Charlotte Hornets at LA Clippers

With Miller coming off May surgery to address left shoulder instability, any rehab update is notable as Charlotte prepares for training camp. "It's going good, going good," Miller said. "I'm getting stronger. That's all I can ask for. The stronger I get, the more mobile I am with the shoulder and that is the most important thing." He wasn't ready to commit to a timetable, and he's still awaiting full clearance for basketball activities with training camp a little over a month away.

The Hornets say that Knueppel will be re-evaluated during the first week of the regular season, putting his status for Opening Night on Oct. 21 in jeopardy. Knueppel is coming off a dominant rookie campaign with regular-season averages of 18.5 points, 5.3 rebounds and 3.4 assists on 47.5 percent shooting from the field.

Williams will be re-evaluated the first week of the regular season, putting his status for Opening Night in the air. Williams will have a difficult path to minutes this season as he competes with the likes of Naz Reid, Royce O'Neale and Tidjane Salaun.

Hall sustained the injury in the G League Greensboro Swarm's playoff win over the Maine Celtics on March 31. The big man appeared in 19 regular-season games (two starts) with Charlotte, averaging 4.5 points and 3.9 rebounds in 11.3 minutes per contest. He's signed to a two-way deal with the Hornets and is slated to return next season.

Dillingham, the 2024 No. 8 overall pick, has appeared in 114 regular-season games for the Timberwolves and Bulls throughout his career, averaging 5.5 points, 1.6 rebounds and 2.1 assists over 13.0 minutes per contest. It's unknown what kind of role he will have in Charlotte, though it may not be a meaningful one, considering the Hornets have plenty of backcourt depth. Dillingham had minor surgery in April to remove a ganglion cyst but is expected to be ready to go to begin the 2026-27 campaign.

It's a tough break for Miller, who had an opportunity to battle for a reserve role during training camp in the fall. The timeline for a return is likely to keep him on the shelf until after the All-Star break. Miller's extended stay on the sidelines gives Kobe Sanders a chance to crack the Clippers' rotation.

"We're going to hear at Media Day where he's at with his heel," Windhorst added. This update is certainly ominous, and there's been no mention of this by the Clippers. Fantasy managers will want to monitor this closely in case it impacts his availability for Opening Night.

This is a tough blow for Niederhauser, who suffered the injury during Wednesday's matchup against the Pacers. It's still too early to talk about whether the big man will be available for the start of next season, though the team could provide an estimate following the procedure.

Beal declined his $5.6 million player option for the 2026-27 season and became a free agent earlier this offseason, but he's agreed to new terms with the Clippers. The 33-year-old never got going during the 2025-26 campaign, as he suffered a fractured left hip in November after appearing in only six matchups. It remains to be seen whether Beal will be healthy for the start of the season, though once he is, he'll be expected to offer key contributions in the backcourt alongside rookie Keaton Wagler.