RADIO
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
Darius Acuff Jr. Draws Top Rookie Billing Ahead of Camp
Sacramento Kings guard Darius Acuff Jr. could finish as the top fantasy rookie from the 2026 class after landing with the Kings at No. 7, ESPN's Eric Moody writes. The 19-year-old averaged 23.5 points, 6.4 assists, and 3.1 rebounds as an Arkansas freshman, sweeping SEC Player and Rookie of the Year honors. Sacramento's veteran exits help clear the runway after DeMar DeRozan was waived and Russell Westbrook retired, while Domantas Sabonis has been reported as a trade candidate with the Kings uninterested in an extension. Summer League offered a warning, though, as Acuff averaged 20.8 points across five games while shooting 35.0 percent from the field and 27.8 percent from deep. Zach LaVine and Malik Monk still carry scoring volume, so Acuff's assists and usage may arrive before the efficiency does.
Source: Eric Moody
Source: Eric Moody
Cedric Coward Gets Breakout Buzz in Memphis
Memphis Grizzlies guard/forward Cedric Coward was named a breakout candidate for 2026-27 by ESPN's Eric Moody after a strong rookie season. The No. 11 pick averaged 13.6 points, 5.9 rebounds, 2.8 assists, 0.6 steals, and 0.4 blocks in 25.8 minutes across 62 games, including 47 starts, while shooting 47.1 percent from the field. He also made the All-Rookie First Team and finished fifth in Rookie of the Year voting. Memphis has since traded Ja Morant to Portland and Santi Aldama to Dallas, opening more usage in a reset roster. Cameron Boozer, Ty Jerome, and Jerami Grant will still need touches, but Coward's rebounding, passing, and efficient scoring give him a cleaner path to fantasy growth than most second-year wings.
Source: Eric Moody
Source: Eric Moody
Kel'el Ware Could Push for Starter Minutes
Milwaukee Bucks center Kel'el Ware enters camp with a much cleaner path than he had in Miami, with ESPN's Zach Kram noting that only Myles Turner and Kyle Kuzma currently sit ahead of him at center and power forward. The 22-year-old averaged 11.1 points, 9.0 rebounds, 1.1 blocks, and 0.8 steals in 22.1 minutes across 77 games last season while shooting 53.0 percent from the field, 39.5 percent from three, and 74.0 percent at the line. Milwaukee also views this season as a chance to see whether Ware can become a foundational piece. Turner has been mentioned as one of the Bucks' top trade candidates, and any move would open a clearer route to starter-level minutes. Ware already has the rebounding, blocks, and efficiency profile fantasy managers chase; the question is whether Taylor Jenkins gives him enough run to turn that upside into nightly double-double value.
Source: Zach Kram
Source: Zach Kram
Cason Wallace Lines Up for Full-Time Starting Role
Oklahoma City Thunder guard/forward Cason Wallace is expected to slide into the starting shooting guard spot after the team moved Luguentz Dort, Isaiah Joe, and Aaron Wiggins for financial reasons, according to ESPN's Anthony Slater. Wallace already made 58 starts last season, averaging 8.6 points, 3.1 rebounds, 2.6 assists, and 1.9 steals in 26.6 minutes, so the fantasy bump comes down to touches more than trust. He is extension-eligible until October, giving Oklahoma City another reason to clarify his long-term role. Ajay Mitchell also benefits after a 13.6-point breakout, but Wallace has the cleaner path to defensive stats and starter-level minutes.
Source: Anthony Slater
Source: Anthony Slater
Darryn Peterson Positioned as Utah's Franchise Centerpiece
ESPN's Tim MacMahon is framing Utah Jazz guard Darryn Peterson as a possible franchise centerpiece entering 2026-27. The No. 2 overall pick gives Utah another high-end scorer after averaging 20.2 points, 4.2 rebounds, 1.6 assists, and 1.4 steals at Kansas, where he posted the highest scoring average by a freshman in program history. Peterson also flashed in July, scoring at least 20 points in each of his first four Summer League appearances before finishing the event at 20.7 points, 4.0 assists, 1.0 steals, and 1.3 blocks per game. The fantasy question is volume. Keyonte George still has lead-guard usage, while Lauri Markkanen, Jaren Jackson Jr., and Ace Bailey all need touches. Peterson is worth drafting for scoring upside, but his rookie ceiling depends on how quickly Will Hardy clears a steady on-ball role.
Source: Tim MacMahon
Source: Tim MacMahon
Baylor Scheierman Positioned for a Leap in Boston
Boston Celtics guard/forward Baylor Scheierman was identified by John Karalis of the Celtics for Sports Illustrated as the roster's best candidate to make the biggest leap this season. Scheierman averaged 5.5 points, 3.5 rebounds, and 1.5 assists in 18.6 minutes across 77 games in 2025-26, but his 20 starts were more useful: 9.6 points, 5.9 rebounds, and 2.9 assists in 28.3 minutes. Karalis pointed to Scheierman's 49.4 percent mark from the corners, behind only Payton Pritchard on Boston, as his edge over Hugo Gonzalez and Jordan Walsh. Karalis also framed Paul George's projected missed games as part of the opportunity, giving Scheierman a path to spot starts if his shooting carries over.
Source: John Karalis
Source: John Karalis
Kingston Flemings Faces Early Backup Role in Atlanta
Atlanta Hawks guard Kingston Flemings projects to open training camp behind CJ McCollum, but Zach Langley of Soaring Down South notes that his fit with Jalen Johnson may be the more important long-term angle. Johnson became Atlanta's offensive hub after the Trae Young trade, averaging 22.5 points, 10.3 rebounds, and 7.9 assists in 35.2 minutes across 72 games. Still, his first-round dip against New York showed why Atlanta could use another organizer. Flemings, the No. 8 overall pick, recorded 27 assists against nine turnovers over four Summer League games, giving Quin Snyder a potential pick-and-roll option who could shift Johnson into more finishing chances. McCollum's one-year, $21 million extension keeps Flemings in a backup role for now, but his passing gives him a cleaner fantasy runway if Atlanta leans into a younger backcourt.
Source: Zach Langley
Source: Zach Langley
Daniel Gafford Remains on Trade Radar
Dallas Mavericks center Daniel Gafford remains a trade candidate. Heavy's Sean Deveney reported, via Grant Afseth of Roundtable, that Dallas hopes to land a first-round pick for both Gafford and P.J. Washington. Gafford is owed $17.26 million this season on a three-year, $54.38 million extension that includes a 5 percent trade kicker. The 27-year-old averaged 9.5 points, 6.9 rebounds, and 1.3 blocks in 21.7 minutes across 55 games last season while shooting 65.5 percent from the field. Dereck Lively II (foot) still lacks a firm return timeline, so Gafford opens camp with a clean path to blocks, boards, and elite field-goal percentage. A trade could raise his minutes ceiling, but Dallas' crowded frontcourt with Lively, Santi Aldama, and Morez Johnson Jr. keeps some role risk attached.
Source: Grant Afseth
Source: Grant Afseth
Isaiah Hartenstein Back in Oklahoma City for Offseason Work
Oklahoma City Thunder center Isaiah Hartenstein is back at the team's practice facility ahead of training camp, posting a photo from the building on his Instagram story Monday, according to Clemente Almanza of OKC Thunder Wire. The 28-year-old signed a three-year, $75 million extension in June that runs through 2028-29, keeping his frontcourt role secure. Hartenstein was limited to 47 games last season, averaging 9.2 points, 9.4 rebounds, and 3.5 assists in 24.2 minutes while shooting 62.2 percent from the field. Chet Holmgren and Jaylin Williams keep the ceiling in check, but Hartenstein's rebounds, assists, and efficiency still give him a useful fantasy lane when healthy.
Source: Clemente Almanza
Source: Clemente Almanza
Hornets Waive Kobe Stewart
The Charlotte Hornets waived guard/forward Kobe Stewart on Monday, dropping their offseason roster back to 20 players. Stewart had signed an Exhibit 10 contract three days earlier, making him the latest back-end roster piece Charlotte has cycled through after Josiah Allick, Trey Townsend, Kyle Mangas, and Jarkel Joiner. The 24-year-old averaged 7.7 points, 3.2 rebounds, and 1.2 assists in 20.0 minutes across 46 G-League games last season, then posted 4.8 points and 2.5 rebounds in six Summer League appearances with Milwaukee. Greensboro would still need to acquire his G-League rights before a Swarm path fully lines up. For now, this is roster housekeeping with no fantasy impact.
Source: Rod Boone
Source: Rod Boone
