June 29, 2025
Los Angeles Lakers forward
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.
--Andy WebbSource: Shams Charania
June 29, 2025
Oklahoma City Thunder forward
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.
--Andy WebbSource: Shams Charania
June 29, 2025
Los Angeles Lakers forward
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.
--Andy WebbSource: Shams Charania
June 29, 2025
According to NBA insider Jake Fischer, Boston Celtics guard
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.
--Dennis ClausenSource: Jake Fischer
June 29, 2025
Milwaukee Bucks guard
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.
--Andy WebbSource: The Athletic
June 28, 2025
Toronto Raptors forward
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.
--Andy WebbSource: Shams Charania
June 28, 2025
Los Angeles Clippers forward
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.
--Andy WebbSource: Shams Charania
June 28, 2025
The Brooklyn Nets have exercised the team option on guard
Keon Johnson on Saturday. Johnson will receive $2.35 million after having a career-year with the Nets. Last season, Johnson averaged 10.6 points, 3.8 rebounds, and 2.2 assists across 24.4 minutes per game in 79 games. Johnson played big minutes for the Nets down the stretch of the season. He has bounced around quite a bit during his career, but appears to have found a home in Brooklyn. The Nets are loaded with young talent, so we'll see where Johnson falls in the rotation when the season begins.
--Andy WebbSource: C.J. Holmes
June 28, 2025
The Portland Trail Blazers have exercised the team option on guard
Rayan Rupert for the upcoming 2025-2026 season. Rupert will receive $2.2 million for next season and become a restricted free agent next summer. The 21-year-old has shown flashes of potential, but hasn't become a consistent performer yet. Last season, Rupert averaged 3.0 points, 1.3 rebounds, and 0.5 assists in 8.8 minutes per game across 52 contests. He posted some nice performances towards the end of the season, so possibly Rupert gets a bigger role next season. Regardless, Rupert isn't someone worth looking at in fantasy leagues.
--Andy WebbSource: Sean Highkin
June 28, 2025
Golden State Warriors forward
Jonathan Kuminga has reportedly received a qualifying offer from the organization, according to Spotrac's Keith Smith. That means, Kuminga will head into free agency as a restricted free agent. This allows the Warriors to match any offer sheet that Kuminga gets during free agency. Honestly, it's unclear what kind of role Kuminga would have if he returned to Golden State. Last season, Kuminga averaged 15.3 points, 4.6 rebounds, and 2.2 assists across 24.3 minutes per game. Kuminga played in a career-low 47 games, but he saw big minutes during the playoffs. It's also possible that the Warriors do a sign-and-trade here. Honestly, Kuminga would probably have better fantasy value elsewhere, but we'll wait and see what happens in free agency.
--Andy WebbSource: Keith Smith
June 28, 2025
Cleveland Cavaliers forward
Sam Merrill plans to sign a new long term deal with the organization. According to Shams Charania, Merrill intends to sign a four-year, $38 million deal with Cleveland. Merrill has spent each of the last three seasons in a reserve role with the Cavs. Last season, Merrill averaged 7.2 points, 2.2 rebounds, and 1.5 assists across 19.7 minutes per game in 71 contests. He's a consistent shooter that is a valuable option off the bench. Merrill is unlikely to offer much fantasy value, but this looks like a good deal for Cleveland.
--Andy WebbSource: Shams Charania
June 28, 2025
Miami Heat guard
Davion Mitchell plans to stay with the organization for a little longer. Mitchell intends on signing a two-year, $24 million deal with the Heat. The former ninth overall pick has been inconsistent during his five years in the league. Mitchell saw good success with Miami when he averaged 10.3 points, 2.7 rebounds, and 5.3 assists across 30 games with the team last season. Mitchell played over 30 minutes per game once he joined the Heat. He figures to get a legitimate shot at the starting point guard spot.
--Andy WebbSource: Shams Charania
June 28, 2025
According to ESPN's Shams Charania, the Cleveland Cavaliers are trading forward
Isaac Okoro to the Chicago Bulls in exchange for guard
Lonzo Ball. The 2020 No. 5 overall pick agreed to a three-year, $33 million contract last offseason. Unfortunately, he is coming off the worst year of his career, averaging 6.1 points, 2.4 rebounds, and 1.2 assists. The Cavs have one of the deepest rosters in the National Basketball Association, so Okoro could see more minutes in Chicago, potentially leading to an uptick in production. Still, he has a way to go before earning a routine spot in any fantasy lineup.
--Dennis ClausenSource: Shams Charania
June 28, 2025
According to ESPN's Shams Charania, the Chicago Bulls are trading guard
Lonzo Ball to the Cleveland Cavaliers in exchange for forward
Isaac Okoro. The Cavs have one of the highest payrolls in the National Basketball Association, so moving on from Okoro can give the team flexibility. It will also give the club another quality bench option, assuming he stays on the court. Ball miraculously returned last season following a two-year stint on the shelf caused by a serious knee injury. He played as well as expected, averaging 7.6 points, 3.4 rebounds, 3.3 assists, and 1.3 steals in 35 games. The 27-year-old could continue to struggle to stay healthy, Still, Ball should have some flashes of production for fantasy managers throughout the 2025-26 campaign, giving him streaming potential. Unfortunately, his best days are likely behind him.
--Dennis ClausenSource: Shams Charania
June 27, 2025
According to ESPN's Jonathan Givony, Utah Jazz forward
Ace Bailey plans to report to the team on Saturday. "We've had good communication with Ace Bailey and his representatives," said a Jazz Representative. "We feel good about everything. We'll have a press conference Sunday and practice Monday." The former Scarlet Knight 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. 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. He'll also have a chance to start immediately with the Jazz. All things considered, Bailey will be one of the first rookies selected by fantasy managers in rookie drafts, especially now that he intends to suit up for Utah.
--Dennis ClausenSource: Jonathan Givony
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