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NBA News

Combined summaries and individual breaking-news reports, all in one recency-first feed.

Tuesday, September 22

Collin Gillespie Slated to Lead Phoenix Suns Bench Unit This Season

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After starting 70% of games last season and averaging career highs, Collin Gillespie is slated to be the Phoenix Suns' first man off the bench. Jalen Green takes his place in the starting backcourt alongside Devin Booker. Despite struggling in his final 15 games, Gillespie proved his capability to play heavy minutes and contribute to winning, raising questions about whether he is ready for a larger starting-level role moving forward.

Austin Reaves Forms Core of Lakers' Big 3 Alongside Luka Doncic

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Austin Reaves signed a massive four-year, $180 million contract to remain with the Los Angeles Lakers as a cornerstone of their new Big 3 alongside Luka Doncic and Walker Kessler. Following LeBron James' departure to Philadelphia, Reaves enters the season as a primary offensive focal point after previously dazzling while running the offense alongside Doncic during stretches when James was sidelined with injuries.

Buddy Hield Traded to Charlotte Hornets by Atlanta Hawks in Deal

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Buddy Hield was traded by the Atlanta Hawks along with Ryan Nembhard and cash to the Charlotte Hornets in exchange for Dorian Finney-Smith. Hield, 33, provides the Hornets with much-needed backcourt and 3-point shooting depth off the bench following LaMelo Ball's departure. Last season across appearances with the Warriors and Hawks, Hield shot 34.9% from beyond the arc while averaging 7.6 points and 2.3 rebounds in 51 games, entering a crowded training camp roster crunch.

Dorian Finney-Smith Traded to Atlanta Hawks in Deal with Hornets

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The Atlanta Hawks acquired veteran 3-and-D forward Dorian Finney-Smith from the Charlotte Hornets in exchange for Buddy Hield, Ryan Nembhard, and cash considerations. Atlanta made the move to fortify their frontcourt after rookie backup center Henri Veesaar suffered a torn ACL and to clear salary. Finney-Smith, 33, played 37 games last season for Houston due to ankle surgery and seeks to earn a consistent rotation spot under his new team with non-guaranteed future salary.

Kevin Durant Pushes Back Against Minutes Reduction in 20th Season

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Houston Rockets star Kevin Durant pushed back against the notion that his minutes should be reduced to better preserve him entering his 20th NBA season. Durant finished second in total minutes last season and stated he is better on the court, training to play 48 minutes a night when needed. Alongside a returning Fred VanVleet, Durant expressed excitement about playing with veteran pieces as the Rockets aim to make real noise and improve their offensive efficiency in the upcoming campaign.

Fred VanVleet Fully Cleared for Practice Ahead of New NBA Season

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Houston Rockets point guard Fred VanVleet has been fully cleared for practice and is participating in five-on-five scrimmages after missing the entire 2025-26 season due to a right knee ACL tear. Coach Ime Udoka announced that VanVleet is progressing nicely with the season opener 30 days away, though he may initially sit out back-to-backs. VanVleet aims to stabilize the Houston offense, bringing much-needed floor spacing, playmaking, and veteran leadership alongside Kevin Durant.

Adem Bona Faces Make-or-Break Third Year With Philadelphia 76ers

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Entering his third season with the Philadelphia 76ers, Adem Bona faces a make-or-break year to solidify his role as a reliable backup center behind Joel Embiid. Bona must overcome consistency issues, struggles with catching passes, and defensive rebounding weaknesses amid competition from Ariel Hukporti. Currently dealing with a left foot sprain suffered during World Cup qualifiers, Bona is expected to return within the first two weeks of training camp.

Collin Sexton Signs Two-Year Deal with Lakers Seeking First Playoff Run

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Free agent guard Collin Sexton has signed a two-year, $19.2 million contract with the Los Angeles Lakers, featuring a player option for the 2027-28 season. The former No. 8 overall pick in 2018 is looking to make his first NBA postseason appearance after eight seasons split among Cleveland, Utah, Charlotte, and Chicago. Sexton chose Los Angeles to prioritize winning and join head coach JJ Redick's system, aiming to bring contagious energy and scoring depth to the roster.

LeBron James Faces Criticism and Viral Open Run Footage

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LeBron James is shaping the Philadelphia 76ers' roster by facilitating a reunion with Kentavious Caldwell-Pope on a veteran's minimum deal. However, James recently faced criticism from former center Kwame Brown, who claimed James has a 'toxic' impact on franchises and his teammates. Additionally, James went viral on social media after a compilation video of him missing jump shots during an open run circulated widely, though the full footage showed numerous impressive plays.

Steven Adams Predicts Sports Play Level Will Plummet Upon GTA 6 Release

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Houston Rockets center Steven Adams has offered a humorous prediction regarding the upcoming release of 'Grand Theft Auto 6' in November, stating that the level of play across sports will 'plummet' as professional athletes and coaches inevitably lose their focus for a few weeks to play the highly anticipated video game.

Ariel Hukporti Joins Philadelphia 76ers On One-Year, $3.4 Million Deal

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The Philadelphia 76ers signed 24-year-old center Ariel Hukporti to a one-year, $3.4 million deal following his championship run with the New York Knicks. The 7-foot German big man played limited minutes previously and missed time in 2025 due to a torn meniscus, but displayed mobile rim protection potential. He provides critical frontcourt depth and a potential upgrade in catching abilities behind Joel Embiid, who frequently misses games due to load management and minor injuries.

Dillon Brooks Earns No. 76 Spot in ESPN Top-100 Player Rankings

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Phoenix Suns forward Dillon Brooks climbed to No. 76 in ESPN's top-100 player rankings after averaging a career-high 20.2 points last season. ESPN highlighted Brooks as a culture changer whose physical edge and mentality fueled the Suns' turnaround. He secured a three-year extension following a campaign where he ranked in the top 10 in made 2-point jumpers, proving his immense value extends far beyond traditional box score metrics.

Trae Young Reveals Front Office Turnover Prompted Hawks Trade

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Trae Young revealed that front office turnover and his relationship with third GM Onsi Saleh prompted his push to leave Atlanta, leading to a trade to the Washington Wizards. Young signed a four-year, $212.8 million extension with Washington to anchor their offense alongside Anthony Davis and AJ Dybantsa. While limited to five games last season due to injuries, averaging 15.2 points and 6.2 assists, his elite gravity significantly boosts teammate efficiency heading into camp.

Jalen Duren and Pistons Remain Locked in $200M Contract Stalemate

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Jalen Duren and the Detroit Pistons remain locked in a contract stalemate as the October 1 qualifying offer deadline approaches. The 22-year-old All-NBA center, coming off a season averaging 20 points and 11 rebounds for a 60-win team, is seeking over $200 million while Detroit has offered five years and up to $190–$200 million. If unresolved, Duren could accept a qualifying offer to enter unrestricted free agency next summer, where teams like the Warriors could pursue him.

Henri Veesaar Tears Right ACL and Will Miss Entire NBA Season

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Atlanta Hawks center Henri Veesaar suffered a torn right ACL during a workout on September 15 and will miss the entire NBA season. The 22-year-old Estonian, drafted 52nd overall out of North Carolina after averaging 17 points and 8.7 rebounds, signed a four-year, $9.3 million deal with Atlanta. Veesaar is scheduled to undergo surgery in October as he begins a lengthy recovery process to kick-start his professional career after a standout collegiate season with the Tar Heels.

Lajae Jones Signs One-Year Deal with Italian Team Pallacanestro Trieste

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Warriors 2026 second-round draft pick Lajae Jones has officially signed with Italian basketball team Pallacanestro Trieste of Lega Basket Serie A for the 2026-27 season. After Golden State filled its final two-way roster spot with Graham Ike, the team agreed to let Jones develop overseas while retaining his rights. Jones averaged 12.7 points and 5.7 assists as a senior at Florida State and will now be teammates with former Warrior Juan Toscano-Anderson in Italy.

Jalen Brunson's Unique Brilliance Defies Modern NBA Guard Limitations

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Jalen Brunson has solidified his status as an NBA outlier, proving critics wrong after leading the New York Knicks to a championship. Despite skepticism surrounding smaller guards as primary options, Brunson's unmatched work ethic, meticulous footwork developed at Villanova, and league-leading iso floaters have cemented his historic rise. His exceptional leadership and refusal to back down separate him from his peers, establishing a rare blueprint for success.

Kyrie Irving Returns to Mavericks Amid Roster Turnover and Trade Rumors

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Kyrie Irving is back with the Dallas Mavericks after missing time last season due to a knee injury and the team's pivot toward the draft. Now entering his age-34 season, Irving returns to a vastly altered roster featuring rookie Cooper Flagg, with Anthony Davis and Klay Thompson having departed. While expected to display his elite handles, Irving's future in Dallas remains uncertain with multiple teams monitoring his status ahead of the February trade deadline.

Tyrese Haliburton Set for Highly Anticipated Return After Achilles Injury

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Tyrese Haliburton is set to make his long-awaited return for the 2026-27 season after missing the entire previous campaign rehabbing from an Achilles tear suffered in Game 7 of the 2025 Finals and dealing with shingles. Haliburton's comeback is the primary catalyst for an Indiana Pacers team looking to rebound from a 19-63 record. The franchise star headlines a revamped starting lineup featuring Pascal Siakam and newly acquired center Ivica Zubac as Indiana aims to contend.

Walker Kessler Faces Immense Pressure as Lakers' Center of Future

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Walker Kessler enters a high-stakes season with the Los Angeles Lakers after being acquired as their center of the future. Tasked with anchoring the defense and establishing pick-and-roll chemistry with Luka Dončić, Kessler carries immense pressure following a lucrative new contract and the expenditure of draft capital. While his elite shot-blocking and rebounding provide a crucial floor, injuries limited him to five games last season, making his health pivotal to Los Angeles' contender status.