NBA News

DeMar DeRozan • SF

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.

4 hours 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.

5 hours ago

Elfrid Payton • PG

Elfrid Payton Draws Kings Interest

Free-agent guard Elfrid Payton is one of the experienced ball-handlers the Sacramento Kings are considering as they open a series of veteran workouts, according to Jake Fischer. Sacramento is hosting Cameron Payne first and has also shown interest in Victor Oladipo while searching for a veteran presence behind No. 7 pick Darius Acuff Jr. Payton, the 10th pick in the 2014 draft, last played in the NBA in 2024-25, averaging 3.5 points, 3.3 rebounds, and 6.9 assists across 24 games with New Orleans and Charlotte. He spent last season with the G-League's Austin Spurs. Even if signed, Payton would be a deep-reserve mentor behind Acuff, Zach LaVine, and Malik Monk, leaving him off fantasy radars.

5 hours ago

Cameron Payne • PG

Cameron Payne to Work Out for Kings

Free-agent guard Cameron Payne is set to work out for the Sacramento Kings as the team begins a series of veteran guard auditions, according to Jake Fischer. Sacramento has been searching for an experienced ball handler to help support and mentor rookie Darius Acuff Jr., the No. 7 overall pick, with Victor Oladipo and Elfrid Payton also under consideration. Payne spent time with Partizan last season before joining Philadelphia, where he averaged 7.4 points, 2.0 rebounds, 2.6 assists and 1.1 steals in 17.0 minutes across 22 games while shooting 37.6 percent from the field and 33.0 percent from three. Even if Payne lands a deal, he would be fighting for reserve minutes in a backcourt that already features Acuff, Zach LaVine and Malik Monk, leaving him off fantasy radars.

5 hours ago

Julian Reese • PF

Julian Reese Headed to Denver, to be Waived

The Denver Nuggets are acquiring forward Julian Reese from the Washington Wizards as part of the expanded multi-team trade involving Peyton Watson, Max Strus, Tre Mann, and Cam Whitmore, according to ESPN's Shams Charania. Denver is expected to waive Reese from his two-way deal, leaving the 23-year-old without a clear NBA home for now. Reese flashed in a late-season Washington cameo, averaging 11.8 points, 10.5 rebounds, and 1.8 assists across 13 games, but the waiver keeps him off fantasy radars. He is more of a developmental big to monitor if another team gives him a two-way or back-end roster look.

16 hours ago

Cam Whitmore • SF • Cavaliers

Cam Whitmore Headed to Cleveland

The Cleveland Cavaliers are acquiring forward Cam Whitmore from the Washington Wizards as part of the expanded multi-team trade that also sends Peyton Watson to Cleveland, Max Strus to the LA Clippers, Tre Mann to Washington, and Julian Reese to Denver, according to ESPN's Shams Charania. The move gives Cleveland a younger, smaller-salary wing after Whitmore's 2025-26 season ended in January because of deep vein thrombosis in his right shoulder. The 22-year-old averaged 9.2 points, 2.8 rebounds, and 0.7 assists across 21 games while shooting 45.6 percent from the field. The fantasy fit is cloudy. Watson has the cleaner path to impact minutes, while Jaylon Tyson adds more wing competition, leaving Whitmore off fantasy radars until his health and role are clearer.

16 hours ago

Tre Mann • PG • Wizards

Tre Mann Traded to Wizards

The Washington Wizards are acquiring guard Tre Mann, a 2027 second-round pick from the Clippers, and cash from the Cleveland Cavaliers, according to ESPN's Shams Charania. Washington is sending Cam Whitmore to Cleveland and Julian Reese to Denver as part of the expanded multi-team trade that also moves Peyton Watson to Cleveland and Max Strus to the LA Clippers. Mann gives Washington another backcourt option after the Wizards have been searching for guard depth. The 25-year-old averaged 5.5 points, 1.7 rebounds, and 1.6 assists in 12.6 minutes across 53 games last season, struggling to find steady footing in a limited role. A change of scenery could help, but Washington's backcourt is still crowded enough to cap his fantasy appeal. Mann is only worth tracking if injuries open a clearer path to minutes.

16 hours ago

Max Strus • SG • Clippers

Max Strus Traded to the Clippers

The Los Angeles Clippers are acquiring guard/forward Max Strus in the multi-team deal that sends Peyton Watson to Cleveland, according to ESPN's Shams Charania. The veteran wing gives the Clippers another floor spacer after shooting 37.0 percent from three across his NBA career. Strus' 2025-26 regular season was derailed by a left foot Jones fracture, limiting him to 12 games, but he returned for the playoffs and averaged 9.6 points, 4.8 rebounds, 2.1 assists, and 2.1 threes across 18 contests. He profiles as a useful movement shooter in Los Angeles, though his fantasy value will depend on whether he can carve out enough minutes and shot volume in a crowded rotation.

17 hours ago

Peyton Watson • SF • Cavaliers

Peyton Watson Lands in Cleveland

The Cleveland Cavaliers are acquiring forward Peyton Watson from the Denver Nuggets in a multi-team sign-and-trade, according to ESPN's Shams Charania. Watson is set to land in Cleveland on a four-year, $88 million deal, while Max Strus heads to the Clippers and Cam Whitmore comes to the Cavaliers from Washington. The 23-year-old broke out last season, averaging 14.6 points, 4.9 rebounds, 2.1 assists, 1.1 blocks, and 0.9 steals in 29.6 minutes while shooting 41.1 percent from deep. His fantasy stock rises with a cleaner role, but Whitmore and Jaylon Tyson keep the wing competition relevant. Watson's defensive stats and improved shooting give him standalone appeal if the minutes hold.

17 hours ago

Garrison Mathews • SG

Garrison Mathews Leaves the NBA for Olimpia Milano

Guard/forward Garrison Mathews has officially signed with Olimpia Milano, the Italian club announced. The 29-year-old heads to the EuroLeague after a seven-year NBA run with Washington, Houston, Atlanta and Indiana, appearing in 329 regular-season games while shooting 38.2 percent from three. His NBA path had quieted after the Pacers waived him in December following a 15-game stint. Shooting was always his calling card, but this move takes him fully off NBA fantasy radars, with no stateside rotation ripple to track while he is overseas.

Yesterday

OG Anunoby • SF • Knicks

OG Anunoby Sets Sights on Knicks Title Defense

New York Knicks forward OG Anunoby is already locked in on a title defense after the franchise's first championship since 1973. In an interview with Fadeaway World, Anunoby said winning another title is "everyone's goal" and framed his offseason around steady individual growth. He also brushed off Philadelphia's additions of LeBron James and Jaylen Brown, saying loaded East rosters are nothing new. Anunoby's fantasy appeal comes from continuity. He returns to a locked-in starting role under Mike Brown after averaging 16.7 points, 5.2 rebounds, 2.2 assists, 2.3 threes, 1.6 steals, and 0.7 blocks across 67 games. That across-the-board production keeps him among the steadier wing options in fantasy.

Yesterday

TyTy Washington Jr. • PG

TyTy Washington Jr. Nears EuroLeague Move to ASVEL

Guard TyTy Washington Jr. is in advanced talks with ASVEL Villeurbanne, according to BasketNews. The 2022 first-round pick has struggled to carve out a steady NBA role, averaging 2.9 points and 1.1 assists in 9.4 minutes across 74 games with the Rockets, Bucks, Suns and Clippers. His stronger production has come in the G-League, where he averaged 19.5 points, 5.7 assists and 4.9 rebounds while shooting 41.0 percent from three last season. A deal would send Washington to Tony Parker's ASVEL squad ahead of Parker's first EuroLeague season as head coach. Unless talks fall through and he resurfaces in an NBA camp, Washington remains off fantasy radars.

Yesterday

P.J. Washington • PF • Mavericks

P.J. Washington Confident He Stays in Dallas

Dallas Mavericks forward/center P.J. Washington expects to open the season in Dallas despite spending much of the offseason in trade rumors. In an interview with DLLS Mavs' Kevin Gray Jr., Washington said he is "super confident" he will be a Maverick on Opening Night after long talks with team president Masai Ujiri and general manager Mike Schmitz. Marc Stein previously reported that Washington was among the veterans Dallas was viewed as open to trading, but the 27-year-old sounds committed to staying put. Washington averaged 14.2 points, 7.0 rebounds, and 1.8 assists last season, giving him useful category appeal if the minutes hold. A forward-heavy roster built around Cooper Flagg and recently extended Naji Marshall could still squeeze his ceiling, but Washington remains a viable late-round fantasy piece if he keeps a steady role.

Yesterday

Hunter Dickinson • C

Pelicans Waive Hunter Dickinson

According to Michael Scotto, the New Orleans Pelicans are waiving two-way center Hunter Dickinson on Tuesday. The former Kansas and Michigan star went undrafted in 2025 before landing a two-way deal with the Pelicans. He re-signed with New Orleans in July, but now he'll head elsewhere. He averaged 17.6 points, 10.9 rebounds, and 2.3 assists in the G-League last season. He played in five games with the Pelicans, but made a minimal impact. He figures to spend most of his time in the G-League on whichever team he goes to next.

Yesterday

Isaiah Hartenstein • C • Thunder

Isaiah Hartenstein is Battling Ankle Injury

Oklahoma City Thunder center Isaiah Hartenstein (ankle) won't play for Germany during this summer's FIBA 2027 World Cup Qualifiers, according to basketnews.com. The big man is currently sitting out while managing an ankle injury. He has decided to play it safe and get fully healthy for the beginning of training camp. This injury sounds minor and shouldn't be something that lingers into the regular season. Fantasy managers should check back for another update on his status closer to training camp.

Yesterday

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.

2 days 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.

2 days 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.

2 days 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.

2 days 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.

2 days ago

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