NBA Player News

Wallace is the most likely replacement for Luguentz Dort in Oklahoma City's starting lineup after Dort was traded to the Hawks in mid-July, according to Anthony Slater of ESPN.

The Thunder traded Dort, Aaron Wiggins and Isaiah Joe in cost-cutting maneuvers this offseason, leaving increased playing time available for the likes of Ajay Mitchell, Jared McCain and Wallace. The 22-year-old started 58 of his 77 regular-season appearances in 2025-26 due in large part to Jalen Williams (hamstring) missing significant time, and with Dort out of the picture, Wallace has a strong chance to carve out a full-time role in the starting lineup in the 2026-27 campaign. He averaged 9.3 points, 3.1 rebounds, 2.9 assists and 2.1 steals across 27.7 minutes per game in his 58 starts last regular season.

Ware has a clearer path to playing time on the Bucks and should have a better opportunity to find firmer footing than he had with Miami, per Zach Kram of ESPN.

Ware flashed potential in his first two years in the Association with Miami, and he averaged 11.1 points, 9.0 rebounds, 1.9 combined steals-plus-blocks and 0.7 assists in 22.1 minutes per game across 77 regular-season appearances (34 starts) in 2025-26. The big man also shot an impressive 39.5 percent from downtown on 3.0 three-point tries per contest last season. He was dealt to Milwaukee as part of the Giannis Antetokounmpo trade in June, and Ware now has the chance to start fresh and become a building block for the Bucks in their rebuild. Myles Turner is coming off a down year, and his long-term future in Milwaukee is unclear. Ware could carve out a starting role with the Bucks regardless of Turner's presence, and it wouldn't be surprising to see the former take another step forward in a more favorable situation.

Hartenstein (ankle) participated in an offseason workout with the Thunder on Monday, Clemente Almanza of USA Today reports.

Hartenstein sat out FIBA qualifiers with Germany to nurse an ankle injury he sustained earlier this summer, so it's encouraging to see him back on the court ahead of training camp in the fall. The 28-year-old big man appears to be firmly on track for the start of the regular season in October, barring any setbacks along the way.

James will have added competition for playing time after the Hornets added Grayson Allen, Royce O'Neale and Dorian Finney-Smith this offseason.

James saw a meaningful role in his rookie season, averaging 5.4 points, 3.5 rebounds, 2.0 assists and 0.6 steals across 22.5 minutes per tilt in 82 regular-season games (19 starts). The Hornets took a significant step forward in 2025-26 and will look to continue building momentum behind Kon Knueppel and Brandon Miller (shoulder). The club added several veteran swingmen, and while not all of them are guaranteed a steady role, they could challenge James for minutes.

Kispert will have added competition for playing time after the Hawks acquired both Luguentz Dort and Aaron Wiggins this offseason.

Kispert was traded from Washington to Atlanta last January, averaging 9.2 points, 2.3 rebounds and 1.5 assists across 18.2 minutes per game in 39 regular-season appearances with the Hawks. However, the club traded for Wiggins, Dort and Ryan Nembhard this summer, giving up Zaccharie Risacher and draft capital in the two deals. Kispert's floor-spacing ability could help him retain a meaningful role, but he isn't guaranteed significant minutes in a crowded wing group.

Lendeborg is in the running to start this season, Monte Poole of NBC Sports Bay Area reports.

"We've added some good players with Yaxel, Georges Niang, and believe Brandon Williams can help us," head coach Steve Kerr said during a recent interview. "The biggest things are figuring out who's going to start, and what's the rotation going to look like? Can Yaxel play the 3 with Draymond at the 4, with Kristaps or Al at the 5? What would that look like?" Lendeborg looked good during both the California Classic and Las Vegas Summer League, appearing in a total of eight games and averaging 14.9 points, 6.8 rebounds, 4.0 assists and 1.4 steals while shooting 45.9 percent from deep over 26.9 minutes per tilt. While Kerr's recent comments didn't confirm that the rookie No. 11 overall pick will start during the 2026-27 campaign, at least not on a full-time basis, he appears to be primed for a prominent role right out of the gate.

There is concern regarding Curry's long-term health due to his right knee, Monte Poole of NBC Sports Bay Area & California reports.

"There's at least some lingering concern about the knee," Poole said during a recent podcast. "From what I understand, he and his trainers have devised ways to kind of work around that and sort of support that whole possibility of the knee not being as great as he wants it to be." When healthy, the 38-year-old had a productive 2025-26 campaign, averaging 26.6 points, 3.6 rebounds, 4.7 assists and 1.1 steals over 30.9 minutes per contest while playing in 43 regular-season games. However, he missed time mostly due to patellofemoral pain syndrome in his right knee. While the 2009 No. 7 overall pick is still expected to be one of the top contributors in the NBA this season, his knee, along with a contract extension, may be frequent topics of conversation. Curry has appeared in 1,069 regular-season games during his career, averaging 24.8 points, 4.7 rebounds, 6.3 assists and 1.5 steals while shooting 42.2 percent from deep across 34.0 minutes per game. He is also a two-time MVP, 12-time All-Star and four-time NBA Champion.

Sharp faces increased competition for playing time after the Kings signed Ben Simmons to a one-year deal Friday.

Although Russell Westbrook is out of the picture now, Ben Simmons will return to The Association and figures to see a steady role in the Kings' rotation thanks to his defensive versatility and playmaking. Along with fellow rookie Alex Karaban, Sharp isn't guaranteed a meaningful role to begin his professional career. However, the No. 45 overall pick out of Houston could see increasingly steady minutes as the season progresses, depending on whether the Kings trade some of their veterans.

The Kings signed Ben Simmons to a one-year deal Friday, adding another bench option who will challenge Karaban for playing time.

Simmons will return to The Association after sitting out the 2025-26 campaign. With the three-time All-Star in the mix, Karaban faces increased competition for playing time off the bench. Karaban, the No. 29 overall pick in the 2026 NBA Draft, could see increasingly steady minutes as the season progresses, though the UConn product isn't guaranteed a meaningful role early on, especially if Keegan Murray (ankle) is healthy to begin the campaign.

The Kings signed Ben Simmons to a one-year deal Friday, adding another playmaker to Sacramento's second unit who could challenge Monk for playing time.

Simmons ended up sitting out the entire 2025-26 campaign but will return to The Association this season. He's a versatile defender who could take on a meaningful role thanks to his playmaking ability, though Simmons' arrival may result in fewer minutes for Monk. Monk averaged 12.5 points, 3.0 assists and 1.9 rebounds in 22.0 minutes per tilt across 62 regular-season games (three starts) last season, marking his fewest minutes per game since he played for the Hornets in the 2020-21 campaign. Aside from Simmons, Monk also faces competition for playing time from rookie No. 7 overall pick Darius Acuff, Nique Clifford and Emanuel Sharp. Monk has a $21.6 million player option for 2027-28 and remains a candidate to be traded after having been the subject of trade rumors throughout the 2025-26 season.