NBA Draft Kit: Injury Primer

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Updated on October 19, 2015 10:35AM EST

Ready for Training Camp - Oct. 1

Jordan Adams

Injury: Underwent right knee surgery on Aug. 7. Suspected to be a minor surgery, but the specifics were not released.

Notes: Adams underwent an undisclosed knee surgery in early Aug.. Memphis reports the surgery as minor and is optimistic he will be ready for training camp. Still, gambling on an unproven player buried behind established veterans is risky enough, and taking one coming off knee surgery is even more precarious.

Alan Anderson

Injury: Underwent ankle surgery on May 12. Had bone spurs removed.

Notes: Anderson joined the Wizards after a debridement procedure on his left ankle. The bone spurs were likely linked to an ankle injury that sidelined him for seven games while with Brooklyn. With the problem area address and a summer to rehab, Anderson should be set to assume a regular spot in the Washington rotation.

Carmelo Anthony

Injury: Underwent left knee surgery in Feb..

Notes: Anthony underwent a debridement procedure to remove scar tissue and other debris in his patellar tendon. He's progressed nicely and was able to practice with Team USA in early Aug.. He should be cleared for contact prior to camp and will be back on the court for the start of the season. Anthony's got a history of knee issues and fantasy owners willing to take the All-Star forward have to expect him to receive regular maintenance as he carries out a continuous rehab protocol. He's a top-25 talent, but can't

Ready for Training Camp - Oct. 1

Jordan Adams

Injury: Underwent right knee surgery on Aug. 7. Suspected to be a minor surgery, but the specifics were not released.

Alan Anderson

Injury: Underwent ankle surgery on May 12. Had bone spurs removed.

Carmelo Anthony

Injury: Underwent left knee surgery in Feb..

Omer Asik

Injury: Back spasms

Notes: Asik was unable to play for the Turkish National Team at EuroBasket 2015 due to lingering back spasms. Spasms are a symptom of an underlying issue and information on Asik's injury remains limited. He has a history of back problems, making this a high-risk situation.

Aron Baynes

Injury: Underwent minor right ankle surgery.

Notes: Baynes missed three regular season games with the Spurs with a right ankle sprain, and the soreness lingered through the postseason. He addressed the issue in the offseason before signing with the Pistons. He's already out of the boot and should be ready to assume a larger role for Detroit on the heels of the best season of his young career.

Andrew Bogut

Injury: Minor back pain, but the specifics of the injury were not released

Notes: Bogut's inherent injury risk is high after dealing with various ailments for the majority of his career. While his troublesome ankle held up last season, he missed 12 games with knee pain linked to a cartilage issue. His back has been an issue since he suffered a stress fracture in the area during the 2008-09 season, and the problem resurfaced in the form of spasms this summer while he was with the Australian National Team. The Warriors often opt to treat their injured players conservatively, so look for Golden State to give him days off throughout the year.

Chris Bosh

Injury: Developed a blood clot in his lung in Feb..

Notes: The All-Star forward was putting together a solid season before developing bilateral pulmonary embolus (blood clots in his lung) and sitting the final 30 games. Rest and medication have addressed the issue, and Bosh is in line to return to an elite level of play.

Kobe Bryant

Injury: Had surgery to repair torn rotator cuff in right shoulder on Jan. 28.

Notes: For the third straight year, Bryant's season prematurely ended due to a significant injury. His latest injury was to his upper extremity, and surgery was required to repair the rotator cuff. This isn't Bryant's first shoulder surgery, and he bounced back nicely last time. Bryant's shoulder should be fine by the start of the year, but his mileage and previous leg injuries insure he remains a risky investment.

Reggie Bullock

Injury: Suffered a concussion on Apr. 14.

Notes: Bullock missed the final two games of the regular season following a concussion. He will be available for the Pistons after passing the league's mandated concussion protocol. Concussions are cumulative so any future head injury could potentially result in more significant symptoms, though his risk is unaffected.

Alec Burks

Injury: Left shoulder surgery

Notes: Burks missed 55 games after opting to undergo surgery for a shoulder injury that dates back to his college days. Specifics on the exact procedure were vague, but Burks was cleared to return to basketball activities during the summer and will get a chance to fill the void left by Dante Exum's ACL tear.

Jose Calderon

Injury: Had platelet-rich plasma treatment on sore left Achilles on Mar. 23.

Notes: The veteran point guard struggled in his first year with the Knicks, largely in part to a chronic Achilles injury. Calderon has always had trouble overcoming problems with the muscles in his lower extremities, but a PRP injection at the injury site could aid in his recovery. Keep a close eye on his participation during training camp to get a better idea if he's moved past this latest issue.

Mario Chalmers

Injury: Underwent right knee surgery on May 29 to repair an inflamed plica.

Notes: The Miami point guard underwent surgery to address a troublesome bit of tissue known as a plica. They normally remain asymptomatic, but have to be removed if they can become a chronic issue. Jason Terry underwent surgery for a similar injury prior to the 2013-14 season and missed time at various points throughout the campaign as the symptoms lingered. Chalmers should be available to start the season, but the risk of reinjury or aggravation will be elevated.

Nick Collison

Injury: Underwent arthroscopic surgery in his right knee on Apr. 30.

Notes: Collison had knee surgery for the second straight season. This time, it was on his right knee, the second such procedure on this joint. He's bounced back from each previous surgery and he should be ready to fill his normal role to start the year.

Darren Collison

Injury: Had surgery to repair core muscle in hip on Mar. 3.

Notes: Collison missed the final 34 games after undergoing surgery on his hip flexor. The team treated him conservatively last season, so it wouldn't be an issue moving forward, and the addition of Rajon Rondo will allow Sacramento to monitor his minutes.

Allen Crabbe

Injury: Suffered a severe left ankle sprain on July 15.

Notes: Crabbe sprained his ankle in summer league play and was expected to miss four-to-six weeks while recovering. There's a chance this lingers into camp, but Crabbe remains in line for an increased role with Portland.

Jae Crowder

Injury: Suffered a left ACL sprain on Apr. 26.

Notes: Crowder suffered a scary knee injury in Boston's final playoff game. Fortunately, the ACL was mildly sprained and surgery was not required. He re-signed with the Celtics in the offseason, and it shouldn't be an issue entering training camp.

DeAndre Daniels

Injury: Suffered a Jones fracture in his right foot.

Notes: A former second-round pick, Daniels was unable to participate in summer league after breaking his fifth metatarsal. The injury was classified as a Jones fracture, the same injury that limited Kevin Durant all of last season.

Anthony Davis

Injury: Suffered a minor ankle injury on Aug. 11.

Notes: Davis suffered a low grade ankle sprain in the offseason that limited his participation with Team USA. While he's suffered an assortment of injuries in his young career, this shouldn't prevent Davis from being one of the top fantasy picks.

Kevin Durant

Injury: Underwent bone graft surgery in his right foot on Mar. 31.

Notes: Durant revealed that the third surgery on his fractured right foot included an infused bone graft. The procedure is designed to stimulate bone growth and help prevent any additional problems. The former MVP was an active participant with Team USA and remains confident he will be healthy for the upcoming season. He's a top three talent that could be had at a discounted rate.

James Ennis

Injury: Had been battling knee tendinitis in Summer League.

Notes: Ennis struggled in both the Orlando and Las Vegas Summer Leagues, but it was later revealed he was limited by tendinitis in both knees. The problem could affect his ability to secure a roster spot with Miami.

Tyler Ennis

Injury: Underwent right shoulder surgery on May 19.

Notes: Ennis had his shoulder labrum repaired shortly after the conclusion of the regular season. He was unable to shoot for a majority of the summer, and he will be hard pressed to crack a rotation that includes Michael Carter-Williams, Greivis Vasquez, and Jerryd Bayless.

Tyreke Evans

Injury: Underwent arthroscopic surgery in his right knee on May 21.

Notes: Evans underwent a debridement procedure on his right knee for his second straight summer. It looks like it this was simply routine maintenance, and he dropped some weight to help with the problem. It wasn't an issue last year and he should be fine moving forward.

Reggie Evans

Injury: Sprained his thumb on Apr. 11.

Notes: Evans missed the final three games of the season with a minor thumb sprain. The injury should be a non-factor moving forward, but he remains a free agent.

Kevin Garnett

Injury: Dealt with knee issues for the last month of the season. Knee injury not specified.

Notes: Garnett's return to Minnesota was limited by lingering left knee soreness. It's not surprising that a 20-year veteran with nearly 50,000 career minutes would experience some wear and tear at this point of his career. The Timberwolves will limit his playing time to around 20 minutes a game and expect to give him regular games off to rest.

Paul George

Injury: Suffered a calf strain on Apr. 15.

Notes: George missed 76 games recovering from a gruesome right leg fracture and suffered a left calf strain in the regular season finale. Now with the injury a full year behind him, George will look to return to top form. While bone tissue is capable of returning to full strength, it will be interesting to see if any complications from the rod in his leg surface with extended playing time. A potential shift to power forward could also play a factor, and George will be one of the top high-risk, high-reward players entering the season.

Aaron Gordon

Injury: Underwent surgery to repair broken jaw on July 17.

Notes: Gordon broke his jaw "horsing around" with his brother, and though the incident required surgery, I wouldn't expect this to be an issue for the explosive forward entering his second season.

Danny Granger

Injury: Dealt with nagging pain in his knee for most of last season. The knee injury was not specified.

Notes: The Pistons acquired the oft-injured forward as part of the Marcus Morris trade, though it remains to be seen if he will ever suit up for Detroit. He's undergone at least two surgeries in the past three years to treat recurring patellar tendinosis. He never played for Phoenix, but did benefit from working with their well-respected medical staff. However, it's hard to have confidence in the former All-Star, who has played in just 76 games over the past four seasons.

Gerald Henderson

Injury: Underwent left hip surgery on July 7.

Notes: Henderson underwent surgery on his left hip shortly after being traded to Portland. This marks the second hip surgery of his young career, but was less extensive than his initial surgery in the summer of 2011. The hip hasn't affected his availability, and he could be in for an increase in usage with the Trail Blazers.

Jrue Holiday

Injury: Underwent surgery to remove screw from his lower right leg on May 6.

Notes: Holiday had surgical hardware in his troublesome right tibia removed this offseason, hoping it will help ease the chronic soreness in the area. He's missed a total of 90 games over the past two seasons with problems associated to the stress fracture, and the Pelicans have openly admitted they will bring him along slowly. The injury limits his draft value, though a bounce-back year is possible if the issue is truly behind him.

Richaun Holmes

Injury: Fractured his right elbow on July 9.

Notes: The Sixers rookie was averaging 10 points and five rebounds in the summer league before suffering a fractured elbow. The elbow has healed nicely and he expects to be ready for training camp.

Serge Ibaka

Injury: Underwent right knee surgery on Mar. 17.

Notes: Ibaka's right knee surgery was just one of an assortment of injuries that derailed OKC's 2014-15 campaign. The procedure was needed to address a patellar defect that was causing the big man pain and soreness. He was unable to participate in the league's exhibition game on his home continent of Africa, raising concern the injury was more significant than initially reported. This could simply be a team ravaged by injury handling one of their stars conservatively, but I want to see him on the court before I invest heavily in Ibaka.

Kyrie Irving

Injury: Underwent surgery to repair fractured kneecap on June 6.

Notes: The Cavaliers were forced to play the final five games of the Finals without Irving after he suffered a broken kneecap in Game 1. Surgery was performed almost immediately, but reports have already surfaced that Cleveland could hold him out until Jan.. It wouldn't be overly surprising, considering a similar injury sidelined Blake Griffin for an entire season. Part of the problem is the stress placed on the patella often results in a prolonged recovery. However, that seems like a worst-case scenario, and I expect the situation to be very fluid.

Grant Jerrett

Injury: Dislocated his right shoulder on July 6.

Notes: The second-year forward dislocated his right shoulder in summer league action, preventing him from establishing himself in the Utah rotation. He will report to camp healthy, but could find himself competing for a roster spot.

Tyler Johnson

Injury: Underwent surgery to repair a broken jaw on July 9.

Notes: Johnson played in 32 games as an undrafted rookie and was hoping to build on his performance over the summer. Unfortunately, a collision in summer league left him down a tooth and with a fractured jaw. He has a partially guaranteed contract and should enter training camp healthy and able.

Sergey Karasev

Injury: Underwent right knee surgery to repair dislocated patella on Mar. 13.

Notes: The Brooklyn forward missed the final 20 regular season games and all six postseason games after dislocating his kneecap and tearing his MCL. Surgery repaired the associated damage and Karasev spent the summer rehabbing. He posted a video of him dunking on Twitter five months after surgery, and there's reason to believe he will be cleared in time for camp.

Michael Kidd-Gilchrist

Injury: Suffered a left ankle sprain and missed the last 10 games of the season.

Notes: Kidd-Gilchrist has been a tad injury prone since entering the league, but most of the injuries can be attributed to bad luck. A broken hand in 2014 was a bit fluky, and his ankle sprain last season was the result of coming down on an opponent's foot. However the stress reaction in his opposite foot is a red flag. The injuries didn't prevent the Hornets from signing him to an extension in the offseason, and MKG is expected to return to full basketball activity during the summer and will aim to build on a career year.

Brandon Knight

Injury: Underwent arthroscopic surgery in his left ankle on Apr. 17.

Notes: Knight had a piece of cartilage removed from his left ankle in the offseason, but had returned to workouts by late Aug.. Re-upping with the Suns will give him the benefit of working with the league's top-rated medical staff and Knight should be ready and able for the start of the season.

Kyle Korver

Injury: Underwent right ankle surgery on May 27 and right elbow surgery on June 30.

Notes: Korver fractured his ankle during the postseason, then underwent elbow surgery in the offseason to remove loose bodies within the joint. Korver is no stranger to debridements, having previously undergone the procedure wrist, foot, and knee. The primary concern will be on his surgically-repaired ankle, and Atlanta will keep a close watch on his minutes throughout the preseason and into the early regular season.

Carl Landry

Injury: Had his right wrist surgically repaired on June 2.

Notes: Landry underwent surgery to repair a torn ligament in his wrist and was slated to miss four-to-five months while recovering. As a result, the veteran forward may not be ready for training camp. He joined the Sixers in an offseason trade, and it's difficult to tell where he fits in with a team clearly rebuilding. The injury only complicates things, and Philly may not be motivated to rush him back to court.

Kevin Love

Injury: Underwent surgery to repair his dislocated left shoulder on Apr. 29.

Notes: Love dislocated his shoulder in round one of the postseason and needed surgery to repair a tear in the labrum. He re-signed with Cleveland in the offseason and could bounce back in his second season with the Cavs. The shoulder shouldn't be an issue moving forward. The success rate for labrum tears in the NBA is high, and most players report minimal complications.

Shelvin Mack

Injury: Underwent surgery to repair his separated right shoulder on June 2.

Notes: Mack endured one of the most unfortunate injuries of the season after suffering a severe AC sprain in garbage time of Atlanta's final postseason outing. The damage was extensive, and required surgery to repair. Fortunately, he has already resumed shooting and expects to be cleared in time for camp.

Boban Marjanovic

Injury: He fractured his foot in late July.

Notes: The Spurs opted to hold Marjanovic out of EuroBasket 2015 after a team evaluation revealed a bone abnormality in both feet and bone edema in his left foot. He's previously dealt with stress fractures in the area, and foot injuries can be very problematic for big men. A deep San Antonio frontcourt will let the Spurs treat the situation with extreme precaution, and Marjanovic can't be counted on for big minutes.

Jarell Martin

Injury: Suffered a stress reaction in his foot in late June.

Notes: The rookie developed a stress reaction in his foot during the draft process, and was unable to participate in summer league. Memphis was willing to look past the injury, but Martin suffered another foot fracture in an offseason workout and needed surgery to address the problem. Two foot fractures raise serious red flags about his durability, and he is a risky pick in all formats.

K.J. McDaniels

Injury: Suffered a fractured wrist on Apr. 16.

Notes: The Rockets re-signed the explosive McDaniels after trading for him during the season. He suffered a fractured elbow late in the regular season and was unable to participate in the playoffs. The injury has healed and shouldn't affect McDaniels' availability to start camp.

JaVale McGee

Injury: Has suffered from a stress reaction in his left tibia for the past two seasons.

Notes: McGee joined the Mavericks in the offseason but will have to prove he's healthy enough for a spot in the rotation. The 27-year-old center has missed 105 games over the last two seasons with problems stemming from a stress fracture in his tibia. His inherent risk will be remain high until he can put together a prolonged stretch of good health.

Jordan McRae

Injury: Suffered a sprained right toe on July 9.

Notes: McRae suffered a minor toe injury during summer league but was still able to secure a training camp deal with the Sixers. He's still not a lock to make the final roster but the toe shouldn't be a factor in that decision.

Josh McRoberts

Injury: Underwent surgery to repair a torn right meniscus on Dec. 22.

Notes: McRoberts underwent a meniscus repair last year, forfeiting the season for a chance at the long-term benefits. The Heat considered playing McRoberts near the end of the season but opted to give him extra time to recover when the team slipped out of the playoff picture. McRoberts will be ready for training camp, and will assume a role off bench behind Chris Bosh and Hassan Whiteside.

Donatas Motiejunas

Injury: Underwent a lumbar microdiscectomy to alleviate discomfort in lower back on Apr. 9.

Notes: Motiejunas missed the final 11 regular season games and all 17 of Houston's playoff contests after having surgery to remove a piece of vertebral disc irritating a neighboring nerves. The Rockets expect him to be available for the start of the season, but there's significant risk associated with the injury. The majority of NBA players to undergo this procedure suffer additional back problems in subsequent seasons and ultimately miss additional time. Motiejunas has plenty of upside, but it comes with a sizeable red flag.

Timofey Mozgov

Injury: Underwent right knee surgery on July 2.

Notes: Mozgov did not play for Russia at EuroBasket 2015 after undergoing minor knee surgery in early July. The procedure was expected to keep him out for six weeks, suggesting it was a simple clean-up. Mozgov averaged a career-high 10.6 points and 6.9 rebounds last season and should be ready to build on that success in 2015-16.

Shabazz Muhammad

Injury: Underwent surgery to repair ruptured ligament in left middle finger on Feb. 23.

Notes: Muhammad missed the final 28 games of the year after surgery was needed to repair a torn ligament on his middle finger. He also missed time earlier in the season with an oblique strain. Fortunately, neither injury has long-term ramifications, and Muhammad has spent the offseason rigorously preparing for his third year as a pro.

Toure Murry

Injury: Suffered a groin injury in mid July. Groin injury not specified.

Notes: Murry suffered a minor groin injury prior to the start of summer league, but ultimately signed a non-guaranteed contract with the Wizards. The injury should be a non-factor in his fight for a roster spot.

Gary Neal

Injury: Suffered a sprained left ankle and missed the last month of the season.

Notes: Recurring hamstring problems and a troublesome ankle injury limited the veteran guard throughout last season. Neal has shown a propensity for developing lingering issues, and may struggle to find minutes in Washington.

Jusuf Nurkic

Injury: Underwent left knee surgery to repair torn patella tendon on May 20.

Notes: Nurkic's surgery to repair a partially torn patellar tendon was performed in late May, and the Nuggets refused to put a timetable on his rehab. There is already speculation he will miss part of training camp, and the track record for other NBA bigs to require a similar procedure isn't particularly encouraging. Furthermore, Nurkic's conditioning will need work and it may be awhile until he's back at top form.

Jabari Parker

Injury: Underwent left knee surgery to repair a torn ACL on Jan. 5.

Notes: Parker's rookie year was cut short by an ACL tear in Jan. that cost him the final 57 games of the regular season. Milwaukee has already publicly admitted his return will handled with the utmost care, so expect his early season minutes to be limited. He may also sit out on the second night of back-to-backs until the team feels he's ready to handle a full workload. Parker should be fine in the long-term, as younger players have rebounded well from this injury. However, it may be one more year before we see him at his best.

Chandler Parsons

Injury: Underwent arthroscopic surgery on his right knee on May 1.

Notes: Parsons aggravated a knee injury during the postseason and was unable to play in Dallas' final four games. He underwent surgery in early May, and it was suggested he could need microfracture surgery. The Mavs never revealed the extent of the procedure, but Parsons appears to be progressing through the rehab process. His availability to start training camp remains in doubt, and there's a chance his recovery spills into the regular season. Tread carefully here until more specifics regarding the surgery are shared.

Cameron Payne

Injury: Suffered a fracture in his right ring finger on June 15.

Notes: The rookie guard broke his finger during a workout with the Nuggets. The fracture was his first noteworthy injury after going unscathed during his collegiate career. Payne may struggle for minutes early on. but it will be because of the presence of Russell Westbrook and veteran D.J. Aug.in, not the injured digit.

Nikola Pekovic

Injury: Underwent surgery to repair his right Achilles on Apr. 8.

Notes: Pekovic was still not cleared to return to activity in early Sept., five months after undergoing surgery on his chronically injured Achilles and foot. The procedure was designed to address recurring bursitis and soreness in the area. Unfortunately, it has also been reported he has arthritis in the area, and this marks the second procedure Pekovic has needed on the area in the past three seasons. Given his size and stature, it's difficult to imagine a scenario where the ankle and foot return to 100 percent. He might also be squeezed for minutes, with Minnesota fielding multiple younger and healthier bodies in the frontcourt.

Quincy Pondexter

Injury: Underwent arthroscopic surgery in his left knee on May 6.

Notes: Pondexter underwent what was described as a cartilage repair and admitted the recovery is taking longer than expected. While he hopes to return quickly, it appears this has a good chance of carrying over into preseason and potentially the regular season. Pondexter has suffered several other injuries during his career -- including a surgically repaired foot -- that only increase the amount of associated risk.

Ronnie Price

Injury: Underwent right elbow surgery on Feb. 25. Had bone spurs and chips removed.

Notes: Price missed the final 26 games of the 2014-15 season following surgery to remove bone spurs in his elbow. He joined the Suns in the offseason and should be raring to go by the start of camp. He will settle in behind Eric Bledsoe and Brandon Knight on the Phoenix depth chart.

Thomas Robinson

Injury: Underwent surgery to repair torn right meniscus on July 15.

Notes: Robinson continues to look for a NBA home after joining Brooklyn in the offseason. His attempt to stick with the fifth NBA team in his young career has gotten off to a rocky start after he suffered a torn meniscus in a July workout. He underwent a meniscectomy, meaning the injured tissue was simply removed. This route allows for a shorter recovery window and he should be ready for training camp, though his role remains undefined.

Terrence Ross

Injury: Underwent left ankle surgery on May 22. Had bone spurs and loose bodies removed.

Notes: Ross had his ankle scoped shortly after the season ended, and that could have been a major factor in his disappointing season. Though he didn't sit out games due to injury, he reported soreness in the ankle throughout the year. Injuries like this can rob a player of their athleticism and be a major hindrance for a player like Ross, who depends on that ability. With the root of the problem gone, Ross could be in line for a bump in productivity if he is able to earn back the trust of the Toronto staff.

Ricky Rubio

Injury: Underwent arthroscopic surgery on his left ankle on Apr. 13.

Notes: Rubio's time in the NBA has been defined by potential and injury. However, I wouldn't slap him with the injury-prone label just yet. He's really only missed time with two significant injuries, his torn ACL and his traumatic ankle sprain last season. Those two injuries account for 105 of the 109 games he's missed due to injury over the past four years. The fact that both occurred on the left leg does elevate his risk higher than others, but Rubio remains young enough to establish himself at a very high level.

Marcus Smart

Injury: Suffered two dislocated fingers on July 16.

Notes: Smart dislocated his middle and index fingers during the summer league. The injury was classified as an open dislocation, meaning the bones broke the skin. Stitches were required to seal the wound, and Smart spent the next two months recovering. However, he has been cleared to resume basketball activities and he shouldn't be affected moving forward.

Nik Stauskas

Injury: Suffered a sprained ankle in June.

Notes: Stauskas didn't participate in summer league after sustaining a sprained ankle. However, the injury healed in time for Stauskas to be included on the Canadian National Team. He will be healthy and ready to fight for a spot in the regular rotation after joining Philly in an offseason trade.

Lance Stephenson

Injury: Dealt with a sprained toe that caused him to miss the last four games of the season.

Notes: Stephenson's disappointing year with Charlotte ended in injury, after he suffered a bout with turf toe. He was traded to the Clippers over the summer and hopes to reestablish himself with a change of scenery. The injury won't be a factor, though the Clippers' backcourt situation does appear a bit volatile from a playing time standpoint.

Walter Tavares

Injury: Suffered a laceration on his right index finger on July 18.

Notes: Tavares suffered two minor injuries during summer league, including a cut on his index finger that required stitches. Fortunately, neither ailment is considered serious and he will healthy entering camp.

Marcus Thornton

Injury: Dealt with an unspecified ankle injury and missed the last four games of the season.

Notes: Thornton split time between Boston and Phoenix last season, missing 20 total games due to injury. A left ankle injury ended his season, but did not prevent him from securing a one-year deal with the Rockets in the offseason. He will be hard pressed to find minutes in Houston even if healthy.

Beno Udrih

Injury: Underwent right ankle surgery on June 4.

Notes: Udrih underwent surgery to treat an injury sustained in Memphis' postseason run. He appears to be advancing smoothly through the recovery process, though specifics regarding the surgery remain limited. This will be a situation that will become more clear as training camp progresses.

Anderson Varejao

Injury: Had surgery on torn left Achilles on Dec. 26.

Notes: Varejao missed over 40 games to injury for the fourth time over the past five seasons. His latest ailment was a ruptured Achilles that cost him 56 regular season contests. Unlike Brandon Jennings or Wesley Matthews, age isn't on Varejao's side, and a return to pre-injury levels seems unlikely. Given his injury and track record, look elsewhere.

C.J. Watson

Injury: Dealt with an unspecified elbow injury that caused him to miss the last six games of the season.

Notes: Swelling in Watson's elbow limited him throughout the season, affecting his shot and passing ability. The veteran guard will look to enter camp symptom-free. Unfortunately, this is the type of injury that could flare up again down the road, elevating his risk moving forward.

Tony Wroten

Injury: Underwent right knee surgery to repair torn ACL on Feb. 3.

Notes: Wroten appears to be on track for a quick return from a partially torn ACL. He posted a video of him dunking six months after surgery, and he could be an active participant in preseason. However, dunking in a controlled setting and being ready for the rigors of a NBA schedule are two different things, so wait to see just how the knee holds up with an increase in workload.

Nick Young

Injury: Suffered a fracture in his left kneecap on Feb. 26.

Notes: Young suffered a fractured left patella for the second straight season, missing 27 games in the process. Some individuals are simply anatomically predisposed to these types of injuries, and Young has dealt with recurring problems in the knee since 2011. A gunner with a propensity for injury is a dangerous combination in fantasy.

Cody Zeller

Injury: Underwent surgery to repair a tendon in his right shoulder on Apr. 22.

Notes: Zeller's shoulder surgery was quite intensive and included a bone spur and scar tissue debridement and a repair of a partial tear in the rotator cuff. He's remained on track to return by training camp and was shooting by mid-Aug. Zeller's injury risk is minimal moving forward.

Ready for Regular Season - Oct. 28

Clint Capela

Injury: Suffering from right knee tendinitis since July 10.

Notes: Capela had a strong showing in the postseason, but was sidelined for summer league with tendinitis in his right knee. It's a common injury in the NBA, and shouldn't be a major concern. However a sharp increase in minutes could test the knee early on, so proceed with caution here.

Sam Dekker

Injury: Dealing with lower back pain since July 10.

Notes: The Rockets opted to play it safe with their top pick in the 2015 draft, holding Dekker out of summer league action. It sounds like the problem may have been attributed to the rigorous schedule he endured during the pre-draft process. Dekker had multiple injuries throughout his college career, but all were considered minor.

Jared Dudley

Injury: Had surgery to repair herniated disc in lower back on July 21.

Notes: Dudley admitted his back was an issue for a majority of last season and addressed the problem in the offseason. The pain was the result of a herniated disc that required surgery. The extent of the herniation often plays a factor in how the long-term effects of the surgery, but players with lower back disc injuries are prone to recurrence. Dudley hinted he will miss the start of the year though it may only be a "few games."

Taj Gibson

Injury: Underwent arthroscopic surgery on his left ankle on June 16.

Notes: After spraining his left ankle five times over the past two seasons, Gibson opted for surgery in the offseason. The procedure removed an irritating bone spur and involved a ligament repair. He was slated to be out for four months, and could very well miss the start of the season. The time missed could have a negative impact on his minutes played as he will be unable to establish himself to the new coaching staff.

Rodney Hood

Injury: Dealing with an unspecified minor left shoulder injury.

Notes: Hood suffered a sprained left shoulder during summer league play, but reported no problems during offseason workouts. However, Hood did deal with chronic plantar fasciitis throughout his rookie season and will have to prove the shoulder AND foot are longer a concern.

Dwight Howard

Injury: Suspension (one game). Committed fourth flagrant foul of the playoffs in the Rockets' Game 5 loss to the Warriors. Howard will miss the Rockets' Oct. 28 game, but will be back Oct. 30.

Notes:

Josh Huestis

Injury: Suffered a torn right pectoral muscle in May.

Notes: Huestis' unique arrangement with the Thunder has been somewhat complicated by a weight room accident that left the 2014 draft pick with a torn pectoral muscle. It kept him out of summer league and a return timeline has not yet been made public. A crowded OKC roster simply gives the Thunder the chance to move slowly here, and Huestis will be handled very conservatively.

Wesley Matthews

Injury: Underwent surgery to repair a torn Achilles tendon on Mar. 11.

Notes: Achilles injuries are often career-altering, and Matthews will be facing a massive uphill battle to return to top form. The sharp-shooting guard signed with Dallas in the offseason and remains optimistic he can be ready for opening night. The fact that his style of play isn't predicated on athleticism does help, but don't be surprised if this injury carries over into the regular season.

Kelly Olynyk

Injury: Suspension (1 Game). He injured Kevin Love in the playoffs on a play that lead to this suspension. Olynyk will miss the Celtics' Oct. 28 game, but will be back Oct. 30.

Notes: Olynyk suffered an undisclosed knee injury in an exhibition game with Team Canada, though he returned to play in the Americas Championship. It doesn't sound like it will an issue moving forward, but he will miss one game for a league-mandated suspension.

Thabo Sefolosha

Injury: Underwent surgery to repair a fractured right fibula on Apr. 17.

Notes: Sefolosha missed five games and all 16 of Atlanta's postseason contests while recovering from a fractured ankle sustained in an off-the-court altercation with police. Sefolosha's status remains up in the air, and it wouldn't be surprising to see him miss the start of the regular season. He's not a fantasy-friendly player, but he does make an impact defensively.

In-Season Returns - Nov.

Brandon Jennings

Injury: Suffered a complete tear of his Achilles on Jan. 24.

Notes: Jennings was one of four players to tear their Achilles last season and could be in for the biggest struggle upon returning. His style of play is dependent on his explosiveness and speed, and this injury often robs players of these attributes. Throw in the presence of Reggie Jackson, and it's hard to have much confidence in Jennings' potential this season.

In-Season Returns - Jan.

Michael Qualls

Injury: Suffered a torn ACL in June.

Notes: Qualls tore his ACL during a pre-draft workout with the Suns. He went undrafted, though OKC signed him to what is believed to be a non-guaranteed contract during the offseason. The deal will give them direct access to his recovery and give him a chance to make the Thunder roster down the road.

Out for the Season

Joel Embiid

Injury: Underwent right foot surgery on Aug. 18. Had two screws replaced and a bone graft performed.

Notes: Embiid's professional debut has been delayed once again following another surgery on his troublesome foot. The navicular bone was treated with additional hardware, and a bone graft after a follow-up evaluation showed a delayed union in the area. Zydrunas Ilgauskas followed a similar career path, so there is still some hope for the former Kansas product. Unfortunately, it won't be guaranteed for the former No. 3 overall pick.

Dante Exum

Injury: Suffered a torn left ACL on Aug. 4 and will need surgery.

Notes: The Australian guard tore his ACL while representing his home country and is lost for the season. However, he should be back for the 2016-17 season, and younger players have had previous success rebounding from the injury.