News from around the NBA 2026-2027

[hcsilla]

I think our starting five will be better. The bench maybe not so much. Grayson brought a lot of intangibles and high volume three point shooting as well as fourth quarter clutch threes. Not so sure that Kennard is an upgrade over Grayson, yet. Kennard shoots a high percentage on low volume. That's like a guy that shoots 90% on free throws, but only gets to the line once or twice a game. I have to see how Ott plays a second unit.

Kennard is obviously a downgrade from Allen, he is a less versatile scorer and less of a defender. Of course, at the same time we got (at least) a significant upgrade in Bridges over O'Neale while inflated our future unprotected pick into a 2027 late 1st rounder.

 

[Yuma]

Kennard is obviously a downgrade from Allen, he is a less versatile scorer and less of a defender. Of course, at the same time we got (at least) a significant upgrade in Bridges over O'Neale while inflated our future unprotected pick into a 2027 late 1st rounder.

So a lot of podcasts are focusing on Bridges in the starting lineup. While Bridges is greater than Royce, Kennard is less than Allen. Aside from the first round picks which were swapped, which we gained a second rounder, too. The starting line up being upgraded wasn't where I was looking though. Both Allen and Royce were at the top of the charts in fourth quarter clutch threes made. I feel our bench took a hit, unless Ott suddenly decides to play some of the younger guys in Man Man, Fleming, Peat, etc. Plus we are down a three point shooter overall, unless Brea suddenly steps up.

We might have just treaded water with the Bridges and Kennard moves. Both guys have to improve their defensive play to replace the defense we lost, which is starting out not good.

 

[Adrian]

Fullcourtpass

@Fullcourtpass
·
1h


Zach LaVine was NOT promised a role with the Kings and could be bought out before the season starts, per
@James_HamNBA
“They've been honest with [Zach LaVine] & said; Look, all bets are off if you opt in...We as a franchise have to make a business decision w/ regards to you—& if he's going to get bought out it should happen now. Because after this it's not advantageous to anybody.”(h/t
@dru_star
)

 

[Adrian]

Shams Charania
@ShamsCharania
·
52m

San Antonio's Victor Wembanyama has signed a new long-term contract extension with Nike -- including a new signature shoe line, per sources. After 3 NBA seasons, Wembanyama has run to the Finals, MVP finalist season, Defensive Player of the Year, max deal and a signature shoe.

 

[Adrian]

Evan Sidery
@esidery
·
1h

St. Louis is letting it be known they’re open to a potential relocation acquisition of the Trail Blazers.

Mayor Cara Spencer said that acquiring an NBA team is on their radar.Richard Chaifetz, a minority owner in Tom Dundon’s group, is an NIL donor for the St. Louis Billikens.

 

[Adrian]

Evan Sidery

@esidery
·
1h

The Grizzlies are expected to finalize a buyout for D’Angelo Russell soon.After Memphis acquired Russell in a deal this summer, they have no plans of utilizing him.

Russell would hit unrestricted free agency willing to sign with a contender on a one-year veteran’s minimum.

 

[Hoop Head]

Evan Sidery
@esidery
·
1h

St. Louis is letting it be known they’re open to a potential relocation acquisition of the Trail Blazers.

Mayor Cara Spencer said that acquiring an NBA team is on their radar.Richard Chaifetz, a minority owner in Tom Dundon’s group, is an NIL donor for the St. Louis Billikens.

That could work well for the league as that gives them Portland to use as a pawn when other teams won't do their bidding, like building new arenas or training facilities. Time it right and a lot of the existing Portland fans would support the new Sonics as well.

 

[Bada0Bing]

That could work well for the league as that gives them Portland to use as a pawn when other teams won't do their bidding, like building new arenas or training facilities. Time it right and a lot of the existing Portland fans would support the new Sonics as well.

Are you sure about that? I grew up in Oregon and we love our Blazers. It's either the Blazers, or some bandwagon team like the Lakers or Celtics. I didn't know too many Sonics fans growing up, even when Payton went there after playing for OSU. Maybe if they were a new franchise, but I doubt it.

 

[Hoop Head]

Are you sure about that? I grew up in Oregon and we love our Blazers. It's either the Blazers, or some bandwagon team like the Lakers or Celtics. I didn't know too many Sonics fans growing up, even when Payton went there after playing for OSU. Maybe if they were a new franchise, but I doubt it.

It would be entirely different if there were no Blazers. I'm sure a lot of people would resent the NBA for leaving, like in Seattle, but latching onto the closest team makes some sense.m

 

[Bada0Bing]

I guess one way to know, is if there are a bunch of new Blazer fans in Washington (after the Sonics left).

I'm skeptical. OR and WA weren't exactly friendly, at least where/when I lived there. We weren't necessarily Seahawk fans.

 

[Ouchie-Z-Clown]

It would be entirely different if there were no Blazers. I'm sure a lot of people would resent the NBA for leaving, like in Seattle, but latching onto the closest team makes some sense.m

Only a generation that grew up without the blazers would latch onto a team that was their competitor like the lakers. If the suns left Phoenix most suns fans wouldn’t become lakers fans.

 

[JCSunsfan]

Only a generation that grew up without the blazers would latch onto a team that was their competitor like the lakers. If the suns left Phoenix most suns fans wouldn’t become lakers fans.

I would probably abandon the NBA altogether.

 

[Cheesebeef]

It would be entirely different if there were no Blazers. I'm sure a lot of people would resent the NBA for leaving, like in Seattle, but latching onto the closest team makes some sense.m

If this was true wouldn’t the Blazers have garnered a bigger following from Seattle when the Sonics bailed? I know a couple a couple people from Seattle and none of them say that was the case nor have I ever heard the Blazers somehow gained some kind of larger following in the Pacific Northwest post Sonics bailing.

 

[Mainstreet]

If this was true wouldn’t the Blazers have garnered a bigger following from Seattle when the Sonics bailed? I know a couple a couple people from Seattle and none of them say that was the case nor have I ever heard the Blazers somehow gained some kind of larger following in the Pacific Northwest post Sonics bailing.

Yeah, I don't think that is how being a fan works. I suspect most Seattle fans remain bitter toward the NBA following the relocation.

 

[Bada0Bing]

I would probably abandon the NBA altogether.

Same. At that point I’d probably just become a casual fan that watches a bit of the playoffs and the finals.

 

[Chaplin]

Yeah, I don't think that is how being a fan works. I suspect most Seattle fans remain bitter toward the NBA following the relocation.

My best friend (who lives in Seattle) certainly is still bitter.

And holds a burning hatred for OKC. Still after all these years.

 

[Mainstreet]

My best friend (who lives in Seattle) certainly is still bitter.

And holds a burning hatred for OKC. Still after all these years.

It's understandable. I'd still be angry as well if my team moved to a different city and resent the league for allowing it.

 

[Hoop Head]

If this was true wouldn’t the Blazers have garnered a bigger following from Seattle when the Sonics bailed? I know a couple a couple people from Seattle and none of them say that was the case nor have I ever heard the Blazers somehow gained some kind of larger following in the Pacific Northwest post Sonics bailing.

Sonic fans are super bitter towards the NBA. They stopped following vs finding a new team. It's more like when the Grizzlies left Vancouver and a lot of folks in that area started supporting the Sonics. The league really messed up with how they moved the Sonics.

If Portland lost it's team, those who kept following the league would find a franchise to follow and having one in driving distance makes a difference.

 

[BooksOrangePlanet]

Sonic fans are super bitter towards the NBA. They stopped following vs finding a new team. It's more like when the Grizzlies left Vancouver and a lot of folks in that area started supporting the Sonics. The league really messed up with how they moved the Sonics.

If Portland lost it's team, those who kept following the league would find a franchise to follow and having one in driving distance makes a difference.

i'll never watch hockey again

 

[Ouchie-Z-Clown]

Yeah, I don't think that is how being a fan works. I suspect most Seattle fans remain bitter toward the NBA following the relocation.

I have a good friend from Seattle. Whenever our group discussions go to hoops his only, and every, response is always “f the nba”

 

[Phrazbit]

My best friend (who lives in Seattle) certainly is still bitter.

And holds a burning hatred for OKC. Still after all these years.

Yep.

If the Suns left, not only would I not cheer for them anymore, they'd be my most hated franchise in sports. I might hold some love for a few of the players, but I'd want them to go somewhere else.

Really, I'd probably just hate the NBA in general and only tune in for the playoffs if there was some interesting storyline.

 

[Carolinacacti]

It's understandable. I'd still be angry as well if my team moved to a different city and resent the league for allowing it.

Charlotte fans are still mad at the owner for moving, and I think he is dead. Charlotte got another team and most fans hated it. The Bob cats what a joke.

 

[Cheesebeef]

Sonic fans are super bitter towards the NBA. They stopped following vs finding a new team. It's more like when the Grizzlies left Vancouver and a lot of folks in that area started supporting the Sonics. The league really messed up with how they moved the Sonics.

If Portland lost it's team, those who kept following the league would find a franchise to follow and having one in driving distance makes a difference.

Why do you think Portland fans, fans of a long time staple of the NBA with a pretty rich history, wouldn’t be just as bitter as Sonic fans?

I’ve never heard of Grizzly fans becoming Sonics fans. but if that is the case, you’re talking about an expansion franchise that only existed in Vancouver for 6 seasons and literally never have one modicum of success in the entirety of their very brief run. It’s possible those Grizz fans who liked basketball were Sonics fans before hand or never really attached to the Grizzlies in the first place, no?

 

[Hoop Head]

Why do you think Portland fans, fans of a long time staple of the NBA with a pretty rich history, wouldn’t be just as bitter as Sonic fans?

I’ve never heard of Grizzly fans becoming Sonics fans. but if that is the case, you’re talking about an expansion franchise that only existed in Vancouver for 6 seasons and literally never have one modicum of success in the entirety of their very brief run. It’s possible those Grizz fans who liked basketball were Sonics fans before hand or never really attached to the Grizzlies in the first place, no?

How a team leaves determines a lot. That doesn't keep people in the area who grow older and get an interest in the sport from holding the same grudges though. New potential fans are growing up everywhere. Having the closest access to a team usually creates fans,

 

[Chaplin]

Remember, Portland doesn't have another pro team except for MLS and Wnba, so that's a deeper void than Seattle, who has both an MLB and NFL team to fall back on.