NBA Basketball 24-Hour Briefing
×Last updated: October 4, 2026, 2:04 PM ET
NBA Expansion Update
The NBA’s expansion timeline is crystallizing espn.com around the 2026-27 season, with Las Vegas emerging as the frontrunner for a franchise while Seattle’s bid remains on hold pending arena negotiations. League sources indicate the Board of Governors could vote on the two new markets as early as next year.
Roster Moves & Contracts
The Pistons and center Jalen Duren finally ended espn.com their lengthy contract standoff, agreeing to a five-year, $200 million fully guaranteed extension. Meanwhile, the Grizzlies waived espn.com guard Jordan Hawkins just three weeks after acquiring him in a trade with New Orleans.
Off-Court Storylines
Trail Blazers management fired espn.com newly hired play-by-play announcer Braiden Bell on the same day they hired him, after old social media posts from 2012-13 resurfaced. The Miami Heat are partnering espn.com with Rockstar Games for a Grand Theft Auto VI promotional event themed "A Night in Vice City" ahead of the game's Nov. 19 release.
Player Moments
Nets forward Ziaire Williams proposed espn.com to girlfriend Paris Timan on stage during a Bruno Mars concert in Inglewood, with the singer pausing to congratulate the couple. LeBron James and Jaylen Brown drew espn.com massive crowds at a 76ers scrimmage, with fans waiting in lines more than 10-deep for a first look at the stars.