RADIO
Max Strus Earns Praise From Lawrence Frank
Los Angeles Clippers guard/forward Max Strus received a strong endorsement from president of basketball operations Lawrence Frank, who called him "a big part" of the team's plans after the trade from Cleveland. Frank praised Strus as a shooter with feel who can handle, pass, and fit into different lineup groups. The veteran wing gives Los Angeles another floor spacer after shooting 37.0 percent from three across his NBA career. His 2025-26 regular season was derailed by a left foot Jones fracture, but he returned in the playoffs and averaged 9.6 points, 4.8 rebounds, 2.1 assists, and 2.1 threes across 18 games. Strus should get clean catch-and-shoot chances next to Darius Garland, though his fantasy value still depends on minutes and shot volume in a crowded Clippers rotation.
Source: Joey Linn
Source: Joey Linn
Nick Richards Works Out with Heat Players in Miami
Free-agent center Nick Richards has been working out in Miami Heat gear on the team's practice court, but the Sun Sentinel's Ira Winderman downplayed the idea that it signals a front-burner signing. Miami is an offseason hub for player runs, and Winderman framed any Heat path for Richards as more likely a non-guaranteed camp invite than a firm roster move. The 28-year-old could follow the path Precious Achiuwa took last year, though that route would come with no roster-spot guarantee even if he plays well in preseason. Miami's hard cap after the Giannis Antetokounmpo acquisition also limits flexibility while other roster matters remain unresolved. Richards split 2025-26 between Phoenix and Chicago, averaging 5.8 points, 5.1 rebounds and 0.3 assists in 14.6 minutes per game, leaving him off fantasy radars unless a real roster opening develops.
Source: Ira Winderman
Source: Ira Winderman
Malique Lewis Nears Deal with Cairns Taipans
Forward Malique Lewis is nearing a deal with the Cairns Taipans for NBL27, according to ESPN's Olgun Uluc. The Trinidad and Tobago forward would join Cairns as an import and fill the team's final roster spot, keeping him in the NBL after two seasons with the South East Melbourne Phoenix through the Next Stars program. Milwaukee holds Lewis' NBA draft rights after he was selected No. 60 in the 2026 NBA Draft, making this a draft-and-stash development year rather than an NBA opportunity. Lewis averaged 7.1 points, 4.3 rebounds, 2.2 assists, and 1.2 steals last season. His defensive tools and improved shooting keep him interesting long-term, but he is off NBA fantasy radars for now.
Source: Olgun Uluc
Source: Olgun Uluc
Aaron Holiday Signs with Maxima Roma in Italy
Guard Aaron Holiday is headed overseas after signing with Maxima Roma, the first-year Italian club set to compete in Lega Basket Serie A and the EuroCup in 2026-27. The 29-year-old leaves the NBA after eight seasons with Indiana, Washington, Phoenix, Atlanta, and Houston, averaging 6.4 points and shooting 38.4 percent from three across 505 regular-season games. Holiday spent the last three years with the Rockets, posting 5.5 points, 1.1 assists, and 1.0 rebounds in 13.7 minutes across 57 games last season. Houston's guard rotation now includes Fred VanVleet and Marcus Smart, leaving no clear path back there. Holiday's deal reportedly has an NBA out, but he is off fantasy radars unless he returns stateside.
Source: Lachard Binkley
Source: Lachard Binkley
Jae Crowder Joins ASVEL for First European Stint
Forward Jae Crowder signed with LDLC ASVEL Villeurbanne for the 2026-27 season, sending the longtime NBA veteran to Europe for the first time in his career. The 36-year-old played 13 NBA seasons across nine franchises, averaging 9.3 points, 4.2 rebounds, and 1.6 assists over 812 regular-season games. Crowder also appeared in 115 playoff contests and reached the NBA Finals with Miami in 2020 and Phoenix in 2021. His last NBA stop came with Sacramento in 2024-25, when he logged only nine appearances before later playing in Puerto Rico. With Crowder now committed to ASVEL, he carries no value in NBA fantasy formats.
Source: BasketNews
Source: BasketNews
James Harden Returns to Cavaliers on Three-Year, $97 Million Deal
Cleveland Cavaliers guard James Harden has agreed to a three-year, $97 million fully guaranteed contract to stay in Cleveland, with a third-year player option and 15% trade kicker. The former MVP returns as the Cavaliers' primary ball-handler after averaging 20.5 points, 7.7 assists, 4.8 rebounds, and 3.1 threes in 26 regular-season games with the team. The fantasy appeal remains tied to assists, scoring, and three-point volume, though turnovers are still part of the package after Harden gave it away 4.7 times per game in the playoffs. With his role settled, he remains a reliable early-round guard.
Source: Shams Charania
Source: Shams Charania
DeMar DeRozan Emerges as Denver's Top Free-Agent Target
Free-agent guard/forward DeMar DeRozan has become a target for the Denver Nuggets after they sent Peyton Watson to Cleveland, according to NBA insider Chris Haynes. The six-time All-Star was waived by Sacramento in July after averaging 18.4 points, 4.1 assists, and 2.9 rebounds in 31.2 minutes across 77 starts last season. Denver can offer a title-contending role next to Nikola Jokic and Jamal Murray, but its second-apron situation leaves the veteran minimum as the likely path. That could make money the hurdle if Miami or Washington pushes harder. DeRozan still offers scoring and durability, but a bench role in Denver would likely cap his fantasy value.
Source: Chris Haynes
Source: Chris Haynes
Santi Aldama Sits Out Spain Qualifiers
Dallas Mavericks forward/center Santi Aldama will sit out Spain's upcoming FIBA World Cup 2027 qualifying window as he continues working back from right knee surgery. The Spanish Basketball Federation announced that Aldama will miss training camp and the games against Portugal and Greece, with both sides deciding not to rush his recovery before his first season in Dallas. The 25-year-old averaged 14.0 points, 6.7 rebounds, and 2.9 assists and shot 35.0 percent from three across 43 games last season. The fantasy appeal is real if the minutes are there, but Dallas' frontcourt is crowded, with Cooper Flagg and P.J. Washington absorbing forward minutes while Daniel Gafford and Dereck Lively II handle the middle, leaving Aldama's role as the key swing factor.
Source: Basketnews
Source: Basketnews
Elfrid Payton Draws Kings Interest
Free-agent guard Elfrid Payton is one of the experienced ball-handlers the Sacramento Kings are considering as they open a series of veteran workouts, according to Jake Fischer. Sacramento is hosting Cameron Payne first and has also shown interest in Victor Oladipo while searching for a veteran presence behind No. 7 pick Darius Acuff Jr. Payton, the 10th pick in the 2014 draft, last played in the NBA in 2024-25, averaging 3.5 points, 3.3 rebounds, and 6.9 assists across 24 games with New Orleans and Charlotte. He spent last season with the G-League's Austin Spurs. Even if signed, Payton would be a deep-reserve mentor behind Acuff, Zach LaVine, and Malik Monk, leaving him off fantasy radars.
Source: Jake Fischer
Source: Jake Fischer
Cameron Payne to Work Out for Kings
Free-agent guard Cameron Payne is set to work out for the Sacramento Kings as the team begins a series of veteran guard auditions, according to Jake Fischer. Sacramento has been searching for an experienced ball handler to help support and mentor rookie Darius Acuff Jr., the No. 7 overall pick, with Victor Oladipo and Elfrid Payton also under consideration. Payne spent time with Partizan last season before joining Philadelphia, where he averaged 7.4 points, 2.0 rebounds, 2.6 assists and 1.1 steals in 17.0 minutes across 22 games while shooting 37.6 percent from the field and 33.0 percent from three. Even if Payne lands a deal, he would be fighting for reserve minutes in a backcourt that already features Acuff, Zach LaVine and Malik Monk, leaving him off fantasy radars.
Source: Jake Fischer
Source: Jake Fischer
Julian Reese Headed to Denver, to be Waived
The Denver Nuggets are acquiring forward Julian Reese from the Washington Wizards as part of the expanded multi-team trade involving Peyton Watson, Max Strus, Tre Mann, and Cam Whitmore, according to ESPN's Shams Charania. Denver is expected to waive Reese from his two-way deal, leaving the 23-year-old without a clear NBA home for now. Reese flashed in a late-season Washington cameo, averaging 11.8 points, 10.5 rebounds, and 1.8 assists across 13 games, but the waiver keeps him off fantasy radars. He is more of a developmental big to monitor if another team gives him a two-way or back-end roster look.
Source: Shams Charania
Source: Shams Charania
Cam Whitmore Headed to Cleveland
The Cleveland Cavaliers are acquiring forward Cam Whitmore from the Washington Wizards as part of the expanded multi-team trade that also sends Peyton Watson to Cleveland, Max Strus to the LA Clippers, Tre Mann to Washington, and Julian Reese to Denver, according to ESPN's Shams Charania. The move gives Cleveland a younger, smaller-salary wing after Whitmore's 2025-26 season ended in January because of deep vein thrombosis in his right shoulder. The 22-year-old averaged 9.2 points, 2.8 rebounds, and 0.7 assists across 21 games while shooting 45.6 percent from the field. The fantasy fit is cloudy. Watson has the cleaner path to impact minutes, while Jaylon Tyson adds more wing competition, leaving Whitmore off fantasy radars until his health and role are clearer.
Source: Shams Charania
Source: Shams Charania
Tre Mann Traded to Wizards
The Washington Wizards are acquiring guard Tre Mann, a 2027 second-round pick from the Clippers, and cash from the Cleveland Cavaliers, according to ESPN's Shams Charania. Washington is sending Cam Whitmore to Cleveland and Julian Reese to Denver as part of the expanded multi-team trade that also moves Peyton Watson to Cleveland and Max Strus to the LA Clippers. Mann gives Washington another backcourt option after the Wizards have been searching for guard depth. The 25-year-old averaged 5.5 points, 1.7 rebounds, and 1.6 assists in 12.6 minutes across 53 games last season, struggling to find steady footing in a limited role. A change of scenery could help, but Washington's backcourt is still crowded enough to cap his fantasy appeal. Mann is only worth tracking if injuries open a clearer path to minutes.
Source: Shams Charania
Source: Shams Charania
Max Strus Traded to the Clippers
The Los Angeles Clippers are acquiring guard/forward Max Strus in the multi-team deal that sends Peyton Watson to Cleveland, according to ESPN's Shams Charania. The veteran wing gives the Clippers another floor spacer after shooting 37.0 percent from three across his NBA career. Strus' 2025-26 regular season was derailed by a left foot Jones fracture, limiting him to 12 games, but he returned for the playoffs and averaged 9.6 points, 4.8 rebounds, 2.1 assists, and 2.1 threes across 18 contests. He profiles as a useful movement shooter in Los Angeles, though his fantasy value will depend on whether he can carve out enough minutes and shot volume in a crowded rotation.
Source: Shams Charania
Source: Shams Charania
Peyton Watson Lands in Cleveland
The Cleveland Cavaliers are acquiring forward Peyton Watson from the Denver Nuggets in a multi-team sign-and-trade, according to ESPN's Shams Charania. Watson is set to land in Cleveland on a four-year, $88 million deal, while Max Strus heads to the Clippers and Cam Whitmore comes to the Cavaliers from Washington. The 23-year-old broke out last season, averaging 14.6 points, 4.9 rebounds, 2.1 assists, 1.1 blocks, and 0.9 steals in 29.6 minutes while shooting 41.1 percent from deep. His fantasy stock rises with a cleaner role, but Whitmore and Jaylon Tyson keep the wing competition relevant. Watson's defensive stats and improved shooting give him standalone appeal if the minutes hold.
Source: Shams Charania
Source: Shams Charania
