Mon Nov 4 12:08pm ET
Field Level Media
The New York Knicks have agreed to a new deal with two-way center Ariel Hukporti, ESPN reported Monday.
The team is converting the rookie to a standard two-way contract that includes a team option in 2025-26, per the report.
Hukporti, 22, has played a total of 29 minutes in four games this season, collecting four blocks and seven rebounds.
The 7-footer from Germany was drafted by the Dallas Mavericks in the second round (58th overall) in 2024 and traded to the Knicks on draft night.
Free-agent forward Trendon Watford signed a two-year deal worth $5.3 million with the Philadelphia 76ers on Monday, per Shams Charania of ESPN. Watford spent last season with the Nets, posting averages of 10.2 points, 3.6 rebounds, 2.6 assists, 0.6 steals and 0.3 blocks in 20.8 minutes per contest across 44 outings. The 24-year-old could be a key piece in the 76ers rotation during the 2024-25 campaign and beyond.
According to Shams Charania of ESPN, veteran guard Jordan Clarkson (foot) is expected to sign with the New York Knicks after he clears free agency waivers. Clarkson was able to lock down a deal within no time after being waived by the Jazz earlier on Monday. The 33-year-old is versatile on the floor as a point guard or a shooting guard. Last season, he was limited to just 37 appearances due to a left foot injury and averaged 16.2 points, 3.7 assists, 3.2 rebounds, and 0.8 steals across 26.0 minutes per game.
The Memphis Grizzlies have reached a new deal with forward Santi Aldama on Monday. According to Shams Charania, Aldama has agreed to a three-year, $52.5 million deal with the Grizzlies. It appears the Grizzlies are using the offseason to re-sign their own players. Aldama posted a career-best 12.5 points, 6.4 rebounds, and 2.9 assists in 25.5 minutes per game across 65 games in Memphis last season. He spent most of his time as a reserve, but could move into the starting five with Zach Edey (ankle) unlikely to be ready to start the season. Aldama isn't an elite fantasy contributor, but could sneak his way onto rosters depending on the format.
The Los Angeles Clippers have added some depth in the front court with the addition of center Brook Lopez on Monday. According to Shams Charania, Lopez has agreed to a two-year, $18 million deal with the Clippers. The veteran center has decided to play elsewhere after spending each of the last seven seasons with the Milwaukee Bucks. Last season, Lopez averaged 13.0 points, 5.0 rebounds, and 1.8 assists across 31.8 minutes in 80 games with the Bucks. The Clippers already have Ivica Zubac, so Lopez seeing 30-plus minutes in the rotation is unlikely. He's probably more of a streaming option in fantasy formats but gives this roster solid depth.
The Atlanta Hawks have signed free-agent guard Nickeil Alexander-Walker to a massive deal on Monday. According to Shams Charania, Alexander-Walker is signing a four-year, $62 million deal with the Hawks. Alexander-Walker has spent each of the last two seasons with the Minnesota Timberwolves. However, it seemed unlikely that they were going to bring him back after signing Naz Reid and Julius Randle to contract extensions. That being said, Alexander-Walker leaves and gets a nice payday with Atlanta. Last season, Alexander-Walker averaged 9.4 points, 3.2 rebounds, and 2.7 assists across 25.3 minutes per game in 82 games. The 26-year-old is a solid two-way player that should help this Hawks unit that isn't known for their defense.
Chicago Bulls guard Tre Jones is signing a new long term extension with the organization on Monday. According to Shams Charania, Jones has agreed to a three-year $24 million deal to remain in Chicago. The Bulls acquired Jones ahead of the trade deadline last season. He saw a fairly significant role in the rotation down the stretch of the season with the Bulls. Jones averaged 11.5 points, 3.2 rebounds, and 4.9 assists in 25.3 minutes per game in 18 contests with Chicago. His fantasy value will be dependent on what happens with Josh Giddey who is currently a restricted free agent. The departure of Giddey could create an opening for Jones to see significant playing time in the rotation.
The Houston Rockets fun offseason continues as they've added free-agent forward Dorian Finney-Smith on Monday. The two sides have agreed on a four-year, $53 million deal. A day after declining his player option with the Lakers, Finney-Smith scores a big payday with another organization. The veteran forward is a solid 3-and-D player that could be a reliable contributor on this roster. Last season, Finney-Smith averaged a career-high 41 percent from behind the three-point line. He split time between the Lakers and Brooklyn Nets last season, but found a long term home in Houston. This Rockets roster is stacked with talent, so it's unclear how much playing time Finney-Smith will see with his new team. That being said, his fantasy value will be dependent on his role in the rotation.
According to ESPN's Shams Charania, free-agent guard Kevin Porter Jr. agreed to a two-year, $11 million contract to remain with the Milwaukee Bucks. The 25-year-old was at his best while a member of the Houston Rockets. However, he still played well after his arrival to the Bucks in a trade from the Los Angeles Clippers last season, averaging 11.7 points and 40.8% shooting from behind the arc. With Damian Lillard (Achilles) expected to miss the 2025 campaign, Porter could take over his spot in the rotation, potentially leading to one of his most productive seasons to date. His statistical contributions could increase even more if Giannis Antetokounmpo finds his way to another team.
The Detroit Pistons have reportedly signed free-agent guard/forward Caris LeVert on Monday. According to Shams Charania, LeVert has agreed to a two-year, $29 million deal with the Pistons. A good deal for the Pistons who could use another consistent scoring option. Last season, LeVert averaged 12.1 points, 3.2 rebounds, and 3.4 assists in 64 games between the Cleveland Cavaliers and Atlanta Hawks. LeVert isn't a superstar, but could offer help as a reliable reserve option. It's worth noting, Malik Beasley is currently in the middle of gambling allegations, so it's unclear what he'll be able to contribute right now. That being said, LeVert could have a larger role to start the season, assuming Beasley does get suspended. Regardless, LeVert probably won't land within the top 150 in nine-cat formats.
According to ESPN's Shams Charania, free-agent forward Bruce Brown Jr. agreed to a one-year deal with the Denver Nuggets. The veteran has bounced around the league since entering the National Basketball Association in 2018. Yet, arguably his best season was when he was with the Nuggets, helping the club capture an NBA championship in 2023. Brown most recently suited up for the New Orleans Pelicans, averaging only 8.2 points and 4.0 rebounds. Now that he is back in the Mile High City, his statistical contributions should increase, considering he could see plenty of minutes for a team that has lacked depth in the last few seasons.
The Dallas Mavericks have reportedly agreed on a deal with free-agent point guard D'Angelo Russell on Monday. According to Shams Charania, Russell is signing a two-year, $13 million deal with Dallas. The 29-year-old has bounced around quite a bit since being drafted by the Los Angeles Lakers in 2015. Last season, Russell split time between the Lakers and Brooklyn Nets. He averaged 12.6 points and 5.1 assists across 58 games last season. Russell figures to play a fairly significant role in the rotation while Kyrie Irving (knee) recovers. It's unlikely that Irving gets back in the mix until around mid-season, so Russell is likely to see big minutes in the first half. He doesn't offer great consistency as a scoring option, but should be able to hold nine-cat value.
The Houston Rockets have reportedly agreed to terms on a deal with free-agent center Clint Capela. According to Shams Charania, Capela is signing a three-year, $21.5 million deal with Houston. After playing five seasons in Atlanta, Capela is returning to the team where he started his career. Capela spent the first six years of his career in Houston before going to Atlanta. He'll now join a roster that already has Alperen Sengun and Steven Adams at the center spot. It could be tough for Capela to carve out a consistent role, but possibly Sengun moves over to power forward at times to give others playing time. Last season, Capela averaged 8.9 points, 8.5 rebounds, and 1.1 assists in 21.4 minutes across 55 games. This was the first time in seven seasons that Capela didn't average a double-double for the season. His fantasy value will be dependent on what kind of role he has in Houston.
Memphis Grizzlies forward Jaren Jackson Jr. has reportedly agreed to a massive extension with the organization on Monday. According to Shams Charania, Jackson is signing a five-year, $240 million extension with Memphis. The deal reportedly includes a player option for the final year of the contract. This seemed like the Grizzlies main priority after trading Desmond Bane in order to free up money to sign Jackson to this massive deal. Jackson is deserving of a new deal after the numbers he has been producing over the last few years. Last season, Jackson averaged 22.2 points, 5.6 rebounds, and 2.0 assists across 29.8 minutes per game in 74 contests last season. The absence of Bane could mean even more scoring chances for Jackson this upcoming season. When healthy, Jackson is a stud, so let's hope he can stay on the court in 2025.
According to ESPN's Shams Charania, the Brooklyn Nets are trading forward Cameron Johnson to the Denver Nuggets in exchange for Michael Porter Jr. and an unprotected 2032 first-round draft pick. Statistically speaking, Johnson had the best season of his career in 2024, averaging 18.8 points, 4.3 rebounds, and 39.0% shooting from behind the arc. He has been involved in trade rumblings several times since his arrival from Phoenix in the deal that sent Kevin Durant to the Suns. While Denver will move on from Porter, the club will get a player capable of stretching the floor. With that said, the 29-year-old may not be as productive now that he's on the same team as three-time MVP Nikola Jokic. However, Johnson's biggest problem is his health, with the 2019 No. 11 overall pick never playing more than 66 games in a season since entering the National Basketball Association. Without a doubt, his potential regression on the scoring end and his history of injuries will make fantasy managers look in other directions.
According to ESPN's Shams Charania, the Denver Nuggets are trading forward Michael Porter Jr. to the Brooklyn Nets in exchange for Cameron Johnson. Both players are in line to become unrestricted free agents in a few seasons. After years of trade rumors, it appears Denver is ready to move on from Porter, who hasn't played for any other club since entering the National Basketball Association in 2018. Injuries were an issue for the 27-year-old at the beginning of his career. Fortunately, he managed to suit up in 158 contests in the last two seasons. Porter is also coming off one of his best years, averaging 18.2 points, 7.0 rebounds, and 2.1 assists while shooting 39.5% from deep during the 2024 campaign. All things considered, the Nets are in rebuilding mode, although Porter could realistically be more productive than he was in Denver, considering he's no longer sharing the floor with Nikola Jokic.
ESPN's Shams Charania reports that Brooklyn Nets forwardZiaire Williams is expected to sign a two-year, $12 million contract to stay with the Nets. Over the weekend, the organization declined Williams's $8.35 million qualifying offer. He would have become an unrestricted free agent, but the two sides have since come to terms on a two-year deal. The 23-year-old finished with 10.0 points, 4.6 rebounds, 1.6 three-pointers, 1.3 assists and 1.0 steals in 24.5 minutes per game across 63 outings last season.
The Charlotte Hornets declined to tender a $6.94 million qualifying offer to point guard Tre Mann on Monday, per Michael Scotto of USA Today. The move to make Mann an unrestricted free agent comes as unexpected after he posted 14.1 points, 2.9 rebounds, 3.0 assists and 1.8 three-pointers across 13 outings in 2024-25. His season was cut short after he suffered a back injury in November. Now recovered, the 24-year-old will likely garner plenty of interest on the open market and could turn into a solid fantasy contributor in a new setting.
According to Brett Siegel of ClutchPoints.com, the Phoenix Suns won't guarantee guard/forwardCody Martin a $8.6 million contract for 2025-26, allowing him to enter free agency. The 29-year-old was traded to the Suns during the 2024-25 season. Martin was part of the deal that sent big man Jusuf Nurkic to the Hornets, and he will now enter the open market after averaging 3.7 points, 3.4 rebounds, 1.1 assists, and 0.9 steals in 14.7 minutes during his 14-game stint with the Suns.
Los Angeles Clippers forwardNicolas Batum plans to sign a two-year, $11.5 million deal to return to the team, per ESPN's Shams Charania. Last season, Batum averaged 4.0 points, 2.8 rebounds, and 1.1 assists across 17.5 minutes per game in 78 contests with the Clippers. At 36 years old, Batum will continue to provide valuable veteran leadership for Los Angeles during the 2025-26 season. However, he will likely continue to have limited fantasy value at this point in his NBA career.
According to Shams Charania of ESPN, the Utah Jazz and guard Jordan Clarkson (foot) have agreed to finalize a contract buyout Monday. Utah continues to unload veteran players as Colin Sexton was traded to the Hornets on Sunday. With Clarkson and Sexton out of the picture, Keyonte George, Walter Clayton andIsaiah Collier will be relied upon to take on larger roles with the team. Clarkson will likely see plenty of interest on the market from teams looking to add a serviceable veteran guard. During last year's campaign, the 33-year-old was limited to just 37 appearances due to a left foot injury and averaged 16.2 points, 3.7 assists, 3.2 rebounds and 0.8 steals across 26.0 minutes per game.
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