The NBA preseason is a time to welcome new faces, sort through lineup questions, hype up prospects, squabble over unresolved contract situations and panic about unfortunate injuries before the real competition begins.
With Tuesday’s openers fast approaching, let’s bounce around the league one final time in search of key takeaways that will shape the upcoming season.
Atlanta Hawks
The preseason revealed ... the backcourt is loaded
With Trae Young’s salary no longer on the books, the Hawks have assembled a backcourt rotation stacked with creators Nickeil Alexander-Walker and CJ McCollum, stoppers Dyson Daniels and Lu Dort, shooter Corey Kispert and 2026 lottery pick Kingston Flemings. In fact, Atlanta had such a surplus that it traded two backup guards to land 3-and-D forward Dorian Finney-Smith from the Charlotte Hornets in September.
Hawks coach Quin Snyder has used multiple starting lineups during the preseason, but he’s best served sticking with last season’s top group -- Alexander-Walker, McCollum, Daniels, Jalen Johnson and Onyeka Okongwu -- because it posted a phenomenal plus-20.3 net rating. That would move Dort to a reserve role after he spent the past six seasons as a starter for the Oklahoma City Thunder.
Boston Celtics
The preseason revealed ... Jayson Tatum will hit the ground running
While Tatum returned from a May 2025 Achilles tear in less than 10 months, his shot looked rusty and he played below his All-NBA standard down the stretch last season. Then, his speedy comeback ended with a whimper when he sat out a Game 7 loss to the Philadelphia 76ers in the first round due to left knee discomfort.
By taking those lumps last season, Tatum prepared himself for a smoother launch in 2026-27. The five-time All-Star was spectacular at times while posting 23 points in 27 minutes during his preseason debut, and his outside shot looked confident in a variety of situations. The Celtics must learn to live without Jaylen Brown and incorporate two key new pieces in forward Paul George and center Mitchell Robinson, but everything will be easier if Tatum is back to performing like an MVP contender.
Brooklyn Nets
The preseason revealed ... Egor Demin is one to watch
Be sure to include Demin on the list of 2025 first-round picks poised for major improvement in their second campaigns. While draft classmates in Dallas’ Cooper Flagg and San Antonio’s Dylan Harper are bursting with star potential, Demin’s goal will be to move past a shaky rookie season and establish himself as a quality starting point guard.
After being content to settle for outside shots as a rookie, the 20-year-old Russian was more forceful off the dribble at Las Vegas summer league. That shift was evident in a preseason win over the 76ers: Midway through the first quarter, Demin drove past LeBron James and finished a difficult layup over Joel Embiid. Veteran forwards Michael Porter Jr. and Julius Randle will handle the bulk of the scoring for Brooklyn, but Demin is arguably the Nets’ most important player given his ability to shape their rebuilding effort.
Charlotte Hornets
The preseason revealed ... life without Kon Knueppel is no fun
While Knueppel’s record 3-point shooting got all the attention during his rookie season, his reliability was just as important to Charlotte’s success. Knueppel averaged 18.5 points per game in 81 appearances, joining Young and Karl-Anthony Towns as the only rookies to hit those scoring and availability marks over the past decade. And despite Knueppel’s youth and starter responsibilities, the 2025 No. 4 pick posted a strong plus-6.2 net rating.
Unfortunately, Knueppel has been sidelined throughout the preseason with a hamstring injury and his availability for opening night remains uncertain. Knueppel is a critical player for the retooling Hornets, who pivoted by trading star guard LaMelo Ball to the Minnesota Timberwolves this summer. Charlotte’s offense won’t sing at full volume until its most prolific shooter is back to 100%.
Chicago Bulls
The preseason revealed ... Caleb Wilson will stop you in your tracks
There’s a special joy in watching Wilson explore the bounds of his developing game. Already in his first preseason, the 2026 No. 4 pick has raced out in transition for thunderous dunks, worked through traffic for turnaround midrange jumpers and created space in isolation to launch step-back 3-pointers. That range of offensive skills is rare for a 6-foot-10 rookie forward.
Wilson has a path to becoming the best player in a strong class if he solidifies his outside shooting and smooths out his ballhandling and decision-making. His confidence out of the gate is a positive indicator, and he appears destined to be an impact defender given his length and leaping ability. The Bulls face no immediate pressure to win after changing their general manager and coach, so this season will be all about gawking at Wilson’s latest highlights and daydreaming about his potential.
Cleveland Cavaliers
The preseason revealed ... Peyton Watson isn’t the only notable newcomer
Get this: The Cavaliers will pay their projected starters more than $179 million in 2026-27, well above this year’s $165 million salary cap. Given that top-heavy spending structure, Cleveland will welcome any and all second-unit help.
While Watson was the Cavaliers’ biggest offseason addition and plugs in as a starting forward, Mario Hezonja also arrived this summer as a bargain signing after spending the past six seasons in Europe. The 31-year-old Hezonja, who once upon a time was a 2015 lottery pick, averaged 17.5 points per game for Real Madrid in Spain’s ACB league last season. His primary task will be to boost Cleveland’s bench scoring, which ranked 25th in 2025-26, with his inside-outside versatility.
Dallas Mavericks
The preseason revealed ... the Cooper Flagg hype train is gaining speed
ESPN’s Brian Windhorst ably documented Flagg’s eye-opening performances during the Mavericks and Rockets’ exhibitions at the NBA China Games. While it would be foolish to read too much into preseason statistics, Flagg averaged 25.8 points, 7.8 rebounds, 7.8 assists plus more than a steal and a block per 36 minutes in the two games. Only one player in NBA history has maintained those per-game averages for a full regular season: LeBron James.
The No. 1 pick in the 2025 draft should factor heavily into this year’s All-Star conversation, and there’s a good chance Flagg will outperform his No. 23 spot in ESPN’s NBA Rank if he continues to impact games on both ends like he did in Macao. Flagg’s 3-point shot -- he hit under 30% as a rookie -- can still improve, but his combination of instincts, athleticism and work ethic is rare. And remember: He’s still a teenager.
Denver Nuggets
The preseason revealed ... Nikola Jokic’s passing is getting more preposterous
Jokic delivered the best highlight of the preseason when he casually flipped a no-look, behind-the-back pass from the left baseline past three Utah Jazz defenders to find Cameron Johnson for a right-corner 3. The assist was so on the money that Johnson seemingly didn’t move his hands an inch to haul it in, and the crowd was already roaring before the shot went up.
The play was a good reminder that the three-time MVP is entering rarified air as a passer. Jokic led the NBA in assists per game for the first time last season, and the 31-year-old ranks first among centers in career assists. Though Jokic enters the season ranking 41st on the NBA’s all-time assist leaderboard, he’s only about five seasons away from reaching the top 10 at his recent pace. Somehow, a Serbian center who wasn’t selected until the second round of the 2014 draft has a legitimate chance of surpassing all-time great point guards such as Oscar Robertson and Magic Johnson.
Detroit Pistons
The preseason revealed ... cooler heads prevailed in the Jalen Duren saga
While the negotiations weren’t pretty and dragged past media day, Detroit avoided all the nightmare scenarios by finally inking the All-Star center to a five-year, $200 million contract extension on Oct. 1. The Pistons didn’t fork over anything close to max money, they don’t need to worry about Duren playing half-heartedly on a qualifying offer, and he can’t walk next summer as an unrestricted free agent. Detroit’s core of Cade Cunningham, Duren and Ausar Thompson is officially locked in for years to come.
Duren took a major step to move past the ordeal by stating that he’s a “Detroit Piston for life” during a conciliatory news conference. Now, the focus shifts back to the court, where expectations will be sky-high following the Pistons’ 60-win campaign in 2025-26. Duren’s role shouldn’t change dramatically, though his defensive impact could come under greater scrutiny after Detroit traded backup center Isaiah Stewart to the Memphis Grizzlies in June.
Golden State Warriors
The preseason revealed ... Podz got paid
The Warriors’ pile of questions got only bigger during the preseason due to Kristaps Porzingis’ mysterious indefinite absence just months after Golden State signed him to a two-year, $40 million contract. Warriors coach Steve Kerr is already trying to get by without injured star Jimmy Butler III, and Porzingis’ availability concerns feel like a blow this roster can’t sustain.
In brighter news, 23-year-old guard Brandin Podziemski signed a five-year, $110 million rookie extension earlier this month. While the confident scorer is less accomplished than most of the other players from the 2023 draft who inked extensions this cycle, his signing reflects Golden State’s need to prepare for the future with Stephen Curry, Butler, Draymond Green and Al Horford all approaching the twilight of their careers. Podziemski’s $22 million AAV puts him in the same ballpark as fellow guards Christian Braun, Malik Monk and CJ McCollum. Within that group last season, Podziemski ranked first in win shares and second in scoring.
Houston Rockets
The preseason revealed ... Fred VanVleet is back with a bang
The Rockets took a lot of heat when their offense fell flat in last season’s playoffs due to spacing and playmaking concerns. In his preseason debut, VanVleet wasted no time reminding observers that he remains Houston’s best solution. After missing last season with a knee injury, VanVleet posted 17 points and seven assists to key a convincing exhibition win over the Mavericks in his first game action in nearly 18 months.
The 32-year-old point guard launched 12 3-pointers, twice as many as Houston’s other starters combined. VanVleet’s return should produce some trickle-down benefits: Kevin Durant and Alperen Sengun will have another trustworthy ball handler for late-clock and late-game situations, and Reed Sheppard should enjoy cleaner looks when he plays alongside the veteran floor general.
Indiana Pacers
The preseason revealed ... Tyrese Haliburton can still tug on the heartstrings
Haliburton’s Achilles tear during Game 7 of the 2025 Finals was one of the most heartbreaking and consequential in-game injuries in NBA history. The underdog Pacers were knocking on the doorstep of their first championship after a series of miracle playoff comebacks, only for their All-Star guard to go down with an injury that also cost him the entire 2025-26 season.
Fast-forward to last week: Haliburton made his preseason debut against the Minnesota Timberwolves at Iowa State, his alma mater. The former Cyclones star purchased thousands of tickets to fill the student sections and thanked the crowd before scoring seven points and dishing six assists in limited minutes. “It’s been 472 days since I’ve played a game of basketball,” he said. “I wouldn’t want to do it anywhere else except my second home.” The heartwarming scene in Ames was the perfect way for Haliburton to complete his grueling injury rehabilitation and get back to work.
LA Clippers
The preseason revealed ... Darius Garland had better have a career year
The Clippers’ injury news went from bad to worse when guard Max Strus suffered a right foot injury just five minutes into the first quarter of their preseason opener. Strus, who is expected to miss at least a month, joins teammates Brandon Ingram, Jordan Miller and Yanic Konan Niederhauser with long-term injuries. Meanwhile, Bradley Beal has been sidelined this preseason with right knee inflammation.
To make matters worse, five of the Clippers’ top six scorers from last season are no longer on the team, leaving Garland, a two-time All-Star point guard, as the last man standing. A passable offense will hinge on Garland shifting to a score-first mindset to compensate for the lack of firepower around him. While Rui Hachimura and rookie Keaton Wagler should also enjoy green lights, LA’s offense will likely be a grind until Ingram returns.
Los Angeles Lakers
The preseason revealed ... surprisingly, title talk is in the air
The Lakers are brimming with optimism after a transformative offseason, during which LeBron James departed and a new cast of role players arrived in Hollywood. Luka Doncic and coach JJ Redick have both floated championship aspirations, even though the Lakers were swept out of the conference semifinals last season and underwent an out-of-nowhere ownership change in August. Another potentially major hang-up: The Lakers entered training camp with two unclaimed spots in their starting lineup.
While Doncic and guard Austin Reaves have an excellent bond, the Lakers clearly trail behind most of the leading title favorites when it comes to continuity. But from a talent and fit perspective, the Lakers can claim some resemblance to the 2023-24 Mavericks now that center Walker Kessler is in place. Doncic led that Dallas team to 50 wins and a surprise trip to the Finals.
Memphis Grizzlies
The preseason revealed ... Zach Edey is still a force
With Ja Morant, Jaren Jackson Jr. and Desmond Bane all departing the Grizzlies in separate trades since June 2025, it’s easy to forget that Memphis has welcomed back a major talent as it ramps up for a rebuilding campaign. Edey, a 7-foot-3 center who played only 11 games last season before undergoing season-ending ankle surgery, has returned to claim his spot as the Grizzlies’ starting center. In Friday’s exhibition win over the Bulls, Edey made his presence felt with 10 points and five rebounds in just 16 minutes.
The 2024 lottery pick has the size and strength to control the glass and punish small-ball lineups in the paint, but Memphis must use this season to craft a sustainable role for him given his immense frame and history of lower-body injuries. Despite its roster overhaul, Memphis has assembled a solid frontcourt rotation that also includes Rookie of the Year contender Cameron Boozer and bruising backup center Isaiah Stewart. If Edey can put his injury woes behind him -- a big if -- the Grizzlies should be competing for a spot in the play-in tournament before too long.
Miami Heat
The preseason revealed ... Giannis Antetokounmpo made a good first impression
It will take months to get used to seeing Antetokounmpo in a Heat jersey after his 13-year run with the Milwaukee Bucks, but so far No. 7 in white has looked a lot like No. 34 in green on the court. Antetokounmpo pummeled the New Orleans Pelicans in a recent exhibition, blasting through a crowded paint for punishing dunks, racing ahead in transition to aid Miami’s preferred up-tempo approach and making the proper reads after drawing multiple defenders.
Given how much time Antetokounmpo missed due to injuries last season and the career-altering trade that shaped his summer, the two-time MVP is off to a promising start with the Heat. Offseason concerns about Miami’s 3-point shooting acumen haven’t really materialized in the preseason, though it’s fair to question whether the Heat have enough talent beyond Antetokounmpo and Bam Adebayo to keep pace with the East’s best.
Milwaukee Bucks
The preseason revealed ... the veterans will get first dibs
Many teams mix and match their starting lineups during the preseason to test various configurations or rest veterans, but new Bucks coach Taylor Jenkins has made sure his most accomplished players have been on the floor together. That makes sense: It will take time for the post-Antetokounmpo Bucks to mesh their holdover pieces with a batch of former Heat players who arrived in this summer’s blockbuster.
Milwaukee appears ready to enter the season with Ryan Rollins, Tyler Herro, Jaime Jaquez Jr., Kyle Kuzma and Myles Turner as its starting five, a group that will likely struggle to reach league average on offense and defense. As the season unfolds, Jenkins must decide when to prioritize the development of younger players such as Kel’el Ware and 2026 lottery picks Brayden Burries and Nate Ament. While that possible shift could be aided by unloading players at the trade deadline, the balance of present and future won’t be influenced by draft positioning -- the Bucks have already traded away their 2027 first-round pick.
Minnesota Timberwolves
The preseason revealed ... the vibes are looser
Timberwolves coach Chris Finch recently summarized his team’s new identity in succinct fashion: “We’ve traded moodiness for giddiness.” That checks out, given that Minnesota spent the summer pairing Anthony Edwards with LaMelo Ball in a charismatic Zoomer backcourt and moving on from Julius Randle and Naz Reid. Throw in forward Jonathan Kuminga, who was signed in free agency, and the Timberwolves have seemingly transformed from “Edwards and a bunch of veterans” to “Rudy Gobert and a bunch of young guys.”
But Finch surely understands that Minnesota faces serious competition in the West’s playoff bracket. The initial giddiness that comes with any honeymoon period must eventually be complemented by resolve and maturity. The Timberwolves’ offense should be more fun and less predictable with Ball in the mix, but discipline and focus in high-pressure moments loom as hurdles.
New Orleans Pelicans
The preseason revealed ... the prospects are taking a back seat
The Pelicans’ roster-building strategy has been puzzling. After winning just 26 games last season, are they trying to squeeze better results from a mediocre roster or are they ready to start building the future? Jamahl Mosley, hired as coach in May, appears to be leaning toward competitiveness rather than development.
Mosley opened the preseason with a veteran-dominated starting lineup featuring Zion Williamson, Dejounte Murray, Trey Murphy III, Herbert Jones and Yves Missi. In turn, 2025 lottery picks Jeremiah Fears and Derik Queen both came off the bench. While Fears, 19, and Queen, 21, combined for 97 starts last season, both struggled to score efficiently as rookies and now must start over with their second coach in two seasons. The Pelicans are a team to watch in the run-up to the trade deadline: If the wins don’t materialize in a meaningful way, the right move would be to hand over more responsibilities to the youngsters.
New York Knicks
The preseason revealed ... James Dolan isn’t afraid to be the villain
The NBA’s parity era has been brutal on defending champions. Each of the past eight have lost key players, encountered untimely injuries, or simply run out of gas in attempts to defend their titles. The pace of modern basketball makes it nearly impossible for teams to hold up for 100-plus games in consecutive seasons, and the current collective bargaining agreement’s onerous apron penalties are always lurking, ready to break up juggernauts.
Knicks owner James Dolan has taken an unsentimental approach to those harsh realities: His desire to avoid the second apron led to backup center Mitchell Robinson’s offseason departure, and the Knicks’ recent statement that they have paused negotiation talks with Karl-Anthony Towns and Josh Hart wasn’t exactly welcome news. “Very disappointed to say the least,” Towns said this week. If New York follows recent precedent and falters in its title defense, Dolan has set himself up to be viewed as the billionaire bogeyman who let money ruin his organization’s rare moment in the sun.
Oklahoma City Thunder
The preseason revealed ... Aday Mara is found gold
Mara struggled to make a positive impact when surrounded by fringe talent in the unstructured confines of the Las Vegas summer league, but the enormous Spanish center has hit the ground running with the loaded Thunder in the preseason. It already feels unfair that Oklahoma City landed him with the 12th pick in June’s draft: During a standout exhibition against the Bucks, Mara finished lobs, tossed backdoor passes, left Kel’el Ware grasping at air with spin moves in the post and made all 10 of his field goal attempts. For fans of a certain generation who prize deft footwork from big men, Mara is a gift that will keep on giving all season.
The Thunder clearly concluded they needed more interior size after their Western Conference finals loss to Victor Wembanyama’s San Antonio Spurs, and the 7-foot-2 Mara will make it easier for coach Mark Daigneault to manage the 82-game slog. There should be minutes available because starting center Isaiah Hartenstein has missed 37% of Oklahoma City’s games over the past two seasons, and Mara has enough offensive skill and versatility to function alongside any of the Thunder’s other big men.
Orlando Magic
The preseason revealed ... Tristan da Silva is launching
It’s always worth monitoring which role players benefit or suffer when a new coach arrives. In Orlando, da Silva has been reaping the rewards of first-time head coach Sean Sweeney’s emphasis on spacing and ball movement. Though da Silva averaged a modest 3.7 3-point attempts during his first two seasons with the Magic, the 2024 first-round pick launched 10.7 treys per game in his first three preseason appearances.
For context, only Stephen Curry, Luka Doncic and LaMelo Ball attempted more than 10 per game last season, and no player in Magic history has averaged more than 7.7. Empowering da Silva makes sense for Sweeney given that Paolo Banchero and Franz Wagner are inconsistent outside shooters; Orlando’s star forwards should theoretically become more efficient offensive weapons with more room inside the arc.
Philadelphia 76ers
The preseason revealed ... LeBron James’ latest superteam is pacing itself
The veteran-laden 76ers haven’t exactly raced out of the gate: In Philadelphia’s first three exhibition games, James took a total of one shot and logged only 18 minutes while coach Nick Nurse rotated 10 players into his starting lineups. Given James’ age (41) and Joel Embiid’s injury history (extensive), the Sixers are obviously more focused on April, May and June than October and November.
Don’t be surprised if Philadelphia’s slow feel-out period continues into the regular season. James has a history of rough beginnings when he changes teams: The 2010-11 Heat started 9-8, the 2014-15 Cavaliers started 5-7 and the 2018-19 Lakers started 4-6. Of course, Miami and Cleveland went on to reach the NBA Finals, so it’s probably best to reserve judgment on the 76ers until at least Thanksgiving.
Phoenix Suns
The preseason revealed ... Khaman Maluach is coming along
The Suns project as a low-ceiling team that won’t generate much excitement beyond Arizona’s borders: Devin Booker and Jalen Green form a fine backcourt pairing, but they don’t exactly put a scare into the elite teams in the West. If Phoenix can escape the play-in tournament as it did in 2025-26, that will qualify as a successful season. The exception to its ho-hum vibe is Maluach, a 20-year-old center who barely played as a rookie last season.
The 7-foot-1 Maluach was bigger, stronger and better than the Las Vegas summer league competition in July, and he built on that showing with a well-rounded performance against Victor Wembanyama’s Spurs on Saturday. Maluach is more than just a dunker and a shot blocker: Against San Antonio, he fed a cutter from the high post, stepped out to hit a 3-pointer and came up with a steal while trapping outside the arc. The Suns should be able to give their 2025 lottery pick plenty of developmental minutes as they wait for starting center Mark Williams to return from September shoulder surgery.
Portland Trail Blazers
The preseason revealed ... Ja Morant should come off the bench
Damian Lillard’s early returns represent some good news for the Blazers, who endured a brutal summer marked by stalled arena negotiations and a botched broadcasting hire. Despite sitting out last season because of an Achilles injury, the 36-year-old star has generally looked sharp and shot the ball well in exhibition action. Though Portland should still be careful with his early-season ramp-up, Lillard’s readiness brings much-needed clarity to a guard-heavy roster.
The best way for new coach Micah Nori to balance his lineups is to play Lillard alongside Scoot Henderson or Jrue Holiday then move Morant -- a surprising summer trade acquisition -- to the bench. Morant has been less impressive in the preseason, and Nori should not feel obligated to defer to his star power. Shifting Morant to the second unit also would benefit Deni Avdija, who should be treated as the centerpiece of this refashioned roster.
Sacramento Kings
The preseason revealed ... Maxime Raynaud dodged a bullet
Though not exactly a household name, the 2025 second-round pick was a bright spot during the Kings’ miserable 2025-26 season. Raynaud averaged 12.5 points and 7.5 rebounds to earn second-team All-Rookie honors, establishing himself as a rare hit for an organization with a checkered draft history.
The Kings appear headed for another dismal season after losing their first four exhibition games, but they caught a break when Raynaud apparently avoided a serious right knee injury in a loss to the Warriors on Saturday. After exiting the court in a wheel chair, the 23-year-old French center was diagnosed with a patellar subluxation that will force him to sit out the season opener but should allow him to return relatively soon. Given Sacramento’s roster is short on young talent to grow with 2026 lottery pick Darius Acuff Jr., a more serious injury for Raynaud would have been a crushing blow.
San Antonio Spurs
The preseason revealed ... San Antonio is close to answering to its biggest question
No team is facing a more consequential lineup decision than the Spurs, who must decide whether to make room for 2025 No. 2 pick Dylan Harper in a starting lineup that has included guards De’Aaron Fox, Stephon Castle and Devin Vassell. Though San Antonio’s decision will shape its internal chemistry, the 2027 title race and Harper’s ascent, the reigning Western Conference champions haven’t officially tipped their hand. With Fox sitting out the Spurs’ first three preseason games, the lineup debate has raged on in his absence.
The Spurs don’t have much on-court evidence to go on because Fox, Castle and Harper shared the court for only 25 minutes during the 2025-26 regular season. Victor Wembanyama’s singular defensive presence nullifies most of the usual concerns about conceding size with a three- or four-guard lineup, but coach Mitch Johnson does still need a high-level playmaker to lead his second unit. When push comes to shove, San Antonio should bet on Harper’s potential, move Vassell to the bench, start Tobias Harris at power forward and give the three-guard lineup an extended test drive. To make that plan work, Johnson must creatively stagger his rotations to ensure that either Fox or Harper is always on the court.
Toronto Raptors
The preseason revealed ... Kawhi Leonard is ready to turn the page
Understandably, Leonard never had much to say about the NBA’s yearlong investigation of the Clippers’ role in salary cap circumvention. Even after the punishments were doled out and he was officially traded to the Raptors, Leonard sidestepped the issue at a September news conference by saying that he wanted to “move forward and focus on my time being a Toronto Raptor.”
The best way for Leonard to actually turn the page is to play at an All-NBA level and lead Toronto to meaningful playoff success. The two-time Finals MVP got off to a great start on that front during his preseason debut Tuesday, torching the undermanned Knicks for 21 points in only 17 minutes. Raptors coach Darko Rajakovic should be thrilled to finally have a certified alpha scorer; no Toronto player has averaged 25 points since Leonard departed for the Clippers in 2019.
Utah Jazz
The preseason revealed ... the offense should be light years better
Utah has a strong case to be the NBA’s most improved team from a watchability standpoint. Though that statement says something about how miserable the Jazz’s defense was during their 22-win season in 2025-26, it also hints at the significant potential of this season’s upgraded offense.
Lauri Markkanen, Jaren Jackson Jr. and Keyonte George are all proven high-level scorers, and 2026 No. 2 pick Darryn Peterson should be at or near the top of his class in points per game. Importantly, the Jazz’s whole should be greater than the sum of its parts because their most important players are all effective floor spacers and willing passers. After ranking 22nd in offensive efficiency last season, Utah could jump 10 spots if it gets a Rookie of the Year-worthy season from Peterson plus good health for Markkanen and Jackson.
Washington Wizards
The preseason revealed ... Trae Young’s pass-first pledge looks real
When Young met with reporters in July after signing a four-year, $212 million extension, he made it clear that his primary responsibility was to keep the Wizards’ many scoring options involved in the offense. Young suggested he would be taking a more pass-first approach to get the most out of a roster that features 10-time All-Star Anthony Davis, 2026 No. 1 pick AJ Dybantsa, 2024 No. 2 pick Alex Sarr, 2025 No. 6 pick Tre Johnson and Kyshawn George, among other capable scorers.
Sure enough, Young dished 23 assists and attempted only 16 shots through Washington’s first three preseason games. That’s quite the extreme makeover for a four-time All-Star guard who has averaged 18.3 shots during his eight-year career, but radical measures are in order after the Wizards ranked 29th in offensive efficiency and 28th in assist-to-turnover ratio last season.