NBA Basketball 24-Hour Briefing
×Last updated: October 15, 2026, 10:32 PM ET
Championship Outlook
NBA general managers in an annual survey project the Spurs to capture the title, with Victor Wembanyama at the center of that optimism. San Antonio enters the season with real expectations after its surprise Finals run, though the team acknowledges that a return trip will be far harder than the first. Coach Mitch Johnson has already tested a three-guard lineup featuring Fox, Harper and Castle, which debuted in a preseason win.
Philadelphia Watch
Tyrese Maxey said a healthy Joel Embiid would change everything for the 76ers, a claim that makes Embiid's availability the central variable in their season.
Contenders Under Pressure
Not every franchise enters the year with the same urgency. A ranking of the teams most desperate to win weighs which rosters must win immediately and which can afford to wait. Meanwhile, the preseason takeaways from all 30 clubs, as tipoff approaches for 2026-27, offer a snapshot of where each team stands.
Warriors and Lakers
Golden State will be without Kristaps Porzingis, who remains out indefinitely with a private health matter but will stay around the team. In Los Angeles, Walker Kessler impressed in his Lakers preseason debut, a performance that came as J.J. Redick stressed the need to be relentless.
Boston Contract
The Celtics are moving to lock up depth, with Payton Pritchard agreeing to a two-year, $44.2 million extension.
League Integrity
A Las Vegas bettor pleaded guilty to charges tied to NBA and NCAA fixing schemes after being indicted in three federal gambling cases.
Fantasy Notes
Fantasy managers are sharpening their boards. In a roto mock draft, Cooper Flagg and Derrick White went early, while Jim McCormick highlighted seven late-round players who could outperform their draft slots.
Figures to Watch
Former NBA star Amar'e Stoudemire graduated from a law enforcement academy and will train with the Miami-Dade Schools Police Department. ESPN also profiled ten names whose decisions could shape the season, spanning coaches, executives and players.