Wizards Sign Kadary Richmond, Alondes Williams; Waive Leaky Black, Skal Labissiere
The Wizards have finalized the signings of guards Kadary Richmond and Alondes Williams to Exhibit 10 contracts, the team announced (via Twitter). Forward Leaky Black and big man Skal Labissiere, who were also on Exhibit 10 deals, were both waived to make room on the training camp roster.
Washington’s agreement with Richmond was first reported following the draft in late June. The 6’5″ guard played at St. John’s last year after spending one season with Syracuse and three with Seton Hall. He earned second team All-Big East honors last season after averaging 12.4 points, 6.4 rebounds, 5.3 assists and 2.0 steals in 36 games.
Williams, whose deal was reported in August, has appeared in nine total games over the past three seasons while on two-way contracts with Brooklyn, Miami and Detroit. He’s eligible to sign another two-way deal with the Wizards, but the team currently has all three of its slots filled.
Black signed with Washington on October 2, while Labissiere has been with the team since October 6. Neither of them was used in the Wizards’ lone preseason game so far.
All four players could end up with the Capital City Go-Go, Washington’s G League affiliate, where the Exhibit 10 contracts will make them eligible for bonuses worth up to $85,300 if they spend at least 60 days with the team.
The moves leave the Wizards’ roster at the preseason limit of 21 players.
Knicks Notes: Towns, Robinson, Hart, Giannis, Clarkson
Karl-Anthony Towns and Mitchell Robinson have both started in the Knicks‘ first three preseason games, and new head coach Mike Brown seems to like the idea of using the two big men together, writes Zach Braziller of The New York Post. It’s an option that Tom Thibodeau rarely had last season because Robinson was recovering from ankle surgery and was only available for 17 games. Their time together was mostly limited to the playoffs, and Braziller notes that the Knicks outscored opponents by 4.4 points per 100 possessions with the double-big lineup.
“The length on the floor is just unbelievable, when you’re playing KAT at the 4, playing OG (Anunoby) at the 3, Mikal (Bridges) at the 2,” Brown said. “That’s a big, long team, with a lot of interchangeable parts. And then offensively, not just for KAT, but for the rest of the group, it just gives you a different look. You’d think that group should be able to offensive rebound at a high level, which is one of our staples.”
Braziller points out that Robinson was very effective once he was able to begin playing last season, especially in the playoffs where he averaged 4.7 points and 7.1 rebounds per game while posting a +2.7 net rating. Brown believes Robinson can adapt to his up-tempo system, and Braziller states that the seven-footer engaged in an intense conditioning program during the summer to prepare himself.
“First of all, he’s a great runner. Not a good runner, a great runner,” Brown said. “And he’s got to — like all of us — play at this pace, especially all the time. We don’t wanna do it most of the time, we wanna do it all the time. Having said that, you know Mitch is a vertical threat. I’m just guessing off the top of my head. He might be the best vertical threat I’ve been around.”
There’s more from New York:
- Josh Hart hasn’t been able to practice since suffering back spasms in the first preseason game, but he has advanced to on-court work, Braziller adds in a separate story. Brown believes Hart will be able to pick up the new system once he’s healthy. “He’s practiced a few times, played in one game. So you have a feel of what you’re going to get from Josh,” Brown said. “But the tough part about it is because what we’re doing is new, and he hasn’t gone through it, he’s a little behind in that regard. But he’s got a great feel, has watched us enough, he should be able to jump in. He might be a few steps behind, but he should be able to catch up quickly with the guys.”
- Giannis Antetokounmpo‘s reported interest in coming to New York if he ever asks to leave Milwaukee should be considered a major sign of progress for the franchise, contends Steve Popper of Newsday (subscription required). He notes that the Knicks have done a lot of work to rebuild their reputation around the league since Leon Rose took over as team president. Stefan Bondy of The New York Post (subscription required) offers his suggestions for a couple of Antetokounmpo deals.
- Free agent addition Jordan Clarkson discusses the highlights of his long career in an interview with James L. Edwards of The Athletic.
Stein’s Latest: Giannis, Westbrook, Mavericks, Referees
If Giannis Antetokounmpo is ever traded, it’s more likely to happen during the offseason, Marc Stein of The Stein Line states in his latest Substack column (subscription required). That’s the conclusion Stein reaches after listening to the chatter out of Milwaukee since it was revealed last week that the Bucks and Knicks had trade discussions regarding the Greek superstar during the summer.
Stein cites Antetokounmpo’s response when asked about the rumor, saying that he’s happy in Milwaukee now but could reconsider his stance in “six, seven months.” He also said the idea of forcing a trade is “temptation,” adding that it “starts when the season ends (and lasts) until the season begins.”
Given that background, Stein believes this might be a “make-or-break” season regarding Antetokounmpo’s future with the Bucks. The front office took a huge gamble over the summer, waiving and stretching Damian Lillard‘s contract to create enough cap space to sign Myles Turner away from Indiana. However, the rest of the roster is virtually the same as it was when the team finished 48-34 last season and was eliminated in the first round of the playoffs. Antetokounmpo has repeatedly expressed his desire to compete for another NBA title and seems likely to revisit the idea of changing teams if Milwaukee can’t make progress toward that goal.
Antetokounmpo’s contract runs through 2026/27, with a $62.8MM player option for the following season. Stein points out that he’s about to enter the first season of a three-year, $175MM extension he agreed to shortly after the Bucks traded for Damian Lillard in 2023.
Stein shares information from around the league:
- Russell Westbrook remains a free agent eight days away from the start of the regular season, but he appears very unlikely to continue his career overseas. League sources tell Stein that there have been “zero discussions” about that possibility. A report on Sunday indicated “strong mutual interest” between Westbrook and the Kings, and Stein’s sources say the 36-year-old guard remains focused on his next NBA opportunity, even if it doesn’t come until later in the season.
- The Mavericks are expected to play two preseason games at The Venetian Macao resort next October, Stein hears. He adds that team owner Patrick Dumont was instrumental in helping the NBA rebuild its business relationships with China following a 2019 dispute sparked by Daryl Morey’s online support of pro-democracy protests in Hong Kong.
- NBA referees have been wearing earpieces during the preseason to allow them to communicate easier with each other, Stein adds, and they could become standard equipment when the regular season begins.
Kings Sign, Waive Mitch Mascari, Daniel Batcho
October 13: Both players have been waived, according to NBA.com’s transactions log.
Ocotber 10, 8:00 pm: As expected, Mascari and Batcho have officially signed their non-guaranteed contracts with the Kings, per RealGM’s transaction log.
October 10, 11:51 am: The Kings have reached an agreement to sign free agent shooting guard Mitch Mascari, agent George S. Langberg tells Michael Scotto of HoopsHype (Twitter link).
Mascari, who won a pair of NCAA DII championships at Northwest Missouri State in 2021 and 2022, transferred to Drake for his final year of college in 2024/25. The 6’5″ guard averaged 9.4 points, 2.2 rebounds, 1.3 assists, and 1.4 steals per game across 35 outings last season, knocking down 40.3% of his three-point tries. He played all 40 minutes in Drake’s victory over Missouri in the first round of the NCAA tournament, racking up four steals in that game.
Mascari suited up for the Suns’ Summer League team in Las Vegas this summer and averaged 1.7 PPG, 2.0 RPG, and 2.0 APG in 10.9 MPG in three contests.
While Scotto didn’t provide any details on the agreement, it’s almost certainly an Exhibit 10 contract that will put Mascari in line to be an affiliate player for the Stockton Kings, Sacramento’s G League team. If he spends at least 60 days with Stockton, the undrafted rookie would be eligible to earn an Exhibit 10 bonus worth a maximum of $85,300.
Since Sacramento has multiple openings on its 21-man preseason roster, no corresponding move will be necessary to make room for Mascari. According to James Ham of The Kings Beat (Twitter link), expectation is that the move will happen later today, along with the reported signing of Daniel Batcho, with both players waived shortly thereafter.
Mavs Notes: Flagg, Chemistry, Rebounding, 2026 Preseason
There are many reasons that Cooper Flagg was the obvious choice for the Mavericks with the No. 1 pick in the 2025 draft — he’s a high-level defender, a talented shot-maker, and an underrated passer. However, there’s one trait of his that head coach Jason Kidd is most impressed by, according to Eddie Sefko of NBA.com: his toughness.
“His willingness to compete at a high level and his willingness to be uncomfortable,” Kidd said when asked what parts of Flagg’s games stood out early on. “He absorbs that. I think those are his superpowers. His winning DNA – he stood in line a little bit longer to get that at a very high level. He’s all about winning.”
Kidd spoke excitedly about the potential of Flagg and young center Dereck Lively II to grow together, as well as their ability to impact winning in the near-term. That quality, along with the toughness, is what Kidd values the most in Flagg.
“It’s not about how many shots he gets or how many minutes or how many times he touches the ball,” Kidd said. “He’s about the team. He’s about winning. That’s the biggest thing that stands out — he competes to win.”
We have more on the Mavs:
- Through two preseason games, Flagg is still working on establishing chemistry with his new teammates and continues to search for the best ways to complement fellow frontcourt star Anthony Davis. “I gotta find ways to help AD more,” he said, per The Dallas Morning News’ Mike Curtis (Twitter video link). “Play off him a little better. Help him impact the game when he’s posting up, getting his isos and whatnot. It’s been huge just trying to fit together. That’s what the preseason is for, just for us to come out and get that real game minutes together and kind of gel.“
- While Flagg had five turnovers in Saturday’s 120-116 loss to the Hornets, the Mavs aren’t concerned with him experimenting and finding the limits of his play-making during the preseason, writes Sefko. Of more concern is the fact that the team was badly beaten in the rebounding battle, with the Hornets pulling down 54 boards to the Mavs’ 37. Given Dallas’ jumbo-sized lineup of Flagg, Davis, and Lively, the team expects to be one of the best rebounding squads in the league, Sefko writes, and it will likely have to be, given the shooting sacrifices that such a lineup would entail. Sekfo notes that Kidd addressed the issue, saying it will be a point of emphasis for the rest of the preseason.
- The Mavs’ owner, Patrick Dumont, was present for the matchup between the Nets and Suns in Macao, reports Brad Townsend of the Dallas Morning News (via Twitter). Dumont was a part of the effort to rebuild the NBA’s relationship with China, according to Townsend, who believes there’s a good chance the Mavs will play in China during the 2026 preseason. Marc Stein (Substack link) has heard the same thing.
Moses Moody To Miss Remainder Of Preseason
Moses Moody will miss the final three games of the Warriors‘ preseason due to a left calf injury, reports ESPN’s Anthony Slater (via Twitter).
According to head Steve Kerr, the Warriors are “not too concerned” about the injury, which occurred in practice. Slater adds that the team is hopeful that Moody can return in time for the season opener.
Moody started both of the Warriors’ preseason games to this point, averaging 14.5 points and 1.0 steal per contest while hitting seven of his 12 three-point attempts.
After years of being in and out of the Warriors’ rotation, Moody seems to have finally carved out a role for himself as a floor spacer and versatile wing defender in Kerr’s main rotation. If he were to miss time to open the season, it could open the door for Brandin Podziemski and Buddy Hield to earn extra minutes.
Jazz’s Georges Niang Out At Least 2-3 More Weeks
Jazz forward Georges Niang will be reevaluated in two to three weeks as he works to come back from a fourth metatarsal stress reaction in his left foot, the team announced in a press release.
The injury, which Niang suffered during offseason training and conditioning, was announced on September 27. At that time, the Jazz said that Niang would be reevaluated in two weeks. The newest update confirms that he is progressing in his rehabilitation, but there is still no definitive return date.
Niang’s return to Utah this summer came in the form of a trade by the Celtics aimed at freeing up cap space, as he was dealt along with two second-round picks for rookie RJ Luis. Niang split last season between the Hawks and Cavaliers, and held season averages of 9.9 points, 3.4 rebounds, and 1.4 assists per game.
The career 39.9% three-point shooter played four seasons with Utah from 2017-21 and appeared in 23 playoff games for the team, averaging 5.0 points in 13.0 minutes. The Jazz, in the midst of a rebuild, reportedly value Niang for the impact he could have as a veteran among the many young players on their roster.
Pistons Notes: Thompson, Cunningham, Stewart, Defense
The Pistons, coming off last season’s unexpected run to the playoffs, are still working to iron out their formula around star point guard Cade Cunningham. One idea they’ve pushed in the preseason, according to Hunter Patterson of The Athletic, is giving third-year wing Ausar Thompson more primary ball-handling duties.
While Thompson’s ball-in-hand role last season was mostly limited to fastbreaks and dunks off drop-offs, the Pistons are expanding his role in the lead-up to this season to see how he handles it, Patterson writes.
“That’s something we’re going to do more of,” head coach J.B. Bickerstaff said. “The tempo that [Thompson] plays at when he has the ball in his hands, and the threat that he becomes when he has the ball in his hands changes the way that teams have to guard him. He has the ability to make his teammates better.”
Patterson points to Thompson’s ability to change speeds and use both his strength and quick-twitch athleticism to get to the rim or beat defenders as key reasons why giving him the ball more is intriguing. Bickerstaff is also interested in exploring different ways to free up Cunningham off-ball to get him easier looks.
“Teams decide they want to pick Cade up full court, and sometimes because of the gravity he holds, people just hug up on him,” Bickerstaff said. “Now his defender has to play off a screen or off a shift, and it just makes him a better offensive player when people can’t get their hands on him to wrestle and hold him.”
While Thompson still has to tighten his handle, the team has seen encouraging signs.
“Ausar is a guy who can initiate offense at a high level,” Cunningham said. “Giving him room to get more and more comfortable with it as the preseason goes along, I think that’ll be a big weapon for us.”
We have more notes from the Pistons:
- Cunningham had a breakout year last season, earning his first All-Star nod in addition to making the All-NBA third team and placing seventh in MVP voting. According to Patterson, Cunningham’s is looking for new ways this preseason to take his game to another level. While he wasn’t always willing to shoot off the dribble from behind the arc during Detroit’s playoff series against the Knicks last spring, there has been no hesitation in the preseason. “I want to shoot more threes, the highest quality possible,” he said. “I’m confident, I feel good about my game right now.” Cunningham ranked 27th in threes attempted off the dribble last season and 11th in the playoffs and struggled with his percentages on those shots, hitting them at a 33.8% and 16.0% clip, respectively — the latter percentages was the worst among players attempting at least four such shots a game. Turning the pull-up shot into a real weapon could bear huge dividends for the Pistons’ offensive attack moving forward.
- Isaiah Stewart is another Piston who understands the team’s need for three-point shooting, Patterson writes. After attempting 380 total threes in the 2022/23 and ’23/24 seasons, he had just 53 tries last year, hitting 32.1%. Patterson notes that both Stewart and Bickerstaff have spoken this offseason about getting that volume back up. While he has only attempted three threes over the first two games of preseason, Stewart has made two of them. Given the Pistons’ lack of shooting, especially at the big man positions, his willingness to let fly from deep could provide a different wrinkle to their offense.
- On the other end of the floor, Patterson notes that Bickerstaff had previously mentioned being interested in experimenting with zone defense due to the number of athletes with impressive wingspans on the team. “We have found some zones that we like. It comes down to the time to implement the zones so you can get good at them,” Bickerstaff said last week. That idea bore out on Thursday’s matchup against the Bucks, when the Pistons alternated between playing man-to-man and employing a 1-3-1 zone. Patterson writes that the Bucks seemed undeterred by Detroit’s zone efforts. Whether this is just preseason experimentation or a weapon Bickerstaff hopes to unleash during the regular season remains to be seen.
Injury Notes: Jazz, Williams, Sheppard, Furphy
The Jazz are getting closer to full health, tweets Andy Larsen of The Salt Lake Tribune. According to Larsen, Lauri Markkanen, Walker Kessler, and Kyle Filipowski, who missed the start of training camp due to lower back, left shoulder, and left wrist injuries, respectively, were full participants in practice on Sunday.
The three big men were unavailable for Utah’s opening two preseason matchups, but are gearing up for their returns. Markkanen previously stated that while his injury was minor, he wasn’t sure of his exact timetable for return.
Larsen also notes that Kyle Anderson, who played at least 14 minutes in each of the opening preseason games, was not able to suit up for practice due to right knee tendinitis.
We have more injury notes from around the league:
- Vince Williams Jr. missed the Grizzlies‘ game against the Hawks on Friday night, but according to head coach Tuomas Iisalo, his absence wasn’t a cause for concern. Iisalo said the decision was made because of “small precautions,” according to Damichael Cole of The Memphis Commercial Appeal (via Twitter), and added that it was “nothing serious at this moment.”
- Ben Sheppard has been absent from each of the Pacers‘ two preseason games so far and is doubtful for Monday’s upcoming tilt against the Spurs, reports Dustin Dopirak of the Indianapolis Star (Twitter link). According to coach Rick Carlisle, Sheppard is still working his way back to being a full practice participant. The Pacers are very light on healthy guards at the moment; in addition to Tyrese Haliburton, Indiana is already missing T.J. McConnell, who will be out at least a month with a hamstring injury, as well as 2025 draft pick Kam Jones, who is sidelined due to a back injury.
- Pacers sophomore Johnny Furphy is joining Sheppard on the injury report after he sprained his left ankle in Saturday’s contest with the Thunder, Dopirak writes. Furphy’s recovery timeline has not been reported yet, nor has the severity of the sprain.
Eastern Notes: Nets, Giannis, Barlow, Sixers, Plumlee
Nets owner Joe Tsai raised some eyebrows by stating during a recent panel appearance that his team is prioritizing a good draft pick in 2026 and that, as a result, “You can predict what kind of strategy we will use for this season.” Asked on Sunday about that remark, head coach Jordi Fernandez deftly put a positive spin on it, tweets Brian Lewis of The New York Post.
“He says he wants a good draft pick because no matter where we pick, our front office is so good we’re going to pick a very good player,” Fernandez said. “… So whatever we pick, that’s why he’s excited, because we’re going to pick right.”
Despite Fernandez’s spin, the general consensus is that it will be a challenging season for the Nets, who are incorporating five rookies and traded away second-leading scorer Cameron Johnson over the summer. Still, it’s worth noting that Fernandez’s team outperformed expectations last season by winning 26 games after being widely viewed as the NBA’s worst team entering the year.
We have more from around the Eastern Conference:
- Bucks forward Giannis Antetokounmpo took part in five-on-five work at Saturday’s practice and the plan is for him to make his preseason debut on Sunday against Chicago, according to head coach Doc Rivers (Twitter link via Eric Nehm of The Athletic). Antetokounmpo got off to a late start this fall due to a case of COVID-19 that forced him to miss the first several days of training camp.
- Sixers forward Dominick Barlow is making a strong case for a promotion from his two-way contract to a standard deal with his play this preseason, contends Keith Pompey of The Philadelphia Inquirer. I’d be surprised if Philadelphia is in any rush to fill its 15th roster spot due to the luxury tax implications, but Barlow is well positioned for rotation minutes to open the season. He even has a chance to be the team’s starting power forward until Paul George is ready to suit up, suggests Tony Jones of The Athletic (Twitter link).
- The Sixers are naming JP Clark the head coach of their G League affiliate, the Delaware Blue Coats, reports Michael Scotto of HoopsHype (Twitter link). Clark, who has previously worked for the Clippers and Celtics, is being promoted from his role as Blue Coats assistant.
- Mason Plumlee is the experienced veteran among a group of Hornets centers that features 23-year-olds Moussa Diabate and Ryan Kalkbrenner, but he said this week that he didn’t sign with Charlotte as a free agent just to be a mentor and leader, as Roderick Boone of The Charlotte Observer writes. “I think I have a lot to offer, especially the young guys in my position,” Plumlee said. “But my understanding is we’re playing to win this year. So, that was my interest in coming here and I want to contribute to that.”