Thompson signs extension
Reports say Detroit and Ausar Thompson agreed to a five-year, $155 million rookie‑scale extension, announced Sept. 20, 2026. Thompson, an All‑Defensive First Team wing, averaged 9.9 points, 5.7 rebounds, 3.1 assists and a league‑leading 2.0 steals last season. His twin Amen earlier agreed to a five‑year, $208 million deal, leaving the brothers with about $363 million combined this offseason.
Source: NBA.com
Referees set for Sept. 20
The NBA posted referee assignments for Sept. 20, 2026, listing crews for several matchups. Notable entries include Minnesota at Connecticut (Crew Chief Timothy Greene, referee Gerda Gatling), New York at Toronto (Crew Chief Fatou Cissoko‑Stephens) and Portland at Los Angeles (Crew Chief Ashley Gloss). Assignments were published on the league’s officials page ahead of preseason activity.
Source: NBA Officials (official.nba.com)
Reasons for team optimism
An NBA.com feature (Sept. 20, 2026) lays out one reason to be optimistic for each of the league’s 30 teams, highlighting roster upgrades, youth development and coaching changes. The piece cites examples such as Miami adding Giannis Antetokounmpo and several clubs counting on young cores to take a step forward as training camp approaches.
Source: NBA.com