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Hugo Gonzalez SG | BOS
Celtics' Hugo Gonzalez: Battling for starting job
Gonzalez ended with four points (1-4 FG, 0-1 3Pt, 2-2 FT), three rebounds, one block and one assist in 10 minutes during Spain's 108-106 loss to Greece in Tuesday's FIBA World Cup qualifier.
Gonzalez continues to stay busy this summer, participating in FIBA qualifiers for Spain after joining the Celtics for Summer League earlier this offseason. With Jaylen Brown now on the 76ers, Gonzalez is looking to make an impression for Boston's starting job at shooting guard in favor of Baylor Scheierman.
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Kawhi Leonard SF | TOR
Raptors' Kawhi Leonard: Fined, avoids suspension
Leonard has been fined $700,000 in restitution for improper benefits due to his involvement in the Clippers' salary cap circumvention, Shams Charania of ESPN reports.
The Clippers were punished harshly by the NBA, including a $30 million fine for Steve Ballmer and the loss of five first-round picks. However, it appears Leonard will be able to suit up for the Raptors on Opening Night after only receiving a monetary punishment. The trade that sent Leonard to Toronto should be finalized soon now that the NBA has closed its investigation. Leonard has one year left on his deal, valued at $50.3 million, but it's likely there will be mutual interest in an extension.
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Rudy Gobert C | MIN
Timberwolves' Rudy Gobert: Getting ready for 2026-27
Gobert sat out France's 84-69 win over Sweden in Sunday's FIBA World Cup qualifier.
Gobert did suit up for France's victory over Slovenia on Thursday, so Sunday appeared to be a maintenance-related absence. The veteran center is getting ready for his fifth season with the Timberwolves in 2026-27, and it's plausible that Minnesota will rely even more on Gobert now that big man Naz Reid has been sent to Charlotte in exchange for star point guard LaMelo Ball. Gobert has averaged a double-double and at least one block while shooting no lower than 62 percent from the field in 10 consecutive seasons.
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Sergio de Larrea SG | DAL
Mavericks' Sergio de Larrea: Preparing for first NBA season
De Larrea ended with nine points (3-5 FG, 3-3 3Pt, 0-1 FT), two rebounds and one assist in 11 minutes during Spain's 108-106 loss to Greece in Tuesday's FIBA World Cup qualifier.
De Larrea made the most of his playing time Tuesday. The rookie first-round pick has parts of six seasons of international playing experience under his belt, but he'll likely require a standout camp to have any chance of challenging the likes of Marcus Sasser, Zaccharie Risacher and Caleb Martin for playing time off the bench with the Mavericks to begin 2026-27.
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Jose Alvarado PG | NY
Knicks' Jose Alvarado: Competing for Opening Night role
Alvarado ended with three points (1-9 FG, 1-8 3Pt, 0-1 FT), four rebounds, nine assists and three steals in 33 minutes during Puerto Rico's 80-75 loss to Uruguay in Tuesday's FIBA World Cup qualifier.
Alvarado helped offset a poor shooting performance with a team-high nine dimes Tuesday. The guard declined his $4.5 million player option but negotiated a new three-year contract with the defending-champion Knicks earlier this summer, and he's in line to compete with the likes of Landry Shamet, Miles McBride, Tyler Kolek and Jordan Clarkson for reserve minutes in the backcourt.
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Nikola Vucevic C | ORL
Magic's Nikola Vucevic: Gearing up for second stint with Orlando
Vucevic did not participate in Montenegro's latest FIBA World Cup qualifying window as he turns his focus toward the upcoming NBA season.
The veteran center is preparing for his second stint with the Magic in 2026-27, though he's unlikely to be a full-time starter with Wendell Carter in the fold this time around. Orlando figures to hold a competition for the top center position during training camp this fall, and it wouldn't be surprising if the team took a hot-hand approach between Vucevic and Carter throughout the course of the year. Vucevic can be treated as a late-round flier in fantasy drafts while this situation shakes out.
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Khalifa Diop C | CLE
Cavaliers' Khalifa Diop: Signs with Cleveland
Diop signed a contract with Cleveland on Wednesday.
Originally selected as a draft-and-stash player, the No. 39 overall pick in the 2026 NBA Draft will now join the team ahead of the 2026-27 season. Presumably, Diop will be brought along slowly, which would include plenty of reps in the G League.
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Domantas Sabonis C | SAC
Kings' Domantas Sabonis: Absent for Lithuania
Sabonis (knee) did not participate in Lithuania's latest FIBA World Cup qualifying window as he turned his attention toward preparing for the 2026-27 NBA season.
Sabonis was limited to just 19 regular-season appearances for Sacramento last season due to injuries but remained productive when available, averaging 15.8 points, 11.4 rebounds and 4.1 assists while shooting 54.3 percent from the field. The 30-year-old remains a major part of the Kings' frontcourt entering 2026-27 and should continue providing strong production in rebounds, assists and field-goal percentage.
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Kristaps Porzingis C | GS
Warriors' Kristaps Porzingis: Misses time for Latvia
Porzingis did not participate in Latvia's latest FIBA World Cup qualifying window as he focused on preparing for the 2026-27 NBA season.
Porzingis had hoped to represent Latvia during the August window, but his preparation plan with Golden State prioritized getting him ready for the start of the NBA season. The 31-year-old was limited to 32 regular-season appearances in 2025-26, averaging 16.7 points, 5.2 rebounds and 1.5 blocks while shooting 44.6 percent from the field. Porzingis joined the Warriors this offseason and should have an opportunity to play a significant frontcourt role when healthy, but his lengthy injury history makes his availability one of the primary concerns surrounding his fantasy outlook.
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Giannis Antetokounmpo PF | MIA
Heat's Giannis Antetokounmpo: Sits out for Greece
Antetokounmpo (knee) did not participate in Greece's latest FIBA World Cup qualifying window as he focused on preparing for the 2026-27 NBA season.
Antetokounmpo's absence wasn't due to restrictions from Miami, as Greece's federation indicated the decision was made as part of his preparation for the upcoming season. The 31-year-old will begin a new chapter with the Heat after being acquired from Milwaukee in a blockbuster trade this offseason.