NBA buzz: Latest on trades, news and intel

Sep 28, 2026, 07:00 AM ET

The 2026-27 NBA season kicked off last Tuesday as the Houston Rockets held their media day before the Dallas Mavericks followed suit Friday.

The other 28 teams in the association will join them Monday, ahead of training camps beginning for most teams Tuesday.

How will LeBron James and Jaylen Brown look in their new Philadelphia 76ers uniforms? What will Giannis Antetokounmpo's first media day away from Milwaukee look like? And how will the other new faces in new places make their first impressions?

Check back here for all the latest buzz, news and reactions from our ESPN NBA insiders, with the latest info at the top:

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Sept. 26

Bulls trade Rob Dillingham to Hornets for Buddy Hield, cash

The Chicago Bulls and Charlotte Hornets agreed to a trade sending Rob Dillingham to Charlotte for Buddy Hield and cash, the teams announced Saturday.

• 2026 NBA offseason trade grades

Sept. 25

What's next for Curry and the Warriors?

Stephen Curry's two-year, $116 million extension made him the first player in NBA history to amass $600 million in career on-court earnings.

The deal has also put the Golden State Warriors in position to have extra spending power next summer.

By Curry taking $10 million less than the maximum allowed, the Warriors project to have nearly $38 million in cap space in 2027. Golden State could increase its projection to $55 million if center Kristaps Porzingis is waived in the offseason. Porzingis' $20 million salary for next season is guaranteed for $3 million.

For Golden State to have ample room, forwards Draymond Green and Jimmy Butler III would need to sign elsewhere or at a significantly lesser salary. They will be free agents next summer.

Both salary projections include the $17 million free agent hold of guard Brandin Podziemski. The 2023 first-round pick is eligible until Oct. 19 to extend his contract. -- Bobby Marks

• Grading the Curry deal: Why Warriors don't get an A

Hornets star Kon Knueppel sidelined by hamstring injury

The Charlotte Hornets announced that Kon Knueppel will be out for at least the entire preseason because of a left hamstring injury.

LeBron James: Maxey friendship, helping Embiid were 76ers factors

LeBron James said his longstanding friendship with All-Star Tyrese Maxey and a desire to help Joel Embiid win his first NBA title played significant roles in his decision to sign a two-year, $8 million contract with the Philadelphia 76ers in July.

"[Embiid has] done everything in our league, and the only thing he has not done is win a championship. And I want to try to help him get that first one," James said. "He has a city on his back. He's been 'The Process' for 10 years, 12 years, however long he's been there. But I think it's time we even get you deeper into the process. And I hope that I can be, kind of, that final little piece that can help him get over the hump."

Grizzlies waive D'Angelo Russell

The Memphis Grizzlies have wavied D'Angelo Russell, sources told ESPN's Shams Charania. Russell has made one All-Star team during his career and was selected No. 2 in the 2015 NBA draft.