RADIO
John Collins Lands with Pistons on Three-Year, $51 Million Deal
Free-agent forward/center John Collins has agreed to a three-year, $51 million deal with the Detroit Pistons, according to Shams Charania of ESPN. Collins spent last season with the Los Angeles Clippers and averaged 13.6 points, 5.3 rebounds, 1.0 assists, and 0.7 blocks while shooting 55.2% from the field. Detroit adds a vertical spacer and pick-and-roll finisher next to Cade Cunningham, who averaged 23.9 points and 9.9 assists. The fantasy fit is useful, but not without a squeeze. Jalen Duren still owns the center spot, so Collins may need strong efficiency and steady power-forward minutes to climb past mid-tier appeal.
Source: Shams Charania
Source: Shams Charania
Marcus Smart Signs with Rockets to Reunite with Ime Udoka
Veteran guard Marcus Smart is joining the Houston Rockets on a two-year, $13 million deal with a player option, Shams Charania of ESPN reports. The move reunites him with Ime Udoka, who coached him to Defensive Player of the Year in Boston. Smart declined his Lakers option after a bounce-back year, starting 54 of 62 games and averaging 9.3 points, 3.0 assists, 2.8 rebounds, and 1.4 steals. Houston hands him runway, especially early as Fred VanVleet works back from a torn ACL. Smart's fantasy pull is in steals and assists, making him a category-league target more than a standard-league scorer.
Source: Shams Charania
Source: Shams Charania
Bogdan Bogdanovic Signs with Rockets on One-Year Deal
Free-agent guard Bogdan Bogdanovic has agreed to a one-year deal with the Houston Rockets, according to Shams Charania of ESPN. The veteran gives Houston a proven perimeter scorer for his 10th NBA season, but last year was rough. Bogdanovic averaged just 7.4 points, 2.6 rebounds, and 2.2 assists across 23 games, well below his usual production. The Rockets are betting on his shooting track record, as he owns a 38.1% career mark from three. For fantasy purposes, Bogdanovic needs a healthy season and consistent bench volume to become more than a streaky scoring option.
Source: Shams Charania
Source: Shams Charania
Dean Wade Signs With 76ers
According to Shams Charania of ESPN, free-agent forward Dean Wade signed a four-year, $39 million contract with the Philadelphia 76ers on Tuesday. Wade averaged 5.8 points, 4.2 rebounds, 1.5 assists, 0.4 blocks, and 0.7 steals while shooting 36.2 percent from beyond the arc in 22.3 minutes per game across 59 regular-season contests last season. The 29-year-old spent the first seven years of his career with the Cavs and should provide veteran depth in Philadelphia's frontcourt.
Source: Shams Charania
Source: Shams Charania
Zach Collins Re-Signs With Bulls
According to Shams Charania of ESPN, center Zach Collins (toe) agreed to a two-year, $17 million contract extension with the Chicago Bulls on Tuesday. A left wrist fracture and a season-ending right toe injury confined Collins to just 10 appearances during the 2025-26 season, as he averaged 9.7 points, 5.6 rebounds, and 1.5 assists in 18.4 minutes per contest. The Bulls are banking on a healthy return, with Collins projected to fill a reserve role in the frontcourt behind Nic Claxton (finger) and Jalen Smith (calf).
Source: Shams Charania
Source: Shams Charania
Luke Kennard Lands in Phoenix
According to Shams Charania of ESPN, free-agent guard Luke Kennard has agreed to a two-year, $13 million contract with the Phoenix Suns on Tuesday. The deal includes a player option for the second season. Kennard joins the Suns after suiting up for three different teams over the past two campaigns. Across 78 regular-season contests last season between the Hawks and Lakers, the 30-year-old averaged 8.4 points, 2.3 rebounds, 2.2 assists, and 0.7 steals in 21.6 minutes per game. Kennard could see plenty of backcourt minutes with Grayson Allen now in Charlotte.
Source: Shams Charania
Source: Shams Charania
Keon Ellis Signs With Nets on Two-Year, $18 Million Deal
Free-agent guard Keon Ellis has agreed to a two-year, $18 million guaranteed deal with the Brooklyn Nets, according to Shams Charania of ESPN. The deal includes a full mutual option that guarantees the full amount but allows both sides to revisit the contract next summer. Ellis averaged 6.7 points, 1.9 rebounds, 1.0 assists, 1.2 steals, and 0.6 blocks in 20.5 minutes last season while shooting 36.3% from three. Brooklyn is paying for defensive activity and spot-up shooting, not usage. He could earn a real rotation role, but his fantasy value needs more minutes and a bigger offensive workload.
Source: Shams Charania
Source: Shams Charania
Walker Kessler Draws Multiple Offers in Restricted Free Agency
Utah Jazz center Walker Kessler has met with multiple teams and holds several offers in the mid-to-high $30 million range annually, according to Tony Jones of The Athletic. Utah issued Kessler a qualifying offer, so the Jazz can still match any offer sheet. The 24-year-old was limited to five games last season after left shoulder surgery, but he averaged 14.4 points, 10.8 rebounds, 3.0 assists, 1.8 blocks, and 1.4 steals while shooting 70.3% from the field. If healthy, Kessler remains a strong fantasy target for blocks, boards, and elite efficiency wherever he lands.
Source: Tony Jones
Source: Tony Jones
Kobe Sanders Lands Multi-Year Deal With Clippers
Los Angeles Clippers wing Kobe Sanders has agreed to a new four-year, $11.2 million contract to remain with the team, according to ESPN's Shams Charania. A second-round pick in 2025, Sanders exceeded rookie-season expectations, averaging 7.3 points on 40.8% from three-point land in 19.9 minutes per game. The Clippers traded away Kawhi Leonard earlier in the day, opening the door for Sanders to take on an expanded role in the Los Angeles offense, even with the arrival of Brandon Ingram.
Source: Shams Charania - ESPN
Source: Shams Charania - ESPN
Branden Carlson Signs with Trail Blazers on One-Year Deal
Free-agent center Branden Carlson has agreed to a one-year, $2.5 million deal with the Portland Trail Blazers, according to Shams Charania of ESPN. Carlson spent the last two seasons in Oklahoma City's system and averaged 5.8 points, 3.0 rebounds, 0.7 assists, and 0.6 blocks in 11.6 minutes last season while shooting 52.7% from the field and 36.0% from three. The 7-footer gives Portland another stretch-capable big, but Donovan Clingan, Robert Williams III, and Yang Hansen leave him buried for now. Carlson's fantasy value likely needs injuries or a trade to open a clearer path.
Source: Shams Charania
Source: Shams Charania
Pistons Not Interested in Domantis Sabonis-Jalen Duren Swap
As contract negotiations between Detroit and center Jalen Duren continue, the Pistons reportedly do not have interest in completing a sign-and-trade that would involve Sacramento's Domantas Sabonis. Duren is reportedly not thrilled with Detroit's contract offers and is meeting with the Kings and Lakers as possible sign-and-trade destinations. The Pistons ultimately have the final say, as Duren is a restricted free agent and the team can match any offer given by another team. Duren made his first All-Star team this year, averaging 19.5 points and 10.5 rebounds, but struggled in Detroit's two postseason series.
Source: Sam Amick - The Athletic
Source: Sam Amick - The Athletic
Quentin Grimes Draws Lakers Interest in Free Agency
Philadelphia 76ers guard Quentin Grimes is drawing Los Angeles Lakers interest, with Marc Stein and Jake Fischer of The Stein Line reporting he's a top target as LeBron James leaves town. Grimes averaged 13.4 points, 3.6 rebounds, 3.3 assists, and 1.7 threes on 33.4 percent shooting from deep across 75 games for Philadelphia. The catch for fantasy: a Lakers move would slot him as an off-ball 3-and-D piece next to Luka Doncic and Austin Reaves, trimming the usage behind those counting stats. He's a late-round guard whose ceiling rests on landing a real on-ball role.
Source: Marc Stein
Source: Marc Stein
Mavericks Interested in Marcus Sasser?
The Dallas Mavericks have interest in acquiring Detroit Pistons guard Marcus Sasser via trade, according to Marc Stein. The third-year player averaged 5.2 points and two assists in 12 minutes per game last season, consistently playing behind Cade Cunningham and Daniss Jenkins. Sasser fell even further down the depth chart when the Pistons drafted point guard Ebuka Okorie with the 17th pick in last week's NBA Draft. Sasser has one year remaining on his rookie contract before becoming a restricted free agent next summer.
Source: Marc Stein
Source: Marc Stein
Sandro Mamukelashvili Emerges as Lakers Free-Agent Target
Toronto Raptors forward/center Sandro Mamukelashvili is drawing rising interest from the Los Angeles Lakers, according to Marc Stein and Jake Fischer. The 27-year-old declined his $2.8 million player option after a career-best season in Toronto, where he averaged 11.2 points, 4.9 rebounds, and 1.9 assists while shooting 52.3% from the field and 38.9% from three. Los Angeles would be a clean basketball fit if it needs a floor-spacing frontcourt piece, but the fantasy appeal depends on whether he earns more than reserve minutes. He is more of an efficiency play than a reliable volume source unless the role expands.
Source: Marc Stein
Source: Marc Stein
LeBron James Prioritizes Title Chase in Free Agency
Free-agent forward LeBron James will be patient and open-minded while choosing his next team, but Chris Haynes reports that his priority is finding a realistic path to a championship. The 41-year-old is still producing at a strong fantasy level, averaging 20.9 points, 7.2 assists, 6.1 rebounds, and 1.2 steals across 60 games for the Lakers last season. The landing spot matters more than the name value now. A contender could protect his minutes or lower his usage, but James still brings enough scoring, passing, and efficiency to hold fantasy value if he remains a central offensive piece. Durability and rest risk will be the bigger concerns.
Source: Chris Haynes
Source: Chris Haynes
