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3 Knicks storylines to watch heading into 2025-26 NBA season

One of the most anticipated Knicks seasons in the last 30 years is almost here. New York will hold its first official practice on Tuesday to open training camp. The regular season starts in less than 30 days.

Mike Brown & Co. will use the next few weeks to determine lineups, rotations and strategies that work best for his group.

The coaches and front office will also decide which players stay on for the regular season.

There are several other important decisions/issues to sort out in the coming days.

With that in mind, here is a look at the biggest storylines to keep an eye on during training camp/preseason...

HOW DO ROLES GET DEFINED?

Something that held the 2024-25 Knicks back, in my opinion, was a lack of role definition. Will the Knicks and first-year coach Mike Brown clearly define each player’s role? I’m sure organizations/coaches have different approaches to this. Maybe some leaders like to let the players figure out their own role as the season progresses. Maybe they don’t want to be too rigid in defining roles. But last season, the lack of role definition led to some confusion in the locker room about shot attempts/usage. While this may seem like a small thing, it can definitely derail a talented team.

The Knicks obviously have a ton of talent. Defining roles for the talent on this team/holding players accountable to their roles is incredibly important, I think.

YOUTH VS. EXPERIENCE

The Knicks have a tough roster decision ahead of them: in a season where the expectation is NBA Finals or bust, is the club better off with younger players at the end of the roster or with proven vets?

If the Knicks want, they can keep veterans Landry Shamet and Malcolm Brogdon on the regular season roster. But they will probably have to sacrifice one of their young prospects in order to keep both veterans.

New York’s team salary cannot exceed $207.8 million, also known as the "second apron" in NBA team spending. The Knicks currently do not have enough room below the second apron to sign both Shamet and Brogdon.

So if they want to keep both veterans on the roster, they’ll need to shed some salary via trade. Trades involving Miles McBride, Pacome Dadiet or Tyler Kolek are the most direct paths to shedding that salary (though if the Knicks traded Kolek, kept both veterans and made no other trades, they would not be able to sign another veteran during the season).

As noted last week, I’d expect the Knicks to let things play out during camp/preseason before they made a move to keep both Brogdon and Shamet. But if I’m placing a bet at the start of training camp, I’m betting that both Brodgon and Shamet are on the regular season roster. This Knicks team is in win-now mode, and injuries to Jayson Tatum and Tyrese Haliburton give them a direct pathway to the NBA Finals. They know they have a great opportunity to be playing in late June. That’s why I think they’ll ultimately go with veteran depth in Brogdon and Shamet.  

STARTING LINEUP CHANGE?

Last season, the Knicks started Jalen Brunson, Josh Hart, Mikal Bridges, OG Anunoby and Karl-Anthony Towns. The lineup showed early promise but struggled later in the regular season. That starting five had a -1.4 net rating in regular season games played on or after January 1, 2025. That starting five was also being outscored by a total of 50 points through the first 13 games of their 17-game playoff run. 

Former head coach Tom Thibodeau switched his starters after Game 2 of the Knicks-Pacers series, inserting Mitchell Robinson into the starting lineup. Hart came off the bench.

Will Brown stick with the lineup that was used most often in 2024-25? Will he make a change? Before Brown was hired, the Knicks’ talks with some free agents included the idea that Towns and Robinson would be starting together in 2025-26. Obviously, Brown will make the ultimate decision on the starting lineup. It’s arguably one of the most important decisions he’ll make in his first year in New York.

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Prime Video hires Swin Cash for a unique position — NBA front office analyst

Prime Video hires Swin Cash for a unique position — NBA front office analystSwin Cash has had a unique basketball career as both a member of the Naismith Basketball Hall of Fame as a player before working in the front office of the NBA’s New Orleans Pelicans for six seasons, including as the team’s senior vice president of basketball operations.

That basketball resume was attractive to Amazon Prime Video. Starting this fall, Cash will appear on air in a front office insider role for Prime Video’s NBA studio show during the NBA season. She’ll then transition to a studio analyst for Prime Video’s WNBA coverage. Prime Video is expected to make a formal announcement on Tuesday.

“This role is still pretty new, and I’ve got a lot of respect for those who’ve paved the way, especially my girl, Amy Trask,” Cash said, referring to the CBS analyst and former CEO of the Oakland Raiders. “I’m excited to contribute to an already stacked broadcast team and bring a perspective shaped by my time as a player, analyst and executive. My goal is to give fans more than the box score, showing how teams think, why decisions get made, and what the process really looks like.”

The NBA will begin its new 11-year, $76 billion arrangements with incumbent ABC/ESPN, NBC/Peacock and Amazon Prime Video this fall. There has been a flurry of NBA on-air hires between Amazon Prime Video and NBC/Peacock. Among those added by Amazon Prime Video are play-by-play announcers Ian Eagle, Kevin Harlan and Michael Grady. The network’s analysts include Brent Barry, Blake Griffin, Steve Nash, Dirk Nowitzki, Candace Parker, Stan Van Gundy and Dwyane Wade. Cassidy Hubbarth will be Amazon’s No. 1 sideline reporter when it begins NBA coverage next season. Taylor Rooks will host the studio show.

Cash, whose decorated career includes three titles over 15 WNBA seasons, two NCAA titles at the University of Connecticut, and two Olympic gold medals, said her role on Prime Video’s WNBA coverage remains a work in progress. She said what she hopes for Prime Video’s coverage, and WNBA coverage overall, is an increase in storytelling. She said she loved the attention “Stud Budz” — the popular Twitch show featuring Lynx players Courtney Williams and Natisha Hiedeman — received during the WNBA All-Star Weekend.

“I’d love for us to go deeper with the coverage,” Cash said. “Storytelling is so important to bring fans on the journey. Not just with the superstars, but across the league.  Fans don’t just fall in love with a player’s game; they fall in love with the person, the personas. When we let people see who these women are, their stories, their grind, their humanity that’s how you build connection and grow the audience in a real way.”

This article originally appeared in The Athletic.

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Could Tatum return this season? Here's what he told the TODAY show

Could Tatum return this season? Here's what he told the TODAY show originally appeared on NBC Sports Boston

For the past few months, Boston Celtics star Jayson Tatum has faced one of his toughest challenges yet as he works to recover from a torn right Achilles suffered in a playoff game against the New York Knicks back in May.

The six-time NBA All-Star and 2024 NBA champion was back in New York on Tuesday for his first interview on TODAY With Jenna & Friends, exactly 19 weeks from the day he was injured.

“I’m feeling better than I did yesterday,” he said when asked about his recovery. “It’s been a long, long journey. I tell people all the time, I’m getting there.”

Tatum was also asked about his mindset when the injury originally happened.

“I think just kind of going back to that day, so many things ran through my mind, especially on the ground, you just have this idea, right, I’m in New York, we’re trying to compete for our second championship, and just like that, it all changes.

“You know, for me, when I was a kid, I’ve had the same passion since I was 3. I always wanted to be kind of who I am, I could envision it, and it just kind of felt like it was taken away from me, and that was a hard pill to swallow. I was devastated, I was sad, I was emotional, and I did kind of feel betrayed by the game of basketball. Something I love so much that I gave my all to, that was just kind of like taken away. That was tough.”

Watch the full interview below:

Asked when he expects to be back on the court, Tatum was a little less open.

“That is the million dollar question,” he said. “I think for me and my team — the doctor, the organization — the most important thing is making a full recovery, being back 100 percent, not rushing it. But I haven’t said, like, ‘Yo, I’m not playing,’ or anything like that.”

“I have a goal in mind,” Tatum added. “What I will say is I’m not working out, rehabbing six days a week for no reason.”

He was also asked about his family, especially his oldest son Deuce and his mom Brandy Cole, and how much they’ve helped him during his long road to recovery.

“It’s been tremendous,” Tatum said. “Going through something none of us expected or thought would happen, having my mom, having Deuce and my youngest son Dylan, having my friends around when they didn’t know they were helping me just being around, being joyful, uplifting my spirits. Everyone knows my mom and Deuce are my best friends in the world.”

He said he actually lived with his mother for 10 weeks while rehabilitating, because he wasn’t able to go up stairs and his house doesn’t have a bedroom on the first floor.

“It was kind of like being in high school again,” Tatum said.

Tatum appeared on TODAY With Jenna & Friends to promote his partnership with Boston-based Vertex Pharmaceuticals. He is a paid spokesperson for the company and used Journavx, a non-opioid pain medication they manufacture, during his recovery.

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Ramp to Camp: Predicting Jayson Tatum's return date for Celtics

Ramp to Camp: Predicting Jayson Tatum's return date for Celtics originally appeared on NBC Sports Boston

Better days ahead.

That’s the mantra Jayson Tatum delivered over the summer while detailing the early stages of his rehabilitation from Achilles surgery. We can’t help but think it might be a bit of slogan for the 2025-26 Celtics, too.

Because regardless of how the season plays out — and we still believe this team is going to surprise some pundits out of the gates — every day is one step closer to Tatum being back on the court. And that means even better days are ahead.

But when exactly do we think Tatum might be back in an NBA game?

For Day 17 of our Ramp to Camp series, we asked our panel to predict the date that Tatum will return to game action for the Celtics.

First, all the necessary disclaimers: None of our prognosticators are doctors. No one can possibly know how Tatum’s rehab will progress from this moment. But using glimpses from his first 17 weeks of recovery as a guide, we’re tossing some darts at the calendar.

The Celtics have intentionally put no timeline on Tatum’s rehab. All we know is that he’s attacked his recovery with relentless energy, and every indication suggests he’s making encouraging progress. Boston’s brass did all it could to set Tatum up for success, including getting him into surgery almost immediately after the injury with the hope of giving him every opportunity to make an expedited recovery. 

When Tatum initially ruptured his Achilles in Game 4 of the Eastern Conference semifinals, we simply assumed we wouldn’t see him again until October, 2026. Why would the team rush him back? And operating with an abundance of caution might ultimately be the best plan of attack.

But we also know how hard it’s going to be for members of the Celtics organization to keep Tatum on the sidelines once he starts checking the final boxes in his rehab. He’s going to be itching to play in October, let alone March or April.

Tatum sure appears to be doing all he can to force the team to ponder whether a return this season is the best path. 

As Celtics president Rich Gotham noted over the summer: “What I know about JT is that he’s gonna do everything he can to put us in a position to make a decision [about when he plays again].”

Tatum celebrates his 28th birthday on March 3, 2026. That would be slightly more than nine months removed from his injury. If doctors are certain he wouldn’t be putting himself at risk by using late-season games to shake some rust — all while pacing himself in the early stages of that return — we could see Wednesday, March 4 being a belated birthday gift to himself.

The Hornets might not necessarily be a circle-the-date matchup on the surface, but Tatum would have a bunch of Duke fans watching the Hornets broadcast back in North Carolina.

The month of March is overflowing with intriguing matchups. If Tatum is healthy enough by that point, there’s no shortage of opportunities to make a glitzy return.

But here’s the bottom line: If we’re even simply pondering Tatum being close to a return before the end of the 2025-26 season, then that’s a win on its own. And there are most certainly better days are ahead.

Let’s see what dates our panel predicted for Tatum’s return:

Darren Hartwell, Managing Editor

March 14 vs. Washington.

Yes, there’s a case for holding Tatum out the entire season and ensuring he’s fully healthy for 2026-27. But based on how he’s been attacking his rehab, we could absolutely see him being cleared to play 10 months and one day after his surgery.

After weeks of lobbying, Tatum finally convinces the Celtics to let him play limited minutes against the lowly Wizards on the first game of a three-game homestand.

Michael Hurley, Web Producer

Late October, 2026.

I know everybody is getting excited, and that’s a good thing. Maybe I’m a worrywart, but the idea of Tatum rushing back to “save the day” sounds like a recipe for re-injury, sadness, dismay, and the like.

Even with Tatum, the Celtics were going to lose to the Knicks last postseason. I think he’d be better served letting Brad Stevens cook next summer and build a behemoth for 2026-27, and then help that team go on a championship run. I see minimal reward to the risk of rushing him back.

Josh Canu, Media Editor

March 22 vs. Minnesota.

I think the noise will start to get loud during the All-Star break and he could come back even sooner, but I’ll play a little more conservative than that and pick a homestand against Minnesota and Oklahoma City. Tatum is entering his physical prime and we know he hates to miss games, so I think he is going to surprise a lot of people. 

Kevin Miller, VP, Content

October 2026.

I want it to be this season, but if there’s a one percent chance that he’s not 100 percent, then you have to be patient.  

Adam Hart, EP, Content Strategy

March 27 vs. Atlanta.

A Friday night at TD Garden could be a rocking welcome for Tatum. He then gets at least one of the next two games off with the back-to-back on the road. Ease him in, but give him a huge ovation from the fans.

Kayla Burton, Celtics Pregame Live host

February 27 vs. Brooklyn.

I would hate to see him rush back, but he’s already rehabbing so well and working incredibly hard to get back out there. Plus he hates sitting out. He’ll be too antsy to sit out the whole season, and he will be back soon after the All-Star break.

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Rockets' Fred VanVleet suffers torn ACL, could miss entire season

The Houston Rockets realized the value of Fred VanVleet, which is why they re-signed the guard to a two-year, $50 million contract this summer. It also shows just what kind of blow this latest news is for a team with championship aspirations.

VanVleet suffered a torn ACL at an unofficial team workout in the Bahamas and could miss the entire upcoming NBA season, a story broken by Shams Charania of ESPN and since confirmed by others. This was a contact injury, and VanVleet has returned to Houston, where he is expected to have surgery later this week.

On a roster stacked with talent on the wings and in the frontcourt — Kevin Durant, Alperen Sengun, Amen Thompson, Jabari Smith Jr. and more — VanVleet was the glue at an otherwise thin point guard spot that held everything together. VanVleet averaged 14.1 points and 5.6 assists last season, and is a plus defender. Last season, the Rockets were 3.3 points per 100 possessions better when VanVleet was on the court. VanVleet's value really stood out in the playoffs, when he averaged 18.7 points, 4.4 assists and 4.1 rebounds a game and the Rockets were 21 points per 100 possessions better when he was on the court in their series loss to the Warriors.

VanVleet's injury puts a lot of pressure on second-year guard Reed Sheppard, who was being asked to make a big step up to the backup point guard role this season and now will have more on his plate. Behind him is veteran Aaron Holiday.

This is a potentially serious blow to the Rockets' title hopes, especially in a deep West where Oklahoma City brings back 14 players from the team that just won the title, and the Denver Nuggets have stacked the roster around Nikola Jokic (that's not even mentioning Anthony Edwards and the Timberwolves or the LeBron James and Luka Doncic tandem in Los Angeles).

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Sixers sign 4 players to Exhibit 10 deals ahead of training camp

Sixers sign 4 players to Exhibit 10 deals ahead of training camp  originally appeared on NBC Sports Philadelphia

With their first official practices of the season coming up over the weekend, the Sixers announced four signings Monday night.

The team has added Emoni Bates, Kennedy Chandler, Malcolm Hill and Jaylen Martin. According to a Sixers source, the players all inked Exhibit 10 deals. 

Exhibit 10 contracts are non-guaranteed, minimum-salary agreements that can be converted into two-way or standard deals before the start of the regular season. In general, Exhibit 10 signees often go on to join an organization’s G League team, since the contracts incentivize players to do so with a bonus. 

Bates is a 6-foot-8 forward and former high school sensation. Now 21 years old, Bates has 25 NBA appearances under his belt over the last two seasons with the Cavs. Bates has averaged 19.8 points and 5.6 rebounds across the past two years in the G League.

Shot selection has broadly been viewed as a weaker area for Bates, who’s a smooth player capable of hitting difficult jumpers. He went just 37.7 percent from the floor and 32.6 percent from three-point range last G League season.

Chandler is a true point guard who measured in at 5-foot-11.5 (without shoes) and 172 pounds at the 2022 NBA draft combine. The Tennessee product wound up going No. 38 overall in that draft and has yet to stick in the NBA. Chandler posted 13.2 points, 5.1 assists, 2.8 rebounds and 1.3 steals in 50 G League games last year for Raptors 905. 

Martin, 21, has 16 games of NBA experience and several G League stops, including with the Delaware Blue Coats. The 6-6 wing averaged 13.5 points, 3.6 rebounds, 2.1 assists and 1.2 steals during the 2024-25 G League season. 

Hill’s also 6-6 and the veteran of the bunch at 29 years old. He’s been a high-scoring, sweet-shooting player in the G League. Hill racked up 22 points per game in the ’23-24 G League season with the Birmingham Squadron and shot 41.8 percent beyond the arc on 7.4 attempts per contest. 

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Fantasy Basketball Guards 2025-26: Top 50 rankings, season outlooks, key stats

We're less than a month away from the start of the NBA season, which makes this a great time to go through our positional rankings at Rotoworld.

You can find our Top 50 forwards here and our Top 50 centers here, but we're discussing guards in this article.

The guard position is a vital one to figure out in fantasy basketball, though it certainly isn't a position that is lacking talent. There are plenty of unique guards with different strengths and weaknesses that can be optimized for any team build, though last season's MVP is alone at the top, thanks to his well-rounded, dominant statistical production.

Below is how we'd value SGA and 49 other guards in fantasy basketball this season.

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1. Shai Gilgeous-Alexander, Oklahoma City Thunder

Position: PG

2024-25 stats: 32.7 points, 5.0 rebounds, 6.4 assists, 1.7 steals, 1.0 block, 2.1 three-pointers

SGA was the best guard in fantasy basketball last season, which is why he should be selected with a top-three pick in every draft. The reigning MVP is the top guard on our board due to a combination of his ability and his availability. The Thunder rotation should be the same as it was last season, which means SGA should be able to deliver a similar output. Not that any roster change would actually impact his production; he’ll continue to be one of the best offensive players in the league while also providing both steals and blocks. He posted career-highs in points, assists and three-pointers last season, and he’ll be in the mix for the top spot in fantasy basketball once again this year.

2. Luka Dončić, Los Angeles Lakers

Positions: PG/SG

2024-25 stats: 28.2 points, 8.2 rebounds, 7.7 assists, 1.8 steals, 3.5 three-pointers

Raise your hand if you accurately predicted how Doncic’s 2024-25 season would go. He missed time early on due to injuries, and then was traded to the Lakers in a move that shocked the basketball world. The last few months of their season was simply a trial run, and they made moves this offseason to better build around Doncic and LeBron James, with the signing of Deandre Ayton as the team’s lob threat down low as the main addition. Now, with an offseason to forge a team and playbook around the strengths of Doncic, the Lakers will be looking to compete for a title. With LeBron on the wrong side of 40, keeping him fresh for the playoffs is a priority, which means Doncic will be running things more often than not. He should be in for what has become a typical dominant season.

3. Cade Cunningham, Detroit Pistons

Positions: PG/SG

2024-25 stats: 26.1 points, 6.1 rebounds, 9.1 assists, 1.0 steals, 0.8 blocks, 2.1 three-pointers

It took a few seasons, but Detroit was finally able to put together a competitive roster around Cunningham, and it immediately resulted in the best season of his career. The added spacing of Malik Beasley and Tim Hardaway Jr. opened up driving lanes for Cade, and the development of his teammates made things easier. Plus, Cunningham made individual strides. The Pistons lost THJ in free agency, and Beasley remains unsigned, but the return of Jaden Ivey, who missed the final three months of last season with a broken leg, should help make up for the losses. There’s no reason to think Cunningham won’t continue to progress after making his first All-NBA team last season.

4. Anthony Edwards, Minnesota Timberwolves

Positions: PG/SG

2024-25 stats: 27.6 points, 5.7 rebounds, 4.5 assists, 1.2 steals, 4.1 three-pointers

Every year, Edwards seems to take a step forward and add something new to his game. Last season, it was a three-point revolution for him, as he led the league in total threes made and increased his scoring average, which he has done every season of his career. Minnesota lost Nickeil Alexander-Walker in free agency, but the rest of the rotation should look the same, with some of the young guys making up for NAW’s departure. None of that will directly impact Edwards’ spot, and he’ll continue to carry the offensive workload for the T-wolves, which should result in a monster season for him.

5. Devin Booker, Phoenix Suns

Positions: PG/SG

2024-25 stats: 25.6 points, 4.1 rebounds, 7.1 assists, 0.9 steals, 2.4 three-pointers

To put it mildly, last season was a disaster for the Suns, but it wasn’t terrible for Booker. Sure, his field goal percentage dropped, but he was still able to average at least 25 points for the seventh consecutive season, and he set a new career-high for assists. Now, Phoenix’s “big three” experiment is over, with Kevin Durant in Houston and Bradley Beal in Los Angeles. The Suns brought back Jalen Green and Dillon Brooks, but this is clearly Booker’s team. While the two newcomers will see their fair share of usage, everything is going to run through Booker under new head coach Jordan Ott. It isn’t an unfair expectation to think Booker could be in for the most productive season of his career.

6. Trae Young, Atlanta Hawks

Position: PG

2024-25 stats: 24.2 points, 3.1 rebounds, 11.6 assists, 1.2 steals, 2.9 three-pointers

Young started last season slowly, and while he did improve as the season progressed, he posted the lowest field goal percentage of his career and his fewest points per game since his rookie year. Young was one of the premier point guard options in fantasy hoops last season by providing a healthy dose of points, assists and threes while maintaining an elite free throw percentage and rate. Now, he has the most talented supporting cast of his career, headlined by the addition of Kristaps Porzingis, who is by far the best stretch five that Young has played with. It wouldn’t be shocking if Young was able to have one of the most efficient seasons of his career with more space to operate in.

7. Donovan Mitchell, Cleveland Cavaliers

Positions: PG/SG

2024-25 stats: 24.0 points, 4.5 rebounds, 1.0 assists, 1.3 steals, 3.3 three-pointers

While the Cavs were able to put together the second 60-win season in franchise history, it wasn’t because Mitchell took a step forward. In fact, his numbers regressed across the board during the first season under Kenny Atkinson. Mitchell’s 31.4 minutes per game were a career-low, which can at least partially be attributed to the absurd amount of blowout wins the team had. They didn’t make many offseason changes, but they’ll enter the year with Darirus Garland (toe) and Max Strus (foot) both dealing with injuries, which should mean extra usage for Mitchell early on. He could certainly be in for a bounceback season after “only” providing third-round value in nine-category leagues last season.

8. Amen Thompson, Houston Rockets

Positions: PG/SG/SF

2024-25 stats: 14.1 points, 8.2 rebounds, 3.8 assists, 1.4 steals, 1.3 blocks

When Jabari Smith Jr. went down with a left hand injury last season, Thompson stepped into a starting role with Houston and never gave it back. In just his second year, Thompson became one of the best players in fantasy basketball, and the trade to bring in Kevin Durant will only help. With Jalen Green and Dillon Brooks gone, Thompson will be the Rockets’ best defender and starting shooting guard. Durant’s presence will create more space for Thompson as a driver, and his dominance defensively should continue. Shooting will never be a strength for him, but Thompson is impactful everywhere else.

9. Stephen Curry, Golden State Warriors

Position: PG

2024-25 stats: 24.5 points, 4.4 rebounds, 6.0 assists, 1.1 steals, 4.4 three-pointers

Curry just keeps getting it done at a high level. He was back up over a steal per game and played at least 70 games for the second straight season. He also survived a slower start to the season (to his standards) and was better after the All-Star break. The trade deadline addition of Jimmy Butler will alleviate some of the offensive responsibility from Curry, but it also made life a little easier. This roster still has some unknowns as they try to navigate the Jonathan Kuminga saga, but nothing should drastically impact Curry’s production. This team will go as far as he takes them. They know that, and there’s nothing that could happen that will change that.

10. James Harden, LA Clippers

Positions: PG/SG

2024-25 stats: 22.8 points, 5.8 rebounds, 8.7 assists, 1.5 steals, 3.0 three-pointers.

Even at his age, Harden continues to get it done. He played 79 games last season, making it the second consecutive season that he played at least 70 games. He also provided second round value, which was a nice bounceback for him after he finished outside the first two rounds during the 2023-24 season for the first time in over a decade. The Clippers made some roster upgrades this offseason, but nothing should impact Harden’s place in the rotation or his usage. He figures to be among the league leaders in assists once again while still providing plenty of points, steals and threes.

11. Tyrese Maxey, Philadelphia 76ers

Position: PG

2024-25 stats: 26.3 points, 3.3 rebounds, 6.1 assists, 1.8 steals, 3.1 three-pointers

There was a lot to be frustrated about in Philadelphia last season, but Maxey’s early season success wasn’t part of that. He had the best season of his career and was one of the best players in fantasy basketball from mid-December to early February. He wasn’t available much after the All-Star break, but he should be healthy to start this season. The availability of Joel Embiid is the big question mark in Philly right now, and the answer should have a large impact on how dominant Maxey can be. Regardless, Maxey will at least be the second option, and it’s hard to imagine Embiid playing more than 50-55 games, and that’s staying positive. Maxey should run this team for much of the upcoming season.

12. Jalen Brunson, New York Knicks

Position: PG

2024-25 stats: 26.0 points, 2.9 rebounds, 7.3 assists, 0.9 steals, 2.3 three-pointers

The arrival of Karl-Anthony Towns and Mikal Bridges gave the Knicks a more balanced roster, which contributed to Brunson taking nearly three fewer shots per game last season. His scoring dropped, but he made up for it with a career-high for assists. New York moved on from Tom Thibodeau this summer and hired Mike Brown to replace him. They also added more depth in the backcourt with Jordan Clarkson and Malcolm Brogdon. Brunson will still be the focal point offensively, but there’s certainly a chance he loses out on a few minutes per game. Still, he should be one of the best offensive players in the league once again, and Brown will want to take advantage of that in his first season at the helm. Expect plenty of points and assists from Brunson once again.

13. Josh Giddey, Chicago Bulls

Positions: PG/SG

2024-25 stats: 14.6 points, 8.1 rebounds, 7.2 assists, 1.2 steals, 1.5 three-pointers

The knee jerk reaction to the trade that sent Alex Caruso to the Thunder and Giddey to the Bulls was that OKC dominated the trade. While the addition of Caruso helped the Thunder win the championship last season, it doesn’t feel like a landslide deal anymore, thanks to the second-half emergence of Giddey, who was one of the best players in fantasy basketball after the All-Star break. It took a while, but they signed him to a four-year, $100 million contract in September. They didn’t give him superstar money, but he should play that role for them for the next few seasons, which means he could be in for a monster season in the box score.

14. De’Aaron Fox, San Antonio Spurs

Positions: PG/SG

2024-25 stats: 23.5 points, 4.8 rebounds, 6.3 assists, 1.5 steals, 1.9 three-pointers

Drama swirled around Sacramento early on last season, which resulted in Mike Brown being fired in December and Fox being traded to San Antonio in February. Fox only played in 17 games for the Spurs, with Victor Wembanyama only being available for five of those. San Antonio also added Dylan Harper with the second pick in the draft, and while he shouldn’t impact Fox’s minutes immediately, it does put his future with the team in question, which is weird to think about, since they’ve barely had him on the roster. Still, that won’t alter this season, and Fox should be in for a big year as the lead ball handler and playmaker for the most talented Spurs team in a while. The Fox-Wemby pairing should be fun to watch and only get better as the season progresses.

15. LaMelo Ball, Charlotte Hornets

Positions: PG/SG

2024-25 stats: 25.2 points, 4.9 rebounds, 7.4 assists, 1.1 steals, 3.8 three-pointers

LaMelo played 47 games last season. While that was an improvement over his two previous seasons, it still wasn’t good enough. It’s difficult to invest a premium pick into a player that has played 105 gamesover the last three seasons, but that’s the type of talent that Ball is. Charlotte added Kon Knueppel in the draft and traded for Collin Sexton, which will provide Ball with more space to operate and scorers to pass the ball to. This team is talented enough to compete for a postseason spot in the East, but like the last few seasons, it won’t happen if Ball isn’t available to play. That’s the risk every manager will take when they consider drafting him, but if he has a healthy season, the payoff will be worth it.

16. Desmond Bane, Orlando Magic

Positions: SG/SF

2024-25 stats: 19.2 points, 6.1 rebounds, 5.3 assists, 1.2 steals, 2.4 three-pointers

Bane has been a top-40 player in nine-cat leagues for each of the last four seasons, but he’ll get a fresh start in Orlando after spending the first five seasons of his career in Memphis. Bane will immediately step into a starting spot and provide Paolo Banchero and Franz Wagner with plenty of space to operate in the paint. Bane will be the third option on offense, but he should get plenty of good looks as a floor spacer while still getting the chance to orchestrate the offense. It may look different, but there’s no reason to think Bane won’t be able to replicate top-tier production for his new squad as they try to compete for the top seed in the East.

17. Dyson Daniels, Atlanta Hawks

Positions: PG/SG

2024-25 stats: 14.1 points, 5.9 rebounds, 4.4 assists, 3.0 steals, 1.1 three-pointers

There may not have been a better value pick last season than Daniels, who won the Most Improved Player award and was a finalist for Defensive Player of the Year. In his first season with Atlanta, Daniels enjoyed a breakout season and led the league in steals. The Hawks added some backcourt depth this offseason in Nickeil Alexander-Walker and Luke Kennard, but neither should impact Daniels’ place in the rotation. Daniels may not replicate his steals production from last season, but he should be among the league leaders in swipes.

18. Derrick White, Boston Celtics

Positions: PG/SG

2024-25 stats: 16.4 points, 4.5 rebounds, 4.8 assists, 0.9 steals, 1.1 blocks, 3.5 three-pointers

White ascended to fantasy stardom two years ago and was able to maintain that last season. He took slight hits across the board, but he set a new career-high for points, rebounds and three-pointers, which prevented his overall value from sinking far despite a drop in shooting percentages. Obviously, this Celtics roster is going to look quite different next season, with Jayson Tatum (Achilles) out for the season, Jrue Holiday and Kristaps Porzingis gone, Al Horford likely gone, and Anfernee Simons in town. White is now the clear best defender, and he’s still one of the best offensive players, though he may not see a usage bump with both Simons and Payton Pritchard splitting point guard duties. Still, White should remain a top-tier option in fantasy basketball once again.

19. Jamal Murray, Denver Nuggets

Positions: PG/SG

2024-25 stats: 21.4 points, 3.9 rebounds, 6.0 assists, 1.4 steals, 2.3 three-pointers

After years of injury question marks, Murray has been able to flip the narrative in recent years. His 67 games last year were the most he’s played since the 2018-19 season, and his 36.1 minutes per game were a career-high. Denver made some backcourt upgrades this offseason by bringing in Bruce Brown and Tim Hardaway Jr., but neither move should have an impact on Murray’s production. Assuming Murray is able to have another healthy season, he should be in line for another strong season after finishing in the top-20 in nine-cat value last season.

20. Darius Garland, Cleveland Cavaliers

Position: PG

2024-25 stats: 20.6 points, 2.9 rebounds, 6.7 assists, 1.2 steals, 2.8 three-pointers

Despite a slow finish to last season, Garland was still able to have a productive year, finishing in the top-50 for the third time in the last four years. It was a step up after a down year during the 2023-24 season, and he was able to address the toe issue that caused his slow finish to the year by undergoing a procedure in June. He’s expected to miss the start of the season, but it isn’t expected to be a long-term absence, though it could cause him to start the year slow.

21. Ja Morant, Memphis Grizzlies

Position: PG

2024-25 stats: 23.2 points, 4.1 rebounds, 7.3 assists, 1.2 steals, 1.8 three-pointers

Morant was in and out of the lineup all season for Memphis, but his 50 games played were a huge step up after only being available nine times the year before. However, his production took a hit across the board, including his minutes. The team fired Taylor Jenkins at the end of the season and made Tuomas Iisalo the full-time coach at the end of the year. Iisalo emphasized pick-and-rolls with Zach Edey way more than Jenkins did, which is something Morant had been asking for. Health will continue to be a concern for Morant, but he could certainly have the most productive season of his career.

22. Austin Reaves, Los Angeles Lakers

Positions: PG/SG

2024-25 stats: 20.2 points, 4.5 rebounds, 5.8 assists, 1.1 steals, 2.7 three-pointers

Reaves is coming off the most productive season of his career, and he continues to improve every year. The trade for Luka Doncic didn’t slow him down; in fact, he was even better after the deal. The Lakers made some improvements this offseason, but none that will alter the backcourt rotation. Reaves will look to replicate his late-season numbers, where he was a borderline top-25 player in fantasy basketball. It seems unlikely that he does, but if he can, he’ll end up thoroughly outplaying his ADP.

23. Immanuel Quickley, Toronto Raptors

Positions: PG/SG

2024-25 stats: 17.1 points, 3.5 rebounds, 5.8 assists, 2.6 three-pointers

When Quickley was traded to the Raptors during the 2023-24 season, he was productive during the second half of that year, which led to many expecting a breakout for him last season. Unfortunately, injuries prevented that from happening. Now, he’s healthy to start this year, and he’ll be running a team that also added Brandon Ingram, who is set to make his debut for them. Quickley could be in line to have the breakout season that was expected last year, and if he does, Toronto could compete for a postseason spot.

24. Jordan Poole, New Orleans Pelicans

Positions: PG/SG

2024-25 stats: 20.5 points, 3.0 rebounds, 4.5 assists, 1.3 steals, 3.5 three-pointers

Despite a tumultuous first season in Washington, Poole was much better last year, which resulted in him posting career-highs in points, steals and three-pointers per game. That was enough for New Orleans to trade for him this offseason and task him with being the team’s point guard while Dejounte Murray recovers from an Achilles tear. Everything went wrong for the Pelicans last season, but Poole can have a productive year as the primary playmaker for a talented team. They don’t have the rights to their 2026 first-round pick, which means there’s no incentive to tank. There’s no reason to think Poole will be at risk of being a shutdown candidate if things go poorly for New Orleans again.

25. Kyrie Irving, Dallas Mavericks

Position: PG

2024-25 stats: 24.7 points, 4.8 rebounds, 4.6 assists, 1.3 steals, 2.9 three-pointers

Irving was an important piece for Dallas last season but quickly became even more important after Luka Doncic was traded to the Lakers. He was carrying the load offensively for the Mavericks for most of February before tearing his ACL in March. Irving will miss at least the first few months of the season, if not more, but it's difficult to pass on a player that's this good for very long. D'Angelo Russell and Cooper Flagg will both help with facilitating the offense until Irving returns, but he should be an impactful player when he's healthy, especially during the fantasy playoffs.

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26. Tyler Herro, Miami Heat

Positions: PG/SG

2024-25 stats: 23.9 points, 5.2 rebounds, 5.5 assists, 0.9 steals, 3.3 three-pointers

27. Anfernee Simons, Boston Celtics

Positions: PG/SG

2024-25 stats: 19.3 points, 2.7 rebounds, 4.8 points, 0.9 steals, 3.1 three-pointers

28. Zach LaVine, Sacramento Kings

Positions: PG/SG

2024-25 stats: 23.3 points, 4.3 rebounds, 4.2 assists, 0.8 steals, 3.2 three-pointers

29. Andrew Nembhard, Indiana Pacers

Positions: PG/SG

2024-25 stats: 10.0 points, 3.3 rebounds, 5.0 assists, 1.2 steals, 0.8 three-pointers

30. Coby White, Chicago Bulls

Positions: PG/SG

2024-25 stats: 20.4 points, 3.7 rebounds, 4.5 assists, 0.9 steals, 2.9 three-pointers

31. Christian Braun, Denver Nuggets

Positions: SG/SF

2024-25 stats: 15.4 points, 5.2 rebounds, 2.6 assists, 1.1 steals, 1.1 three-pointers

32. Jalen Green, Phoenix Suns

Positions: PG/SG

2024-25 stats: 21.0 points, 4.6 rebounds, 3.4 assists, 0.9 steals, 2.9 three-pointers

33. Cam Thomas, Brooklyn Nets

Positions: SG/SF

2024-25 stats: 24.0 points, 3.3 rebounds, 3.8 assists, 2.7 three-pointers

34. Payton Pritchard, Boston Celtics

Position: PG

2024-25 stats: 14.3 points, 3.8 rebounds, 3.5 assists, 0.9 steals, 3.2 three-pointers

35. Jalen Suggs, Orlando Magic

Position: PG

2024-25 stats: 16.2 points, 4.0 rebounds, 3.7 assists, 1.5 steals, 0.9 blocks, 2.2 three-pointers

36. D’Angelo Russell, Dallas Mavericks

Position: PG

2024-25 stats: 12.6 points, 2.8 rebounds, 5.1 assists, 1.0 steal, 1.9 three-pointers

37. Bennedict Mathurin, Indiana Pacers

Positions: SG/SF

2024-25 stats: 16.1 points, 5.3 rebounds, 1.9 assists, 1.4 three-pointers

38. CJ McCollum, Washington Wizards

Positions: PG/SG

2024-25 stats: 21.1 points, 3.8 rebounds, 4.1 assists, 0.8 steals, 3.1 three-pointers

39. Bradley Beal, LA Clippers

Positions: SG/SF

2024-25 stats: 17.0 points, 3.3 rebounds, 3.7 assists, 1.1 steals, 1.9 three-pointers

40. Malik Monk, Sacramento Kings

Position: SG

2024-25 stats: 17.2 points, 3.8 rebounds, 5.6 assists, 0.9 steals, 2.1 three-pointers

41. Brandin Podziemski, Golden State Warriors

Positions: PG/SG

2024-25 stats: 11.7 points, 5.1 rebounds, 3.4 assists, 1.1 steals, 1.8 three-pointers

42. Scoot Henderson, Portland Trail Blazers

Position: PG

2024-25 stats: 12.7 points, 3.0 rebounds, 5.1 assists, 1.0 steal, 1.6 three-pointers

43. Collin Sexton, Charlotte Hornets

Positions: PG/SG

2024-25 stats: 18.4 points, 2.7 rebounds, 4.2 assists, 1.7 three-pointers

44. Jaden Ivey, Detroit Pistons

Positions: PG/SG

2024-25 stats: 17.6 points, 4.1 rebounds, 4.0 assists. 2.1 three-pointers

45. Shaedon Sharpe, Portland Trail Blazers

Positions: SG/SF

2024-25 stats: 18.5 points, 4.5 rebounds, 2.8 assists, 0.9 steals, 2.0 three-pointers

46. Dennis Schröder, Sacramento Kings

Position: PG

2024-25 stats: 13.1 points, 2.6 rebounds, 5.4 assists, 0.9 steals, 1.7 three-pointers

47. Stephon Castle, San Antonio Spurs

Positions: PG/SG

2024-25 stats: 14.7 points, 3.7 rebounds, 4.1 assists, 0.9 steals, 1.2 three-pointers

48. VJ Edgecombe, Philadelphia 76ers

Positions: SG

2024-25 stats (at Baylor): 15.0 points, 5.6 rebounds, 3.2 assists, 2.1 steals, 1.6 three-pointers

49. Keyonte George, Utah Jazz

Positions: PG/SG

2024-25 stats: 16.8 points, 3.8 rebounds, 5.6 assists, 2.6 three-pointers

50. Dejounte Murray, New Orleans Pelicans

Positions: PG/SG

2024-25 stats: 17.5 points, 6.5 rebounds, 7.4 assists, 2.0 steals, 1.7 three-pointers

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Bruce Pearl, winningest men’s basketball coach in Auburn history, announces retirement

Auburn coach Bruce Pearl announced his retirement Monday less than six months after finishing the Tigers' best season in program history with another trip to the Final Four. Pearl's 38-year-old son Steven Pearl, who has been on his father's coaching staff for all 11 seasons at Auburn, will take over as coach. "I just feel when I can’t give 100% it’s time to pass the torch,” Bruce Pearl said in a 14-minute video posted on social media.

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Rockets star Fred VanVleet tears ACL, could miss entire season: Report

Rockets star Fred VanVleet tears ACL, could miss entire season: Report originally appeared on NBC Sports Philadelphia

Houston, we have a problem.

Rockets starting point guard Fred VanVleet tore his ACL and could miss the entire 2025-26 season, ESPN’s Shams Charania first reported Monday.

The injury transpired at a recent offseason workout, Charania added.

Because of Houston’s tight cap space situation, it cannot fill its one open roster spot with a free agent due to being $1.25 million below the first apron, barring a trade.

Current available point guards on the market include Russell Westbrook, Ben Simmons and Cam Payne, among others.

It’s a significant blow for a Houston side that has hopes of rocketing into the top tier of the Western Conference following the addition of Kevin Durant alongside many young talents.

But the 31-year-old VanVleet played an underrated two-way role on the team, ranking in the top three in assists, steals and 3-pointers made. He averaged 14.1 points, 5.6 assists, 3.7 rebounds and 1.6 steals on a 37.8/34.5/81 shooting split. Not having him available likely straps them in the tier below contending.

It was his second season with Houston following a seven-year run with the Toronto Raptors. He signed a two-year, $50 million extension in June, which includes a player option for next season.

If the Rockets opt for internal solutions, head coach Ime Udoka has 2018 first-round pick Aaron Holiday and 2024 No. 3 overall pick Reed Sheppard as the next men up.

Sheppard, a Kentucky product, played 52 games as a rookie but averaged just 12.6 minutes. In that time, he posted 4.4 points a game and 1.4 assists on a 35/33/81 shooting split on 4.6/2.7/0.3 volume.