Mavs Notes: Williams, Powell, Medical Staff, Camp
With Kyrie Irving injured, fourth-year guard Brandon Williams is expected to take on a larger ball-handling role with the Mavericks behind D’Angelo Russell.
Williams has spent the past two seasons with Dallas, averaging 8.3 points and 2.3 assists per game and making 40.0% of his three-point shots in 33 outings last saeson. The 25-year-old played twice for the Mavs this offseason at Summer League, where he averaged 16.0 PPG and 4.5 APG and drew the praise of head coach Jason Kidd.
“I thought at the end of the summer, he was playing at a high level,” Kidd said, as relayed by Mike Curtis of the Dallas Morning News (Twitter link). “When he’s healthy, he’s a problem.”
Williams’ health has been a question mark as of late, as Kidd announced on October 1 that the guard sustained a hamstring strain that would keep him out for at least a week. When asked about his status for Saturday’s preseason game against the Hornets, Williams said that he’s “playing it day-by-day,” according to Curtis (via Twitter).
As for what Kidd expects when Williams returns to the floor, the head coach said: “Growth as always. Understanding time and score, who hasn’t gotten a shot, how are we playing on the offensive end. When we have the ball, you’re a leader so some of that leadership role is something that he’s going to have to show us again this year.”
We have more from the Mavericks:
- Dwight Powell is the longest-tenured Maverick, having played the last 10-plus seasons in Dallas after a quick five-game start to his career in Boston. Having seen many iterations of the team, he’s excited about the season to come, writes Eddie Sekfo for NBA.com. “It’s one thing to be talented,” Powell said. “But you got to have that competitive edge and want to compete on every possession. Our ability so far to be able to do that in practice is a great sign for what’s to come in the season ahead. That’s something I’m very excited about.” With Daniel Gafford injured, Powell has a better chance to earn minutes early in the season than he will when the team is fully healthy, but regardless of his role, he’s ready to contribute any way he can. “I try my best,” he said. “Try my best to help any way I can, be a spark where I can and lead where I can. And find ways to help us be successful. That role’s going to change throughout the year. You just got to be ready for the opportunities.”
- After facing a slew of injuries last season, most notably to Anthony Davis, Luka Doncic, and Irving, the Mavs overhauled their medical staff this season, writes Curtis. Curtis notes that last year’s team was one of the NBA’s most injured, losing 444 total man games. In the hopes of reversing that trend, the Mavs promoted Jana Austin from assistant athletic trainer to head athletic trainer and hired Geoff Puls from the Bulls as their head of strength and performance. They also let go of Dionne Calhoun, who had been with the team for 21 years. Johann Bilsborough, who was at the center of an in-depth article last season detailing the turmoil within the Mavs’ health and performance team, will oversee the staff for the second straight year.
- One of the changes the Mavericks will have to deal with this season, especially while Irving recuperates, is adjusting to a more egalitarian style that relies less on a ball-dominant guard like Doncic, Sekfo writes. “In this league or any league as a coach, you got to be able to pivot with the roster you have,” Kidd said. “This is a different roster than I’ve had in the past. When you have players that I’ve had, you play to their strengths. This team is different. So to be able to be big and play with that type of pace is to our advantage.” Kidd noted that players like Russell and Klay Thompson will likely benefit from the team’s emphasis on pushing the pace.
Rockets’ Tate Aiming To Be Ready For Start Of Season
Jae’Sean Tate isn’t back on the court yet, but he’s hoping to be healthy and available for the Rockets‘ season opener against the Thunder on October 21, writes Danielle Lerner for the Houston Chronicle.
Tate underwent surgery on his right ankle this summer because of an impingement that kept him out of the postseason for Houston. The injury has forced him to miss the Rockets’ training camp and preseason as well, but he’s optimistic that he’ll be able to return soon.
“I’m going day-by-day. I hope [returning for the season opener is] the case,” he said. “I feel like I’ve been on a leg and a half the last couple of years, so looking to just be able to move a little better, not be in my head about it. And, yeah, I can’t wait.”
Head coach Ime Udoka said that Tate and Dorian Finney-Smith are in the midst of similar recoveries, but that Tate is slightly further ahead in the process.
According to Tate, the surgery address an issue that has been bothering him since his second year in the league. Going into his sixth year, he’s looking to earn a role for the suddenly resurgent Rockets. He was in and out of the rotation last season, but he believes his well-rounded skill set can help him provide whatever Udoka needs.
“Whatever I’m asked to do, I can, if that’s helping us get the ball up the court, spacing in the corner, guarding one of their best players, or going small ball,” he said. “It just doesn’t matter. You know, coach will put me in a position where he thinks I could be successful, and I’m gonna just try to do that to the best of my ability.”
After re-signing with the Rockets on a one-year, minimum-salary contract this summer, Tate said that he wanted to stay in Houston rather than explore the market.
“I believe in the staff, I believe in everything here,” he said. “And you know, it wouldn’t sit right with me to leave, especially now, with all the other things we have going for us, are the pieces that we’ve added, I’m excited to see what we can do.”
Atlantic Notes: Edgecombe, Minott, Bridges, Raptors
VJ Edgecombe missed the Sixers‘ game on Friday against the Magic due to hip soreness, as Keith Pompey of The Philadelphia Inquirer tweets. Pompey notes that despite receiving a day-to-day injury designation, Edgecombe was a part of shootaround this morning and will be a participant in practice next week, barring a setback.
Staying healthy is crucial for Edgecombe, especially since he has an opportunity to play a big role for the Sixers this season. Tony Jones of The Athletic writes that the rookie guard has a real shot at being a starter, though his role could hinge in large part on the health of Paul George and Joel Embiid.
Regardless of whether he starts or not, Edgecombe should be in line for plenty of minutes this year, according to Jones, who highlights Edgecombe’s ability to play as a pick-and-roll ball-handler and passer off the dribble as a more underrated part of his skill set. As is the case for many athletic guards, Edgecombe’s development will hinge on how good he can become as a shooter and ball-handler.
We have more notes from around the Atlantic Division:
- As part of the Celtics‘ plan to reset their books with Jayson Tatum injured, the team brought in younger, unproven players to try to rebuild its depth following the departures of Kristaps Porzingis, Jrue Holiday, Al Horford, and Luke Kornet. One such player who has stood out so far, according to Brian Robb of MassLive, is Josh Minott. The 23-year-old forward, who came to Boston after three years with the Wolves, showed a bit of everything except for shooting in the Celtics’ preseason game on Wednesday. While all of the Celtics’ young players played well on Wednesday, Robb writes, Minott’s hustle and defensive ability stood out. Gary Washburn of the Boston Globe (subscription required) echoed that sentiment, while adding that Minott’s versatility could allow him to carve out a role in head coach Joe Mazzulla‘s game plan.
- The Knicks are still adjusting to Mike Brown‘s offense, but there’s excitement about the changes the new head coach is bringing to the team, with second-year Knick Mikal Bridges expressing appreciation for Brown’s approach, writes Ian Begley for SNY. “He and his coaches, they all run a tight ship. You can tell that whatever we’re doing out there, they’re all on the same page, no matter what the situation is,” Bridges said. “And that’s a lot of credit to him… for everybody to be on the same page makes it easier for us players when they talk to us because any coach you talk to, you’re going to hear the same thing.” Brown knows it’s going to be a process to incorporate his changes. “Right now, I don’t care if we win or lose, as long as we keep trying to play the right way and trust it,” he said. “I want them to learn how to play basketball the right way offensively within our staples. That’s pace, whether it’s in the full court or the half court… If you hit that paint and you don’t have the ball, don’t just stand there. Get out right now and re-space to create more opportunities for driving and kicking…. Space the right way all the time… Hey, it hits your hands, shoot it, pass it, snap drive it to try to collapse the defense. Those are things that we believe in.”
- With 14 Raptors on guaranteed standard contracts, head coach Darko Rajakovic is unsure if the team will fill its 15th spot for the regular season, indicating on Friday that Toronto is weighing its options, per TSN’s Josh Lewenberg (via Twitter). A.J. Lawson would likely be the favorite if the team does carry a 15th man, Lewenberg notes. Lawson was a standout for the Raptors’ Summer League team and has averaged 4.0 points in 5.4 minutes through two preseason games.
Knicks, Raptors Agree To Dismiss Lawsuit
The Knicks and Raptors have agreed to voluntarily dismiss a lawsuit filed by the Knicks in 2023, reports Baxter Holmes for ESPN.
The lawsuit alleged that former Knicks employee Ikechukwu Azotam “illegally took thousands of proprietary files with him to his new position” in Toronto at the behest of the Raptors, who looked to gain a competitive advantage.
“The Knicks and (Raptors ownership group) Maple Leaf Sports & Entertainment withdrew their respective claims and the matter is resolved. The Parties are focused on the future,” the two teams said in identical statements to ESPN.
The Knicks sought over $10MM in damages, while the Raptors filed a motion aimed at dismissing the charges and called upon league commissioner Adam Silver to adjudicate the proceedings. The Knicks then questioned Silver’s impartiality based on his close relationship with Raptors minority owner Larry Tanenbaum. In response, the Raptors accused the Knicks of dragging out the case for publicity and threatened to counter-sue.
Ultimately, a judge agreed with the Raptors that the matter should be resolved by Silver.
Along with Azotam and the Raptors organization, head coach Darko Rajakovic was listed as a defendant in the lawsuit, along with player development coach Noah Lewis and 10 unidentified employees.
Holmes notes that the case has now been voluntarily dismissed with prejudice, which means the decision is permanent.
Heat Notes: Mitchell, Ware, Jakucionis, Keels
Kasparas Jakucionis and Pelle Larsson returned from injuries to make their preseason debuts on Wednesday, and there appears to be more good news on the horizon for the Heat, writes Anthony Chiang for the Miami Herald. According to Chiang, guard Davion Mitchell, who missed part of training camp with calf soreness and has yet to suit up during the preseason, is expected to be available for Sunday’s game against the Magic.
The 27-year-old point guard was not overly concerned about the injury.
“It was just a calf strain,” he said. “I kind of felt something in my calf. They kind of have been cautious of it because obviously the calf is a big part, especially with the injuries [around the NBA] that we had last year and things like that. So they kind of just wanted to be cautious and make sure I’m ready 100 percent.”
With Tyler Herro likely to miss the first month of the season as he recovers from left ankle surgery, Mitchell is expected to be vying for the role of day-one starter for the Heat. After playing some of the best basketball of his career down the stretch last season, he expressed frustration with being slowed down by the injury.
“Especially with the new offense we got, you kind of want to get that chemistry together to play faster,” he said. “So I kind of got a little step behind not going through the actual games with them. But I’ve been doing it in practice, so I feel good about it.”
Chiang also notes that Simone Fontecchio is participating in practice but remains limited due to left lower leg tightness. Herro and Terry Rozier are both still out without firm return dates.
We have more news from the Heat:
- After Kel’el Ware put up a double-double in the Heat’s second preseason game, head coach Erik Spoelstra expressed that he was not moved by the big numbers and wanted the big man to focus on making a positive impact on the game. Ware wasn’t discouraged by those remarks, viewing them instead as an opportunity, writes Ira Winderman of the South Florida Sun-Sentinel (subscriber link). “I always take anything Spo says to me as motivation,” Ware said. “I take it and I try to impact it in my game and I try to play as hard as I can.” Ware responded on Wednesday with 29 points and 12 rebounds — and most importantly, he helped the Heat outscore the Spurs by 10 when he was on the court. It was a big performance, and his coach noticed. “He put a lot of it together,” Spoelstra said. “His pick-and-roll coverages were really good, protecting the basket. He was closing out when he needed to. He rebounded the ball very well. And he was playing with force.” While Ware has a lot of skill, playing with force is a clear point of emphasis for Spoelstra. “My favorite play was when he had an opportunity to shoot a three at the top of the key and he just drove it so hard,” Spoelstra said.
- Also turning in an impressive performance on Wednesday night was Jakucionis, who scored eight points and handed out 10 assists in his preseason debut after missing the first two games with a sprained wrist. It was a strong start for the 2025 first-round pick, writes Chiang. Spoelstra noted that there was already a budding chemistry between the rookie point guard and second-year big man, saying, “You can see a natural connection between him and Kel’el.” Jakucionis, for his part, knows there’s still a lot of work to do, especially in terms of scoring efficiency. “I’m just trying to be consistent, stay the same,” he said. “Discipline, and stay the same mind. Don’t go too high when I’m doing good and don’t go too low when I’m doing not that good. So I’m just trying to stay consistent, stay the same way, and just improving every day to try to get 1 percent better.“
- Ware and Jakucionas were not the only recent Heat first-round picks to show out on Wednesday, Chiang writes in a separate article. Jaime Jaquez Jr., coming off a slightly disappointing sophomore season, scored 19 points on eight shots in 28 minutes. He impressed Spoelstra, who, characteristically, still wants to see more from the young forward. “He’s such a downhill force that he’s going to attract help-side defenders,” Spoelstra said. “So naturally, he has to evolve and make enough plays to keep the defense honest because we need him to be aggressive.”
- Trevor Keels was recently waived in order for Miami to sign Gabe Madsen. Both players are expected to end up with the Sioux Falls Skyforce, Winderman writes (subscriber link). Spoelstra spoke on the two players, both of whom showed enough for the Heat coach to take notice. “We want to continue to develop him, for sure,” Spoelstra said of Keels. “He showed a lot of improvement over the last few weeks. He’s gotten in better shape. He’s committed to our defensive system. And I told him this is just the beginning.” As for Madsen, Spoelstra saw some of the famous “Heat Culture” in the young guard. “He showed a level of grit, a competitive toughness that we like,” Spoelstra said. “And he’s also skilled. He knows how to play without the ball and shoot the ball, or drive off those catches. So we’re encouraged by that.”
Atlantic Notes: Saraf, Powell, Martin, Edgecombe
The Nets had their preseason opener on Saturday, routing Hapoel Jerusalem by a score of 123-88. Despite the less-than-dramatic result, there were interesting takeaways for Nets fans, especially in regards to who got the nod at starting point guard, writes Brian Lewis of the New York Post.
With 2025 top-10 pick Egor Demin recovering from a plantar fascia tear, rookie Ben Saraf, the 26th pick this summer, took the reins and delivered a very encouraging performance, finishing with nine points and six assists versus one turnover.
“He plays like a vet. He was good with the ball taking care of the ball, which at times in camp it was something he hasn’t been as good at,” said head coach Jordi Fernandez. “With five fouls, that’s the thing that he’s going to clean up a little bit more. But I was very, very happy even though he had those fouls early in the game, his mind was in the game and he kept playing and he was not really affected by it. So it tells you who he is, how mature he is at his age. He’s just going to keep getting better.”
While it’s unclear whether Saraf will continue to hold onto the role once Demin returns, it’s notable that he was given the keys over Nolan Traore – who was selected ahead of him at No. 19 in the 2025 draft – and recently acquired third-year guard Kobe Bufkin.
We have more notes from around the Atlantic Division:
- In the same article, Lewis notes that Drake Powell, the 22nd pick in the 2025 draft, will soon be able to see his first action for the Nets. According to Fernandez, Powell is expected to take the floor next week during one of the two games Brooklyn will play against the Suns in China. Powell has been doing full-contact practices on his way back from the knee tendinopathy that forced him to miss not only the start of training camp, but also his first Summer League.
- One player who has drawn rave reviews in Nets training camp is Tyrese Martin, writes C.J. Holmes for the New York Daily News. “Tyrese has really been probably the most impressive player that I’ve seen on the team so far,” Michael Porter Jr. said. “He’s been consistently killing through scrimmages, through open runs. He’s a player that can slide in that point guard place but can also play the two. He can pass the ball. He’s been really impressive.” Ziaire Williams and Fernandez both praised Martin’s performance as well. While Martin, who is on a non-guaranteed contract, has no assurances for the coming season, he’s enjoying his time with the team. “I love these guys, I feel like they love me the same way,” he said. “It’s fun being here. This is the first coach and team that actually gave me an opportunity, and I feel like I’ve held up my end, and didn’t make them look crazy for giving me an opportunity. So, it would be fun to stay here and make this my home, for sure.”
- VJ Edgecombe was drafted to a Sixers team with talented guards such as Tyrese Maxey, Jared McCain, and, for now, Quentin Grimes, due to his athleticism, shooting flashes, and defensive potential. In Philadelphia’s opening two games of preseason, that defensive ability has shone through, writes DJ Siddiqi of RG. Head coach Nick Nurse offered praise for the rookie’s defensive efforts, saying he caused havoc, especially in the passing lanes. “I pride myself on defense,” said Edgecombe. “I’m definitely looking forward to all matchups, just because I know every night I’m going to have to guard a lot of great players, future Hall of Famers. I’m excited for every matchup to be honest.”
Magic Notes: Richardson, Banchero, Bane, Wagner
The Magic played their preseason opener on Saturday, picking up a 126-118 win over the Heat. While preseason action can only tell you so much, Orlando was able to get some valuable information on some of their new guys, as well as seeing their roster mainstays in action.
One of the standouts of the game was rookie guard Jase Richardson, writes Jason Beede of the Orlando Sentinel (subscriber link).
The 25th pick in the 2025 draft, Richardson came out of the gate cold and later admitted to feeling the nerves in his first real NBA action, but he quickly settled into the rhythm of the game. He finished with a team-high 13 points on 5-of-11 shooting, including 3-of-3 from three, along with four rebounds, two assists, and a steal.
“There’s just a level of confidence that he possesses reading the game, recognizing what guys are doing and how they’re playing him,” said head coach Jamahl Mosley. “His speed is such a big advantage for him, but then the other side of it is we talked all the time about how inquisitive he is and how he wants to know what to do in any situation.”
While the backup point guard spot will likely be primarily manned by Tyus Jones once Jalen Suggs recovers from injury, Richardson’s ability to function as an on- or off-ball player could help him carve out a role sooner rather than later if he’s able to maintain his aggression and shooting efficiency.
We have more from the Magic:
- Paolo Banchero is known as an offensive star, but his biggest impact against the Heat came on the defensive end. Beede writes that it wasn’t simply the three blocks in 13 minutes that were encouraging, but also the manner in which they came: one in isolation, another as a weak side rotation, and finally a chase-down block in transition. “That’s what it’s going to take for us to win at the highest level,” Mosely said. “If he plays with that energy and effort each and every single night defensively, it’s going to be a long night for a lot of people.”
- The trade to acquire sharp-shooting guard Desmond Bane was clearly made to bring more shooting to the Magic’s offense, which has struggled with efficiency in recent years. In his first action with the team, Bane provided more than floor spacing, according to Beede, who says Orlando’s new wing also helped push the pace in transition and opened up looks for teammates with his ability to catch and attack with the ball. Beede adds that the chemistry between former teammates Bane and Jones was immediately noticeable. Given his gravity as a shooter, that ability should help generate offense for a team that, at times, got bogged down in mid-range-heavy isolation play last season.
- Franz Wagner, Banchero’s co-star, missed the preseason opener, but according to Beede, this wasn’t due to an injury, but rather was an assigned rest following his run to the gold medal with Germany at EuroBasket.
Raptors Notes: Ingram, Murray-Boyles, Rotations, Chomche
After three straight years of playing at- or below-.500 basketball, the Raptors are entering this season with a chip on their shoulder, writes Eric Koreen for The Athletic.
According to Koreen, that’s especially true of newcomer Brandon Ingram, who was named an All-Star and Most Improved Player in the 2019/20 season, but has struggled to gain recognition for his impact in the years that followed due to both injuries and an underperforming Pelicans team. It’s not only Ingram who feels that way, according to veteran Garrett Temple.
“Scottie (Barnes) was the No. 4 pick, but everyone was like, ‘Why are they picking you No. 4?’ RJ (Barrett) and (Immanuel Quickley): Toronto wanted you, but New York obviously traded you,” Temple told Koreen. “BI, New Orleans traded you. Ochai (Agbaji) got traded after (in his second season). You can look guys down the line: ‘Gradey (Dick), are you really good enough to play in the NBA, or is it just show?’ You can look at a lot of our players, and there’s a reason to have a chip on the shoulder. I think that’s what brings a lot of people together.”
While some Raptors may be using that history as motivation this season, Ingram is wary of letting that feeling drive him.
“I think when you go try to prove yourself to other people, it never works out,” he said on Monday. “If you look too far and try to impress people, you’ll take failures more.”
We have more notes from the Raptors:
- In a recap of the Raptors’ yearly end-of-camp open scrimmage, Michael Grange of Sportsnet writes that Ingram showed how he can bring a skill set as a scorer that Toronto hasn’t had in years, whether on or off the ball.
- In the same piece, Grange notes that Collin Murray-Boyles has been a standout. While Murray-Boyles was drafted in large part on the strength of his defense, he displayed some intriguing offensive potential during the team’s scrimmage, including hitting a three-pointer. Grange writes that the rookie’s shooting development will be a major factor in his ceiling as an NBA player. Raptors coach Darko Rajakovic was also impressed by the young big man’s performance. “He’s been doing a really, really good job,” Rajakovic said. “He’s not afraid of anything or anybody.”
- Another noteworthy detail from the scrimmage, according to Grange, was how the rotations shook out. Quickley, Barrett, and Ingram were joined by Scottie Barnes and Jakob Poeltl, as was expected. The second unit was where it got more interesting, as Rajakovic used a lineup of Jamal Shead, Gradey Dick, Ochai Agbaji, Murray-Boyles, and Sandro Mamukelashvili. This left Ja’Kobe Walter, the 19th pick in the 2024 draft, on the outside looking in, along with Jamison Battle and Jonathan Mogbo. All three of those players averaged at least 17 minutes per game last season, but with the additions of Ingram and Murray-Boyles, plus hopefully a healthy season from Quickley, there will likely be fewer end-of-bench minutes to go around this year.
- Finally, Grange provides an update on two-way player Ulrich Chomche, who has been held out of practice for much of training camp and will be getting medical imaging done on Monday. Grange notes that he jogged out during the game to greet his teammates, which would seem to indicate that the injury limiting him is not something severe.
Magic Sign Johnell Davis, Waive Justin Minaya
The Magic have signed Johnell Davis to an Exhibit 10 deal, reports Jason Beede for the Orlando Sentinel (via Twitter). In order to do so, they have waived Justin Minaya, who was also on an Exhibit 10 contract.
Orlando formally put out a press release confirming the transactions.
Davis, who was not selected during the 2025 draft, played five years in college — four at Florida Atlantic University, and his final season at Arkansas, where he averaged 12.0 points, 3.4 rebounds, and 3.4 steals. The 6’4″ guard played three games for the Magic during Summer League, scoring 4.3 points and adding 2.3 assists in 17.9 minutes per game.
Minaya spent three seasons with the Trail Blazers for a total of 57 games, but struggled to find real minutes. He is now eligible to earn a bonus of up to $85,300 if he stays with the Magic’s G League affiliate, the Osceola Magic, for at least 60 days. The same will be true of Davis, should he be waived before the end of training camp.
Players Seeking Paydays This Season
While some players are still hoping to finalize rookie scale extensions before the season begins, the majority of contract situations around the league have been settled at this point. But business never sleeps in the world of the NBA, and many players will enter this season hoping to impress executives and land their next big payday.
Zach Harper of The Athletic details the top names playing for new deals this season, excluding the aforementioned rookie scale extension seekers.
One player not on a rookie-scale deal but still extension-eligible is Michael Porter Jr., whom the Nets recently acquired to add some scoring pop to the starting lineup. Porter’s deal runs for two more seasons and will pay him $38.3MM this year and $40.8MM in 2026/27.
The Nets’ roster remains a major work in progress, making future projections tricky, but at just 27 years old, Porter is in position to have a big year in Brooklyn and boost his stock entering a contract year next summer. The biggest question, according to Harper, is whether Porter’s next deal would remain in the range of the $40MM+ he’ll earn in 2026/27 or if he would take a modest pay cut to secure a longer-term contract.
Harper takes a look at three big men who could hit the open market next summer: Kristaps Porzingis, the Hawks‘ new starting center, longtime Bulls veteran Nikola Vucevic, and the Knicks‘ on-and-off starter Mitchell Robinson. All three have question marks surrounding them — for Porzingis and Robinson, those questions center around health, though Robinson could also be a cap casualty on New York’s increasingly pricey roster.
Vucevic has been in trade rumors for years, and with the Bulls taking more steps to embrace a youth movement than they have in the past, his time in Chicago could be coming to an end. Harper predicts an annual value of around $21MM for Vucevic on his next deal, which is about what he’ll earn in 2025/26.
Another group of players Harper looks at is a trio of high-scoring guards who will be free agents in 2026: Anfernee Simons and Norman Powell, who were acquired this summer by the Celtics and Heat, respectively, and Coby White, who has grown into a talented combo guard over his six seasons with the Bulls. Harper predicts a deal around $20MM annually for Simons, $75MM over three years for White, and a two-year, $50MM contract for Powell.
The 2026 free agency class will also be impacted by the decisions made by veterans with player options, such as Zach LaVine (Kings), Bradley Beal (Clippers), and Austin Reaves (Lakers). Cam Thomas (Nets) and Quentin Grimes (Sixers) will also reach unrestricted free agency after accepting their respective qualifying offers and will be looking to recoup the money they passed on this offseason.
Finally, Harper singles out four role players who could be coveted next season, depending on their performance this season: Rui Hachimura (Lakers), Tyus Jones (Magic), Keon Ellis (Kings), and Georges Niang (Jazz). The 25-year-old Ellis has broken out over the last two seasons and could command his first real payday of his career if he has a strong season off the bench in Sacramento. Harper speculates he could be in line for a deal similar to the three-year, $27.6MM contract Ty Jerome signed with the Grizzlies this summer.