By R.L. Bynum
There were significant changes for the Tar Heels in the offseason, with Harrison Barnes, Nassir Little and Leaky Black changing teams and a Chicago departure setting up the Bulls as Coby White’s team.
Most teams had their media days on Monday and opened camp on Tuesday.
The preseason starts Friday and Sunday with the reigning champion Boston Celtics playing exhibitions against the Denver Nuggets in Abu Dhabi, UAE. The rest of the league starts preseason play next week. Opening-day rosters are set on Oct. 21, with openers on Oct. 22.
Three rookies are going through their first NBA camps, with Armando Bacot at Memphis, Cormac Ryan in Oklahoma City and Harrison Ingram in San Antonio, where Sacramento dealt Barnes as part of a three-team deal in July.
Phoenix waived Little in August after he played sparingly with the Suns and he signed last month with the Miami Heat. After one season, the Charlotte Hornets waived Black, and he signed late last month with the Washington Wizards.
Fifth-year Orlando guard Cole Anthony, sixth-year Brooklyn forward Cameron Johnson, third-year Utah center Walker Kessler, second-year Cleveland center Pete Nance, fourth-year Brooklyn center Day’Ron Sharpe and White are back with the same teams.
After getting limited playing time last season in Houston, 11-year NBA veteran Reggie Bullock hasn’t signed with a team. Also unsigned are three players who played last season in the G League for the Texas Legends — forward Justin Jackson (who played briefly last season for the Minnesota Timberwolves), guard Theo Pinson and center Tony Bradley.
On July 8, the Kings sent Barnes to San Antonio in a three-team deal, with Chris Duarte and two second-round draft picks going to the Bulls and DeMar DeRozan going from Chicago to Sacramento.
That last part significantly increased White’s role in Chicago this season. DeRozan was the Bulls’ best player and the focus of their offense. White has taken both roles this season, and you could call the Bulls his team.
“I’m used to playing different roles,” said White (his part of the press conference in the above video starts at the 1-hour, 13-minute mark), who will likely play a lot at the 2 spot. “I’ve been doing that my whole career. On the ball, off the ball, whatever it may be, I think I’ve thrived in multiple roles. I’m excited. It’s a different opportunity to learn coming off last year, stepping into a new role.
“Would I want to have the ball in my hands all the time? Sure. But that’s not realistic. We’ve got other good guards on this team that are just as good with the ball in their hands. Me, I’m doing what’s best for the team.”
Last season, White averaged 19.1 points and 5.1 assists while shooting 44.7% from the floor — all career highs — making 37.6% of his 3-point attempts and shooting 83.8% from the free-throw line.
At 24 years old, White says it’s “kind of wild” to be in a leadership role.
“But it’s a blessing for me to be in the best league in the world and be considered a leader on the team,” White said. “I’m never going to take it for granted. I’m going to do my best for my teammates, always going to put them first.”
He’s already become a big fan favorite, and “Co-by, Co-by” chants rang down in Chicago when he scored 42 points against Atlanta in the Bulls’ 131–116 play-in game victory on April 18.
“When opportunity knocks, some people are ready to step through that door,” teammate Zach LaVine said. “Coby has always been ready for that. Talk about his leadership? He’s been doing that the last couple years. Coby is a very outspoken person and somebody we can count on for consistency, not just with his play but with his personality and the way he talks.
“That’s going to be great for us. Coby is only going to get better and better. I’ve been one of his biggest supporters since he was a rookie, and I can’t wait to see where it keeps going.”
Barnes and Ingram are part of a Spurs team built around center Victor Wembanyama, with some new faces, including veteran point guard Chris Paul.
“I think the difference between me and CP is like seven years, and the difference between me and Jeremy [Sochan] is like 11 years,” Barnes said. “We have a wide spectrum of guys on this roster, but I think the biggest thing is just establishing habits. It’s how you continue to get better every day and judge yourself on an internal metric versus trying to see external approval, right? That’s what you try to do every single day in this league. It’s difficult, especially as a young guy trying to get established and things like that, but I think for all of our guys, just trending in the right direction is gonna pay dividends for us now and for the long term.”
Ingram will be battling for playing time at power forward after averaging 12.2 points and 8.8 rebounds in his only season at Carolina. In a clip the Spurs posted on X (formerly Twitter), he sounded eager to get going.
Little is back in his home state with his third NBA team. He grew up in Florida and attended high school in Orlando before playing his one season at Carolina.
At Heat media day, he said he worked out with four teams before signing with the Miami Heat, although it’s a non-guaranteed contract. He’ll no doubt hope to get more of a chance to play after averaging only 10.2 minutes over 45 games for Phoenix.
“They wanted me here the most,” Little said. “I feel they value the type of player I am the most.”
Black likely will play some with the Wizards’ G League team, the Capital Go-Go, but hopes to stick on the NBA roster.
Ryan averaged 12.7 minutes, 4.0 points and 2.3 rebounds for the Thunder’s Summer League team. He signed an Exhibit 10 contract and will likely play a good bit with Oklahoma City’s G League team, the OKC Blue.
G League training camp opens on Oct. 28.
Bacot will battle for a roster spot in Memphis, which also welcomed rookie center Zach Edney.
Johnson is expected to start at small forward for Brooklyn after averaging 13.4 points and shooting 39.1% from 3-point range, while Sharpe will be the Nets’ backup center behind Nic Claxton.
Also expected to be a backup center is Walker Kessler, who is in his third season and will likely play behind former Wake Forest big man John Collins.
Anthony again is expected to come off the bench for Orlando as he begins his fifth season with the Magic after averaging 11.6 points last season.
Tar Heels on NBA preseason rosters
Cole Anthony, Milwaukee Bucks guard
Age 25 | 6–2, 185 | 6th season | $2.67 million salary | UNC 2019–20 (1 season)
Roster situation — Backup point guard behind Kevin Porter
Season statistics — 25 games, 6.9 points, 43.5 FG%, 27.5 3P%, 59.1 FT%, 2.7 rebounds, 4.0 assists
Team record: 11–17, 11th in Eastern Conference
Thursday: Nets 127, Bucks 82 — Didn’t play (coach’s decision)
Next game — 7 p.m. Sunday at Minnesota
Harrison Barnes, San Antonio Spurs forward
Age 33 | 6–7, 225 | 14th season | $19 million salary | UNC 2010–12 (2 seasons)
Roster situation — Starting power forward ahead of Keldon Johnson
Season statistics — 27 games, 12.6 points, 46.8 FG%, 40.0 3P%, 86.5 FT%, 3.3 rebounds, 2.2 assists
Team record: 20–7, 3rd in Western Conference
Friday: Spurs 126, (at) Hawks 98 — Started; 21:48, 7 points, 2–3 FG, 1–2 3FG, 2–2 FT, 4 rebounds, 1 steal, +13
Next game — 7 p.m. Sunday at Washington
Tony Bradley, Indiana Pacers center
Age 27 | 6–10, 248 | seventh pro season | UNC 2016–17 (1 season)
Roster situation — Third-string center behind Jay Huff and Isaiah Jackson
Season statistics — 23 games, 4.7 points, 56.8 FG%, 0–1 3FG, 74.2 FT%, 2.7 rebounds, 0.6 of an assist
Team record: 6–22, 14th in Eastern Conference
Saturday: (at) Pelicans 128, Pacers 109 — Didn’t play (coach’s decision)
Next game — 7:30 Monday at Boston
Cameron Johnson, Denver Nuggets forward
Age 29 | 6–8, 210 | 7th season | $22.54 million salary | UNC 2017–19 (2 seasons)
Roster situation — Starting small forward ahead of Tim Hardaway Jr.
Season statistics — 25 games, 11.7 points, 46.6 FG%, 39.5 3P%, 80.0 FT%, 3.7 rebounds, 2.2 assists
Team record: 20–7, 3rd in Western Conference
Saturday: Rockets 115, Nuggets 101 — Started; 31:53, 6 points, 2–10 FG, 1–3 3FG, 1–1 FT, 4 rebounds, 3 assists, 1 steal, 1 foul, -14
Next game — 9 p.m. Monday vs Utah
Caleb Love,Portland Trail Blazers guard
Age 24 | 6–3, 212 | Rookie season | Two-way contract | UNC 2020–23 (3 seasons)
Roster situation — Backup point guard behind Deni Avdija/fourth-string 2 guard
Season statistics — 19 games, 7.9 points, 33.7 FG%, 26.3 3P%, 80.0 FT%, 2.4 rebounds, 2.1 assists
Team record: 12–16, 10th in Western Conference
Saturday: Blazers 98, (at) Kings 93 — Didn’t start; 9:25, 2 points, 1–5 FG, 0–1 3FG, 1 foul, -13
Next game — 10 p.m. Monday vs. Detroit
Drake Powell, Brooklyn Nets forward
Age 20 | 6–5, 195 | Rookie season | 4-year NBA rookie contract | UNC 2024–25 (1 season)
Roster situation — Backup 2 guard behind Terance Mann
Season statistics — 19 games, 6.0 points, 48.8 FG%, 37.8 3FG%, 95.2 FT%, 1.8 rebounds, 1.9 assists
Team record: 7–19, 13th in Eastern Conference
Thursday: Heat 106, Nets 95 — 3:56, 3 rebounds, -1; left early with third right ankle sprain of the season.
Next game — 6 p.m. Sunday vs. Toronto
Day’Ron Sharpe, Brooklyn Nets center
Age 24 | 6–9, 265 | 5th season | $6.25 million salary | UNC 2020–21 (1 season)
Roster situation — Backup center behind Nic Claxton
Season statistics — 25 games, 7.0 points, 59.3 FG%, 25.0 3P%, 63.1 FT%, 5.5 rebounds, 2.0 assists
Team record: 7–19, 13th in Eastern Conference
Thursday: Heat 106, Nets 95 — 13:13, 4 points, 2–4 FG, 0–2 3FG, 6 rebounds, 2 assists, 1 turnover, 1 foul, +1
Next game — 6 p.m. Sunday vs. Toronto
Coby White, Chicago Bulls forward
Age 25 | 6–4, 195 | 7th season | $12.88 million salary | UNC 2018–19 (1 season)
Roster situation — Starting shooting guard ahead of Ayo Dosunmu
Season statistics — 11 games, 21.2 points, 44.0 FG%, 28.6 3PFG, 81.8 FT%, 3.6 rebounds, 5.2 assists
Team record: 12–15, 10th in Eastern Conference
Friday: Bulls 136, (at) Cavaliers 125 — Started; 29:46, 13 points, 5–13 FG, 1–5 3FG, 2–2 FT, 6 rebounds, 9 assists, 3 turnovers, 3 fouls, +16
Next game — 3:30 Sunday at Atlanta
Out for season
Utah Jazz center Walker Kessler (torn labrum in left shoulder); season statistics: 5 games, 14.4 points, 70.3 FG%, 75.0 3P%, 70.0 FT%, 10.8 rebounds, 3.0 assists, 1.4 steals, 1.8 blocks
Leaky Black, Capital City Go-Go (Wizards) guard
Age 26 | 6–6, 209 | 3rd season | Exhibit 10 contract | UNC 2018–23 (5 seasons)
Season statistics — 14 games, 10.7 points, 43.5 FG%, 21.6 3P%, 73.3 FT%, 6.2 rebounds, 3.6 assists, 2.1 steals
Team record: 8–8, 6th in East Division
Saturday at Winter Showcase in Orlando: Capital City 125, Oklahoma City Blue 86 — Started; 8 points, 3–6 FG, 2–3 3FG, 4 assists, 1 foul, 1 turnover, +31
Next game — 11:30 Monday vs. Sioux Falls Skyforce in Orlando, Fla., NBATV
Garrison Brooks, Birmingham Squadron (Pelicans) center
Age 26 | 6–9, 230 | Exhibit 10 contract | UNC 2017–21 (4 seasons)
Season statistics — 12 games, 5.5 points, 45.8 FG%, 33.3 3P%, 50.0 FT%, 6.0 rebounds, 1.9 assists, 0.6 of a block
Team record: 10–6, 3rd in East Division
Saturday at Winter Showcase in Orlando: Iowa Wolves 117, Birmingham 101 — Didn’t start; 0 points, 0–2 FG, 0–2 3FG, 6 rebounds, 2 assists, 2 fouls, -10
Next game — 7:30 Sunday vs. Valley Suns in Orlando, Fla., Roku Sports Channel
RJ Davis, South Bay Lakers guard
Age 23 | 6–0, 180 | rookie season | Exhibit 10 contract | UNC 2020–25 (5 seasons)
Season statistics — 13 games, 18.8 points, 43.0 FG%, 35.4 3P%, 89.2 FT%, 3.9 rebounds, 4.8 assists, 0.8 of a steals
Team record: 8–8, 5th in West Division
Saturday at Winter Showcase in Orlando: South Bay 130, Sioux Falls Skyforce 106 — Didn’t start, 16 points, 4–8 FG, 2–5 3FG, 3–5 FT, 3 rebounds, 4 assists, 3 fouls, 2 steals, +20
Next game — 6 p.m. Sunday vs. Wisconsin Herd in Orlando, ESPNU
Harrison Ingram, Austin Spurs forward
Age 23 | 6–5, 230 | 2nd season | Two-way contract | UNC 2023–24 (1 season)
Season NBA statistics — 3 games, 11 minutes, 5 points, 2–3 FG, 1–1 3FG, 3 rebounds, 2 fouls, +13
Season G League statistics — 8 games, 16.3 points, 51.1 FG%, 38.7 3P%, 58.8 FT%, 10.8 rebounds, 3.8 assists, 1.4 steals
Team record: 8–8, 5th in South Division
Friday in quarterfinals of the Winter Showcase Cup in Orlando: Stockton Kings 119, Austin Spurs 117, OT — Didn’t start; 35 minutes, 11 points, 5–11 FG, 1–3 3FG, 0–1 FT, 10 rebounds, 2 fouls, -11
Next game — noon Sunday vs. Maine Celtics at Winter Showcase in Orlando, NBATV
Pete Nance, Wisconsin Herd center
Age 25 | 6–9, 225 | 3rd season | Two-way contract | UNC 2022–23 (1 season)
Season G League statistics — 6 games, 20.0 points, 60.8 FG%, 45.2 3P%, 75.0 FT%, 8.3 rebounds, 3.8 assists, 1.2 blocks
Season NBA statistics — 7 games, 37 minutes, 18 points, 7–14 FG, 4–9 3FG, 7 rebounds, 1 assist
Team record: 5–11, 8th in Central Division
Tuesday: Iowa Wolves 110, Wisconsin 108 — Inactive for game
Next game — 6 p.m. Sunday vs. South Bay Lakers in Orlando, Fla., ESPNU
Cormac Ryan, Wisconsin Herd (Bucks) guard
Age 26 | 6–5, 195 | 2nd season | Exhibit 10 contract | UNC 2024–25 (1 season)
Season statistics — 6 games, 16.0 points, 47.9 FG%, 33.3 3P%, 13–13 FT, 3.8 rebounds, 1.5 assists, 0.8 of a steal
Team record: 5–11, 8th in Central Division
Tuesday: Iowa Wolves 110, Wisconsin 108 — Didn’t start; 23 minutes, 14 points, 5–11 FG, 2–7 3FG, 2–2 FT, 4 rebounds, 3 fouls, 1 block, +3
Next game — 6 p.m. Sunday vs. South Bay Lakers in Orlando, Fla., ESPNU
Photo via @chicagobulls
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