NBA News

Malaki Branham • SG • Magic

Malaki Branham Agrees to Exhibit 10 Deal with Magic

The Orlando Magic have agreed to an Exhibit 10 deal with guard/forward Malaki Branham, according to Jason Beede of the Orlando Sentinel. HoopsHype's Michael Scotto first reported the agreement between the two sides. Branham, the No. 20 pick in the 2022 NBA Draft, has averaged 8.0 points across 216 NBA games with the San Antonio Spurs and Washington Wizards. His best season came in 2023-24, when he posted 9.2 points, 2.1 assists, and 2.0 rebounds in 21.3 minutes per game. Orlando's backcourt is crowded with Desmond Bane, Jalen Suggs, Anthony Black, and Jase Richardson ahead of him, leaving Branham off fantasy radars unless he turns the camp deal into a real rotation spot.

7 hours ago

Bryce Hopkins • SF • Nuggets

Bryce Hopkins Lands a Two-Way Contract in Denver

The Denver Nuggets and forward Bryce Hopkins have agreed to a two-way deal, agents Mark Bartelstein and Reggie Brown confirmed to HoopsHype's Michael Scotto. Denver selected Hopkins with the 49th pick in the 2026 NBA Draft, and the former St. John's standout strengthened his case in Las Vegas by averaging 18.0 points and 6.5 rebounds across four Summer League games. He was a two-time All-Big East selection and averaged 13.6 points, 6.2 rebounds, 1.9 assists, and 1.1 steals last season after injuries limited the end of his Providence run. Hopkins gives Denver another physical forward to develop, but the two-way tag keeps him off fantasy radars unless injuries push him into real rotation minutes.

7 hours ago

Jordan Miller • SF • Clippers

Jordan Miller to be Re-Evaluated in Six Months

Los Angeles Clippers guard/forward Jordan Miller (shoulder) underwent surgery Wednesday to repair a torn left rotator cuff sustained during an offseason workout, according to ESPN's Shams Charania. Miller will be re-evaluated in six months, putting his return window around late February or March at the earliest. The 26-year-old re-signed with the Clippers on a three-year, $15.3 million deal in July after averaging a career-best 10.0 points, 3.0 rebounds, and 2.3 assists in 22.1 minutes across 60 games last season. His path had already tightened after the Max Strus trade, and this injury gives Cam Christie and Kobe Sanders a cleaner shot at depth minutes behind Bradley Beal and Strus.

7 hours ago

Jonathan Kuminga • PF • Timberwolves

Jonathan Kuminga Joins Timberwolves

Forward Jonathan Kuminga has agreed to a two-year, $13 million deal with the Minnesota Timberwolves that includes a player option, according to ESPN's Shams Charania. The 23-year-old is expected to start at power forward next to Anthony Edwards, LaMelo Ball, Jaden McDaniels, and Rudy Gobert after choosing Minnesota over offers from the Lakers, Bulls, and Trail Blazers. Kuminga struggled to find a rhythm last season, averaging 12.2 points, 5.6 rebounds, and 2.3 assists across 36 games between Golden State and Atlanta. With Julius Randle in Brooklyn and Naz Reid in Charlotte, the frontcourt minutes are there. Playing off Edwards and Ball should give Kuminga cleaner looks, but his fantasy ceiling still hinges on shooting growth and defensive stats.

8 hours ago

Bennedict Mathurin • SG • Pelicans

Bennedict Mathurin Lands in New Orleans

Guard/forward Bennedict Mathurin has agreed to a two-year, $16 million deal with the New Orleans Pelicans that includes a player option, according to ESPN's Shams Charania. Mathurin's representatives approached the Los Angeles Clippers about withdrawing his $8.8 million qualifying offer, giving the 24-year-old more flexibility and a quicker path to unrestricted free agency. He averaged a career-best 17.6 points, 5.4 rebounds, and 2.4 assists across 54 games between Indiana and Los Angeles last season, but his 31.5 percent mark from three remains a concern. New Orleans gives him another scoring lane, though Trey Murphy III, Zion Williamson, Jordan Poole, and Jeremiah Fears all need touches. Mathurin's free-throw volume keeps him interesting, but the jumper has to improve for his fantasy ceiling to climb.

8 hours ago

Michael Porter Jr. • SF • Nets

Michael Porter Jr. Eyes First All-Star Nod

Brooklyn Nets forward Michael Porter Jr. has a believer in head coach Jordi Fernandez, who expects him to make his first All-Star team next season. Fernandez praised Porter's work ethic and said he thought the former Denver Nuggets forward should have been in the All-Star conversation last year. Porter was Brooklyn's top scorer in 2025-26, averaging 24.2 points, 7.1 rebounds, 3.0 assists, 1.1 steals, and 3.4 threes across 52 games before a left hamstring strain ended his season. The fantasy wrinkle is Julius Randle, who arrived in a four-team trade and should command touches in the half court. Porter still carries strong scoring and rebounding appeal, but his All-Star case likely needs both good health and a much more competitive Nets team.

19 hours ago

Stephon Castle • SG • Spurs

Stephon Castle Trains for Bigger Year

San Antonio Spurs guard Stephon Castle spent the offseason focused on shooting and conditioning work, trainer Olin Simplis told Mark Medina of R.org. Simplis praised Castle's defensive versatility and said the 21-year-old has worked on keeping his shot mechanics consistent through fatigue after a long playoff run. Castle averaged 16.7 points, 7.4 assists, 5.3 rebounds, and 1.1 steals across 68 games last season, but he shot just 37.7 percent from the field and 30.0 percent from three in the Finals loss to New York. Better shooting would raise Castle's fantasy ceiling, though a healthy De'Aaron Fox and Dylan Harper's place in the backcourt could cut into some of Castle's on-ball work.

19 hours ago

Cason Wallace • PG • Thunder

Cason Wallace Shows Off Scoring Growth

Oklahoma City Thunder guard Cason Wallace enters the final season of his rookie-scale deal with more attention on his offensive growth after a recent open-gym clip showed off his handle, pull-up shooting, and finishing. The 22-year-old already has the defensive role locked in after earning All-Defensive Second Team honors, so the next step is becoming more than a low-usage guard. Wallace averaged 8.6 points, 3.1 rebounds, 2.6 assists, and 1.9 steals in 26.6 minutes last season. Oklahoma City moved Luguentz Dort, Aaron Wiggins, and Isaiah Joe this summer, creating more perimeter minutes, but Wallace still has to share touches behind Shai Gilgeous-Alexander, Jalen Williams, and Chet Holmgren. The steals give him a fantasy floor, while a double-digit scoring jump would make him much more useful.

19 hours ago

Ben Simmons • PG

Kings' Scott Perry Watches Ben Simmons Work Out

Sacramento Kings general manager Scott Perry was in Florida to watch free-agent guard/forward Ben Simmons work out, according to Sactown Sports, which confirmed Carmichael Dave's initial report. Jake Fischer had previously linked Sacramento to Simmons as part of its veteran guard search, and the fit is easy to understand with the Kings looking for ball-handling depth behind rookie Darius Acuff Jr. Simmons sat out all of 2025-26 while recovering from back and other injuries and is reportedly open to a minimum deal. He averaged 5.0 points, 5.6 assists, 4.7 rebounds, and 0.7 steals in 22.0 minutes across 51 games in 2024-25. Even if Sacramento signs him, Simmons is more of a low-cost depth swing than a fantasy target.

19 hours ago

Nikola Topić • PG • Thunder

Nikola Topic Faces Make-or-Break Year

Oklahoma City Thunder guard Nikola Topic enters a pivotal 2026-27 season with a 2027-28 team option hanging over his future. The 21-year-old has already dealt with a torn left ACL that wiped out his first NBA season, a testicular cancer diagnosis that delayed his debut until February, and offseason back surgery that he is expected to return from by training camp. Topic flashed late last season with back-to-back double-doubles, including an 18-point, 14-assist game against Phoenix that tied a Thunder rookie record. Oklahoma City moved Luguentz Dort, Aaron Wiggins, and Isaiah Joe this offseason, but minutes are still not guaranteed with Shai Gilgeous-Alexander, Cason Wallace, Ajay Mitchell, Jared McCain, and Alex Caruso in the guard mix. Topic has passing upside, but he needs a steady role before becoming fantasy relevant.

20 hours ago

DeMar DeRozan • SF • Nuggets

Kings are Stretching Out DeMar DeRozan's Salary

The Sacramento Kings have decided they will stretch out forward DeMar DeRozan's salary over the next three seasons. According to Michael Scotto, the Kings will take his $10 million salary and turn it into $3.33 million over the next three seasons. Doing this puts the Kings under the luxury tax line, and they now have enough space to fill out their final two roster spots. Neither spot can exceed the league minimum, but the Kings now have the funds to do it. The organization has until Saturday to get this done, so expect the Kings to be busy in free agency over the next few days.

Yesterday

Bennedict Mathurin • SG • Pelicans

Pelicans Aggressively Pursuing Bennedict Mathurin

The New Orleans Pelicans are reportedly a major player in the sweepstakes for Los Angeles Clippers shooting guard Bennedict Mathurin. According to Jake Fischer, Mathurin is expected to be sign-and-traded to the Pelicans or accept the qualifying offer with the Los Angeles Clippers. Fischer made the point that the Pelicans have been aggressively pursuing Mathurin over the offseason. He currently has a one-year, $8.8 million qualifying offer on the table from the Clippers. Mathurin is a restricted free agent, so the Clippers can match any offer sheet that Mathurin gets from other teams. A return to the Clippers seems to make the most sense, but it sounds like the Pelicans are still looking to acquire him.

Yesterday

Jalen Duren • C • Pistons

Jalen Duren Likely to Get Deal Exceeding $160 Million

According to Jake Fischer, free-agent center Jalen Duren is expected to re-sign with the Detroit Pistons for upwards of $160 million. It's no surprise that Duren is likely to receive a massive extension from the Pistons. It sounds like Duren could potentially sign a four-year deal that nets him more than $160 million over the life of the deal. Duren has shown he is worth the money with his play on the court over the last few seasons. This past season, Duren averaged 19.5 points, 10.5 rebounds, and 0.8 blocks in 28.2 minutes per game across 70 games with the Pistons. He's a core piece to this roster that the Pistons cannot afford to lose right now. He's the best free agent still available, but is fully expected to return to Detroit; however, the amount of money he'll get is unknown.

Yesterday

Brandon Miller • SF • Hornets

Brandon Miller Nearing a Return After Shoulder Surgery

According to Rod Boone, Charlotte Hornets guard Brandon Miller (shoulder) is nearing a return to action after having surgery. Miller underwent left shoulder surgery in May. Miller recently told Boone in an interview that his shoulder is more mobile after undergoing surgery. The Hornets haven't given a timetable on Miller's return to the court yet. He's still waiting to get full clearance to return to basketball activities. There is still over a month before training camp, so Miller still has plenty of time to get ready. The expectation is that Miller will be ready to play by the beginning of the season.

Yesterday

Georges Niang • SF • Warriors

Georges Niang Signs with Warriors

According to Shams Charania, the Golden State Warriors signed free-agent forward Georges Niang on Tuesday. They've agreed on a one-year, $3.9 million deal for the upcoming season. Niang didn't play at all in 2025 after suffering a fourth metatarsal stress reaction in his left foot. He was traded from the Utah Jazz to the Memphis Grizzlies, but he didn't suit up for either team. Before that, Niang averaged 9.9 points, 3.4 rebounds, and 1.4 assists in 21.5 minutes per game in 79 contests with the Cavaliers and Hawks in 2024-2025. He figures to have a role off the bench, but it's unlikely to offer much fantasy value.

Yesterday

Brandon Williams • PG • Warriors

Brandon Williams Agrees to One-Year Deal with Warriors

The Golden State Warriors have agreed to sign guard Brandon Williams to a one-year, $2.6 million deal, according to ESPN's Shams Charania. Williams is coming off a career-best season in Dallas, where the 26-year-old averaged 13.0 points, 3.9 assists, and 2.9 rebounds in 22.2 minutes across 66 games, including 15 starts. He shot 47.2 percent from the field but just 23.2 percent from three, so his fit will lean more on downhill scoring and ball-handling than spacing. Jimmy Butler III and Moses Moody open some early perimeter minutes, but Williams still sits behind Stephen Curry, Brandin Podziemski, and De'Anthony Melton. He is more of an injury-contingent streamer than a draft target.

Yesterday

TyTy Washington Jr. • PG

TyTy Washington Jr. Signs with ASVEL

Guard TyTy Washington Jr. has officially signed with LDLC ASVEL Villeurbanne, moving the former first-round pick to Europe for his first EuroLeague opportunity. Washington, the No. 29 pick in the 2022 NBA Draft, never secured a steady NBA rotation role, appearing in 74 games across four seasons with the Houston Rockets, Milwaukee Bucks, Phoenix Suns, and Los Angeles Clippers. The 24-year-old averaged 1.3 points and 1.1 assists in 5.5 minutes across 16 Clippers appearances last season, but he was far more productive in the G-League, posting 21.2 points, 5.9 assists, and 5.0 rebounds for San Diego. His ASVEL move removes him from NBA fantasy consideration.

Yesterday

Aday Mara • C • Thunder

Aday Mara Works on Conditioning

Oklahoma City Thunder center Aday Mara is working on his NBA conditioning in Spain with Maral Javadifar, the team's athletic performance director, according to Clemente Almanza of OKC Thunder Wire. Javadifar spent the past seven seasons with the Tampa Bay Buccaneers and was part of the Super Bowl LV staff that beat Kansas City. Mara, the No. 12 pick in June out of national champion Michigan, remains a long-term fantasy stash rather than an early contributor. He is set to compete with Jaylin Williams for backup center minutes behind Isaiah Hartenstein, while Chet Holmgren anchors the frontcourt. Mara is also on Spain's roster for World Cup qualifiers against Portugal on Friday and Greece on Monday.

Yesterday

Isaiah Joe • SG • Pistons

Isaiah Joe Brings Title Experience to Pistons Bench

Detroit Pistons guard Isaiah Joe is the only current player on the roster with an NBA championship on his resume, as Caden Handwork of SI noted. Joe won the 2025 title with Oklahoma City before Detroit acquired him from the Thunder for two second-round picks, giving the Pistons another proven shooter around Cade Cunningham. The 27-year-old averaged a career-best 11.1 points, 2.5 rebounds, 1.3 assists, and 2.5 threes while shooting 42.3 percent from deep last season. Joe still profiles as a bench specialist, so his fantasy value is tied mostly to triples unless Detroit gives him steady closing minutes.

Yesterday

Quentin Grimes • SG • Lakers

Quentin Grimes Eyes Key Lakers Perimeter Role

Los Angeles Lakers guard/forward Quentin Grimes has a chance to fill the perimeter role Los Angeles needs after signing a four-year, $60 million deal, with Jovan Buha of Buha's Block and Tony Jones previewing his fit. The 26-year-old should be asked to defend tough perimeter matchups while spacing the floor around Luka Doncic and Austin Reaves, a role that leans more on defense and off-ball shooting than shot creation. That keeps his fantasy ceiling in check, especially after he shot 33.4 percent from three with Philadelphia last season. Still, his 21.9-point surge after joining the 76ers in 2024-25 showed he can pop when touches open, leaving his value tied to minutes, steals, and whether the Lakers trust him in closing groups.

Yesterday

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