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
July 2, 2025
On Wednesday, Shams Charania of ESPN reports that free-agent guard
Dante Exum has signed a one-year deal to remain with the Dallas Mavericks. Exum has dealt with several injuries throughout his NBA career and played in only 20 regular-season contests in 2024-25, averaging 8.7 points, 2.8 assists, 1.7 rebounds, and 0.6 steals in 18.6 minutes per game. If the 29-year-old can stay healthy, he could see a significant increase in playing time with
Kyrie Irving (knee) expected to be out through January.
--Andrew LennoxSource: Shams Charania
July 2, 2025
On Wednesday, the Memphis Grizzlies announced forward
Jaren Jackson Jr. underwent successful surgery to repair a turf toe injury in his right foot and will be re-evaluated in 12 weeks. Jackson will likely be good to go for the start of the regular season. The 25-year-old just signed a massive five-year, $240 million extension with Memphis. Despite the offseason setback, he is deserving of a new contract extension based on the numbers he has been producing over the last few years. During the 2024-25 campaign, the big man averaged 22.2 points, 5.6 rebounds, and 2.0 assists across 29.8 minutes per game in 74 appearances. When healthy, Jackson holds plenty of fantasy value and should continue to do so during the 2025-26 season.
--Andrew LennoxSource: Grizzlies PR
July 2, 2025
Free-agent point guard
Spencer Dinwiddie agreed to a one-year deal with the Charlotte Hornets on Wednesday, per Shams Charania of ESPN. Dinwiddie spent last season with the Mavericks, posting averages of 11.0 points, 4.4 assists, and 2.6 rebounds in 27.0 minutes per contest across 79 games. Charlotte will be the sixth team Dinwiddie has suited up for in his NBA career since his rookie campaign in 2014-15. The 31-year-old will join newly acquired guards
Collin Sexton and
Tre Mann in the Hornets' backcourt.
--Andrew LennoxSource: Shams Charania
July 1, 2025
Shams Charania of ESPN reports that forward
Taurean Prince has agreed to a two-year, $7.1 million contract to remain with the Milwaukee Bucks. In 2024-25, Prince started 73 of his 80 regular-season outings during his first year in Milwaukee. He also averaged 8.2 points, 3.6 rebounds, 1.9 assists, and 1.0 steals in 27.1 minutes per contest, while shooting a career-best 43.9 percent from three-point range. The 31-year-old could remain in the Bucks starting five, but he will likely struggle to stay a fantasy-relevant asset during the 2025-26 regular season.
--Andrew LennoxSource: Shams Charania
July 1, 2025
Houston Rockets forward/center
Jeff Green signed a one-year, $3.63 million contract to remain with the franchise. This upcoming campaign will be the third consecutive season for Green in a Rockets uniform. The 38-year-old veteran posted averages of 5.4 points, 1.8 rebounds, 0.6 assists and 0.1 blocks across 12.4 minutes per contest during 32 regular-season outings. At this point in his career, the big man won't factor into fantasy in 2025-26.
--Andrew LennoxSource: Shams Charania
RADIO
