DETROIT, MICHIGAN - DECEMBER 11: The Los Angeles Lakers logo is pictured on a uniform against the Detroit Pistons at Little Caesars Arena on December 11, 2022 in Detroit, Michigan. 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. (Photo by Nic Antaya/Getty Images) | Getty Images
As you guys recently saw, we were looking to add to our staff here at Silver Screen & Roll as we head into a new season. We’ve found some exciting folks — whose bylines you might have seen popping up this wekk — who will be joining the site, some of which you may not know about and one you probably will.
Connor Moreno will provide on-site coverage during training camp, at practices and, most often, at games this season. He spent a year covering the Phoenix Suns, so he’s already been through a lot. But he’s a Lakers fan, so we get to bring him back home to cover the purple and gold this season.
Jackson Frank will be helping out with all the news and rumors and everything in between for us this season. He was the final piece coming our way in the unofficial LeBron James-Quentin Grimes swap. He spent many years covering the Sixers, including over at Liberty Ballers, and brings a wealth of knowledge and experience to the staff.
Lastly, a name many of our longtime readers are familiar with, Plain Fiction will be joining the staff as a contributor. Many of us have seen his detailed comments, blogs in our FanPosts (RIP) or posts in The Feed. They’re as detailed as anything we’re writing on the site, so it was an easy decision to add him to the staff.
I’m excited to welcome all three to our already great staff, giving us even more intelligent voices to help cover the best franchise in the NBA.
SEATTLE, WASHINGTON - SEPTEMBER 08: Wyatt Langford #36 of the Texas Rangers celebrates his two-run home run with Ezequiel Duran #20 during the fifth inning against the Seattle Mariners at T-Mobile Park on September 08, 2026 in Seattle, Washington. (Photo by Steph Chambers/Getty Images) | Getty Images
Texas Rangers lineup for September 9, 2026 against the Seattle Mariners: starting pitchers are Cody Bradford for the Rangers and Kade Anderson for the Mariners.
Texas goes up against wunderkind Kade Anderson this afternoon, and since Anderson is a lefty, you know what kind of lineup there is.
The lineup:
Duran — CF
Seager — SS
Foscue — 2B
Nimmo — RF
Langford — LF
Burger — 1B
O’Hoppe — DH
Diaz — C
Freeman — 3B
3:10 p.m. Central start time. Rangers are +127 underdogs.
SEATTLE, WA - SEPTEMBER 04: Brady Basso #66 of the Athletics pitches during the game between the Athletics and the Seattle Mariners at T-Mobile Park on Friday, September 4, 2026 in Seattle, Washington. (Photo by Eric Hiller/MLB Photos via Getty Images) | MLB Photos via Getty Images
This afternoon, the Athletics have a chance to win their second straight series if they can capture the rubber game against the Toronto Blue Jays, who remain in the race for the final American League wild-card slot.
The A’s are once again rolling with the opener strategy today, a move necessitated by the numerous injuries and inconsistent performances the team’s starting rotation has dealt with this season. Left-hander Brady Basso will open the game for the fifth time in his 23rd appearance of the season. The 28-year-old has gone 1-2 with a 4.32 ERA and 24 strikeouts over 33 1/3 innings.
Speaking of southpaws, here’s a medical update on A’s pitching prospect Jamie Arnold from his mother.
Thank you to everyone who has reached out to us and prayed for Jamie. Considering he took a ball to the face at 107mph, he’s doing well. Has a few broken bones on his left side cheek and a corneal abrasion, but could’ve been so much worse. God is good 🙏❤️ https://t.co/7w55fjAQTv
Back to the game, there is a strong possibility that right-hander Joey Estes will handle the bulk of the relief work after Basso pitches the first couple of innings. Or, with the team off tomorrow, the Athletics could give everyone in the bullpen, minus the two relievers who each pitched two innings yesterday, an inning and see how it goes.
Here’s how the Athletics will line up for the series finale:
Well, this A’s lineup is certainly something. Right fielder Lawrence Butler, who is batting .179 over his past seven games, will bat between Henry Bolte and Zack Gelof. If the A’s want to win, they will need first baseman Tommy White, catcher Brian Serven and shortstop Alika Williams to contribute offensively.
Why did the team bring back Denzel Clarke, only to sideline him every game? The injury prone player needs at-bats to improve offensively, which he will not get by sitting on the bench. It seems like the Athletics only reinstated Clarke to make social media content.
With the Green and Gold relying on their league-worst bullpen, it would have made sense to shore up the outfield defense by putting Clarke in center field and moving Bolte to left. Unfortunately, that apparently did not cross A’s manager Mark Kotsay’s mind.
The Blue Jays are also rolling with a bullpen game. Right-hander Brayden Fisher will open on the mound for the visitors. The 26-year-old enters his 70th appearance and ninth start of the season with a 3-4 record, a 3.20 ERA and 68 strikeouts over 70 1/3 innings. Fisher has been lights-out lately, having not allowed a run over his last seven games.
George Springer remains out of the lineup for the Blue Jays, who will rely on the sluggers in the middle of their lineup to lead their offense as they pursue a road series victory. Left fielder Charles McAdoo and backup catcher Brandon Valenzuela will make their first starts of the series this afternoon.
Time to win a second straight series and make Toronto’s path to the postseason even more challenging. Let’s go, A’s!
"Saturday Night Live" announced that their 52nd season will premiere on Sept. 26, and Knicks point guard Jalen Brunson will be the host.
Brunson, of course, is coming off a magical season in which he earned his third career All-Star appearance and led the Knicks to their first NBA championship in 53 years, earning Finals MVP honors as the Knicks defeated the San Antonio Spurs in five games.
Brunson won’t be the first New York athlete to host the show, as he’ll join a group that includes Eli Manning in 2012 and Derek Jeter in 2001.
The 30-year-old Brunson is often very stoic when speaking to reporters, but he's got experience in front of the mic, hosting his "Roommates Show" podcast with longtime teammate Josh Hart.
Martin Ødegaard’s goal proved enough for Arsenal to start their campaign with three points
2 min: Arsenal are wearing red shorts. Full marks for considering those with colour blindness, and acting with compassion. It doesn’t look good, mind. It’s just not Arsenal.
After a moment to remember the victims of the devastating floods in Nepal, Arsenal get the ball rolling. A blistering atmosphere at the Stadio Diego Armando Maradona; did anyone expect anything else?
Brunson is the fifth NBA star to be tapped as a host by the long-running late-night sketch comedy show, joining only Bill Russell, Charles Barkley, Michael Jordan and LeBron James.
Girl group KATSEYE will serve as the musical guest on Brunson's Saturday Night Live episode.
Brunson averaged 28.4 points, 6.1 assists and 3.2 rebounds in 19 playoff games last season for the Knicks before leading the franchise to its first NBA title since 1973. Brunson underwent wrist surgery earlier this offseason, but is expected to return to basketball-related activities in time for the start of training camp.
Brunson has previously appeared in a non-wrestling guest performer role with WWE, mostly in conjunction with Indiana Pacers star and fellow pro wrestling fan Tyrese Haliburton.
Ahead of NHL training camps, each team sends a representative to the NHL Media Tour in Las Vegas. This year, the New York Islanders sent Calder Trophy-winning defenseman Matthew Schaefer as their representative.
Schaefer, 19, lit the hockey world on fire last season as an 18-year-old rookie, shattering all previous records for 18-year-old defensemen and establishing himself as a generational talent.
He recorded 23 goals and 59 points, good for second on the team in both categories, while also landing him the Calder Trophy awarded to the NHL's best rookie.
The question is, how does he even top a season like that?
Schaefer's already motivated to blow it out of the water.
"I will always have the highest expectations," Schaefer said to reporters, including The Hockey News' Michael Traikos, at the NHL Media Tour. "Last year was good, but I think I can be even better this year [...] I've gotten bigger, stronger, and faster. And I put on some weight, which was awesome."
As for how different it feels going from year one into year two, Schaefer practically called it night and day.
"Yeah, I mean, you go into your first year, you don't know what to expect," Schaefer said. "You're at training camp, you're at rookie camp, and you're a little nervous because you don't know many guys there. You're coming in, it's different. But honestly, I've learned so much from start to finish. I gained my confidence.
"I learned what the league was like," Schaefer continued. "Obviously, there weren't many days off, so you're playing basically every other day, and I found a lot of ways to get my rest and recovery, take care of my body, but play at 100, you know, as close to 100 percent, each and every night, and be hungry every night.
"Year 2 can be even better. And, you know, it took me the first little bit of the season to get going. I want to come out of the gates going right away and carry it through the whole season."
Going straight from Juniors into the NHL is not an easy task whatsoever, but one thing Schaefer has consistently praised the Islanders' organization for everything they've done.
"Obviously, I think the main thing that helped me last year was just everybody in the Islanders organization," Schaefer said. "Mainly my teammates and coaches and all the staff. They helped me so much from top to bottom. So I would like to thank, you know, everybody.
“This is the most fun I've had playing hockey, and, it's all because of the people that are surrounding me and my support system," Schaefer continued. "Every time I come to the rink, I have a smile on my face. I'm ready to learn. I'm ready to work. And I'm ready to just be there with my family. It's awesome.”
There is nobody on the planet in the hockey world like Matthew Schaefer.
It's also increasingly clear that nobody is more motivated than Schaefer to build off his first year and be even better in year two.
"Bigger, stronger, faster."
How's it even possible for Schaefer to get any faster? Only time will tell, but it feels like a pure warning shot to the entire league that the Schaefer Show on Long Island is only just getting started.
Pikiell announced on Wednesday, Sept. 9 he was not feeling 100% a few months ago and visited the team doctors, and after undergoing testing, he learned he has cancer. He did not disclose what type of cancer it was.
"I am incredibly grateful to my team of doctors at RWJBarnabas Health and Memorial Sloan Kettering for guiding and supporting us through this difficult time," he said in a statement. "After a successful surgery, my doctors and I have a kick-ass game plan to finish treatment."
Pikiell still plans to be involved with the team "to the best of my ability" as he undergoes chemotherapy in the coming months, but associate head coach Brandin Knight will be at the helm when Pikiell is unable to.
Rutgers athletic director Keli Zinn said there is no set timeline for when Pikiell will be able to fully return to the team.
"We are grateful to Coach Knight for his willingness to step up during this challenging time and to our entire staff for their great care and compassion for Coach and our student-athletes," Zinn said.
Pikiell arrived at Rutgers in 2016 and led the Scarlet Knights to the NCAA Tournament in 2021, their first apperance in 30 years, and winning its first tournament game in 38 years. Rutgers again made the tournament the following season.
In 10 seasons in Piscataway, Pikiell is 161–160.
Knight has been at Rutgers since Pikiell's arrival in 2016, elevating his way from assistant to associate coach.
Rutgers opens the 2026-27 season against New Haven on Nov. 6.
BROOKLYN, NY - NOVEMBER 28: Paul George #8 of the Philadelphia 76ers shoots the ball as Ziaire Williams #1 of the Brooklyn Nets plays defense during the 2025-26 Emirates Cup on November 28, 2025 at Barclays Center in Brooklyn, New York. 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 2025 NBAE (Photo by Jesse D. Garrabrant/NBAE via Getty Images) | NBAE via Getty Images
The Los Angeles Lakers are not lacking for offensive firepower throughout their perimeter rotation. Luka Dončić and Austin Reaves are among the NBA’s foremost backcourts overall, especially offensively. Collin Sexton is a dynamite scorer off the bench. Quentin Grimes is a valuable floor-spacer who capably attacks closeouts.
To compete for home-court advantage and a top-four seed out West, though, they must prove they can competently defend on the perimeter. That is not a strength for Dončić, Reaves or Sexton. Grimes’ on-ball defense has ebbed and flowed throughout his career. Reinforcements in that department must arise elsewhere for Los Angeles to properly complement what should be a potent offensive unit led by Dončić and Reaves.
Enter Ziaire Williams, whom the Lakers inked to a one-year, $2.8 million deal earlier this summer. During a recent interview with Benjamin Royer of The Orange County Register, Williams laid out the role Lakers head coach JJ Redick and President of Basketball Operations Rob Pelinka envision for him. Their priority, according to initial conversations he’s had with them, centers on “first and foremost, being a main defender, point-of-attack defender.”
Thus far in his career, Williams has shown some standout lateral agility and ability to navigate screens effectively. But he’ll need to find consistency on offense to amplify his defensive flashes.
Throughout his first five NBA seasons, he’s largely struggled as a shot-maker. He’s knocked down 42.2% of his field goals, including 32.2% beyond the arc, which compose more than half (55.4%) of his total attempts. He has, however, flashed keen off-ball movement, converted a career-high 34.3% of his triples last season and is a career 54.6% shooter inside the arc. He’s hoping all of those skills fit seamlessly alongside the Lakers’ primary creators.
“Obviously Luka (Doncic) and AR (Austin Reaves) are going to be the main primary ball handlers,” Williams told Royer. “So just playing off them, being able to shoot, cut, make plays in transition, stuff like that. They thought it was a great fit for me to be here, and the feeling was mutual.”
Williams will have the chance to compete for heavy minutes in the Lakers’ crowded, yet mostly unproven wing rotation this upcoming season. While the likes of Grimes, Jake LaRavia, Jarred Vanderbilt Matisse Thybulle, Adou Thiero, Dalton Knecht and rookie Cameron Carr will all similarly look to earn significant playing time, any definitive claim to minutes — save for maybe Grimes — seems dubious currently. If Williams expands upon his career-best year in 2025-26, the chance to carve out a prominent role is absolutely available.
“I just thought it was a great opportunity,” Williams said of why he chose to sign with the Lakers after averaging a career-high 10.2 points per game for the Brooklyn Nets last season. “Being that big wing, versatile player that they needed, I just thought it was a great opportunity for me to be a Laker. Even if the same team was in New Orleans or Milwaukee, wherever – just the opportunity that was here and the team that they had, I just thought it was the best fit. And then just being back home in L.A. is the cherry on top. Being able to play in front of my family and my friends, and I’m super excited.”
Jalen Brunson is taking another legendary step, joining Bill Russell, Michael Jordan, LeBron James and Charles Barkley in another rare milestone for an NBA career:
Brunson will host the season opener of Saturday Night Live on Sept. 26 with musical guest KATSEYE.
Brunson became a New York legend and icon as the NBA Finals MVP, leading the Knicks to their first title in 53 years last June, setting off wild celebrations around the city that might still be going on. With plenty of Knicks fans on staff with SNL, this was not going to be a hard sell.
Technically, this does come a few days after the start of Knicks training camp, but like anybody was going to tell Brunson no here. If there was one thing I would be sure of, it's other Knicks appearing on that show in some capacity.
The list of professional athletes who have hosted Saturday Night Live is long and storied, and includes Joe Montana and Walter Payton (as co-hosts in 1987 before the Super Bowl), Wayne Gretzky, Dion Sanders, Derek Jeter, Jeff Gordon, Tom Brady, Michael Phelps, Peyton Manning, and Travis Kelce, just to name a few. Charles Barkley has hosted four times.
In addition to the broadcast on NBC (11:30 p.m. ET / 8:30 p.m. PT), "SNL" streams live on Peacock. Stream every season of SNL now on Peacock.
The St. Louis Blues have had little trouble finding NHL-caliber players in the early rounds of the NHL draft as of late.
On their projected opening-night roster, four players were selected by the Blues in the first round, but another five were acquired via trades or free agency. Additionally, the Blues have first-round picks like Otto Stenberg, Theo Lindstein, Zach Dean, Adam Jiricek, Justin Carbonneau, Tynan Lawrence, and Maddox Dagenais waiting for their opportunity as former first-round picks.
But another late-round pick has put his name on the map. That is none other than Matvei Korotky.
Selected in the seventh round (211th overall) by the Blues in the 2025 NHL draft, Korotky was impressive in his sophomore season in the KHL with SKA St. Petersburg, scoring 14 goals and 27 points in 43 games.
Standing 6-foot-2, 198 pounds, Korotky is a skilled center with a heavy shot. His shot is likely his best offensive trait, as he doesn't need much time and space to show it off. In his KHL rookie season, Korotky notched five goals and nine points in 30 games.
But he is more than just a shooter, which should excite Blues fans. Korotky has power-forward traits and is willing to engage physically when the opportunity presents itself. But maybe more importantly, Korotky hounds down pucks on the forecheck.
With his speed and energy, Korotky often forces turnovers and creates instant offense. But as he has developed, Korotky has become more comfortable skating with the puck in transition. Using a combination of skilled hands and power, Korotky drives the puck to the net or slot, as he is always looking to move the puck into high-danger areas.
The now 20-year-old was likely a near throwaway pick as they gambled on some positive traits Korotky possessed. That gamble is looking to pay off early, as those traits- his shot and forechecking- have continued to develop while he has rounded out his game.
Korotky is likely still a ways away from competing for an NHL spot, but he is an interesting prospect who could, down the road, become a useful NHL player for the Blues or a trade chip.
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The “Savage” rapper admitted in a recent interview with InStyle that her split from the former Golden State Warriors superstar has caused her to “feel like I’ve been put through the washing machine and the dryer with tins, shovels, and a cactus.”
Music artist Megan Thee Stallion kisses her boyfriend, Dallas Mavericks guard Klay Thompson, at the end of a game against the New York Knicks at Madison Square Garden on Monday, Jan. 19, 2026. Charles Wenzelberg / New York Post
Megan began dating Thompson last year, and for months, they looked to be on the path of marriage. The two were constantly together, and she even showed up to a number of his NBA games to cheer him on from a courtside chair.
However, in April, Megan announced the pair had separated, writing in an Instagram post that Thompson had cheated on her.
During her chat with InStyle, Megan called the whole situation “very rough.”
Golden State Warriors guard Klay Thompson, right, shoots as Los Angeles Clippers’ Rodney Hood defends during the first half of an NBA basketball game Tuesday, Feb. 15, 2022, in Los Angeles. AP
“How do I want to say this gently?” she said. “What’s meant for you is always going to work out. And if something is constantly making you feel uncomfortable, just on edge all the time, you probably are not supposed to be there.
“God will always make you uncomfortable when something is not meant for you. I think I just kept trying to make pieces fit that didn’t belong, trying to fit myself into someone else’s life. I was losing myself a little bit. I am now in the space of finding me again.”
Megan added that she’s now seeking a relationship in which she and her boyfriend are on the same pedestal.
Megan Thee Stallion performs onstage during night 3 of the 2023 ESSENCE Festival Of Culture at Caesars Superdome on Sunday, July 2, 2023, in New Orleans, Louisiana. Getty Images
“I cannot be minimized,” she said. “I will not be behind any man. I will have a partner. I will be equals with my partner. I’m never gonna take the backseat to anything. So just going forward, I think I’ve just learned this is the type of person that I want to be with, this is what I will tolerate, this is what I won’t tolerate. And if you can’t take that, we just gotta respectfully go our separate ways.”
As for how the single life is treating her, Megan said she’s learning that “being by yourself is OK.”
“Like, I ain’t smiled so much in so long,” she said. “Like, I’m outside twirling in the grass like, ‘Wow, it’s a beautiful day outside!’
BOSTON, MA - FEBRUARY 16: Tacko Fall #99 and Jaylen Brown #7 of the Boston Celtics warm up before the game against the Denver Nuggets on February 16, 2021 at the 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 2021 NBAE (Photo by Brian Babineau/NBAE via Getty Images) | NBAE via Getty Images
I’m back this week and ready to answer your Sixers-related questions.
It’s been relatively quiet, but the Sixers did make a series of Exhibit 10 signings. For those unfamiliar, an Exhibit 10 deal is essentially a training camp contract with an added financial incentive for the player to join the signing team’s G League affiliate. So, these guys will likely end up in Delaware suiting up for the Blue Coats, but it’s worth noting the Sixers have an open two-way spot and an open standard spot (though they can’t fill the latter until December).
The four players include the 7-foot-6 Tacko Fall, Jameer Nelson, Jr., the son of Sixers executive Jameer Nelson, Saint Thomas, who spent last season with the Blue Coats, and Dillon Jones, the former first-round pick and two-time NBA champion with the Thunder and Knicks. Since none of the aforementioned players have more than four years of NBA experience, they’re all technically two-way eligible. While this could be a competition for that final slot, the Sixers could still look at outside candidates as well.
Hit me in the comments below and I’ll do my best to answer as many questions as possible.
CLEVELAND, OHIO - FEBRUARY 11: James Harden #1 of the Cleveland Cavaliers looks on during the first half against the Washington Wizards at Rocket Arena on February 11, 2026 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. (Photo by Nick Cammett/Getty Images) | Getty Images
All-time great players achieve that status by continually defying norms, yet Father Time remains undefeated.
James Harden will be remembered as one of the ten best guards in league history when all is said and done. His peak as a one-man offense in the 2010s with the Houston Rockets hasn’t been topped by many; neither has his incredible longevity. He’s 189 assists away from becoming the only player besides LeBron James to rank in the top ten all-time in both points and assists. But even all-time greats have an expiration date.
Harden’s game has aged gracefully over the last handful of years. He isn’t the one-man offense he was in his prime, yet he has continually found ways to fit into and elevate groups as a supporting piece.
That carried over this past season to Cleveland. The Cavaliers played their best in the playoffs when Harden was on the floor. His ability to orchestrate the offense and take over late in games when needed is one of the reasons why the Cavs were able to advance to the Conference Finals for the first time in eight seasons.
If we judge his new contract on how he just played, this would be a good deal for Cleveland.
Every dollar matters in a salary cap league. That’s especially true for a team like the Cavs that has been doing everything in its power to cut costs after spending last season in the second apron. However, you aren’t going to get a guard playing at or near an All-Star level that isn’t on a rookie deal for cheaper.
To evaluate the contract, let’s first try to pinpoint where exactly Harden is from a skill perspective going into this season.
Player ranking guides shouldn’t be taken as gospel truth, but they do provide a general consensus for where someone stands in the league hierarchy. Currently, The Ringer and NBA 2K27 have him as the 31st-best player. HoopsHype lists him as the ninth-best guard.
This is in line with where some of the catch-all stats have him as well. Dunks and Threes’ actual estimated-plus minus has him at 38th (93rd percentile) last season. Basketball-Reference’s catch-all stats view him a little more favorably, as he was 21st in player efficiency rating (20.7), 19th in box-plus-minus (3.9), and 14th in value of replacement player (3.6).
How much stock you want to put into any of that is up to you. What we can comfortably say is that ranking him as the 31st-best player in the league is completely reasonable.
Now, let’s look at where he stacks up in annual value on his contract. Harden’s contract is expected to start just below $30 million for this upcoming season and should escalate to $34.9 million on the third and final year of his deal.
The $29.7 million he is expected to earn next season would give him the 64th-highest annual salary in the league. That placement is good value for what you’re expecting to get from him, especially considering the quality of many of the players making more than him. Jimmy Butler ($56.8 million), Trae Young ($49.5 million), Zach LaVine ($50 million), Domantas Sabonis ($45.5 million), and Brandon Ingram ($40 million) are all set to make $10 million more than Harden next season. This list puts into perspective how bad some contracts are, and how this isn’t one of them, based on how Harden has been playing.
However, that evaluation is contingent on Harden still being at or near his recent level. NBA history suggests that he won’t continue to do so over the next three years.
LOS ANGELES, CA – NOVEMBER 3: James Harden #1 and Chris Paul #3 of the LA Clippers looks on during the game against the Miami Heat on November 3, 2025 at Crypto.Com Arena in Los Angeles, California. 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 2025 NBAE (Photo by Juan Ocampo/NBAE via Getty Images) | NBAE via Getty Images
Finding a recent comparison for Harden is difficult. Few guards have sustained the consistent level of play for as long as he has. One that comes to mind is Chris Paul.
Catch-all stats are flawed, but they can be used as guideposts for where a career is going. Harden finished 32nd in ESPN’s Player Efficiency this past season at age 36. At the same point in his career, Paul ranked 38th.
Paul made his final All-Star appearance at age 36. He was coming off another impressive season, helping lead the Phoenix Suns to 64 wins. There wasn’t much in his game at that time that would suggest he would begin to decline. That inevitably started during his age-37 season.
Paul was still good at 37. His overall points, assists, and efficiency were down from the year before, but he was still a high-quality player. However, a closer look at some of the advanced stats would suggest a noticeable drop-off that would continue
Paul went from 38th to 76th in ESPN’s Player Efficiency Rating between his age-36 and age-37 seasons. That slide continued as he finished 148th in Player Efficiency Rating during his age-38 season and then 170th in his last full season at age 39.
Harden has more size than Paul, which should help him age better. However, there’s no denying the simple fact that we don’t typically see good guard play from guys at this point in their careers.
There aren’t many examples of someone playing at or near an All-Star level at age 37. Only 12 players in league history have been on an All-Star team at age 37. The list keeps getting smaller the older you get. Only five players have been All-Stars at age 38 (LeBron, Tim Duncan, Michael Jordan, Karl Malone, and Kareem Abdul-Jabbar), and just three at age 39 (LeBron, Jordan, and Abdul-Jabbar).
More to that point, it’s rare for 39-year-olds to even be in the league. There are only three currently rostered players who will be 39 or older at the start of the season: Mike Conley, Al Horford, and LeBron.
Just because there isn’t a historical precedent for guys playing at a high level in their late 30s doesn’t mean it’s impossible. Last season, Kevin Durant made the All-NBA Second Team, and Steph Curry was still playing at an elite level at age 37. Both are expected to be All-Star-quality players again this upcoming season. Harden certainly has the talent to follow in their footsteps.
Overall, history isn’t on Harden’s or the Cavs side. A significant drop-off in play comes for everyone at some point. That’s true even for all-time great guards like Harden. Odds are this happens for Harden sometime over the lifetime of this new contract.
Still, this is a deal the Cavs felt they had to make. They mortgaged future money in 2028 for more flexibility now to get out from under the second apron and execute a sign-and-trade for Peyton Watson. Neither of those things would’ve been possible if Harden had simply opted in to his $42.3 million player option.
Now, we’ll wait and see whether or not this short-term gamble ages like Harden’s gas station wine or a French Sauvignon Blanc.
