Hornets Trading Jusuf Nurkic to Utah
Jusuf Nurkic to the Utah Jazz in exchange for guard Collin Sexton. The veteran began last season with the Phoenix Suns. Unfortunately, he found himself out of the rotation before being moved to the Hornets. Nurkic wasn't a consistent fantasy producer throughout his 26 games in Charlotte. Still, he had a few solid outings and would finish with averages of 8.9 points and 7.8 rebounds. It's unknown if Walker Kessler will remain in Utah. If he doesn't, Nurkic should get a clearer path toward playing time. On the other hand, Nurkic should still get minutes even if Kessler stays on the roster.Source: Shams Charania
According to ESPN's Shams Charania, the Charlotte Hornets are trading center Collin Sexton Heading to Charlotte
Collin Sexton to the Charlotte Hornets in exchange for center Jusuf Nurkic. Sexton's best days were when he was a member of the Cleveland Cavaliers. However, he still had some quality seasons in Utah, most recently averaging 18.4 points and 4.2 assists while shooting a career-high 40.6% from behind the arc in 2024-25. The 26-year-old could struggle to remain as productive in Charlotte, considering the club has LaMelo Ball, Brandon Miller, and Miles Bridges on the roster. Still, Ball hasn't been the healthiest throughout his career, so Sexton could be thrown into a more prominent role at some point during the 2025 campaign.Source: Shams Charania
According to ESPN's Shams Charania, the Utah Jazz are trading guard Cam Thomas Set for Restricted Free Agency
Cam Thomas, making him a restricted free agent. The 23-year-old averaged a career-high 24 points last season. Unfortunately, nagging hamstring issues limited him to only 25 appearances. It's safe to say the Nets will do what it takes to keep him, especially since the club is in the position to do so from a financial standpoint. If that's the case, Thomas has an excellent chance to lead the club in scoring, considering the club will be on the young side in 2025. An All-Star selection could also be on the horizon. With that in mind, Thomas has plenty to offer fantasy managers due to his offensive prowess. However, his health will remain a concern until he proves he can stay off the injury report.Source: Michael Scotto
The Brooklyn Nets extended a qualifying offer to guard 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