NBA Notebook: Joe Mazzulla's comfort evident at Celtics training camp

Joe Mazzulla leaped from station to station at practice this week, greeting legends like Satch Sanders, involving Paul Pierce, Eddie House and new assistant Sam Cassell in shooting contests. Their trash talk, flying expletives and large personalities filled a quieter, sometimes nervous gym after four significant departures and numerous new faces joined the team. Mazzulla decided for that reason, in part, to organize groups at this year's training camp rather than having individual players work with one coach and forming a narrow mindset. He's preaching flexibility with this roster. 

"We took this approach of tribal leadership of communicating and working in teams of threes and fours instead of one-on-one," Mazzulla said at media day. "What you can see in a lot of staff sometimes is a head coach might build a relationship with one coach because of the way he thinks. And it could be a like-minded thought. And then you sometimes neglect someone else who's working by themselves or you'll have two or three people working together and they're coming up with an idea. But then if it doesn't go their way, then they're kind of affected by it. And so we really wanted to (ask), 'how can we build a shared vision, how can we build communication, how can we build ownership?'" 

"We have an offensive team. And then within that offensive team, each person has an individual role and then we have a defensive team and within that team, each person has an individual role and the communication that they go through together is super important. So that by the time we get to a full team meeting, we've already had a group of people argue, go over and talk about their philosophy (and) do what they want to do." 

Explaining his vision in depth contrasted from a guarded, sometimes standoffish approach Mazzulla took with his public commentary as the interim and later full-time head coach who earned an extension midway through last season as Ime Udoka's replacement. Mazzulla battled challenges for nearly the entirety of his first season, massive expectations, scrutiny over his experience, ascension, decisions and philosophy. He rarely criticized his team publicly, while he didn't hide his distaste for the media responsibility involved in his new role. Stepping into a scrum this week, he called it his favorite time.  

Those who knew Mazzulla back to his West Virginia playing days didn't recognize the coach at the podium, while his interactions away from the microphone unquestionably showed a different side of him, an energetic and inquisitive personality whose passion for the game shines and his patience for everything else that comes with the NBA experience limited. While disinterested in selling his own personality, he told J.J. Redick this week that his desire to change the perception of who players are as people actually attracted him to coaching. He often lauded Jaylen Brown and Jayson Tatum, the people, while growing irritated with constant questions about their shortcomings as players or interest in his positions as a coach. 

"I think the hardest adjustment for me last year was, who am I as the head coach of the Boston Celtics? You don't really have time to figure out that identity," Mazzulla told reporters this week. "I'm just very emotionally guarded. I'm making sure I keep people at a distance and I'm here to do a specific job and that's it. I think this summer was a good opportunity for me to take that time to be like, 'OK, this is who I am. This is how I want to represent the organization and myself,' and what that looks like in this new age of all you people giving a crap about what I say and think, which is something I was never used to. Getting used to the fact that people are paying attention to you is a hard shift because you never want to become something other than just what you are, right? And the organization is more about the players. It's more about the tradition and I tried to hide as long as I could and you guys brought me back in." 

Mazzulla's perspective made sense given the manner in which he rose to his position. The Celtics suspended Udoka days before camp and promoted Mazzulla from the back row, with his only head coaching experience coming at the NCAA Division II level. Former NBA star Damon Stoudamire, along with long-time Udoka friends like Ben Sullivan and Aaron Miles composed his staff, which Brad Stevens and Boston's front office didn't supplement following associate head coach Will Hardy's departure for the Jazz and Stoudamire later leaving to accept the Georgia Tech head coaching job. Mazzulla thanked that group for their grace and support through 2023, but the departure of nearly the whole bench that joined Boston with Udoka in 2021 reflected the challenge of the season. Especially once Mazzulla's extension confirmed what many assumed -- that Udoka's time with the Celtics came to an end. 

Boston hired a pair of impressive assistants to replace them who became unexpectedly available, former Bucks assistant Charles Lee nearly landing the Pistons' top job before Detroit made a more aggressive offer to land Monty Williams. The unlikely firing of Mike Budenholzer in Milwaukee led the Bucks to bring in an outside voice over Lee, while Philadelphia fired Doc Rivers, leaving former Celtic champion and 76ers assistant Sam Cassell without a head coaching job while his long-time colleague Rivers left the league to join ESPN. A Boston homecoming became a natural fit, with Cassell vowing to lower the temperature on an obviously pressurized Celtics locker room he could sense from the opposite sideline while the two teams battled. 

"Right after the playoffs was over, (Mazzulla and I) got together, had a couple of phone conversations and he asked me, first of all, if was I interested in coming, joining the staff,” Cassell said in July. “I just told him it would be an honor. I haven’t heard from anybody else. It was an opportunity that I was looking forward to and I think Joe is an amazing coach. I’m here to just help them just to enjoy that. We have a great team and I won’t change his mentality, that’s who he is, but I’m gonna help him enjoy it a little more. That’s all ... I’m great at, ‘stay in the moment,’ ... to win big in this league, there’s pressure, but sometimes you can have fun with pressure as well. Pressure bursts pipes, but it can also make diamonds.”

Mazzulla's competitiveness will flash again when games begin on Sunday, his tussle for the ball with Aaron Nesmith along the Celtics' sideline last year was one of numerous moments that showed him as a different kind of coach. He told Redick he loves to argue, forcing his staff to defend their positions, and he played on criticism of his lack of a defensive emphasis last year by mentioning it regularly throughout camp -- I love defense, he said, touting that the first clips he sent to Jrue Holiday showed Boston's pick-and-roll coverages. 

Mazzulla noted on media day that he never thought he had to emphasize defense, seeing it as a mandatory ticket in the door to greatness. He pulled back on his playing days again, previously noting he can teach Boston's players little about shooting as a formerly poor 3-point shooter, and recalling how he never had to think twice about defending as a poor offensive player. Mazzulla did not take part in House and Pierce's battle from beyond the arc, instead crouching and displaying a defensive stance during practice, applauding Tatum for making a successful dig to pry a ball loose and secure a stop. 

Tatum enters this season again in full support of Mazzulla, while he and Brown spent time with Pierce in Los Angeles at Cassell's urging. Both players rolled their eyes at the newsworthiness of the sessions, but they got both players on the same page, talking about their desire to make an all-defensive team and competing more on that end night-to-night. Pierce told both players the value of involving the full roster, something Cassell also emphasized and Mazzulla reflected on, having to balance his relationships as a former player development coach with the overarching duties of the head coach. 

"When I was an assistant, I really did a great job of being aware of 8 through 15," he said. "That was my job every day, and had that sweat equity. Because of my mindset last year, I probably lost the touch with 8 through 15 and didn't manage, and missed and didn't manage those relationships as well as I could have, as well as I did as an assistant. Then, I think being on the court every day. You have a tendency as a head coach to get stuck in your office sometimes, because you're worried about the next game plan, but getting back to being on the court early, getting your meetings and stuff out of the way so you can be out there. That's another reason I feel a little more comfortable, because that's where I was at my best as an assistant." 

Mazzulla also expressed an interest in greater offensive flexibility, noting he'll allow for post-ups more often this year and tough twos late in games, while maintaining the three as an important shot on a roster full of effective shooters. He also eyed adding a curveball in his conversation with Redick, a different look Boston can give teams that inspired Tony Dobbins to execute a zone defense often during the team's Summer League schedule. They're working on that and other wrinkles the Celtics can pivot to if their fastball becomes predictable, but admitted it'll require enough comfort and repetitions to commit to it in real games. 

He wants to challenge the team to become more outspoken, to form a new identity after embracing unfinished business a year ago after the Finals loss and championship habits entering a critical year. The basketball won't prove challenging with this roster. Maintaining a comfort, togetherness and connectivity remains Mazzulla's goal, and his evident comfort and security in his position compared to year ago should make for a more stable season. 

"It's great having the older guys around," Tatum said. "Their presence, being able to talk to them, being able to see them ... (Mazzulla) had a full offseason to prepare and know what he was getting himself into, being able to have his own staff, the guys that he would pick, set the environment up to how he would like it as a head coach. Just more time to prepare. When you have more time to prepare, the more comfortable you should and will be. Charles is a great guy, very smart. Sam Cassell, it's always great to have a former player. He talks more than anybody I met in my life, full of energy every day, he also has a ton of stories." 

Here's what else happened around the NBA this week...

Atlanta: Began their first full training camp under Quin Snyder healthy as they look to build on a six-game playoff run where they nearly pushed the Celtics to a seventh game in the first round. Joe Mazzulla lauded the team's transformed style in his JJ Redick podcast appearance, while the Hawks begin the preseason excited about Jalen Johnson's strides and Onyeka Okongwu's ability to handle more offensive responsibility. Both players face uphill battles to earn starting roles, but they emerged as Snyder favorites despite De'Andre Hunter, Bogdan Bogdanovic and Clint Capela maintaining prominent roles on the team. Nobody enters the season with more at stake than Trae Young, who'll undoubtedly fall under the microscope ahead of a likely decision on his status as the team's centerpiece into the future. Atlanta begins the preseason against the Cavaliers on Tuesday. 

Boston: Traded Malcolm Brogdon, Robert Williams III, a 2024 Warriors pick (1-4 protected) and their own 2029 first-rounder unprotected for Jrue Holiday, winning the race for a highly-coveted champion point guard after the Bucks dealt him for Damian Lillard last week. Zach Lowe indicated rivals across the league kicked themselves over Boston's splash, which set up an anticipated first practice on Wednesday that felt special to Boston's brass. The Celtics reemerged as championship favorites and will integrate Holiday beginning on Sunday against the 76ers in the preseason opener. Paul Pierce's presence at the first week of camp added to the allure, while the search for more front-court depth began by signing Wenyen Gabriel to an Exhibit 9 contract. Brad Stevens will assess the center market, but expressed confidence in the team's depth, including Luke Kornet.

The deal ended a promising five-year tenure for Williams III, who had just begun an extension through 2026. He anchored the 2022 Finals team's defense, but under the weight of injuries and inconsistency became expendable in a deal Stevens said he only would've landed in for a player of Holiday's caliber. Holiday joins Derrick White and Payton Pritchard in the team's back court, with all three needing long-term deals, Holiday is a likely 2024 free agent who can earn up to $50 million in the first year of a potential extension, allowed beginning in April. Wyc Grousbeck committed to the second apron and luxury tax penalties involved, while Stevens and Holiday expressed interest in extending their relationship long-term, Holiday hoping to land in Boston. Drew Carter, a young ESPN broadcaster and Syracuse graduate, will call Celtics road games and replace Mike Gorman fully in 2024-25. 

"We're adding everybody we can who will add character, commitment and extreme talent. We're also, unfortunately, letting some of those guys go," Grousbeck said. "We're doing absolutely everything we can. But if you're in Celtics ownership, that's what you do. Or you make way for somebody else."

Brooklyn: Nets teammates praised Ben Simmons' early efforts in training camp, Nic Claxton seeing his likely frontcourt mate playing with energy and aggression entering a make-or-break season. Spencer Dinwiddie watched him make deflections and run in transition. Jacque Vaughn saw value in him being able to connect directly with teammates without the burden of past rehab. Simmons underwent surgery last year to relieve a persisting back ailment. Brooklyn emphasized defense, particularly rebounding, as Claxton prepares to play more drop defense. Playing time will be performance-based.

“I would hope (to play more). But you never know," Cam Thomas said. "You just need to stay ready at all times, whatever the role is ... If it’s still the same role or if it goes up more, I’ll be ready for it, no matter what. So, I’m just gonna stay ready at all times, no matter what the role is.”

Charlotte: Kai Jones will not take part in Hornets training camp for now due to personal reasons, following a string of bizarre social media posts and comments about teammates during the late stages of the offseason. Jones, who has a team option due for his fourth year (2024-25) on Oct. 31, became the Hornets' No. 19 overall pick out of Texas in 2021 and flashed above-the-rim leaping ability in summer league performances will playing sparingly during the regular season. He averaged 3.4 PPG in 46 appearances last season, logging 12 MPG. Teammates who did arrive following a tumultuous year lauded Brandon Miller's potential, the No. 2 pick carrying a heavy burden to reinstall some stability to the franchise. Gordon Hayward enters the final season of his contract healthy and hoping to help his fellow forward Miller reach his potential. The Hornets begin the preseason on Tuesday at Miami. 

“When you watch him in college, he’s a throwback player,” head coach Steve Clifford said. “The IQ part is harder and harder to find. He knows how to practice and work. He’s far more advanced to me of the guys I’ve been around in the last few years in terms of that. He’s going to be on the floor right away, he’s got the size, he knows how to play, he can really pass and play at both ends.”

Chicago: Lonzo Ball declared his latest knee surgery the most successful yet in terms of the rehab following the procedure, which hopes to save his NBA career as uncertainty reportedly begins to form in the Bulls organization over whether he'll play again. Ball last appeared in a game Jan. 14, 2022 before undergoing surgery on a torn meniscus and later a follow-up procedure after he struggled to return to the floor weeks later. As he begins the early process of his recovery without significant pain or discomfort, he's passing the time by playing video games, producing a documentary and writing music, but he admits it's difficult to watch his team play knowing he can't physically take the floor. The Bulls enter a crossroads season for their core already ruling out any chance Ball plays during 2023-24. Ball still believes he can fully recover following that period, thanks to the cartilage transplant procedure. 

"That's been the hardest part, not being able physically to play," Ball said. "It's hard for me to watch the games honestly because I know what I can do out there, and the fact that I literally can't help on the court, it's hard for me to deal with. ... But just seeing the light at the end of the tunnel and knowing that if I keep getting better and putting the work in, I'll be able to play again."

Cleveland: Donovan Mitchell acknowledged he will not extend with the Cavaliers before this season, the first of two years left on his contract he originally signed with the Jazz, who traded him to Cleveland last summer. As uncertainty increases over whether this will mark his final season in what's so far a short-lived Cavs tenure, he did not rule out extending next year for financial reasons. Mitchell can sign for four years and roughly $200 million. Evan Mobley, the x-factor in Cleveland contending in this critical season with Mitchell, studied Bam Adebayo by suggestion of his new teammate Max Strus. J.B. Bickerstaff said the team is still considering how it'll use two-way wing Emoni Bates, the second-round pick who shined at Summer League. 

Dallas: Lost its preseason opener against the Timberwolves after falling behind by 20 points in the opening minutes, losing 111-99 in a mostly full effort for both teams for roughly 20 minutes. Kyrie Irving, Luka Dončić, rookies Olivier-Maxence Prosper and Dereck Lively II, along with former Celtics big Grant Williams started, struggling offensively in the front court on a 37% night for Dallas as a whole. Williams scored six points, finishing 2-for-7 from three while getting in Irving's ear on the bench. Starting Prosper baffled ESPN's Tim MacMahon after Josh Green (6 pts, 3 ast, 3-6 FG) emerged as an effective wing last season. Green is extension-eligible this month. They'll play the Wolves again on Saturday as part of a two-game series in Abu Dhabi. 

“This is a long journey, a long season and we’re just at the beginning,” Kidd said. “We wanted to see the younger guys. They (the stars) played their minutes. Luka loves to play, Kai loves to play, but also there’s a sense of trying to get as much (information) as we can here.”

Denver: Nuggets head coach Michael Malone shot down a strange spat lingering from last postseason with the Lakers, who the Nuggets swept on the way to their championship in the west finals. Anthony Davis and LeBron James spoke over the summer about their anticipation of scoring revenge on ring night in Denver later this month, while Darvin Ham hyped up the matchup in a summer podcast appearance. Malone shrugged off the Lakers' talk. The two teams face on Oct. 24 as part of NBA's opening night, while Denver tips-off the preseason on Tuesday at the Suns. 

"Oh, they're talking about us? That was what, four months ago?" Malone said. "I can't speak for anybody in L.A., but if they're still worried about us, that's on them. This is a new season, a new challenge, and it was a hell of a series against them. I know it was a 4-0 sweep, but all those games seemed like they went down to the wire. We have tremendous respect for that team. I have tremendous respect for Darvin Ham as a coach and the job that he did. But yeah, I don't listen to any of that stuff. I don't know what they're saying, and if we're on their minds, then I guess that's on them."

Detroit: Ausar Thompson, the Pistons' No. 5 overall pick, wowed teammates with his athleticism at training camp after a successful summer league stint. Head coach Monty Williams saw him make moves he didn't think many other players across the league could pull off in transition during an intense session this week. They've intentionally overloaded the rookie, who projects to draw some of the Pistons' tougher defensive assignments in the front court. Williams declared Isaiah Stewart one of the team's leaders, a likely starter as the team sorts out a center battle between recent lottery picks Jalen Duren, Marvin Bagley III and James Wiseman. Duren is expected to start after a successful rookie season, averaging 9.1 PPG and 8.9 RPG. 

“We loaded him up mentally, so his head’s probably spinning and other things right now,” Williams said. “I don’t mind that. I think stress allows for all of us to grow in capacity. The more you’re stressed out, the more stuff we throw at him allows for him to grow. It also tells me who he is and how he can help us. We stressed him out. We hit him with a lot. But he has physical gifts and natural playing abilities that allow him to overcome things that he might not know." 

Golden State: Declined to explore trading Chris Paul for Jrue Holiday as they begin the process of integrating him into their high-paced, handoff-heavy offense that utilizes pick-and-roll less often than Paul been a part of. The awkward fit, particularly as a starting point guard next to Steph Curry, will have to click quickly or questions will emerge in a critical season for Curry over whether Paul can contribute to a championship push with Golden State. He'll play on a one-year contract worth $30.8 million with a non-guaranteed second year, maintaining some flexibility for Mike Dunleavy and the front office. Complicating matters, Draymond Green will miss 4-6 weeks with a left ankle sprain suffered as camp opened up. Kevon Looney will take over at center in the meantime, initially displaced by Paul in an effort to appease the star guard who arrived in the Jordan Poole trade with the Wizards this summer. 

The Warriors begin the preseason on Saturday against the Lakers at 8:30 EST. Curry, Paul, Klay Thompson, Andrew Wiggins and Looney will start. 

Houston: The Rockets told Kevin Porter Jr. he is not welcome at training camp as the NBA investigates his arrest and serious domestic violence charges that place his future with the team and league in doubt. Jalen Green now becomes the team's centerpiece under first-year coach Ime Udoka, who began training camp trying to help the team erase its losing mentality from the past two seasons. Udoka said he sees championship contention DNA in the young group and praised rookie Amen Thompson as a large creator, drawing parallels to the Celtics team he took over in 2021 and younger rosters he played on during his own NBA career. Thompson, the No. 4 overall pick, flashed athleticism and transition prowess in the early practices. 

"There are a lot of parallels, obviously," Udoka said at the team's camp in Lake Charles, LA. "I'd say my playing career as well also helps me with this situation. I've played on young teams in Portland and Sacramento and have kind of gone through this so I always have that in mind with how to go about things and what to avoid."

Indiana: Buddy Hield declined to comment on reports that the Pacers and him will work on finding him a new team this season, which remains unresolved into Pacers training camp. The Damian Lillard domino falling projected to speed up the process of Hield finding a new home among what should be numerous contenders intrigued by him. A team like the Bucks will have more difficulty compensating the Pacers with matching salary and draft picks, given what they've exhausted to build the roster they already have. The Pacers will likely prioritize integrating new players like Bruce Brown, Jarace Walker and Ben Sheppard at their Nashville camp, especially as they attempt to take on a more defensive mindset this season. 

Clippers: Remain interested in acquiring James Harden after their reported interest in Jrue Holiday fell short. No deal appears imminent, with the Clippers trying to organize assets from a third team while Harden returned the Philadelphia's camp in Colorado. Limited drama at Sixers camp leaves LA with little chance of acquiring Harden for a steal, and they seem to have little interest in offering Terance Mann, so this deal appears unlikely until either side ends up in a more desperate situation. Sam Amick reported that LA offered a first-rounder, a pick swap and matching salary in July, which Philadelphia declined. Talks continue regarding Paul George and Kawhi Leonard extensions, both due four years, $220 million. Marcus Morris, originally traded to the Wizards in the botched Kristaps Porziņģis trade, reported to camp without issue despite his uncertain future with the team. 

“If it's up to me, absolutely,” George said. “I'm back home, with a great organization, an organization that believes in winning and does everything they can to win. Why not? Why not retire here? It would be a dream if I can ride it out, hopefully compete for multiple championships while I'm a Clipper and be able to say I played at home and did something great at home. So yeah, that's first on my agenda.”

Lakers: Darvin Ham said LeBron James will miss the Lakers' preseason opener against Denver, but is 100% healthy entering his 21st season. James, who turns 39 in December, is now the oldest player in the NBA after Udonis Haslem retired following the Finals. James plans to play in three of the six exhibitions, prioritizing the team's showcase against the Nets in Las Vegas ahead of the WNBA Finals and long-rumored expansion that James could later join. The new NBA CBA allowed limited investment by players in franchises. James' absence delays the unveiling of the Lakers' fifth starter, which Ham said he decided on this week without naming him. Jarred Vanderbilt will probably start like he did a year ago, but new faces like Taurean Prince could.

Memphis: Marcus Smart spoke as a Grizzlies leader at media day, opening camp vowing to challenge and increase the defensive intensity of a relatively young Memphis roster. Ja Morant will miss 25 games due to suspension, and GM Zach Kleiman revealed forward Brandon Clarke might not rejoin the team at all this season due to a second procedure on his torn achilles suffered in March. Steven Adams (knee) felt good in team scrimmages after missing much of last year, setting up a return to the team's larger starting lineup that prioritizes offensive rebounding. They'll need a wing to emerge in Clarke's place though, and while Smart might eventually fill that role when Morant returns, Ziaire Williams will become the team's x-factor early on. 

“I talked to (Williams) after practice about how he’s doing a great job in situations using his length, using his mobility,” head coach Taylor Jenkins said. “His attention to detail has been spot-on right now defensively.”

Miami: Kyle Lowry arrived at Heat camp expecting to start at point guard after Gabe Vincent departed and the team failed to acquire Damian Lillard, a trade that would've almost certainly sent out Lowry's expiring contract. Lowry shot 40.4% from the field last year, his worst mark in one decade, before seeing his three-point shooting improve into the playoffs off the bench. Only Josh Richardson, returning to the Heat after four stops including Boston, can challenge Lowry and likely will to balance the team's lineups. Erik Spoelstra said the starting lineup remains undecided, and accused the media of starting a quarterback controversy. Tyler Herro reacted to living in trade rumors for the entire summer, sounding disrespected, called himself pretty damn valuable.

“I didn’t say I’m going to, I said I expect to be,” Lowry said later. “So get the words right. I expect to be.”

Jimmy Butler trolled media day again by arriving with an emo look for his press conference, due to an emotional offseason. Things felt weird around this time last year with this group, but they eventually rallied to reach the Finals. You can't rule that out again, even with no apparent reinforcements coming. 

Milwaukee: Damian Lillard arrived to a rally at the Bucks' stadium after the team traded for him in a stunning show of support for Giannis Antetokounmpo following his media tour suggesting he could leave Milwaukee. Lillard told Marc Spears he and Antetokounmpo share a mindset that appealed to him in deciding to name the Bucks as an alternative destination to his favored Heat. Antetokounmpo called the opportunity a blessing, while Lillard recounted that his agent Aaron Goodwin suggested Milwaukee as a winning situation several weeks ago while Miami trade talks remain stalled. He expressed regret over miscommunications during his departure from Portland, and said he holds no ill will toward anyone with the team despite reports of a rift with GM Joe Cronin over his unwillingness to welcome him back to the team for training camp. The Bucks' new duo started camp without their third star, ominously, as Khris Middleton missed the first week for unspecified reasons, with Adrian Griffin referring to it as being smart. Middleton missed much of last year with knee soreness he underwent a procedure this summer to address, along with recovery from wrist surgery last offseason. 

"I think I’m very close," Middleton said. "Everything that they mapped out after my procedure and being able to get in the weight room and court, I’ve been right on pace. It’s been slow, but that’s kind of the way they planned it out. But I think everything’s been going great so far. No setbacks. Like I said, I’ve been feeling really good, so I’m excited about the next couple of days to a week to start to get after it and hopefully everything goes well.

Minnesota: Rested Anthony Edwards for their preseason opener against the Mavericks in Abu Dhabi following his World Cup run, while stressing the urgency to win this year around their star trio and find themselves. Naz Reid returned from a broken wrist to score 16 points with seven rebounds against Dallas, while Karl-Anthony Towns scored 20 on 8-for-16 shooting in the win. Chris Finch described taking on a physical persona with their big front court and Mike Conley receives a chance to have a full camp with the talented lineup around him after arriving at February's trade deadline from Utah. 

New Orleans: The NY Post reported that the Knicks and Pelicans talked about Zion Williamson's availability over the summer, failing to finalize one, but showing that New Orleans remains unsold on its former No. 1 overall pick after another injury-riddled season. They believed enough to extend him long-term and his presence through January in 2023 vaulted the team to championship contender status in the west. Injuries around the edge of the roster will make that difficult in the opening weeks of this season, but Williamson entered camp optimistic and healthy alongside Brandon Ingram. 

“It’s a little upsetting I have to sit up here and tell people all the time that this is home and this is where I want to be,” Williamson said at media day. 

New York: The Knicks, instead of opting for a splash, bring back most of their roster from 2024 excited about RJ Barrett's strong World Cup, steps from young defenders like Quentin Grimes, who reached out to JJ Redick for help with his game this summer, and Jalen Brunson as the new face of the team. Stargazing will continue here eventually, particularly if Donovan Mitchell's comfort in Cleveland wanes, but this is a strong team that played the Celtics tough last season. They host Boston on Monday in New York, with the Celts likely sitting numerous players on the second half of a back-to-back. 

Oklahoma City: Chet Holmgren could make his NBA debut when the Thunder tip-off the preseason against the Spurs on Monday, which also marks the highly-anticipated first game for San Antonio star Victor Wembanyama. Wemby praised Holmgren as the giants prepare to face off, while the Thunder prepare to manage both expectations and workload for the former No. 2 pick, who Wembanyama called among the next great players of their generation. 

"Chet is going to be special for us," forward Kenrich Williams said. "I’m not even talking about just the offensive side of the game. Just defensively, the impact that he’s going to bring for us, like I said, man, I’ve been here four years, and I don’t think we’ve had a legit shot blocker, rim protector like Chet."

Orlando: A camp worth watching for a group that'll feature position battles and eye veteran infusions beyond Gary Harris, who called the energy of this Magic camp day-and-night compared to one year ago. GM Jeff Weltman said nobody will receive gifted playing time, and that makes for an interesting dynamic between veterans Markelle Fultz, Jalen Suggs and Cole Anthony in the back court trying to hold onto their jobs against lottery picks Anthony Black and Jett Howard. The frontcourt appears more solidified between Paolo Banchero, Franz Wagner and Wendell Carter Jr., especially with Jonathan Isaac facing another uphill battle returning from another major injury. This team is poised to make a consolidation trade before the deadline. 

"To have gone a whole summer of being able to play and being able to bang, I feel better now than I did in those stint of 10-11 games," Isaac said. "I'm excited, I'm ready. The team is ready."

Philadelphia: James Harden skipped media day and the first 76ers practice session in Colorado before rejoining the team on Wednesday in good shape and performing fully despite reports that he'd make things uncomfortable following the team failing to meet his trade demand. Harden doesn't enter camp with much leverage, with the Sixers able to prevent him from becoming a free agent next summer if he holds out. Contenders keep dropping out, with the Heat and Knicks probably out while the Clippers only begin to organize a package that'll meet Daryl Morey's demands. Harden didn't speak during his first week of practice, and it's unclear whether he and other starters play in the team's preseason opener at Boston on Sunday. Nick Nurse stressed movement at the team's Colorado State camp, revamping the team's offensive flow around reigning MVP Joel Embiid. Embiid, who said the Harden saga hasn't distracted the team, committed to play for the US in next summer's Olympics after considering France and his native Cameroon. 

"Beyond the money matters, league sources say Harden also is taking part because he remains hopeful that a trade to the Clippers is still in the works and believes, for now, that it would be wise to not be a distraction," Sam Amick reported. "And the Clippers, league sources say, are going to great lengths to make it happen. League sources say the Clippers have been talking to several teams about ways to move pick swaps for additional draft capital with the intention of bolstering their offer and getting a deal done." 

Portland: Robert Williams III and Malcolm Brogdon appeared at Blazers practice on Wednesday planning to join the team in full after arriving from Boston in the Jrue Holiday trade. Rookie Scoot Henderson, unquestionably the team's centerpiece following the Damian Lillard trade, shocked Williams III with his speed -- that mother******'s fast. Brogdon expressed full commitment to the team despite perception that he'd be rerouted from the team like Holiday. Williams III vowed to become a leader on the young team and called the trade surreal, but understood the move as part of the business. Both players will likely come off Portland's bench while the team prioritizes its young guards, wings and Deandre Ayton at center. 

“I’ve had conversations with the Blazers’ front office and with Chauncey (Billups),” Brogdon said. “They want me here, I want to be here. There’s a lot of misleading information out there about ‘They need to trade me’ or ‘I want to go.’ Right now, I’m trying to make the most of my opportunity, that’s really what it is. Right now, it’s assuming a leadership role with these young guys and I’m embracing that. I’m embracing being here. God has me here for a reason so I’m embracing right now.”

San Antonio: Victor Wembanyama spoke at the most covered Spurs media day since the Tim Duncan era ended, teasing time at point guard for San Antonio while explaining how he's taking Gregg Popovich's coaching so far. The new information hit Wembanyama quickly at first, realizing any loss of focus will throw you off completely in the faster NBA game. The Spurs project to play positionless basketball, with Tre Jones sharing ball-handling responsibilities, Doug McDermott and Devonte' Graham spacing the floor, while Jeremy Sochan and Zach Collins help Victor man the post. Early comments and summer league ups-and-downs point toward an acclimation period for Wembanyama when the regular season begins later this month. The Spurs extended forward Devin Vassell for five-years, $146 million. 

“It came later than I expected,” Wembanyama said. “But finally, I’m glad (Popovich) yelled at me (on Wednesday).”

Toronto: Precious Achiuwa suffered a groin strain and will miss the Raptors' preseason opener against the Kings in Vancouver on Sunday. He joins sidelined center Christian Koloko, who's out indefinitely to begin his second season with respiratory issues that also kept him out of summer league. Jakob Poetl's return and new long-term deal minimize the reliance on Achiuwa, Koloko and others through Nick Nurse's many center-less rotations that challenged the Raptors in recent years. Still, a Toronto team that didn't land Damian Lillard, hired a rookie head coach, lost a franchise player in Fred VanVleet and will court two others without long-term extensions led to a less than exciting media day for what could mark an end of an era in the north.

“For me, I’m under contract, right? I’m a Raptors player,” Pascal Siakam said. “That’s literally what I’m focused on. I’m focused on the present and that’s all I can really care about right now.”

Utah: They became the hardest team to name an x-factor for while I considered which player could swing a team's fortunes most. Veterans Lauri Markkanen, Kelly Olynyk and Jordan Clarkson should reproduce last year's production, making him one of the team's relative certainties. John Collins arrives with some ability to raise the team's ceiling, albeit following injuries and entering a loaded front court. Steps from Walker Kessler would help too, and it's impossible to fully project rookies Keyonte George, Taylor Hendrick and Brice Sensabaugh. That led me to Ochai Agbaji, who played sparingly last season after arriving in the Donovan Mitchell trade as Cleveland's first-round pick. Utah considered him untouchable in trade talks, a rarity for Danny Ainge especially amid a rebuild. With defensive and three-point shooting skills, he could solidify what this team missed most one year ago. 

Washington: As Wes Unseld Jr. plans an up-tempo offense for 2023-24, Danilo Gallinari returned to the floor for his first action since August, 2022 (ACL) and his trade from the Celtics in June to start at center alongside Tyus Jones, Jordan Poole, rookie Bilal Coulibaly and Kyle Kuzma in the team's open scrimmage. While preliminary and unlikely to start given Daniel Gafford's presence on the roster, Gallinari could make some sense at center after he prepared to play the position for the Celtics and logged many minutes there with the Hawks. Gallinari expressed his excitement to return from a second ACL surgery in his knee following the EuroBasket injury that prevented him from ever suiting up in a Celtics uniform. 

“Whatever needs to be out on the court, whatever position I need to play, I just want to play basketball. So any position is good,” Gallinari said.