NBA News

Anthony Black • PG • Magic

Anthony Black's Extension Talks Could Squeeze Orlando's Backcourt

Orlando's payroll is set to spike as power forward Paolo Banchero's max extension kicks in, pushing the Magic above the first apron and close to the second, HoopsHype's Michael Scotto reports. That crunch sets up a tough call in the backcourt. Anthony Black is extension-eligible this summer, and with the third-year guard's numbers broadly comparable to Jalen Suggs, who is on a five-year, $150.5 million deal, executives believe Orlando could eventually have to choose between the two. Jonathan Isaac's $14.5 million salary, with only $8 million guaranteed, gives the Magic a possible cost-cutting chip or trade piece, though his career-low 2.6 points in 52 games leave him off fantasy radars. For fantasy, the crowded guard rotation caps usage for both Suggs and Black now, but Black is the developmental name to watch, and a trade of either guard would unlock more value for whoever stays.

5 hours ago

Ja Morant • PG • Grizzlies

Pelicans Emerge as Potential Front-Runner to Trade for Ja Morant

The New Orleans Pelicans have emerged as a potential front-runner to trade for point guard Ja Morant, with the Minnesota Timberwolves also interested, The Athletic's Sam Amick said on FanDuel TV's Run It Back. Minnesota would likely have to move a significant salary to make a deal work, leaving New Orleans as the cleaner potential landing spot for the two-time All-Star, who is owed about $87 million over the next two seasons. Morant's market cooled after a 20-game, injury-marred campaign, but the Pelicans would be betting that a change of scenery revives him next to Zion Williamson. The fantasy fallout would hit the New Orleans backcourt: starting guard Dejounte Murray could be moved in a deal, while Jeremiah Fears would see his path to lead-guard reps narrow behind Morant. Morant's upside is real, but so is the availability risk that travels with him.

5 hours ago

Anthony Davis • C • Wizards

Anthony Davis Tells Wizards he Wants to Stay

Center/power forward Anthony Davis wants to stay in Washington, Wizards president Michael Winger said, pushing back on trade rumors since February's deadline deal from Dallas. "He's communicated to me a strong interest in being part of what we're building," Winger told NBC Sports Washington's JP Finlay. Davis has yet to play a game for the Wizards after left-hand ligament damage ultimately kept him out for the rest of the season. The 10-time All-Star is owed $58.5 million next year, and when healthy, he remains a sky-high source of points, rebounds, blocks, and steals. The catch is availability: he has appeared in just 71 of 162 games since the start of 2024-25. A healthy Davis at the four could trim some of Alexandre Sarr's frontcourt usage, though Davis' games-missed history means Sarr should still keep a heavy workload.

5 hours ago

De'Aaron Fox • PG • Spurs

Spurs Stay Committed to De'Aaron Fox as Their Starting Point Guard

San Antonio remains committed to De'Aaron Fox as its franchise point guard, even after a rough playoff series while he dealt with a bad ankle, ESPN's Michael C. Wright reports. Sources have described Fox as a steadying presence and the team's closer, and one rough series does not appear to have changed that. His four-year, $229 million extension kicks in next season, lifting his salary to roughly $49.8 million. The bigger fantasy thread is the backcourt logjam: Fox, Stephon Castle, and Dylan Harper all need the ball, and Fox's production settled around 18.6 points and 6.2 assists in a shared setup. Harper's camp is expected to push harder for a starting role after a 24-point, seven-steal playoff game, making last year's No. 2 pick the upside name to track while the Spurs hold firm on Fox.

5 hours ago

Jusuf Nurkić • C • Jazz

Jazz Have Interest in Re-Signing Jusuf Nurkic

The Utah Jazz have interest in re-signing center Jusuf Nurkic, who is headed for unrestricted free agency, HoopsHype's Michael Scotto reports. The 31-year-old averaged a double-double last season, posting 10.9 points, 10.4 rebounds, 4.8 assists, and 1.3 steals in 41 games. Those numbers come with a major fantasy asterisk: Nurkic posted them as a fill-in starter while Walker Kessler was sidelined, before nose surgery ended his season. With Utah's frontcourt potentially healthier and crowded next season, a returning Nurkic projects more as a backup five whose minutes and production would be difficult to repeat. He remains a useful veteran, but his per-game line is unlikely to carry over in a reserve role, leaving him off fantasy radars unless injuries reopen minutes.

6 hours ago

Zeke Nnaji • C • Nuggets

Nuggets May Attach Zeke Nnaji to No. 26 Pick

HoopsHype's Michael Scotto reports that the Denver Nuggets have shown a willingness to discuss power forward/center Zeke Nnaji and the No. 26 pick as a trade package, with the team projected near the second apron. Nnaji remains on Denver's current roster, but he played only a small role this season, averaging 3.7 points, 2.6 rebounds, and 0.6 assists in 12.0 minutes across 52 appearances. From a fantasy standpoint, this would be more about clearing a roster and salary slot than losing a rotation piece. Nnaji would need a thinner frontcourt elsewhere to become relevant, while Denver's fantasy outlook would depend heavily on whether the pick is used to bring back immediate bench help or simply move money.

6 hours ago

RJ Barrett • SG • Raptors

RJ Barrett Draws Trade Interest in Multi-Team Talks

Toronto Raptors guard/forward RJ Barrett has drawn trade interest in multi-team conversations, HoopsHype's Michael Scotto reports. The 2019 No. 3 pick is entering the final year of his deal at roughly $29.62 million, a clean expiring contract that makes him useful salary-matching in bigger trades. Barrett has averaged 20.5 points, 5.9 rebounds, and 4.3 assists since joining Toronto, but his scoring is woven into a crowded, expensive core alongside Scottie Barnes and Brandon Ingram. That logjam could cap his usage and keep his counting stats more solid than elite for fantasy. A move to a needier team could lift his volume, yet his name may surface more because of his matchable salary than any real push to deal him, since Toronto could just as easily keep or extend him.

6 hours ago

Ayo Dosunmu • PG • Timberwolves

Ayo Dosunmu May Land Big Deal From Minnesota

HoopsHype's Michael Scotto reports that the Minnesota Timberwolves want to re-sign guard/forward Ayo Dosunmu, whose market is projected north of $18 million annually and could reach the low $20 million range. The 26-year-old played his way into that bracket after carving out a useful two-way role in Minnesota's backcourt following a midseason trade from Chicago. Dosunmu averaged 14.8 points, 3.4 rebounds, and 3.6 assists overall in 2025-26, including 14.4 points, 4.2 rebounds, and 3.5 assists in 24 games with the Timberwolves, then delivered a 43-point playoff eruption against Denver when Minnesota needed extra shot creation. Dosunmu would still profile as a secondary option behind Anthony Edwards, but a long-term deal would point to steady minutes, defensive-stat appeal, and occasional spike scoring when the Timberwolves are short-handed.

6 hours ago

Collin Gillespie • PG • Suns

Collin Gillespie Returning to Suns on Four-Year Deal

According to ESPN's Shams Charania, Phoenix Suns guard Collin Gillespie intends to sign a four-year, $48 million deal to return to Phoenix. The 26-year-old turned last summer's one-year commitment into real long-term security after averaging 12.7 points, 4.1 rebounds, 4.6 assists, and 1.2 steals across 80 games. He also buried a franchise-record 232 triples, breaking Quentin Richardson's previous Suns mark of 226. Gillespie's fantasy value should remain built around threes, assists, and steals, with Devin Booker and Jalen Green keeping his scoring ceiling more matchup-dependent than bankable.

6 hours ago

Tyler Herro • SG • Heat

Tyler Herro Could Land in Detroit in a Giannis Trade

The Detroit Pistons could land point guard/shooting guard Tyler Herro by serving as a third-team facilitator in a Giannis Antetokounmpo trade to Miami, a framework reported by NBA insider Marc Stein. Locked On Pistons' Ku Khahil added that Herro-to-Detroit talk is "picking up steam." Detroit wants shooting and offense around All-Star guard Cade Cunningham, and Herro fits that need cleanly. The fantasy catch is role: in Miami, the one-time All-Star is one of the team's top offensive options, but next to Cunningham in Detroit, his usage and scoring could slide into a more complementary spot. Herro averaged 20.5 points, 4.8 rebounds, and 4.1 assists this past season, though injuries held him to a career-low 33 games. That availability, plus thin defensive and secondary numbers, makes him a high-scoring but injury-prone fantasy piece whose value could dip in a smaller offensive role.

6 hours ago

Kawhi Leonard • SF • Clippers

Warriors and Heat Circle Kawhi Leonard as Trade Target

Los Angeles power forward Kawhi Leonard is reportedly on the Heat's Plan B list and the Warriors' Plan A list, though it remains unclear whether the Clippers will make him available, The Athletic's Sam Amick reports, building on Jake Fischer's reporting. Clippers owner Steve Ballmer has reportedly told teams Leonard is not on the market, while the NBA's ongoing investigation into alleged cap circumvention involving Leonard and the Clippers adds transaction uncertainty for any team considering him. Leonard, 34, answered durability doubts with one of his best seasons, averaging 27.9 points, 6.4 rebounds, 3.6 assists, and 1.9 steals on 50.5 percent shooting across 65 games. He enters the final year of his deal at roughly $50.3 million. The fantasy read is simpler than the trade math: his production is elite and should travel to any contender, so the open questions are where he plays and whether the probe slows any potential deal.

Yesterday

Ja Morant • PG • Grizzlies

Ja Morant Looms as a Plan B in the Post-Giannis Market

Grizzlies point guard Ja Morant's trade market has quieted, but Memphis is hopeful he becomes a Plan B for whichever team misses on Giannis Antetokounmpo, The Athletic's Sam Amick reports. The Heat reportedly have serious interest and could reset an otherwise soft market, while Sacramento has been willing to take Morant only with extra draft assets attached. The two-time All-Star is owed $87 million over the next two seasons, and his value has slipped after a 20-game campaign that produced 19.5 points and 8.1 assists on just 41.0 percent shooting, including 23.5 percent from three. Availability, not talent, is the question, as he has played only 79 games total since the start of the 2023-24 season. A fresh start with a contender could steady his role, but Morant remains a high-variance fantasy bet whose elite assist and scoring upside come with a shaky floor.

Yesterday

Jaylen Brown • SG • Celtics

Jaylen Brown Sits at the Center of Boston's Giannis Pursuit

Milwaukee is expected to seek clarity on the Giannis Antetokounmpo sweepstakes before or around Tuesday's draft, with Boston emerging as a major threat to Miami, The Athletic's Sam Amick reports. Any Celtics offer for the two-time MVP would likely have to start with Jaylen Brown plus significant draft compensation, potentially including up to three first-round picks. Brown is coming off a career year, averaging 28.7 points, 6.9 rebounds and 5.1 assists as Boston's lead option during Jayson Tatum's absence. A move to Milwaukee could lift Brown's usage as a centerpiece, while Giannis would remain an elite fantasy anchor anywhere, even if paired with a healthy Tatum. If Boston whiffs, the Celtics are among the teams eyeing Pelicans wing Trey Murphy III, the breakout name here after career highs of 21.5 points, 5.7 rebounds and 3.8 assists on 37.9 percent from three.

Yesterday

Isaiah Stewart • PF • Pistons

Isaiah Stewart Available in Trade Talks

Detroit Pistons forward/center Isaiah Stewart is available in trade talks, according to Sam Amick of The Athletic. The report notes that Detroit is searching for more shooting and playmaking, and Paul Reed could see a larger role if Stewart is moved. Stewart has two years and $30 million left on his deal, with the second season carrying a team option. The 25-year-old averaged 10.0 points, 5.0 rebounds, and 1.1 assists last season, while Reed posted 7.8 points and 4.5 boards in a smaller role. A move could help Stewart if he lands with a team that needs frontcourt defense, while Reed would be the immediate fantasy name to monitor in Detroit.

Yesterday

Kentavious Caldwell-Pope • SG • Grizzlies

Grizzlies Keep Kentavious Caldwell-Pope on a $21.6 Million Option

ESPN's Shams Charania reports that Memphis Grizzlies guard Kentavious Caldwell-Pope is exercising his $21.6 million player option for 2026-27. The 33-year-old returns on the final year of the deal he signed with Orlando in 2024, having landed in Memphis last June in the Desmond Bane trade. Right pinky surgery in February ended his season early, and he averaged 8.4 points, 2.7 assists and 2.5 rebounds across 51 games while shooting just 31.6 percent from three, well below his 36.5 percent career mark. The opt-in itself does little for fantasy, since Caldwell-Pope is a low-usage 3-and-D piece on a retooling team. The decision worth tracking is whether Memphis keeps him, trades him or eventually explores a buyout, which could clear backcourt minutes for Cam Spencer and the rest of the young guard group.

Yesterday

D'Angelo Russell • PG • Wizards

D'Angelo Russell Picks Up Wizards Option

Washington Wizards guard D'Angelo Russell has opted into his $6 million player option for the 2026-27 season, according to Jake Fischer. The 30-year-old remains under contract after being acquired by Washington during the season, although he never reported to the Wizards after the trade. Russell averaged 10.2 points, 2.3 rebounds, and 4.0 assists in 2025-26, numbers that were well below his usual fantasy standard. Unless Washington carves out a real rotation role or moves him elsewhere, Russell looks more like a cap-friendly trade piece than a reliable fantasy target.

Yesterday

Kristaps Porzingis • C • Warriors

Warriors Want Kristaps Porzingis Back on a Shorter, Cheaper Deal

Golden State Warriors center Kristaps Porzingis is headed for unrestricted free agency, and the team wants him back at a reduced rate, ESPN's Anthony Slater reports. The 30-year-old arrived from Atlanta at February's deadline on a $30.7 million expiring deal, and Golden State holds his Bird rights but prefers a shorter, cheaper contract this time. In 15 games as a Warrior, Porzingis averaged 16.1 points, 5.3 rebounds, 2.3 assists, and 1.1 blocks, giving Stephen Curry and Jimmy Butler a floor-spacing big with rim-protection upside. The catch is availability. He played just 32 regular-season games last season and has dealt with recurring health issues in recent years. A healthy Porzingis remains a points, threes, and blocks source worth rostering, but his games-played history keeps him a draft-day gamble.

2 days ago

Luka Dončić • PG • Lakers

Luka Doncic Wants Lakers to Add High-Level Center

Los Angeles Lakers guard Luka Doncic has made his preference clear for the franchise to add an A-list center, according to ESPN's Dave McMenamin. Walker Kessler and Jalen Duren have been mentioned as restricted free-agent targets the Lakers have done due diligence on, while Los Angeles is expected to evaluate other trade and free-agent options. Kessler would give the Lakers a shot-blocking, low-usage finisher, while Duren would bring more scoring, rebounding, and physical roll-man production. Either move would clean up Doncic's playmaking environment, but the bigger fantasy swing may come for whichever center lands next to one of the league's best passers.

2 days ago

Trey Murphy III • SF • Pelicans

Warriors Continue to Eye Trey Murphy III

New Orleans Pelicans guard/forward Trey Murphy III could be more obtainable during this transaction cycle, according to ESPN's Anthony Slater. The Warriors have reportedly viewed Murphy as a long-term wing target, with his age, size, and fit in Golden State's system all part of the appeal. The 25-year-old took another step forward in 2025-26, averaging 21.5 points, 5.7 rebounds, and 3.8 assists while shooting 47.0 percent from the field. A trade to Golden State could trim his shot volume, but his three-point shooting, defensive tools, and ability to play off stars would still give him a clear path to fantasy value in a more competitive environment.

2 days ago

Mark Williams • C • Suns |

Koby Brea • SG • Suns

Suns Tender Qualifying Offers to Mark Williams and Koby Brea

The Phoenix Suns have tendered qualifying offers to center Mark Williams and guard Koby Brea, making both restricted free agents, Spotrac's Keith Smith reports. Williams drew a reported $9.6 million offer after the 24-year-old started 55 of 60 games and averaged 11.7 points and 8.0 rebounds. A late-season foot issue that sidelined him during Phoenix's first-round series against Oklahoma City clouds both his market and durability profile. If Phoenix loses or moves Williams, Oso Ighodaro and 2025 lottery pick Khaman Maluach would be candidates for larger center minutes. Ighodaro carries the cleaner near-term fantasy appeal, while Brea remains off fantasy radars after averaging 15.0 points in the G League.

2 days ago

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