2023-24 Fantasy Basketball: These players are returning from injury — can you trust them?
By Kirien Sprecher, RotoWire
Special to Yahoo Sports
A handful of NBA superstar players missed most of the 2022-23 season due to serious injuries, but those aren’t the only injuries fantasy managers should be monitoring ahead of their upcoming drafts. Let’s take a deep dive into all fantasy-relevant players who’ve dealt with an injury or are currently dealing with one that could impact when and where they should be drafted this season.
Missed most of 2022-23
Zion Williamson, Pelicans
Williamson has played more than 30 games just once since he was selected No. 1 overall in the 2019 NBA Draft. He missed all of 2021-22 due to a foot injury and briefly returned to action last year before suffering a season-ending hamstring injury. Williamson was trying to make it back for a potential postseason run when a video of him doing a windmill dunk during warm-ups went viral. The video sparked speculation that Williamson was healthy but simply not willing to return to action, though those notions were thwarted when the team said the superstar forward was never cleared for contact drills before New Orleans was eliminated in the Play-In Tournament.
Williamson had all offseason to regain his conditioning and should be cleared to fully participate in training camp, but he’ll presumably be monitored very closely and subject to periodic rest days throughout the 2023-24 campaign.
Chet Holmgren, Thunder
Holmgren, the No. 2 overall pick in the 2022 NBA Draft, missed his entire rookie season after suffering a Lisfranc injury during a Pro-Am event last summer. His rehab appears to have gone smoothly, as he was able to practice with Team USA ahead of the FIBA World Cup and suited up for the Thunder during Summer League. Across four Summer League appearances, Holmgren averaged 16.5 points, 9.8 rebounds, 2.0 assists, 1.0 steals and 3.5 blocks per game. Aside from some poor 3-point shooting, the talented big man looked to be at the top of his game.
Holmgren shouldn’t have any limitations during training camp, but it wouldn’t be surprising to see the Thunder proceed with caution, meaning minutes restrictions and periodic rest days could be in the cards during the 2023-24 campaign.
Cade Cunningham, Pistons
Cunningham sustained a left shin injury in November, which eventually required season-ending surgery. The 2021 No. 1 overall pick returned to full strength this summer and practiced with Team USA before the FIBA World Cup. Cunningham was reportedly offered a spot on Team USA but declined and decided to focus on preparing for the 2023-24 NBA season instead.
LaMelo Ball, Hornets
Ball battled ankle injuries during the 2022-23 campaign and appeared in just 36 games before undergoing season-ending surgery to address a fractured right ankle. The 2020 No. 3 overall pick is expected to be ready for training camp and signed a five-year max extension this offseason, suggesting the Hornets are not worried about his health moving forward.
Missed the end of 2022-23
Kawhi Leonard, Clippers
Leonard was limited to 52 games last year while working his way back from a torn ACL suffered during the 2020-21 postseason, which cost him the entire 2021-22 campaign. The veteran was starting to look like himself heading into the postseason last year, but he tore his meniscus during Game 1 of the opening-round matchup versus the Suns and was sidelined for the remainder of the series, which the Clippers lost. Leonard underwent a clean-up procedure this offseason and is expected to be available for training camp, but load management is a major concern for the oft-injured superstar.
Paul George, Clippers
George suffered a knee sprain in late March and wasn’t able to make it back before the Clippers were eliminated by the Suns in the first round of the playoffs. The superstar forward resumed workouts in May and is expected to be fully healthy by training camp, though he’ll likely be subject to periodic rest days throughout the 2023-24 campaign.
Chris Paul, Warriors
Paul, who was traded twice this offseason and ended up with Golden State, missed the final four games of the Suns’ 2022-23 postseason due to a groin injury. The veteran should be good to go for training camp health-wise, but his role with his new squad remains unclear.
Steven Adams, Grizzlies
Adams sprained the PCL in his right knee in late January and missed the remainder of the 2022-23 campaign. The big man is expected to be 100 percent by the start of the regular season. If he’s healthy, you can expect him to suit up regularly, as he has played at least 70 games in seven of his 10 NBA campaigns.
Naz Reid, Timberwolves
Reid broke his wrist a few weeks before the regular season ended and was sidelined for postseason action. He underwent surgery in early April and should be 100 percent for training camp. The Timberwolves re-signed Reid to a three-year, $42 million deal this offseason, suggesting that Minnesota has faith that the talented forward will bounce back quickly in 2023-24.
Immanuel Quickley, Knicks
Quickley sprained his ankle during Game 3 of the Eastern Conference semifinals versus Miami last season and missed the remainder of the series, which New York lost in six games. The backup point guard should be good to go with no limitations during training camp.
Offseason surgeries
Giannis Antetokounmpo, Bucks
Antetokounmpo underwent a clean-up procedure on his knee in late June and didn’t play in the FIBA World Cup. While there has been no indication that the two-time MVP is in danger of missing the start of the 2023-24 NBA season, it’s unclear when he’ll be back to 100 percent. Antetokounmpo might rest more throughout the upcoming season than he has previously, but given his work ethic, he’ll likely suit up as often as the Bucks’ training staff lets him.
Khris Middleton, Bucks
Middleton underwent a procedure in late April to correct lingering knee pain. He resumed working out in July and should be good to go for training camp.
Desmond Bane, Grizzlies
Bane is ready for training camp after having surgery on his right big toe in May. He signed a five-year, $207 million extension this offseason and will have increased responsibilities with Morant suspended for the first 25 games of 2023-24.
Julius Randle, Knicks
Randle underwent arthroscopic surgery on his left ankle in June and was expected to resume basketball activities in late summer. His status for training camp is currently unclear.
CJ McCollum, Pelicans
McCollum underwent surgery in late April to repair a torn UCL in his right thumb. He also dealt with a torn labrum in his right shoulder last season, but that didn’t require a procedure, just rehab. Despite those lingering injuries, McCollum played in 75 games last year — his most since 2017-18. He should be good to go for training camp.
Grant Williams, Mavericks
Williams had offseason surgery to correct a left-hand injury he suffered in March. He played through the issue during the Celtics’ postseason run, though he didn’t see his usual playing time. Williams should be given the green light for training camp, but his fit in Dallas remains unclear.
Jarace Walker, Pacers
Walker impressed during Summer League but underwent a minor procedure in mid-July to remove loose bodies in his elbow. He has expected to be fully recovered by training camp.
Offseason injuries
Minor
Scoot Henderson tweaked his shoulder during the Summer League opener, and his status for training camp remains unclear.
Franz Wagner sprained his ankle during the FIBA World Cup and missed four straight games but eventually returned and was a key piece for a Germany squad that took home a gold medal. He shouldn’t have any limitations during training camp.
Amen Thompson suffered a Grade 2 left ankle sprain during Summer League and was given a two-to-three-week return timeline, so he should be good to go for training camp.
Ochai Agbaji dealt with back soreness during Summer League but should be fine for training camp.
Jock Landale suffered an ankle injury playing for Australia during the FIBA World Cup but is expected to be a full participant to start training camp.
Serious
Kristaps Porziņģis missed the FIBA World Cup due to plantar fasciitis in his right foot and will undergo a four-to-six-week rehab program. He’s expected to be ready for training camp, though it could be an ongoing issue this season.
Trey Murphy suffered a meniscus injury during an offseason workout. He underwent a successful partial meniscectomy and got a biologic injection in his left knee in early September. Murphy was given a 10-to-12-week return timeline for basketball activities, but it might be even longer before he’s cleared for game action.
Out for season
Lonzo Ball is slated to miss back-to-back seasons due to a lingering knee injury. He underwent a cartilage transplant surgery in March and is hopeful that his NBA career isn’t over.
Brandon Clarke tore his Achilles in March and is unlikely to play during the 2023-24 campaign.
Montrezl Harrell tore his ACL and meniscus during an offseason workout and underwent surgery in late August.
Others
Domantas Sabonis didn’t need surgery for a thumb issue that lingered last year. He spent the summer rehabbing and should be good to go for training camp.
Tyler Herro suffered a hand injury during Game 1 of Miami’s opening-round series versus Milwaukee. He was eventually cleared for Game 5 of the NBA Finals but never saw the court as the Heat were knocked off by Denver. Herro should be full-go for training camp.
Malcolm Brogdon suffered a shoulder injury in Game 1 of the Eastern Conference Finals but was confident he wouldn't need surgery. He has since been traded to the Portland Trail Blazers.
Deni Avdija skipped the FIBA World Cup to manage a hip injury. He was also sidelined for the final four games of last year with elbow bursitis, but there has been no indication that either injury will impact his availability for training camp.
Jonathan Issac missed the start of 2022-23 while recovering from a torn ACL and appeared in just 11 games before undergoing season-ending surgery in March to repair a torn left adductor muscle. He should be ready for the start of 2023-24, but the oft-injured forward will likely be monitored closely and limited often.
Tanking
The following players missed time at the end of 2022-23 due to minor injuries, but their respective teams were also fighting for lottery positions, suggesting some of them might not have really been injured at all.
Spurs:
Devin Vassell: missed final seven due to knee injury
Keldon Johnson: missed four of last five due to foot injury
Jeremy Sochan: missed final nine due to lingering knee pain
Trail Blazers:
Jerami Grant: missed final 14 due to left quad contusion, signed five-year, $160 million extension this offseason
Jazz:
Lauri Markkanen: missed nine of last 12 games, including final four, due to hand injury
Walker Kessler: missed final four games due to concussion
Collin Sexton: missed 21 of final 22 games due to hamstring injury
