Milwaukee Bucks guard/forward Khris Middleton (ankle) is expected to miss the team's season opener against the Philadelphia 76ers on Wednesday. Shams Charania reports that the team is "cautiously progressing Middleton toward a return." There hasn't been mention of a specific timetable as he continues to rehab from multiple ankle surgeries. While Middleton works his way back, newly acquired Gary Trent Jr. should see more opportunities along with Taurean Prince and Pat Connaughton. Delon Wright may even get into the mix, but it looks like Trent has the most value of the bunch.

New York Knicks forward Precious Achiuwa (hamstring) will be out for at least the next two to four weeks as he deals with a strained left hamstring. According to Shams Charania, that's the timetable for when the team will re-evaluate him, so he has a chance to miss even more time than that. Since Mitchell Robinson (foot) is also out, the Knicks' frontcourt situation is going to be quite thin to start the season. Newly acquired Karl-Anthony Towns will start while Jericho Sims is the next big man on the depth chart. They could also opt to go with some small ball lineups featuring Josh Hart and OG Anunoby in the frontcourt.

Cleveland Cavaliers guard Max Strus (ankle) suffered a sprained right ankle on Thursday during a workout. The 28-year-old underwent an MRI, confirming the severity, and he'll be re-evaluated in six weeks. Unfortunately, Strus' return date remains a mystery. But even when he's cleared to return, it will take time for him to get back to full speed. Strus appeared in 70 games for Cleveland last season, starting all of them, and averaged 12.2 points, 4.8 rebounds, and 4.0 assists. At any rate, Isaac Okoro will likely take his spot in the rotation. The 2020 No. 5 overall pick is mostly known for his defensive prowess, so fantasy managers likely won't get consistent production on the offensive end. Instead, Caris LeVert could significantly benefit from Strus' absence, even if he comes off the bench.

Portland Trail Blazers forward Matisse Thybulle (knee) is expected to miss an extended period of time. Thybulle has been dealing with inflammation in his knee throughout the preseason. He has decided to undergo a procedure that will sideline him for 3-4 weeks. His absence won't make a huge impact considering the Blazers do have depth at the forward spot. The loss of Thybulle should mean more minutes for Kris Murray, Toumani Camara, and Dalano Banton. However, it's not enough playing time to push any of these players into reliable fantasy player territory. The hope is that Thybulle will be back at some point in November or early December.

New York Knicks guard Landry Shamet (shoulder) is likely to miss an extended period of time. The 27-year-old suffered a right shoulder injury during Tuesday's preseason contest. It was later revealed that Shamet is dealing with a dislocated right shoulder and will be evaluated at a later time. The fact the Knicks didn't give a timetable for Shamet's return means he'll probably be sidelined for the foreseeable future. His absence isn't going to mean much considering he was 4th on the depth chart. Tyler Kolek and Cameron Payne could see an uptick with Shamet sidelined, but it probably won't mean much for fantasy hoops.

Sacramento Kings forward DeMar DeRozan (personal) was not available for Friday's practice. The veteran forward is currently away from the team due to personal reasons. He played 25 minutes during Thursday's preseason contest. He figures to be a significant part of the rotation this season. His absence isn't expected to be long, so DeRozan should be back in time for the season opener on Thursday against the Minnesota Timberwolves. Last season, DeRozan averaged 24.0 points, 4.3 rebounds, and 5.3 assists across 37.8 minutes per game with the Chicago Bulls. The 35-year-old is showing no signs of slowing down and should continue being a viable option for the Kings this season.

Brooklyn Nets center Nicolas Claxton (hamstring) won't be available for Friday's preseason matchup against the Atlanta Hawks. Claxton continues to deal with hamstring soreness that has sidelined him throughout the preseason. Despite that, Claxton is expected to be ready to play for the beginning of the regular season. That is great news as Claxton has been a viable option for the Nets over the last two seasons. He averaged 11.8 points, 9.9 rebounds, and 2.1 assists across 29.8 minutes per game last season. The Nets are limited in terms of options at the center spot with Day'Ron Sharpe (hamstring) also sidelined right now. That means, Noah Clowney would see his value skyrocket if Claxton isn't cleared for the beginning of the season.

Philadelphia 76ers guard Tyrese Maxey (thumb) won't return to Friday's preseason contest against the Orlando Magic. The Sixers aren't going to take any chances here with the season opener being on Wednesday against the Milwaukee Bucks. Maxey suffered a right thumb contusion during the first quarter of Friday's game. It sounds like a day-to-day issue, so fantasy managers shouldn't panic. The expectation is that Maxey will rest for a few days and be ready to go for the season opener. In the meantime, Kyle Lowry should see increased playing time with Maxey sidelined.

Sacramento Kings guard Boogie Ellis will be on the hunt for a new team after Friday morning. According to Michael Scotto of HoopsHype, the Kings are waiving the 23-year-old to trim down their roster for the start of the regular season. Ellis averaged 9.0 points per game and shot 39% from deep in the preseason while posting 10.0 points, 2.4 rebounds, 1.5 assists, and 1.3 steals per contest throughout all of his summer league games. He'll likely latch on to either an open two-way deal somewhere else or join a G League roster this year.

Free agent guard Devonte' Graham was waived by the Portland Trail Blazers on Thursday afternoon. The 29-year-old played for the San Antonio Spurs last season while appearing in a total of 23 games. He averaged 5.0 points, 2.1 assists, 1.6 rebounds, and 1.1 threes across 13.6 minutes per game. His role has diminished as his career rolled on, but there are still plenty of teams who could use a depth option that is able to hit threes. Graham was only fantasy-relevant over the past couple of years when injuries happened, so if he does find a new team, he'll have a tough time getting back on the fantasy radar.

Los Angeles Clippers forward Kawhi Leonard (knee) will miss indefinite time to start the season as he works to rehabilitate from inflammation in his right knee. Leonard began experiencing inflammation in his surgically repaired knee during a March 31st game against the Charlotte Hornets. The inflammation held him out for the rest of the regular season and he was only able to play in two of the six games in the Clippers' series loss to the Dallas Mavericks. The team's goal for the 33-year-old is to keep him healthy throughout the season. Given his prior health issues the Clippers will need to be cautious and diligent in their approach to Leonard's playing time, an approach that's excluded Leonard from participating in any on-court drills during the preseason. Fantasy managers should avoid taking Leonard in the early rounds of their drafts with uncertainty on his availability. In his absence, James Harden should see an increase in usage. Nicolas Batum and Amir Coffey will be in line to take his spot in the starting lineup while he is out.

Oklahoma City Thunder center Isaiah Hartenstein has suffered a small, non-displaced fracture in his left hand and will be re-evaluated in five-to-six weeks, ESPN's Shams Charania reports. The 26-year-old big man suffered the injury in Tuesday's preseason contest against Denver. Harteinstein was set to be the Thunder's new starting center after the team brought him in over the summer as a free agent from New York. Chet Holmgren will now likely remain at the center position to start the 2024-25 campaign, while the door has opened for Alex Caruso to enter the first unit.

Milwaukee Bucks small forward Khris Middleton (ankle) will not play in Thursday's preseason finale against Dallas. Last week, Bucks head coach Doc Rivers hoped to have Middleton available for the team's final two preseason games, but the former All-Star will end up missing the entire preseason slate. Middleton continues to nurse injuries to both ankles and didn't practice on Wednesday. However, he is still expected to be available for Milwaukee's regular-season opener on Oct. 23 versus Philadelphia. Taurean Prince will likely replace Middleton in the starting unit if he doesn't recover in time. At the same time, there should also be extra playing time available for Pat Connaughton and Bobby Portis.

Atlanta Hawks center Clint Capela was limited to only seven minutes in Wednesday's preseason matchup against Miami, exiting the game with right ankle soreness. The Swiss big man tallied three points and three rebounds before his premature exit. Atlanta is already without Onyeka Okongwu (toe), making Capela's loss a bitter blow. However, his injury doesn't sound too bad, so he could still be ready for next week's season opener against Brooklyn. Capela has been a walking double-double throughout his NBA career and should continue in the same vein in 2024-25. After sitting out Wednesday's game, Cody Zeller (rest) could slide into the lineup as Capela's replacement on Thursday versus Oklahoma City.

Veteran small forward Doug McDermott has agreed to a one-year contract with the Sacramento Kings. The 32-year-old was a free agent after finishing the 2023-24 campaign with the Indiana Pacers. McDermott averaged only 4.2 points as a member of the Pacers. However, he posted 10-plus points in four consecutive seasons prior to the 2023-24 campaign, and the Kings are getting an extra scoring option in McDermott as a big three-point threat who has nailed 41 percent of his attempts from deep over the course of his career. With that said, McDermott likely won't see enough action to make an impact in fantasy basketball.

Philadelphia 76ers point guard Jared McCain was taken to a hospital after he suffered a hard fall in Wednesday's preseason clash with Brooklyn. According to ESPN's Tim Bontemps, McCain is being evaluated for a concussion, among other things, after appearing to struggle to catch his breath on the court. McCain, the 16th pick of this year's draft, notched nine points, seven rebounds, and two assists in 23 minutes before exiting Wednesday's action. The 20-year-old guard has drawn a lot of plaudits for his performances in training camp and preseason. He looks set to be part of the regular rotation to start the season, although it's currently unclear if McCain will be ready for next week following Wednesday's incident.

Dallas Mavericks point guard Luka Doncic (calf) had his first full practice in two weeks on Wednesday. He has been rehabbing a left calf contusion that Doncic sustained in training camp. According to Mavericks head coach Jason Kidd, Doncic did "really, really well" on Wednesday, but it's unlikely that Doncic will be on the court on Thursday when Dallas wraps up its preseason with a game against Milwaukee. The losing finalists from last season begin the 2024-25 campaign on Oct. 24 versus San Antonio, so there's still a good amount of time left for Doncic to work his way into game shape.

Chicago Bulls point guard Lonzo Ball made his long-awaited return to NBA action on Wednesday, logging 15 minutes in a 125-123 preseason win over Minnesota. Ball came off the bench and played well, posting 10 points on 4-for-6 shooting. He hit a pair of threes with four attempts and had one rebound, one assist, one steal, and one block to remind everybody of his versatility. Bulls head coach Billy Donovan said after the game that Ball "looked great" and moved "really, really well." Ball's return to the court is an exceptional story, and it's great to see that he's fully capable of still making an impact on this level. However, fantasy managers should keep in mind that Ball has returned to action on a 16-minute restriction and won't play in back-to-backs.

Toronto Raptors guard Immanuel Quickley (thumb) has been cleared for contact and went through a full practice on Tuesday. The speedy guard is working his way back from a thumb injury he sustained before training camp. As a result of the injury, Quickley has missed all four of Toronto's preseason games. His status for the final preseason game on Friday versus Brooklyn will be determined by how Quickley feels after practicing the next couple of days. Missing the preseason certainly isn't ideal for Quickley, but he's set to be healthy for the start of the regular season, and that's the most important thing. The 25-year-old is gearing up for his first full campaign with the Raptors, and the expectations are high following Quickley's good spell he had with the team last term after arriving in a mid-season trade from New York.

Denver Nuggets forward Peyton Watson (hamstring) remained on the shelf for Tuesday's preseason outing against Oklahoma City. Denver had their fourth exhibition game on Tuesday, but Watson hasn't featured in any of them due to a hamstring injury. He has one more opportunity to shake off some rust before the regular season begins next week, as the Nuggets finish their preseason slate against Minnesota on Thursday. Watson's role on the team has steadily grown in his first two years in the league, but it's a tough challenge for him to take another leap, with Aaron Gordon and Michael Porter Jr. firmly ahead of him as starters at the forward positions.