October 20, 2025
Dallas Mavericks center
Daniel Gafford (ankle) was limited at practice on Monday, keeping his status for Wednesday's season opener very much in play. Head coach Jason Kidd said the team will monitor how Gafford responds to the increased workload, offering only, "We'll see how he feels tomorrow," when asked about his availability. Gafford is expected to open the season as Dallas' backup center after averaging 12.3 points, 6.8 rebounds, and 1.8 blocks last year on 70.2% shooting from the field. His elite efficiency and shot-blocking ability make him a valuable fantasy asset, particularly in category formats. If active, Gafford should be deployed as a high-floor big man, though fantasy managers may want to temper expectations slightly in his first game back from injury.
Dwight Powell and
Dereck Lively II would see additional run if Gafford is ruled out.
--Shaun AlbinSource: Mike Curtis
October 20, 2025
Denver Nuggets guard/forward
Christian Braun is up for a contract extension that was rumored to be close to done back in June. Fast forward to October, and there hasn't been anything signed, but Michael Scotto of HoopsHype reports that there is "cautious optimism" that Braun and the Nuggets agree on an extension before the deadline on Monday. Scotto states that the ongoing talks are around a five-year extension worth somewhere in the range of $115 to $125 million. After the Nuggets re-tooled a lot of their lineup this offseason, Braun is likely to continue in the important starting role he stepped into last year. During his best year yet, Braun averaged 15.4 points, 5.2 rebounds, 2.6 assists, and 1.1 steals across 77 starts and 33.9 minutes per game. He's a solid mid-to-late round fantasy asset in any type of format, especially category leagues with his .528 career field goal percentage.
--Alex Fischbein - RotoBallerSource: Michael Scotto
October 20, 2025
Oklahoma City Thunder guard
Nikola Topic (groin) will be sticking around for at least one more season on his rookie deal. The 12th-overall pick from the 2024 NBA Draft, unfortunately, hasn't appeared in his first game yet, but the team still picked up his third-year worth $5.4 million next season. Topic missed his first full season with an ACL tear, and now has to wait even longer to make his debut after undergoing testicular surgery a couple of weeks ago. He's expected to be re-evaluated in 4-to-6 weeks after that surgery, so it's possible that he returns at some point in November. As of right now, Topic isn't much of a fantasy option in redraft leagues, but is worth a stash in deeper dynasty formats after the team spent such a high pick on the Serbian combo guard. Across three seasons for various clubs in Europe, Topic averaged 10.2 points, 4.1 assists, and 2.3 rebounds per game.
--Alex Fischbein - RotoBallerSource: Real GM
October 20, 2025
Oklahoma City Thunder guard
Cason Wallace will be with the team for at least one more season. The former 10th overall pick remains on his rookie contract, so the last two years have been team options. He's currently making $5.8 million for this coming season, and the Thunder picked up his fourth-year option next season for $7.4 million. The reigning NBA champs have a very deep roster right now, so they may have to make some tough decisions when these rookie-scale contracts are up. For now, Wallace should be in the same role as last season when he averaged 8.4 points, 3.4 rebounds, 2.5 assists, and 1.8 steals across 27.6 minutes per game. Wallace could be a sleeper fantasy option in deeper category leagues, but his value is a bit higher when it comes dynasty formats.
--Alex Fischbein - RotoBallerSource: Real GM
October 20, 2025
The Brooklyn Nets have waived guard
Kobe Bufkin, according to ESPN's Shams Charania. The Nets traded cash considerations over the offseason for the former 15th overall pick in the 2023 NBA Draft. Unfortunately, Bufkin never really found his footing with Atlanta over the past two seasons, and a shoulder surgery cut his season short last year. Since being drafted, the Michigan product has appeared in 27 games and averaged 5.0 points, 2.0 rebounds, and 1.6 assists across 11.9 minutes per contest. Bufkin isn't even on the fantasy radar for redraft leagues, and after being waived, he's not even much of a stash for managers in dynasty leagues either.
--Alex Fischbein - RotoBallerSource: Shams Charania
October 20, 2025
Brooklyn Nets forward
Haywood Highsmith (knee) underwent a procedure on his right meniscus in August and has been on a rehab plan since. The team announced that Highsmith experienced swelling in his knee, so they performed an evaluation and determined that he will need to follow a modified rehab program. They are going to re-evaluate him in eight weeks, which would take us to December, before they decide whether he'll be able to return. Highsmith was traded from Miami to Brooklyn this past summer, after playing the last four seasons for the Heat and averaging 5.5 points, 3.2 rebounds, and 1.1 assists across 20.3 minutes per game.
--Alex Fischbein - RotoBallerSource: Brooklyn Nets
October 19, 2025
According to ESPN's Shams Charania, Portland Trail Blazers forward
Toumani Camara agreed to a four-year, $82 million extension with the team. He averaged a career-high 11.3 points, 5.8 rebounds, 2.2 assists, and 1.5 steals in 2024. Without question, the Blazers see something in the 25-year-old, who has emerged as a reliable two-way player since entering the league in 2023. Camara might be even more productive throughout the 2025 campaign, especially since
Anfernee Simons is no longer on the roster. He's also logged at least 70 games in his last two seasons, so his durability could go a long way in helping fantasy managers. However, outside of Camara's defensive acumen, he likely won't be as consistent in other statistical areas.
--Dennis ClausenSource: Shams Charania
October 19, 2025
According to ESPN's Shams Charania, Portland Trail Blazers guard
Shaedon Sharpe agreed to a four-year, $90 million contract extension with the club. The 2022 No. 7 overall pick is coming off his best season, averaging a career-high 18.5 points during the 2024 campaign. With the Blazers dealing
Anfernee Simons to the Boston Celtics in the offseason, Sharpe has an excellent chance of emerging as the top scorer in Portland. Assuming the 22-year-old stays on the floor this season, he's expected to be a consistent points-producer for fantasy managers throughout the year. However, he's struggled shooting the ball, so that will need to improve before earning more attention from category participants.
--Dennis ClausenSource: Shams Charania
October 19, 2025
According to ESPN's Shams Charania, Houston Rockets forward
Kevin Durant agreed to a two-year, $90 million contract extension with the team. He was eligible for more. However, the 37-year-old was willing to take less. Durant was traded to the Rockets in July after spending the last few seasons with the Phoenix Suns, most recently averaging 26.6 points, 6.0 rebounds, 4.2 assists, and 1.2 blocks while shooting 43.0% from downtown throughout the 2024 campaign. He's closing in on two decades of service in the National Basketball Association, so his production is expected to decline in the coming years. Still, Durant is anticipated to remain in the All-Star conversation for at least a few more seasons, giving him plenty of upside for fantasy managers in all formats. Of course, he will need to stay healthy, something that's been an issue at times throughout his career.
--Dennis ClausenSource: Shams Charania
October 19, 2025
Sacramento Kings center
Domantas Sabonis (hamstring) won't play in the opener versus the Phoenix Suns. He'll also be sidelined for the October 24 matchup with the Utah Jazz. The 29-year-old was injured during the October 15 preseason meeting with the Los Angeles Clippers and was diagnosed with a Grade 1 hamstring strain. He will be re-evaluated in a week, so there's a chance he may be out longer. Sabonis has repeatedly been in the All-Star conversation over the years, most recently finishing the 2024 campaign by averaging 19.1 points, 13.9 rebounds, 6.0 assists, and 41.7% shooting from behind the arc. The Kings will also be without
Keegan Murray (thumb) for a few months, meaning guys like
Drew Eubanks,
Malik Monk, and
Russell Westbrook could benefit from a production standpoint. As far as Sabonis is concerned, he should still be viewed as a top-10 fantasy option in any format, considering the his most recent ailment shouldn't keep him out too long.
--Dennis ClausenSource: The Associated Press
October 18, 2025
The Minnesota Timberwolves exercised the team option on guard
Rob Dillingham, the team announced in a press release on Saturday. The 20-year-old didn't do much in his first season in the league in 2024, averaging only 4.5 points and 1.0 rebounds. Still, with
Mike Conley not getting any younger and
Nickeil Alexander-Walker no longer on the roster, there could be a path to playing time for Dillingham at some point during the 2025 campaign. As of now, he's not worth rostering in redraft formats. However, that could change in the months ahead, so Dillingham may see attention from fantasy managers if he carves out a routine role in the rotation.
--Dennis ClausenSource: NBA.com
October 18, 2025
According to ESPN's Shams Charania, Memphis Grizzlies guard
Scotty Pippen Jr. (toe) will undergo surgery on his left big toe and will be re-evaluated in 12 weeks. The 24-year-old averaged 9.9 points, 4.4 assists, and 1.3 steals in 79 appearances last season. While he wasn't a day-to-day producer, he played considerably better in his 21 starts by averaging 14.2 points, 5.7 assists, 4.5 rebounds, and 1.7 steals while shooting 46.1% from behind the arc. At this point, it's realistic to assume Pippen may not be back on the court until around the All-Star break, making him virtually irrelevant for redraft participants. However, his absence should at least open the door for increased production from
Ty Jerome, with the former Cleveland Cavalier benefiting even more if
Ja Morant, who has battled injuries over the years, misses time this season.
--Dennis ClausenSource: Shams Charania
October 18, 2025
According to Stefan Bondy of the New York Post, the Knicks waived guard
Garrison Mathews. The 28-year-old bounced around the league before agreeing to a deal with the Knicks heading into training camp. He played relatively well in four preseason games, averaging 6.8 points while shooting 41.2% from behind the three-point line. However, New York is strapped for cash, so the club made the move to cut ties to avoid luxury tax ramifications. With that said, Mathews will likely find a new home due to his shooting prowess, although he won't be a useful fantasy option in any format until he carves out a routine role with a team.
--Dennis ClausenSource: Stefan Bondy
October 18, 2025
The Mavericks waived guard/forward
Dalano Banton, the team announced on Friday. The 2021 No. 46 overall pick signed a non-guaranteed deal heading into training camp. However, most assumed he was a long shot to make the opening night roster, so the latest isn't much of a surprise. Banton has spent time with various clubs around the National Basketball Association throughout his career, most recently appearing in 67 games for the Portland Trail Blazers throughout the 2024 campaign. Although he didn't see consistent playing time, he still looked good in his seven starts, averaging 16.0 points, 4.7 assists, and 1.0 blocks. There's a chance Banton may suit up for the Texas Legends, Dallas' G League squad. Still, Banton isn't a practical fantasy option at the moment, although that may change if he ends up getting some starts for a team during the year.
--Dennis ClausenSource: Mavs PR
October 18, 2025
According to Ira Winderman of the South Florida Sun Sentinel, the Heat waived forward/center
Precious Achiuwa. The 26-year-old most recently suited up for the Knicks during the 2024 campaign. Although he wasn't a consistent producer, he averaged 12.9 points, 8.9 rebounds, and 1.4 steals in 10 appearances in the starting lineup. Achiuwa inked a non-guaranteed deal heading into training camp. However, the Heat made the move before opening night to avoid operating above the luxury tax line. Deep-league dynasty managers with room to spare can keep him stashed on the roster, especially since there may be more than a few teams calling for his services throughout the season. On the other hand, Achiuwa won't see much attention from redraft participants until he signs with a club and carves out a consistent role.
--Dennis ClausenSource: Ira Winderman
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