August 12, 2025
According to an anonymous NBA scout, Los Angeles Lakers guard
Luka Doncic appears to be in fantastic shape. "Man, he looks incredible," said the scout, who watched Doncic during a recent EuroBasket friendly contest. "He's quicker and more explosive. He's getting by people more easily. I think he's on a mission, man. I think he's gonna win MVP and the scoring title next season." The multi-time All-Star has reportedly focused on his diet and conditioning throughout the offseason, resulting in a dramatic weight loss. He spent his entire career with the Dallas Mavericks before surprisingly being dealt to the Lakers ahead of last season's deadline. Doncic played as well as expected, averaging 28.2 points, 8.2 rebounds, 7.7 assists, and 1.8 steals in 28 regular-season games for Los Angeles. The 26-year-old is still in search of his first MVP award. He's also on the hunt for an NBA championship. With that in mind, Doncic has a good chance of accomplishing both before calling it a career. However, he'll need to stay healthy, which has been an issue over the years. As far as his fantasy stock is concerned, he's arguably still the No. 1 option available in any format heading into the 2025 campaign, although
Nikola Jokic and
Shai Gilgeous-Alexander are also in the conversation.
--Dennis ClausenSource: Ashish Mathur
August 12, 2025
Forward/center
Kai Jones had a workout for the Miami Heat on Monday, NBA insider Chris Haynes reports. Jones is an unrestricted free agent. He's had a turbulent journey in the NBA since entering the league in 2021 as a first-round pick. After skipping the entire 2023-24 campaign, Jones signed with the Los Angeles Clippers last season and also spent time with the Dallas Mavericks. Over 40 appearances, Jones averaged 5.0 points and 3.1 rebounds in 11.7 minutes. If he signs with the Heat, Jones would bolster the team's frontcourt depth but isn't expected to be a factor in fantasy basketball.
--Taavi PailkSource: Chris Haynes
August 12, 2025
Point guard
Russell Westbrook is expected to end up with the Sacramento Kings for the start of the new season. ESPN's Tim MacMahon reports that league sources consider Sacramento the most likely destination for the former MVP. Westbrook became an unrestricted free agent this offseason after declining a $3.47 million player option to return to the Denver Nuggets. While Westbrook is way past his peak, he can still make plenty of noise in the right circumstances. Last season, the 36-year-old veteran averaged 15.3 points, 6.1 rebounds, 7.0 assists, and 1.7 steals in 38 starts with the Nuggets. His fantasy production might be limited in Sacramento, as Westbrook is seen as
Dennis Schroder's backup.
--Taavi PailkSource: Tim MacMahon
August 12, 2025
Forward/center
Al Horford is still without a contract but is expected to sign with the Golden State Warriors for the upcoming campaign. Sources have told ESPN's Anthony Slater that retirement remains an option for the 39-year-old big man, but the Warriors see him as "a firm part of their plan" in 2025-26. Horford looks like a good fit for the Warriors and is likely to occupy the starting center's role. In Boston, Horford started only 75 of 125 games over the last two seasons. A regular starting role would boost his fantasy outlook, but since he doesn't play in back-to-backs, Horford can't be relied on as a nightly option.
--Taavi PailkSource: Anthony Slater
August 12, 2025
Golden State Warriors forward
Jonathan Kuminga has a two-year contract offer on the table from the team, but he is reportedly leaning toward accepting a $7.9 million qualifying offer. Sources told ESPN's Anthony Slater that "Kuminga has indicated to those close to him" that he finds the qualifying offer more appealing than the team's contract offer. The Warriors have tried to secure his signature with a two-year, $45 million deal, which includes a team option for the second year and does not have an inherent no-trade clause. Meanwhile, Kuminga is seeking a three-year, $82 million pact. He has until Oct. 1 to accept the qualifying offer.
--Taavi PailkSource: Anthony Slater
August 12, 2025
Brooklyn Nets guard
Cam Thomas is "increasingly interested" in signing a $6 million qualifying offer, NBA insider Jake Fischer reports. The talented scorer remains a restricted free agent and seems to have overvalued himself. A recent report from Lucas Kaplan of NetsDaily suggests that, in an ideal scenario, Thomas would want to attract offers close to $40 million a year. Brooklyn's maximum offer has reportedly been a two-year deal with a team option, worth $14.1 million annually. Thomas has been left in contract limbo despite leading the Nets in scoring last season with 24.0 points per game and posting career highs in rebounding (3.3) and assists (3.8).
--Taavi PailkSource: Jake Fischer
August 11, 2025
The Boston Celtics waived forward
Miles Norris on Sunday. Norris was released from his two-way contract to make room for
RJ Luis Jr., who was acquired on Tuesday. He spent 2024-25 in the G League, playing in over 44 games between the Maine Celtics and Memphis Hustle. The 25-year-old averaged 16.6 points, 5.6 rebounds, 1.3 assists, and 1.0 steals across 30.5 minutes per contest during his appearances. With just three career NBA games under his belt, Norris will hope to land a contract elsewhere before training camp this fall.
--Andrew LennoxSource: Boston Celtics
August 11, 2025
According to ESPN's Shams Charania, the Detroit Pistons signed forward
Javonte Green to a one-year deal on Monday. Last campaign, Green saw action in 50 regular-season games with the Pelicans and 18 with the Cavaliers. He averaged 5.1 points, 3.2 rebounds, 0.8 assists, 0.5 blocks and 1.0 steals across 18.5 minutes per contest. The 32-year-old could find himself out of the Pistons' rotation at times, having to compete with
Jaden Ivey,
Ausar Thompson,
Duncan Robinson, Ronald Holland II and
Caris LeVert for minutes.
--Andrew LennoxSource: Shams Charania
August 10, 2025
Chicago Bulls guard
Josh Giddey is still seeking a new contract that will pay him an average of $30 million per season, but the team doesn't quite agree with that figure. According to The Stein Line's Jake Fischer, the Bulls are standing firm at $20 million per season. Their last offer came in at $80 million over four years, but Giddey and his team didn't seem to budge. He remains a restricted free agent, so the Bulls ultimately have control, but some other teams have shown interest. As of right now, the Brooklyn Nets are the only team that has the cap space to offer Giddey what he wants. In his first year with Chicago, the former sixth-overall pick averaged 14.6 points, 8.1 rebounds, 7.2 assists, 1.2 steals, and 2.9 turnovers per game.
--Alex Fischbein - RotoBallerSource: Jake Fischer
August 10, 2025
San Antonio Spurs forward
Jeremy Sochan (calf) recently injured his calf while training with Poland's national team for the upcoming EuroBasket competition. The Polish Basketball Federation has announced that this will keep the 22-year-old out of it altogether. The good news, however, is that Sochan is headed back to San Antonio for treatment and does not expect to miss training camp for this coming season. Last year, Sochan appeared in 54 games and averaged 11.4 points, 6.5 rebounds, 2.4 assists, and 1.6 turnovers per game while shooting 53.5% from the floor and 30.8% from deep.
--Alex Fischbein - RotoBallerSource: Kurt Helin
August 10, 2025
Atlanta Hawks guard
Trae Young was reportedly growing frustrated with no contract extension negotiations as he watched some others ink a new deal, like
Luka Doncic. Now, according to NBA Insider Jake Fischer of The Stein Line, reports that Young and the Hawks are 'resigned' to the idea of no contract extension this summer. The star point guard is under contract for this coming season with a player option worth $48.9 million in 2026-27. Neither side is reportedly looking to part ways, but if Young hits free agency, that would mean he and newly acquired
Kristaps Porzingis hit the market at the same time. Across seven seasons with the Hawks, Young has averaged 25.3 points, 9.8 assists, 3.5 rebounds, 1.0 steals, and 4.2 turnovers per game. While it would be very unlikely that the Hawks let him walk for nothing, it's a development worth watching.
--Alex Fischbein - RotoBallerSource: Jake Fischer
August 9, 2025
According to Brett Siegel of Clutch Points, free-agent utility man
Ben Simmons is reportedly drawing interest from the New York Knicks and Boston Celtics. Both teams have a need, and since Simmons can play multiple positions, his presence would help address depth concerns for either club. In addition, he may be willing to sign at a discounted rate. The 29-year-old averaged 15.9 points, 8.1 rebounds, and 7.7 assists in 275 regular-season contests for the Philadelphia 76ers. However, his production has significantly declined ever since, most recently averaging 2.9 points, 3.8 boards, and 3.1 assists in a brief stint with the Los Angeles Clippers last season. Still, Simmons' versatility could prove useful for clubs with limited cap space. He's an excellent passer and is still somewhat sound on the defensive end. On the other hand, the former LSU Tiger has been plagued by numerous injuries over the years. He's also not a good shooter.
--Dennis ClausenSource: Brett Siegel
August 9, 2025
Miami Heat forward
Haywood Highsmith (knee) recently suffered a torn meniscus in his right knee while training. He underwent surgery and is expected to be sidelined for 8-to-10 weeks. The 28-year-old started in 42 games for the Heat throughout the 2024 campaign. Still, he wasn't a reliable contributor on the fantasy end overall, averaging 6.5 points, 3.4 rebounds, and 1.5 assists in 74 regular-season contests. His anticipated return timetable means he's now likely to miss some time to begin the year. However, Highsmith isn't projected to hold a routine spot in Erik Spoelstra's rotation, so it's not much of a blow to fantasy managers. With that in mind, his absence could still allow guys like
Jaime Jaquez Jr. and
Nikola Jovic to spend a little more time on the floor, at least early in the season.
--Dennis ClausenSource: Miami Heat
August 7, 2025
Boston Celtics guard
Payton Pritchard took a big leap in 2024-25 and aims to improve even more in the upcoming season. "I feel like everybody should be excited," Pritchard said on the Celtics Talk Podcast. "There's a lot of opportunities across the board. For me, personally, I'm excited every year. Because it's an opportunity to prove myself again, to show that I can take another step. And that's my goal every year. I'm definitely hungry and motivated this year, been working really hard. So I'm excited." Pritchard was named the NBA Sixth Man of the Year last season after he averaged 14.3 points, 3.8 rebounds, and 3.5 assists, shooting 40.7 percent from downtown. Following an offseason of change in Boston, Pritchard will have every chance to play an even more important role on his team.
--Taavi PailkSource: NBC Sports Boston
August 7, 2025
Los Angeles Lakers guard
Austin Reaves is projected to command a major pay raise with his next contract. The 27-year-old is currently on a four-year, $54 million deal, which has a player option for the final season (2026-27). Reaves will likely more than double his current annual salary. "I think he will get $30 [million] plus," an NBA executive told ESPN. According to ESPN's Tim Bontemps, NBA executives expect the Lakers to keep Reaves as
Luka Doncic's long-term backcourt partner. Reaves will start the next season after a career year, during which he averaged 20.2 points, 4.5 rebounds, 5.8 assists, and 1.1 steals. His stats slightly dipped in all categories after Doncic arrived mid-season, and it will be intriguing to see how well the two work together moving forward.
--Taavi PailkSource: ESPN
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