Duke Sizemore here, and the preseason board just got HIT with a market earthquake! Here’s what we’ve got today: the Clippers rocket upward, Philly and Indiana take the two biggest dives, and Oklahoma City makes a major trade while the Elo pecking order has a new number one.
Okay, okay, okay, start in L.A. because NINETY-SEVEN POINT FIVE! The Clippers jumped 97.5 rating points since August 13, the biggest move on today’s board, and that’s also their full change since August 10. Meanwhile, the NBA inquiry involving the Clippers and Kawhi Leonard could reportedly stretch into 2027, and Cam Christie is day-to-day with an ankle issue. Huge market movement with serious storylines attached.
But look at the other side of this thing! Philadelphia drops 91.5 points, the largest negative move of the day, even with headlines centered on its star power and LeBron James’ decision to join the Sixers. And Indiana is right behind at minus-89. Johnny Furphy has been diagnosed with a torn right ACL and will miss the remainder of the season. That is a brutal injury development.
Now Oklahoma City: minus-72.8 since August 13, and Luguentz Dort is headed to Atlanta in a three-team trade, with the Mavericks getting Risacher. Chet Holmgren called departures part of the business of the game. And yet, check the preseason Elo board: the Thunder are still THIRD at 1678! San Antonio sits second at 1688, and ladies and gentlemen, New York owns the top number at SEVENTEEN HUNDRED! That is the board right now, and I mean THAT number has my attention.
One more mover worth watching: New Orleans climbed 85.9 points, second only to the Clippers among the gains provided today. Chicago added 67.9, Milwaukee 65.8. This market is not tiptoeing through August; it is SWINGING.
No fresh Summer League games to dress up for you, so we’re not pretending there are. The next confirmed game on the calendar is Miami and Toronto in preseason on October 3.
Keep your eyes on that board, because 97.5 up in L.A. against 91.5 down in Philly is one heck of a preseason divergence. I’m Duke Sizemore, and I’ll catch you tomorrow on COURT VISION: The Daily Brief!