Green enters his 15th NBA season with the franchise at 36 years old, placing him at the center of Golden State’s plans to transform the squad compared to last year. “This is going to be an interesting year, a transition year of sorts. And we’re going to do some things differently,” Kerr recently said regarding Green during an appearance on the Tom Tolbert Show.

“He and Steph obviously have this great rapport. We’re not going to take away from that, but he’s going to have to adapt a little bit, and it’s probably going to be a little frustrating at times. So, I’m going to need his patience, too. I’m going to just say that publicly because now, in reverse, he will read that or hear that and know that privately, that’s really what I’m telling him.”

Green remains just as important

Green will always serve as an emotional and vocal leader for the Warriors. His drive and passion have propelled the organization to conquer four championships over the past decade, and Kerr is the first to admit that without Draymond, the Warriors would not be who they are today.

“I will say forever — we don’t have a single championship without him,” Kerr said. “The guy is that impactful on winning.” Green is back with the Warriors on a new one-year, $27.6 million contract after initially opting out of his player option for the same amount.

How Kerr plans to utilize Green

While everyone agrees that Green remains a vital part of the team’s chances at success, his decision-making on the floor needs to improve. That is precisely where Kerr will look for a new version of the veteran forward.

“We have to cut back on the turnovers. I want him shooting the three, and when he’s open when he shoots the three, he may not be a super high percentage shooter, but possessions are good for us when he shoots because, number one, it’s worth three. Number two, we get offensive rebounds. Number three, there’s a flow to the game that has to happen that someone’s open, and they shoot it,” Kerr explained.

“He knows there’s going to be some changes, and he’s always going to be himself. There’s going to be good and bad that comes with that, and we’re okay with that.”

Now, George has given an update on his health as the new season quickly approaches. “I feel great again. I feel like I’ve turned a corner of dealing with injuries, and now kind of reestablishing myself and from a physical standpoint again,” said George, per John Kalaris of Locked on Celtics on X.

George has dealt with several injury setbacks over the last few years, dating back to his time with the Los Angeles Clippers. While he clearly has lost a step athletically even when fully healthy, Boston will still hope that he is able to stay on the floor as often as possible this year as he enters his late 30s.

What is expected of George

Although George has not shown his maximum potential in recent years due to injuries, a healthy version of the veteran forward can become one of the best players in the league, potentially offering even more than Brown provided for the Celtics.

George by and large outplayed Brown during the matchup between the Celtics and 76ers in the playoffs this past spring, knocking down a barrage of tough jumpers as Philadelphia battled back from a 3-1 deficit, and also providing some of his usual stout perimeter defense.

He remains an excellent perimeter defender, a high-level secondary playmaker, and one of the most efficient catch-and-shoot threats in the NBA. His ability to space the floor should fit seamlessly alongside Tatum, creating driving lanes and offensive flexibility that few teams can match.

The Celtics envision a version of George who plays more than 60 games, shoots over 40 percent from three-point range, and provides another experienced postseason option alongside Tatum.

With two years left on his four-year, $30 million contract, Pritchard is in line for a hefty contract extension, according to the Boston Globe’s Gary Washburn. “If you look at the salaries, Payton is next in line, and I think he’s one of the league’s bigger bargains,” Washburn said.

“He’s making $7.7 [million] this year, $8.3 [million] in 27-28. He’s due an extension that’s going to be about $22 million a year. And I think it could be what he decides to produce this year, but I also think he has shown enough where you do give him that $22 million per year. That’s still, in today’s NBA, a very tradable contract.”

The Celtics will not regret the move

Pritchard is a player who won the Sixth Man of the Year award and earned a starting role in Tatum’s absence, serving as the second option alongside Jaylen Brown as they led the franchise to the playoffs when many had written them off from even reaching the postseason.

“That’s not a contract that I don’t think the Celtics at all will regret. That rewards Payton for his hard work. For overpaying his contract, we all know he’s one of the league’s biggest bargains. That’s the Celtics kind of giving him a nice payday on the backside after this contract is up. And I think he deserves it,” Washburn added.

After winning the Sixth Man of the Year award in 2025, Pritchard averaged career-bests in points (17.0), assists (5.7), and rebounds (3.9) per game in 2026-27—numbers that highlight the kind of player he has become.

Financial flexibility under strict salary cap rules

While a $22 million average annual value represents a steep increase from Pritchard’s current four-year, $30 million contract, it offers strong value under current NBA salary cap structures. Occupying under 10% of the team’s projected cap when activated for the 2028–29 season, the contract provides Boston with significant roster flexibility.

Front-office decision-makers see the deal as a high-value agreement that retains top-tier perimeter production without suffocating flexibility under the modern collective bargaining agreement.

Toward the end of NBA free agency, rumors emerged that the Chicago Bulls were interested in two restricted free-agent forwards: Kuminga and Bennedict Mathurin. While the Bulls failed to acquire either player, Kuminga was the target they truly desired out of the pair, according to Joel Lorenzi of The Athletic.

While the Bulls‘ interest in signing Kuminga in free agency was real, the organization was reportedly unwilling to promise him that he would start and close out games, per Lorenzi. Kuminga ultimately signed with the Timberwolves.

How Kuminga joined the Timberwolves

The No. 7 overall pick in the 2021 NBA Draft, Kuminga spent the first four and a half seasons of his career with the Warriors before being traded to the Atlanta Hawks at last season’s trade deadline. He was a key contributor during the Hawks’ first-round playoff series loss to the New York Knicks and chose to depart after just half a season.

Kuminga played in 36 total games, including 14 starts, between the Warriors and Hawks last season. He averaged 12.2 points, 5.6 rebounds, and 2.3 assists per game while shooting 46.3% from the field, 33.3% from 3-point range, and 72.4% from the free-throw line.

Kuminga’s reason for joining the Timberwolves

After a long-running debate in the Bay Area regarding his fit alongside Stephen Curry and Draymond Green under head coach Steve Kerr, followed by his stint with the Hawks and prolonged offseason uncertainty, Kuminga found it refreshing to join a destination where he knows he is a major part of the plan heading into this season with the Timberwolves.

“Them wanting me to be here, it felt real,” Kuminga said of the Wolves. “They were very genuine people, and these are people you could sit down with and have a conversation. A lot of people, you can’t sit down with and have an actual conversation with about certain things, and I think that’s when I felt the vibe — including Ant. Me and him sat on the phone and spoke about certain things, and that just made me feel very comfortable. I think making a decision was very easy after talking to Alonzo and Tim and the rest of the guys.”

“Officially, The New York Times reported that the Department of Justice has opened a criminal investigation into the Los Angeles Clippers… there is a civil suit from 11 aspiring investors, an ongoing SEC probe, and an SEC probe into Daktronics ongoing,” Torre revealed in a video posted to social media. “The deal between the Clippers and the Rockets hasn’t been finalized because nobody is running the team due to these ongoing investigations.”

While the front office challenges the NBA’s discipline—which severely impacts the franchise’s draft capital—uncertainty looms over Leonard’s future as the legal web entangles the organization.

Luminaries across the league, including former Golden State Warriors veteran Draymond Green, have publicly weighed in on the situation. The severe sanctions handed down by the league office have created palpable tension and a grim mood within the Clippers‘ facility.

Leonard addresses ongoing turmoil

Amid the heightened scrutiny facing both himself and the franchise, Leonard addressed the NBA’s disciplinary findings. In his statement, the two-time Finals MVP noted that returning to Canada to suit up for the Toronto Raptors was among his top offseason priorities.

Although Leonard was hit with a $700,000 restitution fine for receiving improper benefits, he avoided a league suspension. However, any potential move to a new suitor remains frozen while the Clippers navigate their administrative chaos.

Until the legal matters surrounding owner Steve Ballmer reach a resolution, any potential reunion between Leonard and the Raptors remains on ice, leaving Toronto’s roster construction for the upcoming season in temporary limbo.

“This free agency, this contract does feel like betting on yourself. What is it this year that you would like to prove about your game that people may not…” a reporter began before Connelly promptly cut him off with a grin: “Bad choice of words. Don’t use betting. Come on, man.”

Though lighthearted, the playful exchange highlights the hyper-awareness surrounding gambling terminology across the NBA, particularly in the wake of the recent league disciplinary actions involving the Los Angeles Clippers and Kawhi Leonard. Once the laughter subsided, the news conference proceeded as planned.

On the floor, Kuminga projects as an intriguing tandem partner alongside franchise cornerstone Anthony Edwards, who reportedly played an active role in recruiting the former Golden State Warriors forward to Minneapolis.

Kuminga on choosing Minnesota

When pressed on why he chose the Timberwolves over suitors like the Los Angeles Lakers and Chicago Bulls, Kuminga pointed directly to the team’s recent success and established identity.

“I wanted to go to a winning culture, and I think this was the best winning culture I could’ve chosen out of my options,” Kuminga said, as the question was also related to the money.

Kuminga’s expected role with the Wolves

While his dialogues with head coach Chris Finch are still in the early stages, Kuminga offered insight into what Finch expects from him on the hardwood this season.

“We haven’t spoken as much… he wants me to come here and be myself, rebound, defend at the highest level,” Kuminga said. “If I focus on those two—just rebounding and defense—I think that’ll help the team and that will help me.”

ClutchPoints NBA insider Brett Siegel reported in late August that Butler would miss the first few months of the 2026-27 season after suffering an injury against the Miami Heat in January. However, Siegel reported that Butler has experienced no setbacks or limitations in his rehabilitation, with some indications that he could be progressing ahead of schedule, though without a firm timeline.

“Even so, sources have told ClutchPoints that Butler has not had any setbacks or limitations to this point in his recovery process,” Siegel wrote. “There have been minor hints that he is ahead of schedule and could return to the court sooner than many would’ve initially expected, but again, Golden State has not officially put a firm date on a range of when he could return.”

Best-case scenario for Butler’s return

For the Warriors, an early return for Butler would be the ideal outcome, but they are unwilling to rush him back. However, Siegel reported that Christmas Day against the Denver Nuggets has surfaced in conversations as a possible best-case scenario.

“The best estimate one could give at this time for Butler’s return would realistically be sometime in January or February 2027,” Siegel wrote. “Whether or not he returns sooner will be fully dependent on his progress and the Warriors’ medical staff consistently evaluating him early in the season.”

The Warriors went 46-22 in NBA regular-season games with Butler in the lineup before his injury, illustrating the impact he has made since joining Golden State. His absence adds another question to a team dealing with health concerns surrounding its veteran core, underscoring Butler’s true importance on the roster.

Butler’s notable progress

ESPN‘s Anthony Slater provided further details on Tuesday, reporting that Butler has gradually increased his on-court workload throughout the summer and delivered encouraging results in recent strength tests.

“Butler has been slowly increasing his on-court work while traveling the globe this summer, and the most recent strength tests on his right ACL recovery have shown notable progress, according to league sources,” Slater wrote.

Butler is expected to participate only in individual court and strength work when Golden State opens training camp in approximately a month, according to Slater. He still faces extensive rehabilitation before receiving clearance for full-contact work, with Slater also describing a January or February return as an optimistic target.

ESPN NBA reporter Marc J. Spears explained why Simmons could stay in Sacramento for more than just one season, noting that the Aussie is “a pretty loyal guy,” adding that “I think he’d want to stay” if it turned out to be a nice fit between the player and team.

“I think Sacramento offers an opportunity to not only play but to be supported. You go to Sacramento, it’s about basketball. You go to Sacramento, I put their fans up with anybody in the world, in terms of the NBA. They eat, sleep, drink (basketball),” Spears said.

Simmons has interesting potential to stay

Given that Simmons only received a veteran minimum contract, the financial burden is not heavy if he does not perform for the team. But if he plays well, this could be an excellent contract for Sacramento, as Simmons is an exceptional defensive player who can also contribute points, passes, and rebounds, proving to be a very complete player.

Everyone knows shooting has never been Simmons’ strong suit, but if he can offer solid defense for the Kings and also contribute leadership on and off the court, this could be a good fit between the team and the player.

Simmons was a three-time All-Star during his four seasons in the NBA with the Philadelphia 76ers (2017-18 to 2020-21). However, he has only played 108 games since the end of the 2020-21 season, as a series of injuries has kept him sidelined for long periods.

Ben Simmons last played in the 2024-25 NBA season with the Los Angeles Clippers and Brooklyn Nets, averaging 5.0 points, 5.6 assists, and 4.7 rebounds in 22.0 minutes per game across 51 games (24 starts).

“It’s probably one of the most disrespectful things that I’ve endured… It lets you know that, no matter what you do, or what you’ve done, nobody cares,” Paul said during an appearance on the Build or Break podcast.

The Clippers‘ decision to move on from Paul midseason came as a shock to fans expecting a proper farewell campaign. While Paul was visibly frustrated by the sudden split at the time, he chose to exercise restraint when addressing the situation publicly.

Meanwhile, other high-profile NBA stars, including Draymond Green, weighed in on the franchise’s uncertain future following the league’s landmark ruling on the salary cap scandal.

Clippers failed to honor Paul’s lasting franchise impact

After evaluating multiple options during free agency last summer, Paul ultimately chose to return to Los Angeles and suit up for the franchise where he delivered some of the finest basketball of his career.

While his initial era in Los Angeles did not yield an NBA championship, Paul is widely recognized as the architect of the modern Clippers franchise. He single-handedly elevated the organization out of the Lakers’ shadow and established the competitive foundation that transformed the franchise’s identity.

Paul’s resume during his primary tenure with the Clippers:

• 5× NBA All-Star (2012–2016)
• 1× NBA All-Star Game MVP (2013)
• 3× All-NBA First Team (2012–2014)
• 2× All-NBA Second Team (2015, 2016)
• 6× NBA All-Defensive First Team (2012–2017)
• 2× NBA Assists Leader (2014, 2015)
• 3× NBA Steals Leader (2012–2014)

Paul’s final season by the numbers

Hindered by role changes and organizational friction throughout his final campaign, Paul was unable to replicate the legendary production that defined his first stint with the Clippers, leading to statistical drops across the board.

Here is a look at his statistical output from the 2025–26 season:

• Games Played (G): 16
• Games Started (GS): 0
• Minutes Per Game (MPG): 14.3
• Points Per Game (PPG): 2.9
• Assists Per Game (APG): 3.3
• Rebounds Per Game (RPG): 1.8
• Steals Per Game (SPG): 0.7
• Turnovers Per Game (TOV): 1.0
• Field Goal Percentage (FG%): 32.1%
• 3-Point Percentage (3P%): 33.3%
• Free Throw Percentage (FT%): 50.0%

Simmons and the Kings have agreed to a one-year, $3.5 million free-agent contract, ESPN’s Shams Charania and Marc J. Spears reported Friday, citing agents Max Wiepking, Sean Tribe, and Ryan Arney.

Simmons didn’t play in the NBA during the 2025-26 NBA season. His last appearance came on April 29, 2025, during the Los Angeles Clippers’ first-round playoff series against the Denver Nuggets — basically a year since he last played in the NBA.

Ben Simmons’ unfortunate path

Simmons was the No. 1 overall draft pick by the Philadelphia 76ers in 2016, but he sat out the entire 2016-17 season due to a foot injury. When he finally got on the court, he lived up to the hype, winning the 2017-18 NBA Rookie of the Year and making the NBA All-Star Game each of the next three seasons.

But that’s where the two-time All-Defensive First Team selection’s career derailed. Following a rough playoff series with the Sixers to end the 2021 season, Simmons made his intentions known that he had no interest in playing in Philadelphia anymore, so he held out.

Philadelphia eventually traded him the following February to the Brooklyn Nets in a deal that brought back James Harden. Simmons played 90 games over parts of three seasons with the Nets before they waived him in February 2025. He then signed with the Clippers and finished the year with them.

Expected role on the team

In Sacramento, Simmons is expected to back up point guard Darius Acuff Jr. and be able to contribute at several positions. To give an idea of what he can bring, during the 2024-25 season, Simmons played for the Brooklyn Nets and Los Angeles Clippers, averaging 5 points, 5.6 assists, and 4.7 rebounds in 51 games. Over 383 NBA regular-season games, he has averaged 13.1 points, 7.4 rebounds, 7.2 assists, and 1.5 steals.

Green reacted to the NBA punishment handed down on the Clippers during The Draymond Green Show. “Five first-round picks — that is, including the picks that the Clippers just picked up in a trade from Cleveland with Darius Garland and James Harden. That includes all of the assets that they’ve acquired. If I’m not mistaken, it includes some of the picks from the Zubac trade as well,” Green said.

“That’s where the hammer is dropped. It’s crippling for a franchise — for an organization. Especially a franchise that just went through a six-to-seven-year period of thinking they’re right there with the possibility of winning.”

The Clippers will suffer the consequences

Green focused heavily on the long-term fallout for the franchise, pointing out everything they had built up to this point and everything they lost due to these poor decisions. He recognized that the Clippers will likely go through one of the hardest periods in their history for a long time.

“And now, you’re in a space where you have to reset — just got a top-5 pick in Keaton Wagler. And all of a sudden, you have to do that with losing five first-round draft picks. It may stick the Clippers in purgatory for a long time to come.”

Green believes the added pressure left in the wake of Leonard‘s no-show endorsement deal leaves the Clippers and their players in a tough position ahead of the 2026-27 season.

“It makes you think what certain players like Darius Garland — how are they going to look at being in this place now? A coach like Ty Lue, how does he look at being in this place now? It’s going to dampen the vibe around the Clippers,” Green added.