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Jaren Jackson Jr. Excited for First Jazz Offseason
Utah Jazz forward/center Jaren Jackson Jr. opened up about his trade from Memphis and his first offseason in Utah during a recent podcast appearance. "I'm really excited, honestly. I've been in Utah a lot this summer," Jackson said, per KSL Sports. The former Defensive Player of the Year arrived in a February blockbuster but played only three games for Utah before a PVNS growth in his left knee required season-ending surgery. With Walker Kessler now in Los Angeles, Jackson should have a major frontcourt role next to Lauri Markkanen and Jusuf Nurkic, while rookie guard Darryn Peterson gives the Jazz another creator. Jackson's points, threes, and blocks remain fantasy-friendly, but his knee updates will matter before draft day.
Source: KSL Sports
Source: KSL Sports
Haywood Highsmith Waived by Suns
HoopsHype's Michael Scotto reports that the Phoenix Suns have waived forward Haywood Highsmith. The 3-and-D wing had $1 million partially guaranteed on his roughly $3 million salary for 2026-27, which Phoenix will carry unless another team claims him on waivers. The Suns added Highsmith in February after Brooklyn released him, but an August right knee meniscal tear and surgery wiped out most of his season. He appeared in seven regular-season games for Phoenix, logging 91 total minutes. Highsmith owns career averages of 5.4 points, 3.1 rebounds, and 37.9 percent shooting from three across six seasons. He remains off the fantasy radar.
Source: Michael Scotto
Source: Michael Scotto
Russell Westbrook Retires After 18 NBA Seasons
Guard Russell Westbrook has retired after 18 NBA seasons, according to ESPN's Shams Charania. The 2017 MVP walked away on his own terms despite offseason offers from the Sacramento Kings and Washington Wizards, closing one of the most productive careers in NBA history. Westbrook retires as the league's all-time triple-double leader, a nine-time All-Star, nine-time All-NBA selection, NBA 75th Anniversary Team member, and 2012 Olympic gold medalist. He averaged 20.9 points, 8.0 assists, and 6.9 rebounds across 1,301 regular-season games. Westbrook spent his final season in Sacramento, posting 15.2 points, 6.7 assists, and 5.4 rebounds in 64 games. He was already off the fantasy radar in a reduced-role scenario, and retirement officially closes the book.
Source: Shams Charania
Source: Shams Charania
Lakers Set for $12.5 Billion Sale to Josh Kushner, Bob Iger
The Los Angeles Lakers are set to be sold to businessman Josh Kushner and former Disney CEO Bob Iger for a record $12.5 billion, according to ESPN's Ramona Shelburne. The ownership change does not create an immediate fantasy ripple, as Luka Doncic remains the clear offensive engine in Los Angeles after averaging 33.5 points, 8.3 assists, and 7.7 rebounds last season. The 27-year-old is the centerpiece of a rebuilt roster featuring Austin Reaves and Walker Kessler, and a boardroom change will not alter his elite usage. With LeBron James now in Philadelphia, Doncic is locked in as the primary ball-handler and should carry another massive offensive workload.
Source: Ramona Shelburne
Source: Ramona Shelburne
Tristan da Silva Earns Germany Qualifier Spot
Orlando Magic forward Tristan da Silva made Germany's 15-player roster for the FIBA World Cup 2027 European Qualifiers, joining Dennis Schroder and Isaiah Hartenstein as the squad's three NBA representatives. Franz Wagner and Moritz Wagner are unavailable for this window, opening another national-team opportunity for the 25-year-old Munich native. Da Silva averaged 9.9 points, 3.7 rebounds, 1.6 assists, and 0.9 steals in 24.7 minutes across 77 games last season while shooting 37.4 percent from three. The summer call-up does not shift his fantasy outlook. He remains a low-usage Orlando wing whose value depends on injuries clearing minutes in a crowded forward mix.
Source: Eurohoops
Source: Eurohoops
Isaiah Hartenstein Joins Germany's Qualifier Roster
Oklahoma City Thunder center Isaiah Hartenstein was named to Germany's 15-player roster for the FIBA World Cup 2027 European Qualifiers, giving head coach Alex Mumbru another NBA frontcourt option. Hartenstein joins Dennis Schroder and Tristan da Silva as Germany's NBA trio for the window against the Netherlands and Poland. The 28-year-old recently re-signed with Oklahoma City on a three-year, $75 million deal after averaging 9.2 points, 9.4 rebounds, and 3.5 assists in 47 games last season. The Germany stint does not change his fantasy value. Back with the Thunder, he remains a strong piece for rebounds, assists, and field-goal percentage next to Chet Holmgren.
Source: Eurohoops
Source: Eurohoops
Dennis Schroder Leads Germany Into FIBA Qualifiers
Cleveland Cavaliers guard Dennis Schroder will captain Germany's 15-player roster for the upcoming FIBA World Cup 2027 European Qualifiers, with the German Basketball Federation announcing the squad Tuesday. The reigning world and European champions will face the Netherlands in Cologne on Aug. 27 before visiting Poland in Gdansk on Aug. 30. Schroder split last season between Sacramento and Cleveland, averaging 10.8 points, 4.9 assists, and 2.7 rebounds in 24.2 minutes across 70 games. There is no fantasy angle to the qualifying window. If he remains with Cleveland, Schroder profiles as a bench source of assists and occasional threes rather than a steady fantasy option.
Source: Eurohoops
Source: Eurohoops
Miles McBride Stays Trade-Eligible for Knicks
New York Knicks guard Miles McBride did not reach a contract extension before the Aug. 11 soft deadline, according to Stefan Bondy of the New York Post. The door is not closed on a future deal, but signing after that date would make McBride ineligible to be traded before February's deadline. The 25-year-old is entering the final season of his contract at just under $4 million after averaging 12.0 points, 2.6 assists, and 2.4 rebounds while shooting 41.3 percent from three across 41 games last season. He can still help as a points-and-threes guard when minutes are there, but Jalen Brunson, Jose Alvarado, and Jordan Clarkson crowd the backcourt. A trade would be the real swing point for McBride's fantasy value.
Source: Stefan Bondy
Source: Stefan Bondy
Brandin Podziemski Stays in Golden State's Plans
Golden State Warriors guard Brandin Podziemski is extension-eligible this offseason, and general manager Mike Dunleavy wants to get a deal done "sooner rather than later," according to Kenzo Fukuda. Dunleavy praised the 23-year-old as a winning player and sounded confident the front office has the tools to re-sign him. Podziemski was the only Warrior to appear in all 82 games last season, averaging 13.8 points, 5.1 rebounds, and 3.7 assists while shooting 45.5 percent from the field and 37.1 percent from three. His late-season starting push next to Stephen Curry gives him a useful fantasy base, especially if his usage keeps climbing on an aging roster.
Source: Kenzo Fukuda
Source: Kenzo Fukuda
Stephen Curry Expected to Finish His Career in Golden State
Golden State Warriors guard Stephen Curry is entering the final season of his contract, but general manager Mike Dunleavy expects him to finish his career with the franchise. "He really, really wants to win, and he wants to finish his career as a Warrior," Dunleavy said, according to the San Francisco Chronicle. Curry becomes eligible on Aug. 29 for a two-year extension worth up to $136.7 million, and both sides appear motivated to continue the partnership. The 38-year-old was limited to 43 games last season by knee and other injuries, but still averaged 26.6 points, 4.7 assists, 3.6 rebounds, 1.1 steals, and 4.4 threes in 30.9 minutes. Curry remains an elite per-game fantasy option, though availability is the clear draft-day risk.
Source: Danny Emerman
Source: Danny Emerman
Cam Thomas Draws Little Free-Agent Interest
Free-agent guard/forward Cam Thomas has drawn little to no interest on the open market this offseason, according to Evan Sidery. Sidery cited concerns about Thomas' character and whether his scoring-heavy style fits winning basketball. The 24-year-old was waived by Brooklyn in February, signed with Milwaukee shortly after, and was waived again in March. In 24 games with the Nets last season, Thomas averaged 15.6 points, 1.8 rebounds, and 3.1 assists while shooting 39.9 percent from the field and 32.5 percent from three. He remains off the fantasy radar until he signs, and even then, his value would likely be limited to points and threes in a bench-scoring role.
Source: Evan Sidery
Source: Evan Sidery
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
