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Jalen Green To Miss Start Of Season With Hamstring Injury

October 15th, 2025 at 7:25am CST by Luke Adams

Jalen Green won’t be ready to make his Suns debut when the team’s regular season schedule opens next Wednesday, according to head coach Jordan Ott. Prior to Tuesday’s preseason finale against the Lakers, Ott told reporters – including Duane Rankin of The Arizona Republic – that Green aggravated the hamstring injury he sustained early in training camp.

“We all know the soft tissue injuries are really hard to see exactly the progress,” Ott said. “Obviously it’s frustrating, but this is all part of it. Thankfully we caught it early, it’s not that serious, but he wants to be out there. New teammates, new system. There’s just other ways. We’re going to have to speed him up. That’s the reality of it. He did a great job in the China trip hanging in there with us.”

Ott initially described Green’s injury in early October as a “low grade” hamstring strain. The reaggravation occurred during the team’s trip to China for a pair of exhibition games against Brooklyn, preventing the newly acquired guard from suiting up in any of Phoenix’s four preseason contests.

Green will be reevaluated in 10 days, Ott said on Tuesday. That means he’ll miss the team’s regular season opener against Sacramento next Wednesday, but might have a chance to play in one game of a back-to-back set next Friday and Saturday against the Clippers and Nuggets.

Green spent the first four years of his NBA career in Houston before being sent to Phoenix along with Dillon Brooks in the blockbuster Kevin Durant trade over the summer. Injuries were rarely an issue for the former No. 2 overall pick during his time as a Rocket — he has appeared in all 82 regular season games in each of the past two seasons and hasn’t missed a game since February 2023.

Suns center Mark Williams also didn’t play in any of the club’s four preseason contests, but that was part of a plan designed to ramp him up for the start of the regular season. He has been playing live 5-on-5, Ott said on Tuesday, per Rankin.

While they rested some of their regulars on Tuesday, the Suns have been rolling with a starting lineup of Devin Booker, Brooks, Grayson Allen, Ryan Dunn, and Oso Ighodaro for most of the preseason. Williams would presumably replace Ighodaro if he’s ready to go for the start of the season, while Green would likely step in for either Allen or Dunn once he’s cleared to return.

Southwest Notes: Flagg, Hardy, Nembhard, Morant, Jackson Jr., Barnes

October 14th, 2025 at 10:46pm CST by Dana Gauruder

Cooper Flagg, point guard? At least for this week, that’s his spot. With D’Angelo Russell sitting out against Utah in the Mavericks’ preseason game on Monday, Flagg got the nod at the point in a jumbo lineup featuring P.J. Washington, Klay Thompson, Anthony Davis and Dereck Lively II, Marc Stein of the Stein Line tweets.

The Mavericks staff is eager to see what the No. 1 overall pick in the draft can do in different roles. Flagg responded on Monday with 11 points. He had just one assist but no turnovers.

“When you look at what Cooper’s done here, it’s been really good,” coach Jason Kidd said, per Grant Afseth of the Dallas Hoops Journal. “We’ve put him in different situations — running the offense, running plays, playing off the ball. There are things he has to improve. He’s not perfect yet, but being able to make plays and understand the game at a high level at 18 has been really cool to watch.”

Kidd plans to go with the same lineup against the Lakers, according to Afseth.

“You’ll probably see that group start again on Wednesday,” Kidd said.

Here’s more from the Southwest Division:

Kidd used Ryan Nembhard, who is signed to a two-way contract, as the first point guard off the bench ahead of Jaden Hardy, Mike Curtis of the Dallas Morning News notes (Twitter links). Hardy has struggled in the preseason and Kidd wants him to be more than a scorer. “I think growth has to be able to not just score the ball. We know he can do that,” the Mavericks‘ head coach said. “Can he make plays for others? Can he get us set in the offense? Being able to compete on the defensive end. He’s going to get a great opportunity in preseason to show that he has grown.” Hardy signed a three-year, $18MM extension last year which kicks in this season.
Grizzlies stars Ja Morant and Jaren Jackson Jr. are making good progress in their rehab from injuries, head coach Tuomas Iisalo said on Tuesday, per Damichael Cole of the Memphis Commercial Appeal. “Both guys are progressing really well and are able to do significantly more than one week ago,” Iisalo said. Morant is considered week-to-week with a sprained left ankle. Jackson is recovering from turf toe surgery. Neither has seen action in the preseason.
Expect Harrison Barnes to remain in a starting role with the Spurs, Jeff McDonald of the San Antonio Express-News writes (subscription required). While head coach Mitch Johnson has yet to announce an opening night lineup, Barnes has not come off the bench in any game since the 2015/16 season. He enters his 14th season riding a streak of 304 consecutive games played. “I’m just trying to be out there for every game,” said Barnes, who has an expiring $19MM contract.

Hawks Waive M.J. Walker

October 14th, 2025 at 9:48pm CST by Dana Gauruder

The Hawks have waived M.J. Walker, Spotrac contributor Keith Smith tweets.

Walker was just signed to a non-guaranteed Exhibit 10 deal on Monday.

After going undrafted in 2021, Walker has spent the past four seasons in the G League with the Westchester Knicks and the Greensboro Swarm (the Hornets’ affiliate). The 27-year-old also had a brief 10-day hardship stint with the Suns in 2021/22, playing eight NBA minutes in two appearances.

Walker can collect a bonus worth $45,000 if he spends at least 60 days with the College Park Skyhawks, Atlanta’s G League affiliate. The Skyhawks acquired his returning rights from the Swarm last month.

Hornets Waive Center Ibou Badji

October 14th, 2025 at 9:03pm CST by Dana Gauruder

The Hornets have waived center Ibou Badji, the team’s PR department tweets.

Badji, who appeared in one preseason game this month, saw action in 22 NBA games during the 2023/24 season while on a two-way contract with Portland. He averaged 1.5 points, 2.3 rebounds, and 0.9 blocks in 10.3 minutes per contest during his time with the Trail Blazers.

Outside of that stint in Portland, Badji has spent the rest of his professional career playing in the G League or in Spain, including most recently with La Laguna Tenerife, which competes in Spain’s top basketball league (Liga ACB). The 23-year-old headed overseas in the spring after appearing in 50 games for the Wisconsin Herd during the 2024/25 G League season.

The seven-footer from Senegal put up 6.0 PPG, 5.4 RPG, and an impressive 3.5 BPG in 22.4 MPG for the Herd, earning himself as spot on the NBAGL’s All-Defensive team.

The Greensboro Swarm acquired Badji’s returning rights from Wisconsin in August, which suggests the plan all along was for Badji to join Charlotte’s G League affiliate. Assuming he clears waivers, he would earn a bonus worth $85,300 if he spends at least 60 days with the Swarm.

Kings Exercise Third-Year Option On Devin Carter

October 14th, 2025 at 8:01pm CST by Dana Gauruder

The Kings have exercised their third-year option on guard Devin Carter, according to a team press release.

Carter’s third-year salary will carry a cap hit of $5,158,080. Sacramento had until the end of the month to exercise that option, which is for the 2026/27 season. The team’s next contract decision on Carter will come next fall, when his $7,370,896 fourth-year option for ’27/28 will have to be either picked up or turned down.

Selected with the 13th overall pick in the 2024 draft, Carter appeared in 36 games with the Kings during the 2024/25 season. He averaged 3.8 points, 2.1 rebounds and 1.1 assists in 11 minutes per game. The Providence product missed a chunk of the season after undergoing left shoulder surgery in July 2024.

Carter was reportedly included in at least one of the packages offered by the Kings in their failed attempts to acquire Jonathan Kuminga from Golden State this summer.

All of this year’s rookie scale team option decisions can be viewed here.

Sixers Sign MarJon Beauchamp, Waive Emoni Bates

October 14th, 2025 at 7:43pm CST by Dana Gauruder

The Sixers have signed MarJon Beauchamp and waived Emoni Bates, according to a team press release.

Philadelphia’s intent to sign Beauchamp was reported over the weekend. At the time, the Trail Blazers were said to be “still involved” in the process.

Beauchamp signed an Exhibit 10 deal with Portland on September 30 prior to being waived on Oct. 7, which lined him up to join the Blazers’ G League affiliate, the Rip City Remix. However, given that he officially signed with the 76ers, it’s likely the Blazers have agreed to let him join the Delaware Blue Coats, Philadelphia’s affiliate. Typically, the team that has the player on its roster for more of training camp gets first dibs on making him an affiliate player.

Beauchamp, 25, was the 24th overall pick of the 2022 draft. He spent his first two-and-a-half years with the Bucks, the team that drafted him, prior to being dealt to the Clippers ahead of the February trade deadline. He finished 2024/25 on a two-way contract with the Knicks after being cut by Los Angeles.

The 6’7″ small forward has appeared in a total of 135 regular season games for the Bucks, Clippers and Knicks, averaging 4.1 points and 1.9 rebounds in 10.9 minutes per night, with a shooting line of .430/.354/.718.

Assuming Beauchamp is waived before the season begins and joins the Blue Coats, he would be eligible for a bonus worth up to $85,300 if he spends at least 60 days with the club.

Bates, who was signed to an Exhibit 10 contract last month, was selected with the No. 49 pick out of Eastern Michigan in 2023 by Cleveland. He played sparingly with the Cavaliers across his first two pro seasons as a two-way signing. In 26 appearances, he averaged 3.0 points and 0.8 rebounds per game.

Heat Sign Steve Settle, Waive Gabe Madsen

October 14th, 2025 at 7:02pm CST by Dana Gauruder

The Heat have signed forward Steve Settle III and waived wing Gabe Madsen, according to the team.

Miami originally agreed to an Exhibit 10 contract with Settle right after he went undrafted in June. It’s now come to fruition.

Settle started in all 31 games in which he appeared last season at Temple and averaged 12.6 points, 6.2 rebounds, 1.7 assists, 1.0 steals, 1.0 blocks and 33.2 minutes per contest while shooting 47.8% from the field, 41.6% from three-point range and 73.6% from the foul line. He led the team in rebounds, blocks, minutes and three-point field goals made.

Additionally, he appeared in five Summer League games with the Heat.

Madsen re-signed with Miami last week after being waived in September. He returned on an Exhibit 9 contract and appeared in two preseason games, averaging 4.5 points and 2.0 assists in 14.5 minutes per night.

Madsen played a five-year collegiate career, beginning at Cincinnati and spending the next four years at Utah. He averaged 15.2 points per game in 2024/25 and made 36.0% of his three-point attempts over the course of his five college seasons.

Settle will likely be waived and join the Sioux Falls Skyforce in the G League. If he stays at least 60 days with Miami’s affiliate, he’ll be eligible for a bonus worth up to $85,300.

Mavericks Give Jason Kidd Multiyear Extension

October 14th, 2025 at 6:35pm CST by Dana Gauruder

6:35pm: The Mavericks have officially confirmed Kidd’s extension (Twitter link).

“I’m grateful for the belief that (team owner Patrick Dumont and general manager Nico Harrison) have in me, and the trust we’ve built while working together to construct a team that Dallas can be proud of,” Kidd said in a statement, per Mike Curtis of the Dallas Morning News (Twitter link). “We have a great group of players here who love basketball, are talented & coachable. There’s mutual respect across all departments, and Patrick and Nico set the tone for what we are trying to accomplish here.

“It’s even more special that I can continue to coach the team that drafted me, and where I was able to win a title as a player. I’m looking forward to what’s ahead & continuing to work toward bringing another championship back to Dallas.”

5:26pm: The Mavericks have signed head coach Jason Kidd to a multiyear contract extension, Marc Stein of The Stein Line reports (Twitter link).

The length of the extension has not been revealed, but Dallas made its intentions to retain Kidd clear this offseason. Stein and Jake Fischer reported in early July that the Mavericks intended to sign Kidd to an extension prior to the regular season. He also received an extension after last season.

According to The Athletic’s Christian Clark, Kidd had two years left on his deal prior to the latest extension (Twitter link).

The Knicks were interested in talking to Kidd about their head coaching vacancy this summer before they eventually hired Mike Brown. The Mavs denied the Knicks’ request to speak to their head coach.

Kidd, 52, had head coach stints with Brooklyn and Milwaukee shortly after his Hall of Fame playing career ended. He served as an assistant with the Lakers before getting the Dallas job prior to the 2021/22 season.

The Mavericks reached the conference finals in his first season and lost to Boston on the 2024 NBA Finals. The team didn’t qualify for last season’s playoffs after the controversial Luka Doncic trade and a wave of injuries during the second half of the season.

Dallas wound up hitting the lottery and selecting Cooper Flagg, who will now learn the NBA game under Kidd for several seasons to come if he serves out those extensions.

Jazz Add Bradshaw, East To Camp Roster

October 14th, 2025 at 6:32pm CST by Dana Gauruder

The Jazz have added forward Pedro Bradshaw and guard Sean East II to their camp roster, the team announced in a press release. Utah’s intention to sign Bradshaw was reported earlier on Tuesday.

Utah opened up spots on its roster by waiving Max Abmas and Cameron McGriff on Tuesday.

Bradshaw, who went undrafted out of Bellarmine University in 2021, began his career with Utah’s G League affiliate, the Salt Lake City Stars, as a rookie in 2021/22. He has since played for several other NBAGL teams and spent part of the 2024/25 season in Australia with the Cairns Taipans before finishing the year with the Rostock Seawolves in Germany.

A solid rebounder and shooter, the 6’7″ forward averaged 8.6 points and 6.2 rebounds in 23.9 minutes per game with a 40.2% three-point mark across 45 appearances for Indiana’s G League team in 2023/24. Last season for the Taipans, he registered averages of 10.7 PPG and 5.7 RPG with a .371 3PT%.

East played in 25 games (all starts) last season with the Edmonton Stingers of the Canadian Elite Basketball League, averaging 23.3 points, 4.8 assists, 4.2 rebounds, and 1.9 steals in 31.1 minutes per game. He also played for CSM Constanta of the Romanian Divizia A last season, seeing action in 10 games (all starts) with averages of 26.0 points, 4.6 rebounds, 3.2 assists, and 1.4 steals in 35.1 minutes per game.

East played for four different colleges in five collegiate seasons, winding up with Missouri (2022-24).

Both players will likely wind up getting waived and joining the Stars, where they can earn bonuses up to $85,300 apiece if they stay with the Jazz’s affiliate for at least 60 days.

Clippers Waive Two-Way Player Trentyn Flowers

October 14th, 2025 at 5:46pm CST by Dana Gauruder

The Clippers have waived two-way player Trentyn Flowers, Michael Scotto of HoopsHype tweets. The move is official, per the NBA’s transaction log.

Flowers accepted his two-way qualifying offer in July. Accepting the qualifying offer locked him in to an $85,300 partial guarantee.

Flowers logged just 27 total minutes in six games at the NBA level as an undrafted rookie in 2024/25, but played a more significant role in the G League. In 42 outings last season with the San Diego Clippers, L.A.’s NBAGL affiliate, he registered averages of 17.7 points and 5.0 rebounds per contest while connecting on 47.5% of his field goal attempts and 38.5% from distance.

Flowers spent the 2023/24 season in the NBL’s Next Stars program. He averaged 5.2 points and 2.9 rebounds on .458/.421/.613 shooting in 18 games (12.7 minutes) with the Adelaide 36ers.

By waiving Flowers, the Clippers now have one open two-way spot. Kobe Sanders and Jordan Miller hold the other two-way deals.

The Clippers now have 20 players in camp and don’t plan to add another, The Athletic’s Law Murray tweets. The four players who are not on guaranteed contracts could be competing for the two-way opening.