July 16, 2025
According to Dan Woike and Joe Vardon of The Athletic, the Dallas Mavericks aren't interested in "gutting its roster" in a deal for Los Angeles Lakers forward
LeBron James (knee). It was reported that the multi-time All-Star hasn't had discussions with the Lakers involving a trade. However, James' no-trade clause, age, and $52.6 million salary are barriers preventing teams, not just the Mavericks, from engaging in meaningful discussions about a potential deal. The 40-year-old is still playing at an exceptional level, most recently finishing the 2024 campaign by averaging 24.4 points, 8.2 assists, 7.8 rebounds, and 1.0 steals in 70 contests. Of course, there will be more updates and rumors regarding James and his future moving ahead. With that in mind, he should continue to provide consistent fantasy production, assuming he stays healthy, no matter where he suits up before calling it a career.
--Dennis ClausenSource: Dan Woike, Joe Vardon
July 16, 2025
New York Knicks forward
Josh Hart (finger) underwent a procedure on his right ring finger. He sustained the injury during the postseason. Fortunately, the 30-year-old is expected to resume basketball activities "later in the summer." Even better, he's not projected to miss any time to begin the 2025 campaign. Hart is coming off another quality year, finishing the 2024 season by averaging 13.6 points, 9.6 rebounds, 5.9 assists, and 1.5 steals. He's also one of the most durable players in the National Basketball Association, logging 234 games in the last three seasons. Hart is always a triple-double threat whenever he's on the floor. His willingness to play through injuries is an added bonus for fantasy managers. While his shooting percentages could improve, his contributions in the other statistical categories gives him plenty of value from a fantasy standpoint.
--Dennis ClausenSource: Christian Arnold
July 16, 2025
On Wednesday, Shams Charania of ESPN reports that three-time NBA All-Star guard
Bradley Beal agreed to a contract buyout with the Phoenix Suns and plans to join the Los Angeles Clippers on a two-year, $11 million deal with a player option after clearing waivers. Beal provides the Clippers with another offensive threat after
Norman Powell was traded earlier in the month. Fantasy managers should be aware that Beal's minutes will likely be reduced since the Clippers' offensive attack revolves primarily around
Kawhi Leonard and
James Harden.
--Andrew LennoxSource: Shams Charania
July 16, 2025
Portland Trail Blazers guard
Rayan Rupert logged 24 points, three rebounds, two steals and one assist in 28 minutes during Tuesday's 93-87 Summer League victory over the New Orleans Pelicans. Rupert posted a game-high in points and three-pointers, shooting 4-for-6 from beyond the arc. Last season, the 21-year-old averaged 3.0 points, 1.3 rebounds, and 0.5 assists in 8.8 minutes per game across 52 contests. He posted some strong outings towards the end of last season, so he may get a bigger role in 2025-26. However, Rupert isn't someone worth looking at in fantasy leagues.
--Andrew LennoxSource: ESPN
July 16, 2025
New Orleans Pelicans center
Derik Queen recorded 17 points, 10 rebounds, three assists, two blocks and one steal in 28 minutes on the floor in Tuesday's 93-87 Summer League loss to the Portland Trail Blazers. Queen has now posted a double-double in three consecutive Summer League outings, averaging 14.0 points, 11.0 rebounds, 2.3 assists, and 1.0 blocks across 27.3 minutes per game. The playmaking big man's strong performance at Summer League could lead to a significant role in New Orleans frontcourt to kick off the upcoming campaign.
--Andrew LennoxSource: ESPN
July 16, 2025
Memphis Grizzlies forward
GG Jackson II finished with 13 points, eight rebounds, six assists and two blocks in 26 minutes during a 96-84 Summer League loss to the Golden State Warriors on Tuesday after sitting out Saturday's game due to an illness. The 20-year-old missed the first half of the 2024-25 campaign due to a broken fifth metatarsal in his right foot and was limited to just 29 regular-season appearances. After several impressive Summer League outings, Jackson could see an uptick in minutes, providing the Grizzlies with an offensive threat off the bench during the upcoming 2025-26 season.
--Andrew LennoxSource: ESPN
July 16, 2025
On Tuesday, Philadelphia 76ers center
Johni Broome finished with a double-double in a 74-58 Summer League win over the Wizards. During the contest, Broome logged 14 points, 10 rebounds, one assist and one steal in 29 minutes. He was selected by the 76ers with the 35th pick in the 2025 NBA draft after a standout season at Auburn, where he averaged 18.6 points, 10.8 rebounds, 2.9 assists, and 2.1 blocks across 36 appearances. Barring any injuries with a crowded 76ers frontcourt, Broome will likely find himself out of the rotation or in the G League to start the upcoming campaign.
--Andrew LennoxSource: ESPN
July 16, 2025
Denver Nuggets center
DaRon Holmes II had 10 points, 11 rebounds, two steals and one assist in 29 minutes during a 101-97 Summer League loss to the Raptors on Tuesday. The 22-year-old finished with a game-high in rebounds, leading to a double-double. Holmes missed his entire rookie season after tearing his right Achilles tendon in his first outing for the Nuggets at the 2024 Summer League in Las Vegas. Now healthy, the 2024 first-round pick will likely see limited minutes during the upcoming season while playing behind
Nikola Jokic and
Jonas Valanciunas at center.
--Andrew LennoxSource: ESPN
July 16, 2025
Toronto Raptors shooting guard
Ja'Kobe Walter made big plays at both ends in Tuesday's 101-97 victory over the Denver Nuggets in the Las Vegas Summer League, leading all scorers with 26 points and snagging a game-high seven steals. Following a couple of rough shooting performances in Vegas, Walter finished a solid 8-for-16 from the field. He was 4-for-11 with the three-ball and shot 6-for-7 at the line, wrapping up his day at the office with four rebounds and one block. The Raptors saw a few encouraging performances from Walter last season, but he needs to stay healthy to establish himself in the rotation. The 20-year-old missed the start of his rookie campaign due to a shoulder injury and made just 52 appearances in total.
--Taavi PailkSource: ESPN
July 16, 2025
Oklahoma City Thunder guard
Ajay Mitchell played a leading role in Tuesday's 92-75 Summer League victory over the Orlando Magic, recording a game-high 27 points with seven rebounds, four assists, two steals, and one block. Mitchell had a hot hand throughout the game, shooting 9-for-13 from the field, including 1-for-2 from outside, and 8-for-9 at the free-throw line. The 23-year-old looked promising during his debut campaign in the NBA, but a toe injury interrupted Mitchell's 2024-25 campaign. He's now making up for lost time in the Summer League, having already made six appearances. In Las Vegas, Mitchell has averaged 19.7 points, 3.7 rebounds, 6.3 assists, and 1.3 steals per game.
--Taavi PailkSource: ESPN
July 16, 2025
Philadelphia 76ers shooting guard
VJ Edgecombe made his Las Vegas Summer League debut in Tuesday's matchup against the Washington Wizards, filling the box score in a blowout win. He notched 15 points, six rebounds, four assists, two steals, and one block in 30 minutes on the floor. Edgecombe missed Philadelphia's first two games in Las Vegas due to a left thumb sprain suffered during a Summer League contest in Salt Lake City on July 5. The 19-year-old Baylor product can be happy with his production on Tuesday, although Edgecombe was inefficient with his scoring, going 4-for-14 from the field, including 1-for-6 from downtown. All of his points came in the second half. Philadelphia faces the Dallas Mavericks in another Summer League contest on Wednesday, but it's uncertain if Edgecombe will play.
--Taavi PailkSource: ESPN
July 16, 2025
Philadelphia 76ers forward
Dominick Barlow has been shut down for the remainder of the Summer League, per Adam Aaronson of PhillyVoice.com. After signing a two-way contract with the 76ers, Barlow suited up twice for the team in Las Vegas. He notched 13.5 points, 7.0 rebounds, and 1.5 steals in 22.1 minutes. In 96 career NBA games, Barlow has averaged 4.2 points and 2.4 rebounds in 12.5 minutes. He's been trying to find his footing in the league with the San Antonio Spurs and Atlanta Hawks. While his playing time in Philadelphia isn't guaranteed either, at just 22 years old, Barlow still has plenty of time to grow and improve his game.
--Taavi PailkSource: Adam Aaronson
July 16, 2025
Forward
Oshae Brissett has signed a two-year deal with six-time EuroLeague champions Maccabi Tel Aviv. Brissett takes his talents across the pond after featuring in merely six NBA games last season. He was picked up late in the year by the Philadelphia 76ers, who gave Brissett a look amid an injury crisis. The 27-year-old averaged 8.7 points and 3.7 rebounds in 23.7 minutes during his time in Philadelphia. Brissett won the Larry O'Brien Trophy with the Boston Celtics in 2024 and has averaged 6.6 points with 3.9 rebounds in 233 career NBA games.
--Taavi PailkSource: Eurohoops
July 16, 2025
The Charlotte Hornets have waived guard/forward
Josh Okogie. Okogie had a $7.7 million contract for next season, which would have become guaranteed if he had remained with the Hornets past Tuesday. The 26-year-old moved to Charlotte in January as part of a trade that sent
Nick Richards to Phoenix. He averaged 8.9 points and 1.8 steals per game with the team. Okogie had a decent stint with the Hornets, but unfortunately for him, the team did not see a role for him next season. Over 416 career games, Okogie has averaged 8.9 points, 3.0 rebounds, and 1.2 assists in 19.1 minutes. He is expected to attract decent interest from teams as a free agent.
--Taavi PailkSource: NBA.com
July 15, 2025
According to Shams Charania of ESPN, Dallas Mavericks center
Dereck Lively II (foot) underwent surgery to remove bone spurs in his right foot. Despite the offseason setback, Lively is expected to be healthy for training camp. During his second NBA season, the 21-year-old averaged 8.7 points, 7.5 rebounds, 2.4 assists and 1.6 blocks across 23.1 minutes. He was limited to just 36 games due to an ankle issue. Once healthy, Lively will be inserted into a crowded Mavs frontcourt that includes
Daniel Gafford and
Anthony Davis, who will both see minutes at center.
--Andrew LennoxSource: Shams Charania
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