Bruce Pearl retires from college basketball with a complex legacy — and the chops for political office.
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).
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.
College basketball father-son transitions: Auburn’s Bruce Pearl, Steve Pearl the latest
With Steven Pearl taking over at Auburn for his dad, Bruce Pearl, here's some of the more notable father-to-son transitions in college basketball.
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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Your one-stop-shop for Rotoworld’s fantasy basketball draft coverage.
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.
12-Team, 9-Cat Fantasy Basketball Mock Draft 2025-26: Take Giannis Antetokounmpo and don’t look back
Starting a draft with Giannis Antetokounmpo allows you to establish your team’s strengths and weaknesses immediately.
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
Bruce Pearl, winningest basketball coach in Auburn history, announces retirement
Auburn coach Bruce Pearl announced his retirement Monday months after taking the Tigers to another NCAA Final Four.
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.
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.
Just in: Houston Rockets' Fred VanVleet has suffered a torn ACL, sources tell ESPN. A devastating, potentially season-ending loss for the Rockets with their starting point guard and leader. pic.twitter.com/Qhf0V58DwR
— Shams Charania (@ShamsCharania) September 22, 2025
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.
Who is Steven Pearl? What to know of Bruce Pearl’s son, replacement at Auburn
Bruce Pearl is retiring as the Auburn basketball coach, with his son Steven Pearl stepping into the role. Here's what to know:
Bruce Pearl record, NCAA tournament history: Coach leaves with second-most wins in Auburn history
Here's a look into Bruce Pearl's career record at Auburn, UW-Milwaukee and Tennessee as he is expected to retire from coaching.
Bruce Pearl retiring after 11 seasons as Auburn basketball coach
Bruce Pearl is retiring after 11 seasons as Auburn basketball coach and will be replaced by his son Steven Pearl this season.
Longtime Auburn basketball coach Bruce Pearl announces his retirement; his son Steven will take over
Pearl's son, Steven Pearl will take over as Auburn's head coach.
Why the 2025-26 Knicks are set up to win franchise's first NBA title in over 50 years
Nothing goes together like sports fans and saying “this is the year” when it almost certainly is not -- a tradition the Knicks’ faithful haven't genuinely participated in for decades.
However, coming off their first Conference Finals trip of the millennium with a new coach and bolstered depth, New York is giving its fans a real chance to capture this timeless delusion.
While usually safer to lower expectations, the Knicks are in a real place to compete and believe they can win their first championship in over 50 years.
Here are the reasons fans should think this is the year...
The talent is there and ready to be maximized
Let’s not forget these Knicks came an unlucky bounce and one win away from making the Finals last year, while going through the ringer in the physical Pistons, champion Celtics and eventual runner-up Pacers. They’ve returned largely the same roster, with a coaching change and some depth additions that should assure the roster is reaching its potential.
It didn’t feel that way last year and the numbers reflected it. No Jalen Brunson-led, Karl-Anthony Towns-spaced offense should finish 16th in offensive rating post Jan. 1 -- or seventh in the playoffs. And Mike Brown was brought in to help turn that around.
Assuming he adds the necessary offensive zest without jeopardizing the defense, it’s hard to find better rosters on paper. New York has two top players at its respective positions and multiple borderline All-Star level guys to support them, with some of the best bench pieces in the league when productive.
Add onto that Jordan Clarkson and Guerschon Yabusele and you have the total package. These two not only bring strong individual production, but address specific needs that should keep the returning rotation in their ideal roles and fresher overall.
The East is vulnerable
This isn’t just about how ready the Knicks are to win it all, but how unprepared the rest of their conference is. Make no mistake, anybody is susceptible in a seven-game series, but not having to seriously worry about the usual major threats inspires confidence.
The Pacers and Celtics, arguably the two biggest obstacles in the Knicks' way, will be going into this season without their best players -- Tyrese Haliburton and Jayson Tatum -- who both suffered Achilles tears during the postseason.
Without them, these two teams aren’t title contenders, and their front offices appeared to operate from that mindset this offseason, so don’t expect these guys to get rushed back, either.
Cleveland has been lurking as a top seed and high-talent threat for years, but can’t seem to win a pivotal playoff series to take them over the hump. They’ve doubled down this season and look to be New York’s biggest foe, but they’ll have to prove it first.
Giannis Antetokounmpo and Joel Embiid are still in the conference, but their teams are loaded with question marks coming off disappointing seasons.
Milwaukee may fall victim to a Giannis trade request once he gets a feel of Myles Turner as his second best player, and the 76ers need to prove they can stay relatively healthy for more than a couple of weeks.
Chips will be on shoulders
For the reasons above, the Knicks are going to be expected to compete for a championship -- both internally and externally.
This makes 2025-26 an especially pivotal one for a franchise that’s really been in a rebuilding phase until maybe last season.
Now is the time to actually win, everybody knows it, and they’ve all got a ton to prove in that pursuit.
Despite All-NBA honors and postseason domination, Brunson is constantly dismissed in top player conversations and is still having to cement his eliteness like a plucky underdog.
Like every Towns year of the past five seasons, he looked shaky defensively in the postseason and some still questioned whether a team could win with him. Mikal Bridges is tied to the pick price it took to acquire him, a value only deemed fair once he’s helped deliver a championship.
OG Anunoby signed the biggest contract in Knicks history after they traded two homegrown, fan favorite pieces to get him. Leon Rose, the man who brought all these guys together, fired the coach who helped get them here to prove this team can win it all, and the entire legacy of his era now rests on that bet.
And don’t think Brown isn’t looking to prove his championship mettle. After falling short with LeBron James and Kobe Bryant, he wants to show it was the fault of his stars and not his coaching.
Pre-camp Sixers questions: Can Sixers avoid another disastrous start to season?
Pre-camp Sixers questions: Can Sixers avoid another disastrous start to season? originally appeared on NBC Sports Philadelphia
The Sixers will travel to Abu Dhabi for preseason games vs. the Knicks on Oct. 2 and Oct. 4. They’ll begin their regular season by facing the Celtics on Oct. 22.
Before the action commences, we’re looking at key questions for the 2025-26 Sixers.
So far, we’ve covered:
- Are the Sixers about to enter a true youth movement?
- Can the Sixers be a passable rebounding team?
- Will the 2025-26 Sixers have any bargain role players?
Next up: Can the Sixers avoid another disastrous start to the season?
In retrospect, the Sixers’ 2024-25 season was over almost as soon as it started.
The injuries and losses escalated. When they were available, veterans performed poorly. The team’s game-to-game energy was uneven and frigid shooting stretches clearly seeped into the Sixers’ defensive effort.
“It’s been affecting us all year that way. … It’s hard,” Sixers head coach Nick Nurse said after a Nov. 24 blowout loss to the Clippers. “Just at the start of the game, when you see that you’re actually doing some good things and some of your better players are getting those looks and they just continually don’t go in, I think it does affect your defense in a couple of ways.
“One, you’re playing off a long rebound. And then you’re playing a little bit off of some disappointment that you did all that work to get a great shot and then it didn’t go in again. But hopefully, those will start going in.”
Nurse’s team dropped to 3-14 in its next game, an overtime defeat to the Rockets. The Sixers then strung together their best month of the season — 10-3 between Nov. 30 and Dec. 30 — but it wasn’t sustainable and the injury deluge never subsided.
As usual, the most important variable will be the health of the Sixers’ stars. The team has shown Joel Embiid and Paul George out on the floor in recent social media posts. Embiid had arthroscopic surgery on his left knee in April, George in July.
Upgraded health is no guarantee, but it’s also a rather low bar to clear after the Embiid-George duo totaled 60 games last season. The Sixers hope their youngsters help mitigate the injuries that inevitably pop up throughout the year.
As far as the Sixers’ early-season schedule, there’s pros and cons:
- The Sixers will play the Jayson Tatum-less Celtics three times in their first 11 games.
- They’ll face bottom-five Eastern Conference teams last year in four of their first nine games.
- Over the Sixers’ first 15 games, they have four back-to-backs.
- The Sixers don’t have a road trip over three games until a five-gamer between Dec. 26 and Jan. 3.
- Their first extended homestand is a six-game stay in Philadelphia from Jan. 14 to Jan. 24.
It feels like much more than two years ago, but the Sixers had a very strong start to Nurse’s first season. Following an opening-night loss to the Bucks, they won eight games in a row and sat at the top of the Eastern Conference standings.
While that sort of turnaround would exceed expectations, it’s obvious the Sixers need some sort of bounce-back start.
Ramp to Camp: Predicting the Celtics' starting five on opening night
Ramp to Camp: Predicting the Celtics' starting five on opening night originally appeared on NBC Sports Boston
With the departures of Kristaps Porzingis, Jrue Holiday, Luke Kornet, and (eventually) Al Horford — combined with the absence of a rehabbing Jayson Tatum to start the season — the Boston Celtics are without a group that combined to start 234 games last season and 474 games over the past two seasons.
The Celtics’ starting five on opening night of the 2025-26 season will feature at least three new players. Will some familiar faces slide into those spots? For the 16th installment of our Ramp to Camp series — and kicking off “Predictions Week” — we asked our panel to predict the opening night starting five for the Celtics.
Our five: Payton Pritchard, Derrick White, Jaylen Brown, Sam Hauser, and Neemias Queta.
We’re basically trotting out the remaining core of the 2024 title team and leaning heavily into both their familiarity and skill. It’s one of the few groupings that we have some actual data on from past seasons.
Our starting five has played 67 minutes together over the past two seasons with a +9.6 net rating. That includes a sizzling 144 offensive rating, per PBPstats tracking. That group shot 41 percent on 3-point attempts with a 68.7 true shooting percentage.
The bad news: That five-man unit was pretty rough on defense, giving up 168 points in 125 defended possessions. Opponents shot 41.5 percent on 3s with a 62.2 true shooting percentage.
It’s hard to pluck too much from that sample, especially when you consider their 67 minutes together was over the course of 18 games. This five never played more than nine minutes together in a game.
We have obvious concerns about rebounding with this lineup. It’s rather undersized and puts a lot of pressure on Queta to control the glass (though we’ve often joked that Pritchard might lead the team in total rebounds with his penchant for chasing down offensive caroms).
We like the idea of putting as much shooting as possible around Brown to start games, then letting newcomer Anfernee Simons get ample touches with reserve pairings. If Pritchard elevates to a starting role, the Celtics do need someone who can be the glue for a younger second unit, and it will be intriguing to see who earns Joe Mazzulla’s trust in that bench group.
Maybe you need to slide Pritchard or Hauser to bench role at some point to best balance the rotation. Maybe the Celtics need to go bigger and add size at the starting power forward spot. But to start the season, this group is getting the first crack and Mazzulla can tinker from there.
Training camp reps will be vital to figuring out exactly which players accentuate each other’s talents.
Let’s see what our panel came up with for starting fives:
Darren Hartwell, Managing Editor
Derrick White, Anfernee Simons, Jaylen Brown, Sam Hauser, Neemias Queta.
This was a harder exercise than I expected. In the backcourt, I’m choosing not to mess with a good thing and let Sixth Man of the Year Payton Pritchard be a super-sub, while White can help offset any of Simons’ defensive limitations. You could make the argument for going double-big with Chris Boucher and Queta, but Hauser’s experience earns him the nod as a stretch four for now.
Michael Hurley, Web Producer
I guess I’d go with Derrick White, Anfernee Simons, Jaylen Brown, Sam Hauser and Neemias Queta?
Like many, I’m still not entirely convinced Simons will be in Boston to start the season, but I still like the idea of Payton Pritchard coming off the bench, even if he sees a big bump in minutes.
I’ve had some fairly high expectations for the team in terms of finishing with a winning record and winning a playoff series. But now that you’ve made me spell out the starting five like this, I’m tempted to adjust ever so slightly. Brown is going to have to do so much heavy lifting.
Josh Canu, Media Editor
Derrick White, Payton Pritchard, Sam Hauser, Jaylen Brown, Neemias Queta.
This seems like the obvious choice with the way this team is constructed. Five carry-over players who Joe Mazzulla will trust and we know all can play together. An undersized lineup for sure, but I think we will have to get used to that this season.
Kevin Miller, VP, Content
Payton Pritchard, Jaylen Brown, Derrick White, Chris Boucher, Neemias Queta.
A focus on shooting with this lineup. Queta needs to be an aggressive offensive rebounder, while Brown needs to be an aggressive defensive rebounder.
Adam Hart, EP, Content Strategy
Payton Pritchard, Derrick White, Jaylen Brown, Chris Boucher, Neemias Queta.
I like the idea of Anfernee Simons leading the second unit and spreading the offensive firepower, versus packing that starting five.
Kayla Burton, Celtics Pregame Live host
Jaylen Brown, Derrick White, Sam Hauser, Anfernee Simons, Neemias Queta.
I struggled coming up with a starting five because I want to throw Payton Pritchard in there, but I think he is such a spark off the bench and thrives in that role. They also need bigger guys out there as a physical presence in the frontcourt.
Joe Mazzulla may play with the lineup early in the season to figure out his puzzle.