The biggest NBA stories aren’t always coming from the court. With the preseason nearing, what’s happening behind the scenes is already shaping the narrative for the season ahead – from Joe Mazzulla changing how the Celtics approach training camp to a young Wizards player revealing how tanking allegedly played out inside Washington’s locker room last season.

And that’s only the start. Kevin Durant has weighed in on Victor Wembanyama’s firm stance against sports betting, the Grizzlies are navigating an unexpected roster change, and the Lakers have made another behind-the-scenes move of their own. Here’s what’s making waves around the NBA before the preseason even begins.

Joe Mazzulla’s training methods have a new destination for the Celtics

The Celtics’ head coach is giving the training camp experience that looks nothing like their usual routine. Boston is heading to The Citadel Military College of South Carolina for three days as the team prepares for the 2026-27 season. The trip comes at an important point for a roster that has undergone major changes.

Jaylen Brown is gone after his trade to Philadelphia, leaving Jayson Tatum as Boston’s central star. Several new players must also settle into unfamiliar roles. Mazzulla wants that process to happen away from the team’s normal surroundings.

“A bunch of new guys, so just really kind of wanted to take a step back, get away, spend time with each other in a different environment,” Mazzulla said.

The coach has also been open about his interest in military leadership.

“I really enjoy military leadership; I learned from it a lot. I think it’s important, so any chance we can get to do it, we’ll try… Military leadership is my favorite,” he said.

This is Mazzulla’s fifth training camp. The first four were held in Boston. The Celtics last took camp on the road about 10 years ago. They will return from The Citadel before their preseason opener against Cleveland on October 8.

Bub Carrington escapes NBA’s punishment amid Wizards’ rebuild methods

Bub Carrington did not hide what he believes changed inside Washington. The Wizards guard said players were held back last season while the franchise pursued the top pick in the 2026 NBA Draft.

“We just haven’t been told yet to go be the best version of yourself,” Carrington said. “We’ve all, in a way, been held back just because we were trying to get AJ Dybantsa. That’s no secret.”

He later described the new situation differently. “But now, no one has handcuffs. Everyone’s shackles-free.”

Washington’s 17-65 finish ultimately paid off, with the Wizards landing the No. 1 pick after entering the lottery with the league’s worst record. But Carrington’s comments have raised questions about how much of that season was by design. For now, though, the NBA does not appear poised to take action against either Carrington or the Wizards, according to The Athletic’s Sam Amick and Josh Robbins.

That stance is notable given the league’s approach to similar roster-management issues last season, when the Jazz and Pacers were disciplined over conduct tied to draft positioning. The NBA has since moved to further curb those incentives, changing its lottery system for future drafts in an effort to make finishing at the bottom less rewarding.

Kevin Durant takes a different stance than Victor Wembanyama

The San Antonio Spurs made his position on sports-betting endorsements unmistakably clear. Wembanyama was asked whether he would ever sign a deal with a sports-betting company.

“Absolutely not. I will never do that. Honestly, I think it’s very sad to see some players promote it, in my opinion. Everybody does whatever they want, but without me.” He also explained rejected offers worth more money because they did not align with his values. Kevin Durant was then asked about it.

KD has a different relationship with the betting industry. His Boardroom company partnered with FanDuel in 2022, while the Rockets star later signed his own deal with the platform. Asked about Wembanyama’s remarks, Durant kept his response brief.

“That’s Wemby, he’s going to do what he does. That has nothing to do with me. I don’t really think about that question at all, that’s not on my mind as much as his. People gonna do what they want to do.”

The NBA’s current rules allow players to endorse betting and prediction-market companies, provided they do not wager on NBA games or engage in prohibited conduct.

Lakers hire Pooh Jeter for revamped scouting department

The Lakers have added another name to their expanding front office. Los Angeles has hired Pooh Jeter as its Director of Pro Scouting, with new assistant GM Eric Amsler making the hire.

Jeter is a Los Angeles native and spent the last three seasons with the Portland Trail Blazers. His work there included serving as a player development coach and assistant general manager for the G League’s Rip City Remix. The hire fits the Lakers’ broader effort to strengthen their basketball operations department.

Rob Pelinka said the organization planned to expand its scouting staff, and the franchise has already added numerous front-office personnel since the ownership transition. Jeter also brings extensive playing experience.

He played professionally overseas and had a brief NBA stint with the Sacramento Kings before moving into player development and front-office work. Now, he returns home with a different responsibility.

Jordan Hawkins and the Grizzlies part ways

Jordan Hawkins’ time in Memphis is already over. The Grizzlies and the 2023 lottery pick have mutually agreed to part ways, ESPN’s Shams Charania reported. Hawkins must clear waivers before becoming a free agent.

The decision comes less than a month after Memphis acquired him from New Orleans. The September 8 trade sent Hawkins, Micah Peavy, a future second-round pick, and a second-round pick swap to the Grizzlies. AJ Johnson and Taj Gibson went back to the Pelicans.

Hawkins entered the NBA with plenty of momentum. The No. 14 pick in 2023 had just helped UConn win a national championship, but his three seasons in New Orleans never quite turned into the opportunity he envisioned. Last season, he appeared in 51 games, averaging 5.1 points and 1.7 rebounds in 13.6 minutes while shooting 34.8% from deep.

Hawkins has since acknowledged that he left something on the table during his time with the Pelicans. “I didn’t take full advantage of the opportunity that I had in New Orleans,” he said recently. Now, with a new situation ahead, he has another chance to show what he can do when given a fresh opportunity.

Ty Jerome emerging as Memphis’ point guard option

Memphis still has a major question to answer at point guard. Ty Jerome is making a strong case to be part of that answer. The 28-year-old guard has impressed during training camp and brings more than a scoring punch.

Jerome can handle the ball, create his own shot, and operate as a secondary playmaker. That flexibility gives new coach Tuomas Iisalo room to use him alongside bigger wings. GG Jackson has already seen enough to make a bold assessment of Jerome’s offensive game.

“He pretty much can score on anybody, any day, on any possession, out of any situation.”

Scotty Pippen Jr. and Cam Spencer remain options in the backcourt, so Jerome’s role is not locked in. Memphis also has to work out how its new roster fits together after the offseason departure of Ja Morant. Still, Jerome’s versatility gives the Grizzlies another way to organize the offense.