Lakers star LeBron James to announce ‘decision of all decisions'

Lakers star LeBron James to announce ‘decision of all decisions' originally appeared on NBC Sports Boston

LeBron James plans to make a major announcement Tuesday as speculation swirls around the four-time NBA champion’s future at the end of what will be the Lakers star’s record 23rd season in the league.

In a post tagged #TheSecondDecision with the cryptic caption, “The decision of all decisions,” the Lakers’ 21-time NBA All-Star teased an announcement scheduled for Tuesday at 9 a.m. California time.

The hashtag on the open-ended post and video are apparent references to the much-hyped 2010 announcement that he was leaving the Cleveland Cavaliers to play for the Miami Heat. The announcement was part of an ESPN special titled, “The Decision.”

The special featured a sit-down talk between James and sportscaster Jim Gray and the dramatic announcement that included the phrase, “taking my talents to South Beach.”

James went on to win back-to-back titles with the Heat in 2012 and 2013 before heading back to Cleveland and winning a third, his hometown franchise’s first. He won the 2020 NBA title with the Lakers.

James, 40, and the Lakers open the regular season Oct. 21 at home against the Warriors, embarking on the team’s first full season with All-Star Luka Dončić. The King, who will turn 41 in December, enters the season tied with Vince Carter for most NBA seasons played at 22.

He was asked about retirement in September and simply said he was excited to play his 23rd season. James has acknowledged that his playing days are nearing an end, but has not offered specifics on a timeline for retirement.

James averaged 24.4 points, 8.2 assists and 7.8 rebounds last season. The Lakers were bounced in the first round of the playoffs by the Minnesota Timberwolves. The league’s all-time leading scorer earned All-NBA Second Team honors for the 2024-25 season.

He enters the 2025-26 season on an expiring contract and is set to become an unrestricted free agent in the spring.

Due to the teasing nature of the post, it’s possible Tuesday’s announcement has nothing to do with retirement. Note that Tuesday also is the start of Amazon’s Prime Day, something James has helped promote in the past.

Lakers star LeBron James to announce ‘decision of all decisions'

Lakers star LeBron James to announce ‘decision of all decisions' originally appeared on NBC Sports Philadelphia

LeBron James plans to make a major announcement Tuesday as speculation swirls around the four-time NBA champion’s future at the end of what will be the Lakers star’s record 23rd season in the league.

In a post tagged #TheSecondDecision with the cryptic caption, “The decision of all decisions,” the Lakers’ 21-time NBA All-Star teased an announcement scheduled for Tuesday at 9 a.m. California time.

The hashtag on the open-ended post and video are apparent references to the much-hyped 2010 announcement that he was leaving the Cleveland Cavaliers to play for the Miami Heat. The announcement was part of an ESPN special titled, “The Decision.”

The special featured a sit-down talk between James and sportscaster Jim Gray and the dramatic announcement that included the phrase, “taking my talents to South Beach.”

James went on to win back-to-back titles with the Heat in 2012 and 2013 before heading back to Cleveland and winning a third, his hometown franchise’s first. He won the 2020 NBA title with the Lakers.

James, 40, and the Lakers open the regular season Oct. 21 at home against the Warriors, embarking on the team’s first full season with All-Star Luka Dončić. The King, who will turn 41 in December, enters the season tied with Vince Carter for most NBA seasons played at 22.

He was asked about retirement in September and simply said he was excited to play his 23rd season. James has acknowledged that his playing days are nearing an end, but has not offered specifics on a timeline for retirement.

James averaged 24.4 points, 8.2 assists and 7.8 rebounds last season. The Lakers were bounced in the first round of the playoffs by the Minnesota Timberwolves. The league’s all-time leading scorer earned All-NBA Second Team honors for the 2024-25 season.

He enters the 2025-26 season on an expiring contract and is set to become an unrestricted free agent in the spring.

Due to the teasing nature of the post, it’s possible Tuesday’s announcement has nothing to do with retirement. Note that Tuesday also is the start of Amazon’s Prime Day, something James has helped promote in the past.

How Warriors' Moses Moody used offseason thumb surgery to improve his jump shot

How Warriors' Moses Moody used offseason thumb surgery to improve his jump shot originally appeared on NBC Sports Bay Area

Warriors fans might have a doctor or two to thank if Moses Moody breaks out this upcoming season.

Moody, speaking to reporters after scoring a team-high 19 points in Golden State’s 111-103 preseason win over the Los Angeles Lakers on Sunday at Chase Center, credited his offseason surgery to repair a torn UCL in his thumb for allowing him to re-work his shot, resulting in a repeatable and effective motion that the 23-year-old believes will lead to success in 2025-26.

“I think the surgery and everything ended up being like really a good thing for me,” Moody said. “I was in rehab, and bringing my thumb back into my shot made me really slow down and notice everything about my jump shot. That helped me a lot.”

Moody struggled with his jumper in the 2025 postseason, shooting just 35 percent from the field. Shortly after the Minnesota Timberwolves eliminated the Warriors in the Western Conference semifinals, he underwent a procedure to repair a torn ulnar collateral ligament in his right thumb.

As Moody explained, that surgery and the subsequent rehab also forced him to focus on his non-dominant left hand and how it could be used to stabilize his shot.

“It was stuff about teaching myself how to shoot with my left hand [that] made me be really detail-oriented on how to shoot,” Moody added. “And I think that helped bring back my right.”

Moody’s teammates see the difference, not just in how he shoots the ball but also the swagger that comes with it.

“It’s just confidence,” Steph Curry said of Moody on Sunday. “I would say … this is probably the best summer [Moody’s] had—health-wise, obviously—but just the idea of he knows what he needs to do to impact the game when he’s on the floor, where his shots are going to come and all that. That comes over time. It’s good to see him out there. You can kind of tell the way he’s carrying himself he has clarity on what he needs to do.”

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Lakers star LeBron James to announce ‘decision of all decisions'

Lakers star LeBron James to announce ‘decision of all decisions' originally appeared on NBC Sports Bay Area

LeBron James plans to make a major announcement Tuesday as speculation swirls around the four-time NBA champion’s future at the end of what will be the Lakers star’s record 23rd season in the league.

In a post tagged #TheSecondDecision with the cryptic caption, “The decision of all decisions,” the Lakers’ 21-time NBA All-Star teased an announcement scheduled for Tuesday at 9 a.m. California time.

The hashtag on the open-ended post and video are apparent references to the much-hyped 2010 announcement that he was leaving the Cleveland Cavaliers to play for the Miami Heat. The announcement was part of an ESPN special titled, “The Decision.”

The special featured a sit-down talk between James and sportscaster Jim Gray and the dramatic announcement that included the phrase, “taking my talents to South Beach.”

James went on to win back-to-back titles with the Heat in 2012 and 2013 before heading back to Cleveland and winning a third, his hometown franchise’s first. He won the 2020 NBA title with the Lakers.

James, 40, and the Lakers open the regular season Oct. 21 at home against the Warriors, embarking on the team’s first full season with All-Star Luka Dončić. The King, who will turn 41 in December, enters the season tied with Vince Carter for most NBA seasons played at 22.

He was asked about retirement in September and simply said he was excited to play his 23rd season. James has acknowledged that his playing days are nearing an end, but has not offered specifics on a timeline for retirement.

James averaged 24.4 points, 8.2 assists and 7.8 rebounds last season. The Lakers were bounced in the first round of the playoffs by the Minnesota Timberwolves. The league’s all-time leading scorer earned All-NBA Second Team honors for the 2024-25 season.

He enters the 2025-26 season on an expiring contract and is set to become an unrestricted free agent in the spring.

Due to the teasing nature of the post, it’s possible Tuesday’s announcement has nothing to do with retirement. Note that Tuesday also is the start of Amazon’s Prime Day, something James has helped promote in the past.

When might 37-year-old Stephen Curry retire? 'No clue.'

While LeBron James dominates the "when might he retire" discussion around the NBA, the other biggest names of an elite generation of players are facing the same question. Kevin Durant, who just turned 37 a week ago, is one, but he’s close to signing a two-year contract extension in Houston.

Then there's Stephen Curry. He's also 37 but has shown no signs of slowing down: All-NBA and All-Star a season ago who finished in the top 10 in MVP voting, he averaged 24.5 points and six assists a game, and his gravity, shooting and player movement are still at the heart of the Warriors' offense.

Curry has no idea when he will retire, but he knows it's coming, he told Malika Andrews of ESPN.

"No clue. I just know it's closer than it was even yesterday. Acknowledging it is fun, because the more I talk about it, the more I appreciate what all goes into preparing yourself. But all of that stuff is just the privilege that you've earned. I'm trying not to put any timestamps or anything, other than the sense of urgency on it now."

Curry has two years remaining on his current contract (including this season) and could sign an extension a year from now (similar to Durant), but he holds all the cards. Golden State will give him whatever he wants — he's still the guy that drives the business by people and sponsors paying to be associated with him and the Warriors — and it's just a question of how much longer he wants to play. Right now, he continues to produce at an incredibly high level for a team with a chance at a deep postseason run if they can get the core — particularly Jimmy Butler and Draymond Green — to the playoffs healthy.

Retirement isn't in the cards for Curry yet. But it is closer than it was yesterday.

NBA season 2025-26 preview: Five bold predictions

The NBA is unpredictable. It's why we love it.

That unpredictability can come on the court — nobody was picking Indiana to make the Finals at this time last season. However, the wilder swings come off the court in trades — Luka Doncic to the Lakers? That was impossible, yet here we are.

Here are my five bold predictions for this season.

1) Lauri Markkanen traded to Pistons

Detroit is a young team on the rise. Cade Cunningham made the leap to All-NBA last season, and he seems poised for another step forward. Detroit is betting on a few things to help the team take the next step. First, Caris LeVert and Duncan Robinson need to replace the production off the bench that Michael Beasley gave last season. Second, the young core — Jaden Ivey, Jalen Duren, Ron Holland II and Ausar Thompson, among others — to take the next step in the evolution of their games.

All that's still not enough to contend. If the Pistons want to compete with the top teams in the East, they need another high-level scorer and shot creator, ideally one in the frontcourt.

Enter Lauri Markkanen.

Markkanen is a shot-creating, floor-spacing spacing scoring power forward who would be the kind of upgrade over Tobias Harris at the four that could make the Pistons to a genuine postseason threat. The Finnish All-Star is on a rebuilding Jazz team, and while he wants to be in Utah and the Jazz haven't seriously shopped him yet, the door is open.

The challenge for Detroit (or any team looking at him) is matching Markkanen's $46.4 million salary. Well, that and knowing that the Ainge family will have Utah asking for the world. It's not that hard to make the salaries fit for a trade (Tobias Harris, one player making around $8-10 million, and one player on a minimum contract) and the Pistons have first-round picks they can throw in. The sticking point: Utah will ask for Jaden Ivey. The Pistons would try to make the young player going back maybe Holland II or Thompson. Would Detroit give up Ivey for Markkanen? Also, for the Jazz to take on three players for one, some other roster moves have to be made.

It would not be easy, but in the end, it just makes too much sense: Detroit needs one more high-level shot creator and an upgrade at the four, Utah is rebuilding and needs young players and picks. It's going to get done.

2) Giannis Antetokounmpo wins MVP

Shai Gilgeous-Alexander is one of the favorites to defend his MVP title, he is the head of the snake on the best team in the league. Nikola Jokic was a close second in the minds of voters last year and this season has a better team around him (any slight dip in stats is balanced out by the added wins). "Skinny" Luka Doncic is ready to lead the Lakers and showed at EuroBasket just how sharp he is.

Ignore those favorites, give me Giannis Antetokounmpo for MVP.

This isn't an out-of-nowhere bold prediction. Antetokounmpo is a former MVP who averaged 30.4 points, 11.9 rebounds, and 6.5 assists a game last season. This season, with Damian Lillard recovering in Portland, even more shot creation will be asked of Antetokounmpo — who else on this roster can handle the rock? That's not good for the Bucks when we're talking playoff runs, but in the regular season in a down East, the Bucks will win enough to be top six and Antetokounmpo will put up undeniable numbers.

The competition is tight, but this is Antetokounmpo's year to get back to the top of the mountain.

3) Rockets trade for point guard

Houston coach Ime Udoka is leaning into the franchise's young stars in the wake of veteran Fred VanVleet tearing his ACL (he is out for the season). Udoka is expected to put the ball in Amen Thompson's hands at the point, but second-year guard Reed Sheppard is going to get his chance, too.

By February, Houston is going to be trading for a point guard.

The Rockets were title contenders with VanVleet, and will realize they need some of what he brought to the table the young stars can't replace. VanVleet provided a steady hand, limiting turnovers and putting players in advantageous positions. Thompson has the explosiveness to score, and Sheppard can shoot, but neither is an experienced floor general.

The question is, who is out there for Houston to trade for? Jrue Holiday in Portland is available and exactly the kind of point guard that would fit, but the three years and $104 million on his contract is going to be too steep a price for the Rockets. The cost in assets to get Derrick White or Payton Pritchard out of Boston is going to be steep. The Rockets should monitor how things go with Andrew Nembhard in Indiana. There are other guys, like Jose Alvarado or CJ McCollum, who the Rockets can consider, and likely another point guard name or two will shake loose.

One way or another, expect Houston to decide they need to chase someone.

4) Anthony Edwards leads NBA in scoring

This doesn't feel like that bold a statement or a stretch, but it might surprise some people.

Edwards finished fourth in scoring last season with 27.6 points per game. This season, with an aging Mike Conley at the point, more offensive responsibility will likely fall to Edwards. Julius Randle will get points in the paint, while role players such as Naz Reid and Donte DiVencenzo will also get theirs. Perhaps Rob Dillingham takes a step forward off the bench. However, ultimately, everything the Timberwolves do on offense runs through Edwards.

Plus, Edwards is the kind of young star and personality to chase this if he's close to it. These kinds of personal accolades seem to matter to him.

5) Clippers still finish top six in West

The Kawhi Leonard “no-show” endorsement deal scandal is the kind of distraction that can sink a ship. Or a young team.

Except, the Clippers are not a young team — they are stacked with older veterans who have seen it all, done it all and know how to focus on the task at hand.

Tyronn Lue has played through and then coached through enough distractions to fill two books. James Harden has been at the heart of rumors and distractions for so long that these latest allegations will be water off a duck's back… or tight beard, to him. Leonard is going to be Leonard, and on the court, when healthy, that's still an All-Star (if not All-NBA) level player. Chris Paul is the kind of veteran leader a team needs in times like these. Ivica Zubac is at his peak and has been around the block. Newcomers Bradley Beal, Brook Lopez and John Collins are not going to be rattled. The same is true of Derrick Jones Jr. and Bogdan Bogdanovic.

This is a quality Clippers roster that, despite losing Norman Powell, should be as good or better than last year's 50-win regular season team. The playoffs are another matter, but for the regular season this is still a top-six team in the West that avoids the play-in.

Honorable mention: Victor Wembanyama finishes top five in MVP voting. He's going to make a massive leap this season, which should scare the league.

Warriors' Pat Spencer torches NBA teams prioritizing length, athleticism over IQ

Warriors' Pat Spencer torches NBA teams prioritizing length, athleticism over IQ originally appeared on NBC Sports Bay Area

Warriors veterans Steph Curry, Draymond Green, Jimmy Butler and Al Horford have seen the NBA change dramatically over the course of their lengthy careers, and probably have plenty of thoughts and opinions about today’s game.

However, it was one of Golden State’s more junior players that delivered a scathing league-wide critique on Sunday after the Warriors’ 111-103 win over the Los Angeles Lakers on Sunday at Chase Center.

Second-year guard Pat Spencer, who scored 12 points with three rebounds and four assists on 3-of-7 shooting from the field and 1 of 2 on 3-pointers in 21 minutes against the Lakers, took aim at some NBA teams over their roster-construction priorities (h/t The San Francisco Standard’s Danny Emerman).

“If you’re a guy who can connect the dots, but also do some other things, knock the 3-ball down, there’s always going to be a place for you in the league,” Spencer said postgame. “Unfortunately, there’s a lot of organizations that are stuck in the bottom that continue to value length and athleticism over IQ. And they tend to stay in the lottery every year.”

The 29-year-old Spencer, a former college lacrosse star-turned-hooper, who is on a two-way contract with Golden State, impressed in limited action during the 2024-25 NBA season with his do-it-all, high-IQ-style of play off the bench.

In 39 regular-season games last season, Spencer averaged 2.5 points, 1.2 rebounds and 1.2 assists per game on 40.6-percent shooting from the field in just over six minutes per game before averaging 4.5 points, 1.4 rebounds and 0.8 assists per game on 64-percent shooting from the field and 33.3 percent from 3-point range in the playoffs.

Spencer currently does not project to be part of Warriors coach Steve Kerr’s rotations this season, but he showed last year that if his number is called, he will bring the intangible traits that he believes are deserving of a roster spot in today’s NBA.

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Tatum's ‘unprecedented' rehab, and more early thoughts from Celtics camp

Tatum's ‘unprecedented' rehab, and more early thoughts from Celtics camp originally appeared on NBC Sports Boston

The first week of the Boston Celtics’ 2025-26 season is in the rearview mirror after training camp officially began last Tuesday.

Some thoughts on the week’s biggest storylines with preseason games on the horizon: 

Tatum’s ‘unprecedented’ rehab

The night before the Boston Celtics huddled for Media Day, Jayson Tatum released a rather jarring video of his progress since Achilles surgery. Less than five months removed from the rupture, Tatum showcased his recent return to basketball workouts. 

We wondered if Tatum’s teammates, who have seen him grinding away in the weight room throughout the offseason, were as surprised as the rest of us.

“He looks like he’s going to be ready for opening night,” joked superstar running mate Jaylen Brown. “Just somebody with a crazy work ethic and passion for the game. So I’m not surprised.”

Even seeing Tatum’s relentless effort on a daily basis, his teammates still marveled at how far he’s come in a short time. A sampling of their reactions:

  • Xavier Tillman: “It is crazy impressive. I mean, I’m seeing this guy do like box jumps and stuff like that. And I’m like, ‘Huh!? What!?’”
  • Jordan Walsh: “I mean, the dude’s a machine. He’s recovering at a crazy rate.”
  • Josh Minott: “That’s inspiring, seeing his progression. I mean, they’re saying it’s like unprecedented.”
  • Derrick White: “It’s been impressive. Just goes to who he is and what type of worker he is.”
  • Sam Hauser: “To see him moving like that already is pretty special. And it’s just a credit to all the work he’s been doing behind the scenes, when there’s no cameras around. You watch the way he’s working, rehabbing, it makes you want to do a little extra.”
  • Payton Pritchard: “I already expected this from Jayson, to come back like this … I just never put things past certain people, and he’s one of those guys.”
  • Joe Mazzulla: “He’s done an amazing job just accepting the journey that he’s on … The work ethic that he’s put in, but also the mentality that he’s shown and the leadership that he’s shown in working and training, it’s second to none.”

Alas, Tatum’s accelerated rehab has caused issues for some inside the Auerbach Center.

“I was a little bit mad at [Tatum] a couple of weeks ago because all of a sudden his next step was he could use the treadmill and I like to use the treadmill,” said Celtics president of basketball operations Brad Stevens. “And it just kind of felt like we were on the same timing. So I got kicked off the one machine that I can use in that whole building. 

“So I’m glad that he’s making strides and getting back on the court, for my own good.”

Slim Tillman ready for new season

Beyond Tatum’s prognosis, perhaps the most common question we fielded from Celtics fans throughout the offseason centered (pun fully intended) on how the Celtics would patch together their frontcourt after the departures of Al Horford, Kristaps Porzingis, and Luke Kornet. 

We’d tell the inquisitor about the opportunity in front of Neemias Queta. We’d talk about the additions of Luka Garza and Chris Boucher. We’d even note the addition of Amari Williams on a two-way contract. But we’d routinely forget to include Tillman in the conversation.

Even with an overstocked frontcourt last season, it was jarring that Tillman played just 231 minutes in 33 regular-season appearances. The same player who was a key role player for the 2024 title team after his midseason addition had become a bit of an afterthought.

Tillman’s knee balked for much of last season, leaving him unable to maximize the minutes he received. His playing time evaporated late in the season, and he logged just 35 total minutes after the All-Star break. 

Tillman came back to camp 12 pounds lighter and eager to remind people that he can be a key presence as an undersized and versatile big. Even without much playing time last season, he is one of Boston’s more experienced frontcourt players and should get every opportunity to reestablish himself. 

The center spot will be in the spotlight as the Celtics kick off preseason play this week with visits to Memphis (Tillman’s old stomping grounds) and Toronto (Boucher’s former home). 

Kevin DuCharme/NBC Sports Boston
Celtics big man Xavier Tillman lost 12 pounds this offseason as he aims to carve out a role in Boston’s frontcourt.

Harder, faster, stronger

Maybe it’s time to add Daft Punk to the TD Garden playlist, because so much of the talk around these Celtics in the first week of camp is how much harder and faster they yearn to play this season.

From the moment Boston completed its summer overhaul, the suggestion has been that the Celtics would mask some of that talent drain by simply holding the turbo button this season. Payton Pritchard sported a bloody gash on his neck after what he termed a “war”-like practice on Friday.

It’s not a coincidence that Boston aims to play harder and faster when the Pacers and Thunder were the last two teams standing last season. You need talent and skill, but those teams clearly benefited from an all-gas, no-brakes playing style. Now the Celtics will try to match with some sort of controlled intensity. 

The harder/faster hype kicked into overdrive when Walsh suggested the Celtics might go with full hockey subs in order to keep the energy level maximized. Mazzulla — and later Walsh — eventually walked back that idea. But the suggestion is undeniable: The Celtics plan to crank up the aggression to mask some of the skill that departed this summer.

Safest Fantasy Basketball Players to Draft in 2025: All-Floor Teams & Rankings

Every fantasy basketball championship is built on consistency. While chasing high-upside breakouts can be tempting, the safest fantasy basketball players to draft in 2025 are those who deliver reliable production night after night. These high-floor NBA picks combine excellent per-game averages with proven durability—giving you the stable foundation every winning roster needs. In this guide, we reveal our three All-Floor teams featuring the most dependable fantasy producers for the 2025 season, from elite guards like Shai Gilgeous-Alexander to dominant big men like Nikola Jokic.

First Team All-Floor

Guard: Shai Gilgeous-Alexander, Oklahoma City Thunder

The 2025 MVP is versatile on both sides of the ball and can rack up fantasy totals quickly. He's a three-level scorer who is especially adept at drawing fouls, which result in additional trips to the charity stripe. He's also very durable, with only 13 missed games over the past two seasons.

Guard: Anthony Edwards, Minnesota Timberwolves

Edwards is the offensive centerpiece of the Timberwolves and has a talented supporting cast around him. He's a dynamic player who makes highlight-reel-worthy plays on a nightly basis. Although he takes abuse when he slashes inside and draws a lot of attention from opposing defenses, Edwards has played 72-plus games over the last four seasons.

Forward: Jaylen Brown, Boston Celtics

Although he underwent knee surgery in the offseason, a breakout campaign could be in store for Brown. He's the heir to the throne of Boston's offense with Jayson Tatum out until April at the earliest, and he'll have little competition at the wing once he's back to 100 percent. He's missed a few more games than other people on the first team, but his tremendous upside earns him a spot.

Forward: Giannis Antetokounmpo, Milwaukee Bucks

Giannis is a nightly double-double threat and is arguably one of the most dynamic players in the league. He can burn you on both sides of the ball, and the only knock on his game is his work at the free-throw line. He can play hurt and only misses games in the most extreme circumstances.

Center: Nikola Jokic, Denver Nuggets

Jokic's inclusion in the first team is no surprise. Jokic will pop with triple-doubles almost every week, and few players in the league can match his prolific numbers. He can spur the Nuggets to victory through sheer will, and it's a miracle that he's stayed healthy throughout most of his career despite his tremendous volume. He's missed only 15 games over the past two seasons.

Second Team All-Floor

Guard: Luka Doncic, Los Angeles Lakers

In the past, Doncic's lack of conditioning and overall fitness have been a concern, but it appears he's taken steps to correct that narrative in the offseason. According to reports, he has shed several pounds and is in the best shape of his career. With LeBron James nearing retirement, Doncic is poised to take the reins of LA's offense, and he's already made an impact since joining the team last February. Like Jokic, he has triple-double potential whenever he takes the floor and is a dream addition to any fantasy squad.

Guard: Jalen Brunson, New York Knicks

Although the recent hiring of Mike Brown might alter the offensive scheme for the Knicks, it shouldn't adversely affect Brunson. He's one of the most productive and consistent guards in the league, and he's coming off a career season where he was the driving force behind New York's playoff run. He's been impacted by injuries in the past, but he's averaged 70 games over his three-year tenure with the Knicks.

Forward: Evan Mobley, Cleveland Cavaliers

Mobley could be one of the most underrated players in the league, but he won't fly under the radar with us. Although he was limited by injury during the 2023-24 season, he's been very durable otherwise. He matches his excellent attendance with a superior interior game and the ability to stretch the floor with adept mid-range shooting. He'll often finish with a double-double and will rarely disappoint.

Forward: Pascal Siakam, Indiana Pacers

Siakam had a very productive 2024-25 season and was typically the team's top scorer. With Tyrese Haliburton out and Myles Turner off to Milwaukee, Siakam should be the offensive centerpiece for a squad that will need Bennedict Mathurin and Andrew Nembhard to step up. There's little doubt that Siakam's role will expand, and he's managed to remain injury-free for the past four seasons.

Center: Victor Wembanyama, San Antonio Spurs

There were some initial concerns about Wembanyama's durability after an injury torpedoed his rookie campaign, but he silenced the critics by appearing in 71 games last season. Wembanyama is one of those generational players whose upside is uncapped, and he should have one of the highest floors on this list. Nikola Jokic was the only barrier keeping him from first-team honors.

Third Team All-Floor

Guard: Trae Young, Atlanta Hawks

Young is the definition of consistency, as the talented point guard continues to churn out a high floor nightly for the Hawks. He had some injury struggles during the 2023-24 season, but he's usually good for at least 70 games. Young is an adept dime-dropper who can put up double-doubles with regularity, and Dyson Daniels' presence on the floor has helped to boost Young's production. 

Guard: Devin Booker, Phoenix Suns

With Kevin Durant off to Houston, all eyes will be on Booker as the unquestioned leader in Phoenix. He's one of the best shooting guards in the league and is a productive multi-category fantasy threat. He's capable of enormous totals, and we will probably see more than a few 40-point explosions in the new offensive scheme. Although such upside is his best asset, his floor is very dependable and invaluable.

Forward: Paolo Banchero, Orlando Magic

Orlando will be a team to watch this season as they add Desmond Bane to the starting lineup, and Banchero will continue to be the team's top offensive option. Although he flies under the radar a bit due to the small market, he's deserving of a second-team spot. He can rack up rebounds and points regularly, and although his 2024-25 season was thwarted by an oblique injury, he's only 22 and is just beginning to come into his own. Banchero is still developing and has some shooting issues he needs to fix, but his sheer volume will make up for the deficiency.

Forward: Scottie Barnes, Toronto Raptors

Barnes is the offensive engine for the Raptors, who are finally starting to put together a competitive roster. The team depends on consistent fantasy production from Barnes, and he almost always delivers. While he's had some injury setbacks over the past two seasons, it's easy to forget that he just turned 24 in August, and his body should be able to handle the volume. While we value durability, his nightly contributions were strong enough to merit an addition to the third team. His thumb injury appears to be behind him, and he should be ready to go for the regular season.

Center: Domantas Sabonis, Sacramento Kings

Sabonis doesn't get the attention he deserves. Two seasons ago, the center actually outdueled Nikola Jokic for the highest triple-double total, and he nearly repeated that feat last season. He displays MVP-level production without getting any votes for the crown, but that could change if Sacramento's playoff chances improve. A triple-double is a regular occurrence for Sabonis, and he's proven to be very durable. He's only missed 15 games over the past three seasons.

Honorable Mentions

LeBron James, Los Angeles Lakers

Bam Adebayo, Miami Heat

Stephen Curry, Golden State Warriors

Donovan Mitchell, Cleveland Cavaliers

Derrick White, Boston Celtics

With their big three out, Lakers work on 'championship habits' against Warriors

SAN FRANCISCO, CALIFORNIA - OCTOBER 05: Bronny James #9 of the Los Angeles.
Lakers guard Bronny James, right, drives on Golden State star Stephen Curry during the Lakers' 111-103 preseason loss to the Warriors at Chase Center on Sunday. James finished with five points and three rebounds in 23 minutes. (Thearon W. Henderson / Getty Images)

The Lakers entered training camp with hopes of finally establishing chemistry between stars Luka Doncic, LeBron James and Austin Reaves. But the trio have yet to see the court together. On Sunday, they all stayed on the bench during the Lakers’ 111-103 loss to the Golden State Warriors at Chase Center.

With Doncic (rest) and James (glute) already out, Reaves was rested Sunday after an already full first week of training camp. The fifth-year guard had the highest workload on the team entering the first preseason game that took place after three days of practice. He scored 20 points against the Phoenix Suns as one of the few offensive bright spots in Friday’s blowout loss.

Without their top offensive playmakers, the Lakers got a lift from guard Gabe Vincent, who made his preseason debut after nursing a knee injury. He had 16 points and five assists while center Deandre Ayton, who scored just one point on two shots in Friday’s preseason game, scored seven points, all in the first quarter, with seven rebounds.

Read more:Why Luka Doncic didn't play in Lakers' preseason opener against Suns

“We came with more intention,” Vincent said compared to the Lakers’ 103-81 loss to the Suns on Friday. “We were more focused. Obviously it's different with those three not playing. They're a huge part of our team and everything that we do. But next man up.”

After their first two preseason games, the Lakers have one week of practice until their first home preseason game against the Warriors on Oct. 12. Coach JJ Redick said that although Doncic was scheduled to rest for the first two preseason games after he played in EuroBasket with his national team, the Slovenian superstar is still expected to play before the team officially opens its season on Oct. 21. The Lakers have four preseason games remaining.

Whether James, who was held out of early training camp practices because of nerve irritation in his glute, will play in the preseason remains to be seen. Entering an unprecedented 23rd NBA season, James is on a slower ramp-up schedule than previous years, Redick said.

The Warriors took a similarly cautious approach with their aging superstars as Stephen Curry, Draymond Green, Jimmy Butler III and Al Horford were all limited to one half. The 37-year-old Curry still scored 14 points in 15 minutes, draining five of seven shots from the field and drawing loud cheers from a nearly full Chase Center crowd when he laid up an acrobatic shot through contact and pointed two finger guns into the ESPN baseline camera.

Redick called it a challenge to get a proper evaluation of his team in a 48-minute preseason game when his top three stars are out, but after Friday’s preseason opener, he was looking for better organization on offense early in the shot clock, playing with pace and more physicality.

“We've got to be more physical getting open,” Redick said before the game. “We've got to be more physical with our screening. That doesn't change based on who's in the lineup, so that habit, we can build that.”

“Championship habits” is one of three pillars Redick has preached relentlessly during training camp, along with championship communication and championship shape. He said he would judge the latter in part by whether players are sprinting back on defense.

The Lakers were outscored 23-5 in transition Sunday and 42-11 through two preseason games.

With the exception of a 10-0 Warriors run to end the second quarter and a nearly six-minute stretch to begin the third quarter during which Golden State pushed a seven-point halftime lead into a 23-point rout, Redick said the overall competitiveness was “much better” than against Phoenix. But the next challenge will be to put forth that effort consistently. 

It follows a recent theme Redick introduced to the team: Kaizen, the Japanese word for improvement.  

“It's just getting 1% better each day,” said forward Jake LaRavia, who had 10 points and three assists. “And that goes along with just winning the day. We thought when we played Phoenix, we didn't. Today, we thought we did a good amount better, obviously, still not the result that we wanted, but we're working in the right direction.”

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This story originally appeared in Los Angeles Times.

Knicks reportedly shopping Pacome Dadiet so they can keep both Brogdon, Shamet

From the moment the Knicks signed Landry Shamet and Malcolm Brogdon, it was clear another move was coming. The Knicks are hard-capped at the second apron and cannot keep the two guards without trading someone else away to create cap room.

That person may be Pacome Dadiet, reports Jake Fischer at The Stein Line.

"The focus for that trade has been on former first-round pick Pacome Dadiet ever since the Knicks signed the two veterans to Exhibit 9 contracts. Sources tell The Stein Line that Knicks, in fact, have indeed already called several teams to gauge interest in Dadiet."

Dadiet was a first-round pick of the Knicks a year ago, a developmental project on the wing who appeared in just 18 games for New York. Dadiet showed flashes in the Knicks' opener at the Las Vegas Summer League, scoring 17 points, but he only played in a couple of games and had a foot issue.

Dadiet is set to make $2.8 million this season, and the Knicks have yet to pick up the team options on the next two years. There are teams willing to take a flyer on Dadiet at that price, but they will likely squeeze the Knicks for a second-round pick since they are taking on the salary.

If the Knicks can't find a trade for Dadiet or another player, they will have to let one of Brogdon or Shamet go before the season starts.

Al Horford demonstrates how he can elevate Warriors in preseason win vs. Lakers

Al Horford demonstrates how he can elevate Warriors in preseason win vs. Lakers originally appeared on NBC Sports Bay Area

SAN FRANCISCO – Al Horford, 39, knows he’s old by NBA standards. He doesn’t sweat it, nor do the Warriors. If his regular season looks anything like his performance on Sunday, neither should the good citizens of Dub Nation.

Horford came off the bench for 14 hyperactive minutes in a 111-103 win over the Los Angeles Lakers in Golden State’s preseason opener at Chase Center. He scored only three points, a triple that splashed neatly through the net, but the rest of his game put skeptics on alert.

The 6-foot-9 forward/center had four rebounds, three assists, three blocks and one steal. Moreover, he was plus-13 for his effort.

“Fun,” coach Steve Kerr said of Horford’s showing. “To see the size and the shooting ability, passing ability, just the flow of the game. What an addition he is.”

Horford earned the right to join fellow veterans Stephen Curry, Jimmy Butler III and Draymond Green as spectators once the halftime buzzer sounded.

When Moses Moody picked up three fouls in the first three minutes, Horford hopped off the bench and took the floor, receiving a warm ovation from the sellout crowd. He immediately went to work.

Horford was sprinting the floor. Bouncing about the paint. Rotating with ease and timing. He slides over to trap Bronny James and comes away with a steal. When Nate Williams pump-fakes Draymond Green out of position, Horford rotates over and uses his 7-foot-1 wingspan for the block.

“It’s more a sign of his basketball IQ than it is him flying around trying to impress anybody,” Kerr said. “He’s just always in the right spot. He had (three) blocked shots. The two that I remember, he just rotated over perfectly, recognized the late shot clock, knew exactly where he was, what he needed to do. He’s been around for a long time, he’s seen everything, and it comes very naturally to him.”

For all that Kevon Looney gave this franchise, this was an 18-year veteran, with more comprehensive skills, making spectacular plays, and nobody appreciated it more than Curry, who turned a Horford dime into an easy bucket.

“Obviously has a high IQ,” Curry said. “An experienced, championship-caliber player that can fit with any lineup out there. He gives us space. He gives us presence on the defensive end. You saw the pass he made to me out of the corner on the give-and-go. There’s just an unspoken chemistry that will continue to get better.

“He’s a multidimensional as a 5-man. Excited to see what that looks like for me, for Jimmy, for JK and Draymond. Any lineup, you can throw him out there at the 5 and he lifts the group.”

Horford spent time with most of the team’s rotation players, and even shared the court with fellow center Quinten Post. That probably won’t be last time Kerr resorts to utilizing two big men together.

Though Horford was not in the starting lineup, he still projects as the likely starter at center. He certainly will be in the finishing lineup.

No player in franchise history has been projected as a starter at such an advanced age, so initial concern about Horford’s health is valid. Any concern about his conditioning, however, should be put to rest. Not one of his teammates brought more velocity.

Horford played 60 games, with 42 starts, last season with the Celtics, as planned by coach Joe Mazzulla. He hasn’t played more than 70 games since appearing in 72 in 2017-18. He averaged 27.7 minutes last season, 26.8 the year before.

The Warriors will follow a similar regimen.

“We’ll do the same thing,” Kerr said. “We have to preserve all our older guys as best we can to have them ready for the playoffs. That’s the idea.

“But no question, he’s still got it. He’s incredible player. Great fit for us.”

It’s a preseason game. The opener. But there was not one clumsy moment for Horford. The pro looked like a pro with enough game to render his age irrelevant.

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What we learned as Steph Curry shines in Warriors' preseason win over Lakers

What we learned as Steph Curry shines in Warriors' preseason win over Lakers originally appeared on NBC Sports Bay Area

BOX SCORE

SAN FRANCISCO – Vibes are sky-high now that Warriors basketball has returned to Chase Center after what felt like an extra-long offseason.

The Warriors opened their 2025 preseason schedule with a 111-103 win Sunday night against the Los Angeles Lakers in front of their home fans.

Steph Curry played like he wishes he could fast forward to the regular season opener already. Curry in 15 minutes scored 14 points on 5-of-7 shooting and went 3 of 5 from 3-point range. As coach Steve Kerr noted pregame, Curry only played the first half.

So did Jimmy Butler and Draymond Green. Butler also played 15 minutes and stuffed the box score with nine points on 3-of-4 shooting, four rebounds and two assists. He also was 3 of 4 on free throws. 

Green played 14 minutes and was a step behind Curry and Butler, knocking off some preseason rust. Going just 1 of 6 from the field while missing both of his 3-point attempts, Green had two points, three rebounds and five assists. But he also turned the ball over twice, was called for two fouls and found himself in a mini situation that referees had to review after Green and Jarred Vanderbilt got tangled at halfcourt.

As impressive as Curry’s first half was, it didn’t allow him to be the Warriors’ leading scorer. Moses Moody was. Moody scored 13 points in the first half and ended as a plus-21 with 19 points in 15 minutes. Moody went 7 of 9 overall, and made five of his seven shots from long distance.

Here are three takeaways from the Warriors’ win to open the preseason.

Warriors Start Small

The first starting lineup of the Warriors’ 2025 preseason did not include one of their biggest additions. Center Al Horford began the game on the bench before being the first reserve to enter after three minutes. Coach Steve Kerr instead opted to go with the same lineup that helped propel them in their second-half success. 

Along with Curry, Butler and Green, Brandin Podziemski and Moody also were in the starting five. The lineup played 21 regular-season games together for a total of 211 minutes and registered a 16.4 net rating with a 120.6 offensive rating and 104.2 defensive rating. The Warriors trailed 11-8 when Kerr made his first change, bringing in Hoford for Moody. 

Though Moody had scored five of the Warriors’ first eight points, a nasty dunk and a 3-pointer, he also was whistled for three fouls in three minutes.

Curry looked like he was in midseason form right away, scoring 11 points over eight minutes in the first quarter. The Warriors are bound to use multiple starting lineups and combinations throughout the preseason. Curry appears ready to play with anybody.

First Look At Horford 

It didn’t take long to notice what kind of impact Horford will have on the Warriors, whether he starts or comes off the big. A minute and a half after coming onto the floor, Horford showcased his high IQ by finding Curry for a perfectly executed give-and-go. 

Horford in the first quarter only took one shot, a missed three, yet he still was a plus-4 in nine minutes. He already blocked two shots and dished two assists, as well as adding one rebound and one steal. 

In the second quarter, Horford spent time with 7-foot center Quinten Post, displaying the Warriors’ new two-bigs lineup. Horford also blocked another shot and made his first three as a Warrior. The ball hummed when he was on the court, and the defense had a clear rim protector too.

Like Curry, Butler and Green, Horford’s night was over after the first half. Horford in 14 minutes was a game-high plus-13 for the first half with three points, four rebounds, three assists, one steal and three blocked shots.

Second Half Stars

As the veterans enjoyed the second half as spectators, Kerr began the third quarter with Podziemski, Buddy Hield, Moody, Jonathan Kuminga and Post as his first five. 

Post within the first minute buried a three from the left wing. The Warriors’ first five made shots of the third quarter were all threes – one by Post, two by Podziemski and two from Moody. Spacing will be a key to the Warriors’ success, and it showed up and down the roster. 

Podziemski missed his one 3-point shot in the first half and then made two of his three in the third quarter. Moody’s strong shooting through the first two quarters followed him to the third quarter before he took a seat. 

Then there’s Kuminga. He played 15 minutes overall, coming out for good with six and a half minutes left in the third quarter. The results are what the Warriors want from Kuminga. Stats weren’t eye-popping, but that’s not the point. 

Kuminga totaled five points, six rebounds, four assists and one blocked shot. He was active defensively, hit the glass and kept the ball moving offensively. For all the negative chatter in the offseason, this was a strong showing of a player bought-in for the betterment of the team.

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Kyrie Irving: 'There's no timetable for when I'm coming back'

At media day, coach Jason Kidd attempted to tamp down expectations of a quick return from ACL surgery by Kyrie Irving saying, "He is doing quite well, as we can see, but he's not ahead of schedule."

In a Twitch stream (which you can see here on YouTube) Irving took that a step further (hat tip Hoopshype):

"There's no timetable for when I'm coming back, so please don't ask me when I'm coming back. Please don't badger me with all the questions like, 'Hey, if you're healthy by November, what do you think about it?' Please don't badger me with any questions, guys. I'm going to be ready when I'm ready. I'm taking the necessary steps to put my best foot forward—and I'm enjoying it ...

"I appreciate you guys being there to support me during my, uh, kind of down times—when I was dealing with my ACL and dealing with not necessarily knowing, okay, whether or not I'm going to be back to where I was at. And of course, there was doubt. Naturally, I have doubt like everyone else. But I was fueled by the next generation even more—because I know when I'm able to show the resilience, the authenticity, the ugly times that go on with rehab or coming back from injury—I feel like that will, in turn, spark the next brain or inspire the next person. Or inspire some of my ACL twins out there—you know, that tore their ACL and dealt with all of the rigors of rehab. So shout out to all you guys."

Irving tore his ACL last March. Individual recovery times vary, but using the average recovery timeline for an NBA player, he would return in December or January. What Irving understands at age 33 is not to rush back to play in a couple more regular-season games and risk re-injury.

Irving averaged 24.7 points, 4.8 rebounds and 4.6 assists a game while shooting 40.1% on 3-pointers last season before his injury. The hope in Dallas is that Irving returns with plenty of time to shake off any rust and get his legs under him, and then, paired with Anthony Davis and No. 1 pick Cooper Flagg, the Mavericks become a team that can make postseason noise in a deep Western Conference.

That's going to happen on Irving's timeline.