RADIO
Kings May Showcase Zach LaVine
Sacramento Kings guard/forward Zach LaVine should remain a featured part of the offense rather than ceding minutes to younger players like Nique Clifford and Emanuel Sharp, former Kings coach and executive Jerry Reynolds told Frankie Cartoscelli of Sactown Sports. Reynolds' logic is that strong production could rebuild LaVine's trade value before the deadline, while his $49 million expiring deal can simply come off the books after the season. LaVine, 31, exercised that player option after right-hand surgery ended his 2025-26 campaign at 19.2 points, 2.8 rebounds, 2.3 assists, and 39.0 percent from three across 39 games. For fantasy, a showcase role would protect his points-and-threes appeal, though the injury recovery, youth movement, and possible trade keep some risk attached.
Source: Frankie Cartoscelli
Source: Frankie Cartoscelli
Isaac Jones Targets Standard Deal with Pistons
Detroit Pistons forward Isaac Jones is determined to earn a standard contract, telling Coty Davis of The Detroit News that he does not want to stay on a two-way deal forever. Jones, 26, has been far more productive in the G-League than the NBA, winning a title with Stockton in 2025 before making the 2025-26 All-NBA G-League First Team with Motor City. He averaged 22.2 points, 8.9 rebounds, 2.8 assists, and 1.9 blocks for the Cruise, then helped his case with a strong Summer League. Jones brings motor, size, and finishing, but until Detroit gives him a full roster spot and real minutes, he is just a watch-list name for fantasy managers.
Source: Coty M. Davis
Source: Coty M. Davis
Kelly Olynyk Draws Warriors Interest
Free-agent forward/center Kelly Olynyk is drawing interest from the Golden State Warriors as they look to fill out the back end of the roster, per Brett Siegel of ClutchPoints. Olynyk, 35, would give Golden State another stretch-big option behind Kristaps Porzingis and Al Horford, with his passing and floor spacing fitting the offense around Stephen Curry and Draymond Green. The concern is how much he has left. He averaged just 3.2 points, 1.8 rebounds, and 1.2 assists with San Antonio last season, and Golden State would be adding him as depth rather than a locked-in rotation piece. Olynyk would need injuries ahead of him to regain fantasy relevance.
Source: Brett Siegel
Source: Brett Siegel
Heat Waiting on Klay Thompson Buyout Path
Dallas Mavericks guard/forward Klay Thompson remains a Miami Heat target, but the Heat are more likely to wait on a possible buyout than trade for him, per Anthony Chiang of the Miami Herald. Miami could use the remainder of its midlevel exception if Thompson reaches the market, but Dallas reportedly prefers to find a trade for the four-time champion rather than let him walk for nothing. Thompson, 36, is owed roughly $17.5 million in the final year of his deal and is coming off a diminished season, averaging 11.7 points, 2.1 rebounds, and 1.4 assists while still hitting around 38 percent from three. He would help Miami's spacing, but his low usage and fading all-around production leave him as a deep-league threes specialist at best.
Source: Anthony Chiang
Source: Anthony Chiang
De'Andre Hunter Eyes Kings Starting Spot
Sacramento Kings forward De'Andre Hunter is expected to claim the final starting spot over Maxime Raynaud, per Kings beat writer Chris Watkins. That would round out a projected five of Darius Acuff Jr., Zach LaVine, Hunter, Keegan Murray, and Domantas Sabonis, giving Sacramento more perimeter defense and spacing than a two-big look with Raynaud. Hunter, 28, arrived from Cleveland at the deadline and finished last season averaging 13.7 points, 4.1 rebounds, 2.0 assists, and 1.7 threes across 45 games. His low defensive stats and limited playmaking cap the fantasy ceiling, so even with a starting role, he profiles more as a points-and-threes streamer than a stable standard-league option.
Source: Chris Watkins
Source: Chris Watkins
Darius Acuff Jr. Could Start for Kings
According to beat writer Chris Watkins, Sacramento Kings guard Darius Acuff Jr. is expected to open the season as the starting point guard. That would put the No. 7 pick in a first unit with Zach LaVine, De'Andre Hunter, Keegan Murray, and Domantas Sabonis while pushing Malik Monk toward a bench scoring role. Acuff, 19, showed shot-creation juice in Summer League, averaging 20.8 points and 4.6 assists, but he shot just 27.8 percent from three and committed 3.8 turnovers per game. A starting job would boost his redraft case for points, assists, and steals, though shaky efficiency and turnovers could drag down his nine-category value. He remains more appealing as a dynasty piece than a safe redraft target.
Source: Chris Watkins
Source: Chris Watkins
Jeremy Sochan Joins Trail Blazers
Free-agent forward Jeremy Sochan has agreed to a one-year, non-guaranteed deal with the Portland Trail Blazers, per Shams Charania of ESPN. The former No. 9 pick was waived by the Spurs in February, then joined the Knicks and played a limited role during their championship run. Sochan, 23, owns career averages of 9.9 points, 5.4 rebounds, and 2.5 assists, but his 28.6 percent career mark from three has capped his offensive fit. In Portland, he will try to stick behind Deni Avdija and Toumani Camara on the wing. His defensive versatility gives him a path to minutes, but he is more of a watch-list name than a draft target.
Source: Shams Charania
Source: Shams Charania
Gary Payton II Stays With Warriors
Golden State Warriors guard Gary Payton II has agreed to a one-year, $3.9 million deal to return to the Bay Area, per Shams Charania of ESPN. The 33-year-old defensive specialist remains in a familiar bench role under Steve Kerr, giving Golden State another low-usage defender around Stephen Curry and Draymond Green. Payton is coming off one of his best seasons, averaging a career-high 7.5 points, 3.6 rebounds, 1.7 assists, and 0.9 steals while shooting 58.3 percent across 73 games. His finishing and defense help the Warriors, but limited touches and low three-point volume keep him off most fantasy boards.
Source: Shams Charania
Source: Shams Charania
Bucks Could Absorb Zeke Nnaji's Contract
Denver Nuggets forward/center Zeke Nnaji could be included as a salary piece in a potential sign-and-trade that would send restricted free-agent forward Peyton Watson to the Milwaukee Bucks, according to Michael Scotto of HoopsHype. Milwaukee has not offered a first-round pick, so taking on the $14.93 million left on Nnaji's contract over the next two seasons could be its clearest way to help Denver cut salary near the second apron. Nnaji is not a fantasy factor, but Watson's landing spot carries more weight. The 23-year-old averaged 14.6 points, 4.9 rebounds, 2.1 assists, and shot 41.1 percent from deep last season. A post-Giannis reset in Milwaukee could give him more minutes and usage than he had in Denver.
Source: Michael Scotto
Source: Michael Scotto
Hornets Could Waive Pat Connaughton
Charlotte Hornets guard/forward Pat Connaughton is a waiver candidate as the team works through a crowded roster, according to Michael Scotto of HoopsHype. Connaughton, 33, had his $3.8 million team option picked up in June, but his salary does not become fully guaranteed until Jan. 31, 2027, giving Charlotte flexibility if it needs to trim down before opening night. The 11-year veteran and 2021 NBA champion has seen his role fade, averaging 2.6 points and 1.5 rebounds in 7.1 minutes across 42 games last season. His contract and locker-room presence may be more useful than his on-court production, but he has no fantasy relevance.
Source: Michael Scotto
Source: Michael Scotto
Tyrese Maxey Aims for Team USA Debut
Philadelphia 76ers guard Tyrese Maxey wants to play for Team USA at the 2028 Los Angeles Olympics, per Evan Sidery. Maxey, 25, has not suited up for the national team, but he would be 27 by the next Olympics and fits as a prime-age scoring guard in a younger American backcourt mix. He is coming off his first All-NBA season after averaging career highs of 28.3 points, 6.6 assists, 1.9 steals, and 3.1 three-pointers across 70 games. The Olympic note is not a fantasy factor, but it reinforces Maxey's rise. His scoring, assists, steals, threes, and free-throw percentage keep him firmly in the early-round fantasy conversation.
Source: Evan Sidery
Source: Evan Sidery
Bulls Try to Move Patrick Williams
Chicago Bulls forward Patrick Williams is reportedly being shopped, with the team willing to attach draft compensation to move his contract, per Evan Sidery. Williams, 24, has three years left on the five-year, $90 million extension he signed in 2024, including an $18 million player option for 2028-29. Moving him would give Chicago more flexibility amid its reported interest in the Clippers' restricted free-agent Bennedict Mathurin, though that pursuit may not be as aggressive as first believed. Williams posted career lows of 7.0 points and 3.0 rebounds while shooting 34.7 percent from three last season, leaving him off the redraft radar unless a new team gives him a cleaner role.
Source: Evan Sidery
Source: Evan Sidery
Cooper Flagg Eyes 2028 Team USA Spot
Dallas Mavericks guard/forward Cooper Flagg intends to commit to Team USA for the 2028 Los Angeles Olympics, per Evan Sidery. Flagg, 19, is already tracking as one of the program's top young options after a historic rookie season in Dallas. He averaged 21.0 points, 6.7 rebounds, 4.5 assists, and 1.2 steals while leading the Mavericks in total points, rebounds, assists, and steals, joining Michael Jordan as the only rookies to do so since steals became official. The Olympic news is not directly actionable for fantasy, but it reinforces Flagg's long-term ceiling. He remains an elite dynasty cornerstone and a strong early-round target this season.
Source: Evan Sidery
Source: Evan Sidery
Grizzlies are Nearing Buyout with D'Angelo Russell
The Memphis Grizzlies are reportedly nearing a buyout with guard D'Angelo Russell. According to Evan Sidery, the Grizzlies are expected to finalize this buyout soon. There are no plans for Russell to play for the Grizzlies this upcoming season. The 30-year-old was acquired as a part of a six-team blockbuster trade earlier this offseason. After the buyout is finished, Russell would enter free agency as an unrestricted player who is free to sign anywhere. Last season, Russell averaged 10.2 points, 2.4 rebounds, and 4.0 assists across 19.0 minutes per game in 26 contests with the Dallas Mavericks. He'll likely sign with a contending team as a bench piece, so his fantasy value will probably be limited.
Source: Evan Sidery
Source: Evan Sidery
Nets Could Extend Michael Porter Jr.
The Brooklyn Nets could potentially use the rest of their remaining cap space to give small forward Michael Porter Jr. a long-term extension. They could raise his 2026-2027 salary to $45.3 million and add four additional seasons to his contract. Porter is entering the final year of his deal and is coming off a career year with the Nets. He averaged a career-high 24.2 points, 7.1 rebounds, and 3.0 assists across 32.5 minutes per game in 52 contests. The 28-year-old is going to set himself up for a hefty payday if he puts together similar stats again in 2026. The Nets would be smart to lock up Porter now, assuming they believe he's going to be a key piece to the future of this roster.
Source: Yossi Gozlan
Source: Yossi Gozlan
