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Jameer Nelson Jr. Signs Exhibit 10 Deal with 76ers
The Philadelphia 76ers signed guard Jameer Nelson Jr. to an Exhibit 10 contract on Tuesday, according to Adam Aaronson of PhillyVoice. The 25-year-old Haverford native is the son of Sixers executive vice president of basketball operations Jameer Nelson, but his G-League production gives the camp invite more context. Nelson averaged 19.9 points, 3.7 assists, and 3.2 rebounds in 11 regular-season games for the Stockton Kings last season. Philadelphia's final two-way spot is open, but Tyrese Maxey, VJ Edgecombe, Anfernee Simons, and Labaron Philon Jr. leave him buried for fantasy purposes.
Source: Adam Aaronson
Source: Adam Aaronson
Tacko Fall Joins 76ers on Exhibit 10 Deal
The Philadelphia 76ers signed center Tacko Fall to an Exhibit 10 contract on Tuesday, according to Adam Aaronson of PhillyVoice. Fall has not appeared in an NBA game since the 2021-22 season, and his career line remains modest at 2.2 points and 2.4 rebounds across 37 games with Boston and Cleveland. This looks more like a training camp and G-League move than a path to fantasy relevance. Philadelphia is tight against the first-apron hard cap, while Joel Embiid and Adem Bona remain the cleaner fantasy-relevant center names on the roster.
Source: Adam Aaronson
Source: Adam Aaronson
Deni Avdija Misses FIBA Qualifiers at Blazers' Request
Portland Trail Blazers forward Deni Avdija said in a social media post that the team did not clear him for Israel's August FIBA World Cup qualifying window. According to Aris Barkas of Eurohoops, Avdija called it a complex back injury, and earlier reporting traced it to a January rebound attempt. The first-time All-Star still finished 2025-26 with 24.2 points, 6.9 rebounds, and 6.7 assists per game, but the lingering back concern is worth tracking before camp. Ja Morant and Damian Lillard add more on-ball competition in Portland, so Avdija's fantasy ceiling may hinge on health and how much creation he keeps under Micah Nori.
Source: Aris Barkas
Source: Aris Barkas
Ziaire Williams Gets Defense-First Role with Lakers
Los Angeles Lakers forward Ziaire Williams told the Southern California News Group that JJ Redick and Rob Pelinka have framed his role around being a "main defender, point-of-attack defender." The former No. 10 overall pick joined Los Angeles on a one-year, $3 million deal in July after averaging 10.2 points, 2.4 rebounds, 1.1 assists, and 1.4 steals in 22.9 minutes for Brooklyn last season. Williams expects to cut, space the floor, and run in transition around Luka Doncic and Austin Reaves, which points to a low-usage role. Quentin Grimes projects ahead of him, while Jake LaRavia, Jarred Vanderbilt, and Dalton Knecht crowd the wing and forward mix, leaving Williams as a steals-dependent fantasy flier unless his jumper holds.
Source: Benjamin Royer
Source: Benjamin Royer
Josiah Allick Signs Exhibit-10 Deal with Charlotte
The Charlotte Hornets signed forward Josiah Allick to an Exhibit 10 contract, Rod Boone of The Charlotte Observer reports. The move brings Charlotte to the 21-player offseason maximum and sets up a path for Allick to remain with the Greensboro Swarm if he is waived before the regular season. The 25-year-old averaged 5.6 points, 5.8 rebounds, and 0.9 blocks in 16.6 minutes across 41 G-League regular-season games last season, then appeared in five playoff contests for the champion Swarm. His rebounding and finishing fit an affiliate role, but this is a camp/developmental move with no fantasy value unless Charlotte's frontcourt thins out.
Source: Rod Boone
Source: Rod Boone
Matthew Murrell Signs with Jazz
The Utah Jazz have signed guard Matthew Murrell, the team announced Monday, with terms undisclosed per club policy. The 24-year-old spent last season with the Salt Lake City Stars, Utah's G-League affiliate, averaging 10.3 points, 3.5 rebounds, 1.9 assists, and 1.2 steals across 31 regular-season appearances at a shade over 28 minutes per night. Efficiency was the sticking point, as he shot 36.2 percent from the field and struggled to carry his tip-off tournament three-point stroke through the full season. Utah's 15-man roster was already full before this transaction, so Murrell profiles as a training camp addition headed back to the Stars rather than a rotation candidate. Keyonte George, Darryn Peterson, and Isaiah Collier control the backcourt minutes, and nothing about this signing disturbs that order. There is no fantasy angle here.
Source: Utah Jazz
Source: Utah Jazz
Dennis Schroder Seals Germany's Overtime Win Over Poland
Charlotte Hornets guard Dennis Schroder led Germany past Poland 96-94 in overtime in Sunday's FIBA World Cup 2027 European Qualifier, finishing with 18 points, five assists, two rebounds, and one steal while shooting 5-for-11 from the field, 2-for-5 from deep, and 6-for-7 at the line. FIBA credited him with the game-winning free throws with 17 seconds left, a reminder that the 32-year-old can still manage late-game offense. Charlotte acquired Schroder from Cleveland in August after he averaged 10.8 points and 4.9 assists over 70 games last season, but his fantasy ceiling still depends on steady minutes in a crowded Hornets backcourt.
Source: Keith Smith
Source: Keith Smith
Pelle Larsson Scores 23 Points in Sweden's Qualifying Loss
Miami Heat guard/forward Pelle Larsson scored 23 points in Sweden's 84-69 loss to France on Sunday in Group L of the FIBA Basketball World Cup 2027 European Qualifiers, getting to the line 16 times and converting 13, Spotrac's Keith Smith reports. The 25-year-old could not match France's frontcourt efficiency, as Victor Wembanyama posted 18 points, eight rebounds, and three blocks, while Maxime Raynaud added 13 points on 6-for-7 shooting. Larsson also dropped 31 points against Finland on Thursday, making the free-throw volume the best fantasy takeaway from his window. Miami's shooting guard minutes are more available after Tyler Herro went to Milwaukee in the Giannis Antetokounmpo trade and Norman Powell signed with Chicago. Larsson started 54 games last season while averaging 11.4 points, 3.5 rebounds, and 3.4 assists in 26.4 minutes. Klay Thompson and Tim Hardaway Jr. are camp competitors, but Larsson has done enough to keep pressure on Miami's perimeter rotation.
Source: Keith Smith
Source: Keith Smith
Maxime Raynaud Delivers 13 Points in France's Win Over Sweden
Sacramento Kings center Maxime Raynaud scored 13 points on 6-for-7 shooting in France's 84-69 win over Sweden on Sunday in Group L of the FIBA Basketball World Cup 2027 European Qualifiers. The second-year big matched Victor Wembanyama's efficiency from the field, with the San Antonio Spurs star finishing with 18 points, eight rebounds, and three blocks as France moved to 7-1 atop the group. Rudy Gobert was unavailable, giving Raynaud a bigger frontcourt role, while Miami Heat guard Pelle Larsson led Sweden with 23 points. Raynaud averaged 12.5 points, 7.5 rebounds, and 1.4 assists as a rookie and enters his second Kings season penciled in behind Domantas Sabonis. The efficient summer minutes strengthen his fallback case if Sabonis misses time again, but Raynaud's fantasy value still depends on a clearer path to starts.
Source: Keith Smith
Source: Keith Smith
Victor Wembanyama Powers France Past Sweden
San Antonio Spurs center Victor Wembanyama needed only seven field-goal attempts to score 18 points in France's 84-69 win over Sweden on Sunday in Group L of the FIBA Basketball World Cup 2027 European Qualifiers. The reigning Defensive Player of the Year added eight rebounds, three blocks, two assists, and one steal while helping France close on a 20-4 run after trailing 65-64 with five minutes left. France moved to 7-1 atop Group L. Sacramento Kings center Maxime Raynaud chipped in 13 points, while Miami Heat guard Pelle Larsson led Sweden with 23. Wembanyama is not expected to be available for the November qualifying window with the Spurs' season underway, capping his summer mileage after averaging 25.0 points, 11.5 rebounds, 3.1 assists, and 3.1 blocks across 64 games last season. Health is the only real concern, so the lighter international calendar is a fantasy-friendly note.
Source: Keith Smith
Source: Keith Smith
Braden Smith Targets Daily Progress with Pacers
Indiana Pacers guard Braden Smith said he is focused on turning in-game growth into daily progress after a rough Summer League, per Forbes' Tony East. The No. 38 pick shot just 26.5 percent across five games in Las Vegas, though he still averaged 6.8 points, 7.0 assists, and 4.4 rebounds. Smith called himself his own hardest critic and said he has been working on his ball handling, decision-making, and pace. The passing gives him a base, but the physicality on defense and lack of clean paint touches showed how far he has to go. With Tyrese Haliburton back and T.J. McConnell entrenched behind him, the Noblesville Boom should see plenty of Smith as a rookie. He is a development name, not a fantasy option.
Source: Tony East
Source: Tony East
Jordan Hawkins Could Fall Out of the Rotation
The New Orleans Pelicans recently signed Bennedict Mathurin to a two-year deal. The new addition is going to significantly impact the Pelicans' rotation this upcoming season. The team will need to figure out how to mix Dejounte Murray, Jeremiah Fears, Jordan Poole, and Mathurin all into a rotation together. Given all the depth the Pelicans have right now, Jordan Hawkins might end up outside the rotation to begin the season. There's not going to be enough playing time for everyone, so somebody needs to be the odd man out. Hawkins already didn't have a ton of fantasy value coming into the season, but he probably won't be worth stashing in most fantasy formats.
Source: ESPN
Source: ESPN
Jordan Poole Could See Reduced Role
The New Orleans Pelicans recently signed free-agent guard Bennedict Mathurin to a two-year deal. The 24-year-old gets $16 million over two years and a player option in his new deal. The presence of Mathurin is going to significantly impact the rest of the Pelicans' rotation. The team will need to find minutes for Dejounte Murray, Jeremiah Fears, and Jordan Poole to all get playing time with Mathurin in the mix as well. Out of the bunch, Poole is likely going to lose the most playing time with Mathurin joining the team. Poole is coming off a disappointing season where he averaged 13.4 points, 3.1 assists, and 2.0 rebounds across 39 games with the Pelicans this past season. He's probably the most inconsistent player of the bunch, so it wouldn't be shocking to see his minutes take a hit this upcoming season.
Source: ESPN
Source: ESPN
Timberwolves Hold Hope for Donte DiVincenzo's Return
Minnesota Timberwolves guard Donte DiVincenzo (Achilles) remains in the team's plans while he works his way back from surgery. ESPN's Brian Windhorst said on The Hoop Collective that Minnesota has no plans to trade DiVincenzo, who is on a $12.5 million expiring contract, though the organization has "a quiet hope" he could return before the end of the season. The 29-year-old tore the Achilles against Denver in April and underwent surgery the next day. Minnesota has rebuilt the backcourt around his absence, re-signing Ayo Dosunmu for five years and $112 million and trading for LaMelo Ball. DiVincenzo averaged 12.2 points, 4.1 rebounds, 3.8 assists, and 1.3 steals in 30.4 minutes across all 82 games last season, but a return to that workload is unlikely right away. He belongs on watch lists, not draft boards, while Terrence Shannon Jr. and Jaylen Clark are cleaner short-term perimeter depth pieces.
Source: ESPN
Source: ESPN
Pistons Rule Out Sign-and-Trade Offers for Jalen Duren
Restricted free-agent center Jalen Duren remains firmly in Detroit's plans, with ESPN's Tim MacMahon reporting on The Hoop Collective that the Pistons have told rival teams they are "absolutely positively 100 percent" committed to keeping him. Any team pursuing a sign-and-trade is wasting its time, per MacMahon, leaving Duren nearly two months into an unresolved standoff with Detroit. The first-time All-Star averaged 19.5 points, 10.5 rebounds, 2.0 assists, and 0.8 blocks on 65.0 percent shooting across 70 games last season. Duren became eligible for a five-year max worth $287.1 million after earning All-NBA honors, while Jake Fischer has pointed to a possible four-year deal around $160 million. The contract noise should not knock him down fantasy boards. Detroit traded Isaiah Stewart to Memphis and has Paul Reed as the main center depth behind Duren, so the minutes and volume are waiting. The main risk is Duren taking the roughly $9.6 million qualifying offer and playing out a lame-duck year.
Source: ESPN
Source: ESPN
