NBA Player News

Morris is with the Clippers for training camp and isn't expected to step away from the team ahead of the regular season, Law Murray of The Athletic reports.

Morris was nearly traded to the Wizards as part of a three-team deal during the offseason, but the move fell through. He spoke to the media at training camp Wednesday and said, "I'm here, I'm gonna do my job. Whatever they need me to do, I'm gonna do," Tomer Azarly of ClutchPoints.com reports. Morris' role declined last year, as he averaged 11.2 points, 4.0 rebounds and 1.8 assists in 28.1 minutes per game over 65 appearances. While he'll hope to bounce back in terms of production, it wouldn't be surprising to see him with consistent minutes as long as the relationship between him and the team remains amicable.

Porter sprained his left ankle during Wednesday's practice and was spotted wearing a walking boot as he left the gym, but the injury isn't considered serious, Harrison Wind of TheDNVR.com reports.

Denver will presumably proceed with caution, so it's likely Porter will miss some preseason action to ensure he's fully past the issue before gearing up for Opening Night on Oct. 24. If Porter has to miss time, Justin Holiday and Christian Braun would be candidates to enter the starting lineup.

Coach Monty Williams said Wednesday that Wiseman and Marvin Bagley are competing to serve as Jalen Duren's backup, Omari Sankofa II of the Detroit Free Press reports.

It's no surprise that Duren will be operating as the starting center, but Williams suggested that there will likely be room in the rotation for only one of Wiseman or Bagley. Wiseman's role increased after being traded from the Warriors to the Pistons last year, as he averaged 12.7 points and 8.1 rebounds in 25.2 minutes per game over 24 appearances with Detroit, but it sounds as though he could have more trouble finding consistent playing time under his new head coach.

Pistons coach Monty Williams said Wednesday that Bagley and James Wiseman are competing for "the backup big spot," Omari Sankofa of the Detroit Free Press reports.

Bagley made 25 starts across 42 appearances last season in Detroit, averaging 12.0 points and 6.4 rebounds in 23.5 minutes. However, it appears that there may only be enough room in the Pistons' rotation for one of Bagley or Wiseman. The backup center role competition between the two could continue throughout training camp and the preseason.

Ball (knee) said Monday that he's about halfway through the rehab process for the cartilage transplant surgery he underwent in March and is optimistic that he'll be able to continue his career, despite having already been ruled out for the 2023-24 season, ESPN.com reports. "I definitely plan on playing again," Ball said at the Bulls' media day. "After surgery three, I feel like it's going well so far -- no setbacks. So for me, it's just keep my head up, just keep doing the work."

Ball's last NBA appearance came Jan. 14, 2022, and though he's set to miss a second consecutive season after undergoing a third operation on his left knee in a little more than a year, he's not yet ready to abandon hope on playing again. The 25-year-old said he plans on splitting the upcoming season between Chicago and Los Angeles while he continues his rehab program. Since Ball won't be regularly working out with the team, updates on where he stands in his recovery could be sparse in the months to come.

Robbins was diagnosed with a stress reaction in his right fibula Wednesday and is currently without a return timetable.

While it's unclear how much time Robbins will miss, it seems unlikely he will be able to suit up for the team's preseason opener against the Magic on Oct. 10. Robbins is currently on a training camp contract with the Pelicans.

Warriors head coach Steve Kerr said Looney will start at center in Saturday's preseason opener versus the Lakers, Kendra Andrews of ESPN.com reports.

With Draymond Green sidelined with an ankle sprain that could keep him out through the early portion of the regular season, the Warriors will have room on the top unit for both Looney and offseason acquisition Chris Paul. Stephen Curry, Klay Thompson and Andrew Wiggins will round out the starting five Saturday, but Kerr indicated that he plans on trying out different lineups. Once Green is healthy, Looney or Paul could move to the bench based on certain matchups, with Looney perhaps being a preferred option over Paul on the occasions the Warriors oppose teams with more size.

Philadelphia head coach Nick Nurse said that Harden practiced Wednesday and is expected to continue participating in workouts with the team moving forward, Tim Bontemps of ESPN.com reports.

Though he didn't join the 76ers on Monday for media day, Harden reported to the team Tuesday and looks like he'll take part in the team's second practice of training camp Wednesday at Colorado State University. Though the disgruntled Harden is still believed to be seeking a trade elsewhere, the 76ers are seemingly optimistic that he'll remain with the team now that camp has commenced. Harden's presence at least temporarily hinders the fantasy outlooks of Tyrese Maxey and De'Anthony Melton, though both players would likely see their values spike if Harden is ultimately moved.

Mann (finger) is healthy for training camp, Brandon Rahbar of the Daily Thunder reports.

Thunder general manager Sam Presti implied that Mann has been living in the gym during the offseason, so it's clear that the third-year guard is desperate to bounce back after struggling in 2022-23. But with the Thunder noticeably deeper this season, there's no guarantee that Mann will break the rotation.

Goodwin (knee) has been active at training camp.

The Suns have not mentioned the knee issue that sidelined Goodwin during Summer League, so it must've been a minor issue. During Monday's media day, president of basketball operations James Jones mentioned Goodwin as one of the players who could get some reps at point guard this season.