# Six burning questions as NBA season tips off > From Jalen Duren's contract standoff to LeBron's new role in Philly, the league faces major storylines heading into training camp. - Title: Six burning questions as NBA season tips off · CBS Sports - Summary: From Jalen Duren's contract standoff to LeBron's new role in Philly, the league faces major storylines heading into training camp. NBA media days will reveal… - Keywords: jalen duren, detroit pistons, contract negotiation, kawhi leonard, toronto raptors, cap circumvention, los angeles clippers, nba punishment, lebron james, philadelphia 76ers, steph curry, golden state warriors - Source: CBS Sports — https://cbssports.com/nba/news/five-burning-questions-nba-media-days-2026 - Published: 2026-09-25T13:04:09+00:00 - Read time: 3 min - Topics: jalen duren, detroit pistons, contract negotiation, kawhi leonard, toronto raptors, cap circumvention, los angeles clippers, nba punishment, lebron james, philadelphia 76ers, steph curry, golden state warriors ## NBA season starts October 20 Training camps are underway and media days are coming. Six major questions loom as teams prepare for the regular season. ## Duren's playoff collapse complicates contract The 23-year-old center had a career year with 19.5 points and 10 rebounds, earning All-Star and All-NBA honors. But he averaged just 10.1 points in the playoffs, raising questions about his value. ## Pistons offer $200 million over five years Detroit recently upped their offer to $200 million over five years. Duren is technically eligible for up to $287 million due to his All-NBA selection, but that number was never realistic. ## Duren considering risky free agency gamble Reports suggest Duren might sign the $9.6 million qualifying offer to become a free agent next summer. The gamble: he'd make less total money with more risk if his play doesn't improve. ## Thompson brothers' deals fuel frustration Ausar Thompson signed for $155 million over five years while his brother Amen got $208 million from Houston. Neither has made All-Star or All-NBA teams, which reportedly rankles Duren. ## Kawhi Leonard finally traded to Raptors After a lengthy investigation into cap circumvention, the Clippers' biggest punishment in NBA history, Leonard's trade to Toronto went through. He signed a two-year extension for $115 million. ## Leonard took discount for team flexibility He waived his $7.45 million trade kicker and took $11 million less than the maximum extension. This gives Toronto flexibility with RJ Barrett and Jakob Poeltl's contracts. ## Leonard's punishment was remarkably light He was ordered to pay $700,000 in restitution for no-show endorsement deals worth over $28 million. No suspension. No voided contract. Leonard largely escaped the league's wrath. ## Leonard blamed inner circle, not himself In a statement, Leonard accepted responsibility but blamed lapses in judgment by people in his inner circle. He claimed he had no knowledge of cap circumvention intent. > I accepted full responsibility, then blamed the whole situation on lapses in judgment by people within my inner circle. ## Clippers face historic penalties The team lost five first-round draft picks and was fined $30 million. Owner Steve Ballmer was suspended for a year, and basketball operations president Lawrence Frank for six months. ## Clippers gutted after Leonard trade After trading Leonard, James Harden, and Ivica Zubac, the Clippers' best player is unclear. The team is thin and rudderless in a Western Conference dominated by Thunder and Spurs. ## LeBron joins loaded 76ers lineup James signed with Philadelphia and will play alongside Tyrese Maxey, VJ Edgecombe, Jaylen Brown, and Joel Embiid. On paper, it's one of the most talented starting fives in the league. ## LeBron won't be primary option Unlike his Lakers role, James will be third or fourth in usage. New basketball operations president Mike Gansey suggested using him as a point forward to free up Maxey. ## LeBron entering 24th season at 41 James will turn 42 in December and is in his record 24th NBA season. The question is how many minutes and games the Sixers can extract from what's left of his career. ## Curry commits to Warriors long-term After missing out on LeBron, the Warriors are in limbo. But Curry shut down speculation about leaving, saying he wants to be a lifer with Golden State. > I've always said I want to be a lifer with Golden State. ## Curry wants team flexibility before signing He's eligible for a two-year, $137 million extension but hasn't signed. Curry told ESPN he wants the team to have flexibility because they haven't had it in recent years. > This team should be competitive and go win. ## Warriors plagued by injuries and age Curry played just 43 games last season. Butler, Moody, and Porziņģis all missed significant time. At 40, Horford is aging. The Warriors look like a play-in team at best. ## Reed Sheppard's new look steals show Rockets guard Reed Sheppard debuted a striking new hairstyle at media day. The look is so bold that it's already being compared to Jimmy Butler's fashion choices. ## Key takeaway NBA media days will reveal how star players navigate new situations and unresolved conflicts that could shape the entire season.