NBA NewsThursday, Oct 1, 2026

DALLAS, TEXAS - SEPTEMBER 25: Daniel Gafford #21 of the Dallas Mavericks poses for portraits at Mavericks Media Day at American Airlines Center on September 25, 2026 in Dallas, 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 GettyImages License Agreement. (Photo by Stacy Revere/Getty Images) | Getty Images Daniel Gafford has been on a roller coaster ride with the Dallas Maveric...

The NBA spent years trying to discourage tanking. This season, it may finally find out whether it succeeded. With the league’s new “3-2-1” draft lottery system taking effect in 2026-27, executives believe the changes could produce a significantly more competitive regular season, according to Mike Vorkunov of The Athletic. Under the new format, the NBA’s […] The post NBA execs think lottery change could make league more competitive than ever appeared first on Hoops Wire.

El Segundo, CA, - September 28, 2026: Los Angeles Lakers center Walker Kessler participates in the team's media day at the UCLA Health Training Center on Monday, Sept. 28, 2026 in El Segundo, CA. (Eric Thayer / Los Angeles Times via Getty Images) Whether it’s been head coach JJ Redick or superstar point guard Luka Dončić, excitement surrounding Walker Kessler’s arrival with the revamped Los Angeles Lakers is palpable. Kessler himself relayed that excitement during Monday’s media day, expressi...

The NBA has closed its only elite training academy in Africa, ending an eight-year run for a program that helped develop multiple players who eventually reached the league. NBA Academy Africa in Senegal has shut down as the league consolidates its elite international development efforts into a new global academy in Abu Dhabi, according to […] The post NBA closes its only elite training academy in Africa appeared first on Hoops Wire.

The Nuggets changed much of their bench during the offseason. It doesn’t look like it’ll take them long to figure out what the new one looks like. During a starters-vs.-reserves scrimmage at training camp, Denver’s second unit featured DeMar DeRozan, Julian Strawther, Alpha Diallo, Spencer Jones and Marvin Bagley III, as Logan Struck of Sports […] The post Nuggets seemingly have already figured out bench bunch appeared first on Hoops Wire.

PORTLAND, OREGON - APRIL 26: A general view of the Portland Trail Blazers half court logo prior to Game Four of the Western Conference First Round Playoffs between the Portland Trail Blazers and the San Antonio Spurs at Moda Center on April 26, 2026 in Portland, Oregon. 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 Soobum Im/Getty Images) | ...

EL SEGUNDO, CA - SEPTEMBER 28: Quentin Grimes #5 of the Los Angeles Lakers poses for a portrait during NBA Media Day on September 28, 2026 at UCLA Health Training Center in El Segundo, California. 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 Adam Pantozzi/NBAE via Getty Images) | NBAE via Gett...

The word on the street coming out of the islands is Golden State Warriors head coach Steve Kerr spent the first day of camp in Laie, Hawaii, drilling transition defense. He called the live work controlled, with possessions going up and back maybe three times max. Let’s hope that live work translates because anybody who sat through last season watching this team give up layups like they were handing out free samples at Costco wants this defense to snap out of the funk it’s been in over the pas...

The Lakers have one guaranteed player too many. Perhaps Jalen Smith can help them solve two problems at once. Los Angeles has 16 players on guaranteed standard contracts and must get down to 15 before opening night. Bulls big man Smith has been mentioned as the type of player who could make sense in a […] The post Lakers looking at Jalen Smith as answer to possible roster problem? appeared first on Hoops Wire.

Buddy Hield and the Lakers have been connected in trade rumors so many times that you almost expect him to eventually wind up there by accident. Well, it appears, they had another chance. Specifically, L.A. had an opportunity to acquire Hield in a consolidation trade this offseason but elected not to pursue the deal, according […] The post Lakers reportedly had chance to trade for Buddy Hield, passed appeared first on Hoops Wire.

Tacko Fall has a legitimate opportunity to stick with the 76ers. Now he has an early training-camp obstacle to overcome. Fall experienced hip soreness during Wednesday’s practice and was scheduled to be evaluated before Thursday’s session, according to Justin Grasso of The Sixer Sense. Coach Nick Nurse described the issue as a “hip thing,” though […] The post Tacko Fall suffers hip injury while fighting for Sixers two-way spot appeared first on Hoops Wire.

PHOENIX, AZ - SEPTEMBER 28: Jalen Green #4, Dillon Brooks #3, Devin Booker #15, and Miles Bridges #22 of the Phoenix Suns pose for a portrait during NBA Media Day on September 28, 2026 at the Mortgage Matchup Center in Phoenix, Arizona. 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 Barry Gossag...