Magic Declining Jett Howard’s 2026/27 Option
The Magic won’t exercise their fourth-year option on Jett Howard‘s rookie scale contract for the 2026/27 season, reports Jason Beede of The Orlando Sentinel (Twitter link).
The move will make Howard an unrestricted free agent during the 2026 offseason, assuming he plays out the current season without being waived. The Magic – or Howard’s new team, if he’s traded prior to February’s deadline – would not be permitted next summer to offer him a starting salary exceeding $7,337,938, which is the amount of the ’26/27 option being declined.
The 11th overall pick in the 2023 draft and the son of former NBA star Juwan Howard, Jett has yet to establish himself as a reliable rotation player at the NBA level. In 80 total appearances since he made his professional debut, the former Michigan standout has averaged just 3.7 points and 1.0 rebound in 9.8 minutes per game, with a shooting line of .369/.294/.667.
The Magic’s financial situation made the decision to decline Howard’s fourth-year option a more straightforward one. Even without his $7.34MM cap hit on their books, they project to operate in tax apron territory in 2026/27, with Paolo Banchero‘s maximum-salary rookie scale extension set to take effect.
While Howard won’t have his 2026/27 option exercised, Orlando is picking up Anthony Black‘s fourth-year option and Tristan Da Silva‘s third-year option for next season, according to Beede (Twitter link).
Black, 21, is off to a strong start in a significant role off Orlando’s bench, averaging 12.0 points and 3.5 rebounds in 26.0 minutes per game while shooting 53.1% from the field. The sixth overall pick from the 2023 draft will earn $10,106,315 on his newly exercised 2026/27 option and will become eligible for a rookie scale extension during the 2026 offseason.
As for Da Silva, last year’s 18th overall pick had a solid rookie season for the Magic in 2024/25, averaging 7.2 points and 3.3 rebounds per game in 74 outings (38 starts). The 24-year-old German will make $3,991,200 in ’26/27 and the team will have to decide next October whether to exercise his $6.14MM option for the ’27/28 season.
We’re tracking all of this year’s rookie scale team option decisions right here.
Warriors’ Kerr: Kuminga Has Earned Full-Time Starting Role
After suggesting before the season that Stephen Curry, Jimmy Butler, and Draymond Green were the only three Warriors players assured of starting every night, head coach Steve Kerr is adding a fourth name to that list, writes Anthony Slater of ESPN.
Kerr said prior to Tuesday’s win over the Clippers that Jonathan Kuminga has secured his spot as a full-time member of the starting five and will be tasked with defending the opponent’s best perimeter scorer to open the game.
“He’ll be our starter going forward,” Kerr told reporters, including Slater. “He’s been fantastic. (Monday) we put him on Ja (Morant). Tonight we’ll put him on James Harden. I think he’s ready.”
As Slater observes, it’s an important development for Golden State on the heels of the contentious contract negotiations over the summer between the team and Kuminga, who sought a more prominent and more consistent role. The former seventh overall pick started 46 of his 74 games in 2023/24 but never made more than 16 starts in any other season since entering the league.
Kuminga wasn’t initially projected to open the 2025/26 season as a starter either, but Kerr reconsidered a plan to start Al Horford, determining it made more sense to bring him off the bench in order to manage his minutes. Another potential starter, Moses Moody, sustained a calf injury in training camp, setting him back and delaying his regular season debut.
That opened the door for Kuminga to claim a starting role and he has run with the opportunity, averaging 16.2 points, 7.4 rebounds, and 3.4 assists in 30.2 minutes per game through five games (all starts).
While the 23-year-old has been very effective offensively, posting a shooting line of .537/.438/.762, his defense and rebounding have been arguably more impressive. Kuminga averaged 4.0 RPG in his first four seasons — his 37 boards to open the season are the most he has ever recorded in a five-game stretch, according to Slater. Kerr also pointed out that Kuminga’s willingness to drive to the basket and pass the ball has helped alleviate concerns about spacing issues.
“You’ve hardly seen any of the mid-shot clock, 17-foot pullups [from Kuminga],” Kerr said. “You’re seeing him being much more purposeful, getting the ball to Jimmy, getting the ball to Steph, attacking the rim. He’s really putting a lot of pressure on people. The combination of Jimmy and Draymond and JK wasn’t great last year, but because of all the improvements JK has made, his passing, it’s just really clicking. So we’re going to stay with that.”
According to Slater, the Warriors haven’t settled on a permanent fifth starter alongside that trio. Kerr’s plan is to use either big man Quinten Post or guard Brandin Podziemski in that spot, depending on the matchup.
Giannis: Trade Speculation ‘Doesn’t Concern Me One Bit’
Giannis Antetokounmpo led the Bucks to their third win in four games to open the 2025/26 season on Tuesday, scoring 37 points en route to a 121-111 victory over the Knicks.
The first matchup between the two teams this season came just three weeks after ESPN reported that the Bucks and Knicks had brief discussions this offseason about the possibility of a trade involving Antetokounmpo, who reportedly conveyed that New York would be a preferred landing spot if he ever left Milwaukee. Asked on Tuesday about that report, Antetokounmpo pleaded ignorance, as Eric Nehm of The Athletic relays (via Twitter).
“I don’t remember that,” Antetokounmpo said, shaking his head when asked about the ESPN story (YouTube link). “Right now, I’m here representing my team. And that’s it. We beat the Knicks. That’s all. Doesn’t really matter. What matters right now is we have a game in two days against Golden State, try to stay locked in and get two in a row.
“But I didn’t read that article. I try to stay away from all that rumors and speculation and trades and all this. It doesn’t concern me one bit.”
Antetokounmpo, who has been with the Bucks since being selected 15th overall in the 2013 draft, has repeatedly expressed his love for Milwaukee over the years while also stressing that being in position to continue competing for championships is important to him.
The Bucks’ past three seasons have ended with first-round playoff losses, so the outcome of the 2025/26 campaign could go a long way toward determining whether or not Antetokounmpo’s long-term future is in Milwaukee. He has two guaranteed years left on his contract, followed by a player option, meaning he could reach free agency as soon as 2027.
While Antetokounmpo dismissed the trade speculation on Tuesday, he acknowledged that the victory over the Knicks meant a little something extra to a Bucks team with aspirations of winning the Eastern Conference.
“For sure, there was a lot extra,” Antetokounmpo said. “They swept us last year. Swept us. They were way better than us last year. We didn’t make it tough for them. It was very easy, in my opinion. As the leader of this team, I remember. I don’t forget things, and I try to – from early shootaround – set the tone for the team and try to remind them, ‘Last year they swept us.’ Same with the Cavs. So I think the team responded in the best way, so I’m happy.”
The Bucks weren’t able to exact the same form of revenge on the Cavaliers on Sunday that they did on the Knicks on Tuesday, falling 118-113 to their division rivals in Cleveland. However, Antetokounmpo had a monster game in the Bucks’ only loss so far this season, racking up 40 points, 14 rebounds, and nine assists. He’s playing at an MVP level in the early going — Milwaukee has a +12.5 net rating when he’s on the court, compared to a -6.2 mark when he sits.
Pacers’ Toppin Out At Least One Month, Mathurin Week To Week
A pair of key Pacers rotation players will be unavailable for the foreseeable future, according to head coach Rick Carlisle, who said on Tuesday that forward Obi Toppin will be out for at least one month as a result of his right hamstring strain, while guard Bennedict Mathurin is considered “week to week” due to a right great toe sprain, per Dustin Dopirak of The Indianapolis Star.
The Pacers entered their opener last week preparing to be without star point guard Tyrese Haliburton for the entire season as he recovers from an Achilles tear and have since added several new names to their injury report.
Toppin sustained his injury during Sunday’s loss in Minnesota, while Mathurin’s occurred in Saturday’s loss in Memphis when he tripped over Jock Landale‘s foot on his way to the basket. According to Carlisle, both players will undergo more testing when the Pacers return home following the last game of their road trip on Wednesday in Dallas.
“I can’t give you a definitive answer with either guy,” Carlisle said. “But they’re gonna miss some time.”
According to Carlisle, Andrew Nembhard (left shoulder strain) did some “court work” on Tuesday but isn’t ready to play yet, while Taelon Peter (right groin strain) is “doing better” but is “not there yet” either. Johnny Furphy (left foot soreness) will undergo additional testing on his foot when the team returns to Indianapolis, Carlisle added.
T.J. McConnell (left hamstring strain) and Kam Jones (lower back stress reaction) were doing some work near the end of Tuesday’s practice, tweets Dopirak, though the Pacers have previously indicated that both players will be out until at least November 9.
With injuries hitting the team hard at virtually every position except center, the Pacers made a roster move on Tuesday, waiving big man James Wiseman to add guard Mac McClung. As Scott Agness of Fieldhouse Files tweets, Indiana should soon qualify for at least one hardship exception as well.
A hardship exception allows a team to temporarily exceed the standard 15-man roster limit if at least four players have missed three consecutive games for health reasons and are expected to remain out for at least two more weeks. Players signed via the hardship exception receive 10-day contracts.
Pacers Waive Wiseman, Sign McClung To Multiyear Deal
October 28: The moves are official, the Pacers confirmed in a press release.
October 27: The Pacers are signing free agent guard Mac McClung to a multiyear contract, agent Greg Lawrence tells Shams Charania of ESPN (Twitter link).
McClung’s multiyear deal will be non-guaranteed, sources tell Charania (Twitter link).
To make room for McClung on their standard roster, which is currently full, the Pacers intend to waive center James Wiseman, reports Michael Scotto of HoopsHype (via Twitter).
As Keith Smith of Spotrac tweets, Wiseman’s contract features a $1MM partial guarantee. Assuming he clears the waiver wire, Indiana will carry that $1MM cap hit on its books for the remainder of 2025/26.
The No. 2 overall pick in the 2020 draft, Wiseman signed with the Pacers as a free agent in the 2024 offseason after playing for Golden State and Detroit in his first four NBA seasons. The big man impressed Indiana in the preseason last fall and appeared to have the edge for the backup center role behind Myles Turner, but tore his left Achilles tendon in the club’s regular season opener.
Wiseman, 24, re-signed with the Pacers on a two-year deal (the second season is a team option) in July and was said to be in excellent shape entering the ’25/26. Just like last season, he appeared in one game for the Pacers this fall, recording four points and four rebounds in 20 minutes during Saturday’s blowout loss in Memphis.
The Pacers were carrying four centers on their roster and have several guards injured at the moment, so swapping out Wiseman for McClung makes sense from a roster composition perspective.
McClung has become a household name among NBA fans by winning the league’s past three slam dunk contests. However, the 26-year-old has still seen limited game action at the NBA level, appearing in just six total regular season contests for four teams from 2021-25. He was on a two-way contract with the Magic for all of last season, but logged just 10 total minutes in two outings for Orlando.
McClung has starred in the G League in recent years, earning a spot on the All-NBAGL first team in 2024/25 after being named MVP in ’23/24. In a total of 44 appearances for the Osceola Magic last season, he averaged 23.0 points, 5.4 assists and 3.9 rebounds in 32.4 minutes per game, with a shooting line of .481/.344/.828.
The 6’2″ guard was signed and waived by Chicago this fall and likely would have started ’25/26 with the Windy City Bulls had the opportunity with Indiana not come up. Instead, he’ll be signing his first standard NBA contract with the Pacers, as Charania notes.
Cooper Flagg Hurts Shoulder, Kept On Bench Late In Game
Monday marked the worst night of Cooper Flagg‘s brief NBA career, beginning with an injury on the first play of the game and ending with him watching from the bench as the Mavericks tried to complete a comeback against Oklahoma City, writes Tim MacMahon of ESPN.
Flagg managed to play 31 minutes, but he wore a large wrap on his left shoulder and treated it with heat whenever he came out. He received medical treatment after the game and told reporters that he’s optimistic about playing Wednesday against Indiana.
“We’re going to probably get some scans or whatever, make sure everything’s all clean, but I feel like it’s just a little sore,” Flagg said. “Just want to keep an eye on it, ice it, do some rehab and should be good to go.”
Flagg hurt his shoulder while battling for a rebound with Thunder center Isaiah Hartenstein and was in obvious discomfort for the rest of the night, according to Mike Curtis of The Dallas Morning News (subscription required). He finished with two points and shot just 1-of-9 from the field, leading to coach Jason Kidd‘s decision to keep him out of the game in crunch time as Dallas nearly overtook OKC after trailing by 22 points.
It also marked Flagg’s first back-to-back in the NBA after he scored 22 points on Sunday in a win over Toronto.
“I think in general, one of the biggest differences from college to this level is handling and preparing for a back-to-back like that, physically,” he said. “That was something I was going through tonight anyway, just being a little flat. A little banged up, but you gotta find ways to play through it to be successful.”
If Flagg has to miss any time, he would be the latest addition to the Mavs’ growing injury list. Centers Dereck Lively II and Daniel Gafford were both unavailable for Monday’s game, so Kidd gave Max Christie his first start of the season.
Kidd complimented Flagg for showing that he’s a “tough kid” by playing through pain, but said his decision to sit him late in the game was made to give Dallas the best chance to win. Flagg, who has been considered one of the top players in the country dating back to high school and has never experienced that situation before, said he understands.
“The way the game was going, we had a group out there that was doing really well and was on a run, so I see where Coach was at with that,” Flagg said. “And I mean, I was flat. I wasn’t myself. I wasn’t impacting the game at a high level, wasn’t doing the right stuff. So obviously, that’s an easy decision for Coach. He was just out there trying to win the game.”
Lakers’ Gabe Vincent Out 2-4 Weeks With Ankle Injury
Lakers guard Gabe Vincent is expected to be sidelined for approximately two-to-four weeks after undergoing an MRI on his left ankle, sources tell Shams Charania and Dave McMenamin of ESPN (Twitter link).
NBA insider Chris Haynes reports (via Twitter) that Vincent, who started each of the Lakers’ first three games before sustaining the injury on Sunday, has a “slight ligament tear” as well as sprained ligaments in the ankle.
According to Dan Woike of The Athletic (Twitter link), Vincent was wearing a walking boot and using crutches ahead of Monday’s game vs. Portland.
The 29-year-old was limited to just 11 games due to a knee injury in his first season with the Lakers after signing a three-year, $33MM deal with Los Angeles in the 2023 offseason. He was much healthier last season (72 games), and was a rotation regular (21.2 minutes per contest) for head coach JJ Redick, averaging 6.4 points while shooting 35.3% from long distance and playing solid defense.
Vincent won a starting job to open ’25/26 after a four-game preseason slate in which he averaged 16.3 PPG and shot 55.6% from three in 22.3 MPG. The hot shooting hasn’t carried over to the regular season yet, as he was 2-of-10 from deep in three games.
Marcus Smart (right quad contusion) was also out Monday for the Lakers, who had a total of seven players unable to suit up, most notably Luka Doncic (finger, leg injuries) and LeBron James (right sciatica), tweets Khobi Price of The Southern California News Group.
Vincent is in the final year of his contract, which will pay him $11.5MM in ’25/26. He will be an unrestricted free agent next summer.
Hornets’ Brandon Miller Diagnosed With Shoulder Subluxation
Hornets wing Brandon Miller has been diagnosed with a left shoulder subluxation — a partially dislocated shoulder — the team announced on Monday (via Twitter).
According to the Hornets, Miller will be sidelined for Tuesday’s game in Miami and will be reexamined when the team returns to Charlotte. The Hornets’ next home game is Thursday vs. Orlando — another update could come before that contest.
Miller sustained the shoulder injury in the second quarter of Saturday’s loss in Philadelphia. Roderick Boone of The Charlotte Observer hears the injury occurred when Miller slipped while trying to fight through a screen.
The 22-year-old also missed Sunday’s game in Washington, which was the second of a back-to-back. Tuesday’s contest will be his second straight absence.
As of a few years ago, the average time missed for in-season shoulder subluxations that did not require surgery was approximately 21 days, according to Jeff Stotts of InStreetClothes.com. We’ll have to wait and see whether or not Miller’s ailment requires surgical intervention.
It’s an unfortunate setback for the former No. 2 overall pick, who was limited to just 27 games last season due a right wrist injury which required surgery. Miller recorded 25 points and seven assists in the Hornets’ season opener.
With Miller out most of the past two games, Kon Knueppel, Collin Sexton and Sion James have seen an uptick in playing time.
Wembanyama, Antetokounmpo Named Players Of The Week
Spurs center Victor Wembanyama has been named the Western Conference Player of the Week, while Bucks forward Giannis Antetokounmpo has won the award in the East, the NBA announced today (via Twitter).
Wembanyama had a remarkable first week of the season, averaging 33.3 points, 13.3 rebounds, 2.3 assists (against just 0.7 turnovers), 1.7 steals and 6.0 blocks in leading San Antonio to an unblemished 3-0 record. The French big man’s shooting slash line was .569/.364/.733.
This is the second time Wembanyama has been named Player of the Week, per the Spurs.
Antetokounmpo led Milwaukee to a 2-1 record last week and put up an absurd stat line of 36.0 PPG, 16.0 RPG, 7.0 APG and 1.0 BPG on .683/.667/.629 shooting.
The Greek superstar claimed his 28th weekly award and became the first player in league history to record at least 100 points, 40 rebounds and 15 assists in the first three games of the season, per the Bucks.
According to the NBA (Twitter link), the other nominees in the West were Stephen Curry, Luka Doncic, Austin Reaves and Shai Gilgeous-Alexander. LaMelo Ball, Jalen Brunson, VJ Edgecombe, Tyrese Maxey, Donovan Mitchell and Norman Powell were nominated in the East.
Anthony Edwards Out At Least One Week With Hamstring Strain
1:43 pm: Edwards underwent an MRI, revealing the right hamstring strain, and he’ll be reevaluated in one week, according to a Timberwolves press release. While that one-week timeline might be a cause for optimism, Jon Krawczynski of The Athletic has also heard the 24-year-old will miss two weeks (Twitter link).
12:45 pm: Timberwolves superstar guard Anthony Edwards will be sidelined for two weeks with a right hamstring strain, ESPN’s Shams Charania reports (via Twitter).
Edwards departed Sunday’s game against Indiana after just three minutes due to right hamstring tightness. Edwards had gotten off to a roaring start in the first week of the season, pouring in 41 points in a win over Portland and 31 points in a loss to the Lakers.
Minnesota will play against Denver tonight in the second game of a back-to-back. The Timberwolves also play seven more games over the next two weeks, meaning Edwards will miss a minimum of eight contests.
When Edwards departed on Sunday, Julius Randle stepped into the role of top scoring option. A quartet of guards and wings — Mike Conley, Jaylen Clark, Terrence Shannon Jr. and Bones Hyland — all played double-digit minutes off the bench. Making up for Edwards’ minutes will likely be a time-share proposition.
Edwards has been noted for his durability. Entering this season, he had appeared in 381 of 390 possible regular season games since entering the league. The Timberwolves will now have to figure out ways to survive a prolonged stretch without their top player.