The 2025 NBA training camps are officially underway! Media day commenced on Monday for the majority of the league`s 30 teams, with on-court practices kicking off Tuesday. This comes just three weeks before the Oklahoma City Thunder celebrate their 2024-25 NBA championship by raising their banner.
As the 2025-26 season approaches, we provide an in-depth look at each team`s roster, major storylines, impending decisions, and key issues to monitor over the coming weeks.
Atlanta Hawks
Roster Overview: 10 guaranteed contracts, 3 partial/non-guaranteed, 2 Exhibit 10 deals, 3 two-way players.
Key Storylines: Managing Expectations, Trae Young, and Dyson Daniels
The Atlanta Hawks enter the season with significant questions surrounding All-Star Trae Young`s contract extension and a potential new deal for All-NBA defender Dyson Daniels. More broadly, how this reconfigured team handles heightened expectations will be crucial to their season`s success. Despite losing to the Magic in the play-in last season, Atlanta, having added Kristaps Porzingis, Nickeil Alexander-Walker, Luke Kennard, and Asa Newell, is now ranked by oddsmakers as having the fourth-best chances to win the Eastern Conference. This comes despite a history of missing the playoffs five times and advancing past the first round only once since the 2017-18 season.
Young is eligible for a four-year, $229 million extension until June 30, while Daniels` extension window closes on October 20. The team recently extended Jalen Johnson with a five-year, $150 million rookie deal just before the last regular season began.
Important Dates:
- October 20: Final day for Dyson Daniels` extension.
- October 31: Deadline to exercise the third-year team option for Zaccharie Risacher.
Potential Extension Candidates:
- Kristaps Porzingis
- Trae Young
- Dyson Daniels
- Mouhamed Gueye
Boston Celtics
Roster Overview: 12 guaranteed contracts, 2 partial/non-guaranteed, 4 Exhibit 10 deals, 3 two-way players.
Key Storylines: Frontcourt Minutes
In a span of six weeks, the Celtics faced a major shake-up in their frontcourt, losing Jayson Tatum to an Achilles injury, trading Kristaps Porzingis to Atlanta, and seeing Luke Kornet sign with San Antonio. Adding to this, veteran Al Horford joined Golden State last week. These five players collectively started 184 games last season, contributing an average of 61.3 points per game.
During the past postseason, the Celtics relied almost entirely on Horford, Porzingis, and Kornet for their center minutes outside of garbage time. Replacing their production will depend on a committee approach involving Neemias Queta, Luka Garza, Chris Boucher, Xavier Tillman, and Josh Minott. In his six starts last season, Queta averaged 9.8 points and 5.8 rebounds, and recently showcased strong form with 15.5 points per game for Portugal at the FIBA EuroBasket.
Important Dates:
- October 20: Neemias Queta`s contract becomes guaranteed.
- October 21: Jordan Walsh`s salary protection increases from $200K to $1.1 million.
- October 31: Deadline to exercise the third-year team option for Baylor Scheierman.
Potential Extension Candidates:
- Jordan Walsh
- Anfernee Simons
Brooklyn Nets
Roster Overview: 15 guaranteed contracts, 3 partial/non-guaranteed, 1 Exhibit 10 deal, 2 two-way players.
Key Storylines: Player Development, Salary Floor, and Roster Cuts
From a development perspective, Brooklyn boasts eight players on first-round rookie contracts, including Egor Demin, Nolan Traore, Ben Saraf, Danny Wolf, and Drake Powell. Historically, the Nets became the first team to select five players in the first round of the 2025 NBA draft. This offseason, they also acquired former top-15 pick Kobe Bufkin via trade and brought back Dariq Whitehead and Noah Clowney for their third seasons.
With 16 players on the current roster aged 26 or younger, Brooklyn faces the challenge of trimming its roster to 15 players before the start of the season. Given that 15 players already have guaranteed contracts, the most straightforward option would be to waive the three players on partial or non-guaranteed deals: Jalen Wilson, Tyrese Martin, and Drew Timme. However, waiving all three would put the Nets below the minimum salary floor, as they are currently just $1.9 million above it.
To meet the salary floor, Brooklyn could choose to guarantee the contracts of these three players before waiving them, retain all three at the cost of a guaranteed contract elsewhere, or utilize some of their $13.6 million in cap space through a trade.
Important Dates:
- October 20: Final day to extend Michael Porter Jr.`s contract.
- October 21: Jalen Wilson`s contract protection increases from $88K to $382K.
- October 31: Deadline to exercise the fourth-year team options for Kobe Bufkin, Dariq Whitehead, and Noah Clowney.
Potential Extension Candidates:
- Michael Porter Jr.
Charlotte Hornets
Roster Overview: 15 guaranteed contracts, 1 partial/non-guaranteed, 2 Exhibit 10 deals, 3 two-way players.
Key Storylines: Roster Availability, Player Development, and Final Cuts
Expect “availability” and “player development” to be recurring themes during the Hornets` training camp. Last season, Charlotte ranked second in missed shots and utilized 36 different starting lineups. LaMelo Ball has exceeded 60 games only once in his five seasons and has missed at least 25 games in each of the last three. Brandon Miller played just 27 games last season due to a right wrist surgery recovery. The core trio of Ball, Miller, and Miles Bridges started together in only seven games last campaign.
From a development perspective, the Hornets have seven players on first- or second-round rookie contracts, including Tidjane Salaun, the sixth pick in the 2024 draft. Last season, Salaun averaged 21 minutes per game, shooting 33% from the field and 28.3% from beyond the arc.
The Hornets also face critical roster decisions. They currently have 15 players on guaranteed contracts, with Moussa Diabate on a non-guaranteed deal. Diabate, who started eight games at center last season, is expected to be part of the Hornets` rotation.
Important Dates:
- October 22: Moussa Diabate`s contract protection increases from $0 to $250K.
- October 31: Deadline to exercise the third-year team option for Tidjane Salaun and the fourth-year team option for Brandon Miller.
Potential Extension Candidates:
- Collin Sexton
- Grant Williams
- Pat Connaughton
Chicago Bulls
Roster Overview: 15 guaranteed contracts, 0 partial/non-guaranteed, 1 Exhibit 10 deal, 3 two-way players.
Key Storylines: Who Will Start at Small Forward?
The Bulls removed a potential preseason distraction when restricted free agent Josh Giddey signed a four-year, $100 million contract in early September. With Giddey secured, training camp`s primary focus shifts to the open competition for the small forward starting spot between Kevin Huerter and Isaac Okoro.
Since March 1, Huerter averaged 32.3 minutes per game and recorded a team-high plus-7.9, contributing to the Bulls` 15-3 record in their final 18 games when he was on the court. Okoro, acquired in the trade for Lonzo Ball, offers Chicago a strong physical defender but less offensive spacing. The decision between the two will impact the team`s balance on both ends of the floor.
Important Dates:
- October 20: Final day to extend Dalen Terry`s contract.
- October 31: Deadline to exercise the third-year team option for Matas Buzelis.
Potential Extension Candidates:
- Nikola Vucevic
- Dalen Terry
- Julian Phillips
- Jevon Carter
- Coby White
- Ayo Dosunmu
- Zach Collins (as of October 1)
Cleveland Cavaliers
Roster Overview: 11 guaranteed contracts, 3 partial/non-guaranteed, 5 Exhibit 10 deals, 2 two-way players.
Key Storylines: Donovan Mitchell`s Workload and Lonzo Ball`s Return
It was no coincidence that Donovan Mitchell`s career-low minutes played a role in the All-Star appearing in 71 games last season, his highest total since 2018-19. However, due to late-season injuries to Darius Garland and Max Strus, questions arise about how the Cavaliers will continue to manage Mitchell`s workload.
Garland underwent toe surgery on June 9 and has since resumed basketball activities. Strus had surgery on August 26 for a Jones fracture in his left foot and is expected to be reevaluated in three to four months. To bolster their backcourt, the Cavaliers acquired Lonzo Ball in the offseason as a replacement for Ty Jerome and as insurance while Garland recovers. After missing two seasons due to multiple left knee surgeries, Ball played 35 games last season with Chicago but missed the final 23 games with a right wrist injury and surpassed 30 minutes only once.
Important Dates:
- October 20: Final day to extend Darius Garland`s and De`Andre Hunter`s contracts.
- October 31: Deadline to exercise the third-year team option for Jaylon Tyson.
Potential Extension Candidates:
- Dean Wade
- Max Strus
- Darius Garland
- De`Andre Hunter (as of October 1)
Dallas Mavericks
Roster Overview: 14 guaranteed contracts, 2 partial/non-guaranteed, 3 Exhibit 10 deals, 2 two-way players.
Key Storylines: The First Starting Lineup
What a difference six months can make. Last spring, injuries severely depleted the Mavericks` roster, at times leaving them with the league minimum of eight available players. Now, head coach Jason Kidd faces the welcome challenge of selecting a starting lineup from one of the deepest teams in the NBA as training camp begins. Out of the 15 players on the roster, only rookie Cooper Flagg did not start an NBA game last season.
D`Angelo Russell and Klay Thompson are expected to form the backcourt, but Kidd has a significant decision to make regarding which two players will complement Anthony Davis in the frontcourt. Candidates for these spots include Flagg, P.J. Washington, Naji Marshall, Caleb Martin, Daniel Gafford, and Dereck Lively II.
Important Dates:
- October 22: Brandon Williams` salary protection increases from $200K to $850K.
- October 31: Deadline to exercise the fourth-year team option for Dereck Lively II.
Potential Extension Candidates:
- Dwight Powell
Denver Nuggets
Roster Overview: 14 guaranteed contracts, 0 partial/non-guaranteed, 2 Exhibit 10 deals, 3 two-way players.
Key Storylines: Ben Tenzer`s First Season and Future Finances
Ben Tenzer was promoted to executive vice president of basketball operations after GM Calvin Booth and head coach Michael Malone were dismissed on April 9. Since his promotion, Tenzer and his staff have reshaped the Nuggets, acquiring Cameron Johnson and Jonas Valanciunas via trade, and signing Bruce Brown and Tim Hardaway Jr.
The next challenge on his agenda is navigating rookie extensions for Christian Braun and Peyton Watson. Braun averaged a career-high 33.9 minutes and started 77 of 79 games, playing over 75 games for the third consecutive year (including all 82 in 2023-24). He and Dyson Daniels are the only two players in the past two seasons to increase their scoring by more than eight points per game. Watson also achieved career highs in minutes, field goal percentage, and points per game last season, posting a plus-11.7 points per 100 possessions when playing alongside Jamal Murray, Braun, Michael Porter Jr., and Nikola Jokic. Denver has been proactive in extending its own players since the 2022 offseason, signing Jokic, Aaron Gordon, Murray, and former players Porter and Kentavious Caldwell-Pope.
Important Dates:
- October 20: Final day to extend the contracts of Jokic, Johnson, Braun, and Watson.
- October 31: Deadline to exercise the fourth-year team option for Julian Strawther and the third-year team option for DaRon Holmes II.
Potential Extension Candidates:
- Nikola Jokic
- Cam Johnson
- Christian Braun
- Hunter Tyson
- Jalen Pickett
- Peyton Watson
Detroit Pistons
Roster Overview: 13 guaranteed contracts, 1 partial/non-guaranteed, 3 Exhibit 10 deals, 3 two-way players.
Key Storylines: Continued Player Development
The Pistons, after finishing at the bottom of the Eastern Conference in 2023-24 with a 14-68 record, were one of the league`s major turnaround stories last season. Detroit became the first team to triple its win total in a single season and only the sixth team in league history to increase its win total by at least 30 games.
The obvious question heading into this season is whether Detroit can evolve beyond a first-round team and potentially contend with the Eastern Conference`s top teams. GM Trajan Langdon noted to The Athletic, “I don`t think we truly understand who our players can be at this point. I just think it`s too early for us to truly understand what the best way to press the proverbial gas pedal is right now. So we`re gonna try to be patient with that and let our young guys continue to develop.” One area of significant improvement for Detroit last season was their 3-point shooting percentage, which rose from last in the league in 2023-24 to a respectable 17th. This offseason, the Pistons replaced Malik Beasley, Dennis Schroder, and Tim Hardaway Jr. with a healthy Jaden Ivey and free agents Caris LeVert, Duncan Robinson, and Javonte Green. They also return four of the five starters from the roster that lost to New York in the first round, including All-NBA guard Cade Cunningham.
Important Dates:
- October 20: Final day to extend the contracts of Jaden Ivey and Jalen Duren.
- October 31: Deadline to exercise the third-year team option for Ron Holland and the fourth-year team options for Ausar Thompson and Marcus Sasser.
Potential Extension Candidates:
- Jaden Ivey
- Jalen Duren
Golden State Warriors
Roster Overview: 12 guaranteed contracts, 3 partial/non-guaranteed, 3 Exhibit 10 deals, 3 two-way players.
Key Storylines: Jonathan Kuminga`s Role and the Final Roster Spot
The Warriors averted a training camp headache when Jonathan Kuminga signed a two-year contract just 24 hours before his qualifying offer was set to expire. With Kuminga now under contract and ineligible to be traded until January 15, the focus for training camp and the early part of the season is defining his role, both off the bench and potentially within the starting unit.
Kuminga started 56 games over the past two seasons, averaging at least 15 points in each, but his role was reduced at the end of last season and in the first round of the playoffs. Coach Steve Kerr commented in April, “The lineup with Jimmy, Jonathan and Draymond doesn`t fit real well, frankly. It just doesn`t.” The Warriors were minus-28.2 points per 100 possessions when Kuminga, Jimmy Butler III, and Draymond Green were on the court together. However, that lineup showed improvement in the second-round loss to Minnesota, where the Warriors were plus-9.4 points with all three on the court, and Kuminga averaged 19.5 points, shooting over 50% in that round. As for the final roster spot, the Al Horford signing leaves Golden State $2 million below the second apron. Barring a trade to free up cap space, the Warriors cannot have 15 players on their roster at the start of the season. They are permitted to sign a player to the prorated veteran minimum starting on November 11.
Important Dates:
- October 31: Deadline to exercise the fourth-year team option for Brandin Podziemski.
Potential Extension Candidates:
- Draymond Green
- Trayce Jackson-Davis
Houston Rockets
Roster Overview: 14 guaranteed contracts, 0 partial/non-guaranteed, 1 Exhibit 10 deal, 3 two-way players.
Key Storylines: Who Starts at Point Guard and the Big Lineups
The Rockets were already thin at the guard position before starter Fred VanVleet tore his right ACL in an offseason workout, putting him out indefinitely. The burden now falls on Aaron Holiday, Reed Sheppard, and potentially Amen Thompson. Since the Rockets are $1.2 million below the first apron, they cannot sign a player to their final roster spot unless they make a trade, as they are hard-capped at the first apron.
Holiday has played 140 games, including four starts, since Houston signed him in 2023. In his lone start last season, he scored a season-high 25 points. Meanwhile, Sheppard averaged 12.6 minutes per game and shot 33.8% from 3-point range. The additions of Kevin Durant, Dorian Finney-Smith, and Clint Capela also provide coach Ime Udoka with numerous options in the frontcourt. Udoka stated, “It`s to be determined,” regarding who will start alongside Durant and Alperen Sengun. “I do think Jabari [Smith Jr.] showed tremendous growth this offseason, and obviously he started the majority of his time here, before the injury. But we`ll take a look at everything. We feel we have incredible depth this year and a lot of versatility, so we could go a number of different ways, as far as that. I think some of that will be proven in training camp.”
Important Dates:
- October 20: Deadline to extend Tari Eason`s contract.
- October 31: Deadline to exercise the third-year team option for Reed Sheppard and the fourth-year team option for Amen Thompson.
Potential Extension Candidates:
- Kevin Durant
- Tari Eason
Indiana Pacers
Roster Overview: 13 guaranteed contracts, 3 partial/non-guaranteed, 2 Exhibit 10 deals, 3 two-way players.
Key Storylines: Life Without Tyrese Haliburton and Myles Turner
Heading into Game 7 of the NBA Finals, there was a strong argument that Indiana would be among the Eastern Conference favorites for the upcoming season. However, within a 10-day period, All-NBA guard Tyrese Haliburton tore his Achilles, and the Pacers` longest-tenured player, Myles Turner, departed for the Milwaukee Bucks. In the regular season, Indiana was plus-8.0 per 100 possessions when Haliburton and Turner shared the court, leading the team to average 118.9 points per 100 possessions.
The Pacers will address Haliburton`s absence by expanding the roles of Andrew Nembhard, T.J. McConnell, and Bennedict Mathurin. Over the past two seasons, McConnell averaged 18.2 and 17.9 minutes per game, respectively, while Nembhard has never averaged more than 29 minutes in his career. Mathurin, who averaged 16 points for the second time in his three seasons and led all reserves in postseason points, started 49 games last season, averaging 16.7 points and six rebounds. The center position is expected to be filled by a rotation of Jay Huff, James Wiseman, and Tony Bradley. Huff started two games last season with Memphis, and Wiseman is recovering from an Achilles injury.
Important Dates:
- October 20: Deadline to extend the contracts of Bennedict Mathurin and Aaron Nesmith.
- October 31: Deadline to exercise the fourth-year team options for Jarace Walker and Ben Sheppard.
Potential Extension Candidates:
- Bennedict Mathurin
- Aaron Nesmith (as of October 1)
LA Clippers
Roster Overview: 14 guaranteed contracts, 0 partial/non-guaranteed, 4 Exhibit 10 deals, 3 two-way players.
Key Storylines: Kawhi Leonard and Veteran Buy-in
While a resolution to the alleged salary cap circumvention investigation involving the Clippers is unlikely soon, Kawhi Leonard and the team remain under scrutiny. The Clippers have publicly and privately maintained that Leonard received no additional compensation from a sponsorship deal, despite owner Steve Ballmer and minority owner Dennis Wong investing in the company, Aspiration. Blocking out the public noise from the Leonard investigation and, more importantly, securing buy-in from their veterans, could determine if the Clippers advance past the first round for the first time since 2021.
The Clippers signed veterans Brook Lopez, Chris Paul, and John Collins in the offseason. This trio started 96% of their games last season and are now likely to come off the bench. The additions of Paul and Bradley Beal could also affect Kris Dunn`s role; last season, Dunn started 58 games and averaged 24.1 minutes.
Important Dates:
- October 31: Deadline to exercise the fourth-year team option for Kobe Brown.
Potential Extension Candidates:
- John Collins
Los Angeles Lakers
Roster Overview: 14 guaranteed contracts, 0 partial/non-guaranteed, 4 Exhibit 10 deals, 3 two-way players.
Key Storylines: LeBron James` Health
The last time LeBron James played basketball, the 40-year-old was seen limping off the court following a first-round series loss to the Minnesota Timberwolves. It was later revealed that James had suffered a Grade 2 MCL sprain in his left knee. “I have a lot of time to take care of my injury, my knee, the rest of my body and make sure I`m as close to 100 percent as possible when training camp begins in late September,” James told The Associated Press in June.
James is set to embark on an unprecedented 23rd training camp. His health will undoubtedly play a significant role in the Lakers` success this season. “It remains to be seen,” James told ESPN when asked about his planned participation in training camp and the preseason. “Obviously I want to be out there as much as I can… but we know where I`m at and the coaching staff knows where I`m at as far as getting to a place where we`re all good as far as getting on the court.”
Important Dates:
- October 31: Deadline to exercise the third-year team option for Dalton Knecht.
Potential Extension Candidates:
- Austin Reaves
- Rui Hachimura
- Gabe Vincent
- Maxi Kleber
Memphis Grizzlies
Roster Overview: 15 guaranteed contracts, 0 partial/non-guaranteed, 3 Exhibit 10 deals, 3 two-way players.
Key Storylines: Frontcourt Depth
Memphis has been plagued by injuries over the past two seasons, and the trend has continued with Jaren Jackson Jr. and Zach Edey both undergoing offseason surgeries. Edey had surgery on June 10 for a left ankle injury, and Jackson underwent surgery on July 2 for turf toe. Jackson has been cleared to gradually increase basketball activities and is expected to return to play in four to six weeks. Edey, meanwhile, is projected to return in six to nine weeks.
Without either player on the court, Memphis`s frontcourt consists of Santi Aldama, Brandon Clarke, and Jock Landale. Clarke suffered a high-grade PCL sprain in March, missing 18 games and the first round of the playoffs. He will undergo another procedure to address knee synovitis and will be reevaluated in six weeks, further challenging the team`s depth.
Important Dates:
- October 20: Final day to extend the contracts of Ja Morant, John Konchar, and Brandon Clarke.
- October 31: Deadline to exercise the third-year team option for Zach Edey.
Potential Extension Candidates:
- Ja Morant
- Brandon Clarke (as of October 1)
- John Konchar (as of July 7)
Miami Heat
Roster Overview: 12 guaranteed contracts, 3 partial/non-guaranteed, 4 Exhibit 10 deals, 2 two-way players.
Key Storylines: Tyler Herro and Team Offense
The Heat find themselves in a unique situation concerning Tyler Herro. The All-Star stepped up last season, playing a career-high 77 games and averaging at least 20 points for the fourth consecutive season. He also achieved a career-high 47.2% field goal percentage and averaged a career-best 5.5 assists per game. His production certainly warrants discussions for a long-term extension. He has two years remaining on his current contract and is eligible to sign a three-year, $149.7 million extension starting October 1. The first year of this extension (2027-28) would begin at $46.2 million, nearly $6 million less than the maximum allowed.
Heat president Pat Riley commented after the season, “Pay me now or pay me later, whatever it is. We`ve already talked about it. I talked about it with Tyler, and so we`ll see what happens as we plan. The numbers are getting pretty big for a lot of guys. Max salaries in this league, who do they go to? I mean, who do they go to and who is really? If you`re going to make $70 million a year, who are those five or 10 guys that deserve that? But Tyler definitely is deserving of the thought of an extension. But are we going to do it? We haven`t committed to it, but we`re going to discuss it and I`ve already talked to him about it. He`s cool.” However, extending Herro now carries risk, as the six-year veteran underwent surgery on his left ankle and is expected to miss the start of the regular season. If an extension isn`t reached, both parties would then be eligible to negotiate a four-year extension next summer for up to $207 million.
Regarding the offense, Miami acquired Norman Powell in the offseason, but Herro`s early-season absence leaves a void. The Heat were minus-8.6 points per 100 possessions when Herro was off the court and went 12-21 after the Jimmy Butler trade, ranking in the bottom 10 in offensive efficiency. They were 14-26 in clutch games (3-12 after the trade) and lost a league-high nine games when leading by at least 15 points.
Important Dates:
- October 20: Final day to extend the contracts of Tyler Herro and Nikola Jovic.
- October 22: Pelle Larsson`s $978K salary protection increases to full.
Potential Extension Candidates:
- Nikola Jovic
- Norman Powell
- Tyler Herro (as of October 1)
- Andrew Wiggins (as of October 1)
- Terry Rozier
Milwaukee Bucks
Roster Overview: 15 guaranteed contracts, 2 partial/non-guaranteed, 1 Exhibit 10 deal, 3 two-way players.
Key Storylines: Who Starts at Point Guard, Kyle Kuzma, and the Final Roster Spot
Questions about the Bucks` starting point guard for this season existed long before Damian Lillard was waived and stretched in July due to his Achilles injury. The decision on who starts in his place could come down to Ryan Rollins, AJ Green, or Kevin Porter Jr. Rollins started 19 regular-season games and Game 4 of the first-round series, averaging 10.1 points and 3 assists, and shooting 48.6% from the field and 45.2% from 3-point range in those starts. Green might be better suited for a sixth-man role, having started only seven of his 73 games last season, and has shot over 40% from 3-point range for three consecutive seasons. Porter has the most career starts (150) among the three, primarily during his tenure with the Rockets.
There`s no denying Kyle Kuzma was a disappointment, especially in the postseason, where he shot 34.3% from the field and 20% from 3-point range in the first round. Prior to that, in the 2021 postseason with the Lakers, he shot 29.2% and 17.4%, respectively. The final roster spot in Milwaukee was initially thought to be a competition between Andre Jackson Jr. or Amir Coffey, but then Milwaukee signed Thanasis Antetokounmpo to a one-year guaranteed contract. The Bucks could still keep Jackson or Coffey, but likely at the cost of former second-round pick Tyler Smith.
Important Dates:
- October 20: Deadline to extend Kyle Kuzma`s contract.
- October 21: Andre Jackson Jr.`s contract becomes guaranteed.
Potential Extension Candidates:
- AJ Green
- Andre Jackson Jr.
- Kyle Kuzma
Minnesota Timberwolves
Roster Overview: 13 guaranteed contracts, 1 partial/non-guaranteed, 4 Exhibit 10 deals, 3 two-way players.
Key Storylines: The Growth and Development of Rob Dillingham, Terrence Shannon Jr., and Joan Beringer
The Timberwolves traded a future unprotected first-round pick to San Antonio, hoping that Rob Dillingham would be the successor to Mike Conley Jr. Dillingham is coming off an inconsistent rookie season, appearing in only 49 games and averaging just 10.5 minutes per game. With Conley in the final year of his contract, the question is whether Dillingham can develop into a reliable rotational player and eventual starter.
Dillingham and Shannon will take on expanded roles with Nickeil Alexander-Walker`s departure to Atlanta. In the 12 regular-season games Shannon was in the rotation, he averaged eight points and shot 51.4% from the field. He followed up the 2024-25 season by averaging 22.7 points, 6 rebounds, and 5 assists in three summer league games. In just the first game of summer league, team executives took notice of Joan Beringer, who blocked 10 shots and shows potential to crack the rotation as a backup to Rudy Gobert.
Important Dates:
- October 20: Deadline to extend Donte DiVincenzo`s contract.
- October 31: Deadline to exercise the third-year team options for Terrence Shannon Jr. and Rob Dillingham.
Potential Extension Candidates:
- Donte DiVincenzo
- Leonard Miller
New Orleans Pelicans
Roster Overview: 14 guaranteed contracts, 2 partial/non-guaranteed, 2 Exhibit 10 deals, 3 two-way players.
Key Storylines: Health and Perimeter Defense
The Pelicans endured an injury-plagued season, losing Trey Murphy III, Dejounte Murray, Herbert Jones, and Zion Williamson for significant periods. These injuries forced New Orleans to use 47 different starting lineups and resulted in only 21 wins. All four players are under contract, but once again, their health will be paramount if the Pelicans aim to compete in the Western Conference.
Williamson has played in just 46% of regular-season games since being drafted No. 1 in 2019 and has never appeared in the playoffs. Murray tore his right ACL on February 1 and underwent surgery four days later. Murphy and Jones are expected to play in the preseason and be ready for the season opener. The Pelicans also strengthened their guard position by drafting Jeremiah Fears and trading for Jordan Poole. On the court, a key question will be the Pelicans` perimeter defense. After All-NBA defender Jones, coach Willie Green will rely on Poole, Murphy, Williams, Jordan Hawkins, and rookie Micah Peavy.
Important Dates:
- October 20: Deadline to extend the contracts of Zion Williamson and Jordan Poole.
- October 31: Deadline to exercise the third-year team option for Yves Missi and the fourth-year team option for Jordan Hawkins.
Potential Extension Candidates:
- Zion Williamson
- Jordan Poole (as of October 1)
New York Knicks
Roster Overview: 11 guaranteed contracts, 5 partial/non-guaranteed, 2 Exhibit 10 deals, 3 two-way players.
Key Storylines: Bench Depth
After the Knicks` elimination in the Eastern Conference Finals, the primary offseason priority was improving a bench unit that ranked last in minutes per game. Their starters, conversely, averaged 94 points, the second-highest since the 1986-87 season. The quest to strengthen their reserves involved internal development of former draft picks Pacome Dadiet and Tyler Kolek, exploring trades, and seeking lower-cost options in free agency.
Although Dadiet, Kolek, Miles McBride, and Mitchell Robinson remain, New York signed Jordan Clarkson and Guerschon Yabusele in early July, and also brought in Malcolm Brogdon, Garrison Mathews, Landry Shamet, and Alex Len on non-guaranteed contracts. On the surface, the Knicks` bench appears improved. However, because Yabusele signed for part of the tax midlevel exception, New York is hard-capped at the second apron. If the Knicks wish to retain two of the players on non-guaranteed contracts, they will likely need to trade either Dadiet, Kolek, or McBride.
Important Dates:
- October 20: Deadline to extend Karl-Anthony Towns` contract.
- October 31: Deadline to exercise the third-year team option for Pacome Dadiet.
Potential Extension Candidates:
- Karl-Anthony Towns
- Mitchell Robinson
Oklahoma City Thunder
Roster Overview: 15 guaranteed contracts, 0 partial/non-guaranteed, 4 Exhibit 10 deals, 2 two-way players.
Key Storylines: Expectations, Nikola Topic, and Ousmane Dieng
With any team fresh off a championship, there`s always the risk of a letdown. However, Oklahoma City defies the mold of a typical defending champion, having distributed nearly $800 million in new contracts to Shai Gilgeous-Alexander, Jalen Williams, Chet Holmgren, Jaylin Williams, and Ajay Mitchell. While the Thunder return 14 out of 15 players from last season (Dillon Jones was traded to Washington), there`s still room for improvement, with 12 of the returning players aged 26 or younger.
One of these players is 2024 lottery pick Nikola Topic. The guard sat out last season rehabbing from a torn left ACL but averaged 10.8 points and 5.8 assists over six summer league games. With such a deep roster, there`s also the question of whether time is running out for Ousmane Dieng. After being selected as the 11th pick in the 2022 draft, Dieng has averaged just 14.6, 11.1, and 10.9 minutes in his three seasons, respectively. He had four games of double-digit points last season, including 21 against Milwaukee. He is eligible for an extension until October 20 and will become a free agent next offseason.
Important Dates:
- October 20: Deadline to extend Ousmane Dieng`s contract.
- October 31: Deadline to exercise the third-year team option for Nikola Topic and the fourth-year team option for Cason Wallace.
Potential Extension Candidates:
- Luguentz Dort
- Ousmane Dieng
- Kenrich Williams
Orlando Magic
Roster Overview: 14 guaranteed contracts, 0 partial/non-guaranteed, 5 Exhibit 10 deals, 2 two-way players.
Key Storylines: Desmond Bane and Health
When a team trades four first-round picks for Desmond Bane and then extends Paolo Banchero on a $239 million contract, the objective is to contend for the playoffs, not just secure the final spot. Bane`s acquisition has not only shifted the odds in the Eastern Conference but also addressed a significant weakness for the Magic. Bane improves a roster that ranked last in 3-point shooting over the previous two seasons, having shot greater than 38% from beyond the arc in each of the past five seasons.
Despite consecutive first-round exits and not advancing to the second round since 2008-09, Orlando is now given the third-best odds to win the East by oddsmakers. Last season, the Magic lost Jalen Suggs and Moritz Wagner to season-ending injuries. Suggs underwent surgery on March 2 to remove cartilage in his left knee and has played fewer than 54 games in three out of his first four seasons. Wagner was a Sixth Man of the Year contender before tearing his left ACL in December, at which point he was averaging 12.8 points and 4.9 rebounds.
Rupert Hollis