August 22, 2025
According to Ian Begley of SNY, the Knicks (among other teams) are reportedly interested in free-agent guard
Malik Beasley. The 2016 No. 19 overall pick has bounced around the league over the years. He most recently logged 82 games for the Pistons last season, averaging 16.3 points and shooting 41.6% from downtown. As a result, Beasley was expected to be a coveted free agent entering the offseason. However, that all changed when it was revealed in June that he was the target of a federal investigation for gambling on NBA contests. On Friday, it was announced that Beasley was no longer being investigated. With the news, teams are now seemingly interested in acquiring his services, although there aren't many clubs in the National Basketball Association that can offer him what he would have received from the Pistons. With that in mind, Beasley still has some hurdles to clear before he is cleared to get back on the court. Still, it appears there's a good chance he'll be on a roster come opening night, with his draft stock predicted to surge if more positive updates are released moving forward.
--Dennis ClausenSource: Ian Begley
August 21, 2025
Miami Heat shooting guard
Dru Smith (Achilles) appears to be on track to be healthy for the start of the season. Speaking to Anthony Chiang of the Miami Herald, Smith said his rehab has been "going really well" and that he's "been on a great trajectory." The 27-year-old, who tore his Achilles in December, has his sights set on being ready for training camp. "I think the goal, obviously, is to be ready by camp," Smith said. "And I think that as of right now, with no setback, that's kind of what we're looking at." Before getting hurt, Smith posted 6.3 points, 2.6 rebounds, and 1.5 steals in 19.1 minutes per game last season. He'll aim to re-establish himself as a regular in the rotation when the season kicks off.
--Taavi PailkSource: Anthony Chiang
August 21, 2025
Boston Celtics forward
Jayson Tatum (Achilles) has provided a fresh update on his rehab. "Rehab is tedious, man," Tatum said. "It's six days a week. I'm starting to get a little bit better. I'm out of the boot now. Better days ahead, but just trying to take it one day at a time. You gotta be resilient. The first six weeks of this was probably the toughest six weeks of any point in my life." Tatum still doesn't have an official timeline for his comeback, but he's eager to return. "Just have to accept it and realize it happened. And now I have to do everything in my power to get back to who I was and get back to playing," he added.
--Taavi PailkSource: NBA
August 21, 2025
Toronto Raptors guard/forward
RJ Barrett might be leaving Canada soon. "RJ Barrett is certainly a name that I would tell you and tell Raptors fans to be on the lookout as a potential trade candidate going out the door with his $30 million in salary," NBA insider Fischer said on Wednesday. Fischer also mentioned that the Raptors already had discussions about moving Barrett with the New Orleans Pelicans in the
Brandon Ingram trade. "Barrett's representation is fully aware that he could be discussed in trade moving forward for the Raptors," he added. Barrett has become a solid player and should attract significant interest on the market. The 25-year-old led Toronto in scoring last season, averaging 21.1 points per game, and posted 6.3 rebounds along with a career-high 5.4 assists.
--Taavi PailkSource: Jake Fischer
August 21, 2025
Forward/center
Al Horford remains a target for the Golden State Warriors, with the team confident that it can eventually get him under a contract. "I can tell you that the Warriors still remain very confident that Al Horford is waiting for whatever finality will come to
Jonathan Kuminga's restricted free agency with Golden State," NBA insider Jake Fischer reported on Wednesday. Since becoming an unrestricted free agent, Horford has really only been linked with the Warriors and seems certain to end up in San Francisco. The veteran big man is preparing for Year 19 in the NBA. Even at 39 years old, Horford could still offer some fantasy value if he becomes a regular starter with the Warriors.
--Taavi PailkSource: Jake Fischer
August 21, 2025
The Miami Heat are bringing in point guard
Jahmir Young for training camp, Michael Scotto of HoopsHype reports. He is expected to compete for a two-way roster spot. Despite going undrafted in 2024, Young made his NBA debut last season, appearing six times for the Chicago Bulls. Young earned a shot in the big league following impressive performances in the G League, where he averaged 21.7 points, 7.0 assists, 4.5 rebounds, and 1.9 steals per game. Additionally, Young spent the Summer League with the Bulls, but he was waived last month.
--Taavi PailkSource: Michael Scotto
August 20, 2025
Chicago Bulls center
Nikola Vucevic has been linked with a move elsewhere, with even a contract buyout mentioned, but he appears set to start the 2025-26 campaign in the Windy City. "Yes, I have almost no doubt about it," the two-time All-Star told Basket USA in an interview. "That's the mindset I'm preparing with. Afterwards, we'll see, I don't know what's going to happen." In the same interview, Vucevic mentioned that Bulls general manager Marc Eversley reached out to him earlier this month and assured him that none of the rumors about him are true. Since he's one of the key players on the Bulls team, fantasy managers should be glad to hear Vucevic will stay. He has been very productive in Chicago, averaging 18.2 points, 10.7 rebounds, and 3.4 assists.
--Taavi PailkSource: Basket USA
August 20, 2025
Chicago Bulls guard
Josh Giddey remains in contract limbo with no signs of the saga ending. Bulls insider K.C. Johnson has reported the team "likes" Giddey's play and wants to secure his services long-term, but isn't willing to offer him more than $20 million a year. Meanwhile, Giddey is holding out for an annual salary of $30 million. Johnson added that "the Bulls have given no indications league-wide that they are amenable to a sign-and-trade option." It was recently reported that the Golden State Warriors may be interested in acquiring Giddey through a sign-and-trade deal, but aren't willing to give up
Moses Moody and
Buddy Hield as part of the transaction.
--Taavi PailkSource: K.C. Johnson
August 20, 2025
Center
Oscar Tshiebwe will return to the Utah Jazz for a second year after securing a new two-way contract. The former Kentucky Wildcat made 14 appearances with the Jazz last season, posting 7.6 points and 8.7 rebounds per game. At the same time, he was a monster in the G League with averages of 17.1 points, 19.1 rebounds, and 1.0 blocks. Tshiebwe has been the G League's leading rebounder in back-to-back years while also earning All-NBA G League First Team honors in consecutive seasons. The Congolese big man looks to be an intriguing prospect for Utah and might get more playing time this season, although there's plenty of competition in the frontcourt.
--Taavi PailkSource: NBA.com
August 20, 2025
Guard
Alondes Williams has signed a training camp deal with the Washington Wizards. The Milwaukee native will battle for a roster spot in the NBA after having a strong G League campaign. Williams averaged 18.1 points, 4.5 rebounds, 6.3 assists, and 1.5 steals in 32 regular-season appearances with the Motor City Cruise and Sioux Falls Skyforce. He has also gotten a small taste of NBA action, suiting up for nine games. Last season, Williams appeared once in the big league with the Detroit Pistons. With
Jordan Poole and
Marcus Smart leaving in the summer, Washington has lost depth at the guard positions, which could give Williams an opportunity to make the team.
--Taavi PailkSource: Chris Haynes
August 20, 2025
Forward/center
Skal Labissiere has agreed to a deal with the Washington Wizards to join the team for training camp. The 29-year-old is attempting to stick in the NBA after making a comeback in the league during the 2024-25 season. Labissiere made four appearances with the Sacramento Kings last term, his first NBA contests in five years. Overall, Labissiere has 152 games under his belt in the Association. He has averaged 7.1 points and 4.4 rebounds in 17.2 minutes. These are solid numbers for a backup, and Labissiere could add more frontcourt depth for the Wizards if he secures a contract for the upcoming season.
--Taavi PailkSource: Chris Haynes
August 19, 2025
NBA correspondent Marc Stein reports that Indiana Pacers head coach Rick Carlisle has agreed to a multiyear extension on Tuesday after leading the franchise to last season's NBA Finals. Carlisle has guided the Pacers for the past four seasons, missing the playoffs in his first two years before orchestrating a turnaround that included a trip to the Eastern Conference Finals in 2023-24 and an NBA Finals appearance this past season. The 56-year-old has amassed 993 regular-season victories across 1,853 games over 23 NBA campaigns.
--Andrew LennoxSource: Marc Stein
August 19, 2025
According to Shams Charania of ESPN, guard
John Wall announced Tuesday that he is retiring from basketball after 11 seasons in the NBA. Wall spent the majority of his NBA career with the Washington Wizards, but he also had stints with the Rockets and Clippers at the end of his career. The University of Kentucky standout was the No. 1 overall pick in the 2010 NBA Draft and was named an All-Star five times while in Washington. He also earned NBA All-Defensive Second Team and All-NBA Third Team honors once. The 34-year-old leaves the game with averages of 18.7 points, 4.2 rebounds, 8.9 assists, and 1.6 steals per contest while shooting 30.3 percent from three-point range and 40.8 percent from the field.
--Andrew LennoxSource: Shams Charania
August 19, 2025
Charlotte Hornets guard
Collin Sexton is expected to be a big piece for the team in 2025-26. "I've always witnessed him competing at a really high level," Hornets head coach Charles Lee said about Sexton during an appearance on WFNZ radio. "Since he's been around our group, he's elevated the intensity. He's definitely a sociable and in-your-face type guy, but I love it. I think he's going to add a lot to our group and our culture." Sexton has proven himself as a reliable scorer, but was traded for a second time in his career this offseason. He'll have plenty to prove in Charlotte, especially since he will be in the final year of his contract.
--Taavi PailkSource: Hoops Wire
August 19, 2025
Los Angeles Lakers forward
Rui Hachimura is not expected to get a contract extension from the team before the season starts. "With the current intel I have, I do not expect Rui to be extended by the Lakers in the next six weeks," Lakers insider Jovan Buha reported on Buha's Block. "It's certainly possible that something happens, but I would say most of what's been out there is them wanting to keep the books clean and wanting to see whether he starts or whether he's their sixth man and how the pieces fit this year." Hachimura is entering the last season of a three-year, $51 million deal and has been eligible for an extension since July 6. Since Hachimura is likely to be playing for his Lakers future in 2025-26, managers might get some extra fantasy value from the Japanese forward.
--Taavi PailkSource: Jovan Buha
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