Category: Basketball

Kings' veteran guard Dennis Schröder ready to run point with his new team originally appeared on NBC Sports Bay Area

SACRAMENTO – Almost to a man, the Kings spent much of Monday’s media day gushing about the offseason acquisition of Dennis Schröder.

The 32-year-old point guard is part of general manager Scott Perry’s makeover meant to get his squad back to being relevant after an overwhelmingly disappointing 2024-25 NBA campaign left fans wringing their hands and muttering in frustration when they walked out of a beam-less Golden 1 Center last season.

First-time head coach Doug Christie was at the forefront, leading the cheers. Schröder was a player the coach had been eyeing for some time, and Christie sounded like a kid on Christmas morning while talking to reporters about the veteran point guard during Monday’s media day.

“Identifying Dennis in the offseason was big for me,” Christie said. “I’m a super, super fan. I really appreciate how he brings his heart to the game. Handing him the basketball makes me feel real comfortable that he’s going to bring the right type of demeanor and leadership and all of those things.

“As a coach, I want him to exemplify me on the floor. And if you guys know me, I’m a little rough and I think that that is a lot of what you see with him. He’s not backing down. Super excited to have him, super excited that he is our point guard and leading us into the future.”

Signing Schröder to a three-year, $45 million contract over the summer solved the Kings’ biggest offseason question.

Sacramento has been without a true point guard since trading away De’Aaron Fox early last season. Zach LaVine played out of position and ran the point for most of the season after Fox’s departure, with Keon Ellis coming off the bench to orchestrate the offense while LaVine rested.

Schröder’s arrival theoretically should bring some stability to Sacramento’s backcourt, a sentiment that is shared by several of his new teammates, who expressed their fondness after he helped Germany capture the gold medal at the FIBA EuroBasket tournament.

“True guard, veteran guard that knows the game,” Malik Monk said. “Just came off MVP (In EuroBasket). Not too many people can say that and come back and play in the NBA. That just shows how great he is of a player.”

Kings’ big man Domantas Sabonis echoed Monk, pointing out Schroder’s international success as being a key factor.

“Dennis is fantastic,” Sabonis said. “He’s been proving it in FIBA the last couple of years, doing amazing things. (Has) a high IQ and who can get all of us in the right position.”

Therein lies the rub.

Schröder has made his bones in the NBA by playing tight, efficient and gritty defense. A first-round pick by the Atlanta Hawks in 2013, he will be asked to bring that same intensity to the state capital while being handed the reigns to run Christie’s offense.

It’s a challenge Schröder welcomed, given that the Kings’ offensive firepower trio of scorers in Sabonis, LaVine and DeMar DeRozan should make facilitating the offense pretty easy.

“How we want to play, everybody is touching the ball, everybody is sharing it,” Schröder said. “We play fast. Everybody shooting a lot of threes, putting pressure on the rim. I think that’s the most fun playing basketball. I think everybody just going to be engaged defensively. I think it starts there and then offensively.

“If we commit on winning basketball, I think we’re going to be really, really tough. It starts tomorrow with training camp, getting on the same page, everybody being focused and willing to commit to basketball, winning basketball.”

Schröder brings a lot more to the Kings than just his defense and the ability to run an offense. With 12 years of experience under his belt, Schroder brings a voice of experience and leadership that should benefit a team with a young roster like Sacramento’s.

“I think just playing with pace, defensively, picking up 94 feet, bringing intensity on that end, kind of that dog mentality,” Schroder said. “Offensively playing with pace, sharing the ball, move the defense side to side, That’s how we play with the national team and we had a lot of success that way. And I hope that we can come together as a team doing the same things, and it’s going to be really, really hard to stop us then.”

As much as the spotlight is on Schröder and the Kings’ offense, his main focus will remain on defense.

“That’s my game, always try to do the right things for the team defensively,” he said. “I think we can pick it up another level. And that’s that’s the reason why I’m here. I’ve been doing this my whole life. I always had to find my way so I can impact the game. That’s just my identity. That’s how I play. And I hope that the Kings organization, my teammates love that and bring the same physicality or the same mindset.

“Because if we do that, I think it’s really, really tough to beat us and to play against us.”

Download and follow The Deuce & Mo Podcast

Golden State vets address Jonathan Kuminga cloud hanging over Warriors Media Day originally appeared on NBC Sports Bay Area

SAN FRANCISCO – At the annual event when the NBA reintroduces itself to the world, as the Warriors did on Monday, it is incredibly difficult for a reserve player to overshadow three teammates destined for the Hall of Fame.

It ought to be impossible when that reserve is not even in the building.

Yet that’s how it played out at Chase Center. To the podium strode Stephen Curry, four-time NBA champion and one of the top 10 players in NBA history. Then came Draymond Green, four-time All-Star and a binding ingredient to those four championships. Then came Jimmy Butler, six-time All-Star making his Golden State training camp debut.

Jonathan Kuminga, reserve forward, was nowhere and everywhere.

“As leaders on the team, you have to acknowledge what’s going on and don’t make it more than what it is other than a team trying to figure out the situation that’s front of us and the challenge that’s front of us,” Curry said. “Knowing JK’s situation, knowing the new faces that we’re adding to the roster, we talk about it every year going into a training camp what it’s going to take for that particular team to win.

“This is a little different because you have a guy that’s trying to figure out his situation, and we respect that process. It’s going to play out, and when he’s here, ready to work, like we expect him to be locked in on doing what he needs to do to help us win.”

Green, co-leader of the Kuminga cheerleading camp – along with Golden State CEO Joe Lacob – more directly addressed the absence of the 22-year-old forward whose contract status has been in limbo since July.

“Any time a teammate’s not here, it sucks,” Green said. “And, obviously, not having multiple [teammates] here due to the situation, is unfortunate. Media Day marks the start of something. It marks the start of another NBA season.”

The Warriors are starting training camp with at least four roster spots unfilled. There were five vacancies before Gary Payton II re-signed Monday morning. There will be two when Al Horford and De’Anthony Melton, both of whom have agreements in place, sign contracts sometime this week. Seth Curry remains a possible addition.

Kuminga’s absence hovered like a cloud above the usually upbeat Media Day proceedings. It begat the absences of Horford, Melton and, possibly, Seth Curry. None were available as Warriors because none officially are on the roster, which vetoed Curry, Green and Butler from making specific references to them.

“If we’re talking about a guy like that, he’s won it, which I really, really respect,” Butler, speaking hypothetically, said of Horford. “And he’s been in this league for a long time for a reason. Elite defender. Can make shots. Plays basketball the right way. Super smart. More than anything, he wins.

“So, wherever that guy ends up, I know he’s going to help that team.”

Horford will end up with the Warriors. Just not yet. Same with Melton and, again, possibly Seth Curry.

This Golden State embargo is an unintended consequence of Kuminga’s contract status going unresolved through July, August and deep into September. All involved parties are inhibited – and will be until Warriors-Kuminga business is settled. The deadline for the qualifying offer – which would please neither side – is Wednesday.

“Like I tell everybody that asks me, not [only] in the media, but random people, and my friends: I’m not into all that,” Butler said. “I hope it gets resolved.”

It is, in many ways, downright astonishing that all of this revolves around someone who projects to come off the bench for the Warriors. The starting forwards are Green and Butler. The starting center will be Horford. The starting guards will be Stephen Curry and perhaps a name coach Steve Kerr picks from a hat.

The game plan of Kuminga and his agent, the intrepid Aaron Turner, is perhaps the most audacious in American professional sports. Has the contract status of a reserve, no matter the sport, ever spent an entire offseason at or near the top of a league’s news cycle? How often does reserve, no matter how talented, hold the key to a franchise completing its roster?

This months-long saga doesn’t quite match the stunning temerity Ben Simmons displayed in ghosting the overtures of the New York Knicks – a troubling indication of uninterest – but it leaves even more observers wondering where this standoff is headed.

There is tremendous potential for an enormous downside, as this summer of irresolution has laid the groundwork for an unimaginably heavy burden on Kuminga. No matter the jersey he wears, he must be spectacularly good for this to make sense.

The Warriors, at least publicly, hope it’s their team.

“Some things are pretty straightforward, some things aren’t,” Stephen Curry said. “This is definitely in the ‘aren’t’ category.

“But when he comes and he’s here, he should be a professional and do exactly what he expects to do and take advantage of his opportunities to help us win. Everybody who is in the locker room, that’s what you’re committed to do. I don’t have any concerns that he’ll approach it that way, and that’s what we expect.”

Kuminga’s status is the last thing Curry or Green or Butler hoped to address. They had no choice. They were available, and Kuminga’s absence was louder by comparison.

Download and follow the Dubs Talk Podcast

Warriors excited for first full NBA season of the Jimmy Butler experience originally appeared on NBC Sports Bay Area

SAN FRANCISCO – Warriors rookie Alex Toohey’s introduction to star teammate Jimmy Butler was more than a lesson on the court. It was an eye-opener to the other side of the NBA as he walked around Butler’s San Diego home. 

“I learned that you can do quite a few things with a bit of money,” Toohey said Monday at Warriors Media Day. 

Butler hosted his Warriors teammates for a few days as a sort of minicamp before the official start of training camp. Basketball certainly was a focal point. Everything else was just as important, if not more. 

The bigger goal one week before training camp begins was getting to know the small details of a group that is around each other more than their own families for over seven months, and even longer to reach the Warriors’ objective of contending for a championship. To become an unbreakable team, Butler, going into his 15th season, knows the intricacies of what it takes. 

Wine was flowing, stories were told and laughs were had – just like it’s supposed to go with family. As he basically trademarked last season, Butler found his joy again once he was traded to the Warriors in February. Butler made it a point after the season to find time in the offseason to be around his new teammates when his busy schedule that spans the globe allowed him to. 

But this retreat was different. He has found time to create chemistry in the past. Inviting a team into his home was an intimate decision Butler was set on doing in pursuit of his first title ahead of his first full season with the Warriors. 

“Maybe a couple times, but not at my own home, and I just wanted to be around my guys,” Butler said of his San Diego minicamp. “I got the opportunity to see a lot of them over the summer or to go where they are from. Maybe not see them, but see people I know from their neck of the woods. So it was important for me to welcome – those are guys, like my family, into my home and have a good time and let them in a little bit of my life.” 

If the 30 regular-season games and 11 playoff games Butler played after joining the Warriors was an appetizer of what’s to come, he and the Warriors are ready to devour a full four-course meal. Perhaps with a glass of Pinot on the side, too. 

“I get to do this thing from day one,” Butler said. “Be with the guys from day one and do what we started out to do from the very beginning. I’m super hyped and I’m super excited. I got to train with my guys this summer. I got to talk with all the guys. I see what they have been doing. I see how they have been working. I’m glad that I get to be here from this media day on up.” 

The Warriors were 25-26 last season before Butler’s team debut on Feb. 10. His Warriors introduction was a 21-point comeback road win against the Chicago Bulls, his original team, where Butler scored 25 points and had four assists. From that game on, the Warriors after adding Butler went 23-8 the rest of the regular season, losing the one game he missed. 

They had two different five-game win streaks and one that lasted seven games. Their success together was on the fly, learning plays and how each other operates with little time to breathe. The Warriors saw what kind of team they can be with Butler, Steph Curry and Draymond Green all healthy, and are confident a real run at another ring was on the table if Curry’s hamstring held up. 

That kind of tease has given them the ultimate confidence of a full offseason, training camp and preseason together before the real lights turn on. 

“You can build an identity from the beginning,” Green said. “Defensive terminology and all the things that you build starting in training camp, we’re able to do that this year.” 

Drama surrounded Butler going into last season, which wound up being his final one as a member of the Miami Heat. Tensions rose until they hit a boiling point, including multiple team suspensions that put an ugly end to all the good Butler did in South Beach. He’s at a completely different place one year later. 

“I think first it helps him just as a human being, as a player, to have something that he knows, a situation he knows based on how last year ended and how we do things, what he can help, continue to help us do at a high level, but then just have that clarity coming in where we can have the conversations that we were having in a very short span after the trade last year,” Curry said. “And the way that we finished playing, or our record towards the end of the year, it was fun for all of us.” 

Butler’s smile and outlook at media day matched the shine from diamonds on his ears and the rings on fingers. He’s at peace but hungry for more. The Warriors immediately signed Butler to a two-year, $111 million contract upon acquiring him in February, aligning him with Curry and Green to accomplish what those two have done four times: Win a championship. 

The reigning champion Oklahoma City Thunder are full of young players in their prime. Anthony Edwards and the Minnesota Timberwolves are coming for more. Kevin Durant and the revamped Houston Rockets are ready for battle, and Nikola Jokić’s Denver Nuggets never can be counted out. 

Neither can the Warriors. Butler knows what he’s here for and sees last season’s short-lived success as just a taste of what’s to come. 

“I don’t think we’re going to catch anybody by surprise,” Butler said. “I think everybody knows what we’re capable of. We’re ready to rock.”

Download and follow the Dubs Talk Podcast

Why Steph Curry is ‘extremely happy' with Warriors' presumed 2025-26 roster originally appeared on NBC Sports Bay Area

With training camp set to begin Tuesday, the Warriors’ roster for the 2025-26 NBA season is nearly complete.

Though Jonathan Kuminga’s status remains up in the air, Golden State has added several key pieces this week or is in the process of doing so: re-signing Gary Payton II, reportedly agreeing to sign De’Anthony Melton and committing to a contract with Al Horford.

These moves, coupled with the Warriors’ returning core and youngsters on the rise, have star point guard Steph Curry feeling confident about the campaign ahead.

“I think with this last little piece that needs to settle, I think I’m extremely happy with a different look,” Curry told reporters Monday at Warriors Media Day. “We’re just trying to carry the momentum that we had from last year, understanding getting through an 82-game season is the challenge for every team, but especially a veteran team. But the way that we finished [2024-25] and the record that we had, and obviously before I got hurt during the [2025 NBA playoffs] second round, we were a relevant threat, and I think we’ve gotten better.”

The Warriors closed out the 2024-25 season going 23-7 with Jimmy Butler in the lineup after acquiring the veteran forward at the NBA trade deadline. But with Butler banged up and Curry knocked out with a hamstring injury in the Western Conference semifinals, their NBA Finals hopes ended with a Game 5 loss to the Minnesota Timberwolves.

Now, Golden State will look to build upon that late-season success with aging vets Curry, Butler and Draymond Green leading the way. Though the Warriors lost longtime center Kevon Looney to the New Orleans Pelicans this offseason in NBA free agency, Curry is confident in the group Golden State has now — including young big men Quinten Post and Trayce Jackson-Davis.

“It’s tough to lose Loon, like that’s a big deal knowing what he meant to our franchise, but we have a lot of pieces that are going to have an opportunity to take that next step,” Curry said. “Like every NBA season, I said the same thing last year, probably on the podium right here. [We] started 12-3, and then all hell broke loose for a good couple months. So, you can only do what you can to control your mentality going into the year. And I think it’s really optimistic and positive around here, and that’s how it should be.”

While the Warriors wait for the Kuminga dominoes to fall, it’s clear Curry is confident in the group that will begin this new season together.

Download and follow the Dubs Talk Podcast

Warriors sign Pat Spencer, Alex Toohey to two-way contracts; add free-agent trio originally appeared on NBC Sports Bay Area

The Warriors have been busy putting pen to paper during Monday’s 2025-26 Media Day.

After announcing the signings of guards Gary Payton II and rookie Will Richard, Golden State completed some more deals, headlined by the return of guard Pat Spencer.

The 29-year-old Spencer will be back for his third season with the Warriors on a two-way contract after playing in 47 games last season, including the NBA playoffs. The Northwestern product averaged 2.5 points, 1.2 rebounds and 1.2 assists in 6.4 minutes off the bench in the 2024-25 regular season.

Pat's back!

The Warriors have signed Pat Spencer to a two-way contract. pic.twitter.com/XooprfgwfS

— Golden State Warriors (@warriors) September 29, 2025

Golden State also signed its other selection from the 2025 NBA Draft, Australian forward Alex Toohey, to a two-way contract. Toohey was selected with the No. 52 overall pick in the second round as part of a trade with the Phoenix Suns.

The 21-year-old struggled during NBA Summer League, but the Warriors saw clear potential after his strong finish to the showcase.

From down under to #DubNation

The Warriors have signed Alex Toohey to a two-way contract. pic.twitter.com/h2tzx37x8k

— Golden State Warriors (@warriors) September 29, 2025

Finally, Golden State brought in a trio of players to help fill out its preseason roster as training camp begins this week. The Warriors signed free-agent center Marques Bolden and guards LJ Cryer and Taevion Kinsey, all of whom face an uphill battle to make the final roster.

Warriors sign Marques Bolden, LJ Cryer, Taevion Kinsey: pic.twitter.com/kWqDzRrLXG

— Warriors PR (@WarriorsPR) September 29, 2025

Bolden, 27, has the only NBA experience of the three; he has appeared in 18 games since the 2019-20 season with three teams, averaging 2.4 points and 2.3 rebounds. The Duke basketball alum played with the Warriors’ summer league squads in 2024 and 2025.

Cryer, 23, went unselected in this year’s NBA draft. He was a star collegiate player for Baylor and Houston from 2020-25, helping lead the former to the 2021 National Championship as a freshman. Kinsey, 25, averaged 17.1 points per game across five college seasons at Marshall and spent the last two seasons with the Salt Lake City Stars, the G League affiliate of the Utah Jazz.

Download and follow the Dubs Talk Podcast

It's always hard to gauge the potential of first-year players entering the NBA, especially from a fantasy perspective. However, this 2025 class is different because there's one prospect who stands out head and shoulders above the rest. There are other rookies who could have sizable fantasy roles as well, particularly as the season goes on.

Cooper Flagg, Mavericks

That one prospect we're talking about the most is none other than Cooper Flagg, the first overall pick in the 2025 NBA Draft, who will begin his NBA career as a member of the Dallas Mavericks. The former Duke standout is one of the most hyped college prospects in recent memory, and he seems ready to contribute right away from Day 1. Flagg had already turned heads when he trained with Team USA before the 2024 Olympics, but now he'll get to show what he can do on the biggest stage.

He's expected to make a strong, sustainable two-way impact at the NBA level. Flagg might not be the go-to option on offense for the Mavericks, which is understandable considering the team has Anthony Davis and Kyrie Irving (once he's healthy) to lead the way. However, Flagg should be a consistent secondary weapon on offense. Plus, the former Duke standout doesn't have any glaring weaknesses in his game. He's ready to contribute at the NBA level right away, either as a defensive stopper or as a slashing forward who could excel when cutting to the basket.

Flagg's numbers in his lone year at Duke were impressive. He averaged 19.2 points, 7.5 rebounds and 4.2 assists while shooting 48.1 percent from the field and 38.5 percent from three-point range. The Maine native surpassed expectations as an off-the-dribble shot creator, and the early-season absence of Irving should see him experience an uptick in his usage, possibly as a second-best option behind Davis.

Flagg also showcased his two-way versatility and scoring ability during his two Summer League appearances, averaging 20.5 points, 5.0 rebounds, 2.5 assists, 1.5 steals and 1.0 blocks across 31.5 minutes per game. While he's not expected to put up those numbers once the regular season begins, don't be surprised if he averages somewhere around 15 points, five rebounds and around 3.5 assists per game as a rookie. Those would be solid-enough numbers to give him fantasy consideration across most formats.

Other Rookies

Unless a player is drafted into the Top 10, or occasionally the Top 5, and lands in an excellent situation, it's difficult to see first-year players making a considerable impact in fantasy. There are some cases, though, and some examples in the 2025 NBA Draft could be Ace Bailey (Utah Jazz), Kon Knueppel (Charlotte Hornets) and Dylan Harper (San Antonio Spurs).

Ace Bailey, Jazz

Bailey is a natural scorer who fell into the best possible situation as a rookie, as he landed with a Jazz team that's early in their rebuilding process and considers Bailey a franchise cornerstone. The former Rutgers star will have numerous opportunities to grow and adapt in the NBA as a prominent figure on his team, rather than as a bench option, which should accelerate his development. Bailey should post excellent scoring numbers right away, though he shouldn't contribute a lot in other categories -- at least not in the early stages of his career.

Kon Knueppel, Hornets

Knueppel figures to open the season as the Hornets' starting forward, and his three-point shooting ability could translate to a solid role right away in an offense led by one of the most creative passers in the league, LaMelo Ball. 

Dylan Harper, Spurs

Harper could enjoy an uptick in usage early on since De'Aaron Fox (hamstring) isn't expected to be available for the start of the season. However, once Fox is healthy, Harper opens the season behind the reigning Rookie of the Year, Stephon Castle, in the rotation.

Fantasy Sleepers: Other rookies to consider

There's another tier of rookies who could potentially become solid fantasy contributors, although for that to happen, some circumstances would have to go in the player's direction. Some of these players to keep close tabs on are V.J. Edgecombe in Philadelphia, Tre Johnson in Washington and Jeremiah Fears in New Orleans. The talent is there for them, but it's unclear if they'll enjoy a substantial role right away to become valuable fantasy contributors.  The same could be said for Khaman Maluach, who is easily the biggest boom-or-bust prospect in this year's lottery. Maluach has excellent size and is a polished defender, but it's unclear if his offensive game will ever develop to become a consistent fantasy option.

New Kings GM Scott Perry lists six key tenets for team ahead of 2025-26 season originally appeared on NBC Sports Bay Area

SACRAMENTO – First-year Kings general manager Scott Perry has a list of six tenets that he wants Sacramento to adhere to during his first season in the state capital. It’s a simple, straightforward message that he believes hopefully will establish a foundation for years to come.

“We want to be competitive, tough, team oriented, accountable, disciplined and professional,” Perry told reporters at Golden 1 Center during media day on Monday. “Everything that we do this year, I’m going to look at it through those pillars, on the court, off the court, and how we are holding up to those values. That’s what I’m most excited about.

“It’s about establishing an identity this year of who the Sacramento Kings are going to be, both on and off the basketball court.”

Perry, who was hired in April to replace Monte McNair, is orchestrating yet another makeover of the Kings. Only two years after the team ended the longest playoff drought in NBA history, Sacramento once again is on the rebuild.

Doug Christie had the interim title removed from his name and is the unquestioned head coach. The Kings also have a new point guard, having signed Dennis Schröder in the offseason. Schröder recently was named MVP of the EuroBasket tournament after leading Germany to the gold medal.

“Obviously kept my eye on Dennis and what he was doing, and stayed in contact with him,” Perry said. “Was really happy for him, because I know how much it meant to him and his country, for him, not only to play well, but go ahead and win the championship and be the MVP of that tournament, with so many great players in the tournament. I think that allows him to come here with even a little more confidence and really ready to take on this task and helping this basketball team.”

There have been some other minor tweaks to the roster, giving Christie some flexibility as he enters his first training camp as an official NBA head coach.

“It is different,” Christie said. “There’s a lot of different aspects to it, but I’ve just tried to relish each moment, take it as it comes, and try to deal with it head on. It’s been interesting. It’s been a lot of fun at the same time. That’s the one thing that I always try to do is be happy and have fun and enjoy the process.”

Winning will help facilitate that feeling go a long way.

It also would help erase the sting of last season, when the Kings held high expectations heading into the campaign, only to see the whole thing blow up.

Mike Brown, the first unanimous Coach of the Year following the 2023-24 season, was fired early last season after the Kings stumbled to start the year. That was followed by a franchise-changing trade that shipped long-time point guard De’Aaron Fox to San Antonio while making way for two-time All-Star Zach LaVine.

Given the presence of three-time All-Star and double-double machine Domantas Sabonis and a mercurial scorer like LaVine, the Kings shouldn’t have much problem putting the ball in the hoop.

Christie, however, is more concerned about how his squad plays on the other end of the court.

“More than anything, defensively, we want to create an identity,” Christie said. “There’s a beautiful side to basketball, obviously, on the offensive end, and we want to share the basketball, but defense is where we want to hang our hat.”

The hope is that, along with Perry’s six basic tenets, will get the Kings back to the promised land – the playoffs.

“Are we following those six pillars in each and every night? Are we laying it all on the line?” Perry said. “If we’re giving everything we have each and every night, whether it’s practice or game, that I can live with whatever the results are going to be. But I think it’s extremely important, though, that we identify, just identify and establish this culture this year.

“It’s all about that, because if you want to build a sustainable winner, you have to have a foundation, and our foundation has got to be rooted in how hard we play, how tough we are, and how we do this as a team, to do this together.”

Download and follow The Deuce & Mo Podcast

After shocking the NBA by trading for Luka Doncic, Lakers general manager and president of basketball operations Rob Pelinka compared piecing together a roster midseason to "trying to build an airplane in the sky.”

This year, the Lakers get their full runway.

Retooled and locked in from what Pelinka called an “intentional and productive offseason,” the Lakers officially begin training camp Tuesday in El Segundo as Doncic starts his first full season in L.A.

With the team set for media day Monday, here are five questions entering the preseason:

Will this be the end of LeBron James’ Lakers era? 

The Luka era has arrived. But does that mean the LeBron era has to end?

For the first time in his storied career, James is playing in the final year of a contract. He exercised a $52.6-million player option in June to pave the way for a record-setting 23rd NBA season.

James, the NBA’s all-time leading scorer, is 50 games away from Hall of Famer Robert Parish’s record for most regular-season games played. He already achieved his previously stated goal of playing with his son Bronny.

More championships are all James has left to chase in his career. While the Lakers attempt to launch the 26-year-old Doncic’s reign, James’ title aspirations still remain at the forefront for the franchise.

“We’ve been very intentional this summer in terms of the pieces we add with Luka and LeBron, once LeBron opted in,” Pelinka said last Thursday at a news conference alongside head coach JJ Redick, “making sure that they had the necessary pieces around them to be on a really competitive, strong team.”

Read more:Lakers have given coach JJ Redick a contract extension

But when it comes to James’ future, Pelinka left it up to the 21-time All-Star, saying James has “absolute respect to choose his story” regarding how much longer he wants to play. But the team's general manager knows how he wants the tale to end.

“We would love if LeBron’s story would be [that] he retired a Laker,” Pelinka said. “That would be a positive story.”

How will James and Doncic coexist in their first full season together?

The Lakers underwent a significant makeover after Doncic debuted in February.

The team ranked eighth in the NBA with 40.4 three-point attempts per game in the regular season with Doncic compared to 33.8 before, which ranked 27th. James’ offensive rating ticked up from 111.8 to 114.4.

After rushing to create cohesion at midseason, Doncic, whose Lakers debut was slowed by a lingering calf injury, said in August he looked forward to getting a whole preseason to build chemistry with his teammates. Doncic was second in the league in usage rate among players who appeared in more than seven games after Feb. 10. Redick said Doncic and guard Austin Reaves, coming off a career season, will be the team’s primary ballhandlers while James remains a focal point of the offense.

“I think the word I would use would be ‘share,’” Redick said of how he envisions the three stars working together. “I think in a team sport, you have no choice but to share: share the basketball, share the spotlight, I think all those three guys have a ton of respect for each other’s skill sets, for each other’s abilities.”

What will Austin Reaves show entering a critical contract decision?  

Austin Reaves averaged 20.2 points, 4.5 rebounds and 5.8 assists per game, all career highs, while shooting 37.7% from three-point range. But his playoff struggles left a sour impression entering the offseason. Reaves shot 31.9% from three in the first-round series against Minnesota, attempted just 1.4 free throws per game and was a constant target for the Minnesota offense.

The 27-year-old has a player option worth $14.9 million next year but will likely test free agency after vastly outperforming his initial four-year, $53.8-million contract awarded when he was an undrafted free agent. With pressure to perform as a third star behind Doncic and James, Reaves is already impressing Lakers staff this offseason.

“Every day in the gym, he’s been the best player in the gym,” Redick said. “This goes back to last May, all summer, his body is really good right now. He’s really strong. His burst, his athleticism, it’s evident that he’s spent a lot of time working on his body this summer.”

Read more:'We wanted to throw a twist on it': Why an iconic Kobe Bryant image was altered for a Dodger-themed mural

Is Deandre Ayton the answer to the Lakers’ center woes?

Deandre Ayton's 7-foot frame isn't the only reason why he might be the Lakers' biggest offseason acquisition.

Pairing Doncic with a lob-catching center was one of Pelinka's major offseason objectives after the lack of a reliable big man became so pressing that Redick resorted to playing the same small-ball, five-man lineup for the entire second half in Game 4 against Minnesota. Ayton is coming off two forgettable seasons in Portland, where the former No. 1 overall pick averaged 15.7 points and 10.7 rebounds per game. Since he was traded by the Phoenix Suns, Ayton has been the target of criticism for inconsistent effort and a low motor.

Yet the Lakers believe they can unlock the 27-year-old’s talent. Ayton, Redick emphasized, was once Chris Paul’s pick-and-roll partner in Phoenix. No one is more detail-oriented than the now-Clippers guard. So playing alongside Doncic should come easily.

“His feel for two-man action is just super high,” Redick said of Ayton, “and really excited to see him play with Luka.”

Center Jaxson Hayes, who fell out of the rotation during the playoffs, figures to come off the bench after re-signing with the team on a one-year deal. After recovering from foot surgery, forward Maxi Kleber played only five minutes in a desperate postseason loss after joining the Lakers in the blockbuster trade with Doncic, but could add a valuable floor-spacing dimension if healthy.

Read more:NBA All-Star Game format changes up again for L.A. in 2026

What impact can Marcus Smart make? 

Redick knows personally what Marcus Smart can deliver. The coach recalled the forehead full of stitches he once received courtesy of the former NBA defensive player of the year.

“Toughness,” Redick said of what Smart will bring to the team. “I already told him this: We need his voice as part of communication. His competitive spirit.”

The Lakers ranked 17th in defensive rating last season, giving up 113.8 points per 100 possessions. The 31-year-old Smart, who signed with the Lakers after the Washington Wizards bought out his contract, still grades in the 80th percentile of every defensive metric, Redick said.

Doncic’s defensive improvement at EuroBasket drew raves from Redick, but the star guard will remain far from a defensive anchor. With Reaves and James, who will turn 41 in December, and Ayton, Smart’s defensive prowess and career 32.4% three-point shooting could be vital to solidifying the potential starting lineup.

Redick named his starting lineup before training camp last season but, in a step of growth for the second-year head coach, declined to disclose his plans this year. He learned what often happens to the best-laid plans.

Last year’s intended leading group of James, Reaves, Anthony Davis, Rui Hachimura and D’Angelo Russell started only seven games together.

Sign up for our weekly newsletter on all things Lakers.

This story originally appeared in Los Angeles Times.

18 shamrocks: Reflecting on Al Horford's unique legacy in Boston originally appeared on NBC Sports Boston

Eighteen shamrocks.

That’s how we’ll always remember Al Horford’s time in Boston. Nine years ago, that was how he declared his intention to join the Celtics on social media. It was both a celebration and a promise. For the first real time in team history, a big-time free agent was choosing to come to Boston and, with him came true hope of raising the franchise’s next banner.

Celtic Pride!!!!!! 🍀🍀🍀🍀🍀🍀🍀🍀🍀🍀🍀🍀🍀🍀🍀🍀🍀🍀

— Al Horford (@Al_Horford) July 2, 2016

It took almost another decade — and two different stints in green — but Horford delivered on that promise. He nurtured a young team, twice delivered them to the championship stage, and finally secured that elusive Banner 18 in 2024. He helped restored Celtics Pride while ensuring the team was a title threat in nearly every season he wore green.

On Sunday, after months of speculation that Horford would eventually land in Golden State, Horford reportedly agreed to a multi-year deal with the Warriors.

It’s fair to wonder if Boston’s superstar tandem of Jayson Tatum and Jaylen Brown would have had the early success they enjoyed without Horford in Boston, or whether they would have gotten over the final hump without his return. Horford’s stat lines have never jumped off the page, but he was a rock-steady presence whose thirst for a title inspired everyone around him to give everything they had on the court.

Players routinely named Horford their favorite teammate. In the aftermath of falling short in title quests before 2024, coach Joe Mazzulla often noted that his biggest regret was not being able to help Horford complete his own elusive title goal.

But they got there, eventually. There’s a series of photos that show Tatum’s hands wrapped around Horford’s shoulders as he exults on the podium while the Celtics are being presented with the Larry O’Brien trophy. Brown is smiling widely next to them. Boston had accomplished its elusive goal.

Peter Casey-USA TODAY Sports

When Horford first arrived in Boston, there was a different core he expected to guide forward. It was Jae Crowder, Isaiah Thomas, and Kelly Olynyk who had steered Boston back on track to being a contender. Horford marveled at the energy inside TD Garden as Boston took two games off his Hawks in Round 1 of the 2016 playoffs.

Less than three months later, he agreed to come to Boston. Celtics brass were boarding a private plane on the tarmac in the Hamptons, having just pitched Kevin Durant on the possibility of also being in Boston too, when word arrived that Horford was joining the Celtics.

A celebration erupted. The Celtics’ title hopes had been given a major jolt with Horford’s arrival. Six trips to the conference finals followed over the next eight seasons. There were heartbreak and frustration along the way, enough that Horford departed for the rival Sixers after a maddening 2018-19 season. But his return for the 2021-22 season reignited Boston’s title hunt.

Even at his advanced NBA age, the Celtics worked diligently to keep Horford healthy, knowing how vital he was to their title hopes. They sat him on the second night of back-to-backs and limited his overall wear and tear. They were rewarded as he routinely thrived on the biggest stages.

The image of Horford flexing after steamrolling Giannis Antetokounmpo on the way to the basket during the 2022 run was a signature moment in Boston’s march to the Finals that year.

DO NOT UNDERESTIMATE AL HORFORD 🔥 pic.twitter.com/RbikSfQOfD

— Celtics on NBC Sports Boston (@NBCSCeltics) May 10, 2022

Invariably, because this is Boston, where an astounding number of jersey numbers mingle amidst the 18 title banners, the question will be asked whether Horford’s No. 42 deserves to hang among the Celtics’ other legends.

Getting up there with only one title is a tough chore, but not impossible. Horford didn’t change the culture the way Kevin Garnett did in joining a team that had been tanking hard a year before. Horford also didn’t have the longevity of a player like Paul Pierce.

But the Celtics did a whole bunch of winning with Horford, who sits 10th all time with 72 playoff wins in a Boston uniform. The only players ahead of him: John Havlicek (108), Bill Russell (107), Robert Parish (100), Sam Jones (100), Larry Bird (99), Kevin McHale (98), Don Nelson (81), Satch Sanders (81), and Brown (80).  Horford is tied with both Jayson Tatum (at least for now) and Pierce in playoff victories.

Horford’s career averages in Boston don’t leap off the page: 11.2 points and 6.8 rebounds per game over 465 career games in seven seasons with the Celtics. Those numbers perked up a bit (11.5 points and 7.7 rebounds per game) over 119 playoff games, including 113 playoff starts.

But Horford taught the Jays how to be professionals, and instilled in them that winning is all that matters. He accepted any role the team desired, including shuffling to a reserve role after the team acquired Kristaps Porzingis and Jrue Holiday during the summer of 2023. That selflessness was a huge part of Boston’s march to Banner 18.

Maybe that’s not enough to get No. 42 to the rafters. But the people who were here during Horford’s tenure know how vital he was, and there will be supporters to get 42 up there.

Even in the immediate aftermath of his departure in 2019, the long-term outlook was bleak. Kemba Walker brought a bunch of joy, but his knee betrayed him. Brad Stevens’ very first deal as president of basketball operations was to bring back Horford and get off Walker’s remaining money, and it fueled the team’s return to title contention.

It’s hard not to wonder if Horford’s time here might have extended another season (or two) if Tatum never tore his Achilles in the 2025 playoffs. The Celtics couldn’t quite commit to the money necessary to keep Horford around without being a surefire contender while Tatum rehabbed.

It won’t be the same not having the Horfords at TD Garden. Over the last two seasons, Horford’s young son, Ean, was a staple near the Boston bench. Horford’s wife, Amelia, and other children were routinely courtside.

The Celtics can’t possibly replace the intangibles that Horford brought. It places even more responsibility on Brown and Tatum to be the leaders of this team.

But Horford’s mark will sit above TD Garden in perpetuity: the team’s 18th banner delivered in the aftermath of Horford’s 18 shamrocks.

‘What's our advantage here?' Sixers plan to lean into guard play in new season  originally appeared on NBC Sports Philadelphia

Though their most important player is 7 feet tall, the 2025-26 Sixers plan to lean into guard play.

The Sixers hope Joel Embiid is healthy enough to play and to star. They also expect to feature small, skilled and fast lineups.

At Friday’s media day, Sixers head coach Nick Nurse highlighted the team’s ability to play a variety of guard combinations, including three-guard units and “maybe a four-guard rotation at times.”

Some waiting will be required before Nurse can test all of his guard experiments. 

Jared McCain is sidelined by a UCL tear in his right thumb and Quentin Grimes’ restricted free agency is unresolved. Jake Fischer reported Sunday that, “short of accepting a one-year ‘balloon’ payment, Grimes appears headed toward accepting” the Sixers’ single-season, $8.7 million qualifying offer. Grimes did not join the Sixers on their trip to Abu Dhabi for two preseason games vs. the Knicks. 

For now, Tyrese Maxey and rookie VJ Edgecombe are both working to gel and competing against each other at practice. Following Sunday’s session, the two were part of a small group that played 1-on-1 with a five-second limit. In the brief period open to reporters, Edgecombe fared well. 

A little VJ Edgecombe action after Day 2 of Sixers camp: pic.twitter.com/3vq5rwvJ7Y

— Noah Levick (@NoahLevick) September 28, 2025

“For the most part, we’re going to have them together, but there is a good 40 percent of practice where they’re going at it,” Nurse said. “And they like to go at it after practice. … That’s good to see, too.”

Back in January, Maxey talked about his comfort in three-guard lineups with Kyle Lowry and Reggie Jackson, citing his college days alongside Immanuel Quickley and Ashton Hagans. The Sixers’ three-guard units this season project to be much more youthful. 

“I think the biggest thing is you’ve got to be unselfish,” Maxey said Friday, “and you’ve got to have an open mind. …That just really helps, especially when you have dynamic shooting, dynamic playmaking, guys that can play off the catch, play off closeouts, attack the paint. … It makes you more dangerous.”

Of course, lineups loaded with guards usually have vulnerabilities. Nurse has said defensive rebounding will need to be a “collective effort” that the Sixers purposefully drill and game plan. The team struggled on the defensive glass the past two seasons. 

With that said, no team is excellent in all areas. For instance, the defending champion Thunder ranked 21st last year in defensive rebounding rate, per Cleaning the Glass. 

Nurse wants to identify the Sixers’ strengths and make the most of them. 

“I always try to look at the positives,” he said Sunday. “You’ve got to always keep thinking of, ‘What’s our advantage here?’ … Are we faster, are we quicker? Are we better shooters? Do we have more handlers out there? Keep reminding yourself that there are advantages. 

“And then you’re saying, ‘Oh my God, how are we going to guard the low post when we switch the 1-4 pick-and-roll, or the 2-3 pick-and-roll, or the 2-4 pick-and-roll?’ So yeah, we know we’ve got to work. We’ve got to drill guarding bigger people on the low block or drill schemes on the low block. … The rebounding, we’ve got to drill it and we’ve got to scheme it. 

“… But I’ve always got to keep reminding myself that yeah, that’s going to be tough to guard on the low block. And yes, it’s going to be tough to rebound against size. But can we pull ‘em away and get more space? Can we get more threes because they’re too slow for us? Can we go around them and offensive rebound? … Mostly, I think it’s just making sure we put some thought into those two areas — guarding the low block and defensive rebounding.”

Addressing top three questions, concerns for Kings entering 2025 training camp originally appeared on NBC Sports Bay Area

We’re back.

Training camp is hours away, which means the 2025-26 NBA season is upon us.

It’s been a long, particularly quiet offseason, not just for the Kings but throughout the entire league. Specifically for Sacramento, though, some questions need answers.

Some might be answered through training camp, some might require more time and carry into the regular season. While there are dozens of questions and concerns we can address, let’s break down NBC Sports California’s top three questions entering the Kings’ 2025 training camp, set to begin on Tuesday.

What does this roster look like?

The Kings’ roster construction was heavily criticized last season, especially after their trade deadline moves left them without a point guard.

There was a belief that under new general manager Scott Perry and assistant GM B.J. Armstrong, big moves would be made, and the Kings would “blow it all up” in the offseason. They, in fact, didn’t blow anything up and will enter the 2025-26 season with essentially the same roster as last season.

Sacramento’s big offseason acquisition was signing veteran guard Dennis Schröder, who instantly fills the void at starting point guard. The rest of the projected starting lineup, one would think, is Zach LaVine, DeMar DeRozan, Keegan Murray and Domantas Sabonis.

Here’s a roster breakdown as it currently stands:

Guards

Dennis Schröder
Zach LaVine
Malik Monk
Keon Ellis
Devin Carter
Terence Davis

Forwards

DeMar DeRozan
Nique Clifford
Keegan Murray
Doug McDermott

Centers/Bigs

Domantas Sabonis
Isaac Jones
Dario Šarić
Maxime Raynaud
Drew Eubanks

The question then turns to what the rotations will look like. After losing Jonas Valančiūnas in the offseason, who will back up Sabonis at the center position? Who will be the first player off the bench for Sacramento in that “sixth man” role? Is it Monk, who has thrived in that role, or maybe Ellis?

Also, will the closing lineups be the same as the starting lineup? Or, will Doug Christie experiment with other players, such as Ellis, for defensive purposes?

This might not be answered until a few games into the season.

Expectations for Keegan Murray in Year 4?

As with most lottery picks, the expectations always have been high for Keegan Murray since the Kings selected him No. 4 overall in the 2022 NBA Draft.

But many people don’t believe he has lived up to the hype through three seasons with Sacramento.

A large part of that last season was that so many players on the Kings’ roster last season required the ball in their hands, limiting the amount of touches Murray got. As we stated earlier in this article, a vast majority of those players will return to the Kings this season, so the “issue” hasn’t been resolved for Murray.

While not being able to contribute consistently on offense as much as he — or the Kings — have liked, Murray has grown enormously as a defender since his rookie season. He now stands as the unquestioned best defender on the team, with the ability to defend one through five.

However, it isn’t something he wants to do on a nightly basis. At his exit interview following the 2024-25 season, Murray was honest about his ideal defensive assignments.

“Yeah, ideally I don’t want to be guarding the five-man,” Murray said in April. “It’s not the most fun thing in the world. If I have to do it, I have to do it, regardless of who’s on our team [or] who’s not. At the end of the day, team defense wins championships.”

The Kings have lacked wing depth for years, and even after Murray’s seemingly public cry for help, they still haven’t addressed it.

Defending Kevin Durant or chasing Steph Curry around for 35 minutes and then trying to contribute offensively is a lot to ask of a young player, but as Murray said, it’s something he’s willing to do if he must. Getting him some help along the wing, however, could unlock a whole other level for the 25-year-old who’s itching to break out and live up to his two-way star potential.

A report from the Sacramento Bee’s Jason Anderson earlier this summer stated that the two players the Kings kept out of trade talks were Murray and Ellis. So, if that’s true, how are the Kings’ decision makers laying out a clear path to stardom for these players they supposedly value so much if they aren’t giving them the right opportunities?

With all that being said, what are the Kings’ realistic expectations for their former No. 4 pick as he enters Year 4 with the team?

How will Dennis Schröder fit?

The obvious answer is that Schröder addresses Sacramento’s point guard void after the team traded De’Aaron Fox last February.

OK, cool. But how else will he help the Kings?

Schröder is a 12-year NBA veteran who’s played on nine different teams. He has been to the playoffs nine times in his career, including two trips to the conference finals. He’s an unselfish player who creates for his teammates, which should benefit players such as LaVine and Murray. He also can get his own bucket when he needs to.

Not to mention, he’s fresh off leading Germany to the EuroBasket gold this summer and was named the EuroBasket MVP after averaging 20.3 points, 7.2 assists and 3.4 rebounds per game.

His energy, tenacity and leadership should be a welcome addition to the Kings, especially in a locker room full of several young and inexperienced players.

Defensively, his contributions should be an immediate upgrade. Schröder isn’t a lockdown defender by any means, but his effort and commitment on the end of the court never is something coach Christie will have to worry about. Fox, for example, became a much better defender over the course of his eight-year career with Sacramento. With a player like Schröder, though, it’s not something Christie and the Kings coaches will have to teach him, but rather, something already instilled in him.

One area we’re curious to see is how he meshes with Sabonis, who isn’t your typical five-man. As we’ve seen with other Kings guards, it usually takes them some time to adjust and adapt to Sabonis’ play style. But when it works, it works and it’s beautiful basketball. Hopefully for the Kings, a full training camp together will allow them the time to figure it out.

Download and follow The Deuce & Mo Podcast

De'Anthony Melton's return to Warriors prompts familiar backcourt question originally appeared on NBC Sports Bay Area

De’Anthony Melton’s long-awaited Warriors return has come close to official after committing to sign a deal with the Warriors before the 2025-26 NBA season, ESPN’s Shams Charania reported Sunday evening, citing sources.

Melton signed a one-year, $12.8 million contract to join the Warriors at the opening of NBA free agency last year on the mid-level exception. His injury concerns became apparent early on, as did his perfect fit on the team.

The veteran guard began the 2024-25 campaign coming off the bench through the first three regular-season games, then was shelved for the Warriors’ next five games because of similar back issues that held him to only 38 contests with the Philadelphia 76ers a season prior. His return to health immediately showed what kind of impact he could have on the Warriors. In his first game back, Melton had 10 points and three assists in a blowout loss to the Cleveland Cavaliers, prompting coach Steve Kerr to insert Melton into the starting lineup. 

That wasn’t just any game. It was an 11-point win on the road over the eventual champion Oklahoma City Thunder in which Melton scored 19 points while going 5 of 8 from 3-point range with 10 rebounds, two assists and three steals. The Warriors then welcomed Klay Thompson back to Chase Center in a win to remember against the Dallas Mavericks, and had to say goodbye to Melton without even knowing it. 

Undoubtedly, the Splash Brothers of Steph Curry and Thompson were the story of the night. Curry was the showman, sending his former teammate out of his old home with a loss after scoring the final 12 points of the game. Melton was the unsung hero, showing why he could be the new ideal complement next to Curry. 

Before Curry went on his scoring spree, Melton showcased his two-way ability by first diving on the floor for a loose ball and then hitting a massive three to cut the Warriors’ deficit to four points with a little under four minutes left in the game.

De'Anthony Melton's 3 before Steph Curry scored the final 12 points of the game was so huge

Brought the Warriors within 4 with 3:51 left
Warriors had missed their last 7 shots
Started with Melton diving on the floor for loose ball pic.twitter.com/CVKNu2xT9U

— Dalton Johnson (@DaltonJ_Johnson) November 13, 2024

He finished that game, just his sixth of the season, as a plus-12 by tallying 14 points, four rebounds, four assists and one steal. But Melton also sustained an injury late in the win that later was revealed as a season-ending torn ACL. The Warriors used his contract to then acquire Dennis Schröder and never truly made up for his absence. 

Melton being back in Warriors colors will make plenty of people within the franchise happy, especially Curry. It also creates the same questions as when he arrived last year: Who starts in the backcourt next to Steph? 

The options also are the same as last season. Kerr will be choosing between Melton, Brandin Podziemski and Buddy Hield. Each brings something different to the table. Melton easily is the best on-ball defender of the three, Podziemski is the connector who really came into his own after the Warriors traded for Jimmy Butler, and Hield is one of the best threats in the league behind the 3-point line. 

Even though it was an extremely small sample size, Melton was exactly what the Warriors needed next to Curry because of his defensive tenacity and underrated offense. The two played 47 minutes together and were a plus-39, producing a 136.5 offensive rating and 98.1 defensive rating for a 38.4 net rating. Curry had a 10.4 net rating (120.0 offensive rating, 109.5 defensive rating) next to Podziemski over 652 regular-season minutes, and a 9.0 net rating (119.3 offensive rating and 110.3 defensive rating) in 969 regular-season minutes alongside Hield. 

“That was really the perfect mix. De’Anthony does a little bit of everything: On-ball defense, rebounding, 3-point shooting, playmaking,” Kerr said in mid-November. “It was great fit, and that’s why we targeted him.”

Can Melton step into big minutes and a starting role right away coming off his ACL surgery, as well as previous injury issues to his back? Probably not. The job likely will be Podziemski’s to start the season entering Year 3. 

If so, that leaves Hield as a feared sharpshooter off the bench, and Melton doing a bit of everything on and off the ball also in a reserve role. The real likelihood is all three get starting nods throughout the season based on health and matchups, and closing games always will be more important anyway. The Warriors used 38 different starting lineups in the 2024-25 regular season, 11 more than the previous year. 

Even when it’s not at the start of games, getting Curry and Melton on the court together will have to be a priority for Kerr against the toughest teams. 

Bringing Melton back into the fold isn’t a move for October, November and December. It’s one for the stretch run of the regular season and a hopeful playoff push for a chance at title contention. At his contract number, he’s a worthy bet but a gamble nonetheless for an older team that already will need everything to go right health-wise. 

Download and follow the Dubs Talk Podcast