
OKC • Guard • #25
2 months ago
Mitchell suffered a lower-body injury in the loss, potentially rolling his ankle. It’s unclear if the injury contributed to his limited playing time, but he was excellent when on the court. Mitchell is too far down OKC’s depth chart to be a weekly contributor in redraft leagues, but he’s a fine stash in dynasty leagues.
Source: Brandon Rahbar

DAL • G • #0
2 months ago
Exum, who agreed to a one-year deal in July that did not become official until late August, has not participated in training camp or either of Dallas’ two preseason games with a sore right knee. Mavericks head coach Jason Kidd said Saturday that the team was cautiously approaching the guard’s recovery but did not offer a timeline for his return. With Kyrie Irving (knee) also out, there may be room in the rotation for Brandon Williams once he returns from his hamstring injury. That isn’t enough to make Williams a draftable option in most leagues, but Dallas’ current point guard depth chart enhances D’Angelo Russell’s early-season value.
Source: Mike Curtis

OKC • Guard-Forward • #8
2 months ago
Williams, who agreed to a five-year rookie max extension in July, underwent surgery on his right wrist a few weeks after the Thunder won the NBA title. The good news is that he’s back on the court doing individual work. The bad news is that Williams is not shooting with his right hand, with the regular season beginning on October 21. And the Thunder have been tight-lipped on whether he’ll be ready for opening night, with head coach Mark Daigneault simply saying that Williams is “progressing on a normal timeline.” Fantasy managers willing to draft Williams should consider using a late-round pick on a player like Cason Wallace, Aaron Wiggins or Isaiah Joe as an insurance policy if they have to start the season with J-Dub in an IL+ slot.
Source: Tim MacMahon

OKC • Guard • #9
2 months ago
Caruso played 18 minutes in his first preseason action, using efficient shooting to finish as one of five Thunder players to score in double figures. He recorded a couple of stocks as well and had a positive impact during his time on the court. At full strength, Caruso will likely return to a reserve role for OKC, but should again play an important role for the defending champions throughout the season.

OKC • Guard • #11
2 months ago
The sharp-shooting wing was dominant from beyond the arc on Thursday, tallying a game-high in three-pointers to finish as OKC’s leading scorer. All of Joe’s field goal attempts and makes came from beyond the arc against the Hornets. He shot 41.2 percent from distance last season en route to averaging double-digit points for the first time in his NBA career, and is expected to play a similar role in the Thunder’s rotation in their quest for a second straight NBA championship.

OKC • Guard • #2
2 months ago
In his first bit of preseason action, Gilgeous-Alexander was productive in 18 minutes of game action. The reigning league MVP showed few signs of rust, shooting efficiently both inside and outside the arc while showing off his ability as a facilitator. Entering his eighth NBA season, SGA figures to be entering his prime at age 27. He’ll look to follow his MVP season without another outstanding campaign for the defending champions.

OKC • Guard • #2
2 months ago
Gilgeous-Alexander, Hartenstein, Dort and Caruso all will make their preseason debuts on Thursday for the Thunder’s home opener, giving the defending champions a rotation that more closely resembles what viewers could expect during the upcoming regular season. The Thunder has a 1-1 record through two preseason games and will have a chance to secure a second win over the Hornets, whom they defeated earlier in October.
Source: Justin Martinez

DAL • Forward • #5
2 months ago
Banton has spent time with the Raptors, Celtics and most recently the Trail Blazers. It’s unclear what kind of deal he’s signed with the Mavericks, but Banton will likely be competing for a spot on Dallas’ final roster. He provided a spark for the Blazers last season, averaging 16 points, 3.7 rebounds, 4.7 assists and 1.7 triples across the final seven games of the 2024-25 campaign.
Source: Mavs PR

OKC • Forward • #13
2 months ago
Despite shooting inefficiently from beyond the arc, the fourth-year forward utilized a high volume of shots to conclude as one of five Thunder players to reach double figures in scoring. Dieng’s rebounding and playmaking were also noteworthy as he tallied a team-high in assists in his 35 minutes of game action. He’s now logged two productive preseason outings, which could serve as momentum the rest of the way and into the regular season. Dieng has yet to earn a consistent role in Oklahoma City’s nightly rotation.

DAL • Guard • #1
2 months ago
Russell surveyed the court well in his limited reps on Monday evening. He recorded a team-high in assists and chipped in a basket from beyond the arc along the way. Russell’s continuity with Anthony Davis, his former teammate with the Lakers, is expected to play a key role in the Mavericks’ start to the season. His shooting and playmaking will also be pivotal while the Mavericks remain without an expected return date for their superstar guard, Kyrie Irving (knee).

DAL • F • #25
2 months ago
After serving as a full-time starter over his first two seasons with the Mavericks, Washington came off the bench in Dallas’ preseason opener. The veteran forward was productive in his new role, finishing as one of the team’s scoring leaders against the Thunder, despite logging limited minutes. Washington will likely remain as a reserve frontcourt player to begin the regular season, as he backs up Cooper Flagg. Still, he should play valuable minutes and could function as one of the more reliable second-unit players in the league.

OKC • Guard • #44
2 months ago
Topić, who played 31 minutes in his preseason debut Sunday evening, underwent a testicular procedure on Monday. Unfortunately, the rookie, due to be part of the reigning champions’ bench rotation, will not be available when Oklahoma City opens its regular season. Given the reported timeline, there’s a chance Topić will be good to go before Thanksgiving. His absence likely means second-year guard Ajay Mitchell will have an opportunity to earn rotation minutes as Shai Gilgeous-Alexander’s backup. Mitchell would not be a draft-worthy player in most fantasy leagues. The 12th overall pick in the 2024 draft, Topić has yet to make his official NBA debut, as he missed all of last season with a torn ACL.
Source: OKC Thunder Wire

OKC • Guard • #44
2 months ago
Topic missed all of his would-be rookie season in 2024-25 with an ACL tear, but he looked solid in Summer League and got off to a great start in the preseason. Oklahoma City is deep at multiple positions, so Topic’s path to meaningful minutes may be tough to navigate in 2025-26.

DAL • G • #11
2 months ago
Irving tore the ACL in his left knee in March, with his absence prompting the Mavericks to sign D’Angelo Russell in free agency and re-sign Dante Exum. However, general manager Nico Harrison’s comments in July that Irving was “ahead of schedule” in his recovery sparked optimism that the point guard could return sooner than expected. Irving clarified in his recent livestream that he has no timeline for a return to action. “There’s no timetable for when I’m coming back, so please don’t ask me when I’m coming back,” Irving said. “Please don’t badger me with all the questions like, ‘Hey, if you’re healthy by November, what do you think about it?’ Please don’t badger me with any questions, guys. I’m going to be ready when I’m ready.” Russell is expected to assume the starting point guard duties in Irving’s absence, raising his fantasy ceiling. Someone else to track during the preseason is undrafted rookie Ryan Nembhard, who has received positive reviews in training camp.
Source: Kyrie Irving

DAL • G • #10
2 months ago
Williams is one of the Mavericks already dealing with injuries despite the team opening training camp on Tuesday. He suffered a hamstring strain during the first day of practice and will miss at least one week. With Kyrie Irving (knee) and Dante Exum (undisclosed) unavailable, there may have been an opportunity for Williams to earn early-season rotation minutes. Unfortunately, the hamstring injury will keep him on the sideline for at least one week.
Source: Dallas Morning News

DAL • F-C • #21
2 months ago
Gafford injured his ankle during Dallas’ first practice of training camp on Tuesday. According to Mavericks head coach Jason Kidd, the 6-foot-10 center will miss the remainder of training camp and possibly the entire preseason. That timeline puts him at risk of not being available for Dallas’ regular-season opener on October 22. Dereck Lively II’s workload will increase if Gafford cannot return in time for the start of the regular season.
Source: Dallas Morning News

DAL • F-C • #3
3 months ago
Davis underwent surgery during the offseason to repair a detached retina that he played through last season. According to the Mavericks’ forward/center, his doctors have mandated that he wear protective eyewear for the rest of his career. Whether or not that sticks remains to be seen, but this should not dissuade fantasy managers from selecting Davis in the first round of their drafts. Even with Kyrie Irving (knee) beginning the season on the sideline, AD stands to provide elite fantasy value when on the floor.
Source: Marc Stein

OKC • Guard-Forward • #34
3 months ago
The Thunder will open training camp down a rotation player, as Williams will undergo knee surgery on Monday. Following the procedure, the team will provide a timeline regarding his recovery. While his absence won’t have a significant impact on fantasy basketball, Williams is a versatile frontcourt player capable of providing depth at both forward positions.
Source: Oklahoman