Basketball news

• Austin Reaves is not concerned about bigger expectations this season

  05-10-2026 21:10 via sports.yahoo.com
  
  For the first time in his NBA career, Austin Reaves is on a deal that actually reflects — or, comes close to it — his league-wide standing as a player. No longer is he on a two-way contract or four-year, $54 million deal, despite being among the Los Angeles Lakers’ top players and one of the NBA’s better guards. Now, he is rightfully beginning year one of a four-year, $184 million deal, which was agreed upon during the offseason.While a larger payday may elevate the stand
  
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• Rotoworld Fantasy Basketball Draft Central 2026: Rankings, strategy, sleepers, and more

  07-10-2026 20:27 via sports.yahoo.com
  
  If "Roundball Rock" has become an ear worm for you in recent days, that means two things. 1) You're one of us. 2) It's almost time for basketball season. With the 2026-27 NBA season rapidly approaching, we’ve put together this handy Rotoworld Fantasy Basketball Draft Central hub page. It's your home for all of our preseason coverage in one place.The best part? This is just the beginning of our coverage this preseason. Bookmark this page and check back often for our latest articles, ranking
  
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• 2026-27 Fantasy Basketball Punt Guide: Best draft targets for every category

  07-10-2026 20:22 via sports.yahoo.com
  
  To punt or not to punt: that is the question many category-league managers face when building rosters, regardless of draft format. Do you (in theory) concede a particular category immediately, or is it better to do so later in the process? And if you punt, which players should you target by category?Below is a look at each of the nine major categories in nine-cat formats, along with some worthwhile options in the early, middle and later rounds of drafts. And what you will find is that, regardles
  
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• Giannis Antetokounmpo, Klay Thompson praise Heat Culture in training camp

  07-10-2026 19:34 via sports.yahoo.com
  
  Mention "Heat Culture" around the NBA and you elicit a lot of eye-rolling. It's dismissed as branding. Did that culture get them more than low-to-mid-40s wins or a first-round (or play-in last season) exit in any of the last three seasons?Don't roll your eyes at Giannis Antetokounmpo or Klay Thompson, they have fully bought in. Look what Antetokounmpo and Thompson told The Athletic in recent articles."No, it's real," Antetokounmpo told The Athletic, shaking his head. "It's real..."Togetherness.
  
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• Trail Blazers owner Tom Dundon: 'My intention here is clear: bring a championship to Portland'

  07-10-2026 19:32 via sports.yahoo.com
  
  On the eve of his team’s NBA preseason opener against the Golden State Warriors, and in the midst of a series of controversies surrounding his ownership and management of the franchise he bought seven months ago, billionaire Tom Dundon told Portland Trail Blazers season ticket holders in a letter sent Tuesday night that his “intention” as owner of the franchise “is clear: bring a championship to Portland.”In the letter to Blazers “Season Ticket Members,”
  
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• Oregon basketball coach Dana Altman retiring less than one month before season starts

  07-10-2026 19:15 via sports.yahoo.com
  
  Oregon men's basketball coach Dana Altman is retiring, USA TODAY Sports has confirmed: a stunning move, particularly since it takes place less than one month before the 2026-27 season begins.Oregon has confirmed the news. Longtime assistant coach and former DePaul coach Tony Stubblefield will serve as the interim coach for the upcoming season, USA TODAY Sports also confirmed.The winningest coach in program history, Altman has been at Oregon since 2010. He made the Ducks a consistent contender du
  
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• The Hawks have everything except a closer. Can Jalen Johnson be the guy?

  07-10-2026 18:42 via sports.yahoo.com
  
  The Atlanta Hawks have just about everything you could want in an NBA roster.⁣Lockdown defenders: Dyson Daniels and Lu DortKnockdown shooters: Nickeil Alexander-Walker, CJ McCollum, and Corey KispertHard-nosed bigs: Onyeka Okongwu and Jock Landale3-and-D wings: Aaron Wiggins and Dorian Finney-SmithPromising young players: Kingston Flemings, Asa Newell, and Zuby EjioforAnd an up-and-coming All-Star: Jalen JohnsonHawks head coach Quin Snyder has such a deep roster to turn to that Atlanta can
  
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• Fantasy Basketball Preseason Top 200 Rankings: Wemby, Jokić, SGA headline the board for 2026-27

  07-10-2026 18:35 via sports.yahoo.com
  
  As part of NBC Sports' preseason fantasy basketball coverage, we unveil the first edition of the Top 200 rankings that will be updated weekly throughout the regular season. While the names at the top aren't a surprise, this season could mark the dawn of a new era in fantasy basketball. Denver's Nikola Jokić has led the way for multiple seasons, but San Antonio's Victor Wembanyama could take the crown in 2026-27. And one can't forget about Oklahoma City's Shai Gilgeous-Alexander, who has als
  
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• NBA 2K is continuing its trend of leaving fans behind

  07-10-2026 18:30 via tech.yahoo.com
  
  NBA 2K25 displayed on a tv screen and DualSense controller are seen in this illustration photo taken in Krakow, Poland on September 30, 2024. (Photo by Jakub Porzycki/NurPhoto via Getty Images) | NurPhoto via Getty Images While NBA 2K doesn’t necessarily have a total monopoly on licensed NBA video games, it can sometimes feel like it’s the only shop in town, abusing its position to treat consumers badly. There have been years of griping about the game design and business practices th
  
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• Ausar’s improved handle could elevate Pistons to contender status

  07-10-2026 17:56 via sports.yahoo.com
  
  DETROIT, MI - OCTOBER 5: Ausar Thompson #9 of the Detroit Pistons handles the ball during the game against the Phoenix Suns during a preseason game on October 5, 2026 at Little Caesars Arena in Detroit, Michigan. NOTE TO USER: User expressly acknowledges and agrees that, by downloading and/or using this photograph, User is consenting to the terms and conditions of the Getty Images License Agreement. Mandatory Copyright Notice: Copyright 2026 NBAE (Photo by Chris Schwegler/NBAE via Getty Images)
  
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• NBA MVP Predictions 2026-27: Can anyone keep Victor Wembanyama from first MVP?

  07-10-2026 17:47 via sports.yahoo.com
  
  No NBA award generates near the level of passion and debate as Most Valuable Player. Stalking this race starts early — by the end of the first week of the season, there will be people on podcasts talking about how "Player X is off to a fast start, he's making his MVP case."\Will there be much debate this season? Not according to the team at NBCSports.com — everyone is picking the same guy, Victor Wembanyama. Here are our picks, but first the oddsfor the top five, via our partners at
  
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• Designer behind Kobe Bryant's iconic title jacket still shapes NBA fashion

  07-10-2026 17:41 via sports.yahoo.com
  
  LOS ANGELES — Jeff Hamilton has become a household name for his luxurious leather jackets. He has been a part of sports history by crafting several iconic pieces, including the jacket that Kobe Bryant wore in the locker room after winning the 2001 NBA Finals. In his booth at the 10th anniversary of ComplexCon on Saturday, Oct. 3 at the Los Angeles Convention Center, the designer displayed a sparkly jacket paying tribute to that moment.Hamilton discussed how being a part of the inaugural Co
  
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• Nets' Egor Demin ready to 'make a humongous jump' after strong summer: 'I’m even better right now'

  07-10-2026 17:40 via sports.yahoo.com
  
  In the shadows of their crosstown rival Knicks, the Nets are looking to improve on their 20-win season last year.One of the main pieces in their rebuild is 2025 No. 8 overall pick Egor Dëmin, who showed promising flashes during his rookie year and even more signs of growth during the Summer League.Dëmin picked up where he left off in Las Vegas on Tuesday night during Brooklyn's first preseason game against the Charlotte Hornets (124-90 win), scoring six points (2-for-3 from three)
  
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• LeBron James’ helicopter trips are sketchy benefits outside of his Sixers contract

  07-10-2026 16:32 via sports.yahoo.com
  
  (Photo by Emilee Chinn/Getty Images) | Getty Images LeBron James decided to suit up for the 76ers this season, but that sure doesn’t mean he wants to live in Philadelphia. In fact, he’s going to extraordinary lengths to avoid being there any longer than necessary. News emerged this last week that LeBron has decided to live in New York for the 2026-27 season, commuting to Philly for games and practice. That sounds like a colossal pain on the surface, considering it’s roughly a t
  
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• Knicks Bulletin: ‘I heard that all summer’

  07-10-2026 16:32 via sports.yahoo.com
  
  PHILADELPHIA, PA - OCTOBER 5: Bruce Brown #1 of the New York Knicks shoots the ball during the game against the Philadelphia 76ers on October 5, 2026 at the Xfinity Mobile Arena in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania NOTE TO USER: User expressly acknowledges and agrees that, by downloading and/or using this Photograph, user is consenting to the terms and conditions of the Getty Images License Agreement. Mandatory Copyright Notice: Copyright 2026 NBAE (Photo by Jesse D. Garrabrant/NBAE via Getty Images) |
  
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• Dave Portnoy calls LeBron James’ 76ers contract ‘illegal’ over Fanatics ‘side deal’

  07-10-2026 15:34 via sports.yahoo.com
  
  LeBron James; Dave PortnoyDave Portnoy thinks LeBron James is going to be the next Kawhi Leonard.After shocking the world and joining the Philadelphia 76ers this past offseason, seemingly every basketball mind began double-taking at how James landed in the City of Brotherly Love for what many expect to be his final seasons. James signed for the league minimum to facilitate the deal and be able to sign wherever he wanted, and reports have trickled out that Michael Rubin, the billionaire owne
  
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• Eight pressing NBA questions for 2026-27 season: Will Knicks repeat? Can 76ers finally break through?

  07-10-2026 15:07 via cbssports.com
  
  After an offseason filled with drama, the NBA season is almost here
  
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• Milwaukee Bucks vs. Oklahoma City Thunder Preseason Preview & Game Thread: Baby steps

  07-10-2026 15:00 via sports.yahoo.com
  
  MILWAUKEE, WISCONSIN - JANUARY 21: Shai Gilgeous-Alexander #2 of the Oklahoma City Thunder dribbles the ball against Gary Trent Jr. #5 of the Milwaukee Bucks during the first quarter at Fiserv Forum on January 21, 2026 in Milwaukee, Wisconsin. NOTE TO USER: User expressly acknowledges and agrees that, by downloading and or using this photograph, User is consenting to the terms and conditions of the Getty Images License Agreement. (Photo by Patrick McDermott/Getty Images) | Getty Images The Milwa
  
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• Dodgers take NLDS lead, Padres extend series vs. Brewers; Pete Prisco's Week 5 NFL Power Rankings

  07-10-2026 14:58 via cbssports.com
  
  Plus NBA coach rankings for the 2026-27 season
  
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• The Blueprint: Jessica Holtz Meets the Moment

  07-10-2026 14:05 via sports.yahoo.com
  
  Illustration by Neil Jamieson CAA’s co-head of basketball talks Karl-Anthony Towns’s winning moment and what comes after winning a championship.This story appeared in Boardroom’s Fall Issue print magazine and has been adapted for online publication.The life of a sports agent is not for the faint of heart. The competition to sign elite players starts earlier and earlier as the years pass, and the competition to keep elite players never ends. What used to be a job focused primar
  
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• 8 NBA breakout player candidates who could change the 2026-27 season

  07-10-2026 14:00 via sports.yahoo.com
  
  (Photo by Rocky Widner/NBAE via Getty Images) | NBAE via Getty Images Every NBA season is defined in part by the players who take an unexpected leap. The Detroit Pistons went from 44 to 60 wins largely because big man Jalen Duren ascended into an All-NBA player at age-22. The Portland Trail Blazers made an unexpected playoff appearance after Deni Avdija grew into a first-time All-Star. The Atlanta Hawks turned into a plucky playoff team after trading Trae Young in part because Nickeil Alexander-
  
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• 3 Suns players to watch closely the rest of this preseason

  07-10-2026 14:00 via sports.yahoo.com
  
  DETROIT, MI - OCTOBER 5: Haywood Highsmith #19 of the Phoenix Suns looks on during the game against the Detroit Pistons during a preseason game on October 5, 2026 at Little Caesars Arena in Detroit, Michigan. NOTE TO USER: User expressly acknowledges and agrees that, by downloading and/or using this photograph, User is consenting to the terms and conditions of the Getty Images License Agreement. Mandatory Copyright Notice: Copyright 2026 NBAE (Photo by Chris Schwegler/NBAE via Getty Images) | NB
  
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• Open Thread: Kelly Olynyk signs with BC Roma

  07-10-2026 13:00 via sports.yahoo.com
  
  SAN ANTONIO, TX - JUNE 3: Kelly Olynyk #8 of the San Antonio Spurs arrives to the arena before the game against the New York Knicks during Game One of the 2026 NBA Finals on June 3, 2026 at Frost Bank Center in San Antonio, Texas. NOTE TO USER: User expressly acknowledges and agrees that, by downloading and or using this photograph, User is consenting to the terms and conditions of the Getty Images License Agreement. Mandatory Copyright Notice: Copyright 2026 NBAE(Photo by Joe Murphy/NBAE via Ge
  
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• Cavs season preview: Peyton Watson – Is he what they’ve been waiting for?

  07-10-2026 13:00 via sports.yahoo.com
  
  CLEVELAND, OH - SEPTEMBER 28: Peyton Watson #8 of the Cleveland Cavaliers poses for a portrait during NBA media day on September 28, 2026 at Rocket Mortgage FieldHouse in Cleveland, Ohio. NOTE TO USER: User expressly acknowledges and agrees that, by downloading and/or using this Photograph, user is consenting to the terms and conditions of the Getty Images License Agreement. Mandatory Copyright Notice: Copyright 2026 NBAE (Photo by Lauren Leigh Bacho/NBAE via Getty Images) | NBAE via Getty Image
  
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• Boozer’s NBA Debut A Success

  07-10-2026 12:44 via sports.yahoo.com
  
  ATLANTA, GA - OCTOBER 5: Cameron Boozer #27 of the Memphis Grizzlies drives to the basket during the game against the Atlanta Hawks during the NBA preseason on October 5, 2026 at State Farm Arena in Atlanta, Georgia. NOTE TO USER: User expressly acknowledges and agrees that, by downloading and/or using this Photograph, user is consenting to the terms and conditions of the Getty Images License Agreement. Mandatory Copyright Notice: Copyright 2026 NBAE (Photo by Joseph Boatman/NBAE via Getty Image
  
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• Can Kyrie Irving return to form for the Mavericks after torn ACL?

  07-10-2026 12:05 via sports.yahoo.com
  
  CHENGDU, CHINA - JUNE 27: American professional basketball player Kyrie Irving poses for a photo with young players in a fan meeting during his China tour on June 27, 2026 in Chengdu, Sichuan Province of China. (Photo by You Fang/VCG via Getty Images) | VCG via Getty Images Remember last year? When the sunshine pumpers swore up and down that Kyrie Irving would be back on the court for the Dallas Mavericks by the New Year? Well, as it turns out, it was always going to be closer to March, which wo
  
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• How the Celtics’ roster is primed to beat an NBA’s point of emphasis

  07-10-2026 12:00 via sports.yahoo.com
  
  BOSTON, MASSACHUSETTS - APRIL 14: Jordan Walsh #27 of the Boston Celtics and Anthony Gill #16 of the Washington Wizards reach for a loose ball during the second quarter at the TD Garden on April 14, 2024 in Boston, Massachusetts. NOTE TO USER: User expressly acknowledges and agrees that, by downloading and or using this photograph, User is consenting to the terms and conditions of the Getty Images License Agreement. (Photo by Brian Fluharty/Getty Images) | Getty Images Heading into the 2026-2027
  
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• 2026-27 Fantasy Basketball Forwards: Breakouts, Sleepers and Fades to Know

  07-10-2026 11:24 via sports.yahoo.com
  
  Forwards are a goldmine in fantasy basketball, and the 2026-27 season is loaded with versatile wings and bigs who can swing your league. Veteran stars Giannis Antetokounmpo, Jaylen Brown, LeBron James and Kawhi Leonard are in new uniforms, while rookies AJ Dybantsa, Cameron Boozer, Caleb Wilson and Yaxel Lendeborg could make an immediate fantasy impact. Before your fantasy basketball draft, use this guide to find the top breakout forwards, under-the-radar sleepers and overvalued fades. From Coop
  
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• 2026-27 Fantasy Basketball: Breakouts and sleepers at the forward position

  07-10-2026 11:24 via sports.yahoo.com
  
  Forwards are a goldmine in fantasy basketball, and the 2026-27 season is loaded with versatile wings and bigs who can swing your league. Veteran stars Giannis Antetokounmpo, Jaylen Brown, LeBron James and Kawhi Leonard are in new uniforms, while rookies AJ Dybantsa, Cameron Boozer, Caleb Wilson and Yaxel Lendeborg could make an immediate fantasy impact.Join or create a Yahoo Fantasy Basketball league for the 2026-27 NBA seasonBefore your fantasy basketball draft, use this guide to find the top b
  
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• Rockets 2026-2027 player previews: Jabari Smith Jr.

  07-10-2026 11:15 via sports.yahoo.com
  
  HOUSTON, TEXAS - SEPTEMBER 22: Jabari Smith Jr.#10 of the Houston Rockets poses during media day at Hilton Americas-Houston on September 22, 2026 in Houston, Texas. (Photo by Alex Slitz/Getty Images) | Getty Images In the Rockets player stock market, there’s a lot of buzz around AMEN, and REED shares, and controversy around SGUN, but the hidden gem in that selection of Rockets growth stocks might turn out to be JABS.(Full disclosure, I own a great number of entirely fictional REED shares.)
  
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