RADIO
Hawks Waive Lamont Butler
The Atlanta Hawks waived guard Lamont Butler (knee) on Friday, one day after signing him, and on the same day they cut Devin Carter, Hawks reporter Brad Rowland reports. Butler's brief return always looked procedural, with the likely goal of keeping him in the organization's G-League pipeline. His first pro season never got moving after he tore the ACL and meniscus in his left knee during the College Park Skyhawks' preseason process, costing him all of 2025-26. The former San Diego State and Kentucky guard flashed in his lone preseason outing last October, posting 18 points, six rebounds, five assists, and three steals in 37 minutes. Atlanta still has a standard-roster crunch to solve, but Butler was not a realistic threat for NBA minutes behind CJ McCollum, Dyson Daniels, Kingston Flemings, and Ryan Nembhard. There is no fantasy impact here.
Source: Brad Rowland
Source: Brad Rowland
Sergio De Larrea Pushes for Backup Role
Dallas Mavericks guard Sergio de Larrea has a real path to backup point guard minutes entering camp, though nothing has been declared. The Smoking Cuban's Noah Weber reads Dallas' lack of an established veteran point guard addition as a sign of confidence in the rookie. The 20-year-old, taken No. 25 overall in June, sits behind Kyrie Irving (knee) alongside Marcus Sasser as one of the team's main traditional lead-guard options, while Cooper Flagg is also expected to handle creation. De Larrea's Summer League line showed the split: 8.0 points on poor shooting, but 8.8 assists per game, including a 14-assist night against Oklahoma City. Dusty May could still lean on Sasser, so De Larrea is more camp watch than draft target, but the passing gives him a path if Irving misses time.
Source: Noah Weber
Source: Noah Weber
Devin Carter Floated as Knicks' Guard Insurance
Guard Devin Carter could make sense as backcourt insurance for the New York Knicks once he clears waivers, Kris Pursiainen of Knicks Film School suggested. This comes after Jake Fischer of The Stein Line reported that Boston has shown interest in Carter following his release from Atlanta, so New York should be treated as a logical fit rather than a reported suitor. Carter has a tie to head coach Mike Brown, who coached the Sacramento team that drafted him No. 13 overall in 2024. The 24-year-old averaged 8.9 points, 3.3 rebounds, 2.7 assists, and 0.9 steals in 18.4 minutes across 38 games last season. New York already has Jalen Brunson, Jordan Clarkson, Jose Alvarado, Landry Shamet, and Tyler Kolek in the guard mix, but Miles McBride missed 28 games after sports hernia surgery. Carter would still need the right landing spot to become more than a watch-list name.
Source: Kris Pursiainen
Source: Kris Pursiainen
Devin Carter Could Land in Boston
The Boston Celtics have shown interest in signing guard Devin Carter once he clears waivers, according to The Stein Line's Jake Fischer. Atlanta waived the 24-year-old guard on Friday, a little over two months after acquiring him and a 2033 second-round pick from Sacramento. The former No. 13 pick never found steady footing with the Kings, averaging 8.9 points, 3.3 rebounds, 2.7 assists, 0.9 steals, and 0.8 three-pointers in 18.4 minutes across 38 games last season. His delayed rookie debut after left shoulder surgery did not help, and left ankle and right calf issues cost him more time in 2025-26. Boston has Derrick White, Payton Pritchard, and Mike Conley ahead of him, with one two-way slot open, so Carter's path would likely be developmental. His 29-point career night in April showed some scoring pop, but there is no immediate fantasy case here.
Source: Jake Fischer
Source: Jake Fischer
Walker Kessler Pegged as Worth the Lakers' Price
Los Angeles Lakers center Walker Kessler (shoulder) cost a steep price, but Yahoo Sports senior NBA analyst Kevin O'Connor said his fit in Los Angeles could make the move worth it. The Lakers sent Utah two unprotected first-round picks and two first-round swaps before signing Kessler to a four-year, $130 million deal. The 7-foot-2 big man is fully cleared after left shoulder surgery limited him to five games in 2025-26, and that short sample drives the fantasy case: 14.4 points, 10.8 rebounds, 3.0 assists, and 1.8 blocks on 70.3 percent shooting. Playing as Luka Doncic's primary rim-runner should keep the field-goal percentage elite and give Kessler a path to career-best scoring volume. The Lakers have Kevon Looney and other frontcourt depth behind him, but Kessler is the clear starter if the shoulder holds up.
Source: Kevin O'Connor
Source: Kevin O'Connor
Hawks Waive Devin Carter
The Atlanta Hawks have waived guard Devin Carter, HoopsHype's Michael Scotto reports. Atlanta acquired the 13th overall pick of the 2024 draft from Sacramento at the end of June along with a 2033 second-round pick and declined his fourth-year option, valued at $7,370,897 for 2027-28, as part of the transaction. The move was roster math more than evaluation. The Hawks carried 16 guaranteed contracts into Friday and had to reach the 15-man regular-season limit, and cutting Carter got them there without touching the rotation Quin Snyder plans to use. Ryan Nembhard's arrival in the Luguentz Dort deal had already pushed Carter behind CJ McCollum and rookie Kingston Flemings in the guard room. Carter averaged 8.9 points, 3.3 rebounds, and 2.7 assists in 18.4 minutes over 38 games last season, never enough volume to matter in standard leagues. He isn't eligible to re-sign with the Kings, and with two teams having moved on inside a year, his next deal likely comes with G-League time attached.
Source: Michael Scotto
Source: Michael Scotto
Khaman Maluach in Line for Bigger Role
Phoenix Suns center Khaman Maluach should see his role expand with Mark Williams (shoulder) sidelined, according to ESPN's Bobby Marks. Williams underwent surgery to repair a torn labrum in his left shoulder and is expected to miss at least five months, leaving Maluach and Oso Ighodaro as the main internal center options. The 2025 lottery pick barely cracked the rotation as a rookie, averaging 3.0 points and 2.9 rebounds across 46 games, but he raised his profile in Las Vegas by averaging 19.5 points, 12.8 rebounds, and 2.0 blocks over four Summer League games while shooting 53.2 percent. Ighodaro is the steadier connector and Marks noted Phoenix was plus-5.1 points per 100 possessions with him at center last season, so Maluach will not be handed the job outright. Still, the size, blocks, and rebounding upside make him a clear camp riser.
Source: Bobby Marks
Source: Bobby Marks
Mark Williams Undergoes Shoulder Surgery, Out Several Months
Phoenix Suns center Mark Williams (shoulder) underwent surgery Thursday to repair a torn labrum and will miss an extended period, according to ESPN's Shams Charania. John Gambadoro of Arizona Sports 98.7 reported that Williams is expected to miss at least five months, putting an All-Star-break return near the front end of the timeline. The 24-year-old had just re-signed on a three-year, $38 million deal after the healthiest season of his career, averaging 11.7 points, 8.0 rebounds, and 0.9 blocks in 23.6 minutes across 60 games. Phoenix will now have to lean harder on Khaman Maluach and Oso Ighodaro. Maluach has the size and upside to push for the starting job, while Ighodaro played all 82 games last season and offers the safer minutes floor. Both get a clear fantasy bump, though Maluach carries the higher blocks-and-boards ceiling.
Source: Shams Charania
Source: Shams Charania
Jalen Williams Tries to Reclaim All-NBA Form
Oklahoma City Thunder forward Jalen Williams (hamstring, wrist) spent the summer working on his body and searching for answers after recurring hamstring issues derailed his 2025-26 season, according to ESPN's Tim MacMahon. The 25-year-old missed the first 19 games after surgery on his shooting wrist, then strains to both hamstrings cost him extended time. Williams played only 33 regular-season games and five of Oklahoma City's 15 playoff contests, averaging 17.1 points, 4.6 rebounds, 5.5 assists, and 1.2 steals. His max rookie extension kicks in this season, and the Thunder have less proven depth after moving Luguentz Dort, Aaron Wiggins, and Isaiah Joe in offseason trades. The upside is obvious: Williams was third-team All-NBA and second-team All-Defense in 2024-25 while averaging 21.6 points, 5.3 rebounds, and 5.1 assists. The injury discount is real, but so is the bounce-back ceiling if his hamstrings hold up.
Source: Tim MacMahon
Source: Tim MacMahon
Trae Young Healthy and Motivated Ahead of Camp
Washington Wizards point guard Trae Young (knee, quadriceps) is cleared for training camp and eager to push his way back into the league's star conversation, according to ESPN's Ohm Youngmisuk. "People think I'm just a ball-dominant person. It's hilarious to me," Young said, adding that the best version of his game may not mean the most points or assists. The four-time All-Star played only 15 games last season because of MCL and quadriceps injuries in his right leg, averaging 17.9 points and 8.0 assists, including five appearances after the January trade to Washington. His workload should climb now that he is healthy, but Anthony Davis (finger) and No. 1 pick AJ Dybantsa give the Wizards more mouths to feed. Young's assists should still anchor his fantasy value, though a return to his career 25.1-point scoring pace may be tougher in this setup.
Source: Ohm Youngmisuk
Source: Ohm Youngmisuk
Jaren Jackson Jr. Steps Into Bigger Frontcourt Role
Utah Jazz forward/center Jaren Jackson Jr. spent most of the summer training in Salt Lake City after left knee surgery limited him to three games with the team following February's blockbuster trade, according to ESPN's Tim MacMahon. The former Defensive Player of the Year is expected to be a key frontcourt piece as Utah tries to move out of lottery mode. Walker Kessler's move to the Lakers should push Jackson into more center minutes, with Jusuf Nurkic also in the mix. That could help revive Jackson's shot-blocking after he dipped to 1.4 blocks per game last season, well below the 3.0 he averaged in 2022-23. The scoring outlook is less clean, with Lauri Markkanen, Keyonte George, and No. 2 pick Darryn Peterson all needing touches, so Jackson's fantasy value may lean more on blocks, rebounds, and efficiency than high-end usage.
Source: Tim MacMahon
Source: Tim MacMahon
Hawks Sign Lamont Butler
The Atlanta Hawks signed guard Lamont Butler on Thursday after waiving Keyshawn Bryant. Butler is back for another stint with Atlanta after briefly joining the organization last fall, when he was waived before the season and later landed with the College Park Skyhawks. His first pro year never got going, as a torn left ACL and meniscus during the preseason process cost him the entire 2025-26 campaign. The former San Diego State and Kentucky guard averaged 11.4 points, 4.3 assists, 2.9 rebounds, and 1.6 steals in 26.0 minutes during his lone season with the Wildcats. Terms were not disclosed, but the move appears procedural, with Butler likely headed back toward College Park if waived. CJ McCollum, Kingston Flemings, Ryan Nembhard, and Devin Carter leave him buried in Atlanta's backcourt, so there is no fantasy value here.
Source: Brad Rowland
Source: Brad Rowland
Hawks Waive Keyshawn Bryant
The Atlanta Hawks waived forward Keyshawn Bryant on Thursday, one day after adding him to the training camp roster. The move coincided with Atlanta signing guard Lamont Butler and appears procedural, with Bryant likely headed toward the College Park Skyhawks if he clears waivers. The former South Carolina and South Florida forward has three seasons of G-League experience, averaging 9.4 points and 3.6 rebounds in 18.9 minutes across 40 career appearances. His best stretch came with the Windy City Bulls in 2025-26, when he averaged 12.0 points and 4.1 rebounds and dropped 41 points against Westchester. Bryant never had a clean path through an Atlanta wing group featuring Luguentz Dort and Aaron Wiggins, so there is no fantasy impact here.
Source: Brad Rowland
Source: Brad Rowland
Luka Doncic Healthy Heading Into Training Camp
Los Angeles Lakers guard Luka Doncic (hamstring) is healthy heading into training camp after being cleared for full basketball activities in late May, according to ESPN's Dave McMenamin. A Grade 2 left hamstring strain suffered on April 2 cost him the Lakers' final 15 regular-season games and their entire playoff run, which ended in the second round. The 27-year-old skipped Slovenia's FIBA World Cup qualifiers to spend time with his daughters and later hosted Lakers teammates for an August minicamp. Doncic averaged 33.5 points, 7.7 rebounds, 8.3 assists, and 1.6 steals across 64 games last season, winning the scoring title. With LeBron James now in Philadelphia, more of the offense should flow through Doncic, while Walker Kessler gives him a true lob threat. Availability is the only real fantasy concern on an otherwise elite profile.
Source: Dave McMenamin
Source: Dave McMenamin
Joel Embiid Enters Camp with Health Optimism
Philadelphia 76ers center Joel Embiid (knee) enters 2026-27 with renewed optimism after telling reporters at his end-of-season news conference that his knee is no longer the main concern. "We figured out the knee. It hasn't been an issue," Embiid said, according to ESPN's Vincent Goodwill. The former MVP has appeared in only 57 of a possible 164 games over the past two seasons, so the injury discount will not disappear. He still averaged 26.9 points, 7.7 rebounds, 3.9 assists, and 1.2 blocks in 31.6 minutes across 38 games last season. Sixers president Mike Gansey said in August that Embiid is healthy, with the team expected to map out a workload plan. Jaylen Brown and LeBron James joining Tyrese Maxey should lower Embiid's usage burden, but staying on the floor remains the swing factor.
Source: Vincent Goodwill
Source: Vincent Goodwill
