I think a singular Roster thread can be beneficial to discuss what's going on around the NBA and focus down areas of the roster year-round (rather than focusing on only the update posts).
Some Opening Night Notes-
CELTICS
-All of 8 of Jayson Tatum's 3PT vs NYK were off the dribble. Keep an eye on that. Boston looks poised to repeat with their offense looking like a buzzsaw again, Porzingis not necessary.
KNICKS
-Miles McBride is a SG this year (Payne the backup PG).
-Josh Hart at present appears to be a SG/PF (a rare distinction I'd levy to Caleb Martin and a few others), based on sub patterns. Miles subs in for OG, and then OG subs back in for Hart.
-You could make case for Mikal Bridges as SG, but he was in a sub pattern w/ SF Pacome Dadiet
LAKERS
-AD was by far the best player on both ends in the LAL/MIN game. He seems poised to take over the Lakers. Spent some time at PF as well (took 3 threes)
-LeBron is playing SF again (w/ Rui at PF). He was in sub patterns w/ wings all night. Could be trending towards a reduced role in his Age 40 season.
-Bronny was at PG in his 3 mins (though obviously his father ran the offense during that time, hardly atypical for other PGs he's played with). Wouldn't anticipate Bronny getting many more minutes now that history is out of the way.
WOLVES
-DiVincenzo spent a lot of time at "PG" with Conley struggling. Keep an eye on that w/ Conley in his Age 37 season.
-Ingles played 7 mins but probably not in the rotation (McDaniels 5 fouls in 16 mins)
-Reid split time at PF/C backing up Randle and Gobert.
PACERS
-Jarace Walker playing SF now to get around Siakam/Toppin.
PISTONS 109
-Cade (28 pts) could be ready for the star leap.
-DNP-CD for Paul Reed (7M non-guaranteed)
CAVS
-Dean Wade started > both LeVert & Okoro w/ Strus out.
RAPTORS
-Agbaji starting for Barrett. Bruce Brown also out. Trending towards worst team in East.
BUCKS
-30 pts for Dame in opener is a good sign.
-Taurean Prince (16 pts, 4 threes) is probably the starter most of the season as Middleton can't stay healthy.
HAWKS
-Okongwu w/ career game (28 pts, 11-12 FG) off bench vs hapless Nets. Probably trending towards starting Center + Capela trade (expiring contract).
-Dyson Daniels starting SG
-Vit Krecji is the backup PG (Bufkin shoulder injury)
NETS
-Cam Thomas (36 pts) in line for a big bump just by virtue of him being the only scorer on the team
-Simmons started at Center, Claxton off bench coming back from injury
MAGIC
-Banchero (33 pts, 4 threes) and Franz (26 pts, 23 mins) could be poised for a leap and should be monitored early.
-Anthony Black, backup SF
HEAT
-Bam (0-2 3PT) likely trying to add this to his game.
-Jimmy (3 pts, 1-8 FG) should be monitored (Age etc, could be trade candidate)
-Jaquez (13 pts, 19 mins off bench) is Jimmy's eventual replacement and any leap could expedite that process.
HORNETS
-LaMelo (34-8-11, 10-20 FG, 10-10 FT) had a huge night, looks poised for big year after injury plagued seasons.
-Cody Martin Starting SG
-Miller left early w/ hip soreness (Mann 28 pts off bench to fill void)
ROCKETS
-VanVleet/Green combine for 13-41 FG
-Sheppard was quiet off bench, probably not a ROY contender. Maybe 2026 MIP contender once VanVleet is out of the way.
PELICANS
-Zion DNP, Herb Jones PF start
-Murray broke his hand, probably out awhile (Assume CJ is the starting PG moving forward). As always w/ the Pels, we never get to see team at full strength.
-Missi 12 pts, 7 rebs, appears to be backup Center
BULLS
-LaVine (27 pts, 5 threes) appears to be recovered from last season's issues.
-Giddey + Lonzo = PGs
-White + Ayo = SGs
-LaVine + THT = SFs
-Williams + Phillips + Buzelis = PFs
GRIZZLIES
-Morant (22-5-10) big in return
-Aldama (27 pts, 10-16 FG, 5-10 3PT) probably his career night filling in for JJJ
-Edey starting C but 6 fouls in 15 mins
-Jay Huff 13 pts (3-5 3PT) filling in for Edey (how he doesn't have standard contract yet is incredible, he's on par w/ Luke Kornet)
JAZZ
-Lauri (35 pts) par for the course
-George shot poorly (3-18 FG) but had 7 asts at least
-Kessler 16/14 + 5 blks could bounce back to future Gobert trajectory
SUNS
-Big 3 were healthy at same time. No notes. I really liked their offseason, could be West favorites.
-Dunn is KD's backup, Royce is Beal's
CLIPPERS
-Harden's Usage has taken a backseat w/ Sixers and Clippers but w/ George gone and Kawhi out that will ramp up again.
-Powell starting SG (Mann at SF, even w/ Kawhi out).
-KPJ's NBA return was miserable (1-8 FG, 2 TOs, 13 mins). Appears to be Powell's backup at SG
WARRIORS
-Wiggins starting SG (didn't see that coming). Kuminga SF, Green PF, Trace C
-Reserves: Melton (PG), Podz (SG), Hield (SF), Payton (PF), Looney (C)
-Anderson (PF) and Moody (SF) played over Payton/Hield in 2nd half (though worth noting it was 35-point blowout vs POR).
BLAZERS
-Scoot off the bench (Simons starting PG), I must have missed this in pre-season.
-Toumani Camara starting SG? (Sharpe + Thybulle are both out). Hey if Josh Hart can do SG/PF...
Some Opening Night Notes-
CELTICS
-All of 8 of Jayson Tatum's 3PT vs NYK were off the dribble. Keep an eye on that. Boston looks poised to repeat with their offense looking like a buzzsaw again, Porzingis not necessary.
KNICKS
-Miles McBride is a SG this year (Payne the backup PG).
-Josh Hart at present appears to be a SG/PF (a rare distinction I'd levy to Caleb Martin and a few others), based on sub patterns. Miles subs in for OG, and then OG subs back in for Hart.
-You could make case for Mikal Bridges as SG, but he was in a sub pattern w/ SF Pacome Dadiet
LAKERS
-AD was by far the best player on both ends in the LAL/MIN game. He seems poised to take over the Lakers. Spent some time at PF as well (took 3 threes)
-LeBron is playing SF again (w/ Rui at PF). He was in sub patterns w/ wings all night. Could be trending towards a reduced role in his Age 40 season.
-Bronny was at PG in his 3 mins (though obviously his father ran the offense during that time, hardly atypical for other PGs he's played with). Wouldn't anticipate Bronny getting many more minutes now that history is out of the way.
WOLVES
-DiVincenzo spent a lot of time at "PG" with Conley struggling. Keep an eye on that w/ Conley in his Age 37 season.
-Ingles played 7 mins but probably not in the rotation (McDaniels 5 fouls in 16 mins)
-Reid split time at PF/C backing up Randle and Gobert.
PACERS
-Jarace Walker playing SF now to get around Siakam/Toppin.
PISTONS 109
-Cade (28 pts) could be ready for the star leap.
-DNP-CD for Paul Reed (7M non-guaranteed)
CAVS
-Dean Wade started > both LeVert & Okoro w/ Strus out.
RAPTORS
-Agbaji starting for Barrett. Bruce Brown also out. Trending towards worst team in East.
BUCKS
-30 pts for Dame in opener is a good sign.
-Taurean Prince (16 pts, 4 threes) is probably the starter most of the season as Middleton can't stay healthy.
HAWKS
-Okongwu w/ career game (28 pts, 11-12 FG) off bench vs hapless Nets. Probably trending towards starting Center + Capela trade (expiring contract).
-Dyson Daniels starting SG
-Vit Krecji is the backup PG (Bufkin shoulder injury)
NETS
-Cam Thomas (36 pts) in line for a big bump just by virtue of him being the only scorer on the team
-Simmons started at Center, Claxton off bench coming back from injury
MAGIC
-Banchero (33 pts, 4 threes) and Franz (26 pts, 23 mins) could be poised for a leap and should be monitored early.
-Anthony Black, backup SF
HEAT
-Bam (0-2 3PT) likely trying to add this to his game.
-Jimmy (3 pts, 1-8 FG) should be monitored (Age etc, could be trade candidate)
-Jaquez (13 pts, 19 mins off bench) is Jimmy's eventual replacement and any leap could expedite that process.
HORNETS
-LaMelo (34-8-11, 10-20 FG, 10-10 FT) had a huge night, looks poised for big year after injury plagued seasons.
-Cody Martin Starting SG
-Miller left early w/ hip soreness (Mann 28 pts off bench to fill void)
ROCKETS
-VanVleet/Green combine for 13-41 FG
-Sheppard was quiet off bench, probably not a ROY contender. Maybe 2026 MIP contender once VanVleet is out of the way.
PELICANS
-Zion DNP, Herb Jones PF start
-Murray broke his hand, probably out awhile (Assume CJ is the starting PG moving forward). As always w/ the Pels, we never get to see team at full strength.
-Missi 12 pts, 7 rebs, appears to be backup Center
BULLS
-LaVine (27 pts, 5 threes) appears to be recovered from last season's issues.
-Giddey + Lonzo = PGs
-White + Ayo = SGs
-LaVine + THT = SFs
-Williams + Phillips + Buzelis = PFs
GRIZZLIES
-Morant (22-5-10) big in return
-Aldama (27 pts, 10-16 FG, 5-10 3PT) probably his career night filling in for JJJ
-Edey starting C but 6 fouls in 15 mins
-Jay Huff 13 pts (3-5 3PT) filling in for Edey (how he doesn't have standard contract yet is incredible, he's on par w/ Luke Kornet)
JAZZ
-Lauri (35 pts) par for the course
-George shot poorly (3-18 FG) but had 7 asts at least
-Kessler 16/14 + 5 blks could bounce back to future Gobert trajectory
SUNS
-Big 3 were healthy at same time. No notes. I really liked their offseason, could be West favorites.
-Dunn is KD's backup, Royce is Beal's
CLIPPERS
-Harden's Usage has taken a backseat w/ Sixers and Clippers but w/ George gone and Kawhi out that will ramp up again.
-Powell starting SG (Mann at SF, even w/ Kawhi out).
-KPJ's NBA return was miserable (1-8 FG, 2 TOs, 13 mins). Appears to be Powell's backup at SG
WARRIORS
-Wiggins starting SG (didn't see that coming). Kuminga SF, Green PF, Trace C
-Reserves: Melton (PG), Podz (SG), Hield (SF), Payton (PF), Looney (C)
-Anderson (PF) and Moody (SF) played over Payton/Hield in 2nd half (though worth noting it was 35-point blowout vs POR).
BLAZERS
-Scoot off the bench (Simons starting PG), I must have missed this in pre-season.
-Toumani Camara starting SG? (Sharpe + Thybulle are both out). Hey if Josh Hart can do SG/PF...
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