NBA Player News

The Pelicans picked up Missi's third-year option Saturday, Keith Smith of Spotrac.com reports.

This was a formality for the club and keeps Missi locked in through the 2026-27 season. Missi is projected to be the starting center after putting together an impressive rookie campaign with regular-season averages of 9.1 points, 8.2 rebounds, 1.4 assists and 1.3 blocks.

The Grizzlies waived Lovering on Saturday.

Lovering was on an Exhibit 10 deal and was considered a long shot to make the team. He's now set up to join the Memphis Hustle in the G League.

Ayton totaled 12 points (5-8 FG, 2-4 FT), nine rebounds, two assists and a blocked shot across 30 minutes during Friday's 117-116 loss to the Kings.

Ayton finished off the preseason in great form. Although Jaxson Hayes is a solid frontcourt player, the Lakers were hurting under the basket after Anthony Davis' departure. The gap was evident toward the end of the season, especially on defense. Finding another option in the off-season was a no-brainer, and the team hopes that Ayton will be the long-term answer for the role. Ayton's numbers should be much better than what he compiled during his tenure in Portland.

Horford produced 10 points (4-8 FG, 1-1 FT, 1-4 3Pt) and two assists over 20 minutes in Friday's1 06-103 loss to the Clippers.

The 39-year-old's addition to the lineup sends the average age skyrocketing on a roster that's already elderly by NBA standards. Although Horford's best years are behind him, the former Celtic is in line for a big role with the Warriors if he can stay healthy. There's considerable youth behind Horford on the depth chart, but sharing the frontcourt with Draymond Green in the first unit is the most likely scenario to begin the season.

Niederhauser notched 13 points (5-10 FG, 0-2 3Pt, 3-4 FT), 11 rebounds, three assists and two blocks across 26 minutes in Friday's 106-103 preseason win over the Warriors.

Niederhauser finished as the Clippers' third-leading scorer and was one of four Los Angeles players to reach double figures. The rookie big man also grabbed a game-high mark in rebounds. The No. 30 overall pick in the 2025 Draft is expected to provide center depth for the club in 2025-26, though he could see increased playing time if Ivica Zubac or Brook Lopez (rest) misses time.

Hayes will not return to Friday's exhibition against the Kings due to a right wrist contusion, Khobi Price of The Orange County Register reports.

Hayes is dealing with a bruised wrist, but it would be surprising if this impacted his status for Opening Night on October 21 against the Warriors. More updates should surface leading up to Tuesday's tip, but if he's out, that would open up some minutes for Maxi Kleber and Jarred Vanderbilt.

Wembanyama recorded 17 points (7-9 FG, 1-1 3Pt, 2-2 FT), 12 rebounds, one assist, four blocks and one steal over 24 minutes during Friday's 133-104 preseason win over the Pacers on Friday.

Wembanyama ended the preseason on a strong note Friday, as the third-year center led both teams in points, rebounds and blocks. The 2023 first-overall pick should be one of the top producers in fantasy this season, though his health will be of concern after he missed the second half of the 2024-25 campaign due to blood clots in his right shoulder. Wembanyama appeared in 46 games prior to his season-ending surgery and averaged 24.3 points, 11.0 rebounds, 3.7 assists, 3.8 blocks and 1.1 steals over 33.2 minutes per game while connecting on 47.6 percent of his field-goal attempts (including 35.2 percent of his threes on 8.8 attempts per contest).

Kornet logged 15 points (5-7 FG, 5-5 FT), six rebounds and one block over 21 minutes during the Spurs' 133-104 preseason win over the Pacers on Friday.

Kornet put together another strong preseason performance, as he led the Spurs' bench in scoring and rebounds. The ninth-year center signed a four-year, $41 million contract with the Spurs after spending the last three-plus seasons with the Celtics. Kornet figures to play a key role off the pine as the first center off the bench, though the Spurs could also deploy a two-big lineup with the Vanderbilt product and Victor Wembanyama sharing the floor.

Landale tallied 12 points (5-6 FG, 1-2 3Pt, 1-1 FT), four rebounds and one assist over 17 minutes during the Grizzlies' 141-125 preseason win over the Heat on Friday.

Landale's six rebounds were tied with Olivier-Maxence Prosper for second most on the Grizzlies behind PJ Hall (seven). Landale has scored 12 points in back-to-back games and has started at center for each of the Grizzlies' four preseason contests. The fifth-year Saint Mary's product appears to have the upper hand on Santi Aldama for the starting job at center for at least the start of the 2025-26 regular season.

Claxton recorded 13 points (6-10 FG, 1-1 FT), 11 rebounds, five assists, one steal and one block in 28 minutes during Friday's 119-114 preseason loss to the Raptors.

Claxton posted a strong showing on the offensive end and was one of two starters to score in double digits. The big man also showed up on the boards, where he snagged a team-high 11 rebounds. Claxton will be in search of a bounce-back campaign heading into the 2025-26 regular season after seeing a noticeable dip in his scoring and rebounding averages a year ago.