Basketball Player News - NFBKC | High Stakes Fantasy Basketball

Basketball Player News

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News
Larry Nance Jr. Larry Nance Jr. (hamstring) limited in camp Tue, Sep 29, 2026, 1:11 PM Tony East Larry Nance Jr. (hamstring) is participating in training camp in a limited capacity. Analysis: Signed to a one-year deal in early July, Nance suffered a hamstring injury a little over two weeks ago, according to Pacers head coach Rick Carlisle. As a result, the veteran forward/center has been limited to 5-on-0 work at the start of training camp. The Pacers hope that Nance will be fully cleared within a week or two. Once the regular season begins, he's unlikely to have a role that will make him fantasy-relevant.
Moses Moody Moses Moody (knee) limited to light on-court work Tue, Sep 29, 2026, 6:50 AM NBC Sports Bay Area Moses Moody (knee) is participating in light on-court activity. Analysis: Moody is working his way back from a ruptured left patellar tendon that ended his 2025-26 season in late March. While he is progressing in his recovery, the Warriors have no concrete timeline for Moody's return. According to NBC Sports Bay Area, they hope Moody can play sometime in January or February. Moody's absence creates more opportunities for Gui Santos and Yaxel Lendeborg, with the former starting 26 of his final 29 appearances last season.
Jimmy Butler III Jimmy Butler III (knee) has resumed on-court work Tue, Sep 29, 2026, 6:45 AM Anthony Slater Jimmy Butler III (knee) said on Monday that he has resumed on-court activities in a limited capacity. Analysis: Butler said during Warriors media day that his testing numbers are âoff the chartsâ and he's ahead of schedule in his recovery from a torn right ACL. However, the Warriors are exercising caution with the veteran wing's recovery, as he has not been cleared to go full speed or participate in contact drills. While Butler won't be available to help fantasy managers immediately, he's worth stashing with a late-round pick in standard leagues. His and Moses Moody's (knee) absences likely free up additional minutes for lottery pick Yaxel Lendeborg, who the Warriors will need to contribute immediately, whether he starts or comes off the bench.
Zach Edey Zach Edey (ankle) cleared for full-speed activity Tue, Sep 29, 2026, 5:11 AM Michael Wallace Grizzlies GM Zach Kleiman told reporters C Zach Edey (ankle) is cleared for full-speed activity. Analysis: Kleiman said Edey could be ready for the start of the regular season. After having season-ending ankle surgery in March, Edey is right where he needs to be in his rehab, according to Kleiman. It doesn't sound like the 24-year-old center will miss too much time, making Edey a worthwhile selection in the fifth-round of fantasy drafts.
Josh Giddey Giddey (ankle) won't be restricted during camp Mon, Sep 28, 2026, 11:43 AM Joel Lorenzi Josh Giddey (ankle) will not be restricted during training camp. Analysis: Giddey, who underwent right ankle surgery in May, was cleared to play 5-on-5 in early September. He'll be able to practice without any restrictions when the Bulls open training camp on Tuesday. When available, Giddey offered excellent fantasy value last season, especially in assists. With Norman Powell, Caleb Wilson and Nic Claxton among the newcomers, Giddey could crack double digits in that category after averaging a career-best 9.1 assists per game last season.
Luka Doncic Luka Don?i? (hamstring) fully cleared for camp Mon, Sep 28, 2026, 9:51 AM The Athletic Luka Don?i? (hamstring) will not have any restrictions when the Lakers open training camp. Analysis: Because of a hamstring strain suffered in early April, Don?i? did not play at all during the postseason. He's good to go now, with the Lakers' cornerstone saying during Media Day that he will not be restricted when the team opens training camp. That's great news for the Lakers and fantasy managers, as Don?i? should be an early first-round pick in all drafts. However, given his importance to a team moving on without LeBron James, Don?i? may be given a light workload during the preseason.
Donte DiVincenzo DiVincenzo (Achilles) expects to play this season Mon, Sep 28, 2026, 9:46 AM The Athletic Donte DiVincenzo (Achilles) said that he expects to play at some point this season. Analysis: DiVincenzo suffered a ruptured right Achilles tendon during the first round of last season's playoffs. Timberwolves GM Matt Lloyd refused to provide a concrete timeline when asked about the guard's recovery in early September. Still, DiVincenzo made it clear on Monday that he expects to play at some point this season. While we certainly hope that's the case, fantasy managers have no reason to stash him in an IL slot. Just be alert for the day when DiVincenzo is cleared to resume on-court activities. In the meantime, his absence boosts Ayo Dosunmu's fantasy value, as he should be the first guard off the bench.
Deni Avdija Deni Avdija (back) '99.9 percent' going into camp Mon, Sep 28, 2026, 8:15 AM Sean Highkin Deni Avdija (back) said that he is â99.9 percentâ healthy going into training camp. Analysis: Avdija's back has been an issue at times over the past two seasons, even causing him to miss Israel's FIBA World Cup qualifiers this summer. The good news is that he's on track to be fully available when the regular season begins. Avdija did not say whether there would be any restrictions when the Trail Blazers open training camp on Tuesday, but fantasy managers should feel comfortable selecting him in drafts. The concern is the number of playmakers on the roster, with Damian Lillard (Achilles) healthy and Ja Morant now in the fold after being acquired from the Grizzlies. With those two available, Avdija's fantasy ceiling likely drops.
Kevin Porter Jr. Kevin Porter Jr. (knee) feels 100 percent Mon, Sep 28, 2026, 8:07 AM Jim Owczarski Kevin Porter Jr. (knee) said he feels 100 percent after two knee procedures this summer. Analysis: While Porter was a surprisingly valuable player for fantasy managers last season, he played only 38 games before being shut down in late March. The good news is that Porter will go into training camp at full strength. However, with Milwaukee adding multiple guards to their roster, including Tyler Herro and lottery pick Brayden Burries, KPJ's fantasy ceiling likely took a hit. He should be drafted, especially with Giannis Antetokounmpo no longer in the fold, but managers will need to keep their expectations for Porter in check.
Brandon Ingram Brandon Ingram (Achilles) to miss start of season Mon, Sep 28, 2026, 8:05 AM Tomer Azarly NBA writer Tomer Azarly reports that the Clippers found a partially torn Achilles in Brandon Ingram's foot following heel surgery, and he will not be ready for the start of the 2026-27 season. Analysis: This is a major blow for the Clippers as they enter the post-Kawhi Leonard era. During his media availability, Ingram said he's considered week-to-week. With BI on the shelf, Max Strus, Keaton Wagler and Gradey Dick are all candidates to see increased run. The rookie Wagler has the most upside and makes for a fine, late-round selection in fantasy drafts.
Damian Lillard Damian Lillard (Achilles) under no restrictions Mon, Sep 28, 2026, 7:16 AM Sean Highkin Damian Lillard (Achilles) has no restrictions going into training camp. Analysis: Lillard, who did not play last season while recovering from a ruptured Achilles tendon, was cleared to resume 5-on-5 in late April, so his statement at Trail Blazers media day is not a surprise. Lillard said that he's âoperating like I wasn't hurt,â which is music to the ears of fantasy managers. However, one concern as he begins his second stint in Portland is the team's perimeter depth. The Trail Blazers acquired Ja Morant from Memphis, and they also have holdovers Jrue Holiday and Scoot Henderson. That may lead to Lillard's workload being managed early in the season, potentially lowering his fantasy ceiling.
Mitchell Robinson Robinson confident he can play more minutes Mon, Sep 28, 2026, 6:56 AM The Athletic During Celtics media day, Mitchell Robinson expressed confidence that he can play more minutes this season. Analysis: After spending the first eight seasons of his NBA career with the Knicks, Robinson moved north and signed with the Celtics in free agency. One question for the 7-footer is how much he'll be able to play after ankle issues limited his minutes in each of his final three seasons with the Knicks. Robinson, likely to serve as Neemias Queta's backup, expressed confidence that he'll be able to play more after averaging 19.6 minutes per game last season. âOh, definitely. I feel very confident in myself,â Robinson said. âI've been working on my body this whole summer. Figuring things out. And I'm very confident in myself right now.â If he can get his playing time into the mid-20s, that would make Robinson a viable option for fantasy managers, especially those willing to punt free-throw percentage. However, Queta's presence does limit Robinson's fantasy ceiling.
Jayson Tatum Tatum 'feels great' going into training camp Mon, Sep 28, 2026, 6:07 AM Keith Smith Jayson Tatum (knee) said on Monday that he âfeels greatâ going into Celtics training camp. Analysis: After suffering a ruptured Achilles tendon in the second round of the 2025 playoffs, Tatum surprised many by returning to action in early March. However, the Celtics star played only 16 games before a lingering left knee issue kept him out of Game 7 of Boston's first-round series against Philadelphia. The good news is that Tatum spent most of his offseason getting âstronger and more explosiveâ instead of rehab, and he âfeels greatâ going into training camp. That's excellent news for the Celtics and for fantasy managers, who should look to select Tatum in the first round of standard league drafts.
Jalen Duren Jalen Duren won't report to media day or camp Mon, Sep 28, 2026, 5:51 AM Shams Charania ESPN's Shams Charania reports that Jalen Duren will not attend Monday's media day nor will he attend the start of training camp. Analysis: Duren is still embroiled in contract negotiations after turning down a $200 million deal from Detroit, and he could be headed toward signing a $9.6 million qualifying offer. The deadline to sign the qualifying offer is Thursday, and if Duren pursues that option, he would become an unrestricted free agent next summer. Sacramento has been linked to Duren as a team that would potentially pay him what he wants, but he could entertain offers from other suitors. John Collins is an interesting later-round flier in standard leagues, and Paul Reed makes a fine pick in deeper leagues.
Kristaps Porzingis Slater: Kristaps Porzi??is out indefinitely Mon, Sep 28, 2026, 5:26 AM Anthony Slater According to ESPN's Anthony Slater, Kristaps Porzi??is is out indefinitely to open training camp due to a health issue. Analysis: Porzi??is has appeared in only 74 games across the last two seasons, and availability will be a major concern heading into the 2026-27 season. Al Horford and Draymond Green are well past their primes, and Jimmy Butler is still on the mend after tearing his right ACL in January. With so many frontcourt minutes up for grabs, rookie Yaxel Lendeborg is a fascinating late-round selection with upside.
Gary Harris Report: Pistons waive Gary Harris Sun, Sep 27, 2026, 12:22 PM Michael Scotto HoopsHype's Michael Scotto reports that the Pistons waived Gary Harris. Analysis: Acquired from the Bucks in early July in the trade that sent Caris LeVert and future draft capital to Milwaukee, Harris faced long odds to crack the Pistons' rotation had he made the Opening Night roster. Injuries have limited the veteran guard to 54 games or fewer each of the last four seasons, and Harris has not exceeded 65 games since 2017-18. The Pistons' decision to waive Harris will not affect fantasy basketball.
Dennis Smith Jr. Heat sign Dennis Smith Jr. to Exhibit 10 contract Sun, Sep 27, 2026, 7:27 AM Sun-Sentinel Heat signed Dennis Smith Jr. to an Exhibit 10 contract. Analysis: Under normal circumstances, an Exhibit 10 contract would guarantee a player the opportunity to compete in training camp. However, the Heat have signed Smith to such a contract to retain his G League rights after the former lottery pick finished last season with the Sioux Falls SkyForce. Smith, who won't participate in Heat training camp, is eligible to receive a bonus of up to $91,000 if he remains with Sioux Falls for 60 days.
Kevin McCullar Jr. Knicks sign McCullar, Nickel to two-way deals Sun, Sep 27, 2026, 4:56 AM New York Knicks Knicks signed Kevin McCullar Jr. and Tyler Nickel to two-way contracts. Analysis: Days before training camp begins, the Knicks have officially filled two of their three available two-way slots. McCullar, the 56th overall pick in the 2024 draft, has spent most of his time with the Knicks' G League affiliate, appearing in 25 NBA games over two seasons. McCullar played 21 NBA games last season, averaging 2.4 points in 7.4 minutes per appearance. As for Nickel, the 6-foot-6 wing out of Vanderbilt was the 47th overall pick in the most recent draft. Known for his perimeter shooting ability, Nickel was one of the Knicks' best performers in Summer League.
Kyrie Irving Kyrie Irving (knee) not under any restrictions Sun, Sep 27, 2026, 3:58 AM Associated Press Kyrie Irving (knee) will have no restrictions when the Mavericks open training camp next week. Analysis: Irving has not appeared in a basketball game since suffering a torn left ACL on March 31, 2025. During Mavericks media day, the veteran point guard said that he's âready to kick some butt,â which is great news for Dallas and fantasy managers. However, Irving has not played more than 65 regular-season games since the 2018-19 campaign. The team may place early restrictions on Irving's playing time, but he can still offer high value in any fantasy format.
Buddy Hield Shams: Bulls get Buddy Hield from Hornets in trade Sat, Sep 26, 2026, 12:07 PM Shams Charania Buddy Hield was acquired by the Bulls from the Hornets in exchange for Rob Dillingham, reports ESPN's Shams Charania. Analysis: The Bulls also acquired cash as part of the deal. Chicago gets a veteran shooter in Hield, who was traded by the Hawks earlier this week. He averaged 7.6 points in 51 games last season. Hield can still shoot, but doesn't offer much more to fantasy managers at this point in his career.