Category: Deportes

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Luka Dončić shuffled a deck of cards, a nervous grin spreading across his face as the conversation turned to him.

It’s a look anyone who has sat down with the Los Angeles Lakers’ star for an interview has seen, a smile that seems to suggest what you’re about to hear isn’t as valuable as what you’ve already seen.

This grin came at the end of a five-day minicamp for the Lakers in Dončić’s home country, Slovenia — a trip during which the Lakers ate, toured, practiced and competed together for the first time as this newly-constructed group. The interviewer, filming for Dončić’s new YouTube channel, asked Dončić what he valued now that he might not have five years ago.

Again, that grin.

“It’s leadership,” he said.

A nearly 30-minute video released Friday morning offers a glimpse of what that leadership might look like for the Lakers this season.

The Lakers re-signed Austin Reaves and traded most of their future draft capital for Walker Kessler, giving Dončić the backcourt mate and center he wanted. They added shooting with Sandro Mamukelashvili and Collin Sexton. And they’ll lean on Quentin Grimes, Ziaire Williams and Matisse Thybulle for perimeter defense, with an eye on two-way impact around their stars.

There is unquestionably less top-end talent after James’ departure. The Lakers are betting on depth, fit and connectivity to help make a difference.

The lessons are simple: The only viable path to an NBA championship in this era is by allocating all resources around the best player.
And connectivity was precisely what Dončić was trying to build in Slovenia.

Even one of the more painful moments seemed to serve that purpose. During an on-court workout, Dončić accidentally elbowed Sexton, leaving Sexton with cuts to both his upper and bottom lips. Blood dripping from his mouth, Sexton tried to keep practicing.

Dončić loved the toughness.

The Lakers will open training camp next week, and Dončić hopes that the trip to Slovenia gave the group a head start. Dončić, who has been fully cleared for basketball activities since mid-June after injuring his hamstring in April, will enter training camp fully healthy.

“It was amazing to have this time together,” Dončić said. “With so many new guys, I wanted to make sure we were building chemistry, and I think people will see that when the season starts.

“A trip like this is something I don’t think I would have been comfortable doing a few years ago, but it felt important to do, and I’m glad it happened.”

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Dan Woike covers the Los Angeles Lakers for The Athletic. He’s written about professional basketball in Los Angeles since 2011, first for the Orange County Register and most recently for the Los Angeles Times. His work has been recognized by the Associated Press Sports Editors, the Pro Basketball Writers Association, the Los Angeles Press Club and the California News Publishers Association. He’s originally from Chicago. You can follow Dan on X @DanWoikeSports.

Navigating a dynasty fantasy basketball league can be a challenge. How do you balance veteran stars who produce now with the young prospects who could become the next big thing? RotoWire’s fantasy experts break down the Top 50 keeper options for the upcoming season while prioritizing a 3-5 year outlook for each player. 

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1. Victor Wembanyama

Wembanyama took the throne from Nikola Jokić last year and still has room to improve after finishing as the MVP runner-up and winning DPOY.

2. Nikola Jokić, Denver Nuggets

Jokić made a career-low 65 regular-season appearances last season but remains a fantasy unicorn whenever he suits up.

3. Shai Gilgeous-Alexander, Oklahoma City Thunder

The back-to-back MVP is one of the most efficient scorers in NBA history, but his lack of prolific secondary stats leaves him a tier below Wemby and Jokić. 

4. Luka Dončić, Los Angeles Lakers

Dončić’s tenure in Los Angeles hasn’t gone according to plan, but with LeBron James out of the picture, the Slovenian superstar could be in store for his best statistical season yet. 

5. Cade Cunningham, Detroit Pistons

A perennial All-NBA talent already, Cunningham has turned the Pistons from bottom dwellers into legitimate contenders and is just now entering his prime. 

6. Cooper Flagg, Dallas Mavericks

Flagg was dominant from the jump in Year 1, earning Kia Rookie of the Year honors and establishing himself as a legit fantasy stud, but he’s just scratched the surface of his potential. 

7. Jayson Tatum, Boston Celtics

Tatum is an MVP candidate when healthy, but are the recent injuries a sign of things to come or an outlier on a Hall-of-Fame resume? 

8. Jalen Johnson, Atlanta Hawks

Johnson made a career-high 72 regular-season appearances last season, catapulting him up fantasy rankings, and the 24-year-old nightly triple-double threat is now Atlanta’s go-to guy. 

9. Anthony Edwards, Minnesota Timberwolves

Already an All-NBA talent, Edwards is entering his peak surrounded by a new-look, revamped Timberwolves squad that’s expecting to play faster with LaMelo Ball in town. 

10. Tyrese Maxey, Philadelphia 76ers

Maxey has grown into an elite fantasy option, but he faces short-term usage competition after the 76ers added Jaylen Brown and LeBron James this offseason. 

11. Scottie Barnes, Toronto Raptors

Despite not taking a major step forward, Barnes remains an elite fantasy option, but his usage could look different after the Kawhi Leonard addition. 

12. Tyrese Haliburton, Indiana Pacers

After sitting out the entire 2025-26 campaign, Haliburton is set to reprise his role as the fulcrum of Indiana’s offense, though limitation concerns will be an interim issue. 

13. Chet Holmgren, Oklahoma City Thunder

Despite a disappointing playoff performance against Wemby, Holmgren remains a key cog of a championship contender, though his skill set is better suited for category leagues. 

14. Josh Giddey, Chicago Bulls

Giddey has established himself as a nightly triple-double threat in Chicago and is surrounded by skilled youngsters who could make life easy for the 24-year-old point guard if everything clicks. 

15. Amen Thompson, Houston Rockets

Fresh off a massive extension, Thompson is looking to continue his steady improvement and establish himself as one of the best two-way players in the NBA. 

16. Evan Mobley, Cleveland Cavaliers

Despite a lack of major improvement in key areas, Mobley remains an elite fantasy option in all leagues and is still only 25 years old. 

17. Jalen Williams, Oklahoma City Thunder

Coming off an injury-plagued 2025-26, Williams is looking to get back to his All-NBA ways, and the new-look Thunder will need him at his best if they want to reclaim their throne. 

18. Giannis Antetokounmpo, Miami Heat

Antetokounmpo is looking for a fresh start after an injury-plagued 2025-26 that ended his tenure in Milwaukee, and while he remains an MVP candidate, there’ll be questions about his fit next to Bam Adebayo. 

19. Donovan Mitchell, Cleveland Cavaliers

Entering Year 5 in Cleveland, Mitchell has been a steady offensive engine and is heading into his first full season paired with James Harden. 

20. Karl-Anthony Towns, New York Knicks

Fresh off an NBA championship, Towns is entering a contract year and looking to submit yet another elite fantasy campaign. 

21. Deni Avdija, Portland Trail Blazers

Avdija broke out in Year 2 with Portland, and while there’s added competition for usage this season, the do-it-all forward should remain the Blazers’ offensive engine. 

22. Devin Booker, Phoenix Suns

Booker is Mr. Steady, having averaged at least 25 points and 6 assists in three straight campaigns, and remains Phoenix’s go-to option entering his age-30 campaign. 

23. Trey Murphy III, New Orleans Pelicans

Murphy repeated his breakout 2024-25 campaign last season and remains a prolific producer for a Pelicans team fighting to get back to the playoffs, though availability remains a red flag. 

24. Brandon Miller, Charlotte Hornets

Miller has established himself as an elite 3-point shooter and could be asked to do more with LaMelo Ball out of town, but efficiency and availability have been early-career issues for the Alabama product. 

25. Jalen Brunson, New York Knicks

Since signing with New York, Brunson has been an All-NBA talent and is looking to submit a fifth straight season with at least 24 points, 6 assists and two made 3s per game. 

26. Alperen Sengun, Houston Rockets

Sengun broke out in 2023-24, establishing himself as one of the best young centers in the game, but since then, the overall improvement has been modest, though he did see a minor uptick in defensive and playmaking production last season. 

27. Bam Adebayo, Miami Heat

Adebayo scored at least 20 points per game for only the second time in his career last season and made a career-high 1.7 triples a night. However, despite passing Kobe Bryant on the all-time single-game scoring list with an 83-point night against Washington, Adebayo shot a career-worst 44.2% from the field in 2025-26. 

28. LaMelo Ball, Minnesota Timberwolves

After six seasons as the go-to guy in Charlotte, Ball was shipped to Minnesota, where he’s expected to inject offensive excitement into a team led by Anthony Edwards. While availability remains a concern, Ball was healthy last season and is always a fantasy dynamo when on the court. 

29. Trae Young, Washington Wizards

Young struggled to stay healthy last season, and with the Hawks performing well without him, they opted to ship him to Washington, where Young made only five appearances before being shut down. The Wizards have revamped their roster to suit Young, adding Anthony Davis and AJ Dybantsa to an already-young, promising core, but how they all fit together will be a major question mark. 

30. Austin Reaves, Los Angeles Lakers

Reaves has shown steady improvement in each of his first five NBA campaigns, earning a massive four-year extension this offseason, and is slated for his largest workload yet after LeBron James’ departure. 

31. Paolo Banchero, Orlando Magic

Banchero has been a strong producer in each of his first four campaigns but is still looking to make the superstar leap heading into his age-24 season. 

32. Jamal Murray, Denver Nuggets

Murray set career highs in nearly every important statistical category last year, vaulting him from a consistent mid-round talent to a potential first-round value, but it’s unclear if that’s the new standard or an outlier for the 29-year-old veteran. 

33. Desmond Bane, Orlando Magic

Bane had an up-and-down first season in Orlando but ended close to his career averages, with his solid all-around production and elite efficiency making him a strong option in all fantasy leagues.

34. Jaylen Brown, Philadelphia 76ers

With Jayson Tatum missing most of last season, Brown set career highs in points, rebounds and assists per game but had an unceremonious exit from Boston this offseason and will now have to share usage with Tyrese Maxey, Joel Embiid and LeBron James. 

35. Stephon Castle, San Antonio Spurs

The 2024 Rookie of the Year was even better in Year 2, improving across the board while serving as a key piece for the Western Conference champs, and while the sky is the limit, the emergence of Dylan Harper might impact Castle’s bottom line. 

36. Darius Garland, Los Angeles Clippers

After being swapped for James Harden last season, Garland now finds himself as the Clippers’ franchise man, and with numerous first-round picks stripped in the Kawhi Leonard fallout, that might remain the case for years to come. 

37. Dylan Harper, San Antonio Spurs

Harper’s regular-season impact was muted as a rookie, but he burst onto the scene during the postseason and is clearly ready for a Year 2 leap, though he’ll have to fully supplant De’Aaron Fox as the starting point guard to reach his full fantasy potential. 

38. Kon Knueppel, Charlotte Hornets

Knueppel was rivaling Cooper Flagg for Rookie of the Year last season but hit a late-season wall that carried into the Play-In Tournament. With LaMelo Ball out of town, the new-look Hornets are loaded with efficient, high-volume 3-point shooters, led by Knueppel and Brandon Miller. 

39. Donovan Clingan, Portland Trail Blazers

Clingan was a defensive specialist as a rookie and took a major leap forward across the board in Year 2 while showcasing an improved 3-point shot, though free-throw efficiency remains a concern. 

40. Franz Wagner, Orlando Magic

Wagner is a strong all-around producer capable of elite fantasy production on a nightly basis, but he’s missed 70 regular-season contests over the past two seasons and is prone to long droughts from deep. 

41. Matas Buzelis, Chicago Bulls

Buzelis’ all-around production in Year 2 puts him in rare air, and while there’s All-Star potential oozing out of the 22-year-old, his prioritized development and fantasy ceiling might take a hit playing next to 2026 No. 4 overall pick Caleb Wilson. 

42. VJ Edgecombe, Philadelphia 76ers

Coming off a stellar rookie campaign, Edgecombe’s fantasy value moving forward is murky after the 76ers added Jaylen Brown and LeBron James to a squad that already had high-usage, go-to players in Tyrese Maxey and Joel Embiid. 

43. Walker Kessler, Los Angeles Lakers

After a promising rookie campaign in Utah, Kessler struggled to stay healthy or make a consistent impact and was shipped to the Lakers this offseason, where he’s expected to perfectly complement Luka Dončić and Austin Reaves. 

44. Alex Sarr, Washington Wizards

Sarr is one of the most talented young big men in the NBA, but his short-term fantasy value takes a hit with Anthony Davis and Deandre Ayton healthy and ready to contribute in Washington.  

45. Jalen Duren, Detroit Pistons

Duren made an All-Star leap in Year 4 but disappeared during the postseason, culminating in a contract standoff with Detroit this offseason. 

46. Domantas Sabonis, Sacramento Kings

Usually a stalwart of health, Sabonis made a career-low 19 regular-season appearances for a Kings team that’s teetering on a full rebuild. A trade to a contender would likely improve the 30-year-old’s fantasy value. 

47. Jaren Jackson, Utah Jazz

Jackson’s availability history, inconsistent offense and lack of rebounds have always been red flags in his fantasy profile, but rarely have those flaws stopped him from delivering elite season-long value. There’ll be usage questions during his first full season on a talented Utah squad, but Jackson was a better producer with Memphis when the defense wasn’t focused on him. 

48. Keyonte George, Utah Jazz

Following two promising, yet subpar, campaigns, George exploded in Year 3 behind a stark efficiency improvement. While the 23-year-old still figures to play a key role for the ascending Jazz, the additions of Darryn Peterson and Jaren Jackson, plus the second-year development of Ace Bailey and a healthy Lauri Markkanen, will make it very difficult for George to improve on his breakout campaign. 

49. Ivica Zubac, Indiana Pacers

One of the steadiest big men in the NBA, Zubac is entering his first full season with the Pacers and will get to play with Tyrese Haliburton, which should only boost his fantasy value. 

50. Lauri Markkanen, Utah Jazz

Markkanen’s 3-point shooting and scoring ability for a 7-footer is unrivaled, but he just can’t stay healthy. The 29-year-old should have prioritized usage for a Jazz team that’s expected to show vast improvement, though the presence of Keyonte George, Darryn Peterson, Ace Bailey and Jaren Jackson shouldn’t be dismissed when evaluating Markkanen’s ceiling.

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Honorable Mentions:

• Kevin Durant, Houston Rockets
• James Harden, Cleveland Cavaliers
• Anthony Davis, Washington Wizards
• Kawhi Leonard, Toronto Raptors
• Stephen Curry, Golden State Warriors
• Derrick White, Boston Celtics
• Jaden McDaniels, Minnesota Timberwolves
• Zach Edey, Memphis Grizzlies
• Pascal Siakam, Indiana Pacers
• Zion Williamson, New Orleans Pelicans

With the 2026-27 NBA season less than a month away, the debuts for highly-touted rookies from the loaded ‘26 draft class are quickly approaching. We’ll discuss the top players like AJ Dybantsa, Darryn Peterson, Cameron Boozer and Caleb Wilson and analyze what their first professional campaigns could look like as it relates to fantasy contributions.

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Cameron Boozer, Memphis Grizzlies – Yahoo ADP 57.8

The third overall pick out of Duke posted 22.5 points, 10.2 rebounds, 4.1 assists, 1.4 steals and 0.6 blocks on 55.6 / 39.1 / 78.9 splits across 38 outings in college. Boozer carried his smooth offensive game and craftiness on the boards into Summer League, averaging 18.0 PPG, 7.4 RPG, 3.8 APG, 1.5 SPG and 0.2 BPG on 49.0 / 40.6 / 76.0 splits in eight contests.

The 19-year-old showcased his touch from behind the arc and flashed some playmaking chops, and he should have unlimited opportunities to develop into what they believe is a star player for a rebuilding Grizzlies franchise. Boozer has the potential to become the face of their franchise, and he’s already a core piece of their future alongside Zach Edey, Cedric Coward, Jaylen Wells and Ty Jerome.

Edey, Boozer’s projected starting frontcourt partner at the five, played in only 11 games a year ago. Memphis brought in Isaiah Stewart and Quinten Post in the offseason to fill out a deep center rotation, but the rookie’s skillset and polished offense should earn him a fairly high usage rate. Managers hoping to acquire his contributions in scoring, rebounds, dimes, steals and 3s will have to cough up as early as a sixth-round pick for Boozer, as he’s been a favorite target for fantasy analysts in redraft and dynasty leagues across all formats.

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AJ Dybantsa, Washington Wizards – Yahoo ADP 77.9

The first overall pick in the most recent draft tops this list with an ADP of 77.9. Dybantsa represents another injection of talent for a Wizards team that traded for both Trae Young and Anthony Davis during the 2025-26 campaign. After posting a 50-196 record over the last three years, Washington hopes to turn the corner and compete for a postseason or Play-In berth for the first time since 2020-21. Dybantsa is another significant factor in the organization’s belief in their newly-formed core, and he should be a focal point of the offense from the jump, even despite the additions of Young and Davis.

The former BYU Cougar averaged 25.5 points, 6.8 rebounds, 3.7 assists and 1.1 steals on shooting splits of 51.0 / 33.1 / 77.4 over 35 games. In two Summer League appearances, he tallied 25.0 PPG, 7.0 RPG, 2.0 APG, 2.5 SPG and 1.5 BPG. The efficiency was far from stellar, but Dybantsa showcased an explosive arsenal and a fearlessness when driving and looking for his shots, as well as a knack for making plays on defense. Spacing will be much better come the regular season, as sharing the court with Davis and a phenomenal passer in Young should only benefit the 19-year-old.

Dybantsa is expected to provide boosts in scoring and rebounding primarily, along with some steals, blocks and dimes. Dybantsa gets an upgrade due to Davis’ health concerns, as the big man has played in 71 total contests between the Lakers, Mavericks and Wizards since the 2024-25 season.

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Caleb Wilson, Chicago Bulls – Yahoo ADP 79.6

Chicago chose Wilson fourth overall following his lone year in college at the University of North Carolina. He put up 19.8 points, 9.4 rebounds, 2.7 assists, 1.5 steals and 1.4 blocks on 57.8 / 25.9 / 71.3 splits across 24 games prior to a season-ending wrist injury on February 10. Wilson did not disappoint in his return to the court following a five-month absence, scoring 35 points on 12-for-21 shooting and 7-for-11 from 3-point range, making it the second-highest debut in Summer League history.

Wilson demonstrated his improved stroke from behind the arc through four SL appearances in Vegas, connecting on 3.2 triples on 7.8 attempts a night, good for a 41.9 percent clip. He’s been in the lab working on his offensive repertoire while keeping the same intensity on defense, as he averaged 23.5 PPG, 7.2 RPG, 1.8 APG, 1.2 SPG and 2.5 BPG. The 20-year-old did struggle from the free throw line, sinking just 1.5 of his 4.5 attempts (33.3%) per game, but it was still good to see him attack the rim and earn those opportunities.

I’d personally rank Wilson ahead of Dybantsa and Boozer, primarily because of his 3-point shot and proficiency in stocks (steals + blocks). The scoring and rebounding should be similar as well, along with Wilson’s opportunity to play a feature role and heavy minutes for the retooled Bulls. He’ll get to share the starting frontcourt role with Nic Claxton, who Chicago acquired over the summer, which will afford Wilson a reliable last line of defense while he aggressively hounds opposing players.

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Darryn Peterson, Utah Jazz – Yahoo ADP 99.3

There were talks of Peterson potentially going No. 1 overall to Washington in the 2026 draft, but the former Kansas Jayhawk eventually went second to the Jazz. The landing spot isn’t great from a fantasy perspective, although he’s still certainly worth rostering. Peterson joins a Utah squad that just inked starting point guard Keyonte George to a five-year, $157.5 million extension, traded for two-time All-Star and 2023 Defensive Player of the Year Jaren Jackson Jr., drafted Ace Bailey fifth overall in 2025, and still has former All-Star Lauri Markkanen as a core piece.

Peterson will get his chances as a rookie, but the Jazz suddenly have a plethora of talented mouths to feed on offense. The organization is finally ready to compete after three consecutive seasons of 31 wins or less, including a 22-60 mark last year and a 17-65 record in 2025. Utah believes Peterson is the final piece of their puzzle, but it could take some time for him to firmly establish his role, so a slow start is a real possibility for the 19-year-old.

Despite the early uncertainty surrounding him, Peterson has the profile and acumen to develop into a featured scorer at the NBA level. He’ll be higher on draft boards in dynasty formats but is going as early as round nine in redrafts. Peterson was spectacular across five outings in Vegas, dropping 23.0 points, 3.2 rebounds, 5.2 assists, 1.0 steals and 1.2 blocks per game on 39.8 / 34.5 / 77.8 splits, showcasing multi-category production. Category league managers may reap the most benefits of a rookie season that could be highly efficient, but Peterson doesn’t project to have as much upside in points leagues or High Score formats.

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Darius Acuff Jr., Sacramento Kings – Yahoo ADP 110.1

The former Arkansas Razorback has a strong chance to be starting point guard for the Kings in 2026-27. Sacramento took Acuff Jr. seventh overall after he averaged 23.5 points, 3.1 rebounds, 6.4 assists, 0.8 steals and 2.5 3-pointers per game on 48.4 / 44.0 / 80.9 splits across 36 outings as a freshman. Russell Westbrook retired in the offseason, leaving Malik Monk and the recently-signed Ben Simmons as the two lone veteran options on the roster.

Monk’s natural position is shooting guard, and Simmons is attempting an NBA comeback after not playing at all in 2025-26. That leaves Acuff Jr. as the favorite to earn a spot in the first unit, and despite struggling mightily with his shooting efficiency in Las Vegas, it should be his job to lose. The 19-year-old registered 20.8 PPG, 1.6 RPG, 4.6 APG, 1.0 SPG, 1.0 BPG and 2 3s per game on splits of 35.0 / 27.0 / 69.6 in five appearances.

Acuff Jr.’s Summer League was up and down. However, the sample is simply too limited to panic or overreact to, especially from a fantasy perspective. He was incredibly productive on large volume in college, and he’ll have every opportunity to work his way through growing pains as the centerpiece of Sacramento’s ongoing rebuilding endeavor. Managers should feel more than confident drafting him in the 10th or 11th rounds and beyond, especially in points leagues and High Score formats.

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Yaxel Lendeborg, Golden State Warriors – Yahoo ADP 116.1

Lendeborg showed out in Summer League after the Warriors made him the 11th pick overall in June. He led Golden State to the SL Championship title, beating out fellow rookie and third-overall pick Cameron Boozer and the Grizzlies in the process. He tallied 21 points, two 3-pointers, 10 rebounds, two assists and two steals in the victory.

The former Michigan Wolverine is a powerful athlete at 6-foot-9, 250lbs, and he’s bringing a youthful jolt to a Golden State team that features Stephen Curry (age 38), Draymond Green (age 36), and Al Horford (age 40). Jimmy Butler III (knee) and Moses Moody (knee) are both expected to miss large portions of the regular season, so Lendeborg has a prime chance at earning consistent minutes immediately.

Across eight contests this summer, Lendeborg averaged 14.9 points, 6.8 rebounds, 4.0 assists, 1.4 steals, 0.9 blocks and 2.1 3-pointers on 48.4 / 45.9 / 71.4 shooting splits. The soon-to-be 24-year-old was named the league and championship game MVP as a consistent two-way force for the Warriors. Think of Chicago’s Caleb Wilson but with less volume/usage, while Lendeborg gets the added bonus of playing alongside an elite talent like Curry. He’s absolutely worth a late-round flier his ADP suggests.

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Keaton Wagler, Los Angeles Clippers – Yahoo ADP 119.3

Although Wagler’s debut with the Clippers over the summer left a lot to be desired, he did bounce back nicely over his final three appearances in Vegas. Following a 7-point, 2-rebound, 1-assist performance, he finished with averages of 18.0 points, 3.2 rebounds, 2.8 assists, 0.5 steals and 2.0 3-pointers on 38.6 / 33.3 / 80.0 splits across four contests.

The shooting wasn’t great, but it did improve steadily from game to game, and Wagler concluded SL with 26 points, four boards, two dimes, one steal and one assist on 9-for-19 shooting with two made 3s. The product of Illinois tallied 17.9 PPG, 5.1 RPG, 4.2 APG, 0.9 SPG and 2.4 3s on 44.5 / 39.7 / 79.6 splits in 37 collegiate outings.

The Clippers selected Wagler fifth overall, so they clearly believe in the 19-year-old’s potential as a complementary piece alongside Darius Garland as the future backcourt duo in Inglewood. However, with a number of veterans on the roster in Garland, Bradley Beal, Brandon Ingram, Max Strus, Derrick Jones Jr. and Rui Hachimura, the rookie could face a slow and inconsistent path to playing time, resulting in him being drafted in the final few rounds as an upside play.

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Morez Johnson Jr., Dallas Mavericks – Yahoo 209.0 ADP

The ninth overall pick in the 2026 NBA Draft by the Mavericks joins a fairly crowded frontcourt in his rookie campaign. Cooper Flagg, P.J. Washington, Dereck Lively (foot) and Daniel Gafford all return, while Dallas traded for Santi Aldama from the Grizzlies. Flagg is obviously the best bet to handle a massive workload, and Kyrie Irving will demand a high usage rate in his return from an ACL injury that cost him all of 2025-26.

Johnson Jr. will play a valuable supporting role as an athletic rebounder and shot-blocker who plays above the rim while taking advantage of high-percentage looks around the basket. He brings two-way upside after averaging 13.1 points, 7.3 rebounds, 1.2 assists, 0.7 steals and 1.1 blocks on 62.3 / 34.3 / 78.2 splits during his final year at Michigan. Johnson Jr. as an offensive player will rely on the creation of others to begin his career, but his motor, defensive versatility and rebounding should earn him more opportunities as the ‘26-’27 season progresses.

The Summer League sample size is small at just two games, but the former Wolverine looked dominant prior to dealing with an illness that forced him to miss the Mavs’ final three outings. Johnson Jr. dropped 27 points, eight rebounds, three assists, three steals and two blocks in the opener, then compiled 10 points, five boards, two steals and four swats to close out his time in Vegas. He’s going undrafted in most leagues, but snatching him up with a final pick in category leagues hoping for an efficient two-way stat line is a viable option.

Welcome to our live coverage of the 2026 Dallas Mavericks Media Day!

Before they head to Macao to face the Houston Rockets in the NBA China Games 2026, Cooper Flagg, Kyrie Irving, Morez Johnson Jr. and the new-look Mavericks will meet with the press to discuss their expectations and thoughts for the upcoming season.

Watch the stream here.

What we know about the 2026 Dallas Mavericks Media Day:

• Under Team President Masai Ujiri and new coach Dusty May, the Mavericks are looking to build on a strong first season by reigning Kia Rookie of the Year Cooper Flagg.
• Beset by injuries, the Mavericks went 26-56 in the last campaign, earning the ninth pick in the 2026 NBA Draft, which they used to take Johnson Jr., one of May’s national championship-winning players at Michigan.
• Key storylines for the upcoming season include: Flagg’s development, May’s welcome to the NBA, the Mavericks’ transition to a size-heavy approach under Ujiri, the return of center Dereck Lively II, Irving’s injury status and the roles in a shifting Dallas rotation.

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SEPTEMBER 25 / 11:53 a.m. ET

Kyrie on his health

Irving noted there had been conversations about playing back-to-backs, but said there were no restrictions on his health going forward as he returns from a torn left ACL.

“Coming back from a traumatic injury is not the easiest thing to overcome, but no excuses. I was built for this at a very young age,” said Irving. “Being able to put it in perspective… getting past the mental hurdle of the fear, the scary moments, of ‘am I going to be back the same? Am I going to be better?’”

He said that the injury had allowed him to rejuvenate, reflect and learn about healing, noting that the physical toll of the game had been wearing on him before he went down.

In this stage, Irving said he could start “acting like my age, finally,” as he enters his 16th NBA season at age 34. The 18 months off should be a valuable rest, he said.

The chance to help coach his teammates came naturally, he said, but the season away was tough.

“The biggest learning lesson was: what does patience look like when you really want something?” Irving said. “Giving my teammates grace. We have a lot of young guys, including Cooper, that have a world of talent, but need that guidance, need that leadership, and I feel I tried to fill in that void as much as possible.”

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SEPTEMBER 25 / 11:49 a.m. ET

‘Finding guys that complement each other’

May said the coaching staff was working to blend the talents of the roster together.

He noted the importance of finding three-man units that work well together, allowing for flexibility as the team addresses the different styles and moments of NBA games.

Asked about Max Christie and Morez Johnson Jr., May emphasized that both bring versatility.

“I think we have a team that’s going to compete. I think we have a team that’s going to be extremely connected, and when our fans leave the building, they’re going to be even bigger fans, because of how relatable (they are), how they communicate with each other,” said May.

The keys to basketball at any level include finding groups that punch above their weight, winning on the margins and riding through the stress and demands of a long season, he said.

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SEPTEMBER 25 / 11:41 a.m. ET

Dusty May on hiring Willie Green as lead assistant

Green, a Michigan native, hooked up with May over a round of golf in the summer. They have known each other for a few years, and the chemistry was there.

May credited Green’s efforts as head coach of the New Orleans Pelicans, noted he had led them to the Playoffs despite injury issues.

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SEPTEMBER 25 / 11:35 a.m. ET

The team’s identity

Ujiri said the team sought to bring in players that fit with Coach Dusty May, creating a dedicated, team-focused structure around athletes that can attack the basketball and pass, surrounded by shooters.

“We like those big, long players that are going to attack the basket, offensive rebound. We like shooters — it’s where the game is going,” said Ujiri. “Passing becomes very important for us, and playing with each other, and a winning mentality. We want these players to have a winning mentality, and you try to get players that have that to fight in games, because it is a lot of games, and it changes every day. Teams do many different things, and we have to be creative, you have to bring players that actually suit that.”

The trip to Macao will help build the team camaraderie and learn together, Ujiri said, helping educate and enrich their lives.

May said early practices had been focused on learning about the players and watching them play in small groups. He dismissed the idea that the team had too many power forwards, noting that the game has moved away from firm positions.

“We have size, we have length, we have good energy, so that naturally lends itself to playing in transition,” said May. “And also dominating the glass.”

The team’s rotation is still in flux, May said.

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SEPTEMBER 25 / 11:32 a.m. ET

Patience with Lively II

Dereck Lively II hasn’t begun running on the court, but has shown good progress recovering from surgery on his right foot.

The team is happy with his effort and will demonstrate patience as he makes his way back, Ujiri said, noting Lively’s 7-foot-1 frame and size.

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SEPTEMBER 25 / 11:29 a.m. ET

‘Generational talent’

Cooper Flagg shows uncommon maturity for a 19-year-old, Ujiri said, working out with the team all summer and dedicating himself in the gym.

“For a 19-year-old to think like this guy, play like this guy, I think the sky’s the limit. It’s generational talent that we’re blessed to have here,” said Ujiri. “That’s why we want to bring joy back here. We want him to grow the right way, have the right support in this organization, and play with that feeling, have nothing on his shoulders but basketball and winning… We’ve seen that start to happen in the summer.”

May credited Flagg’s ability to read defenses as a young player, but said his success will likely rely on his teammates, as is common in the game.

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SEPTEMBER 25 / 11:26 a.m. ET

Masai on Kyrie’s status

Ujiri said Irving has “been nothing but a leader” for the team this offseason, including organizing multiple camps and practices for the squad.

Kyrie is “right there” in terms of health, but hasn’t played any competitive NBA basketball yet, Ujiri said.

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SEPTEMBER 25 / 11:19 a.m. ET

Masai shares his vision

Team President Masai Ujiri opened Friday’s proceedings with some overarching thoughts on Mavericks basketball and the season ahead.

“We feel a new energy. We feel a brightness — not only with the team, not only with the people around, but just in general in basketball. We are trying to bring joy back to basketball in this city with this team. With Dusty, the coaching staff, they’ve been nothing but very engaging, participating with… players being around, in the city, workouts, the camps they’ve done,” said Ujiri. “There’s a vibe and an energy that we are all feeling, and we hope that it’s going to translate to good basketball, winning, the right attitude. What we want to do is show a lot of respect for the game, how the game is played — played with joy — and win.”

“We want to win in Dallas, and we will win in Dallas,” said Ujiri. “This is the beginning. Basketball is starting.”

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SEPTEMBER 25 / 10:51 a.m. ET

Check out the conversations

The Dallas Mavericks’ YouTube account has you covered for all the insight from today’s media session. Watch the stream here.

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SEPTEMBER 25 / 10:30 a.m. ET

Dusty brings the energy

Get a feel for the Mavericks’ new head coach with this mic’d up look at some summer fun in Dallas.

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SEPTEMBER 25 / 10:15 a.m. ET

Raising the Flagg

Cooper Flagg, the No. 1 pick in the 2025 NBA Draft, entered the Association with aplomb.

He led the team in total points (1,473), rebounds (466), assists (316), and steals (84) in his first season, becoming the second rookie in league history to top his team in all four categories (Michael Jordan, 1984-85).

Along the way, he set the all-time scoring record for a teenager by dropping 51 points against the Orlando Magic on April 3, 2026.

Earlier in the season, before turning 19, Flagg also broke LeBron James’ scoring record for an 18-year-old by putting up 42.

He was six days older than James when he took home Kia Rookie of the Year (19 years and 112 days to 19 years and 106 days), becoming the second-youngest player to earn the award.