Josh Hart ‘Not Too Stressed’ About Knicks Stopping Extension Talks
New York Knicks wing Josh Hart was asked about the team tabling extension talks for eligible players, such as himself. Hart didn’t seem as worried about the situation as teammates Karl-Anthony Towns and Miles McBride seem to be.
“Everything is going to work out. I’m not really too stressed over it,” Hart said. “I’m not putting too much into it. We have expectations, so it’s good we are able to focus on the season.”
Hart has two years left on his contract. This season, the veteran wing is owed $20.9 million. Next season, the Knicks hold a $22.4 million team option for Hart. In order for Hart to extend after October 19, New York would need to decline that team option first. As things play out, Hart was honest that their next deals would occasionally be on the minds of the extension-eligible players.
“There will be days where we don’t think about it,” Hart said. “There will be days where it’s top of the mind. We’re humans.”
The New Orleans Pelicans have signed forward Jalon Moore to an Exhibit 10 contract. Moore replaces Christian Koloko, who was waived in the last couple of days.
Moore missed last season while recovering from a torn Achilles that he suffered in the pre-draft process ahead of the 2025 NBA Draft. The 6-foot-6 forward played for the Pelicans during Summer League and averaged 6.0 points, 4.0 rebounds and 1.3 steals.
Caitlin Clark Undecided On EPIC Extension, Says ‘No Matter What, I’m Gonna Be Here’
Caitlin Clark is now eligible for a contract extension under the WNBA’s new “EPIC” provision, but the Indiana Fever star has not committed to signing it. Clark said she wants to consider how the deal would impact the team’s salary cap and roster.
“We have to think about things with the cap,” said Clark, “and what we’re going to need and who we’re going to need to sign and what value they bring to the team.
“Not saying I’m going to sign it or not sign it. I think it’s just kind of figuring out the way we need to construct our roster. No matter what, I’m gonna be here. I just want to do what’s best for the team and make sure we have the opportunity to be able to win championships. Like, that’s my main goal.”
The EPIC (Exceptional Performance on Initial Contract) provision in the latest collective bargaining agreement lets qualifying players renegotiate the fourth year of their rookie deals and sign three-year extensions.
Clark could earn the projected max of $1.3 million in 2027 and the projected supermax of $1.7 million in 2028. Players qualify for the max with a prior first- or second-team All-WNBA selection, while the supermax requires an MVP award.
The three-time All-Star was the 2024 Rookie of the Year and a first-team All-WNBA pick that season. She ranked third in scoring and second in assists this season.
The Fever lost in the first round of the playoffs as the No. 6 seed for the third straight year, and Kelsey Mitchell, Sophie Cunningham, Tyasha Harris and Myisha Hines-Allen are all unrestricted free agents.
Clark said she plans to help general manager Amber Cox with roster decisions and free-agent recruiting. Clark called it a responsibility as a team leader.
“Those are definitely conversations we have with Amber,” said Clark. “At the end of the day, Amber’s the GM and she makes the final call, but she certainly asks us our opinion, and wants us to have a voice in that.”
We have a fun episode of The Dunker Spot coming your way!
First, Nekias Duncan and Steve Jones preview the Pacific division (Lakers, Suns, Clippers, Warriors, Kings).
On the WNBA side, the guys recap the Dream’s Game 2 win over the Liberty, as well as the Valkyries’ win over the Aces, then talk through potential adjustments we may see in each Game 3.
If you ever have NBA or WNBA questions, email us at dunkerspot@yahoo.com
01:40 — Los Angeles Lakers
16:05 — Phoenix Suns
27:26 — Los Angeles Clippers
36:07 — Golden State Warriors
46:03 — Sacramento Kings
51:34 — Dream-Liberty
01:11:26 — Valkyries-Aces
LOS ANGELES, CALIFORNIA – OCTOBER 08: Austin Reaves #15 and Luka Doncic #77 of the Los Angeles Lakers look on against the Sacramento Kings during the first quarter in a preseason game at Crypto.com Arena on October 08, 2026 in Los Angeles, California. (Photo by Luke Hales/Getty Images)
NBA Franchises Worth Combined $199 Billion, Average Team Value Rises 21%
The NBA’s 30 franchises are worth a combined $199 billion, according to Sportico’s 2026 valuations. The average team is now valued at $6.64 billion, a 21 percent increase from last year.
The Golden State Warriors lead the league at $14.5 billion after a 28 percent jump. Only the NFL’s Dallas Cowboys, at $15.5 billion, rank higher among global sports franchises.
The New York Knicks moved past the Los Angeles Lakers for second place at $12.8 billion. The Lakers, valued at $12.5 billion in their pending sale to Josh Kushner and Bob Iger, fell to third. The Los Angeles Clippers and Chicago Bulls round out the top five.
The average team value has climbed 183 percent since 2020, when it stood at $2.35 billion.
League revenue reached an estimated $13.7 billion last season, up 12 percent, as the NBA’s 11-year, $76 billion national media deal took effect. Each team received roughly $180 million from shared league revenue.
Golden State generated $895 million in revenue net of revenue sharing, 26 percent more than the Knicks. The Warriors’ new jersey patch deal with Iren is worth more than $50 million per year, the richest sponsorship in North American team sports history.
The top half of the league rose 26 percent on average, while the bottom four teams gained just five percent.
The average NBA team is valued at 14.6 times revenue, the highest multiple among major North American leagues. Expansion could push values higher, with the league expected to decide on Las Vegas and Seattle by the end of the year.
2026 NBA Team Valuations
1. Golden State Warriors: $14.5 billion (+28%) 2. New York Knicks: $12.8 billion (+30%) 3. Los Angeles Lakers: $12.5 billion (+25%) 4. Los Angeles Clippers: $8.21 billion (+22%) 5. Chicago Bulls: $8.13 billion (+33%) 6. Miami Heat: $8.05 billion (+33%) 7. Boston Celtics: $8 billion (+26%) 8. Brooklyn Nets: $7.45 billion (+20%) 9. Philadelphia 76ers: $7.15 billion (+27%) 10. Houston Rockets: $6.92 billion (+25%) 11. Toronto Raptors: $6.47 billion (+24%) 12. Dallas Mavericks: $6.35 billion (+21%) 13. Phoenix Suns: $6.32 billion (+24%) 14. Atlanta Hawks: $6.08 billion (+21%) 15. Cleveland Cavaliers: $6 billion (+23%) 16. Sacramento Kings: $5.71 billion (+14%) 17. Washington Wizards: $5.56 billion (+16%) 18. Denver Nuggets: $5.51 billion (+15%) 19. San Antonio Spurs: $5.3 billion (+18%) 20. Indiana Pacers: $5.26 billion (+11%) 21. Milwaukee Bucks: $5.14 billion (+13%) 22. Oklahoma City Thunder: $5 billion (+15%) 23. Utah Jazz: $4.92 billion (+15%) 24. Orlando Magic: $4.9 billion (+16%) 25. Charlotte Hornets: $4.85 billion (+17%) 26. Detroit Pistons: $4.83 billion (+16%) 27. Minnesota Timberwolves: $4.5 billion (+6%) 28. Portland Trail Blazers: $4.4 billion (+4%) 29. New Orleans Pelicans: $4.25 billion (+6%) 30. Memphis Grizzlies: $4.2 billion (+5%)
NBA Pushes Back On Claims Second Apron Hurts Middle-Class Players
The NBA issued a statement Friday disputing claims that the second apron had adverse effects upon the league’s middle-class players. The league said salaries have grown for players at every pay level since the rule took effect.
“Recent reports asserted that the second apron is hurting ‘lower’ and ‘middle’ class players,” said the NBA in a post on X. “That’s untrue. Since the implementation of the second apron, the number of players on team rosters has remained the same and annual salaries have increased by nearly $1.3 billion resulting in pay increases of approximately 30% for all classes of players.”
The statement came a day after comments from veteran guard Bruce Brown. Brown was asked after Thursday’s preseason game between the New York Knicks and Washington Wizards whether players were frustrated by the second apron.
“I’m sure there is,” said Brown. “The new CBA is good for max guys, new free agents and rookie extension guys. The middle guys, it kind of sucks for us. There’s not a lot of people getting that full midlevel.”
Brown played all 82 games for the Denver Nuggets last season but did not land a guaranteed contract this summer. Brown signed a non-guaranteed training camp deal with the Knicks and is competing for the defending champions’ final roster spot.
The second apron was introduced as part of the 2023 collective bargaining agreement. Teams above the threshold, set at $209 million this season, lose access to most trades and free-agent signings and can see future draft picks pushed to the end of the first round.
No team enters the 2026-27 season above the second apron. Knicks owner James Dolan said in June that his team could not cross the threshold.
However, more teams have moved into the luxury tax since 2023. That threshold, which carries lighter penalties, sits just over $200 million.
76ers' Joel Embiid denies tardiness report, questions why it happened: 'It feels like I'm an easy target'
Following a preseason loss to the Brooklyn Nets, Philadelphia 76ers center Joel Embiid described the rejected report about LeBron James laying into the big man for showing up a couple minutes late to Sixers practice as “unfortunate,” according to ESPN’s Dave McMenamin.
The one-time NBA MVP also questioned why it happened, pondering postgame Thursday night, per McMenamin: “It feels like I’m an easy target.”
The drama-stirring tale was recounted by longtime ESPN play-by-play announcer Mike Breen late in a preseason game between the New York Knicks and Sixers on Monday.
“Somebody told me before the game that they were out ready to practice, and Joel Embiid walked out on the court a couple of minutes late, and LeBron let him hear it,” Breen said on the MSG Networks broadcast in the fourth quarter of a 120-97 Philadelphia win.
Breen noted to ESPN that he was hoping to highlight James’ instant leadership in Philly, not Embiid’s alleged tardiness.
Joel Embiid on the recent report about LeBron James getting on him for being late: “I don’t know where that came from. It never happened. … One, it’s not true. And then again it’s like, ‘Why me?’ But I guess I’m Joel Embiid, I’ve been in this situation.”
“It sucks, but what can you do? It’s unfortunate,” Embiid said after a 114-108 loss to the Nets, per McMenamin. “I don’t know where that came from. It never happened. … I think we just got to focus on ourselves. There’s going to be a lot of outside noise to pull us apart from what we’re supposed to be and what we’re supposed to accomplish.
“So, it’s important that we stay together and we keep our [head] down.”
Additionally, because of Embiid’s extensive injury history, his physical preparation, conditioning and body care have been doubted over the years.
He’s had to deal with rumors and stories like the one Breen shared on air.
“Those type of things, I can’t understand,” Embiid said on Thursday night, according to McMenamin. “One, it is not true, but then again, it’s like, ‘Why me?’ … I guess I’m Joel Embiid. I’ve been in that situation. I don’t usually talk when it comes to those [rumors]. So, it feels like I’m an easy target.
“But yeah, as long as we know who we are, [we will be OK], and we just got to stick together.”
Embiid had a rough outing against the Nets. He scored only six points on 1-of-5 shooting and committed eight turnovers.
“He’s been MVP of our league, has a gold medal, All-Stars, signature shoes, bunch of money, beautiful fam. He has everything. He has a city on his back. He’s been ‘The Process’ for, what, 10 years, 12 years, however long he’s been there. But I mean, I think it’s time now that we dig even deeper into the process, and I hope that I can be that final little piece that can help him get over the hump and have him maybe see it a little bit differently than he’s seen it in his career, as far as the day-to-day process, the day-to-day what it takes to get there.”
Six favorites for the NWSL Defender of the Year award
Photo by Dustin Satloff/NWSL via Getty Images | NWSL via Getty Images
Six NWSL defenders are making a strong case for the Defender of the Year award as the playoffs loom.
With help from American Soccer Analysis and FotMob, we analyzed their standout stats to see who’s leading the race.
Tierna Davidson
Given Gotham’s position in the table and the fact that they’ve allowed only 21 goals against so far, the obvious conclusion is that they have a standout defense with Tierna Davidson leading the backline.
Her on-pitch xGA is 30.99, which means that Gotham has conceded roughly 10 fewer goals when she’s been on the field.
Davidson is also extremely difficult to beat 1-v-1, only being bested four times this season. In addition to her work in the initial third, she’s also contributed in the final third, scoring twice and contributing an assist.
Evidence points to Davidson as an elite-quality CB who can win duels when involved and who can distribute the ball.
She was included in the August Best XI after Gotham conceded only two goals that month.
Tara Rudd
As Washington Spirit’s iron woman with 2,430 minutes played, Rudd has scored three times this season and assisted twice, registered 45 interceptions and won 24 tackles. All those contributions have led to the Spirit conceding just 26 goals while keeping 10 clean sheets this year.
She’s been heavily involved in her team’s build-up, with her touch share high at 12.4%. Moreover, the center back was included in the July Best XI after Washington conceded only three goals that month.
Rudd is certainly a defensive-volume monster, having registered 242 defensive contributions (9.3 per 90), the most out of the center backs listed here.
However, her game is based not only on stats such as the number of tackles but on reading play, getting into passing lanes, blocking shots and cleaning up danger. Could she take the award home in back-to-back years?
Janine Sonis
This fullback certainly has an impressive attacking production.
Sonis has an xA p96 of 0.16, which is a standout across fullbacks in the league. That gives Denver high chance creation from wide areas. The Canadian also boasts a high touch share (12.3%) and 2.45 passes over expected per match.
Those raw numbers help explain why she’s scored 12 goals and added six assists in 26 starts this season. But that’s not the only impressive part because those goal contributions come from 5.39 xG, which means she’s been outperforming her expected scoring output.
Due to her performances in July and August, she was chosen as part of the Best XI for those months.
Kennedy Wesley
The 25-year-old has played every minute of San Diego’s 27 matches logging 2,430 minutes, helping the team rank third in fewest goals conceded this season (28).
When we look at her metrics, specifically her Fouling g+ and turnovers, they’re near the outer edge, meaning she’s disciplined and keeps the ball well.
The Wave relies on Wesley for leadership and on-field organization. She cleans up the mess and her 137 clearances (5.07 per 90) are a statement to that. That, along with her 1.12 blocks per 90, shows she’s a danger-removal kind of CB and not someone who’s always stepping up to win the ball.
Along with Davidson, she’s been very hard to beat, with opponents passing her just nine times. As a result of her strong performances with San Diego, she continues to receive call-ups to the USWNT.
Perle Morroni
French left-back Perle Morroni has kept her form throughout the year and helped San Diego’s defense become the third-best in the league (28 goals against).
Morroni’s job is focused on recovering the ball to disrupt attacks rather than just clearing it. She’s more proactive than reactive, seeking to recover the ball for San Diego high on the pitch, where she’s usually involved. She prevents transitions that might become dangerous by playing in that way.
Her stats this season are impressive, including 72 tackles (2.97 per 90) and 38 interceptions. She’s also won possession 12 times in the final third (145 total), which supports the fact that she operates high on the pitch to prevent counter-attacks.
Kate Del Fava
The Utah Royals center back might be the most traditional defender of the pack. Del Fava has played every available minute this season and can always be counted on.
Defensively speaking, the 28-year-old is very good in aerial duels with 65.4% and has won 126 total duels, which makes a 65.3% success rate. Those numbers put her in the 98th percentile among players in the same position.
Del Fava’s individual defensive work, aerial dominance, availability and consistency set her apart from other center backs in the league. However, the 35 goals conceded while the xG against is 37.68 are working against her.
Despite that, her first call-up to the USWNT arrived to reward her hard work and the fact that she’s one of the main reasons for Utah’s success this season.
LeBron James to reportedly make 76ers preseason debut with rest of starting 5 Thursday vs. Nets
The biggest signing of the NBA offseason is ready for his debut. LeBron James will reportedly make his first preseason appearance with the Philadelphia 76ers on Thursday, according to ESPN.
James, 41, is expected to play against the Brooklyn Nets and will be joined by the rest of the 76ers’ projected starting lineup.
That’s right, James will take the court alongside Joel Embiid, Tyrese Maxey, Jaylen Brown and VJ Edgecombe. Those five are unlikely to see significant time during the game, and might only play in the first half.
While it’s just the preseason, Thursday will mark James’ first game with the 76ers since joining the team in July. James spent the previous eight seasons with the Los Angeles Lakers, but announced in June that he would sign with a different franchise over the summer. He didn’t wait that long before making his decision, announcing he was signing with the 76ers.
That news sent shockwaves through the NBA, and caused the 76ers’ title odds to jump.
James and crew are unlikely to show out in a big way Thursday and are likely just looking to get in some conditioning in their first preseason appearance. The real magic should happen when the NBA opens its regular season.
The league planned for that, pitting the 76ers against the defending-champion New York Knicks in Madison Square Garden on opening night. It’s safe to say James — and the rest of the 76ers — will be amped up for that.
Rotoworld Fantasy Basketball Draft Central 2026: Rankings, strategy, sleepers, and more
If “Roundball Rock” has become an ear worm for you in recent days, that means two things. 1) You’re one of us. 2) It’s almost time for basketball season.
With the 2026-27 NBA season rapidly approaching, we’ve put together this handy Rotoworld Fantasy Basketball Draft Central hub page. It’s your home for all of our preseason coverage in one place.
The best part? This is just the beginning of our coverage this preseason. Bookmark this page and check back often for our latest articles, rankings, analysis, and much more.
Bonus: If you scroll down, you can also download your FREE copy of the 2026 Rotoworld Fantasy Basketball Draft Kit.Did we mention that it’s FREE?
