Player news from trusted outlets
Combined summaries and individual breaking-news reports, all in one recency-first feed.
As the 2025-26 NBA season approaches, the Charlotte Hornets are being previewed with LaMelo Ball at the center of their core. The team has strategically surrounded Ball with a pair of talented wings, aiming to build a strong roster and establish a competitive foundation around their star guard.
Injured Indiana Pacers star Tyrese Haliburton has publicly shifted his baseball allegiance, actively rooting against his former favorite team, the Milwaukee Brewers. Haliburton, who grew up near Milwaukee, was recently seen wearing jerseys of the Brewers' MLB playoff opponents, including a Chicago Cubs jersey on Saturday and a Dodgers jersey on Monday during Pacers preseason games. He explained on "The Pat McAfee Show" in April that his change of heart resulted from an alleged snub in summer 2024. Haliburton was scheduled to throw out a ceremonial first pitch for the Brewers, but the event was canceled after he and the Pacers eliminated the Milwaukee Bucks in the 2024 NBA playoffs. He quoted, "I was a Brewers fan... and then I was supposed to throw the first pitch last summer, and they X'ed that after the playoff series. So I said, 'You know what? I'm no longer a Brewers fan.'" Now a "free agent" baseball fan, Haliburton was reportedly thrilled with the Dodgers' 2-1 NLCS Game 1 win.
Milwaukee Bucks star Giannis Antetokounmpo has expressed his desire not to conclude his playing career in Milwaukee, instead planning to return to Greece to play for a team there after his NBA tenure. The 30-year-old, who turns 31 in December, stated on a Greek talk show that he envisions playing in the NBA until 36-38 but wants to end his career with a Greek team such as Filathlitikos, Olympiacos, Panathinaikos, or Aris, as he does not wish to live in the United States post-NBA. Antetokounmpo, who led the Bucks to a 2021 championship and averaged 30.4 points and 11.9 rebounds last season, reiterated his current commitment to the Bucks, stating, "I want to be in a situation that I can win and now I’m here. I believe in this team." He acknowledged that his mindset could change in the future but affirmed he is "locked into this team." The Bucks recently signed his youngest brother, Alex, to a two-way deal, marking a historic first with three Antetokounmpo brothers on the team.
Los Angeles Lakers guard Marcus Smart is slated to make his preseason debut Tuesday night against the Phoenix Suns, where he will be limited to approximately 20 to 25 minutes. The 31-year-old, entering his 12th NBA season, is returning from Achilles tendinopathy. Smart adopted a cautious recovery approach with the Lakers staff, influenced by the recent spate of Achilles injuries among NBA stars. He stated, "It wasn't scary in the fact of understanding that tendinopathy, we all kind of have it playing over the time… Just making sure you do everything you need to do, to make sure that you can get back out here, or to be able to say, ‘No, I can't.’ So you got to test it, unfortunately, and you got to see where you’re at. So we've done all the tests on the court, off the court and we're feeling fast, feeling good so we want to give it a shot,” indicating his readiness after thorough evaluation.
The addition of Cooper Flagg to the Dallas Mavericks is anticipated to be a potential game-changer for the Southwest Division. His presence is expected to help elevate the Mavericks to a higher competitive level, significantly impacting the team's performance.
Kevin Durant is highlighted as a key player for the Houston Rockets within the Southwest Division. He is anticipated to form a potentially strong combination with Amen Thompson, a duo expected to cause significant challenges and 'havoc' for opposing teams.
Los Angeles Clippers guard Bradley Beal has been officially ruled out for Wednesday's preseason game against the Sacramento Kings due to a knee injury. Tomer Azarly of ClutchPoints.com reported the update, confirming Beal's absence from the upcoming matchup. This development means Beal will not participate in the preseason contest as he continues to recover from his knee issue, impacting the team's early preparations.
Philadelphia 76ers forward Paul George has made significant progress in his recovery from a knee injury, according to Tony Jones of The Athletic. George has now advanced to participating in team activities, marking a positive step forward in his rehabilitation. This development indicates he is nearing a return to full practice and potentially game action, providing an optimistic outlook for his availability with the 76ers.
Garrison Mathews is currently battling for the New York Knicks' single remaining roster spot, competing against fellow veterans Malcolm Brogdon and Landry Shamet. The Knicks, who have 14 players on standard deals and can carry up to 15, are constrained by salary cap rules, allowing them to keep only one of the three. Coach Mike Brown acknowledged the 'extremely tough' nature of this decision. The team has considered trading players such as Miles McBride, Pacome Dadiet, or Tyler Kolek to accommodate two veterans. Mathews confirmed the club's prior communication about a genuine competition, with the final roster decision expected by Saturday at 5 PM.
Landry Shamet is actively competing for the New York Knicks' last available roster spot, alongside Malcolm Brogdon and Garrison Mathews. The Knicks currently have 14 players on standard contracts and can carry a maximum of 15, but financial limitations mean they can only afford to keep one of the three veterans. Head coach Mike Brown described the decision as 'extremely tough.' The team has explored trading players like Miles McBride, Pacome Dadiet, or Tyler Kolek to create space for two veterans. The final decision on Shamet and the other contenders is anticipated by Saturday at 5 PM, the deadline for waiving players on non-guaranteed deals.
Malcolm Brogdon is currently engaged in a fierce competition for the New York Knicks' final open roster spot, vying against fellow veterans Landry Shamet and Garrison Mathews. The Knicks, with 14 players on standard deals and a maximum of 15, face an 'extremely tough' decision due to salary cap constraints, as they only have enough financial room to keep one of the three. To retain two veterans, the team would need to trade a player like Miles McBride, Pacome Dadiet, or Tyler Kolek. The club had previously informed agents of a true competition for this crucial spot, with a decision expected by Saturday at 5 PM, the deadline for waiving non-guaranteed deals.
Anthony Davis is slated for a minutes increase in the Dallas Mavericks' upcoming preseason game against the Los Angeles Lakers on Wednesday. This development was reported by Kevin Gray Jr. of AllDLLS.com, indicating the Mavericks' plans for the player's workload.
Miami Heat's center Bam Adebayo is currently managing a right knee contusion, as reported by Barry Jackson of the Miami Herald. This update indicates the team is closely monitoring his condition as the season approaches. Further analysis on Adebayo's status and potential impact on the Heat's upcoming schedule can be found on RotoWire.com, providing more context on his recovery timeline.
Orlando Magic guard Jalen Suggs is trending in a positive direction, as coach Jamahl Mosley confirmed that Suggs was "able to do a little bit of contact" during Tuesday's practice. This encouraging update, reported by Jason Beede of the Orlando Sentinel on October 14, 2025, indicates a significant step forward in Suggs' recovery and rehabilitation process. His ability to engage in contact drills suggests progress in his physical readiness, offering optimism for his eventual return to full team activities. The Magic will continue to monitor Suggs' condition as he works towards rejoining the lineup.
Philadelphia 76ers star Joel Embiid participated in a post-practice 1-on-1 session on Tuesday, showcasing his shot-making ability and playfully disputing calls. Teammate Kelly Oubre Jr. referred to Embiid as a 'cheat code' on the court, highlighting his dominance. Embiid, who also played in Sunday's Blue-White scrimmage and was a partial participant in Tuesday's practice, has reportedly looked 'very good' in recent weeks with no mention of left knee problems. Coach Nick Nurse stated there's 'some chance' Embiid could play in Friday's preseason finale against the Timberwolves, though a final decision is pending as there are 'thresholds to get over.' His last preseason appearance was in October 2023.
Draymond Green, a key member of the Golden State Warriors' "big three" with Stephen Curry and Jimmy Butler, was ranked in ESPN's "Tier 6: Old stars with big questions" by Tim Bontemps. At 35 years old, Green's age, along with his veteran teammates (Curry 37, Butler 36), raises health concerns for the 2025-26 season, despite the team's high ceiling. Green is coming off a third-place finish in Defensive Player of the Year voting, highlighting his continued impact on the court.
LeBron James, at 40 years old, is remarkably ranked as the league's second-best No. 2 option for the 2025-26 season, appearing on the All-NBA second team last season with averages of 24 points, 8 rebounds, and 8 assists. Despite his sustained greatness and being considered one of the top 15 players when healthy, he will miss the start of his 23rd season due to sciatica. Concerns exist regarding his defensive fit with Luka Dončić, as the Los Angeles Lakers allowed 117 points per 100 possessions with them in tandem, which would rank 26th league-wide. There's also speculation about his adjustment to a co-star role, a first in his career. While advanced metrics place him behind younger talents like Jalen Williams, James's legendary status and consistent All-NBA performance since 2004 underscore his enduring impact.
Quentin Grimes is featured as a player with an excellent opportunity to crack the NBA's top 100 rankings for the 2026-27 season. He is categorized among a distinguished group of "rising stars" and individuals poised for significant "comeback stories." Grimes's inclusion indicates his strong potential to make a substantial leap in his career, positioning him to achieve top-tier status within the league. This recognition highlights his promising trajectory and the expectation that he will soon be counted among the NBA's most impactful and recognized players.
Deandre Ayton is identified as a player possessing the strongest chance to break into the NBA's top 100 rankings for the 2026-27 season. The article places him within a group of athletes who are either experiencing notable "comeback stories" or are recognized as burgeoning "rising stars." Ayton's inclusion signifies his potential to elevate his game and firmly establish himself among the league's premier talents. This assessment suggests he is on the cusp of a significant career milestone, poised to achieve a higher echelon of recognition and performance in the upcoming season.
Lonzo Ball is highlighted as a prominent candidate with the best opportunity to secure a spot in the NBA's top 100 rankings for the upcoming 2026-27 season. Positioned among both compelling "comeback stories" and emerging "rising stars," Ball is seen as a player on the verge of making a significant impact. This recognition underscores his potential to re-establish himself as a key player in the league, demonstrating the strong likelihood of him achieving top-tier status in the near future. His inclusion in this select group suggests a promising trajectory towards elite performance.
