Nets preseason vibes: a fresh, youth-forward energy took over Potomac Playground as Brooklyn welcomed all five rookies alongside Terance Mann and Michael Porter Jr. Coogi uniforms returned with fanfare, and the event underscored a community-first rebuild. Attendance felt down from last year, but the atmosphere suggested excitement around the Flatbush Five and a hopeful 2025-26 trajectory.

The day highlighted team cohesion, autograph moments, and a roster still defining roles. International buzz around Cui Yongxi and Ben Simmons added global flavor, while limited practice for Dëmin and Powell muted on-court drama. Brooklyn signaled a transition with style and optimism, not perfection.

Unsigned unrestricted free agents for 2025-26 NBA season headline a cap-conscious market where veterans offer value at low cost. Al Horford leads the pack with floor spacing and versatile defense, a prime fit for contenders and a rumored Warriors deal awaiting Kuminga’s situation. Malik Beasley sits high for instant offense and shooting gravity, despite off-court headwinds. Simmons and Fultz present huge upside if healthy, but remain high-risk bets. Mid-tier vets like Burks, Craig, Morris, and Westbrook bring steady scoring and playmaking. The guard corps—Payton II, Cory Joseph, and others—highlight defensive versatility, with Bol Bol, Payne, and Reggie Jackson offering development upside. Spurs are even linked to Celtics assets in a big two-way scenario, while Beasley’s destination remains unsettled and teams weigh defensive fits over flashier upside.

Ben Simmons’ arc remains a fantasy enigma as injuries and pressure collided with hype. Patrick Beverley argues confidence cratered after the injuries and the Philly backlash, hinting that a smaller market might have staged a different outcome. Simmons’ three All-Star selections and 2018 Rookie of the Year remind fantasy managers of elite potential, but his shooting drought and current free-agent status cloud projections for 2025.

Knicks eye guard depth with a lone roster spot, denying a formal offer to Ben Simmons though talks occurred via his former agent. Landry Shamet and Malcolm Brogdon are on the radar for that role, with 39.7% 3-point shooting from Shamet and 38.8% for Brogdon cited as reasons they fit. Any deal would be veteran minimum and not fully guaranteed, preserving flexibility for other moves.

In short, New York is balancing shooting, spacing, and defense while avoiding a large cap commitment. Simmons remains a topic, but the Knicks’ approach has been pragmatic rather than transactional, aiming for a confident, low-risk addition that complements the core rotation.