NBA Player News

Gobert recorded nine points (3-6 FG, 3-4 FT), eight rebounds and three blocks in 23 minutes during Thursday's 111-99 win over the Mavericks.

Gobert led the Timberwolves in minutes during the team's preseason opener. The three-time Defensive Player of the Year saw a dip in points, rebounds and blocks during his first season in Minnesota last season. However, the franchise appears committed to starting Gobert alongside Karl-Anthony Towns in the frontcourt again this year.

Gibson was held out of Friday's open scrimmage as a precautionary measure due to groin soreness, Josh Robbins of The Athletic reports.

Gibson's injury doesn't appear to be particularly serious, and he's labeled as day-to-day ahead of Thursday's preseason opener against the Hornets. It's unclear whether he'll be forced to miss any preseason action, but it wouldn't be surprising to see him available for the start of the regular season in late October. During his first year in Washington, the 38-year-old averaged 3.4 points and 1.9 rebounds in 9.8 minutes per game over 49 appearances.

Vanderbilt is competing with Rui Hachimura and Taurean Prince for the Lakers' final starting spot, Jovan Buha of The Athletic reports.

After being traded by Utah at the deadline last season, Vanderbilt quickly carved out a starting role with the Lakers. He started the final 24 regular-season games, averaging 7.0 points, 6.6 rebounds, 1.5 assists and 1.1 steals in 24.5 minutes. Vanderbilt's defensive prowess also gave the Lakers a tougher identity and a jolt during their playoff run. The sixth-year forward would appear to be the favorite to start alongside LeBron James, Anthony Davis, Austin Reaves and D'Angelo Russell on Opening Night, but due to his raw offensive game, Vanderbilt doesn't have as high of a fantasy ceiling as Hachimura or Prince.

Reid delivered 16 points (6-14 FG, 0-3 3Pt, 4-5 FT), seven rebounds and an assist across 18 minutes off the bench in Thursday's 111-99 preseason win over the Mavericks.

Reid spent the offseason rehabbing from a wrist injury and was participating in camp in the last few days, so his presence in the preseason opener wasn't surprising. He's slated to open the season as Karl-Anthony Towns' backup, but given Towns' injury history and Reid's solid numbers in limited minutes, he could be an intriguing option in deeper fantasy formats.

Coach Gregg Popovich said Thursday that Birch (knee) has been "full speed" in practice to begin training camp, Tom Osborn of the San Antonio Express-News reports.

Birch was traded to the Spurs in February but didn't make any appearances for his new team to close out the 2022-23 campaign since he was dealing with a lingering knee injury. While he's healthy ahead of the 2023-24 season, it's unclear how much of a role he'll have with the Spurs once the regular season begins.

Coach Gregg Popovich said Thursday that Bassey (kneecap) has been "full speed" in practice to begin training camp, Tom Osborn of the San Antonio Express-News reports.

Bassey missed the end of last season due to a non-displaced fracture of his left patella, but he appears to be healthy as the Spurs prepare for the preseason. He was limited to just 35 appearances in the NBA while splitting time between the G League and parent club last year, but he averaged 5.7 points and 5.5 rebounds in 14.5 minutes per game with San Antonio.

Head coach Jason Kidd said over the weekend that he plans to start Lively at center in Thursday's preseason opener versus the Timberwolves in Abu Dhabi, Grant Afseth of SI.com reports.

Kidd didn't commit to Lively or Olivier-Maxence Prosper maintaining spots in the starting five heading into the regular season, but both rookie first-round selections will get the chance to stake claims to spots on the top unit. If Lively is able to established himself as Dallas' top center, he likely wouldn't be in store for much usage while sharing the floor with Luka Doncic and Kyrie Irving, but the 19-year-old could profile as an effective rim runner who converts the post touches he does receive at an elite rate. The 7-foot-1 Lively was also one of the NCAA's premier shot blockers during his lone season at Duke, swatting away 2.4 shots in just 20.6 minutes per appearance.

Coach Monty Williams said Wednesday that Wiseman and Marvin Bagley are competing to serve as Jalen Duren's backup, Omari Sankofa II of the Detroit Free Press reports.

It's no surprise that Duren will be operating as the starting center, but Williams suggested that there will likely be room in the rotation for only one of Wiseman or Bagley. Wiseman's role increased after being traded from the Warriors to the Pistons last year, as he averaged 12.7 points and 8.1 rebounds in 25.2 minutes per game over 24 appearances with Detroit, but it sounds as though he could have more trouble finding consistent playing time under his new head coach.

Pistons coach Monty Williams said Wednesday that Bagley and James Wiseman are competing for "the backup big spot," Omari Sankofa of the Detroit Free Press reports.

Bagley made 25 starts across 42 appearances last season in Detroit, averaging 12.0 points and 6.4 rebounds in 23.5 minutes. However, it appears that there may only be enough room in the Pistons' rotation for one of Bagley or Wiseman. The backup center role competition between the two could continue throughout training camp and the preseason.

Robbins was diagnosed with a stress reaction in his right fibula Wednesday and is currently without a return timetable.

While it's unclear how much time Robbins will miss, it seems unlikely he will be able to suit up for the team's preseason opener against the Magic on Oct. 10. Robbins is currently on a training camp contract with the Pelicans.