Lendeborg, speaking with NBC Sports Bay Area’s Bob Fitzgerald and Kelenna Azubuike in a postgame interview, credited the veteran leadership of Curry and Draymond Green.
“After last game, I texted Steph and Draymond both to just ask for some advice and some guidance,” Lendeborg recalled. “I was a little scared first game to be aggressive. I was a little shell-shocked and all.
“But getting the word of advice from both of those guys telling me that they believe in me and I have room to make mistakes, just gave me the extra confidence I needed tonight.”
It’s hard to imagine a better motivator than two future Hall of Famers offering validation.
Lendeborg made the most of the gained confidence. He attacked the basket early and scored his first three field goals deep inside the paint, exactly what Kerr wants from his 6-foot-9 rookie.
“We need him to be a scorer,” Kerr told reporters in his postgame press conference. “We need him to get us easy buckets at the rim. And he did a great job of that tonight.”
The Warriors desperately need scoring outside of Curry. Golden State’s two leading scorers behind their superstar last season were Jimmy Butler and Kristaps Porziņģis.
With Butler continuing rehab on his surgically repaired knee and the uncertainty surrounding Porziņģis’ availability, Lendeborg is presented with the opportunity to establish himself as a true second option.
And despite being the leading scorer for the national champion Michigan Wolverines last season, Lendeborg says the need for that aggression will require adjustment.
“It’s hard to learn,” Lendeborg told reporters during his postgame press conference. “I’ve been an unselfish player my whole life. And just coming here and hearing I got to [have a] score first mindset — it’s going to be something that I got to get adjusted to.”
Lendeborg showed his scoring ability earlier this offseason by winning the 2026 NBA Summer League MVP, but his performance Tuesday night proved he has the potential to do it against NBA-level talent.
Kerr will look for that production on a consistent basis. With the support of Curry and Green, Lendeborg will have the boost of confidence he needs to strive for that.
American involved in disputed point during tournament
Gauff called out ‘insane’ amount of abuse online
Coco Gauff said she had been left drained by the racist abuse she experienced during the China Open after losing in the last 16 to Elise Mertens.
The American was dismayed earlier this week after an incident during her match against Chinese teenager Sun Xinran. The 16-year-old thought she had hit a winner late in the first set but Gauff had raised her hand to stop the point because she was distracted by flickering lights on the stadium’s advertising hoardings. The move prompted some boos from the crowd. The umpire agreed to have the point replayed, and Gauff went on to win 7-5, 6-1.
ATLANTA, GEORGIA - OCTOBER 06: Chris Sale #51 of the Atlanta Braves reacts during the fifth inning against the Los Angeles Dodgers in game three of the National League Division Series at Truist Park on October 06, 2026 in Atlanta, Georgia. (Photo by Kevin C. Cox/Getty Images) | Getty Images
The Atlanta Braves had an unfortunate Tuesday and fell behind in Game 3 of the NLDS after a 3-1 loss to the Los Angeles Dodgers. Chris Sale got the start, and though he recorded seven strikeouts, he did not have his sharpest stuff. In the fourth inning, he surrendered two home runs that put the Braves in a 3-0 hole.
In other unfortunate news, the Atlanta offense was unable to provide run support. The Dodgers pitching staff limited the Braves to just five hits all game. Atlanta went 0-for-6 with runners in scoring position and left six men on base.
With elimination on the line, the series continues at Truist Park tonight at 6:00 ET.
More Braves News:
Ronald Acuña Jr. was moved to DH due to a sore knee. He has reportedly been dealing with the issue since Game 2 of the series.
MLB News:
Alex Cora has informed the Philadelphia Phillies that he plans to take 2027 off. Cora was fired by the Boston Red Sox during the 2026 season.
Oct 6, 2026; Cumberland, Georgia, USA; A general view of the MLB 2026 Postseason logo before game three of the NLDS for the 2026 MLB Playoffs between Los Angeles Dodgers and Atlanta Braves at Truist Park. Mandatory Credit: Brett Davis-Imagn Images | IMAGN IMAGES via Reuters Connect
The Dodgers have a chance to close out the Atlanta Braves in Game 4 of the National League Division Series on Wednesday night at Truist Park in Atlanta.
A trio of familiar Dodgers stalwarts in October fueled the win in Game 3 on Tuesday, with Yoshinobu Yamamoto striking out 10 in seven strong innings, plus home runs by Kiké Hernández and Freddie Freeman to supply the three runs of offense that were somehow enough to get the Dodgers within a win of a third straight trip to the NLCS.
Game 4 is a battle of Tylers on the mound, with Glasnow pitching for the Dodgers and Mahle starting for the Braves.
ST PETERSBURG, FLORIDA - OCTOBER 03: Ryan McMahon #19 of the New York Yankees runs onto the field during player introductions before game one of the American League Division Series against the Tampa Bay Rays at Tropicana Field on October 03, 2026 in St Petersburg, Florida. (Photo by Julio Aguilar/Getty Images) | Getty Images
“Shall we expect some transatlantic military giant, to step the Ocean, and crush us at a blow? Never!—All the armies of Europe, Asia, and Africa combined, with all the treasure of the earth (our own excepted) in their military chest; with a Buonaparte for a commander, could not by force, take a drink from the Ohio, or make a track on the Blue Ridge, in a trial of a thousand years.
“At what point then is the approach of danger to be expected? I answer, if it ever reach us, it must spring up amongst us. It cannot come from abroad. If destruction be our lot, we must ourselves be its author and finisher. As a nation of freemen, we must live through all time, or die by suicide”
Abraham Lincoln here is talking about the dangers of mob rule, of sedition and the undermining of institutions, at 28, some 23 years before he would be tasked with holding the Union together. What I’m about to talk about carries significantly less weight than abolishing chattel slavery, and yet the rhetoric holds true. The New York Yankees will win their 28th World Series, or die by suicide.
Cam Schlittler was tasked with knotting up the ALDS on Monday night, knowing there was little chance of an offensive breakthrough for his club. Two pitches into the game, Yandy Díaz bounced a grounder to Ryan McMahon, who is on this team because of his supposed defensive prowess. McMahon can’t get a grip on the ball, Diaz reaches on an error. Two batters later, Jazz Chisholm Jr., while falling backwards after getting a forceout at second, throws the ball in the general ZIP code around first base, and Díaz scores. It was a preposterously poor idea do anything but hang onto the ball and take the one out. The Yankees were behind the eight ball already.
Two other errors meant that Schlittler, while charged with three runs overall, only had one count against him in a game where he admittedly didn’t have his best stuff. He still had to throw more pitches, against a team that makes you pay for that, and had high-stress innings bloom out of what should have been an easy start to the frame.
Two and a half weeks into this season I wrote about how the Yankees step on a lot of rakes. It was about Jazz not knowing the rules of baseball and the various other ways he can frustrate despite providing his own form of value. We’re past the point of frustration now, the Yankees’ inability to help themselves seems likely to cost them their postseason. The Rays are a very good baseball team, but the Yankees can beat them three times in a series — we saw them do just that two weeks ago. The Rays aren’t even really beating the Yankees; the Yankees are beating themselves.
Austin Wells thrown out at third base by 20 feet, with Luis Rojas waving a giant stop sign the moment the Yankees’ catcher hit second. A dozen flails at pitches well out of the zone. A runner at first to lead off the inning rather than a quick out, and the team you’re playing does not make enough of their own mistakes to let things level out.
I don’t know who to blame for this. I think the Yankees are actually coming close to deciding it’s time to make a change at manager, and I won’t shed a tear when Aaron Boone leaves the organization. Here’s the thing though: Aaron Boone doesn’t have to tell McMahon to field a groundball that hops at his waist. We keened for Boone to replace Anthony Volpe at shortstop, and George Lombard Jr. has been an error machine at that slot. The players are simply not good enough to avoid beating themselves.
If and when the Rays take the series they will have earned it. They’ve outplayed the Yankees in two games, outscoring anyone not named Ben Rice 6-0. They haven’t outplayed the Yankees by that much though, not really. The hole the Yankees find themselves in, the track set on the Blue Ridge before them, is one of their own construction.
DETROIT, MICHIGAN - SEPTEMBER 27, 2026: Riley Greene #31 of the Detroit Tigers reacts after striking out during the fourth inning against the Pittsburgh Pirates at Comerica Park on September 27, 2026 in Detroit, Michigan. (Photo by George Kubas/Diamond Images via Getty Images) | Diamond Images/Getty Images
There’s something kind of fun about watching the postseason drama unfold when you don’t have a horse in the race. Sure, it would be more enjoyable to watch if the Tigers were still in it, but it’s also very fun to watch the White Sox absolutely destroy the Guardians with no worries about the outcome. It’s always fun to watch the Yankees drop the ball. And it can be very interesting to watch the stories of Shohei Ohtani slumping and Mason Miller tipping his pitches when they aren’t playing on your team.
So we’ll get into all that below, but on the Tigers’ side of things, Riley Greene has been nominated for the Hank Aaron Award this season, and we aren’t totally done making you cry about Justin Verlander.
Let’s get into it!
Detroit Tigers News
A nice nomination for Riley. The Hank Aaron Award is given to players with the best offensive performances of the season.
Congrats to Riley Greene on being nominated for the Hank Aaron Award!
Verlander then joined MLB Network as an analyst on Tuesday night, surprising Freddie Freeman and Manny Machado, who were not expecting to be interviewed by the Tigers great only days after his retirement.
Freddie Freeman wasn’t expecting Justin Verlander to be the one asking the postgame questions. 😂
Before answering, he made sure to congratulate Verlander on his retirement.
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In the afternoon, the Los Angeles Dodgers, up 2-1 in their series, take on the Atlanta Braves in a crucial Game 4. The Dodgers are one win away from advancing, while the Braves will be fighting to keep their postseason hopes alive in front of their home crowd.
It was a historic night at Scotiabank Arena on Tuesday, as Toronto Maple Leafs rookie Gavin McKenna scored his first NHL point and goal against the Nashville Predators.
The crowd completely erupted when his name was called on the PA for both goals that he contributed to and, of course, when his goal itself was scored.
"Definitely feeling the love from the fans," McKenna said after Toronto's 5-4 overtime win against Nashville. "That one obviously feels good, and (I) love this fan base. So to hear that, it was pretty special."
The fans were happy, but McKenna's teammates and coaches were thrilled for the 18-year-old, in a moment he called "a big monkey off the back," even if this was only his fourth NHL game.
Maple Leafs captain Auston Matthews, who had the primary assist on McKenna's goal, was asked about the moment, and his face lit up.
"It was great," Matthews said. "I mean, he's been playing great, and it can be tough when you don't score for a little bit. But, I mean, you saw he made a nice play in the D zone there. Johnny goes down and scores. And, I think it just kind of gives you a little boost. He scores the goal and gives you another little boost. He's got all the confidence in the world in himself in the best way possible. But, obviously, when you find the back of the net, it obviously helps. And it was great to see him and get that moment, and enjoy that. It's very well deserved."
Auston Matthews on Gavin McKenna: “I think you’re going to see him go on a tear now with the weight lifted off his shoulders.”
Also, for someone who has made a living of catch-and-release finishes, Matthews was impressed with McKenna's shot, labelling it as "beautiful."
"That was awesome," William Nylander said of his goal. "I mean, I was so happy for him. That moment is just something you never forget. It was a bullet, top shelf, so I'd be very happy for that one."
Also impressed with the goal was Maple Leafs head coach Jim Hiller."That goal was a goal-scorer's goal," he said post-game. "We know he's a playmaker, I guess. That's kind of by trade, he's a playmaker. But that was a goal-scorer's goal. Got his feet around it on the strong side, and he had some zip on it."
What Hiller liked most about McKenna's first NHL goal was how important it was for the team, and how he came through in a big moment. The rookie's goal brought the Leafs within one goal of the Preds, making it 4-3 for Nashville.
"It was a big goal in the hockey game," Hiller said. "So that's the one you remember. It was really important. It wasn't the first goal of the game. It was an important moment, and he came up big in an important moment. So I like that."
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CLEVELAND, OH - SEPTEMBER 28: Peyton Watson #8 of the Cleveland Cavaliers poses for a portrait during NBA media day on September 28, 2026 at Rocket Mortgage FieldHouse in Cleveland, Ohio. 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 Lauren Leigh Bacho/NBAE via Getty Images) | NBAE via Getty Images
Peyton Watson isn’t the first player that the Cleveland Cavaliers have tried to use to fill this gap.
A long list of names, from Cedi Osman and Isaac Okoro — to Dean Wade and De’Andre Hunter. This team has searched for a starting-caliber wing throughout the decade. And while Max Strus fit the build better than anyone, he was perpetually playing out of position on a team that needed size and athleticism in his place.
This is what made Watson the ideal trade target.
Trading Strus wasn’t easy. He was far and away Cleveland’s best option at small forward during this era. But Watson offers a younger, bigger, and more exciting prospect to ring the bell once and for all. If all goes to plan. Cleveland won’t have to search for another wing for a long time.
Let’s get into why that’s the case.
The Glue
The Cavs’ starting lineup features a dynamic that has led to much success.
The backcourt duo of James Harden and Donovan Mitchell makes for one of the best shot-creating backcourts in basketball. Meanwhile, Jarrett Allen and Evan Mobley form an elite defensive frontcourt.
Connecting those two duos with the perfect small forward has been the issue.
Allow me to oversimplify things:
Dean Wade was a versatile defender. His skills on that end made him a fantastic fit in the starting lineup. But Wade’s lack of offense ultimately made him a liability once the playoffs began. The bridge between the backcourt and frontcourt was flawed.
Max Strus, on the other hand, brought all of the offensive skills you’d want from the fifth starter. He just wasn’t tall or athletic enough to defend opposing wings.
Cleveland needed someone who could combine the skills of Wade and Strus. Someone who was better on offense than Wade, and more equipped to defend wings than Strus.
This is where Watson has a chance to succeed.
Watson has a 6’8” frame and 7’1” wingspan. He packages that length with elite mobility, placing him in the 97th percentile as a perimeter isolation defender last season — and in the 86th percentile as a screen navigator (according to BBall Index).
On paper, Watson has all of the tools needed to replicate Wade’s success in the starting lineup.
As for replacing Strus, this will be more difficult.
Watson doesn’t attempt three-pointers at nearly the same rate — but he did shoot more efficiently than Strus last season. He was automatic from the corners and should provide a valuable kick-out option to either of Cleveland’s guards.
There’s also potential for Watson to build off a career-best season shooting the ball. He could become a more dynamic perimeter threat, and has flashed some on-ball creation and three-level scoring. This makes Watson a fun player to bet on at 24 years old.
Finally, Watson is a vertical athlete who is more of a threat to get downhill and attack in transition. He can finish above the rim and has a wider catch radius for his teammates to find him on cuts. Overall, this should add a new layer to Cleveland’s offense, as they haven’t had anyone who can be shot out of a cannon like this at small forward
Things to Prove
Cavs head coach Kenny Atkinson insists that the starting lineup is not solidified. Watson isn’t walking into this without earning it.
What would that take?
Watson is facing pressure to prove that last season wasn’t a fluke. His 41% three-point shooting is an outlier despite consistent growth throughout his career. He needs to sustain that leap, while also showing he can improve on it even further.
The Cavs would also like to see Watson polish the rest of his game. He has raw potential on defense, some of which came to light last season. But it still wasn’t perfect. His overall game needs some fine-tuning. It’s one thing to feel optimistic; it’s another to have blind faith. Watson needs to show that Cleveland was correct in betting on his development.
Other areas that need buffing include his playmaking and finishing. Watson has consistently ranked high in rim frequency but has never finished above the 50th percentile in accuracy. That’s a lot of looks at the basket that aren’t being converted.
(Note: Watson shot 65% at the rim last season, placing him in the 49th percentile. For comparison, Max Strus shot 59%.)
It feels like Watson is at the tip of the iceberg in terms of his potential. Realizing that is the next step, or Cavs fans could be left feeling like they were promised more than they got.
Conclusion
Barring a disastrous performance, Watson will be the fifth starter. Atkinson would have to be a mad genius to believe otherwise.
From there, this will be Watson’s job to lose. His athletic profile makes him a no-brainer to solve Cleveland’s needs. He provides the blend of offense and defense they’ve been searching for.
Watson’s ripe potential makes him someone the Cavs could rely on long-term, possibly even into a second rebuilding era after Mitchell and Harden are gone. It’s hard to look that far ahead, but it’s something to consider. This was part of the calculation in trading for him.
In the meantime, Watson has the opportunity of a lifetime in front of him. He’s joining a team that has been begging for a player like him to arrive. The only thing left is to save the day and become the hero.
1952 – In Game 7 of the World Series, second baseman Billy Martin makes a dramatic running catch on a high infield pop with the bases loaded as the New York Yankees win their fourth consecutive World Championship by downing the Brooklyn Dodgers, 4-2.
1995 – Edgar Martinez of the Seattle Mariners hits a tie-breaking grand slam in the eighth inning and drives in seven runs – the most ever in a postseason game to date – leading the Mariners past the New York Yankees, 11-8, and sending the ALDS to a decisive Game 5.
2011 – The Cardinals cause a huge upset by shutting out the Phillies, 1-0, in Game 5 of the NLDS. Chris Carpenter is the hero, tossing a three-hit complete game on the road and besting Phillies ace Roy Halladay. The Cards score the game’s only run in the 1st inning when Rafael Furcal leads off the game with a triple and Skip Schumaker follows with a double.
2017 – In Game 2 of the NLDS, Chicago has a 3-1 lead heading into the bottom of the eighth, thanks to a solo homer by Willson Contreras and a two-run shot by Anthony Rizzo, both off Gio Gonzalez, but Washington explodes for five runs against Carl Edwards and Mike Montgomery to take a 6-3 win and even the series at one apiece.
1973 – Scotsman Jackie Stewart wins his third Formula 1 World Drivers’ Championship despite withdrawing from the season-ending US Grand Prix at Watkins Glen; wins the title by 16 points from Emerson Fittipaldi.
1984 – Walter Payton passes Jim Brown as the NFL’s career rushing leader.
2008 – Music, podcast, and video streaming service Spotify is launched by Daniel Ek and Martin Lorentzon.
2018 – Jodie Whittaker debuts in her first full episode as the 13th and first female Doctor Who on BBC television.
BALTIMORE, MD - JUNE 01: Mr. Splash greets fans at the Youth Sports Day on June 1, 2025 at Orioles Park at Camden Yards. (Photo by Mark Goldman/Icon Sportswire via Getty Images) | Icon Sportswire via Getty Images
Good morning Birdland,
Yesterday was just the latest in a recent run of bad days for the Baltimore Orioles. Andy Kostka of The Baltimore Banner reported on Tuesday afternoon that the organization was laying off a significant number of business operations staff. He quoted one source calling it a “bloodbath” and relaying that the number of employees let go was at least in the teens.
Kostka explained on social media that they layoffs included members in business operations, brand, content, and game presentation. And according to an internal statement from Catie Griggs, the team’s President of Business Operations, that Kostka obtained for the story, the layoffs include several people with more than a decade of service to the organization.
It gets worse, as Brittany Ghiroli of The Athletic provided additional details. She confirmed that the firings were actually 24 or more in total, including Mr. Splash and the person that portrays The Oriole Bird mascot, as well as the team photographer, people in ticket sales, graphic design, and food and beverage, among others.
What no one knows for sure at this point is why the Orioles made these layoffs. Attendance at Camden Yards this past season was slightly up, though modestly. The team tends to do quite well with local TV ratings, and 2026 was their first full season with an option to stream MASN locally.
There is an ongoing CBA negotiation that threatens to delay, shorten, or even cancel the 2027 season, which could factor in here. But if that were the reason, then something like a furlough would make more sense than a full on layoff, and an announcement on that would probably come closer to the actual season.
What feels like more of a possibility is that the Orioles are reallocating their resources elsewhere in the organization. Specifically, they plan to focus on the baseball front office. Mike Elias said near the end of the season that the team’s current baseball operations staff is “on the smaller side” and that he “would like to explore outside help and outside talent.” in order to “enhance the department, get bigger, get better.”
I can buy that the Orioles front office is relatively small and could use more help. What’s tougher for me to square is the reality that the on-field product was much better just a couple of years ago with this smaller staff, and that the answer to 2.5 years of disappointment is to double down on the leadership that got us to this point while another department gets gutted.
Again, that is not a confirmation of what is being done and why. But it is a logical connection of dots. More on the topic is sure to come out as either Griggs or someone else is willing to talk about it with reporters.
This, that and the other | Roch Kubatko Roch has some notes on the potential changes coming to the front office, specifically how the team thinks about analytics.
Orioles birthdays
Is it your birthday? Happy birthday!
Yusniel Dìaz turns 30 today. The outfielder was the centerpiece of the trade package that sent Manny Machado to the Dodgers back in 2018. Upon joining the Orioles organization, he almost immediately started to struggle, and would end up playing in just one game for the big league squad, which came in 2022.
Alex Cobb is 39 years old. Signed to be a difference-maker in the rotation ahead of the 2018 season, Cobb was instead a big disappointment, then spent most of 2019 on the IL, before salvaging his stint a bit in 2020. The Orioles eventually traded him to the Angels for prospect Jahmai Jones.
John O’Donoghue turns 87. He spent nearly a decade in Major League Baseball, including the 1968 season in Baltimore, where he had a 6.14 ERA over 22 total innings.
The late Grady Hatton (b. 1922, d. 2013) was born on this day. His time in Baltimore came near the end of his 12-season big league career. In 1956 he played in 27 games for the O’s, providing solid defense at second and third base.
This day in O’s history
2012 – The Yankees takes Game 1 of the ALDS, beating the Orioles 7-2 in Baltimore thanks to a five-run ninth inning that sees O’s closer Jim Johnson get knocked around quite a bit. CC Sabathia tosses 8.2 innings to notch the win.
2023 – The Orioles play from behind all day long against the Rangers in Game 1 of the ALDS, eventually falling 3-2 in the series opener.
CLEARWATER, MEXICO - MARCH 14: Aidan Miller #21 of the Philadelphia Phillies throws to first during the game between the Pittsburgh Pirates and the Philadelphia Phillies at BayCare Ballpark on Friday, March 14, 2025 in Clearwater, Florida. (Photo by Mike Carlson/MLB Photos via Getty Images) | MLB Photos via Getty Images
See what happens when teams take a patient approach to Chris Sale? Maybe the Phillies should have taken a lesson or two from teams that actually had success.
NEWARK, NEW JERSEY - OCTOBER 06: Jesper Bratt #63 of the New Jersey Devils controls the puck during the first period against the Utah Mammoth at Prudential Center on October 06, 2026 in Newark, New Jersey. (Photo by Elsa/Getty Images) | Getty Images
Here are your links for today:
Devils Links
Not exactly a roaring start to the season. The Mammoth went 2-for-4 on the power play and took a 5-3 game over the Devils on Tuesday. [Devils NHL]
Marty talks:
Martin Brodeur and his son Jeremy join me for a wide-ranging conversation about the Devils’ goalies, the evolution of the position, carrying the Brodeur name and passing a legendary legacy to the next generation.
“Rutt’s Hut’s debut at Prudential Center was a hit with New Jersey Devils fans. A team source told NJ Hockey Now that the iconic Clifton, New Jersey hot dog stand — located in Section 15 — sold more than 1,200 ‘Ripper’ dogs during the Devils’ home opener against the Philadelphia Flyers on Thursday night.” [New Jersey Hockey Now]
“There are very few people who truly understand what it has meant to grow up as a New Jersey Devil. Nico Hischier and Jesper Bratt have never had to explain it to one another. They were there for each other at the beginning, two teenagers trying to find their place in a new league, a new city and a life that suddenly looked very different from the one they had known. And they’ve been there for virtually everything since.” [Devils NHL]
“The beginning of this conversation about no-move and no-trade clauses, we do take as an attack on players’ CBA-negotiated rights. And we will treat it as such.” [The Athletic ($)]
“The past few seasons were difficult for Elias Pettersson, but these first few outings may suggest that the 27-year-old center has found his spark again. What has led to his strong start?” [The Hockey News]
Feel free to discuss these and any other hockey-related stories in the comments below.
SAN ANTONIO, TX - JUNE 3: Kelly Olynyk #8 of the San Antonio Spurs arrives to the arena before the game against the New York Knicks during Game One of the 2026 NBA Finals on June 3, 2026 at Frost Bank Center in San Antonio, Texas. 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 Joe Murphy/NBAE via Getty Images) | NBAE via Getty Images
After one season with the San Antonio Spurs, big man Kelly Olynyk is heading to Italy. He joins BC Roma, a club recently founded by Donnie Nelson. Nelson spent twenty-four years with the Dallas Mavericks starting in 1998 when he served as an assistant coach to his father, Hall of Famer Don Nelson. The junior Nelson was essential to the drafting of Dirk Nowitzki and was with the franchise as an executive when they won their 2011 NBA Championship. He also was key in the acquisition of Luka Doncic and drafting Jalen Brunson in 2018, widely considered one of the best draft moves in the modern era. Luka Doncic is also involved in the development of the BC Roma franchise.
Olynyk stayed close to the Spurs this summer traveling to Europe with members to visit Victor Wembanyama in France. He was seen in photos with the Spurs sightseeing and taking in art at the Louvre.
Olynyk joins former NBA and G-League players Nico Mannion, Trentyn Flowers, Erik Stevenson, and Marko Simonović on the fledgling team. The club will compete in the Lega Basket Serie A (LBA) as well as in the EuroCup.
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