What happened: Hendrix Lapierre said he is proud to be in the black and gold entering the 2026-27 preseason. He is coming off a showing against Philadelphia as Pittsburgh sorts its camp group.

Why it matters: Pittsburgh is using camp to settle depth roles before opening night. For a July addition, early preseason form shapes where he slots when cuts arrive.

What to watch: Watch the next preseason lineup to see where Lapierre slots and whether his usage holds.