NBA Player News

The Kings will be without three frontcourt players for Wednesday’s opener, as Jones joins Keegan Murray (thumb) and Domantas Sabonis (hamstring) on the injury report. Jones misses out on the opportunity to play rotation minutes off the bench, meaning the Kings will require more of Drew Eubanks and Dario Šarić, with Dylan Cardwell potentially receiving some playing time.

Of the three players the Bucks waived on Saturday, Nance is the most notable name. He signed a two-year deal in July, but it wasn’t fully guaranteed. The Bucks could re-sign Nance to a two-way deal, but he would have to clear waivers first. Broome was a salary-cap casualty in Philadelphia, and the 76ers traded him to the Clippers earlier this offseason. After the Clippers waived him, he signed an Exhibit 10 deal with the Bucks. Stephens was also on an Exhibit 10 contract; he and Broome would be in line for bonuses if they spend 60 days with the Bucks’ G League affiliate.

Throughout the preseason, reports suggested Brown was well-positioned to make the Knicks’ Opening Night roster. However, with owner James Dolan making it clear he wanted to avoid the second apron at all costs, New York needed to move someone to keep Brown. Apparently, the front office couldn’t make a move, so they waived Brown. Players with contracts seen as movable, including Pacôme Dadiet and Tyler Kolek, will stay put for now.

Bradley, who played 41 games between Indiana and Atlanta last season, was in camp with the Knicks before being waived on Wednesday. The 6-foot-11 center, who suffered a hamstring injury during Tuesday’s preseason game against Toronto, spent his first three NBA seasons with the Jazz. Bradley gives Utah another option at center, as the team is currently without starter Jusuf Nurkić due to injury.

Jackson was the starter throughout the preseason, so Saturday’s news is not a complete surprise. However, the confirmation makes him an even better option for fantasy managers who need a center in the later rounds of their drafts. Brook Lopez will be the backup, and that limits his fantasy value considerably.

Johnson, a positive voice in the Pacers’ locker room in recent years, was waived as the franchise finalized its Opening Night roster on Saturday. The team may bring him back later in the season if Johnson remains a free agent. However, because of salary cap implications, the Pacers will begin the season with 14 players on standard contracts instead of 15. The Pacers also waived Keba Keita and Rienk Mast, who were on Exhibit 10 contracts. Both are expected to play for the team’s G League affiliate.

Highsmith, who appeared in seven games for the Suns last season, was re-signed in August to a one-year, non-guaranteed deal. Waiving the veteran wing means Jamaree Bouyea will be on the Opening Night roster, and the Suns will use 14 standard contracts for luxury tax reasons. Bouyea’s contract will not be fully guaranteed unless he’s on the roster on January 10.

The 7-foot-5 Fall, who was signed to an Exhibit 10 contract in early September, did not play in any of the 76ers’ preseason games due to a hip injury. He’ll remain with the franchise on a two-way deal, potentially adding frontcourt depth once he’s cleared to return. Adem Bona is still recovering from a foot injury, while Ariel Hukporti went down for the season with a ruptured Achilles in Philadelphia’s preseason opener

Dybantsa, the first overall pick in June’s draft, sprained his left ankle during the second quarter of Friday’s preseason finale. Wizards head coach Brian Keefe said after the game that the rookie did not return out of precaution. The Wizards open their regular season on Wednesday against the Bucks, so Dybantsa will have a few days to rehab the ankle.

While it may not be a standard contract, Carter gains a little more security with the move to a two-way contract. The 13th overall pick in the 2024 draft, the 6-foot-2 guard failed to carve out a consistent role for himself in Sacramento before the Kings traded him to Atlanta in late June. Carter was waived by the Hawks in mid-September, catching on with the Celtics shortly thereafter. He’s unlikely to be a factor in redraft leagues this season.

Grimes, a starter for most of the preseason, came off the bench in Friday’s finale. That may be the role he’s expected to fill, especially as the Lakers await Collin Sexton’s return from injury. The second unit needs a perimeter player who can create offensively, even if the Lakers can stagger the minutes of stars Luka Dončić and Austin Reaves. Grimes can provide scoring, making him a worthwhile pick in later rounds.