NBA Training Camp Buzz: Irving Cleared for Full Return, Blockbuster Kawhi Trade, and Key Roster Adjustments Across The League

As of September 27, 2026, all 30 NBA franchises are deep in training camp and media day activities ahead of the 2026–27 season. No regular season games have tipped off yet, but a wave of confirmed trades, roster cuts, contract extensions and comeback stories are dominating league headlines.

The biggest story out of Dallas is Kyrie Irving’s long-awaited return. The Mavericks star guard was fully cleared from the torn left ACL injury that kept him sidelined for the entire 2025–26 campaign. During Mavericks media day, Irving confirmed there will be no minutes restrictions as he enters training camp. He has been recovering since suffering the injury in March 2025, a 19-month layoff. Irving is scheduled to feature in the preseason slate, including the upcoming NBA China Games in Macao, and will be available for the regular season opener versus Houston Rockets. He shared that the lengthy rehab period gave him valuable time to reflect and prepare mentally and physically for the new season.

Major roster transactions were finalized over the past week. The Memphis Grizzlies officially waived guard D’Angelo Russell, making him an unrestricted free agent. Memphis had explored trade packages for Russell throughout the summer, but no deal materialized, forcing the team to release him before the regular season roster lock. The New York Knicks signed Bruce Brown to a training camp Exhibit 10 contract, with multiple players competing for the final open roster spots on the Knicks’ squad. The Dallas Mavericks locked in rookie Seth Lundy, the 46th overall pick in the 2023 NBA Draft. Lundy impressed scouts in Summer League play, averaging 20 points per game.

The blockbuster Kawhi Leonard trade was officially approved by the league. After league review, Kawhi Leonard was traded back to the Toronto Raptors. Leonard agreed to waive his trade kicker and accepted a pay cut on his new two-year extension, creating extra salary cap flexibility for Toronto’s front office.

Over in Houston, the Rockets have made several key additions to their roster this offseason. The team brought in veteran guard Marcus Smart. Head coach Ime Udoka highlighted Smart’s elite defensive intensity and basketball IQ, which will help mentor young players on the Rockets roster. Fred VanVleet is fully healthy and ready for the new season, and he will take part in the team’s preseason trip to Macao.

Two notable multi-year contract extensions were also locked in. The Detroit Pistons reached an agreement with Ausar Thompson on a five-year, $155 million contract extension. The Utah Jazz signed Keonte George to a five-year, $157.5 million extension, securing the young guard as a core piece of their rebuild.

On the schedule front, the NBA’s global preseason games kick off in early October. The Dallas Mavericks and Houston Rockets will meet twice in Macao for the NBA China Games on October 9 and October 11 at The Venetian Arena. The 2026–27 NBA regular season will tip off in late October, with the much-anticipated regular season opening matchup between the Mavericks and Rockets.

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