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Lakers reshape roster, Warriors top team valuations | Pacific Division roundup
No games in the Pacific Division, but the Lakers keep tweaking their roster and the Warriors sit atop Sportico’s latest NBA franchise valuation rankings.
By the PickALeague Newsroom · Published · Source: PickALeagueSummary written with AI assistance — how we workLire en français →
There were no games on the schedule for the Pacific Division yesterday, but the Los Angeles Lakers and Golden State Warriors still found ways to make news as the young season and a tight divisional race take shape.
Lakers: Castro in, Kyle III out
The Los Angeles Lakers (2-1 in the Pacific Division standings) made another tweak to their camp roster. As relayed by Hoops Rumors, the team announced Friday that it has waived William Kyle III in order to sign Rafael Castro. According to Hoops Rumors, Castro’s deal is an Exhibit 10 contract. The site also notes that Castro signed a two-way deal with Houston in late August before this latest move.
Hoops Rumors also highlighted comments from head coach JJ Redick in a conversation with Sam Amick of The Athletic. Redick revisited remarks he made at his initial pre-camp media session in September, when he expressed confidence that the Lakers could grow into a “championship-level” team this season. In this new discussion, he clarified those earlier statements, though Hoops Rumors’ summary doesn’t provide further specifics.
Warriors: Porzingis uncertainty and off-court dominance
For the Golden State Warriors (1-2), the focus remains partly on Kristaps Porzingis’ status. Citing Nick Friedell of The Athletic, Hoops Rumors reports that the Warriors still don’t know when Porzingis will be able to return from his health issue. Head coach Steve Kerr said Thursday that he doesn’t have any additional details and that there’s no timetable for a comeback yet, according to that report.
Off the court, Golden State continues to sit atop the league. Hoops Rumors reports that, for the sixth straight year, the Warriors lead Sportico’s list of the NBA’s most valuable franchises for 2026. Journalist Kurt Badenhausen projects the team’s value at $14.5 billion, with New York slotted behind the Warriors on the list.
Quiet day for the rest of the Pacific
The LA Clippers (1-0), Phoenix Suns (0-2), and Sacramento Kings (0-2) were all idle and stayed out of the headlines. With early records tightly bunched in the Pacific Division, every roster decision and health update from contenders like the Lakers and Warriors could loom large as the season progresses.