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Kings Eyeing Jalen Duren in 2027 Free Agency
ESPN's Anthony Slater reports that Sacramento Kings general manager Scott Perry met with Detroit Pistons center Jalen Duren in early July and explored a sign-and-trade concept involving Domantas Sabonis. Detroit balked at losing Duren for Sabonis, leaving the Kings with no clean path unless Duren accepts his $9.6 million qualifying offer and reaches unrestricted free agency in 2027. The 22-year-old is coming off an All-Star, Third-Team All-NBA season, averaging 19.5 points, 10.5 rebounds, and 2.0 assists on 65.0 percent shooting across 70 starts. His 2026-27 fantasy outlook stays tied to Detroit for now, where he projects as the starting center if he re-signs or plays on the qualifying offer. Sacramento's interest says more about Domantas Sabonis' uncertain future than Duren's immediate fantasy outlook.
Source: ESPN
Source: ESPN
Khalifa Diop Signs Four-Year Deal with Cavaliers
The Cleveland Cavaliers signed center Khalifa Diop to a standard contract Wednesday, ending the draft-and-stash wait that began when Cleveland selected him 39th overall in 2022. The deal is worth $9.26 million over four years, with only the $1.36 million first-year salary fully guaranteed, according to HoopsHype's Michael Scotto. Diop averaged 3.8 points, 4.2 rebounds, and 0.7 blocks in 47 games for Baskonia last season while shooting 67.0 percent from the field. He also was part of Baskonia's 2026 Copa del Rey-winning roster. Evan Mobley and Jarrett Allen still control Cleveland's frontcourt, while Thomas Bryant gives the Cavaliers a veteran reserve center. Diop is off fantasy radars unless injuries open a deeper bench role.
Source: Michael Scotto
Source: Michael Scotto
Timberwolves Hiring Daniel Brady as Assistant Coach
The Minnesota Timberwolves are hiring Daniel Brady as an assistant coach, according to HoopsHype's Michael Scotto. Brady spent last season with the G-League's Rio Grande Valley Vipers after three seasons on Tom Thibodeau's staff in New York, with earlier stops in Oklahoma City, Atlanta, and Houston. The hire helps fill the bench after lead assistant Micah Nori left to become Portland's head coach. A player-development voice is worth noting for Jonathan Kuminga, who arrives on a two-year, $12.4 million deal, and second-year big Joan Beringer, but neither becomes a fantasy priority off this move alone. Anthony Edwards remains the Wolves' clear anchor after averaging a career-best 28.8 points on 39.9 percent shooting from deep last season.
Source: Michael Scotto
Source: Michael Scotto
Gradey Dick Set to Join Clippers Soon
According to ESPN's Shams Charania, the trade sending guard/forward Gradey Dick to the Los Angeles Clippers is expected to be finalized in the coming days after the NBA concluded its salary-cap circumvention investigation involving Kawhi Leonard. Dick is coming off a rough third season, averaging 6.0 points and 1.9 rebounds in 14.0 minutes across 76 games with Toronto. Los Angeles is not an obvious fantasy fix, with Bradley Beal, Max Strus, Kris Dunn, and lottery pick Keaton Wagler all part of a crowded guard-wing group. Dick can shoot his way into a role, but he is only a watch-list name until the depth chart settles.
Source: Shams Charania
Source: Shams Charania
Brandon Ingram Expected to Join Clippers Soon
According to ESPN's Shams Charania, the NBA has concluded its salary-cap circumvention investigation involving Kawhi Leonard and the Los Angeles Clippers, clearing the way for the trade sending forward Brandon Ingram to Los Angeles to be finalized in the coming days. Ingram had heel spur surgery in early May and was projected to be ready for training camp, so his health remains the only short-term box to check. The two-time All-Star led Toronto with 21.5 points, 5.6 rebounds, and 3.7 assists in 33.8 minutes across 77 starts last season. In Los Angeles, he should step into heavy scoring usage next to Darius Garland, with Rui Hachimura and Derrick Jones Jr. also in the forward mix. If the deal is finalized, Ingram's shot volume should remain strong.
Source: Shams Charania
Source: Shams Charania
Pistons Guarantee Paul Reed's Salary for 2026-27
The Detroit Pistons fully guaranteed center Paul Reed's $5.6 million salary for the 2026-27 season, according to Jake Fischer of The Stein Line. Reed's backup-center path looks cleaner after Detroit traded Isaiah Stewart to Memphis, and Jalen Duren remains unsigned as a restricted free agent. Reed averaged 7.8 points and 4.5 rebounds in 13.9 minutes across 65 games last season, but his per-minute production popped when Detroit needed more. He averaged 11.4 points and 5.0 rebounds in 13.0 minutes over five second-round games against Cleveland, shooting 24-for-34 from the field, and the Pistons went 8-3 in his 11 starts. If Duren signs, Reed is a useful reserve. If Duren's talks drag, Reed could open camp with a real minutes bump.
Source: Jake Fischer
Source: Jake Fischer
Kyle Mangas Signs Exhibit 10 Deal with Hornets
The Charlotte Hornets signed guard Kyle Mangas and waived Trey Townsend, according to the team. Rod Boone of The Charlotte Observer reported that Mangas received an Exhibit 10 contract, making this the second back-end roster swap for Charlotte in three days. The 27-year-old has never appeared in an NBA game, though he had a brief two-way stint with San Antonio last season. Mangas played 35 G-League games for the Austin Spurs, averaging 16.7 points, 4.2 rebounds, and 2.2 assists in 31.3 minutes. Greensboro acquired his returning rights in August, so the likely path is a Swarm stint tied to an Exhibit 10 bonus. This is roster paperwork, not a move with fantasy impact.
Source: Rod Boone
Source: Rod Boone
Hornets Waive Trey Townsend
The Charlotte Hornets waived forward Trey Townsend on Wednesday, one day after signing him to an Exhibit 10 contract. Charlotte filled the open roster spot by signing guard Kyle Mangas, continuing its back-end roster shuffle ahead of training camp. Townsend went undrafted out of Arizona in 2025 and averaged 4.6 points and 2.2 rebounds across 24 G-League regular-season games split between the Texas Legends and Salt Lake City Stars last season. Greensboro acquired his returning rights in August, so the likely next step is a Swarm stint, where he could earn an Exhibit 10 bonus if he stays long enough. This move has no fantasy impact.
Source: Charlotte Hornets PR
Source: Charlotte Hornets PR
Kawhi Leonard to Pay $700,000, Avoids Suspension
The Los Angeles Clippers were stripped of five first-round picks, fined $30 million, and had owner Steve Ballmer suspended for one year on Wednesday after the NBA completed its salary-cap circumvention probe tied to forward Kawhi Leonard. ESPN's Shams Charania reported that Leonard must pay $700,000 but will not be suspended and will not have his contract voided. That is the key fantasy takeaway, since it could clear the way for his paused trade to Toronto. Leonard averaged a career-high 27.9 points, 6.4 rebounds, and 3.6 assists in 65 games last season. If the deal is finalized, Brandon Ingram and Gradey Dick would head to Los Angeles, while Scottie Barnes, RJ Barrett, and Immanuel Quickley would have to share touches with Leonard in Toronto.
Source: Shams Charania
Source: Shams Charania
Stephen Curry Not Rushing Extension with Warriors
Golden State Warriors guard Stephen Curry became eligible for a two-year, $136.7 million maximum extension on Saturday, but he told NBC Sports Bay Area's Dalton Johnson that he is not rushing the process. "There's no question I want to be here the rest of my career," Curry said. The contract is not the fantasy concern; his health is. Curry played 43 games last season while dealing with a knee issue but still averaged 26.6 points, 4.7 assists, 3.6 rebounds, and 4.4 threes in 30.9 minutes. With Jimmy Butler III (knee) still without a firm return date, Curry and Brandin Podziemski should carry more early creation responsibility. Curry remains elite when active, but availability is the risk.
Source: Dalton Johnson
Source: Dalton Johnson
Luguentz Dort Says Hawks Transition Has Been Smooth
Atlanta Hawks guard/forward Luguentz Dort said he called Nickeil Alexander-Walker right away after learning of his July trade from Oklahoma City, according to Thunder Wire's Clemente Almanza. The two were high school teammates and longtime competitors, and Dort said Alexander-Walker has helped him adjust to Atlanta's style of play. Dort backed that chemistry Monday with 25 points on 8-for-13 shooting in Canada's 97-92 qualifying win over Argentina, while Alexander-Walker added 26. Still, Dort is coming off a quiet NBA season, averaging 8.3 points on a career-low 38.5 percent shooting. With Alexander-Walker and Dyson Daniels also in Atlanta's perimeter mix, Dort's fantasy value remains tied mostly to steals, threes, and defensive minutes.
Source: Clemente Almanza
Source: Clemente Almanza
Nikola Jokic Plays Through Illness for Serbia
Denver Nuggets center Nikola Jokic played through three days of sickness and multiple IV treatments in Serbia's 76-64 win over Italy in FIBA World Cup qualifying on Monday. Serbian head coach Dusan Alimpijevic said Jokic "rejected giving up and leaving his team alone," which helps explain the three-time MVP's quiet line of eight points, eight rebounds, and one assist. There is no immediate fantasy fallout with Serbia's next qualifying window set for late November, but managers will want this cleared up before training camp. Jokic averaged 27.7 points, 12.9 rebounds, and 10.7 assists last season and remains the safest fantasy anchor when healthy.
Source: Harrison Wind
Source: Harrison Wind
Trey Townsend Signs Exhibit 10 Deal with Hornets
The Charlotte Hornets signed forward Trey Townsend to an Exhibit 10 contract after waiving Josiah Allick, according to Rod Boone of The Charlotte Observer. Townsend went undrafted out of Arizona in 2025 and split last season between the Texas Legends and Salt Lake City Stars, averaging 4.6 points and 2.2 rebounds in 18.8 minutes across 24 G-League games. Greensboro acquired his returning rights in a six-team trade in August, so the likely endgame is a Swarm assignment and a bonus worth up to $91,000 if he sticks there for 60 days. This is back-end roster work, not a move with fantasy impact.
Source: Rod Boone
Source: Rod Boone
Hornets Waive Josiah Allick
The Charlotte Hornets waived forward Josiah Allick on Tuesday, one day after signing him, and gave the vacated spot to free-agent forward Trey Townsend. Rod Boone of The Charlotte Observer reported that Allick's original deal was an Exhibit 10, so the fast turnaround was the plan, not a surprise. The 25-year-old spent last season with the Greensboro Swarm, averaging 5.6 points and 5.8 rebounds in 16.6 minutes across 41 games while shooting 65.8 percent from the field. Charlotte is cycling players through its final roster spot to secure G-League rights ahead of camp. Allick is expected back in Greensboro and holds no fantasy value, though his offensive rebounding could earn him a 10-day look if the Hornets' frontcourt thins out.
Source: Charlotte Hornets PR
Source: Charlotte Hornets PR
Nick Richards Enters Camp in Prove-It Mode
Miami Heat center Nick Richards said the teams that passed on him in free agency were wrong, and he plans to prove it in Miami. "There's a lot of teams that passed up on me that I felt like they should have given me more consideration," Richards told Ira Winderman of the South Florida Sun Sentinel on Tuesday. The 28-year-old has spoken with Erik Spoelstra about bringing energy and physicality, but the path to minutes is tight behind Bam Adebayo, Giannis Antetokounmpo, Bobby Portis, and Nikola Jovic. Richards started 51 games for Charlotte in 2023-24, averaging 9.7 points and 8.0 rebounds, but he slipped to 14.6 minutes per game between Phoenix and Chicago last season. He needs a strong preseason to become more than emergency fantasy depth.
Source: Ira Winderman
Source: Ira Winderman
