Fri Jul 5 3:44pm ET
Field Level Media
The Orlando Magic and forward Franz Wagner agreed to a maximum rookie contract extension of five years and $224 million, ESPN reported Friday.
The deal's total value could grow to as much as $269 million, according to the report.
Wagner, 22, has become one of Orlando's most important players since the Magic selected him eighth overall in the 2021 draft. He set career highs of 19.7 points, 5.3 rebounds and 3.7 assists per game in 72 games (all starts) last season.
In 231 games (all starts) across his first three NBA seasons, Wagner has put up averages of 17.8 points, 4.6 boards and 3.4 assists.
The native of Germany had seven 30-point games last season and helped the Magic go 47-35 to return to the Eastern Conference playoffs for the first time since the 2020 pandemic bubble season.
Wagner's older brother Moritz Wagner agreed to a two-year, $22 million contract to stay in Orlando earlier this week. The brothers have been Magic teammates ever since Franz Wagner entered the league.
Chicago Bulls center Nikola Vucevic remains on the roster despite months of trade rumors. The veteran was recently asked about the trade chatter during an interview. However, it doesn't appear he's concerned about being moved. "In most cases, those are really just speculations," said Vucevic. "I honestly don't pay much attention to it because I have no control over it." The 33-year-old averaged 18.0 points and 10.5 rebounds last season. But, he struggled from deep, draining just 29.4% of his attempts from downtown. At any rate, Vucevic is expected to remain a double-double threat for at least a few more seasons, no matter where he ends up in the future.
According to ESPN's Brian Windhorst, Atlanta Hawks guard Trae Young's value isn't as high as the team would like. Young averaged 25.7 points and 10.8 assists last season. He also shot 37.3% from behind the arc. However, he was limited to only 54 games due to injury. There were rumblings Young was on the trade block last season. Instead, Atlanta traded Dejounte Murray to the New Orleans Pelicans in the offseason. With that said, it's a pivotal year for Young, considering his performance this season could dictate his future in Atlanta. For now, fantasy managers should continue to view him as a top-20 fantasy option, although drafting him heading into the season is riskier than ever.
Minnesota Timberwolves center Rudy Gobert (finger) is coming off a season where he won another Defensive Player of the Year award. He also was a member of France during the 2024 Summer Olympics, helping the team capture a silver medal. However, Gobert was limited near the end of the Olympics due to a finger injury. But president of basketball operations Tim Connelly said during an interview that the veteran big man is "good." Connelly also was asked about an extension for Gobert, with the executive stating he'd like to keep him in Minnesota "for a long time." The 32-year-old averaged 14.0 points, 12.9 rebounds, and 2.1 blocks during the 2023-24 campaign. He also missed only six games. While Gobert has been in the National Basketball Association for over a decade, fantasy managers should continue to view him as a routine starter this season, assuming the finger injury doesn't keep him off the floor.
Point guard Saben Lee will spend the 2024-25 campaign overseas. The 25-year-old has agreed a deal with Manisa in Turkey. Lee takes his talents to Europe following 134 NBA appearances. After being a second-round selection in the 2020 draft, Lee made his debut with the Detroit Pistons in 2020-21. He also featured for the Philadelphia 76ers and Phoenix Suns. Last season, Lee averaged 7.7 minutes across 24 games in Phoenix, posting 3.0 points with 1.3 assists. The Vanderbilt product has notched 5.2 points and 2.8 assists overall in his NBA career.
Dallas Mavericks guard/forward Klay Thompson will look to reignite his career on a new squad, and the team hopes to make things "easier" on offense for him in Texas. "Obviously, the big addition was Klay," said Mavericks minority owner Mark Cuban on the Roommates Show. "Just somebody who you have to face guard, who's going to make 40 percent (from three-point range), and we're hoping, you know, at Golden State, he had to always be on the move. They had that motion offense where he was always coming off screens and running. We don't do that, or not nearly as much, and sure, we'll run some of that action for him, but just standing in the corner, and standing in the wings, and just catch and shoot from Luka (Doncic and Ky (Kyrie Irving). Hopefully, his life is going to be a lot easier." Thompson faces a big adjustment in Dallas, and it will be interesting to see how things work out for him in his new surroundings.
Miami Heat forward Jimmy Butler is drawing links with the Brooklyn Nets ahead of what could be his final campaign in Miami. Citing a source close to Butler, The New York Post's Brian Lewis has noted that the six-time All-Star "likes" Brooklyn. Butler has a player option for the 2025-26 season, but he isn't expected to pick it up. With him turning 35 in a couple of weeks, Butler will have a chance to get his final big payday next summer. He'll be looking to prove his worth in the upcoming campaign, and as a result, we should see a very motivated version of Butler on the court, which previously hasn't always been the case during the regular season.
Utah Jazz point guard Collin Sexton appears full of confidence ahead of the new campaign, making a bold claim that he's among the best players in the NBA in his position. Sexton was asked on the Come And Talk 2 Me podcast if he's a top 10 point guard in the league. "If I'm putting myself in there, for sure," said Sexton. "I put myself against anybody. At the end of the day, I don't back down from nobody. I got a different type of chip on my shoulder. I got a different type of grind that when I step between those lines, it's me against you." Utah and fantasy managers alike would be delighted if Sexton could consistently play like a top-10 point guard. The 25-year-old enjoyed a strong finish to last campaign, averaging 20.8 points and 5.8 assists after the All-Star break.
Houston Rockets guard Reed Sheppard faces a battle for playing time in his rookie year on a team filled with young talent. However, it is believed that he will have a place in the rotation. "He'll be on the floor," said ESPN's Tim MacMahon about Sheppard on Brian Windhorst & The Hoop Collective Podcast. "I think he'll play a significant role as a playmaker off the bench." After landing in Houston as the third pick of this year's draft, Sheppard had an outstanding Summer League campaign. Now it's up to him to prove that he can also do it when it really matters, and it looks like the Rockets will give the 20-year-old Kentucky product plenty of opportunities to showcase his talent.
Phoenix Suns guard/forward Grayson Allen is committed to staying healthy this season. While the former Duke Blue Devil logged 75 games during the regular season, he was limited in the playoffs due to injury. As a result, he hopes the time spent this offseason working on his body will allow him to remain on the floor. Allen, who signed a four-year, $70 million extension with the Suns in April, averaged 13.5 points, 3.9 rebounds, and 3.0 assists during the 2023-24 campaign. He also shot a career-high 46.1% from behind the arc. With Tyus Jones now on the roster, Allen may come off the bench. However, the Suns lack depth outside of the starting lineup, so the 28-year-old should continue to get enough minutes to remain relevant for fantasy managers.
Memphis Grizzlies forward GG Jackson II (foot) will undergo surgery after suffering a broken right foot during training. The 2023 No. 45 overall pick is coming off a quality season, averaging 14.6 points, 4.1 rebounds, and 1.2 assists in 48 games (20.3 points and 5.3 rebounds in 18 starts). But he is now heading under the knife to repair the fifth metatarsal in his foot. While Jackson isn't expected to be a routine fantasy producer in 2024-25, he could draw streaming interest at some point. But first, he'll need to get healthy, although it's tough to tell how long he'll be on the shelf.
Indiana Pacers guard T.J. McConnell agreed to a four-year, $45 million contract extension with the club on Friday. Although the 32-year-old isn't a starter, he is one of the most essential players on the Pacers' roster. He finished the 2023-24 campaign by averaging a career-high 10.2 points with 5.5 assists and 1.0 steals and was even more productive throughout the postseason. With that said, Tyrese Haliburton's health is seemingly always an issue, so fantasy managers should strongly consider adding McConnell for insurance purposes heading into opening night.
According to ESPN's Adrian Wojnarowski, Los Angeles Clippers center Ivica Zubac agreed to a three-year, $58.6 million contract extension. The Clippers' roster will look different in 2024-25, with Paul George and Russell Westbrook no longer in Los Angeles. Of course, the club still has Kawhi Leonard (knee) and James Harden in the starting lineup. But the Clippers will also have Zubac, who ended the 2023-24 campaign by averaging a career-high 11.7 points with 9.2 rebounds and 1.2 blocks. Fantasy managers should continue to get consistent production from the 27-year-old, and his durability makes him a welcome addition to any fantasy roster.
Free agent guard Evan Fournier has struggled to get on the court over the last two seasons and he's now considering moving back to the EuroLeague. As reported by Michalis Stefanou, the 31-year-old veteran has received offers from EuroLeague teams and he's seriously considering leaving the NBA. Teams in Italy, Spain, and France have all either made an offer or expressed "formal interest" in signing the former sharpshooter. Last season, he began the year on the New York Knicks until he was traded to the Detroit Pistons where he appeared in 29 games. During that time, Fournier averaged 7.2 points, 1.9 rebounds, and 1.6 assists per game while shooting .373/.270/.794.
Free agent guard Lonnie Walker IV is still on the hunt for a new team after spending last season with the Brooklyn Nets. According to Shams Charania, the six-year veteran is signing an Exhibit 10 deal with the reigning NBA champ Boston Celtics. Earlier in the week, Walker was seen working out with players from the Sacramento Kings in an informal workout, and now he has a chance to get on the roster with the Celtics. Walker averaged 9.7 points, 2.2 rebounds, and 1.3 assists per game while shooting .423/.384/.763. He hasn't been an everyday starter at any point in his career so far, so if he makes the team he'd likely be a depth option.
Golden State Warriors guard Stephen Curry agreed to a one-year, $62.5 million extension on Thursday, keeping him under contract with the team until the 2026-27 season. The 2009 No. 7 overall pick is one of the best players in the history of the NBA. In 956 regular-season games with the Warriors, he's averaged 24.8 points, 6.4 assists, 1.5 steals, and shot 42.6% from behind the arc. His resume also includes numerous trips to the All-Star game, four rings, and two MVP awards. While Curry is nearing the end of his historic career, he should have at least a few more seasons of top-25 fantasy production. The 36-year-old also appeared in 74 games during the 2023-24 campaign, his most since 2016-17. With Klay Thompson now in Dallas, Golden State will need Curry healthy. If that happens, it's not unrealistic to believe he'll be mentioned in the MVP conversation at some point this season.
Golden State Warriors guard Brandin Podziemski was a coveted name in trade talks this offseason. However, the Warriors made it known he wasn't on the block. According to Podziemski, Warriors governor Joe Lacob also informed him the same thing. "He told me, 'you don't have anything to worry about," said Podziemski during an interview. "You're a priority here." The 21-year-old appeared in 74 games in 2023-24, averaging 9.2 points and 5.8 rebounds. But it's a new era in Golden State, with Klay Thompson now in Dallas. While Stephen Curry is still the No. 1 scoring option, the door is open for anyone to absorb the surplus shots left by Thompson's departure, meaning Podziemski might at least double his scoring average in 2024-25.
According to Los Angeles Clippers head coach Ty Lue, forward Kawhi Leonard (knee) will be ready for training camp in October. "I speak to him all the time," Lue said during an interview with ESPN. "He's feeling good, and I know he'll be ready for training camp." Leonard finished the 2023-24 campaign by averaging 23.7 points, 6.1 rebounds, 3.6 assists, and 1.6 steals. He also made 41.7% of his tries from deep. However, although Leonard appeared in 68 games, his most since 2016-17, he suffered a knee injury late in the season, causing him to miss most of the playoffs and the 2024 Summer Olympics. With Paul George signing a deal with Philadelphia this offseason and Russell Westbrook now in Denver, the Clippers need Leonard to stay healthy. Unfortunately, that's been an issue for the 33-year-old throughout his career, something managers must strongly consider during fantasy drafts. But if Leonard can stay on the floor, he has MVP potential.
Brian Lewis of the New York Post reports that Brooklyn Nets forward Bojan Bogdanovic (foot, wrist)is scheduled to play in an exhibition game on September 5th in Zagreb, Croatia. It will be the first time Bogdanovic has been on the court since getting injured in the playoffs with the Knicks and after having foot and wrist surgery in April. News of the 35-year-old playing in the exhibition contest likely means he is healthy and will be ready for Nets training camp starting October 1st.
According to Shams Charania of The Athletic, the Memphis Grizzlies released power forward Mamadi Diakite on Tuesday. Memphis acquired Diakite in the off-season from the Nets for 22-year-old forward Ziaire Williams. Last season, Diakite suited up for six games for the Knicks and Spurs, averaging 2.0 points and 0.7 rebounds. The 27-year-old free agent will not factor into fantasy should he land another NBA contract going into training camp.
Oklahoma City Thunder guard Alex Caruso is looking forward to working with Mark Daigneault again, who coached him in the G League at the start of his career. "We have a great relationship," Caruso said in an interview with TexAgs Radio. "I know what to expect out of him and he knows how to coach and push me. If there was one word to describe it, just excited." Caruso had a career year in Chicago last term. Working with a coach who "knows" how to push him puts the versatile guard in a good spot to improve further in 2024-25.