RADIO
Jalen Smith Emerges as Lakers Center-Depth Target
Chicago Bulls forward/center Jalen Smith has been listed by The Athletic's Dan Woike as one of the Lakers' center-depth targets, while NBA insider Evan Sidery has floated a framework that would send one of Jake LaRavia or Jaden Hardy, plus Dalton Knecht and second-round picks, to Chicago for Smith. Los Angeles has Kevon Looney behind starter Walker Kessler, but Smith would add a different look as a rebounding big who can space the floor next to Luka Dončić. The fantasy catch is role. Smith averaged 10.2 points, 6.7 rebounds, and 1.2 assists last season, but he would likely be a backup five in Los Angeles, just as he currently sits behind Nicolas Claxton in Chicago. The right-calf issue that ended last season adds some availability risk, leaving Smith as a deep-league option only if his minutes open up.
Source: Evan Sidery
Source: Evan Sidery
Zach LaVine Could Seek Midseason Buyout
Sacramento Kings guard Zach LaVine is viewed by NBA insider Evan Sidery as a likely midseason buyout candidate if the rebuilding Kings start slowly. LaVine's $49 million expiring contract still carries negative trade value, making a release the cleaner path to a contender if Sacramento decides to move on. There have been no active buyout talks, but Sidery notes LaVine and Klutch Sports could eventually push for one. The two-time All-Star averaged 19.2 points, 2.8 rebounds, and 2.3 assists in 39 games last season before right hand surgery ended his year. For fantasy, LaVine still offers points and threes when healthy, but managers need a signing and a defined role before treating him as more than a wait-and-see scorer.
Source: Evan Sidery
Source: Evan Sidery
Klay Thompson Surfaces in Heat-Mavericks Trade Framework
Dallas Mavericks guard/forward Klay Thompson has surfaced in a potential trade framework floated by NBA insider Evan Sidery, with Nikola Jovic and a 2027 second-round pick going back to Dallas. Miami, fresh off landing Giannis Antetokounmpo, is looking for shooting around him and Bam Adebayo, and Thompson still fits that need after hitting 38.3 percent from deep last season. The 36-year-old averaged just 11.7 points mostly off the bench, though, leaving his fantasy value capped as an aging catch-and-shoot option wherever he lands. Jovic is the more interesting fantasy name. The 6-foot-10 forward averaged 7.3 points, 3.3 rebounds, and 2.2 assists in 47 games behind Miami's crowded frontcourt, but a move to Dallas could give him a clearer path to minutes next to Cooper Flagg. This is only a framework for now, so both outlooks remain speculative.
Source: Evan Sidery
Source: Evan Sidery
Bucks, Nuggets Discuss Peyton Watson Sign-and-Trade
Restricted free-agent forward Peyton Watson has been the focus of active sign-and-trade discussions between the Milwaukee Bucks and Denver Nuggets, per Evan Sidery. A package featuring AJ Green and a future first-round pick could be headed to Denver if the sides find a deal. Watson broke out in 2025-26, averaging 14.6 points, 4.9 rebounds, 2.1 assists, 0.9 steals, and 1.1 blocks while shooting 41.1 percent from three. A move to Milwaukee could give him a clearer path to starter-level minutes than he had in Denver's crowded rotation. Green, who shot 41.9 percent from three on 7.1 attempts per game, would be a natural floor-spacing fit next to Nikola Jokic. Nothing is finalized, so both fantasy outlooks stay fluid until a deal lands.
Source: Evan Sidery
Source: Evan Sidery
Jonathan Kuminga Draws Lakers Sign-and-Trade Push
Free-agent forward Jonathan Kuminga has been linked to a Lakers sign-and-trade framework that would send Jarred Vanderbilt and draft capital to the Atlanta Hawks, according to Evan Sidery. Kuminga, whom the Hawks acquired from Golden State at the deadline before declining his team option, may need to lower his reported $20-million-plus annual ask if the market does not materialize. The former Warriors forward averaged 12.2 points, 5.6 rebounds, and 2.3 assists in 2025-26. A move to Los Angeles could give him a real frontcourt role alongside Luka Doncic and Austin Reaves, though his usage would be capped behind two high-usage guards. Vanderbilt would add defense and rebounding in Atlanta if moved, but his limited offense keeps his fantasy value thin.
Source: Evan Sidery
Source: Evan Sidery
Russell Westbrook Draws EuroLeague Interest
Free-agent guard Russell Westbrook is drawing strong interest from EuroLeague teams, according to Evan Sidery. The 37-year-old still prefers to remain in the NBA, but an overseas move now appears to be his most realistic path. Westbrook remains unsigned late in the offseason market after averaging 15.2 points, 6.7 assists, 5.4 rebounds, and 1.3 steals in 64 games with the Sacramento Kings last season. The former MVP has played for seven franchises over the past nine seasons, and his NBA market has stayed thin. For fantasy managers, there is little to act on. A EuroLeague deal would take Westbrook off NBA boards, while any late NBA opportunity would need a clear role before he carries draft value.
Source: Evan Sidery
Source: Evan Sidery
Wizards Showing Interest in DeMar DeRozan
The Washington Wizards are reportedly showing interest in free-agent forward DeMar DeRozan, according to Shams Charania. The organization has had some conversations with DeRozan over the last few days. The veteran forward appears to be drawing interest from multiple teams, but the Wizards are the newest one to join the ranks. The 36-year-old is trending down, but can still be a viable contributor in 2026. This past season, DeRozan averaged 18.4 points, 2.9 rebounds, and 4.1 assists across 31.2 minutes per game with the Sacramento Kings. The Wizards have rookie AJ Dybantsa and Anthony Davis at the forward spots, so DeRozan would probably come off the bench. There's some 9-category value here, but the Wizards aren't a great fit on paper for the veteran forward.
Source: Shams Charania
Source: Shams Charania
Christian Koloko Inks Deal With Pelicans
The New Orleans Pelicans signed center Christian Koloko to a one-year deal on Tuesday, according to Michael Scotto. Koloko is a former second-round pick of the Toronto Raptors from 2022. He has bounced around to four different teams during his three years at the professional level. He played with three different organizations this past season and made a minimal impact during each stop. He figures to serve as a depth option who likely won't see the court unless a few injuries occur.
Source: Michael Scotto
Source: Michael Scotto
Johni Broome Gets Traded to Clippers
Philadelphia 76ers forward Johni Broome was traded to the Los Angeles Clippers on Tuesday. Broome gets moved along with a second-round pick to the Clippers for cash considerations. This deal allows the 76ers to stay under the first and second aprons while signing LeBron James and Kentavious Caldwell-Pope. Broome made a minimal impact last season while playing in 11 games for the Sixers. The 24-year-old figures to serve as a depth option behind Brook Lopez, Isaiah Jackson, and Yanic Konan Niederhauser. Fantasy managers shouldn't expect Broome to see much time on the court unless a few injuries happen.
Source: Shams Charania
Source: Shams Charania
Draymond Green Staying in Golden State
The Golden State Warriors signed forward/center Draymond Green to a new contract on Tuesday. The two sides have agreed to a one-year, $27.7 million deal for the upcoming 2026-2027 season. Green declined his player option and entered free agency, likely to give the team extra money to pursue LeBron James. Now that James has signed with the Philadelphia 76ers, Green heads back to the Warriors on a deal worth the same as his player option. Green is entering his age-36 season and is showing signs of regression. He averaged 8.4 points, 5.5 rebounds, and 5.5 assists across 27.5 minutes per game in 68 contests last season. He could see a reduced role, but he should still be a significant part of the Warriors' rotation.
Source: Shams Charania
Source: Shams Charania
Isaiah Stevens Waived by Kings
Sacramento Kings guard Isaiah Stevens has been waived from his two-way deal, per Michael Scotto of HoopsHype. The move opens a two-way spot for Sacramento, which still has Adam Flagler and Jonathan Mogbo on two-way deals. Stevens, 25, was a standout playmaker for the G League's Stockton Kings last season, averaging 14.5 points on 47.0 percent shooting, 8.6 assists, and 3.4 rebounds, but he managed only three NBA appearances. The undrafted Colorado State product now returns to the open market in search of another opportunity. For fantasy, this is a non-event, as Stevens holds no standard-league value, and the waiver opens no rotation minutes for any Kings player worth rostering.
Source: Michael Scotto
Source: Michael Scotto
Jalen Duren Faces Pistons Contract Standoff
Detroit Pistons center Jalen Duren and the team could remain at an impasse into September, with the deadline "really Media Day," per Shams Charania of ESPN, via Evan Sidery. Duren, 22, is seeking max-level money after earning All-NBA Third Team honors, while Detroit has held firm below that number. He is coming off a breakout season, averaging 19.5 points and 10.5 rebounds as a lob-catching anchor next to Cade Cunningham. The stalemate is fantasy noise more than a red flag if he stays in Detroit, whether on a long-term deal or his $9.62 million qualifying offer. In that case, Duren remains a high-end source of points, rebounds, and field-goal percentage, with strong dynasty value.
Source: Evan Sidery
Source: Evan Sidery
Donte DiVincenzo Could Return Around All-Star Break
Minnesota Timberwolves guard Donte DiVincenzo (Achilles) could return around the All-Star break in February, per Evan Sidery. DiVincenzo, 29, ruptured his Achilles during Minnesota's first-round playoff series against Denver and later underwent surgery with Dr. Martin O'Malley, who has also been connected to the Achilles recoveries of Jayson Tatum and Tyrese Haliburton. Before the injury, DiVincenzo was a key part of the Wolves' rotation, starting all 82 games while averaging 12.2 points, 4.1 rebounds, 3.8 assists, 1.3 steals, and 3.0 threes. For fantasy, the timeline likely wipes out at least half of his 2026-27 season, making him only a deep stash. His absence should leave extra perimeter minutes available behind Anthony Edwards to open the year.
Source: Evan Sidery
Source: Evan Sidery
Pelicans Revisit Bennedict Mathurin Talks
Restricted free-agent guard/forward Bennedict Mathurin is drawing renewed interest from the New Orleans Pelicans and a second unnamed suitor, per Marc Stein. Mathurin, 24, has remained on the market while the Clippers wait for more clarity on Kawhi Leonard's situation, which has slowed some of their offseason decisions. The No. 6 pick in 2022 averaged a career-high 17.6 points last season, but his fantasy profile remains scoring-heavy after he shot just 20.7 percent from three following a deadline trade to Los Angeles. A move to New Orleans could open more usage, though shaky efficiency and thin defensive production keep him from being a clean redraft target. He remains more appealing as a dynasty scorer than a complete fantasy asset.
Source: Marc Stein
Source: Marc Stein
Dave Joerger Joins Nuggets as Lead Assistant Coach
Dave Joerger has agreed to join the Denver Nuggets as the lead assistant on head coach David Adelman's staff, per Shams Charania of ESPN. Joerger, 52, brings a 245-247 record over six NBA head-coaching seasons with Memphis and Sacramento, plus recent assistant stops with the 76ers and Bucks. The move gives Adelman an experienced voice on the bench as Denver continues its win-now push around Nikola Jokic and Jamal Murray. For fantasy, an assistant hire rarely changes individual value by itself, so the Nuggets' core remains steady. The main item to watch is whether Joerger's defensive influence nudges Denver's wing rotation.
Source: Shams Charania
Source: Shams Charania
