Jordan Walsh: With Jayson Tatum expected to miss significant time and the Celtics likely to reconfigure their veteran-heavy rotation, Jordan Walsh enters his third season with a prime opportunity to carve out a meaningful role. An explosive athlete with a relentless motor, Walsh brings the kind of energy, defensive upside, and positional versatility that coaches covet, especially on a team now missing both Kristaps Porziņģis and Al Horford. With the frontcourt wide open, and Chris Boucher, Sam Merrill and Xavier Tillman representing the only real competition for minutes at the forward spots (of course Jaylen Brown is shoed in here) Walsh has a clear path to becoming a regular rotation player or even earning spot starts. He’s coming off a strong Summer League performance, averaging 15ppg game, and while his offensive game continues to develop, it’s his switchability, elite motor, and ability to guard multiple positions that could quickly make him indispensable. On a roster that needs youth, energy, and defensive bite, Walsh is in the right place at the right time to break out.

NSL OUTLOOK: Walsh is expected to be moved to Brooklyn (via Chicago) in a free agency time deal. While Brooklyn has a tremendous amount of talent, they’re a bit top heavy and lack great depth at PF. Walsh’s eligibility to play SG, SF, and PF should help alleviate some of the potential depth concerns Brooklyn has.


Jordan Goodwin: enters the 2025–2026 season as a defensive-minded guard with legitimate breakout potential in Phoenix. Renowned for his point-of-attack defense and physicality against opposing ball-handlers, Goodwin has consistently carved out roles by doing the gritty work others avoid. After showing flashes in Memphis during the 23-24 season, where he averaged 10ppg and 4.5apg over a 17 game stretch, he followed up with a productive stint in L.A this past season, posting 5.6 ppg, 3.9rpg , and 1.4apg on impressive 44/38/82 shooting splits. That earned him a standard NBA contract and opened the door for further development. Now in Phoenix, where the backcourt depth is thin and the system rewards defensive tenacity, Goodwin has a clear opportunity to shine. If his offensive game continues to trend upward and he maintains his lockdown presence at the point of attack, he could evolve into one of the league’s more valuable two-way rotation guards.

NSL OUTLOOK: Another player Chicago is moving, Jordan Walsh fits Indiana like a glove. The Pacers are in a tough spot. They’re super top heavy, and while they are expected to have the full MLE, they also have 6 roster spots to fill. Rather than get in a bidding war, they have opted to bring in Goodwin via trade. This is a move that fits the mold of what Indiana is building: defensive versatility + athleticism.


Jay Huff: With the Pacers moving on from longtime anchor Myles Turner, Jay Huff is stepping into a golden opportunity to carve out a major role in Indiana’s frontcourt. At 7’1” with a smooth shooting stroke, knocking down 40.5% from three in 2024–25. Huff offers a modern blend of rim protection and floor spacing. But beyond his skill, it’s his grit, motor, and athleticism that make him an ideal cultural fit for Indiana. Huff plays hard on every possession, brings relentless energy, and has a fearless approach around the basket, he tries to dunk everything, no matter who’s in front of him. That edge aligns perfectly with the Pacers hard nosed, up-tempo identity under head coach Rick Carlisle. In a system that values toughness, versatility, and smart, unselfish play, Huff’s willingness to do the dirty work and his ability to stretch the floor make him a seamless fit. With a roster lacking a clear cut starting center and Huff locked into a team friendly deal under $3 million per year, Indiana seems poised to give him every chance to prove he belongs…and maybe more.

NSL OUTLOOK: As we all know, Rootsy loves to collect NBA Grizzlies players. However, with Huff now on the NBA Pacers, Rootsy has a tough decision to make. Does he move on from Huff? His trade value will continue to rise so perhaps he can get a very good return on investment. However, Memphis sorely lacks Center depth, and with the opportunity Huff will get IRL, the NSL Grzzlies stand a chance to have one of the best 1-2 punches at Center with Huff and Edey (depending on health and continued development).



Jake LaRavia: arrives in Los Angeles on a $12 million deal, looking to turn flashes of promise into long-term stability after uneven but encouraging stints in Memphis and Sacramento. In what may be his best opportunity yet, LaRavia joins a Lakers squad where his strengths as a "3-and-D" forward are a natural fit. He quietly put together strong shooting numbers last season: 47.5% from the field and 42.3% from three, suggesting that with more consistent minutes and a defined role, he could become a reliable floor spacer. Beyond his shooting, LaRavia’s straight line athleticism and ability to run the floor make him a dangerous weapon in transition, allowing him to capitalize on fast break opportunities and stretch defenses. Playing alongside stars like LeBron James and Luka Dončić should only make life easier, drawing defenders and creating wide open looks that suit LaRavia’s shooting profile. If he locks in defensively and continues to hit shots at a high clip, he could solidify himself as a key piece in the Lakers’ rotation.

NSL OUTLOOK: Laravia’s rights are still held by Houston and my money would bet that the Rockets plan try to bring him back. However, there will be plenty of suitors of the young hybrid forward. In a 2k engine that seemingly favors athleticism, Laravia could thrive on a team that pushes the pace and values positional versatility. If the Rockets lose out on him, I expect teams like the Kings (Laravia seems like a Klemm guy) and Raptors (need depth at both Forward spots) to pursue him.


Max Christie: enters the 2025–26 season positioned for a potential breakout, a result of both circumstance and steady development. Acquired by Dallas in the blockbuster Luka Dončić trade, Christie quickly carved out a role, averaging 15ppg, 5rpg, and 3apg while starting 11 of 32 games. His perimeter shooting, defensive versatility, and straight line athleticism have made him a natural fit in Jason Kidd’s system, prompting some within the organization to call him the “steal” of the deal. Christie’s value lies in his two-way impact. He provides reliable floor spacing, guards multiple positions, and has shown flashes as a secondary playmaker. With Anthony Davis, Kyrie Irving (eventually), and rookie Cooper Flagg anchoring the Mavs, Christie has the chance to grow alongside star talent while playing meaningful minutes in a reshaped rotation. Just as notable is his approach: he has embraced the move with maturity, calling the trade the highlight of his young career. For a Mavericks team entering a new era, Christie’s combination of skill, opportunity, and mindset makes him a player to watch. If his three-point shooting and defensive consistency continue to trend upward, he could emerge as a core piece of Dallas’s long term plans.

NSL OUTLOOK: The Nuggets have a solid and balanced core, however they run the risk of losing CP3 this off-season.  With stars like Donovan Mitchell, Domantas Sabonis, and Michael Porter Jr. commanding the bulk of the team’s salary cap, the margin for internal growth is razor thin, making Christie’s emergence as a reliable two-way contributor more valuable. A breakout year from Christie wouldn’t just strengthen the second unit; it would give the team a youthful, cost-effective stabilizer capable of playing next to stars without disrupting flow. In a lineup loaded with proven names, Christie’s rise could be the difference between a team that’s merely talented on paper and one that’s sustainably dangerous on the floor.

Anthony Black: enters the 2025–26 season in a pivotal role for the Orlando Magic, expected to serve as the team’s sixth or seventh man on a bench unit that boasts defensive toughness and versatility, but lacks reliable self creation. That’s where Black has a real chance to carve out his identity. With elite size for a guard, strong defensive instincts, and the ability to handle the ball, he brings a unique blend of playmaking and positional versatility to Orlando’s second unit. Playing alongside veteran floor general Tyus Jones should free him up to attack mismatches, operate off the ball, and make instinctive reads in motion. The key swing skill? Finishing. If Black can take a leap as a finisher at the rim, he has all the tools to become a serious difference maker off the bench. On a Magic team that’s quietly built one of the deepest rosters in the East, Black has the opportunity and structure to elevate his game and emerge as a true spark plug for a team with championship aspirations.

NSL OUTLOOK: If Anthony Black takes a major step forward this season, it could be the stabilizing force this roster desperately needs in the wake of Damian Lillard’s long-term injury. His blend of size, poise, and defensive versatility makes him uniquely suited to fill the void, not by trying to replicate Lillard’s scoring, but by reshaping the team’s rhythm. Black’s ability to initiate offense, defend multiple positions, and make the connective plays that keep possessions alive will be invaluable to a Trailblazers team that looks to make a run at the playoffs.