2026-27 NBA season opens with roster moves and international plans

NBA teams open the 2026-27 season amid roster changes, title defenses, and league expansion discussions.

5 stories315 sourcesUpdated Oct 20, 2026

In this storyline:Jaylen Brown Dalton Knecht EuroLeague International Basketball Federation Paul George

2026-27 NBA season opens with roster moves and international plans — Photo: Keith Allison from Hanover, MD, USA / Wikimedia Commons (CC BY-SA 2.0)

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Key developments

Oct 20, 2026
NBA plans to launch a merit-based European league in October 2027 with major investment in youth and arenas.
6 sources on this →
Oct 20, 2026
Knicks begin title defense with core intact against 76ers in marquee matchup.
109 sources on this →
Oct 20, 2026
NBA season opens with three marquee matchups including Pistons hosting Celtics.
71 sources on this →
Oct 20, 2026
Lakers waive first-round pick Dalton Knecht to finalize 15-man roster.
69 sources on this →

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Sports

Pistons, Celtics set for daytime NBA season opener

The 2026-27 NBA season opens Tuesday with the Detroit Pistons hosting the Boston Celtics in an afternoon matchup between last season’s top two Eastern Conference teams. Boston is nearly at full strength, while the league and NBC are treating the game as part of an expanded, nationally televised opening-day event.

61 sources

Sports

Knicks set to defend NBA title against 76ers

The Knicks begin their title defense with their championship-winning core intact, but repeating would be a major challenge in an NBA that has crowned eight different champions in eight seasons. LeBron James and a revamped Philadelphia 76ers are among the contenders, while analyst Eddie Johnson doubts New York can even emerge from the Eastern Conference.

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Lakers Part Ways With Knecht, Set 15-Man Roster

The Lakers explored trading Dalton Knecht—potentially for front-court help—to reduce their roster to 15, but ultimately waived the former first-round pick before the 2026-27 season. The move ends Knecht’s tenure in Los Angeles after he struggled to secure a consistent role.

69 sources

Sports

NBA plans 2027 European league as biggest investment ever

The NBA plans to launch a merit-based European league in October 2027, promising major investment in youth development, operations and arena infrastructure, along with billions of dollars in projected distributions to clubs. EuroLeague owners rejected an initial merger offer, but the NBA and FIBA say talks will continue as they prepare to proceed independently if needed.

6 sources

Sports

NBA Season Opens With Three Marquee Matchups

NBA betting previews favor the under in Timberwolves-Heat and Toronto to beat Chicago, while backing Philadelphia to cover against New York. A Utah Jazz season outlook also argues the team should surpass its 35.5-win line.

71 sources