NBA Player News

Wolf (ankle) is expected to open 2026-27 in a bench role after the Nets acquired Julius Randle ahead of Tuesday's draft.

While Brooklyn did lose Nic Claxton (finger) in the Randle trade, the expectation is that Day'Ron Sharpe is sliding into the top center position next year. Wolf, a 2025 first-rounder, should have a chance to battle for that role in the Las Vegas Summer League as well as during training camp, though Sharpe does possess a veteran's advantage. The Nets also landed Joshua Jefferson near the end of the first round of the 2026 NBA Draft, leaving Wolf to vie with the newcomer as well as Noah Clowney (ankle) for playing time in the frontcourt.

Clowney (ankle) is likely to move into a reserve role after the Nets acquired Julius Randle prior to Tuesday's draft.

Clowney was basically a full-time starter a year ago, coming off the bench just six times across 66 regular-season appearances. Now that Brooklyn has Randle in the fold, however, Clowney figures to open the new campaign as the primary backup power forward. Furthermore, the Nets' selection of Joshua Jefferson near the end of the first round of the 2026 NBA Draft clouds Clowney's fantasy outlook heading into 2026-27.

Traore (illness) has another obstacle for minutes in the backcourt after the Nets chose Mikel Brown with the No. 6 pick in the 2026 NBA Draft.

Traore had a hard time sticking with Brooklyn in the early stages of 2025-26, spending most of his time with the G League's Long Island Nets. His role changed drastically during the second half of the year, however, as the 2025 first-rounder started on effectively a full-time basis from Jan. 29 onward. The Nets have a logjam in the backcourt, featuring Egor Demin (foot), Drake Powell and Ben Saraf along with Brown, so Traore may have to settle for a reserve role to begin 2026-27.

Saraf should have more competition for playing time in the backcourt after the Nets selected Mikel Brown with the No. 6 pick in the 2026 NBA Draft.

Saraf, a 2025 first-round pick, opened his rookie season as a starter before becoming more of a part-time player, bouncing back and forth from the G League throughout the course of the year. It wasn't until the late stages of the regular season that Brooklyn handed him more of a featured role, as the team battled a litany of injuries down the stretch and needed healthy bodies to soak up extra minutes. Saraf could carve out a role as the top backup point guard in 2026-27, but the addition of Brown complicates his path to steady minutes.

Demin (foot) could have more competition for playmaking opportunities at point guard after the Nets took Mikel Brown with the No. 6 pick in the 2026 NBA Draft.

Although Brooklyn employs a crowded backcourt, its long-term vision likely involves Demin and Brown coalescing in the guard spots. Demin dealt with plantar fasciitis in his left foot during his rookie season, limiting him to 52 regular-season appearances, but he's still lined up as the Nets' top point guard in 2026-27. Whether or not Brown or perhaps Drake Powell is starting alongside Demin remains to be seen, though.

Jones could be in danger of moving into a reserve role in 2026-27 due to the selection of Keaton Wagler with the No. 5 pick in the 2026 NBA Draft.

If Wagler can win a starting job this offseason, it's likely that either Jones or Kris Dunn would be the odd man out of the first unit. The Clippers could move Dunn to small forward and Kawhi Leonard to power forward more often in small-ball lineups in this case, which would further jeopardize Jones' playing time. Jones started all but five of his 50 regular-season appearances a year ago, so he may at least open the new season in the first unit as the incumbent veteran.

Dunn could be at risk of handling a reserve role in 2026-27 due to the selection of Keaton Wagler with the No. 5 pick in the 2026 NBA Draft.

Dunn might be a loser from a fantasy perspective after the Clippers added Wagler, who would likely supplant Dunn from the first unit at shooting guard if he plays well during training camp. The defensive-minded Dunn was essentially a full-time starter last regular season, making 68 starts over 82 games, so his status as the incumbent veteran could also work in his favor if Wagler struggles in Summer League or at camp.

Mathurin could be set for a reserve role if he remains with the Clippers in 2026-27 due to the selection of Keaton Wagler with the No. 5 pick in the 2026 NBA Draft.

Mathurin operated almost exclusively off the bench for Los Angeles in 2025-26, making just one start after being traded away from the Pacers. The 2022 first-rounder is slated to become a restricted free agent, so the Clippers do have the ability to match any offer sheet he receives from other teams. If Mathurin sticks around, he'll likely be competing with Wagler and Kris Dunn for the starting spot at shooting guard during training camp in the fall.

Garland could face more competition for ballhandling duties at point guard after the Clippers drafted Keaton Wagler with the No. 5 pick in the 2026 NBA Draft.

Garland came off the bench just twice for the Clippers last year, and that was likely done to ease him back into action due to nagging toe injuries. It's hard to envision the star guard seeing a noticeable decline in playing time due to the addition of Wagler, and Los Angeles must believe the two guards will mesh well alongside one another in the long run. If Wagler starts at shooting guard right away, his presence could help alleviate some of the ballhandling duties on Garland's plate.

The Clippers added another playmaker to deploy alongside Leonard by choosing Keaton Wagler with the No. 5 pick in the 2026 NBA Draft.

The Clippers will have to decide whether or not to start Wagler alongside Darius Garland in the backcourt in 2026-27, but the rookie guard is nonetheless set to serve as a key contributor right off the bat. Leonard's usage could see a slight dip if Wagler starts immediately, as that would likely translate into the defensive-minded Kris Dunn moving to the second unit. Regardless, Leonard is locked in as Los Angeles' definitive No. 1 scoring option next year.