NBA Player News

Diabate was spotted working with the first unit in Friday's practice.

Although he began the 2025-26 season in a reserve role, Diabate started 47 of his 73 regular-season appearances, averaging 7.9 points, 8.7 rebounds, 1.9 assists, 1.0 blocks and 0.8 steals across 26.0 minutes per contest. He faces added competition for playing time this year with Hannes Steinbach and Naz Reid now in the mix. However, it appears likely Reid will start at power forward, while Diabate battles for center minutes with Steinbach and Ryan Kalkbrenner.

Battle (lower back) was a limited participant in Monday's practice, Esfandiar Baraheni of The Athletic reports.

The severity of the lower-back issue is unclear, though it kept Battle out of last Saturday's preseason-opening loss to the Heat. He'll look to continue making progress in practices ahead of Saturday's preseason matchup with the Clippers.

Jackson-Davis (undisclosed) did not participate in Monday's practice, Josh Lewenberg of TSN.ca reports.

Jackson-Davis also missed Saturday's preseason opener against Miami for undisclosed reasons. It's unclear what's keeping the 26-year-old sidelined, and his status will be worth monitoring ahead of Saturday's preseason matchup against the Clippers.

Graves (groin) was limited during Sunday's practice, Josh Lewenberg of TSN.ca reports.

Graves tweaked his groin earlier in training camp and was held out of Saturday's preseason opener against Miami. The rookie remains day-to-day, with Toronto's next preseason game coming Saturday against the Clippers.

Martin (knee) was a full participant in Monday's practice, Esfandiar Baraheni of The Athletic reports.

Martin was held out of Saturday's preseason-opening loss to the Heat with a knee injury, though he's trending in the right direction ahead of Saturday's preseason meeting with the Clippers. The 24-year-old is expected to provide emergency depth for Toronto this season after averaging 2.2 points in 6.3 minutes per game across 23 regular-season appearances in 2025-26.

Anderson (knee) was a full participant in Monday's practice, Josh Lewenberg of TSN.ca reports.

Anderson missed Saturday's preseason opener against Miami due to a right knee contusion, but his return to full practice suggests the issue was minor. The veteran forward's next opportunity to play will come Saturday against the Clippers.

Wells faces competition for a starting spot on the wings in Memphis to begin the 2026-27 season, Damichael Cole of The Memphis Commercial Appeal reports.

Jerami Grant, Cedric Coward and Cam Spencer are all competing with Wells for a starting spot on the wings. The 23-year-old swingman has started 143 of his 148 career regular-season appearances since being drafted by Memphis with the 39th overall pick in the 2024 NBA Draft, and he averaged 12.5 points, 3.2 rebounds, 1.6 assists and 0.9 steals in 26.4 minutes per contest across 69 regular-season games (all starts) in 2025-26. Even if he comes off the bench to begin the campaign, Wells should retain a meaningful role.

Spencer is in the mix for a spot in the Grizzlies' starting five to begin the 2026-27 season, Damichael Cole of The Memphis Commercial Appeal reports.

Ty Jerome and Scotty Pippen are competing for the starting point guard job with Ja Morant now in Portland, though there's also a battle for starting spots on the wings in Memphis. Cedric Coward, Jerami Grant and Jaylen Wells are all competing with Spencer for a role in the first unit. The 26-year-old shot an impressive 44.8 percent from beyond the arc in 2025-26, averaging 11.1 points and 2.0 triples per game across 72 regular-season games (20 starts). Spencer also averaged 5.6 assists per tilt and could operate as a secondary playmaker in the Grizzlies' starting five. Regardless, he should continue seeing a sizable role for a rebuilding Memphis squad.

Pippen is viewed as the biggest challenger to Ty Jerome for the starting point guard job, Damichael Cole of The Memphis Commercial Appeal reports.

With Ja Morant out of the picture, Jerome has emerged as the most likely candidate to fill his shoes, though Pippen is also in the mix. Head coach Tumoas Iisalo called the 25-year-old guard an "easy fit" alongside other players thanks to his ballhandling, defense and ability to hit perimeter shots, and he figures to take on a sizable role regardless of whether he starts. Pippen appeared in just 10 regular-season games (six starts) in 2025-26 due to toe injuries, averaging 11.4 points, 4.7 assists, 2.2 rebounds and 1.9 steals in 21.2 minutes per contest. He shot just 31.3 percent from deep in that small sample last season, though he's a career 39.3 percent shooter from three-point range.

Grant appears to be among the Grizzlies' candidates for a starting role entering the preseason, Damichael Cole of The Commercial Appeal reports.

Memphis experimented with Grant in several lineup combinations during training camp, including extended work alongside GG Jackson. Grant's ability to switch defensively, attack the basket and space the floor gives coach Tuomas Iisalo flexibility, though it's unclear whether the veteran will ultimately start or operate as one of the Grizzlies' primary options off the bench.