RADIO
Jimmy Butler III Has No Firm Timeline for Return
Golden State Warriors guard/forward Jimmy Butler III remains without a firm return timeline after undergoing ACL surgery in February, with Danny Emerman of The San Francisco Standard noting that it is too early to read much into a target date. Emerman floated a broad Christmas-to-March window, which fits the uncertainty around a long ACL recovery. Butler tore his right ACL on Jan. 19 after averaging 20.0 points, 5.6 rebounds, 4.9 assists, and 1.4 steals over 38 games. Until he returns, Gui Santos should have the cleanest path to extra wing minutes, while Brandin Podziemski carries more secondary creation next to Stephen Curry. Butler remains a stash with real age and rehab risk.
Source: Danny Emerman
Source: Danny Emerman
Payton Pritchard Wants to Improve at Drawing Fouls
Boston Celtics guard Payton Pritchard recently talked about his goals for the upcoming season. Pritchard mentioned that he'd like to get better at drawing fouls. He made it clear that he doesn't want to flop, but instead improve on his technique and learn when to draw the foul. He has been working on his footwork as well because he wants to become a more efficient finisher. Last season, Pritchard averaged 17.0 points, 4.0 rebounds, and 5.2 assists across 32.4 minutes per game in 79 contests. The departure of Jaylen Brown could mean that Pritchard takes on a larger role offensively. It sounds like his value should be on the rise heading into the 2026 season.
Source: Michael Scotto
Source: Michael Scotto
Dennis Schroder Wants to Play 2-4 More Years
Charlotte Hornets guard Dennis Schroder would like to play in the NBA for 2-4 more years, according to heavy.com. Schroder has been playing in the league for 13 years, but he still feels that he has a few more years left in him. His main reason to keep playing is that he wants to make it to 2028 when the salary cap rises. Schroder has been all around the league, playing for 11 different organizations since joining the league in 2013. He was most recently traded to Charlotte, so we'll see what kind of role he has on the rebuilding Hornets. This past season, Schroder averaged 10.8 points, 2.7 rebounds, and 4.9 assists in 70 games between the Sacramento Kings and Cleveland Cavaliers. The 32-year-old feels like he could play at least four more seasons, so we'll see if that's true.
Source: heavy.com
Source: heavy.com
Klay Thompson Signs Two-Year Deal with Heat
According to Shams Charania, veteran guard Klay Thompson is finalizing a two-year, $13 million deal with the Miami Heat. It's a two-year deal, but the second year is a player option. Thompson must wait until he officially clears waivers following a buyout from the Dallas Mavericks. After two bad years in Dallas, it's unclear if Thompson is going to start on the Heat. This past season, Thompson averaged 11.7 points, 2.1 rebounds, and 1.4 assists across 21.7 minutes per game in 69 contests. His shooting percentages have taken a hit in recent years, but Thompson can still be a decent contributor, whether it's on the bench or in the starting five. Pelle Larsson will likely see a reduced role with Thompson now headed to South Beach.
Source: Shams Charania
Source: Shams Charania
Oso Ighodaro is Working on his Three-Point Game
Phoenix Suns forward Oso Ighodaro is working on improving his game this offseason. He sat down with Duane Rankin of the Arizona Republic to discuss his goals and the overall outlook of his team for the upcoming season. Ighodaro is young, but he wants to keep stepping into a leadership role on the team. He wants to work on his offensive game, knowing his defense is his strong suit at the moment. During the offseason, Ighodaro has been working on his free throws and shooting from beyond the arc. Both areas could use improvement, so it's nice to see him focusing on that. Last season, Ighodaro averaged 6.5 points, 5.1 rebounds, and 0.7 blocks in 22.0 minutes per game in 82 contests. His value should be on the rise if he can improve his game offensively.
Source: Azcentral.com
Source: Azcentral.com
Dalano Banton Draws EuroLeague Interest
Free-agent guard/forward Dalano Banton has drawn EuroLeague interest from Partizan, Olympiacos, and Valencia, according to overseas reporting from Encestando, BeBasket, and 5th Quarter. The Boston Celtics waived the 26-year-old in July to shed his non-guaranteed $2.8 million salary, leaving him to weigh NBA and overseas options. Banton was productive in the G-League last season, averaging 25.0 points, 6.8 assists, and 3.7 rebounds across 30 starts for the Texas Legends. His NBA track record is thinner, with 6.6 points in 14.4 minutes across 222 games. A EuroLeague move would wipe out any NBA fantasy value, while another 10-day path would keep him on the fringe.
Source: Matteo Andreani
Source: Matteo Andreani
Bruce Brown Linked to Cavaliers in Free Agency
Free-agent guard/forward Bruce Brown has been linked to the Cleveland Cavaliers, according to Zach Weiss of SI, who cited Cleveland.com's Terry Pluto. Brown spent last season back with the Denver Nuggets, averaging 7.9 points, 3.9 rebounds, 2.1 assists, and 1.0 steals in 24.4 minutes across 82 games while shooting 47.5 percent from the field and 38.5 percent from three. Cleveland could have a roster spot to fill if it waives or trades Cam Whitmore, and Brown would bring low-usage wing depth with past ties to James Harden and Jarrett Allen from Brooklyn. The fantasy appeal would be limited, though, with Brown likely ticketed for a bench role behind Cleveland's established rotation unless injuries open steady minutes.
Source: Zach Weiss
Source: Zach Weiss
Keshad Johnson Could Rejoin Heat
Free-agent forward Keshad Johnson has been part of talks about a possible return to the Miami Heat, according to the Miami Herald's Barry Jackson. Johnson has continued working out with the team and could come back on either a standard contract or a two-way deal. The reigning Slam Dunk Contest champion averaged 4.3 points and 1.9 rebounds in 8.8 minutes across 32 games last season, so even a reunion would carry little fantasy appeal. With Giannis Antetokounmpo, Bam Adebayo, Andrew Wiggins, and Bobby Portis ahead of him in the frontcourt and wing mix, Johnson would need several injuries to sniff a usable role.
Source: Barry Jackson
Source: Barry Jackson
Nick Richards Emerges as Heat Frontcourt Target
Free-agent center Nick Richards has emerged as a candidate for the Miami Heat's 14th roster spot, according to the Miami Herald's Barry Jackson. Miami wants to use the spot on a rotation big who can play either center or power forward, and the 6-foot-11 veteran has been working out at Kaseya Center in Heat gear. Richards is weighing multiple offers, and it's unclear whether another team has topped Miami's guaranteed money. Any fantasy value would be thin regardless of where he signs. Richards averaged 5.8 points and 5.1 rebounds in 14.6 minutes across 48 games and six starts for Phoenix and Chicago last season. In Miami, he would sit behind Bam Adebayo, Giannis Antetokounmpo, and Bobby Portis, leaving frontcourt injuries as his only real path to minutes.
Source: Barry Jackson
Source: Barry Jackson
Vin Baker Expected to Join Heat's Coaching Staff
The Miami Heat are expected to hire former NBA forward Vin Baker as an assistant on head coach Erik Spoelstra's staff, according to the Miami Herald's Barry Jackson. Baker spent the past eight seasons as a Milwaukee Bucks assistant and has a close relationship with Giannis Antetokounmpo, giving Miami another trusted voice around its new franchise centerpiece. The four-time All-Star averaged 15.0 points, 7.4 rebounds, and 1.9 assists across 13 NBA seasons, but this move should not change Miami's fantasy outlook. Baker is not expected to replace anyone, so minutes and usage should still hinge on Spoelstra's rotation choices around Antetokounmpo and the returning core.
Source: Barry Jackson
Source: Barry Jackson
Zeke Nnaji Emerges as Nuggets' Likely Salary Dump
Denver Nuggets forward/center Zeke Nnaji is a strong candidate to be traded as the franchise works to dip below the second apron after DeMar DeRozan agreed to join Denver, according to NBA insider Evan Sidery. The Nuggets may need to attach draft capital to move Nnaji, who is owed roughly $7.5 million next season and has a player option for the same amount in 2027-28. The 25-year-old holds little fantasy appeal after averaging 3.7 points and 2.6 rebounds in 12.0 minutes across 52 games last season. DeRozan is the actual fantasy-relevant piece here after averaging 18.4 points, 4.1 assists, and 2.9 rebounds with Sacramento. His arrival could squeeze touches for Christian Braun and Cameron Johnson behind Nikola Jokic and Jamal Murray.
Source: Evan Sidery
Source: Evan Sidery
Phil Handy Finalizing Deal to Join 76ers Staff
Phil Handy is finalizing a deal to join the Philadelphia 76ers as an assistant coach under head coach Nick Nurse, according to ESPN's Marc J. Spears. Handy most recently worked on the Dallas Mavericks' staff and previously overlapped with Nurse during Toronto's 2019 title season while also working with LeBron James during championship runs in Cleveland and Los Angeles. The three-time NBA champion brings a strong player-development reputation to a staff built around a veteran-heavy core. This hire does not change the fantasy outlook for James, Joel Embiid, Tyrese Maxey, or Jaylen Brown, but VJ Edgecombe is the younger name to watch if Handy's development work translates into a larger two-way role.
Source: Marc J. Spears
Source: Marc J. Spears
Naji Marshall Backed by Mavericks GM Mike Schmitz
Dallas Mavericks forward Naji Marshall received strong public backing from general manager Mike Schmitz after signing a three-year, $52.2 million extension. Schmitz used a Friday appearance on 1310 The Ticket to praise Marshall's toughness, versatility, feel and ability to play with or without the ball. The 28-year-old averaged 15.2 points, 4.7 rebounds, 3.3 assists and 1.1 steals in 29.5 minutes last season while shooting 51.0 percent from the field, though his 29.1 percent mark from three remains the swing skill. Klay Thompson's buyout removes one veteran wing, but Dallas still has a crowded forward mix around Cooper Flagg, P.J. Washington, Max Christie and Zaccharie Risacher. Marshall's role looks stable enough to keep him in the late-round fantasy conversation, with more upside if the jumper improves.
Source: Grant Afseth
Source: Grant Afseth
Neemias Queta Could be in Line for Offensive Leap
Boston Celtics forward/center Neemias Queta could take another step forward offensively after a breakout season that earned him a four-year, $56 million extension. The 26-year-old averaged 10.2 points, 8.4 rebounds, 1.7 assists, and 1.3 blocks while shooting 65.3 percent from the field, giving Boston efficient rim-running production around its creators. Jack Simone of Boston Sports Journal noted that the Celtics scored 1.35 points per possession on Queta pick-and-roll looks, a strong sign that more touches could be available next to Jayson Tatum, Derrick White, and Payton Pritchard. Jaylen Brown's move to Philadelphia also opens up creation elsewhere, but Mitchell Robinson's arrival adds center competition. Queta's fantasy value still leans on field-goal percentage, rebounds, and blocks, with minutes deciding how high the ceiling climbs.
Source: Jack Simone
Source: Jack Simone
Jalen Duren's Contract Negotiation Get Messy
Restricted free-agent center Jalen Duren remains unsigned as extension talks with the Detroit Pistons drag on. ESPN's Tim MacMahon said on The Hoop Collective that he did not know whether Duren would sign an extension, calling the situation "an awfully nasty negotiation." At the same time, Marc Stein has reported that Duren could still play on his $9.6 million qualifying offer. The 22-year-old averaged 19.5 points, 10.5 rebounds and 2.0 assists across 70 games last season before slipping to 10.2 points and 8.5 boards in the playoffs. Detroit has continued to brush aside sign-and-trade scenarios, so Duren's fantasy outlook is still tied to a likely return as the Pistons' starting center next to Cade Cunningham. The contract noise is real, but the role remains strong enough to keep him valuable for points, rebounds, field-goal percentage and blocks.
Source: Tim MacMahon
Source: Tim MacMahon
