NBA Player News

Lyles said Monday that he hopes to provide veteran leadership and confidence to Minnesota's locker room during the 2026-27 season, Andrew Dukowitz of ZoneCoverage.com reports.

The 30-year-old forward returns to the NBA after spending last season with Real Madrid, where he averaged 13.5 points and 4.5 rebounds in EuroLeague competition. Lyles signed a one-year deal with Minnesota in July and appears willing to embrace a mentorship role, though he could also contribute to the Timberwolves' frontcourt rotation following the offseason departures of Julius Randle and Naz Reid.

Cardwell said Monday that he intends to help establish a tougher and more relentless identity for Sacramento during his second NBA season, according to Sactown Sports 1140.

"We're not here to make friends. We're here to establish our identity," Cardwell said, emphasizing energy, physicality and competing for loose balls as areas in which he plans to set the tone. The 24-year-old averaged 5.4 points, 7.5 rebounds and 1.5 blocks in 20.6 minutes across 44 regular-season appearances as a rookie, and his defensive activity and rebounding should remain his primary avenues to earning minutes in Sacramento's crowded frontcourt.

Pritchard said Monday that he's focused on making incremental improvements across the board rather than dramatically changing his game heading into the 2026-27 season, Bobby Krivitsky of Forbes.com reports.

The veteran guard mentioned becoming more efficient while also improving his production as a scorer, facilitator, rebounder and defender. Pritchard is coming off a career year in which he averaged 17.0 points, 5.2 assists and 3.9 rebounds across 79 regular-season appearances, and he should be an even important piece of Boston's backcourt this season with Jaylen Brown out of the picture.

Dosunmu reiterated Monday that he views Minnesota as his long-term home after re-signing with the Timberwolves during the offseason, Jon Krawczynski of The Athletic reports.

"I felt at home. That was the most important part," Dosunmu said, adding that he can envision starting a family in Minnesota and pointing to the area's public schools as another factor in his desire to stay. The 26-year-old signed a five-year, $112 million deal this summer after averaging 14.4 points, 4.2 rebounds and 3.5 assists across 24 regular-season appearances for Minnesota following his midseason arrival from Chicago.

Cenac received high praise from teammate Neemias Queta on Monday, with the veteran center saying the rookie has the potential to become a "juggernaut" in the NBA, Taylor Snow of the Celtics' official site reports.

Queta highlighted Cenac's combination of size, mobility and ability to defend multiple positions, adding that "the sky is the limit" for the 19-year-old. Cenac showed flashes of that defensive versatility during Summer League, but with Queta, Mitchell Robinson and Luka Garza among the experienced options in Boston's frontcourt, the No. 27 overall pick may have to earn his opportunities during his rookie campaign.

Dainja signed a training camp contract with the Nets on Monday.

Dainja is set to compete for a spot on Brooklyn's regular-season roster during training camp. The organization owns his G League rights, so he'll likely spend the 2026-27 season with the Long Island Nets if Brooklyn waives him.

Gordon is focused more on his health in an effort to avoid soft-tissue injuries after two injury-riddled seasons, Bennett Durando of The Denver Post reports.

"I need to be here much earlier and stay much later," Gordon said. "And I need to invest a lot more time warming up and a lot more time cooling down so I can be available for these guys." After appearing in just 51 regular-season games (42 starts) in the 2024-25 season, the veteran forward played in just 36 outings (33 starts) last regular season. Gordon missed 38 of Denver's 48 games from Nov. 22 to March 5 due to a right hamstring strain, and he also missed time in the team's first-round series loss to Minnesota with a calf injury. However, the 31-year-old is ready to go ahead of the 2026-27 season and seemingly has made his health more of a priority.

Champagnie said Monday that he's not really "paying attention" to whether he starts or not, Matt Guzman of SI.com reports.

Champagnie is instead focused on helping the Spurs win a title following their NBA Finals loss to the Knicks. The 25-year-old swingman is coming off a career year in which he started 68 of his 82 regular-season appearances, averaging 11.1 points, 5.8 rebounds, 2.4 triples, 1.5 assists and 0.8 steals while shooting 38.1 percent from deep in 27.6 minutes per contest. However, Tobias Harris is now in the mix, making it uncertain whether Champagnie will begin the regular season in the starting five. Still, he's fresh off signing a three-year, $45 million contract and figures to remain an important piece for San Antonio for the foreseeable future.

Head coach Tiago Splitter said Monday that Collins (toe) is dealing with a soft tissue injury and isn't expected to practice Tuesday, K.C. Johnson of Chicago Sports Network reports.

Collins' 2025-26 season was cut short after he underwent surgery in February due to a sprained toe on his right foot. It's unclear if the current soft tissue injury is related to the toe, but the big man's status will be worth monitoring ahead of Chicago's preseason opener against Phoenix on Wednesday, Oct. 7. If he's forced to miss time to start the regular season, Jalen Smith would have a much clearer path to playing time behind Nic Claxton.

Grimes wants to establish himself as a starter during training camp, Jovan Buha of The Athletic reports.

According to Daniel Starkand of LakersNation.com, Grimes also said that he takes pride in his defense and will be ready to guard the opposing team's best player on a nightly basis, which should help him secure a regular starting role. Luka Doncic, Austin Reaves and Walker Kessler are all essentially locked in as starters to begin the season, though head coach JJ Redick will have training camp and the preseason to evaluate the final two spots. Grimes is coming off a productive 2025-26 season with Philadelphia, averaging 13.4 points, 3.6 rebounds, 3.3 assists and 0.9 steals in 29.4 minutes per game across 75 regular-season outings (19 starts). He shot a career-low 33.4 percent from three-point range last season but is still a career 36.6 percent shooter from deep.