NBA Player News

Kornet (rest) is available for Friday's preseason game against the Kings, Matt Guzman of SI.com reports.

Kornet will play in the Spurs' preseason finale after getting the night off Wednesday. After averaging 6.5 points, 6.1 rebounds, 1.8 assists and 1.0 blocks in 21.0 minutes per contest over 68 regular-season appearances (25 starts) in 2025-26, the big man is once again expected to operate as Victor Wembanyama's primary backup.

Champagnie (rest) will suit up for Friday's preseason finale against the Kings, Matt Guzman of SI.com reports.

After taking a day off Wednesday against the Suns, Champagnie is one of several Spurs set to return. This has the look of a potential dress rehearsal for the team.

The Hornets waived Connaughton on Friday, Shams Charania of ESPN reports.

The veteran wing was considered a long shot to make the roster ahead of Opening Night. In 42 regular-season appearances in 2025-26, Connaughton averaged just 7.1 minutes per contest.

Wilkerson signed an Exhibit 10 deal with the Thunder on Friday, Clemente Almanza of USA Today reports.

This is presumably a move to acquire Wilkerson's G League rights. He joined the Thunder for Summer League play and will likely be waived before heading to the club's G League affiliate, the Oklahoma City Blue.

Jefferson (back) has yet to fully participate in team activities and remains without a timetable for his return, Erik Slater of ClutchPoints.com reports.

Coach Jordi Fernandez confirmed Friday that the rookie is still dealing with back stiffness and isn't ready to return, although Jefferson has participated in portions of team activities and has been doing conditioning work. Fernandez was also unable to confirm whether Jefferson has undergone imaging. With Brooklyn's regular-season opener against Charlotte scheduled for Wednesday, it's safe to rule him out.

Brooks said he will play Friday against Memphis for the final preseason game, Duane Rankin of The Arizona Republic reports.

After resting Wednesday against the Spurs, Brooks said he's looking forward to this tune-up game against his former teammate, Jaren Jackson. There's no word on how many minutes the starting group will play Friday.

Brown will remain on a minutes restriction for Wednesday's regular-season opener against Charlotte, Brian Lewis of the New York Post reports.

Coach Jordi Fernandez indicated that he wouldn't be comfortable starting a player until cleared to exceed 24 minutes, a threshold Brown has yet to reach. The rookie guard made his preseason debut Wednesday against Miami after missing Brooklyn's first three exhibition games with an ankle injury, recording 15 points, three rebounds, two assists and two steals in 18 minutes. Brown is expected to begin the season in a reserve role while gradually increasing his workload.

The Thunder maintain that Mara is cleared to play in the NBA despite a contract dispute with his former Spanish club, Basket Zaragoza, Marc Stein of The Stein Line reports.

Basket Zaragoza contends that Mara remains under contract, but Oklahoma City says the NBA has advised the organization that no clearance from the Spanish team is necessary because the rookie center spent the past three years playing college basketball in the United States. The Thunder appear confident in Mara's eligibility, though the disagreement with his former club remains unresolved. There is currently no indication that the dispute will prevent him from playing in the NBA.

Moody (knee) is progressing toward a potential return between December and January after rupturing his left patellar tendon in March, Anthony Slater of ESPN reports.

Moody has been limited to individual court work, but team sources indicate he's ahead of Jimmy Butler (knee) in the rehabilitation process and is expected to return before the veteran forward. The 24-year-old still has several recovery checkpoints to complete, and Golden State has not established an official timetable. His eventual return would help replenish a Warriors wing rotation that will open the season without both Moody and Butler.

Butler (knee) could return sometime between January and February as he continues recovering from a torn right ACL, Anthony Slater of ESPN reports.

Butler, who underwent surgery after suffering the injury Jan. 19, has progressed to individual court work but still has several rehabilitation milestones to clear. His next step involves landing comfortably after a game-speed jump. Coach Steve Kerr is hopeful Butler can rejoin Golden State for the latter portion of the season, though no official return date has been announced. The 37-year-old forward remains a significant part of the Warriors' plans and could provide a substantial boost during the second half of the campaign.