![\"NBA,](\"https:\/\/www.newsbeep.com\/us-tx\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/10\/GettyImages-2204262475-e1754334588834.jpg\")
Getty\nSpurs<\/p>\n
Getty
\nSpurs<\/p>\n
It looks like De\u2019Aaron Fox<\/a> may not have to wait much longer to make his Spurs debut. The veteran guard took part in a full 5-on-5 scrimmage Friday, a major step in his recovery from a lingering hamstring injury, per Jeff McDonald of The San Antonio Express-News<\/a>.<\/p>\n Fox, who hasn\u2019t played since training camp began, said he\u2019s \u201cclose\u201d to returning, and there\u2019s growing optimism he could be back by the end of the month.<\/p>\n He wasn\u2019t the only familiar face on the court. Jeremy Sochan<\/a> and Kelly Olynyk<\/a> both scrimmaged as well, with head coach Mitch Johnson hinting that their returns are also on the horizon.<\/p>\n \u201cI see them do some things on the court, and I think they definitely can play,\u201d Johnson said. \u201cIt\u2019s October, so we\u2019re probably going to be a little later than early. But they look great. I hope it will be sooner rather than later.\u201d<\/p>\n Hornets<\/p>\n The Hornets are wasting no time turning the page to a new era. Rookie starters Ryan Kalkbrenner<\/a> and Kon Knueppel<\/a> both made strong debuts in Charlotte\u2019s season-opening win over the Nets, per Rod Boone of The Charlotte Observer<\/a>.<\/p>\n Kalkbrenner, a second-round pick, logged 10 points and 11 rebounds, becoming just the second player in franchise history to post a double-double in his first NBA game.<\/p>\n \u201cIt\u2019s awesome,\u201d Kalkbrenner said. \u201cWe\u2019re just going to make the most of the opportunity that we get. Whether it\u2019s starting or coming off the bench, we just want to help the team win.\u201d<\/p>\n Knueppel added 11 points and five rebounds as Charlotte became the first team since 2019 to win its opener while starting two rookies.<\/p>\n \u201cEverybody ate,\u201d Knueppel said. \u201cEverybody is playing unselfishly. Nine guys in double figures \u2014 that\u2019s winning basketball. Hopefully we can keep that going.\u201d<\/p>\n Free Agency<\/p>\n Veteran guard Cameron Payne<\/a> could be headed overseas. Marc Stein of The Stein Line<\/a> reports that Partizan Belgrade of the EuroLeague has \u201cserious interest\u201d in signing Payne following a season-ending ankle injury to former NBA guard Carlik Jones<\/a>.<\/p>\n Payne, 31, appeared in 72 games for the Knicks last season, averaging 6.9 points and 2.8 assists in 15 minutes per game. He briefly signed with the Pacers earlier this month but was waived<\/a> before the season began.<\/p>\n Payne, the 14th overall pick in the 2015 draft, has played 10 seasons in the NBA \u2014 including stops in Oklahoma City, Phoenix, and Chicago \u2014 and could be a high-level addition for one of Europe\u2019s most competitive clubs.<\/p>\n Looking for the latest NBA Insider News & Rumors?<\/p>\n Be sure to follow Hoops Wire<\/a> on TWITTER<\/a>\u00a0and FACEBOOK<\/a>\u00a0for breaking NBA News and Rumors for all 30 teams!<\/p>\n