NBA Basketball 24 Hours

Last updated: September 25, 2026, 10:40 PM ET

NBA Transactions & Signings

The Memphis Grizzlies waived veteran point guard D'Angelo Russell, making him an unrestricted free agent after clearing waivers. Russell, a two-time All-Star, had been with Memphis since the 2023-24 season but fell out of the rotation amid roster restructuring. Meanwhile, the New York Knicks confirmed that guard Jalen Brunson is cleared to participate in all team activities following successful offseason wrist surgery, positioning him for a full training camp ahead of the 2026-27 season. Brunson averaged 26.7 points and 6.3 assists per game last year, earning All-NBA Third Team honors.

Player Injury Updates

Charlotte Hornets forward Kon Knueppel will miss the entire preseason due to a hamstring strain, the team announced, with recovery timeline extending into early regular season play. Knueppel, a key rotational wing averaging 11.2 points per game last season, is undergoing rehabilitation to prevent recurrence. In contrast, Dallas Mavericks star Kyrie Irving declared himself ready to resume full competitive activity after completing a 19-month ACL recovery, stating he has no physical restrictions and aims to "kick some butt" upon return. Irving played just 36 games last season due to the injury.

Memorial & Legacy

The basketball world mourned the passing of Bob Pettit, the NBA’s first MVP and a Hall of Fame legend, who died at age. Pettit, a two-time MVP and 11-time All-Star with the St. Louis Hawks, was revered as a true giant of the game for his scoring dominance and rebounding prowess in the 1950s and 60s. His career averages of 26.4 points and 16.2 rebounds per game remain among the most impressive in NBA history. Tributes poured in from current and former players, acknowledging his foundational role in shaping the modern power forward position.

Contract & Extension Situations

Contract negotiations between the New York Knicks and star center Karl-Anthony Towns have reached a standstill, with sources indicating no imminent resolution despite mutual interest in a long-term deal. Towns, entering the final year of his contract, seeks a maximum extension, while the Knicks are cautious about committing significant cap space amid roster flexibility goals. Separately, Golden State Warriors star Stephen Curry downplayed concerns over his unsettled contract extension, insisting the situation is no drama and will not affect his performance or team focus as he enters his 16th season.

Executive Commentary & Outlook

Los Angeles Lakers general manager Rob Pelinka affirmed that LeBron James’ departure from the franchise was handled amicably, expressing continued gratitude for James’ four-year tenure that culminated in a 2020 championship. Pelinka emphasized the organization’s pride in their shared success and mutual respect Meanwhile, Oklahoma City Thunder GM Sam Presti stated he is not anticipating a downturn despite several key departures this offseason, citing the team’s young core and developmental depth as reasons for sustained competitiveness in the Western Conference.

Cleveland Cavaliers Perspective

Cavaliers president of basketball operations Koby Altman downplayed concerns over LeBron James’ potential move to the Philadelphia 76ers, asserting Cleveland has too much of a good thing to worry about external roster moves. Altman pointed to the Cavaliers’ young core, including Darius Garland and Evan Mobley, as evidence of a sustainable, long-term contender framework independent of any single player’s decisions. His comments came amid speculation about James’ future following his public endorsement of Tyrese Maxey and Joel Embiid’s title aspirations in Philadelphia.

Collectible Market Momentum

A one-of-one rookie debut patch card featuring rising NBA prospect Cooper Flagg sold for a record $8.04M in an early Friday morning auction at 2 a.m. ET, setting a new benchmark for modern basketball memorabilia. The card, authenticated and graded as mint condition, features Flagg’s official NBA rookie patch from his debut season and has drawn intense interest from collectors amid his projected status as a future franchise cornerstone. The sale underscores the growing valuation of elite rookie assets in the sports card market, particularly those tied to high-upside young stars.