RADIO
Yves Missi Challenged to Contend for Defensive Player of the Year
New Orleans Pelicans center Yves Missi received an ambitious challenge from head coach Jamahl Mosley, who said he wants the 22-year-old to push himself toward Defensive Player of the Year consideration. Mosley also said Missi has the talent to "anchor us in so many ways." Missi averaged 5.7 points, 5.8 rebounds, and 1.5 blocks in 19.7 minutes last season, but his production climbed to 7.4 points, 6.4 rebounds, and 1.9 blocks across 14 starts. He averaged 26.8 minutes as a rookie, so earning a larger role again would make his shot-blocking especially interesting for fantasy managers.
Source: Jim Eichenhofer
Source: Jim Eichenhofer
Ausar Thompson Could See Expanded Playing Time
Detroit Pistons guard/forward Ausar Thompson is expected to play more than 26 minutes per game this season, according to Hunter Patterson of The Athletic. Head coach J.B. Bickerstaff said an increased workload is "the expectation," though Detroit may manage those minutes differently because of everything Thompson is asked to do. The 23-year-old averaged 9.9 points, 5.7 rebounds, 3.1 assists, 2.0 steals, and 0.9 blocks in 26.0 minutes last season, leading the NBA in steals per game. That bigger workload already showed up in the playoffs, when Thompson played 30.5 minutes per game and averaged 7.9 rebounds and 1.8 blocks. If Detroit keeps him closer to that range, his defense should carry even more fantasy weight. The tradeoff is still at the line, where he shot just 57.1 percent last season.
Source: Hunter Patterson
Source: Hunter Patterson
Tacko Fall Diagnosed with Left Hip Strain
Philadelphia 76ers center Tacko Fall (hip) will be reevaluated in approximately two weeks after an MRI revealed a left hip strain, according to ESPN's Dave McMenamin. The 7-foot-6 big man left Wednesday's practice early, putting his push for a roster spot on a non-guaranteed Exhibit 10 deal on hold. Fall hasn't appeared in an NBA regular-season game since 2021-22, so his fantasy outlook remains limited. With Adem Bona (foot) also working his way back, Ariel Hukporti should get more backup-center reps behind Joel Embiid while Philadelphia waits for both injured bigs to return.
Source: Dave McMenamin
Source: Dave McMenamin
Tristan Vukcevic Sidelined by Left Hip Impingement
Washington Wizards center Tristan Vukcevic (hip) will be reevaluated in approximately four weeks after sustaining a left hip impingement, according to Greg Finberg, citing the Wizards. The 23-year-old had been a partial participant during the first two days of training camp, and the four-week timeline puts his availability for the opening stretch of the regular season in doubt. Vukcevic averaged 9.0 points and 3.0 rebounds in 13.7 minutes across 49 games last season. With Alexandre Sarr (foot) and Deandre Ayton ahead of him at center, and Anthony Davis also occupying frontcourt minutes, the injury makes an already crowded rotation even harder for Vukcevic to crack.
Source: Greg Finberg
Source: Greg Finberg
Jalen Duren Agrees to Five-Year, $200 Million Deal with Pistons
All-NBA center Jalen Duren has agreed to a five-year, $200 million fully guaranteed contract to return to the Detroit Pistons, ESPN's Shams Charania reports. The deal ends a prolonged restricted free agency standoff just before his $9.6 million qualifying offer expired. The 22-year-old broke out in 2025-26, averaging 19.5 points and 10.5 rebounds on 65.0 percent shooting across 70 starts. With Isaiah Stewart traded to Memphis in June, Duren should face little competition for center minutes, as John Collins projects as the main frontcourt alternative. That makes him a points, rebounds, and field-goal percentage anchor, even with just 0.8 blocks per game. The bigger question is whether Duren can sustain his scoring after it slipped to 10.2 points per game in the playoffs.
Source: Shams Charania
Source: Shams Charania
Dru Smith Out a Couple of Weeks with Calf Strain
Miami Heat guard Dru Smith (calf) will miss a couple of weeks with a strained right calf, according to Ira Winderman of the Sun Sentinel. The 28-year-old called the timing "terrible" and "very frustrating" after entering camp as the projected backup behind Davion Mitchell. Smith averaged 5.6 points, 2.6 assists, and 1.4 steals in 16.3 minutes across 70 games last season. Ryan Conwell, Tre Donaldson, and Pelle Larsson should get more ball-handling opportunities while he is sidelined. Smith's steals can help when he's on the floor, but his limited offensive role keeps his fantasy ceiling fairly modest.
Source: Ira Winderman
Source: Ira Winderman
Kyle Anderson Dealing With Knee Issue
According to Josh Lewenberg of TSN.ca, Toronto Raptors forward Kyle Anderson (knee) was unavailable for Thursday's scrimmage due to a bruised right knee. The 33-year-old's injury appears minor, but it's unclear whether he will be able to suit up for Saturday's preseason opener against Miami. Anderson is battling for a frontcourt rotation spot after signing a one-year deal with the Raptors in July.
Source: Josh Lewenberg
Source: Josh Lewenberg
Isaiah Stevens Inks Contract With Bulls
Free agent point guard Isaiah Stevens signed on with the Chicago Bulls on Thursday. In July, Sacramento waived the 25-year-old, but he is set to see another opportunity in the Windy City. Stevens has been unable to make his mark so far in his short NBA career, recording just six outings across two seasons. He will likely begin the 2026-27 campaign in the G League.
Source: Chicago Bulls
Source: Chicago Bulls
Stephen Curry Expected to Start Warriors Preseason Opener
Danny Emerman of the SFStandard.com reports that Golden State Warriors point guard Stephen Curry is expected to start Sunday's preseason opener against the Los Angeles Clippers. Curry recently signed a two-year, $116 million contract extension and was seen with the team's first unit during 5-on-5 work on Thursday. The star point guard averaged 26.6 points, 4.7 assists, 3.6 rebounds, and 4.4 three-pointers in 30.9 minutes across 43 games last campaign, with injuries, including runner's knee, limiting his availability. Jimmy Butler III (knee) is expected to miss the start of 2026-27, so Curry will likely take on heavy minutes early on.
Source: Danny Emerman
Source: Danny Emerman
Jamal Shead Agrees to 3-Year Extension With Raptors
According to Shams Charania of ESPN, guard Jamal Shead has agreed to a three-year, $24 million contract extension wth the Toronto Raptors on Thursday. The Raptors will retain their backup point guard through the 2029-30 campaign. The 24-year-old averaged 6.6 points, 5.4 assists, and 1.7 rebounds over 22.6 minutes per contest in 82 games last season. Shead's fantasy value will likely remain low in 2026-27, with Immanuel Quickley ingrained as the starter.
Source: Shams Charania
Source: Shams Charania
Miles McBride Wants to Stay in New York
New York Knicks guard Miles McBride is entering the final season of his contract with an uncertain long-term future, according to James L. Edwards III of The Athletic. The 26-year-old, who will earn $3.96 million this season, said he would love to finish his career in New York, but the Knicks' desire to remain below the second apron could complicate a new deal. McBride averaged a career-high 12.0 points in 26.3 minutes across 41 games last season while shooting 41.3 percent from three. A trade remains possible if New York decides it cannot afford his next contract, and a move could give McBride a larger fantasy role depending on where he lands.
Source: James L. Edwards III
Source: James L. Edwards III
Ryan Nembhard Agrees to Two-Way Deal with Nuggets
According to ESPN's Shams Charania, Ryan Nembhard has agreed to a two-way contract with the Denver Nuggets. Denver is expected to waive KJ Simpson to open the spot. The 23-year-old went undrafted out of Gonzaga before averaging 6.6 points, 5.3 assists, and 2.2 rebounds in 19.5 minutes across 60 games with Dallas as a rookie, including 27 starts. He capped the season with a franchise-record 23 assists in a regulation game against Chicago. Nembhard will sit behind Jamal Murray and Tyus Jones for point guard minutes, while his two-way deal limits him to 50 active NBA games. His passing ability makes him an interesting depth option if Denver needs another ball handler.
Source: Shams Charania
Source: Shams Charania
Noah Penda Limited by Hamstring Tweak to Start Camp
Orlando Magic forward Noah Penda (hamstring) is being brought along carefully after tweaking his hamstring, according to Jason Beede of the Orlando Sentinel. Head coach Sean Sweeney said Orlando doesn't want Penda doing too much during two-a-day practices early in camp. The 21-year-old averaged 3.8 points and 3.2 rebounds in 12.8 minutes across 59 games as a rookie before posting 15.0 points, 6.7 rebounds, and 2.7 blocks per game in Summer League. Penda is trying to earn a larger role in a crowded Orlando forward rotation, so getting back to full work ahead of the Oct. 7 preseason opener would give him more time to make his case.
Source: Jason Beede
Source: Jason Beede
Oso Ighodaro Competing for Starting Center Job
Phoenix Suns center Oso Ighodaro isn't assuming the starting job is his while Mark Williams (shoulder) is sidelined. Ighodaro told Duane Rankin of The Arizona Republic that he has been competing with Khaman Maluach for the past two months and believes the role still has to be earned. The 24-year-old averaged 8.4 points, 6.0 rebounds, 3.2 assists, and 0.9 steals in 27.4 minutes across 22 games without Williams last season. That production gives Ighodaro a useful fantasy path if he wins significant minutes, though his 45.3 percent free-throw shooting remains a clear drawback.
Source: Duane Rankin
Source: Duane Rankin
Morez Johnson Jr. Limited by Lower-Leg Soreness in Camp
Dallas Mavericks forward Morez Johnson Jr. (lower leg) is being eased through training camp because of soreness, according to Ron Harrod Jr. of DLLS Sports. Head coach Dusty May said Dallas is managing the rookie's workload and that Johnson participated in every other live session during Wednesday's practice. The No. 9 pick averaged 13.1 points, 7.3 rebounds, and 1.1 blocks on 62.3 percent shooting for Michigan last season before posting 18.5 points, 2.5 steals, and 3.0 blocks across two Summer League games. With Santi Aldama (knee) and Dereck Lively II (foot) also limited, Johnson has an opportunity to push for rotation minutes once he is fully participating.
Source: Ron Harrod Jr.
Source: Ron Harrod Jr.
