NBA Player News

Zubac said he's already making progress developing chemistry with Tyrese Haliburton and Pascal Siakam after getting his first extended work with the duo during the Pacers' players-only minicamp, Alex Golden of SI.com reports.

The big man said playing with Haliburton felt "really natural" and doesn't expect it to take long for the two to jell due to the point guard's high basketball IQ. Zubac also focused on improving his conditioning during the offseason to better handle Indiana's pace and revealed that he's been working on expanding his shooting range, though his primary focus remains playing to his established strengths.

Cardwell said Monday that he intends to help establish a tougher and more relentless identity for Sacramento during his second NBA season, according to Sactown Sports 1140.

"We're not here to make friends. We're here to establish our identity," Cardwell said, emphasizing energy, physicality and competing for loose balls as areas in which he plans to set the tone. The 24-year-old averaged 5.4 points, 7.5 rebounds and 1.5 blocks in 20.6 minutes across 44 regular-season appearances as a rookie, and his defensive activity and rebounding should remain his primary avenues to earning minutes in Sacramento's crowded frontcourt.

Head coach Tiago Splitter said Monday that Collins (toe) is dealing with a soft tissue injury and isn't expected to practice Tuesday, K.C. Johnson of Chicago Sports Network reports.

Collins' 2025-26 season was cut short after he underwent surgery in February due to a sprained toe on his right foot. It's unclear if the current soft tissue injury is related to the toe, but the big man's status will be worth monitoring ahead of Chicago's preseason opener against Phoenix on Wednesday, Oct. 7. If he's forced to miss time to start the regular season, Jalen Smith would have a much clearer path to playing time behind Nic Claxton.

Maluach earned significant praise from Devin Booker on Monday for the progress he's made during the offseason, Shane Young of the Suns' official site reports.

"I'd say he's taken the biggest leap of anyone I've seen this summer," Booker said of the second-year center. Maluach averaged just 8.9 minutes across 46 regular-season appearances as a rookie, but he followed that limited role with an impressive showing at Summer League. Booker's strong praise provides another encouraging sign that Maluach could be ready to take on a substantially larger role in Phoenix's frontcourt in 2026-27.

Jokic reiterated Monday that he intends to sign a new contract with the Nuggets next offseason, Brendan Vogt of TheDNVR.com reports.

"I'm going to sign next year, if they want me," Jokic said, adding that his decision to hold off on an extension this summer was purely business. The three-time MVP passed on a four-year extension worth $278 million and can become eligible for a five-year deal worth approximately $360 million next summer. Jokic has repeatedly expressed his desire to spend the remainder of his career in Denver, so his decision to delay a new deal appears financially motivated rather than an indication that he's considering leaving the Nuggets.

Gafford could have the green light to attempt occasional three-pointers this season, with head coach Dusty May encouraging the center to expand his offensive game, Mike Curtis of The Dallas Morning News reports.

May said the Mavericks want Gafford to become more of a playmaking decision-maker on the perimeter and indicated that he'll be allowed to take rhythm threes as long as he earns those opportunities. Gafford has attempted just one three-pointer across his seven NBA regular seasons and has yet to make one, so any development of a perimeter shot would represent a significant change to his offensive profile. He averaged 9.5 points, 6.9 rebounds and 1.3 blocks in 21.7 minutes across 55 regular-season appearances in 2025-26.

Wembanyama believes he's in better shape this season, per Jeff Garcia of KENS 5 San Antonio.

Head coach Mitch Johnson is also looking for more growth in Wembanyama as a playmaker, per Tom Orsborn of the San Antonio Express-News. Any rise in ball-handling duties would be a welcome addition for the superstar big man, who's already a candidate to go first overall in fantasy drafts this fall as the reigning Defensive Player of the Year.

Niederhauser (foot) won't be ready for the start of the season, Law Murray of The Athletic reports.

Niederhauser is progressing from March surgery but won't be able to suit up to begin the year. The Clippers are likely to take a cautious approach with the 2025 first-rounder. Isaiah Jackson should occupy the backup center spot behind Brook Lopez early in the campaign.

Team president Jeff Weltman said Monday that Nelson (ankle) remains about a month away from returning to the court after offseason surgery, per Philip Rossman-Reich of OrlandoMagicDaily.com.

With Nelson still in recovery mode from the left ankle surgery he underwent this summer, his path back to game action remains delayed for the early part of the season. The rookie big man is on a two-way contract with the Magic, so his short-term absence mainly affects his developmental timeline rather than Orlando's regular rotation.

Robinson expressed confidence Monday that he's capable of handling a more consistent workload this season after focusing on his conditioning throughout the summer, Justin Turpin of WEEI.com reports.

"Definitely. I feel very confident in myself," Robinson said when asked whether he could play more minutes consistently. "I've been working on my body this whole summer. Figuring things out." Robinson averaged 5.7 points, 8.8 rebounds and 1.2 blocks in 19.6 minutes across 60 regular-season appearances in 2025-26. Heading into training camp, he's expected to battle Neemias Queta for the starting center role.