This column provides an overview of the Western Conference’s injured players, including those who are still rehabbing and those who have already recovered from significant injuries. Timetables are subject to change, and every player responds differently to different injuries, so I will periodically update this column until the start of the season.
*Disclaimer*: Every player thinks they’ll be “100 percent” healthy for opening night. Some feel they’ll return even better and stronger than before their injury, and many of their coaches claim to feel the same way. Most of them are wrong, and when someone ‘hopes’ to be ready for a certain date/event, that optimism should be balanced out with a healthy dose of skepticism. I’m passing along the most relevant, up-to-date information available...judge for yourself.
We’ll progress alphabetically through the Western Conference…for teams in the Eastern Conference, check out this other column in the Draft Guide!
Dallas Mavericks
Seth Curry (left shoulder) confirmed in late June that his shoulder was no longer an issue. He was shut down for the Mavs’ final three games last season, and surgery was floated as an option, but it appears rest and rehab did the trick.
Denver Nuggets
Jamal Murray (groin surgery) was dealing with a “couple” injuries related to his core muscles. It sounds like he had a sports hernia, or something similar, but he’s since recovered and is ready to assume an expanded role in 2017-18. Expect him to play without limitations during the preseason.
Golden State Warriors
n/a
Houston Rockets
Nene (ruptured left groin muscle) did not require surgery, which should shorten his timetable and have him ready for training camp. Houston clearly doesn’t have any long-term concerns, as they inked the oft-injured veteran to a three-year, $11 million deal this offseason.
L.A. Clippers
Blake Griffin (right big toe surgery) said in July that multiple foot specialists told him a return for training camp is a “realistic possibility.” He had surgery on May 1 to repair the plantar plate in his right big toe and the Clippers haven’t provided any solid timetables, so we have to take Griffin’s months-old quotes at face value. We’ll know a lot more about his status once training camp begins.
Danilo Gallinari (fractured right thumb) hurt himself while punching an opposing player during EuroBasket, and his initial 3-4 week timetable was extended to 4-6 weeks as of Aug. 4. That still gives him plenty of time to fully recover for training camp and the preseason, providing necessary reps as he acclimates to his new teammates in L.A.
L.A. Lakers
Lonzo Ball (strained right calf) was cleared of any structural damage when he had an MRI in mid-July. He was expected to be fully healed in a few weeks, making his Summer League ailment a non-factor for fantasy purposes.
Brandon Ingram (leg) was shut down for most of Summer League after suffering cramps. He also tweaked his ankle earlier in Vegas, but neither injury is remotely serious -- his inactivity was a simple precaution.
Luol Deng (right pectoral surgery) is expected to be fully cleared prior to training camp. Deng is owed about $54 million through 2019-20, all fully guaranteed, and his name will be a staple of trade rumors as the Lakers pivot to their young core.
Memphis Grizzlies
Ben McLemore (fractured right foot) was expected to miss approximately three months after having surgery in early August. That timeline makes it unlikely that he’ll be ready to start the season, with a possible debut in mid-November. His absence gives a temporary boost to Tyreke Evans, Wayne Selden and even Troy Daniels.
Minnesota Timberwolves
Justin Patton (fractured left foot) might be ready for the Wolves’ season opener, according to coach Tom Thibodeau. The rookie will be fighting for a handful of minutes in a frontcourt that already features Karl-Anthony Towns, Gorgui Dieng, Taj Gibson, Nemanja Bjelica and Cole Aldrich.
Nemanja Bjelica (left foot surgery) had progressed to running, shooting and on-court drills in late August, although he’s yet to be fully cleared for contact. Tom Thibodeau said that Bjelica will be a “critical piece” for Minnesota this season, and it sounds like he’ll earn steady minutes with the second unit. Owners in deeper leagues should keep an eye on his role during camp and the preseason.
New Orleans Pelicans
Rajon Rondo (right wrist, fractured right thumb) expects to be “100 percent” for training camp, where he’s expected to join Jrue Holiday in the Pelicans’ starting backcourt.
Solomon Hill (left hamstring surgery) will miss 6-8 months after having surgery in late August, which leaves a big hole in the Pelicans’ depth chart. With Quincy Pondexter being traded to the Bulls, the Pelicans might be forced to use guys like Darius Miller, Jordan Crawford and even E’Twaun Moore at SF. They brought in Martell Webster for a workout soon after Hill’s surgery, and could also address the problem via free agency.
Frank Jackson (right foot surgery) was given a 3-4 month timetable after surgery in early September. We might not see the rookie’s debut until December or January, in other words, and that’s assuming he even cracks the rotation.
OKC Thunder
Patrick Patterson (left knee arthroscopic surgery) was given a 4-6 week timetable after surgery on Aug. 10, which means that he should be ready to go for opening night. OKC gave him a three-year, $16.4 million deal this summer, and he’s the presumptive favorite to start ahead of Jerami Grant.
Alex Abrines (right knee PRP therapy) had a procedure in May to address an issue that nagged him throughout the 2016-17 season. “I think it’s going to get better, and we don’t have repeat it for the next three years at least,” Abrines said. He took a hit during Spain’s first EuroBasket game and was sidelined for the next few contests, even though tests ruled out any serious damage. He should be ready for training camp.
Phoenix Suns
Brandon Knight (left ACL surgery) will miss the entire 2017-18 season. He’s still just 25 years old but was trending down after a lousy campaign last year -- he averaged 11.0 points on 39.8% shooting and eventually fell out of the rotation. Knight is owed a fully-guaranteed $43.9 million through the 2019-20 season.
Eric Bledsoe (sore left knee) was shut down last season against his will, but nothing suggests the injury has lingered. He worked out with LeBron James and others in Las Vegas this summer and should be ready to go for opening night -- whether he finishes the season in Phoenix is another question entirely, as his name is a staple of trade rumors.
Jared Dudley (left toe) was ruled out 3-4 months after having a “procedure” on a ligament and bone in late June. The veteran has two years left on his contract but his on-court contributions should continue to dwindle as Phoenix shifts toward their young guys. Regardless of his health, Dudley isn’t an attractive fantasy asset this year.
Tyler Ulis (right ankle surgery) didn’t play in Summer League, but he was already shooting and doing light running in late June. The 5'10" guard had an impressive rookie season, endearing himself to coach Earl Watson, and he’s poised for a solid role with Brandon Knight (ACL) done for the season and Davon Reed (meniscus) out 4-6 months.
Marquese Chriss (sprained left ankle) was shut down for the end of Summer League in Vegas, but assistant GM Pat Connelly described it as a “normal” sprain. “It looked a lot worse than it was,” Connelly said. “He doesn’t have to do anything more than the normal treatment and rehabilitation process.” Chriss is primed for a breakout season in Phoenix, and he should be a popular upside pick in the middle rounds.
Suns rookie Davon Reed (left knee surgery) will miss 4-6 months after having his meniscus repaired in late August. The No. 32 pick in the draft has interesting upside, but we’re unlikely to see much of him until the waning weeks of the season.
Portland Trail Blazers
Jusuf Nurkic (right leg) said in late April that his non-displaced fibular fracture should be fully healed in 2-3 months. He pulled out of the World Championship pre-qualifications, but did reportedly go through a 90-minute workout in early July. He should be fine for camp.
Blazers rookie Zach Collins (bruised right quad) was shut down for a few games in Las Vegas, in a typically cautious Summer League move. He’ll be ready for camp, but has negligible fantasy appeal while Jusuf Nurkic, Meyers Leonard and Ed Davis are healthy.
Ed Davis (left shoulder surgery) was cleared for on-court activities in late June, which all but confirms that he’ll be ready for training camp. In addition to Jusuf Nurkic and Meyers Leonard, Davis faces additional competition for minutes this season from lottery pick Zach Collins.
Pat Connaughton (strained left hamstring) missed the final two games of Summer League, but his injury is not serious. Portland picked up a $1.4 million option to retain Connaughton, who gives them some emergency depth now that Allen Crabbe is gone.
Sacramento Kings
George Hill (left big toe) didn’t require surgery, and the ailment didn’t stop the Kings from giving him a three-year, $57 million deal this summer. Hill is on the downside of his career at age 31, but when healthy he’s a dependable secondary fantasy PG.
San Antonio Spurs
Tony Parker (left quad surgery) said in early August that he hoped to return in 4-5 months, which leaves the door open to a January return. Dejounte Murray and Patty Mills be locked in a position battle until Parker is healthy, and even when he returns, the Spurs won’t be giving heavy minutes to their 35-year-old veteran. For what it’s worth, Danny Green said in early September that Parker is “a couple months ahead of schedule ... he might be playing a lot sooner than people think.”
Rudy Gay (Achilles surgery) said in mid-July that he had been fully cleared for on-court work and would “definitely be ready by [training] camp.” The veteran was thriving before the injury last season, but Achilles injuries are tricky and the Spurs will assuredly play it safe, which makes Gay more of a late-round gamble.
Davis Bertans (finger) injured himself during EuroBasket, but X-rays ruled out any breaks and he was quickly cleared to resume playing in the tournament.
Utah Jazz
Alec Burks (left knee) will reportedly be “100 percent good to go for training camp,” according to beat writer Tony Jones. Burks’ season ended after having PRP treatment in April and he just can’t seem to stay healthy. He has a lot to prove before earning fantasy owners’ trust.
Rodney Hood (sprained right knee) was expected to be fully healed in early June. There have been no concrete reports about his on-court activity, which is a case of ‘no news is good news’. The Jazz don’t seem overly concerned -- GM Dennis Lindsey said that Hood could be “in that 18 points per game range” as a featured scorer, and they’ve discussed a long-term contract extension.
Derrick Favors (left knee bone bruise) said in an exit interview that he felt “100 percent” despite knee and back issues that caused him to miss 32 games while averaging a mere 23.7 minutes per game. He’s 26 years old and had the entire offseason to recuperate, but mounting injury concerns will inevitably suppress his stock in fantasy drafts.
