Indiana Pacers guard Tyrese Haliburton (Achilles) is expected back for the start of the season, but ESPN's Jamal Collier notes the team may take it slow with him early. Haliburton has had extended recovery time after tearing his right Achilles in Game 7 of the 2025 NBA Finals, and he recently said he has been "chomping at the bit" to get back on the court. The Pacers open Oct. 21 in New Orleans, and Haliburton told Dustin Dopirak of the Indianapolis Star in August that he would be ready if the season started then. The 26-year-old averaged 18.6 points, 9.2 assists, 3.5 rebounds, and 1.4 steals in 2024-25. Ivica Zubac gives him a new pick-and-roll partner, while Andrew Nembhard, who averaged 16.9 points and 7.7 assists as the lead guard last season, could lose usage once Haliburton is fully unleashed.

New Orleans Pelicans guard Dejounte Murray (Achilles) is expected to be a full go for training camp, according to ESPN's Ohm Youngmisuk. Murray returned from a ruptured right Achilles a few games after the All-Star break and averaged 16.7 points, 6.4 assists, 5.4 rebounds, and 1.6 steals on 48.4 percent shooting across 14 games. He also logged four straight games of 30-plus minutes in mid-March, easing some workload concerns. Jamahl Mosley gives New Orleans a defense-first coach, and Murray gives him a two-way lead guard who can fill multiple categories. Jordan Poole's inefficient scoring and Jeremiah Fears' second-unit path both get tighter if Murray is fully back, though Fears has been working out with Murray and still profiles as the long-term guard to track.

Houston Rockets guard Fred VanVleet (knee) expects to be on the floor in October when Houston opens the preseason in Macao, China, according to Michael C. Wright of ESPN. Wright notes that VanVleet has been back on the court "full-time, ramping up, feeling good" after missing all of 2025-26 with a torn right ACL. His return should restore some late-game organization for a team that struggled when defenses loaded up on Kevin Durant. VanVleet averaged 14.1 points, 5.6 assists, 1.6 steals, and 2.7 three-pointers in his last healthy season, though the 37.8 percent shooting still hurts. Amen Thompson and Reed Sheppard gained valuable reps in his absence, but VanVleet profiles as the chief setup man for Durant and Alperen Sengun if he avoids setbacks.

Detroit Pistons forward/center Paul Reed is in line for a more featured role as the team's backup big this season, according to Hunter Patterson of The Athletic. Patterson views Detroit's decision to trade Isaiah Stewart to Memphis as a vote of confidence in Reed, who earned the promotion in the playoffs. The former G-League MVP forced his way into the rotation against Cleveland in the second round, averaging 11.4 points and 5.0 rebounds in roughly 13 minutes per game while going 24-for-34 from the field. With Stewart's 22.7 minutes a night now up for grabs, Reed's 61.7 percent shooting from last season and his knack for steals and blocks give him legitimate late-round appeal. His value could climb even higher if restricted free agent Jalen Duren's contract standoff drags into training camp.