To be at his best, Trae Young doesn't require a co-star, so much as a security detail. His offensive gifts are so expansive that it inherently narrows his teammates' responsibilities. Read more »

The Suns added just enough in the offseason in Ryan Dunn and Tyus Jones to give the team some depth while they also upgraded the system and vibes by bringing in Mike Budenholzer to replace Frank Vogel. Read more »

Cooper Flagg headlines the 2025 draft class, but Ace Bailey, VJ Edgecombe, Dylan Harper, Egor Demin, Kon Knueppel, Liam McNeeley, Khaman Maluach, Drake Powell and Tre Johnson will be worth following closely throughout the college basketball season. Read more »

His story is equal parts determinism and self-determination: Victor Wembanyama will be the best player of his generation not only because he's the most physically freakish athlete in NBA history, but because he Wants It More.  Read more »

With Lonzo Ball working his way back from injury, there is a growing belief that this Bulls' team might make a little noise, but at the same time, acceptance that if they don't, it’ll be worth watching them try. Read more »

To grow into a star, Amen Thompson needs the opportunity to fail. If the Rockets want to win games, it makes sense for Thompson to do less. If they want to win championships, they need to let him be so much more.  Read more »

To his immense credit, James Harden has been able to come to terms with the fact that he's no longer the prime version of himself. For the Clippers to maintain their spot in the West's creamy middle, Harden will have to reanimate the old him. Read more »

By signing DeMar DeRozan this summer, the Kings are continuing to bet that day-to-day competence is next to excellence. Ultimately, success is best measured in beams, not banners.  Read more »

For Indiana to capitalize on their roster's collective goodness, Tyrese Haliburton will have to embrace his individual greatness. Read more »

As ESPN continues its nonstop Bronny James coverage, they also published a report on a NIL-related financial scheme involving one of their own high profile analysts. Read more »

In his current state, Brandon Ingram exists within the uncanny valley of near-stardom, his almost-greatness becoming a form of badness. Read more »

Coming off their best season in a decade, the Magic are a uniquely massive team because Paolo Banchero's nimble, dextrous play means they don't have to sacrifice size for skill. But by asking Banchero to be their main creator, the Magic are doing him a disservice. Read more »

Miami's hopes are inexplicably tied to Jimmy Butler. But at this point, believing that Butler can summon his Playoff Jimmy alter ego is an expression of faith. Read more »

Both rich with gravitas and light-hearted as can be, we will be lucky if the sport ever gives us another man so magnanimous and admirable as Dikembe Mutombo. Read more »

When Ja Morant returns to the court, he'll do so with the best and most versatile roster of his career. For the first time, Memphis has the right assemblage of size and skill to adjust to any postseason wrinkle. Read more »

D'Angelo Russell has assumed the long thankless role of being the second-best teammate for LeBron James as the all-time great either carries you or is failed by you. Read more »

As the sun sets on the Warriors' empire, the end of Stephen Curry's career will be determined by how quickly Jonathan Kuminga can launch into the prime of his own. Read more »

Devin Booker has achieved a level of all-around mastery almost by happenstance, the byproduct of toggling between different roles throughout his career. He has become the NBA's most amenable superstar. Read more »

Stars open championship windows, but adding the right mix of role players brings home the rings. OG Anunoby, Christian Braun, P.J. Washington and even Bradley Beal are among the players who will have an outsized impact on who wins in June. Read more »

Doc Rivers may be best suited to coach a version of the Bucks that ultimately no longer exists. They once bludgeoned their way to a title behind Giannis and a mathematically-optimized scheme, but this team is older and slower than the 2021 vintage and the rest of the East is better. Read more »