Overview

• After a 17–65 season, owner Ryan Smith said the franchise’s path to contention runs through a deliberate youth movement.
• Nine players from the last three drafts headline the roster, including No. 3 pick Ace Bailey, with veterans Kevin Love, Jusuf Nurkic, Kyle Anderson and returnee Georges Niang added chiefly for guidance.
• Coach Will Hardy and basketball operations chief Austin Ainge stressed that playing time will be earned through competition rather than granted for development’s sake.
• Lauri Markkanen signed a five-year, $238 million renegotiation and extension in August, and the team downplayed trade rumors as it positions him as its centerpiece.
• Center Walker Kessler voiced frustration over the lack of an extension; without a deal by Oct. 20 he will play out the season and enter restricted free agency next summer.