Worldwide Sports News

SAN FRANCISCO ― The Golden State Warriors might have won the steal of the 2026 NBA Draft, landing Michigan forward Yaxel Lendeborg with the No. 11 overall pick of the first round.

Lendeborg put the league on notice over the summer, helping lead his summer league team filled with first-year, second-year and two-way players to the 2026 Summer League title, earning MVP along the way.

A confident Lendeborg is going to strut his stuff, and on Monday during the Warriors media day, he told reporters what he believes his ceiling is and how good he thinks he can be this season.

"For me, I would probably just say playing meaningful minutes. You know, when the game is on the line, I want to be the guy on the court trying to make a play on defense or offense, whatever it has to come to," Lendeborg said. "Then just hopefully becoming like First-Team All-Rookie. I feel like I could win Rookie of the Year, but that's not my main focus. I just want to be able to set in stone here on the Warriors."

CLEVELAND — Donovan Mitchell made one thing clear at media day: he believes wholeheartedly in this group. That was also made clear when he signed a four-year, $273 contract extension that will keep him in Cleveland through the start of the next decade.

For Mitchell, there wasn’t much of a discussion about whether he wanted to lock up his foreseeable future with the Cleveland Cavaliers.

“I told Koby [Altman, Cavs president of basketball operations], ‘Listen, you ain’t really gotta ask,’” Mitchell said when asked about the extension during media day on Monday. “The first day it’s allowed [I’m signing]. It wasn’t really much of a talk.”

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The main concern about Mitchell when the Cavs first traded for him in 2022 was that he would leave in free agency for a bigger market — such as his hometown New York Knicks — when his contract expired. Fast forward four years, and the idea of Mitchell turning down a contract offer from Cleveland seems almost unfathomable.

Mitchell hasn’t just embraced the basketball team, he’s also embraced the community. That was seen once again this past weekend as he made it a point to go to the Walsh Jesuit and Arch Bishop Hoban high school football game with some of his teammates.

“Everybody comes to see us; why not flip the script and go see them?” Mitchell said. “You never know what that one moment on that particular Friday could do for that one child.”

Mitchell went on to tell a story about parents who reached out to him through Instagram to tell them about their son who was going through a difficult time and was on the football team. The son wasn’t able to play in the game, but he was able to see the stars of his local NBA team.

“[We’re] just trying to give kids that little bit of life,” Mitchell said. “Just saying, ‘Hey, we’re humans too. We’re here to see y’all.’ I know you put us on this pedestal, but at the end of the day, we appreciate the fans as much as they appreciate us.”

Mitchell is already one of the most accomplished players in franchise history as he’s set to enter his fifth season in Cleveland. That individual success has carried over to team accomplishments as well, even though they still haven’t reached their ultimate goal in the playoffs. That’s something Mitchell and his teammates hope to change this upcoming season.

“I’ve said I want to be here,” Mitchell said. “ I’ve said that publicly. I love being here. And now it’s about delivering everything else that comes with it.”

CAMDEN, NJ — When LeBron James signed with Philadelphia 76ers, one of his reasons was his belief that he could help make the NBA franchise a championship team with its already established stars and new additions to the roster.

He doubled down on that Monday, Sept. 28 in front of a packed room at 76ers media day.

"I didn’t leave my family to lose in the second round," James said. "I know that for sure. Work needs to be done, and I’m ready to get to work."

The four-time NBA champion spent more than 18 minutes at the podium inside the 76ers' training facility on Monday, answering questions before a packed room that included team executives, Mike Gansey, the team's new president of basketball operations, with whom he had a previous relationship dating back to their Northeast Ohio roots and later their time together with the Cleveland Cavaliers.

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Media day has arrived once again, and while historically for the Detroit Pistons it has been about getting a sense of players’ offseason work, getting in the best shape of your life, and building on whatever you learned last season, this year it had a bit of extra drama — the Jalen Duren contract standoff.

Duren, the All-Star and All-NBA restricted free agent of the Pistons, was not in attendance at media day, and that left others to do the talking about Duren. There isn’t much people can say — Pistons president Trajan Langdon categorically refused to comment on anything even tangentially related to contract negotiations.

However, if I am free to award myself the latitude of informed speculation and intuition, I think there was plenty to learn about the Jalen Duren saga from today’s media day. Here are my top 5 takeaways.

1. Jalen Duren WILL be a Detroit Piston this season

Look, everything could be positioning and a negotiating tactic. But Trajan Langdon provided little daylight in his expressed expectations regarding Duren this season. “He will be a Detroit Piston,” Langdon said. You can’t get more unequivocal than that.

Moreso, Langdon seemed to go into today’s media session with a game plan to make one thing clear — whenever this drama plays itself out to its inevitable conclusion, mission one was to make clear that it will all be water under the bridge when Duren does arrive back with the team, whether that be on a new long-term deal or on a one-year qualifying offer.

“He’s going to be a huge part of the team, regardless of which decision he does make. He will be a Detroit Piston, and we’ll do everything we can to support him and get the best version of him, which is what we’ve done the past two years, and that will not change. Those are things that we can control. His decision is not a point that we can control,” Langdon said.

2. Jalen Duren’s reps might be off of the Christmas card list this year

Langdon was exacting and elegant with his word choice, but I think it’s pretty clear that as much as it’s all water under the bridge once Duren is finally back with the team, there is no love lost between Duren’s reps and Langdon. When Langdon was asked about the media reports that indicate that Duren feels disrespected by the franchise over how these talks have played out, Langdon felt particularly measured. Sometimes its the sense of what you’re not saying that says a lot, you know what I mean. That didn’t mean Trajan delivered useless pablum.

“I won’t let anybody’s feelings get in the way of decisions that I make professionally. That has nothing to do [with it]. So reports that are out there are also meaningless to me.”

It felt clear to me that Langdon understands that this is a bit of asymmetric warfare where Duren’s people are able to easily plant narratives into the media and that he isn’t going to get into the business of playing the same game. Whether that amounts to understandable hardball or not negotiating in good faith, I can’t quite tell. But it feels like if there is any bad blood, it is not on Duren and is instead on Duren’s reps.

3. Trajan Langdon hasn’t spoken to Jalen Duren all summer

This is the most straightforward — Langdon literally said, “I have not spoken to the young man all summer” in regards to Duren. I wanted to list this as its own line item because I am speculating it might get picked up and aggregated on social media. But please understand that a GM not being in direct contact with a player during negotiations is completely normal and expected. When you get to the point of negotiating big contracts, it can involve big feelings. We’ve certainly seen that play out. So it’s best to have a bright dividing line between the hard work of putting dollar numbers to worth and personal relationships. Contract talks are for agents not for players.

4. Even if the fans are in their feelings, the players have no beef with JD

It’s just business. That was a clear message anytime a player was asked about Jalen Duren. Most notably, that was the message delivered by Cade Cunningham. Much was made in the media of the fact that Cunningham organized a team retreat, and Duren opted not to attend while he was still negotiating his contract. Cunningham couldn’t have seemed to care less. Cunningham equated it to the high-level negotiations he himself had with the Pistons last offseason, and that Duren was just doing what was best for him.

“I mean, that’s my brother. You know, on the court, off the court, we went to war together, obviously. But you know, we’ve had dinners together. I’ve met his family. He’s met my family. The negotiation is between front office and his representation, and so they’re gonna figure that out,” Cunningham said. “So the best thing I can do is be there for them to support them, encourage them, not let them get too down whenever it’s such a crazy time for them.”

5. In Paul Reed we trust

While Duren was the main topic of the day in the minds of the media, nearly everyone spontaneously had great things to say about Paul Reed, who will serve as Duren’s backup or maybe even the team’s starting center should Duren continue his holdout deep into the season.

JB Bickerstaff called him the hardest-working player he’s ever been around. That is not faint praise when you consider how many players Bickerstaff has been around during his long coaching career. Cunningham praised Paul. Javonte Green praised Paul. Isaiah Joe reminisced about how they both entered the league in Philadelphia together and that he was the first player he heard from after the trade from OKC.

As for Paul himself, he was his typical self — hates losing, obsessed with working hard, and not making anything more complicated than it needs to be. Just do what you do to help the team be successful. We will see just how much will get put onto Paul’s plate once the season finally arrives.

SAN FRANCISCO ― Jimmy Butler III is in a rehabilitative state following a torn ACL injury in January that sidelined him for the remainder of the 2025-26 season. He still isn't back.

General manager Mike Dunleavy told reporters during Monday's media day that Butler is doing light court work but won't be available for opening night.

Still, Butler's presence shines a light in the Golden State Warriors locker room. Butler is always good for an annual meme, especially on media day. He stared and smirked at teammate Draymond Green as he was finishing his interview session with media members.

They shared a warm embrace as Green left the podium and Butler took his place. Butler rocked a new haircut and dangling diamond earrings that shone from ear to ear as he shared how great he felt.

After being massively underpaid for the first five seasons of his NBA career, Austin Reaves signed a four-year, $184 million deal this summer to stay with the Los Angeles Lakers for the foreseeable future. His 2025-26 salary ($41.2 million) rightfully ranks him among the league’s 40 highest-paid players as the 28-year-old presumably enters his prime and should vie for All-Star appearances out West over the next few seasons.

During Monday’s media day, Reaves described those contract negotiations as “weird” because he didn’t want to be anywhere else and told reporters he mostly took a hands-off approach by letting his agents handle things.

“It’s weird, to be honest with you. I’m glad that’s behind us and we got that over with. It’s difficult because I’ve been here for five years, this is going on my sixth year,” Reaves said. “This is home to me. I want to be here. Both parties wanted that to happen. It was just how can we figure out what’s best for our team, figure out what’s best for me at the same time. We had a good time doing it.

“I didn’t talk much. My agents took care of all that. Stay out of the way and then when we get a number we like, we take. Like I said, my heart was always here. I didn’t want to go anywhere else. I’m just happy to be back.”

Between Monday’s comments and ones he made during the summer, it’s evident the entire process weighed on Reaves. Shortly after he signed his new deal this summer, he called it “a sigh of relief” and a “breath of fresh air” to remain in Los Angeles.

Throughout multiple free agency negotiations, Reaves has always made it clear that he’s wanted to remain in Los Angeles and with the Lakers. The franchise has repeatedly rewarded that loyalty with big paydays.

Reaves clearly loves being a Laker and is ecstatic to be around for the long haul as the only franchise he’s ever known embarks on a new era with him and Luka Dončić leading the way.

You can follow Jackson on Twitter at @jackfrank_jjf.

Devin Booker kicked off his 12th season for the Phoenix Suns with a new number, but just as cool and as confident as ever.

As Booker approaches his 30th birthday in October, he has accomplished a lot in his career, but there is still a lot left in the tank.

“I love the game more than ever,” said Booker during his media day press conference. “Honestly, my body feels better than it’s ever felt going into a training camp. So, I think, you know, as you get older you know, you learn new ways to train, new ways to take care of your body… I’ve been a sponge to, you know, a lot of guys that have had success and played a lot of years in their career.”

Last year, Booker played in just 64 games and averaged 33.5 minutes per contest, both his lowest marks since his rookie season. No matter what version of him we get this season, the Suns need him healthy and confident to be the best team they can be this year. His level of play and status have fallen in the NBA player hierarchy, but the Suns cannot function without him in the lineup.

Because the Suns brought back almost the entire roster from last season, Booker expects more success and growth from the team this season.

“I’m excited about it. In the past, you know, I’ve been more successful; the team has been more successful when you know, we know what to expect going into the year,” said Booker.

“We’re coming in all with the same mindset to win. So time will tell, but you know, it’s definitely gonna be nice seeing some familiar faces back, with the same coach. We’re all on the same page. This summer was a big summer for us to keep all the same guys in the same building.”

For Booker, Jordan Ott is only the second head coach he has played consecutive seasons for in his career, with the other being Monty Williams. That alone, plus bringing back most of the roster, puts the Suns and Booker in a better position to begin the season strong.

“We got together a few times, you know, as a full team,” Booker said. “You know, I know Dillon [Brooks] had about half the guys in Toronto too. We all met in Vegas. We all were in Flagstaff, and you know, this past month we’ve been running a lot of open gyms, probably three times a week in the facility… There isn’t an off season anymore. You know, we’ve been building; we’ve been getting that chemistry together.”

For Booker, Jalen Green and Dillon Brooks, building chemistry together is vital to the Suns’ success this season, with the trio only playing in 10 regular season games last season. Throw Miles Bridges and Khaman Maluach into the mix, and there is still a lot of untapped continuity for this team to figure out.

As for Maluach and Booker’s chemistry, the two have been working together this offseason to figure it out.

“You know, we would end up being in the gym at the same time late night, and then one time he just texted me and was like, you know, can we get some work in together?” said Booker. “So, you know, I think that guard and big relationship is super important, and you know, he’s way ahead of the curve.”

With all the Suns’ offseason work and hours together, they need to start fast and start healthy.

“To start the season, we’re gonna be definitely ahead of where we were to start the season last year,” said Booker.

“We have to remain healthy, and you know, we’re gonna get that chance to, you know, like I said, start this season off more on the same page than we were last year.”

Booker and the Suns have the chance to hit the ground running this year because of their depth and continuity, and the Suns franchise player has been leading the way all offseason.

SAN FRANCISCO ― Draymond Green is excited for the 2026-27 season for plenty of reasons.

Green signed a one-year, $27.7 million deal to return to the Golden State Warriors; he's back paired with his right-hand Steph Curry and he's the vet who will teach rookie Yaxel Lendeborg the ropes. They immediately developed a friendly banter, having gone to rival schools: Lendeborg to Michigan, and Green to Michigan State. College rivalry aside, Green likes what he sees from their rookie.

"Needless to say, he's going to be -- obviously we know what Steph does, myself, but he's going to be important," Green said about Lendeborg. "I think from what I've seen already, I think my role for him will be to make sure he's always aggressive. You know, he's one of those guys that has the skill set to do certain things, but the way you see the game could affect that negatively. Meaning I can just go get a bucket, but I'm watching this play out, so let me try to make this play. It's, like, no, the right play is actually for you to probably go get the bucket."

Green made a point to himself to stay on top of Lendeborg's development in the league. Mainly, staying aggressive.

"At all times you should be downhill trying to get to the rim. Like, there will be a time in his career where, you know, you may become, like, the playmaker, but I don't know if everybody is going to need him making plays for them his rookie year," Green said. "You need to have the play made for you, and not necessarily made for you because he can make the play himself, but let guys be making the play for you and you're going to score."