NBA News

J'Vonne Hadley • SG • Heat

J'Vonne Hadley Signs Exhibit 10 Deal with Heat

The Miami Heat have signed undrafted forward J'Vonne Hadley to an Exhibit 10 contract, according to Anthony Chiang of the Miami Herald. Hadley played for Miami's Summer League team after closing his college career at Louisville, where he averaged 11.5 points and 5.1 rebounds while shooting 56.2 percent from the field and 44.0 percent from three-point range. He was quieter in Summer League, posting 5.6 points, 5.8 rebounds, 1.5 assists, 1.0 steals, and 0.5 blocks across eight games. The camp deal gives Hadley a path to stay in Miami's system, but the NBA rotation is crowded with Giannis Antetokounmpo, Bam Adebayo, Bobby Portis, Andrew Wiggins, Nikola Jovic, and Klay Thompson ahead of him. Sioux Falls is the realistic landing spot, leaving Hadley off fantasy radars.

4 hours ago

Deandre Ayton • C • Wizards

Deandre Ayton Skips Bahamas Qualifying Window

Washington Wizards center Deandre Ayton will not suit up for the Bahamas during this week's FIBA World Cup qualifying window, according to NBA reporter Marc Stein. Ayton was listed on the Bahamas' preliminary roster, but he does not appear on the final 12-man group. No injury was mentioned in the report, so this carries no immediate fantasy concern and may simply give him more time before Wizards camp. Ayton shot 67.1 percent from the field last season while averaging 12.5 points, 8.0 rebounds, and 1.0 blocks across 72 starts for the Lakers. The bigger issue is his Washington role, with Alexandre Sarr and Anthony Davis also in the frontcourt. If Ayton settles into a smaller role, last season's volume will be tough to repeat.

5 hours ago

VJ Edgecombe • SG • 76ers

VJ Edgecombe Skips Bahamas' Window 4 Qualifiers

Philadelphia 76ers guard VJ Edgecombe is not on the Bahamas' final 12-man roster for this week's FIBA World Cup qualifying window, according to NBA insider Marc Stein. No injury was attached to the report, so the 21-year-old can shift his focus toward the 2026-27 NBA season after a strong Window 3 run that included a 26-point, nine-rebound, five-steal showing against Jamaica. Edgecombe averaged 16.0 points, 5.6 rebounds, 4.2 assists, and 1.4 steals in 35.0 minutes as a rookie, but his second-year usage is less secure after Philadelphia added LeBron James and Jaylen Brown around Tyrese Maxey and Joel Embiid. He still has fantasy appeal, though the touch squeeze lowers his ceiling.

5 hours ago

Keshad Johnson • PF • Heat

Keshad Johnson Back in Miami on Two-Way Deal

The Miami Heat and forward Keshad Johnson have agreed to a two-way deal, according to HoopsHype's Michael Scotto. The move is a step down from the standard contract Johnson played on last season. The 2026 Slam Dunk Contest winner appeared in 32 games for Miami, averaging 4.3 points and 1.9 rebounds in 8.8 minutes. His best work came with Sioux Falls, where he posted 17.4 points, 8.6 rebounds, 2.9 assists, 1.5 steals, and 1.9 blocks across eight G-League games. The path to minutes is still rough, with Giannis Antetokounmpo, Bam Adebayo, Andrew Wiggins, Bobby Portis, Nikola Jovic, and Klay Thompson all ahead of him in the forward mix. Two-way status caps Johnson's availability and keeps him off playoff rosters unless he is converted, leaving him nowhere near fantasy draft boards.

5 hours ago

Nick Richards • C • Heat

Nick Richards Lands in Miami

Free-agent center Nick Richards has agreed to a one-year deal with the Miami Heat, according to Shams Charania of ESPN. The move fills Miami's 14th standard roster spot after the team added Klay Thompson, giving the Heat another reserve big behind Bam Adebayo, Giannis Antetokounmpo, and Bobby Portis. Richards split last season between Phoenix and Chicago, averaging 5.8 points and 5.1 rebounds in 14.6 minutes across 48 games while shooting 51.2 percent from the field. His workload is unlikely to grow much in Miami unless injuries open up backup-center minutes, leaving Richards off fantasy draft boards for now.

5 hours ago

Nickeil Alexander-Walker • SG • Hawks

Nickeil Alexander-Walker Leads Canada's World Cup Qualifying Roster

Atlanta Hawks guard/forward Nickeil Alexander-Walker headlines Canada's roster for Window 4 of FIBA World Cup qualifying, according to TSN's Josh Lewenberg. Canada opens the second round Thursday against Panama in Panama City before hosting Argentina on Monday in Quebec City. The reigning Most Improved Player is the top name in a stripped-down group, with Shai Gilgeous-Alexander, RJ Barrett, Dillon Brooks, and Andrew Nembhard sitting out. Hawks teammate Luguentz Dort and veteran big man Kelly Olynyk are also in camp. The qualifiers do not carry fantasy value, but Alexander-Walker's workload is worth noting after he averaged 20.8 points, 3.7 assists, and 3.4 rebounds last season. Atlanta's guard and wing mix now includes Dort, CJ McCollum, and Buddy Hield, so his real fantasy outlook will depend on how those touches shake out in camp.

18 hours ago

Shai Gilgeous-Alexander • PG • Thunder

Shai Gilgeous-Alexander to Skip Canada's Next FIBA Window

Oklahoma City Thunder guard Shai Gilgeous-Alexander will sit out Canada's Window 4 slate for FIBA World Cup qualifying, according to Clemente Almanza of OKC Thunder Wire. Gilgeous-Alexander was not named to Canada's 15-man roster after suiting up earlier this summer, leaving Atlanta Hawks guard Nickeil Alexander-Walker to headline the group. Canada enters the second round at 6-0, playing at Panama on Thursday before hosting Argentina on Monday in Quebec City. Hawks guard Luguentz Dort and veteran big man Kelly Olynyk are also in camp. There is no fantasy move to make here, but the extra rest is a small plus for Gilgeous-Alexander as the reigning back-to-back MVP heads toward Thunder camp as one of the safest early fantasy anchors.

18 hours ago

Johnny Furphy • SF • Pacers

Johnny Furphy Still Without Clear Return Timeline

Indiana Pacers guard Johnny Furphy (knee) remains without a firm return timeline after undergoing ACL surgery, according to Forbes' Tony East. Furphy said he is "in a good place" and "right where I need to be," but he has not resumed five-on-five work and would not say whether training camp is realistic. The 21-year-old averaged 5.1 points, 4.4 rebounds, and 1.2 assists in 18.4 minutes last season before tearing his right ACL on Feb. 8 in Toronto. Even once cleared, Furphy has to fight through a crowded Indiana wing mix featuring Aaron Nesmith, Kelly Oubre Jr., Ben Sheppard, and Jarace Walker. He does not need to be drafted unless his timeline sharpens, but his midseason progress is worth tracking after last year's 18-game starting stretch.

18 hours ago

Tristen Newton • PG

Rockets Waive Tristen Newton

The Houston Rockets waived guard Tristen Newton in a corresponding move after signing rookie center Rafael Castro to a two-way deal. The former UConn standout was the No. 49 overall pick in the 2024 NBA Draft and signed with Houston in January after stops with Indiana and Minnesota, but he appeared in just one game for the Rockets. Newton was far more productive in the G-League, averaging 25.1 points across 30 games with Rio Grande Valley and earning All-NBA G-League First Team honors. That production still left him without a clear path in Houston, where Fred VanVleet, Marcus Smart, Amen Thompson, and Reed Sheppard are ahead of him in the backcourt. Newton could get another two-way look elsewhere, but he remains off the fantasy radar.

18 hours ago

Rafael Castro • PF • Rockets

Rafael Castro Signs Two-Way Deal with Rockets

The Houston Rockets announced Wednesday that they signed rookie center Rafael Castro to a two-way contract and waived guard Tristen Newton in a corresponding move. Castro went undrafted after a redshirt senior season at George Washington and later played for Milwaukee's California Classic and Las Vegas Summer League teams. Across 63 starts over his final two college seasons, he averaged 14.6 points, 9.0 rebounds, 1.6 blocks, and 1.5 steals while shooting 64.4 percent from the field. With Alperen Sengun, Steven Adams, and Clint Capela ahead of him, Castro projects for heavy Rio Grande Valley time and is not a fantasy target.

18 hours ago

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.

Yesterday

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.

Yesterday

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.

Yesterday

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.

Yesterday

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.

Yesterday

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.

Yesterday

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.

Yesterday

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.

Yesterday

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.

Yesterday

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.

Yesterday

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