We’re officially eight days away from the start of a new NBA season, Enjoyers. Watch some early Kobe highlights to celebrate.

🎉 Happy birthday MarJon Beauchamp and Charlie Ward! 🎉

Hide your ankles— Kyrie Irving is back on the basketball court.

On Sunday, one of the sport’s most gifted ball-handlers suited up for his first official contest in 586 days, marking his long-awaited return from a torn ACL suffered near the end of the 2025 season. In a preseason faceoff with Houston, Irving gave the fans in Macao, China what they came to see, scoring 17 PTS in 22 minutes including the game’s opening basket.

Dallas ultimately breezed to a double-digit victory, aided by strong performances from their other two former #1 picks: Cooper Flagg (14 PTS, 7 AST) and Zaccharie Risacher (16 PTS). After a year away, Kyrie said he’d been “dreaming” of how his return would play out, and ultimately, it was everything he’d hoped for.

Now, as the regular season draws near, the nine-time All-Star will play a crucial role in the Mavs’ playoff aspirations. Can’t wait for more of this in the season to come 👇

The extension party is in full swing, and Brandin Podziemski made sure to stop by before the season tips off.

Over the weekend, the 23-year-old guard got his first major NBA payday, inking a five-year, fully guaranteed deal with the Warriors worth up to $110 million. An All-Rookie first team selection in 2024, Podziemski has emerged as a young star while sharing a backcourt with Steph Curry, averaging 13.8 PPG in 2026 and finishing as one of 18 guys to play all 82 games.

At 6-foot-4, Podziemski is a versatile weapon for Steve Kerr’s crew— he shoots well, gets to the paint, and offers significant value as a rebounder/playmaker (6.5 rebounds, 4.7 assists per 36 minutes). Podziemski, along with Summer League MVP Yaxel Lendeborg, also represents the next generation of Warriors basketball. When guys like Curry, Draymond Green, and Jimmy Butler move on, one of the league’s most storied franchises will rest in Podz’s hands. And don’t worry— he’s up to the task.

There are plenty of things to get excited about as a new season approaches, but seeing a fresh draft class enter the league is near the top of the list. Every rook will get a chance to shine, but which ones could hold the hardware at year’s end? Let’s preview the race for ROTY, tier-list style.

AJ Dybantsa, Darryn Peterson, Cam Boozer

The draft’s top three picks all have different paths to a potential ROTY crown. Dybantsa, an all-world scoring wing out of BYU, and Peterson, a fluid guard from Kansas, will each step into immediate roles on teams with playoff hopes. Their talent and draft pedigree will earn them opportunities, but both Washington and Utah are aiming to improve after several years of dedicated rebuilding. Boozer, on the other hand, joins a Grizzlies roster just entering its overhaul stage, one that could give his ranging skillset as an offensive hub a chance to shine. Expect a strong case from all three.

Darius Acuff, Mikel Brown

These two lottery picks have one major thing in common: plenty of shots available. Acuff (Sacramento) and Brown (Brooklyn) will have no shortage of chances to prove themselves at the pro level— the rosters around them consist primarily of other young players, and the expectations for their teams are relatively limited. Both guards were high-usage bucket-getters in their college days, and that playstyle could help them snag the ROTY trophy if they adapt to NBA defenses quickly enough.

Yaxel Lendeborg, Cameron Carr, Zuby Ejiofor

It’s no secret that many older draftees have a shorter learning curve to the pro level, and this trio, all 21 and up, fit the bill of potential instant impact additions. Lendeborg (Golden State) and Carr (LAL) both turned heads throughout the offseason with their success in Summer League, and could each feature prominently on competitive squads. Ejiofor’s role with the Hawks is less clear, but don’t be surprised if the former Big East Player of the Year’s defensive skillset earns him a place in the rotation. Don’t sleep on these GOATs!

And we out! Thanks for spending a portion of your day with us. This week, try to give yourself a breather when you need one. Even the best can’t play every minute of every game, and we’re no different! See you soon.

Walker Carnathan