Warriors and Heat Circle Kawhi Leonard as Trade Target
Los Angeles power forward Kawhi Leonard is reportedly on the Heat's Plan B list and the Warriors' Plan A list, though it remains unclear whether the Clippers will make him available, The Athletic's Sam Amick reports, building on Jake Fischer's reporting. Clippers owner Steve Ballmer has reportedly told teams Leonard is not on the market, while the NBA's ongoing investigation into alleged cap circumvention involving Leonard and the Clippers adds transaction uncertainty for any team considering him. Leonard, 34, answered durability doubts with one of his best seasons, averaging 27.9 points, 6.4 rebounds, 3.6 assists, and 1.9 steals on 50.5 percent shooting across 65 games. He enters the final year of his deal at roughly $50.3 million. The fantasy read is simpler than the trade math: his production is elite and should travel to any contender, so the open questions are where he plays and whether the probe slows any potential deal.
Source: Sam Amick
Source: Sam Amick
Ja Morant Looms as a Plan B in the Post-Giannis Market
Grizzlies point guard Ja Morant's trade market has quieted, but Memphis is hopeful he becomes a Plan B for whichever team misses on Giannis Antetokounmpo, The Athletic's Sam Amick reports. The Heat reportedly have serious interest and could reset an otherwise soft market, while Sacramento has been willing to take Morant only with extra draft assets attached. The two-time All-Star is owed $87 million over the next two seasons, and his value has slipped after a 20-game campaign that produced 19.5 points and 8.1 assists on just 41.0 percent shooting, including 23.5 percent from three. Availability, not talent, is the question, as he has played only 79 games total since the start of the 2023-24 season. A fresh start with a contender could steady his role, but Morant remains a high-variance fantasy bet whose elite assist and scoring upside come with a shaky floor.
Source: Sam Amick
Source: Sam Amick
Jaylen Brown Sits at the Center of Boston's Giannis Pursuit
Milwaukee is expected to seek clarity on the Giannis Antetokounmpo sweepstakes before or around Tuesday's draft, with Boston emerging as a major threat to Miami, The Athletic's Sam Amick reports. Any Celtics offer for the two-time MVP would likely have to start with Jaylen Brown plus significant draft compensation, potentially including up to three first-round picks. Brown is coming off a career year, averaging 28.7 points, 6.9 rebounds and 5.1 assists as Boston's lead option during Jayson Tatum's absence. A move to Milwaukee could lift Brown's usage as a centerpiece, while Giannis would remain an elite fantasy anchor anywhere, even if paired with a healthy Tatum. If Boston whiffs, the Celtics are among the teams eyeing Pelicans wing Trey Murphy III, the breakout name here after career highs of 21.5 points, 5.7 rebounds and 3.8 assists on 37.9 percent from three.
Source: Sam
Source: Sam
Isaiah Stewart Available in Trade Talks
Detroit Pistons forward/center Isaiah Stewart is available in trade talks, according to Sam Amick of The Athletic. The report notes that Detroit is searching for more shooting and playmaking, and Paul Reed could see a larger role if Stewart is moved. Stewart has two years and $30 million left on his deal, with the second season carrying a team option. The 25-year-old averaged 10.0 points, 5.0 rebounds, and 1.1 assists last season, while Reed posted 7.8 points and 4.5 boards in a smaller role. A move could help Stewart if he lands with a team that needs frontcourt defense, while Reed would be the immediate fantasy name to monitor in Detroit.
Source: Sam Amick
Source: Sam Amick
Thunder, Bulls Among Teams Eyeing Move Up for Aday Mara
Center Aday Mara has become one of the key names driving the 2026 NBA Draft's trade-up market, with the Oklahoma City Thunder and Chicago Bulls among teams trying to move up for him, Johnny Askounis of Eurohoops reports. The 7-foot-3 Spaniard broke out at Michigan after two quiet years at UCLA, helping anchor a Big Ten regular-season title and national championship run while winning conference Defensive Player of the Year. He averaged 12.1 points, 6.8 rebounds, 2.4 assists, and 2.6 blocks on 66.8 percent shooting, setting a school single-season record with 103 blocks. ClutchPoints' Brett Siegel pegs his range as starting at No. 8, though other outlets have placed him later in the first round. Mara projects as a blocks-and-boards anchor whose shaky free-throw shooting and limited perimeter game cap his fantasy ceiling, and any near-term value hinges on whether he lands with a contender or a team willing to give him immediate developmental minutes.
Source: Johnny Askounis
Source: Johnny Askounis
Grizzlies Keep Kentavious Caldwell-Pope on a $21.6 Million Option
ESPN's Shams Charania reports that Memphis Grizzlies guard Kentavious Caldwell-Pope is exercising his $21.6 million player option for 2026-27. The 33-year-old returns on the final year of the deal he signed with Orlando in 2024, having landed in Memphis last June in the Desmond Bane trade. Right pinky surgery in February ended his season early, and he averaged 8.4 points, 2.7 assists and 2.5 rebounds across 51 games while shooting just 31.6 percent from three, well below his 36.5 percent career mark. The opt-in itself does little for fantasy, since Caldwell-Pope is a low-usage 3-and-D piece on a retooling team. The decision worth tracking is whether Memphis keeps him, trades him or eventually explores a buyout, which could clear backcourt minutes for Cam Spencer and the rest of the young guard group.
Source: Shams Charania
Source: Shams Charania
D'Angelo Russell Picks Up Wizards Option
Washington Wizards guard D'Angelo Russell has opted into his $6 million player option for the 2026-27 season, according to Jake Fischer. The 30-year-old remains under contract after being acquired by Washington during the season, although he never reported to the Wizards after the trade. Russell averaged 10.2 points, 2.3 rebounds, and 4.0 assists in 2025-26, numbers that were well below his usual fantasy standard. Unless Washington carves out a real rotation role or moves him elsewhere, Russell looks more like a cap-friendly trade piece than a reliable fantasy target.
Source: Jake Fischer
Source: Jake Fischer
Warriors Want Kristaps Porzingis Back on a Shorter, Cheaper Deal
Golden State Warriors center Kristaps Porzingis is headed for unrestricted free agency, and the team wants him back at a reduced rate, ESPN's Anthony Slater reports. The 30-year-old arrived from Atlanta at February's deadline on a $30.7 million expiring deal, and Golden State holds his Bird rights but prefers a shorter, cheaper contract this time. In 15 games as a Warrior, Porzingis averaged 16.1 points, 5.3 rebounds, 2.3 assists, and 1.1 blocks, giving Stephen Curry and Jimmy Butler a floor-spacing big with rim-protection upside. The catch is availability. He played just 32 regular-season games last season and has dealt with recurring health issues in recent years. A healthy Porzingis remains a points, threes, and blocks source worth rostering, but his games-played history keeps him a draft-day gamble.
Source: Anthony Slater
Source: Anthony Slater
Hawks Weighing Options at No. 8 Pick in the Draft
The Atlanta Hawks are actively weighing trade-up and trade-down scenarios with the No. 8 pick in the 2026 NBA Draft, according to Sam Vecenie of The Athletic. Houston guard Kingston Flemings is reportedly among the players drawing serious consideration at that spot and is not expected to slide far, if he gets out of the top 10 at all. The 19-year-old built a strong case as one of the better lead guard prospects in the class, averaging 16.1 points, 4.1 rebounds, 5.2 assists, and 1.5 steals while shooting 47.6 percent from the field. If Atlanta stays put, Flemings would give the franchise another on-ball creator with enough defensive activity to push for early rotation minutes.
Source: Sam Vecenie
Source: Sam Vecenie
Luka Doncic Wants Lakers to Add High-Level Center
Los Angeles Lakers guard Luka Doncic has made his preference clear for the franchise to add an A-list center, according to ESPN's Dave McMenamin. Walker Kessler and Jalen Duren have been mentioned as restricted free-agent targets the Lakers have done due diligence on, while Los Angeles is expected to evaluate other trade and free-agent options. Kessler would give the Lakers a shot-blocking, low-usage finisher, while Duren would bring more scoring, rebounding, and physical roll-man production. Either move would clean up Doncic's playmaking environment, but the bigger fantasy swing may come for whichever center lands next to one of the league's best passers.
Source: Dave McMenamin
Source: Dave McMenamin
Magic Add Mfon Udofia to Sean Sweeney's Staff
The Orlando Magic are adding Mfon Udofia to new head coach Sean Sweeney's staff as an assistant, HoopsHype's Michael Scotto reports. Udofia spent the past three seasons running Long Island, Brooklyn's G League affiliate, where the 35-year-old became the winningest head coach in franchise history and helped build a strong development program. Long Island reached the Eastern Conference Final in 2024, and Udofia's program produced three NBA call-ups this past season. He also carries an international resume, serving as Nigeria's head coach during the FIBA AfroBasket 2021 Qualifiers and as an assistant at the 2019 FIBA World Cup. An assistant hire rarely moves fantasy values on its own, but Udofia and fellow addition DJ Bakker give Sweeney a development-heavy staff as the first-time NBA head coach builds around Orlando's young core.
Source: Michael Scotto
Source: Michael Scotto
Warriors Continue to Eye Trey Murphy III
New Orleans Pelicans guard/forward Trey Murphy III could be more obtainable during this transaction cycle, according to ESPN's Anthony Slater. The Warriors have reportedly viewed Murphy as a long-term wing target, with his age, size, and fit in Golden State's system all part of the appeal. The 25-year-old took another step forward in 2025-26, averaging 21.5 points, 5.7 rebounds, and 3.8 assists while shooting 47.0 percent from the field. A trade to Golden State could trim his shot volume, but his three-point shooting, defensive tools, and ability to play off stars would still give him a clear path to fantasy value in a more competitive environment.
Source: Anthony Slater
Source: Anthony Slater
Suns Tender Qualifying Offers to Mark Williams and Koby Brea
The Phoenix Suns have tendered qualifying offers to center Mark Williams and guard Koby Brea, making both restricted free agents, Spotrac's Keith Smith reports. Williams drew a reported $9.6 million offer after the 24-year-old started 55 of 60 games and averaged 11.7 points and 8.0 rebounds. A late-season foot issue that sidelined him during Phoenix's first-round series against Oklahoma City clouds both his market and durability profile. If Phoenix loses or moves Williams, Oso Ighodaro and 2025 lottery pick Khaman Maluach would be candidates for larger center minutes. Ighodaro carries the cleaner near-term fantasy appeal, while Brea remains off fantasy radars after averaging 15.0 points in the G League.
Source: Keith Smith
Source: Keith Smith
Kevin Love Could Join the Lakers
The Los Angeles Lakers are reportedly interested in a reunion between LeBron James and Kevin Love this summer. According to Marc J. Spears, the Lakers would like to bring back one of James' old teammates from Cleveland. The duo played together on the Cavaliers from 2014 to 2018. The 37-year-old isn't quite the same player as he was during his time with the Minnesota Timberwolves or Cavs. Love could be a good veteran presence and someone who could contribute off the bench. The assumption is that he'd join the Lakers on a veteran minimum for an opportunity to get a ring with his old teammate.
Source: Marc J. Spears
Source: Marc J. Spears
Clippers Impressed With Brayden Burries
The Los Angeles Clippers were reportedly impressed with Arizona guard Brayden Burries during a recent visit on Tuesday. It sounds like Burries is in the running to be taken at No. 5 by the Clippers. Burries is a highly coveted prospect after averaging 16.1 points, 4.9 rebounds, and 2.4 assists with the Wildcats this past season. The Dallas Mavericks and Golden State Warriors have also been linked to Burries, but the Clippers will select the highest among the three teams. The Clippers have also been linked to Keaton Wagler and Mikel Brown Jr. as possible options at No. 5.
Source: Jake Fischer
Source: Jake Fischer
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