NBA Player News

Hornets general manager Jeff Peterson said Monday that he "doesn't know" whether Knueppel (hamstring) will be available for the team's regular-season opener against the Nets, Owen Watterson of SI.com reports.

Knueppel's status for Opening Night remains uncertain as he continues to work his way back from his left hamstring injury. Peterson's comments suggest the Hornets aren't ready to rule out the second-year wing, though his availability will likely become clearer as training camp progresses. He has already been ruled out for the entire preseason, to be clear.

Head coach Rick Carlisle said Monday that he does not anticipate many limitations for Haliburton to start the season, though he noted the team will go at "the correct pace," Alex Golden of SI.com reports.

The star point guard sustained a torn Achilles in Game 7 of the 2025 NBA Finals, though he has been fully cleared to participate in training camp and should be available for the start of the regular season after missing the 2025-26 campaign. Carlisle added that Haliburton has gotten stronger, but it wouldn't be surprising to see the Pacers manage his workload to start the campaign, especially in back-to-back sets.

Hornets general manager Jeff Peterson said Monday that Miller (shoulder) is expected to participate in training camp and be ready for the start of the regular season, Hunter Bailey of the HWY 49 Podcast reports.

Miller's availability for training camp is an encouraging sign after his injury issues last season. Peterson expects the forward to be "ready to roll" for Opening Night, which would be a significant boost for a Charlotte squad that could be without Kon Knueppel (hamstring) to begin the season.

Duren won't attend the Pistons' media day Monday and isn't planning to show up for the start of training camp, Shams Charania of ESPN reports.

The Pistons have reportedly offered Duren a fully guaranteed five-year, $200 million deal in restricted free agency, but the two sides remain at a stalemate. Duren is coming off a breakout 2025-26 regular season in which he earned his first All-Star and All-NBA selections while averaging 19.5 points and 10.5 rebounds on 65.0 percent shooting. The 22-year-old big man has until Thursday's deadline to accept the deal, or he'll be forced to play under a one-year, $9.6 million qualifying offer.

Johnson was waived by the Lakers on Sunday, Thuc Nhi Nguyen of the Los Angeles Times reports.

Johnson was waived by the Lakers after joining the organization following an undrafted Summer League stint with the Heat. Los Angeles retains his G League rights, making Johnson a candidate to continue his development with the South Bay Lakers.

Harris was waived by the Pistons on Sunday, Michael Scotto of HoopsHype.com reports.

Harris was recently traded to Detroit by Milwaukee in July. However, he won't get an opportunity to suit up for the Pistons. The 32-year-old has appeared in 666 regular-season games during his career, averaging 9.9 points, 2.2 rebounds, 1.8 assists and 1.0 steals over 26.0 minutes per contest. While Harris could find a new team at some point during the 2026-27 campaign, he will likely only be added for depth purposes.

McCullar agreed to a two-way contract with the Knicks on Sunday.

McCullar has seen most of his action in the G League since being drafted in 2024. However, the 24-year-old has some experience at the NBA level, averaging 2.2 points and 1.4 rebounds over 7.4 minutes per contest in 25 regular-season games for the Knicks.

Nickel agreed to a two-way contract with the Knicks on Sunday.

Nickel played at North Carolina, Virginia Tech and Vanderbilt throughout his collegiate career before being selected in the second round of the 2026 NBA Draft. The 23-year-old most recently appeared in five games for New York during the 2026 Las Vegas Summer League, averaging 12.2 points, 3.6 rebounds, 1.6 assists and 1.0 steals while shooting 41.3 percent from deep over 28.5 minutes per contest.

Head coach Ime Udoka said Friday that VanVleet's minutes limit will be determined by how he progresses through training camp, Will Guillory of The Athletic reports.

VanVleet missed the 2025-26 campaign after tearing his ACL last September, though he's been cleared to practice in full and has been participating in five-on-five scrimmages. The veteran point guard may begin the season on a minutes limit, which would leave additional playing time available for the likes of Reed Sheppard and Marcus Smart. Additionally, it wouldn't be surprising to see the Rockets limit VanVleet in back-to-back sets, especially early in the season as he works his way back up to speed.

Head coach Ime Udoka said Friday that he does not see Adams (ankle) playing in both halves of back-to-back sets to start the 2026-27 season, Will Guillory of The Athletic reports.

The veteran center underwent left ankle surgery in late January and is currently without a clear timetable for a return to the court. Udoka also noted that Adams' minutes limit will be determined by how he progresses in training camp. If the 33-year-old begins the season on the inactive list, Clint Capela would likely see a bump in minutes.