RADIO
Tyrese Haliburton May Be Eased in Early by Pacers
Indiana Pacers guard Tyrese Haliburton (Achilles) is expected back for the start of the season, but ESPN's Jamal Collier notes the team may take it slow with him early. Haliburton has had extended recovery time after tearing his right Achilles in Game 7 of the 2025 NBA Finals, and he recently said he has been "chomping at the bit" to get back on the court. The Pacers open Oct. 21 in New Orleans, and Haliburton told Dustin Dopirak of the Indianapolis Star in August that he would be ready if the season started then. The 26-year-old averaged 18.6 points, 9.2 assists, 3.5 rebounds, and 1.4 steals in 2024-25. Ivica Zubac gives him a new pick-and-roll partner, while Andrew Nembhard, who averaged 16.9 points and 7.7 assists as the lead guard last season, could lose usage once Haliburton is fully unleashed.
Source: Jamal Collier
Source: Jamal Collier
Dejounte Murray Expected to be Ready for Training Camp
New Orleans Pelicans guard Dejounte Murray (Achilles) is expected to be a full go for training camp, according to ESPN's Ohm Youngmisuk. Murray returned from a ruptured right Achilles a few games after the All-Star break and averaged 16.7 points, 6.4 assists, 5.4 rebounds, and 1.6 steals on 48.4 percent shooting across 14 games. He also logged four straight games of 30-plus minutes in mid-March, easing some workload concerns. Jamahl Mosley gives New Orleans a defense-first coach, and Murray gives him a two-way lead guard who can fill multiple categories. Jordan Poole's inefficient scoring and Jeremiah Fears' second-unit path both get tighter if Murray is fully back, though Fears has been working out with Murray and still profiles as the long-term guard to track.
Source: Ohm Youngmisuk
Source: Ohm Youngmisuk
Fred VanVleet Targets Preseason Return for Rockets
Houston Rockets guard Fred VanVleet (knee) expects to be on the floor in October when Houston opens the preseason in Macao, China, according to Michael C. Wright of ESPN. Wright notes that VanVleet has been back on the court "full-time, ramping up, feeling good" after missing all of 2025-26 with a torn right ACL. His return should restore some late-game organization for a team that struggled when defenses loaded up on Kevin Durant. VanVleet averaged 14.1 points, 5.6 assists, 1.6 steals, and 2.7 three-pointers in his last healthy season, though the 37.8 percent shooting still hurts. Amen Thompson and Reed Sheppard gained valuable reps in his absence, but VanVleet profiles as the chief setup man for Durant and Alperen Sengun if he avoids setbacks.
Source: Michael C. Wright
Source: Michael C. Wright
Paul Reed Primed for Expanded Role with Pistons
Detroit Pistons forward/center Paul Reed is in line for a more featured role as the team's backup big this season, according to Hunter Patterson of The Athletic. Patterson views Detroit's decision to trade Isaiah Stewart to Memphis as a vote of confidence in Reed, who earned the promotion in the playoffs. The former G-League MVP forced his way into the rotation against Cleveland in the second round, averaging 11.4 points and 5.0 rebounds in roughly 13 minutes per game while going 24-for-34 from the field. With Stewart's 22.7 minutes a night now up for grabs, Reed's 61.7 percent shooting from last season and his knack for steals and blocks give him legitimate late-round appeal. His value could climb even higher if restricted free agent Jalen Duren's contract standoff drags into training camp.
Source: Hunter Patterson
Source: Hunter Patterson
Lakers Hire Heat Executive Eric Amsler as Assistant GM
The Los Angeles Lakers are hiring Miami Heat vice president of player personnel Eric Amsler as an assistant general manager, according to ESPN's Shams Charania. Amsler spent over 22 years in Miami, climbing from intern through scouting, personnel, and G-League roles before landing in Los Angeles. He joins Rohan Ramadas under president of basketball operations Rob Pelinka, who previously said one planned assistant GM hire would focus on pro scouting, draft scouting, and player development, while the other would handle cap, analytics, and data. The move does not change the fantasy depth chart by itself, but it is relevant for younger pieces such as Adou Thiero and first-round pick Cameron Carr. Thiero barely played as a rookie, averaging 6.0 minutes across 25 appearances, but he posted 15.4 points, 6.2 rebounds, and 2.0 steals per game in Summer League. Both are camp names to track as the Lakers sort through their wing and forward depth.
Source: Shams Charania
Source: Shams Charania
Ron Holland II Rebuilding His Jump Shot This Offseason
Detroit Pistons forward Ron Holland II has spent the offseason working to become more of a perimeter threat, Roundtable's Eric Rutter reports. The former No. 5 pick shot just 25.3 percent from three last season, and the spacing issue followed him into the playoffs, where his role collapsed and he picked up multiple DNPs. Holland still averaged 8.2 points, 4.0 rebounds, 1.2 assists, and 1.2 steals in 19.9 minutes across 78 regular-season games, so the defensive profile remains useful. The problem is the crowd. Detroit added Isaiah Joe, Taurean Prince, and Gary Harris this summer, while Duncan Robinson and Kevin Huerter are already in the shooting mix. Holland has the tools to force his way into minutes, but until the jumper shows up in games, he is more of a camp monitor than a draft-day target.
Source: Eric Rutter
Source: Eric Rutter
Kyrie Irving Ramps Up in Pickup Games
Dallas Mavericks guard Kyrie Irving (knee) has been playing offseason pickup games as he ramps up toward a 2026-27 return, according to ESPN's Tim MacMahon. Irving tore the ACL in his left knee in March 2025 and sat out all of 2025-26, leaving him 19 months removed from the injury when training camp begins. The 34-year-old has averaged 25.5 points and 5.1 assists in a Mavericks uniform, and his return would give Cooper Flagg a real off-ball partner after a rookie season worth 21.0 points, 6.7 rebounds, and 4.5 assists. Max Christie and the reserve guards would lose some minutes once Irving is active. The fantasy wrinkle is the deadline, with MacMahon noting contenders could pursue Irving if Masai Ujiri is willing to listen.
Source: Tim MacMahon
Source: Tim MacMahon
Nicolas Claxton Projected to Start at Center for Bulls
Chicago Bulls center Nicolas Claxton is projected to open the season as the starting five, according to Law Murray of The Athletic. The move does not create a brand-new role after Claxton started 68 of 69 games for Brooklyn last season, but it does give him a fresh setup as Chicago looks to fill its center spot under Tiago Splitter. Zach Collins and Jalen Smith are the main backup bigs on the roster, so Claxton should still have a steady path to the 27.8 minutes per game he logged last season. He averaged 11.7 points, 6.9 rebounds, 3.7 assists, and 1.1 blocks on 57.1 percent shooting, and playing off Josh Giddey's passing could help his lob and putback chances. The 61.6 percent free-throw mark remains the fantasy tax.
Source: Law Murray
Source: Law Murray
Ben Simmons' Kings Contract is Non-Guaranteed
Sacramento Kings guard/forward Ben Simmons officially signed his one-year deal, but the structure makes this a camp audition more than a rotation promise. HoopsHype's Michael Scotto reports that the contract is non-guaranteed and worth up to $3.5 million, with Simmons earning $1 million if he makes the opening-night roster on Oct. 21 against the Clippers. That adds needed context after Sacramento first agreed to terms with the 30-year-old three-time All-Star last week. Simmons is attempting an NBA comeback after sitting out 2025-26, and Russell Westbrook's retirement left Sacramento with a veteran playmaking void behind rookie Darius Acuff Jr. Malik Monk still has a steadier path to backup creation, while Nique Clifford and Emanuel Sharp are also in the young guard/wing mix. Simmons is worth monitoring in camp, but his fantasy value starts with proving he has a roster spot and real minutes.
Source: Michael Scotto
Source: Michael Scotto
Warriors Bring Back Alex Toohey on an Exhibit 10 Deal
The Golden State Warriors are bringing back forward Alex Toohey on an Exhibit 10 training camp deal, according to ESPN's Anthony Slater. Golden State's 2025 second-round pick never got his first season in the program off the ground, as a left knee injury wiped out his preseason, limited him to two Santa Cruz appearances, and eventually required season-ending surgery in December. The Canberra product averaged seven points and three rebounds in those two G-League games after posting 10.5 points, 3.9 rebounds, and 1.5 steals for the Sydney Kings in 2024-25. Golden State's standard roster is full, so Toohey is fighting for a two-way look or a Santa Cruz track rather than NBA rotation minutes. Even if healthy, he sits behind Georges Niang, Gui Santos, and Yaxel Lendeborg in the forward mix, keeping him off fantasy boards unless injuries thin the wing group.
Source: Anthony Slater
Source: Anthony Slater
Wizards Promote Amber Nichols to Vice President of Basketball Operations
HoopsHype's Michael Scotto reports that the Washington Wizards are promoting Amber Nichols to vice president of basketball operations and personnel. The former Capital City Go-Go general manager most recently served as Washington's director of amateur evaluation, running point on the process that produced AJ Dybantsa at No. 1 and Felix Okpara at No. 46 in June. Her wider personnel remit matters for a roster with a real minutes crunch. Alexandre Sarr, Tre Johnson, Kyshawn George, and Will Riley are all fighting for touches behind Trae Young and Anthony Davis, and an evaluator being handed more say usually points to patience with drafted players rather than veteran fill-ins. Dybantsa's rookie usage is the piece to track.
Source: Michael Scotto
Source: Michael Scotto
Sasha Vezenkov Leaves Door Open to NBA Return
Olympiacos forward Sasha Vezenkov drew exploratory interest from the Minnesota Timberwolves this summer, according to Marc Stein, though a formal offer never followed. The inquiry came before Minnesota signed Jonathan Kuminga, with Vezenkov signaling early that he preferred to stay in Greece. "It's tough now because here is my family, my life," the 31-year-old said, while still leaving the door slightly open by adding, "never say never." Vezenkov's lone NBA season produced 5.4 points and 2.3 rebounds in 12.2 minutes across 42 games with Sacramento in 2023-24. Since returning to Olympiacos, he has won another EuroLeague MVP and led the competition at 19.4 points per game. With Julius Randle and Naz Reid gone, Minnesota had reason to search for frontcourt skill, but Kuminga's arrival and Vezenkov's decision leave Trey Lyles and the remaining bench pieces with a cleaner path to reserve minutes.
Source: Marc Stein
Source: Marc Stein
Max Strus Embraces Glue-Guy Role with Clippers
Los Angeles Clippers guard/forward Max Strus said on the Link with JB podcast that he is comfortable settling into a glue-guy role built around shooting, defense, rebounding, and moving the ball. "I used to have a bag back in college, but I don't anymore," Strus said, adding that he is not afraid to guard top scorers. The 30-year-old returned from a Jones fracture in his left foot last season and averaged 11.2 points, 5.4 rebounds, 2.0 assists, and 2.8 three-pointers in 12 regular-season games while shooting 40.2 percent from deep, then posted 9.6 points and 4.8 rebounds across 18 playoff outings. Darius Garland and Bradley Beal already give the Clippers perimeter creation, while Brandon Ingram is expected to arrive once the Kawhi Leonard deal is finalized. Strus should have a rotation spot in the final year of his deal, but threes and rebounds are the only reliable fantasy hooks.
Source: Link with JB podcast
Source: Link with JB podcast
Naz Reid Steps Into Starting Role with Charlotte
Charlotte Hornets forward/center Naz Reid is in line to open the season as a full-time starter after arriving from Minnesota in the LaMelo Ball trade, ESPN's Andre Snellings writes. The 2023-24 Sixth Man of the Year has never held that kind of role, but he averaged 13.6 points, 6.2 rebounds, 2.2 assists, 1.0 steals, and 1.0 blocks last season while shooting 36.2 percent from three in a crowded Timberwolves frontcourt. The fit in Charlotte gives him a cleaner fantasy runway. Coby White should take over as the primary initiator, while Kon Knueppel and Brandon Miller will also command touches on the wing. Reid's per-minute production has always been useful, and a steady starting workload could push him toward career highs in points, rebounds, and threes.
Source: Andre Snellings
Source: Andre Snellings
Coby White Set to Run the Show in Charlotte
Charlotte Hornets guard Coby White is expected to open the season as the team's starting point guard after LaMelo Ball was sent to Minnesota in a deal built around Naz Reid and draft capital, ESPN's Andre Snellings writes. White arrived from Chicago at last season's deadline and came off the bench for Charlotte, averaging 15.6 points, 3.0 rebounds, 3.0 assists, and 2.0 three-pointers in 19.3 minutes across 21 games. His last two full seasons with the Bulls are the better fantasy guide, as he averaged roughly 19.7 points, 4.8 assists, and 2.8 threes while carrying a larger on-ball role. Kon Knueppel and Brandon Miller will need touches, and Reid adds another scoring option up front, but White has the clearest path to initiating the offense after signing a three-year, $74 million deal. A career-best fantasy season is in play if the minutes climb.
Source: Andre Snellings
Source: Andre Snellings
