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Pacers Exercise 2026/27 Options On Walker, Sheppard

October 21st, 2025 at 5:40pm CST by Dana Gauruder

The Pacers have exercised their 2026/27 options on the contracts of Jarace Walker and Ben Sheppard, according to a team press release.

Walker’s fourth-year option carries a cap hit of $8,478,542, while Sheppard’s cap hit on his fourth year will be $5,031,669. Walker was the eighth pick of the 2023 draft, while Sheppard was chosen at No. 26.

The team had until the end of the month to exercise those options.

Walker appeared in 75 regular season games last season (five starts) and averaged 6.1 points, 3.1 rebounds and 1.5 assists in 15.8 minutes. Sheppard appeared in 63 games (nine starts) and averaged 5.3 points, 2.8 rebounds and 1.3 assists in 19.5 minutes per game. He also appeared in 21 postseason contests.

Both players are expected to be key bench contributors once again this season.

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Grizzlies’ Pippen Undergoes Toe Surgery, Out At Least 12 Weeks

October 21st, 2025 at 5:05pm CST by Rory Maher

Oct. 21: The surgery on Pippen’s left big toe took place on Tuesday, the team’s PR department tweets. As initially reported, he’ll be reevaluated in approximately 12 weeks, according to the Grizzlies.

Oct. 18: Grizzlies guard Scotty Pippen Jr. is undergoing a sesamoidectomy to address a lingering left big toe injury, the team announced in a press release (Twitter link).

Memphis said a return timeline wouldn’t be given until after the procedure, but Pippen is expected to make a full recovery. According to ESPN’s Shams Charania, who first reported the news (via Twitter), Pippen is expected to miss at least 12 weeks, which is when he’ll be reevaluated.

It’s a tough blow for the Grizzlies, who have been hit hard by injuries over the past couple years, a trend that has continued before the 2025/26 regular season even gets underway.

In addition to Pippen, who reportedly won’t make his season debut until at least January, second-year center Zach Edey continues to recover from left ankle surgery, veteran big man Brandon Clarke recently underwent a knee procedure, and star point guard Ja Morant has been battling a left ankle sprain. The team is optimistic that Morant might be ready for next week’s season opener, but Edey and Clarke may not be back until November.

Former Defensive Player of the Year Jaren Jackson Jr. also went offseason surgery to address a turf toe injury, but he should be ready for the opener after appearing in the team’s final two preseason contests.

Pippen, who turns 25 next month, was a key reserve for the Grizzlies last season, appearing in a career-high 79 games while averaging 9.9 points, 4.4 assists, 3.3 rebounds and 1.3 steals in 21.3 minutes per night. He posted a shooting slash line of .480/.397/.713.

Ty Jerome would typically be a prime candidate for more playing time with Pippen out, but he might be sidelined for a while too — he exited Friday’s preseason finale with a right calf injury, per the team (Twitter link), and will be reevaluated this weekend, according to head coach Tuomas Iisalo (Twitter link via Michael Wallace of Grizzlies.com).

Second-year guard Cam Spencer and rookie second-rounder Javon Small, who is on a two-way deal, should receive additional run in the Grizzlies’ backcourt.

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Raptors Pick Up 2026/27 Options On Gradey Dick, Ja’Kobe Walter

October 21st, 2025 at 4:59pm CST by Dana Gauruder

The Raptors have exercised their 2026/27 options on the contracts of Gradey Dick and Ja’Kobe Walter, according to a team press release.

Dick’s fourth-year option will carry a cap hit of $7,131,511, while Walter’s third-year option will carry a cap hit of $3,811,800. The team had until the end of the month to exercise those options.

Dick started 54 games last season, averaging 14.4 points, 3.6 rebounds and 1.8 assists in 29.4 minutes per night. He was the 13th pick of the 2023 draft.

Walter, who won’t play in the team’s opener due to an illness, averaged 8.6 points, 3.1 rebounds and 1.6 assists in 21.2 minutes per game while appearing in 52 contests during his rookie season. He was the 19th overall pick in 2024.

With the addition of Brandon Ingram, Dick will likely come off the bench this season. Dick and Walter will have to fight hard for their rotation minutes.

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2025 NBA Rookie Scale Extension Recap

October 21st, 2025 at 4:54pm CST by Luke Adams

The NBA’s annual deadline for rookie scale contract extensions passed on Monday, officially bringing the extension period for 2022 first-round picks to an end.

While there was a slight dip in rookie scale extensions this season after a streak of 11 or more for four consecutive years seasons, the drop-off wasn’t significant — nine players still signed new deals prior to Monday’s 5:00 pm Central time deadline.

It was the seventh straight year in which at least nine players completed rookie scale extensions. That didn’t happen at all between 2015-18. Since 2019, however, the total by year has been as follows:

Here’s a breakdown of the nine rookie scale extensions signed before this year’s deadline, sorted by total value.

Note: Projected values for maximum-salary extensions are based on a $166MM salary cap for 2026/27. If the cap comes in lower or higher than that, those max extensions would change in value, since they’re determined by a percentage of the cap.

  • Paolo Banchero (Magic): Five years, maximum salary (story). Projected value of $240,700,000. Projected value can increase to $288,840,000 if Banchero makes an All-NBA team or is named MVP or Defensive Player of the Year. Includes fifth-year player option. Starts in 2026/27.
  • Jalen Williams (Thunder): Five years, maximum salary (story). Projected value of $240,700,000. Projected value can increase to $250,328,000 if Williams makes the All-NBA third team; $259,956,000 if Williams makes the All-NBA second team; or $288,840,000 if Williams makes the All-NBA first team or is named MVP or Defensive Player of the Year. Starts in 2026/27.
  • Chet Holmgren (Thunder): Five years, maximum salary (story). Projected value of $240,700,000. Starts in 2026/27.
  • Keegan Murray (Kings): Five years, $140,000,000 (story). Starts in 2026/27.
  • Christian Braun (Nuggets): Five years, $125,000,000 (story). Starts in 2026/27.
  • Jabari Smith Jr. (Rockets): Five years, $122,000,000 (story). Starts in 2026/27.
  • Dyson Daniels (Hawks): Four years, $100,000,000 (story). Starts in 2026/27.
  • Shaedon Sharpe (Trail Blazers): Four years, $90,000,000 (story). Starts in 2026/27.
  • Nikola Jovic (Heat): Four years, $62,400,000 (story). Starts in 2026/27.

As is typically the case, the maximum-salary deals were completed relatively early in the offseason, with Banchero, Williams, and Holmgren all signing within the first two weeks of July.

It came as no surprise that any of those three players signed maximum-salary contracts, but it was notable that the Thunder were able to avoid including Rose Rule language in their deal with Holmgren, which will start at 25% of the cap even if he earns award recognition in 2025/26. Williams, meanwhile, will only get up to 30% of the cap with a first-team All-NBA, MVP, or Defensive Player of the Year season. If he repeats last year’s feat and makes the All-NBA third team, his deal would start at a more manageable 26% of the cap.

Besides those three extensions, there was one more deal completed at the start of free agency, with Smith coming to terms with the Rockets very early in the offseason. That $122MM agreement was a significant commitment to a player who didn’t take a major step forward in his third NBA season, but it’s the kind of investment that could look savvy down the road, given that the former No. 3 overall pick is still just 22 years old.

The other five extensions were completed in October, including three coming in on Monday. Those contracts ranged from $15.6MM annually for Jovic to $28MM per year for Murray. Braun and Daniels each got $25MM per season, with Sharpe’s new deal coming in at $22.5MM annually.

While none of those contracts looks like a massive overpay to me, I’d be most comfortable with the investments in Braun and Daniels, given that they’ve already shown the ability to be impactful starting-caliber players. Sharpe, Jovic, and Murray all have the upside to make good on their respective extensions (and then some), but those long-term agreements are more about what their teams think they can become than what they’ve done so far.

A total of 22 players entered the offseason eligible for rookie scale extensions. Nine signed extensions and one – Blake Wesley – was waived, so there are 12 players who didn’t reach agreements and will be entering contract years.

Here’s that list of those players, who are now eligible to become restricted free agents during the 2026 offseason, assuming they finish out their current deals:

A few players in this group – like Branham, Dieng, and Terry – never looked like serious extension candidates and will need to make their case this season that they’re worthy of qualifying offers in 2026 free agency.

However, there are several intriguing names on this list, including a few who still have a shot to earn $25MM+ annually on their next contracts if they play well in 2025/26.

Duren, Eason, and Kessler look to me like the safest bets for nice paydays in 2026, but Ivey and Williams are good candidates too if they have relatively healthy seasons, while Mathurin and Watson are well positioned to improve their stock in increased roles.

Several notable players who reached restricted free agency in 2025 after not signing extensions last October had a tough go of it this summer, with a couple (Cam Thomas and Quentin Grimes) settling for their qualifying offers. But with more cap room available around the league next offseason, there should be more opportunities for agents to regain some leverage in the process by wielding the threat of offer sheets.

Finally, it’s worth mentioning that there were eight players selected in the first round of the 2022 draft who weren’t eligible at all for rookie scale extensions entering this offseason, for various reasons. Those players are as follows:

Of these six players, only LaRavia is currently on a standard NBA contract — he had a nice third season for Memphis and Sacramento after having his option turned down and parlayed that success into a two-year, $12MM deal with the Lakers.

Baldwin, Beauchamp, Davis, Moore, Roddy, and Washington were all recently waived from Exhibit 10 contracts and appear likely to open the season in the G League, while Griffin stepped away from basketball in 2024.

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Jerami Grant To Come Off Bench For Blazers

October 21st, 2025 at 4:04pm CST by Luke Adams

The Trail Blazers‘ starting lineup when their season tips off on Wednesday vs. Minnesota will consist of Jrue Holiday and Shaedon Sharpe in the backcourt, Toumani Camara and Deni Avdija at forward, and Donovan Clingan in the middle, tweets Sean Highkin of The Rose Garden Report.

That means forward Jerami Grant will come off the bench for the first time since joining the Blazers in 2022 — and the first time since he was a member of the Nuggets during the 2019/20 season.

Grant, who was traded from Detroit to Portland during the 2022 offseason, has started all 164 games he has played for the team since then, averaging 18.9 points, 3.9 rebounds, and 2.5 assists in 34.1 minutes per game across those three seasons.

The 31-year-old is the second-highest-paid player on the roster, just behind Holiday, and remains under contract for at least two more years beyond this one, with a player option for 2027/28. However, he has been surpassed on the depth chart by Camara and Avdija, two younger players who look like long-term fixtures in Portland. Camara just signed a four-year contract extension with the team and is locked up through 2029/30, while Avdija has three guaranteed years left on his deal.

Asked about the possibility of coming off the bench at media day last month, Grant replied, “I don’t really expect that.” He later sought to clarify that he wouldn’t become disgruntled if he doesn’t end up starting, indicating that he’d be “fine” with it.

While the Blazers’ decision to move Grant out of the starting five doesn’t come as much of a surprise, given the way that Camara and Avdija have emerged, it’s still a situation worth keeping an eye on during the first half of the season. The veteran forward looks like a potential trade candidate, but he has three years and $102.6MM left on his contract and is coming off an injury-plagued season in which he was limited to 47 games, so his value on the trade market would be extremely limited right now.

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Contract Details: Rookie Extensions, Wallace, Cooke, Nesmith

October 21st, 2025 at 3:43pm CST by Luke Adams

There are no surprises in the official terms of the last few rookie scale extensions signed ahead of Monday’s deadline, Hoops Rumors has confirmed. The salary figures reported for Nuggets guard Christian Braun (five years, $125MM), Hawks guard Dyson Daniels (four years, $100MM), and Trail Blazers guard Shaedon Sharpe (four years, $90MM) were all accurate down to the dollar, with no player or team options, trade kickers, or partial/non-guarantees.

While the extensions for Braun and Sharpe are structured with 8% annual raises and increase from year to year, Daniels’ deal with Atlanta is worth a flat $25MM per season. It’s the same structure the team used a year ago when it signed Jalen Johnson to a five-year, $150MM rookie scale extension that has annual cap hits of $30MM. In each case, the Hawks appear happy to sacrifice a little short-term cap flexibility for greater maneuverability down the road.

Here are more details of some of the contracts recently signed around the NBA:

  • Keaton Wallace‘s one-year, minimum-salary contract with the Hawks is partially guaranteed for $318,217, Hoops Rumors has learned. Wallace would be assured of earning his full $2,296,274 salary if he remains under contract through January 7.
  • Javonte Cooke‘s new two-way contract with the Trail Blazers covers two years, Hoops Rumors has confirmed. Portland had Cooke in camp on an Exhibit 10 contract and could’ve converted him directly to a one-year, two-way deal, but chose to waive him and re-sign him in order to tack on that extra year.
  • Aaron Nesmith‘s two-year, $40.4MM extension with the Pacers includes a 7.5% trade kicker, Hoops Rumors has learned.
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Southwest Notes: Eason, Durant, Poole, Dumars, Johnson

October 21st, 2025 at 3:17pm CST by Luke Adams

After not reaching an agreement with the Rockets prior to Monday’s deadline for rookie scale extension, forward Tari Eason said on Tuesday that he still wants to be in Houston long-term, per Danielle Lerner of The Houston Chronicle (subscription required).

“Of course,” he said. “I got drafted here. This is home. The brought me in. Since kind of day one, Houston’s been like home and family to me. So of course.”

Eason seemed well positioned to sign an extension after the Rockets worked out a two-year, $90MM deal with Kevin Durant over the weekend that left them projected to be well below the second tax apron in 2026/27. Instead, he’ll look to boost his value with a strong contract year before hitting restricted free agency next summer. He indicated on Tuesday that he’s comfortable with that outcome and hopes to help the Rockets make a deep playoff run before his rookie contract expires.

“It’s business. It’s nothing personal,” Eason said. “I don’t think it really changes my goal. I’m here to try to win a championship with Houston. That’s really my main focus.”

We have more from around the Southwest:

  • Speaking of Durant’s extension, he referred to the decision to sign that contract as a “no-brainer,” according to Lerner (subscription required). “Just talking to (general manager) Rafael (Stone) and (head coach) Ime (Udoka) and how they wanted to build the team, and how I seen myself in this organization, I just thought it was a perfect contract for it,” Durant said. “So I’m glad we can get that out the way, won’t have to worry about external noise throughout the season if I didn’t have a contract signed. So just worry about basketball, and focus on the season.”
  • The Pelicans‘ trade for Jordan Poole over the summer was met with somewhat mixed reactions, but the former Warriors and Wizards guard looks like he could be an ideal fit in New Orleans, according to Les East of NOLA.com. Poole appealed to the front office due to his ability to play both on and off the ball and the fact that he’s “obsessed with basketball,” East writes. He also gained championship experience during his time in Golden State. “He won a ring,” teammate Zion Williamson said. “So he knows what it takes to get there and having that experience on this team with him is big for us.”
  • In a feature story for Pelicans.com, Jim Eichenhofer looks at Joe Dumars‘ first few months on the job in New Orleans and details why the Hall of Famer was willing to leave his position at the NBA league office to come home and run the Pelicans‘ front office.
  • While he has been the subject of some trade speculation in the past, Spurs forward Keldon Johnson continues to solidify his place in San Antonio with each passing year and has become one of the team’s culture bearers, per Jeff McDonald of The San Antonio Express-News (subscription required). “His role has evolved numerous times, and he has never wavered in terms of his commitment and enthusiasm to be here,” head coach Mitch Johnson said. “I think that speaks more than anything I can say.”
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2025/26 NBA Over/Unders: Recap

October 21st, 2025 at 1:59pm CST by Luke Adams

Over the past few weeks, we’ve been examining projections for all 30 NBA teams for the 2025/26 season, publishing polls asking how many games each club will win. With the help of lines from professional oddsmakers, we’ve had you vote on whether each team will go over or under a given win total, from the Thunder (62.5) all the way through to the Jazz (18.5).

Here are the full results of those votes:

Eastern Conference

Atlantic

  • New York Knicks (53.5 wins): Over (63.2%)
  • Boston Celtics (42.5 wins): Over (52.7%)
  • Philadelphia 76ers (42.5 wins): Under (58.7%)
  • Toronto Raptors (37.5 wins): Over (50.2%)
  • Brooklyn Nets (20.5 wins): Over (54.4%)

Central

  • Cleveland Cavaliers (56.5 wins): Over (58.0%)
  • Detroit Pistons (46.5 wins): Over (60.5%)
  • Milwaukee Bucks (42.5 wins): Over (74.4%)
  • Indiana Pacers (37.5 wins): Over (50.1%)
  • Chicago Bulls (32.5 wins): Over (60.8%)

Southeast

  • Orlando Magic (51.5 wins): Over (52.8%)
  • Atlanta Hawks (47.5 wins): Over (54.9%)
  • Miami Heat (37.5 wins): Over (54.4%)
  • Charlotte Hornets (27.5 wins): Over (50.6%)
  • Washington Wizards (21.5 wins): Under (62.4%)

Western Conference

Northwest

  • Oklahoma City Thunder (62.5 wins): Over (62.9%)
  • Denver Nuggets (53.5 wins): Over (72.1%)
  • Minnesota Timberwolves (49.5 wins): Over (58.7%)
  • Portland Trail Blazers (34.5 wins): Over (57.1%)
  • Utah Jazz (18.5 wins): Over (55.3%)

Pacific

  • Los Angeles Clippers (48.5 wins): Under (58.7%)
  • Los Angeles Lakers (48.5 wins): Under (52.1%)
  • Golden State Warriors (46.5 wins): Over (68.3%)
  • Sacramento Kings (34.5 wins): Over (55.1%)
  • Phoenix Suns (31.5 wins): Under (56.8%)

Southwest

  • Houston Rockets (52.5 wins): Over (55.5%)
  • San Antonio Spurs (44.5 wins): Over (57.6%)
  • Dallas Mavericks (41.5 wins): Over (71.8%)
  • Memphis Grizzlies (39.5 wins): Under (61.3%)
  • New Orleans Pelicans (30.5 wins): Under (54.9%)

It’s pretty common for our poll respondents to pick more overs than unders, with optimism high in most NBA cities following an offseason of change. But we took it to a new extreme this year, going over on 23 teams and under on just seven.

Technically, it’s not impossible for 23 teams to beat their projected win totals. If 20 teams go over by one win and one team goes under by 20 wins, it all evens out. It’s very much a long shot, of course, but you never know.

These were the five “over” bets that received the largest vote shares:

  1. Milwaukee Bucks (42.5 wins): 74.4%
  2. Denver Nuggets (53.5 wins): 72.1%
  3. Dallas Mavericks (41.5 wins): 71.8%
  4. Golden State Warriors (46.5 wins): 68.3%
  5. New York Knicks (53.5 wins): 63.2%

Because we published our polls over the span of a few weeks, there has been some heavy betting action on some of these numbers ahead of the start of the season, pushing the projections in one direction or the other. The “over” has been especially popular for the top four teams on this list, with the Bucks’ and Nuggets’ projected win totals increasing by one apiece in some sportsbooks, while the Warriors’ has risen to 48.5 wins.

I like all five of these bets, though there’s some significant health-related risk for the Mavericks, who are already without Kyrie Irving and who will have to lean heavily on oft-injured Anthony Davis this season. I could also see the Knicks taking some time to adjust to the changes new head coach Mike Brown is implementing and falling short of 54 wins.

But I think the Bucks, Nuggets, and Warriors are good candidates to go over this season as long as they can avoid major injuries.

Here are the five “under” bets that received the largest vote shares:

  1. Washington Wizards (21.5 wins): 62.4%
  2. Memphis Grizzlies (39.5 wins): 61.3%
  3. Los Angeles Clippers (48.5 wins): 58.7%
  4. Philadelphia 76ers (42.5 wins): 58.7%
  5. Phoenix Suns (31.5 wins): 56.8%

It’s not uncommon for projected cellar-dwellers like the Wizards to fall short of their projected win totals, since they typically go out of their way to put themselves in position to rack up losses after the trade deadline. Washington will only keep its 2026 first-round pick if it lands within the top eight, so the front office will be motivated to finish near the bottom of the NBA standings.

The injuries are already racking up for the Grizzlies, though stars Ja Morant and Jaren Jackson Jr. are trending toward being available for opening night. Memphis’ success this season could hinge in large part on how many games that duo plays together.

Our voters aren’t buying a Sixers bounce-back after an injury-plagued 2024/25 campaign, and aren’t bullish on the new-look Suns following the offseason exits of Kevin Durant and Bradley Beal. Fair enough.

The one that surprised me most was the Clippers — I think they have more than enough depth to get to 49 wins in the regular season, even if they have to deal with some injuries. They won 50 games a year ago even though Kawhi Leonard only played in 37.

Here are the five picks that were closest to 50/50:

  1. Indiana Pacers (37.5 wins): Over (50.1%)
  2. Toronto Raptors (37.5 wins): Over (50.2%)
  3. Los Angeles Lakers (48.5 wins): Under (52.1%)
  4. Boston Celtics (42.5 wins): Over (52.7%)
  5. Orlando Magic (51.5 wins): Over (52.8%)

The Pacers and Celtics are two of the toughest teams to forecast for the 2025/26 season. Neither team will be as good as usual while Tyrese Haliburton and Jayson Tatum recover from Achilles tears, and they lost other key contributors over the summer too — Myles Turner for Indiana, and a handful of players, including Jrue Holiday, Al Horford, and Kristaps Porzingis, for Boston. But both franchises have a strong culture, a good head coach, and a smart front office, so it’s hard to say just how significantly those losses will impact them.

As close as the Raptors’ and Lakers’ votes were, I think both ended up on the right side of the 50/50 divide — Toronto’s projected win total has risen to 39.5 since we published our poll, while the Lakers has dipped to 46.5, largely due to LeBron James‘ health concerns.

As for the Magic, they haven’t won 52 or more games in a season in 15 years, so I understand why nearly half of our voters were reluctant to go over. But if they have better health luck than last year, there’s certainly enough talent on the roster to get there.

What do you think of our picks in general? Are there any results above that you strongly disagree with? Did you make any over or under votes within the last couple weeks that you’re second-guessing now? Jump into our comment section below and weigh in with your thoughts!

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Blazers Exercise Options On Henderson, Clingan, Murray

October 21st, 2025 at 1:27pm CST by Luke Adams

A busy week of roster moves continues for the Trail Blazers, who announced in a press release that they’ve exercised their rookie scale team options on three players for the 2026/27 season. Those options are as follows:

Henderson, the third overall pick in the 2023 draft, hasn’t made the immediate impact that many experts anticipated, but he took a positive step forward in his second NBA season, averaging 12.7 points, 5.1 assists, and 3.0 rebounds per game on .419/.354/.767 shooting in 66 contests. The 21-year-old point guard currently recovering from a hamstring tear and will miss the start of the season.

Clingan, last year’s seventh overall pick, will take on an increased role in his second NBA season following the offseason departure of center Deandre Ayton. The former UConn standout averaged 6.5 points, 7.9 rebounds, and 1.6 blocks in 19.8 minutes per game last season, starting 37 of his 67 total outings.

Murray, the 23rd overall pick in 2023 out of Iowa, hasn’t done much offensively in two seasons for Portland, averaging 5.1 PPG and 1.1 APG on .406/.251/.558 shooting in 131 appearances (18.2 MPG). However, the 6’8″ forward is a versatile defender who could still have more room to grow.

[RELATED: Decisions On 2026/27 Rookie Scale Team Options]

Henderson and Murray will now be eligible for rookie scale extensions during the 2026 offseason, while the Blazers will have to decide on Clingan’s fourth-year option for 2027/28 (worth $9,550,298) by October 31, 2026.

The Blazers finalized a pair of four-year contract extensions on Monday for two key pieces of their long-term core, announcing new deals with Toumani Camara ($81MM) and Shaedon Sharpe ($90MM). Today’s moves ensure that all of Portland’s most important young players are under contract for at least the next two seasons.

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And-Ones: International Players, NBA Europe, Taxpayers, More

October 21st, 2025 at 12:17pm CST by Luke Adams

Highlighting some of the storylines and potential milestones to watch as the 2025/26 NBA season gets underway, Tim Reynolds of The Associated Press observes that the league is setting a series of records related to international players this fall.

According to Reynolds, there are a record 135 players born outside of the U.S. on the league’s 30 opening night rosters. Of those 135 players, 71 are from Europe, which also represents a new high watermark. In total, 43 non-U.S. countries are represented on NBA rosters, tying a league record, Reynolds writes, and each team has at least one international players on its roster.

The rising level of talent from Europe and elsewhere around the world is one reason why the NBA has been moving forward on plans to launch a new professional league based in Europe. According to Aris Barkas of Eurohoops, NBA deputy commissioner Mark Tatum told reporters this week that the goal is to get NBA Europe off the ground within the next couple years. Tatum also specifically identified seven countries the league is eyeing for permanent franchises in that league.

“In phase one, our plan is Spain, U.K., France, Italy, Germany, maybe Turkey, and maybe Greece,” Tatum said. “But there will be some open spots in the ecosystem, so in the early phase, (others) will be able to qualify.”

We have more odds and ends from around the basketball world:

  • Fourteen of the NBA’s 30 teams will open the season as projected taxpayers, according to ESPN’s Bobby Marks (Twitter link), though he acknowledges that number will certainly change in the coming months. The Raptors (over the luxury tax line by just $772K), Nuggets ($402K), and Suns ($274K) are among the prime candidates to duck out of tax territory by February’s trade deadline.
  • Keith Smith of Spotrac also takes look at teams’ cap situations around the NBA, identifying where every club is operating relative to the aprons, tax line, and salary cap.
  • In an extensive preview of the 2025/26 season, a panel of ESPN writers ranked all 30 teams entering the year, from the Thunder at No. 1 to the Wizards at No. 30.
  • Within the past year, several NBA stars have taken on general manager or assistant GM roles with their alma maters, including Stephen Curry at Davidson, Trae Young at Oklahoma, and Damian Lillard at Weber State. Lindsay Schenll of The Athletic explores that trend, noting that the titles are mostly ceremonial but that those stars are willing to help fundraise, recruit, or do whatever else the program might ask of them. “I may not talk to every recruit, but if there is a high-level recruit, you best believe I’m gonna talk to the kid,” Young said. “If there’s a kid I feel like we’re not going after hard enough, I might bring it to their attention. … I’m not gonna overstep. But there’s definitely opinions I’m gonna mention.”
  • Sovereign wealth funds based in Abu Dhabi and elsewhere in the Middle East have become increasingly involved in the NBA as investors in recent years. ESPN’s Brian Windhorst explores how this partnership between the league and those investors came about and where it’s headed in the future.
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