July 4, 2025
Denver Nuggets center
Jonas Valanciunas was recently acquired by the team, but might not play a single game with the organization. Earlier this week, Valanciunas was traded from the Sacramento Kings to the Nuggets in exchange for
Dario Saric. It seemed like the Nuggets finally solved their backup center problem by acquiring the veteran center. According to Basketnews, Valanciunas is considering leaving the NBA and playing in Europe next season. It sounds like Valanciunas has an offer on the table, so he'll need to make up his mind over the summer. Valanciunas averaged 8.7 points, 7.0 rebounds, and 1.8 assists across 16.9 minutes per game in 32 games with the Kings last season. The 33-year-old is certainly a solid backup center to
Nikola Jokic, but the Nuggets might be forced back to the drawing board if Valanciunas decides to go to Europe.
--Andy WebbSource: Basketnews.com
July 4, 2025
The Philadelphia 76ers have signed forward
Jabari Walker to a two-way deal. Walker is a former second-round pick by the Portland Trail Blazers from 2022. He spent the first three seasons of his career in Portland. Last season, Walker averaged 5.2 points, 3.5 rebounds, and 0.6 assists across 12.5 minutes per game in 60 contests. Those aren't great numbers, but Walker did average 8.9 points and 7.1 rebounds across 23.5 minutes per game in 2023. He has shown some decent flashes during his career, but figures to only play minutes in the teens with the Sixers. At best, Walker could be a streaming option if the Sixers get banged up at some point.
--Andy WebbSource: Shams Charania
July 4, 2025
According to Anthony Slater of The Athletic, the Golden State Warriors declined a sign-and-trade offer for forward
Jonathan Kuminga. The proposed deal would have included
Devin Carter,
Dario Saric, and two second-round draft picks. However, per Slater, the Dubs reportedly "balked" at what the organization viewed as a "buy-low attempt." The 22-year-old had a seesaw season in 2024, averaging 15.3 points, a decline from the 2023 campaign. He was also limited to only 47 contests, mostly due to an ankle injury that sidelined him for 31 games, while falling out of the rotation at times during the postseason. The Warriors extended a qualifying bid to Kuminga, so the team has the ability to match any offers in restricted free agency. There should be other proposals heading in Golden State's direction regarding Kuminga, although his fantasy outlook is contingent on where he lands moving toward the new season.
--Dennis ClausenSource: Anthony Slater
July
4,
2025
According
to
Josh
Robbins
of
The
Athletic,
free-agent
center
Moritz
Wagner
(knee)
agreed
to
a
one-year,
$5
million
contract
with
Orlando.
The
Magic
declined
his
team
option
at
the
start
of
free
agency,
although
there
were
reports
read more...
July 3, 2025
According to Duane Rankin of the Arizona Republic, Phoenix Suns guard
Bradley Beal has reportedly been in talks with the team regarding a potential buyout. The veteran has two years, $110 million remaining on his current deal. However, the Suns haven't been able to move him due to his no-trade clause. Beal's production dipped in his first two years in Phoenix, most recently averaging 17.0 points while shooting 38.6% from deep during the 2024 campaign. He also was limited to 53 games, marking his sixth-straight season with 60 or fewer appearances. It's a new era for the franchise, with the team recently trading
Kevin Durant to the Houston Rockets. There's a good chance Beal is the next to go. Still, he should draw interest from at least a handful of teams around the National Basketball Association, although his fantasy ceiling has never been this low at any point in his career.
--Dennis ClausenSource: Duane Rankin
July 3, 2025
According to ESPN's Shams Charania, free-agent center
Jaxson Hayes agreed to a one-year deal to remain with the Lakers. The 25-year-old spent the last two seasons in Los Angeles, most recently averaging 6.8 points and 4.8 rebounds in 58 games during the 2024 campaign. The Lakers recently signed
Deandre Ayton, who will take over the duties at the five spot. With that said, Hayes could get some action in the starting lineup if Ayton goes down with an injury. Still, with
Luka Doncic,
LeBron James, and
Austin Reaves on the floor, Hayes likely won't have an opportunity to do anything meaningful for fantasy managers, regardless of his role.
--Dennis ClausenSource: Shams Charania
July 3, 2025
According to NBA insider Chris Haynes, free-agent guard
Damian Lillard (Achilles) is reportedly "open" to signing with a team. However, he will only agree to a contract "under the right terms and conditions." The 2012 No. 6 overall pick averaged 24.9 points and 7.1 assists last season. Unfortunately, he was limited to 58 games, mostly due to deep vein thrombosis in his right calf. While Lillard managed to return for the playoffs, he suffered a torn Achilles tendon in the Game 4 meeting with the Indiana Pacers, requiring surgery. Lillard, who is currently rehabbing, was recently released by Milwaukee. It's unknown if he'll be able to get on the floor this season. With that in mind, there should be teams interested in Lillard's services, so fantasy managers should keep an eye on his progress, potentially stashing him in case he's cleared for action at some point during the 2025 campaign.
--Dennis ClausenSource: Chris Haynes
July 3, 2025
The Utah Jazz announced that forward
Ace Bailey has signed his rookie contract. Utah selected Bailey with the fifth overall pick in last month's NBA Draft. The former Rutgers standout was anticipated to be the No. 3 pick in the 2025 NBA Draft. However, he fell to the Jazz at No. 5 after refusing to participate in individual workouts for any NBA teams. Rumors surfaced pre-draft about whether Bailey wanted to play in Utah. He squashed the rumors by reporting to Summer League practices this week. In 30 games at Rutgers, Bailey averaged 17.6 points, 7.2 rebounds, 1.3 blocks, and 1.0 steals. Without question, his name should be mentioned in the Rookie of the Year conversation, assuming he stays healthy.
--Andrew LennoxSource: The Salt Lake Tribune
July 3, 2025
According to ESPN's Shams Charania, the Boston Celtics and free-agent forward
Josh Minott have agreed to a two-year, $5 million deal. Before free agency, the Timberwolves had the option to extend Minott's contract for $2.19 million for the 2025-26 season, but declined. The 22-year-old saw action in 46 games during the 2024-25 campaign while averaging 2.6 points and 1.0 rebounds in 6.0 minutes per contest. Despite limited playing time during his three years in Minnesota, Minott may see an expanded role in Beantown with forward
Jayson Tatum (Achilles) most likely sidelined for the majority of the upcoming season.
--Andrew LennoxSource: Shams Charania
July 3, 2025
Free-agent forward/center
Sandro Mamukelashvili signed a two-year, $5.5 million contract with a second-year player option with the Toronto Raptors, per Shams Charania of ESPN. Mamukelashvili spent the last two campaigns with the Spurs, posting averages of 6.3 points and 3.1 rebounds in 11.2 minutes per contest during 61 regular-season games. He also shot 50.2 percent from the field and 37.3 percent from three-point range. The 26-year-old will provide the Raptors with more depth at center behind starting big man
Jakob Poeltl.
--Andrew LennoxSource: Shams Charania
July 3, 2025
According to Kyle Neubeck of AllPHLY.com, Philadelphia 76ers guard
Jared McCain (knee) isn't on the team's Summer League roster. McCain is still recovering from a torn meniscus in his left knee. The injury cut short his first season in the NBA after just 23 contests. While healthy, the 21-year-old averaged 15.3 points, 2.4 rebounds, and 2.6 assists in 25.7 minutes per contest. Currently, it's not certain if McCain will be available for the team's training camp and if he could remain a solid fantasy contributor during the 2025-26 campaign.
--Andrew LennoxSource: Kyle Neubeck
July 3, 2025
NBA reporter Matthew Tynan reports that San Antonio Spurs point guard
Dylan Harper (groin) will be unavailable to suit up for the California Classic held in San Francisco due to a groin issue. The Rutgers standout was the No. 2 overall pick in the 2025 NBA Draft after the Mavs selected
Cooper Flagg. He will have the opportunity to suit up alongside
Victor Wembanyama and
Stephon Castle.
De'Aaron Fox will also be good to go for the upcoming campaign after season-ending surgery to repair tendon damage to his left pinkie finger back in March. Harper will likely take on a heavy workload during his rookie season.
--Andrew LennoxSource: Matthew Tynan
July 2, 2025
The Cleveland Cavaliers have reached a one-year deal with free-agent forward
Larry Nance Jr. on Tuesday. After one injury-riddled season in Atlanta, Nance has decided to head back to Cleveland where he played from 2017-2021. Last season, Nance averaged 8.5 points, 4.3 rebounds, and 1.6 assists across 19.3 minutes per game in 24 games. At this point in his career, Nance isn't going to play big minutes, but could still contribute with minutes in the teens. He figures to play a primary role off the bench behind
Evan Mobley and
Jarrett Allen. It probably won't be a big enough role to warrant rostering in most fantasy leagues right away.
--Andy WebbSource: Evan Sidery
July 2, 2025
The Philadelphia 76ers have agreed on a one-year deal with
Eric Gordon on Tuesday. Despite a rough first year in Philly, Gordon is back for another season with the Sixers. Gordon averaged a career-low 6.8 points with 1.2 rebounds, and 1.7 assists in 39 games with the 76ers last season. He missed a good part of the season due to a wrist injury. It's a low-risk deal for the Sixers to bring in a veteran presence who is still a reliable three-point shooter. It's unlikely Gordon isn't going to offer much fantasy value, but he could be a decent contributor off the bench.
--Andy WebbSource: John Clark
July 2, 2025
The Los Angeles Lakers have made a big splash and signed free-agent center
Deandre Ayton on Wednesday. The two sides have reportedly agreed on a two-year deal. Ayton decided to opt-out of his deal with the Trail Blazers after two seasons in Portland. He averaged 14.4 points, 10.2 rebounds, and 1.6 assists in 40 games with the Blazers last season. Ayton has averaged a double-double in each of his first seven seasons in the league. He'll now be surrounded with some top talent such as
LeBron James and
Luka Doncic. Despite that, Ayton should be able to produce top-100 fantasy value, assuming he stays healthy. It's worth noting that has been limited to less than 60 games in three of the last four seasons. When healthy, Ayton can be a serious contributor on this Lakers roster.
--Andy WebbSource: Shams Charania
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