-
Justin Edwards SF | PHI
76ers' Justin Edwards: Battling for bench role
Edwards is competing for a bench role with the 76ers this season, per Adam Aaronson of PhillyVoice.com.
Philadelphia made obvious waves for the signing of LeBron James and acquisition of Jaylen Brown this summer, but the team made several other moves to fortify the second unit. They drafted Labaron Philon in the first round of the draft, also signing Anfernee Simons, Kentavious Caldwell-Pope and Dean Wade. That likely leaves Edwards in need of an impressive training camp in order to stitch up an Opening Night reserve role.
-
Paolo Banchero PF | ORL
Magic's Paolo Banchero: Preparing for fifth campaign
Banchero is gearing up for his fifth NBA season in 2026-27.
The Magic made no significant additions or subtractions to the team this offseason that would noticeably impact Banchero's outlook. That sets him up as one of the club's top playmakers along with Franz Wagner and Desmond Bane, but Banchero continues to carry concerns in category-based fantasy leagues for his high turnover rate and dodgy shooting efficiency. The star forward has averaged at least 22 points, six rebounds, four assists and nearly one steal in three consecutive years, but he's also averaged at least three turnovers during that time and has never shot at least 46 percent from the floor or 78 percent from the free-throw line in his career.
-
Jalen Duren C | DET
Pistons' Jalen Duren: Remains in contract limbo
Duren and the Pistons remain in a standoff over contract negotiations, per Omari Sankofa II of the Detroit Free Press.
The gap in negotiations between the two sides has been well-documented this offseason. With the preseason looming, the two parties are running out of time to reach a compromise at this point. As it stands, Duren is a restricted free agent but would be primed for a big role at center if he accepts the qualifying offer or lands an extension and stays with a Pistons team that shipped out Isaiah Stewart over the summer.
-
Josh Hart SF | NY
Knicks' Josh Hart: Eligible for extension
Hart is eligible for a contract extension, per Ian Begley of SportsNet New York.
Hart is under contract for 2026-27 ahead of a 2027-28 team option. The Knicks have plenty of other mouths to feed, as Karl-Anthony Towns is already extension eligible while Jalen Brunson and OG Anunoby will be next offseason, so it remains to be seen how New York will prioritize its contract talks. Hart opened last year as a reserve before assuming a full-time starting role in late November, and he's locked into the first unit to open this season in the wake of Mitchell Robinson's exit.
-
Tyrese Haliburton PG | IND
Pacers' Tyrese Haliburton: Will be cleared for camp
General manager Chad Buchanan said Thursday that Haliburton (Achilles) will be fully cleared for training camp, Alex Golden of SI.com reports.
With Haliburton working his way back from the torn Achilles he suffered in Game 7 of the 2025 NBA Finals, this is a notable checkpoint ahead of the 2026-27 season. A full clearance for camp suggests Indiana's star guard should enter the preseason without formal restrictions, though his workload to begin the regular season could still be monitored after such a lengthy absence.
-
Karl-Anthony Towns C | NY
Knicks' Karl-Anthony Towns: Extension talks at standstill
The Knicks want Towns to take a pay cut on a potential contract extension, per Stefan Bondy of The New York Post.
Towns is under team control for 2026-27 before having a player option for 2027-28. Jalen Brunson is eligible for an extension next year, so Towns may have to settle for a discount in order for New York to maintain its championship core in the future. The star big man appears to be a pretty safe second-round pick in fantasy drafts this year, having averaged at least 20 points, 11 rebounds, three assists and nearly one steal while shooting at least 50 percent from the floor and 82 percent from the charity stripe in back-to-back seasons for the Knicks.
-
Shai Gilgeous-Alexander PG | OKC
Thunder's Shai Gilgeous-Alexander: More off-ball work coming?
Gilgeous-Alexander could play off the ball more this season, per Kevin O'Connor of Yahoo Sports.
Running mate Jalen Williams was limited to a career-low 33 regular-season appearances in 2025-26, but his presence on the floor could help Gilgeous-Alexander spend more time off the ball in 2026-27. Gilgeous-Alexander remains a cinch pick early in the first rounds of fantasy drafts regardless of his role, having averaged at least 30 points, four rebounds, five assists, one steal and nearly one block while shooting at least 51 percent from the field and 87 percent from the foul line in each of his past four seasons.
-
Cason Wallace SG | OKC
Thunder's Cason Wallace: Pegged for larger role
Thunder general manager Sam Presti said the organization thinks "very highly" of Wallace and indicated that trading Luguentz Dort was partly a reflection of the team's belief in the 22-year-old guard, according to Rylan Stiles of SI.com.
Wallace started 58 regular-season games in 2025-26, averaging 9.3 points, 3.1 rebounds, 2.9 assists and 2.1 steals in 27.7 minutes per game in those contests. With Dort no longer in Oklahoma City, Wallace appears positioned for an increased role and could become a full-time starter in 2026-27.
-
Gary Trent Jr. SF | MIL
Bucks' Gary Trent: Investigation still ongoing
The NBA's investigation into Trent's four-year, $64 million contract with the Bucks remains ongoing, Joe Vardon of The Athletic reports.
The league has reportedly hired national investigations law firm Hecker Fink to examine the fully guaranteed deal, while both Milwaukee and Trent's agency, Klutch Sports Group, are cooperating with the investigation. The NBA is looking into whether Trent's previous team-friendly contracts with the Bucks were connected to an understanding that he would receive a more lucrative deal once Milwaukee acquired his Early Bird rights. There is currently no indication of when the investigation will conclude, and no finding of wrongdoing has been announced.
-
Ajay Mitchell SG | OKC
Thunder's Ajay Mitchell: Could step up this season
Thunder general manager Sam Presti has mentioned Mitchell (calf) multiple times as a player who could take on more minutes and make a jump this season, according to Brandon Rahbar of Daily Thunder.
Mitchell appears to be a candidate for an expanded role in Oklahoma City's rotation after showing promise in a limited capacity last season. The team lost Isaiah Joe, Aaron Wiggins and Luguentz Dort this offseason, making Mitchell an obvious player to watch ahead of fantasy drafts. His exact place in the rotation will become clearer during training camp and the preseason.