![\"Joel](\"https:\/\/www.rawchili.com\/nba\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/10\/embiid0815.jpg\")
HW\/File\n76ers<\/p>\n
HW\/File
\n76ers<\/p>\n
The 76ers\u2019 hopes, as usual, hinge on the health of Joel Embiid<\/a>. Head coach Nick Nurse said there are encouraging signs early in camp as the reigning MVP works his way back, via PHLY Sports<\/a>.<\/p>\n \u201cI think the encouraging things are some of the stuff that he\u2019s said \u2014 that he looks good, right? He\u2019s feeling pretty good,\u201d Nurse explained. \u201cHe\u2019s got some boxes to tick to keep it going, but it looks more encouraging. I think he said he feels a lot better this year at this time of year than he did a year ago.<\/p>\n \u201cSo, that\u2019s got to be a positive step in the right direction. We\u2019re looking forward to getting him back with the group.\u201d<\/p>\n Recurring issues with Embiid\u2019s surgically repaired left knee limited him to just 19 games last season before he was shut down in February.<\/p>\n He\u2019s recently spoken about the need to stay on the floor more consistently this year to avoid a repeat of what he called a \u201cdisaster\u201d of a season. Philadelphia opens preseason Thursday in Abu Dhabi.<\/p>\n Mavericks<\/p>\n Mavericks center Daniel Gafford<\/a> will miss two to three weeks after rolling his ankle on the first day of training camp, per Tim MacMahon of ESPN<\/a>. Head coach Jason Kidd<\/a> said the injury happened Tuesday.<\/p>\n With the regular season set to begin October 22 against San Antonio, Gafford\u2019s availability for opening night is uncertain if he takes the full recovery timeline.<\/p>\n He\u2019s expected to miss the entire preseason slate, which runs through October 15.<\/p>\n Gafford averaged a career-high 12.3 points, along with 6.8 rebounds and 1.8 blocks last season, but appeared in only 57 games due to injuries, including a 21-game absence with a sprained knee.<\/p>\n He signed a three-year, $54 million extension this offseason, locking him in through 2028-29. If he can\u2019t go to start the season, Dereck Lively II<\/a> is likely to step in at center alongside Anthony Davis<\/a> and rookie Cooper Flagg<\/a>.<\/p>\n Wizards<\/p>\n CJ McCollum<\/a> is wasting no time embracing his role as veteran mentor in Washington. The 34-year-old guard \u2014 and winery owner \u2014 joked that many of his new teammates are too young to legally drink his wine, as noted by Bijan Todd of Monumental Sports Network<\/a>.<\/p>\n That group includes 20-year-olds Bub Carrington<\/a> and AJ Johnson<\/a>, along with 19-year-old first-rounders Tre Johnson<\/a> and Will Riley<\/a>. McCollum, acquired from New Orleans over the summer, said the mentoring began right away.<\/p>\n \u201cThe guys are asking questions. Obviously they\u2019re able to see how I work and how I got to where I\u2019m at within this league in terms of the respect I have, but also how I play,\u201d McCollum said. \u201cI think they\u2019ll learn a lot from me just by osmosis, by being around, but also me being able to help out and explain why I do things the way I do, why I prepare the way I do, why I get in at the times that I do.\u201d<\/p>\n Carrington, expected to be Washington\u2019s starting point guard, called it \u201csuper exciting\u201d to share a locker room with someone he\u2019s long admired.<\/p>\n He noted he\u2019s spent long post-practice sessions picking McCollum\u2019s brain, adding, \u201cI think he loves it though. I\u2019m starting to realize he likes to talk too. It\u2019s kind of helping both of us, I guess.\u201d<\/p>\n Looking for the latest NBA Insider News & Rumors?<\/p>\n Be sure to follow Hoops Wire<\/a> on TWITTER<\/a>\u00a0and FACEBOOK<\/a>\u00a0for breaking NBA News and Rumors for all 30 teams!<\/p>\n