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Herbert Jones Eyes Shooting Bounce-Back
New Orleans Pelicans forward Herbert Jones enters 2026-27 as the team's biggest X factor, according to ESPN's season preview. The 2023-24 All-Defensive First Team selection has slipped offensively since that breakout, including 38.3 percent shooting from the field and 30.9 percent from three last season. He still averaged 8.9 points, 3.4 rebounds, 2.8 assists, and 1.6 steals in 28.4 minutes, keeping him useful when defensive stats matter. ESPN noted that a bounce-back year could make Jones a trade-deadline chip for draft compensation. That outcome would be worth tracking, as a move could open extra wing minutes for Saddiq Bey while pushing more creation toward Trey Murphy III.
Source: ESPN
Source: ESPN
76ers Hire Tommy Balcetis as Basketball Intelligence Lead
The Philadelphia 76ers have hired Tommy Balcetis as their Head of Basketball Intelligence, Analytics and Innovation, according to HoopsHype's Michael Scotto. Balcetis spent 12 years with the Denver Nuggets, climbing from analytics manager to assistant general manager while contributing to the front-office infrastructure behind Denver's 2023 championship. The Lithuanian-born executive left the Nuggets in June 2025 and later worked with EuroLeague club Zalgiris Kaunas as head of innovations. This is another notable front-office addition under new president of basketball operations Mike Gansey, who replaced Daryl Morey this offseason. There is no direct fantasy impact, as a back-office analytics hire does not change Philadelphia's minutes, usage, or rotation outlook.
Source: Michael Scotto
Source: Michael Scotto
Trendon Watford Signs with Pelicans
Free-agent forward Trendon Watford and the New Orleans Pelicans agreed to a one-year, $2.9 million deal, according to ESPN's Shams Charania. The 25-year-old heads to New Orleans after Philadelphia declined his $2.8 million team option for 2026-27. Watford averaged 6.5 points, 3.3 rebounds, and 2.5 assists in 16.3 minutes across 53 games with the 76ers last season, including a 20-point, 17-rebound, 10-assist triple-double in November. His passing and frontcourt versatility give the Pelicans useful depth, but Zion Williamson, Herbert Jones, Saddiq Bey, Yves Missi, Derik Queen, Karlo Matkovic, and DeAndre Jordan leave a crowded path to steady minutes. Watford is off fantasy radars unless injuries thin the rotation.
Source: Shams Charania
Source: Shams Charania
Miles Bridges Likely to Wait on Extension
Phoenix Suns forward Miles Bridges is expected to wait before signing an extension, according to ESPN's Brian Windhorst on The Hoop Collective. Windhorst said Phoenix not only intends to pay Bridges but also plans to give him a sizable role after acquiring him from Charlotte this offseason. The 28-year-old averaged 17.1 points, 5.8 rebounds, 3.2 assists, and 1.9 threes with the Hornets last season, but his fantasy ceiling is trickier in Phoenix. Devin Booker and Jalen Green should handle plenty of creation, while Dillon Brooks adds another established wing to the rotation. Bridges should still start and carry contract-year scoring appeal, but a third-option role would cap the focal-point value he had in Charlotte.
Source: PHNX Suns
Source: PHNX Suns
Mavericks GM Mike Schmitz Backs Dusty May for NBA Jump
Dallas Mavericks general manager Mike Schmitz backed first-time NBA head coach Dusty May during a Friday appearance on 105.3 The Fan, pointing to May's climb from video work to assistant coach, college head coach and national champion as preparation for the job. May inherits a Dallas roster built around Cooper Flagg, who averaged 21.0 points, 6.7 rebounds, 4.5 assists and 1.2 steals across 70 starts while winning Rookie of the Year. The Mavericks already ranked fourth in pace last season, and May's push for a more entertaining style should keep Flagg in a strong counting-stats environment. Kyrie Irving is the key swing piece after missing all of last season with a torn left ACL, as his return would ease Flagg's creation burden but likely lower his assist ceiling.
Source: 105.3 The Fan
Source: 105.3 The Fan
Cooper Flagg Draws Offseason Praise from Mavericks GM
Dallas Mavericks forward Cooper Flagg has earned offseason praise from general manager Mike Schmitz, who discussed the reigning Rookie of the Year's development during a Friday appearance on 105.3 The Fan. The 19-year-old averaged 21.0 points, 6.7 rebounds, 4.5 assists, and 1.2 steals as a rookie, becoming the first first-year player since Michael Jordan to lead his team in points, rebounds, assists, and steals. Kyrie Irving, nearing a return from his ACL tear, should ease some creation burden, but Flagg's scoring, rebounding, and defensive production keep him locked in as an early-round fantasy anchor.
Source: 105.3 The Fan
Source: 105.3 The Fan
Dereck Lively II Making Progress in Foot Recovery
Dallas Mavericks center Dereck Lively II is making progress in his recovery from season-ending right foot surgery, with general manager Mike Schmitz saying Lively has been "working his tail off" and staying locked in around the facility. The 2023 No. 12 pick said in June that he was out of the boot and crutches and back in normal shoes, but later reports noted he still had not progressed to running. Lively appeared in only seven games last season, averaging 4.3 points, 5.3 rebounds, and 1.9 assists. He remains a high-upside rim runner and shot blocker when healthy, but Daniel Gafford is the safer fantasy bet until Lively's timeline gets clearer. Morez Johnson Jr. adds another frontcourt body if the ramp-up drags.
Source: 105.3 The Fan
Source: 105.3 The Fan
Haywood Highsmith Remains Backburner Option for Heat
Free-agent forward Haywood Highsmith could eventually draw a look from the Miami Heat, though the Sun Sentinel's Ira Winderman framed any reunion as a backburner scenario. Highsmith spent parts of four seasons in Miami before being traded to Brooklyn last summer, waived by the Nets in February and later signed by Phoenix. A right knee meniscus tear limited him to seven games with the Suns, where he averaged 5.4 points in 13.0 minutes before being waived this month. Winderman noted Miami's bigger need is frontcourt size, preferably someone who can also play center, not another 6-foot-5 combo forward. Gabe Vincent is a similar long-shot reunion name, but neither carries meaningful fantasy value right now.
Source: Ira Winderman
Source: Ira Winderman
Anthony Edwards Backs Timberwolves' Retooled Roster
Minnesota Timberwolves guard Anthony Edwards is confident the team's retooled roster can get past the Oklahoma City Thunder and San Antonio Spurs, the teams that ended Minnesota's last two playoff runs. "Against those two teams, I think we're going to beat them," Edwards told ESPN during a visit to Manila. The former No. 1 overall pick averaged 28.8 points, 5.0 rebounds, and 3.7 assists across 61 games in 2025-26, carrying heavy scoring responsibilities before Minnesota added LaMelo Ball and moved Julius Randle to Brooklyn. Ball's arrival may trim Edwards' playmaking volume, but it should also ease defensive pressure and keep him in the first-round fantasy mix.
Source: ESPN
Source: ESPN
Patrick Beverley Lands with Boulazac
Veteran guard Patrick Beverley has signed with Boulazac Basket Dordogne of France's Betclic Elite for the 2026-27 season, the club announced Friday. The 38-year-old spent last season with PAOK Thessaloniki, averaging 7.8 points, 5.0 rebounds and 3.3 assists in eight Greek League regular-season games before adding 9.3 points, 4.0 rebounds and 3.3 assists across nine FIBA Europe Cup contests. Beverley logged 666 regular-season NBA games before heading overseas, averaging 8.3 points, 4.1 rebounds, and 3.4 assists while earning three All-Defensive Team selections. This is just a late-career European stop, leaving him far outside the NBA fantasy picture.
Source: BasketNews
Source: BasketNews
Tyrese Haliburton Calls Out Road Opener
Indiana Pacers guard Tyrese Haliburton took issue with the team's season-opening assignment, saying on the "Numbers on the Board" podcast that he was shocked Indiana opens Oct. 21 at New Orleans without a national TV slot. The All-NBA guard tore his right Achilles in Game 7 of the 2025 NBA Finals and missed all of the Pacers' 19-63 season, so the matchup would be his first NBA game action in roughly 16 months. Haliburton averaged 18.6 points, 9.2 assists, 3.5 rebounds, and 1.4 steals in 2024-25, keeping him in bounce-back centerpiece territory. His return should cut into Andrew Nembhard's usage while giving new Pacers center Ivica Zubac a high-end pick-and-roll partner.
Source: Scott Horner
Source: Scott Horner
Carter Bryant Reflects on Rough NBA Welcome
San Antonio Spurs forward Carter Bryant opened up about a humbling rookie introduction during a recent appearance on the Road Trippin' Show. The 2025 No. 14 pick recalled getting tested early by Devin Vassell in a shooting workout, then struggling with Kelly Olynyk's footwork and veteran tricks in the post. Bryant still worked into San Antonio's rotation as a rookie, appearing in 71 regular-season games while averaging 4.2 points, 2.5 rebounds, and 0.7 assists in 11.5 minutes. He is not a redraft target yet, but his defensive profile and late-season minutes bump make him more interesting as a long-range stash if the Spurs expand his role.
Source: Sportando
Source: Sportando
Lester Quinones Remains on Real Madrid's Radar
Free-agent guard Lester Quinones has drawn renewed interest from Real Madrid, according to Marca, as relayed by Sportando, with the Spanish club still searching for one more backcourt piece after missing on Armoni Brooks and Lonnie Walker IV. The former Memphis guard was waived by Orlando last October and has yet to turn his scoring profile into a steady NBA role across 54 games with Golden State, Philadelphia, and New Orleans. His G-League resume is stronger, as he earned All-NBA G-League First Team honors while averaging 23.3 points, 5.2 rebounds, and 3.0 assists for Osceola before a brief China stint with Qingdao. A move to Spain would remove any lingering NBA fantasy stash appeal.
Source: Sportando
Source: Sportando
Dillon Brooks Looks to Expand Game
Phoenix Suns forward Dillon Brooks said at a Friday media session that he wants to sharpen his three-point shooting, passing, and finishing around the rim after signing a three-year, $73 million extension. The former second-round pick is coming off a career-best 20.2 points per game, but his supporting numbers stayed light at 3.6 rebounds and 1.8 assists while his three-point rate dipped to 34.4 percent. That thin peripheral profile is the fantasy concern. If Brooks adds more playmaking under Jordan Ott, his value gets less scoring-dependent. If not, Miles Bridges and Luke Kennard could squeeze his usage and leave him as more of a points-and-threes option.
Source: Doug Haller
Source: Doug Haller
Max Strus Emerges as Cavaliers Trade Piece
Cleveland Cavaliers guard/forward Max Strus has surfaced as a salary-matching piece in the team's pursuit of Denver restricted free agent Peyton Watson, with Evan Sidery reporting that Cleveland is looking for a team willing to take on Strus' $16.7 million expiring contract. The 30-year-old missed the first 67 games last season after left foot surgery, then averaged 11.2 points, 5.4 rebounds, and 2.0 assists across 12 games while shooting 40.2 percent from deep. Strus still has value as a floor-spacer, but his fantasy outlook depends heavily on landing spot. If he is moved, Jaylon Tyson could get a cleaner path to wing minutes, while Sam Merrill would remain a bench shooting option.
Source: Evan Sidery
Source: Evan Sidery
