LeBron debuts in 76ers preseason with new championship core
LeBron James debuted in 76ers preseason with new championship core including Embiid and Brown.
Event / Sports
NBA 2025-2026 Season
Player signings, trades, and roster moves for the 2025-2026 NBA season, including major acquisitions and team restructuring.
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Daily activity
10 articles0 articles
2026-08-01 to 2026-10-29 · UTC publication dates
Coverage begins 3 Apr, 05:06 UTC
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What happened
LeBron James averaged 20.9 points per game in 60 games with Lakers last season
In the 2025-26 season, LeBron James appeared in 60 games for the Los Angeles Lakers, averaging 20.9 points, 6.1 rebounds, and 7.2 assists per game. These averages were down from his career norms of 26.8 points, 7.5 rebounds, and 7.4 assists.
LeBron James signed two-year contract with 76ers in July 2026
LeBron James signed a two-year deal worth $8 million with a player option to join the Philadelphia 76ers as a free agent in July 2026. The contract marked his move from the Los Angeles Lakers to Philadelphia.
76ers deployed new starting lineup with James, Brown, Maxey, Edgecombe, and Embiid
The Philadelphia 76ers fielded their revamped starting lineup for the first time in preseason action on October 9, 2026, featuring LeBron James, Jaylen Brown, Tyrese Maxey, VJ Edgecombe, and Joel Embiid. This marked the first official game these five players took the court together.
LeBron James plays first preseason game for Philadelphia 76ers
LeBron James played his first preseason game wearing a Philadelphia 76ers uniform on October 9, 2026, against the Brooklyn Nets. The 41-year-old star scored 10 points on 8-for-8 shooting from the foul line and took only one official shot from the field. He compiled five assists in the first quarter and sat out the second half. The Sixers lost 114-108.
Karl-Anthony Towns and New York Knicks fail to reach contract extension agreement
Karl-Anthony Towns and the New York Knicks have not reached an agreement on a contract extension despite ongoing negotiations throughout the offseason. Towns is eligible for a four-year extension worth approximately $276 million, but the Knicks have offered around $200 million over four years. The gap between the two sides is reportedly in the range of eight figures annually. Towns expressed skepticism that a deal would be completed before the 2026-27 season begins.
Karl-Anthony Towns expresses frustration over Knicks contract negotiations
Karl-Anthony Towns publicly stated his frustration with the Knicks' contract extension negotiations, stating that the offer does not properly value him despite his key role in the team's championship run. Towns said 'Simply put, I want to do something that can keep the team together and work with the Knicks and also values me. None of those things have come close to happening.' He indicated he is willing to take less than the maximum contract eligible but feels the Knicks' current offer is disrespectful given his contribution to winning the championship.
Karl-Anthony Towns averaged 15.9 points in Knicks 2026 playoff run
During the New York Knicks' 2026 playoff run to win the championship, Karl-Anthony Towns averaged 15.9 points, 10.6 rebounds, and 4.9 assists per game. The Knicks compiled a 16-3 playoff record on their way to winning the NBA championship, their first title in 53 years. Towns played a significant role in the team's success across all aspects of the game.
New York Knicks prioritize avoiding second luxury-tax apron
New York Knicks owner James Dolan has determined that the team will not operate as a second apron team this season. This financial constraint limits the team's ability to offer competitive extensions to multiple players who are eligible for new deals, including Karl-Anthony Towns, Josh Hart, and Miles McBride in 2026, and Jalen Brunson and Mikal Bridges in 2027.
Jalen Duren signs five-year, $200 million fully guaranteed contract extension with Detroit Pistons
Jalen Duren agreed to a five-year, $200 million fully guaranteed contract extension with the Detroit Pistons, ending a restricted free agency standoff that lasted throughout the summer and into training camp. The deal was finalized on October 1, 2026, just before the deadline for Duren to sign his qualifying offer. Duren had been eligible for a maximum extension worth $287 million due to earning All-NBA honors in the 2025-26 season.
Jalen Duren's playoff performance hampered contract negotiations after second-round exit
Jalen Duren's production declined significantly in the 2026 playoffs, averaging 10.2 points and 8.5 rebounds while shooting 51.4 percent from the field across 14 games. The Pistons, as the top seed, required seven games to defeat the Magic in the first round and lost in the second round to the Cavaliers. This playoff performance reduced Duren's leverage in contract negotiations and took any possibility of a maximum extension off the table.
Jalen Duren selected to first All-Star team after breakout 2025-26 NBA season
Jalen Duren earned his first NBA All-Star selection and third-team All-NBA honors in the 2025-26 season after a breakout performance. He averaged 19.5 points, 10.5 rebounds, 0.8 steals, and 0.8 blocks per game while shooting 65 percent from the field. This represented a significant improvement from his previous career-high of 13.8 points per game in earlier seasons.
Duren considered accepting $9.6 million qualifying offer as alternative to contract extension
During the contract standoff, Jalen Duren seriously considered accepting his one-year qualifying offer worth approximately $9.6 million, which would have made him an unrestricted free agent in the summer of 2027. This option would have been a significant gamble, risking $200 million in guaranteed extension money for potential unrestricted free agency. The qualifying offer deadline was October 1, 2026.
Detroit Pistons finish 2025-26 regular season with 60-22 record and earn top seed in Eastern Conference
The Detroit Pistons compiled a 60-22 record during the 2025-26 regular season and earned the No. 1 seed in the Eastern Conference. Jalen Duren's improved performance played a key role in the team's ascent. The Pistons' defensive rating ranked No. 2 in the league at 108.9.
Kristaps Porzingis has ongoing history of health issues including POTS diagnosis
Kristaps Porzingis, who is 31 years old, has dealt with health problems throughout his NBA career. He was previously diagnosed with postural orthostatic tachycardia syndrome (POTS), a rare nervous system condition that has kept him sidelined for stretches over the past two seasons. The Warriors have not confirmed whether his current health issue is related to POTS.
Golden State Warriors have multiple players recovering from injuries ahead of training camp
In addition to Kristaps Porzingis' absence, the Golden State Warriors have two other significant players recovering from injuries. Both Jimmy Butler and Moses Moody have progressed to light on-court activities and are expected to join the team for training camp, though they are not yet fully available.
Golden State Warriors acquire Kristaps Porzingis on two-year $40 million extension
The Golden State Warriors signed Kristaps Porzingis to a two-year, $40 million contract extension during the offseason. Porzingis was originally acquired by the Warriors from the Atlanta Hawks in February and played just 15 games for Golden State for the remainder of that season, averaging 16.1 points, 5.3 rebounds, and 2.3 assists in 23.7 minutes per game.
Kristaps Porzingis sidelined from Golden State Warriors training camp with unspecified health issue
Kristaps Porzingis, a 7-foot-4 center for the Golden State Warriors, will not participate in the team's training camp starting in Hawaii. General Manager Mike Dunleavy Jr. announced that Porzingis is dealing with a health issue and will be out indefinitely, though Dunleavy indicated it may not be a long-term concern and stopped short of ruling him out for the start of the regular season. Dunleavy was not informed of the issue until Sunday and stated that Porzingis had been cleared medically and working out on the court as recently as the previous week.
Stephen Curry signs two-year, $116 million contract extension with Golden State Warriors
Stephen Curry agreed to a two-year, $116 million contract extension with the Golden State Warriors, with a player option for the 2028-29 season. The extension includes $62.6 million for the 2026-27 season and $55.7 million for the 2027-28 season. The deal was finalized on September 26, 2026, just before the start of training camp.
Stephen Curry takes $20 million discount below maximum salary
Stephen Curry signed for $20.7 million less than the maximum $136.7 million he was eligible to receive. This decision was made to create additional salary cap flexibility for the Golden State Warriors to make roster moves and add players in the 2027 offseason.
Stephen Curry becomes first NBA player to surpass $600 million in on-court earnings
With the new contract extension, Stephen Curry will become the first player in NBA history to earn more than $600 million in salary if he plays through both years of the contract, which would take him through his 20th season in the NBA at age 41.
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2 alternative perspectives
Towns, Knicks deadlocked as luxury tax concerns derail extension talks
Towns and Knicks end contract extension talks as luxury tax concerns block agreement.
Duren Signs $200M Extension After All-Star Breakout Season
Duren signs $200M fully guaranteed extension with Pistons after All-Star breakout season and 60-22 regular season.
Porzingis sidelined from Warriors training camp with health concerns
Warriors' newly acquired Porzingis sidelined from training camp with undisclosed health issue amid history of medical concerns.
Curry extends with Warriors, becomes NBA's highest earner
Curry extends with Warriors, becomes first NBA player to exceed $600M career earnings.
Harper addresses Fox conflict as Spurs chase Finals title
Harper addresses Fox conflict tensions as Spurs reach Finals amid role disputes.
Raptors retire Lowry's No. 7 jersey, honoring franchise cornerstone
Raptors retire Lowry's No. 7 jersey January 10, honoring the six-time All-Star and 2019 championship architect.
Mathurin signs two-year deal with Pelicans after Clippers rescind offer
Mathurin joins Pelicans on $16M deal after Clippers rescind qualifying offer.
Thompson joins Heat after clearing Mavericks buyout
Thompson joins Heat on two-year contract after Mavericks buyout and waiver clearance.
Heat add Thompson after acquiring Giannis in offseason overhaul
Heat sign veteran sharpshooter Thompson as part of offseason championship roster construction around Giannis.
ESPN documentary talks clash with LeBron's denial of 'Last Dance' project
ESPN discusses LeBron documentary; his representative denies 'Last Dance'-style project.
76ers acquire LeBron, Brown in historic roster overhaul
76ers add LeBron James and Jaylen Brown to championship core with Embiid and Maxey.