RADIO
Cade Cunningham Praises Pistons' Frontcourt Upgrade
Detroit Pistons guard Cade Cunningham is excited about the team's offseason addition of John Collins, telling ClutchPoints' DJ Siddiqi that he and Collins are "excited to get on the court together." Collins joined Detroit on a three-year, $51 million deal after averaging 13.6 points and 5.3 rebounds with the Clippers while shooting a career-best 40.6 percent from three. The fit is easy to see for Cunningham, who averaged 9.9 assists last season and now gets another athletic frontcourt target. Detroit also added Isaiah Joe to boost its spacing, giving Cunningham more help after a 60-win season ended in a Game 7 loss to Cleveland. Collins' scoring may stay modest, but his shooting and lob-finishing put him back in the fantasy conversation.
Source: DJ Siddiqi
Source: DJ Siddiqi
Norman Powell Says Heat Never Made Offer
Chicago Bulls guard/forward Norman Powell pushed back at Heat fans on X after criticism of his free-agency exit, saying Miami "never offered anything," according to Anthony Chiang of the Miami Herald. The 33-year-old landed a two-year, $45 million deal with Chicago after the Heat were squeezed by the first-apron hard cap following their trade for Giannis Antetokounmpo and Bobby Portis. Powell also exchanged posts with Portis while defending his decision. The move should give Powell a cleaner scoring path in Chicago, where he joins Josh Giddey, Matas Buzelis, and Nicolas Claxton on a roster that needed shooting. After averaging 21.7 points, 3.5 rebounds, 2.5 assists, and 1.1 steals on 47.0 percent shooting and 38.0 percent from three, Powell carries useful points-and-threes appeal if his role holds.
Source: Anthony Chiang
Source: Anthony Chiang
Tyler Nickel Expected to Join Knicks This Season
New York Knicks forward Tyler Nickel is expected to begin his pro career with the team this season rather than return to college for a fifth year, according to Jared Schwartz of the New York Post, with SNY first reporting the plan. The 22-year-old sharpshooter, selected 47th overall out of Vanderbilt, received extra eligibility through a recent court ruling but appears ready to turn pro. It remains unclear whether Nickel will sign a two-way or standard contract, though a standard deal would complicate New York's pursuit of a third center. He averaged 12.2 points across five Summer League games while shooting 41.3 percent from three, but he remains off the fantasy radar unless the Knicks' wing rotation opens up.
Source: Jared Schwartz
Source: Jared Schwartz
Knicks See Progress From Pacome Dadiet
New York Knicks guard/forward Pacome Dadiet has generated some internal optimism entering his third season, though The Athletic's James L. Edwards III still does not see a clear rotation path for him. Some within the organization believe the 21-year-old is making progress behind the scenes, but his shooting has yet to translate consistently at the NBA, G-League, or summer league levels. Dadiet said studying OG Anunoby and Mikal Bridges has helped him grasp Mike Brown's system, with cutting and hustle plays looking like his best route to minutes. Anunoby, Bridges, and Josh Hart still sit ahead of him, keeping Dadiet off the fantasy radar.
Source: James L. Edwards III
Source: James L. Edwards III
Tyler Kolek Surfaces as Knicks Trade Candidate
New York Knicks guard Tyler Kolek is a name to watch as a potential trade candidate if the team looks for upgrades, according to The Athletic's James L. Edwards III. New York's February move for Jose Alvarado, followed by his new three-year deal, leaves Kolek with a crowded path to backup point guard minutes behind Alvarado and Jalen Brunson, with Miles McBride also capable of handling that role. Edwards noted that Kolek improved as a shooter and defender in Year 2, though passing remains his best NBA skill. He averaged 4.4 points, 2.7 assists, and 1.6 rebounds in 11.7 minutes across 62 games last season. Kolek needs a trade or injury-created role before he matters for fantasy.
Source: James L. Edwards III
Source: James L. Edwards III
Mohamed Diawara Could Earn Bigger Role with Knicks
New York Knicks forward Mohamed Diawara could push for a larger rotation role in his second season, with The Athletic's James L. Edwards III writing that he would not be surprised if the 21-year-old becomes a staple by midseason. Diawara averaged 3.6 points and 1.4 rebounds in 9.2 minutes across 69 games as a rookie, but his best stretch came when Miles McBride missed 27 straight games. During that run, Diawara averaged 5.9 points in 14.2 minutes while shooting 40.5 percent from three. OG Anunoby, Mikal Bridges, and Josh Hart still block a clean path to minutes, so Diawara remains off the fantasy radar unless injuries or a trade open the wing rotation.
Source: James L. Edwards III
Source: James L. Edwards III
Giannis Antetokounmpo to Miss Greece Qualifiers
Miami Heat forward Giannis Antetokounmpo will not play for Greece in the upcoming FIBA World Cup 2027 European Qualifiers against Ukraine and Spain, with the Heat requesting that he report to the United States early to continue his preseason integration, according to Eurohoops. The two-time MVP joined Miami this offseason alongside Bobby Portis after an injury-limited 2025-26 season in which he averaged 27.6 points, 9.8 rebounds, and 5.4 assists across 36 games. The decision does not hurt his fantasy profile. If anything, the extra ramp-up time with Miami is a small plus, though durability remains the only real concern for a first-round fantasy anchor.
Source: Eurohoops
Source: Eurohoops
Nuggets Hold Nikola Jokic Despite Serious Panathinaikos Offer
Denver Nuggets center Nikola Jokic remains firmly in Denver despite an overseas push from Panathinaikos owner Dimitrios Giannakopoulos, who said he made a serious proposal to bring the three-time MVP to Greece and plans to try again next year, per ESPN's Anthony Slater. Jokic has two years and $121.9 million left on his deal, though the 2027-28 season is a player option that could make next summer interesting. The 31-year-old has already said he wants to stay in Denver, and this does nothing to hurt his fantasy outlook. Jokic averaged 27.7 points, 12.9 rebounds, and 10.7 assists last season, keeping him locked in as the top fantasy target.
Source: Anthony Slater
Source: Anthony Slater
Payton Pritchard Downplays Celtics Extension Talks
Boston Celtics guard Payton Pritchard is not rushing into extension talks, telling NBC Sports Boston's Chris Forsberg that he still has two years left on his deal and is more focused on improving. The 28-year-old becomes eligible on Oct. 1 for a three-year extension worth up to $67.1 million, but there is no urgency on either side. Pritchard is coming off a career year, averaging 17.0 points, 5.2 assists, and 3.9 rebounds in 32.4 minutes while starting 50 games. His scoring role should remain useful for fantasy managers, especially if Boston keeps leaning on his on-ball creation and three-point volume.
Source: NBC Sports Boston
Source: NBC Sports Boston
Peyton Watson Draws Serious Cavaliers Interest
The Cleveland Cavaliers are viewed as a serious candidate to land Denver Nuggets restricted free-agent forward Peyton Watson in a sign-and-trade, according to ESPN's Dave McMenamin via Sam Amico of HoopsWire. Watson broke out last season, averaging 14.6 points, 4.9 rebounds, 2.1 assists, 0.9 steals, and 1.1 blocks while shooting 49.1 percent from the field and 41.1 percent from three across 54 games. Denver is believed to be seeking a first-round pick and a rotation player, so nothing sounds close. A Cleveland move would likely reduce Watson's scoring chances next to Donovan Mitchell, Evan Mobley, and Jarrett Allen, but his threes, steals, and blocks would keep him fantasy-relevant if the minutes hold.
Source: Sam Amico
Source: Sam Amico
Anthony Gill Could Return to Washington
Free-agent forward Anthony Gill remains an in-house candidate for the Washington Wizards' final standard roster spot, according to Greg Finberg of Bullets Forever. The 33-year-old is the team's longest-tenured player, and a return would mark his seventh season in Washington after years spent as a locker-room veteran for a young roster. Gill averaged 5.8 points, 2.9 rebounds, and 1.3 assists on 62.8 percent shooting across 55 games last season. Even if he re-signs, he would sit behind Anthony Davis, Alexandre Sarr, and Deandre Ayton in a crowded frontcourt, keeping him off fantasy radars.
Source: Greg Finberg
Source: Greg Finberg
Gabe Vincent Linked to Wizards' Open Roster Spot
Free-agent guard Gabe Vincent has been floated as a candidate for the Washington Wizards' final standard roster spot, with Bullets Forever's Greg Finberg noting the team's need for another point guard. Vincent was linked to Washington earlier in free agency after averaging 4.4 points, 1.0 rebound, and 1.4 assists while shooting 34.1 percent from three across 53 games with the Lakers and Hawks last season. His playoff experience helps the veteran depth case, but Trae Young controls the offense while Tre Johnson and Bub Carrington need developmental minutes. Vincent would be backcourt insurance, not a fantasy factor.
Source: Greg Finberg
Source: Greg Finberg
Kawhi Leonard Believes Raptors Move Is on Track
Forward Kawhi Leonard is operating under the belief that the NBA's investigation into alleged salary-cap circumvention by the Los Angeles Clippers will conclude before training camp, keeping him on course to join the Toronto Raptors, according to Jake Fischer of The Stein Line. Toronto has paused the long-agreed-to deal until the league resolves the probe, so Leonard officially remains with the Clippers for now. The 35-year-old averaged 27.9 points, 6.4 rebounds, 3.6 assists, and 1.9 steals on 50.5 percent shooting and 38.7 percent from three last season. His fantasy stock remains tied to the trade and any possible penalty, but a healthy Leonard in Toronto would cut into the usage ceilings for Scottie Barnes, RJ Barrett, and Immanuel Quickley.
Source: Jake Fischer
Source: Jake Fischer
Victor Wembanyama Says 100 Points Is Possible
San Antonio Spurs forward/center Victor Wembanyama said he believes he can score 100 points in a game during a quick-fire Q&A with French content creator Rookicks, per Eurohoops. The reigning Defensive Player of the Year also named Olympiacos forward Evan Fournier as the French player he would bring to San Antonio and left the door open to teaming with his brother Oscar, possibly first with the French national team. None of this changes Wembanyama's fantasy outlook, but it tracks with his rare ceiling after he averaged 25.0 points, 11.5 rebounds, 3.1 assists, and 3.1 blocks across 64 games last season.
Source: Eurohoops
Source: Eurohoops
76ers' Mike Gansey Touts a Big 5 Starting Lineup
Philadelphia 76ers president of basketball operations Mike Gansey said the team "kind of" has a Big 5 in its starting lineup, pairing LeBron James and Jaylen Brown with Tyrese Maxey, Joel Embiid, and VJ Edgecombe, according to Gina Mizell of The Philadelphia Inquirer. The comment suggests Edgecombe is still viewed as part of the first unit despite Philadelphia's veteran additions. Gansey also compared coach Nick Nurse to "a kid in a candy store" with so many lineup options, which points to heavy staggering. Edgecombe, Maxey, and Embiid remain fantasy-relevant starters, but shared touches with James and Brown could trim usage from a thinner-roster ceiling.
Source: Gina Mizell
Source: Gina Mizell
