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Wizards Promote Amber Nichols to Vice President of Basketball Operations
HoopsHype's Michael Scotto reports that the Washington Wizards are promoting Amber Nichols to vice president of basketball operations and personnel. The former Capital City Go-Go general manager most recently served as Washington's director of amateur evaluation, running point on the process that produced AJ Dybantsa at No. 1 and Felix Okpara at No. 46 in June. Her wider personnel remit matters for a roster with a real minutes crunch. Alexandre Sarr, Tre Johnson, Kyshawn George, and Will Riley are all fighting for touches behind Trae Young and Anthony Davis, and an evaluator being handed more say usually points to patience with drafted players rather than veteran fill-ins. Dybantsa's rookie usage is the piece to track.
Source: Michael Scotto
Source: Michael Scotto
Sasha Vezenkov Leaves Door Open to NBA Return
Olympiacos forward Sasha Vezenkov drew exploratory interest from the Minnesota Timberwolves this summer, according to Marc Stein, though a formal offer never followed. The inquiry came before Minnesota signed Jonathan Kuminga, with Vezenkov signaling early that he preferred to stay in Greece. "It's tough now because here is my family, my life," the 31-year-old said, while still leaving the door slightly open by adding, "never say never." Vezenkov's lone NBA season produced 5.4 points and 2.3 rebounds in 12.2 minutes across 42 games with Sacramento in 2023-24. Since returning to Olympiacos, he has won another EuroLeague MVP and led the competition at 19.4 points per game. With Julius Randle and Naz Reid gone, Minnesota had reason to search for frontcourt skill, but Kuminga's arrival and Vezenkov's decision leave Trey Lyles and the remaining bench pieces with a cleaner path to reserve minutes.
Source: Marc Stein
Source: Marc Stein
Max Strus Embraces Glue-Guy Role with Clippers
Los Angeles Clippers guard/forward Max Strus said on the Link with JB podcast that he is comfortable settling into a glue-guy role built around shooting, defense, rebounding, and moving the ball. "I used to have a bag back in college, but I don't anymore," Strus said, adding that he is not afraid to guard top scorers. The 30-year-old returned from a Jones fracture in his left foot last season and averaged 11.2 points, 5.4 rebounds, 2.0 assists, and 2.8 three-pointers in 12 regular-season games while shooting 40.2 percent from deep, then posted 9.6 points and 4.8 rebounds across 18 playoff outings. Darius Garland and Bradley Beal already give the Clippers perimeter creation, while Brandon Ingram is expected to arrive once the Kawhi Leonard deal is finalized. Strus should have a rotation spot in the final year of his deal, but threes and rebounds are the only reliable fantasy hooks.
Source: Link with JB podcast
Source: Link with JB podcast
Naz Reid Steps Into Starting Role with Charlotte
Charlotte Hornets forward/center Naz Reid is in line to open the season as a full-time starter after arriving from Minnesota in the LaMelo Ball trade, ESPN's Andre Snellings writes. The 2023-24 Sixth Man of the Year has never held that kind of role, but he averaged 13.6 points, 6.2 rebounds, 2.2 assists, 1.0 steals, and 1.0 blocks last season while shooting 36.2 percent from three in a crowded Timberwolves frontcourt. The fit in Charlotte gives him a cleaner fantasy runway. Coby White should take over as the primary initiator, while Kon Knueppel and Brandon Miller will also command touches on the wing. Reid's per-minute production has always been useful, and a steady starting workload could push him toward career highs in points, rebounds, and threes.
Source: Andre Snellings
Source: Andre Snellings
Coby White Set to Run the Show in Charlotte
Charlotte Hornets guard Coby White is expected to open the season as the team's starting point guard after LaMelo Ball was sent to Minnesota in a deal built around Naz Reid and draft capital, ESPN's Andre Snellings writes. White arrived from Chicago at last season's deadline and came off the bench for Charlotte, averaging 15.6 points, 3.0 rebounds, 3.0 assists, and 2.0 three-pointers in 19.3 minutes across 21 games. His last two full seasons with the Bulls are the better fantasy guide, as he averaged roughly 19.7 points, 4.8 assists, and 2.8 threes while carrying a larger on-ball role. Kon Knueppel and Brandon Miller will need touches, and Reid adds another scoring option up front, but White has the clearest path to initiating the offense after signing a three-year, $74 million deal. A career-best fantasy season is in play if the minutes climb.
Source: Andre Snellings
Source: Andre Snellings
Ron Holland II in Line for Bigger Role with Detroit
Detroit Pistons forward Ron Holland II should have a more pronounced role next season, according to Hunter Patterson of The Athletic. The opening is partly defensive after Detroit traded Isaiah Stewart to Memphis in June, but the bigger fantasy swing comes on offense. Patterson notes that Detroit needs either Holland or Ausar Thompson to become a more reliable scoring piece, leaving Holland with a cleaner path if his jumper and handle take a step. The 21-year-old averaged 8.2 points, 4.0 rebounds, 1.2 assists, and 1.2 steals in 19.9 minutes across 78 games last season, including five starts. The defensive stats are useful, but his 25.3 percent three-point shooting keeps the ceiling shaky. John Collins and Taurean Prince give J.B. Bickerstaff veteran alternatives, so Holland is a camp name to track rather than a locked-in fantasy target.
Source: Hunter Patterson
Source: Hunter Patterson
Dillon Jones Lands Exhibit 10 Deal with Philadelphia
The Philadelphia 76ers have signed forward Dillon Jones to an Exhibit 10 contract, ESPN's Dave McMenamin reports. The 24-year-old arrives with two championship rings and almost no rotation resume, logging 61 NBA appearances across two seasons while averaging 2.4 points, 2.1 rebounds, and 1.0 assist in 9.7 minutes. He has been far more productive a level down, posting 15.9 points, 7.0 rebounds, and 6.9 assists in 42 G-League games between Rip City and Westchester last season. Philadelphia carries one open two-way slot behind Caleb Love and Rayan Rupert, and Jones will compete for it against fellow camp signees Tacko Fall, Jameer Nelson Jr., and Saint Thomas. Even if he wins that job, the fantasy relevance stops at Delaware Blue Coats box scores.
Source: Dave McMenamin
Source: Dave McMenamin
Hornets Sign Bez Mbeng
The Charlotte Hornets signed guard Bez Mbeng on Tuesday, according to Charlotte Observer reporter Rod Boone. The 23-year-old fills the roster spot opened by Kobe Stewart's release, and the deal is likely an Exhibit 10 as Charlotte builds out its camp group. Mbeng closed last season on the fringe of Utah's rotation, averaging 8.1 points, 3.8 rebounds, 4.1 assists, and 2.3 steals in 32.8 minutes across 15 games while shooting 50.0 percent from the field. That stretch included a 27-point, 11-rebound, 11-assist triple-double off the bench against Memphis. The steals are interesting, but Charlotte already has Coby White, Kon Knueppel, Dennis Schroder, and Grayson Allen ahead of him in the guard mix. Sioux Falls still controls his G-League returning rights, so Greensboro would need a trade to secure him if he does not make the Hornets.
Source: Rod Boone
Source: Rod Boone
Hawks Promote Peter Dinwiddie to Executive VP of Basketball Operations
The Atlanta Hawks have promoted Peter Dinwiddie to executive vice president of basketball operations, added Tim Bontemps as a strategic adviser, and elevated Maxwell Kupchak to director of cap strategy and player personnel. Dinwiddie, who previously held the same title in Philadelphia, becomes a leading voice under president of basketball operations Onsi Saleh after Bryson Graham left for Chicago. The fantasy angle is roster clarity. Atlanta still has 17 standard contracts and must get to 15 before opening night, with Corey Kispert, Buddy Hield, Devin Carter, Mouhamed Gueye, and Ryan Nembhard all potential roster-crunch names. Kupchak's expanded cap role also matters with Onyeka Okongwu extension-eligible on Oct. 1. Any consolidation move would sharpen the rotation behind Jalen Johnson, Nickeil Alexander-Walker, and Dyson Daniels.
Source: Michael Scotto
Source: Michael Scotto
Taj Gibson to be Waived by Pelicans
The New Orleans Pelicans plan to waive center Taj Gibson after landing him from the Memphis Grizzlies in Tuesday's trade, according to Will Guillory of The Athletic. Guillory reports that New Orleans will still owe Gibson $100,000, while AJ Johnson will remain with the team for a training-camp look. The move helps the Pelicans clear the room needed to finalize Bennedict Mathurin's two-year, $16 million agreement. Gibson, 41, averaged 3.4 points and 2.7 rebounds in 9.7 minutes across 10 games for Memphis last season and has no fantasy appeal. Johnson is the only piece worth tracking here, but a backcourt featuring Dejounte Murray, Mathurin, Jordan Poole, and Jeremiah Fears leaves him fighting for the back of the roster.
Source: Will Guillory
Source: Will Guillory
Warriors Plan to Lean on Yaxel Lendeborg Early
Golden State Warriors forward Yaxel Lendeborg is expected to play right away, with ESPN's Anthony Slater writing that the team will rely on the rookie as a high-minute, high-impact rotation piece. The 23-year-old No. 11 pick has a real opening while Jimmy Butler III (knee) works back from ACL surgery and Moses Moody (knee) recovers from a ruptured patellar tendon. Steve Kerr has already floated Lendeborg as a small-forward option next to Draymond Green, Kristaps Porziņģis, or Al Horford in bigger looks. Lendeborg backed up the buzz by winning Las Vegas Summer League MVP, averaging 14.8 points, 6.8 rebounds, 4.0 assists, and 1.5 steals over six games. Rookies do not always get this much trust in Golden State, but his passing, rebounding, and defensive activity give him a cleaner fantasy path than most first-year forwards.
Source: Anthony Slater
Source: Anthony Slater
Taj Gibson Sent to Pelicans
The Memphis Grizzlies are sending center Taj Gibson and guard/forward AJ Johnson to the New Orleans Pelicans for Jordan Hawkins, Micah Peavy, a future second-round pick, and a future second-round pick swap, according to ESPN's Shams Charania. Gibson appears to be salary ballast in the deal, though there is no firm report yet that New Orleans will waive him. The 41-year-old appeared in 10 games for Memphis last season after signing in February, averaging 3.4 points and 2.7 rebounds in 9.7 minutes. He has played more than 1,000 regular-season games across eight franchises, but his recent value has been tied to leadership rather than rotation minutes. Whether he sticks in New Orleans or returns to the open market, Gibson carries no fantasy appeal.
Source: Shams Charania
Source: Shams Charania
AJ Johnson Heads to New Orleans
The Memphis Grizzlies are sending guard/forward AJ Johnson and center Taj Gibson to the New Orleans Pelicans for Jordan Hawkins, Micah Peavy, a future second-round pick, and a future second-round pick swap, according to ESPN's Shams Charania. Johnson is already on his fifth organization in three NBA seasons after Milwaukee selected him No. 23 overall in 2024. The 21-year-old guard has yet to find steady NBA footing, averaging 3.3 points, 1.1 rebounds, and 1.0 assists on 32.4 percent shooting across 48 games last season between Washington and Dallas. New Orleans is crowded at guard with Dejounte Murray, Jordan Poole, Jeremiah Fears, and Bennedict Mathurin in the mix, so Johnson profiles as a camp body fighting for the back of the roster. The Pelicans have until the end of October to decide on his 2027-28 rookie-scale option, which may reveal more about his standing than preseason usage.
Source: Shams Charania
Source: Shams Charania
Micah Peavy Traded to Grizzlies
The New Orleans Pelicans are trading guard/forward Micah Peavy to the Memphis Grizzlies alongside Jordan Hawkins, a future second-round pick, and a future second-round pick swap for AJ Johnson and Taj Gibson, according to ESPN's Shams Charania. Peavy earned minutes as a rookie mostly through defense, averaging 4.3 points, 1.9 rebounds, and 1.0 assists in 15.0 minutes across 61 games. The 6-foot-7 wing closed the season with 21 points against Minnesota, but the jumper is still the swing skill after he shot 38.5 percent from the field and 25.9 percent from three. Memphis is rebuilding, which gives Peavy a path to compete for reserve wing minutes, but the roster crunch is real. His length can help in steals, though he needs the shot to come around before the fantasy appeal gets interesting.
Source: Shams Charania
Source: Shams Charania
Jordan Hawkins Traded to Memphis
The New Orleans Pelicans are trading guard/forward Jordan Hawkins to the Memphis Grizzlies alongside Micah Peavy, a future second-round pick, and a future second-round pick swap for AJ Johnson and Taj Gibson, according to ESPN's Shams Charania. Hawkins, the former No. 14 pick, fell out of New Orleans' rotation last season, averaging 5.1 points, 1.7 rebounds, 0.8 assists, and 0.9 three-pointers in 13.6 minutes across 51 games while shooting 36.6 percent from the field. Memphis is rebuilding and still light on proven shooting, so Hawkins gets a better runway than he had with the Pelicans. The catch is roster security. He is in the final season of his rookie deal at $7.02 million, and the Grizzlies still have a crowded contract sheet to trim before opening night.
Source: Shams Charania
Source: Shams Charania
