NBA News

Dalano Banton • PG

Dalano Banton Draws EuroLeague Interest

Free-agent guard/forward Dalano Banton has drawn EuroLeague interest from Partizan, Olympiacos, and Valencia, according to overseas reporting from Encestando, BeBasket, and 5th Quarter. The Boston Celtics waived the 26-year-old in July to shed his non-guaranteed $2.8 million salary, leaving him to weigh NBA and overseas options. Banton was productive in the G-League last season, averaging 25.0 points, 6.8 assists, and 3.7 rebounds across 30 starts for the Texas Legends. His NBA track record is thinner, with 6.6 points in 14.4 minutes across 222 games. A EuroLeague move would wipe out any NBA fantasy value, while another 10-day path would keep him on the fringe.

13 hours ago

Bruce Brown • SG

Bruce Brown Linked to Cavaliers in Free Agency

Free-agent guard/forward Bruce Brown has been linked to the Cleveland Cavaliers, according to Zach Weiss of SI, who cited Cleveland.com's Terry Pluto. Brown spent last season back with the Denver Nuggets, averaging 7.9 points, 3.9 rebounds, 2.1 assists, and 1.0 steals in 24.4 minutes across 82 games while shooting 47.5 percent from the field and 38.5 percent from three. Cleveland could have a roster spot to fill if it waives or trades Cam Whitmore, and Brown would bring low-usage wing depth with past ties to James Harden and Jarrett Allen from Brooklyn. The fantasy appeal would be limited, though, with Brown likely ticketed for a bench role behind Cleveland's established rotation unless injuries open steady minutes.

13 hours ago

Keshad Johnson • PF

Keshad Johnson Could Rejoin Heat

Free-agent forward Keshad Johnson has been part of talks about a possible return to the Miami Heat, according to the Miami Herald's Barry Jackson. Johnson has continued working out with the team and could come back on either a standard contract or a two-way deal. The reigning Slam Dunk Contest champion averaged 4.3 points and 1.9 rebounds in 8.8 minutes across 32 games last season, so even a reunion would carry little fantasy appeal. With Giannis Antetokounmpo, Bam Adebayo, Andrew Wiggins, and Bobby Portis ahead of him in the frontcourt and wing mix, Johnson would need several injuries to sniff a usable role.

13 hours ago

Nick Richards • C

Nick Richards Emerges as Heat Frontcourt Target

Free-agent center Nick Richards has emerged as a candidate for the Miami Heat's 14th roster spot, according to the Miami Herald's Barry Jackson. Miami wants to use the spot on a rotation big who can play either center or power forward, and the 6-foot-11 veteran has been working out at Kaseya Center in Heat gear. Richards is weighing multiple offers, and it's unclear whether another team has topped Miami's guaranteed money. Any fantasy value would be thin regardless of where he signs. Richards averaged 5.8 points and 5.1 rebounds in 14.6 minutes across 48 games and six starts for Phoenix and Chicago last season. In Miami, he would sit behind Bam Adebayo, Giannis Antetokounmpo, and Bobby Portis, leaving frontcourt injuries as his only real path to minutes.

13 hours ago

Zeke Nnaji • C • Nuggets

Zeke Nnaji Emerges as Nuggets' Likely Salary Dump

Denver Nuggets forward/center Zeke Nnaji is a strong candidate to be traded as the franchise works to dip below the second apron after DeMar DeRozan agreed to join Denver, according to NBA insider Evan Sidery. The Nuggets may need to attach draft capital to move Nnaji, who is owed roughly $7.5 million next season and has a player option for the same amount in 2027-28. The 25-year-old holds little fantasy appeal after averaging 3.7 points and 2.6 rebounds in 12.0 minutes across 52 games last season. DeRozan is the actual fantasy-relevant piece here after averaging 18.4 points, 4.1 assists, and 2.9 rebounds with Sacramento. His arrival could squeeze touches for Christian Braun and Cameron Johnson behind Nikola Jokic and Jamal Murray.

Yesterday

Naji Marshall • SF • Mavericks

Naji Marshall Backed by Mavericks GM Mike Schmitz

Dallas Mavericks forward Naji Marshall received strong public backing from general manager Mike Schmitz after signing a three-year, $52.2 million extension. Schmitz used a Friday appearance on 1310 The Ticket to praise Marshall's toughness, versatility, feel and ability to play with or without the ball. The 28-year-old averaged 15.2 points, 4.7 rebounds, 3.3 assists and 1.1 steals in 29.5 minutes last season while shooting 51.0 percent from the field, though his 29.1 percent mark from three remains the swing skill. Klay Thompson's buyout removes one veteran wing, but Dallas still has a crowded forward mix around Cooper Flagg, P.J. Washington, Max Christie and Zaccharie Risacher. Marshall's role looks stable enough to keep him in the late-round fantasy conversation, with more upside if the jumper improves.

Yesterday

Neemias Queta • C • Celtics

Neemias Queta Could be in Line for Offensive Leap

Boston Celtics forward/center Neemias Queta could take another step forward offensively after a breakout season that earned him a four-year, $56 million extension. The 26-year-old averaged 10.2 points, 8.4 rebounds, 1.7 assists, and 1.3 blocks while shooting 65.3 percent from the field, giving Boston efficient rim-running production around its creators. Jack Simone of Boston Sports Journal noted that the Celtics scored 1.35 points per possession on Queta pick-and-roll looks, a strong sign that more touches could be available next to Jayson Tatum, Derrick White, and Payton Pritchard. Jaylen Brown's move to Philadelphia also opens up creation elsewhere, but Mitchell Robinson's arrival adds center competition. Queta's fantasy value still leans on field-goal percentage, rebounds, and blocks, with minutes deciding how high the ceiling climbs.

Yesterday

Jalen Duren • C • Pistons

Jalen Duren's Contract Negotiation Get Messy

Restricted free-agent center Jalen Duren remains unsigned as extension talks with the Detroit Pistons drag on. ESPN's Tim MacMahon said on The Hoop Collective that he did not know whether Duren would sign an extension, calling the situation "an awfully nasty negotiation." At the same time, Marc Stein has reported that Duren could still play on his $9.6 million qualifying offer. The 22-year-old averaged 19.5 points, 10.5 rebounds and 2.0 assists across 70 games last season before slipping to 10.2 points and 8.5 boards in the playoffs. Detroit has continued to brush aside sign-and-trade scenarios, so Duren's fantasy outlook is still tied to a likely return as the Pistons' starting center next to Cade Cunningham. The contract noise is real, but the role remains strong enough to keep him valuable for points, rebounds, field-goal percentage and blocks.

Yesterday

DeMar DeRozan • SF • Nuggets

DeMar DeRozan Signs One-Year Deal With Denver

Free-agent guard DeMar DeRozan is signing a one-year, $3.9 million contract with the Denver Nuggets, according to ESPN's Shams Charania. DeRozan and the Sacramento Kings parted ways in July, allowing the veteran to join a contending team. Despite being in the second tax apron, the Nuggets' roster is extremely shallow, especially after the recent sign-and-trade of Peyton Watson, so DeRozan projects to get plenty of run with his new team. The 37-year-old enters his 18th NBA season after averaging 18.4 points, 4.1 assists, and 2.9 rebounds on 49.7% shooting last year for the Kings.

2 days ago

Klay Thompson • SG

Klay Thompson Agrees To Buyout With Mavericks, To Sign With Heat

Veteran shooting guard Klay Thompson will soon join Giannis Antetokounmpo and Company in Miami after agreeing to a buyout with the Dallas Mavericks. ESPN's Shams Charania reports that the 36-year-old is expected to sign with the Heat once he clears waivers. Thompson averaged career-low marks across the board: minutes (21.7), shot attempts (10.6), three-point percentage (38.3%), free throw percentage (76.6%), points (11.7), rebounds (2.1), and assists (1.4). On the tail end of his career, Thompson doesn't have much left to give for fantasy basketball players, but figures to be part of the new-look rotation in South Florida.

2 days ago

Matas Buzelis • SF • Bulls

Matas Buzelis Adds Strength Ahead of Year 3

Chicago Bulls forward Matas Buzelis told Cousins with Vince Carter and Tracy McGrady that he added roughly 12 pounds this offseason and hired a personal chef to help keep the weight on. Bulls On SI's Elias Schuster noted that Buzelis wants to play through more contact and cut down on his three-point volume after taking 6.4 attempts per game last season. The 21-year-old nearly doubled his scoring in Year 2, averaging 16.3 points, 5.8 rebounds, and 1.5 blocks in 29.2 minutes while shooting 46.3 percent from the field. The added strength could help his finishing and rebounding, though Chicago's frontcourt now includes rookie Caleb Wilson and Nicolas Claxton. Buzelis still has breakout appeal, but the Bulls' crowded rotation keeps his fantasy ceiling tied to minutes.

2 days ago

Darius Garland • PG • Clippers

Darius Garland Says He Is Back to 100 Percent

Los Angeles Clippers guard Darius Garland says he is back to 100 percent after the injury that disrupted his last year in Cleveland and delayed his Clippers start. Speaking with HoopsHype at New Balance's Beantown Elite camp, Garland said the issue began as a bone bruise before worsening into torn ligaments that required reconstruction. He is now excited for a full training camp under Tyronn Lue and said he has discussed borrowing from Kyrie Irving's 2016 Finals role. Garland averaged 20.6 points, 6.7 assists, 2.9 rebounds, and 2.8 threes in 2024-25, so a clean offseason makes him a strong bounce-back fantasy target.

2 days ago

Max Strus • SG • Clippers

Max Strus Earns Praise From Lawrence Frank

Los Angeles Clippers guard/forward Max Strus received a strong endorsement from president of basketball operations Lawrence Frank, who called him "a big part" of the team's plans after the trade from Cleveland. Frank praised Strus as a shooter with feel who can handle, pass, and fit into different lineup groups. The veteran wing gives Los Angeles another floor spacer after shooting 37.0 percent from three across his NBA career. His 2025-26 regular season was derailed by a left foot Jones fracture, but he returned in the playoffs and averaged 9.6 points, 4.8 rebounds, 2.1 assists, and 2.1 threes across 18 games. Strus should get clean catch-and-shoot chances next to Darius Garland, though his fantasy value still depends on minutes and shot volume in a crowded Clippers rotation.

2 days ago

Nick Richards • C

Nick Richards Works Out with Heat Players in Miami

Free-agent center Nick Richards has been working out in Miami Heat gear on the team's practice court, but the Sun Sentinel's Ira Winderman downplayed the idea that it signals a front-burner signing. Miami is an offseason hub for player runs, and Winderman framed any Heat path for Richards as more likely a non-guaranteed camp invite than a firm roster move. The 28-year-old could follow the path Precious Achiuwa took last year, though that route would come with no roster-spot guarantee even if he plays well in preseason. Miami's hard cap after the Giannis Antetokounmpo acquisition also limits flexibility while other roster matters remain unresolved. Richards split 2025-26 between Phoenix and Chicago, averaging 5.8 points, 5.1 rebounds and 0.3 assists in 14.6 minutes per game, leaving him off fantasy radars unless a real roster opening develops.

2 days ago

Malique Lewis • PF • Bucks

Malique Lewis Nears Deal with Cairns Taipans

Forward Malique Lewis is nearing a deal with the Cairns Taipans for NBL27, according to ESPN's Olgun Uluc. The Trinidad and Tobago forward would join Cairns as an import and fill the team's final roster spot, keeping him in the NBL after two seasons with the South East Melbourne Phoenix through the Next Stars program. Milwaukee holds Lewis' NBA draft rights after he was selected No. 60 in the 2026 NBA Draft, making this a draft-and-stash development year rather than an NBA opportunity. Lewis averaged 7.1 points, 4.3 rebounds, 2.2 assists, and 1.2 steals last season. His defensive tools and improved shooting keep him interesting long-term, but he is off NBA fantasy radars for now.

3 days ago

Aaron Holiday • PG

Aaron Holiday Signs with Maxima Roma in Italy

Guard Aaron Holiday is headed overseas after signing with Maxima Roma, the first-year Italian club set to compete in Lega Basket Serie A and the EuroCup in 2026-27. The 29-year-old leaves the NBA after eight seasons with Indiana, Washington, Phoenix, Atlanta, and Houston, averaging 6.4 points and shooting 38.4 percent from three across 505 regular-season games. Holiday spent the last three years with the Rockets, posting 5.5 points, 1.1 assists, and 1.0 rebounds in 13.7 minutes across 57 games last season. Houston's guard rotation now includes Fred VanVleet and Marcus Smart, leaving no clear path back there. Holiday's deal reportedly has an NBA out, but he is off fantasy radars unless he returns stateside.

3 days ago

Jae Crowder • PF

Jae Crowder Joins ASVEL for First European Stint

Forward Jae Crowder signed with LDLC ASVEL Villeurbanne for the 2026-27 season, sending the longtime NBA veteran to Europe for the first time in his career. The 36-year-old played 13 NBA seasons across nine franchises, averaging 9.3 points, 4.2 rebounds, and 1.6 assists over 812 regular-season games. Crowder also appeared in 115 playoff contests and reached the NBA Finals with Miami in 2020 and Phoenix in 2021. His last NBA stop came with Sacramento in 2024-25, when he logged only nine appearances before later playing in Puerto Rico. With Crowder now committed to ASVEL, he carries no value in NBA fantasy formats.

3 days ago

James Harden • SG • Cavaliers

James Harden Returns to Cavaliers on Three-Year, $97 Million Deal

Cleveland Cavaliers guard James Harden has agreed to a three-year, $97 million fully guaranteed contract to stay in Cleveland, with a third-year player option and 15% trade kicker. The former MVP returns as the Cavaliers' primary ball-handler after averaging 20.5 points, 7.7 assists, 4.8 rebounds, and 3.1 threes in 26 regular-season games with the team. The fantasy appeal remains tied to assists, scoring, and three-point volume, though turnovers are still part of the package after Harden gave it away 4.7 times per game in the playoffs. With his role settled, he remains a reliable early-round guard.

3 days ago

DeMar DeRozan • SF • Nuggets

DeMar DeRozan Emerges as Denver's Top Free-Agent Target

Free-agent guard/forward DeMar DeRozan has become a target for the Denver Nuggets after they sent Peyton Watson to Cleveland, according to NBA insider Chris Haynes. The six-time All-Star was waived by Sacramento in July after averaging 18.4 points, 4.1 assists, and 2.9 rebounds in 31.2 minutes across 77 starts last season. Denver can offer a title-contending role next to Nikola Jokic and Jamal Murray, but its second-apron situation leaves the veteran minimum as the likely path. That could make money the hurdle if Miami or Washington pushes harder. DeRozan still offers scoring and durability, but a bench role in Denver would likely cap his fantasy value.

3 days ago

Santi Aldama • PF • Mavericks

Santi Aldama Sits Out Spain Qualifiers

Dallas Mavericks forward/center Santi Aldama will sit out Spain's upcoming FIBA World Cup 2027 qualifying window as he continues working back from right knee surgery. The Spanish Basketball Federation announced that Aldama will miss training camp and the games against Portugal and Greece, with both sides deciding not to rush his recovery before his first season in Dallas. The 25-year-old averaged 14.0 points, 6.7 rebounds, and 2.9 assists and shot 35.0 percent from three across 43 games last season. The fantasy appeal is real if the minutes are there, but Dallas' frontcourt is crowded, with Cooper Flagg and P.J. Washington absorbing forward minutes while Daniel Gafford and Dereck Lively II handle the middle, leaving Aldama's role as the key swing factor.

3 days ago

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