NBA News

Christoph Tilly • C • Thunder

Thunder Sign Christoph Tilly to an Exhibit 10 Deal

The Oklahoma City Thunder have signed center Christoph Tilly to an Exhibit 10 contract, according to Andrew Schlecht. The 7-foot German went undrafted out of Ohio State after a 118-game college career between Santa Clara and the Buckeyes, averaging 9.7 points, 4.3 rebounds, and 1.7 assists in 20.6 minutes. Tilly also played six Summer League games for Oklahoma City, posting 6.0 points and 2.8 rebounds while shooting 53.1 percent from the field. Exhibit 10 deals are usually about camp depth and G-League positioning, and there is no clear NBA runway here with Chet Holmgren, Isaiah Hartenstein, Jaylin Williams, Aday Mara, and Thomas Sorber already in the frontcourt mix. With Oklahoma City's two-way spots already full, Tilly looks more likely to land with the OKC Blue than on fantasy rosters.

4 hours ago

Kawhi Leonard • SF • Raptors

Kawhi Leonard Returns to Toronto as Trade Becomes Official

The Los Angeles Clippers and Toronto Raptors have completed the trade, sending forward Kawhi Leonard back to Toronto, according to ESPN's Shams Charania. Leonard waived his $7.45 million trade kicker to help push the deal through after the NBA's cap-circumvention investigation delayed the June 30 agreement. The seven-time All-Star returns to Toronto after averaging a career-high 27.9 points, 6.4 rebounds, 3.6 assists, and 1.9 steals across 65 games last season, immediately slotting into a starting group with Scottie Barnes, RJ Barrett, Immanuel Quickley, and Jakob Poeltl. Leonard's arrival tightens the shot-creation ceiling for Barnes, Barrett, and Quickley, though Poeltl's center role should be less affected. Brandon Ingram (heel) heads to the Clippers with Gradey Dick and a pick package, giving Ingram a clearer scoring runway next to Darius Garland if his heel is right by camp.

4 hours ago

Taj Gibson • PF

Taj Gibson Retires and Joins the Bulls as an Assistant Coach

Former forward/center Taj Gibson is retiring after 17 NBA seasons and returning to the Chicago Bulls as an assistant coach under Tiago Splitter, according to ESPN's Shams Charania. The 41-year-old was the 26th overall pick in 2009 and spent his first eight seasons in Chicago, where he ranks fifth in franchise history with 695 blocks. Gibson averaged 8.3 points, 5.7 rebounds, and 1.0 blocks across 1,012 career games, with his best scoring season coming at 13.0 points per game in 2013-14. Gibson's fantasy impact is more about player development than immediate rotation changes. Chicago has a young frontcourt with Nicolas Claxton, No. 4 pick Caleb Wilson, and Matas Buzelis, giving Gibson a hands-on group to work with as he moves into coaching. Wilson is still the name to watch after earning 2026 NBA All-Summer League First Team honors, but Gibson's arrival on the bench does not change the fantasy outlook on its own.

5 hours ago

Devin Carter • PG • Celtics

Devin Carter Signs Exhibit 10 Deal with Celtics

The Boston Celtics have signed guard Devin Carter to an Exhibit 10 contract, according to the Boston Globe. HoopsHype's Michael Scotto reported that Carter will compete for an NBA roster spot or a two-way opening in camp, while Spotrac's Keith Smith noted the deal can become a standard non-guaranteed contract, convert to a two-way, or send him toward a bonus with Maine. The 24-year-old was waived by Atlanta on Friday after arriving from Sacramento in a June salary-dump trade, leaving the Hawks on the hook for his $5.16 million salary. Carter averaged 8.9 points, 3.3 rebounds, and 2.7 assists in 18.4 minutes across 38 games last season. Boston has 14 standard contracts and two two-ways filled, so Carter is battling camp guards and wings such as Milos Uzan and Tucker DeVries. Even if he sticks, Derrick White, Payton Pritchard, and Mike Conley leave him with no clear fantasy path.

5 hours ago

Haywood Highsmith • SF • Suns

Haywood Highsmith Faces Roster Battle in Phoenix

Phoenix Suns forward Haywood Highsmith (knee) enters training camp without a guaranteed roster spot after the team waived and re-signed him in August, according to Holden Sherman of Bright Side of the Sun. Highsmith is on a one-year, $3 million deal that does not become fully guaranteed until Jan. 10, 2027, and he cannot be traded until Dec. 15. The 29-year-old currently projects behind Miles Bridges and Rasheer Fleming, leaving him closer to blowout or injury-dependent minutes than a steady rotation role. Highsmith averaged 5.4 points and 1.9 rebounds in 13.0 minutes across seven games last season, so even Jordan Ott's three-point-heavy offense is unlikely to make him fantasy-relevant unless Phoenix's forward depth thins out.

16 hours ago

Fred VanVleet • PG • Rockets

Fred VanVleet Ramps Up Contact Work

Houston Rockets guard Fred VanVleet (knee) has taken another step in his ramp-up before training camp, according to Brian Barefield of Big Sarge Media. Head coach Ime Udoka said VanVleet has "really ramped it up" while rehabbing in San Diego and has progressed to back-to-back work and contact activity. That builds on VanVleet's earlier expectation that he would be ready for the preseason opener, but Houston still has camp and exhibition games to gauge his workload. If he avoids a setback, VanVleet's return would tighten Reed Sheppard's path to usage after the young guard averaged 13.5 points on 43.0 percent shooting across 82 games last season.

17 hours ago

Aaron Gordon • PF • Nuggets

Aaron Gordon Feels Ready for Camp

Denver Nuggets forward/center Aaron Gordon (hamstring, calf) told Harrison Wind of DNVR Sports that his offseason helped reset him physically and mentally. Speaking at his youth camp, Gordon said he did a lot of "soul-searching" and training before adding, "I'm ready to go." The 30-year-old was limited to 36 regular-season games by hamstring issues, then played only three games in Denver's first-round loss to Minnesota while dealing with left calf tightness. He still produced when available, averaging 16.2 points, 5.8 rebounds, 2.7 assists, and 1.7 threes in 27.9 minutes while opening the season with a 50-point night. Peyton Watson's move to Cleveland helps secure Gordon's frontcourt role next to Nikola Jokic, though DeMar DeRozan's arrival adds another scorer to the mix. The injury discount is the appeal, but another missed stretch would quickly cap the upside.

17 hours ago

Giannis Antetokounmpo • PF • Heat

Giannis Antetokounmpo Enters Miami with Huge Expectations

Miami Heat forward/center Giannis Antetokounmpo (calf, knee) enters his first season in Miami with immediate pressure, as Ira Winderman of the South Florida Sun Sentinel used Sunday's Ask Ira column to weigh whether his Heat debut can top Shaquille O'Neal's 2004-05 arrival. The framing says plenty about Miami's expectations. Antetokounmpo should operate as the offensive hub next to Bam Adebayo, with Erik Spoelstra able to build inside-out looks around that frontcourt while Klay Thompson, Tim Hardaway Jr., and Davion Mitchell help the spacing. The fantasy ceiling remains elite if the usage stays near career levels, but availability is the swing point after he averaged 27.6 points, 9.8 rebounds, and 5.4 assists across a career-low 36 games last season. His decision to skip Greece's World Cup qualifying window for season prep helps, but the calf and knee history keeps some risk attached to the first-round profile.

Yesterday

Koby Brea • SG • Suns

Koby Brea Faces Crowded Suns Rotation

Phoenix Suns guard Koby Brea is back on a one-year two-way contract after signing his qualifying offer in July, but Kevin Humpherys of Bright Side of the Sun does not see a clean path to NBA minutes. The 23-year-old is trying to stick in a crowded backcourt and wing mix, with shooting serving as his clearest route to the floor if Luke Kennard or Collin Gillespie misses time. Brea hit 13-for-30 from deep in just 85 NBA minutes last season, yet shot only 34.9 percent from three on 10.0 attempts per game with the Valley Suns. Pat Spencer's two-way addition squeezes him further because Phoenix has a greater need for on-ball creation and toughness. Brea is worth filing away, but he is not a fantasy target unless the shot translates and injuries open a role.

Yesterday

Dean Wade • PF • 76ers

Dean Wade Slots Into Sixers' Second Unit

Philadelphia 76ers forward Dean Wade is expected to open the season with the second unit behind LeBron James, according to Adam Aaronson of PhillyVoice. Wade originally signed a four-year, nearly $40 million deal with the expectation of starting at power forward, but Philadelphia's summer shakeup pushed him into a bench role. That does not mean his workload will be light, as Aaronson notes Wade could still top last season's career-high 22.3 minutes per game. The 29-year-old averaged 5.8 points, 4.2 rebounds, and 1.5 assists with Cleveland while shooting 36.2 percent from three. Nick Nurse can use him as a low-usage defensive matchup piece across several lineup types, but Wade's limited scoring and shaky availability make him more useful to the Sixers than to fantasy managers.

Yesterday

Christian Shumate • SF • Pelicans

Pelicans Sign Christian Shumate to a Training Camp Contract

The New Orleans Pelicans have signed forward Christian Shumate to a training camp contract, according to Paul Garcia of The Spot Up Shot. Shumate went undrafted in 2025 after four seasons at McNeese State, where he earned All-Southland honors each year and won Southland Defensive Player of the Year in 2024 and 2025. He also signed an Exhibit 10 deal with New Orleans last fall, was waived before opening night, and spent the season with the organization's G-League affiliate, averaging 11.2 points, 6.6 rebounds, and 1.6 assists in 26.8 minutes across 40 appearances on .516/.340/.405 shooting. The rebounding and defensive activity give him a path to camp interest, but the free-throw number and limited offensive polish keep him well off the fantasy radar unless New Orleans converts him to its open two-way slot.

Yesterday

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.

Yesterday

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.

Yesterday

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.

Yesterday

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.

Yesterday

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.

Yesterday

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.

2 days 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.

2 days 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.

2 days 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.

2 days ago

NBA News

LEGEND