NBA News

Payton Pritchard • PG • Celtics

Payton Pritchard Viewed as a $22 Million Extension Candidate

Boston Celtics guard Payton Pritchard should be worth about $22 million per year on his next contract, Gary Washburn of The Boston Globe said on the Big 3 NBA podcast. Washburn called Pritchard one of the league's biggest bargains, and the 2024-25 Sixth Man of the Year has a three-year extension window worth roughly $67 million opening in October. Pritchard is making $7.8 million this season and $8.3 million in 2027-28, so a raise is coming if Boston wants to lock him in early. He earned it with career highs of 17.0 points, 5.2 assists, 3.9 rebounds, and 32.4 minutes last season. The fantasy concern is usage. Jayson Tatum is back, and Paul George arrived in the Jaylen Brown trade, so Pritchard may not match last year's scoring volume. The threes and assists should still travel, but 17.0 points reads more like a ceiling than a baseline.

4 hours ago

Ziaire Williams • SF • Lakers

Ziaire Williams Eyes Starting Role with Lakers

Los Angeles Lakers guard/forward Ziaire Williams believes he has a real chance to win the team's open starting spot, according to Ron Gutterman of LakersNation.com, who cited Williams' comments to Ryan Ward of Lakers On SI. Asked whether Jonathan Kuminga's move to Minnesota created a real opportunity in Los Angeles, Williams said, "Yeah, I do," though he added that the failed pursuit of Kuminga did not change his mindset. Luka Doncic, Austin Reaves, and Walker Kessler are expected to start when healthy, while Quentin Grimes appears likely to claim another spot, leaving Williams in a battle with Jake LaRavia, Jarred Vanderbilt, Matisse Thybulle, and Sandro Mamukelashvili. Williams averaged 10.2 points, 2.4 rebounds, and 1.4 steals in 22.9 minutes with Brooklyn last season, so the defensive role and steals upside are the clear fantasy hooks. He still needs JJ Redick to choose him before the watch-list case turns into draft-day value.

4 hours ago

Joel Embiid • C • 76ers

Joel Embiid's Usage Could Slip Below a Career Low in 2026-27

Philadelphia 76ers center Joel Embiid (knee) could see his offensive role shrink in 2026-27, according to PhillyVoice's Adam Aaronson. Embiid's usage rate has dropped from 39.6 percent in 2023-24 to 34.2 percent and 33.5 percent over the last two seasons, and Aaronson sees a real chance it falls below his career-low 32.9 percent with LeBron James, Jaylen Brown, Tyrese Maxey, and VJ Edgecombe alongside him. The former MVP may spend more possessions as a facilitator, decoy, or occasional spot-up option, and the shooting is worth watching after he hit 32.2 percent from deep over the last two seasons. Embiid still averaged 26.9 points in 38 games last season, but that number is harder to bank on in this lineup. A slimmer offseason frame could help his mobility, though availability remains the bigger fantasy concern than usage.

5 hours ago

Labaron Philon Jr. • PG • 76ers

Labaron Philon Jr. Blocked by Sixers' Backcourt Depth

Philadelphia 76ers guard Labaron Philon Jr. has a tougher path to rookie-year minutes than he appeared to have on draft night, according to PhillyVoice's Adam Aaronson. The No. 22 overall pick's best current NBA skill is creating with the ball, but Tyrese Maxey, LeBron James, Jaylen Brown, VJ Edgecombe, and Joel Embiid (knee) all sit ahead of him in the touch hierarchy, while Anfernee Simons and Kentavious Caldwell-Pope give Nick Nurse veteran backcourt options. Philon's quickest route to the floor may be catch-and-shoot threes, movement shooting, and attacking closeouts. Strength is another hurdle, as the 20-year-old is listed at 177 pounds and still needs to add weight. He averaged 22.0 points and 5.0 assists at Alabama, then scored 24 points in a Summer League overtime win over Indiana, so the scoring feel is real. He is a player to monitor, not draft, unless injuries open guard minutes.

5 hours ago

Julius Randle • PF • Nets

Julius Randle Confident Nets Can Exceed Low Expectations

Brooklyn Nets forward Julius Randle is not treating his first season in Brooklyn like another rebuilding year, according to Andrew Crane of the New York Post. Speaking Saturday at the Brooklyn Basketball Training Center, Randle leaned into the team's "shock the world" framing and said, "Whatever your expectations are, whatever expectations that are put upon us, we're gonna exceed them." The three-time All-Star averaged 21.1 points, 6.7 rebounds, and 5.0 assists for Minnesota last season before being traded to a Nets team that went 20-62. Brooklyn still has Michael Porter Jr., Egor Demin, and Mikel Brown Jr. in the offensive mix, but Randle should have a larger creation role than he did with the Timberwolves. With Nicolas Claxton now in Chicago, Randle also has a path to frontcourt minutes, giving him a strong counting-stat base if Brooklyn stays competitive.

5 hours ago

Josh Hart • SF • Knicks

Josh Hart Says Knicks Are Not Satisfied with One Title

New York Knicks guard/forward Josh Hart said the defending champions still view themselves as the hunters entering 2026-27, according to Adam Zagoria of NJ.com. "I don't think we have a big target because I don't think anyone's picking us to win again," Hart said. "We're using it as fuel; we're still the hunters. We're not satisfied with one." The 31-year-old averaged 12.0 points, 7.4 rebounds, and 4.8 assists in 66 regular-season games, then remained a key connector during New York's title run. The Knicks brought back most of their core under Mike Brown, so Hart's role should stay built around rebounding, passing, defense, and low-usage offense. Mitchell Robinson's move to Boston leaves Andre Drummond as the main backup behind Karl-Anthony Towns, but Hart's fantasy value still comes from boards and across-the-board production rather than scoring volume.

17 hours ago

Nick Smith Jr. • PG

Nick Smith Jr. Agrees to One-Year Deal with Real Madrid

Free-agent guard Nick Smith Jr. has agreed to a one-year deal with Real Madrid, according to HoopsHype's Michael Scotto. The 22-year-old reached the open market in late June when the Lakers declined their team option, and Scotto reports that he will serve as Real Madrid's lead guard. Smith averaged 7.6 points in 17.5 minutes across three NBA seasons with Charlotte and Los Angeles, with his best stretch coming in 2024-25, when he posted 9.9 points, 2.1 rebounds, and 2.4 assists for the Hornets. His Lakers stint never gained much traction, though he still averaged 6.2 points in 12.5 minutes across 30 games while shooting 39.5 percent from three. A move to Spain takes him off fantasy boards for 2026-27, and Los Angeles already has Jaden Hardy and Bronny James buried behind Luka Doncic, Austin Reaves, Quentin Grimes, and Collin Sexton.

17 hours ago

Stephen Curry • PG • Warriors

Warriors Give Stephen Curry His Pick on Extension Terms

Golden State Warriors guard Stephen Curry can choose his own extension path, with Spotrac's Keith Smith outlining a one-year max, a two-year max worth roughly $136.7 million, or a wait until 2027 free agency, when a three-year deal could become possible. Curry has already said there is "no question" he wants to finish his career with Golden State, so this update is more about timeline than destination. The fantasy read is workload. If 2026-27 is not setting up as a farewell season, the Warriors have reason to manage the 38-year-old after knee trouble limited him to 43 games last season. Curry still averaged 26.6 points, 4.7 assists, and 4.4 threes, but rest nights could push more possessions toward Brandin Podziemski, Gui Santos, and Yaxel Lendeborg while Jimmy Butler III (knee) and Moses Moody (knee) continue rehabbing.

17 hours ago

Jalen Duren • C • Pistons

Jalen Duren Weighs $9.6 Million Qualifying Offer

Restricted free-agent center Jalen Duren has turned down a five-year offer in the $190 million range from the Detroit Pistons and is seriously considering his $9.6 million qualifying offer, according to The Athletic's Sam Amick and Hunter Patterson. Taking that route would put the 22-year-old on track for unrestricted free agency in 2027, with Sacramento reportedly among three serious suitors. Duren is still expected to open as Detroit's starting center if he returns, and the fantasy case remains strong after he averaged 19.5 points, 10.5 rebounds, 2.0 assists, 0.8 steals, and 0.8 blocks on 65.0 percent shooting in 28.2 minutes last season. He earned All-Star and All-NBA Third Team honors, and Isaiah Stewart's move to Memphis leaves Paul Reed as the main backup center. A qualifying-offer season would add trade-deadline risk, but Duren's boards, efficiency, and expanded-minute upside remain strong.

17 hours ago

Zach Edey • C • Grizzlies

Zach Edey Eyeing Full Health for Opening Night

Memphis Grizzlies center Zach Edey (ankle) appears on track for the start of the season after undergoing left ankle surgery in March, ESPN's Michael Wright reports. It was the second procedure on that ankle in nine months, and the recovery limited the 7-foot-3 big man to 11 games in 2025-26. The production was there when he was upright, as Edey averaged 13.6 points, 11.1 rebounds, and 1.9 blocks while improving steadily down the stretch. With Memphis fully into a rebuild, his role is expected to grow alongside third overall pick Cameron Boozer, giving the Grizzlies one of the more physical frontcourts in the league. The offseason addition of Isaiah Stewart is worth monitoring as insurance, but if the ankle holds, Edey has a real path into the Most Improved Player conversation.

Yesterday

Tony Bradley • C

Knicks Show Interest in Tony Bradley

Free-agent center Tony Bradley is on the New York Knicks' radar ahead of training camp, according to SNY's Ian Begley. The 28-year-old split last season between Indiana and Atlanta, averaging 4.0 points, 2.8 rebounds, and 0.5 assists in 11.0 minutes across 41 games. New York has been without a traditional third center since Mitchell Robinson left for Boston and Ariel Hukporti signed with Philadelphia, leaving Karl-Anthony Towns and Andre Drummond as the main bigs on the depth chart. Bradley would not be a fantasy factor if signed, but he would give Mike Brown another body for camp and foul-trouble insurance behind Towns. The only fantasy ripple would be a slight hit to Drummond's spot-start appeal if New York adds another veteran center.

Yesterday

Lamont Butler • PG

Hawks Waive Lamont Butler

The Atlanta Hawks waived guard Lamont Butler (knee) on Friday, one day after signing him, and on the same day they cut Devin Carter, Hawks reporter Brad Rowland reports. Butler's brief return always looked procedural, with the likely goal of keeping him in the organization's G-League pipeline. His first pro season never got moving after he tore the ACL and meniscus in his left knee during the College Park Skyhawks' preseason process, costing him all of 2025-26. The former San Diego State and Kentucky guard flashed in his lone preseason outing last October, posting 18 points, six rebounds, five assists, and three steals in 37 minutes. Atlanta still has a standard-roster crunch to solve, but Butler was not a realistic threat for NBA minutes behind CJ McCollum, Dyson Daniels, Kingston Flemings, and Ryan Nembhard. There is no fantasy impact here.

Yesterday

Sergio de Larrea • SF • Mavericks

Sergio De Larrea Pushes for Backup Role

Dallas Mavericks guard Sergio de Larrea has a real path to backup point guard minutes entering camp, though nothing has been declared. The Smoking Cuban's Noah Weber reads Dallas' lack of an established veteran point guard addition as a sign of confidence in the rookie. The 20-year-old, taken No. 25 overall in June, sits behind Kyrie Irving (knee) alongside Marcus Sasser as one of the team's main traditional lead-guard options, while Cooper Flagg is also expected to handle creation. De Larrea's Summer League line showed the split: 8.0 points on poor shooting, but 8.8 assists per game, including a 14-assist night against Oklahoma City. Dusty May could still lean on Sasser, so De Larrea is more camp watch than draft target, but the passing gives him a path if Irving misses time.

Yesterday

Devin Carter • PG

Devin Carter Floated as Knicks' Guard Insurance

Guard Devin Carter could make sense as backcourt insurance for the New York Knicks once he clears waivers, Kris Pursiainen of Knicks Film School suggested. This comes after Jake Fischer of The Stein Line reported that Boston has shown interest in Carter following his release from Atlanta, so New York should be treated as a logical fit rather than a reported suitor. Carter has a tie to head coach Mike Brown, who coached the Sacramento team that drafted him No. 13 overall in 2024. The 24-year-old averaged 8.9 points, 3.3 rebounds, 2.7 assists, and 0.9 steals in 18.4 minutes across 38 games last season. New York already has Jalen Brunson, Jordan Clarkson, Jose Alvarado, Landry Shamet, and Tyler Kolek in the guard mix, but Miles McBride missed 28 games after sports hernia surgery. Carter would still need the right landing spot to become more than a watch-list name.

Yesterday

Devin Carter • PG

Devin Carter Could Land in Boston

The Boston Celtics have shown interest in signing guard Devin Carter once he clears waivers, according to The Stein Line's Jake Fischer. Atlanta waived the 24-year-old guard on Friday, a little over two months after acquiring him and a 2033 second-round pick from Sacramento. The former No. 13 pick never found steady footing with the Kings, averaging 8.9 points, 3.3 rebounds, 2.7 assists, 0.9 steals, and 0.8 three-pointers in 18.4 minutes across 38 games last season. His delayed rookie debut after left shoulder surgery did not help, and left ankle and right calf issues cost him more time in 2025-26. Boston has Derrick White, Payton Pritchard, and Mike Conley ahead of him, with one two-way slot open, so Carter's path would likely be developmental. His 29-point career night in April showed some scoring pop, but there is no immediate fantasy case here.

Yesterday

Walker Kessler • C • Lakers

Walker Kessler Pegged as Worth the Lakers' Price

Los Angeles Lakers center Walker Kessler (shoulder) cost a steep price, but Yahoo Sports senior NBA analyst Kevin O'Connor said his fit in Los Angeles could make the move worth it. The Lakers sent Utah two unprotected first-round picks and two first-round swaps before signing Kessler to a four-year, $130 million deal. The 7-foot-2 big man is fully cleared after left shoulder surgery limited him to five games in 2025-26, and that short sample drives the fantasy case: 14.4 points, 10.8 rebounds, 3.0 assists, and 1.8 blocks on 70.3 percent shooting. Playing as Luka Doncic's primary rim-runner should keep the field-goal percentage elite and give Kessler a path to career-best scoring volume. The Lakers have Kevon Looney and other frontcourt depth behind him, but Kessler is the clear starter if the shoulder holds up.

Yesterday

Devin Carter • PG

Hawks Waive Devin Carter

The Atlanta Hawks have waived guard Devin Carter, HoopsHype's Michael Scotto reports. Atlanta acquired the 13th overall pick of the 2024 draft from Sacramento at the end of June along with a 2033 second-round pick and declined his fourth-year option, valued at $7,370,897 for 2027-28, as part of the transaction. The move was roster math more than evaluation. The Hawks carried 16 guaranteed contracts into Friday and had to reach the 15-man regular-season limit, and cutting Carter got them there without touching the rotation Quin Snyder plans to use. Ryan Nembhard's arrival in the Luguentz Dort deal had already pushed Carter behind CJ McCollum and rookie Kingston Flemings in the guard room. Carter averaged 8.9 points, 3.3 rebounds, and 2.7 assists in 18.4 minutes over 38 games last season, never enough volume to matter in standard leagues. He isn't eligible to re-sign with the Kings, and with two teams having moved on inside a year, his next deal likely comes with G-League time attached.

Yesterday

Khaman Maluach • C • Suns

Khaman Maluach in Line for Bigger Role

Phoenix Suns center Khaman Maluach should see his role expand with Mark Williams (shoulder) sidelined, according to ESPN's Bobby Marks. Williams underwent surgery to repair a torn labrum in his left shoulder and is expected to miss at least five months, leaving Maluach and Oso Ighodaro as the main internal center options. The 2025 lottery pick barely cracked the rotation as a rookie, averaging 3.0 points and 2.9 rebounds across 46 games, but he raised his profile in Las Vegas by averaging 19.5 points, 12.8 rebounds, and 2.0 blocks over four Summer League games while shooting 53.2 percent. Ighodaro is the steadier connector and Marks noted Phoenix was plus-5.1 points per 100 possessions with him at center last season, so Maluach will not be handed the job outright. Still, the size, blocks, and rebounding upside make him a clear camp riser.

Yesterday

Mark Williams • C • Suns

Mark Williams Undergoes Shoulder Surgery, Out Several Months

Phoenix Suns center Mark Williams (shoulder) underwent surgery Thursday to repair a torn labrum and will miss an extended period, according to ESPN's Shams Charania. John Gambadoro of Arizona Sports 98.7 reported that Williams is expected to miss at least five months, putting an All-Star-break return near the front end of the timeline. The 24-year-old had just re-signed on a three-year, $38 million deal after the healthiest season of his career, averaging 11.7 points, 8.0 rebounds, and 0.9 blocks in 23.6 minutes across 60 games. Phoenix will now have to lean harder on Khaman Maluach and Oso Ighodaro. Maluach has the size and upside to push for the starting job, while Ighodaro played all 82 games last season and offers the safer minutes floor. Both get a clear fantasy bump, though Maluach carries the higher blocks-and-boards ceiling.

Yesterday

Jalen Williams • SF • Thunder

Jalen Williams Tries to Reclaim All-NBA Form

Oklahoma City Thunder forward Jalen Williams (hamstring, wrist) spent the summer working on his body and searching for answers after recurring hamstring issues derailed his 2025-26 season, according to ESPN's Tim MacMahon. The 25-year-old missed the first 19 games after surgery on his shooting wrist, then strains to both hamstrings cost him extended time. Williams played only 33 regular-season games and five of Oklahoma City's 15 playoff contests, averaging 17.1 points, 4.6 rebounds, 5.5 assists, and 1.2 steals. His max rookie extension kicks in this season, and the Thunder have less proven depth after moving Luguentz Dort, Aaron Wiggins, and Isaiah Joe in offseason trades. The upside is obvious: Williams was third-team All-NBA and second-team All-Defense in 2024-25 while averaging 21.6 points, 5.3 rebounds, and 5.1 assists. The injury discount is real, but so is the bounce-back ceiling if his hamstrings hold up.

2 days ago

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