The offseason news cycle brought a mix of good and tough breaks on the health front. Luka Doncic gave Lakers fans some reassurance, announcing that he’s fully recovered from the left hamstring strain that knocked him out for the tail end of last season and the playoffs, and that he’s heading into training camp at full strength. Things weren’t as fortunate for Washington’s Jamir Watkins, who underwent surgery to repair a torn ACL — a setback that will likely sideline him for a significant chunk of the upcoming season. On the roster-building side, several teams locked in key pieces: Dallas rewarded Naji Marshall with a three-year, $52.2 million extension after he posted career-highs of 15.2 points and 4.7 rebounds per game, Portland added Jeremy Sochan on a one-year deal, and Golden State brought back fan-favorite Gary Payton II on a one-year, $3.9 million contract.
Meanwhile, the league’s biggest lingering storyline remains unresolved. The blockbuster trade sending Kawhi Leonard from the Clippers to the Raptors is still stuck in neutral while the NBA investigates possible salary cap circumvention tied to the deal. League officials are reportedly hoping to wrap up the probe and reach a resolution before the regular season tips off, but until then, one of the offseason’s biggest trades remains in limbo — leaving both franchises, and Leonard himself, in a holding pattern.
