RADIO
Tyler Shough a Rising QB2 in Superflex Dynasty Leagues
New Orleans Saints quarterback Tyler Shough finished second in Offensive Rookie of the Year voting while playing only half a season in 2025. Taking over a 1-7 team, Shough won five of his nine starts and had the Saints looking like arguably the most dangerous team in the division by year's end. Heading into his first full season as a starter, New Orleans' offense has regularly been tabbed as a unit on the rise, making Shough a legitimate QB2 option in superflex dynasty leagues. Kellen Moore's offenses have always been at their best with two capable receivers, which they appear to have in 2025 second-team All-Pro Chris Olave and 2026 first-round pick Jordyn Tyson. The Saints also spent big on free agent running back Travis Etienne Jr., giving the 26-year-old Shough a plethora of weapons and a clear path to upside after averaging more than 19 fantasy points per game across his final six starts of 2025. Adding deceptive value with his legs, Shough pairs an increasingly reliable floor with a rising ceiling, and at RotoBaller's QB21, he is a player that drafters should feel comfortable making their second quarterback in dynasty startups.
Source: RotoBaller
Source: RotoBaller
Predators Acquire Jack Drury From Avalanche
The Nashville Predators have acquired center Jack Drury from the Colorado Avalanche. The team also picked up forward Chase Bradley and a 2029 third-round draft pick in exchange for forwards Fedor Svechkov and Zachary L'Heureux. Drury had a solid 2025-26 campaign, notching a career-high 27 points (10 goals, 17 assists) in 82 games and even receiving some Selke votes. He finished plus-15 for the season and won an impressive 58.1 percent of his faceoffs. As a bottom-six center, Drury has limited fantasy value, but he'll be a nice addition in the middle for the Predators. This trade marks the second offseason transaction between the Predators and the Avalanche, following Chris MacFarland's move from Denver to Nashville to succeed Barry Trotz as general manager.
Source: NHL.com
Source: NHL.com
Naz Reid Traded to the Hornets
The Charlotte Hornets acquired big man Naz Reid as part of the blockbuster trade sending LaMelo Ball to the Minnesota Timberwolves. The 26-year-old averaged 13.6 points, 6.2 rebounds, and 2.2 assists while shooting 45.6 percent from the field and 36.2 percent from deep for Minnesota last season. Reid's fantasy outlook gets more interesting with the Hornets, especially if Charlotte gives him a bigger frontcourt role after years of sharing touches in Minnesota. Brandon Miller and Kon Knueppel should see more creation chances with Ball gone, but Reid gives the roster a proven floor-spacing big who can score without needing plays called for him.
Source: Shams Charania
Source: Shams Charania
Griffin Jax is a Must-Add Starting Pitcher From the Waiver Wire
Tampa Bay Rays pitcher Griffin Jax earned his third win of the season on Wednesday and continues to prove himself as a very solid pickup from the waiver wire. Jax went five innings and gave up five hits while racking up seven strikeouts. He has worked exactly five innings in four straight outings, going 2-1 with a 0.90 ERA, 3.05 FIP, and a 1.05 WHIP. Jax has successfully moved from the bullpen to the starting rotation, and he can be a great way to fortify your rotation, even though his innings aren't maxed out yet. His next start is scheduled for Tuesday on the road in Kansas City, and he will likely be a two-start pitcher for that week since he'll turn around and face the Astros the following Sunday.
Source: RotoBaller
Source: RotoBaller
Is Garrett Wilson a WR1 in 2026?
Before a knee injury ended his 2025 campaign, New York Jets wide receiver Garrett Wilson was the WR5 through the first five weeks of the season. Heading into 2026 healthy and in what looks to be an uptrending offense, Wilson has the potential to volume his way to a top 10 finish over a full season. The Jets spent first-round picks on tight end Kenyon Sadiq and wide receiver Omar Cooper Jr., moves that could help elevate the offense as a whole without adding insurmountable competition for Wilson's targets. In his first full season with the team, Adonai Mitchell looks to handle WR2 responsibilities, though his game has been predicted more on big plays than volume, and in Frank Reich's mesh-heavy offense, Wilson should be given ample opportunity to work with the ball in space. New York traded for quarterback Geno Smith, who now faces allegations of battery but has not been charged, so while his legal situation warrants monitoring, he still represents an upgrade at the position. In a best-case scenario, Wilson's ceiling is as high as nearly any receiver currently being drafted outside of the first two rounds, and at RotoBaller's WR14, he's one of the last players that drafters should feel comfortable enough to make their WR1 in a running back-heavy build.
Source: RotoBaller
Source: RotoBaller
LaMelo Ball Traded to Timberwolves in Blockbuster Deal
Charlotte Hornets guard LaMelo Ball is headed to Minnesota with Josh Green in a blockbuster deal that sends Naz Reid and a large draft-pick package to Charlotte, according to ESPN's Shams Charania. Ball had a healthier 2025-26 campaign, averaging 20.1 points, 7.1 assists, 4.8 rebounds, and 1.2 steals across 72 games for the Hornets. The move puts him next to Anthony Edwards, which should cut into Ball's on-ball dominance but may help his efficiency if he gets more catch-and-shoot looks and easier transition chances. His fantasy ceiling remains tied to assists, threes, and steals, but this is no longer a situation where every possession has to run through him.
Source: Shams Charania
Source: Shams Charania
Zach Benson Inks Seven-Year Extension With Sabres
Buffalo Sabres winger Zach Benson signed a seven-year, $52.5 million contract extension on Wednesday. He was locked up long-term with an average annual value of $7.5 million. Benson was eligible to become a restricted free agent on July 1. The Sabres announced the signing after shipping Alex Tuch to Washington in a sign-and-trade agreement. Tuch's departure should increase Benson's playing opportunities next season. The 21-year-old tallied a career-high 43 points (13 goals, 30 assists) in 65 outings this season. If Benson remains injury-free and sees more ice time, he could realistically approach the 60-point mark in 2026-27.
Source: NHL.com
Source: NHL.com
Timberwolves Select Trey Kaufman-Renn With No. 59 Pick
The Minnesota Timberwolves selected Purdue forward Trey Kaufman-Renn with the No. 59 overall pick in the 2026 NBA Draft. NBA.com lists the 23-year-old at 6-foot-9 and 240 pounds, and he closed his Purdue career by averaging 14.2 points, 8.3 rebounds, and 2.5 assists while shooting 57.8 percent from the field as a senior. His fantasy appeal is built around field-goal percentage, rebounding, and low-post efficiency, but the second-round landing spot gives him a narrow early path. Kaufman-Renn will likely need to prove he can defend faster frontcourt players and add functional range before earning steady NBA minutes.
Source: Brett Siegel
Source: Brett Siegel
Elvis Alvarado Blows Wednesday's Save as Struggles Continue, Is it Time to Cut Ties?
Athletics relief pitcher Elvis Alvarado gave up two runs in the ninth inning, blowing a save against the Giants in his team's 2-1 loss. He gave up a home run to Rafael Devers to lead off the inning and then a walk-off homer to Victor Bericoto to end the game. He has allowed five runs in his last four games, allowing six hits over 5 1/3 innings, including four homers. Alvarado had worked his way into the team's closer rotation, but with his recent struggles, Hogan Harris seems like a better option in the short term. The Athletics will continue to shuffle pieces at the end of games, but for now, Alvarado doesn't seem like a strong play in standard-sized leagues.
Source: ESPN
Source: ESPN
Can Emeka Egbuka Return to His Week-Winning Form?
Tampa Bay Buccaneers wide receiver Emeka Egbuka was the first player in NFL history to record 25-plus receptions, 400-plus receiving yards, and five-plus touchdowns in his first five career games, pacing as the WR3 over that stretch. While his torrid opening pace fell off dramatically over the back half of the year, there's still plenty to be excited about if he can reestablish a more consistent connection with quarterback Baker Mayfield in his second season. Even while disappointing fantasy managers, Egbuka finished the year with 938 yards on 63 receptions, and with six-time Pro Bowler Mike Evans no longer part of the team, the 2025 first-round pick should see an uptick in first-read targets. At RotoBaller's dynasty WR12, opinions are likely split on the 23-year-old wideout, making him an intriguing trade target who could be viewed as a foundational piece to a rebuilding roster or a usable weekly contributor for contending managers.
Source: RotoBaller
Source: RotoBaller
Alex Tuch Joins Capitals in Sign-And-Trade Deal
The Washington Capitals have acquired winger Alex Tuch in a sign-and-trade deal with the Buffalo Sabres, ESPN's Emily Kaplan reports. The Sabres received a 2026 third-round draft pick in 2026 and forward David Kampf in return for Tuch, who inked an eight-year, $84 million contract. Tuch was among the best unrestricted free agents on the market this offseason. He had a productive five-year stint with the Sabres, recording 66 points (33 goals, 33 assists) in 79 games in 2025-26. Washington also acquired Jordan Kyrou (knee) from the St. Louis Blues this week, reshaping its offense after missing the 2026 Stanley Cup Playoffs.
Source: Emily Kaplan
Source: Emily Kaplan
Pelicans Draft Hometown Scorer Jaron Pierre Jr.
The New Orleans Pelicans selected SMU guard/forward Jaron Pierre Jr. with the No. 58 overall pick in the 2026 NBA Draft. The New Orleans native gives the Pelicans an experienced scoring option after averaging 17.6 points, 4.9 rebounds, 2.1 assists, and 1.0 steals in 33.0 minutes while shooting 46.2 percent from the field, 37.0 percent from deep, and 75.8 percent at the line. Pierre previously averaged 21.6 points at Jacksonville State, so the scoring track record is real. His fantasy value will be limited early, but three-level scoring and wing size give him a path to compete for bench minutes.
Source: Brett Siegel
Source: Brett Siegel
Rockies Turn to Jimmy Herget for Second Save, the Closer to Roster in Colorado?
Colorado Rockies relief pitcher Jimmy Herget came on to close out his team's comeback win on Wednesday over the Red Sox, and he earned his second save of the year. His first save came all the way back on April 1, but he has been effective lately, with no runs allowed in his last four appearances. In those 4 1/3 innings, he has allowed three hits and two walks but also racked up seven strikeouts. The 32-year-old righty has primarily served as a setup man for Antonio Senzatela, but Senzatela came in earlier on Wednesday to give the Rockies a chance to climb back into the game. While Senzatela is still the primary option to roster in Colorado's bullpen, Herget could be the next man up if Senzatela is traded or whenever he needs a break. He's a deep-league option at this point, and he's someone to monitor closely in standard leagues in case roles shift.
Source: ESPN
Source: ESPN
Narcisse Ngoy Joins Clippers as Draft-and-Stash Center
The Los Angeles Clippers acquired French center Narcisse Ngoy after the Atlanta Hawks selected him with the No. 57 overall pick in the 2026 NBA Draft. The 21-year-old played for Poitiers in France's ELITE 2, averaging 9.8 points, 11.6 rebounds, 1.2 assists, and 2.4 blocks in 24.6 minutes while shooting 68.0 percent from the field. Ngoy also signed with Auburn for the 2026-27 season, so this profiles more like a draft-and-stash play than an immediate fantasy situation. His rebounding and shot-blocking are the fantasy draw, but managers may need to wait before seeing those numbers tested in an NBA rotation.
Source: NBA
Source: NBA
Parker Washington Going to Be "Hard to Take Off the Field"
Following a late-season emergence that helped to unlock the Jacksonville Jaguars' offense, the buzz around wide receiver Parker Washington has not quieted, and NFL reporter Cameron Wolfe believes that he will be one of Jacksonville's top two receivers in 2026, along with Brian Thomas Jr. Washington was the fantasy WR11 over the final 10 weeks of the season, elevating quarterback Trevor Lawrence into the MVP discussion with his revelatory playmaking abilities, and after a strong showing at minicamp, Wolfe believes he will be "hard to take off the field" in his fourth season. With Jakobi Meyers, Travis Hunter, and the newly extended Brenton Strange also at his disposal, head coach and playcaller Liam Coen has the flexibility to get creative in his second season at the helm, but the drumbeat for Washington continues to grow louder, and at RotoBaller's WR34, he could still represent tremendous value in the middle rounds of 2026 drafts.
Source: Cameron Wolfe
Source: Cameron Wolfe
Vsevolod Ishchenko Goes to Dallas in Second-Round Trade
The Dallas Mavericks are acquiring Lokomotiv Kuban guard/forward Vsevolod Ishchenko after the Los Angeles Lakers sent the No. 56 overall pick in the 2026 NBA draft to Dallas, according to ESPN's Shams Charania. The 21-year-old made a sizable jump in the VTB United League, averaging 8.7 points, 4.7 rebounds, 2.0 assists, and 1.3 steals in 23.7 minutes while shooting 51.6 percent from the field, 46.3 percent from deep, and 80.1 percent at the line. Ishchenko was also named a VTB All-Star and Young Player of the Year, but his fantasy value is more of a long-range watch, especially if Dallas keeps him overseas or starts him in the G League.
Source: Shams Charania
Source: Shams Charania
Clippers Add Two-Time Big Ten Scoring Champ Nick Martinelli
The Los Angeles Clippers used a cash deal to land one of college basketball's most accomplished scorers, taking Northwestern forward Nick Martinelli at No. 55 in the 2026 NBA draft after the Knicks selected him. The two-time Big Ten scoring champion poured in 23.0 points, 6.2 rebounds, and 2.0 assists on 51.0 percent shooting and 41.7 percent from three as a senior. Martinelli is a crafty, physical bucket-getter in the Georges Niang mold, scoring through contact from every level, though average athleticism and defensive concerns are why he lasted this long. The fit is tough: he has to earn a spot through Summer League and camp on a win-now Clippers roster led by Kawhi Leonard and Darius Garland. There is nothing here for fantasy now, but the scoring touch hints at a long-term bench-scorer role.
Source: Brett Siegel
Source: Brett Siegel
Warriors Add Florida State Wing Lajae Jones in the Second Round
The Golden State Warriors selected Florida State guard/forward Lajae Jones with the No. 54 overall pick in the 2026 NBA Draft. The 22-year-old averaged 12.7 points, 5.7 rebounds, 1.1 assists, 1.2 steals, and 1.0 blocks in 29.5 minutes while shooting 42.7 percent from the field and 32.5 percent from deep. Jones played in all 33 games and made 31 starts, also leading Florida State in total rebounds and blocks. His early fantasy appeal is limited, but his size, rebounding, and defensive activity give him a path to low-usage wing minutes if the shot becomes more consistent.
Source: Brett Siegel
Source: Brett Siegel
Ugonna Onyenso Acquired by Pistons After No. 53 Pick
The Detroit Pistons are receiving Virginia center Ugonna Onyenso after the Houston Rockets selected him with the No. 53 overall pick in the 2026 NBA draft, and his rights moved through New York. The 21-year-old averaged 6.5 points, 4.9 rebounds, and 2.9 blocks in 18.6 minutes across 36 games while shooting 56.8 percent from the field. Onyenso ranked first in the ACC and second nationally in blocks, giving Detroit a clear rim-protection specialist. His early fantasy value may be narrow, but blocks and field-goal percentage give him a useful path if he earns backup center minutes.
Source: NBA
Source: NBA
Hawks Land North Carolina Center Henri Veesaar in a Trade
The Atlanta Hawks are acquiring North Carolina center Henri Veesaar after the Los Angeles Clippers selected him with the No. 52 overall pick in the 2026 NBA Draft. The 22-year-old averaged 17.0 points, 8.7 rebounds, 2.1 assists, and 1.2 blocks in 31.3 minutes while shooting 61/43/62 during his junior season. Veesaar's fantasy path is tied to his modern center skill set, as he can space the floor, pass from the short roll, and add blocks without needing heavy usage. Onyeka Okongwu remains Atlanta's top center, and first-rounder Zuby Ejiofor also joins the frontcourt, so Veesaar may need to earn minutes gradually. Still, the trade-up suggests Atlanta wanted his shooting and size in its revamped rotation.
Source: NBA
Source: NBA
Magic Acquire Izaiyah Nelson in a Multi-Team Draft-Night Trade
The Orlando Magic are reportedly acquiring South Florida center Izaiyah Nelson after the Washington Wizards selected him with the No. 51 overall pick in the 2026 NBA Draft. Nelson averaged 15.9 points, 9.6 rebounds, 1.2 assists, 1.6 steals, and 1.4 blocks in 27.2 minutes while shooting 56.1 percent from the field as a senior. The 22-year-old swept American Conference Player of the Year, Defensive Player of the Year, and Newcomer of the Year honors, giving Orlando a high-motor frontcourt prospect. With Wendell Carter Jr. and Goga Bitadze already on the roster, Nelson's fantasy path starts with rebounding, stocks, and earning energy minutes off the bench.
Source: NBA
Source: NBA
Raptors Draft Arizona Guard Jaden Bradley at No. 50 Overall
The Toronto Raptors selected Arizona guard Jaden Bradley with the No. 50 overall pick in the 2026 NBA Draft. The 22-year-old gives Toronto a steady senior guard after averaging 13.3 points, 3.4 rebounds, 4.4 assists, and 1.4 steals while shooting 46.3 percent from the field, 39.4 percent from deep, and 80.9 percent at the line. Bradley also won Big 12 Player of the Year, giving the Raptors another competitive backcourt option. With Immanuel Quickley and Jamal Shead already on the roster, Bradley's early fantasy path likely depends on defense, ball security, and whether his improved shooting earns him rotation minutes.
Source: Brett Siegel
Source: Brett Siegel
Bryce Hopkins Selected by Nuggets With No. 49 Pick
The Denver Nuggets selected St. John's forward Bryce Hopkins with the No. 49 overall pick in the 2026 NBA Draft. The 24-year-old rebuilt his stock in his lone season with the Red Storm, averaging 13.6 points, 6.2 rebounds, 1.9 assists, and 1.1 steals in 28.8 minutes while shooting 46.9 percent from the field, 36.3 percent from deep, and 71.3 percent at the line. His fantasy path is not wide in Denver, where Nikola Jokic and Aaron Gordon headline the frontcourt, but Hopkins has enough rebounding, cutting, and improved shooting to compete for bench forward minutes if he carries over his late-season momentum.
Source: Brett Siegel
Source: Brett Siegel
Tobi Lawal Joins a Crowded Mavericks Frontcourt
The Dallas Mavericks closed their draft with an athletic upside swing, taking Virginia Tech forward Tobi Lawal with the 48th pick in the 2026 NBA Draft. The explosive leaper averaged 12.3 points, 8.5 rebounds, and 1.1 blocks on 54.2 percent shooting as a senior, posting one of the best vertical marks in combine history. Lawal projects as a lob-finishing, transition-running, switchable energy forward in the Derrick Jones Jr. mold, though his shooting cratered to 25.0 percent from three and his half-court game is raw. The fantasy reality is a numbers crunch: he joins a Dallas frontcourt already deep with Daniel Gafford, Dereck Lively II, P.J. Washington, and fellow rookie Morez Johnson Jr. Lawal is a long-shot athletic stash, not a fantasy piece, but the tools are rare enough to bookmark.
Source: Jake Fischer
Source: Jake Fischer
Knicks Land Tyler Nickel at No. 47 in a Four-Team Trade
The defending-champion New York Knicks came away with one of the draft's best shooters, acquiring Vanderbilt wing Tyler Nickel in a four-team draft-night trade after Phoenix selected him with the 47th pick. The movement shooter averaged 13.5 points, 3.3 rebounds, and 1.2 assists on 44.5 percent shooting and 40.0 percent from three, hoisting 7.6 triples a night and burying 110 of them as a senior. Nickel is a Duncan Robinson-style specialist whose game starts and mostly ends with floor spacing, and Mike Brown's staff has a track record of developing exactly that. The catch for fantasy is the roster: he lands on a loaded title team and may not even open the year on a standard contract. He is a deep-watch shooter, nothing more, until he proves he can stick.
Source: NBA
Source: NBA
Samuel Basallo Up to 12 Homers After First Multi-Homer Game on Wednesday
Baltimore Orioles catcher Samuel Basallo recorded the first multi-homer game of his career on Wednesday in the team's 7-6 loss in 10 innings to the hosting Los Angeles Angels. Basallo went 2-for-5 with two home runs, four RBI, and two strikeouts to raise his season batting average to .257 and his OPS to .782. It was nice to see Basallo have a good game after entering Wednesday's contest with a .177 average (11-for-62) with a homer, a double, six RBI, four runs, five walks, and 18 strikeouts in 19 games played in June. The 21-year-old Dominican backstop is now slashing .257/.317/.465 with 12 home runs, 35 RBI, and 29 runs scored in 249 plate appearances in his first full season in the big leagues with Baltimore. Basallo will need to improve against left-handed pitchers to take the next step offensively, but he hits righties enough to be an intriguing young fantasy asset at the position. He has hit .266 (45-for-169) against right-handers this year with 10 of his 12 home runs. Basallo is currently rostered in exactly half of Yahoo leagues.
Source: MLB.com
Source: MLB.com
Felix Okpara Heads to Washington in a Draft-Night Deal
The Orlando Magic drafted Tennessee center Felix Okpara at No. 46 and flipped him to the Washington Wizards for picks 51 and 60 in the 2026 NBA draft, HoopsHype's Michael Scotto reports. The Lagos, Nigeria native averaged 8.0 points, 6.3 rebounds, and 1.5 blocks on 59.7 percent shooting as a senior, anchoring an Elite Eight defense with his length and rim protection. Okpara is a lob-finishing, shot-blocking big with little offensive polish, landing behind Anthony Davis and Alexandre Sarr on Washington's depth chart. That is where it gets interesting for fantasy: both starters have long injury histories, and Tristan Vukcevic is the only other guaranteed center, so Okpara could back into spot starts and cheap blocks if either big misses time. Trae Young's lob passing only sweetens the fit.
Source: Michael Scotto
Source: Michael Scotto
Paul Goldschmidt Continues Resurgent Season, Homers Off Tigers Ace Twice
New York Yankees first baseman Paul Goldschmidt certainly hasn't looked like an aging slugger in the Bronx in 2026. Goldschmidt had an impressive showing in Wednesday night's 4-2 win over the hosting Detroit Tigers, going 2-for-4 at the plate with two solo home runs off two-time Cy Young left-hander Tarik Skubal. It continues a theme of the former MVP victimizing left-handed pitchers. In his career against Skubal, Goldy is now 7-for-13 with four home runs. The 38-year-old former eighth-round pick by the Arizona Diamondbacks in 2009 out of Texas State University is now slashing .297/.355/.568 with 14 home runs, 39 RBI, and 30 runs scored in his 211 plate appearances in 2026 in his second year in New York and 16th total MLB season. With an expected batting average of .259 and an xwOBA of .342 (currently .384), it appears the seven-time All-Star could be hitting above his skis currently, but he should probably be rostered in more than 38% of Yahoo leagues. Fantasy managers need to ride the wave while it lasts.
Source: MLB.com
Source: MLB.com
Emanuel Sharp Joins Darius Acuff Jr. in Kings Backcourt
After landing Darius Acuff Jr. in the first round, the Sacramento Kings added shooting around their new lead guard, taking Houston's Emanuel Sharp with the 45th pick in the 2026 NBA Draft. Houston's all-time leading three-point shooter averaged 15.5 points, 3.0 rebounds, and 1.2 steals on 41.3 percent shooting and 37.2 percent from deep as a senior, drilling 2.6 threes a night. Sharp is an undersized but knockdown 3-and-D guard who moves well off the ball and rarely turns it over. Unlike most second-round shooters buried on contenders, he lands on a rebuilding team actively clearing its veteran guards, so a rotation role is in reach if the shooting carries over. He won't help fantasy managers right away, but the fit next to Acuff makes him a name worth tracking.
Source: Brett Siegel
Source: Brett Siegel
Spurs Grab Maliq Brown at No. 44 Overall in the 2026 Draft
The San Antonio Spurs kept stockpiling defense in the second round, taking Duke forward Maliq Brown with the 44th pick in the 2026 NBA Draft. The 22-year-old led all of college basketball in defensive box plus-minus and was the ACC's top defender, averaging just 4.9 points, 5.2 rebounds, and 1.8 steals on 62.9 percent shooting off the bench. Brown is a switchable, havoc-creating defender whose offense barely registers: he hit 16.7 percent from three and 50.0 percent at the line. That profile has an NBA path as an energy big, just not on this roster soon, with Victor Wembanyama anchoring an elite frontcourt and San Antonio adding more size in the same draft. For fantasy, Brown is a name to file away and nothing more, barring a Nicolas Claxton-style defensive role down the line.
Source: Brett Siegel
Source: Brett Siegel
