NBA Basketball 24 Hours

Last updated: September 27, 2026, 6:10 AM ET

Trade Moves

The Bulls are trading Dillingham to the Hornets for Buddy Hield, sources confirm, adding a veteran shooter to Chicago’s roster while Charlotte acquires a promising young guard. In related news, the Hornets will be without Knueppel sidelined due to a hamstring injury expected to sideline him for the entire preseason, thinning their backcourt depth.

Player Updates

Jalen Brunson enjoyed a lighthearted moment as he hosts SNL alongside Knicks teammates Karl-Anthony Towns and Mikal Bridges during the show’s premiere, sharing laughs and camaraderie off the court. Kyrie Irving declared he is ready to play after receiving medical clearance from his 19-month ACL recovery, stating he has no physical restrictions and is eager to "kick some butt" upon return.

Contract and Personnel News

Stephen Curry and the Warriors have agreed to extension on a two-year, $116 million deal, securing the franchise cornerstone through the 2026-27 season. Meanwhile, the Grizzlies have waived Russell, releasing veteran point guard D'Angelo Russell and making him an unrestricted free agent after signing an undrafted guard to a Exhibit 10 contract.

Off-Court and Collectibles

A rare rookie patch card featuring Cooper Flagg fetched a record price as Flagg's card sells for $8.04 million in a private sale early Friday morning, marking the highest price ever paid for an NBA rookie card. LeBron James cited his friendship with Tyrese Maxey and his desire to support Joel Embiid as key factors in his decision to join the 76ers, telling reporters the move was driven by both personal connection and competitive ambition.

Analytical Perspective

An in-depth audit of the NBA Rank 2026 rankings reveals insights into player evaluation as metrics analyzed show where statistical models aligned or diverged from panel selections, particularly regarding Jalen Brunson and Jaylen Brown, with Dean Oliver noting discrepancies in defensive impact weighting and usage rate interpretation. Cavs president Koby Altman downplayed concerns over LeBron James’ potential move to the 76ers, saying Cleveland has too much of a good thing to worry, emphasizing the team’s young core and long-term sustainability.