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NBA power rankings 2025-26: Where do teams stand after NBA offseason? Rockets, Nuggets chase Thunder at top

While there is still some offseason business to get done — where does Jonathan Kuminga land? Will Luka Doncic sign an extension with the Lakers? — the majority of rosters are now settled. We have seen the rookies at NBA Summer League. Which means, it's time for a summer edition of our NBA Power Rankings.

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1. Oklahoma City Thunder

(Last season 68-14)
The defending champions are the team everyone else is chasing — they locked up their core three (Shai Gilgeous Alexander, Jalen Williams and Chet Holmgren) with extensions and are running it back pretty much the same roster that just won 68 games and a ring. At Summer League, Ajay Mitchell looked ready for more minutes and Nikola Topic looked ready for some. This team just gets deeper and better.

2. Houston Rockets

(Last season 52-30)
It's obvious to say Kevin Durant fills in the missing piece of the puzzle in the half court that Houston lacked, that doesn't make it any less correct. That, plus the growth of their young players, makes the Rockets title contenders. Adding Dorian Finney-Smith to the rotation was one of the sneaky best pickups of the offseason, which makes the Rockets' defense and depth that much better.

3. Denver Nuggets

(Last season 50-32)
With days left in the last season, the Nuggets fired coach Michael Malone, then this offseason went out and did what he had been begging the franchise to do for years — acquire quality veterans. Jonas Valanciunas is the best backup big of the Jokic era and it's not close. Cam Johnson will be an upgrade over Michael Porter Jr. (especially defensively), and Tim Hardaway Jr. and the return of Bruce Brown are exactly what this team needed. Denver took OKC 7 in the last playoffs and improved this offseason.

4. Cleveland Cavaliers

(Last season 64-18)
I'm higher on the Cavaliers next season than a lot of people, partially because I don't put as much stock in their playoff exit as most. Darius Garland is critical to this team's success, and his trying to play through turf toe changed everything. If healthy, and with Evan Mobley taking another step forward, this team is a legit contender with Donovan Mitchell as the go-to star.

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5. Minnesota Timberwolves

(Last season 49-33)
They have been to back-to-back Western Conference Finals and Anthony Edwards is still improving — do not sleep on this team. The Timberwolves locked up Julius Randle and Naz Reid, but losing Nickeil Alexander-Walker is going to sting. A lot.

6. New York Knicks

(Last season 51-31)
The question isn't, "Is Mike Brown a better coach than Tom Thibodeau?" The question is, "Does having a different voice in Mike Brown and going deeper into the bench during the regular season make a difference?" We shall see. Brown takes over a job with more pressure than any other coach in the league.

PLAYOFFS OR BUST

7. Los Angeles Clippers

(Last season 50-32)
The Clippers have a stacked regular-season lineup. They locked up James Harden coming off an All-NBA season, and they added quality size up front in Brook Lopez and John Collins. Bradley Beal steps right into the Norman Powell role (and the team may not miss a beat). This is a big and deep roster that can rest Kawhi Leonard a fair amount during the regular season and still win a lot of games (trust Harden in the playoffs at your own peril).

8. Orlando Magic

(Last season 41-41)
Orlando had as good an offseason as any team in the league — Desmond Bane is a perfect fit for this roster. Tyus Jones is exactly what this team needs behind Jalen Suggs at the point. Keep Paolo Banchero and Franz Wagner healthy, and this team is a threat in the East. I have them as the No. 3 seed at the moment.

9. Los Angeles Lakers

(Last season 50-32)
There is always drama swirling around LeBron James and the Lakers, but don't buy into the trade talk — LeBron will be with the team when training camp opens. So will skinny Luka Doncic, and if that duo can prod Deandre Ayton to care and play hard the majority of the time, this Lakers team is a playoff threat. They are going to miss Dorian Finney-Smith and his shooting (and perimeter defense).

10. Golden State Warriors

(Last season 48-34)
If the Stephen Curry/Jimmy Butler/Draymond Green core can stay healthy and everything breaks their way, the Warriors could make a nice postseason run. Not to state the obvious, but the health of the Curry/Butler/Green core is a legit concern. The Golden State Warriors receive an incomplete grade for their offseason until the Jonathan Kuminga situation is resolved (they currently only have nine players on the roster for next season; there is work to be done here).

11. Milwaukee Bucks

(Last season 48-34)
Giannis Antetokounmpo said he would "probably" return to the Bucks, which feels like an understatement (he added, "I love Milwaukee"). It doesn't matter how many teams are monitoring the situation if he doesn't force his way out, and it doesn't appear he will this summer. Myles Turner is an upgrade over Brook Lopez at this point in their careers. However, the Bucks need another ball handler and shot creator at the two/three slot, or there is a serious ceiling on this team.

12. Atlanta Hawks

(Last season 40-42)
No team had a better offseason than Atlanta, which is why they jump in these rankings to what would be the fifth seed in the East. Nickeil Alexander-Walker is a fantastic fit at guard, bringing needed shooting and defense, while Luke Kennard adds more shooting. If he's healthy, Kristaps Porzingis brings the shot-blocking presence this team needs, plus he will be a great pick-and-pop partner with Trae Young. The biggest Atlanta addition: Getting Jalen Johnson healthy. Throw in the expected growth from Zaccharie Risacher and Atlanta looks like a team that could make some noise in the East.

13. Detroit Pistons

(Last season 44-38)
This ranking almost feels too low for a team that announced its arrival last season, but did they do enough to move up? Despite rumors, there were no big, bold moves by the Pistons this offseason — the team has no Robin to Cade Cunningham's Batman — but Caris LeVert and Duncan Robinson will fit in well as role players.

14. Philadelphia 76ers

(Last season 24-58)
This ranking is either way too low or way too high. If Joel Embiid and Paul George are healthy next season, the 76ers are title contenders; if it's another season of them looking older and injured, the lottery is in their future. VJ Edgecombe showcased his athleticism at Summer League, and he, Tyrese Maxey, and Jared McCain form an impressive young trio that could be the future in Philly. But first, the present needs to play out.

15. San Antonio Spurs

(Last season 34-48)
Victor Wembanyama is healthy and cleared following the resolution of the blood clot issue in his shoulder. If the Spurs' "problem" is figuring out how to fit De'Aaron Fox, Dylan Harper and Stephon Castle together in the same backcourt, that's a good problem to have. We'll get a feel for what the Spurs think of their future direction next month when it's time for Fox to receive a contract extension.

16. Memphis Grizzlies

(Last season 48-34)
The Grizzlies will miss Desmond Bane, but if Kentavious Caldwell-Pope finds his rhythm again in Memphis he can help mitigate a lot of that. Memphis locked up Jaren Jackson Jr. and they made a quality pickup in Ty Jerome. If Ja Morant can stay healthy and find a little more efficiency, this ranking may prove too low.

17. Boston Celtics

(Last season 61-21).
Jayson Tatum may be sidelined for most (if not all) of next season, and Jrue Holiday and Kristaps Porzingis are gone, but there is still talent on this roster. Jaylen Brown is poised for a big season with a larger shot creation role, Derrick White is still out there knocking down clutch shots, plus Anfernee Simons is going to get them some buckets. This team is not a contender, but it's also not a pushover this season.

18. Dallas Mavericks

(Last season 39-43)
Cooper Flagg lived up to the hype at Summer League, and what impressed most is that it wasn't just his scoring — that was up and down in terms of efficiency, which is to be expected in his first year — but it was his defense and playmaking that stood out. With D'Angelo Russell at the point, and if Anthony Davis can stay healthy, this is a solid team that should improve as the year goes on.

Play-In Hopefuls

19. Miami Heat

(Last season 37-45)
Trading for Norman Powell from the Clippers was a steal, he is exactly what Miami needs as a secondary shot creator next to Tyler Herro and Bam Adebayo. That said, this was a middle-of-the-pack Heat team last season that made no bold moves, no massive upgrades, leaving them in the same spot they were a year ago.

20. Toronto Raptors

(Last season 30-52)
This team certainly has talent — Scottie Barnes, Brandon Ingram, Immanuel Quickly, RJ Barrett — but that talent overlaps more than fits together. This just feels like an oddly constructed team. And among all that good talent, is there a true No. 1 option on a playoff team? The Jakob Poeltl re-signing makes sense on the court, but it felt like an overpay.

21. Portland Trail Blazers

(Last season 36-46)
Damian Lillard's return home is heartwarming, but it doesn't help the team on the court this season. However, that team is interesting, potentially good, and may make this ranking look too low. Their starting five opening night could be Jrue Holiday, Shaedon Sharpe, Deni Avdija, Jerami Grant and Donovan Clingan, with Scoot Henderson, Toumani Camara and maybe some Yang Hansen off the bench (his passing is infectious for a team's offense, but his defense and strength need work to get serious NBA rotation minutes). We'll see if the post All-Star Game run from last season can extend into this one.

22. Chicago Bulls

(Last season 39-43)
What exactly is the plan in Chicago? Still trying to figure that out. Turning Lonzo Ball into Isaac Okoro isn't exactly an upgrade. At least the Bulls are negotiating with Josh Giddey and not just handing him the bag (ala Patrick Williams). The Bulls and Giddey remain about $6-$10 million a season apart on reaching a new deal (Giddey is seeking $30 million a season, the Bulls are thinking low $20 millions). No. 12 pick Noa Essengue had a rough first game at the Las Vegas Summer League but looked better getting to his shot as he played more games. Despite all those questions, this ranking might be too low for a team that should more likely hover around .500.

23. Sacramento Kings

(Last season 40-42)
It's just a matter of fit. Bringing in veteran Dennis Schroder to run the point is a solid move on one level — he's a quality NBA rotation one — but he's not a feared shooter. Play him with DeMar DeRozan and Domantas Sabonis, and teams can just pack the paint and dare the Kings to beat them from 3. This is another team where the long-term plan is unclear, despite having some talent on the roster. What's the vision? On the bright side, rookies Maxime Raynaud and Nique Clifford have looked pretty good at Summer League.

24. Indiana Pacers

(Last season 50-32)
This will be the Andrew Nembhard team for a season (while Tyrese Haliburton recovers from his torn Achilles, the ball will be in his hands). Pascal Siakam will also be asked to do more shot creation, and with that, he should see a bump in his stats. Jay Huff is a solid signing at center, but this team lacks a defensive presence in the paint. It's going to be a rough year in Indy after such a magical run a year ago.

25. Charlotte Hornets

(Last season 19-63)
Charlotte had a good offseason, that doesn't mean they are a good team yet — although they could well be a play-in or maybe playoff team if LaMelo Ball can stay healthy for 65+ games. At least there seems to be a plan under new ownership and a new front office. Collin Sexton was a solid pickup for next to nothing. No. 4 pick Kon Knueppel's shooting is needed and he can slot next to Ball and Brandon Miller. I like just drafted center Ryan Kalkbrenner, he impressed me at Summer League with his defense.

Dreaming of Lottery Luck (already)

26. Washington Wizards

(Last season 18-64)
There are some interesting young players on this roster: Bub Carrington, Alex Sarr, Bilal Coulibaly, Cam Whitmore, Keyshawn George, and the just-drafted Tre Johnson (who is fun to watch because he has yet to meet a shot he doesn't like). The concern: At one point at the Las Vegas Summer League, the Wizards rolled out a five-man lineup of guys who will get minutes on the team this fall, and they got run out of the building by the summer Suns (not exactly a powerhouse squad). It's concerning. Still, this is a team with a plan and making better decisions than it did a couple of years ago.

27. New Orleans Pelicans

(Last season 21-61)
There are so many inconsistent players on this roster, but if everything clicks this ranking will be WAY too low. That starts with Zion Williamson staying healthy, which remains the pivot point with this team. Then there's the need for a good Jordan Poole season, both Trey Murphy II and Herb Jones staying healthy and playing well on the wings, and rookies Jeremiah Fears and Derik Queen contributing. That's a lot of "if" that have to come together this season, and don't get started on the long term.

28. Phoenix Suns

(Last season 36-46)
Phoenix had a relatively good offseason considering they reset the roster and started to retool around Devin Booker. That doesn't mean they got better. Kevin Durant is in Houston, Bradley Beal will be an anchor on their books for five years but is in Los Angeles, and Booker is now locked up for another two years. Jalen Green is going to get a lot of shots. Rookie Khaman Maluach showed promise at Summer League, but also reminded everyone that he is a bit of a project that will take some time to live up to his potential.

29. Brooklyn Nets

(Last season 26-56)
This is what rebuilding should look like, but it's going to be a rough season on the court. The trade to acquire Michael Porter Jr. was a good one — he is going to put up points (inconsistently, but points nonetheless) this season, and that 2032 Denver first-round pick is gold. Egor Demin and especially Nolan Traore impressed with their potential at Summer League, but they are rookies learning the game. Whatever the over is on Cam Thomas' shots, bet it (the sides will work out the restricted free agency before the season begins).

30. Utah Jazz

(Last season 17-65)
This is what a rebuilding team should be doing, but it will likely result in a rough season on the court. Trading away John Collins and Collin Sexton is the latest sign the team will turn the keys over to young players (Lauri Markkanen remains, unless they get blown away by a trade offer). Ace Bailey is a project but immensely talented, while Walter Clayton showed some potential at the Las Vegas Summer League. Kyle Filipowski might have been the best player in Las Vegas and looks ready for a bigger role and minutes this season.

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Report: Jonathan Kuminga's representation explored Warriors-Bulls trade options

Report: Jonathan Kuminga's representation explored Warriors-Bulls trade options originally appeared on NBC Sports Bay Area

While the Jonathan Kuminga situation has the Warriors stuck at a standstill, it appears there was an effort on the player’s side to facilitate a move to an Eastern Conference team.

Kuminga’s representation explored sign-and-trade scenarios that would allow the Chicago Bulls to acquire the 22-year-old wing while also retaining restricted-free agent point guard Josh Giddey, NBA Insider Jake Fischer reported during a livestream on Bleacher Report’s YouTube page on Thursday.

Fischer also noted that a deal between these two teams would’ve made more sense for Golden State had the Warriors been able to receive point guard Lonzo Ball from Chicago in return, which now is impossible as the veteran point guard instead was traded to the Cleveland Cavaliers earlier this month.

Fischer’s report also indicated doubt the Warriors are interested in veteran big man Nikola Vučević, citing hesitancy around Golden State’s enthusiasm in potentially losing Kuminga for a player on an expiring contract.

The Warriors are the only NBA team who has yet to add or re-sign a player in free agency, with the lack of moves likely being directly tied to a lack of a resolution in the ongoing Kuminga saga.

While it appears there at minimum was diligence done on a deal that would have sent Kuminga to the Windy City, there likely will need to be another avenue for a viable solution to conclude the ongoing saga that has put Golden State’s offseason plans on hold for the moment.

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Kings reportedly interested in former No. 1 pick Ben Simmons in NBA free agency

Kings reportedly interested in former No. 1 pick Ben Simmons in NBA free agency originally appeared on NBC Sports Bay Area

The Kings reportedly are interested in signing free-agent point guard Ben Simmons.

The three-time NBA All-Star has received interest from Sacramento, per multiple reports, along with other teams such as the New York Knicks.

“For Ben Simmons, the two teams we’re hearing for him still are Sacramento and New York,” NBA insider Jake Fischer said. “We are still anticipating the Kings to be bringing in another veteran guard, and Ben Simmons is on that list of potential targets in addition to Russell Westbrook, to Malcolm Brogdon.”

Simmons, the No. 1 overall pick in the 2016 NBA Draft, has struggled with injuries over the last few seasons. A disk issue has stymied the 28-year-old, forcing him to miss significant time and sapping much of the dynamic playmaking ability that made him one of the elite players coming into the league.

Still, Simmons would easily fit into Sacramento’s lineup, so a potential partnership isn’t out of the question.

“Some of the chatter I’ve heard out there a little bit, and I’m wondering what price he might come at… Ben Simmons is still out there,” NBC Sports California’s and ESPN’s Mark Jones told Jason Ross on Sactown Sports. “He’d be great in the type of style that the Kings might want to run this year.”

Simmons played in 51 games and averaged 5.0 points, 5.6 assists and 4.7 rebounds for the Los Angeles Clippers and Brooklyn Nets last season. While the numbers are a far cry from his production before the back injury, the 28-year-old has plenty of talent and veteran savvy to make an impact for the Kings.

While Simmons might never regain his All-Star form, he can provide solid ball movement and steady defense when needed. Given that Sacramento still is in the market for another free agent, Simmons definitely is an option for first-year general manager Scott Perry.

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Celtics made contract offer to Lillard before he chose Blazers: Report

Celtics made contract offer to Lillard before he chose Blazers: Report originally appeared on NBC Sports Boston

The Boston Celtics were not able to sign Damian Lillard as a free agent, but the latest reporting indicates that they did make an attempt.

Lillard has agreed to a three-year, $42 million contract to return to the Portland Trail Blazers, ESPN’s Shams Charania reported Thursday. He played the first 11 seasons of his career with the Blazers after they drafted him with the No. 6 overall pick in 2012. The Blazers traded him to the Milwaukee Bucks before the 2023-24 campaign.

The Celtics and Minnesota Timberwolves were among the teams that made offers to Lillard, per Charania.

“He was going to spend the year rehabbing his Achilles tear in the Portland area anyway, so returning to the Blazers franchise, even though he requested a trade just two years ago, was something he deeply cared about,” Charania said Friday on SportsCenter.

“Boston, Minnesota, dozens of other teams had minimum and mid-level exception offers out to Damian Lillard in the last several weeks.”

Lillard tore his Achilles during the Bucks’ first-round playoff series against the Indiana Pacers in April, and as a result, he could miss the entire 2025-26 season.

The Bucks waived Lillard in early July, allowing him to become an unrestricted free agent and sign with any team.

Lillard would have been a nice addition to the Celtics roster. Even at 35 years old, he’s still a very good scorer. He averaged 24.9 points per game for the Bucks last season. But many other teams, including the Blazers, were able to offer Lillard more money than the Celtics.

“Dame probably wasn’t going to go somewhere for the minimum. Superstar players just don’t do that, even when they’re older and coming off an Achilles injury,” our Celtics insider Chris Forsberg said Thursday on NBC Sports Boston show Arbella Early Edition, as seen in the video player above.

“I just never really thought it was a thing Boston could pull off. (But) it’s a call you have to make when you’re in a position the Celtics are, and you need to take some swings at low-cost guys who have some high upside if everything broke right.”

The Celtics still need more frontcourt depth after losing Kristaps Porzingis and Luke Kornet this offseason. Al Horford is still a free agent.

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Warriors' Steph Curry issues Devin Booker golf challenge after losing rare bet

Warriors' Steph Curry issues Devin Booker golf challenge after losing rare bet originally appeared on NBC Sports Bay Area

Steph Curry hilariously issued Phoenix Suns star Devin Booker a golf challenge after the Warriors superstar himself lost a bet on the green to content creator Gabriella Degasperis, more commonly known as GabbyGolfGirl.

Here’s what Curry said on FaceTime with Booker, as shown in GabbyGolfGirl’s latest YouTube video from her recent matchup with Golden State’s finest in Palo Alto.

“So, uhh, I’m out here on the golf course, and I just lost a bet, and I had to pay it up,” Curry told Booker, alongside the internet sensation. “You’re the most amazing teammate that anybody could have, so I figured you’d come in and help me out. 

“I’m here with GabbyGolfGirl … I lost a little 1-v-1 nine-hole match to Gabby. Nine holes, we went all square and then I lost the chip-off at the end. And so, I was going to have her caddie for me with like the biggest, heaviest tour bag you’ve ever seen in your life. But I lost, and now she is going to now get to play against you in a 1-v-1 match at some point.”

GabbyGolfGirl owns Curry, apparently. 

Curry blew his opportunity to make his new rival carry the heaviest bag of golf gear and followed through on what seemingly was Degasperis’ end of the deal, which is a future match with Booker.

The pair of NBA stars were Team USA basketball teammates during the iconic 2024 Paris Summer Olympics in which the Americans brought home gold. Curry, then, had the chance to get to know Booker better as a teammate and travel partner.

But while Curry described Booker as a world-class teammate, that doesn’t mean the face of the Suns is going to be Mr. Nice Guy. Booker let Curry and Degasperis know that he won’t be messing around against GabbyGolfGirl, and the Warriors star backed the sentiment.

“By the way, [Booker] is going to get the appropriate amount of strokes, and this man is balling right now on the golf course,” Curry said on FaceTime. “So I’m just going to let you (Degasperis) know that. He’s locked in.”

Time will tell if Booker can defeat GabbyGolfGirl on behalf of hoopers-turned-golfers everywhere.

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Watch Warriors star Steph Curry's great reflexes during bizarre fan encounter

Watch Warriors star Steph Curry's great reflexes during bizarre fan encounter originally appeared on NBC Sports Bay Area

Steph Curry’s lightning-quick reflexes aren’t limited to the basketball court.

The Warriors superstar showed off his incredible reaction speed during a bizarre encounter with a fan at a San Jose supermarket Friday.

A fan threw a golf ball at Curry — presumably hoping the two-time NBA MVP would grace it with an autograph — but the delivery was far from gracious, with the ball being thrown at an unnecessarily high velocity toward the star point guard’s head.

Here’s the same angle, but in slow motion.

Curry was at a Safeway supermarket in San Jose promoting the beverage company, “Plezi,” a nutritional sports beverage that touts its “real ingredients” with no added sugars. Curry’s appearance also allowed fans an opportunity to take a photo with the Golden State legend, hence the large crowd on hand lining up around the block well before his arrival.

Thankfully, Curry’s rapid response to the incoming golf ball helped avoid what could have been a catastrophic incident. Moving forward, hopefully there now is an understanding not to throw objects of any kind near the personal vicinity of the four-time NBA champion.

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ESPN has Nique Clifford, not Cooper Flagg, as best rookie at NBA Summer League

ESPN has Nique Clifford, not Cooper Flagg, as best rookie at NBA Summer League originally appeared on NBC Sports Bay Area

It hasn’t taken long for Kings rookie Nique Clifford to turn heads league-wide.

The 23-year-old, whom Sacramento traded to acquire No. 24 overall in the 2025 NBA Draft, was listed by ESPN’s Kevin Pelton as the No. 1 rookie who stood out at NBA Summer League in Las Vegas.

Clifford is listed just above 2025 No. 1 overall pick Cooper Flagg, who ranked second on Pelton’s list. Charlotte Hornets forward Liam McNeeley is third.

Pelton referred to Clifford as one of “the most polished rookies” in this year’s draft class after he averaged 18.5 points, 6.5 rebounds and 5.0 assists in four games with Sacramento so far this summer.

Clifford also is shooting 53 percent from the 3-point line.

Pelton believes Clifford’s “savvy playmaking” will be a strength for Sacramento as the rookie’s career progresses.

Clifford’s showing helped lead the Kings to a flawless 4-0 record, as five other teams also finished with an undefeated 4-0 record. However, based on tiebreak procedures, only the Kings, Oklahoma City Thunder, Hornets and Toronto Raptors claimed a spot in the semifinals.

Sacramento will play the Raptors on Saturday at 1 p.m. PT. The championship game will be played Sunday at 7 p.m. PT.

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Jeff Teague ranks Steph Curry above Magic Johnson on all-time NBA top-100 list

Jeff Teague ranks Steph Curry above Magic Johnson on all-time NBA top-100 list originally appeared on NBC Sports Bay Area

Bleacher Report ranked Steph Curry as the 10th-best NBA player of all time and Magic Johnson the fourth-best in an article published Monday, and Jeff Teague wasn’t having it.

The retired 12-year veteran explained Wednesday on his “Club 520” podcast why the Warriors legend should be ranked above the Los Angeles Lakers icon and considered the game’s greatest point guard.

“I’m taking Steph over Magic Johnson,” Teague said. “I know Magic saved the league — him and Larry Bird saved the NBA — I get it. So there’s no disrespect. Magic made it cool to be a big point guard. But Steph saved everybody. 

“Steph is the best PG of all time. [Johnson] was cold. He backed people down. He deserves to be in the top 10. But he should be 10; [Johnson and Curry] could switch. What he did at 6-foot-3, bro. Like, think about Magic Johnson. He was going to be able to play anyway because he’s 6-foot-9 — could’ve played center, he could’ve played anywhere.”

Teague saw Johnson as an electric, versatile facilitator who helped save the NBA alongside Bird in an era that needed big-time stardom and rivalry. But Teague simply sees Curry as a world-changer.

Curry changed basketball forever with his 3-point prowess. He has made 4,058 triples over 16 regular seasons and still is going. Johnson, in his day, made just 325 over 13 campaigns, after the NBA introduced the 3-point line during his rookie 1979-80 season.

“I think that Steph Curry changed the game in a way where he made it beneficial for the world,” Teague said. “If you can shoot just half as good as Steph Curry, you can be in the NBA. Magic is still cold because he can play any position. If he were a four-man today, he’s cold; he’d be another version of Draymond Green, all these guys that can play point guard [and] forward.”

Teague’s argument is a good one. Though, the retired veteran added that he would take Curry over Johnson in a hypothetical one-on-one matchup.

“Have you ever seen Magic Johnson move? He had no chance in hell guarding Steph Curry,
Teague humorously added. “And Steph’s liable to get 60. I mean, he’s shooting that [3-point shot]; I’ll take my chances with him shooting all 2s.”

Boom.

The Curry-Johnson debate probably will live forever. But Teague’s stance is hard to refute.

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Damian Lillard's Trail Blazers return draws one-word Buddy Hield reaction

Damian Lillard's Trail Blazers return draws one-word Buddy Hield reaction originally appeared on NBC Sports Bay Area

Buddy Hield had an interesting take on Damian Lillard’s return to the Trail Blazers.

After ESPN’s Shams Charania broke the news of Lillard’s three-year, $42 million contract with Portland on social media, the Warriors guard commented, “Real,” on Charania’s Instagram post.

While there had been rumors that Lillard, who grew up in Oakland, could return home to the Bay Area and sign with Golden State, the 35-year-old wound up signing with the team that drafted him.

Lillard faces an arduous path back to the NBA after rupturing his Achilles tendon in April. An injury of that magnitude requires extensive rehab, putting his ability to suit up for Portland during the 2025-2026 NBA season in jeopardy.

The Milwaukee Bucks waived Lillard this offseason, stretching the remainder of the $113 million left on his contract over the next five years, which paved the way for his return to Portland.

Hield and the Warriors held off on making any big moves during the offseason, with the belief that the core of Jimmy Butler, Draymond Green and Steph Curry can lead the team to another championship.

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Forsberg: Expect Celtics to do more roster ‘tinkering' this offseason

Forsberg: Expect Celtics to do more roster ‘tinkering' this offseason originally appeared on NBC Sports Boston

The Boston Celtics have done plenty of heavy lifting this offseason to overhaul their roster. But that doesn’t mean their work is done.

After replacing four members of their 2024 championship core — Jrue Holiday (trade), Kristaps Porzingis (trade), Luke Kornet (free agency) and Al Horford (expected to sign elsewhere) — with the likes of Anfernee Simons, Georges Niang, Luka Garza and Josh Minott, the Celtics shed a significant amount of salary but still are barely over the second apron of the NBA’s luxury tax.

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As president of basketball operations Brad Stevens has clearly stated, Boston’s goal is to get under that second apron to avoid punitive-building roster penalties, which means at least one minor move is coming. But with superstar Jayson Tatum sidelined indefinitely with a ruptured Achilles tendon, Stevens and Co. could opt for more drastic changes to further cut costs and reset the roster.

“You still have salary to trim, even if it’s just a little to get off that second apron,” Celtics Insider Chris Forsberg explained Thursday on Arbella Early Edition. “I just think there’s going to be bigger cuts.”

The C’s also are heavy on guards and wings but light in the frontcourt, which currently features Neemias Queta, Xavier Tillman Sr., Garza and rookie Amari Williams. So from a practical standpoint, it would make sense to explore trading for a big man.

“I do look at this roster, and it’s still a little bit unbalanced,” Forsberg said. “We’ve got to see what emerges in that frontcourt. I think there’s some tinkering left to do here if the right deals emerge.”

Recent additions Simons and Niang — who are making $27.7 million and $8.2 million, respectively, on expiring contracts in 2025-26 — are logical trade candidates, while Sam Hauser’s name has been floated in rumors as well. The question is what the market looks like for these players, and whether Stevens feels there’s more value in waiting until the season to explore potential deals.

“I think Brad was pretty honest when he when he met with us last week and said they don’t want to sacrifice draft assets to move off money,” Forsberg added. “But I do think as you get into the season, some of those conversations will change, and teams’ needs will change around the league, and maybe that will open up opportunities.”

Regardless of how that market develops, Forsberg believes we’ll see at least one more shoe drop in Boston over the next few months.

“I would be very surprised if the roster we see here on July 17th is the same one that’s there on October 17th when the team tips off the season,” he added.

Check out Forsberg’s full discussion with Trenni Casey and Kayla Burton on Early Edition below.

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Warriors draft pick Will Richard looks like a steal after NBA Summer League

Warriors draft pick Will Richard looks like a steal after NBA Summer League originally appeared on NBC Sports Bay Area

The goal will be simple when the Warriors step on the court Saturday in Las Vegas for their eighth and final Summer League game. Get to the final horn in excellent health.

After seven games, including three in the California Classic, significant decisions are at least 80-percent settled. Several players showed enough for further evaluation but only one appears ready to compete for a role in the NBA.

Guard Will Richard, three months removed from winning a national championship at the University of Florida, has a chance to contribute for Golden State. Maybe as a rookie.

Though six games, Richard is averaging team-highs in minutes (23.9 per game), scoring (11.5 points) and steals (1.7). He’s shooting 42.4 percent (25-of-59) from the field, and only 20.7 percent (6-of-29) from deep. The Warriors anticipate his 3-ball to come around, a 6-foot-4 guard shooting 63.3 percent inside the arc – and 92.9 from the line – is testimony to finding buckets.

After shooting 9 of 26 from the field and 2 of 11 from deep in his first two games, during the California Classic, Richard’s efficiency has trended up since the season moved to Vegas. He’s shooting 48.5 percent from the field, 22.2 percent from distance and an astonishing 80 percent inside the arc.

And it’s not as if the NBA Warriors are blessed with a surplus of finishers in the paint.

“It’s clear,” Warriors Summer League coach Lainn Wilson told reporters in Vegas this week, “that he’s starting to look a little more comfortable.”

Beyond the numbers, what seems particularly valuable to Golden State is Richard’s relentless energy and considerable defensive aptitude, which are packaged with the kind of composure that develops over 105 starts for an elite college program.

With Stephen Curry, Jimmy Butler III and Draymond Green accounting for more than 80 percent of the 2025-26 payroll, the Warriors are limited to supporting their core by adding relatively cheap labor. A taxpayer midlevel exception, and then vet minimums and youngsters on rookie deals. They were in no position to offer Kevon Looney the two-year, $16 million contract he signed with the New Orleans Pelicans – especially when the front office feels good about the chance to add veteran center Al Horford.

With unrestricted free agent Gary Payton II still on the market, the Warriors do not have a strong point-of-attack defender. There still is a chance GP II returns, according to league sources, but it would be at a significant reduction from his $9.1 million salary last season.

Knowing Payton could hit the market after the 2022 NBA Finals championship, the Warriors shopped for a POA defender in the ‘22 draft, snagging Ryan Rollins in the second round. He was shipped out a year later in the Chris Paul trade and now is in Milwaukee.

The Warriors brought in De’Anthony Melton, who has strong defensive credentials, last season, only to lose him three weeks into the season to a torn ACL. He’ll be back in the league next season, and the Warriors are at his door.

Which brings us back to Richard. At 6-foot-4, with a 6-foot-10 wingspan, he shows the kind of two-way effectiveness coach Steve Kerr and his staff are craving. He’s 22 years old and probably would have the lowest salary on the roster. For someone who was the 56th overall selection in the 2025 draft, he plays like a keeper.

Yes, Golden State’s primary goal against the Cleveland Cavaliers (4:30 p.m. on NBA TV) in the consolation game Saturday at Cox Pavilion is to escape unscathed. It offers the Warriors one more look at Richard in “game conditions” before training camp. As if they need it.

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Cooper Flagg’s NBA soft launch showed the spotlight fits just fine

Cooper Flagg of the Dallas Mavericks looks during the first half of NBA Summer League game against the San Antonio Spurs at the Thomas & Mack Center on Saturday in Las Vegas, Nevada.Photograph: Ethan Miller/Getty Images

“I would say that might be one of the worst games of my life,” Cooper Flagg told reporters last Thursday night. “But we got the win, so that’s what really matters to me.” It was a telling statement from the 18-year-old basketball phenom after his first Las Vegas Summer League game. The No 1 overall pick in this year’s NBA draft – taken by the Dallas Mavericks after a one-and-done college career at Duke – didn’t have nearly as disastrous a debut as he made out. Though he struggled to shoot the ball, Flagg still managed to flash his playmaking and defensive range. Clearly hyperaware to the moment and the hype surrounding his technical NBA debut, he looked determined to put on a show: aggressively hunting his shot and seeking out highlight-reel dunks at every opportunity.

Related: Cooper Flagg: the 17-year-old ‘cold-ass white boy’ breaking the basketball discourse

He bounced back with 31 points in his second (and ultimately final) Summer League appearance on Saturday. But it was the second-half of his comment after Thursday night’s game that encapsulates why Flagg is one of the most hyped teenage prospects in decades: the kid is a winner.

The buzz around Flagg began in his native Maine, where he became the first freshman to win the state’s Gatorade Player of the Year award. He transferred to Montverde Academy in Florida after his first year of high school in search of stiffer competition, and the accolades continued to accumulate: McDonald’s All American, Gatorade National Player of the Year, even USA Basketball’s Male Athlete of the Year, the youngest to earn the honor since the award’s inception in 1980. Long compared to Kevin Garnett and Jayson Tatum for his two-way skillset and relentless work ethic, Flagg reclassified to enter college a year early – and did the same a second time to reach the NBA sooner. With every challenge cleared, he’s sought the next one with even greater urgency.

In a 2024 feature on Flagg for the Ringer, J Kyle Mann described the 6ft 9in, 205lb Swiss army knife as “running toward the grind”, a sentiment longtime Mavericks beat writer Tim Cato echoes in Vegas this week when I ask for his assessment of the teenager. “What really stands out to me about Cooper is he has always ascended,” Cato says. “He loves to cite a quote from his mom, ‘If you’re the best player in the gym, you need to find a new gym.’ And I just think that shows up in every aspect of his career.”

That dogged commitment to improvement has made Flagg both more polished and more reserved than many of his peers. The Tatum comparisons, one could argue, are as apt behind the microphone as they are on the court. His answers can feel a little too polished, the jagged edges sanded down. He lacks the off-the-cuff charisma of an Anthony Edwards or the unfiltered snarl of a Garnett. There’s little brashness, no “face of the league” bravado – just focus. When I asked him after his monster second Vegas appearance, where he punctuated what felt like every five minutes of play with a poster dunk and looked every part the budding superstar, what he dreams about when he lets his imagination run wild over the potential of his NBA career, he had an aw-shucks answer seemingly in the can. “I’m not getting too far ahead of myself. I haven’t really thought about that too much,” he said. “I’m kind of just focused on each individual day and just trying to get better. I know I have a really long way to go, and a lot to improve on.”

Related: Cooper Flagg will go No 1 in the NBA draft. He also broke the Duke supervillain stereotype

“That focus is what stands out most about Cooper,” says Cato. “Sometimes even to his detriment. When he says stuff like ‘I’m not really into music,’ he just seems like a guy solely consumed with basketball and challenging himself to reach new heights.”

Flagg could do a lot worse than ending up a rough equivalent of Tatum, of course: an arguable top-five player who is a year removed from an NBA championship. He would probably be quite pleased with that trajectory (and, it’s worth noting, the New Englander grew up a Celtics fan). But some insiders see an even loftier ceiling. One NBA executive told me Flagg was “the most skilled and hardest-working prospect in either of his Summer League games”, adding: “He has a pretty strong case as the most complete 18-year-old player since LeBron James.”

What impressed most in Flagg’s debut wasn’t any single element. It was the totality: the aggression, the poise, the basketball IQ, the defense, the size, the athleticism. Flagg is poised to make his formal regular-season debut in October as a ready-made, plug-and-play contributor with superstar upside. Against all odds, a Mavericks organization just months removed from the Luka Dončić saga appears, indeed, to have hit the lottery.

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Winners, Losers from Damian Lillard’s return to Portland Trail Blazers

Within minutes of Damian Lillard's shocking release by the Milwaukee Bucks this summer, speculation about a landing spot began. The first names to come up were places he had expressed interest in previously — Portland and Miami — but not long after Golden State, Boston and the Los Angeles Lakers emerged as teams with interest. This was expected to be a long, slow process, during which Lillard would spend time recovering from his torn Achilles and considering his options.

It didn't take long — Lillard is returning to Portland on a three-year, $42 million contract.

That starts with him making $14 million from Portland this season — on top of the $54.1 million Milwaukee bought him out of. That's $68 million in this season, which he will miss most — and most likely all — of recovering.

Let's break down the winners and losers from this move — and it's pretty much all winners.

WINNER: Trail Blazers fans/basketball fans

This is an emotionally satisfying result.

Lillard could have spent this season rehabbing, watching how the league played out, then signed where he thought he had the best chance to chase a ring. Or, he could have waited and started a bidding war next summer to see who would pay him the most money and chased the almighty dollar.

Instead, he chose to follow his heart — he didn't wait and he chose the city he loves and that his family calls home, the franchise where he will go down as the greatest player in its history (all due respect to Bill Walton and Clyde Drexler). This is just good for sports.

It's been a good summer for Blazers fans. The franchise is being sold, a long overdue move. Adam Silver stated in Las Vegas this week that the league prefers not to see the team relocate cities (a polite way of saying it's not going anywhere), and the new owners will need to build a new arena. They drafted Yang Hansen, who may or may not pan out, but is infectious to watch.

And now Damian Lillard is coming home.

WINNER: Damian Lillard

When Damian Lillard was first traded to Milwaukee he was excited — he got to play with Giannis Antetokounmpo on a contender. This was an opportunity for him to cement his legacy with a ring.

Turns out, the grass isn't always greener on the other side. Lillard learned that the hard way and struggled to adjust to life away from his family, which remained in Portland.

Milwaukee cutting Lillard lose means he had total control of whatever happened next: He could go where he wanted, when he wanted, and for as much money as he could get in the process. He got to set the priorities.

Portland was the priority. Lillard gets what he wants, and at essentially the mid-level exception, even for the year he is rehabbing. That's a fair price.

WINNER: Portland’s Young Stars

Mentoring young players matters. As talented as someone entering the league might be, having a professional organization and veteran presence in the locker room that shows them how to be an NBA player matters.

Scoot Henderson, Toumani Camara, Donovan Clingan, Shaedon Sharpe, Yang Hansen and the rest of the young Blazers now have Damian Lillard and Jrue Holiday in the locker room — two high-level, consummate pros.

This is only good for Portland in the long run.

LOSERS: Teams that struck out on Lillard

These teams lost out, but it's not fair to call them losers — they were never going to win this sweepstakes.

Still, the Miami Heat had flirted with Lillard going back to his trade out of Portland, he would have been a great fit next season. Boston reportedly showed interest, with Jayson Tatum handling the recruiting himself. It's not hard to imagine Tatum's pitch: "We know what it takes to get a ring, with your shooting and playmaking, when we reload in a year you can get your ring."

The Warriors were reportedly interested, and a backcourt featuring Stephen Curry and Damian Lillard would be fearsome. The Lakers reportedly showed interest, and Lillard, as a shooter and secondary shot creator alongside Luka Doncic in a year, would have been an interesting addition (and Doncic and Lillard would have formed the most clutch team in league history).

All of those teams had good cases to make. But Portland… there's no place like home.

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MarJon Beauchamp scores 28 points, Knicks' comeback falls short in 91-88 loss to Pacers in Summer League action

The Knicks mounted a heroic 17-point comeback that ultimately fell short in a nail-biter against the Indiana Pacers in their fourth Las Vegas Summer League game, 91-88.

Here are some takeaways...

-MarJon Beauchamp had another huge night with 28 points on 6-of-11 shooting from three, and Tyler Kolek added 14 points, five assists and five turnovers.

-The Knicks were without top prospects Kevin McCullar Jr., Pacome Dadiet, Ariel Hukporti or Mohamed Diawara. They got some step-up games from Dink Pate, who scored 11, Anton Watson, who scored nine and Yudai Baba, who had nine points.

Kam Jones had a monster night for the Pacers with 21 points and 11 assists on 9-for-19 shooting from the field. Enrique Freeman recorded 18 points, 10 rebounds and four assists.

-After appearing for only three minutes combined in the Knicks' last three games, center Lance Ware got the start and made an early impact with a slam and some drawn fouls in the opening minutes. Beauchamp continued his momentum from his breakout third game, hitting an inside floater, leaking out for a dunk and nailing a three for seven points in the first quarter.

Despite the early offense, the Pacers kept their defense in rotation and it was a close affair throughout the first. Ultimately, Indiana led 17-16 going into the second.

The Pacers got off to a 16-0 run behind a stalled New York offense and some strong deep shooting on the other end. Enrique Freeman went 5-5 and scored all 12 of his first-half points in the second quarter, including a monster alley-oop.

-Beauchamp was the only Knick with the knack and aggressiveness offensively, getting inside for the assist and converting a block into a transition and-one, even hitting a pull-up three. He had 19 at the half, however, the Knicks as a team once again struggled creating and converting from deep, going 5-for-15 to Indy’s 8-for-17 in the first half as they trailed at the break 52-38.

Baba, who got the start tonight, got himself going to start the second half, hitting a three and a reverse layup. New York’s offense still looked stilted with a quiet game out of Kolek following his banger in game three.

-They managed to find some success burning Indiana on back cuts and feeding Beauchamp some more, sparking a 9-0 run late in the period. He hit another couple of threes in the third as the Knicks cut the Pacers' lead to 68-59 going into the fourth.

New York’s momentum carried into the fourth. Dink Pate hit a three, scored a lay-up and followed up with another three, plus the foul, totaling all 11 of his points in the final frame.

Anton Watson threw down a one-handed poster on Freeman to cut the Pacers' lead to two with just over two minutes to play, setting off the crowd and announcers. With 90 seconds left, Kolek hit an ankle-breaking step-back middie to tie it up.

After a Pacers free throw, Kolek drove the lane off a nasty spin to hit the and-one lay-up to put the Knicks up two. A Freeman finish evened the score, and after a Beauchamp miss, the Pacers retook the lead on free throws from an off-ball foul and a blown defensive rebound on a missed free throw from the Knicks.

Now down three, Kolek missed a quick two and a Beauchamp look from three, but Indiana missed two free throws. With one more shot at sending the game to overtime, Kolek missed a turnaround three as the Pacers escaped.

Highlights