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Rockets

For a third of the NBA, summer break comes early.&nbsp;
Though 10 teams didn't make the playoffs, it's not all doom and gloom. Several NBA bottom-feeders took tangible steps forward in their rebuilding efforts, while others &mdash; well, they're not supposed to be here.
Every franchise enters the offseason with summer plans. As teams get eliminated from the postseason, I'll be rounding up every team's offseason outlook and posing one question they must answer over the summer. You'll see each squad's 2022 NBA Draft chest, plus their potential free agents, along with the central question.&nbsp;
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Let's get started!
DETROIT PISTONS 
Draft assets: First-round pick (14.0% chance at No. 1), Second-round pick (via Brooklyn)
Potential free agents:&nbsp;Marvin Bagley III (restricted), Cory Joseph (player option), Hamidou Diallo (team option), Frank Jackson (team option), Luka Garza (team option), Carsen Edwards (team option), Rodney McGruder 
Central question: How do the Pistons build an offense around Cade Cunningham?
This was a pretty solid season for Detroit as far as rebuilding efforts go. Cade Cunningham emerged as a Rookie of the Year front-runner and two-way centerpiece who has fans ecstatic about his ceiling. The Pistons finished a solid 10-14 after the All-Star break, and have shown flashes of an improving defense. They did still finish with the 28th-ranked offense, per Cleaning the Glass, and one of the worst shooting rates in the NBA.
Cunningham had to carry a ridiculous offensive load in the latter stages of the season. Detroit has the power to change that in 2022-23, starting with its high draft pick. Maybe Jabari Smith's lights-out scoring means he's an ideal secondary option? Perhaps Paolo Banchero thrives as an additional creator, or maybe Chet Holmgren makes sense as a finisher and spot-up threat? The fun part about Cunningham is that his versatility creates so many pathways for the Pistons in the draft &mdash; whether or not the ping pong balls fall their way.
Detroit wields a cap hold of approximately $28 million on Bagley, and once that lifts (either via a new contract or letting him walk), the Pistons should have a solid chunk of cap space to add to the supporting cast.
HOUSTON ROCKETS
Draft assets: First-round pick (14.0% chance at No. 1), better of Brooklyn/Miami first-round picks
Potential free agents: John Wall (player option), Dennis Schroder, Bruno Fernando (restricted), Jae'Sean Tate (team option), Anthony Lamb (qualifying offer), Trevelin Queen (qualifying offer)
Central question: How patient is the front office willing to be?
Houston's 2021 draft strategy of "draft talent, figure out the fit later" appears to be working out. Jalen Green demonstrated an Anthony Edwards-esque leap post-All-Star break, Alperen Sengun is already one of the NBA's best passing bigs, and guys like Josh Christopher and KJ Martin routinely hinted at upside. Houston gets another prime shot at a franchise cornerstone this draft cycle. We're approaching Stage 2 of the strategy, though: figuring out how the pieces fit.&nbsp;
The Rockets were one of two NBA teams with bottom-five ratings on offense and defense. They led the league in rim frequency and were fourth in three-point frequency, but posted mediocre shooting clips. Houston evokes memories of the rebuilding Nets, who played a similarly extreme brand of ball for a few years as the team slowly reshaped into a fun playoff squad. Does the front office have the foresight to let head coach Stephen Silas work things out with his roster of young guns?&nbsp;
INDIANA PACERS
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How is there a &ldquo;rebuild&rdquo; to afraid of if it isn&rsquo;t a rebuild? <a href="https://t.co/0pDD7E6Mss">pic.twitter.com/0pDD7E6Mss</a>
&mdash; Caitlin Cooper (@C2_Cooper) <a href="https://twitter.com/C2_Cooper/status/1512127632758001664?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">April 7, 2022</a></blockquote>

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Draft assets: First-round pick (10.5% chance at No. 1), First-round pick (if 15-30, via Cleveland), Second-round pick (via Houston), Second-round pick (via Phoenix)
Potential free agents: Ricky Rubio, T.J. Warren, Jalen Smith, Lance Stephenson, Nate Hinton (restricted), Oshae Brissett (team option)
Central question: How extreme is the incoming rebuild, and what veterans mesh with the future vision?
Notably unlisted among the potential free agents are Malcolm Brogdon, Myles Turner, Buddy Hield and T.J. McConnell. All range from solid starters to rotational complements, and 3 of the 4 (not Turner) will be 30 next season. The Pacers are clearly retooling, as evidenced by their trade-deadline fireworks and Tyrese Haliburton's subsequent high usage. They also have publicly flip-flopped regarding the direction of the team; see the above Tweet.
Indiana doesn't have the pure depth of talent to straddle the line. The Pacers can trade many of these talented players and build up a chest of draft picks and young pieces, or they can charge ahead, turn their picks into win-now players and hope Haliburton is ready for the playoff push. But a middle ground doesn't exist in an Eastern Conference where just about every team has solidified its direction.
LOS ANGELES LAKERS
Draft assets: None
Potential free agents: Russell Westbrook (player option), Kendrick Nunn (player option), Austin Reaves (team option), Stanley Johnson (team option), Carmelo Anthony, Avery Bradley, Wayne Ellington, Dwight Howard, Kent Bazemore, Malik Monk, D.J. Augustin, Wenyen Gabriel, Mason Jones (restricted)
Central question: What does team-building around two injury-prone superstars look like?
LeBron James <a href="https://www.basketballnews.com/stories/lebron-james-i-dont-have-a-cap-on-how-long-i-want-to-play" target="_blank" rel="noopener">turns 38 next season</a>, and has played 60-plus games just once in the past four seasons. Anthony Davis has now missed more than half the season in back-to-back years. Sure, the Lakers were a mess regardless of their stars' health, but going forward, is pursuing fits next to James and Davis even worthwhile if the two won't consistently be on the court?
With just three players under contract (the aforementioned stars, plus Talen Horton-Tucker), the Lakers enter another offseason of a roster overhaul. This time, I'd recommend almost entirely forgetting about James and Davis when building the squad and simply try to assemble units that make sense together.&nbsp;
NEW YORK KNICKS
Draft assets: First-round pick (2.5% chance at No. 1, could change based on Play-In results), Second-round pick via Boston and Charlotte (if 56-60)
Potential free agents: Mitchell Robinson, Ryan Arcidiacono 
Central question: What's going to happen with the veterans?
The top six moneymakers for the Knicks next season are all 27 or older, and I think many fans would say that out of the group, only Julius Randle should have started &mdash; and he seriously regressed this season. The young Knicks <a href="https://www.basketballnews.com/stories/explain-one-play-young-knicks-playing-chess" target="_blank" rel="noopener">clearly showed they're ready to take the mantle</a>.
So what happens with Randle, Evan Fournier, Derrick Rose, Alec Burks, Nerlens Noel and Kemba Walker? Is Tom Thibodeau prepared to reduce their (their meaning Burks specifically in this case) minutes and usage, will trades be coming, or will Madison Square Garden burn when Immanuel Quickley opens the season by playing 16 minutes off the bench? New York has drafted extremely well in recent seasons, but the ceiling of the young core is capped if these youngsters don't get a chance to prove themselves in meaningful situations.
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OKLAHOMA CITY THUNDER 
Draft assets: First-round pick (12.5% chance at No. 1), First-round pick via Clippers, First-round pick via Phoenix, Second-round pick
Potential free agents: Derrick Favors (player option), Mike Muscala (team option), Lu Dort (team option), Isaiah Roby (team option), Melvin Frazier (restricted)
Central question: What is the pathway in the frontcourt?
I've stanned Sam Presti's team-building strategy for years now, and I still think it's on track for a serious payoff. Josh Giddey slots in somewhere on your All-Rookie ballot, and draft classmates Tre Mann, Jeremiah Robinson-Earl and Aaron Wiggins flashed rotation-caliber play as well. It is simply a joy to watch a random young player have a breakout game on any given night, and OKC has already shown the <a href="https://www.basketballnews.com/stories/the-oklahoma-city-thunders-emerging-defensive-identity" target="_blank" rel="noopener">early stages of a prominent defense</a>.
Next up: Capitalize on a draft loaded with intruiging frontcourt players. Banchero, Holmgren and Smith are obviously the best of the best. But even if the Thunder slide in the lottery, they could pounce on an athletic shot-blocker like Jalen Duren, or use one of their later picks on a center like Mark Williams. I'm just spit-balling, but the point is that OKC has plenty of chances to find its big-man anchor and further flesh out its core.
ORLANDO MAGIC
Draft assets: First-round pick (14.0% chance at No. 1), Second-round pick, Second-round pick via Indiana
Potential free agents: Gary Harris, Robin Lopez, Bol Bol (restricted), Ignas Brazdeikis (restricted), Admiral Schofield (restricted)
Central question: How do the offensive pieces fit together?
Orlando quietly logged a 17th-ranked defense this season, and an 11th-ranked unit since Feb. 1. A dismal offense ultimately doomed the Magic, who were riddled with inconsistent shotmaking and poor team efficiency marks throughout the half-court. We don't need to sound any player alarms; it takes time for young guards in particular to grasp the responsibilities of running NBA offenses.&nbsp;
But what if I told you Orlando has wielded bottom-10 offensive ratings every season for the last decade?&nbsp;
Change can start in the draft, again with some of the top offensive forward options like Banchero or Smith. Adding another ball-dominant guard in Jaden Ivey might be overkill, but AJ Griffin and Bennedict Mathurin feel like good wing fits at first glance. Spotrac estimates the Magic could have up to $30 million in practical cap space, leaving plenty of room for veteran players to accentuate the young talent.
PORTLAND TRAIL BLAZERS
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THE D IN DREW STANDS FOR DUNK DO NOT GOOGLE THIS <a href="https://t.co/2AojdAskYV">pic.twitter.com/2AojdAskYV</a>
&mdash; Portland Trail Blazers (@trailblazers) <a href="https://twitter.com/trailblazers/status/1508636734900166659?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">March 29, 2022</a></blockquote>

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Draft assets: First-round pick (9.0% chance at No. 1), First-round pick via New Orleans (if 5-14), Second-round pick, Second-round pick via Memphis
Potential free agents: Joe Ingles, Jusuf Nurkic, Ben McLemore, Anfernee Simons (restricted), CJ Elleby (restricted), Elijah Hughes (restricted), Keljin Blevins (restricted)
Central question: Is Portland actually trying to win "now" or win soon?
Some really great development happened for the Blazers during the "wash" portion of the season in the form of players like Trendon Watford, Keon Johnson and Drew Eubanks. Add them to Anfernee Simons, Nassir Little and the incomng draft picks, and Portland suddenly has... kind of a sneaky-deep prospect pool? There's real potential to mold this group into a rotation cast that gives Portland one of its deepest rosters in years.
That's why these <a href="https://www.basketballnews.com/stories/jerami-grant-trade-rumors-portland-is-still-the-frontrunner" target="_blank" rel="noopener">Jerami Grant trade rumors concern me</a>. Giving up a possible lottery pick to try and piece together a short-term playoff team risks too much and keeps the Trail Blazers in the limbo they have lounged in for several years. Understandably, the franchise wants to build a contender while Damian Lillard is invested and in his prime. With some patience, Portland can without sacrificing sustainibility.
SACRAMENTO KINGS
Draft assets: First-round pick (7.5% chance at No. 1), Second-round pick, Second-round pick (via Chicago)
Potential free agents: Jeremy Lamb, Josh Jackson, Damian Jones, Donte DiVincenzo (restricted), Neemias Queta (restricted), Trey Lyles (team option)
Central question: How does Sacramento turn into a competitive NBA defense?
The Kings have trotted out lackluster defenses for as long as I can remember. In fact, they haven't ranked above 20th in Defensive Rating since 2005-06 &mdash; notably, the last time they made the playoffs.
And that didn't change under interim head coach Alvin Gentry. (Gentry will not return as head coach next season, but is <a href="https://www.basketballnews.com/stories/shams-alvin-gentry-no-longer-interim-coach-of-the-kings" target="_blank" rel="noopener">in talks for a front-office role</a>, per ESPN.) However, the on-paper roster actually shines some hope. Davion Mitchell made highlight reels out of his "Off-Night" defense. Justin Holiday is a solid individual defender, as is Harrison Barnes, and even De'Aaron Fox has his sporadic moments.&nbsp;
Can Sacramento find a head coach who turns a group of intriguing players with defensive potential into even an average squad? What draft and free agency options exist? Of course, the Kings would like to end their NBA-leading playoff drought. That'll come with changing the culture on defense.
WASHINGTON WIZARDS
Draft assets: First-round pick (2.5% chance at No. 1, depends on Play-In results), Second-round pick (via Dallas)
Potential free agents: Bradley Beal (player option), Thomas Bryant, Raul Neto, Tomas Satoransky, Anthony Gill (restricted), Cassius Winston (restricted)
Central question: What style of guard play is a feasible best fit?
Okay, so obviously the biggest question mark surrounds Bradley Beal's free agency. But from a conceptual standpoint, Washington has tried and failed over the past few seasons to find Beal's best-fitting partner in crime. John Wall, Russell Westbrook and Spencer Dinwiddie were each supposed to provide the downhill juice Beal lacks. The Wizards either did this at serious expense of another skill area (Wall, Westbrook), or it just didn't translate their at-rim ability (Dinwiddie). All battled injuries as well.
"I think we need bigger guards," <a href="https://www.nbcsports.com/washington/wizards/bradley-beal-outlines-what-wizards-need-build-contender" target="_blank" rel="noopener">Beal said in March</a>. "We need more guys that can get in the paint for us, more ball-handlers, more guys that can really create and get two feet in the paint, but also who can knock down threes."
I mean, Beal's needs make total sense. The problem is that every other basketball team on Earth also wants this type of guard.
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Ethan Fuller sets the offseason stage for each team that missed the NBA playoffs.

Summer plans for the NBA's 10 non-playoff teams

Brad Stevens woke up on Thursday morning and took care of business.&nbsp;
How often does that happen with the Celtics? Up until the past three weeks, Boston had been trademarked as the team who played wildly up and down to its competition, blowing leads left and right all while failing to establish an identity. And in recent years, the franchise was spearheaded by a Danny Ainge-led front office known for either adrenaline-inducing blockbusters or crickets from the transaction log.
Something is different. The Celtics have shredded an easy February schedule like they're supposed to. And new president of basketball operations Brad Stevens made exactly the moves he needed to make at this trade deadline &mdash; no more, no less. From an outsider's perspective, Boston had to check off three boxes on Thursday:
<ul>
<li>Find value for Dennis Schr&ouml;der before his contract expires (and replace him if he is traded)</li>
<li>Get under the luxury tax</li>
<li>Acquire a viable third center</li>
</ul>
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Stevens accomplished all three and even created more flexibility. When our staff went through gut-reaction winners and losers of the deadline on our live show, all of us counted the Celtics as winners. They still have five available roster spots, so the moves aren't finished. On Friday morning at his media availability, Stevens clearly outlined his personal goals with the deals:
"I thought all year that what we really needed to continue to focus on were adding guys that really know how to play, that make the right basketball decisions, and really have a great self-awareness to do what they do best and accentuate our best players."
It starts with Derrick White. The 27-year-old combo guard replaces Schr&ouml;der on the depth chart but could not be a more different player. Brad Stevens gave a glowing review of White, who has apparently been on his radar going back to his time with the USA Select Team:
"We've thought for years that Derrick was a really good fit with our best players," Stevens said. He is an excellent defender. He just makes the right play on offense, over and over and over. He's a guy that only cares about winning [and] that will do all of the little things, as you can see in some of his stats defensively with regard to willingness to put his body on the line, activity, shot challenges, all of those things. And on offense, just by making simple plays&nbsp;and doesn't need to do anything [or] be on the highlights to really impact winning... We felt really fortunate to be able to get a guy like that on a long contract that we think is, again, a perfect fit for our best players."
That covers the bases. White is averaging 5.6 assists per game this season with a 25.2% assist rate; the latter ranks in the 82nd percentile at his position, per Cleaning the Glass. His assist-to-usage rate of 1.12 is in the 76th percentile. For comparison, Schr&ouml;der had an&nbsp;assist-to-usage rate of 0.93 (12th percentile). And these numbers come as White frequently shared the floor with lead guard Dejounte Murray.
White's assist-to-pass ratio of 14.5% ranks eighth in the entire NBA.
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If Derrick White is doing this for the Celtics... 😮&zwj;💨 <a href="https://t.co/fZsrffM9ig">pic.twitter.com/fZsrffM9ig</a>
&mdash; Ethan Fuller (@ethman43) <a href="https://twitter.com/ethman43/status/1492162183039533059?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">February 11, 2022</a></blockquote>

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In theory, the ball should stick less with White and Marcus Smart in the backcourt, and White is more than capable of running an offense when Smart and/or Jayson Tatum isn't on the floor. In the below clips, he's making reads in split seconds. It's easy to picture Robert Williams or Al Horford as Jakob Poeltl, or Grant Williams/Jaylen Brown shooting these corner attempts.
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White isn't going to wow you with a highlight reel pass. But whether it's turning a good shot to a great shot, applying pressure with his cuts or pushing the transition pace, he brings several skills that Boston hasn't nailed down consistently.
Many Celtics fans were immediately concerned by White's 31.4% three-point clip. It's reasonable, and he likely won't ever be an elite marksman or pull-up dagger machine. But there's a bit more to unpack on the efficiency front.&nbsp;
White is making 22% of his corner threes this season. That is... extremely bad, and also 26 percentage points lower from 2020-21. He's making 34% of his threes above the break, which is slightly above league-average. White is making 32.3% of his catch-and-shoot three-pointers, per NBA Stats, when he's typically been in the 38-39% range in recent seasons. Brad Stevens said on Friday he thinks White is a better shooter than the base numbers suggest. I'm inclined to agree.&nbsp;
These aren't even White's key selling points. Flip to the defensive side of the ball and he'll show you why many now think the Celtics could boast the stingiest unit in the NBA. Nekias Duncan lauded White as one of the best point-of-attack players in the league on our show yesterday, and I'd take him at his word. White has a fantastic blend of speed and strength at 6-foot-4 and can mirror drives from the NBA's toughest guards. Here's one clip of him smothering Shai Gilgeous-Alexander:
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White's block rate is in the 97th percentile at his position. It has been there, or higher, in each of the last four seasons. I truly fear for opposing backcourts if he and Marcus Smart share the floor.
The Celtics gave up Josh Richardson, Romeo Langford, a 2022 lightly-protected first-round pick and the right to swap first-rounders in 2028 in exchange for White. That's quite a package for a player who is either a solid complementary starter or a really great bench piece. Stevens himself acknowledged that giving up first-round picks is an inherent risk. But it's the type of move that signals to Tatum and Brown that they're worth building around.&nbsp;
With minutes left on the clock, Boston snuck in another deal with the Rockets. Stevens sent Enes Freedom, Bruno Fernando and Schr&ouml;der to Houston for Daniel Theis. With White in the fold, there was no need to keep Schr&ouml;der even in the short term, and the Celtics also moved two centers who should not play in the rotation to bring back a very capable depth big.
Theis returns after less than a calendar year away from Boston. The 29-year-old started 21 of 26 games with the Rockets and averaged 8.4 points and 5.4 rebounds per game. He's a stalwart interior finisher; per Basketball Reference, Theis has made at least 71% of his shots within three feet of the basket in every year of his NBA career. He's not the stretch big man his three-point volume suggests, but Theis can at least make around one per game in theory.
Theis also isn't an event-creator on defense. He's a bruiser who can come off the bench and be a more viable switcher than Freedom or Fernando ever were. Ime Udoka should at least feel more comfortable deploying Theis in the rotation so Robert Williams III and Al Horford are not overextended.
"Rob and Al are our guys and they're playing great, but if you miss any time with those two guys, you can plug Theis in and it'll be a seamless transition," Stevens said.
So in two trades, the Celtics have upgraded their secondary guard spot and their bench center spot at the risk of missing out in the draft. With the help of a third trade from earlier in the morning, they also gave themselves extra time for moves via the buyout market.
Boston dealt PJ Dozier, Bol Bol, a second-round pick and cash considerations to Orlando for a conditional second-round pick. The goal was clearly to get under the luxury tax, and per <a href="https://www.spotrac.com/nba/boston-celtics/cap/" target="_blank" rel="noopener">Spotrac</a>, Boston did that.
Between the three moves, the Celtics have a whopping five open roster spots to fill. The needs are glaring: shooting and wing depth. That's especially compounded after trading Richardson.
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<a href="https://theathletic.com/3124166/2022/02/10/celtics-trade-deadline-roundtable-brad-stevens-bets-big-on-derrick-white/" target="_blank" rel="noopener">The Athletic's&nbsp;Jared Weiss</a> wrote that he's "gotten the impression" the Celtics will at least take a look at Gary Harris on the buyout market. <a href="https://www.basketballnews.com/stories/report-gary-harris-likely-on-the-move" target="_blank" rel="noopener">Nekias Duncan</a> listed Boston as a potential landing spot for Harris. If the three-point clip stays up, Harris would make a lot of sense as a plug-and-play shooting guard.
With so many lopsided deals around the league in terms of roster size, Boston should have options. Maybe Orlando also buys out Terrence Ross. Perhaps the Lakers waive Kent Bazemore or the Clippers let go of recently-acquired Rodney Hood?
The G League is also loaded with potential fits. According to Adrian Wojnarowski, Boston is already signing Sam Hauser and Luke Kornet to rest-of-season contracts from the Maine Celtics. Hauser's signature skill is shooting and Kornet can stretch the floor as well.
Stevens was vague at his press conference, saying he wanted players with "skill." The Celtics have five opportunities (including Hauser and Kornet) to find such players. Udoka has another tough choice to make, too &mdash; should he break up the current buzzsaw starting lineup and insert White, or bring a starting-caliber guard beginning a four-year, $73 million contract extension off the bench?
For all the angst about Schr&ouml;der's tendency to stop the ball, he was also a much-needed driving threat. White gets to the rim at a level around league-average, but he's not the blazing downhill driver Schr&ouml;der is. Will that affect how the ball is able to move, especially if the Celtics don't have enough shooters on the perimeter?
Clearly these deals don't end the questions. For now, though, fans should feel confident that Brad Stevens was clear and deliberate with his trade deadline moves. Derrick White and Daniel Theis appear to be the complementary talents Boston should be seeking to bolster a lineup hunting postseason contention.
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Ethan Fuller shows how the additions of Derrick White and Daniel Theis fit into the current rotation for the Boston Celtics.

Evaluating the Celtics' trade deadline additions and next steps

Nekias Duncan thoroughly grades every NBA trade from 2022 Deadline Week.

Grading every move from 2022 NBA trade deadline week

The Boston Celtics have traded Dennis Schroder for the Rockets' Daniel Theis.
Source:<a href="https://twitter.com/wojespn/status/1491864450311274503"> Adrian Wojnarowski/ESPN</a>
ANALYSIS:&nbsp;Bruno Fernando and Enes Kanter are reportedly also headed to Houston, and the latter will be waived per Jonathan Feigen.
Schroder had not been a great fit with the Celtics this season, averaging 14.4 points per game off the bench.
Theis, who had also struggled in Houston, will rejoin the Celtics.
Theis had spent the first four years in Boston until being moved at last year's deadline.&nbsp;

The Boston Celtics have traded Dennis Schroder for the Rockets' Daniel Theis.

Celtics trade Dennis Schroder to Rockets for Daniel Theis

LOS ANGELES (AP) — LeBron James scored 30 points, Russell Westbrook added 24 points and 11 assists, and the Los Angeles Lakers beat the Boston Celtics 117-102 on Tuesday night in the latest chapter of the NBA's most storied rivalry.
Anthony Davis had 17 points and 16 rebounds for the Lakers, who produced one of their best recent performances in their fourth victory in six games overall. With James and Westbrook playing dominant floor games, Los Angeles made 56.5% of its shots in the first three quarters and throttled Jayson Tatum's supporting cast defensively.
Tatum scored 14 of his 34 points in an incredible first-quarter blitz for the Celtics, who dropped to 1-2 on their four-game West Coast road trip. Jaylen Brown sat out his third straight game with a strained right hamstring, and nobody else managed more than Robert Williams III's 13 points for Boston.
The Lakers got a much-needed uneventful victory in the 296th edition of the matchup between venerable franchises with a record 17 championships apiece and a record 12 NBA Finals meetings. Boston and Los Angeles split their season series 1-1 for the fifth straight campaign after the Celtics beat the Lakers last month behind Tatum's 37 points.
Westbrook staked the Lakers to a 19-point lead in the third by scoring 15 points in the quarter, and Dwight Howard's tip-in put them up 101-81 with 9:12 to play. The Lakers have lost seven games this season in which they held a double-digit lead, but Boston never applied fourth-quarter pressure in this one.
Tatum scored <a href="https://twitter.com/celtics/status/1468419887005503489">Boston’s first 14 points</a> in the first 3:49, hitting four 3-pointers among his five shots without a miss. James kept the Lakers close with 16 points in the first quarter, and <a href="https://twitter.com/Lakers/status/1468435471302684678">his assist to Westbrook</a> right before the buzzer put Los Angeles up 60-55 at halftime.
TIP-INS
Celtics: Bruno Fernando was inactive after feeling lower back spasms at their morning shootaround. ... Jabari Parker stayed at the team hotel with a non-COVID-19 illness. ... Romeo Langford played 16 minutes after missing Boston's last game with a sprained right ankle. Coach Ime Udoka said pregame his playing time would be based on pain tolerance.
Lakers: Carmelo Anthony scored nine points. He was questionable earlier in the day after he fell ill, but the designation was removed later in the day. ... Malik Monk had a show-stopping breakaway dunk among his 10 points.
SCHADENFREUDE?
Dennis Schröder struggled for the Celtics, scoring 10 points on 1-for-6 shooting before sitting out in the fourth quarter. He was also booed regularly in the first half by Lakers fans still insulted by the German guard's handling of his free agency after his sole season with Los Angeles.
Schröder turned down an $84 million, four-year contract offer from the Lakers to test the market last summer, but he was forced to settle for a $5.9 million, one-year deal with Boston after finding nothing near the Lakers' offer. Los Angeles also lost out because it traded Danny Green and a first-round pick to get Schröder.
UP NEXT
Celtics: At the Los Angeles Clippers on Wednesday night.
Lakers: At Memphis on Thursday night.
___
More AP NBA: https://apnews.com/hub/NBA and https://twitter.com/AP_Sports

LeBron James scored 30 points, and the Los Angeles Lakers beat the Boston Celtics 117-102 on Tuesday night.

Lakers handle Celtics 117-102, split rivalry for season

The Boston Celtics enter the 2021 NBA preseason with one of the deepest training camp rosters they have fielded in recent years.
While the preseason remains as meaningless as ever for team projections, the closed training camp practices and four preliminary contests should help sift through an experienced group. Only one Celtic is a rookie (two-way player Sam Hauser), and 17 of the 20 players have at least two years of NBA experience.&nbsp;
The competition should be fantastic throughout the depth chart. But some battles take on a higher importance as new head coach Ime Udoka finalizes his squad and shapes his team's identity. I have five groupings I'll be particularly interested in as opening night inches closer.
Robert Williams III vs. Al Horford &mdash; Who opens the season as the starting center?
This is the highest-profile "question mark" for the Celtics entering training camp. They just gave Williams a four-year, $54 million contract extension, and he finally started to string together healthy games in his third season. Horford, however, has more experience and notoriety given his last run in Boston. None of this is going to matter because Udoka will play whoever best complements Jayson Tatum and Jaylen Brown.&nbsp;
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Who had the NBA&rsquo;s highest FG% inside the restricted area last season? Per NBA Stats (min. 100 attempts): 1. Giannis Antetokounmpo 💪 - 80.7% 2. DeAndre Jordan - 79.9% 3. Robert Williams III - 78.0% 4. Michael Porter Jr. - 77.5% 5. Daniel Gafford - 76.7% <a href="https://t.co/QjL19obD94">pic.twitter.com/QjL19obD94</a>
&mdash; BasketballNews.com (@basketbllnews) <a href="https://twitter.com/basketbllnews/status/1437056999569637383?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">September 12, 2021</a></blockquote>

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Is that Williams, who was one of the most efficient interior finishers in the entire NBA last season? He's an eye-popping lob threat who can move the ball well for a paint presence and protect the rim at a high level. Horford, in contrast, can stretch the floor, pass the ball well and open up more versatile defensive approaches. He can theoretically play power forward as well, though I'm skeptical of that as a realistic option.
We'll see how Udoka deploys Tatum and Brown as playmakers. Perhaps the spacing with those two, Marcus Smart and Josh Richardson clicks, and Williams can finish plays as a roller or dunker spot threat. Or maybe the Celtics need a stretch big as they have in past seasons. Either way, both should receive heavy minutes regardless of their place in the starting lineup.
My prediction:&nbsp;Williams starts, barring injury.
Dennis Schr&ouml;der vs. Payton Pritchard &mdash; Who runs the bench offense and when?
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Which rookies led the NBA in &ldquo;deep&rdquo; threes made (&gt;27 feet) last season? Per Sportradar: 1. Immanuel Quickley - 34 (38.6 FG%) 2. Payton Pritchard - 32 (40.5 FG%) 3. LaMelo Ball - 28 (34.1 FG%) 4. Saddiq Bey - 21 (35.6 FG%) 5. Anthony Edwards - 20 (27.4 FG%) <a href="https://t.co/Ti8afYE0mS">pic.twitter.com/Ti8afYE0mS</a>
&mdash; BasketballNews.com (@basketbllnews) <a href="https://twitter.com/basketbllnews/status/1436075090555310084?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">September 9, 2021</a></blockquote>

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Smart should be penciled in as the starting point guard and Richardson (more on him soon) appears to have the edge as a shooting guard. Schr&ouml;der would then come off the bench as a starting-caliber point guard, while Payton Pritchard looks ready for a larger load after his dominant summer league.
What responsibilities would they each have? The 28-year-old Schr&ouml;der is a seasoned lead guard who can attack off the dribble and finish at the rim. Pritchard doesn't have the same explosiveness, but instead has impressive range as a perimeter shotmaker. He orchestrated the Celtics offense in Las Vegas and became a backup point guard by default as a rookie. Is that enough to take responsibility off of Schr&ouml;der &mdash; and how will each fare without the ball in his hands?
My prediction: Schr&ouml;der gets more lead-guard run as a capable veteran.
Josh Richardson vs. Aaron Nesmith vs. Romeo Langford &mdash; Who capitalizes on available minutes?
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Josh Richardson on getting vaccinated: "That subject is pretty personal. I talked about what I'm going to do ... with my family and my circle. I'm not really sure. I think it's good that people are still educating themselves on the subject. Going forward, I'm not sure."
&mdash; Souichi Terada (寺田惣一) (@SouichiTerada) <a href="https://twitter.com/SouichiTerada/status/1442536533135970304?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">September 27, 2021</a></blockquote>
Richardson should be starting for the Celtics as a two-way wing due for some positive regression. But the vaccine situation matters, from a public health and player availability perspective. Yes, he does not say he is unvaccinated outright, but this is a pretty loud hint that Richardson could miss opening night against the New York Knicks, and potentially more games.&nbsp;
In the possible absence, is Aaron Nesmith <a href="https://www.basketballnews.com/stories/aaron-nesmith-is-ready-for-whatever-else-the-boston-celtics-throw-at-him" target="_blank" rel="noopener">ready to step up</a>? The second-year wing flashed off-dribble attacking ability in summer league and is a known three-point threat. But Nesmith has an injury history, as does third-year guard Romeo Langford. The No. 15 pick from the 2019 draft has played just 50 games in his NBA career and is still a relative unknown. Who will we see in what roles, and when?&nbsp;
My prediction: Absolutely no idea.

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Grant Williams vs. Juan Hernangomez vs. Garrison Mathews &mdash; Who is the stretch 4 off the bench?
Boston brought aboard Hernangomez, Mathews and Hauser this summer, and each slots into that hyper-specialist, sharpshooting forward role. With context, Hernangomez would seem to have the edge as the primary piece of a trade from Memphis, while Mathews is currently on a non-guaranteed contract and Hauser is signed on the two-way deal. But they'll ultimately have to fit with the incumbent in Williams.
The Celtics' other 2019 first-round pick has been... interesting through his first two seasons. He is woefully streaky as a shooter, registering three months over 40% from three last season along with two under 32%. He's also a 6-foot-6 forward who works really hard on the defensive end, but can be outmatched due to his size.
It would be surprising to see Williams out of the rotation entirely, but Udoka could drastically alter his role depending on how he gets going this fall.
My prediction: Williams and Hernangomez stick in the rotation, but Hernangomez has more offensive responsibility.
Which veterans hang onto the end of the roster?
Jabari Parker, Theo Pinson, Ryan Arcidiacono, Juwan Morgan and Mathews are all signed to non-guaranteed training camp deals or partially-guaranteed contracts. The Celtics only have one active roster spot and one two-way contract available. Five veterans are essentially fighting for two spots, and that does not even include Bruno Fernando, who is on a fully-guaranteed deal as the fourth center on the depth chart.
That's a pretty serious battle for six veterans. The NBA G League website says that players in their fourth season or earlier are eligible for a two-way contract. This would make Fernando, Pinson, Morgan and Mathews eligible two-way players, though I would be suprised if a 24-game starter in Mathews were to opt to stay on a two-way deal.&nbsp;
Do the Celtics want steady guard depth in Arcidiacono and his 5.6 assist-to-turnover ratio from last season? Or do they opt for a scoring forward in Parker or Mathews? What about keeping the guaranteed-contract player they have in Fernando? And what about that last two-way slot?
Ultimately, these will be the most pressing questions during preseason action since all of these players should get quality playing time.
My prediction: Fernando and Mathews get the final active roster spots. Pinson gets the two-way.
Boston may not have a title-contending roster on paper. But it's clear that Udoka and Brad Stevens are building for the present and searching for the best complements to Tatum and Brown. As the two young stars creep towards their primes, it's becoming time to open the Celtics' window of opportunity.

Ethan Fuller takes a look at five competitions that could break out during the Celtics' preseason process.

5 battles to watch during Celtics training camp and preseason

In terms of player acquisition, there are a few important dates in the NBA calendar. The NBA Draft and free-agency period kick off the new league year, while the trade deadline is a key benchmark for teams to decide if they are buyers or sellers.
However, there's one more stretch with plenty of player movement and it always seems to fly under the radar: buyout season.
Every year following the trade deadline, bought-out players are signed by teams with playoff aspirations. Teams compete in a pseudo-bidding war for veterans who want a fresh start in a winning environment.
For this upcoming season, there&rsquo;s potential for the buyout market to coalesce before the regular season even tips off. With that being said, let&rsquo;s dive into the realistic buyout candidates who could potentially help energize a playoff contender.
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KEVIN LOVE
What happens next for Love and the Cleveland Cavaliers? They just drafted Evan Mobley at No. 3 overall to be their new franchise power forward. Jarrett Allen re-signed on a five-year, $100 million deal in free agency. Larry Nance Jr. is still around as one of the best backup bigs in the Association. The opportunities for Love in Cleveland are rapidly dwindling away. And it seems like <a href="https://www.basketballnews.com/stories/nba-news-something-has-got-to-give-with-kevin-love-cleveland-cavaliers-koby-altman-discipline" target="_blank" rel="noopener">this marriage has been on the rocks for a few years</a> now anyways.
Love&rsquo;s effort in certain situations has been poor for a team leader, and he would be wise to maneuver a buyout with the Cavaliers&rsquo; front office during the 2021-22 season.
In the meantime, is Love really going to accept a bench role for a rebuilding team? (He admitted he'd probably have a reduced role publicly when he was with Team USA, but what's that look like when it actually happens?) Also, are the Cavaliers willing to block much-needed on-court development time for Mobley by putting Love ahead of him on the depth chart?
The answer to both of these should be no, but the biggest roadblock is Love&rsquo;s remaining $60.2 million salary through the end of the 2022-23 season. Similar to what happened with Blake Griffin and the Detroit Pistons, a mutually agreed-upon buyout should be the next move. The question is: when will that occur and how much money is Love willing to sacrifice &mdash; if any &mdash; to join a win-now squad?&nbsp;
RAJON RONDO
Recently traded from the Los Angeles Clippers to the Memphis Grizzlies in the Eric Bledsoe swap alongside Patrick Beverley (who was re-routed to Minnesota) and Daniel Oturu, Rondo seems destined for an early-season buyout. He might not even report to camp for Memphis, just like what happened with Andre Iguodala before he was traded to Miami.
Currently, the Grizzlies have 18 players on their roster. Movement needs to occur, and a Rondo buyout is one of the most logical first steps. Although the 35-year-old would be a great mentor for ascending star point guard Ja Morant, a disgruntled Rondo who would rather be on a title contender might not provide much help.
Rondo ending back up with the Los Angeles Lakers, or even another win-now Finals contender like the Brooklyn Nets or Miami Heat, seems like the best bet to place at the moment. Rondo and the Grizzlies are not a perfect match, and it wouldn&rsquo;t be surprising if the veteran has already made this clear to Memphis' decision-makers.
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THADDEUS YOUNG
Young was involved in the DeMar DeRozan sign-and-trade that sent him to a rebuilding San Antonio Spurs squad earlier this month. With the Spurs looking <a href="https://www.basketballnews.com/stories/with-veterans-moving-on-san-antonio-spurs-would-be-wise-to-hit-the-reset-button" target="_blank" rel="noopener">more like a potential tanking team than realistic playoff contender</a>, Young would be wise to get out of the Alamo City as soon as possible.
There have already been rumors of the Spurs dangling Young in trades to contenders like the Phoenix Suns, who are in need of one more piece to fortify an already strong second unit. Whether it&rsquo;s eventually in Phoenix or elsewhere, Young&rsquo;s leadership, defensive versatility and all-around offensive game allow him to be a snug fit on any roster. Honestly, knowing Young&rsquo;s value, it wouldn&rsquo;t be a shock to see San Antonio trade him for a young prospect or a future pick at some point.
However, if the Spurs decide to keep Young until the middle of the season &mdash; a realistic possibility with San Antonio seemingly believing that the team can make a playoff push with an extremely inexperienced roster &mdash; he instantly becomes one of the best buyout options to keep an eye on.
TRISTAN THOMPSON
Is Thompson really going to play an entire season with the Sacramento Kings? I don&rsquo;t think so. I would imagine Thompson doesn&rsquo;t want to either.
The Boston Celtics traded Thompson to the Kings in a three-team deal that netted them Kris Dunn, Bruno Fernando and a future second-round pick. Now in Sacramento as the backup to Richaun Holmes, Thompson is another expiring-contract player who could change the fortunes of another organization on the buyout market. Thompson&rsquo;s strong rebounding ability would help bolster weaker frontcourt rotations.
Looking around the league for potential Thompson destinations via buyout, a few immediately stand out: the Milwaukee Bucks, Chicago Bulls, Denver Nuggets, Los Angeles Clippers, Dallas Mavericks, Golden State Warriors and Los Angeles Lakers. As you can see, a lot of teams that are determined to make a deep playoff run could use a big like Thompson off their bench.
Thompson won&rsquo;t be an early-season buyout, but he certainly could top the list for realistic options when we get towards March.
DERRICK FAVORS
Favors was salary-dumped to the Oklahoma City Thunder right after the 2021 NBA Draft so that the Utah Jazz could re-sign Mike Conley without much consequence in the luxury tax. Now, Favors is stuck on a Thunder roster that was constructed with sole intention of tanking for lottery balls. Oklahoma City owns 35 draft picks over the next five years, so their rebuilding stage is still in its infancy.
With two years remaining on his current deal, which includes a $10.2 million player option for 2022-23, Favors may be wise to play the Al Horford role as a veteran leader in Oklahoma City. However, if he would rather forego the money and chase a championship, he instantly becomes an intriguing buyout candidate down the road.
Like Thompson, Favors&rsquo; rebounding and defensive versatility would be welcome on any contending roster as a reserve big.
Although the buyout market usually doesn&rsquo;t pick up steam for another six-plus months, these names are already standing out among the rest as contenders circle rebuilding teams like vultures, waiting for the right opportunity to pry away their win-now pieces.

The 2021-22 buyout market has strong potential to help fortify contenders. Keep an eye on these players as buyout possibilities.

5 names to watch in a potentially fruitful NBA buyout market

<div id="id__ezjo5oza4li" dir="auto" lang="en">The Boston Celtics are trading Moses Brown to the Dallas Mavericks in the Josh Richardson trade, sources tell&nbsp;The Athletic&nbsp;and Stadium</div>
<div dir="auto" lang="en">&nbsp;</div>
<div dir="auto" lang="en">Source: <a href="https://twitter.com/ShamsCharania/status/1421517193343242240" target="_blank" rel="noopener">Shams Charania of The Athletic (Twitter)</a></div>
<div dir="auto" lang="en">&nbsp;</div>
<div dir="auto" lang="en">ANALYSIS: After a quiet draft night, Boston has made two trades in relatively quick succession after they <a href="https://www.basketballnews.com/stories/celtics-trade-tristan-thompson-to-atlanta-for-kris-dunn-bruno-fernandohttps://www.basketballnews.com/stories/celtics-trade-tristan-thompson-to-atlanta-for-kris-dunn-bruno-fernando" target="_blank" rel="noopener">sent Tristan Thompson to the Sacramento Kings</a>. In Richardson, the Celtics add a solid if not inconsistent guard with size that can bring energy on defense and averaged 12.1 points, 3.3 rebounds and 2.6 assists last season.</div>
<div dir="auto" lang="en">&nbsp;</div>
<div dir="auto" lang="en">For the Mavericks, moving Richardson should open up cap space to play with in free agency. They also a acquire an intriguing developmental big in the 21-year-old Brown.</div>

The Dallas Mavericks have traded guard Josh Richardson to the Boston Celtics.

Mavericks trade Josh Richardson to Celtics for Moses Brown

The Celtics are trading Tristan Thompson to Atlanta for Kris Dunn, and a 2023 second-round pick, sources tell ESPN.
Source: <a href="https://twitter.com/wojespn/status/1421224078824910852" target="_blank" rel="noopener">Adrian Wojnarowski/ESPN</a>
Update:&nbsp;Sacramento is acquiring Tristan Thompson as part of expanded three-way deal, source tells ESPN
Source: <a href="https://twitter.com/wojespn/status/1421238766262525956" target="_blank" rel="noopener">Adrian Wojnarowski/ESPN</a>
ANALYSIS: Per Wojnarowski, the completed deal includes the Kings sending Delon Wright to Atlanta. The Kings add some frontcourt depth in Thompson, who averaged 7.6 points and 8.1 rebounds during his lone season in Boston, ahead of Richaun Holmes' free agency. In return, the Celtics get an option to fill the holes in the point guard rotation in Dunn.&nbsp;
Dunn appeared in just four games for the Hawks after battling injuries. The Hawks go in a different direction at backup point guard by acquiring the veteran Wright.
Wojnarowski also added that center Bruno Fernando will be headed to Boston in the trade.

The Hawks pick up a tough rebounder in Thompson to bolster the frontcourt.

Celtics trade Tristan Thompson to Kings as part of 3-team deal with Hawks

Philadelphia 76ers center Joel Embiid was fined $35,000 by the NBA for escalating an on-court altercation in Game 6 of the Eastern Conference Semifinals against Atlanta.
Embiid fell on top of John Collins on the court in Game 6. Collins then shoved Embiid before both rose to their feet. Embiid had his arms stretched out wide with Collins&rsquo; hands around his neck as both walked off the court under the basket.
Officials reviewed the altercation and called technical fouls on each player with no free throws awarded.
The NBA said Sunday Embiid also failed to comply with an NBA Security interview following the incident.
Atlanta Hawks forward Bruno Fernando was suspended for Sunday's Game 7 for leaving the bench area during the spat.
___
More AP NBA: https://apnews.com/hub/NBA and https://twitter.com/AP_Sports

Joel Embiid was fined $35,000 by the NBA for escalating an on-court altercation in Game 6 of the Eastern Conference Semifinals against Atlanta.

NBA fines 76ers' Joel Embiid $35,000 for Game 6 altercation

There is no judgement when you enter Haseeb Fasihi&rsquo;s gym, but there are rules.&nbsp;
&ldquo;When you work with me, probably for the first two weeks, I don't want [any] footage,&rdquo; Fasihi explained. &ldquo;I don't want any cameras.&rdquo;
For Fasihi, this rule is rooted in passion and in the desire to see athletes improve their game, not to stroke their egos.&nbsp;
&ldquo;My [philosophy] is like, &lsquo;Hey, when I break you down and you're at your worst, how do you adjust?&rsquo;&rdquo;
The numbers, the success stories, and the accolades that he has accumulated over the last decade are evidence enough that the 30-year-old&rsquo;s approach to coaching and developing professional basketball players works. He&rsquo;s been in their position before, and he knows firsthand what is necessary to ensure a long career.&nbsp;
Not highly recruited out of high school, Haseeb&rsquo;s venture into the world of professional basketball began, like many others&rsquo;, at just 18 years old.&nbsp;
&ldquo;I went to this camp in Atlanta and I was just dropping dimes to everybody. They saw that I was not a scorer, but I had this one game where I had like 16 assists and 12 rebounds, but only scored 8 points. But I didn't feel like I needed to score. So a lot of the scouts were like, &lsquo;Hey you remind us of what Steve Nash does. He doesn't need to shoot.&rsquo; So they used that as a way of recruiting me,&rdquo; he says of the London Leopards (now the Essex Leopards) of the British Basketball League.&nbsp;
And while his own professional career was cut short due to knee and ankle injuries, a promise to his father would prove to be a blessing in disguise, giving him a different opportunity to pursue a career in professional basketball.&nbsp;
&ldquo;I wanted to get into school because I didn't have my Bachelor&rsquo;s yet," Fasihi said. "So as a favor to my father, I came back to America and got my Bachelor's from UCF (University of Central Florida) in Exercise Physiology.&rdquo;&nbsp;
His degree helped him understand the intricate workings of a professional athlete&rsquo;s body, and his personal experiences helped him turn it into an art form.&nbsp;
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While injuries and promises led him to pursue a new career, the NBA lockout of 2011 &mdash; in another butterfly-effect moment that has become the norm in his life &mdash; helped him get his foot in the door.&nbsp;
Two years into working independently as a conditioning coach, Fasihi joined the famed IMG Academy. His first client was none other than Tyrus Thomas, the fourth overall pick of the 2006 NBA draft. The young coach was unmistakably talented, but like the NBA, talent and opportunity are often two independent parts of the equation.
&ldquo;What got me into the NBA was one of my mentors, Bill Burgos, who's currently the head strength-and-conditioning coach for the Timberwolves," Fasihi said. "During the lockout, coaches and players were not working. So he decided to become a professor at UCF for one semester in Strength and Conditioning. So, I was so lucky and blessed to take that one Strength and Conditioning class.&rdquo;&nbsp;
As fate would have it, Professor Burgos was also the strength-and-conditioning coach for the Orlando Magic at the time.
&ldquo;I actually got to know him really well and we built a personal relationship," Fasihi said. "And then, he saw that in the offseason, I was training so many players.&rdquo;&nbsp;
Fasihi and Burgos kept in touch. When Haseeb was featured by ESPN for his work with Los Angeles Lakers signee Vander Blue, he sent the article to his longtime mentor. Burgos picked up the phone and called Fasihi with as little hesitation as Steph Curry has from behind the arc.&nbsp;
&ldquo;He told me, &lsquo;Hey, we're starting a new G League program and I want you to be my assistant strength coach in Orlando.&rsquo; And at that time, I was actually with Jae Crowder in Cleveland after he got traded," Fasihi said. "So I got the call when I was at his house. He said &lsquo;Hey, we want you to come to the Orlando Magic,&rsquo; and this was in 2017. I was like, &lsquo;Oh, wow. Alright. I'm ready. Let's do it.&rsquo;&rdquo;&nbsp;
Only 27 at the time, Fasihi jumped at the opportunity, and hasn&rsquo;t looked back since.&nbsp;
Haseeb wears many hats &mdash; he is the head of player development for the Lakeland Magic (the current G League champions), a strength-and-conditioning coach for the Orlando Magic, the creator of M.A.D.E Performance, and the personal development coach to basketball players at every level. His client list spans the length of every roster in the NBA, and he can name every one of them.&nbsp;
Since joining the Lakeland Magic in 2017, he has seen many players come and go; some head overseas, and some make it to the NBA. Other players go to his hometown of Miami to train with him individually.
&ldquo;If a player comes [to Miami] temporarily, they just work out with me short-term and then they leave. But guys like Jae Crowder or Bruno Fernando from Atlanta, these guys want me to be with them full-time," Fasihi said. "It usually depends on the demand at the moment. There have been times that Jae Crowder wants me to be with him in Phoenix, and I'll be like, &lsquo;Hey, I can't, I'm still in the season with Lakeland.&rsquo; Or if he's somewhere else, and he needs me there, I can't be there, just because the demand I have down here is pretty high, especially with a lot of college players transitioning to the NBA."&nbsp;
He has perfected the careful balancing act that is being in multiple places at the same time, and thanks the Lakeland Magic for their flexibility that allows him to do so.&nbsp;
&ldquo;Luckily, my two general managers, Anthony Parker &mdash; who is Candace Parker&rsquo;s brother, he's my head GM in the Lakeland &mdash; and my assistant general manager, Adetunji Adedipe, these two are pretty much my mentors in the organization, [along with] our assistant GM Matt Lloyd with Orlando," Fasihi said. "So they kind of understand that I have a lot of clientele in the offseason [and allow me to] go back to the offseason demand of the players contacting me."
Orlando completed several deals at this year&rsquo;s trade deadline, and no one is more excited than Fasihi.&nbsp;
&ldquo;They're going to have a lot of young guys that they&rsquo;re going to start drafting,&rdquo; he says, unable to hide the excitement in his voice. &ldquo;For the past three-to-five years, I've been working the NBA Draft Combine, so I do all the testing. We as strength-and-conditioning coaches, we do the testing like the vertical jump and all that stuff. So they'll assign me a certain spot at the combine to do it. And that's a very honorable thing to do because it&rsquo;s very rare to have the opportunity.&rdquo;
With a keen eye for detail, Fasihi&rsquo;s personal methods for player development have helped many draft prospects go from merely dreaming of playing in the NBA to living that reality.
Improving a player&rsquo;s mobility and confidence are areas that Fasihi is an expert in, with one often interchangeable with the other.&nbsp;
&ldquo;I&rsquo;ve always been taught that if you feel like the player is confident shooting at a high percentage, it&rsquo;s hard to change that," he said. "I'll give you an example: when I was growing up, people would say that Reggie Miller had a terrible shooting form, but he was so confident. He was just one of the best three-point shooters in the league, so nobody said anything! But now, we're in an era where guys have to shoot quicker, you know, all those little things are diagnosed. So for me, I would have to see where the percentages are at and how the body moves when they&rsquo;re shooting. If I feel like I can improve a player&rsquo;s shot by 2% or 3%, I'll break that down to a T and then see how the body responds when I do change the form.&rdquo;
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When he speaks of his client list, Fasihi doesn&rsquo;t start with the most famous. He starts with the players he sees the most potential in &mdash; the ones with the desire to improve a little bit every day.&nbsp;
&ldquo;Christian Vital from UConn; he's been with me for, like, the past four or five years," Fasihi said. "So he's like my little brother. He comes to me in the offseason. I know his agent really well, and he was actually picked up by Memphis on their G League roster. He's gonna be a great addition to [any] situation he's in. Jalen Adams, another kid from UConn, he&rsquo;s with the Pelicans and their G League team. I think he will have another great opportunity. 
"Miles Bridges, but we already see where he's at now; he's catching lobs and just dunking it. That's no surprise. There's just so many players. I mean, I could go down the list. Even one of my kids, MaCio Teague from Baylor, who just won [the national championship]. Seeing him win [after] having him come work with me in the offseason was fun.&rdquo;
He speaks highly of Princeton&rsquo;s Devin Cannady, the G League MVP in his second professional season: &ldquo;He&rsquo;s a great kid and he&rsquo;s got a great career ahead of him.&rdquo;&nbsp;
The day after Fasihi mentioned Cannady, the Magic signed him to a two-way contract.&nbsp;
Although the coach feels a sense of pride with every success story, he will never take the credit.&nbsp;
&ldquo;Growing up in Miami, I was a Heat fan, but now I&rsquo;m a Magic fan because obviously, it&rsquo;s political,&rdquo; Fasihi jokes. &ldquo;But seeing [Jae] make it to the Finals, I felt like I was part of Heat Nation.&rdquo;
He doesn&rsquo;t take credit for Crowder&rsquo;s Finals performance with the Heat, as he recognizes the amount of people involved in ensuring longevity in a player&rsquo;s career.&nbsp;
&ldquo;I did what I could to help him with the short period of time I had with him," he said. "It's what he does with what I&rsquo;ve taught him that makes him go to the next level.&rdquo;
Along with the players he&rsquo;s helped developed over the years, Fasihi is continuing to make his mark and have a positive impact behind the scenes.
And he&rsquo;s far from done.

Haseeb Fasihi's name might not be familiar to NBA fans, but behind the scenes, his teachings are pushing many young pros forward.

From NCAA to the NBA, Haseeb Fasihi continues to make his mark

This year, there were 107 international players from 41 countries on opening-night rosters for the 2020-21 NBA season.