Ryan Nembhard's Option Exercised After Record-Setting Rookie Year
Dallas Mavericks guard Ryan Nembhard had his $2.2 million team option for 2026-27 exercised, Marc Stein of The Stein Line reported. The undrafted Canadian closed his rookie year with 23 assists in the finale against Chicago, a Mavericks rookie record that broke coach Jason Kidd's franchise mark, set with Kyrie Irving out and Cooper Flagg gone early. Nembhard averaged 6.6 points and 5.3 assists in 19.5 minutes over 60 games, but thin scoring and efficiency leave him a dynasty-only assists source with Irving due back. The Gonzaga product who led the nation in dimes is a name worth tracking.
Source: Marc Stein
Source: Marc Stein
Tari Eason Receives $8.01 Million Qualifying Offer From Rockets
Houston Rockets forward Tari Eason was tendered an $8.01 million qualifying offer and is now a restricted free agent, Kelly Iko of Yahoo Sports reported, giving Houston the right to match any offer. The 6-foot-8 LSU product is the rare fantasy piece in this option-day shuffle, posting 10.5 points, 6.3 rebounds, 1.2 steals, and 0.5 blocks in 25.8 minutes over 60 games, a stocks profile that plays in every format. The catch is durability: ankle and oblique strains held him to 60 games, and he has not topped that since his rookie year. He is a mid-round target when healthy, and a Kevin Durant trade would only widen his runway.
Source: Kelly Iko
Source: Kelly Iko
Trayce Jackson-Davis Stays with Raptors on $2.41 Million Option
Toronto Raptors center Trayce Jackson-Davis had his $2.41 million team option for 2026-27 exercised and guaranteed, Michael Scotto of HoopsHype reported. Acquired from Golden State at February's deadline, the efficient energy big barely cracked Darko Rajakovic's rotation, logging just 85 minutes over 17 games behind Jakob Poeltl and Collin Murray-Boyles. His career 63.1 percent clip from the floor (6.2 points, 4.4 rebounds in 14.2 minutes) is real, but the role is not. The one lever to watch: Sandro Mamukelashvili declined his option and is now an unrestricted free agent, and his exit would thin Toronto's frontcourt enough to hand Jackson-Davis spot minutes.
Source: Michael Scotto
Source: Michael Scotto
Jordan Walsh Sticks in Boston as Celtics Exercise Team Option
Boston Celtics forward Jordan Walsh had his $2.4 million team option for 2026-27 exercised, Adam Himmelsbach of The Boston Globe reported. The 22-year-old defensive specialist turned a gutted roster into a career year while Jayson Tatum sat out most of last season, posting 5.4 points, 4.0 rebounds, and 0.7 steals with 25 starts in 17.8 minutes over 68 games. The catch for fantasy: that runway shrinks if Tatum returns to form. Walsh's 3-and-D profile and 38.4 percent stroke from deep keep him off standard-league radars, a dynasty stash whose value hinges on the wing minutes, including any Jaylen Brown trade, opening back up.
Source: Adam Himmelsbach
Source: Adam Himmelsbach
Thomas Bryant Re-Signs with Cavaliers for Another Season
Cleveland Cavaliers center Thomas Bryant is re-signing on a one-year deal, likely the veteran minimum, Shams Charania of ESPN reported. The well-traveled big returns as the primary backup behind Jarrett Allen and Evan Mobley, the same buried role in which he averaged 6.2 points, 3.4 rebounds, and 0.4 blocks in 12.2 minutes over 60 games. He knocked down 35.9 percent from deep, and that floor-spacing is exactly why Cleveland keeps bringing him back next to two non-shooting bigs. There is no standalone fantasy case here, but the angle worth filing away is Allen, a genuine trade candidate this summer. If the Cavs move him, Bryant's minutes and streaming value would climb in a hurry.
Source: Shams Charania
Source: Shams Charania
Kenrich Williams Hits Free Agency After Thunder Decline Option
Oklahoma City Thunder forward Kenrich Williams will become an unrestricted free agent after the team declined his $7.2 million option, according to Chris Haynes. Williams averaged 6.5 points, 3.3 rebounds, 1.4 assists, and 0.6 steals in 15.3 minutes across 56 games, shooting 47.3 percent from the field and 38.8 percent from three. He was more of a trusted glue piece than a fantasy factor in Oklahoma City's deep rotation. A cheaper Thunder reunion is possible, but his fantasy value would need a clearer path to minutes elsewhere.
Source: Chris Haynes
Source: Chris Haynes
De'Anthony Melton Declines $3.45 Million Warriors Option
Golden State Warriors guard De'Anthony Melton declined his $3.45 million player option and will enter unrestricted free agency, Keith Smith of Spotrac reported. The USC product, who returned last December from a torn ACL, set career highs across the board in 2025-26 at 12.3 points, 3.2 rebounds, 2.6 assists and 1.6 steals in 23.0 minutes over 49 games (24 starts). The steals are the fantasy carrying skill, but a 29.4 percent mark from deep and a late-season slump cap the ceiling. His value is frozen until he signs somewhere with a defined role, so there is no reason to chase him in standard leagues yet. Brandin Podziemski's backcourt job next to Stephen Curry only firms up with Melton likely gone.
Source: Keith Smith
Source: Keith Smith
Ousmane Dieng is Heading to Free Agency
Milwaukee Bucks forward Ousmane Dieng will be heading to free agency after the team declined to extend a qualifying offer to him. According to Michael Scotto, Dieng will become an unrestricted free agent after this decision by the Bucks. The 23-year-old began his career with the Oklahoma City Thunder, but was traded mid-season. He averaged 11.0 points, 4.6 rebounds, and 3.6 assists across 26.9 minutes per game in 30 games with the Bucks this past season. The Bucks are reportedly interested in bringing back Dieng, but we'll see what happens in free agency. His overall fantasy value will be dependent on where he ends up signing.
Source: Michael Scotto
Source: Michael Scotto
Brook Lopez is Remaining with the Clippers
Los Angeles Clippers center Brook Lopez is returning to the team next season. On Monday, the Clippers picked up the $9.2 million team option on Lopez's contract. Lopez took over the starting center gig after the team traded Ivica Zubac mid-season. The veteran big man averaged 8.5 points, 3.6 rebounds, and 1.3 assists across 21.8 minutes per game in 75 contests last season. Given his age and possible regression, the Clippers are likely going to add another center to the mix during the offseason. Lopez should remain in the rotation for around 20 minutes, but his fantasy value will be dependent on what the Clippers do in free agency.
Source: Michael Scotto
Source: Michael Scotto
Neemias Queta is Returning to the Celtics
Boston Celtics center Neemias Queta will be back with the organization after his team option was picked up on Monday. This was a no-brainer for the Celtics after Queta posted strong numbers with the Celtics this past season. He averaged 10.2 points, 8.4 rebounds, and 1.3 blocks across 25.3 minutes per game in 76 contests. Depending on what the Celtics do this offseason, Queta could be in line for the starting center role next season. If they do add someone, Queta should still play a similar role, which should mean he'll be a viable fantasy contributor.
Source: Boston Celtics
Source: Boston Celtics
Jordan Miller Receives Qualifying Offer
Los Angeles Clippers forward Jordan Miller has been extended a qualifying offer from the organization. The Clippers have decided to decline Miller's team option, but he could still stick around in Los Angeles. This past season, Miller averaged a career-high 10.0 points, 3.0 rebounds, and 2.3 assists across 22.1 minutes per game in 60 contests. The 26-year-old finally got a chance to play decent minutes and showed he can be a consistent scoring option. If Miller stays with the Clippers, his role would likely expand, assuming the Clippers do trade Kawhi Leonard. Otherwise, Miller's overall fantasy value will be dependent on where he ends up in free agency.
Source: Michael Scotto
Source: Michael Scotto
GG Jackson II Sticking with Grizzlies
Memphis Grizzlies guard GG Jackson II will remain with the organization for this upcoming season. On Monday, the Grizzlies exercised Jackson's $2.4 million team option for the 2026-2027 season. This seemed like a smart decision by the Grizzlies to bring back Jackson on a cheap team-friendly deal. This past season, Jackson averaged 12.5 points, 4.3 rebounds, and 1.5 assists across 21.4 minutes per game in 55 contests. The expectation is that Jackson will continue to have a similar role in the rotation this upcoming season. His spot in the rotation could change depending on what the Grizzlies do in free agency, but he should stay involved regardless.
Source: Jake Fischer
Source: Jake Fischer
Dominick Barlow has Team Option Picked up
Philadelphia 76ers forward Dominick Barlow will be back with the organization next season. On Monday, the Sixers exercised Barlow's $3.42 million team option for the 2026-2027 season. This was a no-brainer for the Sixers with Barlow coming off the best season of his career. He averaged 7.7 points, 4.8 rebounds, and 1.2 assists in 23.8 minutes per game across 71 contests this past season. The 23-year-old has bounced around during his young career, but appears to have found a good home in Philly. He figures to take on an expanded role next season after posting solid numbers this past season.
Source: Tony Jones
Source: Tony Jones
Harrison Barnes Plans to Return to Spurs
Free agent forward Harrison Barnes intends to sign a one-year, $8 million deal to stay with the San Antonio Spurs, per Shams Charania of ESPN. Barnes will return for his third season in San Antonio, providing the Spurs with a continued veteran presence in the frontcourt. The 34-year-old averaged 25.8 minutes per contest across 77 games last regular season, but his minutes were reduced during the postseason, and he was a healthy scratch in each of San Antonio's last three games against New York in the NBA Finals.
Source: Shams Charania
Source: Shams Charania
Kristaps Porzingis Re-Signs With Warriors
According to Shams Charania of ESPN, the Golden State Warriors re-signed center Kristaps Porzingis to a two-year, $40 million contract on Monday. The Latvian big man will stay put after being traded from the Hawks ahead of last season's trade deadline. His new contract includes a player option for the second season. As a Warrior, Porzingis played in 15 regular-season contests last campaign, averaging 16.1 points, 5.3 rebounds, 2.3 assists, and 1.1 blocks in 23.7 minutes per game.
Source: Shams Charania
Source: Shams Charania
RADIO



