INJURED PLAYERS HEADING INTO THE SEASON:
Anthony Davis-New Orleans Pelicans-Sprained Ankle-Questionable for Opening Night
Derrick Favors-Utah Jazz-Knee Injury-Questionable For Opening Night
Chris Bosh-Miami Heat-Blood Clot-Will Not Suit up for the Miami Heat this season.
Khris Middleton-Milwaukee Bucks-Hamstring-Expected out until at least March
Gordon Hayward-Utah Jazz-Broken Finger-Out 4-6 Weeks-could return late November
Reggie Jackson-Detroit Pistons-Knee-Out 6-8 Weeks targeting an early to mid December return
Chandler Parsons-Memphis Grizzlies-Knee-Questionable for Opening night, could miss more time.
Jrue Holiday-New Orleans Pelicans-Personal/Taking Care of His Family-No Timetable on Return
Tyreke Evans-New Orleans Pelicans-Knee/Blood Clot in Calf- No Timetable for Return
Darren Collison-Sacramento Kings-Suspended-Will Miss first 8 games of the season.
Derrick Rose-New York Knicks-On Trial-Questionable for Opening Night
Ben Simmons-Philadelphia 76ers-Ankle-Out 3 Months, possibly longer
Nerlens Noel-Philadelphia 76ers-Groin-Doubtful for Opening Night
Jahlil Okafor-Philadelphia 76ers-Knee-Questionable for Opening Night
Patrick Beverley-Houston Rockets-May Need Knee Surgery-Won’t play opening night and may need surgery
Ian Mahinmi-Washington Wizards-Knee-Will miss 4-6 weeks
Nikola Pekovic-Minnesota Timberwolves-Ankle-Out for the Season
Marvin Williams-Charlotte Hornets-Sprained Finger-Questionable for Opening Night
Josh Richardson-Miami Heat-Knee-Questionable for Opening Night
Tiago Splitter-Atlanta Hawks-Hamstring-Could miss the next 3-4 weeks
Festus Ezeli-Portland Trail Blazers-Knee-No timetable for return
Josh McRoberts-Miami Heat-Foot-No Timetable for return
Aaron Brooks-Indiana Pacers-Knee-Questionable for Opening Night
Alec Burks-Utah Jazz-Knee and Ankle-Doubtful for Opening Night
P.J. Tucker-Phoenix Suns-Back-Questionable for Opening Night
Kelly Olynyk-Boston Celtics-Shoulder-Doubtful for Opening Night
Jarrett Jack-Atlanta Hawks-Knee-No Timetable for Return
Meyers Leonard-Portland Trail Blazers-Back-Questionable For Opening Night
Gary Harris-Denver Nuggets-Groin-Questionable for Opening Night
Paul Pierce-Los Angeles Clippers-Ankle-Questionable for Opening Night
Tony Allen-Memphis Grizzlies-Knee-Questionable for Opening Night
Jerryd Bayless-Philadelphia 76ers-Wrist-No Timetable for Return
Darrell Arthur-Denver Nuggets-Knee-Could Miss 2-3 weeks
Jodie Meeks-Orlando Magic-Foot-Out for 4-5 weeks
Cody Zeller-Charlotte Hornets-Knee-Questionable for Opening Night
FREQUENTLY INJURED IMPACT PLAYERS LAST SEASON:
Anthony Davis-New Orleans Pelicans-Missed 21 Games-As rewarding of a player as Davis is, you have to expect him to miss at least 10 games and he is already coming into the season with ankle issues.
Marc Gasol-Memphis Grizzlies-30 Games-Not the healthiest player heading into the season, but will not miss time off the start Gasol is lucky that JaMychal Green and Zach Randolph are predominantly inside players so that he can wait for the kick out for the open jumper. Gasol has had a few injuries in his career and will need to start playing even more on the perimeter to preserve his health long term.
Mike Conley-Memphis Grizzlies-Missed 26 Games-Now that Conley is being paid like the No. 1 player in the league, the entire Memphis brass is expecting him to perform like an “elite” player. His offense will be needed early on with Chandler Parsons health in question for the early part of the season.
Kyrie Irving-Cleveland Cavaliers-Missed 29 Games-Irving’s legs are beginning to age and the more he tries to drive through traffic, the likelihood of re-injuring his knee and foot become higher. Just ask Derrick Rose.
Derrick Favors-Utah Jazz-Missed 20 Games-Favors had a very impressive season and his role in Utah is secure because Rudy Gobert’s offensive game is raw, but he is already coming into the season with knee issues.
Eric Bledsoe-Phoenix Suns-Missed 51 Games-Before he got hurt, Bledsoe, along with Brandon Knight were one of the best scoring backcourts in the league and now with Knight coming off the bench, Bledsoe will be able to have even more shot opportunities and will have the ball in his hands more.
Blake Griffin-Los Angeles Clippers-Missed 47 Games-Starting to worry about knee injuries when looking long term especially because Griffin prides himself on his flash. Carelessness could lead to another knee injury.
Bradley Beal-Washington Wizards-27 games-The injuries are starting to pile up and despite looking like an old man on the court, the Wizards still found reasons to give him $100 Millon plus. I still don’t know why.
Jonas Valanciunas-Toronto Raptors-Missed 22 games-He improved his jumper throughout last season and will play a bit more outside on offense at times preserving his health.
Chandler Parsons-Memphis Grizzlies-21 games-Parsons is already entering this season with his health in question in the early going. Parsons will mainly serve as an outside scoring threat. He has a nice back-door cut to the basket off the screen as well in which will help his scoring.
Rudy Gobert-Utah Jazz-Missed 21 Games-Gobert is an inside specific player and focuses on driving to the rim. Being that he plays specifically inside, the banging of knees can occur often.
Myles Turner-Indiana Pacers-Missed 22 Games-Turner’s role will be more controlled with Al Jefferson backing him up and should be playing predominantly inside and give the Pacers plenty of second chance scoring opportunities.
Danilo Gallinari-Denver Nuggets-Missed 29 Games-Gallo is the Nuggets most consistent scoring option, but he has been hampered by multiple injuries the last few seasons. The positive is that even after missing a lot of time, he is still Denver’s top scoring option and will be getting a lot of open looks from beyond the arc.
Brandon Knight-Phoenix Suns-Missed 30 Games-Knight proved last season that he is capable of helping in multiple fantasy stat categories and can be the No. 1 scoring option when called upon.
DeMarre Carroll-Toronto Raptors-Missed 56 Games-Carroll is a very disciplined defender and will give the Raptors even more energy on transition, as he is never afraid to attack the basket. Carroll will get passes in the post and will try to muscle his way inside.