NBA Basketball 3 Days

Last updated: August 12, 2026, 6:36 AM ET

Warriors & Free Agency

Stephen Curry is still on track to be a Warrior for life, according to GM Mike Dunleavy, who addressed the two-time MVP's expiring contract. Dunleavy said he remains confident Curry will finish his career in Golden State. That commitment cuts both ways: the franchise also faces a franchise-altering 2027 offseason, when cap space and free-agent decisions could force major changes around Curry. Around the league, the latest NBA offseason buzz tracks deals and trades, with DeMar DeRozan among the most notable free agents still on the board. Jalen Duren and James Harden are two of the nine biggest names who remain unsigned as the 2026-27 campaign approaches. Bobby Marks, in his fact-vs-fiction column, examines 10 offseason trends, including how the second apron limited spending and what flexibility remains for teams under the cap. Marks also poses 10 questions for the summer of 2027, with Golden State's financial picture at the center of that conversation.

League & Off-Court

Don Nelson, the second-winningest coach in NBA history and a five-time champion as a player, died Sunday at. Ben Simmons, a free agent forward, is expected to join Australia's player-led private minicamp in Melbourne with "zero restrictions" as he eyes an NBA comeback. The owner of Panathinaikos made a "serious" offer to buy Nikola Jokic out of his NBA contract for next season, and he says he will try again in 2027, when the three-time MVP can become a free agent. In New York, a federal judge revoked the bond of Deniro Laster, a co-defendant in the NBA gambling case and a friend of former Miami Heat guard Terry Rozier, because Laster violated his release conditions by posting an Instagram "rat emoji." Finally, Tyrese Haliburton and his wife, Jade Jones, celebrated their official wedding with a live performance by 50 Cent, and the couple danced along to "I Get Money."

West Contenders

The Spurs are the West's great unknown: Victor Wembanyama and company showed real progress, and the question is how much better they can be in 2026-27. The front office shaped the roster around Wembanyama's unique skill set, but the burden of proof falls on a young core that must prove it can win in the postseason. The Rockets pushed further into contention by adding Kevin Durant to a core that includes Amen Thompson, giving Houston a legitimate claim to the West's upper tier. Yet under-the-radar risks remain for the top 10 contenders, including Karl-Anthony Towns' contract, the West's new-look rosters, and health concerns around several star players. Any one of those variables could reshuffle the playoff picture before April.