Basketball Intelligence For 8/17/26
Today's Best NBA Reporting And Analysis
TEAM-SPECIFIC
BOS: What Brad Stevens expects from Celtics’ three offseason additions
Zack Cox, Boston Herald
DAL: : Mike Schmitz Assesses New-Look Dallas Mavericks Roster
Grant Afseth, Dallas Sports Journal
DEN: Did the Jaylen Brown trade set precedent that could apply to Nuggets, Jamal Murray?
Bennett Durando, Denver Post
GSW: Lendeborg cried on the bus before his first Summer League game. Now he’s ready for the Warriors
Nick Friedell, The Athletic
LAL: A Case for Lakers Optimism
Iztok Franko, digginbasketball
OKC: 2025-26 Thunder player grade: Branden Carlson
Clemente Almanz, USA Today
PHI: LeBron’s arrival echoes that of Dr. J; now comes the hard part
Gordie Jones, Liberty Ballers
PHI: 76ers Hire NBA Champion Executive as Mike Gansey Reshapes Front Office
Alder Almo, heavy.com
Balcetis’ work should influence player evaluation, lineup analysis, injury-risk modeling, salary-cap planning and the search for complementary pieces. His experience translating data for coaches may also help Nick Nurse manage an offense containing several players accustomed to controlling the ball.
PHX: Pat Spencer could be the Suns’ latest surprise contributor
Brandon Duenas, Bright Side Of The Sun
POR: Trail Blazers offseason recap, early 2026-27 season preview
ESPN
THE DRAFT
15 Names to Know for the 2026-2027 Season, Part Two
Stephen Gillaspie, No Ceilings
LEAGUEWIDE
The NBA’s ‘put up or shut up’ starting five
Pat Heery, Yardbarker