Boston Celtics center Neemias Queta has a big season coming up, during which he's likely to take on a much bigger role than in previous years. He is focused on improving in 2025-26. "Obviously, I think it's making sure I get in great shape," the Portuguese big man said in an interview with CLNS Media's Bobby Manning. "Go out there and make elite decisions with the ball in my hands and making sure I get great finishes this year. I also want to raise up my free throw attempts this year." Queta added that he's also trying to improve his 62.7 career free-throw percentage and is "always" working on three-point shooting. Boston is expected to use Queta as its starting center in the new season, which will significantly increase his fantasy value.

Boston Celtics guard Anfernee Simons remains in limbo regarding his future. Sources have told Grant Afseth of FastbreakJournal.com that Boston is having trouble finding a trade partner for Simons' expiring $27.6 million contract. Simons signed a $100 million deal with the Portland Trail Blazers in 2022 and has been productive during the contract, but it appears he currently doesn't have enough trade value on the market. It's happened after a season in which Simons led Portland in scoring with 19.3 points per game and ranked second in assists with 3.8. According to Afseth, Simons "remains a trade candidate to monitor."

Milwaukee Bucks guard Cole Anthony wants to battle for the NBA championship in the upcoming campaign. "I look at it as a great opportunity to enter another team where they have a playoff pedigree and a championship pedigree," Anthony told Jason Beede of the Orlando Sentinel. "They've won a 'chip there. I just want to get in there, contribute and do whatever I can for the team. I want to be a part of winning." Anthony is likely to have a decent role with the Bucks, whether as a starter or not, and should provide at least low-tier fantasy value. Over his career, he has averaged 12.5 points, 4.3 rebounds, and 3.8 assists, despite only starting 125 of 320 games.

Forward Kessler Edwards has agreed to a deal with the Denver Nuggets. Per Vinny Benedetto of The Denver Gazette, the 25-year-old signed an Exhibit 10 contract. Edwards, who was drafted in the second round in 2021, has already joined his fourth NBA team. In the past season, he featured in 40 games with the Dallas Mavericks, averaging 4.2 points and 2.9 rebounds in 15.2 minutes. Edwards was able to improve his numbers to 7.7 points and 4.7 rebounds per game in 18 outings as a starter. His production isn't good enough to warrant attention from fantasy managers.

Los Angeles Clippers guard Bradley Beal is looking forward to playing for a new team in 2025. "I feel like I've got a new life of rejuvenation," said Beal during a recent interview. "I'm excited about the opportunity, new city, a new environment." Beal was once a top performer in the National Basketball Association. His best season was in 2020, when he averaged a career-high 31.3 points with the Washington Wizards. Unfortunately, Beal's production has significantly decreased ever since, with the 32-year-old most recently amassing 17.0 points with the Suns throughout the 2024 campaign. He's also struggled to remain on the floor, logging 60 games or fewer in the last six seasons. Beal, who signed a two-year deal with the Clippers this offseason after getting bought out by Phoenix, is a bounce-back candidate. However, he'll need to stay off the injury report.

According to an anonymous NBA scout, Los Angeles Lakers guard Luka Doncic appears to be in fantastic shape. "Man, he looks incredible," said the scout, who watched Doncic during a recent EuroBasket friendly contest. "He's quicker and more explosive. He's getting by people more easily. I think he's on a mission, man. I think he's gonna win MVP and the scoring title next season." The multi-time All-Star has reportedly focused on his diet and conditioning throughout the offseason, resulting in a dramatic weight loss. He spent his entire career with the Dallas Mavericks before surprisingly being dealt to the Lakers ahead of last season's deadline. Doncic played as well as expected, averaging 28.2 points, 8.2 rebounds, 7.7 assists, and 1.8 steals in 28 regular-season games for Los Angeles. The 26-year-old is still in search of his first MVP award. He's also on the hunt for an NBA championship. With that in mind, Doncic has a good chance of accomplishing both before calling it a career. However, he'll need to stay healthy, which has been an issue over the years. As far as his fantasy stock is concerned, he's arguably still the No. 1 option available in any format heading into the 2025 campaign, although Nikola Jokic and Shai Gilgeous-Alexander are also in the conversation.

Forward/center Kai Jones had a workout for the Miami Heat on Monday, NBA insider Chris Haynes reports. Jones is an unrestricted free agent. He's had a turbulent journey in the NBA since entering the league in 2021 as a first-round pick. After skipping the entire 2023-24 campaign, Jones signed with the Los Angeles Clippers last season and also spent time with the Dallas Mavericks. Over 40 appearances, Jones averaged 5.0 points and 3.1 rebounds in 11.7 minutes. If he signs with the Heat, Jones would bolster the team's frontcourt depth but isn't expected to be a factor in fantasy basketball.

Point guard Russell Westbrook is expected to end up with the Sacramento Kings for the start of the new season. ESPN's Tim MacMahon reports that league sources consider Sacramento the most likely destination for the former MVP. Westbrook became an unrestricted free agent this offseason after declining a $3.47 million player option to return to the Denver Nuggets. While Westbrook is way past his peak, he can still make plenty of noise in the right circumstances. Last season, the 36-year-old veteran averaged 15.3 points, 6.1 rebounds, 7.0 assists, and 1.7 steals in 38 starts with the Nuggets. His fantasy production might be limited in Sacramento, as Westbrook is seen as Dennis Schroder's backup.

Forward/center Al Horford is still without a contract but is expected to sign with the Golden State Warriors for the upcoming campaign. Sources have told ESPN's Anthony Slater that retirement remains an option for the 39-year-old big man, but the Warriors see him as "a firm part of their plan" in 2025-26. Horford looks like a good fit for the Warriors and is likely to occupy the starting center's role. In Boston, Horford started only 75 of 125 games over the last two seasons. A regular starting role would boost his fantasy outlook, but since he doesn't play in back-to-backs, Horford can't be relied on as a nightly option.

Golden State Warriors forward Jonathan Kuminga has a two-year contract offer on the table from the team, but he is reportedly leaning toward accepting a $7.9 million qualifying offer. Sources told ESPN's Anthony Slater that "Kuminga has indicated to those close to him" that he finds the qualifying offer more appealing than the team's contract offer. The Warriors have tried to secure his signature with a two-year, $45 million deal, which includes a team option for the second year and does not have an inherent no-trade clause. Meanwhile, Kuminga is seeking a three-year, $82 million pact. He has until Oct. 1 to accept the qualifying offer.

The Boston Celtics waived forward Miles Norris on Sunday. Norris was released from his two-way contract to make room for RJ Luis Jr., who was acquired on Tuesday. He spent 2024-25 in the G League, playing in over 44 games between the Maine Celtics and Memphis Hustle. The 25-year-old averaged 16.6 points, 5.6 rebounds, 1.3 assists, and 1.0 steals across 30.5 minutes per contest during his appearances. With just three career NBA games under his belt, Norris will hope to land a contract elsewhere before training camp this fall.

According to ESPN's Shams Charania, the Detroit Pistons signed forward Javonte Green to a one-year deal on Monday. Last campaign, Green saw action in 50 regular-season games with the Pelicans and 18 with the Cavaliers. He averaged 5.1 points, 3.2 rebounds, 0.8 assists, 0.5 blocks and 1.0 steals across 18.5 minutes per contest. The 32-year-old could find himself out of the Pistons' rotation at times, having to compete with Jaden Ivey, Ausar Thompson, Duncan Robinson, Ronald Holland II and Caris LeVert for minutes.

Chicago Bulls guard Josh Giddey is still seeking a new contract that will pay him an average of $30 million per season, but the team doesn't quite agree with that figure. According to The Stein Line's Jake Fischer, the Bulls are standing firm at $20 million per season. Their last offer came in at $80 million over four years, but Giddey and his team didn't seem to budge. He remains a restricted free agent, so the Bulls ultimately have control, but some other teams have shown interest. As of right now, the Brooklyn Nets are the only team that has the cap space to offer Giddey what he wants. In his first year with Chicago, the former sixth-overall pick averaged 14.6 points, 8.1 rebounds, 7.2 assists, 1.2 steals, and 2.9 turnovers per game.

San Antonio Spurs forward Jeremy Sochan (calf) recently injured his calf while training with Poland's national team for the upcoming EuroBasket competition. The Polish Basketball Federation has announced that this will keep the 22-year-old out of it altogether. The good news, however, is that Sochan is headed back to San Antonio for treatment and does not expect to miss training camp for this coming season. Last year, Sochan appeared in 54 games and averaged 11.4 points, 6.5 rebounds, 2.4 assists, and 1.6 turnovers per game while shooting 53.5% from the floor and 30.8% from deep.

Atlanta Hawks guard Trae Young was reportedly growing frustrated with no contract extension negotiations as he watched some others ink a new deal, like Luka Doncic. Now, according to NBA Insider Jake Fischer of The Stein Line, reports that Young and the Hawks are 'resigned' to the idea of no contract extension this summer. The star point guard is under contract for this coming season with a player option worth $48.9 million in 2026-27. Neither side is reportedly looking to part ways, but if Young hits free agency, that would mean he and newly acquired Kristaps Porzingis hit the market at the same time. Across seven seasons with the Hawks, Young has averaged 25.3 points, 9.8 assists, 3.5 rebounds, 1.0 steals, and 4.2 turnovers per game. While it would be very unlikely that the Hawks let him walk for nothing, it's a development worth watching.

According to Brett Siegel of Clutch Points, free-agent utility man Ben Simmons is reportedly drawing interest from the New York Knicks and Boston Celtics. Both teams have a need, and since Simmons can play multiple positions, his presence would help address depth concerns for either club. In addition, he may be willing to sign at a discounted rate. The 29-year-old averaged 15.9 points, 8.1 rebounds, and 7.7 assists in 275 regular-season contests for the Philadelphia 76ers. However, his production has significantly declined ever since, most recently averaging 2.9 points, 3.8 boards, and 3.1 assists in a brief stint with the Los Angeles Clippers last season. Still, Simmons' versatility could prove useful for clubs with limited cap space. He's an excellent passer and is still somewhat sound on the defensive end. On the other hand, the former LSU Tiger has been plagued by numerous injuries over the years. He's also not a good shooter.

Miami Heat forward Haywood Highsmith (knee) recently suffered a torn meniscus in his right knee while training. He underwent surgery and is expected to be sidelined for 8-to-10 weeks. The 28-year-old started in 42 games for the Heat throughout the 2024 campaign. Still, he wasn't a reliable contributor on the fantasy end overall, averaging 6.5 points, 3.4 rebounds, and 1.5 assists in 74 regular-season contests. His anticipated return timetable means he's now likely to miss some time to begin the year. However, Highsmith isn't projected to hold a routine spot in Erik Spoelstra's rotation, so it's not much of a blow to fantasy managers. With that in mind, his absence could still allow guys like Jaime Jaquez Jr. and Nikola Jovic to spend a little more time on the floor, at least early in the season.

Boston Celtics guard Payton Pritchard took a big leap in 2024-25 and aims to improve even more in the upcoming season. "I feel like everybody should be excited," Pritchard said on the Celtics Talk Podcast. "There's a lot of opportunities across the board. For me, personally, I'm excited every year. Because it's an opportunity to prove myself again, to show that I can take another step. And that's my goal every year. I'm definitely hungry and motivated this year, been working really hard. So I'm excited." Pritchard was named the NBA Sixth Man of the Year last season after he averaged 14.3 points, 3.8 rebounds, and 3.5 assists, shooting 40.7 percent from downtown. Following an offseason of change in Boston, Pritchard will have every chance to play an even more important role on his team.

Los Angeles Lakers guard Austin Reaves is projected to command a major pay raise with his next contract. The 27-year-old is currently on a four-year, $54 million deal, which has a player option for the final season (2026-27). Reaves will likely more than double his current annual salary. "I think he will get $30 [million] plus," an NBA executive told ESPN. According to ESPN's Tim Bontemps, NBA executives expect the Lakers to keep Reaves as Luka Doncic's long-term backcourt partner. Reaves will start the next season after a career year, during which he averaged 20.2 points, 4.5 rebounds, 5.8 assists, and 1.1 steals. His stats slightly dipped in all categories after Doncic arrived mid-season, and it will be intriguing to see how well the two work together moving forward.

Boston Celtics forward Jayson Tatum (Achilles) was seen at the New England Patriots' practice on Wednesday, walking without a boot or brace. It's been nearly three months since Tatum ruptured his right Achilles during the playoffs against the New York Knicks. He appears to be making great progress. An anonymous NBA scout mentioned last week that Tatum "looked way ahead" in his recovery and was "kind of shocked" by how well the six-time All-Star was moving during a basketball camp in Las Vegas. While Tatum's progress is promising, the Celtics have no reason to rush him back, and it wouldn't be surprising to still see him sit out the entire 2025-26 campaign.