Around the NBA 2026-27

[FNG]

Tim Connelly’s one really good draft pick is the pick he gave away. Walker Kessler had 26 points, 9 rebounds and 2 blocks last night. Granted, it was the Warriors. But I’m afraid the Lakers are going to be very formidable this season. Walker was a great addition for them. Meanwhile Doncic is in the best shape of his life.

The Sixers will be tough to beat. As the ultimate NBA mercenary, LeBron knows a super team when he sees one. They’re so loaded that Embiid’s minutes can be significantly limited all season to keep him healthy for the playoffs without stopping the Sixers from finishing in the top three. Right now, I see them finishing first and ending up in the NBA finals. Meanwhile, I’ll be pulling for the Knicks, Pistons, Celtics and Heat to finish ahead of them, but I’m not optimistic.

Maxey has really turned into a hell of a player. He is clearly the more dynamic threat than Brown in my opinion, but it's good to have two elite shot creators.

The real issue with the Sixers is health and depth. Yes, their starting lineup is loaded, but if LeBron and/or Embiid miss significant time it could be a real problem.

I love Maxey's game, and I'm also bullish on the Sixers...but like Lip, I won't be cheering for them. Two things could hold them back: health, as you mentioned is a big concern. But also, I think if James or Embiid refuse to recognize that this is Brown's and Maxey's team, their season could go south fast. So far, so good though...Brown and Maxey each took over 20 shots last night as Embiid and James were content to play third and 4th fiddle. Will it last though, or will Joel start jacking up treys?

[Q-is-here]

Tim Connelly’s one really good draft pick is the pick he gave away. Walker Kessler had 26 points, 9 rebounds and 2 blocks last night. Granted, it was the Warriors. But I’m afraid the Lakers are going to be very formidable this season. Walker was a great addition for them. Meanwhile Doncic is in the best shape of his life.

The Sixers will be tough to beat. As the ultimate NBA mercenary, LeBron knows a super team when he sees one. They’re so loaded that Embiid’s minutes can be significantly limited all season to keep him healthy for the playoffs without stopping the Sixers from finishing in the top three. Right now, I see them finishing first and ending up in the NBA finals. Meanwhile, I’ll be pulling for the Knicks, Pistons, Celtics and Heat to finish ahead of them, but I’m not optimistic.

Maxey has really turned into a hell of a player. He is clearly the more dynamic threat than Brown in my opinion, but it's good to have two elite shot creators.

The real issue with the Sixers is health and depth. Yes, their starting lineup is loaded, but if LeBron and/or Embiid miss significant time it could be a real problem.

I love Maxey's game, and I'm also bullish on the Sixers...but like Lip, I won't be cheering for them. Two things could hold them back: health, as you mentioned is a big concern. But also, I think if James or Embiid refuse to recognize that this is Brown's and Maxey's team, their season could go south fast. So far, so good though...Brown and Maxey each took over 20 shots last night as Embiid and James were content to play third and 4th fiddle. Will it last though, or will Joel start jacking up treys?

I really don't buy into the ego-driven narrative when it comes to Embiid and LeBron. Obviously they both have big egos, but I don't think it leads to them wanting more shots. LeBron mostly gave way to Doncic and Reaves last season, so he's already had experience being the 3rd option and I think he's perfectly happy being mostly an orchestrator this year.

As for Embiid, he's now a very old 32 that simply can't be counted on to handle a ton of usage.

[rapsuperstar31]

[Windhorst] League executives are watching whether the Thunder pick up options on Topic and Sorber for next season by the Nov. 2 deadline. That will cost Oklahoma City more than $60 million in added tax.

[rapsuperstar31]

[Charania] Former Lakers forward Dalton Knecht has agreed to sign with the New York Knicks on a two-way NBA contract, his agents at Excel Sports Management tell ESPN.

[AbeVigodaLive]

I see Denver drafted their 7th man Trevon Brazile with the 35th pick in this recent draft. Didn't score in the first half but grabbed 8 rebounds in 9 minutes. Our pick Evans taken a few spots earlier doesn't play in game one.

Come on, Cypress...Evans played, and he had only one fewer defensive rebound than Joan Beringer!

But yeah, a nice debut for him with double digit rebounds. But I think the board here would have gotten the pitch forks out if TC had taken him instead of Evans. We mentioned a lot of names in the 19 page second round draft thread, but his never came up. He was a 23 year old 5th year senior who only averaged 9/6 in his college career despite starting most of the games. A 23 year old 6-10 PF is going to be more NBA ready than a skinny 20 year old. Evans looked terrible most of the preseason, but I still like his upside a lot more than Brazile.

Maybe.

Brazille is definitely a YouTube highlight guy. You see the way he moves... or even shoots (randomly) in highlights and you can't help but think he's a legitimate NBA guy.

Very athletic and smooth. Could be a multitude of reasons why his college stats and consistent output never matched the eye test. Although he was a 13/7 guy last year with more minutes.

Finished with 12 boards in 18 minutes.

[60WinTim]

I see Denver drafted their 7th man Trevon Brazile with the 35th pick in this recent draft. Didn't score in the first half but grabbed 8 rebounds in 9 minutes. Our pick Evans taken a few spots earlier doesn't play in game one.

Come on, Cypress...Evans played, and he had only one fewer defensive rebound than Joan Beringer!

But yeah, a nice debut for him with double digit rebounds. But I think the board here would have gotten the pitch forks out if TC had taken him instead of Evans. We mentioned a lot of names in the 19 page second round draft thread, but his never came up. He was a 23 year old 5th year senior who only averaged 9/6 in his college career despite starting most of the games. A 23 year old 6-10 PF is going to be more NBA ready than a skinny 20 year old. Evans looked terrible most of the preseason, but I still like his upside a lot more than Brazile.

Maybe.

Brazille is definitely a YouTube highlight guy. You see the way he moves... or even shoots (randomly) in highlights and you can't help but think he's a legitimate NBA guy.

Very athletic and smooth. Could be a multitude of reasons why his college stats and consistent output never matched the eye test. Although he was a 13/7 guy last year with more minutes.

Finished with 12 boards in 18 minutes.

My instant reaction to watching a little bit in the preseason and last night is that Denver found a legit backup for Aaron Gordon. Denver could be really good this year, even with their collapse against OKC last night.