July 15, 2025
Charlotte Hornets guard/forward
Kon Knueppel produced a 16-point, 10-rebound double-double in Monday's 87-69 Summer League win over the Dallas Mavericks. Knueppel had a rough debut in Las Vegas against the Utah Jazz on Friday, shooting 1-for-8 from he field, but he felt much more comfortable in Monday's game. The fourth pick of this year's draft finished 5-for-10 from the floor, including 3-for-5 from three-point range. Across 26 minutes of action, Knueppel also bagged four assists, one steal, and one block. Charlotte's roster is looking weak ahead of the new campaign, which will give Knueppel a chance to get significant playing time. However, as an inexperienced player, he's likely to face consistency issues.
--Taavi PailkSource: ESPN
July 15, 2025
Chicago Bulls forward
Matas Buzelis led the way with 28 points on 8-for-14 shooting in Monday's 114-105 victory in the Summer League against the Indiana Pacers. He was the leading scorer in the game, finishing 2-for-4 from outside and 10-for-13 at the line. In 32 minutes on the floor, Buzelis also collected five rebounds and had one steal with one block. The 20-year-old has enjoyed a fine opening to the Summer League, averaging 22.5 points, 5.0 rebounds, and 1.5 blocks. Buzelis already made some noise during his debut campaign, earning a spot on the NBA All-Rookie Second Team, and he's expected to take on an even larger role next season.
--Taavi PailkSource: ESPN
July 15, 2025
Houston Rockets guard
Reed Sheppard will sit out the rest of the summer action. According to The Athletic's Kelly Iko, the Rockets have decided to shut down Sheppard for the remainder of the Summer League. Sheppard made two appearances in Las Vegas, averaging 23.0 points, 5.5 rebounds, 4.0 assists, and 1.5 steals. The Kentucky product also played well in the Summer League a year ago, but his role with the team was limited during his rookie campaign. Sheppard made only 51 appearances, averaging 4.5 points in 12.5 minutes. In 2025-26, we can expect to see more of Reed Sheppard after Houston lost some depth with the
Kevin Durant trade.
--Taavi PailkSource: Kelly Iko
July 15, 2025
Philadelphia 76ers forward
Paul George underwent arthroscopic knee surgery on Monday to treat an injury sustained during a recent workout, the team announced. George hurt his left knee and will be re-evaluated before the start of training camp. Last season, George played only 41 games due to various health issues, and his 2025-26 season has now suffered an early setback as well. However, it appears he could recover in time for the start of the regular season. George is entering the second year of a four-year, $212 million contract. His debut season with Philadelphia was disappointing, as the nine-time All-Star averaged only 16.2 points, 5.3 rebounds, and 4.3 assists.
--Taavi PailkSource: ESPN
July 14, 2025
According to Tony Jones of The Athletic, Philadelphia 76ers center
Joel Embiid (knee) has resumed partial basketball activities. However, the big man hasn't yet transitioned to full-court basketball activities. Embiid is recovering from arthroscopic left knee surgery but could potentially be ready for training camp in the fall. Suppose the 31-year-old is still sidelined or available on a limited basis to start the season. In that case, the 76ers frontcourt will have to rely on
Andre Drummond,
Trendon Watford, and
Adem Bona to take on expanded roles until Embiid makes his return.
--Andrew LennoxSource: Tony Jones
July 14, 2025
Michael C. Wright of ESPN reports that San Antonio Spurs center
Victor Wembanyama announced he has recovered from deep vein thrombosis in his right shoulder that limited him to just 46 contests last season. Wembanyama told French newspaper L'Équipe, "I'm officially cleared to return." He also mentioned to L'Équipe, "I got the green light from the Spurs' medical staff just on Friday. Phew, I'll finally be able to play a bit of basketball again." The 2023-24 NBA Rookie of the Year led the league in blocks last season with 176 despite only playing in 46 games. Now healthy, the 21-year-old big man will continue to be a fantasy force during the 2025-26 campaign, as he was in his first two seasons in the NBA.
--Andrew LennoxSource: Michael C. Wright
July 14, 2025
Miami Heat center
Kel'el Ware finished with 21 points, nine rebounds, three blocks, and a steal across 27 minutes in a 92-72 Summer League loss to the Cavaliers on Sunday. Ware led the Heat in scoring, blocks and rebounds. The 21-year-old rebounded after a subpar first outing in Vegas against the Hawks on Friday. During his rookie campaign in 2024-25, Ware played in 64 games, averaging 9.3 points and 7.4 rebounds across 22.2 minutes per contest. The big was inserted in the Heat's starting lineup in January, and he could be a solid fantasy contributor if he continues to start alongside
Bam Adebayo in the frontcourt during the 2025-26 season.
--Andrew LennoxSource: ESPN
July 14, 2025
According to Shams Charania of ESPN, the Memphis Grizzlies and guard
Cam Spencer have agreed to a four-year, $10.5 million deal, as reported on Monday. Spencer previously agreed to a two-year, $4.5 million contract, but the Grizzlies were able to restructure it, a direct result of recent organizational changes. The deal will now include three fully guaranteed years for the 25-year-old. During his rookie campaign in 2024-25, Spencer saw action in 25 games, posting averages of 4.2 points, 1.2 rebounds, and 1.4 assists across 10.1 minutes per contest. He will likely have a limited role again in Memphis, making him a non-fantasy factor for the upcoming season.
--Andrew LennoxSource: Shams Charania
July 14, 2025
Brooklyn Nets center
Drew Timme posted 30 points during Sunday's Summer League 102-96 loss against the Wizards. Timme also logged five rebounds, three assists, and one steal in 31 minutes. During his last two Summer League outings in Las Vegas, the 24-year-old has scored a total of 52 points while shooting 62.6 percent from the field. During the 2024-25 campaign, he saw action in nine contests, posting 12.1 points, 7.2 rebounds, and 2.2 assists across 28.2 minutes. The Gonzaga standout signed a two-year, minimum-salary contract at the end of March and is making the most of his opportunity with a rebuilding club.
--Andrew LennoxSource: ESPN
July 14, 2025
Washington Wizards center
Alexandre Sarr posted a near triple-double in a 102-96 victory over the Nets during Summer League action in Las Vegas on Sunday. Sarr grabbed a game-high 12 boards, eight blocks, 16 points and two assists across 29 minutes. As a rookie last season, the 20-year-old averaged 1.5 blocks per contest. Through two Summer League games, he's already registered 11 blocks. Fantasy managers should expect Sarr to continue building off the success of his rookie campaign, where he was named to the NBA All-Rookie First Team.
--Andrew LennoxSource: ESPN
July 14, 2025
Utah Jazz forward/center
Kyle Filipowski scored 21 points in Sunday's Summer League loss to the Golden State Warriors. He also added six rebounds, five assists, one assist and one block across 24 minutes. The 21-year-old has now had two impressive outings to kick off Summer League in Las Vegas as he posted 32 points, six rebounds, and five assists against Charlotte on Friday. Filipowski averaged 9.6 points and 6.1 rebounds in 72 contests in his first season in the NBA. He wasn't a consistent fantasy contributor, although he did post averages of 14.0 points and 8.6 rebounds in his 27 starts during the 2024-25 regular season.
--Andrew LennoxSource: ESPN
July 14, 2025
Utah Jazz forward
Cody Williams logged 22 points (8-for-17 on field goals, 1-for-6 from three-point land, 5-for-6 on free throws), eight rebounds, four assists and three steals across 36 minutes on the floor in a 103-93 Summer League loss to the Warriors on Sunday. The 20-year-old has shown some growth over the summer. However, before earning a consistent spot in Utah's rotation, he still needs to improve from behind the three-point line, where he has shot just 23.5 percent during the previous two Summer League games.
--Andrew LennoxSource: ESPN
July 13, 2025
Free-agent guard
Damian Lillard (Achilles) is apparently drawing interest from the Boston Celtics. The 34-year-old, who was released by the Milwaukee Bucks this offseason, is not in a rush to sign with a team. However,
Jayson Tatum (Achilles) has reportedly spearheaded efforts to lure him to Boston. Lillard wasn't nearly as productive in Milwaukee after being traded by the Trail Blazers, most recently averaging 24.9 points during the 2024 campaign, 7.3 points fewer than he had in his final season in Portland. He also dealt with a blood clot in his calf before eventually tearing his Achilles during the postseason. The C's are willing to give him a multi-year contract. He also may sign for less due to the Bucks still on the hook for $112.6 million. With that in mind, Lillard could certainly benefit from a move to the Celtics, so he's worth stashing on dynasty rosters until he's back on the floor.
--Dennis ClausenSource: Gary Washburn
July 13, 2025
Dallas Mavericks center
Daniel Gafford agreed to a multi-year contract extension with the team. The terms of the deal weren't officially made public. The 26-year-old had a solid 2024 campaign, averaging a career-high 12.3 points with 6.8 rebounds and 1.8 blocks. However, he appeared in only 57 games due to injury. He may not be the Mavs' full-time starter at the five spot in 2025, although
Dereck Lively II has struggled to stay healthy over the years. Either way, Gafford should still get his minutes. While he isn't a consistent scoring option, his abilities on the glass along with his shot-blocking prowess give him added value for category managers.
--Dennis ClausenSource: Mavs PR
July 13, 2025
According to NBA insider Marc Stein, Dallas Mavericks forward
Cooper Flagg will be shut down for the remainder of Summer League. The former Duke Blue Devil, who was the No. 1 overall pick in the 2025 NBA Draft, had two solid games this summer, averaging 20.5 points, 5.0 rebounds, 1.5 assists, and 1.0 blocks. While there is still room for improvement, the Mavs appear to feel confident he's received enough action during his time in Las Vegas. With
Luka Doncic getting traded to the Lakers ahead of last season's deadline, Flagg will have some big shoes to fill as Dallas' new franchise player. Without question, he has Rookie of the Year potential, so he should have plenty to offer fantasy managers throughout the 2025 campaign.
--Dennis ClausenSource: Marc Stein
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