Bobby Portis Staying in Milwaukee
Bobby Portis agreed to a three-year, $44 million contract to remain with the team. It's unknown what the future holds for Giannis Antetokounmpo and the Bucks. However, it's safe to say the move made to retain Portis shows that the franchise wants to stay competitive. The 30-year-old appeared in only 49 contests last season, mostly due to a 25-game suspension for testing positive for a banned substance. Still, he remained productive, averaging 13.9 points and 8.4 rebounds. With that said, Portis could continue to operate from off the bench. Yet, he should get his minutes while remaining a double-double threat in the process.Source: Shams Charania
According to ESPN's Shams Charania, Milwaukee Bucks forward/center James Harden, Clippers Agree on a New Contract
James Harden declined his player option. Instead, both sides agreed to a new two-year, $81.5 million contract. The 35-year-old is likely nearing the end of his career. Yet, he's still productive, most recently averaging 22.8 points, 7.2 assists, 5.6 rebounds, and 1.5 steals in 79 games last season. He also remains one of the most durable players in the National Basketball Association, logging 151 games over the last two seasons. Harden should remain a top fantasy option for at least a few more seasons, assuming he continues to stay off the injury report.Source: Shams Charania
According to ESPN's Shams Charania, Los Angeles Clippers guard Julius Randle Signs Three-Year Extension
Julius Randle has signed a new long term extension with the organization. Randle has agreed to a three-year, $100 million deal to stay in Minnesota. The Wolves have now locked up Randle and Naz Reid in just a few days. Randle is coming off a strong postseason where he carried the offense at times. He did see his regular season stats take a hit with the move to Minnesota. He averaged 18.7 points, 7.1 rebounds, and 4.7 assists in 32.3 minutes per game across 69 games last season. The fact Reid is remaining in the mix means Randle will probably produce similar stats going forward. Randle won't be the focal point on offense, but can be a reliable contributor.Source: Shams Charania
Minnesota Timberwolves forward Kelly Oubre Jr. Opts into Player Option
Kelly Oubre Jr. has decided to opt into his $8.4 million player option for the 2025-2026 season. Oubre will stick in Philly for a third season after playing a fairly big role on the team over the last two seasons. He averaged 15.1 points, 6.1 rebounds, and 1.8 assists in 34.6 minutes per game in 60 games last season. He figures to have a similar role next season, but could have more competition. The Sixers drafted VJ Edgecombe who should immediately get decent minutes in the rotation. Also, Jared McCain (knee) will be healthy again, so Oubre could see a dip in playing time.Source: Shams Charania
Philadelphia 76ers forward Bojan Bogdanovic Retiring From Basketball
Bojan Bogdanovic has decided to retire from the NBA. Bogdanovic last played with the New York Knicks during the 2023-2024 season. He suffered a foot injury during the playoffs that season that required surgery, which is part of the reason he has decided to call it a career. Bogdanvoic played for a handful of organizations, but was most successful during his time with the Utah Jazz. At one point, Bogdanovic averaged 20.2 points per game during the 2019 season with Utah. He played 10 years in the league and averaged 15.6 points, 3.6 rebounds, and 1.7 assists across 719 total games.Source: Scott Agness
According to Scott Agness, free-agent forward Dorian Finney-Smith Declines Player Option
Dorian Finney-Smith has decided to decline his $15.4 million player option for next season. According to Shams Charania, Finney-Smith will head to free agency, but he isn't ruling out a return to the Lakers. He began last season with the Brooklyn Nets, but was traded to the Lakers in December. Finney-Smith averaged 7.9 points, 3.6 rebounds, and 1.4 assists across 28.8 minutes per game in 43 contests with the Lakers. He has been a consistent player throughout his career and should have decent value on the open market. Finney-Smith did recently undergo ankle surgery, but should be fine in time for training camp.Source: Shams Charania
Los Angeles Lakers forward Jaylin Williams Signing Three-Year Extension
Jaylin Williams is signing a new deal with the organization on Sunday. The two sides have agreed on a three-year, $24 million contract extension. Instead of picking up his $2.1 million team option, the Thunder and Williams have figured out a better deal. Sadly, injuries limited Williams to only 47 games last season. He averaged 5.9 points, 5.6 rebounds, and 2.6 assists in 16.7 minutes per game. He has become a valuable piece even without big minutes in the rotation. However, the lack of playing time does take away from his fantasy value.Source: Shams Charania
Oklahoma City Thunder forward LeBron James Accepts Player Option
LeBron James has reportedly picked up his $52.6 million player option for the 2025-2026 season. James will be back for another season, but it might not be with the Lakers. He is well aware that the Lakers are building for the future and James wants a chance to win now. For now, James is sticking with the Lakers, but we'll see if that changes. He suffered a Grade 2 MCL sprain during the playoffs, but is expected to be ready to go by training camp. Despite his age, James still remains a top tier fantasy option.Source: Shams Charania
Los Angeles Lakers forward Anfernee Simons "a Possible Re-Trade Candidate"
Anfernee Simons "is a possible re-trade candidate." The 26-year-old, who has one season left on his current deal, was recently acquired from the Portland Trail Blazers in a swap for Jrue Holiday. The Celtics have fielded calls for Derrick White and Jaylen Brown. However, Simons may be the favorite to be moved, especially with the C's looking to cut costs heading into the 2025 campaign. Simons emerged as a borderline All-Star in the last few years, most recently averaging 19.3 points and 4.8 assists in 70 appearances in 2024. It could be difficult for him to remain as productive in Boston, although his fantasy value will improve if he's traded to a team where he'll receive more scoring opportunities.Source: Jake Fischer
According to NBA insider Jake Fischer, Boston Celtics guard Kevin Porter Jr. Declining Player Option
Kevin Porter Jr. has decided to decline his player option and become an unrestricted free agent. It was only a $2.5 million option, so it's not shocking to see Porter decline it. He averaged 11.7 points, 3.9 rebounds, and 3.7 assists across 19.9 minutes per game in 30 games last season with the Bucks. It's unclear what the Bucks are going to do at point guard with Damian Lillard (Achilles) likely to miss most of the season. The Bucks are limited on funds, so we'll see what they decide to do this offseason. Porter's fantasy value is dependent on where he lands this offseason.Source: The Athletic
Milwaukee Bucks guard Garrett Temple Returning to Toronto
Garrett Temple plans on sticking around with the organization for at least one more season. Temple intends to sign a one-year, $3.6 million deal to remain in Toronto. The 39-year-old wants to keep playing and will return to Toronto for his third straight season. He averaged 1.9 points, 1.0 rebounds, and 1.1 assists in 8.1 minutes across 28 games with the Raptors last season. Temple figures to be a much-needed veteran presence on a rebuilding Raptors roster. He won't offer any fantasy value given he won't play more than a handful of minutes.Source: Shams Charania
Toronto Raptors forward Nicolas Batum Declines Player Option
Nicolas Batum has decided to decline his $4.9 million player option for the upcoming 2025-2026 season. The veteran forward plans to test out free agency, but hasn't ruled out a return to the Clippers. It sounds like there is mutual interest from both sides, but we'll have to wait and see how free agency plays out. Last season, Batum averaged 4.0 points, 2.8 rebounds, and 1.1 assists across 17.5 minutes per game in 78 games with the Clippers. At this point in his career, Batum is a valuable veteran leader that can be an asset off the bench. Wherever he lands, Batum is unlikely to have fantasy value at this point in his career.Source: Shams Charania
Los Angeles Clippers forward Keon Johnson Gets Team Option Picked Up
Keon Johnson on Saturday. Johnson will receive $2.35 million after having a career-year with the Nets. Last season, Johnson averaged 10.6 points, 3.8 rebounds, and 2.2 assists across 24.4 minutes per game in 79 games. Johnson played big minutes for the Nets down the stretch of the season. He has bounced around quite a bit during his career, but appears to have found a home in Brooklyn. The Nets are loaded with young talent, so we'll see where Johnson falls in the rotation when the season begins.Source: C.J. Holmes
The Brooklyn Nets have exercised the team option on guard Rayan Rupert Staying in Portland
Rayan Rupert for the upcoming 2025-2026 season. Rupert will receive $2.2 million for next season and become a restricted free agent next summer. The 21-year-old has shown flashes of potential, but hasn't become a consistent performer yet. Last season, Rupert averaged 3.0 points, 1.3 rebounds, and 0.5 assists in 8.8 minutes per game across 52 contests. He posted some nice performances towards the end of the season, so possibly Rupert gets a bigger role next season. Regardless, Rupert isn't someone worth looking at in fantasy leagues.Source: Sean Highkin
The Portland Trail Blazers have exercised the team option on guard Jonathan Kuminga Recieves Qualifying Offer
Jonathan Kuminga has reportedly received a qualifying offer from the organization, according to Spotrac's Keith Smith. That means, Kuminga will head into free agency as a restricted free agent. This allows the Warriors to match any offer sheet that Kuminga gets during free agency. Honestly, it's unclear what kind of role Kuminga would have if he returned to Golden State. Last season, Kuminga averaged 15.3 points, 4.6 rebounds, and 2.2 assists across 24.3 minutes per game. Kuminga played in a career-low 47 games, but he saw big minutes during the playoffs. It's also possible that the Warriors do a sign-and-trade here. Honestly, Kuminga would probably have better fantasy value elsewhere, but we'll wait and see what happens in free agency.Source: Keith Smith
Golden State Warriors forward