2026-27 Fantasy Basketball Preseason And Training Camp News Roundup: Key Takeaways And Injuries

By Jared Johnson, RotoWire.com

Preseason & Training Camp News Roundup

Starting spots up for grabs on the Clippers

Isaiah Jackson started Sunday's preseason opener and finished with four points (2-3 FG), four rebounds, three assists, one steal and two swats over 17 minutes. He had been running with the first unit at training camp, and it looks like he has the inside track to open the year as the Clippers' starting center, ahead of the 38-year-old Brook Lopez. Jackson helps infuse some more athleticism into the Clippers' first unit, and he had some nice chemistry with Darius Garland on Sunday, throwing down two lob jams in his first three minutes of play.

Max Strus started at shooting guard but exited after just five minutes after suffering what appeared to be a non-contact injury to his right foot. Head coach Tyronn Lue did not provide an update on Strus after the game, simply saying that they'll get more testing when the team heads back to L.A. Strus appeared poised to open the year as a starter, but if this is an injury that impacts his status for opening night, that could create a pathway for Keaton Wagler to start.

Wagler started the second half of Sunday's exhibition and finished with 15 points (3-15 FG, 1-11 3Pt, 8-9 FT), six rebounds, three assists, two steals and one block over 30 minutes. The efficiency wasn't great, but he came through when it mattered most, drilling a step-back mid-range jumper in the closing seconds of regulation to seal the deal for Los Angeles. Like most rookies, Wagler will likely struggle with percentages, but he's shown potential for racking up the counting stats. He's a more attractive target in points leagues, though.

Bradley Beal could theoretically start, but he sat out training camp with a knee issue, and it's unclear if he'll play during the preseason. Given his issues with staying on the floor over the years, it might make more sense to have him work in the second unit to help limit his milage.

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Darryn Peterson fizzles in preseason debut

Darryn Peterson struggled to make much of an impact in his preseason debut, finishing with three points (1-5 FG, 0-2 3Pt, 1-2 FT), six rebounds, two assists, one steal and two turnovers across 19 minutes. While he had a forgettable performance, I wouldn't overreact to a single exhibition game. The rookie may struggle at times to assert himself on offense when running alongside Keyonte George, Lauri Markkanen and Jaren Jackson Jr., but he's going to be provided every opportunity to figure it out, as he's clearly locked in as a starter.

Peterson's teammates heaped praise on him at training camp, with George saying, "He has everything in the book. Any move you think he has, he has. Any shot you think he has, he has." I think Peterson can have some big games his rookie season, and I love his current ADP of 102.7.

Denver's New Sixth Man

DeMar DeRozan came off the bench in his preseason debut with the Nuggets on Sunday, recording five points (2-5 FG, 0-1 3Pt, 1-1 FT), one assist, one rebound and one block over 10 minutes. For the first time since his rookie season, DeRozan will be operating in a reserve role, which should result in a continued regression in the 37-year-old's statistical output.

While DeRozan did provide top-75 value last season, he did so while earning 31.2 minutes per game as a starter in Sacramento, and he still recorded his lowest scoring average (18.4) since his 2012-13 season. I wouldn't expect improvement from last year's numbers while he's operating in a Sixth Man role for the Nuggets.

Horford starts sans Kristaps Porzingis

The 40-year-old Al Horford started in Sunday's preseason opening loss to the Clippers and finished with three points (1-5 FG, 1-4 3Pt), three rebounds, one assist, one steal and two turnovers in 16 minutes. Horford could open the year as a starter with Kristaps Porziņģis (illness) out indefinitely, and he might even have a few nice games, but it would be unwise to rely on the veteran in fantasy hoops. It wouldn't be shocking if Steve Kerr tinkered with the starting center spot throughout the year depending on the matchup.

Don't expect major minutes for Bucks' rookies

Addressing the media at training camp, head coach Taylor Jenkins implied that Milwaukee's first-round draft picks, Brayden Burries and Nate Ament, will be brought along slowly.

"Those guys [played well at Summer League], but now they're going up against guys that have played in the league for a number of years, with a different level of physicality and speed," said Jenkins. "When they get their opportunities, I think they're playing at a very high competitive level, and they have a lot of growth opportunities as well. They know they're going to be held to a very high standard on the defensive side. But they've got a ways to go, for sure."

I wouldn't target the Bucks' rookies in re-draft leagues.

Ty Jerome generating buzz

According to a training camp report for Damichael Cole of the Memphis Commercial Appeal, Ty Jerome has been generating a lot of buzz and he "appears to have positioned himself as a strong candidate to become the Grizzlies' next starting point guard."

Across 15 starts last season, Jerome averaged 19.7 points, 5.7 assists, 2.8 triples and 1.1 steals per game on 47/42/88 shooting splits, which translates to fantasy gold. He's an extremely attractive late-round target, and I wouldn't mind reaching for him.

Zach Edey looks "really good"

Zach Edey has reportedly looked "really good" at training camp and has been moving better than he has at any point during his first two seasons. Edey has participated in every practice, including 5-on-5 work, but it remains to be seen if he'll be cleared for the preseason. Still, it sounds like there's a decent chance he'll be available for opening night, and if he can just manage to stay healthy, he could be an elite source of boards and blocks. He only made it through 11 games last season, but the big man put in averages of 13.6 points, 11.1 rebounds and 1.9 blocks per game on 63.3% shooting from the field and 78.1% at the line.

Grayson Allen and Moussa Diabaté running with the starters

A social media video posted by the Hornets showed the team scrimmaging, with the first unit comprised of Coby White, Grayson Allen, Brandon Miller, Naz Reid and Moussa Diabaté. As previously stated, Kon Knueppel (hamstring) will not play during the preseason and is uncertain for opening night, so Allen figures to slot into his place.

If Diabaté is named an opening night starter ahead of Hannes Steinbach and Ryan Kalkbrenner, he would make for an attractive late-round target. Across 47 starts last season, Diabaté averaged 8.0 points, 9.4 rebounds, 2.4 assists and 1.0 blocks per game on 64.3% shooting from the field and 65.7% at the line.

Who starts at center in Phoenix?

With Mark Williams set to miss an extended period this season as he recovers from shoulder surgery, the starting center position in Phoenix is up for grabs. Oso Ighodaro and Khaman Maluach are battling for that spot at camp.

Head coach Jordan Ott said he wants to see how things play out during the preseason before committing to an opening-night starter, although it sounds like the position could also remain fluid, with Ott mixing and matching based on the matchup.

In other words, this has the potential to devolve into a value-killing timeshare situation between the two bigs.

Who is the final Portland starter?

In an interview at training camp, Damian Lillard tipped his hand to what the opening night starting lineup will look like, saying: "As far as I know, Ja [Morant] will start. I will start. Deni [Avdija will start]."

Donovan Clingan will obviously slot in at center, so that leaves the starting small forward position up for grabs. I could see the Trail Blazers trotting out a three-guard lineup featuring Jrue Holiday at the three-spot, but they could also go with Toumani Camara, who started all 82 games for Portland last season.

It'll be interesting to watch this battle play out during the preseason, but a starting designation would be preferable for Holiday's fantasy value. Holiday flirted with top-100 value last season behind averages of 16.3 points, 4.6 rebounds, 6.1 assists, 2.6 triples and 1.0 steals per game.

Camara as a starter was less exciting, as he posted averages of 13.4 points, 5.1 rebounds, 2.5 assists, 2.7 triples and 1.1 steals per game, which was only good enough for late-round value in fantasy leagues.