By R.L. Bynum
Leaky Black is seeking a new start with the Sacramento Kings and got a chance Tuesday to show he deserves a two-way contract. The news wasn’t good, however, for RJ Davis, whom the San Antonio Spurs waived the same day.
With eight Kings sitting out Tuesday’s 110–98 home exhibition loss to the Portland Trail Blazers, Black started and played a game-high 31½ minutes. He finished with 10 points, two 3-pointers, seven rebounds, an assist and a steal, after combining for 13 points over 28 minutes in Sacramento’s first two preseason games.
The minutes were available because Sacramento rested Zach LaVine, Malik Monk, Ben Simmons, DeAndre Hunter and Darius Acuff Jr., while Domantas Sabonis (undisclosed), Dylan Caldwell (calf) and Maxime Raynaud (right knee) were hurt. Sabonis, Monk and Simmons had also missed Thursday’s 114–110 loss to the Lakers, when Black scored four points in 11 minutes before leaving in the fourth quarter after getting hit in the face and not returning.
Black is competing for the Kings’ third and final two-way contract, which is expected to come down to him and guard Tristen Newton. Guard Adam Flagler and forward Jonathan Mogbo already hold the first two, and players on such deals can appear in up to 50 regular-season NBA games.
Black played 15 games for the Washington Wizards last season on a two-way contract and started nine. Black scored a career-high 16 points on March 5 against Utah in one of five games in which he reached double figures, and he averaged 10.3 points, 7.4 rebounds and 3.3 assists in 38 G League games for the Capital City Go-Go. The Wizards waived him in July.
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Spurs waive Davis
Davis, who went undrafted in 2025, was on an Exhibit 10 contract with San Antonio and had seven points in three exhibition games while shooting 27.3% from the floor. He had five points and two assists in nearly 15 minutes of the Spurs’ 119–109 road loss Monday at Utah.
Davis’ best moment with the Spurs came in July, when he scored 15 points in 18 minutes in the California Classic opener. He averaged 18.4 points, 4.9 assists and 3.8 rebounds in 49 games for the Lakers’ G League affiliate, South Bay, last season, shooting 42.4% on 3-pointers.
Kessler debuts
After missing the Lakers’ first three exhibitions with a jammed left pinkie, Walker Kessler made his debut Tuesday in Las Vegas. He started and had 11 points on 4-of-6 shooting, nine rebounds, a block and a steal in 16 minutes during a 101–89 loss to the Golden State Warriors. He sat out the second half.
Kessler injured the finger in the first two days of camp while trying to block a shot against the backboard. The Lakers acquired him from Utah in a sign-and-trade this summer and signed him to a four-year, $130 million contract, giving up two unprotected first-round picks (2031 and 2033) and two pick swaps (2028 and 2030).
Los Angeles outscored Golden State by 15 points in Kessler’s 16 minutes and was outscored by 27 in the 32 minutes he sat.
“It was a lot of fun being out there again. It’s been so long,” Kessler said. “Before the game I was actually pretty nervous, but getting out there and just playing with the guys, it was a blast.”
Lakers coach J.J. Redick said he sees the challenge for his new center as playing with constant effort.
“I think he’s a great fit for our team,” Redick said. Kessler said the word they settled on together was “relentless.” The Lakers open the regular season Oct. 21 against the Warriors.
Contrasting Knicks challenges for Nickel, Bradley
Knicks rookie Tyler Nickel, who already has a two-way contract, rebounded from a scoreless game in Monday’s 120–97 road loss at Philadelphia with 11 points in 20½ minutes Tuesday in a 148–98 road loss at Toronto. The 47th overall pick in June out of Vanderbilt, Nickel, who began his college career at UNC, signed on Sept. 27 after reportedly weighing a return to college, and he averaged 12.6 points in five Summer League games.
The road is tougher for journeyman Tony Bradley, who signed an Exhibit 9 training camp contract and is fighting for a roster spot. He has played 15 minutes in New York’s first two exhibition games, totaling six points and three rebounds.
Wilson back Wednesday
Caleb Wilson returns Wednesday night when the Chicago Bulls play at Milwaukee, where former Tar Heels Pete Nance and Cormac Ryan are on the Bucks roster.
Other exhibition action since Sunday (get last weekend’s rundown here)
— Harrison Barnes started for the first time in three exhibition games and had 19 points and two rebounds, going 10 of 12 from the free-throw line in San Antonio’s Monday win at Utah. Harrison Ingram had two points in seven minutes for the Jazz.
— Day’Ron Sharpe started and had four points, two rebounds and three assists in Brooklyn’s 131–122 win Monday at Washington. Drake Powell had three points and a rebound off the bench.
Harrison Barnes, San Antonio Spurs forward
Age 34 | 6–7, 225 | 15th season | $8 million salary | UNC 2010–12 (2 seasons)
Roster situation — Backup small forward
Final statistics last season — 77 games, 9.9 points, 45.6 FG%, 38.8 3P%, 82.9 FT%, 2.8 rebounds, 1.9 assists
Team record last season: 62–20, 2nd in Western Conference
Preseason statistics — 4 games, 19.3 minutes, 9.8 points, 34.8 FG%, 36.8 3P%, 88.9 FT%, 1.5 rebounds, 1.0 assist, 1.0 steal
Monday — Jazz 119, Spurs 109 (road) | started: 23:18, 19 points, 3–8 FG, 3–7 3FG, 10–12 FT, 2 rebounds, 1 assist, 3 turnovers, -13
Wednesday — Spurs 123, Suns 103 (home) | didn’t start; 20:21, 7 points, 1–5 FG, 1–4 3FG, 4–4 FT, 1 rebound, 1 assist, 2 steals, +4
Final exhibition — 8 p.m. Friday vs. Sacramento
Season opener — 9:30 Tuesday vs. Oklahoma City, NBC/Peacock
Leaky Black, Sacramento Kings guard
Age 27 | 6–6, 209 | 4th season | $2.45 million salary | UNC 2018–23 (5 seasons)
Roster situation — Fighting for a roster spot, to earn Kings’ final two-way contract
Final G League statistics last season (Capital City) — 38 games, 10.3 points, 45.6 FG%, 36.5 3P%, 66.7 FT%, 7.4 rebounds, 3.3 assists, 1.9 steals
Final NBA statistics last season (Wizards) — 15 games, 7.1 points, 38.8 FG%, 34.5 3FG%, 87.5 FT%, 5.0 rebounds, 1.5 assists, 1.2 steals
Preseason statistics — 3 games, 19.9 minutes, 7.7 points, 53.8 FG%, 62.5 3P%, 4–4 FT, 3.7 rebounds, 0.7 of an assist, 1.3 steals
Tuesday — Trail Blazers 110, Kings 98 (home) | started: game-high 31:35, 10 points, 2–6 FG, 2–5 3FG, 4–4 FT, 7 rebounds, 1 assist, 1 steal, 1 turnover, 2 fouls, -16
Final exhibition — 8 p.m. Friday at San Antonio
Season opener — 10:30 Wednesday, Oct. 21, at Los Angeles Clippers
Tony Bradley, New York Knicks center
Age 28 | 6–10, 248 | 8th pro season | Exhibit 9 contract | UNC 2016–17 (1 season)
Roster situation — Fighting for a roster spot; fifth-string center
Final statistics last season (Indiana, Atlanta) — 41 games, 4.0 points, 54.7 FG%, 50.0 3P%, 74.4 FT%, 2.8 rebounds
Preseason statistics — 3 games, 7.5 minutes, 5.3 points, 80.0 FG%, 0–1 FT, 1.7 rebounds
Monday — 76ers 120, Knicks 97 (road) | didn’t start: 6:05, 2 points, 1–1 FG, -2
Tuesday — Raptors 148, Knicks 98 (road) | didn’t start: 9:09, 4 points, 2–4 FG, 0–1 FT, 3 rebounds, 1 turnover, 1 foul, -15
Final exhibition — 7:30 Thursday vs. Toronto
Season opener — 7 p.m. Tuesday vs. Philadelphia, NBC
Harrison Ingram, Utah Jazz forward
Age 23 (turns 24 Oct. 21) | 6–6, 230 | second season | $2.45 million salary | UNC 2023–24 (1 season)
Roster situation — Fighting for a roster spot; likely to play in G League
G League statistics last season (Austin) — 40 games, 16.6 points, 49.2 FG%, 34.0 3P%, 62.6 FT%, 12.0 rebounds, 4.8 assists
NBA statistics last season (Spurs) — 7 games, 1.6 points, 83.3 FG%, 1-1 3P
Preseason statistics — 3 games, 8.9 minutes, 17 points, 50 FG%, 1–3 3FG, 2–2 FT, 8 rebounds, 3 assists, 1 block
Monday — Jazz 119, Spurs 109 (home) | didn’t start: 7:02, 2 points, 1–2 FG, 2 rebounds, 1 assist, 1 block, 1 turnover, 1 foul, -13
Final exhibition — 10 p.m. Friday at Phoenix
Season opener — 8 p.m. Wednesday, Oct. 21, at Memphis
Cameron Johnson, Denver Nuggets forward
Age 30 | 6–8, 210 | 8th season | $22.5 million salary | UNC 2017–19 (2 seasons)
Roster situation — Starting small forward ahead of DeMar DeRozan
Final statistics last season — 54 games, 12.2 points, 48.0 FG%, 43.0 3P%, 83.9 FT%, 3.8 rebounds, 2.4 assists
Team record last season: 54–28, 3rd in Western Conference
Preseason statistics — 4 games, 17.1 minutes, 9.5 points, 44.6 FG%, 50.0 3P%, 50.0 FT%, 2.0 rebounds, 0.8 of an assist
Sunday — Nuggets 133, Bulls 128 (home) | started: 24:52, 15 points, 5–7 FG, 4–5 3FG, 1–2 FT, 3 rebounds, 1 assist, 2 steals, 1 turnover, 2 fouls, +8
Wednesday — Clippers 122, Nuggets 110 (road) | started: 12:58, 5 points, 2–5 FG, 1–4 3FG, 2 rebounds, 1 assist, 2 turnovers, 2 fouls, +3
Final exhibition — 10:30 Friday at Los Angeles Lakers, ESPN
Season opener — 9:30 Thursday, Oct. 22, at Oklahoma City, ESPN
Walker Kessler, Los Angeles Lakers center
Age 25 | 7–2, 245 | 5th season | $30.11 million salary | UNC 2020–21 (1 season)
Roster situation — Starting center ahead of Kevon Looney
Final statistics last season (Utah) — 5 games, 14.4 points, 70.3 FG%, 75.0 3P%, 70.0 FT%, 10.8 rebounds, 3.0 assists, 1.8 blocks
Tuesday (Kessler’s preseason debut) — Warriors 101, Lakers 89 (Las Vegas) | started: 15:55, 11 points, 4–6 FG, 3–4 FT, 9 rebounds, 1 assist, 1 steal, 1 block, 1 turnover, 2 fouls, team-high +15
Final exhibition — 10:30 Friday vs. Denver, ESPN
Season opener — 10 p.m. Wednesday, Oct. 21, vs. Golden State, ESPN
Caleb Love, Philadelphia 76ers guard
Age 25 | 6–3, 212 | 2nd season | $678,882 salary | UNC 2020–23 (3 seasons)
Roster situation — Fighting for a roster spot; likely to play in G League
NBA season statistics last season — 49 games (limited to 50 under his two-way contract), 10.4 points, 38.8 FG%, 31.8 3P%, 73.5 FT%, 2.3 rebounds, 2.5 assists
G League statistics last season — 10 games, 24.7 points, 43.3 FG%, 23.5 3P%, 75.8 FT%, 4.0 rebounds, 4.6 assists, 3.6 turnovers
Preseason statistics — 3 games, 17.1 minutes, 7.3 points, 31.8FG%, 23.1 3P%, 55.6 FT%, 1.3 rebounds, 4.0 assists, 0.7 of a block
Saturday — Celtics 144, 76ers 106 (road) | didn’t start: 14:15, 3 points, 1–7 FG, 0–4 3FG, 1–3 FT, 1 rebound, 1 assist, 2 turnovers, 1 foul, -15
Final exhibition — 7 p.m. Friday vs. Boston, NBATV
Season opener — 7 p.m. Tuesday at New York, NBC
Pete Nance, Milwaukee Bucks center
Age 25 | 6–9, 225 | 3rd season | $2.76 million salary | UNC 2022–23 (1 season)
Roster situation — Fighting for a roster spot; likely to play in G League
G League statistics last season— 12 games, 19.0 points, 53.7 FG%, 40.3 3P%, 78.9 FT%, 8.3 rebounds, 3.9 assists, 1.3 steals, 1.1 blocks
NBA statistics last season — 47 games, 5.4 points, 51.5 FG%, 42.0 3P%, 36.4 FT%, 2.7 rebounds, 1.0 assist
Preseason statistics — 4 games, 13.0 minutes, 4.0 points, 35.7 FG%, 30 3P%, 75.0 FT%, 3.2 rebounds
Team record last season: 32–50, 11th in Eastern Conference
Sunday — Hornets 105, Bucks 90 (road) | didn’t start: 6:47, 3 points, 1–2 FG, 0–1 3FG, 1–2 FT, 4 rebounds, 1 assist, 1 block, 1 foul, +3
Wednesday — Bulls 126, Bucks 104 (home) | started: 25:50, 4 points, 1–6 FG, 0–4 3FG, 2–2 FT, 3 rebounds, 2 assists, 2 turnovers, 2 fouls, -17
Final exhibition — 7 p.m. Friday at Indiana
Season opener — 7 p.m. Wednesday, Oct. 21, at Washington
Tyler Nickel, New York Knicks forward
Age 23 | 6–7, 220 | rookie season | $678,882 salary | UNC 2022–23 (1 season)
Roster situation — Fighting for a roster spot
Statistics last season (Vanderbilt) — 36 games, 36 starts, 13.5 points, 44.5 FG%, 40.0 3P%, 84.7 FG%, 3.3 rebounds, 1.2 assists, 0.8 of a steal
Preseason statistics — 3 games, 11.6 minutes, 4.7 points, 23.5 FG%, 15.4 3P%, 80.0 FT%, 1.0 rebound, 1.0 steal, 0.3 of a block
Monday — 76ers 120, Knicks 97 (road) | didn’t start: 8:17, 0 points, 0–4 FG, 0–2 3FG, 1 rebound, 1 assist, -5
Tuesday — Raptors 148, Knicks 98 (road) | didn’t start: 20:37, 11 points, 3–11 FG, 1–9 3FG, 4–5 FT, 2 rebounds, 2 steals, 1 foul, -21
Final exhibition — 7:30 Thursday vs. Toronto
Season opener — 7 p.m. Tuesday vs. Philadelphia, NBC
Drake Powell, Brooklyn Nets forward
Age 21 | 6–5, 195 | 2nd season | $3.54 million salary | UNC 2024–25 (1 season)
Roster situation — Backup 2 guard behind Egor Demin
Final regular-season NBA statistics — 63 games, 6.5 points, 40.2 FG%, 28.0 3FG%, 89.6 FT%, 1.8 rebounds, 1.4 assists
Final regular-season G League statistics — 5 games, 11.8 points, 44.2 FG%, 36.4 3FG%, 72.7 FT%, 5.0 rebounds, 3.0 assists, 1.6 steals
Preseason statistics — 4 games, 10.8 minutes, 4.0 points, 43.5 FG%, 45.5 3P%, 2–2 FT, 1.1 rebounds
Team record last season: 20–62, 13th in Eastern Conference
Monday — Nets 131, Wizards 122 (road) | didn’t start: 10:22, 3 points, 1–2 FG, 1–1 3FG, 1 rebounds, 3 fouls, +6
Wednesday — Heat 144, Nets 128 (road) | didn’t start; 5:41, 0 points, 0–1 FG, 1 rebound, 1 steal, 1 foul, +/- of 0
Season opener — 7:30 Wednesday, Oct. 21, vs. Charlotte
Cormac Ryan, Milwaukee Bucks guard
Age 26 | 6–5, 195 | 2nd season | $680,985 salary | UNC 2024–25 (1 season)
Roster situation — Fighting for a roster spot; likely to play in G League
G League statistics last season — 31 games, 20.9 points, 48.8 FG%, 42.2 3P%, 89.0 FT%, 4.6 rebounds, 3.2 assists, 1.5 steals
NBA statistics last season — 11 games, 14.3 points, 52.0 FG%, 45.8 3P%, 92.3 FT%, 2.5 rebounds, 1.7 assists, 1.0 steal
Team record last season: 32–50, 11th in Eastern Conference
Preseason statistics — 2 games, 18.7 minutes, 8.0 points, 41.7 FG%, 33.3 3P%, 60.0 FT%, 4.0 rebounds, 1.0 steal
Sunday — Hornets 105, Bucks 90 (road) | didn’t play (coach’s decision)
Wednesday — Bulls 126, Bucks 104 (home) | didn’t start: 26:07, 14 points, 4–9 FG, 3–7 3FG, 3–5 FT, 6 rebounds, 1 steal, 3 turnovers, 4 fouls, -20
Final exhibition — 7 p.m. Friday at Indiana
Season opener — 7 p.m. Wednesday, Oct. 21, at Washington
Day’Ron Sharpe, Brooklyn Nets center
Age 25 | 6–10, 265 | 6th season | $10 million salary | UNC 2020–22 (1 season)
Roster situation — Starting center ahead of Moritz Wagner
Final statistics last season — 62 games, 8.7 points, 60.1 FG%, 23.1 3FG%, 67.8 FT%, 6.7 rebounds, 2.3 assists, 1.1 steals
Team record last season: 20–62, 13th in Eastern Conference
Preseason statistics — 3 games, 18.8 minutes, 7.7 points, 55.6 FG%, 33.3 3P%, 25.0 FT%, 5.0 rebounds, 1.7 steals, 1.3 blocks
Monday — Nets 131, Wizards 122 (road) | started: 21:07, 4 points, 1–1 FG, 1–1 3FG, 1–4 FT, 2 rebounds, 3 assists, 1 block, 1 turnover, 3 fouls, +4
Wednesday — Heat 144, Nets 128 (road) | started: 17:26, 11 points, 5–8 FG, 1–3 3FG, 6 rebounds, 4 assists, 2 steals, 1 block, 1 turnover, 5 fouls, -4
Season opener — 7:30 Wednesday, Oct. 21, vs. Charlotte
Coby White, Charlotte Hornets guard
Age 26 | 6–4, 210 | 8th season | $26.81 million salary | UNC 2018–19 (1 season)
Roster situation — Starting point guard ahead of Dennis Schroder
Statistics last season (Bulls, Hornets) — 50 games, 17.4 points, 44.6 FG%, 36.2 3PFG, 81.7 FT%, 3.4 rebounds, 4.0 assists
Team record: 44–38, 9th in Eastern Conference
Will miss preseason after suffering a left calf strain during training camp
Season opener — 7:30 Wednesday, Oct. 21, at Brooklyn
Caleb Wilson, Chicago Bulls forward
Age 20 | 6–10, 215 | Rookie season | $10.28 million salary | UNC 2025–26 (1 season)
Roster situation — Starting power forward ahead of Patrick Williams
Statistics last season (UNC) — 24 games, 19.8 points, 57.8 FG%, 25.9 3P%, 71.3 FT%, 9.4 rebounds, 2.7 assists, 1.5 steals, 1.4 blocks
Preseason statistics — 4 games, 27.5 minutes, 15.8 points, 43.4 FG%, 29.2 3P%, 55.6 FT%, 3.8 rebounds, 2.5 assists, 0.8 of a steal
Friday — Grizzlies 104, Bulls 100 (home) | started: 31:37, 21 points, 7–17 FG, 5–11 3FG, 2–6 FT, 4 rebounds, 1 steal, 4 turnovers, 3 fouls, -18
Sunday — Nuggets 133, Bulls 128 (road) | started: 25:20, 17 points, 6–10 FG, 1–4 3FG, 4–7 FT, 4 rebounds, 5 assists, 1 block, 5 turnovers, 3 fouls, +/- of 0
Wednesday — Bulls 125, Bucks 104 (road) | started: 24:04, 10 points, 4–11 FG, 1–5 3FG, 1–2 FT, 4 rebounds, 3 assists, 1 steal, 4 turnovers, 4 fouls, +14
Final exhibition — 8 p.m. Friday vs. Minnesota
Season opener — 7:30 Wednesday, Oct. 21, at Toronto
Likely out for season
Atlanta Hawks center Henri Veesaar (tore right ACL on Sept.15)
Waived in training camp
Guard RJ Davis by San Antonio (preseason statistics: 3 games, 8.8 minutes, 7 points, 27.3 FG%, 1–4 3FG, 0–2 FT, 3 rebounds, 3 assists, 1 block)
Photo via @spurs
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