NBA News

Ben Simmons • PG • Kings

Ben Simmons Agrees to One-Year Deal with Kings

Free-agent guard/forward Ben Simmons agreed to a one-year, $3.5 million deal with the Sacramento Kings, his agents told ESPN's Shams Charania and Marc J. Spears. The 2018 Rookie of the Year is back after sitting out all of 2025-26 and last played in 2024-25, when he averaged 5.0 points, 4.7 rebounds, 5.6 assists, and 0.7 steals in 22.0 minutes across 51 games with Brooklyn and the Clippers. Sacramento had been looking for veteran ball-handling depth behind rookie Darius Acuff Jr., with general manager Scott Perry attending a Florida workout before the deal came together. Simmons still does not offer shooting, so his fantasy case depends on assists, steals, rebounds, and whether he can hold a real second-unit role. Malik Monk is worth tracking if Simmons cuts into backup playmaking reps.

4 hours ago

Drew Eubanks • C

Drew Eubanks Draws Knicks Interest

Free-agent center Drew Eubanks is on the New York Knicks' radar as they weigh options for a final roster spot, according to Ian Begley of SNY. Eubanks spent last season with Sacramento, averaging 5.2 points, 3.0 rebounds, and 0.6 blocks in 13.1 minutes across 42 games before a torn UCL in his left thumb ended his year in March. Any Knicks deal would likely be non-guaranteed, with Eubanks competing for the third-center job behind Karl-Anthony Towns and Andre Drummond. New York is expected to open with 14 standard contracts due to second-apron concerns, so this would be deep frontcourt insurance rather than a fantasy-relevant move.

5 hours ago

Donte DiVincenzo • SG • Timberwolves

Donte DiVincenzo Remains Around Team During Rehab

Minnesota Timberwolves guard Donte DiVincenzo (Achilles) remains a daily presence around the team as he works through rehab from the injury he suffered in the first round of the playoffs, general manager Matt Lloyd told Darren Wolfson of 5 Eyewitness News. Lloyd declined to give the 29-year-old a return timeline but praised his commitment to rehab and his continued impact inside the locker room. DiVincenzo started all 82 games last season, averaging 12.2 points, 4.1 rebounds, 3.8 assists, and 3.0 threes. He is extension-eligible, but his fantasy case is simpler: managers need a clean return date before treating him as more than a late-season stash.

5 hours ago

LaMelo Ball • PG • Timberwolves

LaMelo Ball Draws Praise From Wolves GM

Minnesota Timberwolves guard LaMelo Ball has spent much of the summer around his new team, general manager Matt Lloyd told Darren Wolfson of 5 Eyewitness News. Lloyd said Minnesota did extensive background work before acquiring the former Rookie of the Year from Charlotte and called him "a hard worker" and "an incredibly focused worker." Ball averaged 20.1 points, 4.8 rebounds, 7.1 assists, and 3.8 threes across 72 games last season, his healthiest campaign in years. With Julius Randle and Naz Reid gone, Ball should have a major creation role next to Anthony Edwards. The availability risk remains, but the usage, assists, and three-point volume point to strong fantasy value.

5 hours ago

Cody Williams • SF • Timberwolves

Cody Williams Gets Fresh Start with Timberwolves

Minnesota Timberwolves guard/forward Cody Williams drew praise from general manager Matt Lloyd after arriving from Utah in last weekend's trade. Lloyd told Darren Wolfson of 5 Eyewitness News that Williams' late-season growth helped drive Minnesota's interest, adding, "There was a reason he was the 10th pick in the draft." The 21-year-old averaged 12.2 points, 3.8 rebounds, and 3.5 assists over his final 30 games last season, though his season-long 21.4 percent shooting from three remains the swing concern. Minnesota wants to evaluate him as a versatile wing defender in camp, though Jonathan Kuminga, Jaden McDaniels, and Terrence Shannon Jr. leave Williams fighting for reserve minutes rather than a fantasy-ready role.

5 hours ago

Kyle Mangas • SG

Hornets Waive Kyle Mangas

The Charlotte Hornets waived guard Kyle Mangas on Thursday, one day after signing him, and replaced him with Jarkel Joiner on an Exhibit 10 contract. Rod Boone of The Charlotte Observer reported the corresponding move, which continues Charlotte's back-end roster churn ahead of training camp. Mangas is the third player the Hornets have rotated through that open offseason spot this week, following Josiah Allick and Trey Townsend. Greensboro acquired Mangas' returning rights in August, so the likely path is a Swarm stint tied to an Exhibit 10 bonus if he stays long enough. The 27-year-old averaged 16.7 points, 4.2 rebounds, and 2.2 assists in 35 G League games for Austin last season, but this move has no fantasy impact.

16 hours ago

Malaki Branham • SG • Magic

Malaki Branham Officially Signs Exhibit 10 Deal with Magic

The Orlando Magic officially signed guard/forward Malaki Branham to an Exhibit 10 contract, one of two camp deals completed alongside JD Davison. Branham, a former Ohio State guard, finished last season with the G-League's Cleveland Charge after Charlotte waived him in February. Orlando has 13 guaranteed contracts plus Jamal Cain's non-guaranteed deal, leaving Branham and Davison to compete for a possible final standard roster spot under new head coach Sean Sweeney. The two-way path is already closed, with Izaiyah Nelson, Alex Morales, and Colin Castleton occupying those slots. Branham has a scoring pedigree, but Orlando's guard depth leaves him buried unless the roster picture changes.

17 hours ago

JD Davison • PG • Magic

JD Davison Signs Exhibit 10 Deal with Magic

The Orlando Magic signed guard JD Davison to an Exhibit 10 contract, one of two camp deals the team completed alongside Malaki Branham, according to Jason Beede of the Orlando Sentinel. Davison, the 2024-25 G-League MVP, was waived by Houston in August after the Rockets had converted him to a standard contract in April. His path into Sean Sweeney's rotation is close to blocked. Orlando has all three two-way spots filled by Izaiyah Nelson, Alex Morales, and Colin Castleton, while Jalen Suggs, Desmond Bane, Anthony Black, Jevon Carter, and Jase Richardson crowd the guard rotation. Davison is likely competing for an Osceola role, not fantasy relevance.

17 hours ago

Amen Thompson • SG • Rockets

Amen Thompson Agrees to Five-Year Extension with Houston

Houston Rockets guard/forward Amen Thompson agreed to a five-year, $208 million rookie-scale extension with the franchise, according to ESPN's Shams Charania. The deal includes a 10 percent trade kicker and locks in one of Houston's core pieces after Thompson led the NBA in minutes last season. The 23-year-old logged 37.4 minutes per game across 79 starts while averaging career highs of 18.3 points, 7.8 rebounds, 5.3 assists, and 1.5 steals. That workload remains the fantasy hook. Kevin Durant and Alperen Sengun will command touches, but Thompson's rebounding, defensive production, and ball-handling role keep him firmly valuable. The jumper is still the swing skill, so his ceiling rises only if the shooting catches up.

17 hours ago

Dean Wade • PF • 76ers

Dean Wade Embraces Defensive Role with 76ers

Philadelphia 76ers forward/center Dean Wade said his focus this season will be on playing hard, bringing energy, and making a difference defensively, according to Brett Siegel of ClutchPoints. Wade joined Philadelphia on a four-year, $39 million deal after spending his first seven NBA seasons in Cleveland, where he averaged 5.8 points, 4.2 rebounds, and 1.5 assists in 22.3 minutes across 59 games last season. With LeBron James, Jaylen Brown, and Joel Embiid ahead of him in the frontcourt pecking order, Wade is ticketed for a low-usage connector role. His fantasy appeal is limited to threes, rebounds, and defensive production unless injuries open extra minutes.

Yesterday

Domantas Sabonis • C • Kings

Domantas Sabonis Emerges as Prime Trade Candidate in Sacramento

ESPN's Brian Windhorst and Anthony Slater report that the Sacramento Kings are not interested in extending forward/center Domantas Sabonis, leaving him positioned as a prime trade candidate. Sabonis has two fully guaranteed years and $94 million left on his deal, including $45.4 million this season and $48.6 million next season, which makes finding a trade partner the hard part. The three-time All-Star played only 19 games last season before left meniscus surgery, averaging 15.8 points, 11.4 rebounds, and 4.1 assists. Drafting Domantas Sabonis means buying elite rebounding with health and trade noise attached. Maxime Raynaud would be the main fantasy name to watch if Sacramento moves him, though Dylan Cardwell also remains in the backup-center mix.

Yesterday

Jalen Duren • C • Pistons

Kings Eyeing Jalen Duren in 2027 Free Agency

ESPN's Anthony Slater reports that Sacramento Kings general manager Scott Perry met with Detroit Pistons center Jalen Duren in early July and explored a sign-and-trade concept involving Domantas Sabonis. Detroit balked at losing Duren for Sabonis, leaving the Kings with no clean path unless Duren accepts his $9.6 million qualifying offer and reaches unrestricted free agency in 2027. The 22-year-old is coming off an All-Star, Third-Team All-NBA season, averaging 19.5 points, 10.5 rebounds, and 2.0 assists on 65.0 percent shooting across 70 starts. His 2026-27 fantasy outlook stays tied to Detroit for now, where he projects as the starting center if he re-signs or plays on the qualifying offer. Sacramento's interest says more about Domantas Sabonis' uncertain future than Duren's immediate fantasy outlook.

Yesterday

Gradey Dick • SG • Clippers

Gradey Dick Set to Join Clippers Soon

According to ESPN's Shams Charania, the trade sending guard/forward Gradey Dick to the Los Angeles Clippers is expected to be finalized in the coming days after the NBA concluded its salary-cap circumvention investigation involving Kawhi Leonard. Dick is coming off a rough third season, averaging 6.0 points and 1.9 rebounds in 14.0 minutes across 76 games with Toronto. Los Angeles is not an obvious fantasy fix, with Bradley Beal, Max Strus, Kris Dunn, and lottery pick Keaton Wagler all part of a crowded guard-wing group. Dick can shoot his way into a role, but he is only a watch-list name until the depth chart settles.

Yesterday

Brandon Ingram • SF • Clippers

Brandon Ingram Expected to Join Clippers Soon

According to ESPN's Shams Charania, the NBA has concluded its salary-cap circumvention investigation involving Kawhi Leonard and the Los Angeles Clippers, clearing the way for the trade sending forward Brandon Ingram to Los Angeles to be finalized in the coming days. Ingram had heel spur surgery in early May and was projected to be ready for training camp, so his health remains the only short-term box to check. The two-time All-Star led Toronto with 21.5 points, 5.6 rebounds, and 3.7 assists in 33.8 minutes across 77 starts last season. In Los Angeles, he should step into heavy scoring usage next to Darius Garland, with Rui Hachimura and Derrick Jones Jr. also in the forward mix. If the deal is finalized, Ingram's shot volume should remain strong.

Yesterday

Paul Reed • PF • Pistons

Pistons Guarantee Paul Reed's Salary for 2026-27

The Detroit Pistons fully guaranteed center Paul Reed's $5.6 million salary for the 2026-27 season, according to Jake Fischer of The Stein Line. Reed's backup-center path looks cleaner after Detroit traded Isaiah Stewart to Memphis, and Jalen Duren remains unsigned as a restricted free agent. Reed averaged 7.8 points and 4.5 rebounds in 13.9 minutes across 65 games last season, but his per-minute production popped when Detroit needed more. He averaged 11.4 points and 5.0 rebounds in 13.0 minutes over five second-round games against Cleveland, shooting 24-for-34 from the field, and the Pistons went 8-3 in his 11 starts. If Duren signs, Reed is a useful reserve. If Duren's talks drag, Reed could open camp with a real minutes bump.

Yesterday

Kyle Mangas • SG

Kyle Mangas Signs Exhibit 10 Deal with Hornets

The Charlotte Hornets signed guard Kyle Mangas and waived Trey Townsend, according to the team. Rod Boone of The Charlotte Observer reported that Mangas received an Exhibit 10 contract, making this the second back-end roster swap for Charlotte in three days. The 27-year-old has never appeared in an NBA game, though he had a brief two-way stint with San Antonio last season. Mangas played 35 G-League games for the Austin Spurs, averaging 16.7 points, 4.2 rebounds, and 2.2 assists in 31.3 minutes. Greensboro acquired his returning rights in August, so the likely path is a Swarm stint tied to an Exhibit 10 bonus. This is roster paperwork, not a move with fantasy impact.

Yesterday

Kawhi Leonard • SF • Raptors

Kawhi Leonard to Pay $700,000, Avoids Suspension

The Los Angeles Clippers were stripped of five first-round picks, fined $30 million, and had owner Steve Ballmer suspended for one year on Wednesday after the NBA completed its salary-cap circumvention probe tied to forward Kawhi Leonard. ESPN's Shams Charania reported that Leonard must pay $700,000 but will not be suspended and will not have his contract voided. That is the key fantasy takeaway, since it could clear the way for his paused trade to Toronto. Leonard averaged a career-high 27.9 points, 6.4 rebounds, and 3.6 assists in 65 games last season. If the deal is finalized, Brandon Ingram and Gradey Dick would head to Los Angeles, while Scottie Barnes, RJ Barrett, and Immanuel Quickley would have to share touches with Leonard in Toronto.

Yesterday

Stephen Curry • PG • Warriors

Stephen Curry Not Rushing Extension with Warriors

Golden State Warriors guard Stephen Curry became eligible for a two-year, $136.7 million maximum extension on Saturday, but he told NBC Sports Bay Area's Dalton Johnson that he is not rushing the process. "There's no question I want to be here the rest of my career," Curry said. The contract is not the fantasy concern; his health is. Curry played 43 games last season while dealing with a knee issue but still averaged 26.6 points, 4.7 assists, 3.6 rebounds, and 4.4 threes in 30.9 minutes. With Jimmy Butler III (knee) still without a firm return date, Curry and Brandin Podziemski should carry more early creation responsibility. Curry remains elite when active, but availability is the risk.

2 days ago

Luguentz Dort • SF • Hawks

Luguentz Dort Says Hawks Transition Has Been Smooth

Atlanta Hawks guard/forward Luguentz Dort said he called Nickeil Alexander-Walker right away after learning of his July trade from Oklahoma City, according to Thunder Wire's Clemente Almanza. The two were high school teammates and longtime competitors, and Dort said Alexander-Walker has helped him adjust to Atlanta's style of play. Dort backed that chemistry Monday with 25 points on 8-for-13 shooting in Canada's 97-92 qualifying win over Argentina, while Alexander-Walker added 26. Still, Dort is coming off a quiet NBA season, averaging 8.3 points on a career-low 38.5 percent shooting. With Alexander-Walker and Dyson Daniels also in Atlanta's perimeter mix, Dort's fantasy value remains tied mostly to steals, threes, and defensive minutes.

2 days ago

Nikola Jokić • C • Nuggets

Nikola Jokic Plays Through Illness for Serbia

Denver Nuggets center Nikola Jokic played through three days of sickness and multiple IV treatments in Serbia's 76-64 win over Italy in FIBA World Cup qualifying on Monday. Serbian head coach Dusan Alimpijevic said Jokic "rejected giving up and leaving his team alone," which helps explain the three-time MVP's quiet line of eight points, eight rebounds, and one assist. There is no immediate fantasy fallout with Serbia's next qualifying window set for late November, but managers will want this cleared up before training camp. Jokic averaged 27.7 points, 12.9 rebounds, and 10.7 assists last season and remains the safest fantasy anchor when healthy.

2 days ago

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