NBA Player News

Walker took another step forward during his third NBA season, earning a larger role in Indiana's rotation thanks to his defensive versatility and improving offensive game.

The 2023 lottery pick remains one of the Pacers' most intriguing young forwards and could continue seeing increased opportunities as his development progresses. He enters 2026-27 positioned to remain a key member of Indiana's frontcourt rotation.

Nesmith continued to establish himself as one of Indiana's most valuable two-way wings during the 2025-26 season, but injuries limited him to 45 regular-season appearances.

Nesmith's combination of three-point shooting, defensive versatility and energy made him an ideal fit alongside the Pacers' core. With Indiana largely standing pat this offseason, Nesmith should continue to occupy a prominent role in the starting lineup. In 2025-26, he averaged 13.8 points, 4.2 rebounds, 1.9 dimes and 2.3 three-pointers for a shorthanded Pacers squad.

Siakam remained one of Indiana's most productive players in 2025-26, providing consistent scoring, rebounding and veteran leadership during a rebuilding campaign.

The four-time All-Star can now look forward to complementing a returning Tyrese Haliburton (Achilles) as the Pacers' top frontcourt option and should remain heavily involved offensively. Indiana made no significant offseason additions that would impact Siakam's workload heading into 2026-27, and the fact that Indiana is projected to be competitive is great news for his outlook.

McConnell continued to deliver steady production off the bench for Indiana during the 2025-26 campaign, serving as one of the league's most reliable reserve point guards.

The veteran remains an important source of playmaking and defensive intensity whenever he's on the floor, even in a limited role. With the Pacers returning much of their core, McConnell is expected to reprise his role as the team's primary backup point guard entering 2026-27, this time behind a returning Tyrese Haliburton (Achilles).

Brooks agreed to a three-year, $73 million extension with the Suns on Wednesday, Shams Charania of ESPN reports.

Despite appearing in only 56 regular-season games in 2025-26, Brooks had a fantastic campaign, averaging a career-high 20.2 points along with 3.6 rebounds, 1.8 assists and 1.0 steals across 30.4 minutes per contest. He's not the most efficient shooter. However, the 30-year-old is capable of producing on both ends of the floor while also providing leadership and toughness. Brooks should continue to be a vital piece of the Suns' long-term plans, so he could see more minutes than ever in 2026-27. He has an excellent opportunity to match or surpass his production from last season, especially if Devin Booker, Jalen Green and Mark Williams can't stay off the injury report.

The Rockets are waiving Davison on Wednesday, per Varun Shankar of the Houston Chronicle.

Houston originally exercised the team option on Davison's contract in June, but the team has since had a change of heart in keeping him around. Assuming he clears waivers, Davison will be free to sign elsewhere, likely on either an Exhibit 10 deal or a two-way contract.

Bliodeau's (rest) first NBA season is set to come as a two-way player in 2026-27.

The Nets grabbed Bliodeau in the second round of the draft earlier this summer and quickly signed the rookie to a two-way contract thereafter. That said, the 22-year-old figures to spend most his time developing with the G League's Long Island Nets and is likely to have a hard time mustering much fantasy relevance in 2026-27.

Johnson (rest) is getting ready to reprise his role as a two-way player for Brooklyn in 2026-27.

Johnson signed a two-way contract with the Nets in June after occupying a two-way roster spot with the club a year ago. Such a role leaves Johnson more likely to begin the new season as a featured part of the G League's Long Island Nets as opposed to the NBA squad, unless injuries strike the parent team at some point between training camp and the regular season.

Powell (rest) is looking to improve this season following a poor rookie campaign in 2025-26.

Powell struggled to make an impression on either end of the floor during his rookie year, averaging 6.5 points, 1.8 rebounds, 1.4 assists and 0.6 steals per game while shooting just 40.2 percent from the floor over 63 regular-season appearances (24 starts) in 2025-26. While it appears unlikely he'll start the new year in the first unit, Powell should at least have a leg up on veterans Keon Ellis and Terance Mann for Brooklyn's backup role at shooting guard before training camp kicks off in September.

Mann (knee) is unlikely to begin the 2026-27 season as a starter and appears to be buried on the depth chart.

Mann started 51 of his 63 regular-season appearances during his first year with the Nets in 2025-26, but he's all but certain to begin the new campaign as a reserve instead. Brooklyn drafted Mikel Brown in the first round this summer and is also set to get Egor Demin back in the mix, potentially leaving Mann behind Drake Powell, Ben Saraf and Nolan Traore (foot) in a position to fight for scraps with Keon Ellis off the bench.