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Alex Caruso SF | OKC
Thunder's Alex Caruso: Feeling healthy
Caruso is feeling healthy at training camp, per Clemente Almanza of USA Today.
"I mean, Day 3 of training camp's the third-best day you're going to feel all year besides Day 2 and Day 1," Caruso said Friday. The veteran swingman made zero starts for the Thunder a season ago and has made three altogether since joining Oklahoma City in 2024-25, but he should at least remain a strong source of steals for fantasy managers in category-driven leagues for 2026-27. Despite never logging at least 30 minutes per game, Caruso has averaged at least one steal in each year of his career besides his rookie campaign.
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Caleb Wilson PF | CHI
Bulls' Caleb Wilson: Adjusting to NBA practices
Wilson is acclimating to NBA practices, per K.C. Johnson of Chicago Sports Network.
"Honestly, my first two days, it seemed like everything was moving so fast because you're going against NBA talent and everybody's athletic, and the gaps close really fast. But now, it's way more chill. [Friday] was a really good day for me," Wilson said. After Wilson was selected by the Bulls with the No. 4 overall pick in the 2026 NBA Draft, the rookie forward is expected to be thrust into a big role immediately and is being treated as a mid-round player in most fantasy drafts.
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Domantas Sabonis C | SAC
Kings' Domantas Sabonis: Dismisses trade chatter
Sabonis downplayed offseason trade rumors, per Sam Amico of HoopsWire.com.
Sabonis isn't an unrestricted free agent until the 2028-29 campaign, so the rebuilding Kings may not pull the trigger on a potential deal until the star big man builds his stock back up. He averaged 15.8 points, 11.4 rebounds and 4.1 assists per game last year, all his lowest marks since 2018-19, before undergoing season-ending knee surgery in February.
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Giannis Antetokounmpo PF | MIA
Heat's Giannis Antetokounmpo: Likely to play Saturday
Antetokounmpo is expected to play in Saturday's preseason opener against Toronto, per Ira Winderman of the South Florida Sun Sentinel.
The superstar forward is in line to make his highly anticipated first appearance in a Heat uniform Saturday. Antetokounmpo is looking to stay on the floor more often in his Miami debut season after logging a career-low 36 regular-season appearances for the Bucks in 2025-26.
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Bam Adebayo C | MIA
Heat's Bam Adebayo: Expected to play Saturday
Adebayo is expected to play in Saturday's preseason opener against Toronto, per Ira Winderman of the South Florida Sun Sentinel.
With Giannis Antetokounmpo also in line to suit up, fantasy managers should get their first taste of Miami's new-look frontcourt Saturday. Adebayo has averaged at least 18.0 points, 9.0 rebounds, 3.0 assists and 1.0 steals in six straight seasons for the Heat.
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Damian Lillard SG | POR
Trail Blazers' Damian Lillard: Could open camp with starters
Lillard may open training camp with Portland's starting group, according to Sam Amico of Hoops Wire.
With Lillard coming off an Achilles injury and now with a questionable fit alongside Ja Morant, the Portland backcourt has been one of the league's top camp storylines. The Trail Blazers open their preseason Wednesday against Golden State, and perhaps their first exhibition starting lineup will offer a hint to their plans for the regular season. Jrue Holiday is already expected to spend more time on the wing, so Portland could experiment with three-guard lineups featuring Lillard, Morant and Holiday at times.
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Jimmy Butler SF | GS
Warriors' Jimmy Butler: Still months away from returning
The Warriors hope to have Butler (knee) back early in 2027, per Keith Watkins of Yahoo Sports.
Butler is still months away from retaking the floor, according to Nick Friedell of The Athletic, so a season debut at some point in December might be too optimistic. The star forward remains without a definitive timeline for a return after undergoing ACL surgery in early February, which typically carries at least a nine-month recovery period. Butler makes sense as an injury stash at the end of fantasy drafts, but managers should likely be bracing for him to miss at least the first two months of the regular season.
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Ja Morant PG | POR
Trail Blazers' Ja Morant: Could start year off bench
Morant could come off the bench for Portland to begin the season, per Casey Holdahl of the Trail Blazers' official site.
With Portland's backcourt fit already a talking point after Morant's arrival, a reserve role would be a notable shift for a player who has made just two appearances off the bench in his seven-year career. The Trail Blazers acquired the star guard with an eye toward him meshing with the returning Damian Lillard in the backcourt, but it sounds like the team is mulling over the idea of easing Morant into the mix. Jrue Holiday appears to be the most likely candidate to open the year as a starter if Portland ultimately decides to deploy Morant from the second unit.
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Keshad Johnson SF | MIA
Heat's Keshad Johnson: Tweaks hamstring
Johnson will be sidelined a few weeks with a right hamstring strain, Anthony Chiang of the Miami Herald reports.
This is a tough blow for Johnson as it rules him out for the entire preseason. The forward is on a two-way contract and is expected to feature for Miami's G League affiliate.