NBA Player News

Quaintance (knee) said he's uncertain whether he'll play in Summer League, Tom Orsborn of the San Antonio Express-News reports.

Quaintance added that the Spurs continue to stress "their priority is to make me 100 percent healthy," so it wouldn't be surprising to see him sit out Summer League action. The 18-year-old began his college career at Arizona State, though his freshman season was cut short after he tore the ACL and meniscus in his right knee. The big man was a high-risk, high-reward pick as the 20th overall selection in this year's draft after playing only four games at Kentucky last season due to severe complications and persistent swelling in the knee, and it appears the Spurs could slowly ease him back into action. Even if he's forced to miss additional time beyond Summer League, the Spurs still have Luke Kornet and Tarris Reed to back up Victor Wembanyama.

Hansen is expected to play in the 2026 NBA Summer League, Sean Highkin of Rip City Radio 620 Portland reports.

Hansen will join Portland's Summer League squad after he is done playing for China in the FIBA World Cup qualifier. The 2025 No. 16 overall pick is coming off a quiet inaugural campaign during which he averaged 2.2 points, 1.5 rebounds, 0.5 assists, 0.2 blocks and 0.1 steals across 7.0 minutes in 43 regular-season appearances. With the Trail Blazers in need of depth behind Donovan Clingan, Hansen will need to impress during Summer League and throughout training camp if he hopes to earn a meaningful role for the team in the 2026-27 season.

Ngoy (not injury related) plans to play for Auburn during the 2026-27 campaign, Law Murray of The Athletic reports.

The Clippers traded for Ngoy's draft rights but will stash him at the collegiate level, as he had already committed to playing at Auburn prior to the 2026 NBA Draft. The No. 57 overall pick most recently played for Poitiers in France's LNB Pro B.

Kyle agreed to an Exhibit 10 deal with the Lakers on Thursday, Dave McMenamin of ESPN.com reports.

Kyle made stops at South Dakota State and UCLA before spending his final collegiate season at Syracuse in 2025-26. The 22-year-old appeared and started in 32 games with the Orange, averaging 8.4 points while posting career highs in rebounds (7.1) and blocks (2.5).

Lively (foot) still hasn't progressed to running yet, per Christian Clark of The Athletic.

Lively is walking and lifting weights, though he's not quite ready to enter the next phase of his rehab. The 22-year-old big man is recovering from right foot surgery, which cut his season short in December of last year, and it remains uncertain if he'll be a full participant in training camp this fall. The Mavericks did take Morez Johnson with the No. 9 overall pick in the 2026 NBA Draft to improve their frontcourt, but Lively remains the most likely candidate to open next season as Dallas' starting center.

It could be a challenge for the Knicks to re-sign Robinson this summer, Ian Begley of SNY reports.

Knicks owner James Dolan vowed earlier this offseason to keep the team under the second apron, which will likely entail New York having to choose between re-signing either Robinson or Landry Shamet to remain under this salary cap. If Robinson winds up being the odd man out, Ariel Hukporti or Mohamed Diawara could be thrust into the primary backup center role behind Karl-Anthony Towns next season, unless New York were to swing a trade or make another addition to reinforce the center position.

Okongwu's status as the top center is solidified after Atlanta selected Kingston Flemings with the No. 8 overall pick in the 2026 NBA Draft.

The Hawks passed up on names like Morez Johnson, Yaxel Lendeborg, Aday Mara and Nate Ament, instead focusing on building their backcourt for the future with the pick of Flemings. Atlanta did nab Zuby Ejiofor later in the first round and also exercised the team option on Mouhamed Gueye's contract to fortify its frontcourt this offseason, but Jock Landale (ankle) is set to enter unrestricted free agency. Neither Ejiofor nor Gueye project as more than reserve players, so Okongwu should have a good chance of building upon a career 2025-26 campaign across the board while effectively functioning as the team's full-time starting center.

Turner (ankle) remains one of Milwaukee's top trade candidates after the organization shifted into rebuilding mode following the Giannis Antetokounmpo deal, Amir Motameni of SI.com reports.

While the veteran center would likely open the season as the Bucks' starting center, the team's focus on developing younger talent could eventually lead to a move if the right offer emerges. Until then, Turner should continue to serve as a stabilizing presence on a roster headlined by inexperienced players.

Gafford will face increased competition for minutes during the 2026-27 season after Dallas selected Morez Johnson with the No. 9 overall pick in the 2026 NBA Draft.

Gafford started 44 of the 55 games he appeared in last season, but there's a new head coach in Dallas, and the Mavericks just drafted one of his favorite prospects. With Dereck Lively expected to be back after recovering from foot surgery, Gafford will likely face stiff competition for frontcourt minutes during the 2026-27 campaign.

Lively (foot) faces increased competition for minutes heading into the 2026-27 campaign, especially with the Mavericks selecting Morez Johnson with the No. 9 overall pick in the 2026 NBA Draft.

Lively hasn't lived up to expectations through his first three seasons in the NBA. Although the 22-year-old is a talented player, the real concern is his durability. After appearing in 55 games as a rookie, Lively played in 36 contests in his second year. However, things were worse in the 2025-26 campaign, with the 2023 No. 12 overall pick suiting up for only seven games before eventually undergoing season-ending foot surgery. Dallas has plenty of big bodies entering the season, though it's unknown how head coach Dusty May will divide the workload. One thing is clear; time is running out for Lively to prove he can stay healthy. In fact, it may already be too late. With that in mind, Johnson isn't a true center, but even if the former Wolverine plays the position in a limited capacity for the Mavericks in 2026-27, he might surpass Lively on the depth chart sooner rather than later.