It feels like the Oklahoma City Thunder just hoisted the Larry O’Brien, but another NBA season is upon us. After five teams held their media days last week, the remaining teams had their media days yesterday.
With the season set to start in just under a month, teams are gearing up for another 82-game marathon, and the NBA’s 80th season. Here are the three main takeaways from media day across the league.
3) Dylan Harper could start for the Spurs
The big news out of San Antonio’s media day was that star point guard De’Aaaron Fox will likely miss the first few games of the season due to a hamstring issue. Fox essentially ruled himself out of playing on opening night, but said that the injury is minor. Nonetheless, it is interesting to see him say that with about a month to go until the opener.
With that being the case, this likely means that second overall pick Dylan Harper will start at point guard for the Spurs in the early going. There had been a lot of conversation about the team's crowded backcourt, and who would start, but Fox's injury likely ends that debate.
Harper has all the tools to be a lead guard in today’s game. He has great court vision, is relentless at attacking the basket, and has a tight handle. He is as pro ready as it gets for a guard in today’s league, so San Antonio should not miss a beat while Fox is sidelined.
2) Jayson Tatum is progressing nicely
About four months after his achilles surgery, Tatum is already back on the court. While it is just light workouts, and he is still nowhere close to being cleared for game action, Tatum’s recovery has been rapid.
Head coach Joe Mazzulla has been with him every step of the way, and even Tatum’s teammates are inspired by his approach to rehab. Tatum is likely going to miss a big chunk of next season, but if the Celtics are in the playoff hunt after the All-Star break, we could see the superstar forward return to action.
Tatum has said that the higher-ups in Boston have not indicated that he needs to rush back to the court, and that he wants to be as healthy as possible when he returns. In a weak East, Jaylen Brown and company should be able to hold down the fort until Tatum returns.
1) Trae Young’s murky future in Atlanta
Young and the Hawks were unable to reach an extension agreement this offseason. In fact, it looks like the two sides barely engaged in talks. The All-Star point guard expressed that he is not worried about not having an extension, and is just focused on the season. However, if Atlanta saw him as their franchise guy, they would have gotten that done by now.
Young has yet to lead the Hawks back to any sort of contention after their one-off conference finals appearance in 2021. Atlanta has surrounded him with questionable pieces, but this is a big prove-it year for the point guard.
Jalen Johnson is back healthy, the team added Nickeil Alexander-Walker, and Kristaps Porzingis in the offseason, Dyson Daniels looks like a budding star, and Quin Snyder is a good head coach. In a weakened East, Young has the pieces to compete. Now it is time for him to deliver, so he can get the payday he desires.