NBA Player News

Whitmore (shoulder) was waived by the Cavaliers on Friday, Michael Scotto of HoopsHype.com reports.

Whitmore was traded to Cleveland on Aug. 19 as part of the multi-team deal that sent Peyton Watson (hamstring) to the Cavaliers. However, Whitmore will now have to explore other opportunities if he clears waivers. The 22-year-old forward's 2025-26 campaign with the Wizards was cut short due to deep vein thrombosis in his right shoulder, and he finished the season with averages of 9.2 points and 2.8 rebounds in 16.9 minutes per tilt across 21 regular-season outings.

Missi recorded 24 points (9-13 FG, 6-8 FT), nine rebounds, two steals and four blocks in 27 minutes during Cameroon's 78-62 win over Nigeria in Thursday's FIBA World Cup qualifier.

The 22-year-old is coming off his second NBA season and will enter training camp battling for minutes in a crowded New Orleans frontcourt that also features Derik Queen and Karlo Matkovic. Missi's rebounding, rim protection and athleticism give him a clear path to maintaining a significant role, but the presence of Queen and Matkovic could prevent any substantial increase in playing time. His limited offensive range also caps his fantasy ceiling.

Matkovic recorded 17 points (8-8 FG, 1-1 3Pt, 0-1 FT), one assist and two turnovers in 17 minutes during Croatia's 115-80 win over Latvia in Thursday's FIBA World Cup qualifier.

The 25-year-old showed encouraging progress with New Orleans last season and enters 2026-27 as part of a crowded frontcourt that also includes Derik Queen and Yves Missi. Matkovic's ability to protect the rim while stretching the floor gives him a different skill set than the Pelicans' other young big men, but the competition for minutes could make his role volatile. He'll be a player to monitor during training camp, particularly if New Orleans shows a willingness to use him alongside one of its other centers.

Hezonja recorded 28 points (8-13 FG, 0-5 3Pt, 12-15 FT), three rebounds and seven assists in 30 minutes during Croatia's 115-80 win over Latvia in Thursday's FIBA World Cup qualifier.

The 31-year-old is returning to the NBA for the first time since 2019-20 after signing a one-year contract with Cleveland this offseason. Hezonja should have an opportunity to carve out a role on the wing following the departures of Max Strus and Keon Ellis, though he'll have to compete with Peyton Watson, Jaylon Tyson and others for minutes. After spending the last six seasons overseas, Hezonja's performance during training camp and the preseason should provide a better indication of whether he'll have enough of a role to warrant fantasy consideration.

Schroder recorded 23 points (7-11 FG, 2-6 3Pt, 7-7 FT), one rebound, six assists and two steals in 26 minutes during Germany's 99-83 win over the Netherlands in Thursday's FIBA World Cup qualifier.

Schroder paced Germany in scoring and continued his strong summer ahead of his first season in Charlotte. The 32-year-old was acquired from Cleveland earlier this month after averaging 10.8 points, 2.7 rebounds and 4.9 assists in 24.2 minutes across 70 regular-season appearances last season. With LaMelo Ball traded to Minnesota and Tre Mann subsequently sent to Washington, Charlotte's backcourt has undergone a significant overhaul, though the presence of Coby White figures to keep Schroder in a reserve role. The veteran should nevertheless have a path to consistent minutes as one of the Hornets' primary ball handlers off the bench.

Hansen recorded 15 points (7-11 FG, 1-2 3Pt), nine rebounds, one assist and two blocks in 20 minutes during China's 83-57 win over Qatar in Thursday's FIBA World Cup qualifier.

Hansen came off the bench but led China in both scoring and rebounding, continuing an encouraging offseason for the 21-year-old center. The 2025 first-round pick had a limited role as a rookie with Portland, averaging just 2.2 points and 1.5 rebounds per game during the regular season, but he'll have an opportunity to push for a larger role in his sophomore campaign.

Hachimura recorded 29 points (11-14 FG, 3-4 3Pt, 4-4 FT), four rebounds, two assists, three steals and one block in 28 minutes during Japan's 106-78 win over Saudi Arabia in Thursday's FIBA World Cup qualifier.

Hachimura was nearly flawless in his return to international competition while committing zero turnovers. The 28-year-old will begin a new chapter in 2026-27 after signing a two-year, $28 million contract with the Clippers this offseason. Hachimura shot a career-best 44.3 percent from three-point range with the Lakers last season and should provide the Clippers with another capable floor spacer. However, the wing depth could make consistent fantasy production difficult to come by. He'll likely compete with players such as Max Strus for minutes and isn't guaranteed a starting role heading into training camp.

Johnson agreed to a two-way contract with the Heat on Thursday, per Ira Winderman of the South Florida Sun Sentinel.

Miami didn't extend Johnson a qualifying offer ahead of the Las Vegas Summer League, but the two sides ultimately renegotiated a new deal. Johnson joins Vladislav Goldin and Tre Donaldson as the squad's trio of two-way players and should see ample playing time for the G League's Sioux Falls Skyforce this season.

Larsson dropped 31 points (9-17 FG, 2-7 3Pt, 11-14 FT) and five rebounds for Sweden in Thursday's FIBA World Cup qualifier against Finland.

Larsson is leaving a strong impression while getting reps overseas this offseason, as his pathway to minutes for the Heat during the upcoming season has another obstacle following the signing of Klay Thompson. Larsson should still have an Opening Night role on the wing, as his main competition for playing time otherwise looks to be rookie second-rounder Ryan Conwell and a mostly unproven Myron Gardner.

Bey tentatively projects as the Pelicans' starting small forward, but the addition of Bennedict Mathurin gives him a formidable threat for a starting job.

Mathurin was effectively a full-time starter for the Pacers before becoming the first man off the bench following his trade to the Clippers. Bey is coming off a career year, averaging a career-high 17.7 points per game while shooting 45.1 percent from the field in his first season with New Orleans (72 regular-season games), so the camp battle between Bey and Mathurin for a spot in the first unit should be one to monitor this fall.