NBA News

Tarik Biberovic • PF • Mavericks

Tarik Biberovic Eyes Real NBA Role with Mavericks

Dallas Mavericks forward Tarik Biberovic is treating his NBA arrival as a starting point, telling Anadolu Agency that he wants to earn minutes and grow into one of the team's most reliable players. The 25-year-old said he will "start from zero" after an emotional exit from Fenerbahce, where he spent eight seasons and credited Sarunas Jasikevicius for helping unlock his game. Biberovic averaged 11.3 points, 3.0 rebounds, and 1.3 assists while shooting 41.9 percent from deep across 41 EuroLeague games last season. The shooting is real, but he remains off fantasy radars while fighting for minutes in a crowded Dallas wing mix featuring Cooper Flagg, Naji Marshall, and Caleb Martin.

5 hours ago

Malachi Smith • SG • Raptors

Malachi Smith Signs with Raptors Ahead of Camp

The Toronto Raptors signed guard Malachi Smith to an undisclosed contract, the team announced Monday. Smith made his NBA debut with the Brooklyn Nets last season, averaging 8.3 points, 3.4 rebounds and 3.3 assists across 15 games while shooting 43.5 percent from three-point range. The 26-year-old flashed late, posting 19 points, 10 assists and eight rebounds against Milwaukee on April 10. With no guaranteed role in Toronto, Smith should be viewed as camp guard depth who could land with Raptors 905 if he misses the final roster. He remains off fantasy radars barring an unexpected rotation path.

6 hours ago

Braden Smith • PG • Pacers

Pacers Sign Braden Smith to Two-Way Contract

The Indiana Pacers have signed guard Braden Smith to a two-way contract, the team announced Monday. Smith, the NCAA's all-time career assists leader at Purdue, landed with Indiana after the Pacers acquired the No. 38 pick from Chicago for Kam Jones, future second-round pick swaps, and cash considerations. He averaged 6.8 points, 7.2 assists, 4.4 rebounds, and 1.6 steals across five Summer League starts, though he shot just 26.5 percent from the field. Smith joins Jalen Slawson and Kobe Brown on Indiana's two-way slate and should spend plenty of time with the G-League's Noblesville Boom. He is buried behind Tyrese Haliburton and T.J. McConnell, leaving him off fantasy radars barring a major role change.

6 hours ago

Haywood Highsmith • SF • Suns

Haywood Highsmith Signs One-Year Deal with Suns

According to Shams Charania, the Phoenix Suns are signing free-agent forward Haywood Highsmith to a one-year deal. Highsmith was reported to be possibly heading back to the Miami Heat, but instead, he opted to re-sign with the Suns. This past season, Highsmith averaged 5.4 points, 1.9 rebounds, and 1.0 assists across seven games in Phoenix. He figures to once again serve as a depth piece for the Suns during this upcoming season. Unless there are a few injuries, Highsmith is unlikely to make much of an impact in the rotation. Fantasy managers can go ahead and avoid Highsmith in fantasy drafts.

18 hours ago

Sean Pedulla • PG • Rockets

Sean Pedulla Signs Two-Way Deal with Rockets

The Houston Rockets announced that they've signed guard Sean Pedulla to a two-way deal on Monday. Pedulla was waived by the Los Angeles Clippers earlier this month. He made seven appearances with the Clippers last season, but spent most of his time in the G-League. Pedulla is the reigning G-League Rookie of the Year, averaging 23.6 points, 6.4 assists, and 5.1 rebounds. The 23-year-old is expected to spend most of his time in the G-League with the Rockets. He's unlikely to see much time on the NBA court unless there's a handful of injuries. Pedulla is avoidable in fantasy formats, but maybe they can develop him into a decent player.

18 hours ago

Klay Thompson • SG • Mavericks

Heat Desperately Want to Sign Klay Thompson

According to Marc Stein, the Miami Heat desperately want to sign shooting guard Klay Thompson. The problem with that is Thompson is still under contract with the Dallas Mavericks. The Mavs have been attempting to trade Thompson and his $17 million salary for the upcoming season. It doesn't sound like any teams are taking the bait and are waiting for the Mavs to eventually buy Thompson out of his contract. If that happens, the Heat sound like the frontrunners to sign Thompson if he becomes available in free agency. The 36-year-old is not the same player he used to be, but he can still be a solid 3-and-D player for a contending organization.

18 hours ago

Kawhi Leonard • SF • Raptors

Kawhi Leonard Trade to Toronto to be Finalized

According to Brett Siegel, the NBA has found no evidence of wrongdoing by Los Angeles Clippers owner Steve Ballmer in a recent investigation involving allegedly funneling money. The league was investigating whether Ballmer used side endorsements to illegally pay Leonard. The NBA didn't find anything, so the trade sending Leonard to the Toronto Raptors can now be finalized. The expectation is that the deal will be pushed through ahead of training camp. It sounds like the biggest hurdles have been cleared, and all the players involved in this trade can go to their new teams.

18 hours ago

Herbert Jones • SF • Pelicans

Herbert Jones Eyes Shooting Bounce-Back

New Orleans Pelicans forward Herbert Jones enters 2026-27 as the team's biggest X factor, according to ESPN's season preview. The 2023-24 All-Defensive First Team selection has slipped offensively since that breakout, including 38.3 percent shooting from the field and 30.9 percent from three last season. He still averaged 8.9 points, 3.4 rebounds, 2.8 assists, and 1.6 steals in 28.4 minutes, keeping him useful when defensive stats matter. ESPN noted that a bounce-back year could make Jones a trade-deadline chip for draft compensation. That outcome would be worth tracking, as a move could open extra wing minutes for Saddiq Bey while pushing more creation toward Trey Murphy III.

Yesterday

Trendon Watford • PF • Pelicans

Trendon Watford Lands with Pelicans

Free-agent forward Trendon Watford and the New Orleans Pelicans agreed to a one-year, $2.9 million deal, according to ESPN's Shams Charania. The 25-year-old heads to New Orleans after Philadelphia declined his $2.8 million team option for 2026-27. Watford averaged 6.5 points, 3.3 rebounds, and 2.5 assists in 16.3 minutes across 53 games with the 76ers last season, including a 20-point, 17-rebound, 10-assist triple-double in November. His passing and frontcourt versatility give the Pelicans useful depth, but Zion Williamson, Herbert Jones, Saddiq Bey, Yves Missi, Derik Queen, Karlo Matkovic, and DeAndre Jordan leave a crowded path to steady minutes. Watford is off fantasy radars unless injuries thin the rotation.

Yesterday

Miles Bridges • SF • Suns

Miles Bridges Likely to Wait on Extension

Phoenix Suns forward Miles Bridges is expected to wait before signing an extension, according to ESPN's Brian Windhorst on The Hoop Collective. Windhorst said Phoenix not only intends to pay Bridges but also plans to give him a sizable role after acquiring him from Charlotte this offseason. The 28-year-old averaged 17.1 points, 5.8 rebounds, 3.2 assists, and 1.9 threes with the Hornets last season, but his fantasy ceiling is trickier in Phoenix. Devin Booker and Jalen Green should handle plenty of creation, while Dillon Brooks adds another established wing to the rotation. Bridges should still start and carry contract-year scoring appeal, but a third-option role would cap the focal-point value he had in Charlotte.

Yesterday

Cooper Flagg • PF • Mavericks

Cooper Flagg Draws Offseason Praise from Mavericks GM

Dallas Mavericks forward Cooper Flagg has earned offseason praise from general manager Mike Schmitz, who discussed the reigning Rookie of the Year's development during a Friday appearance on 105.3 The Fan. The 19-year-old averaged 21.0 points, 6.7 rebounds, 4.5 assists, and 1.2 steals as a rookie, becoming the first first-year player since Michael Jordan to lead his team in points, rebounds, assists, and steals. Kyrie Irving, nearing a return from his ACL tear, should ease some creation burden, but Flagg's scoring, rebounding, and defensive production keep him locked in as an early-round fantasy anchor.

Yesterday

Dereck Lively II • C • Mavericks

Dereck Lively II Making Progress in Foot Recovery

Dallas Mavericks center Dereck Lively II is making progress in his recovery from season-ending right foot surgery, with general manager Mike Schmitz saying Lively has been "working his tail off" and staying locked in around the facility. The 2023 No. 12 pick said in June that he was out of the boot and crutches and back in normal shoes, but later reports noted he still had not progressed to running. Lively appeared in only seven games last season, averaging 4.3 points, 5.3 rebounds, and 1.9 assists. He remains a high-upside rim runner and shot blocker when healthy, but Daniel Gafford is the safer fantasy bet until Lively's timeline gets clearer. Morez Johnson Jr. adds another frontcourt body if the ramp-up drags.

Yesterday

Haywood Highsmith • SF • Suns

Haywood Highsmith Remains Backburner Option for Heat

Free-agent forward Haywood Highsmith could eventually draw a look from the Miami Heat, though the Sun Sentinel's Ira Winderman framed any reunion as a backburner scenario. Highsmith spent parts of four seasons in Miami before being traded to Brooklyn last summer, waived by the Nets in February and later signed by Phoenix. A right knee meniscus tear limited him to seven games with the Suns, where he averaged 5.4 points in 13.0 minutes before being waived this month. Winderman noted Miami's bigger need is frontcourt size, preferably someone who can also play center, not another 6-foot-5 combo forward. Gabe Vincent is a similar long-shot reunion name, but neither carries meaningful fantasy value right now.

Yesterday

Anthony Edwards • SG • Timberwolves

Anthony Edwards Backs Timberwolves' Retooled Roster

Minnesota Timberwolves guard Anthony Edwards is confident the team's retooled roster can get past the Oklahoma City Thunder and San Antonio Spurs, the teams that ended Minnesota's last two playoff runs. "Against those two teams, I think we're going to beat them," Edwards told ESPN during a visit to Manila. The former No. 1 overall pick averaged 28.8 points, 5.0 rebounds, and 3.7 assists across 61 games in 2025-26, carrying heavy scoring responsibilities before Minnesota added LaMelo Ball and moved Julius Randle to Brooklyn. Ball's arrival may trim Edwards' playmaking volume, but it should also ease defensive pressure and keep him in the first-round fantasy mix.

Yesterday

Patrick Beverley • PG

Patrick Beverley Lands with Boulazac

Veteran guard Patrick Beverley has signed with Boulazac Basket Dordogne of France's Betclic Elite for the 2026-27 season, the club announced Friday. The 38-year-old spent last season with PAOK Thessaloniki, averaging 7.8 points, 5.0 rebounds and 3.3 assists in eight Greek League regular-season games before adding 9.3 points, 4.0 rebounds and 3.3 assists across nine FIBA Europe Cup contests. Beverley logged 666 regular-season NBA games before heading overseas, averaging 8.3 points, 4.1 rebounds, and 3.4 assists while earning three All-Defensive Team selections. This is just a late-career European stop, leaving him far outside the NBA fantasy picture.

2 days ago

Tyrese Haliburton • PG • Pacers

Tyrese Haliburton Calls Out Road Opener

Indiana Pacers guard Tyrese Haliburton took issue with the team's season-opening assignment, saying on the "Numbers on the Board" podcast that he was shocked Indiana opens Oct. 21 at New Orleans without a national TV slot. The All-NBA guard tore his right Achilles in Game 7 of the 2025 NBA Finals and missed all of the Pacers' 19-63 season, so the matchup would be his first NBA game action in roughly 16 months. Haliburton averaged 18.6 points, 9.2 assists, 3.5 rebounds, and 1.4 steals in 2024-25, keeping him in bounce-back centerpiece territory. His return should cut into Andrew Nembhard's usage while giving new Pacers center Ivica Zubac a high-end pick-and-roll partner.

2 days ago

Carter Bryant • SF • Spurs

Carter Bryant Reflects on Rough NBA Welcome

San Antonio Spurs forward Carter Bryant opened up about a humbling rookie introduction during a recent appearance on the Road Trippin' Show. The 2025 No. 14 pick recalled getting tested early by Devin Vassell in a shooting workout, then struggling with Kelly Olynyk's footwork and veteran tricks in the post. Bryant still worked into San Antonio's rotation as a rookie, appearing in 71 regular-season games while averaging 4.2 points, 2.5 rebounds, and 0.7 assists in 11.5 minutes. He is not a redraft target yet, but his defensive profile and late-season minutes bump make him more interesting as a long-range stash if the Spurs expand his role.

2 days ago

Lester Quinones • PG

Lester Quinones Remains on Real Madrid's Radar

Free-agent guard Lester Quinones has drawn renewed interest from Real Madrid, according to Marca, as relayed by Sportando, with the Spanish club still searching for one more backcourt piece after missing on Armoni Brooks and Lonnie Walker IV. The former Memphis guard was waived by Orlando last October and has yet to turn his scoring profile into a steady NBA role across 54 games with Golden State, Philadelphia, and New Orleans. His G-League resume is stronger, as he earned All-NBA G-League First Team honors while averaging 23.3 points, 5.2 rebounds, and 3.0 assists for Osceola before a brief China stint with Qingdao. A move to Spain would remove any lingering NBA fantasy stash appeal.

2 days ago

Dillon Brooks • SF • Suns

Dillon Brooks Looks to Expand Game

Phoenix Suns forward Dillon Brooks said at a Friday media session that he wants to sharpen his three-point shooting, passing, and finishing around the rim after signing a three-year, $73 million extension. The former second-round pick is coming off a career-best 20.2 points per game, but his supporting numbers stayed light at 3.6 rebounds and 1.8 assists while his three-point rate dipped to 34.4 percent. That thin peripheral profile is the fantasy concern. If Brooks adds more playmaking under Jordan Ott, his value gets less scoring-dependent. If not, Miles Bridges and Luke Kennard could squeeze his usage and leave him as more of a points-and-threes option.

2 days ago

Max Strus • SG • Cavaliers

Max Strus Emerges as Cavaliers Trade Piece

Cleveland Cavaliers guard/forward Max Strus has surfaced as a salary-matching piece in the team's pursuit of Denver restricted free agent Peyton Watson, with Evan Sidery reporting that Cleveland is looking for a team willing to take on Strus' $16.7 million expiring contract. The 30-year-old missed the first 67 games last season after left foot surgery, then averaged 11.2 points, 5.4 rebounds, and 2.0 assists across 12 games while shooting 40.2 percent from deep. Strus still has value as a floor-spacer, but his fantasy outlook depends heavily on landing spot. If he is moved, Jaylon Tyson could get a cleaner path to wing minutes, while Sam Merrill would remain a bench shooting option.

3 days ago

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