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Julian Phillips Signs Training Camp Deal With Rockets
The Houston Rockets signed forward Julian Phillips to a training camp contract, the team announced. The 35th pick in the 2023 draft, Phillips lands his third NBA home after Minnesota declined his option in June, months removed from the February trade that sent him from Chicago to the Timberwolves. Still 22, the explosive athlete has never found a role, averaging 3.6 points and 1.5 rebounds across 167 career games. His deal is reportedly non-guaranteed, leaving him to compete for one of Houston's final roster spots. A career 32.0 percent three-point shooter, Phillips has yet to show a bankable fantasy skill, leaving him off the radar unless he first wins a roster spot and steady minutes.
Source: The Spot Up Shot
Source: The Spot Up Shot
Harrison Ingram Gets Fresh Start in Utah
Forward Harrison Ingram is joining the Utah Jazz after two seasons on two-way deals with San Antonio, the team announced. The 48th pick in the 2024 draft became an unrestricted free agent when the Spurs pulled his qualifying offer, having appeared in just 12 NBA games over two years. His value lives in the G League, where the Dallas native stuffed the box score for the Austin Spurs, averaging 14.3 points, 10.4 rebounds, 4.4 assists, and 1.3 steals. Terms weren't disclosed, leaving it unclear whether Ingram is on a standard deal, two-way contract, or camp pact. For fantasy, he stays off the radar outside the deepest G-league-aware dynasty formats.
Source: Tom Orsborn
Source: Tom Orsborn
Nick Richards Pitched as a 76ers Free Agent Fit
Free-agent center Nick Richards could be a fit to back up Joel Embiid in Philadelphia, Evan Sidery suggests, floating him as the primary reserve big to round out a second unit that will include expected buyout addition Kentavious Caldwell-Pope. Richards, 28, is an unrestricted free agent after last season's trade sent him from Phoenix to Chicago. The 6-foot-11 rim-runner is a high-percentage finisher and rebounder who averaged 8.9 points and 7.5 rebounds in a larger role with Charlotte in 2024-25. This is speculation, not reported interest, so temper expectations. Given Embiid's knee history, whoever backs him up carries deep-league appeal, making Richards worth monitoring if Philadelphia signs him.
Source: Evan Sidery
Source: Evan Sidery
Kobe Bufkin Lands One-Year Camp Deal With Pelicans
The New Orleans Pelicans have agreed to a one-year deal with guard Kobe Bufkin, per Michael Scotto of HoopsHype. The No. 15 pick in 2023, Bufkin has played 43 NBA games across three seasons with the Hawks and Lakers, but he revived his stock last season, averaging 24.8 points on 41.9 percent from three for the G League's South Bay Lakers before dropping 21.3 per game in Summer League. This is a training camp deal, and he will battle for an open roster spot behind Dejounte Murray and Jeremiah Fears. Bufkin is a deep-dynasty flier, but he must make the team and earn minutes before he holds any redraft value.
Source: Michael Scotto
Source: Michael Scotto
Kentavious Caldwell-Pope Finalizes Move to the 76ers
The Memphis Grizzlies and guard/forward Kentavious Caldwell-Pope have agreed to a buyout, and he plans to sign a one-year, $3.9 million deal with the Philadelphia 76ers once he clears waivers, per Shams Charania of ESPN. The two-time champion reunites with LeBron James, his 2020 title teammate in Los Angeles, on a roster that also features Joel Embiid, Tyrese Maxey, and Jaylen Brown. Caldwell-Pope, 33, averaged 8.4 points and shot just 31.6 percent from three across 51 games before season-ending finger surgery in February. He gives Philadelphia veteran 3-and-D depth, but a crowded wing rotation caps his minutes and leaves him a deep-league flier at most in redraft.
Source: Shams Charania
Source: Shams Charania
Spencer Jones Lands Thunder Offer Sheet
Denver Nuggets restricted free-agent forward Spencer Jones has agreed to a two-year, $12 million offer sheet with the Oklahoma City Thunder, per Shams Charania of ESPN. Denver has until Sunday to match the fully guaranteed deal. Jones, a 6-7 3-and-D wing, was pressed into a bigger role by injuries last season, starting 37 of 64 games and averaging 5.5 points and 3.3 rebounds while shooting 39.6 percent from three. He torched the playoffs at an NBA-best 69.2 percent from deep. His fantasy value stays thin either way: a deep-league three-point specialist in Denver and likely buried down a crowded Thunder rotation if he leaves. Monitor whether the Nuggets match.
Source: Shams Charania
Source: Shams Charania
Darius Acuff Jr. Downplays Star Comparisons
Sacramento Kings guard Darius Acuff Jr. brushed off comparisons to Allen Iverson and Jalen Brunson in an exclusive with Brett Siegel of ClutchPoints, saying he wants to "write my own story and my own greatness." The No. 7 pick arrives after a historic Arkansas freshman season, where he swept SEC Player of the Year and Rookie of the Year honors while averaging 23.5 points, 6.4 assists, and 3.1 rebounds. A 6-3 guard in the Calipari mold, Acuff has scoring and playmaking upside that make him a strong dynasty buy. Redraft managers should temper early expectations, with Zach LaVine and Malik Monk in the Sacramento backcourt.
Source: Brett Siegel
Source: Brett Siegel
Tyrese Martin Joins Barca on One-Year Deal
Free-agent guard/forward Tyrese Martin has officially signed a one-year deal with FC Barcelona, the club announced. Martin, 27, spent parts of three NBA seasons with the Hawks, Nets and 76ers, appearing in 122 games and averaging 6.8 points, 2.8 rebounds and 1.7 assists as a 3-and-D wing. His best stretch came in 2024-25 under Jordi Fernandez in Brooklyn, where he shot 35.1 percent from deep across 60 games. Waived by the Nets last February, he finished the year on a two-way with Philadelphia before heading overseas. For NBA fantasy, Martin was never more than a deep-league three-point streamer, so his EuroLeague move barely registers outside the deepest dynasty formats.
Source: EuroLeague
Source: EuroLeague
Tosan Evbuomwan Heads to Barcelona
Free-agent forward Tosan Evbuomwan has reportedly reached a two-year agreement with FC Barcelona, per Eurohoops. The 25-year-old spent last season on a two-way deal with the Charlotte Hornets but never played an NBA game for them, instead winning G-League Finals MVP as he led their Greensboro Swarm affiliate to a title. His 50 career NBA games span the Nets, Pistons, Knicks, and Grizzlies, almost all on two-way pacts. He now joins a rebuilding Barca roster under new coach Aleksander Sekulic. For NBA fantasy, the EuroLeague jump closes the book on him: a deep-dynasty flier at most, he comes off redraft and dynasty boards entirely.
Source: Eurohoops
Source: Eurohoops
James Harden Closing in on Cavaliers Extension
Cleveland Cavaliers guard James Harden is in active talks on a team-friendly multi-year extension, according to Evan Sidery. Harden, 36, declined his $42.3 million player option to give the Cavaliers flexibility to chase LeBron James, and with James now in Philadelphia, a longer deal is expected. He was excellent after arriving at last season's deadline, averaging 20.5 points, 7.7 assists, and 4.8 rebounds on 46.6 percent shooting, including 43.5 percent from deep, across 26 games. Locked in as Cleveland's lead playmaker next to Donovan Mitchell, Harden stays a reliable source of points, assists, and threes in redraft, though his age makes him a clear sell-high hold in dynasty.
Source: Evan Sidery
Source: Evan Sidery
DeMar DeRozan Draws Heat, Warriors Interest
Free-agent forward DeMar DeRozan has drawn interest from the Miami Heat and Golden State Warriors, per Evan Sidery, with both teams pivoting after missing on LeBron James. DeRozan, 36, would join a title contender at the veteran's minimum after the Kings waived him. He averaged 18.4 points, 4.1 assists, 2.9 rebounds, and 1.0 steals last season, down from 22.2 points the year prior. Any contender role trims his usage: Miami would slot him behind Giannis Antetokounmpo and Bam Adebayo, while Golden State would deploy him as a second-unit shot creator. His threes are limited, and the defensive numbers are only decent, but DeRozan's free-throw volume still matters in 9-category leagues. He would be more of a low-ceiling source of points, efficiency, and FT% than a true across-the-board producer, while his age leaves little dynasty appeal.
Source: Evan Sidery
Source: Evan Sidery
Kentavious Caldwell-Pope Intends to Join 76ers
Memphis Grizzlies guard/forward Kentavious Caldwell-Pope is negotiating a buyout and intends to sign with the Philadelphia 76ers to reunite with LeBron James, according to Chris Haynes. Caldwell-Pope, 33, won the 2020 title alongside James in Los Angeles and would slot into a loaded rotation fronted by James, Joel Embiid, Tyrese Maxey, and Jaylen Brown. He averaged 8.4 points, 2.5 rebounds, and 2.7 assists last season and shot 31.6 percent from three in 51 games before season-ending finger surgery in February. On a likely veteran-minimum deal behind that crowded group, he would hold little redraft value, sit on deep league radars at most, and offer almost no dynasty appeal.
Source: Chris Haynes
Source: Chris Haynes
Heat Could Consider Adding Bradley Beal
The Miami Heat could consider signing free-agent guard Bradley Beal, according to the Miami Herald. The Heat are searching for alternative options after missing out on the LeBron James sweepstakes. Beal is an unrestricted free agent after opting out of his $5.5 million player option with the Los Angeles Clippers. He's not the same player that he was during his time with the Washington Wizards. Beal could still be a productive scoring option off the bench, but his overall upside is limited.
Source: Miami Herald
Source: Miami Herald
Cavaliers Showing Interest in Jonathan Kuminga
The Cleveland Cavaliers are reportedly showing interest in free-agent forward Jonathan Kuminga. After missing out on the LeBron James sweepstakes, the Cavs now turn their attention towards Kuminga. The two sides reportedly have mutual interest, according to the New York Times. The speculation was that Kuminga is looking for a deal around $20 million per season. That's probably not something the Cavaliers can swing, but we'll see if the two can agree on some type of deal. This might not be the best fit for Kuminga's fantasy value, but he could be a solid contributor in Cleveland.
Source: New York Times
Source: New York Times
David Roddy is Headed Overseas
Free-agent guard David Roddy has decided to leave the NBA and head overseas. According to Harrison Wind, Roddy is signing with Hapoel Jerusalem on Friday. He most recently played with the Denver Nuggets this past season. He has bounced around the league since being drafted by the Philadelphia 76ers in the first round of the 2022 Draft. Roddy played significant minutes during his first two years in the league, but has seen a reduced role in the last few years. He'll look to reinvent himself overseas and possibly return to the league at some point.
Source: Harrison Wind
Source: Harrison Wind
