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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.
Hornets Sign Brandon Miller To Five-Year Extension
The Charlotte Hornets officially lock up 23‑year‑old forward Brandon Miller with a five‑year rookie‑scale extension worth about $209 million, starting in 2027‑28. The deal, slightly above Amen Thompson’s $208 million pact, would be the second‑largest rookie extension of the offseason, trailing only Victor Wembanyama’s max contract. Miller, the No. 2 pick in 2023, posted 20.2 points, 4.9 rebounds and a +8.5 net rating for Charlotte last season despite wrist and shoulder injuries. The extension follows the Hornets’ trade of LaMelo Ball, signaling Miller as the team’s new cornerstone.
Sixers’ Barlow Out At Least Two Weeks With Back Injury
The Philadelphia 76ers place forward Dominick Barlow on the injured list after imaging reveals a lumbar spine bone stress response. Barlow, who emerged as a solid defender and contributed 7.7 points and 4.8 rebounds over 71 games last season, will miss at least two weeks and the first seven games of the 2026‑27 season. The 23‑year‑old’s back issue, which kept him out of preseason action, will be re‑evaluated early November. Philadelphia’s frontcourt is already thin, with new signing Ariel Hukporti sidelined by a torn Achilles in preseason. Barlow’s $6.8 million, two‑year deal includes a team option exercised for 2026‑27.
Suns, Oso Ighodaro Complete Three-Year Extension
The Phoenix Suns officially lock up center Oso Ighodaro on a three‑year, $29 million veteran extension that begins in 2028‑29 after picking up his $2.5 million 2027‑28 team option. Ighodaro, 24, logged all 82 games last season (6.5 pts, 5.1 reb, 2.3 ast, 65.3% FG) and started every playoff game, posting 7.5 pts, 7.0 reb and 4.0 ast. With Mark Williams sidelined after shoulder surgery, Ighodaro is poised to share front‑court duties with sophomore Khaman Maluach. The deal makes him a near $10 M annual player, the fifth Suns rotation member to secure a multiyear extension this offseason.
Sixers Exercise 2027/28 Option On VJ Edgecombe
The Philadelphia 76ers officially exercised VJ Edgecombe’s third‑year contract option, securing him for the 2027/28 season at $12.2 million after his $11.66 million 2026/27 salary. The 6‑foot‑4 Bahamian guard, the 2025 third‑overall pick, posted a stellar rookie year with 16.0 points, 5.6 rebounds, 4.2 assists and 1.4 steals in 35 minutes per game, shooting .438/.352/.818, earning All‑Rookie first‑team honors and a third‑place finish in ROY voting. The Sixers still have until next fall to decide on his fourth‑year option worth $15.45 million for 2028/29.
Suns Claim Drew Timme Off Waivers
The Phoenix Suns add former Gonzaga star Drew Timme to their roster by converting his Exhibit 10 deal into a two‑way contract on October 19, 2026. Timme, who went undrafted in 2023, logged 36 NBA games with Brooklyn and Los Angeles last season, averaging 5.6 points, 2.7 rebounds and 1.2 assists in 13.6 minutes. He posted 23.9 PPG, 8.2 RPG and 54.5% shooting for the South Bay Lakers in the G League. Timme joins Duop Reath and Pat Spencer as the Suns' two‑way players, providing front‑court depth while starter Mark Williams recovers from shoulder surgery.
Bucks Cut Kevin Porter Jr.
The Milwaukee Bucks waive guard Kevin Porter Jr. to meet the 15‑man roster limit, absorbing his $5.39 million cap hit. Porter, 26, posted 17.4 points, 7.4 assists and 5.2 rebounds per game last season but struggled with a .348 three‑point rate and defensive lapses, and his off‑court history includes a locker‑room dispute in Cleveland and a domestic incident in Houston. With a deep backcourt—Tyler Herro, Ryan Rollins, Brayden Burries, Kasparas Jakucionis, Gary Trent Jr., plus wings A.J. Green and Caris LeVert—the Bucks deemed him expendable. No trade materialized, and Porter becomes a free agent if unclaimed on waivers.
Grizzlies Waive Walter Clayton Jr., Micah Peavy
The Memphis Grizzlies have waived rookie guard Walter Clayton Jr. and forward Micah Peavy, clearing a roster crunch ahead of the regular season. Clayton, owed $4.2 million, and Peavy, owed $2.2 million, each carry dead‑money hits totaling $6.4 million for Memphis. Clayton, the 18th‑overall pick who posted 7.8 points, 4.0 assists and 2.0 rebounds per game last year, may attract interest from the Kings or Heat. Peavy, a 40th‑overall pick who averaged 4.3 points and 1.9 rebounds, missed camp with an ankle injury. Kris Murray, another newcomer, survived the cuts.
Lakers Waive Dalton Knecht
The Los Angeles Lakers waive former first‑round pick Dalton Knecht to trim their roster to 15 standard contracts ahead of the 2026‑27 season, ESPN’s Shams Charania reports. The 2024, 17th‑overall pick posted modest numbers last year—4.2 points and 1.4 rebounds in 10.2 minutes over 51 games, shooting 34.2% from three. After a failed trade to Charlotte and dwindling trade value on his $4.2 million cap hit, the Lakers opted to absorb his salary rather than attach draft picks. Knecht’s $6.45 million rookie option for 2027‑28 is voided, making him an unrestricted free agent eligible for a two‑way deal, while teammates Jaden Hardy, Bronny James and Jarred Vanderbilt remain on the roster.
Suns Convert Duop Reath To Two-Way Contract
The Phoenix Suns officially convert Duop Reath’s Exhibit‑10 contract into a two‑way deal, adding depth to a frontcourt missing injured starter Mark Williams. The 6’9″ South Sudan‑born center, who spent three seasons with Portland and briefly joined the Hawks before being waived, posted career averages of 6.2 points and 2.6 rebounds over 146 games. Reath, 30, logged 5.5 points and 1.5 rebounds in four preseason outings for Phoenix. The move follows the Suns’ recent waivers of guard Koby Brea and forward CJ Huntley, creating two new two‑way slots.
Rockets Convert Tshiebwe, Phillips To Two-Ways, Waive Pedulla
The Rockets reshape their roster for opening night by converting Oscar Tshiebwe and Julian Phillips from Exhibit 10 deals into two-way contracts, freeing a slot by waiving two-way guard Sean Pedulla. Tshiebwe, a 27‑year‑old rebounding specialist who posted 22.5 points and 19.5 rebounds in his last two NBA games, joins Julian Phillips, a 23‑year‑old wing who averaged 2.9 PPG last season after stints with the Bulls and Timberwolves. The moves also lock in Jae’Sean Tate and Isaiah Crawford as the 13th and 14th standard contracts, keeping Houston just $14K under the luxury‑tax threshold.
Kings Release Two-Way Player Adam Flagler
The Sacramento Kings waive two‑way guard Adam Flagler, ending his short stint after signing a two‑way contract in July. Flagler logged seven Summer League games (16.8 MPG) with 6.3 points, 2 assists and .319/.190/.714 shooting, and saw only two brief preseason appearances at 4.6 MPG. The former Baylor champion spent the 2025‑26 season with the Austin Spurs, averaging 14.5 points and 4.9 assists. Sacramento now has one two‑way slot open, while Jonathan Mogbo and Leaky Black retain the other two-way spots, and an additional roster spot remains vacant.
Stephen Curry To Play Wednesday Following Injury Scare
Stephen Curry clears an ankle tweak and is set to play Wednesday’s season opener against the Los Angeles Lakers, Warriors coach Steve Kerr confirms. The 38‑year‑old slipped during an October 18 open practice, limped off and was initially thought to have a knee problem, but Kerr says it’s a minor ankle issue and not serious. Curry’s availability is a boost for a Warriors roster already hit by injuries to Jimmy Butler (ACL), Moses Moody (patellar tendon) and Kristaps Porzingis (illness). The team hopes the star guard stays healthy for the opening game.
Suns Waive Koby Brea
The Phoenix Suns waive two‑way forward Koby Brea, the 41st overall pick from the 2025 draft, after he appeared in 12 games last season (3.8 points, 43.3% from three) and spent time with the Valley Suns in the G League (16.4 PPG). The move coincides with the release of fellow two‑way player CJ Huntley as the team seeks front‑court depth following Mark Williams' shoulder labrum surgery. Phoenix still has forward Duop Reath on an Exhibit 10 deal and may convert him to a two‑way contract, though nothing is confirmed yet.
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