July 1, 2025
The Denver Nuggets acquired frontcourt depth in the early days of free agency, trading forward
Dario Saric to Sacramento for center
Jonas Valanciunas. The 33-year-old played in 81 games last year for Washington and Sacramento, averaging 10.4 points, seven rebounds, and two assists per game. The former top-five pick has been a productive post scorer throughout his career, and should allow Denver to rest
Nikola Jokic without the offense falling apart. The acquisition of Valanciunas is the latest move of Denver's offseason. They also traded
Michael Porter Jr. to Brooklyn for Cam Johnson and brought back fan-favorite forward
Bruce Brown Jr.
--Andrew Ball - RotoBallerSource: Shams Charania - ESPN
July 1, 2025
The Oklahoma City Thunder and guard
Shai Gilgeous-Alexander have agreed on a four-year, $285 million super max contract extension. That keeps the reigning NBA MVP under contract through the 2031 season. SGA now has the richest yearly salary in league history, a deserving accolade after becoming one of four players in NBA history to win the NBA MVP, Finals MVP, and scoring title. The Thunder's championship core remains intact and will be a strong contender to repeat in 2026. Gilgeous-Alexander will be a top-five pick in upcoming fantasy basketball drafts.
--Andrew Ball - RotoBallerSource: Shams Charania - ESPN
July 1, 2025
Free-agent center
Guerschon Yabusele is moving from Philadelphia to New York, signing a two-year, $12 million contract with the Knicks. The forward returned to the NBA last year after five international seasons and averaged 11 points, 5.6 rebounds, and 2.1 assists on 50% shooting from the field. Yabusele brings lineup optionality to the Knicks. While a little undersized, he can play the 5 in a pinch, but he should also seamlessly fit alongside
Karl-Anthony Towns or
Mitchell Robinson. The fit makes more sense for real-life basketball than it does for fantasy basketball. The Knicks, in a wide-open Eastern Conference, are loading up on depth pieces (Yabusele and guard
Jordan Clarkson) to try and reach the NBA Finals for the first time since 1999.
--Andrew Ball - RotoBallerSource: Shams Charania - ESPN
July 1, 2025
Center
Myles Turner, Indiana's longest-tenured player, will play for division rival Milwaukee in the 2025-26 season. The Bucks signed the 29-year-old to a four-year, $107 million deal to replace the outgoing
Brook Lopez. ESPN's Shams Charania reports the contract has a player option for the final season and a full 15% trade kicker. Turner will start alongside
Giannis Antetokounmpo, with forward
Bobby Portis being the primary big off the bench. Injured guard
Damian Lillard will be waived for Milwaukee to afford the contract. It seemed like a foregone conclusion that Indiana, one win away from a championship, would bring Turner back. However, with
Tyrese Haliburton's Achilles injury, the Pacers' brass seemed hesitant to enter the luxury tax, and they let Turner walk. Indiana is now in the market for a starting-level center.
--Andrew Ball - RotoBallerSource: Shams Charania - ESPN
July 1, 2025
The Milwaukee Bucks are waiving guard
Damian Lillard and stretching the $113 million remaining on his contract, according to ESPN's Shams Charania. ESPN's Bobby Marks reports that it is the largest waive and stretch in NBA history. Lillard's tenure with the Bucks comes to a surprising end after two seasons. The All-NBA guard was set to miss most, if not all, of the 2025-26 season after tearing his Achilles tendon in May. Because of his unlikely availability, the soon-to-be 35-year-old became a cap casualty with Milwaukee adding center
Myles Turner and guard
Gary Harris in free agency, while retaining forwards
Bobby Portis and
Taurean Prince, and guard
Kevin Porter Jr. Lillard, who finished 10th in scoring (24.9) and assists (7.1) last season, will now be on the hunt for a new team.
--Andrew Ball - RotoBallerSource: Shams Charania - ESPN
June 30, 2025
Free-agent forward
Trendon Watford signed a two-year deal worth $5.3 million with the Philadelphia 76ers on Monday, per Shams Charania of ESPN. Watford spent last season with the Nets, posting averages of 10.2 points, 3.6 rebounds, 2.6 assists, 0.6 steals and 0.3 blocks in 20.8 minutes per contest across 44 outings. The 24-year-old could be a key piece in the 76ers rotation during the 2024-25 campaign and beyond.
--Andrew LennoxSource: Shams Charania
June 30, 2025
According to Shams Charania of ESPN, veteran guard
Jordan Clarkson (foot) is expected to sign with the New York Knicks after he clears free-agency waivers. Clarkson was able to lock down a deal within no time after being waived by the Jazz earlier on Monday. The 33-year-old is versatile on the floor as a point guard or a shooting guard. Last season, he was limited to just 37 appearances due to a left-foot injury and averaged 16.2 points, 3.7 assists, 3.2 rebounds, and 0.8 steals across 26.0 minutes per game.
--Andrew LennoxSource: Shams Charania
June 30, 2025
The Memphis Grizzlies have reached a new deal with forward
Santi Aldama on Monday. According to Shams Charania, Aldama has agreed to a three-year, $52.5 million deal with the Grizzlies. It appears the Grizzlies are using the offseason to re-sign their own players. Aldama posted a career-best 12.5 points, 6.4 rebounds, and 2.9 assists in 25.5 minutes per game across 65 games in Memphis last season. He spent most of his time as a reserve, but could move into the starting five with
Zach Edey (ankle) unlikely to be ready to start the season. Aldama isn't an elite fantasy contributor, but could sneak his way onto rosters depending on the format.
--Andy WebbSource: Shams Charania
June 30, 2025
The Atlanta Hawks have signed free-agent guard
Nickeil Alexander-Walker to a massive deal on Monday. According to Shams Charania, Alexander-Walker is signing a four-year, $62 million deal with the Hawks. Alexander-Walker has spent each of the last two seasons with the Minnesota Timberwolves. However, it seemed unlikely that they were going to bring him back after signing
Naz Reid and
Julius Randle to contract extensions. That being said, Alexander-Walker leaves and gets a nice payday with Atlanta. Last season, Alexander-Walker averaged 9.4 points, 3.2 rebounds, and 2.7 assists across 25.3 minutes per game in 82 games. The 26-year-old is a solid two-way player that should help this Hawks unit that isn't known for their defense.
--Andy WebbSource: Shams Charania
June 30, 2025
The Los Angeles Clippers have added some depth in the front court with the addition of center
Brook Lopez on Monday. According to Shams Charania, Lopez has agreed to a two-year, $18 million deal with the Clippers. The veteran center has decided to play elsewhere after spending each of the last seven seasons with the Milwaukee Bucks. Last season, Lopez averaged 13.0 points, 5.0 rebounds, and 1.8 assists across 31.8 minutes in 80 games with the Bucks. The Clippers already have
Ivica Zubac, so Lopez seeing 30-plus minutes in the rotation is unlikely. He's probably more of a streaming option in fantasy formats but gives this roster solid depth.
--Andy WebbSource: Shams Charania
June 30, 2025
Chicago Bulls guard
Tre Jones is signing a new long term extension with the organization on Monday. According to Shams Charania, Jones has agreed to a three-year $24 million deal to remain in Chicago. The Bulls acquired Jones ahead of the trade deadline last season. He saw a fairly significant role in the rotation down the stretch of the season with the Bulls. Jones averaged 11.5 points, 3.2 rebounds, and 4.9 assists in 25.3 minutes per game in 18 contests with Chicago. His fantasy value will be dependent on what happens with
Josh Giddey who is currently a restricted free agent. The departure of Giddey could create an opening for Jones to see significant playing time in the rotation.
--Andy WebbSource: Shams Charania
June 30, 2025
The Houston Rockets fun offseason continues as they've added free-agent forward
Dorian Finney-Smith on Monday. The two sides have agreed on a four-year, $53 million deal. A day after declining his player option with the Lakers, Finney-Smith scores a big payday with another organization. The veteran forward is a solid 3-and-D player that could be a reliable contributor on this roster. Last season, Finney-Smith averaged a career-high 41 percent from behind the three-point line. He split time between the Lakers and Brooklyn Nets last season, but found a long term home in Houston. This Rockets roster is stacked with talent, so it's unclear how much playing time Finney-Smith will see with his new team. That being said, his fantasy value will be dependent on his role in the rotation.
--Andy WebbSource: Shams Charania
June 30, 2025
The Detroit Pistons have reportedly signed free-agent guard/forward
Caris LeVert on Monday. According to Shams Charania, LeVert has agreed to a two-year, $29 million deal with the Pistons. A good deal for the Pistons who could use another consistent scoring option. Last season, LeVert averaged 12.1 points, 3.2 rebounds, and 3.4 assists in 64 games between the Cleveland Cavaliers and Atlanta Hawks. LeVert isn't a superstar, but could offer help as a reliable reserve option. It's worth noting,
Malik Beasley is currently in the middle of gambling allegations, so it's unclear what he'll be able to contribute right now. That being said, LeVert could have a larger role to start the season, assuming Beasley does get suspended. Regardless, LeVert probably won't land within the top 150 in nine-cat formats.
--Andy WebbSource: Shams Charania
June 30, 2025
According to ESPN's Shams Charania, free-agent guard
Kevin Porter Jr. agreed to a two-year, $11 million contract to remain with the Milwaukee Bucks. The 25-year-old was at his best while a member of the Houston Rockets. However, he still played well after his arrival to the Bucks in a trade from the Los Angeles Clippers last season, averaging 11.7 points and 40.8% shooting from behind the arc. With
Damian Lillard (Achilles) expected to miss the 2025 campaign, Porter could take over his spot in the rotation, potentially leading to one of his most productive seasons to date. His statistical contributions could increase even more if
Giannis Antetokounmpo finds his way to another team.
--Dennis ClausenSource: Shams Charania
June 30, 2025
The Dallas Mavericks have reportedly agreed on a deal with free-agent point guard
D'Angelo Russell on Monday. According to Shams Charania, Russell is signing a two-year, $13 million deal with Dallas. The 29-year-old has bounced around quite a bit since being drafted by the Los Angeles Lakers in 2015. Last season, Russell split time between the Lakers and Brooklyn Nets. He averaged 12.6 points and 5.1 assists across 58 games last season. Russell figures to play a fairly significant role in the rotation while
Kyrie Irving (knee) recovers. It's unlikely that Irving gets back in the mix until around mid-season, so Russell is likely to see big minutes in the first half. He doesn't offer great consistency as a scoring option, but should be able to hold nine-cat value.
--Andy WebbSource: Shams Charania
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