NBA Player News

Raynaud enters his second NBA season after flashing intriguing offensive versatility during his rookie campaign.

The seven-footer can stretch the floor and facilitate from the frontcourt, giving Sacramento a unique developmental option. However, as long as Domantas Sabonis is in town, Raynaud will likely be competing for reserve minutes. Another year of development could help Raynaud carve out a consistent role in the Kings' rotation, and if he continues to impress, the Kings may be more willing to part ways with Sabonis.

Cardwell returns to Sacramento after spending last season with the organization, giving him a leg up in the battle for frontcourt minutes entering training camp.

The big man provides size, rebounding and rim protection, though he'll likely be competing for a reserve role behind Domantas Sabonis and Maxime Raynaud. Across 44 regular-season games in 2025-26, Cardwell averaged 5.4 points, 7.5 rebounds and 1.5 blocks in 20.6 minutes per contest.

The Raptors announced Wednesday they've signed Jemison to a two-way contract.

Jemison had previously been an unrestricted free agent after the Knicks declined to tender him a qualifying offer earlier this offseason. The big man is preparing for his fourth NBA season ahead of 2026-27, but most of his playing time is likely to come with the G League's Raptors 905.

Queen impressed during his rookie campaign despite missing time early in the season due to a wrist injury, flashing the versatile offensive skills that made him a lottery pick.

Queen posted several standout performances, including the first 30-point triple-double by a rookie center in NBA history. Queen should compete for an even larger frontcourt role in 2026-27 as one of New Orleans' top young building blocks.

Missi (hand) continued to play a meaningful role in New Orleans' frontcourt during his second NBA season, averaging 5.7 points, 5.8 rebounds and 1.3 assists across 66 regular-season appearances.

The 22-year-old remains one of the Pelicans' top young interior defenders, and New Orleans has reportedly rebuffed trade interest from multiple teams this offseason, underscoring how highly the organization values him. Although he'll continue competing for frontcourt minutes alongside Derik Queen and DeAndre Jordan, Missi should remain an important part of the center rotation entering 2026-27.

Sengun continued his ascent as one of the league's premier offensive centers during the 2025-26 campaign, serving as Houston's primary facilitator in the frontcourt while forming an elite partnership with Kevin Durant.

Sengun's combination of interior scoring, rebounding and passing remained the foundation of the Rockets' halfcourt offense throughout the regular season. With Houston returning most of its rotation, Sengun's role should remain virtually unchanged entering 2026-27.

Embiid no longer projects to carry the same offensive burden after Philadelphia added LeBron James and Jaylen Brown while also bringing in Anfernee Simons, Kentavious Caldwell-Pope and rookie Labaron Philon, according to Paul Hudrick of Liberty Ballers.

Although his scoring volume could dip slightly, the additional star power should allow Embiid to conserve energy and focus more on efficiency and defense, helping preserve his elite fantasy value when healthy. As always, Embiid's availability will be the biggest question mark given his lengthy injury history.

Koloko agreed a one-year contract with the Pelicans on Tuesday, Michael Scotto of HoopsHype.com reports.

The journeyman center is set to compete for one of New Orleans' final roster spots during training camp in the fall. The Pelicans feature a crowded frontcourt, which could make it difficult for Koloko to stick around with the team past camp.

Bittle won't play in Sunday's Summer League game against the Nuggets due to right knee soreness, Zulfi Sheikh of Sportsnet reports.

Bittle was a late scratch for the Nuggets' Summer League finale. He'll finish the Las Vegas Summer League with averages of 9.8 points, 6.8 rebounds, 2.8 blocks and 2.2 assists in 20.6 minutes per game across four appearances.

Cisse will return to the Mavericks after Dallas matched the two-year, $4.7 million offer sheet he received from the Knicks on Saturday, Shams Charania of ESPN reports.

Dallas wasted little time matching the Knicks' offer to keep Cisse in the fold, though the 6-foot-11 center will now occupy a standard roster spot after serving as a two-way player as a undrafted rookie in 2025-26. He appeared in 38 games at the NBA level last season, shooting 57.4 percent from the field while averaging 4.5 points, 5.7 rebounds and 1.2 blocks in 13.9 minutes per game. Cisse may have a tough time cracking the rotation with regularity in 2026-27 if Dereck Lively (foot) and Daniel Gafford are fully healthy. The Mavericks also acquired Santi Aldama and Morez Johnson earlier in the offseason and could also look to incorporate them at center.