NBA Player News

Morant turned his ankle in their first preseason game, while JJJ injured his hammy during the team’s first practice. However, they’re not only expected to play in the season opener, but there is still a chance that they suit up in the team’s preseason finale on Friday. Regardless, these are minor injuries, so both players should be in for bounce back seasons and shouldn’t be impacted too much by these ailments.

Due to the hamstring injury suffered before the Nuggets’ two games in Abu Dhabi, Watson did not see any action during the preseason. Sunday’s practice was his first in five weeks, so fantasy managers should not expect too much from Watson if he’s cleared ahead of Denver’s season opener on October 24 against Oklahoma City. With the Nuggets losing Kentavious Caldwell-Pope in free agency, Watson’s athleticism and defensive ability will get him rotation minutes once cleared to play in games.

Hachimura initially injured his calf while representing Japan in the Paris Olympics and has played through the discomfort during the preseason. The good news is that the injury is not severe, and Rui expects to be available on Tuesday. He’ll begin the season as a starter, which gives Hachimura’s fantasy value a modest boost. He remains a late-round option in standard leagues.

Achiuwa joins Mitchell Robinson (ankle) as big men who will miss the start of the season for New York. Julius Randle and Josh Hart should see ample playing time, and Jericho Sims could be in line for meaningful rotation minutes for as long as Achiuwa and Robinson are sidelined.

Minnesota is the lone team that has yet to reach the league max of 15 standard contracts, sitting at 16. Bates-Diop not practicing on Saturday may indicate that he’s the odd man out and will ultimately be waived. His status will not impact fantasy basketball, as KBD was unlikely to be in the rotation.

The Pistons were active on Saturday, signing Swider and Williams off of waivers. Both were with the Heat organization last season, with Swider going through training camp with the Pacers and Williams with the Clippers. Fantasy managers should not expect either to have an impact, so leave them on the draft board.

Strus had a tough preseason regarding injuries. He suffered a right hip contusion during an October 8 game against the Bulls, but the more significant injury occurred on Thursday. According to the Cavaliers, Strus sprained his right ankle during an individual workout and will be re-evaluated in six weeks. This leaves Cleveland down a starter and one of its best perimeter shooters. Caris LeVert would be the best option to consider utilizing a late-round pick in drafts or simply streaming him if you’ve already put together your roster.

After failing to establish themselves as NBA players with their initial teams, Flynn (Raptors) and Boston (Clippers) were in Spurs training camp this fall. Unfortunately, neither could do enough to justify sticking in San Antonio. Once Flynn and Boston clear waivers, they will be unrestricted free agents.

This is a brutal turn of events for Shamet, who appeared on track to earn a standard roster spot before he dislocated his shoulder during Tuesday’s exhibition against the Hornets. According to Charania, the Knicks will go into the regular season with 12 players on standard contracts and hope to sign Shamet once he’s healthy. Shamet’s exit leaves New York’s bench extremely thin, and there may now be room for rookie guard Tyler Kolek in the rotation.

After appearing in 58 games during the 2022-23 season, Koloko did not play at all in 2023-24 due to a severe blood clot issue. While the league’s fitness-to-play panel has not decided on the center’s availability for this season, there is reportedly optimism within the Lakers organization that Koloko will receive good news. That likely factored into the decision to waive Colin Castleton, with rookie guard Quincy Olivari receiving his two-way contract slot.

Saturday is a busy day in the NBA, with many teams beginning the process of trimming down their rosters in advance of opening night. Orlando waived four training camp participants, with former lottery pick Culver boasting the highest profile. He was unlikely to factor into the rotation if retained, and the same can be said for Morales, Slawson, and Thompson. Look for some players to land with Orlando’s G League affiliate.