The NBA Training Camp Battles 2025 have opened with intense positional battles that could redefine team hierarchies and rotations for the upcoming season. From veteran stars fighting to prove they still belong to rookies pushing for immediate minutes, these NBA Training Camp Battles 2025 competitions often determine championship trajectories before the first tip-off.
In this exclusive 2,200-word breakdown, we analyze:
✅ 10 make-or-break training camp battles
✅ Dark horse candidates stealing starting jobs
✅ Rookies forcing their way into rotations
✅ How position battles affect fantasy values
✅ Coaches’ toughest rotation decisions
For daily practice reports and insider access, visit NBA NewsZ, the web’s most trusted source for NBA Training Camp Battles 2025 coverage.
Most Intriguing Backcourt Battles
1. Warriors Starting SG: Klay Thompson vs. Moses Moody
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Thompson’s Case: Championship pedigree, but lost defensive quickness
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Moody’s Edge: 42% 3PT in preseason, better perimeter defense
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Kerr’s Dilemma: Loyalty to core vs. optimizing lineup
2. Lakers Starting PG: Dejounte Murray vs. Gabe Vincent
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Murray’s Fit: Better defender, but shaky outside shot
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Vincent’s Value: Floor spacing with LeBron/AD
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Ham’s History: Prefers defensive-minded guards
Latest from Lakers camp at NBA NewsZ.
Frontcourt Wars to Watch
3. Knicks Starting PF: Julius Randle vs. OG Anunoby
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Randle’s Status: Returning from shoulder surgery
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Anunoby’s Impact: +11.3 net rating as starter last season
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Thibodeau’s Tendency: Favors veterans over fit
4. Thunder Small-Ball C: Chet Holmgren vs. Jaylin Williams
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Holmgren’s Versatility: Can guard 1-5 but foul-prone
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Williams’ Strength: Better rebounder in physical matchups
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Daigneault’s System: Positionless basketball preferred
Rookies Pushing Veterans
5. Pistons SF Rotation: Cooper Flagg vs. Bojan Bogdanovic
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Flagg’s Camp: Shooting 39% from 3 in scrimmages
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Bogdanovic’s Role: Last year’s leading scorer
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Monty’s Challenge: Develop future or win now?
6. Jazz Backup PG: Keyonte George vs. Kris Dunn
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George’s Growth: 5.8 APG in Summer League
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Dunn’s Defense: Led team in steals last season
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Hardy’s Philosophy: Development vs. stability
Veterans Fighting for Rosters
7. Heat Final Spot: Kyle Lowry vs. Dru Smith
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Lowry’s Leadership: Championship experience
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Smith’s Energy: Better fit with young second unit
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Spoelstra’s Call: Sentimentality vs. evolution
8. Celtics Backup C: Luke Kornet vs. Neemias Queta
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Kornet’s Familiarity: Knows system inside-out
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Queta’s Upside: Athletic rim protector
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Mazzulla’s Trend: Prioritizes switchability
Fantasy Basketball Implications
Biggest Value Changes
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Moses Moody (+300% ADP rise) – Could start for Warriors
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Keyonte George (+175%) – Jazz may hand him keys
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Jaylin Williams (+140%) – Thunder small-ball upside
Falling Stocks
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Klay Thompson (-40%) – Losing grip on starting job
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Kyle Lowry (-60%) – May not make final roster
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Bojan Bogdanovic (-25%) – Flagg cutting into minutes
Fantasy draft cheat sheets at NBA NewsZ.
Coaches’ Toughest Decisions NBA Training Camp Battles 2025
Steve Kerr (Warriors)
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Start Moody over franchise icon Thompson?
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Integrate KAT without sacrificing defense
Darvin Ham (Lakers)
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Balance Murray/Vincent backcourt
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Manage LeBron/AD preseason workload
Mark Daigneault (Thunder)
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Start 3 bigs (Chet/JWill/JDub) together?
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Rookie minutes allocation
5 Dark Horses Steaming Jobs
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Dariq Whitehead (Nets) – Outplaying Cam Thomas
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Bilal Coulibaly (Wizards) – Lockdown camp defense
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Leonard Miller (Wolves) – KAT trade opens minutes
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Amari Bailey (Hornets) – Outplaying Ish Smith
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Jalen Wilson (Nets) – Small-ball 4 revelation
How Position NBA Training Camp Battles 2025
Warriors’ Title Hopes
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Moody starting = better defense
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Klay off bench = elite second-unit scoring
Lakers’ Playoff Path
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Murray’s defense raises floor
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Vincent’s shooting raises ceiling
Thunder’s Breakout Potential
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Chet at 5 unlocks ultimate spacing
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JWill at 5 provides physicality
Key Dates Ahead
✅ Oct. 1: First preseason games
✅ Oct. 15: Roster cut deadline
✅ Oct. 22: Opening Night
Full schedule analysis at NBA NewsZ.
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