NBA Player News

Penda could need an impressive training camp with the Magic to carve out a larger role in 2026-27.

Orlando kept virtually all of its core from 2025-26 intact, so a similar role could be in store for Penda in 2026-27. After averaging only 12.8 minutes per game last regular season, the 2025 second-rounder has Jamal Cain, Tristan da Silva and Jase Richardson as his primary threats for playing time ahead of camp.

Richardson has some obstacles to climb in order to seize an Opening Night role.

The 2025 first-rounder was not a big part of Orlando's rotation in his rookie season, averaging 10.9 minutes per game over 54 regular-season appearances. With Anthony Black primed to serve as the Magic's sixth man off the bench, Richardson is left to compete with the likes of Jamal Cain, Noah Penda and Jevon Carter for reserve minutes this season.

Fleming will likely have to navigate through a crowded Suns frontcourt for an Opening Night role.

Phoenix is stocked with plenty of options at the forward spots, including new additions Miles Bridges and Koa Peat, who was selected in the first round of the 2026 NBA Draft. Jordan Goodwin, Haywood Highsmith and Ryan Dunn are also vying to be part of the squad's rotation, so Fleming has plenty of hurdles to overcome in order to attain fantasy relevance in 2026-27.

Maluach is set to battle with Oso Ighodaro for the top backup role at center behind Mark Williams during training camp.

The 19-year-old big man put forth a dominant Summer League run, averaging 19.5 points, 12.8 rebounds, 2.0 blocks and 1.2 steals per game while shooting 53.2 percent from the field over four appearances. Ighodaro is the early favorite to handle the No. 2 center minutes behind Williams, though a strong showing at camp could force the Suns to give Maluach more consideration.

Mara is set to contend with Jaylin Williams for the backup center job behind Isaiah Hartenstein during training camp.

The possibility of a bigger opportunity went by the wayside once Hartenstein re-upped with the Thunder this offseason, but the door is still open for Mara to have an impressive camp and stake a claim for an Opening Night role. The rookie No. 12 overall pick averaged 9.2 points, 7.0 rebounds, 3.2 assists and 1.8 blocks in 23.9 minutes per game over five Summer League appearances.

Reed could have a hard time cracking San Antonio's Opening Night rotation.

Reed lines up as the Spurs' third-string center behind Victor Wembanyama and Luke Kornet in 2026-27. Jayden Quaintance's status for the start of his rookie season appears to be in serious doubt due to offseason knee surgery, but Reed is still likely to need an injury to either Wembanyama or Kornet in order to come into legitimate fantasy relevance.

Graves has an opportunity to battle for a reserve role during his rookie year with the Raptors.

Provided the league eventually makes the Kawhi Leonard trade official, Graves appears set to contend primarily with Jamison Battle for the backup role at small forward in 2026-27. The rookie first-rounder showed plenty of promise on both sides of the floor over four Summer League appearances, having averaged 16.8 points, 6.8 rebounds, 3.0 assists, 2.2 steals, 1.0 blocks and 2.8 three-pointers per game while shooting 50.0 percent from beyond the arc.

Mitchell is likely to serve as emergency depth for the Celtics in his rookie season.

Boston signed the St. John's product to one of its two-way roster spots after selecting him in the second round of the 2026 NBA Draft, which means the bulk of the forward's reps should come with the G League's Maine Celtics. The 22-year-old showed flashes during Summer League, averaging 13.0 points, 5.0 rebounds, 2.7 steals, 1.3 assists and 1.3 blocks in 26.0 minutes per game over his three appearances, and he notably enjoyed a six-steal performance during the July 12 win over Charlotte.

Cenac appears to be buried on the Celtics' depth chart ahead of his rookie season.

Boston signed Mitchell Robinson in free agency and still has Neemias Queta in the fold at center as well, likely leaving Cenac to fight for scraps with Luka Garza off the bench in 2026-27. Much like two-way player Amari Williams, Cenac's clearest path to steady action appears to be with the G League's Maine Celtics while the parent club is healthy.

Gonzalez has a chance to claim a larger role in 2026-27 after the Celtics traded Jaylen Brown to the 76ers in exchange for Paul George.

Assuming Boston remains steadfast in keeping Payton Pritchard as its sixth man off the bench, the competition for the starting spot at shooting guard should come down to Gonzalez and Baylor Scheierman. Gonzalez made only three starts to Scheierman's 20 last regular season, so the former is likely to need a standout training camp this fall to make inroads in the race for a spot in the first unit.