RADIO
Bennedict Mathurin's Free Agency Freezes Behind the Kawhi Leonard Case
Los Angeles Clippers guard/forward Bennedict Mathurin remains an unsigned restricted free agent, with his situation frozen by the Kawhi Leonard investigation, per Michael Scotto of HoopsHype. The Clippers hold Mathurin's rights and want him back, but they are reluctant to make roster decisions while Leonard's Aspiration case stalls his expected trade to Toronto. Several teams, Detroit among them, have explored a sign-and-trade. The fantasy stakes ride on the outcome: Mathurin is a career-high 17.6-point scorer, but a return to a crowded Clippers perimeter behind Darius Garland would cap his role, while a sign-and-trade to a needier team, say Detroit next to Cade Cunningham, could unlock more. His shaky 31.5 percent three-point stroke limits him in nine-cat regardless. Monitor the resolution before drafting.
Source: Michael Scotto
Source: Michael Scotto
Suns Hope to Sign Miles Bridges to a Long-Term Extension
Phoenix Suns forward Miles Bridges is expected to be part of the team's long-term plans after arriving from Charlotte this offseason, per Michael Scotto of HoopsHype. Bridges enters the final year of his contract at $22.83 million and would be a free agent next summer, so Phoenix has incentive to lock him in. On the floor, that is a positive fantasy signal: he steps into a defined starting forward role next to Devin Booker on a retooled, post-Durant roster. Bridges averaged 17.1 points, 5.8 rebounds, and 3.2 assists on 46.0 percent shooting across 77 games last season and has topped 20 points a night in three different years. Draft him as a steady mid-round scorer, with a crowded Suns wing group the only cap on a bigger leap.
Source: Michael Scotto
Source: Michael Scotto
Nikola Vucevic Isn't Planning to Retire After Next Season
Orlando Magic center Nikola Vucevic does not plan to make 2026-27 his final NBA season, per Michael Scotto of HoopsHype, citing the Magic's win-now direction under new coach Sean Sweeney, his history with the franchise, and family reasons for returning on a one-year deal. The 35-year-old, who turns 36 in October, retired from international play but still expects to keep going in the NBA. He averaged 15.1 points, 8.4 rebounds, and 3.3 assists while shooting 36.9 percent from three last season. In Orlando, though, he projects as the backup behind entrenched starter Wendell Carter Jr. and will likely split those reserve minutes with Goga Bitadze. That caps his fantasy ceiling: his scoring gives him streaming value in deeper formats, but the timeshare keeps him off standard-league radars unless Carter misses time, at which point he becomes genuinely useful.
Source: Michael Scotto
Source: Michael Scotto
Mario Hezonja Rejects EuroLeague Insurance to Bet on the NBA
Free agent forward Mario Hezonja is all-in on his NBA return, rejecting conditional offers from three EuroLeague clubs that would have secured his rights if the comeback fell flat, per Donatas Urbonas of BasketNews. The former No. 5 overall pick left Real Madrid this month after a strong four-year run, capped by a 2026 Liga ACB MVP and a EuroLeague Finals appearance. The catch for fantasy managers: he has not signed yet, and Marc Stein reports his market is tangled up with the teams chasing LeBron James. Hezonja is a 31-year-old who averaged just 6.9 points across 330 NBA games in his first stint and has been out of the league since 2020. His self-belief is nice, but temper expectations. He is a deep-league monitor at best until his team and role come into focus.
Source: Donatas Urbonas
Source: Donatas Urbonas
Rockets Hire Shooting Guru Chip Engelland for Ime Udoka's Staff
The Houston Rockets are hiring respected shooting coach Chip Engelland for head coach Ime Udoka's staff, per Shams Charania of ESPN, reuniting the two after their long run together in San Antonio. Engelland spent the last four years in Oklahoma City and built his reputation over two decades remaking NBA jumpers. His arrival offers a significant developmental boost for Houston's young core. The clearest beneficiary is Amen Thompson, an elite athlete and defender whose lone weakness is his outside shot: even modest gains there would push the ascending guard toward the next fantasy tier. Reed Sheppard and Jabari Smith Jr. also stand to gain from a specialist who has spent a career turning non-shooters into threats, making this a quietly meaningful hire for anyone banking on a leap from the Rockets' youth.
Source: Shams Charania
Source: Shams Charania
Jaron Pierre Jr. Comes Home on a Pelicans Two-Way Deal
New Orleans Pelicans guard Jaron Pierre Jr. has agreed to a two-way deal with his hometown team, per Marc Stein, the No. 58 pick becoming the first New Orleans native the franchise has ever drafted. Pierre is a proven college scorer: he averaged 17.6 points, 4.9 rebounds, and 2.1 assists on 37.0 percent shooting from three in his lone SMU season, a year after winning Conference USA Player of the Year with 21.6 points a game at Jacksonville State. The feel-good story aside, a crowded New Orleans backcourt and a two-way tag point him toward the G League's new Laketown Squadron. His lack of an immediate path to NBA minutes keeps him entirely off the fantasy radar for now.
Source: Marc Stein
Source: Marc Stein
Spurs Release Two-Way Forward Emanuel Miller
The San Antonio Spurs waived forward Emanuel Miller from his two-way contract, per Kelly Iko of Yahoo Sports, in a move tied to their two-way reshuffle after re-signing David Jones-Garcia. Miller most recently played on a two-way deal with Cleveland, averaging 19.8 points, 5.3 rebounds, and 2.3 assists in 33.2 minutes across six G League games with the Cleveland Charge. Before that, he spent two seasons on a two-way contract with Chicago and averaged 16.9 points, 7.7 rebounds, and 2.0 assists across 34 games with Windy City. The 26-year-old has only 11 NBA appearances, all with the Bulls, so he remains a productive G League player rather than a fantasy option.
Source: Kelly Iko
Source: Kelly Iko
Grizzlies and D'Angelo Russell Expected to Part Ways
Memphis Grizzlies guard D'Angelo Russell is expected to part ways with the team this offseason, either through a buyout or trade, per Kelly Iko of Yahoo Sports. Russell arrived this month as a salary-matching piece in a six-team deal, and at 30 he does not fit a Cameron Boozer-led youth movement, so a split always looked likely. The fantasy read is muted: the former All-Star is coming off a career-worst season, averaging 10.2 points and 4.0 assists in 26 games with Dallas while shooting a rough 29.5 percent from three. A buyout could land him with a contender in a small role or a rebuilder needing a stopgap starter, but his declining production and broken jumper cap the upside either way. Monitor his next stop, and temper expectations.
Source: Kelly Iko
Source: Kelly Iko
Spurs Re-Sign G-League Standout David Jones-Garcia to Two-Way Deal
San Antonio Spurs guard/forward David Jones-Garcia has agreed to a new two-way deal, per Michael Scotto of HoopsHype, keeping one of last season's top G-League scorers in the organization. Jones Garcia poured in 26.3 points, 6.8 rebounds, 3.6 assists, and 1.8 steals for the Austin Spurs and earned a Rising Stars nod, but he managed just 11 quiet NBA games before right ankle surgery ended his year. Whether he is ready for training camp remains uncertain. Even at full strength, the 24-year-old has no clear path on San Antonio's deep young roster and should spend most of his time in Austin. He is a long-term scoring flier, but his lack of an immediate rotation spot keeps him far off the fantasy radar for now.
Source: Michael Scotto
Source: Michael Scotto
Patrick Baldwin Jr. Joins EuroLeague Team
Forward/center Patrick Baldwin Jr. has joined Serbian team Crvena zvezda for the upcoming campaign. He joins a EuroLeague team after limited NBA action in recent seasons. Last term, Baldwin Jr. appeared in just nine games in the Association. He had a very eventful year, suiting up for three teams: the Los Angeles Clippers, Philadelphia 76ers, and Sacramento Kings. Baldwin Jr. has also played for the Golden State Warriors and Washington Wizards, making 102 career appearances. He has averaged 3.7 points and 2.1 rebounds in 9.1 minutes per game. If Baldwin Jr. performs well in Europe, he could make his way back to the NBA, given that he's only 23 years old.
Source: EuroLeague
Source: EuroLeague
Khris Middleton Hopes to Remain Impactful in Year 15
Washington Wizards forward Khris Middleton wants to have a significant role next season, not simply to be a locker room presence on a young team. "The more years you play, the more experience you have. That comes naturally," Middleton told Scott Eisberg of ABC News 4. "I just want to be myself... It's about guiding young guys, but being a basketball player myself. I'm still a basketball player, I'm not a coach yet. So, hopefully, I'll be playing and playing meaningful minutes and finding ways to impact the game still." In D.C., Middleton was limited to 24.3 minutes per game last season. He averaged 10.3 points, 3.9 rebounds, and 3.3 assists before finishing the campaign in Dallas. The Wizards brought Middleton back this offseason, but his role may shrink further on a much stronger roster.
Source: Scott Eisberg
Source: Scott Eisberg
Cason Wallace, Ajay Mitchell to Take on Expanded Roles Next Season
Oklahoma City Thunder guards Cason Wallace and Ajay Mitchell are expected to have a larger impact next season. The two must step up after the team lost several rotational pieces in the summer, including Luguentz Dort. "Losing Lu will certainly have an effect on the team, but I think we are positioned well to reimagine ourselves and continue to find new avenues to win. Cason and Ajay will have more responsibility, as will others," Thunder general manager Sam Presti told Justin Martinez of The Oklahoman. "But, as has always been our belief, it is necessary to embrace change and not fall victim to trying to imitate ourselves or our previous play style." Wallace has been a solid contributor for years, while Mitchell made a big leap last season. Increased playing time should boost their fantasy value in 2026-27.
Source: Justin Martinez
Source: Justin Martinez
Nets Expect Big Things From Julius Randle
Brooklyn Nets power forward Julius Randle has a major role to play next season, Erik Slater of ClutchPoints reports. Randle arrived in Brooklyn this offseason as a salary dump by the Minnesota Timberwolves, but general manager Sean Marks sees him as an impactful player. "I think we all know what Julius can do as a player," Marks said. "There's a chip on his shoulder. He's highly competitive. He plays the position of need for us. Downhill play, a forceful, impactful player. And then you look at what he does in the locker room for us when we have a younger group that is going to need some stability at times and some leadership both on and off the court." Randle has been a regular 20-point scorer and is also effective as a rebounder and playmaker, giving him plenty of fantasy value.
Source: Erik Slater
Source: Erik Slater
Yaxel Lendeborg Sweeps Both Summer League MVP Awards
Golden State Warriors forward Yaxel Lendeborg was named MVP of the 2026 NBA Summer League, a vote of all 30 teams, after averaging 14.8 points, 6.8 rebounds, 4.0 assists, and 1.5 steals across six games in leading the Warriors to the title. He also landed on the All-Summer League First Team and swept the event's two MVP nods, adding it to the Championship Game award from Sunday's win over Cameron Boozer's Grizzlies. The 4.0 assists stand out for a 6-foot-9 forward: playmaking is the skill that should get him on the floor faster than a typical rookie. His immediate fantasy value stays capped on a deep Warriors roster, but the No. 11 pick graded out as one of the summer's clearest risers and a firm long-term asset.
Source: NBA
Source: NBA
Jonathan Kuminga Draws Renewed Sign-and-Trade Interest From Bucks
Free-agent forward Jonathan Kuminga is drawing renewed interest from the Milwaukee Bucks, per Evan Sidery, who reports the team pivoted toward him after checking in on Denver's Peyton Watson. This is where the fantasy intrigue spikes: unlike his other suitors, Milwaukee is a post-Giannis Antetokounmpo rebuild with no ball-dominant star and touches to spare, and it holds a $25.5 million trade exception from the Giannis deal that gives it a clean sign-and-trade path with Atlanta. The 23-year-old averaged just 12.3 points across 16 games after the Hawks acquired him, numbers that say more about his role than his ceiling. A move to Milwaukee could hand him the featured role he never had, making the Bucks arguably his best landing spot for fantasy value. Inconsistency remains the risk, but the opportunity here is the real draw.
Source: Evan Sidery
Source: Evan Sidery
