon and Broome.
After that, the Sixers played Kennedy Chandler. The 23-year-old point guard on an Exhibit 10 contract scored 10 points. Chandler entered ahead of two-way contract player Hunter Sallis, who made a mid-range jumper soon after checking in and posted eight points and three rebounds.
No Sixers bench player had an exceptional outing and the Knicks’ second unit was superior, turning their win into a blowout in the third quarter.
Edwards struggled offensively Thursday, missing all eight of his field goals and committing three turnovers in 16 minutes.
Jonathan Kuminga changes Warriors jersey number ahead of 2025-26 NBA season
Jonathan Kuminga changes Warriors jersey number ahead of 2025-26 NBA season originally appeared on NBC Sports Bay Area
Jonathan Kuminga enters the 2025-26 NBA season with a new contract — and a new jersey number.
The young forward returned to Warriors practice Thursday after signing a two-year, $48.5 million contract with Golden State, and he appears to have exchanged his No. 00 jersey number to No. 1.
The contract agreement ended a summer-long standoff between Kuminga and Golden State.
Warriors coach Steve Kerr told reporters Thursday that Kuminga participated but scrimmaged for only half of the scrimmage time as the team continues to ease him back into action.
Kerr added that Kuminga “looked good” and “did a nice job” on his first day back.
As Kuminga seeks a clean slate with the Warriors after a drama-filled offseason, perhaps a jersey number is just one of the many changes he will encounter this season.
Fantasy Basketball 2025-26 Preseason Top 200: Nikola Jokić, SGA lead the way; updated LeBron James ranking
While familiar names sit atop the preseason fantasy basketball rankings, the 2025-26 season has the potential to be a wild one, thanks to injuries that occurred either during the offseason or during last year's playoffs. Fred VanVleet's ACL tear means multiple players will be asked to do more in Houston, which may benefit Amen Thompson, Alperen Şengün, and Reed Sheppard. And Achilles tendon tears suffered by Damian Lillard, Jayson Tatum, and Tyrese Haliburton will also be impactful.
While Lillard's on-court return to Portland will be delayed, this will be a critical season for Scoot Henderson and Shaedon Sharpe, whether we're talking fantasy or "real" basketball. Boston lost multiple rotation players in the aftermath of Tatum's injury; how will this impact Jaylen Brown and Derrick White? As for the Pacers, the combination of Haliburton's injury and Myles Turner moving to Milwaukee raises the ceilings of Pascal Siakam and Andrew Nembhard, to name two. Below is our preseason top-200 ranking, led by Denver's Nikola Jokić.
NOTE: These rankings also reflect the news that LeBron Jameswill miss the start of the season with sciatica on his side.
Your one-stop-shop for Rotoworld’s fantasy basketball draft coverage.
| RANK | POS | NAME | TEAM | ||||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | C | Nikola Jokić | Denver Nuggets | ||||
| 2 | PG | Shai Gilgeous-Alexander | Oklahoma City Thunder | ||||
| 3 | C | Victor Wembanyama | San Antonio Spurs | ||||
| 4 | PG, SG | Luka Dončić | Los Angeles Lakers | ||||
| 5 | PF, C | Giannis Antetokounmpo | Milwaukee Bucks | ||||
| 6 | PF, C | Anthony Davis | Dallas Mavericks | ||||
| 7 | PG, SG | Cade Cunningham | Detroit Pistons | ||||
| 8 | PF, C | Karl-Anthony Towns | New York Knicks | ||||
| 9 | PG, SG | Anthony Edwards | Minnesota Timberwolves | ||||
| 10 | PG, SG | Devin Booker | Phoenix Suns | ||||
| 11 | PG | Trae Young | Atlanta Hawks | ||||
| 12 | SF, PF | Kevin Durant | Houston Rockets | ||||
| 13 | PG, SG | Donovan Mitchell | Cleveland Cavaliers | ||||
| 14 | SF, PF | Jalen Williams | Oklahoma City Thunder | ||||
| 15 | PG, SG, SF | Amen Thompson | Houston Rockets | ||||
| 16 | PG | Stephen Curry | Golden State Warriors | ||||
| 17 | PG, SG | James Harden | LA Clippers | ||||
| 18 | C | Alperen Şengün | Houston Rockets | ||||
| 19 | PG | Tyrese Maxey | Philadelphia 76ers | ||||
| 20 | PF, C | Evan Mobley | Cleveland Cavaliers | ||||
| 21 | C | Domantas Sabonis | Sacramento Kings | ||||
| 22 | SF, PF | Jalen Johnson | Atlanta Hawks | ||||
| 23 | PF, C | Pascal Siakam | Indiana Pacers | ||||
| 24 | SG, SF, PF | Scottie Barnes | Toronto Raptors | ||||
| 25 | PG | Jalen Brunson | New York Knicks | ||||
| 26 | PF, C | Jaren Jackson Jr. | Memphis Grizzlies | ||||
| 27 | PG, SG | Josh Giddey | Chicago Bulls | ||||
| 28 | C | Myles Turner | Milwaukee Bucks | ||||
| 29 | PG, SG | LaMelo Ball | Charlotte Hornets | ||||
| 30 | PF, C | Chet Holmgren | Oklahoma City Thunder | ||||
| 31 | PF, C | Paolo Banchero | Orlando Magic | ||||
| 32 | PG, SG | De’Aaron Fox | San Antonio Spurs | ||||
| 33 | SG, SF | Desmond Bane | Orlando Magic | ||||
| 34 | PG, SG, SF | Dyson Daniels | Atlanta Hawks | ||||
| 35 | PG, SG | Austin Reaves | Los Angeles Lakers | ||||
| 36 | PG, SG | Derrick White | Boston Celtics | ||||
| 37 | SF, PF | Franz Wagner | Orlando Magic | ||||
| 38 | PG, SG | Jamal Murray | Denver Nuggets | ||||
| 39 | C | Bam Adebayo | Miami Heat | ||||
| 40 | PG | Darius Garland | Cleveland Cavaliers | ||||
| 41 | SF, PF | LeBron James | Los Angeles Lakers | ||||
| 42 | PG | Ja Morant | Memphis Grizzlies | ||||
| 43 | SG, SF | Jaylen Brown | Boston Celtics | ||||
| 44 | SF, PF | Kawhi Leonard | LA Clippers | ||||
| 45 | SF, PF | Trey Murphy | New Orleans Pelicans | ||||
| 46 | C | Ivica Zubac | LA Clippers | ||||
| 47 | C | Nikola Vučević | Chicago Bulls | ||||
| 48 | SF, PF | Deni Avdija | Portland Trail Blazers | ||||
| 49 | SF | Cooper Flagg | Dallas Mavericks | ||||
| 50 | SF, PF | Lauri Markkanen | Utah Jazz | ||||
| 51 | C | Walker Kessler | Utah Jazz | ||||
| 52 | C | Jarrett Allen | Cleveland Cavaliers | ||||
| 53 | C | Kristaps Porziņģis | Atlanta Hawks | ||||
| 54 | SF, PF | Zion Williamson | New Orleans Pelicans | ||||
| 55 | SF, PF | OG Anunoby | New York Knicks | ||||
| 56 | SF, PF | Jimmy Butler III | Golden State Warriors | ||||
| 57 | SF, PF | Michael Porter Jr. | Brooklyn Nets | ||||
| 58 | C | Joel Embiid | Philadelphia 76ers | ||||
| 59 | PG, SG | Immanuel Quickley | Toronto Raptors | ||||
| 60 | PF, C | Julius Randle | Minnesota Timberwolves | ||||
| 61 | SF | DeMar DeRozan | Sacramento Kings | ||||
| 62 | SF, PF | Mikal Bridges | New York Knicks | ||||
| 63 | SF, PF | Brandon Miller | Charlotte Hornets | ||||
| 64 | SF, PF | Ausar Thompson | Detroit Pistons | ||||
| 65 | PG, SG | Jordan Poole | New Orleans Pelicans | ||||
| 66 | PG, SG | Tyler Herro | Miami Heat | ||||
| 67 | C | Mark Williams | Phoenix Suns | ||||
| 68 | SG, SF, PF | Josh Hart | New York Knicks | ||||
| 69 | SF, PF | Cameron Johnson | Denver Nuggets | ||||
| 70 | PG, SG | Anfernee Simons | Boston Celtics | ||||
| 71 | PG, SG | Zach LaVine | Sacramento Kings | ||||
| 72 | C | Jalen Duren | Detroit Pistons | ||||
| 73 | PG, SG | Andrew Nembhard | Indiana Pacers | ||||
| 74 | PG, SG | Coby White | Chicago Bulls | ||||
| 75 | SG, SF | Christian Braun | Denver Nuggets | ||||
| 76 | SG, SF, PF | Brandon Ingram | Toronto Raptors | ||||
| 77 | SF, PF | Miles Bridges | Charlotte Hornets | ||||
| 78 | SG, SF | Norman Powell | Miami Heat | ||||
| 79 | PG, SG | Jalen Green | Phoenix Suns | ||||
| 80 | SG, SF | Cam Thomas | Brooklyn Nets | ||||
| 81 | PG | Kyrie Irving | Dallas Mavericks | ||||
| 82 | PG | Payton Pritchard | Boston Celtics | ||||
| 83 | SG, SF | Devin Vassell | San Antonio Spurs | ||||
| 84 | C | Deandre Ayton | Los Angeles Lakers | ||||
| 85 | SF, PF | Tari Eason | Houston Rockets | ||||
| 86 | SG, SF, PF | Paul George | Philadelphia 76ers | ||||
| 87 | C | Donovan Clingan | Portland Trail Blazers | ||||
| 88 | C | Onyeka Okongwu | Atlanta Hawks | ||||
| 89 | SF, PF | Jaden McDaniels | Minnesota Timberwolves | ||||
| 90 | PG | D’Angelo Russell | Dallas Mavericks | ||||
| 91 | PF, C | John Collins | LA Clippers | ||||
| 92 | C | Jakob Poeltl | Toronto Raptors | ||||
| 93 | C | Rudy Gobert | Minnesota Timberwolves | ||||
| 94 | C | Isaiah Hartenstein | Oklahoma City Thunder | ||||
| 95 | SG, SF | Bennedict Mathurin | Indiana Pacers | ||||
| 96 | PG, SG | CJ McCollum | Washington Wizards | ||||
| 97 | SG, SF | Bradley Beal | LA Clippers | ||||
| 98 | PF, C | Draymond Green | Golden State Warriors | ||||
| 99 | SF, PF | Keegan Murray | Sacramento Kings | ||||
| 100 | SF, PF | Andrew Wiggins | Miami Heat | ||||
| 101 | SG | Malik Monk | Sacramento Kings | ||||
| 102 | PG, SG | Brandin Podziemski | Golden State Warriors | ||||
| 103 | PF, C | Naz Reid | Minnesota Timberwolves | ||||
| 104 | PF, C | Alex Sarr | Washington Wizards | ||||
| 105 | SF, PF | Herbert Jones | New Orleans Pelicans | ||||
| 106 | PF, C | Santi Aldama | Memphis Grizzlies | ||||
| 107 | PF | Tobias Harris | Detroit Pistons | ||||
| 108 | C | Nicolas Claxton | Brooklyn Nets | ||||
| 109 | C | Dereck Lively II | Dallas Mavericks | ||||
| 110 | C | Zach Edey | Memphis Grizzlies | ||||
| 111 | PG, SG | Collin Sexton | Charlotte Hornets | ||||
| 112 | C | Daniel Gafford | Dallas Mavericks | ||||
| 113 | PF, C | Bobby Portis | Milwaukee Bucks | ||||
| 114 | C | Yves Missi | New Orleans Pelicans | ||||
| 115 | C | Mitchell Robinson | New York Knicks | ||||
| 116 | PG, SG | Jaden Ivey | Detroit Pistons | ||||
| 117 | SG, SF | Shaedon Sharpe | Portland Trail Blazers | ||||
| 118 | C | Brook Lopez | LA Clippers | ||||
| 119 | PG | Scoot Henderson | Portland Trail Blazers | ||||
| 120 | C | Wendell Carter Jr. | Orlando Magic | ||||
| 121 | PF, C | Kel’El Ware | Miami Heat | ||||
| 122 | PG, SG | Cason Wallace | Oklahoma City Thunder | ||||
| 123 | PG | Dennis Schröder | Sacramento Kings | ||||
| 124 | PG, SG | Stephon Castle | San Antonio Spurs | ||||
| 125 | SG, SF | Bilal Coulibaly | Washington Wizards | ||||
| 126 | SF, PF | Toumani Camara | Portland Trail Blazers | ||||
| 127 | SF, PF | Matas Buzelis | Chicago Bulls | ||||
| 128 | SG, SF | Klay Thompson | Dallas Mavericks | ||||
| 129 | PF, C | Jabari Smith Jr. | Houston Rockets | ||||
| 130 | SG | VJ Edgecombe | Philadelphia 76ers | ||||
| 131 | SG, SF | Donte DiVincenzo | Minnesota Timberwolves | ||||
| 132 | PG, SG | Keyonte George | Utah Jazz | ||||
| 133 | SG, SF | Kyshawn George | Washington Wizards | ||||
| 134 | SF | Aaron Nesmith | Indiana Pacers | ||||
| 135 | PG, SG | Dejounte Murray | New Orleans Pelicans | ||||
| 136 | C | Isaiah Jackson | Indiana Pacers | ||||
| 137 | PG, SG | Jrue Holiday | Portland Trail Blazers | ||||
| 138 | PG | Chris Paul | LA Clippers | ||||
| 139 | PF | Nikola Jović | Miami Heat | ||||
| 140 | SF, PF | Taylor Hendricks | Utah Jazz | ||||
| 141 | PG, SG | Kevin Porter Jr. | Milwaukee Bucks | ||||
| 142 | PG, SG | Lonzo Ball | Cleveland Cavaliers | ||||
| 143 | C | Jay Huff | Indiana Pacers | ||||
| 144 | SF, PF | De’Andre Hunter | Cleveland Cavaliers | ||||
| 145 | PG, SG | Reed Sheppard | Houston Rockets | ||||
| 146 | SF, PF | Rui Hachimura | Los Angeles Lakers | ||||
| 147 | PG, SG | Davion Mitchell | Miami Heat | ||||
| 148 | C | Khaman Maluach | Phoenix Suns | ||||
| 149 | C | Adem Bona | Philadelphia 76ers | ||||
| 150 | PG, SG | Marcus Smart | Los Angeles Lakers | ||||
| 151 | C | Jonas Valančiūnas | Denver Nuggets | ||||
| 152 | SG | Dylan Harper | San Antonio Spurs | ||||
| 153 | PF, C | Kyle Filipowski | Utah Jazz | ||||
| 154 | PF, C | Al Horford | Golden State Warriors | ||||
| 155 | SG, SF | Jaylen Wells | Memphis Grizzlies | ||||
| 156 | PG | Mike Conley | Minnesota Timberwolves | ||||
| 157 | SF, PF | PJ Washington | Dallas Mavericks | ||||
| 158 | SF, PF | Khris Middleton | Washington Wizards | ||||
| 159 | SF, PF | RJ Barrett | Toronto Raptors | ||||
| 160 | SF, PF | Sam Hauser | Boston Celtics | ||||
| 161 | PG, SG | Scotty Pippen Jr. | Memphis Grizzlies | ||||
| 162 | SF, PF | Jerami Grant | Portland Trail Blazers | ||||
| 163 | PF, C | Aaron Gordon | Denver Nuggets | ||||
| 164 | PG, SG | Bub Carrington | Washington Wizards | ||||
| 165 | SG, SF | Grayson Allen | Phoenix Suns | ||||
| 166 | PG, SG | Jared McCain | Philadelphia 76ers | ||||
| 167 | SG, SF | Quentin Grimes | Philadelphia 76ers | ||||
| 168 | PG | Ty Jerome | Memphis Grizzlies | ||||
| 169 | SG, SF | Alex Caruso | Oklahoma City Thunder | ||||
| 170 | PG | Cole Anthony | Milwaukee Bucks | ||||
| 171 | SF, PF | Brice Sensabaugh | Utah Jazz | ||||
| 172 | C | Moussa Diabaté | Charlotte Hornets | ||||
| 173 | PF, C | Chris Boucher | Boston Celtics | ||||
| 174 | SG, SF | Kentavious Caldwell-Pope | Memphis Grizzlies | ||||
| 175 | SF, PF | Ryan Dunn | Phoenix Suns | ||||
| 176 | PG | TJ McConnell | Indiana Pacers | ||||
| 177 | SG, SF | Gary Trent Jr. | Milwaukee Bucks | ||||
| 178 | SG, SF | Aaron Wiggins | Oklahoma City Thunder | ||||
| 179 | PF, C | Noah Clowney | Brooklyn Nets | ||||
| 180 | SF, PF | Jonathan Kuminga | Golden State Warriors | ||||
| 181 | C | Jusuf Nurkić | Utah Jazz | ||||
| 182 | SG, SF | Duncan Robinson | Detroit Pistons | ||||
| 183 | PF | Obi Toppin | Indiana Pacers | ||||
| 184 | SF, PF | Dillon Brooks | Phoenix Suns | ||||
| 185 | SF, PF | Naji Marshall | Dallas Mavericks | ||||
| 186 | C | Yang Hansen | Portland Trail Blazers | ||||
| 187 | SF | Ace Bailey | Utah Jazz | ||||
| 188 | PG, SG | Miles McBride | New York Knicks | ||||
| 189 | PF, C | Brandon Clarke | Memphis Grizzlies | ||||
| 190 | SG, SF | Buddy Hield | Golden State Warriors | ||||
| 191 | SG, SF | Ziaire Williams | Brooklyn Nets | ||||
| 192 | SF, PF | Zaccharie Risacher | Atlanta Hawks | ||||
| 193 | PG, SG | Anthony Black | Orlando Magic | ||||
| 194 | C | Neemias Queta | Boston Celtics | ||||
| 195 | PG, SG | Isaiah Collier | Utah Jazz | ||||
| 196 | SF, PF | Royce O’Neale | Phoenix Suns | ||||
| 197 | PG | Russell Westbrook | Free Agent | ||||
| 198 | PG | Tyus Jones | Orlando Magic | ||||
| 199 | SF | Kon Knueppel | Charlotte Hornets | ||||
| 200 | SF, PF | Kelly Oubre Jr. | Philadelphia 76ers | ||||
| Rank | Position(s) | Player | Team | ||||
| Table 1 |
Steve Kerr details why Warriors adding Seth Curry finally made sense this season
Steve Kerr details why Warriors adding Seth Curry finally made sense this season originally appeared on NBC Sports Bay Area
Steph and Seth Curry finally are living the dream of every sibling around the world after teaming up on the Warriors for the 2025-26 NBA season.
But there’s a reason it took more than a decade for the Curry bros to unite in the NBA, and Warriors coach Steve Kerr believes the time finally feels right.
“I think it’s awesome,” Kerr said Wednesday of Seth joining his brother in Golden State. “When I got here, I think Seth had just played in Santa Cruz about 11 years ago. And then he set off on his own course and made a really good career for himself. I think the timing feels right on this. I don’t know if the timing was right over recent years. We probably didn’t have playing time for him. He was in a place where he was going to teams and playing a lot [and] making money.
“And it just feels like they’re both at a point in their careers where this makes a ton of sense. I’m thrilled to have Seth and to see the two brothers side by side today at our meeting. It was pretty awesome.”
After going undrafted in 2013, Seth signed a non-guaranteed deal with Golden State but was waived and later signed with the Memphis Grizzlies. The Warriors will be his 10th NBA team as he enters Year 12 in the league.
With former Warriors guard Klay Thompson serving as Steph’s partner in crime for 13 seasons, earning the “Splash Brothers” nickname, there was no room or opportunity for Steph’s real brother, Seth, to fit on the Warriors.
But when Thompson left Golden State for the Dallas Mavericks last offseason, the Warriors have been trying to find someone to fill the void of Thompson’s consistent sharpshooting abilities, experimenting with players such as Brandin Podziemski and Buddy Hield.
Now, Seth also addresses that void, as he averaged a career- and league-best 45.6 percent from 3-point range on nearly 3.0 attempts per game last season with the Charlotte Hornets.
So not only is it a feel-good, wholesome storyline, but the brotherly bond hopes to benefit the Warriors as they push to get back to championship contention with their aging core.
Do Spurs lack 'leadership qualities'?
Micky Van de Ven had a bad five minutes on Tuesday in Norway.
Tottenham's equaliser had been ruled out for a foul by him - a decision which caused him to argue bitterly with the referee.
Moments later he absolutely clattered into one of Bodo/Glimt's attacking players, earning him a yellow card and a talking to. He looked fit to burst.
I immediately cast my eye around the team to see who could calm him down. Then I remembered he was the captain and none of his team-mates appeared comfortable trying to rein him in.
As it turned out, Van de Ven didn't completely lose it. He stayed on the pitch and headed in the goal which sparked another comeback - but he trod a very thin line that night in Norway - something Spurs keep doing this season, not just from a disciplinary point of view, but in other areas too.
With the departure of Son Heung-min and injury to James Maddison, two of the obvious leaders in a Spurs shirt are now absent. Cristian Romero is captain, but it would be generous to describe him as an even-tempered presence on the field.
Van de Ven was the obvious choice to take over the armband on Tuesday, but Thomas Frank is going to have to ask some of the squad's other players to take a leading role as well.
The goalkeeper, Guglielmo Vicario, Joao Palhinha and maybe Pedro Porro need to shoulder some of that burden.
Either that or Tottenham's January plans will need to have 'leadership qualities' at the very top of the agenda.