The 2025/26 season saw a significant number of star players miss extended time due to injuries. The ESPN insider crew looked at the impending returns of those players, breaking them down by the timeline each one is facing.
Tyrese Haliburton (Pacers), Damian Lillard (Trail Blazers), Kyrie Irving (Mavericks), and Fred VanVleet (Rockets) are all set to make their returns this fall following season-long absences. For Lillard, that means entering a Blazers environment that has made major changes and faces questions about how they will all come together. Haliburton and VanVleet are trying to springboard their respective franchises back into title contention, while Irving will look to gel with Cooper Flagg on a Mavs team whose age and experience could make the star point guard one of the market’s top trade chips at the deadline.
Steven Adams (Rockets), Dejounte Murray (Pelicans), Walker Kessler (Lakers), Joel Embiid (Sixers), Luka Doncic (Lakers), Jaren Jackson Jr. (Jazz), Trae Young (Wizards), and Jalen Williams (Thunder) all missed extended time last season, but should be ready to go barring any setbacks.
Finally, there are the players who are facing longer timelines, with Jimmy Butler (Warriors) being the prime example.
We have more from around the world of hoops:
Hall of FamerMike D’Antoni is returning to his Italian roots, as he’s poised to join BC Roma’s board of directors, according to Alessandro Maggi of Sportando. His arrival was facilitated by former Sixers executive Bryan Colangelo, who is serving as an ownership advisor to the club and will represent the team at Italian Basketball League meetings.
After former Celtics point guard Isaiah Thomas took to social media to express his interest in playing overseas, Lithuanian club BC Zalgiris teasingly invited the 37-year-old to come over and see what their in-arena experience is like (Twitter link). However, there are no signs that any serious discussions have taken place between the two parties, writes Kevin Martorano for Sportando.
Nikola Mirotic may have played his last professional game, as Martorano relays a La Razon report that the 35-year-old is considering retiring after a season in which he missed significant time for AS Monaco. Mirotic has one more year on his deal. The 6’10” stretch-forward played five seasons in the NBA, a majority with the Bulls.