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Lakers Hire Heat Executive Eric Amsler as Assistant GM
The Los Angeles Lakers are hiring Miami Heat vice president of player personnel Eric Amsler as an assistant general manager, according to ESPN's Shams Charania. Amsler spent over 22 years in Miami, climbing from intern through scouting, personnel, and G-League roles before landing in Los Angeles. He joins Rohan Ramadas under president of basketball operations Rob Pelinka, who previously said one planned assistant GM hire would focus on pro scouting, draft scouting, and player development, while the other would handle cap, analytics, and data. The move does not change the fantasy depth chart by itself, but it is relevant for younger pieces such as Adou Thiero and first-round pick Cameron Carr. Thiero barely played as a rookie, averaging 6.0 minutes across 25 appearances, but he posted 15.4 points, 6.2 rebounds, and 2.0 steals per game in Summer League. Both are camp names to track as the Lakers sort through their wing and forward depth.
Source: Shams Charania
Source: Shams Charania
Ron Holland II Rebuilding His Jump Shot This Offseason
Detroit Pistons forward Ron Holland II has spent the offseason working to become more of a perimeter threat, Roundtable's Eric Rutter reports. The former No. 5 pick shot just 25.3 percent from three last season, and the spacing issue followed him into the playoffs, where his role collapsed and he picked up multiple DNPs. Holland still averaged 8.2 points, 4.0 rebounds, 1.2 assists, and 1.2 steals in 19.9 minutes across 78 regular-season games, so the defensive profile remains useful. The problem is the crowd. Detroit added Isaiah Joe, Taurean Prince, and Gary Harris this summer, while Duncan Robinson and Kevin Huerter are already in the shooting mix. Holland has the tools to force his way into minutes, but until the jumper shows up in games, he is more of a camp monitor than a draft-day target.
Source: Eric Rutter
Source: Eric Rutter
Kyrie Irving Ramps Up in Pickup Games
Dallas Mavericks guard Kyrie Irving (knee) has been playing offseason pickup games as he ramps up toward a 2026-27 return, according to ESPN's Tim MacMahon. Irving tore the ACL in his left knee in March 2025 and sat out all of 2025-26, leaving him 19 months removed from the injury when training camp begins. The 34-year-old has averaged 25.5 points and 5.1 assists in a Mavericks uniform, and his return would give Cooper Flagg a real off-ball partner after a rookie season worth 21.0 points, 6.7 rebounds, and 4.5 assists. Max Christie and the reserve guards would lose some minutes once Irving is active. The fantasy wrinkle is the deadline, with MacMahon noting contenders could pursue Irving if Masai Ujiri is willing to listen.
Source: Tim MacMahon
Source: Tim MacMahon
Nicolas Claxton Projected to Start at Center for Bulls
Chicago Bulls center Nicolas Claxton is projected to open the season as the starting five, according to Law Murray of The Athletic. The move does not create a brand-new role after Claxton started 68 of 69 games for Brooklyn last season, but it does give him a fresh setup as Chicago looks to fill its center spot under Tiago Splitter. Zach Collins and Jalen Smith are the main backup bigs on the roster, so Claxton should still have a steady path to the 27.8 minutes per game he logged last season. He averaged 11.7 points, 6.9 rebounds, 3.7 assists, and 1.1 blocks on 57.1 percent shooting, and playing off Josh Giddey's passing could help his lob and putback chances. The 61.6 percent free-throw mark remains the fantasy tax.
Source: Law Murray
Source: Law Murray
Ben Simmons' Kings Contract is Non-Guaranteed
Sacramento Kings guard/forward Ben Simmons officially signed his one-year deal, but the structure makes this a camp audition more than a rotation promise. HoopsHype's Michael Scotto reports that the contract is non-guaranteed and worth up to $3.5 million, with Simmons earning $1 million if he makes the opening-night roster on Oct. 21 against the Clippers. That adds needed context after Sacramento first agreed to terms with the 30-year-old three-time All-Star last week. Simmons is attempting an NBA comeback after sitting out 2025-26, and Russell Westbrook's retirement left Sacramento with a veteran playmaking void behind rookie Darius Acuff Jr. Malik Monk still has a steadier path to backup creation, while Nique Clifford and Emanuel Sharp are also in the young guard/wing mix. Simmons is worth monitoring in camp, but his fantasy value starts with proving he has a roster spot and real minutes.
Source: Michael Scotto
Source: Michael Scotto
Warriors Bring Back Alex Toohey on an Exhibit 10 Deal
The Golden State Warriors are bringing back forward Alex Toohey on an Exhibit 10 training camp deal, according to ESPN's Anthony Slater. Golden State's 2025 second-round pick never got his first season in the program off the ground, as a left knee injury wiped out his preseason, limited him to two Santa Cruz appearances, and eventually required season-ending surgery in December. The Canberra product averaged seven points and three rebounds in those two G-League games after posting 10.5 points, 3.9 rebounds, and 1.5 steals for the Sydney Kings in 2024-25. Golden State's standard roster is full, so Toohey is fighting for a two-way look or a Santa Cruz track rather than NBA rotation minutes. Even if healthy, he sits behind Georges Niang, Gui Santos, and Yaxel Lendeborg in the forward mix, keeping him off fantasy boards unless injuries thin the wing group.
Source: Anthony Slater
Source: Anthony Slater
Wizards Promote Amber Nichols to Vice President of Basketball Operations
HoopsHype's Michael Scotto reports that the Washington Wizards are promoting Amber Nichols to vice president of basketball operations and personnel. The former Capital City Go-Go general manager most recently served as Washington's director of amateur evaluation, running point on the process that produced AJ Dybantsa at No. 1 and Felix Okpara at No. 46 in June. Her wider personnel remit matters for a roster with a real minutes crunch. Alexandre Sarr, Tre Johnson, Kyshawn George, and Will Riley are all fighting for touches behind Trae Young and Anthony Davis, and an evaluator being handed more say usually points to patience with drafted players rather than veteran fill-ins. Dybantsa's rookie usage is the piece to track.
Source: Michael Scotto
Source: Michael Scotto
Sasha Vezenkov Leaves Door Open to NBA Return
Olympiacos forward Sasha Vezenkov drew exploratory interest from the Minnesota Timberwolves this summer, according to Marc Stein, though a formal offer never followed. The inquiry came before Minnesota signed Jonathan Kuminga, with Vezenkov signaling early that he preferred to stay in Greece. "It's tough now because here is my family, my life," the 31-year-old said, while still leaving the door slightly open by adding, "never say never." Vezenkov's lone NBA season produced 5.4 points and 2.3 rebounds in 12.2 minutes across 42 games with Sacramento in 2023-24. Since returning to Olympiacos, he has won another EuroLeague MVP and led the competition at 19.4 points per game. With Julius Randle and Naz Reid gone, Minnesota had reason to search for frontcourt skill, but Kuminga's arrival and Vezenkov's decision leave Trey Lyles and the remaining bench pieces with a cleaner path to reserve minutes.
Source: Marc Stein
Source: Marc Stein
Max Strus Embraces Glue-Guy Role with Clippers
Los Angeles Clippers guard/forward Max Strus said on the Link with JB podcast that he is comfortable settling into a glue-guy role built around shooting, defense, rebounding, and moving the ball. "I used to have a bag back in college, but I don't anymore," Strus said, adding that he is not afraid to guard top scorers. The 30-year-old returned from a Jones fracture in his left foot last season and averaged 11.2 points, 5.4 rebounds, 2.0 assists, and 2.8 three-pointers in 12 regular-season games while shooting 40.2 percent from deep, then posted 9.6 points and 4.8 rebounds across 18 playoff outings. Darius Garland and Bradley Beal already give the Clippers perimeter creation, while Brandon Ingram is expected to arrive once the Kawhi Leonard deal is finalized. Strus should have a rotation spot in the final year of his deal, but threes and rebounds are the only reliable fantasy hooks.
Source: Link with JB podcast
Source: Link with JB podcast
Naz Reid Steps Into Starting Role with Charlotte
Charlotte Hornets forward/center Naz Reid is in line to open the season as a full-time starter after arriving from Minnesota in the LaMelo Ball trade, ESPN's Andre Snellings writes. The 2023-24 Sixth Man of the Year has never held that kind of role, but he averaged 13.6 points, 6.2 rebounds, 2.2 assists, 1.0 steals, and 1.0 blocks last season while shooting 36.2 percent from three in a crowded Timberwolves frontcourt. The fit in Charlotte gives him a cleaner fantasy runway. Coby White should take over as the primary initiator, while Kon Knueppel and Brandon Miller will also command touches on the wing. Reid's per-minute production has always been useful, and a steady starting workload could push him toward career highs in points, rebounds, and threes.
Source: Andre Snellings
Source: Andre Snellings
Coby White Set to Run the Show in Charlotte
Charlotte Hornets guard Coby White is expected to open the season as the team's starting point guard after LaMelo Ball was sent to Minnesota in a deal built around Naz Reid and draft capital, ESPN's Andre Snellings writes. White arrived from Chicago at last season's deadline and came off the bench for Charlotte, averaging 15.6 points, 3.0 rebounds, 3.0 assists, and 2.0 three-pointers in 19.3 minutes across 21 games. His last two full seasons with the Bulls are the better fantasy guide, as he averaged roughly 19.7 points, 4.8 assists, and 2.8 threes while carrying a larger on-ball role. Kon Knueppel and Brandon Miller will need touches, and Reid adds another scoring option up front, but White has the clearest path to initiating the offense after signing a three-year, $74 million deal. A career-best fantasy season is in play if the minutes climb.
Source: Andre Snellings
Source: Andre Snellings
Ron Holland II in Line for Bigger Role with Detroit
Detroit Pistons forward Ron Holland II should have a more pronounced role next season, according to Hunter Patterson of The Athletic. The opening is partly defensive after Detroit traded Isaiah Stewart to Memphis in June, but the bigger fantasy swing comes on offense. Patterson notes that Detroit needs either Holland or Ausar Thompson to become a more reliable scoring piece, leaving Holland with a cleaner path if his jumper and handle take a step. The 21-year-old averaged 8.2 points, 4.0 rebounds, 1.2 assists, and 1.2 steals in 19.9 minutes across 78 games last season, including five starts. The defensive stats are useful, but his 25.3 percent three-point shooting keeps the ceiling shaky. John Collins and Taurean Prince give J.B. Bickerstaff veteran alternatives, so Holland is a camp name to track rather than a locked-in fantasy target.
Source: Hunter Patterson
Source: Hunter Patterson
Dillon Jones Lands Exhibit 10 Deal with Philadelphia
The Philadelphia 76ers have signed forward Dillon Jones to an Exhibit 10 contract, ESPN's Dave McMenamin reports. The 24-year-old arrives with two championship rings and almost no rotation resume, logging 61 NBA appearances across two seasons while averaging 2.4 points, 2.1 rebounds, and 1.0 assist in 9.7 minutes. He has been far more productive a level down, posting 15.9 points, 7.0 rebounds, and 6.9 assists in 42 G-League games between Rip City and Westchester last season. Philadelphia carries one open two-way slot behind Caleb Love and Rayan Rupert, and Jones will compete for it against fellow camp signees Tacko Fall, Jameer Nelson Jr., and Saint Thomas. Even if he wins that job, the fantasy relevance stops at Delaware Blue Coats box scores.
Source: Dave McMenamin
Source: Dave McMenamin
Hornets Sign Bez Mbeng
The Charlotte Hornets signed guard Bez Mbeng on Tuesday, according to Charlotte Observer reporter Rod Boone. The 23-year-old fills the roster spot opened by Kobe Stewart's release, and the deal is likely an Exhibit 10 as Charlotte builds out its camp group. Mbeng closed last season on the fringe of Utah's rotation, averaging 8.1 points, 3.8 rebounds, 4.1 assists, and 2.3 steals in 32.8 minutes across 15 games while shooting 50.0 percent from the field. That stretch included a 27-point, 11-rebound, 11-assist triple-double off the bench against Memphis. The steals are interesting, but Charlotte already has Coby White, Kon Knueppel, Dennis Schroder, and Grayson Allen ahead of him in the guard mix. Sioux Falls still controls his G-League returning rights, so Greensboro would need a trade to secure him if he does not make the Hornets.
Source: Rod Boone
Source: Rod Boone
Hawks Promote Peter Dinwiddie to Executive VP of Basketball Operations
The Atlanta Hawks have promoted Peter Dinwiddie to executive vice president of basketball operations, added Tim Bontemps as a strategic adviser, and elevated Maxwell Kupchak to director of cap strategy and player personnel. Dinwiddie, who previously held the same title in Philadelphia, becomes a leading voice under president of basketball operations Onsi Saleh after Bryson Graham left for Chicago. The fantasy angle is roster clarity. Atlanta still has 17 standard contracts and must get to 15 before opening night, with Corey Kispert, Buddy Hield, Devin Carter, Mouhamed Gueye, and Ryan Nembhard all potential roster-crunch names. Kupchak's expanded cap role also matters with Onyeka Okongwu extension-eligible on Oct. 1. Any consolidation move would sharpen the rotation behind Jalen Johnson, Nickeil Alexander-Walker, and Dyson Daniels.
Source: Michael Scotto
Source: Michael Scotto
