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- Aug 28, 2011
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Andre Drummond
Philadelphia 76ers centerStatus: The last player in the league from the Jim Calhoun era, Drummond exercised his player option to spend his 14th NBA season as the veteran backup to Joel Embiid in Philadelphia. Drummond averaged 7.3 points and 7.8 rebounds in 40 games with the 76ers last year, starting in 23.
Tyrese Martin
Brooklyn Nets forwardStatus: Martin earned a standard two-year NBA contract with his performance last season, playing in 60 games and starting 11, averaging 8.7 points, 3.7 rebounds, and 2.0 assists in 21.9 minutes per game. He earned his roster spot for the 2025-26 season after shooting 45.5% from beyond the arc in four preseason games and will likely find himself back in the Nets’ rotation.
Jordan Hawkins
New Orleans Pelicans guardStatus: Hawkins, Hurley’s first lottery pick, recently had his fourth-year option exercised by the New Orleans Pelicans after a preseason where he averaged 13.3 points over four games and shot just 26.1% from beyond the arc. Entering the third year of his rookie deal, Hawkins will likely be an important rotation piece as a shooter for the Pelicans, who added former Oklahoma star Jeremiah Fears with the No. 7 overall pick in the draft.
Andre Jackson Jr.
Milwaukee Bucks forwardStatus: Jackson had to claw his way onto the Bucks’ opening day roster for the third year of his rookie deal. A player whose impact isn’t always reflected on the stat sheet, Jackson had 11 points, nine rebounds and five steals in 42 minutes over four preseason games. After playing in 67 games and starting 43 for Milwaukee last season, he will likely continue to serve his role as a defensive specialist.
Stephon Castle
San Antonio Spurs guardStatus: After his Rookie of the Year debut, Castle should find himself in the starting lineup for the Spurs when they open their season on Wednesday against the Dallas Mavericks. Castle is part of a young core for the Spurs, who expect to compete for their first playoff appearance since 2019 with a backcourt that also includes De’Aaron Fox (dealing with a hamstring injury) and Dylan Harper, the No. 2 overall pick in the 2025 draft.
Donovan Clingan
Portland Trail Blazers centerStatus: Clingan enters the second year of his rookie deal expected to start at center for the Trail Blazers, who bought out Deandre Ayton’s contract in the offseason and drafted Chinese 7-footer Yang Hansen with the No. 16 overall pick. Robert Williams III is also on the Blazers’ roster, though he enters the season injured. Clingan averaged 7.5 points, 9.0 rebounds, 1.25 blocks and 1.0 assists in 19.5 minutes per game this preseason.
Cam Spencer
Memphis Grizzlies guardStatus: After being selected in the second round of the 2024 NBA draft and making an early impression, Spencer agreed to a four-year contract with the Grizzlies and will likely find a place in the rotation. He averaged 10.0 points, 3.4 assists and 1.8 rebounds in the preseason, shooting 47.6% from beyond the arc.
Liam McNeeley
Charlotte Hornets wingStatus: The 29th overall pick of the Charlotte Hornets, McNeeley had his best preseason game on Friday, scoring 11 points with four assists and two rebounds against the New York Knicks. Hurley’s fourth first-round pick in the last three drafts, McNeeley will likely find himself on the edge of the Hornets’ rotation to begin his rookie season.
