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Max Christie Eyes Bigger Role with Dallas
Dallas Mavericks guard/forward Max Christie was named the team's biggest X factor for 2026-27 by ESPN. Christie set career highs last season with 12.3 points, 3.2 rebounds, and 2.0 assists across 77 games while shooting 40.4 percent from three, and ESPN noted that Dallas needs him to grow into a more reliable perimeter stopper next to Kyrie Irving. The 23-year-old is also arguably the Mavericks' only traditional shooting guard on a frontcourt-heavy roster. With Irving working back from left ACL surgery and Cooper Flagg leading the next phase of the franchise, Christie's minutes, spacing, and defensive role give him some points-and-threes appeal if the starting job holds.
Source: ESPN
Source: ESPN
Jordan Brink Joins Bulls' Development Staff
The Chicago Bulls are hiring Jordan Brink as an assistant coach and director of player development, according to HoopsHype's Michael Scotto. Brink arrives after winning an NBA championship on Mike Brown's New York Knicks staff and previously worked as an assistant coach with the Detroit Pistons. Assistant-coach hires rarely shift fantasy value by themselves, but the move fits the development focus under Bryson Graham and Tiago Splitter. Josh Giddey remains Chicago's safest fantasy piece after averaging 17.0 points, 8.3 rebounds, and 9.1 assists last season. The more interesting name is Matas Buzelis, whose path to a breakout could improve if Brink helps speed up his two-way growth.
Source: Michael Scotto
Source: Michael Scotto
Braden Smith Nears Two-Way Deal with Pacers
Indiana Pacers guard Braden Smith is in line for a two-way deal after the team waived Ethan Thompson from his two-way contract, according to Spotrac's Keith Smith. Thompson's exit allows him to join Partizan in Serbia and clears a roster path for Smith, the No. 38 pick in the 2026 NBA Draft. The former Purdue guard left college as the NCAA's all-time assists leader after averaging 14.3 points and 8.8 assists as a senior, and he flashed his passing in Las Vegas with a nine-assist Summer League finale. The fit is developmental, though. With Tyrese Haliburton, Andrew Nembhard, and T.J. McConnell ahead of him, Smith projects for heavy Noblesville Boom minutes and stays off the fantasy radar.
Source: Keith Smith
Source: Keith Smith
Tre Mann Heads to Cavaliers
Charlotte Hornets guard Tre Mann was traded to the Cleveland Cavaliers in exchange for Dennis Schroder and cash, according to ESPN's Shams Charania. Mann gives Cleveland a younger, cheaper backcourt piece, but the fantasy path is narrow with James Harden and Donovan Mitchell controlling most of the guard usage. The former Florida standout averaged 5.5 points, 1.7 rebounds, and 1.6 assists in 12.6 minutes across 53 games last season while shooting 36.0 percent from the field and 32.3 percent from three. Cleveland's guard room leaves him buried for now, so Mann stays off the fantasy radar barring injuries ahead of him.
Source: Shams Charania
Source: Shams Charania
Dennis Schroder Lands in Charlotte
Cleveland Cavaliers guard Dennis Schroder was traded to the Charlotte Hornets along with cash in exchange for Tre Mann, according to ESPN's Shams Charania. The 32-year-old lands with the 12th team of his NBA career and gives Charlotte a veteran option behind Coby White. Schroder split last season between Sacramento and Cleveland, averaging 10.8 points, 4.9 assists, and 2.7 rebounds in 24.2 minutes per game. He should slot ahead of Christian Anderson Jr. as the primary backup point guard, which trims the rookie's early runway. Schroder can provide assists in short bursts, but he is only a low-end fantasy option if injuries open more minutes.
Source: Shams Charania
Source: Shams Charania
Yuki Kawamura Joins Japan's Qualifier Squad
Los Angeles Clippers guard Yuki Kawamura was included on Japan's 17-man list for the FIBA World Cup 2027 Asian Qualifiers, joining new Clippers teammate Rui Hachimura ahead of the late-August window. Kawamura signed an Exhibit 10 deal with Los Angeles after playing Summer League with Indiana, so he still has to earn a regular-season roster spot. The 25-year-old averaged 3.4 points and 2.6 assists in 18 games for Chicago last season, then posted 18.7 points and 11.0 assists in 11 G-League games with Windy City. His passing is real, but with a crowded Clippers guard room, Kawamura remains off the fantasy radar.
Source: BasketNews
Source: BasketNews
Rui Hachimura Leads Japan's Qualifier Roster
Los Angeles Clippers forward Rui Hachimura headlines Japan's 17-man list for the FIBA World Cup 2027 Asian Qualifiers, with the late-August window including matchups against Saudi Arabia and Qatar. The national-team run carries no NBA fantasy weight, but his move across Los Angeles does. Hachimura signed a two-year, $28 million deal with the Clippers after averaging 11.5 points and 3.3 rebounds while shooting 51.4 percent from the field and 44.3 percent from three last season. He also scored 17.5 points per game on 56.9 percent from deep in the playoffs. A clearer role next to Darius Garland could help his points-and-threes appeal, though his low rebounding keeps the ceiling modest.
Source: BasketNews
Source: BasketNews
Klay Thompson Eyes Role on Title Contender
Dallas Mavericks guard/forward Klay Thompson said he wants the chance to compete for a championship and play a role on a team built for a deep playoff run. The 36-year-old is coming off a career-low scoring season, averaging 11.7 points, 2.1 rebounds, 1.4 assists, and 2.9 threes in 21.7 minutes across 69 games while shooting 38.3 percent from deep. Dallas is now building around Cooper Flagg after his Rookie of the Year season, with Kyrie Irving still working back from left ACL surgery. Thompson has been linked to Miami and the Lakers, but his fantasy value remains limited to threes whether he stays or moves.
Source: Kevin Gray Jr.
Source: Kevin Gray Jr.
Anthony Edwards Returns to Off-Guard Role
Minnesota Timberwolves guard Anthony Edwards should move back into more of an off-ball scoring role after coach Chris Finch admitted the team "did Anthony a bit of a disservice" by putting the ball in his hands so often last season. Finch said the LaMelo Ball trade gives Minnesota a true point guard, allowing Edwards to return to his natural position and attack more as a scorer and spot-up threat. Edwards averaged 28.8 points, 5.0 rebounds, 3.7 assists, 1.4 steals, and 3.4 threes last season, while Ball brings a 20.1-point, 7.1-assist profile from a 72-game year. Edwards' assists may dip, but cleaner scoring chances could offset that for fantasy managers.
Source: Charlie Walton
Source: Charlie Walton
Victor Oladipo Confirms Kings Interest
Free-agent guard Victor Oladipo said on Yahoo Sports that the Sacramento Kings have shown interest in signing him, as relayed by Evan Sidery. Oladipo added that "the feeling is mutual" as he pushes for an NBA comeback at 34 years old. The comments follow recent reporting from Marc Stein and Jake Fischer that Sacramento has explored adding a veteran guard to help mentor rookie Darius Acuff Jr. Oladipo has not played in an NBA game since 2022-23 with Miami, when he tore his left patellar tendon, and injuries have stripped away most of his fantasy appeal. With Russell Westbrook now retired, Sacramento could still use a veteran voice, but Oladipo would likely serve as a mentor rather than a fantasy-relevant option. Acuff remains the name to track for rookie-year minutes.
Source: Evan Sidery
Source: Evan Sidery
Seth Trimble Commits to Louisville
Former North Carolina guard Seth Trimble has committed to Louisville, according to ESPN's Pete Thamel. The four-year Tar Heel entered the transfer portal in the spring and gained a possible path back to college after a Colorado district court ruling granted class of 2022 players a fifth year of eligibility, though the NCAA is contesting the decision and the Tenth Circuit Court of Appeals still has to uphold the injunction. Trimble averaged 14.0 points and 3.0 assists last season while grading as North Carolina's top defender. He also played five Las Vegas Summer League games for the Washington Wizards, averaging 10.8 points and 4.0 rebounds, but did not sign an NBA contract. There is no NBA fantasy angle here unless his pro path reopens later.
Source: Pete Thamel
Source: Pete Thamel
Jalen Brunson Stays Hungry After Knicks Title
New York Knicks guard Jalen Brunson said winning the 2026 title and Finals MVP will not change his approach, telling the New York Post he still has "a lot more that I can prove." The reigning Finals MVP averaged 26.0 points, 3.3 rebounds, and 6.8 assists across 74 regular-season games before raising his scoring to 28.4 points per game during New York's championship run. The Knicks are largely running it back with Karl-Anthony Towns, OG Anunoby, Mikal Bridges, and Josh Hart still in place, while Mitchell Robinson is the biggest departure after signing with Boston. Brunson remains an early-round fantasy cornerstone, with his role and shot volume positioned to stay steady as New York chases a repeat.
Source: Jared Schwartz
Source: Jared Schwartz
Tyrese Haliburton Says He's Season-Ready
Indiana Pacers guard Tyrese Haliburton (Achilles) said Tuesday that he has been medically cleared and would be ready to play if the season started today, according to Dustin Dopirak of the Indianapolis Star. "If the season was today, I'd be ready," Haliburton said. The two-time All-Star missed all of 2025-26 after tearing his right Achilles tendon in Game 7 of the 2025 NBA Finals, but he is playing pickup regularly and said true game conditioning will come during the preseason. In his last full season, Haliburton averaged 18.6 points, 9.2 assists, and 3.5 rebounds. Fantasy managers can treat him as a high-end point guard again, though the opening weeks could come with some ramp-up risk. His return also nudges T.J. McConnell and Andrew Nembhard back toward secondary roles.
Source: Dustin Dopirak
Source: Dustin Dopirak
Bradley Beal Agrees to Return to Clippers
Free-agent guard Bradley Beal has agreed to return to the Los Angeles Clippers on a two-year, $13.2 million contract that includes a player option for the second season, according to ESPN's Shams Charania. The three-time All-Star heads back to a reshaped Clippers backcourt with James Harden gone, Darius Garland now running the offense, and Kawhi Leonard's pending Toronto trade still unresolved. Beal's first season in Los Angeles fell apart quickly, as he played only six games before season-ending hip surgery and averaged 8.2 points and 1.7 assists in 20.2 minutes on 37.5 percent shooting. Health is the biggest issue, and a guard mix featuring Garland, Kris Dunn, Kobe Sanders, and Keaton Wagler leaves Beal as more of a role-and-recovery watch than a fantasy target.
Source: Shams Charania
Source: Shams Charania
Hyunjung Lee Works Out for Pelicans
South Korean guard/forward Hyunjung Lee is getting a minicamp look from the New Orleans Pelicans, according to Dylan Sanders of Sports Illustrated, who cited South Korean journalist Sung Jin-hyuk. The Boston Celtics are also expected to bring Lee in during August as he tries to land a camp deal or two-way spot. The 6-foot-7 shooter went undrafted out of Davidson in 2022 before building his career overseas, including an NBL title run with the Illawarra Hawks and a move to Nagasaki Velca in Japan. Lee most recently averaged 9.2 points and 3.6 rebounds across five Summer League games with San Antonio on 35.5/33.3/81.8 shooting splits. He remains off the fantasy radar unless he turns a camp invite into a real NBA role.
Source: Dylan Sanders
Source: Dylan Sanders
