NBA Player News

Melton is back after sitting out Wednesday’s loss to the Spurs. His return likely pushes LJ Cryer to the bench. However, the rookie guard may remain in the rotation since Seth Curry is out.

Fall, whose contract was converted from an Exhibit 10 to a two-way deal, suffered a strained left hip early in the preseason. While his absence won’t affect fantasy basketball, the 76ers are thin at center. That also impacts Barlow, whose sore back may keep him out of Tuesday’s game against the Knicks. Jabari Walker may be asked to play some minutes at center if Barlow joins Adem Bona (calf) and Ariel Hukporti (Achilles) on the sideline.

After spraining his left ankle in Friday’s preseason finale against the Celtics, Wade did not practice on Sunday. He missed team segments of practice on Monday, but the 76ers forward did some individual work. If Wade can’t play, Jabari Walker may get rotation minutes off the bench in Tuesday’s opener against the Knicks.

Powell appeared in 63 games for the Mavericks last season, and there was hope he would remain with the team after agreeing to a non-guaranteed deal just before training camp began. However, with plenty of frontcourt options, the Mavericks waived Powell to get down to 15 standard contracts. His exit does not affect fantasy basketball, but the Mavericks lose a valuable voice in the locker room.

Wallace and the Thunder had until Monday at 6 PM Eastern to agree to a rookie-scale extension, and they got it done on Sunday night. With the Thunder trading Luguentz Dort, Isaiah Joe, and Aaron Wiggins during the offseason, Wallace moves into a full-time starting role. He was close to a top-100 player in category leagues last season, and that may represent Wallace’s floor in 2026-27.

The 40th overall pick in the 2024 draft, Ighodaro appeared in all 82 games for the Suns last season, starting 24. In those outings, he averaged 6.5 points, 5.1 rebounds, 2.3 assists and 0.9 steals in 22.0 minutes per game. With Mark Williams sidelined due to injury, Ighodaro could begin the season as Phoenix’s starting center, with Khaman Maluach as his competition. Regardless of who wins the job, both will play rotation minutes. The contract gives Ighodaro added security, but that doesn’t change much regarding his fantasy outlook. He’s a late-round option at best.

Simmons’ 2026-27 season reportedly ended in devastating fashion days before his official return to the NBA. The 6-foot-10 guard/forward signed with the Kings with the expectation that he would back up rookie point guard Darius Acuff Jr. However, Simmons showed enough during the preseason to earn a starting spot alongside Acuff. Sunday’s injury changes that, obviously, with Precious Achiuwa and De’Andre Hunter being potential replacements in the starting five. As for the point guard rotation, Malik Monk will be asked to take on more playmaking responsibilities off the bench.

Smith suffered a strained right calf during training camp and did not play in any of Miami’s preseason games. Sunday’s practice was his first “live” session, so he may not be cleared to play in games for a little while longer. Smith’s availability does not affect most fantasy leagues, but it does leave Miami light on options behind starting point guard Davion Mitchell. Pelle Larsson, who missed the final two preseason games with an illness, may be asked to do some supplementary playmaking in Smith’s absence.

Neither Adebayo nor Larsson played in the Heat’s final two preseason games, but both are on track to play in Wednesday’s regular-season opener against the Timberwolves. Adebayo’s status matters more to the Heat and fantasy managers because of his role in the rotation. As for Larsson, he’ll provide added perimeter depth off the bench.

Jones strained his left hamstring early in training camp and did not play in any of the Nuggets’ preseason games. He’s made positive strides in his recovery, most recently doing some scrimmaging during Sunday’s practice. Following the session, Jones said that he expects to be available for Sunday’s opener. If Jones plays, there may be fewer minutes available to rookie Trevon Brazile, who played well in the Nuggets’ final preseason games.

Wade rolled his left ankle in Friday’s preseason finale against the Celtics, while Barlow is dealing with back soreness. 76ers head coach Nick Nurse said after Friday’s game that Wade’s ankle injury wasn’t a major concern, which could bode well for his availability Tuesday night. Neither Wade nor Barlow is in a position to be players who absolutely need to be rostered in fantasy leagues. However, Philadelphia’s injury-riddled frontcourt frees up minutes at the forward spots.