RADIO
Amen Thompson Eyes Below-Max Extension with Rockets
Houston Rockets guard/forward Amen Thompson is expected to sign a rookie-scale extension before the 2026-27 season begins, though a full five-year, $250 million max deal is not expected, according to ClutchPoints' Brett Siegel. Siegel wrote that a deal between 20 and 22 percent of the salary cap, worth roughly $200 million total, would make more sense for Houston. The 23-year-old broke out last season, averaging 18.3 points, 7.8 rebounds, 5.3 assists, and 1.5 steals across 79 games. He was already a 2024-25 All-Defensive First Team selection, and the fantasy appeal is clear: rebounds, assists, steals, and efficiency. The jumper still caps the ceiling, but Thompson is trending toward early-round value.
Source: Brett Siegel
Source: Brett Siegel
DeMar DeRozan Draws Interest from Four Teams
Free-agent forward DeMar DeRozan has drawn interest from the Heat, Nuggets, Cavaliers, and Wizards, ESPN's Anthony Slater reports, citing Shams Charania. Sacramento waived DeRozan's $25.7 million expiring deal in July, with the six-time All-Star receiving the $10 million guaranteed portion. The 37-year-old remained productive last season, averaging 18.4 points, 4.1 assists, 2.9 rebounds, and 1.0 steals while shooting 49.7 percent from the field across 77 starts. His next landing spot will decide the fantasy angle. His next landing spot will decide the fantasy angle. A team with a clearer scoring need could keep his usage afloat, while a contender bench role would cap his minutes and touches. Either way, limited threes and defensive stats cap the ceiling.
Source: Anthony Slater
Source: Anthony Slater
Kevin Love Seeks 76ers Fit
Free-agent forward/center Kevin Love has interest in joining LeBron James in Philadelphia, with agent Jeff Schwartz in contact with the 76ers since James signed, according to ESPN's Dave McMenamin. The fit is not simple. Philadelphia is already at roster capacity after adding Kentavious Caldwell-Pope, while Joel Embiid, Adem Bona, and Ariel Hukporti leave little room in the frontcourt. Love averaged 6.7 points and 5.8 rebounds while shooting 37.3 percent from three for Utah last season, so his real appeal would be spacing and veteran depth. Even if the Sixers clear a spot, he would be too far from steady minutes to matter in fantasy.
Source: Dave McMenamin
Source: Dave McMenamin
Kobe Stewart Joins Hornets on Exhibit 10 Deal
Free-agent guard/forward Kobe Stewart has agreed to an Exhibit 10 contract with the Charlotte Hornets, according to Rod Boone of The Charlotte Observer. Stewart went undrafted out of Presbyterian in 2025 and spent last season in the G-League, where he averaged 9.0 points, 3.2 rebounds, and 1.4 assists across 34 games while suiting up mostly for the Wisconsin Herd. He also had earlier stops with Austin and Memphis, so this looks more like a Greensboro Swarm path than a real push for Charlotte minutes. Stewart is off fantasy radars unless he turns the camp look into something more firm.
Source: Rod Boone
Source: Rod Boone
Taelon Peter Signs Exhibit 10 Deal with Spurs
Guard Taelon Peter has agreed to an Exhibit 10 deal with the San Antonio Spurs, according to Michael Scotto of HoopsHype, giving him a training-camp invite rather than a guaranteed roster spot. Peter was waived by Indiana in July after appearing in 38 games as a rookie, averaging 4.5 points, 1.6 rebounds, and 1.1 assists while shooting 32.8 percent from three. The 24-year-old showed more in the NBA G League, where he averaged 14.8 points, 5.1 rebounds, and 3.9 assists in 20 games with the Noblesville Boom. He shot 45.3 percent from deep as a senior at Liberty, but he has no fantasy value unless the jumper translates and he earns something firmer than a camp look.
Source: Michael Scotto
Source: Michael Scotto
Mac McClung Signs in Spain
Guard Mac McClung has signed with Spanish club Basquet Girona, according to Donatas Urbonas of BasketNews. The three-time NBA Slam Dunk Contest champion heads overseas after another huge G-League season with the Windy City Bulls, where he averaged 31.8 points, 3.6 rebounds, and 7.9 assists. McClung won his second G-League MVP, became the first two-time winner of the award, passed Renaldo Major as the league's all-time leading scorer, and dropped a career-high 59 points against Birmingham. The 27-year-old has played only 17 NBA games, including eight with Chicago last season, so this move keeps him off NBA fantasy radars unless he works his way back stateside.
Source: Donatas Urbonas
Source: Donatas Urbonas
Hornets See Brandon Miller as Core Piece
Charlotte Hornets guard/forward Brandon Miller and the team have discussed a potential rookie-scale extension, with president of basketball operations Jeff Peterson saying the Hornets want him around "for a very long time," via Brett Siegel of ClutchPoints. The former No. 2 pick looks central to the Hornets' reset after the franchise traded LaMelo Ball and Miles Bridges this offseason, though Peterson has avoided putting the face-of-the-franchise label on any one player. Miller averaged 20.2 points, 4.9 rebounds, 3.3 assists, and 1.0 steals while shooting 38.3 percent from three across 65 games last season. His usage could climb with Coby White handling more point-guard work, but the shoulder recovery keeps some risk attached. If healthy, Miller's scoring and three-point volume should keep trending up.
Source: Brett Siegel
Source: Brett Siegel
Pistons Weigh Ausar Thompson Extension
Detroit Pistons guard/forward Ausar Thompson is in line for a long-term extension, but talks appear tied to the team's unresolved negotiations with restricted free-agent center Jalen Duren, according to Brett Siegel of ClutchPoints. Thompson led the NBA with 2.0 steals per game last season and earned All-Defensive First Team honors while averaging 9.9 points, 5.7 rebounds, and 3.1 assists. The offensive limitations remain clear, but his role beside Cade Cunningham and Duren gives him steady fantasy appeal through steals, rebounds, assists, and defensive stats. A deal in the low-to-mid $30 million annual range has been floated, though nothing appears imminent until Detroit gets more clarity on Duren.
Source: Brett Siegel
Source: Brett Siegel
Dereck Lively II Talks Extension with Mavericks
Dallas Mavericks center Dereck Lively II and the team have held early-stage talks on a possible rookie-scale extension, per Marc Stein of The Stein Line, via Brett Siegel of ClutchPoints. The number is tough to project after the 22-year-old played only seven games last season before undergoing season-ending right foot surgery. When healthy, Lively has been a high-efficiency rim runner and shot blocker, with career averages of 8.4 points, 7.0 rebounds, and 1.5 blocks while shooting 72.5 percent from the field. His lob finishing and rim protection fit cleanly alongside Cooper Flagg, but Dallas has reason to remain patient under Masai Ujiri, especially with Daniel Gafford still in the frontcourt picture. Lively carries blocks-and-boards upside, though his recovery is the swing factor.
Source: Brett Siegel
Source: Brett Siegel
Brandin Podziemski Eyes Long-Term Deal with Warriors
Golden State Warriors guard Brandin Podziemski wants a long-term extension, but the sides remain apart on price, according to Brett Siegel of ClutchPoints. Podziemski's camp is reportedly seeking an annual salary in the $22 million to $24 million range, while Golden State prefers a lower number. The 23-year-old is entering the final season of his rookie deal and can reach restricted free agency in 2027 if no agreement is reached. He helped his case last season by averaging a career-high 13.8 points, 5.1 rebounds, and 3.7 assists, then jumped to 17.5 points, 6.2 boards, and 4.1 assists after the All-Star break. His fantasy ceiling still depends on Stephen Curry or Jimmy Butler III missing time, but the late-season usage bump keeps him relevant as a depth guard with upside.
Source: Brett Siegel
Source: Brett Siegel
Stephen Curry Nears Extension Eligibility
Golden State Warriors guard Stephen Curry becomes eligible on Aug. 29 to sign a two-year, $136.7 million extension, and the sides have mutual interest in a deal, according to Brett Siegel of ClutchPoints. Curry is entering the final season of his current contract, but trade noise has not gained much traction, with Siegel reporting that he is not expected to request a trade. The 38-year-old averaged 26.6 points, 4.7 assists, and 3.6 rebounds across 43 games last season, while Golden State finished 37-45 and 10th in the West. The roster concerns are real, but Curry remains the offense's fantasy engine as long as his health holds.
Source: Brett Siegel
Source: Brett Siegel
Peyton Watson Could Take Qualifying Offer
Denver Nuggets restricted free-agent forward Peyton Watson is prepared to accept his one-year, $6.5 million qualifying offer if Denver cannot complete a sign-and-trade, according to Evan Sidery, citing Shams Charania. Sidery adds that the Bucks, Cavaliers, and Clippers are in active talks with Denver. The Nuggets have reportedly offered Watson a five-year, $70 million deal, but the 23-year-old remains unsigned after a breakout season in which he averaged career highs of 14.6 points, 4.9 rebounds, and 2.1 assists while shooting 41.1 percent from three. A move to Milwaukee could give him a cleaner path to usage, while a return to Denver would keep him fighting for touches around Nikola Jokic, Jamal Murray, and Aaron Gordon. Watson has fantasy appeal, but his ceiling depends on where this standoff ends.
Source: Evan Sidery
Source: Evan Sidery
Anthony Davis Sets Extension Timeline
Washington Wizards forward/center Anthony Davis will wait until roughly the first 20 games of the season before deciding whether to sign a long-term extension, according to Evan Sidery, citing Shams Charania. Davis is eligible for a four-year deal worth around $275 million, but his health and Washington's early competitiveness are major swing factors. The 10-time All-Star has not played for the Wizards since arriving from Dallas at the trade deadline and appeared in just 20 games last season, averaging 20.4 points, 11.1 rebounds, 2.8 assists, and 1.7 blocks. He remains an elite per-game fantasy option, but the injury risk and possible title-contender preference keep his floor shaky.
Source: Evan Sidery
Source: Evan Sidery
Zeke Nnaji Remains on Trade Block
Denver Nuggets forward/center Zeke Nnaji remains on the trade block as Denver works to navigate second-apron restrictions, according to Evan Sidery. Nnaji is owed roughly $7.5 million this season and has a $7.5 million player option for 2027-28, making this more of a salary-shedding situation than a fantasy-relevant move. The former first-round pick has faded from Denver's rotation, averaging 3.7 points and 2.6 rebounds in 12.0 minutes across 52 games last season. A trade would not create much value behind Nikola Jokic, Aaron Gordon, and Marvin Bagley III, but it could matter as a financial domino in Peyton Watson sign-and-trade talks. Watson remains a restricted free agent after Denver reportedly offered him a five-year, $70 million deal.
Source: Evan Sidery
Source: Evan Sidery
Tyrese Haliburton Hopes to Play in 2028 Olympics
Indiana Pacers guard Tyrese Haliburton hopes to play for Team USA in the 2028 Olympics in Los Angeles, according to Evan Sidery. The long-term goal is another positive checkpoint in his recovery after he tore his right Achilles in Game 7 of the 2025 NBA Finals and missed all of last season. Haliburton has resumed 5-on-5 work, and Indiana is reportedly optimistic he will be ready for the season opener. The 26-year-old averaged 18.6 points, 9.2 assists, 3.5 rebounds, and 1.4 steals in 2024-25, so the fantasy ceiling remains high. The risk is the layoff, while Andrew Nembhard's assist volume should take the biggest hit once Haliburton reclaims the offense.
Source: Evan Sidery
Source: Evan Sidery
