SI cover: The education of the NBA’s next generation begins

Four NBA teams are featured on the cover of this week’s NBA Preview issue of Sports Illustrated, which takes a look at how each team’s superstars will act as mentors to their next wave of stars.

Four NBA teams are featured on the cover of this week’s NBA preview issue of Sports Illustrated, which takes a look at how each team’s superstars will act as mentors to their next wave of stars. 

Minnesota Timberwolves rookie Karl-Anthony Towns appears with Kevin Garnett. Los Angeles Lakers guards D’Angelo Russell and Kobe Bryant pose together. Justise Winslow and Dwyane Wade represent the Miami Heat, and LaMarcus Aldridge and Tim Duncan stand in for the San Antonio Spurs.

With the 2015–16 season set to begin on Oct. 27, SI's Lee Jenkins delves into the relationships between Bryant, Garnett, Wade and their respective rookie teammates. The package is anchored by Bryant, whose legacy could include everything except a protege to whom he can pass the torch. Russell is his last shot.

• Behind Enemy Lines: NBA scouts dish dirt on all 30 teams ahead of 2015–16

This week’s issue contains entertainment rankings and scouting reports for each NBA team, and an explanation for why SI picks the Cleveland Cavaliers to beat the Oklahoma City Thunder in the 2016 NBA Finals. The magazine also includes features on Lamar Odom in the wake of his hospitalization, Michigan's heartbreaking loss to Michigan State on Saturday and how the 1975 World Series ushered in the age of modern sports television.

• MANNIX: James Harden’s next step, Aldridge Q&A, my rankings and more