Huffman Sports Wire News Break · NBA · Reporting · Published · Huffman Sports Wire News Desk
Monday’s NBA afternoon update follows contract discussions in New York, Philadelphia’s preseason availability, an injury affecting San Antonio’s preparations, and Charlotte’s coaching appointments.
The Knicks visit the Sixers at 7 p.m. ET, while the Lakers open their preseason at Sacramento at 10 p.m. ET. Both games are scheduled for NBA TV.
Towns doubts an extension will be settled before opening night
Karl-Anthony Towns told reporters Monday that he was not optimistic about reaching a new agreement before the regular season begins October 20. “It don’t look good,” he said, according to ESPN’s report carried by ABC7 New York.
ESPN reports that Towns is due $57 million this season and is eligible for a four-year extension worth more than $276 million. Shams Charania’s reporting puts New York’s latest offer at approximately $200 million over four years. Those figures describe eligibility and a reported offer, not an agreed extension.
The talks follow New York’s championship run, during which Towns averaged 15.9 points and 10.6 rebounds, according to ESPN. The Knicks defeated San Antonio in five games to end a 53-year title drought. The New York Post reports that Towns remains willing to discuss a discount but believes the sides are still far apart.
Sources: ESPN / ABC7 New York · New York Post · Philadelphia 76ers
Seven Sixers unavailable for the Knicks preseason opener
LeBron James, Joel Embiid, Tyrese Maxey and Anfernee Simons will not play in Monday’s preseason opener, PhillyVoice reports from Philadelphia’s availability list. Dominick Barlow, Adem Bona and Tacko Fall are also sidelined.
Jaylen Brown and second-year guard VJ Edgecombe are the only available members of the Sixers’ five projected starters, according to that report. Philadelphia’s official player biography identifies Edgecombe as the third pick in the 2025 NBA Draft.
The Sixers host New York at Xfinity Mobile Arena at 7 p.m. ET on NBA TV. Philadelphia’s schedule also lists an October 20 regular-season opener against the Knicks at Madison Square Garden.
Sources: PhillyVoice · Philadelphia 76ers · Philadelphia 76ers
Harris to miss Spurs preseason with a left calf strain
San Antonio announced before Sunday’s intrasquad scrimmage that Tobias Harris had strained his left calf during training camp, ESPN reports. He will miss the preseason and be re-evaluated afterward.
Harris is questionable for the October 20 regular-season opener against Oklahoma City. The 34-year-old forward joined the Spurs on a two-year, $31 million deal in July, according to ESPN’s report.
Sources: ESPN
Lakers begin preseason in Sacramento at 10 p.m. ET
The Lakers’ official game page confirms Monday’s visit to the Kings at Golden 1 Center, with tipoff at 7 p.m. Pacific, or 10 p.m. Eastern, on NBA TV.
The New York Post’s Sunday preview reports that JJ Redick was still working through player availability and that Luka Dončić’s number of preseason appearances was unclear. Adou Thiero is among the wings competing for rotation minutes, but that competition does not establish a final lineup or a minutes allocation for Monday.
Los Angeles faces Golden State on Tuesday in the second half of a back-to-back. The opening games give the coaching staff its first preseason opportunities to evaluate the new roster against outside competition.
Sources: Los Angeles Lakers · Los Angeles Lakers · New York Post
Hornets confirm coaching and basketball operations appointments
Charlotte’s Monday announcement confirms John Bryant as an assistant coach and Jordan Sears as an assistant coach and director of player development for the 2026–27 season.
Bryant joins after six seasons with Chicago. Sears arrives from Dallas, where his work included coaching the Texas Legends and serving as a Mavericks assistant. The Hornets’ announcement also details additions and promotions across scouting, analytics, performance and support roles.
Sources: Charlotte Hornets
Sources
- ESPN / ABC7 New York — Karl-Anthony Towns not expecting a contract extension soon · Published
- New York Post — Towns discusses the gap in Knicks contract negotiations · Published
- PhillyVoice — Seven Sixers unavailable for Monday’s preseason opener · Published
- Philadelphia 76ers — VJ Edgecombe’s official player biography and 2025 draft history · Checked
- Philadelphia 76ers — 2026–27 schedule: Knicks preseason matchup and opening night · Checked
- ESPN — Tobias Harris to miss Spurs preseason with a left calf strain · Published
- Los Angeles Lakers — Lakers at Kings: October 5 game details and start time · Checked
- Los Angeles Lakers — 2026–27 schedule: preseason broadcasts and opening back-to-back · Checked
- New York Post — Lakers preseason opener: roster competition and unsettled availability · Published
- Charlotte Hornets — Basketball operations staff changes and additions for 2026–27 · Published