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Celtics Notes: George, Robinson, Tatum, Pritchard
Paul George drops a 38‑point debut as the Celtics fall 121‑113 to Detroit despite blowing a 22‑point lead, saying the loss feels like “nothing.” Mitchell Robinson’s first game is marred by an ankle tweak and a modest 4 points, while Jayson Tatum is held to 13 points by Ausar Thompson’s defense. Payton Pritchard adds 17 points just four days after signing a two‑year, $44.2 million extension, pledging to stay hungry. The piece highlights mixed early‑season performances and the veteran squad’s scramble to find consistency.
Pistons Notes: Green, Duren, Comeback, Thompson, Holland
The Detroit Pistons surprised on opening night, rallying from a 22‑point deficit to beat Boston 121‑113 – the biggest first‑day comeback since the 1997‑98 season. Veteran wing Javonte Green, re‑signed to a one‑year, $3.95 M deal, ignited the comeback with 19 points in 18 minutes, scoring the go‑ahead free throws. Rookie Jalen Duren, fresh off a $200 M contract, added 22 points, while Ausar Thompson contributed a double‑double (11‑11‑5) and looks to expand his offensive role. Coach J.B. Bickerstaff is still sorting lineups, noting limited minutes for rookie Ron Holland. The win showcases Detroit’s gritty identity and depth under its new roster.
Pacific Notes: Jackson, Redick, Ike, Podziemski, Booker
Isaiah Jackson finally earns his first Clippers start at center for the season-opener against Sacramento, after 219 games with only 45 starts. Meanwhile, Lakers coach JJ Redick stresses growing through adversity, with Austin Reaves eyeing a stronger roster. Warriors add depth as Graham Ike signs a two‑way deal and could see minutes with Charles Bassey sidelined; however, rookie Brandin Podziemski misses the opener due to back soreness. Suns forward Devin Booker remains optimistic that the team’s modest roster tweaks, highlighted by the Miles Bridges trade, will translate into playoff cohesion.
Eastern Notes: Watson, Sharp, Hornets, Magic
Cavaliers forward Peyton Watson, acquired from Denver in a sign‑and‑trade, vows to bring a "kill‑or‑be‑killed" mentality to Cleveland and stresses durability and chemistry as keys to a title run. Meanwhile, the Raptors cut Jamarion Sharp, who now heads to their G League affiliate Raptors 905 and could earn a $91K bonus after 60 days. The Hornets battle injuries, with Kon Knueppel, Grant Williams and Coby White rehabbing but missing the season opener versus Brooklyn. The Magic also sit several players out, including Anthony Black and Jonathan Isaac, for their Atlanta opener, though Franz Wagner and Jase Richardson are cleared.
Pelicans Exercise Options On Fears, Queen, Missi
The New Orleans Pelicans exercised team options for 2027‑28 on Jeremiah Fears ($8.27 M), Derik Queen ($5.67 M) and Yves Missi ($5.60 M) while declining AJ Johnson’s option ($5.49 M), making him an unrestricted free agent. Fears, the No. 7 pick of 2025, posted 14.3 points and 3.4 assists in 82 games and is slated as the probable sixth man behind Dejounte Murray. Rookie‑turned‑bench forward Derik Queen averaged 11.7 points, 7.1 rebounds and 3.7 assists last season after a draft‑night trade. Center Yves Missi, after a reduced role in his sophomore year, earned a rotation‑player tag. Johnson, a 2024 second‑rounder, struggled with 3.3 PPG and will hit free agency after the season.
Pelicans Exercise Options On Fears, Queen, Missi
The New Orleans Pelicans lock in three young pieces for 2027‑28, exercising team options on Jeremiah Fears ($8.27 M), Derik Queen ($5.67 M) and Yves Missi ($5.60 M). Fears, the 2025 No. 7 pick, posted 14.3 points and 3.4 assists in 82 games and is slated as the probable sixth man. Queen, a 13th‑overall rookie, averaged 11.7‑7.1‑3.7 and may also begin the season off the bench. Missi, after a reduced sophomore year, still projects as a rotation big man. Conversely, the Pelicans declined AJ Johnson’s $5.49 M option, making him an unrestricted free agent.
Grizzlies Exercise Options On Edey, Coward For 2027/28
The Memphis Grizzlies exercise rookie‑scale options on both Zach Edey and Cedric Coward for 2027/28, locking in Edey's $8.07 million fourth‑year deal and Coward's $6.29 million third‑year pact. Despite missing most of the 2025/26 season after two ankle surgeries, the 7‑foot‑3 forward posted 13.6 points, 11.1 rebounds and 1.9 blocks in limited action and remains a core piece, with a rookie‑scale extension due July 2027. Coward, a 2025 No. 11 pick who made the All‑Rookie first team, averaged 13.6 points, 5.9 rebounds and 2.8 assists. The club must decide by Nov. 1, 2027, on Coward’s $8.34 million fourth‑year option, while a third rookie option on Walter Clayton was voided after his waiver.
Mavs Notes: Irving, Powell, Cisse, Injuries, Johnson
Kyrie Irving, entering his 16th season and turning 35 in March, says he can’t picture playing in the NBA at 42, noting the league has become “more robotic” with social media and gambling pressures. Irving holds a $42.4 million player option for 2027‑28, which would keep him at 36. Meanwhile, the Mavericks waive veteran Dwight Powell, who Irving says will be “severely missed,” while coach Dusty May anticipates Powell could sign elsewhere. With Dereck Lively II still rehabbing, reserve Moussa Cisse may see more minutes. Injury updates ahead of the season opener vs. Houston: Max Christie is cleared, Tarik Biberovic out with heel bursitis, and Santi Aldama close to return. Rookie Morez Johnson Jr. will be used at power forward and center, offering flexibility amid lingering injuries.
Raptors Pick Up 2027/28 Options On Murray-Boyles, Walter
The Toronto Raptors exercised rookie‑scale team options on forward Collin Murray‑Boyles and wing Ja’Kobe Walter for the 2027‑28 season. Murray‑Boyles, the 9th overall pick in 2025, secures a $6.97 M third‑year deal and will face a $8.87 M fourth‑year decision by Nov. 1, 2027. Walter, the 19th pick in 2024, locks in a $5.87 M fourth‑year option and becomes eligible for a rookie extension next July. Both players posted solid rookie numbers—Murray‑Boyles averaged 8.5 points, 5 rebounds and made All‑Rookie second team, while Walter improved to 44.6% shooting and 40.9% from three—positioning them as key pieces alongside Kawhi Leonard in Toronto’s rising Eastern Conference squad.
Mavs Considered Likely To Sign Walter Clayton
The Dallas Mavericks are now the favorite to land guard Walter Clayton after he clears waivers from Memphis. Clayton, the 2025 first‑round pick (18th overall) who averaged 7.8 points, 4.0 assists and 2.0 rebounds in 69 games last season, is eligible for a two‑way deal, and Dallas has an open slot after cutting John Poulakidas. While Sacramento, Miami and Golden State have shown interest, Marc Stein of The Stein Line says the Mavericks are likely to sign him, overtaking Seth Lundy for the two‑way roster spot. Clayton must go unclaimed by Wednesday before becoming an unrestricted free agent.
Bulls Exercise 2027/28 Options On Buzelis, Essengue
The Chicago Bulls have exercised both rookie‑scale options for the 2027/28 season, locking in Matas Buzelis’s fourth‑year deal and Noa Essengue’s third‑year contract. Buzelis, the 11th pick in 2024, posted 16.3 points, 5.8 rebounds, 2.1 assists and 1.5 blocks while starting all 77 games last year, and his option bumps his salary to roughly $7.58 million. Essengue, the 12th pick in 2025, missed most of his rookie year after shoulder surgery but will now earn $5.97 million in 2027/28, with the Bulls facing an $8.23 million option for ’28/29. The team must finalize all rookie‑scale options by Nov. 2.
Pacific Notes: Green, Lendeborg, Simmons, Bridges, Lakers
Draymond Green, after a one‑year deal with Golden State, will hit unrestricted free agency in 2027 but says he’d love to retire a Warrior, even if he must move on. The Warriors have cap space after extending Steph Curry and rookie guard Brandin Podziemski, leaving Green’s future uncertain. Meanwhile, rookie forward Yaxel Lendeborg is impressing GM Mike Dunleavy Jr. with his passing and versatility, Ben Simmons rehabs an Achilles tear with the Kings and may have become captain absent the injury, Miles Bridges is expected to stay with the Suns beyond 2027, and the Lakers report Collin Sexton cleared practice while Cameron Carr and Adou Thiero deal with minor injuries.
Cavs Pick Up Jaylon Tyson’s Fourth-Year Option
The Cleveland Cavaliers have exercised the fourth‑year team option on 2024 first‑round pick Jaylon Tyson, locking in his $5.64 million salary for the 2027‑28 season. After a modest rookie year, Tyson posted a breakout 2025‑26 campaign with 13.2 points, 5.1 rebounds and 2.2 assists in 26.9 minutes per game, shooting .493/.446/.738. However, his production dipped in the playoffs, averaging just 4.1 points and 2.8 rebounds in 12.7 minutes across three series. With depth losses including Dean Wade and Max Strus, Tyson—now the sole Cavalier with a rookie‑scale option—aims to rebound as a key reserve, positioning himself for a potential extension in July 2027 or restricted free agency in July 2028.
Southeast Notes: Dybantsa, Black, Conwell, Wiggins, Hawks
NBA scouts debate whether playing with Wizards star Trae Young will help No. 1 pick AJ Dybantsa’s development, with some fearing reduced ball‑handling and others touting the benefits of learning alongside Young and Anthony Davis. Dybantsa misses the Hawks’ season opener vs. Milwaukee due to an ankle injury and is listed day‑to‑day. Meanwhile, Magic guard Anthony Black remains focused despite missing a rookie extension, Heat rookie Ryan Conwell posts 17 points and 6 assists in his last three preseason games, and Hawks wing Aaron Wiggins highlights his chemistry with former teammate Luguentz Dort. Atlanta also secures an exclusive streaming deal with Amazon Prime for the 2026/27 season.
Community Shootaround: 2026/27 NBA Predictions
The 2026/27 NBA season kickoff sees the Oklahoma City Thunder and San Antonio Spurs pegged as the top championship contenders, each receiving 13 of 30 votes from The Athletic’s writer poll and topping ESPN’s preseason power rankings (61 and 59 projected wins). The Philadelphia Sixers and New York Knicks also attract strong East expectations, while Minnesota is the dark‑horse pick in the West. Victor Wembanyama dominates MVP (19 votes) and DPOY (29 votes) forecasts, and Cameron Boozer leads Rookie of the Year predictions. The poll lists the likely playoff field, with unanimous selections including the Thunder, Spurs, Sixers, Knicks, Celtics and more, highlighting a highly contested road to the 2027 Finals.
Cavs’ Nae’Qwan Tomlin (Back) Out At Least 3-4 Weeks
The Cleveland Cavaliers confirm that forward Nae’Qwan Tomlin will miss at least the first 11 games of the 2026‑27 season after being diagnosed with a lower‑back stress reaction. The 26‑year‑old, who posted 5.8 points and 2.9 rebounds in 64 games last year and recently earned a guaranteed two‑year contract, is slated for a 3‑4‑week re‑evaluation but may remain sidelined longer. His absence adds strain to a roster already thin, with wing options Sam Merrill, Mario Hezonja and Jaylon Tyson expected to shoulder the load, while big man Khalifa Diop also battles a knee injury.
Injury Notes: Warriors, D. Murray, Sixers, Cavs, Nets, Raptors
Stephen Curry is cleared for the Warriors’ season opener against the Lakers, but Golden State starts shorthanded as Brandin Podziemski (questionable, back soreness) and Charles Bassey (knee tendinitis) are day‑to‑day, with Kristaps Porzingis out sick and Jimmy Butler and Moses Moody still recovering. In New Orleans, Dejounte Murray expects to play after a toe injury, while the Sixers list Dean Wade, Anfernee Simons and Adem Bona as questionable for their opener. The Cavs’ Sam Merrill and Nae’Qwan Tomlin grapple with elbow and back issues, respectively, and the Nets have rookie Joshua Jefferson ready but Tyler Bilodeau sidelined with a shoulder injury. The Raptors are nearly fully healthy, with Alijah Martin cleared and Nate Bittle back in practice.
Pistons Exercise 2027/28 Option On Ron Holland
The Detroit Pistons have exercised their rookie‑scale team option on 2024 No. 5 pick Ron Holland for the 2027‑28 season, making his $11.5 million fourth‑year salary fully guaranteed. Holland, now entering his third year, posted modest numbers—7.3 points, 1.1 assists in 17.7 minutes with a .450/.246/.782 shooting line—but served a key defensive role on a squad that improved from 44 to 60 wins. The move locks him in through next season, triggers extension eligibility in the 2027 offseason, and could turn him into a restricted free agent in 2028 if no new deal occurs. Options are due by Nov 2.
NBA Set To Tip Off 2026/27 Season
The 2026/27 NBA season launches Tuesday with an afternoon opener as the Pistons host the Celtics at 2 p.m. CT, followed by the Sixers at the defending champion Knicks at 6 p.m. and the Spurs vs. Thunder at 8:30 p.m. All 30 teams filed rosters, revealing 519 players under contract for 540 spots—433 on standard deals and 86 on two‑way contracts, with 17 roster openings league‑wide. Notably, four teams still have a two‑way slot, and 25 players carry non‑guaranteed or partially guaranteed salaries, including Heat’s Nick Richards and Grizzlies’ Jaylen Wells, whose deals become fully guaranteed soon. The Nuggets start the season over the second luxury‑tax apron, while the Nets are the only team with cap space (~$4.9 M). A new rule prorates minimum contracts signed after opening day.
Timberwolves Sign Jaden McDaniels To One-Year Extension
The Minnesota Timberwolves lock up forward Jaden McDaniels with a one‑year, $40 million veteran extension that kicks in for the 2029‑30 season, pushing his total earnings to $124 million over the next four years. The deal marks the first NBA instance of a player receiving an extension while still having three guaranteed years on a non‑max contract. It positions McDaniels for a potential 40% salary boost in his next deal and gives him ten years of service before free agency. The Wolves are counting on his offensive leap alongside new point guard LaMelo Ball, after a solid 2025‑26 season averaging 14.8 PPG and earning All‑Defensive honors.
2026 NBA Rookie Scale Extension Recap
The NBA’s rookie‑scale extension deadline passed on Oct. 20, 2026, with only seven 2023 first‑rounders signing new deals – the lowest total since 2018. Victor Wembanyama (Spurs) lands the sole max contract, a five‑year, $255.2 million deal, while Brandon Miller (Hornets) and Amen Thompson (Rockets) each secure five‑year deals around $208 million. The other signings range from $110 million (Brandin Podziemski, Warriors) to $135 million (Cason Wallace, Thunder). All seven contracts are fully guaranteed five‑year deals, a shift from past years that featured more maxes and varied lengths. Of 23 eligible players, 14 remain unsigned and will hit restricted free agency in 2027.
Bucks Re-Sign Pete Nance To Two-Way Contract
The Milwaukee Bucks waive forward Pete Nance from his standard deal and re‑sign him to a two‑way contract, adding him to the team's 18‑man roster ahead of opening night. Nance, who logged 47 games last season with 5.4 points and 2.7 rebounds per game, joins Cormac Ryan and Kam Jones in the Bucks' two‑way slots. The two‑year minimum deal pays him $678,882 and allows appearances in up to 50 regular‑season games, while the team also trimmed guard Kevin Porter Jr. to meet the 15‑man limit.
Suns Notes: Ishbia, KD, Brooks, Kennard, Rotation, Fleming
Ahead of the 2026‑27 season, Suns owner Mat Ishbia, forward Dillon Brooks and former Sun Kevin Durant spar over social‑media after Ishbia’s CNBC interview. Ishbia said he stepped into personnel decisions after trading Durant to Houston, reshaping the roster around a new “Suns DNA” that includes Brooks, Jordan Goodwin, Collin Gillespie, Oso Ighodaro and Devin Booker. Durant retorted with a sarcastic tweet, and Brooks replied that Ishbia “cleaned up the stench” in the locker room. Ishbia also predicts a stronger team than the 45‑win squad, aiming for a playoff series win. Luke Kennard’s knee strain may limit him, but the projected 10‑man rotation features Booker, Brooks, Jalen Green and Miles Bridges starting, with Gillespie, Goodwin, Kennard and Ryan Dunn off the bench.
Wolves Second-Rounder Trey Kaufman-Renn To Play For Kansas
Former Purdue forward Trey Kaufman-Renn, the 59th overall pick in last year’s NBA draft, has been cleared to return to college and joins Kansas for the 2026‑27 season. After a standout senior year (14.2 points, 8.3 rebounds, 2.5 assists) and a brief stint in the Timberwolves’ Summer League, a court‑ordered injunction lets him play despite the NBA’s draft‑and‑stash rights. Coach Bill Self welcomes him as a replacement for injured freshman Grant Mordini, emphasizing Kaufman‑Renn’s experience in deep NCAA tournament runs. Minnesota supports the move, indicating he won’t join the Wolves immediately.
Spurs Notes: Harris, Donovan, Wembanyama, Harper, Gillespie
The Spurs’ season opener in Oklahoma City will be without new free‑agent forward Tobias Harris, who is still rehabbing a left calf strain after missing all five preseason games. Coach Mitch Johnson says Harris is progressing but isn’t ready yet. Veteran Billy Donovan, fresh off a 32‑year head‑coaching career and a recent Hall‑of‑Fame induction, joins San Antonio as an assistant, earning praise from Thunder coach Mark Daigneault. Victor Wembanyama enters his fourth year as the clear MVP favorite, while second‑year guard Dylan Harper earns a starter spot after shooting 57.1% from deep in preseason. Rookie two‑way guard Ja’Kobi Gillespie also receives strong coaching praise.
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