Mavericks Make Cooper Flagg the Top Selection in the NBA Draft
Anthony Davis and nine-time All-Star Kyrie Irving once the latter returns from an ACL injury. Flagg possesses a skillset that will elevate a team, whether he's playing on or off the ball.Source: ESPN
The Dallas Mavericks selected forward Cooper Flagg with the first pick in the 2025 NBA Draft. Duke's freshman phenom averaged 19 points, 7.5 rebounds, four assists, and 1.4 blocks per game in his lone season in Durham and is widely regarded as one of the best prospects of the decade. The Mavericks view the 18-year-old as a future perennial All-Star. In the immediate future, Flagg joins a roster that could make noise in the Western Conference. He'll start alongside 10-time All-Star Fred VanVleet, Rockets Agree on a New Contract
Fred VanVleet agreed to a two-year, $50 million contract with the team. Houston recently acquired Kevin Durant from the Suns in a trade that sent Jalen Green and Dillon Brooks to Phoenix. However, the Rockets improved their championship potential even more by retaining VanVleet, a player who was instrumental in helping the club secure the No. 2 spot in the Western Conference last season. The 31-year-old is one of the most respected players in the National Basketball Association. Unfortunately, he averaged only 14.1 points last season, his lowest mark since 2018. While there's a chance VanVleet will turn it around, that may be difficult, considering he'll be sharing a floor with Durant, Alperen Sengun, and Amen Thompson, three players who could be in the All-Star conversation.Source: Shams Charania
According to ESPN's Shams Charania, Houston Rockets guard Matisse Thybulle Picks Up Player Option for Next Season
Matisse Thybulle is set to stay with the team for next season. According to NBA insider Chris Haynes, the 28-year-old defensive specialist has opted into his $11.5 million player option for the 2025-26 campaign. This will mark the final season of a three-year, $33 million deal that Thybulle signed with the team in 2023. Thybulle spent most of 2024-25 nursing an ankle injury, making only 15 appearances. He averaged 7.5 points, 3.5 rebounds, 1.9 assists, and 2.2 steals. Thybulle's defensive ability makes him a valuable asset for NBA teams, but he has minimal fantasy appeal.Source: Chris Haynes
Portland Trail Blazers guard/forward Re-Signing Myles Turner the "No. 1 Priority" for Pacers
Myles Turner is heading toward free agency, but the team wants to hang on to him. “I don’t think it’s any secret that the franchise, at this particular moment, that that is the No. 1 priority,” Pacers head coach Rick Carlisle said about Turner. “I don’t know anything about money or numbers or years, or any of that kind of stuff, but Myles is a very important part of what we’ve done here, what we’ve been doing." Turner is coming off a two-year, $40 million deal and could double his annual salary with his new contract. The 29-year-old has spent his entire NBA career with the Pacers, nearing 700 regular-season games. Turner had a solid year in 2024-25, averaging 15.8 points, 6.5 rebounds, and 2.0 blocks while shooting a career-high 39.6 percent from deep.Source: Dustin Dopirak
Indiana Pacers center Georges Niang Lands in Boston
Georges Niang from the Atlanta Hawks. Boston decided to part ways with Kristaps Porzingis and agreed to a three-team deal with the Hawks and Brooklyn Nets. In the transaction, the team acquired Niang along with a second-round draft pick. Niang finds himself on the move for the second time this year, as Atlanta picked him up in a trade with the Cleveland Cavaliers in February. The Celtics mainly made the move for financial reasons, but Niang could find some success on the team as a good three-point shooter. He knocked down 40.6 percent of his triples this season on 5.2 attempts.Source: ESPN
The Boston Celtics have acquired forward Terance Mann Moves to Brooklyn in Three-Team Deal
Terance Mann has become a member of the Brooklyn Nets following a three-team deal. The Atlanta Hawks traded him in a transaction that saw the team acquire Kristaps Porzingis from the Boston Celtics. Mann spent only a few months with the Hawks, having arrived in a trade from the Los Angeles Clippers in February. The Brooklyn native has been a solid bench contributor throughout his six-year NBA career, but he has never really moved the needle in fantasy basketball. This season, Mann averaged 7.7 points, 3.0 rebounds, and 1.8 assists in 21.1 minutes.Source: ESPN
Guard/forward Kelly Olynyk Shipped to Washington
Kelly Olynyk in a trade with the New Orleans Pelicans. The veteran big man was sent to D.C. along with CJ McCollum. Olynyk has played for six teams in five years and will need to pack his bags again. He had a disappointing start to the year with the Toronto Raptors this season, averaging 7.1 points, 3.7 rebounds, and 2.3 assists. With the Pelicans, Olynyk notched 10.7 points, 5.9 rebounds, and 3.6 assists. He played well in New Orleans but received increased minutes and was a regular starter due to injuries. The same likely won't happen in Washington, and a bench role would limit Olynyk's fantasy appeal.Source: ESPN
The Washington Wizards have acquired forward/center Nuggets Ready to Offer Extension to Nikola Jokic
Nikola Jokic has two years left on his contract, with a player option for a third year, but the team plans to offer him an extension. Team president Josh Kroenke said the Nuggets are "definitely" going to offer him an extension this offseason, though he's unsure if Jokic will accept. Jokic would be eligible to sign for more money next summer. The Serbian star just finished an incredible year, averaging a triple-double with 29.6 points, 12.7 rebounds, and 10.2 assists. Additionally, Jokic posted a career-high 1.8 steals per game. He has only recently turned 30 and is expected to dominate for years to come, both in real life and in fantasy basketball.Source: Bennett Durando
Denver Nuggets center Luka Doncic Focused on Conditioning this Offseason
Luka Doncic is "incredibly committed to his conditioning this offseason.” This has been a topic of discussion, considering the Mavericks apparently had concerns about his dedication to keeping himself in shape. While Doncic has repeatedly stated those reports were blown out of proportion, it appears he’s made it a point to squash any doubts. The 26-year-old, who has been on a “strict diet,” has appeared “visibly slimmer” of late. With that in mind, Doncic is arguably the best player in the National Basketball Association. In 28 games with the Lakers, he averaged 28.2 points, 8.1 rebounds, 7.5 assists, and 1.6 steals. Although there’s no denying his abilities on the court, fantasy managers have been frustrated by his numerous injuries over the years. Hopefully, the new training regimen works out. If it does, Doncic has an excellent chance of finishing the season with an MVP award.Source: Dan Wolke
According to Dan Wolke of The Athletic, Los Angeles Lakers guard Kyrie Irving, Mavs Agree to Three-Year Contract Extension
Kyrie Irving (knee) is declining his $43 million player option. Instead, he agreed to a three-year, $119 million contract extension. Without question, Irving is as good as it gets. In 779 regular-season appearances for the Cavs, Celtics, Nets, and Mavericks, the 33-year-old has averaged 23.7 points, 5.6 assists, and 1.3 steals while shooting 39.4% from behind the arc. Unfortunately, he suffered a torn ACL in his left knee in March. The Mavs are optimistic Irving will be able to get back on the floor in January, although the lengthy absence has caused his fantasy value to drop considerably. With that said, fantasy managers can consider stashing him until he is healthy, considering his services should be useful later on in the season.Source: Shams Charania
According to ESPN's Shams Charania, Dallas Mavericks guard Kristaps Porzingis Traded to Atlanta
Kristaps Porzingis from the Boston Celtics as a part of a three-team trade. Included in the deal, guard Terance Mann will be moved to Brooklyn, while forward Georges Niang will head to Boston. The Celtics were expected to make some moves this offseason, with the club also recently sending guard Jrue Holiday to Portland in exchange for guard Anfernee Simons. As far as Porzingis is concerned, he averaged 19.5 points, 6.8 rebounds, and 1.5 blocks last season. He also shot a career-high 41.2% from deep. However, the 29-year-old was limited to only 42 games due to injury and a virus. It's reasonable to believe Porzingis will remain in the starting lineup in Atlanta. Still, he's not the player he once was. Injuries are also a major concern for fantasy managers, which will lead to many looking in other directions during fantasy drafts.Source: Shams Charania
According to ESPN's Shams Charania, the Atlanta Hawks are acquiring forward/center Saddiq Bey Dealt to New Orleans
Saddiq Bey (knee) to the New Orleans Pelicans in exchange for guard CJ McCollum and forward/center Kelly Olynyk. New Orleans will also receive guard Jordan Poole. Bey has shown flashes of promise during his time in the National Basketball Association. He appeared in 292 games for the Detroit Pistons before making a stop in Atlanta with the Hawks, averaging 14.1 points, 5.2 rebounds, and 1.8 assists. He signed a three-year deal with the Wizards last offseason. Unfortunately, the 26-year-old never got on the floor because of a torn ACL sustained near the end of his stint in Atlanta. All things considered, Bey should have a meaningful role in the rotation once he's healthy. He may also get a few starts. Still, Bey has some work to do before earning trust from fantasy managers.Source: Shams Charania
According to ESPN's Shams Charania, the Washington Wizards are trading forward Jordan Poole on the Move to New Orleans
Jordan Poole to the New Orleans Pelicans in exchange for guard CJ McCollum and forward/center Kelly Olynyk. The Pelicans will also receive forward Saddiq Bey (knee). Poole is coming off his best season in the league, averaging 20.5 points, 4.5 assists, and 1.3 steals while shooting 37.8% from behind the three-point line. The 26-year-old will get a fresh start in New Orleans after spending time in Golden State before his stint in Washington. With that said, he may have a tough time staying as productive, especially if forwards Zion Williamson and Trey Murphy III (shoulder) are healthy. Still, Poole should remain a viable fantasy option as it relates to his prowess as a scorer. Outside of that, he isn't very consistent in other statistical areas.Source: Shams Charania
According to ESPN's Shams Charania, the Washington Wizards are trading guard CJ McCollum Traded to the Wizards
CJ McCollum to the Washington Wizards in exchange for Jordan Poole and Saddiq Bey (knee). The Wizards will also receive forward/center Kelly Olynyk. McCollum averaged 21.1 points, 3.8 assists, and 3.6 rebounds last season. However, he shot a career-low 37.3% from behind the arc while being limited to only 56 appearances. McCollum's inability to stay on the floor should be the biggest concern for fantasy managers. There's also a chance he'll take a reduced role on a young team that's obviously in rebuilding mode. That's not to say McCollum won't have productive fantasy showings during the 2025 campaign, but his ceiling isn't nearly as high as it once was.Source: Shams Charania
According to ESPN's Shams Charania, the New Orleans Pelicans are trading guard Grayson Allen's Future in Phoenix Uncertain
Grayson Allen could be off to a new team this offseason. According to HoopsHype, Phoenix has "gauged" the trade market on Allen and Royce O'Neale. The team has just traded Kevin Durant to Houston and appears ready to make more moves after missing the playoffs in 2025. Allen has spent two seasons in Phoenix, but his role declined in 2024-25, as he made only seven starts. The veteran sharpshooter, who is a 41.4 percent career shooter from deep, averaged 10.6 points, 3.0 rebounds, and 2.1 assists in 24.1 minutes. While the Suns consider moving on from Allen, he should attract a lot of interest, as efficient three-point shooters are highly sought after in the league.Source: HoopsHype
Phoenix Suns guard/forward