(Original Caption) Tom Tresh, Mickey Mantle, and Roger Maris (left to right) have the situation well in hand here on September 24th, as the Yankees' regular outfield prepares to take to the field again in their first reunion since last June 1st. The outfield reunion marked Maris' return to the starting lineup after being taken out on September 16th for rest and examination. The Yankees later scored an 8-1 victory over the Los Angeles Angels.
Expectations were fairly in check for the Yankees during this last regular season road trip of 2026, and they still didn’t meet them. They started it off well enough but then dropped three of four—including two maddening walk-off losses—to finish it at 3-3. If they were just treading water until October, they’d be fine enough, but they talked a big game about aiming to chase down the Rays in the AL East, with this upcoming four-game homestand a chance for them to take command. That ain’t happening because now they’re six back. Even acknowledging the loss of Aaron Judge to the IL again on this trip, that’s tough stuff.
The Yankees will try to win out of pride, but the Rays will almost certainly clinch the AL East in the Yankees’ own ballpark — just as the Blue Jays did when they dispatched the Yanks in the 2025 ALDS, just as the Dodgers did when the Yanks utterly fell on their asses in 2024 World Series Game 5, and just as the Astros did when they swept ’em out of the ALCS after Judge’s 62-homer season. (Add the 2018 Red Sox and 2015 Astros to the roll call if you want more unpleasant memories.)
The difference here is at least that the Yankees will have a shot at revenge on Tampa Bay in the ALDS … but it’s a conditional shot. They’ll need to get by the Red Sox in the Wild Card Series again, just as they did last year. Your mileage may very on their odds, but we’ll have the next full week to ponder it.
Today on the site, we skip the minors recap because Scranton was rained out to end the Yankees’ minor-league season (stay tuned for Arizona Fall League action soon!) and go straight into Kevin on the Rivalry Roundup. Andrés will prouce a guide a what to watch for around the league during the final week of regular season play, Jeremy will celebrate the 63rd birthday of a beloved 1996 Yankees World Series champion, and Madison will post the mailbag prompt.
Today’s Matchup:
Offday
Questions/Prompts:
1. This may well be a daily question at this point, but hey, ‘tis the season: Who gets the last AL Wild Card spot?
2. With all due respect to the Diamondbacks taking two of three from the Yankees, it seems like the NL Wild Card teams are locked in with the Padres, Phillies, and Cubs. Who gets the top spot and hosts the NL Wild Card Series?
BOSTON, MA - FEBRUARY 1: Ryan Rollins #13 of the Milwaukee Bucks drives to the basket during the game against the Boston Celtics during the 2026 Pioneers Classic Championship on February 1, 2026 at TD Garden in Boston, Massachusetts. NOTE TO USER: User expressly acknowledges and agrees that, by downloading and/or using this Photograph, user is consenting to the terms and conditions of the Getty Images License Agreement. Mandatory Copyright Notice: Copyright 2026 NBAE (Photo by Chris Marion/NBAE via Getty Images) | NBAE via Getty Images
February 11, 2027. The NBA trade deadline. Between now and then, contenders will emerge, sellers will reveal themselves and new names will hit the market. In this February Forecast, we’re identifying potential Celtics targets before the deadline picture comes into focus. First up: Ryan Rollins.
Who?
Rollins is a 24-year-old, do-it-all guard with good size who has steadily worked his way up the NBA ladder. Drafted 44th overall in 2022 by the Golden State Warriors, he spent his rookie season struggling to crack a championship-calibre rotation before the team from the Bay moved on from him ahead of year two.
Without the cachet that comes with being picked in the lottery, it can be easy to fade into G League obscurity as a second-rounder. Before his second NBA season had even finished, Rollins had already donned two more jerseys. A short stint in Washington was cut short by legal trouble before the 6-foot-3 point guard eventually found his way to Milwaukee.
With the Bucks thinner than Ariana Grande on a press tour, opportunity finally arrived. Rollins played just under 15 minutes per game in his third NBA season, but he began to pop up in some of the nerdier corners of NBA Twitter. He knocked down shots, generated steals and shot well from the charity stripe. The buzz wasn’t mainstream, but Milwaukee’s coaching staff liked what they saw.
In 2025-26, Milwaukee’s depth chart bordered on translucent. With Damian Lillard waived (still can’t believe I’m saying that) and resources invested in the frontcourt, Rollins earned a spot in the starting lineup and hasn’t looked back. In 32.1 minutes per game, the former Toledo guard’s production exploded:
Forty percent from deep. A 2:1 assist-to-turnover ratio. Thirteenth in steals. In a desert of an NBA season for the Bucks, Rollins was one of the few springs of hope in an otherwise desolate year. Despite an unorthodox path, Rollins is entering year five of his NBA career as one of the more well-rounded backcourt players in basketball.
As the Bucks look to rebuild in a post-Giannis world, one might think Rollins would be at the center of their plans, but I’m not so sure. Here’s the case for why he’ll be available in February and why Boston should pull the trigger.
Why he’ll be available:
Rollins is on an expiring deal and set to become a UFA in the summer of 2027. I don’t know about you, but if I were a 24-year-old who had just enjoyed the best season of his career, I wouldn’t necessarily look at Milwaukee as the place to be as I enter my prime. To keep Rollins, the Bucks would have to pay him handsomely. Conventional wisdom dictates that rebuilding teams should latch onto whatever young talent is already in the building in the wake of a mega-trade, not move it on, so perhaps Milwaukee will fork out the big bucks. I’m just not convinced that would be the smartest use of their resources.
In pulling the trigger and relinquishing franchise legend Giannis Antetokounmpo to the Miami Heat, the Bucks acquired not one but two guards in return for their star. One-time All-Star and Milwaukee native Tyler Herro made up the bulk of the salary in that transaction and, while some may view him as little more than salary matching, there’s a good case to be made that he can be this season’s billboard player. A spaced-out paint and increased touches could give Herro the platform to re-enter the All-Star conversation, secure his next big payday or perhaps rehabilitate enough value to net Milwaukee something meaningful in a deadline deal further down the line.
The major sticking point in the negotiations was 20-year-old Lithuanian-born Kasparas Jakucionis. Jakucionis was projected as a lottery-level talent for much of the 2025 draft cycle and, while his counting stats weren’t earning him All-Rookie plaudits, his 42.3% three-point shooting and defensive resilience offered signs of encouragement. That development contrasted with his freshman season at Illinois, where he profiled far more clearly as an on-ball creator than a useful off-ball player. Add Milwaukee’s No. 9 pick, Brayden Burries, another guard who was incredibly exciting in his Summer League showings, and the Bucks suddenly have a very crowded backcourt.
Yes, Herro could be moved instead of Rollins, but he doesn’t have first-round-pick value at the moment. While Milwaukee acquired as many picks as it could from Miami in the Giannis trade, three firsts and a swap, they’re still roughly pick-neutral over the next seven years. A small-market team looking to create another title contender needs to operate from a position of pick superiority. More bites at the apple, particularly in a league with flattened lottery odds, represent Milwaukee’s clearest route back to relevance without an all-time great already in the building. Their route to becoming pick-positive runs through trading current members of the roster for future assets, or taking on bad salary as their financial flexibility increases.
Right now, Rollins is the player on the roster who could bring in picks. Any contender can realistically find a way to acquire his $4 million salary, while paying him in the coming offseason would eat into the flexibility Milwaukee should be trying to create. He is simultaneously cheap enough to be accessible to almost every contender, productive enough to attract real interest and young enough for the Bucks to justify demanding meaningful draft compensation. For that reason, I expect that, much like Coby White and Ayo Dosunmu with the Bulls last year, Rollins will be available at the deadline.
The Fit:
Much like his contract is easy to fit into a trade, Rollins’ skill set is easy to fit into just about any roster in the association. As mentioned above, he’s a capable defender with on-ball talent, a great spacer and a player who, over the last two seasons, has flourished with increased on-ball responsibility. Teams could look at Rollins as a Swiss Army knife-type player who can play off stars, or bet on him as something more, with untapped on-ball upside in a different situation.
I think that with Neemias Queta and Mitchell Robinson as Boston’s primary options at center this season, the Celtics will be less reliant on Derrick White’s unique rim-protection ability at the guard spot. With less switching versatility from those two at the five than Boston enjoyed with, say, Al Horford in past seasons, the need for point-of-attack defense increases, and that’s where Rollins could really come into his own. Milwaukee was five points per 100 possessions better defensively with Rollins on the court this year.
Rollins is a great halfway house between Pritchard and White. A better defender than Pritchard, a more dynamic self-creator than White and the kind of guard who would thrive playing in an offense focused on Jayson Tatum, while also carrying second units when he sits. Want proof of concept? Just check out his numbers last year depending on whether or not he shared the court with Giannis in Milwaukee:
The jump in usage with Antetokounmpo off the court, coupled with the stability of his efficiency, indicates that Rollins really may be a late bloomer with star upside still in the tank.
Some of that star upside can be seen down below in Rollins’ career night against the Dubs last year:
The Cost:
Coby White and Ayo Dosunmu arguably set the market for players in the Rollins archetype with a year left on their contracts, but he’s a better player than both former Bulls on an even cheaper deal. I expect that, if Rollins were made available at the deadline, he’d attract interest from multiple teams and be particularly valuable to those dealing with apron or tax issues.
Any of Houston, Toronto, Atlanta, Detroit, Charlotte or Denver could pounce, with all of those teams a little short in the backcourt and possessing the picks to acquire Rollins if they want to strengthen prior to the postseason. With that healthy market and Rollins’ talent, I expect it would take more than a singular first-round pick to get Milwaukee’s attention. I’d suggest the following trade makes sense:
Boston Celtics receive: Ryan Rollins
Milwaukee Bucks receive: Jordan Walsh Boston’s 2027 first-round pick The less favorable of Boston’s two potential 2028 first-round picks, lottery protected
If the 2028 first does not convey, Milwaukee instead receives the less favorable of Boston’s two 2031 first-round picks, top-eight protected. If the 2031 first also fails to convey, the obligation converts to three future second-round picks.
This move would take advantage of Boston’s surplus on the wing, give Milwaukee another entry into the first round of the 2027 draft and maintain the upside of the Philadelphia trade for Boston. It’s a high price to pay, but one I think is worth paying.
The Verdict:
If Boston wants to build the next great Celtics team sustainably, they’ll have to make smart moves rather than simply going all-in on sure things. Trading for Rollins isn’t the kind of star move that breaks social media, but it reminds me of the Derrick White trade Brad Stevens made in 2022. Both were analytics darlings languishing on rebuilding teams, with the potential to ascend to another level in a winning context.
Trading for Rollins isn’t without risk, but it’s a move that strengthens the Celtics for next season while preserving financial flexibility. It’s a move that could soften the sting of Derrick White’s expected decline over the next few seasons. It’s a move that would still allow Boston to use its full mid-level exception next offseason, utilizing Rollins’ $7.6 million cap hold.
If I were in Brad Stevens’ shoes, I’d be looking to bring Rollins in. What do you think?
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PITTSBURGH, PENNSYLVANIA - MARCH 5: Samuel Girard #49 of the Pittsburgh Penguins skates with the puck against Beck Malenstyn #29 of the Buffalo Sabres in the third period during the game at PPG PAINTS Arena on March 5, 2026 in Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania. (Photo by Justin Berl/Getty Images) | Getty Images
A programming note for all those interested in Penguins hockey: the team begins preseason action tonight at PPG Paints Arena against the Buffalo Sabres. Puck drop on the first of four preseason games is set for 7 p.m. And with that…
Here are your Pens Points for this Monday morning…
Evgeni Malkin is entering his 21st season with the Penguins after signing a one-year contract, but he remains uncertain about whether he will continue playing beyond this season. [Associated Press via Sportsnet]
The Penguins have assigned goaltending prospect Matvei Nikonovich to the Barrie Colts of the Ontario Hockey League. Nikonovich, whom Pittsburgh selected in the fifth round of the 2026 NHL draft, is set to join the OHL after spending most of last season with Lada Togliatti in Russia’s MHL, the country’s top junior league. [Trib Live]
The Penguins entered training camp with a competitive battle in net between Arturs Silovs, Sergei Murashov and Joel Blomqvist. Silovs, 25, is the youthful veteran after playing a career-high 39 games last season and finishing strong in the playoffs, while Murashov and Blomqvist are looking to establish themselves as NHL regulars. [Penguins]
Forward Rickard Rakell recently surprised season-ticket holders, the Crandens, by personally delivering a special package to their home as part of the team’s annual preseason tradition. The visit was especially meaningful for 13-year-old Tyler, a lifelong Penguins fan who saved up enough money to buy his own Penguins jersey, which turned out to be Rickard Rakell. Both spent time talking hockey while Rakell signed his jersey and joked about one of Tyler’s homemade signs. [Penguins]
Marc-Andre Fleury received a warm welcome from fans in Saint-Boniface, Quebec, during Kraft Hockeyville, with crowds lining up for photos, autographs and a chance to see the longtime former Penguins netminder. [NHL]
News and notes from around the NHL…
Dozens of protesters gathered outside Rogers Place before the Edmonton Oilers’ first home game of the preseason, calling on the team to reverse its signing of forward Alex Formenton. [TSN]
The Toronto Maple Leafs will have a new logo at center ice this season, paying homage to the 100th anniversary of the team’s rebranding from the Toronto St. Patricks to the Maple Leafs. [Sportsnet]
With the training camp and preseason underway, the New Jersey Devils roster, for the most part, is set. Sure, there are a few decisions to make, with some players eager to carve out roles on the NHL roster, but they aren’t adding to the group, at least not now.
That said, the NHL is in a different place than it was previously. Since the Leo Carlsson offer sheet, teams operate differently. Anyone who has a restricted free agent on their roster has their head on a swivel. Anyone who doesn’t but has room on their roster suddenly looks like a vulture ready to swoop in and grab an elite player. For the Devils, specifically, general manager Sunny Mehta, there’s still time to make a splash and take this roster up another notch.
The Trade Targets
There are star players around the league who are frustrated and asking for trades. It’s given their teams headaches they want to get out of. The Ottawa Senators got out of their way when they traded Brady Tkachuk, and many teams are hopeful to do the same once the season begins.
The Connor Hellebuyck news is the latest, with the star goaltender holding out of training camp and the Winnipeg Jets suspending him because of it. He’s the player multiple teams are eager to acquire, and the Devils are no exception. Hellebuyck not only addresses a need, but he also changes their outlook for the season.
The Dylan Larkin trade request is also fascinating because he joined the team for training camp but is now dealing with an injury. He’s an under-the-radar player for the Devils to watch, someone who can take the forward unit to another level.
Then there’s Quinn Hughes, who is the player everyone is wondering about. The season is around the corner, and the Minnesota Wild haven’t extended him, indicating that the 2024 Norris Trophy winner is heading towards free agency. The Devils can wait to sign him, or if they are putting together a great season, they can see it as a chance to grab him now for a run at the Cup.
The Under-The-Radar Signings
The RFAs have become an intriguing option for GMs around the league. Since the Carlsson offer sheet, anyone can make a move and potentially acquire an elite player if the team isn’t willing to match.
There are two big-name defensemen without contracts heading into this season. Alexander Nikishin is a young defenseman who has the talent to be great in the NHL, yet the Carolina Hurricanes haven’t signed him. Simon Edvisson is a building block on the Detroit Red Wings blue line whom interim GM Shawn Horcoff must sign, considering the tough offseason the team has already gone through.
Edvinsson is the defenseman the Devils can target. Yes, he’ll come with a cost, but Mehta can make the most of a Red Wings situation where they must match and manage their salary cap because of it. And if the Red Wings let Edvinsson walk, the Devils add another young defenseman to build around, someone who can step up in the defensive end as well.
Making The Most Of The Blue Jackets Chaos
The latest reports out of Columbus are that they aren’t close to a contract agreement with Adam Fantilli. He’s one of the elite young scorers in the NHL who someone will give an offer sheet to. Fantilli is a big hit against the cap, but he’s someone the Devils should keep an eye on because of his talent and upside.
#CBJ Adam Fantilli has now missed the first four days of training camp. No signs that a contract agreement is imminent.
There’s also doubt about Kirill Marchenko and whether he wants to remain with the Blue Jackets after his contract expires. That’s why the Devils should consider adding him, even as a rental, for another boost to the forward unit.
It’s unlikely the Devils will acquire a player from the Blue Jackets before the season begins. However, they can target some of their players early on, especially if the Blue Jackets struggle to start the season.
It's not exclusive to the Blue Jackets either. The Devils will keep tabs on multiple teams once the season gets underway, whether it's the Nashville Predators, Seattle Kraken, or Vancouver Canucks, all of whom can struggle early on and lean into rebuilds.
Yet, all that said, everyone is chasing the New York Knicks, who went on a historic postseason run in June to snap a 53-year championship drought. Fans in New York celebrated the Knicks all summer long, and players have said the right things about not being satisfied with one title and wanting another. The core remains in place, but the reality is no team has repeated as NBA champions in eight seasons, since the Golden State Warriors did so in 2018.
But the real work starts now, with NBA training camps set to open in late September.
The NBA crew at USA TODAY Sports prepared season previews for every team. Six will be published each day beginning Monday, Sept. 21 through Friday, Sept. 25. This page will be updated daily with links to new previews. Clink the link on each team's name below to be taken to the preview page and check back for updates.
Coach Tyronn Lue and the Los Angeles Clippers could struggle to make a significant run during the 2026-27 season.
The organization has fallen from playoff contention to a team likely dropping near the bottom of the Western Conference as a result of its offseason.
The NBA announced disciplinary action against the team on Sept. 2 after an external law firm completed enough of its investigation and shared its findings with league commissioner Adam Silver.
The Clippers were fined $30 million and were told to forfeit five first-round draft picks (2029–2033). Clippers owner Steve Ballmer and two of the team’s executives were also suspended.
The Clippers also used the offseason to create a younger roster. The team traded Kawhi Leonard, who is 35 years old, and moved on from Nicolas Batum (37) in free agency while adding players such as Brandon Ingram (29) and Gradey Dick (22). The Clippers were one of the oldest teams in the league, with an average age of 33.2 years last season.
The team will have signs of inexperience, but it could create an opportunity for players such as first-round pick Keaton Wagler to get significant playing time early and often.
Here's a breakdown of the Los Angeles Clippers' offseason moves and what to expect from them heading into the 2026-27 NBA season:
The Clippers traded Kawhi Leonard to the Toronto Raptors, officially ending a chapter in the organization's history. The Clippers will start the season without a bona fide star player and MVP contender on its roster. Newly acquired Brandon Ingram will have an opportunity to fill the role, but he will have to show he can be durable, which was something that worked against Leonard at times as well. Leonard did play 65 or more games in two of the last three seasons, but was limited to just 37 games played during the 2024-25 season. Ingram did take a step forward, playing in 77 games for the Raptors last season, just two games shy of his career-high during his rookie season. The forward was limited to just 18 games played with the New Orleans Pelicans during the 2024-25 season.
Projected starting lineup and rotation
Starters
G Darius Garland
G Keaton Wagler
F Brandon Ingram
F Rui Hachimura
C Brook Lopez
Rotation players
C Yanic Konan Niederhauser
C Isaiah Jackson
G Kris Dunn
G Max Strus
G Bradley Beal
G Gradey Dick
G Kobe Sanders
F Derrick Jones Jr.
F Jordan Miller
F Baba Miller
What to expect in 2026-27 season
Expectations won’t be high for the Clippers for the upcoming season. The Clippers already took a step back with a 42-40 record last season after making the playoffs in 2025. The Clippers are likely to take another step back. The team is projected to win just 31 games this season.
The team had championship expectations after acquiring Leonard and Paul George in 2019. Both players are now back in the Eastern Conference, while Los Angeles will battle for a chance at the play-in tournament.
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LAS VEGAS, NV - JULY 11: Quadir Copeland #25 of the Houston Rockets plays defense during the game against the Toronto Raptors during a 2026 NBA Summer League game on July 11, 2026 at the Cox Pavilion in Las Vegas, Nevada. NOTE TO USER: User expressly acknowledges and agrees that, by downloading and or using this Photograph, user is consenting to the terms and conditions of the Getty Images License Agreement. Mandatory Copyright Notice: Copyright 2026 NBAE (Photo by David Dow/NBAE via Getty Images) | NBAE via Getty Images
With training camp about to begin, our 2026-2027 Houston Rockets Players Previews kick off with their trio of two-way contracts. These are some new names among the two-way group this year, so pay keep your eye on these three this preseason.
Quadir Copeland
Copeland is a 23-year-old 6’6” guard who came over to the team after being undrafted this summer. He averaged 13.9 points, 3.6 rebounds and 6.5 assists as a senior last year at NC State. He also shot 49.4 percent from the field and 39.7 percent from deep. Copeland is an Ime Udoka special — a defense-first guard that can control games with his size and athleticism. He’s not a bad shooter, but is not a volume shooter, and while his size allows him to see over defenses when running point, he also averaged 2.8 turnovers per game his senior season, meaning he can be prone to turnovers. Still, his size and athleticism make him an intruguing prospect for the Rockets.
Sean Pedulla
Pedulla went undrafted in 2025 NBA Draft, but the 6’1” point guard linked up first with the Portland Trail Blazers last season, then spent some time with the L.A. Clippers and the Minnesota Timberwolves. With the Wolves, Pedulla earned G League Rookie of the Year honors, averaging 23.6 points, 6.7 assists, 5 rebounds and 1.6 steals with Minny’s G League affiliate. The 23-year-old now links up with the Rockets on a two-way deal. He’s a solid shooter who shot 39.2 percent from deep his senior season and replicated that by shooting 39.6 percent last year in the G League. He also has some good playmaking chops, though his size has him struggling some as a defender. Not exactly the way to get on the floor for Udoka.
Rafael Castro
Castro is a 23-year-old, 6’10” center, finalizing a complete overhaul of Houston’s two-way deals. Castro went undrafted in the 2026 NBA Draft after averaging 15.3 points, 9.1 rebounds, and 1.7 blocks in his senior season for George Washington. He is smart, athletic and fast, and he plays that way, with plenty of rim running and pick-and-roll action. Despite averaging just 1.7 assists per game his senior year, he is well-regarded as a passer, but he is mostly a traditional big man without shooting range. He’s also slight, at just 224 pounds, which could be an issue until he puts on his big boy muscle with an NBA strength program, but Castro is an intruging prospect you’ll want to keep an eye on.
Year one with Kevin Durant didn't go as the Houston Rockets hoped. The 2026-27 NBA season is shaping up as a basketball do-over.
The Rockets will largely run it back with their roster mostly intact after a disappointing first-round playoff exit in the wake of their much-hyped Durant acquisition. Houston is hopeful the return of veteran point guard Fred VanVleet, who missed all of last season with a knee injury, can unlock a talented core that never seemed to fit together consistently without an established primary ballhandler.
The Rockets have locked up young stars Alperen Sengun and Amen Thompson to long-term deals in recent offseasons, but this may be their last chance to maximize the Durant era in Houston. The 37-year-old has a player option in his contract for next year. There's enough talent for the Rockets to contend with the best teams in the Western Conference if they've sorted out the chemistry issues with Durant a season later than expected.
Here's a breakdown of the Houston Rockets' offseason moves and what to expect from them heading into the 2026-27 NBA season:
Can the return of Fred VanVleet solve the Rockets' point guard woes?
The Rockets never actually settled on a full-time replacement for VanVleet last season, turning to 2024 first-round pick Reed Sheppard and 23-year-old Amen Thompson at point guard while embracing oversized lineups and a bully ball approach. The strategy fizzled in the most important games of the season, particularly after a season-ending ankle injury suffered by center Steven Adams. VanVleet expects to be ready for the start of the 2026-27 season, and the Rockets added veteran Marcus Smart and rookie Bruce Thornton to bolster their backcourt depth. But this team's ceiling will depend on how VanVleet looks at age 32 coming back from a torn ACL.
Projected starting lineup and rotation
Starters
G Fred VanVleet
G Amen Thompson
F Jabari Smith Jr.
F Kevin Durant
C Alperen Sengun
Rotation players
G Reed Sheppard
G Marcus Smart
G Bogdan Bogdanovic
F Tari Eason
C Steven Adams
C Clint Capela
What to expect in 2026-27 season
The Rockets theoretically have the roster best-positioned to challenge the San Antonio Spurs and Oklahoma City Thunder among the next tier of Western Conference contenders. If VanVleet is still capable of being a major contributor at point guard, it should facilitate better offense in crunch time where placing the burden completely on Durant is too much at this point in his career. Expect the Rockets to eclipse 50 wins again and make a deeper playoff run than they did a year ago.
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The Dallas Mavericks are in the process of reinventing themselves after the disastrous Luka Doncic trade, and the past few months have reshaped the franchise ahead of the 2026-27 NBA season.
On the court, Kyrie Irving and Dereck Lively II are expected to return from lengthy injury absences, and they're set to play alongside reigning NBA rookie of the year Cooper Flagg. They'll be surrounded by a mixture of reliable veterans and an intriguing collection of newcomers, including four drafted rookies, that could force May into some tough (and awkward) lineup decisions.
There's enough talent to return to the playoffs for the first time since the 2024 NBA Finals but also a lot of variables to overcome.
Here's a breakdown of the Dallas Mavericks offseason moves and what to expect from them heading into the 2026-27 NBA season:
G Vsevolod Ishchenko (No. 56 pick, 2026 NBA Draft)
Key roster losses
G Klay Thompson (contract buyout)
G Khris Middleton (trade)
G Ryan Nembhard (trade)
G A.J. Johnson (trade)
G Brandon Williams (free agent)
F Marvin Bagley (free agent)
Biggest question entering training camp
How will Kyrie Irving and Dereck Lively II perform coming back from major injuries?
Though the Mavericks are building around Flagg for the long term, their ability to exceed expectations during the 2026-27 season could hinge on the effectiveness of Irving and Lively. Both were key starters when Dallas went to the NBA Finals in 2024, but injuries have largely sidelined them since. Lively has played in just 43 games since then (including only seven appearances last season) due to a foot injury, while Irving missed the entire 2025-26 campaign recovering from a torn ACL. Their health, and Irving's partnership with Flagg, will be a focal point early on this season.
Projected starting lineup and rotation
Starters
G Kyrie Irving
G Max Christie
F Cooper Flagg
F P.J. Washington
C Dereck Lively II
Rotation players
G Marcus Sasser
F Naji Marshall
F Santi Aldama
F Zaccharie Risacher
F Morez Johnson Jr.
C Daniel Gafford
What to expect in 2026-27 season
If Irving and Lively can return close to the form they showed before being derailed by injuries over the past year, and Flagg builds upon his intriguing rookie campaign, the Mavericks are positioned to be a dangerous team that should compete for a play-in tournament spot and finish with a much better record than a season ago. But a first-time NBA head coach, health concerns and several newcomers with uncertain roster fits behind Flagg make Dallas a risky team to trust as a legitimate contender this year.
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Miami then let Norman Powell, its only All-Star last season, sign with Chicago then filled in its roster with veterans on short money.
Tim Hardaway Jr., a Sixth Man of the Year finalist in Denver last season, took one year and $6 million. Klay Thompson arrived in late August after a buyout in Dallas. Nick Richards signed a few days later. The Heat still have one roster spot open with camp weeks away.
All of it follows a season that ended in a 127-126 overtime loss to Charlotte in a play-in elimination game, Miami's first missed postseason since 2019.
Here's a breakdown of the Miami Heat's offseason moves and what to expect from them heading into the 2026-27 NBA season:
Antetokounmpo and Bam Adebayo will smother people, but the offense is the puzzle. Davion Mitchell is the nominal point guard, Thompson is 36, Hardaway is 34, and behind Antetokounmpo there is almost no one who can create a shot out of nothing. Spoelstra will likely stagger Antetokounmpo and Adebayo so one of them is always at center, with Portis covering the rest.
Miami is also short on size. That was the argument for Richards, and it may not be the last move.
Projected starting lineup and rotation
Starters
G Davion Mitchell
G Klay Thompson
F Andrew Wiggins
F Giannis Antetokounmpo
C Bam Adebayo
Rotation players
G Tim Hardaway Hr.
G Dru Smith
F. Pelle Larsson
Simone Fontecchio
F Nikola Jovic
C Bobby Portis
What to expect in 2026-27 season
Miami is the division favorite and nobody is arguing. BetMGM lists the Heat at +160 to win the Southeast, with Orlando next at +250.
The Heat scored 120.9 points per game last season, most in the division, and gave up 118.5, worst among the four teams that competed for anything. Antetokounmpo and Adebayo should erase a good deal of that second number by themselves. Whether Miami can survive a seven-game series against Philadelphia or Toronto depends on health and on finding one more creator, probably at the deadline.
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This was a team that finished with the third-worst record in the NBA and one that has won just 78 of 246 games (.317) over its last three seasons.
The problem for the Brooklyn Nets is that the short-term future doesn’t look all that much better.
Since the team’s experiment with Kevin Durant, Kyrie Irving and James Harden imploded, the Nets have struggled to find any semblance of competitiveness. The big move of the offseason was a trade that brought in three-time All-Star Julius Randle – taking on his contract – and shipped out center Nic Claxton. Will that be enough for Brooklyn to finally course correct?
Here's a breakdown of the Brooklyn Nets' offseason moves and what to expect from them heading into the 2026-27 NBA season:
Can their veterans lead this young team to relevance?
With Michael Porter Jr., who played his first season in Brooklyn last year, and Julius Randle, acquired in a three-team trade with the Timberwolves and Bulls, the Nets now have a pair of veterans who are expected to carry the offense. But this is a team that has failed to make the postseason in the last three years and one that remains in a rebuild. At a certain point, at least some of the young players on this roster — Egor Dëmin, rookie Mikel Brown Jr., Ben Saraf, Noah Clowney and Danny Wolf chief among them — will need to take considerable leaps forward for the Nets to be relevant.
Projected starting lineup and rotation
Starters
G Mikel Brown Jr.
G Egor Dëmin
F Michael Porter Jr.
F Julius Randle
C Day’Ron Sharpe
Rotation players
G Ben Saraf
G Keon Ellis
F Noah Clowney
C Danny Wolf
F Moritz Wagner
G Drake Powell
G Nolan Traore
G Terance Mann
F Josh Minott
What to expect in 2026-27 season
Honestly, this looks like a roster that continues to be a season or two away from competing. Randle is a fine addition, but his best days are behind him. Porter took a step forward and showed his efficiency numbers could remain solidly respectable despite a far higher usage. But unless the Nets solve their shooting woes — Brooklyn tied for dead last in 3-point percentage (34%) last season — it’s hard to see the Nets being contenders for even the play-in picture. Brooklyn had amassed draft capital for its rebuild. The Nets still need a legitimate star (or two). Making matters worse, they saw the entire city of New York celebrate the Knicks, even outside of the Barclays Center, the home venue where the Nets play.
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Can Kawhi Leonard once again carry the Raptors to a title, and how will he gel with his new teammates?
Toronto was one of the bigger surprises last year, posting a 16-win improvement over the prior season. Some of the team’s younger players were starting to develop. Yet, after failing to get past the first round, the Raptors clearly felt they needed to take a big swing in the offseason to take the next step. In comes Kawhi Leonard, who helped lead Toronto to a championship in 2019. And though he’s several years older, Leonard remains a superb two-way threat when healthy. He scores with efficiency and continues to be a defensive stopper. And now that the investigation about salary cap circumvention has been completed and Leonard was able to get off somewhat unscathed, he can focus on basketball. For the Raptors, that’s excellent news.
Projected starting lineup and rotation
Starters
G Immanuel Quickley
G RJ Barrett
F Kawhi Leonard
F Scottie Barnes
C Jakob Poeltl
Rotation players
G Jamal Shead
G Ja’Kobe Walter
F Allen Graves
F Collin Murray-Boyles
F Jamison Battle
C Trayce Jackson-Davis
What to expect in 2026-27 season
The Raptors exceeded expectations last season. They can do so once more, but the Eastern Conference suddenly became quite crowded with an offseason full of player movement. The Raptors, though, have a very solid starting five, though their depth is something of an issue — especially if injuries or foul trouble crop up. A duo of Leonard and Barnes is intriguing, particularly because of their defensive versatility. Toronto tied for fifth last season in defensive rating, allowing 112.1 points per 100 possessions. With Leonard in the fold, that figure should only improve. And they’ll need it, too; the East figures to have plenty of difficult, high-potency offenses.
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SAN DIEGO, CA - AUGUST 24: Braxton Ashcraft #35 of the Pittsburgh Pirates leaves the field prior to the game between the Pittsburgh Pirates and the San Diego Padres at Petco Park on Monday, August 24, 2026 in San Diego, California. (Photo by Ryan Levy/MLB Photos via Getty Images) | MLB Photos via Getty Images
Pittsburgh Pirates pitcher Braxton Ashcraft was placed on the 15-day injured list on September 10, 2026, due to right arm discomfort and fatigue. He has been shut down for the rest of the season.
Ashcraft met with reporters at PNC Park on Saturday and made one thing abundantly clear and that is his arm is not seriously injured. The Pirates right-hander described the issue that ended his season as fatigue and general discomfort, not anything structural, and he expressed confidence that he would have been available had Pittsburgh reached the postseason.
He traveled to Arlington to be evaluated, and the consensus among the medical professionals he saw was that there is no long-term concern provided he stays diligent about recovery.
That is very good news that this injury has no structural damage. Ashcraft is one of the top pitchers for the Pirates and has had a fantastic season. The All-Star went 14-6 this season with a 3.65 ERA with 28 games started.
Ashcraft admitted he tried to talk the training staff into letting him pitch through it, but he understands the decision to shut him down. He emphasized the importance of transparency with the medical staff and front office.
Ashcraft said he wanted to return for two starts in the final week but acknowledged it doesn’t make sense now that the Pirates are out of playoff contention. It doesn’t make sense to have him go back out there to pitch when the games just don’t matter anymore. The last thing you want to do is to put him back on the diamond and have the injury get worse and have long term damage.
These statements made from Ashcraft are good news. Even though he will miss the rest of the season, it is great news that this is not a major injury and that it is expected that Ashcraft will be ready for the start of next season.
Schwarber and Montgomery each have 216 strikeouts entering the final week of the season, endangering Mark Reynolds’ all-time record of 223 strikeouts set in 2009.
Yet, it hardly bothers them.
“Guys who strike out a lot," Montgomery told reporters, “you see them, but what do they also do? They hit a lot of homers and drive a lot of guys in.”
Montgomery has 31 homers and 87 RBIs. Schwarber has 45 homers and 95 RBIs.
It's Montgomery's first 200-strikeout season but the third for Schwarber – who broke his career high of 215, set in 2023.
Both sluggers' teams have everything to play for in the days to come with the Phillies fighting for positioning in the NL wild card and the White Sox trading blows with the Cleveland Guardians for the AL Central crown, meaning they'll both see a regular number of at-bats.
