NBA Notes: Spurs, Devin Vassell, Lakers, Cavs, De’Andre Hunter

Spurs

Devin Vassell is entering the new season healthy for the first time in a while, and that has both him and the Spurs feeling optimistic.

After battling knee and foot injuries during the 2023 and 2024 offseasons, Vassell made it through this summer without any setbacks and is focused on a bounce-back year in 2025-26, per Jeff McDonald of The San Antonio Express-News.

“It’s been huge,” Vassell said. “Just being able to come into work every day and even have two-a-days to do certain things that I haven’t been able to do for a while, it’s been good. Strength-wise, conditioning-wise, on-court-wise — it’s been a couple of years since I’ve been able to do that.”

Vassell, who averaged 18.1 points last season, added that one of his personal goals is to play all 82 games for the first time in his career. His current high is 71 in 2021-22.

Meanwhile, ESPN’s Michael C. Wright detailed Victor Wembanyama’s transformational summer — which included recovering from the blood clot that ended his 2024-25 campaign.

Wembanyama said that the setback may ultimately be “beneficial.”

Jared Weiss of The Athletic also examined how the Spurs’ usage of the star big man is evolving. He’s taking on more of a creator’s role on the wing, looking more like Kevin Durant than Anthony Davis in camp.

Lakers

Marcus Smart took part in live portions of practice on Tuesday, per coach JJ Redick (via Khobi Price of the Orange County Register).

Smart has been limited in camp due to Achilles tendinopathy, but forward Jarred Vanderbilt said that the veteran guard “looked great” and was “moving great,” per Broderick Turner of the Los Angeles Times.

“His main power is that he’s vocal,” Vanderbilt added. “Being physical is one thing, but also being vocal, being able to communicate. I think he does both at a very high level. So he can definitely help us on that end of the floor.”

Cavaliers

The Cavaliers made a splash at last year’s trade deadline by landing forward De’Andre Hunter from the Hawks, and perhaps he will be even more of a difference-maker this season.

Hunter is likely to start for Cleveland this season, and after just one preseason game he’s already drawing lofty comparisons.

“That looked like Kawhi Leonard to me,” Larry Nance Jr. said after Hunter scored 17 points on 7-of-9 shooting in Tuesday’s preseason loss to the Bulls. “Dre is a bucket, man. He’s looked awesome and I’m excited for a huge year from him.”

Hunter’s size and length (6-foot-8) give Kenny Atkinson’s starting lineup a different look alongside Donovan Mitchell, Evan Mobley, Jarrett Allen, and Darius Garland (when healthy).

“Just confidence,” Hunter said. “I put in a lot of work this offseason and just really confident in myself.”

Hunter averaged 14 points per game off the bench last season and was a Sixth Man of the Year candidate before the trade.

This summer, Atkinson spent time getting to know Hunter and asked if he’d prefer to start. With injuries on the roster, Hunter has a chance to make a strong early impression.