Minnesota Timberwolves guard/forward Anthony Edwards believes there will be an adjustment period with new teammate LaMelo Ball, and things may not go smoothly at first. "It's definitely going to be ups and downs," Edwards said at Fanatics Fest. "First year together, maybe a lot of downs. But we gonna celebrate both of them. We gonna celebrate the ups, celebrate the downs, and just go with it." Edwards and Ball are ball-dominant players who are used to running the offense. Both must adjust their games to be effective on the court together. While Edwards appears somewhat unsure about how quickly the two will click, the season is long. They will have time to gel, and fantasy managers should not be too concerned about the situation.

Atlanta Hawks guard/forward Buddy Hield does not appear to be part of the team's plans moving forward, John Hollinger of The Athletic reports. The 10-year veteran has a $9 million contract for next season, but his future in Atlanta looks bleak. After arriving in February in a trade that saw Kristaps Porzingis move to Golden State, Hield appeared in only seven games, averaging 7.3 minutes. Parting ways looks like a good option for both sides. Although Hield had a disappointing 2025-26 campaign, averaging fewer than 10.0 points per game for the first time in his career, he's been a consistent three-point threat in the league and could still add value for teams.

Guard/forward Jett Howard has joined the Dallas Mavericks on a two-way contract. The team announced the signing of the former lottery pick after waiving forward Tyler Smith. The Orlando Magic, who drafted Howard with the 11th pick in 2023, declined their fourth-year option on his contract, making him an unrestricted free agent. During his three-year stint with the Magic, Howard averaged 4.5 points and 1.2 rebounds in 11.0 minutes per game. While Howard's NBA career has been underwhelming, he's still relatively young (23 in September) and could be rejuvenated by a fresh start. However, he will likely have to settle for mostly G League action in 2026-27.

New Orleans Pelicans forward Trey Murphy III remains on the trade block, but the market has quieted. The Athletic's John Hollinger reports that the chatter has cooled and may not pick back up until LeBron James chooses a team and the rest of the dominoes fall. New Orleans, coming off a 26-56 season, is reportedly asking for around three first-round picks. That steep price has kept Detroit, Golden State, and Cleveland interested without getting a deal done. Murphy holds fantasy value wherever he ends up. He posted career highs last season with 21.5 points, 5.7 rebounds, 3.8 assists, and 1.5 steals while shooting 37.9 percent from deep and 88.6 percent from the line. A move into a clear-usage role, such as next to Cade Cunningham in Detroit, could raise his ceiling, while staying in New Orleans keeps him the team's top option. The one caveat is durability, since he has played just 57, 53, and 66 games over the past three seasons. Draft him as a mid-round building block and watch where he lands.

Dallas is cutting loose two-way forward Tyler Smith, per Michael Scotto of HoopsHype, the latest stop in a well-traveled season for the 33rd pick in the 2024 draft. Smith managed just 4.7 points in 13.8 minutes across 12 games with the Mavericks, though he kept producing in the G League, averaging 15.9 points and 5.2 rebounds for the Rio Grande Valley Vipers. At 21, he still flashes stretch-four upside, but Dallas's crowded frontcourt of P.J. Washington, Daniel Gafford, Dereck Lively II, Santi Aldama, and Morez Johnson Jr. left no runway. He holds no standard-league value, and the constant roster churn keeps him a distant deep-dynasty name at most.

The Indiana Pacers are waiving two-way guard Taelon Peter, per Michael Scotto of HoopsHype, opening one of their three two-way slots. The 54th pick in the 2025 draft averaged 4.5 points, 1.6 rebounds and 1.1 assists in 12.9 minutes over 38 games as a rookie, production that came largely because Indiana leaned on backcourt depth during Tyrese Haliburton's season-long absence. Peter carries no standard-league fantasy value, and this is a procedural depth move rather than a needle-mover. The open two-way spot is worth a passing glance for dynasty managers tracking Indiana's G League pipeline, but the Pacers' real backcourt story remains Haliburton ramping back up for 2026-27.

The Lakers have signed free agent guard/forward Matisse Thybulle to a one-year, $3.3 million deal, per Shams Charania of ESPN, adding perimeter defense next to Luka Doncic and Austin Reaves. Thybulle averaged 5.8 points, 2.0 rebounds, and 2.0 steals in 16.0 minutes across 30 games with Portland last season while shooting 39.8 percent from deep. His fantasy case is narrow but specific: a two-time All-Defensive wing who ranks among the league's steals leaders and now spaces the floor at a respectable clip. Standard league managers can pass given the low scoring and modest minutes, but deep leaguers chasing steals and threes can stream him if the role holds. He appeared in just 45 games over his last two Portland seasons, though, a durability flag on top of a low-minute role behind a crowded Lakers wing group.

Free-agent forward Jonathan Kuminga remains stuck in a slow-moving market. The Athletic reported that the Lakers and Kuminga's camp are still far apart on terms, while Los Angeles is reluctant to attach significant draft capital in a sign-and-trade. Even so, the 23-year-old is still the biggest upside swing left on the board and could re-emerge as a Lakers target if his market stays cold, with Cleveland the team most often tied to him otherwise. Kuminga averaged 12.2 points, 5.6 rebounds, and 2.3 assists last season, and the Lakers have reportedly pitched him on a high-minutes role next to Luka Doncic. That remains the crux of his fantasy case: a starting job in Los Angeles would give the former No. 7 pick clear mid-round appeal, while an uncertain landing spot and his uneven scoring profile keep the floor shaky.

Boston Celtics forward Jordan Walsh saw his 2026-27 salary become fully guaranteed at $2.4 million on Monday, per Keith Smith, locking in his roster spot for a fourth season. Walsh is also extension-eligible all year and could technically sign for up to 140 percent of the average salary, starting around $21.2 million. However, that number is a ceiling a low-usage wing is unlikely to approach. He set career highs in 2025-26 with 5.4 points, 4.0 rebounds, 0.8 assists, 0.7 steals and 0.5 blocks in 17.8 minutes across 68 games, but that run came largely because Jayson Tatum missed most of the year. With Tatum back from the tear, Boston's wing minutes tighten again, leaving Walsh a deep-league defensive flier at best.

Memphis Grizzlies forward Cameron Boozer filled the box score on an off shooting night in Sunday's 94-90 Las Vegas Summer League title loss to the Warriors, posting 19 points, eight rebounds, four assists, and two steals in 35 minutes despite going 7-of-17 from the field. The No. 3 overall pick and reigning AP College Player of the Year is Memphis's new franchise cornerstone, and ESPN already slots him as the No. 2 rookie in the class after Vegas. His all-around production even on cold shooting nights is the fantasy selling point: expect heavy usage, category-friendly output, and a real Rookie of the Year push. He is a priority target in both redraft and dynasty, with early-career efficiency the only caveat.

Memphis Grizzlies guard Cedric Coward stayed hot in Sunday's 94-90 Las Vegas Summer League title loss to the Warriors, pouring in 19 points on 6-of-10 shooting, including a perfect 5-of-5 from 3-point range, to go with six rebounds, four assists and a block in 27 minutes. The efficiency matters more than the result: Coward is a returning starter, not a prospect, coming off an All-Rookie First Team season of 13.6 points, 5.9 rebounds and 2.8 assists. With Ja Morant no longer in Memphis, his usage and shot volume should climb in 2026-27. That makes the sophomore wing a legitimate mid-round redraft target, not just a deep-league name, especially if the improved stroke holds.

Free-agent forward Jonathan Kuminga is drawing sign-and-trade interest from the Cavaliers, according to Evan Sidery. Cleveland is reportedly discussing a possible framework with the Hawks, who hold Kuminga's rights. The deal would only come into play if the Cavaliers miss out on LeBron James in free agency, making this more of a backup plan than an imminent move. Kuminga averaged 12.2 points, 5.6 rebounds and 2.3 assists last season between Golden State and Atlanta, showing value as a downhill scorer off the bench. A move to Cleveland would likely put him behind Donovan Mitchell, Evan Mobley and an established rotation, limiting his usage. The reported Lakers pitch, which would give him a starting role next to Luka Doncic, remains the better fantasy outcome.

Golden State Warriors forward Yaxel Lendeborg capped a strong Las Vegas run with 21 points, 10 rebounds, two assists, and two steals in Sunday's 94-90 Summer League title win over Memphis, earning Championship Game MVP honors. The No. 11 pick shot 9-of-18 from the floor and 2-of-6 from 3-point range while fueling a 12-point fourth-quarter comeback. The reigning national champion at Michigan brings a two-way, connector profile with real defensive upside. Redraft value is muted to start behind a veteran core of Stephen Curry and Draymond Green, though Jimmy Butler opening the season on the mend from January ACL surgery could free up some early frontcourt minutes. In dynasty formats, he is a clear buy as a pro-ready rookie with room to grow.

Dallas Mavericks forward P.J. Washington is the centerpiece of a potential trade framework with the Los Angeles Lakers, according to Evan Sidery. In the proposed scenario, Los Angeles would acquire Washington in exchange for Bronny James, Jarred Vanderbilt, Jake LaRavia, and a 2032 pick swap. The 27-year-old forward averaged 14.2 points per game during the 2025-26 campaign and remains a steady offensive contributor. A move to Los Angeles would likely lock him into a heavy-minutes role alongside Luka Doncic, keeping his fantasy ceiling intact. Conversely, Vanderbilt would inject necessary defensive versatility into a rebuilding Mavericks frontcourt anchored by sophomore Cooper Flagg. While James and LaRavia would need to fight for rotational minutes in Dallas, Vanderbilt's rebounding upside makes him an intriguing situational piece if the deal materializes.

Free agent forward DeMar DeRozan is expected to decide soon after LeBron James settles his own market, per Evan Sidery, with teams that miss on James lined up to pursue the six-time All-Star as a fallback. Miami, Detroit, and Golden State have been mentioned elsewhere as possible suitors since the Kings waived him. DeRozan averaged 18.4 points, 4.1 assists, and 2.9 rebounds on 59.4 percent true shooting last season in Sacramento, a productive if fading line at 36. Redraft value hinges on landing spot and usage: a points-league piece with a thin nine-cat profile given few threes, light boards, and minimal defense. Keep his ranking loose until his role is set.

Boston Celtics guard/forward Hugo Gonzalez has drawn praise following a strong Summer League showing. In three Summer League outings, the 20-year-old Spaniard averaged 18.3 points, 8.0 rebounds, 5.7 assists, and 1.7 steals in 34.7 minutes per game. "In the summer, I think he's worked on all facets of his game," Celtics assistant coach Amile Jefferson said of Gonzalez. "That's on and off the court, and that has to do with his body. So I think everyone has seen his improvements." We didn't see much of Gonzalez during his rookie campaign, as he was limited to 14.6 minutes per game in 74 appearances. However, he could be gearing up for a big leap in his second year.

Guard Ryan Nembhard was traded by the Dallas Mavericks to the Atlanta Hawks on Sunday, ESPN's Shams Charania reports. The deal also involved the Oklahoma City Thunder, who sent guard/forward Luguentz Dort to Atlanta. The Thunder received three second-round draft picks in the trade, while the Hawks shipped forward Zaccharie Risacher to the Mavericks. Nembhard is coming off a solid but unspectacular rookie campaign. He averaged 6.6 points and 5.3 assists in 19.5 minutes per game, starting 27 of his 60 outings. Nembhard will start life in Atlanta as CJ McCollum's backup and must also compete with Kingston Flemings and Devin Carter for playing time, making it a tough situation for him from a fantasy perspective.

Forward Zaccharie Risacher will suit up for the Dallas Mavericks next season, ESPN's Shams Charania reports. The former No. 1 overall pick was traded on Sunday by the Atlanta Hawks in a three-team deal. Atlanta acquired guard Ryan Nembhard from Dallas and guard/forward Luguentz Dort from the Oklahoma City Thunder. While Risacher had a decent rookie campaign in 2024-25, his development stalled in his sophomore year, leading to the loss of his starting role. The situation in Dallas doesn't look particularly rosy for Risacher either. He will likely remain a reserve, competing for playing time with the likes of Naji Marshall and Santi Aldama at the forward positions.

The Atlanta Hawks have acquired guard/forward Luguentz Dort from the Oklahoma City Thunder, ESPN's Shams Charania reports. The 2025 All-NBA Defensive First Team selection will move to the Eastern Conference in a three-team deal. As part of the transaction, the Hawks also added guard Ryan Nembhard from the Dallas Mavericks and sent forward Zaccharie Risacher to Texas. The move was a financial decision for the Thunder, who only recently picked up a $17.7 million team option on Dort's contract. As an elite defender, Dort will be a valuable contributor in the Hawks' rotation, but his fantasy value could take a hit if the Hawks use him off the bench behind Dyson Daniels and Nickeil Alexander-Walker.

Los Angeles Lakers guard Cameron Carr managed 17 points on 5-for-16 shooting in Saturday's 92-88 Summer League semifinal loss to the Warriors, adding three rebounds and one assist over 28 minutes. He never found his range from outside, missing seven of his eight three-point tries as the Lakers' unbeaten Vegas run ended. The rookie had been one of the event's more productive scorers, dropping 23 against the Clippers, so the cold night stands out as an exception. The No. 24 pick out of Baylor showed real scoring flashes, but his shot selection and ball handling remain works in progress. On a crowded Lakers backcourt led by Luka Doncic and Austin Reaves, Carr projects as a developmental piece rather than an immediate rotation option.