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Mavericks
Daniel Gafford might be ready for opening night after all.
Per Dallas Hoops Journal’s Grant Afseth, head coach Jason Kidd said that the Mavericks center, who sprained his ankle on the first day of camp, has made steady progress and could be available Wednesday against the Spurs.
“We’ll see,” Kidd said. “No contact today, but he did some things. I wouldn’t rule it out, but we’ll take it day by day.”
Kidd also said guard Brandon Williams and wing Caleb Martin were full participants in practice and trending toward playing in the opener.
Williams has been easing back from a hamstring strain and logged a few minutes in the preseason finale against the Lakers.
Martin, meanwhile, didn’t appear in any exhibition games due to an undisclosed injury but has been steadily improving.
“If they keep doing what they’re doing Monday and Tuesday,” Kidd said, “they’ll have a good chance to play.”
Bucks
The Bucks are expected to waive forward Tyler Smith before Monday’s roster deadline, according to The Athletic’s Eric Nehm.
Smith, who wasn’t in attendance for Milwaukee’s open practice Sunday, was the No. 33 pick in last year’s draft after spending 2023-24 with the G League Ignite.
He appeared in 23 NBA games as a rookie, averaging 2.9 points in limited minutes, and was a regular with the Wisconsin Herd, where he posted modest G League numbers.
Milwaukee faced a decision between Smith and Andre Jackson Jr. after choosing to keep veteran Amir Coffey. Jackson appears safe, as his $2.2 million salary for 2025-26 will become fully guaranteed once he makes the roster.
Smith’s $1.96 million salary is fully guaranteed for this season, but the Bucks aren’t close to the luxury tax line, so waiving him won’t impact their cap situation.
Wizards
The Wizards are waiving forward Dillon Jones to finalize their 15-man roster, reports The Athletic’s Josh Robbins.
Jones, the 26th pick in the 2024 draft, was traded from Oklahoma City to Washington this summer in a salary move shortly after the Thunder’s title run. He averaged 2.5 points and 2.2 rebounds in 54 games as a rookie and added 13.5 points, 7.4 rebounds, and 5.7 assists in 23 G League appearances.
The 6-foot-5 wing played in three preseason games for Washington and showed some defensive flashes, averaging 1.3 steals in 11 minutes per night.
While Jones won’t start the year with the Wizards, multiple reports — including HoopsHype’s Michael Scotto and The Stein Line’s Jake Fischer — suggest he’s expected to draw interest from other teams on a two-way deal.
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