NBA News

Sandro Mamukelashvili • PF • Lakers

Sandro Mamukelashvili Fills Stat Sheet for Georgia

Los Angeles Lakers forward/center Sandro Mamukelashvili filled the box score in Georgia's 101-74 rout of Montenegro on Friday in Group I of the FIBA Basketball World Cup 2027 European Qualifiers. The 27-year-old finished with 17 points, seven rebounds, six assists, and two steals while playing behind bigger scoring nights from Tornike Shengelia and Orlando Magic center Goga Bitadze. The passing is the part that should carry over. Mamukelashvili averaged 11.2 points, 4.9 rebounds, and 1.9 assists in 21.8 minutes with Toronto last season while shooting 38.9 percent from deep, and the Lakers gave him a four-year, $52 million deal to space the floor in a reworked frontcourt. Walker Kessler is the clear interior anchor, so Mamukelashvili needs a steady shooting role before becoming more than a low-end fantasy watch. Georgia faces Portugal on Monday.

4 hours ago

Yang Hansen • C • Trail Blazers

Yang Hansen Leads China Past Qatar with 15 Points

Portland Trail Blazers center Yang Hansen posted a game-high 15 points, nine rebounds, one assist, and two blocks in China's 83-57 win over Qatar on Thursday in the FIBA Basketball World Cup 2027 Asian Qualifiers Second Round. The 21-year-old shot 7-for-11 from the field and 1-for-2 from three in 20 minutes at Al Janoub Stadium in Doha. It tracks with the flashes Portland saw in Las Vegas last month, when Hansen had 12 points, nine rebounds, and four assists against Phoenix. The international production is encouraging, but it does not move him up Portland's depth chart. Donovan Clingan sits atop the center mix, and Robert Williams III re-signed on a three-year deal to remain a key reserve. Hansen averaged only 2.2 points and 1.5 rebounds in 7.0 minutes across 43 games as a rookie, so he stays off fantasy radars unless injuries open a clearer path.

5 hours ago

Karlo Matković • PF • Pelicans

Karlo Matkovic Goes 8-for-8 in Croatia's Rout of Latvia

New Orleans Pelicans forward/center Karlo Matkovic scored 17 points on 8-for-8 shooting in Croatia's 115-80 win over Latvia on Thursday in the FIBA Basketball World Cup 2027 European Qualifiers. The 25-year-old needed just under 17 minutes to finish 7-for-7 inside the arc and 1-for-1 from deep, though he did not record a rebound, steal, or block. Mario Hezonja paced Croatia with 28 points and seven assists. Matkovic averaged 5.7 points, 3.7 rebounds, and 0.9 blocks in 14.7 minutes across 62 games last season while shooting 60.4 percent from the field and 42.2 percent from three. New Orleans picked up his $2.23 million option in June, but the frontcourt remains crowded with Zion Williamson, Yves Missi, and Derik Queen ahead of him for minutes. The efficiency is useful, but Matkovic stays off fantasy radars unless his Pelicans role grows.

5 hours ago

Mario Hezonja • SG • Cavaliers

Mario Hezonja Piles Up 28 Points in Croatia's Qualifier

Cleveland Cavaliers forward Mario Hezonja posted 28 points, three rebounds, and seven assists in Croatia's 115-80 win over Latvia on Thursday in the FIBA Basketball World Cup 2027 European Qualifiers. The 31-year-old finished 8-for-13 from the field, converting all eight of his two-point attempts while missing all five tries from deep, with his other 12 points coming at the free-throw line. Karlo Matkovic added 17 points on 8-for-8 shooting, while Ivica Zubac grabbed eight rebounds. Hezonja is back in the NBA on a one-year, $2.8 million deal that reportedly becomes fully guaranteed if he remains on Cleveland's roster past Nov. 15. Peyton Watson's arrival tightened the wing picture, and Hezonja still has to beat out Jaylon Tyson and Nae'Qwan Tomlin for leftover minutes. He remains off fantasy radars unless camp points to a real rotation role.

5 hours ago

Julian Reese • PF

Nuggets Waive Julian Reese

The Denver Nuggets have waived forward/center Julian Reese from his two-way contract, Spotrac's Keith Smith reports. Reese came to Denver from Washington in the five-team Peyton Watson sign-and-trade with Cleveland, but the Nuggets were not expected to keep him. The 23-year-old showed more than that treatment suggests after signing with Washington in late February, averaging 11.8 points, 10.5 rebounds, 1.8 assists, and 1.4 steals in 30.9 minutes across 13 appearances, including 10 starts. Denver now has KJ Simpson and rookie Bryce Hopkins on two-way deals, leaving one slot open. Reese should draw camp interest once he clears waivers, but he carries no fantasy value until he lands a roster spot with a real path to minutes.

5 hours ago

Cam Whitmore • SF

Cavaliers Waive Cam Whitmore

The Cleveland Cavaliers have waived forward Cam Whitmore, HoopsHype's Michael Scotto reports. Cleveland acquired the 22-year-old from Washington last week as part of the five-team deal that brought in Peyton Watson, but Whitmore never had a clear path to a roster spot. The Cavs were expected to use the stretch provision on his roughly $5.5 million expiring salary, helping preserve space below the first apron before James Harden's new contract becomes official. Whitmore's 2025-26 season with Washington ended after 21 games because of deep vein thrombosis in his right shoulder, and he averaged 9.2 points and 2.8 rebounds in 16.9 minutes. His career marks sit at 10.5 points and 3.3 rebounds in 17.3 minutes over 119 games. He should draw interest once he clears waivers, but his health and next role remain too uncertain for fantasy purposes.

5 hours ago

Buddy Hield • SF • Hawks

Buddy Hield Leads Bahamas Past Uruguay with 28 Points

Atlanta Hawks guard/forward Buddy Hield posted a team-high 28 points, seven rebounds, four assists, and two steals in the Bahamas' 103-94 win over Uruguay on Thursday in the second round of the FIBA Basketball World Cup 2027 Americas Qualifiers. The 33-year-old shot 8-for-16 from the field, 6-for-11 from three, and 6-for-7 at the line in 32 minutes, though he also committed four turnovers. The shooting burst fits Hield's profile, but it does little to change his fantasy outlook in Atlanta. He appeared in only seven regular-season games after February's trade to the Hawks, averaging 5.1 points in 7.3 minutes. With CJ McCollum, Nickeil Alexander-Walker, Luguentz Dort, and Dyson Daniels ahead of him in a crowded perimeter mix, Hield has no clear fantasy path unless injuries or another move opens minutes.

17 hours ago

Yves Missi • C • Pelicans

Yves Missi Posts 24 Points, Four Blocks for Cameroon

New Orleans Pelicans center Yves Missi scored 24 points in Cameroon's 78-62 win over Nigeria on Thursday in the FIBA Basketball World Cup 2027 African Qualifiers. The 22-year-old went 9-for-13 from the field and 6-for-8 at the line while adding nine rebounds, two steals, and four blocks in Rades, Tunisia. That free-throw line is worth noting after Missi shot just 55.9 percent at the stripe last season, which remains the biggest drag on his category profile. His NBA role shrank in 2025-26, when he averaged 5.7 points, 5.8 rebounds, 1.3 assists, and 1.5 blocks in 19.7 minutes across 66 games with 14 starts. Jamahl Mosley now inherits a center mix that includes Derik Queen, Karlo Matkovic, and DeAndre Jordan, so Missi still has work to do. New Orleans reportedly turned away trade interest in him, at least keeping his path tied to the Pelicans' in-house competition.

17 hours ago

Pelle Larsson • SG • Heat

Pelle Larsson Pours in 31 Points as Sweden Topples Finland

Miami Heat guard/forward Pelle Larsson scored a game-high 31 points in Sweden's 86-81 win over Finland on Thursday in FIBA World Cup qualifying. The 25-year-old finished 9-for-17 from the field and 11-for-14 at the line while Sweden held Lauri Markkanen to 11 points on 2-for-13 shooting. Sweden has won four straight, and Larsson is averaging 27.0 points in qualifying. The outburst doesn't shift his fantasy value by itself, but the volume fits what Miami may need. Larsson started 54 of 70 games last season, posting 11.4 points, 3.5 rebounds, and 3.4 assists in 26.4 minutes. With Tyler Herro, Jaime Jaquez Jr., Kel'el Ware, and Kasparas Jakucionis sent to Milwaukee in the Giannis Antetokounmpo trade and Norman Powell gone in free agency, Larsson has a runway to a larger perimeter role behind Antetokounmpo and Bam Adebayo.

17 hours ago

Rui Hachimura • PF • Clippers

Rui Hachimura Powers Japan Past Saudi Arabia with 29 Points

Los Angeles Clippers forward Rui Hachimura scored 29 points on 11-for-14 shooting in Japan's 106-78 win over Saudi Arabia on Thursday in FIBA Basketball World Cup 2027 Asian Qualifying. The 28-year-old added four rebounds, two assists, three steals, and one block in 28 minutes, going 3-for-4 from deep and 4-for-4 at the line without a turnover. It was his first national team appearance since the Paris 2024 Olympics, and the clean shooting was a strong sign before his first Clippers season. Hachimura signed a two-year, $28 million deal with LA in July after averaging 11.5 points and 3.3 rebounds with the Lakers last season. He still has to carve out frontcourt minutes around Derrick Jones Jr. and Brook Lopez, but his shooting gives him a path to a useful role if the Clippers lean into spacing-heavy lineups.

17 hours ago

Dalen Terry • SF • Warriors

Dalen Terry Lands Training Camp Deal with Warriors

Free-agent guard/forward Dalen Terry has agreed to a deal with the Golden State Warriors, HoopsHype's Michael Scotto reports. Luca Evans of the San Francisco Chronicle adds that it is an Exhibit 10 contract, putting Terry in training camp without a guaranteed roster spot. The No. 18 pick in the 2022 NBA Draft was waived by Philadelphia on July 26 and is not eligible for a two-way deal, making Santa Cruz the likeliest fallback if he does not force a roster move. Terry averaged 3.7 points, 1.8 rebounds, and 1.4 assists across 48 games between Chicago and Philadelphia last season while shooting 43.9 percent from the field and 36.4 percent from three. With Golden State's 15-man roster already set after adding Brandon Williams and Georges Niang, Terry is off fantasy radars barring a surprise preseason jump.

17 hours ago

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.

Yesterday

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.

Yesterday

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.

Yesterday

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.

Yesterday

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.

Yesterday

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.

Yesterday

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.

Yesterday

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.

Yesterday

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.

Yesterday

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