RADIO
Kings Eye Victor Oladipo as Mentor
Free-agent guard Victor Oladipo, who has been out of the NBA for three years, is a mentor candidate for the Sacramento Kings alongside Russell Westbrook, per Jake Fischer. The 34-year-old two-time All-Star has been chasing a comeback after years lost to injuries, playing in China and the G-League, where he averaged 13.5 points for the Wisconsin Herd last season. He held a workout for scouts, which the Kings attended, as Sacramento seeks a veteran voice for No. 7 pick Darius Acuff Jr. For fantasy, this is a feel-good comeback story more than an actionable one: even if he signs, a deep-bench mentor role at his age would carry no reliable value.
Source: Jake Fischer
Source: Jake Fischer
Jonathan Kuminga's Market Could Move Soon
Unrestricted free-agent forward Jonathan Kuminga could settle his market soon, with the Los Angeles Lakers still among the strongest suitors and the Minnesota Timberwolves also showing interest. The Lakers have a larger offer and a possible starting role to pitch next to Luka Doncic. Minnesota can sell an open power-forward spot next to LaMelo Ball and Anthony Edwards, but it faces a much tougher financial path. Kuminga, 23, became available after Atlanta declined his team option, and he averaged 12.3 points and 5.3 rebounds in 16 games with the Hawks. A starting job would give him points, rebounds, and athletic upside, but limited defensive stats and shaky efficiency make him more of a redraft upside play than a safe mid-round target.
Source: Evan Sidery
Source: Evan Sidery
Hawks May Move Buddy Hield
Atlanta Hawks guard/forward Buddy Hield could be used in offseason trade scenarios as the team works through a roster crunch, per Evan Sidery. Atlanta guaranteed Hield's $9.66 million salary for 2026-27, but that does not lock him into the rotation, especially after he played only seven regular-season games with the team following his deadline move from Golden State. The 33-year-old averaged 5.1 points in limited minutes with Atlanta, and the Hawks have more players than regular-season roster spots after a busy offseason. For fantasy, Hield has little value if he stays buried in Atlanta, but a trade to a team that needs shooting could put him back on the deep-league radar as a threes specialist.
Source: Evan Sidery
Source: Evan Sidery
Klay Thompson Draws Lakers Trade Buzz
Dallas Mavericks guard/forward Klay Thompson has been linked to the Los Angeles Lakers as a possible trade target, per Evan Sidery. Unlike the Miami Heat, who appear more likely to wait on a buyout, Los Angeles has salary-matching paths if it wants to make a deal. The appeal is obvious: Thompson would reunite with former Mavericks teammate Luka Doncic, whose playmaking could create catch-and-shoot looks for the veteran wing. Thompson, 36, is owed $17.46 million in the final year of his deal and averaged 11.7 points while shooting 38.3 percent from three last season. A Lakers move would be a clean basketball fit, but he remains a low-usage threes specialist rather than a reliable standard-league fantasy option.
Source: Evan Sidery
Source: Evan Sidery
Cavs Delay James Harden Signing
The Cleveland Cavaliers and guard James Harden have a contract agreement in place, but the deal will remain unsigned for now to preserve apron flexibility for another starter, per Evan Sidery. Cleveland has been tied to restricted free-agent forward Peyton Watson in sign-and-trade talks while also staying in the mix for Jonathan Kuminga, so delaying Harden's deal gives the front office more room to maneuver. Harden's return is expected, but fantasy managers should avoid treating it as official until the contract is signed. Once back, the 36-year-old should remain a strong source of assists, points, threes, and free-throw impact next to Donovan Mitchell and Evan Mobley. Any added wing would likely carry more real-life value than high-end fantasy usage on a loaded Cavs roster.
Source: Evan Sidery
Source: Evan Sidery
Kings Weigh Russell Westbrook's Return
Free-agent guard Russell Westbrook could return to the Sacramento Kings as a veteran mentor for rookie Darius Acuff Jr., according to Marc Stein and Jake Fischer of The Stein Line. Victor Oladipo has also been mentioned as a possible option, with Sacramento looking for an experienced guard to help guide Acuff. Westbrook, 37, spent last season with the Kings, starting 58 of 64 games while averaging 15.2 points, 5.4 rebounds, 6.7 assists, and 1.3 steals for a 22-60 team. The role would likely be smaller this time, especially if Acuff opens the season as the starter. That caps Westbrook's fantasy appeal, leaving him as a deep-league assists-and-steals flier only if he signs and earns steady bench minutes.
Source: Jake Fischer
Source: Jake Fischer
Caleb Houstan Headed to the Pelicans
The New Orleans Pelicans have signed free-agent guard Caleb Houstan to a one-year contract on Monday. According to Michael Scotto, the two sides have agreed on a one-year deal, but the salary is unknown at the moment. The expectation is that Houstan will compete for one of the final roster spots during camp. He made a minimal impact during his 18 appearances with the Atlanta Hawks this past season. Before that, Houstan played three seasons with the Orlando Magic under new Pelicans head coach Jamahl Mosley. He'll reunite with his former coach and hopefully be able to snag one of the final roster spots. Fantasy managers shouldn't expect Houstan to be relevant this upcoming season.
Source: Michael Scotto
Source: Michael Scotto
Luka Doncic is Fully Healthy Again
Los Angeles Lakers guard Luka Doncic (hamstring) recently stated that he's fully healthy again, according to Dan Woike. Doncic suffered a hamstring strain at the beginning of April that forced him to miss the rest of the regular season and the postseason. After taking a break from basketball to rehab, Doncic is finally feeling fully healthy again. Doncic nearly earned the first MVP of his young career this past season. He averaged 33.5 points, 8.3 assists, and 7.7 rebounds across 35.8 minutes per game in 64 contests. He could be asked to do more on the court this upcoming season with LeBron James departing for the Philadelphia 76ers. As long as Doncic can stay healthy, he figures to be one of the best players in the league.
Source: Dan Woike
Source: Dan Woike
Mavericks Exploring Trading Klay Thompson
Dallas Mavericks guard Klay Thompson is likely to be on the move soon. According to Christian Clark of The Athletic, the Mavs are currently shopping Thompson on the trade market. The veteran sharpshooter does have a buyout in his contract, but the Mavs would prefer to move him via trade. Teams such as the Miami Heat have reportedly shown interest, but the level of significance is unknown. Thompson is set to have a cap hit of $17 million for the upcoming 2026-2027 season. His stats have regressed since he joined the Mavericks two seasons ago. Thompson could still help a team in some capacity, but it's going to be difficult for the Mavs to convince anyone to take on his $17 million salary for this upcoming season.
Source: The Athletic
Source: The Athletic
Patty Mills Stays Committed to ASVEL
Guard Patty Mills is expected to stay committed to ASVEL Villeurbanne despite the club's financial turmoil, per BeBasket. ASVEL's planned budget reportedly dropped from €59 million to €24 million, triggering roster uncertainty and the exit of Sylvain Francisco before he played a game for the club. Mills, 37, appears willing to stick with Tony Parker's project, with their relationship dating back to their 2014 title run with the San Antonio Spurs. The veteran guard is coming off a strong first European season with Tenerife, where he averaged 18.1 points and 1.7 assists while shooting 44.4 percent from three in Liga ACB play. Mills has been off NBA fantasy boards since 2024-25, so this remains a EuroLeague story rather than a stateside fantasy development.
Source: Sportando
Source: Sportando
Magic Kept Nikola Vucevic From Zvezda Move
Orlando Magic center Nikola Vucevic had a gentleman's agreement to join Crvena Zvezda if he did not receive an NBA offer, club president Zeljko Drcelic told Meridian Sport, per Eurohoops. That path never opened, as Vucevic signed a one-year, $3.9 million deal to return to Orlando on July 1. The 35-year-old two-time All-Star split last season between Chicago and Boston, averaging 15.1 points, 8.4 rebounds, and 3.3 assists across 64 games. For fantasy, the EuroLeague angle changes nothing unless it resurfaces after this NBA stint. Vucevic is back as veteran frontcourt depth for the Magic, which leaves him more useful as a low-ceiling big than a priority target.
Source: Eurohoops
Source: Eurohoops
Lonnie Walker IV Likely Staying in Europe
Maccabi Tel Aviv guard Lonnie Walker IV and the club have agreed to part ways, with Partizan Belgrade among the leading candidates to sign him, according to Tomer Givati, via Sportando. Dubai Basketball has also entered the race, while Real Madrid stepped away after deciding not to wait for Walker's Maccabi exit. Walker, 27, remains under contract but is expected to leave in the coming weeks after averaging 15.2 points, 2.5 rebounds, and 2.3 assists in EuroLeague play. The former No. 18 pick had an NBA out in his Maccabi deal through July 15, but with no stateside move materializing, Europe now looks like the more likely path. He remains off NBA fantasy boards unless an unexpected return surfaces.
Source: Tomer Givati
Source: Tomer Givati
Trendon Watford Nearing EuroLeague Move
Free-agent forward Trendon Watford is nearing a move to the EuroLeague, with one club in advanced talks, per Donatas Urbonas of BasketNews. Watford's NBA market appears to have cooled after the Philadelphia 76ers declined his 2026-27 team option, leaving the 25-year-old without a clear stateside landing spot. He averaged 6.5 points, 3.3 rebounds, and 2.5 assists last season, though his highlight came with a 20-point, 17-rebound, 10-assist triple-double against Toronto. Watford's passing and rebounding make him a useful frontcourt connector, but if he signs overseas, he will fall off NBA fantasy boards entirely.
Source: Donatas Urbonas
Source: Donatas Urbonas
Bulls Could Drop Out of Bennedict Mathurin Sweepstakes
The Chicago Bulls were reportedly interested in signing restricted free agent guard Bennedict Mathurin. Both the Bulls and New Orleans Pelicans have reportedly shown interest lately, but Chicago might be pulling back. The Bulls are still rebuilding and aren't quite ready to make the financial commitment to a player such as Mathurin. The 24-year-old made $9.2 million this past season and is expected to get a hefty payday this offseason. The Bulls aren't sure where they sit long-term with their current players yet, so it seems unlikely that they'd be willing to sign Mathurin to a massive long-term deal. There is no official word that they're out on Mathurin yet, but he doesn't seem like a great overall fit at the moment.
Source: Michael Scotto
Source: Michael Scotto
Nikola Jovic is Open to Different Roles
Miami Heat forward Nikola Jovic is prepared to help the team however he can this upcoming season. According to Ira Winderman, Jovic will do whatever is needed, which currently seems to be a power role. The Heat would love to see Jovic make a jump similar to what Jaime Jaquez Jr. did this past season. The Heat traded Jaquez earlier this offseason, so in theory, Jovic could take over his role in the rotation. Last season, Jovic averaged 7.3 points, 3.3 rebounds, and 2.2 assists across 17.2 minutes per game in 47 contests. He's entering his fifth season in Miami, but he hasn't really shown much improvement in many areas. We'll see how the Heat handles his role in the rotation this upcoming season.
Source: Ira Winderman
Source: Ira Winderman
