Overview
- France’s 19-player contingent makes it the NBA’s third-most represented nation behind the United States and Canada, according to Le Parisien.
- Victor Wembanyama reenters his third season with San Antonio after recovering from a right‑shoulder thrombosis and not playing since his All-Star selection in February.
- Veterans headline contender roles: Rudy Gobert remains central for Minnesota, Nicolas Batum returns to a supporting post with the Clippers, and Guerschon Yabusele arrives to energize the Knicks’ bench.
- A rookie wave joins rotations after the June draft, including Noa Essengue (Bulls), Joan Beringer (Timberwolves), Nolan Traoré (Nets), Noah Penda (Magic), Maxime Raynaud (Kings) and Mohamed Diawara (Knicks).
- Key development tracks include Zaccharie Risacher poised for Atlanta’s starting group, Bilal Coulibaly still recovering as Washington builds with Alexandre Sarr, Sidy Cissoko on a two-way deal in Portland, and veterans Killian Hayes and Olivier Sarr pursuing NBA returns via the G League.