RADIO
Coby White Steps Into Bigger Role With Hornets
Charlotte Hornets guard Coby White is moving into a larger role after an offseason reset, and he told Roderick Boone of The Charlotte Observer that the reshaped roster can "surprise a lot of people." With LaMelo Ball traded to Minnesota and Miles Bridges sent to Phoenix, White should have a clearer path to lead-guard minutes after averaging 15.6 points, 3.0 assists, and 2.0 threes in 19.3 minutes across 21 games with Charlotte last season. Naz Reid gives him a skilled pick-and-pop partner, while Grayson Allen and Royce O'Neale add spacing around him. White's fantasy case is built on points, threes, and a potential assist bump if the Hornets fully hand him the offense.
Source: Roderick Boone
Source: Roderick Boone
Trey Murphy III Could Draw Midseason Trade Chase
New Orleans Pelicans guard/forward Trey Murphy III could become a midseason trade target if the team starts slowly, with Evan Sidery reporting that the Pistons and Pacers may circle back after New Orleans held firm on a high asking price. For fantasy, this is more background noise than a reason to fade him. Murphy broke out last season, averaging 21.5 points, 5.7 rebounds, 3.8 assists, 3.2 threes, and 1.5 steals while locking in strong nine-category value. A move next to Cade Cunningham in Detroit or Tyrese Haliburton in Indiana could trim some usage, but Murphy's shooting, steals, and clean stat profile should travel. He remains a strong draft target unless the trade chatter turns concrete.
Source: Evan Sidery
Source: Evan Sidery
Nae'Qwan Tomlin Eyes Bigger Cavs Role
Cleveland Cavaliers forward Nae'Qwan Tomlin is a name to watch if the team cannot land another frontcourt piece, according to Chris Fedor of Cleveland.com. The Cavaliers have explored Dennis Schroder trade scenarios while trying to create flexibility for restricted free agents Jonathan Kuminga and Peyton Watson, but a sign-and-trade remains complicated. If Cleveland strikes out, Tomlin could get a longer look behind Evan Mobley at power forward, with Mario Hezonja also in the mix. The 25-year-old averaged 5.8 points and 2.9 rebounds in 15.7 minutes last season while shooting 47.8 percent from the field. His 23.5 percent mark from three limits the fantasy ceiling, but his size, energy, and defensive activity make him worth tracking in camp.
Source: Chris Fedor
Source: Chris Fedor
Alperen Sengun's Efficiency Could Climb
Houston Rockets forward/center Alperen Sengun should benefit from Fred VanVleet's expected return, with The Dream Shake's Lachard Binkley writing that Sengun may gain the most from having Houston's floor general back. VanVleet missed the entire 2025-26 season after tearing his right ACL, leaving Sengun to carry more of the offense as a scorer, passer, rebounder, and late-clock option. The two-time All-Star still averaged 20.4 points, 8.9 rebounds, 6.2 assists, 1.2 steals, and 1.1 blocks across 72 games. VanVleet's return could trim Sengun's assists, but easier touches, cleaner entry passes, and less creation burden should help his efficiency. He remains one of the safer early-round fantasy centers.
Source: Lachard Binkley
Source: Lachard Binkley
Ziaire Williams Calls Lakers Homecoming Super Surreal
Los Angeles Lakers guard/forward Ziaire Williams is soaking in his move home after signing with the team on a one-year deal. "Seeing my name on a Lakers jersey feels super surreal," Williams said in comments shared by Marc Jacobs, adding that he is excited to play in front of local fans and family. The Lancaster native and former Sierra Canyon standout reunites with Bronny James in Los Angeles, but the fantasy angle is still modest. Williams averaged a career-best 10.2 points with Brooklyn last season while adding 1.4 steals and 1.5 threes per game. His length and defensive activity could help the Lakers, though Luka Doncic and Austin Reaves leave him with a limited offensive role.
Source: Marc Jacobs
Source: Marc Jacobs
Jack Kayil Stays Overseas with ALBA Berlin
New York Knicks second-round pick guard Jack Kayil will remain overseas next season after signing a new five-year deal with ALBA Berlin, while fellow second-rounder Tyler Nickel is "all in" on starting his pro career, according to Ian Begley. Kayil, whose draft rights New York acquired at No. 39, earned Bundesliga Best Young Player honors and should have time to develop in Germany. Nickel, acquired at No. 47, looks like a candidate for a two-way deal after shooting 40.0 percent from three as a senior at Vanderbilt. The defending champions have little need to rush either rookie, leaving both off fantasy radars unless Nickel quickly earns a real rotation path.
Source: Ian Begley
Source: Ian Begley
Mavericks Hold Off on Klay Thompson Buyout
Dallas Mavericks guard Klay Thompson is not currently discussing a buyout with the team, according to Brett Siegel of ClutchPoints. Dallas is open to trading the four-time champion, but a buyout is not in play for now. Thompson is entering the final season of his deal at roughly $17.5 million, making him an easier trade chip than a long-term salary. The 36-year-old averaged a career-low 11.7 points in 21.7 minutes last season while still hitting 38.3 percent from three. He remains only a narrow fantasy target for threes, and his value likely depends on whether Dallas finds a trade.
Source: Brett Siegel
Source: Brett Siegel
Peyton Watson Draws Four-Team Interest
Denver Nuggets restricted free-agent forward Peyton Watson remains unsigned, with the Clippers, Hawks, Bucks, and Cavaliers all connected to his market, according to ESPN's Dave McMenamin, citing prior reporting from Shams Charania. Denver is reportedly open to sign-and-trade scenarios and would consider a package built around one impact player and a future first-round pick. Watson broke out in 2025-26, averaging 14.6 points, 4.9 rebounds, 2.1 assists, and 1.1 blocks while shooting 49.1 percent from the field and 41.1 percent from three. A persistent hamstring issue limited him to 54 games and cost him the playoffs, so his fantasy ceiling depends on both health and landing spot. A starting role elsewhere would help, while a Denver return keeps him fighting for touches in a crowded rotation.
Source: Dave McMenamin
Source: Dave McMenamin
James Harden Expected to Re-Sign with Cavaliers
Cleveland Cavaliers guard James Harden is on track to re-sign with the team on a new multi-year deal, according to ESPN's Jamal Collier. Harden remains unsigned after declining his $42.3 million player option, but Cleveland still appears to be the expected landing spot after missing out on LeBron James. The 36-year-old stayed productive after arriving from the Clippers, averaging 20.5 points, 7.7 assists, 4.8 rebounds, and 3.1 threes while shooting 43.5 percent from deep across 26 games with Cleveland. Next to Donovan Mitchell, Harden should remain a strong assists-and-threes fantasy guard, though age and possible rest nights keep some risk attached.
Source: Jamal Collier
Source: Jamal Collier
Isaiah Stewart Embraces New Grizzlies Chapter
Memphis Grizzlies forward/center Isaiah Stewart is embracing his move from Detroit, telling Andscape's Marc J. Spears that he is happy to be "moving on to a new chapter." Stewart was traded to Memphis during the second round of the NBA Draft after six seasons with the Pistons, and he said he feels wanted by the organization. The 25-year-old averaged 10.0 points, 5.0 rebounds, and 1.6 blocks last season while finishing seventh in Sixth Man of the Year voting. In Memphis, he should bring frontcourt toughness behind Zach Edey in a young, reworked big-man rotation. The blocks give Stewart narrow fantasy appeal, but he likely needs a bigger role to become more than a specialist.
Source: Marc J. Spears
Source: Marc J. Spears
Amen Thompson Eyes Below-Max Extension with Rockets
Houston Rockets guard/forward Amen Thompson is expected to sign a rookie-scale extension before the 2026-27 season begins, though a full five-year, $250 million max deal is not expected, according to ClutchPoints' Brett Siegel. Siegel wrote that a deal between 20 and 22 percent of the salary cap, worth roughly $200 million total, would make more sense for Houston. The 23-year-old broke out last season, averaging 18.3 points, 7.8 rebounds, 5.3 assists, and 1.5 steals across 79 games. He was already a 2024-25 All-Defensive First Team selection, and the fantasy appeal is clear: rebounds, assists, steals, and efficiency. The jumper still caps the ceiling, but Thompson is trending toward early-round value.
Source: Brett Siegel
Source: Brett Siegel
DeMar DeRozan Draws Interest from Four Teams
Free-agent forward DeMar DeRozan has drawn interest from the Heat, Nuggets, Cavaliers, and Wizards, ESPN's Anthony Slater reports, citing Shams Charania. Sacramento waived DeRozan's $25.7 million expiring deal in July, with the six-time All-Star receiving the $10 million guaranteed portion. The 37-year-old remained productive last season, averaging 18.4 points, 4.1 assists, 2.9 rebounds, and 1.0 steals while shooting 49.7 percent from the field across 77 starts. His next landing spot will decide the fantasy angle. A team with a clearer scoring need could keep his usage afloat, while a contender bench role would cap his minutes and touches. Either way, limited threes and defensive stats cap the ceiling.
Source: Anthony Slater
Source: Anthony Slater
Kevin Love Seeks 76ers Fit
Free-agent forward/center Kevin Love has interest in joining LeBron James in Philadelphia, with agent Jeff Schwartz in contact with the 76ers since James signed, according to ESPN's Dave McMenamin. The fit is not simple. Philadelphia is already at roster capacity after adding Kentavious Caldwell-Pope, while Joel Embiid, Adem Bona, and Ariel Hukporti leave little room in the frontcourt. Love averaged 6.7 points and 5.8 rebounds while shooting 37.3 percent from three for Utah last season, so his real appeal would be spacing and veteran depth. Even if the Sixers clear a spot, he would be too far from steady minutes to matter in fantasy.
Source: Dave McMenamin
Source: Dave McMenamin
Kobe Stewart Joins Hornets on Exhibit 10 Deal
Free-agent guard/forward Kobe Stewart has agreed to an Exhibit 10 contract with the Charlotte Hornets, according to Rod Boone of The Charlotte Observer. Stewart went undrafted out of Presbyterian in 2025 and spent last season in the G-League, where he averaged 9.0 points, 3.2 rebounds, and 1.4 assists across 34 games while suiting up mostly for the Wisconsin Herd. He also had earlier stops with Austin and Memphis, so this looks more like a Greensboro Swarm path than a real push for Charlotte minutes. Stewart is off fantasy radars unless he turns the camp look into something more firm.
Source: Rod Boone
Source: Rod Boone
Taelon Peter Signs Exhibit 10 Deal with Spurs
Guard Taelon Peter has agreed to an Exhibit 10 deal with the San Antonio Spurs, according to Michael Scotto of HoopsHype, giving him a training-camp invite rather than a guaranteed roster spot. Peter was waived by Indiana in July after appearing in 38 games as a rookie, averaging 4.5 points, 1.6 rebounds, and 1.1 assists while shooting 32.8 percent from three. The 24-year-old showed more in the NBA G League, where he averaged 14.8 points, 5.1 rebounds, and 3.9 assists in 20 games with the Noblesville Boom. He shot 45.3 percent from deep as a senior at Liberty, but he has no fantasy value unless the jumper translates and he earns something firmer than a camp look.
Source: Michael Scotto
Source: Michael Scotto
