RADIO
Kyrie Irving Draws Strong Praise From Dusty May
Dallas Mavericks guard Kyrie Irving (knee) has impressed new head coach Dusty May during summer workouts as he works back from the torn ACL that cost him all of last season. May told 105.3 The Fan's K&C Masterpiece that he has watched Irving work out and play pickup, adding that he has been "blown away" by Irving's preparation, attention to detail, and feel. The nine-time All-Star last played in 2024-25, averaging 24.7 points, 4.8 rebounds, 4.6 assists, and 1.3 steals in 50 games. His return should lift a Dallas offense that ranked 27th last season and take creation pressure off reigning Rookie of the Year Cooper Flagg. The ceiling is still high, but managers need to account for the long layoff.
Source: Grant Afseth
Source: Grant Afseth
Josh Giddey Says Consistency is the Bulls' Missing Piece
Chicago Bulls guard/forward Josh Giddey believes the roster has enough talent to reach the playoffs, but he told DJ Siddiqi of ClutchPoints that consistency will decide whether Chicago climbs the Eastern Conference. "I think it's a matter of doing it every night," Giddey said. The 23-year-old is coming off a career-best season, averaging 17.0 points, 9.1 assists, and 8.3 rebounds in 32.1 minutes across 54 games. He also underwent right ankle surgery in May but has since been cleared for 5-on-5 work with no restrictions. Norman Powell gives Chicago another scorer, while Nicolas Claxton and No. 4 pick Caleb Wilson should give Giddey more finishing targets. The missed games still matter, but his assists, rebounds, and role under Tiago Splitter keep the fantasy ceiling high.
Source: DJ Siddiqi
Source: DJ Siddiqi
Kelly Olynyk Works Out with Spurs
Free-agent forward/center Kelly Olynyk could return to the San Antonio Spurs as they weigh their 15th roster spot, according to Brett Siegel of ClutchPoints. Olynyk has spent time in San Antonio and worked out with former Spurs teammates this offseason, but tax concerns could push any deal into the season. The Spurs sit about $2.15 million below the luxury-tax line, while a veteran-minimum deal would carry a cap hit around $2.45 million. The 35-year-old played a limited role with San Antonio last season, averaging 3.2 points, 1.8 rebounds, and 1.2 assists in 8.6 minutes. Even if he signs, Victor Wembanyama, Luke Kornet, Tarris Reed Jr., and Jayden Quaintance (knee) leave Olynyk off fantasy radars.
Source: Brett Siegel
Source: Brett Siegel
Kevin Love Could Return to Minnesota as Veteran Depth
Free-agent forward/center Kevin Love is open to returning to the Minnesota Timberwolves, and the interest is mutual, according to The Athletic's Jon Krawczynski. Love spent his first six NBA seasons in Minnesota before being traded to Cleveland in 2014, so this would be more of a full-circle depth move than a fantasy-relevant signing. The veteran turns 38 this month and averaged 6.7 points and 5.8 rebounds in 37 games with Utah last season. Minnesota has room for another veteran voice after signing Jonathan Kuminga, but Rudy Gobert, Joan Beringer, and Trey Lyles already cover the frontcourt depth chart. Love would bring shooting, rebounding, and locker-room value, not a role worth chasing in fantasy.
Source: Jon Krawczynski
Source: Jon Krawczynski
Bucks Bring Back John Butler Jr. on a Camp Deal
The Milwaukee Bucks signed forward/center John Butler Jr. to a non-guaranteed training camp deal, according to Eric Nehm of The Athletic. It is the second straight fall the 7-footer has landed a preseason look with Milwaukee after spending last season with the Wisconsin Herd. Butler averaged 9.4 points, 5.7 rebounds, and 1.7 blocks in 28.6 minutes across 49 G-League games while shooting 36.3 percent from three. Milwaukee does have one two-way slot open, so a strong camp isn't a wasted exercise for him. Even so, Myles Turner, Kel'el Ware, and Jericho Sims have the center rotation locked down under Taylor Jenkins, which keeps Butler off fantasy radars in every format.
Source: Eric Nehm
Source: Eric Nehm
Kyshawn George Works on Outside Jumper
Washington Wizards guard/forward Kyshawn George was seen working on his outside jumper in offseason workout footage that surfaced this week. The 22-year-old already made a real jump from deep last season, raising his three-point percentage from 32.2 percent as a rookie to 38.1 percent while averaging 14.8 points, 5.1 rebounds, 4.5 assists, 1.0 steals, and 2.1 threes in 48 games. George missed the end of the season with a Grade 2 distal UCL tear in his left elbow, but he has since been cleared and played for Canada in World Cup qualifying. Washington's perimeter group is deeper with AJ Dybantsa, Bilal Coulibaly, and Tre Johnson competing for reps, so George's shooting will be key to protecting his minutes and fantasy value.
Source: Greg Finberg
Source: Greg Finberg
Grant Nelson Returns to Brooklyn on a Two-Way Deal
The Brooklyn Nets agreed to a two-way deal with forward/center Grant Nelson, agent Max Wiepking told Michael Scotto of HoopsHype. The 24-year-old fills Brooklyn's final two-way slot alongside Chaney Johnson and Tyler Bilodeau after spending last season between Long Island and Brooklyn. Nelson (knee) had his season cut short by patellar tendinitis after a February 10-day call-up in which he totaled 17 points, six rebounds, and five assists across four games. He earned that look by averaging 11.1 points, 6.0 rebounds, and 1.2 assists in 19.3 minutes for Long Island while shooting 54.9 percent from the field. With Julius Randle, Day'Ron Sharpe, Moritz Wagner, Danny Wolf, and Noah Clowney in the frontcourt mix, Nelson is more of a developmental big than a fantasy target.
Source: Michael Scotto
Source: Michael Scotto
Kobe Stewart Signs Exhibit 10 Deal with Hornets
The Charlotte Hornets signed guard/forward Kobe Stewart to an Exhibit 10 contract, filling the roster spot created by Jarkel Joiner's waiver. Stewart went undrafted out of Presbyterian in 2025 and spent his first professional season bouncing between the Austin Spurs, Memphis Hustle, and Wisconsin Herd. The 24-year-old averaged 7.7 points, 3.2 rebounds, and 1.2 assists in 20.0 minutes across 46 G-League games, shooting 45.5 percent from the field and 30.8 percent from three. He also played for Milwaukee in Summer League, averaging 4.8 points and 2.5 rebounds over six games. Charlotte is expected to waive Stewart before the season and steer him toward Greensboro, leaving him off fantasy radars unless his jumper makes a real leap.
Source: Rod Boone
Source: Rod Boone
Hornets Waive Jarkel Joiner
Charlotte Hornets guard Jarkel Joiner was waived after a brief stay on the roster, with Rod Boone of The Charlotte Observer reporting that Charlotte signed guard/forward Kobe Stewart to an Exhibit 10 deal in the corresponding move. Joiner is the latest name to cycle through the final spot on Charlotte's 21-man offseason roster, following Josiah Allick, Trey Townsend, and Kyle Mangas. The former NC State guard spent last season with Raptors 905, averaging 10.9 points, 2.4 rebounds, and 3.6 assists across 49 G-League games. With Coby White, Dennis Schroder, and Kon Knueppel ahead of him in Charlotte's backcourt picture, Joiner remains off fantasy radars.
Source: Rod Boone
Source: Rod Boone
John Konchar Lands on Knicks' Radar
Free-agent guard/forward John Konchar is among the players the New York Knicks are considering as they look at options for their final roster spots, according to Ian Begley of SNY. Konchar became available after Minnesota waived him shortly after acquiring him from Utah in the Josh Green trade. Begley described Konchar as a strong rebounder, defender, and offensive connector who can make perimeter shots. The 30-year-old averaged 4.4 points, 4.3 rebounds, 2.1 assists, 1.5 steals, and 0.7 blocks in 19.9 minutes across 56 games with Memphis and Utah last season. New York already has Jose Alvarado, Landry Shamet, and Jordan Clarkson in its bench mix, so Konchar would need a clear rotation opening to gain fantasy traction.
Source: Ian Begley
Source: Ian Begley
Ben Simmons Agrees to One-Year Deal with Kings
Free-agent guard/forward Ben Simmons agreed to a one-year, $3.5 million deal with the Sacramento Kings, his agents told ESPN's Shams Charania and Marc J. Spears. The 2018 Rookie of the Year is back after sitting out all of 2025-26 and last played in 2024-25, when he averaged 5.0 points, 4.7 rebounds, 5.6 assists, and 0.7 steals in 22.0 minutes across 51 games with Brooklyn and the Clippers. Sacramento had been looking for veteran ball-handling depth behind rookie Darius Acuff Jr., with general manager Scott Perry attending a Florida workout before the deal came together. Simmons still does not offer shooting, so his fantasy case depends on assists, steals, rebounds, and whether he can hold a real second-unit role. Malik Monk is worth tracking if Simmons cuts into backup playmaking reps.
Source: Shams Charania
Source: Shams Charania
Drew Eubanks Draws Knicks Interest
Free-agent center Drew Eubanks is on the New York Knicks' radar as they weigh options for a final roster spot, according to Ian Begley of SNY. Eubanks spent last season with Sacramento, averaging 5.2 points, 3.0 rebounds, and 0.6 blocks in 13.1 minutes across 42 games before a torn UCL in his left thumb ended his year in March. Any Knicks deal would likely be non-guaranteed, with Eubanks competing for the third-center job behind Karl-Anthony Towns and Andre Drummond. New York is expected to open with 14 standard contracts due to second-apron concerns, so this would be deep frontcourt insurance rather than a fantasy-relevant move.
Source: Ian Begley
Source: Ian Begley
Donte DiVincenzo Remains Around Team During Rehab
Minnesota Timberwolves guard Donte DiVincenzo (Achilles) remains a daily presence around the team as he works through rehab from the injury he suffered in the first round of the playoffs, general manager Matt Lloyd told Darren Wolfson of 5 Eyewitness News. Lloyd declined to give the 29-year-old a return timeline but praised his commitment to rehab and his continued impact inside the locker room. DiVincenzo started all 82 games last season, averaging 12.2 points, 4.1 rebounds, 3.8 assists, and 3.0 threes. He is extension-eligible, but his fantasy case is simpler: managers need a clean return date before treating him as more than a late-season stash.
Source: KSTP Sports
Source: KSTP Sports
LaMelo Ball Draws Praise From Wolves GM
Minnesota Timberwolves guard LaMelo Ball has spent much of the summer around his new team, general manager Matt Lloyd told Darren Wolfson of 5 Eyewitness News. Lloyd said Minnesota did extensive background work before acquiring the former Rookie of the Year from Charlotte and called him "a hard worker" and "an incredibly focused worker." Ball averaged 20.1 points, 4.8 rebounds, 7.1 assists, and 3.8 threes across 72 games last season, his healthiest campaign in years. With Julius Randle and Naz Reid gone, Ball should have a major creation role next to Anthony Edwards. The availability risk remains, but the usage, assists, and three-point volume point to strong fantasy value.
Source: KSTP Sports
Source: KSTP Sports
Cody Williams Gets Fresh Start with Timberwolves
Minnesota Timberwolves guard/forward Cody Williams drew praise from general manager Matt Lloyd after arriving from Utah in last weekend's trade. Lloyd told Darren Wolfson of 5 Eyewitness News that Williams' late-season growth helped drive Minnesota's interest, adding, "There was a reason he was the 10th pick in the draft." The 21-year-old averaged 12.2 points, 3.8 rebounds, and 3.5 assists over his final 30 games last season, though his season-long 21.4 percent shooting from three remains the swing concern. Minnesota wants to evaluate him as a versatile wing defender in camp, though Jonathan Kuminga, Jaden McDaniels, and Terrence Shannon Jr. leave Williams fighting for reserve minutes rather than a fantasy-ready role.
Source: KSTP Sports
Source: KSTP Sports
