NBA News

Jaren Jackson Jr. • PF • Jazz

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.

4 hours ago

Haywood Highsmith • SF

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.

4 hours ago

Russell Westbrook • PG

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.

5 hours ago

Tristan da Silva • PF • Magic

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.

16 hours ago

Isaiah Hartenstein • C • Thunder

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.

16 hours ago

Dennis Schröder • PG • Cavaliers

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.

17 hours ago

Miles McBride • PG • Knicks

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.

17 hours ago

Brandin Podziemski • SG • Warriors

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.

17 hours ago

Stephen Curry • PG • Warriors

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.

Yesterday

Cam Thomas • SG

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.

Yesterday

Cade Cunningham • PG • Pistons

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.

Yesterday

Norman Powell • SG • Bulls

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.

Yesterday

Tyler Nickel • SF • Knicks

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.

Yesterday

Pacôme Dadiet • SF • Knicks

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.

Yesterday

Tyler Kolek • PG • Knicks

Tyler Kolek Surfaces as Knicks Trade Candidate

New York Knicks guard Tyler Kolek is a name to watch as a potential trade candidate if the team looks for upgrades, according to The Athletic's James L. Edwards III. New York's February move for Jose Alvarado, followed by his new three-year deal, leaves Kolek with a crowded path to backup point guard minutes behind Alvarado and Jalen Brunson, with Miles McBride also capable of handling that role. Edwards noted that Kolek improved as a shooter and defender in Year 2, though passing remains his best NBA skill. He averaged 4.4 points, 2.7 assists, and 1.6 rebounds in 11.7 minutes across 62 games last season. Kolek needs a trade or injury-created role before he matters for fantasy.

Yesterday

Mohamed Diawara • PF • Knicks

Mohamed Diawara Could Earn Bigger Role with Knicks

New York Knicks forward Mohamed Diawara could push for a larger rotation role in his second season, with The Athletic's James L. Edwards III writing that he would not be surprised if the 21-year-old becomes a staple by midseason. Diawara averaged 3.6 points and 1.4 rebounds in 9.2 minutes across 69 games as a rookie, but his best stretch came when Miles McBride missed 27 straight games. During that run, Diawara averaged 5.9 points in 14.2 minutes while shooting 40.5 percent from three. OG Anunoby, Mikal Bridges, and Josh Hart still block a clean path to minutes, so Diawara remains off the fantasy radar unless injuries or a trade open the wing rotation.

Yesterday

Giannis Antetokounmpo • PF • Heat

Giannis Antetokounmpo to Miss Greece Qualifiers

Miami Heat forward Giannis Antetokounmpo will not play for Greece in the upcoming FIBA World Cup 2027 European Qualifiers against Ukraine and Spain, with the Heat requesting that he report to the United States early to continue his preseason integration, according to Eurohoops. The two-time MVP joined Miami this offseason alongside Bobby Portis after an injury-limited 2025-26 season in which he averaged 27.6 points, 9.8 rebounds, and 5.4 assists across 36 games. The decision does not hurt his fantasy profile. If anything, the extra ramp-up time with Miami is a small plus, though durability remains the only real concern for a first-round fantasy anchor.

Yesterday

Nikola Jokić • C • Nuggets

Nuggets Hold Nikola Jokic Despite Serious Panathinaikos Offer

Denver Nuggets center Nikola Jokic remains firmly in Denver despite an overseas push from Panathinaikos owner Dimitrios Giannakopoulos, who said he made a serious proposal to bring the three-time MVP to Greece and plans to try again next year, per ESPN's Anthony Slater. Jokic has two years and $121.9 million left on his deal, though the 2027-28 season is a player option that could make next summer interesting. The 31-year-old has already said he wants to stay in Denver, and this does nothing to hurt his fantasy outlook. Jokic averaged 27.7 points, 12.9 rebounds, and 10.7 assists last season, keeping him locked in as the top fantasy target.

Yesterday

Payton Pritchard • PG • Celtics

Payton Pritchard Downplays Celtics Extension Talks

Boston Celtics guard Payton Pritchard is not rushing into extension talks, telling NBC Sports Boston's Chris Forsberg that he still has two years left on his deal and is more focused on improving. The 28-year-old becomes eligible on Oct. 1 for a three-year extension worth up to $67.1 million, but there is no urgency on either side. Pritchard is coming off a career year, averaging 17.0 points, 5.2 assists, and 3.9 rebounds in 32.4 minutes while starting 50 games. His scoring role should remain useful for fantasy managers, especially if Boston keeps leaning on his on-ball creation and three-point volume.

2 days ago

Peyton Watson • SF • Nuggets

Peyton Watson Draws Serious Cavaliers Interest

The Cleveland Cavaliers are viewed as a serious candidate to land Denver Nuggets restricted free-agent forward Peyton Watson in a sign-and-trade, according to ESPN's Dave McMenamin via Sam Amico of HoopsWire. Watson broke out last season, averaging 14.6 points, 4.9 rebounds, 2.1 assists, 0.9 steals, and 1.1 blocks while shooting 49.1 percent from the field and 41.1 percent from three across 54 games. Denver is believed to be seeking a first-round pick and a rotation player, so nothing sounds close. A Cleveland move would likely reduce Watson's scoring chances next to Donovan Mitchell, Evan Mobley, and Jarrett Allen, but his threes, steals, and blocks would keep him fantasy-relevant if the minutes hold.

2 days ago

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