October 18, 2025
The Minnesota Timberwolves exercised the team option on guard
Rob Dillingham, the team announced in a press release on Saturday. The 20-year-old didn't do much in his first season in the league in 2024, averaging only 4.5 points and 1.0 rebounds. Still, with
Mike Conley not getting any younger and
Nickeil Alexander-Walker no longer on the roster, there could be a path to playing time for Dillingham at some point during the 2025 campaign. As of now, he's not worth rostering in redraft formats. However, that could change in the months ahead, so Dillingham may see attention from fantasy managers if he carves out a routine role in the rotation.
--Dennis ClausenSource: NBA.com
October 18, 2025
According to ESPN's Shams Charania, Memphis Grizzlies guard
Scotty Pippen Jr. (toe) will undergo surgery on his left great toe and will be reevaluated in 12 weeks. The 24-year-old averaged 9.9 points, 4.4 assists, and 1.3 steals in 79 appearances last season. While he wasn't a day-to-day producer, he played considerably better in his 21 starts by averaging 14.2 points, 5.7 assists, 4.5 rebounds, and 1.7 steals while shooting 46.1% from behind the arc. At this point, it's realistic to assume Pippen may not be back on the court until around the All-Star break, making him virtually irrelevant for redraft participants. However, his absence should at least open the door for increased production from
Ty Jerome, with the former Cleveland Cavalier benefiting even more if
Ja Morant, who has battled injuries over the years, misses time this season.
--Dennis ClausenSource: Shams Charania
October 18, 2025
According to Stefan Bondy of the New York Post, the Knicks waived guard
Garrison Mathews. The 28-year-old bounced around the league before agreeing to a deal with the Knicks heading into training camp. He played relatively well in four preseason games, averaging 6.8 points while shooting 41.2% from behind the three-point line. However, New York is strapped for cash, so the club made the move to cut ties to avoid luxury tax ramifications. With that said, Mathews will likely find a new home due to his shooting prowess, although he won't be a useful fantasy option in any format until he carves out a routine role with a team.
--Dennis ClausenSource: Stefan Bondy
October 18, 2025
The Mavericks waived guard/forward
Dalano Banton, the team announced on Friday. The 2021 No. 46 overall pick signed a non-guaranteed deal heading into training camp. However, most assumed he was a long shot to make the opening night roster, so the latest isn't much of a surprise. Banton has spent time with various clubs around the National Basketball Association throughout his career, most recently appearing in 67 games for the Portland Trail Blazers throughout the 2024 campaign. Although he didn't see consistent playing time, he still looked good in his seven starts, averaging 16.0 points, 4.7 assists, and 1.0 blocks. There's a chance Banton may suit up for the Texas Legends, Dallas' G League squad. Still, Banton isn't a practical fantasy option at the moment, although that may change if he ends up getting some starts for a team during the year.
--Dennis ClausenSource: Mavs PR
October 18, 2025
According to Ira Winderman of the South Florida Sun Sentinel, the Heat waived forward/center
Precious Achiuwa. The 26-year-old most recently suited up for the Knicks during the 2024 campaign. Although he wasn't a consistent producer, he averaged 12.9 points, 8.9 rebounds, and 1.4 steals in 10 appearances in the starting lineup. Achiuwa inked a non-guaranteed deal heading into training camp. However, the Heat made the move before opening night to avoid operating above the luxury tax line. Deep-league dynasty managers with room to spare can keep him stashed on the roster, especially since there may be more than a few teams calling for his services throughout the season. On the other hand, Achiuwa won't see much attention from redraft participants until he signs with a club and carves out a consistent role.
--Dennis ClausenSource: Ira Winderman
October 18, 2025
The Mavericks waived guard
Dennis Smith Jr., the team announced on Friday. The veteran began his career with the Mavs in 2017 and has bounced around the league ever since. He most recently suited up for the Brooklyn Nets, where he averaged 6.6 points, 3.6 assists, 2.9 rebounds, and 1.2 steals. Smith was on a non-guaranteed deal, so cutting ties with him makes sense from a financial standpoint. Due to his defensive prowess, there's a chance he'll sign with a new club. However, Smith's minutes would presumably be limited wherever he lands, meaning he likely won't offer much value to fantasy managers.
--Dennis ClausenSource: Mavs PR
October 17, 2025
Los Angeles Clippers shooting guard
Bradley Beal (knee) is expected to make his preseason debut on Friday against the Golden State Warriors. After battling injuries in recent seasons, the 32-year-old veteran will look to reestablish himself as one of the league's most efficient scorers in a revamped Clippers offense. Beal joins a star-studded lineup alongside
James Harden and
Kawhi Leonard, giving Los Angeles one of the most dynamic perimeter trios in the NBA. While his health remains a concern, Beal's proven ability to create his own shot and contribute in assists and steals makes him a worthwhile late-round target in fantasy drafts. If he can stay on the floor, Beal could provide strong mid-tier production and deliver solid value as a complementary scorer and secondary playmaker for the Clippers.
--Shaun AlbinSource: Clippers Brasil
October 17, 2025
Philadelphia 76ers rookie guard
VJ Edgecombe (hip) is expected to return for the team's preseason finale on Friday against the Minnesota Timberwolves. Edgecombe last appeared on October 4th against the New York Knicks before missing time due to a minor hip issue. The third overall pick in this year's NBA Draft is projected to start on opening night when the Sixers face the Boston Celtics. The former Baylor standout impressed with his defensive instincts, athleticism, and perimeter shooting during the preseason, showcasing the versatility that made him a top prospect. His ability to stretch the floor and complement superstar
Joel Embiid should earn him a prominent role early in his rookie campaign. Fantasy managers in deeper leagues should keep an eye on Edgecombe as a potential sleeper with upside in steals and three-point production.
--Shaun AlbinSource: Jacob Moreno
October 17, 2025
San Antonio Spurs forward
Jeremy Sochan (wrist) was cleared from his calf injury a couple of weeks ago, but a new injury will keep him out of the season opener. According to ESPN, the fourth-year forward is dealing with a sprained left wrist that he suffered during a 5-on-5 drill while coming back from his calf injury. He's had a number of health issues over his first three seasons as he's only played more than 56 games in one of them. Last year, he played in 54 games and averaged 11.4 points, 6.5 rebounds, 2.4 assists, and 1.6 turnovers per game. Sochan hasn't exactly found the best role for his playstyle yet, so it has equated to some wildly inconsistent numbers game to game. He's currently best suited for a streamer-type of role in all fantasy formats.
--Alex Fischbein - RotoBallerSource: ESPN
October 17, 2025
Milwaukee Bucks guard
AJ Green has agreed to his first extension with the team on Thursday. According to ESPN's Shams Charania, Green and the Bucks agreed to a four-year extension worth $45 million, which is fully guaranteed. The 26-year-old went from 35 appearances and 9.9 minutes per contest in his rookie season to 73 games played and 22.7 minutes per game just last year. He also averaged 7.4 points, 2.4 rebounds, 1.5 assists, and 2.1 threes per game. With
Damian Lillard gone, the guard rotation will likely have a lot of movement throughout the season. Green should play a prominent role after his extension, but they also have
Cole Anthony,
Gary Trent Jr.,
Kevin Porter Jr.,
Ryan Rollins,
Andre Jackson Jr.,
Gary Harris, and
Amir Coffey. Green may serve as a sleeper pick in category leagues if he cracks the starting lineup, though.
--Alex Fischbein - RotoBallerSource: Shams Charania
October 17, 2025
Boston Celtics guard
Jaylen Brown (hamstring) tweaked his hamstring during Wednesday's preseason game against the Toronto Raptors. He hasn't fully returned to practice yet, but it seems like he's trending in the right direction. Head coach Joe Mazzulla called his status day-to-day, and Brown was able to participate in everything but the live portion. The Celtics' season opener is October 22 against the Philadelphia 76ers, so it gives Brown a bit of time to get right again. With no
Jayson Tatum (Achilles), Brown has to step into the number-one role, but if he can't suit up,
Derrick White and
Anfernee Simons should see big boosts in minutes.
--Alex Fischbein - RotoBallerSource: Souichi Terada
October 17, 2025
Detroit Pistons guard
Jaden Ivey (knee) will have to wait a bit longer to make his debut after undergoing knee surgery on Thursday. The 23-year-old hasn't played a regular-season game since January 1 of last season after suffering a fibula injury that shortened his year to only 30 appearances. According to head coach J.B. Bickerstaff and the team, there wasn't one specific event to point back to that forced him to get this surgery. He started to experience some discomfort after playing one preseason game, and it seems that his work in training camp was a bit too much, too quick. He'll now be out for four weeks and the team will re-evaluate from there. The fourth-year combo guard is due for his rookie extension and averaged 17.6 points, 4.0 assists, 4.1 rebounds, and 3.0 turnovers per game in his shortened third season.
--Alex Fischbein - RotoBallerSource: Vincent Goodwill
October 17, 2025
Philadelphia 76ers forward
Paul George (knee) is still recovering from offseason knee surgery and hasn't received the green light to play in any of the team's preseason contests. According to ESPN's Shams Charania, the nine-time All-Star will not be available for the team's season opener on October 22. Charania reports that George should be ready to return shortly afterwards, but there isn't a firm date just yet. Last season, the former Clipper appeared in only 41 games with his new team and averaged 16.2 points, 5.3 rebounds, 4.3 assists, and 1.8 steals per game. When healthy, he should be a great fantasy asset in all formats, but it's unlikely that he will produce like he did from 2015 to 2019.
--Alex Fischbein - RotoBallerSource: Shams Charania
October 17, 2025
Philadelphia 76ers center
Joel Embiid (knee) has been on a long and well-documented road to recovery as his knees continue to ail him as his career goes on. He last played on February 22 against the Brooklyn Nets and the team has played it safe with him ever since. He underwent another knee surgery and talked about having a better plan coming into this season. All of that has culminated in Embiid officially being able to play in the team's preseason finale on Friday against the Minnesota Timberwolves. He's still unlikely to play back-to-backs, but it will be considered a win if he can play in at least half of their regular-season games. Last season, he appeared in 19 contests and averaged 23.8 points, 8.2 rebounds, 4.5 assists, and 3.3 turnovers per game.
--Alex Fischbein - RotoBallerSource: Kyle Neubeck
October 16, 2025
Free agent forward
Chris Livingston has been waived by the Milwaukee Bucks, who are in the middle of a roster crunch for their final roster. Livingston was the final pick of the 2023 NBA draft and signed a guaranteed deal in the offseason. He played 42 games with the Bucks over his two seasons in the NBA, averaging just 1.3 points, 1.3 rebounds, and 4.7 minutes per game. He did start one game last season in February, finishing with 10 points, six rebounds, and two steals in 27 minutes. He put up good numbers in the G League last year and had success in the Summer League as well. He'll probably catch on with another team, but his role and fantasy value will depend on where he lands.
--Zach ThompsonSource: Shams Charania
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