Jericho Sims is choosing the sure thing over free agency. The Bucks center plans to exercise his $2.8 million player option for 2026-27, HoopsHype's Michael Scotto reports. It lands him in a Milwaukee frontcourt that looks nothing like last year's after the Giannis Antetokounmpo trade. Sims made the most of his first full season as a Buck, averaging 5.0 points, 5.5 rebounds, and 1.6 assists in 19.7 minutes across 67 games with 19 starts. He is a rim-runner who shot a career-best 78.4 percent from the field and even logged a triple-double in April. With the rotation wide open and starter Myles Turner drawing trade interest, the backup center minutes are there for Sims to seize. He has to earn them, but the door is more open than it has been in years.

HoopsHype's Michael Scotto reports the Atlanta Hawks have exercised their fourth-year, $2.41 million team option on Mouhamed Gueye. He's a defense-first big who can guard all five positions, a versatility Atlanta prizes more than his box score. Gueye set a career high with 77 games last season, averaging 4.4 points and 3.6 rebounds in 15.3 minutes while filling in as a makeshift backup center in the playoffs. He flashed more with real minutes, posting 10.8 points, 6.9 rebounds, and 1.1 blocks while hitting 50.0 percent from three across eight starts. The fantasy catch is opportunity. Atlanta drafted Zuby Ejiofor and Henri Veesaar, with Onyeka Okongwu and Asa Newell also in the frontcourt mix. His value to the Hawks is real, but fantasy relevance likely depends on injuries opening the door.

The Toronto Raptors have exercised their $2.30 million team option on Jamal Shead for 2026-27, HoopsHype's Michael Scotto reports. It was a straightforward call on a backup point guard who appeared in all 82 games last season. Shead averaged 6.6 points, 5.4 assists, and 1.7 rebounds in 22.8 minutes, with an impact that ran deeper than the scoring line. He led the NBA in assists off the bench and finished second in offensive fouls drawn. With Immanuel Quickley entrenched as the starter, Shead's standalone fantasy value stays low, but it spikes whenever Quickley misses time. That played out in the postseason, when Shead made four starts and logged 32.0 minutes a night in Quickley's absence. The cheap option also keeps a defensive-minded mentor in place for rookie Jaden Bradley.

According to ESPN's Shams Charania, Phoenix Suns center Mark Williams intends to sign a fully guaranteed three-year, $38 million contract to return to Phoenix. The 24-year-old is coming off the healthiest season of his career, averaging 11.7 points, 8.0 rebounds, 1.0 assists, 0.9 blocks, and 0.9 steals in 23.6 minutes while shooting 64.4 percent from the field. He still carries availability risk after missing the first-round series with a left foot stress reaction, but the deal gives him the inside track to remain Phoenix's starting center. Khaman Maluach and Oso Ighodaro are worth monitoring behind him, although Williams should remain the preferred fantasy option if he holds the top role.

Kevin Porter Jr. is exercising his $5.39 million player option to remain with the Milwaukee Bucks for 2026-27, HoopsHype's Michael Scotto reports. The combo guard stays put as Milwaukee reshapes its roster following the Giannis Antetokounmpo trade. Porter was productive before the injury ended his season, averaging 17.4 points, 7.4 assists, 5.2 rebounds, and 2.2 steals over 38 games. He shot a career-best 46.5 percent from the field but just 32.2 percent from three-point range. Antetokounmpo's departure opens up shot creation, but the backcourt got crowded in a hurry. Newly acquired Tyler Herro projects to handle the ball, and Ryan Rollins played well as a fill-in starter, averaging 22.5 points and 5.8 assists when Porter was sidelined. His assists and steals keep Porter valuable, though his usage may not climb as much as the headline change implies.

Charlotte Hornets guard Coby White intends to sign a three-year, $74 million deal to return to the team, according to ESPN's Shams Charania. White is expected to step into a larger role after Charlotte agreed to trade LaMelo Ball and Josh Green to Minnesota for Naz Reid and draft capital. The 26-year-old averaged 17.4 points, 4.0 assists, 3.4 rebounds, and 2.3 threes while shooting 44.6 percent from the field last season. His assists should climb as the new starting guard, while Brandon Miller and Kon Knueppel also project for bigger creation roles in Charlotte's reworked offense.

The Minnesota Timberwolves acquired guard/forward Josh Green from the Charlotte Hornets as part of the trade involving LaMelo Ball and Naz Reid, according to ESPN's Shams Charania. Green had a limited offensive role in Charlotte last season, averaging 4.3 points, 1.8 rebounds, and 0.8 assists while shooting 45.9 percent from the field. He will not be a high-usage fantasy target with Ball and Anthony Edwards now in the same backcourt, but he gives Minnesota another defensive wing who can run in transition and space the floor in bench-heavy units. Green's value would likely need injuries or a larger-than-expected rotation role to move beyond a watch-list profile.

Golden State Warriors forward/center Al Horford is declining his $6 million player option and intends to sign a new two-year, $14 million deal to stay with the team, according to ESPN's Shams Charania and Anthony Slater. Horford is also set to become the 13th player in NBA history to reach 20 seasons. The 40-year-old averaged 8.3 points, 4.9 rebounds, 2.6 assists, 0.7 steals, 1.1 blocks, and 1.6 threes in 21.5 minutes last season. His fantasy ceiling is limited at this stage, but Horford can still help in threes, blocks, and low-turnover production when Golden State needs a veteran frontcourt spacer around Stephen Curry and Draymond Green.

The Charlotte Hornets acquired big man Naz Reid as part of the blockbuster trade sending LaMelo Ball to the Minnesota Timberwolves. The 26-year-old averaged 13.6 points, 6.2 rebounds, and 2.2 assists while shooting 45.6 percent from the field and 36.2 percent from deep for Minnesota last season. Reid's fantasy outlook gets more interesting with the Hornets, especially if Charlotte gives him a bigger frontcourt role after years of sharing touches in Minnesota. Brandon Miller and Kon Knueppel should see more creation chances with Ball gone, but Reid gives the roster a proven floor-spacing big who can score without needing plays called for him.

Charlotte Hornets guard LaMelo Ball is headed to Minnesota with Josh Green in a blockbuster deal that sends Naz Reid and a large draft-pick package to Charlotte, according to ESPN's Shams Charania. Ball had a healthier 2025-26 campaign, averaging 20.1 points, 7.1 assists, 4.8 rebounds, and 1.2 steals across 72 games for the Hornets. The move puts him next to Anthony Edwards, which should cut into Ball's on-ball dominance but may help his efficiency if he gets more catch-and-shoot looks and easier transition chances. His fantasy ceiling remains tied to assists, threes, and steals, but this is no longer a situation where every possession has to run through him.

According to Shams Charania of ESPN, the Charlotte Hornets are engaged in trade talks involving guard LaMelo Ball. Charania reports that multiple teams are "strongly" pursuing the star point guard, with some making "aggressive" offers. He added that there's a legitimate chance Ball could be moved if a team is willing to meet Charlotte's asking price. NBA insider Marc Stein also reports that the Minnesota Timberwolves and Toronto Raptors have emerged as two of the teams interested in the 24-year-old, who averaged 20.1 points, 7.1 assists, 4.8 rebounds, and 1.2 steals in 28.0 minutes across 72 games last season.

Detroit Pistons forward/center Isaiah Stewart was traded to the Memphis Grizzlies on Wednesday. Stewart will make his way to Memphis in exchange for three future second-round picks. There has been speculation for weeks that Stewart could be moved as part of a cost-cutting decision. The expectation is that Paul Reed will slide into his role behind primary center Jalen Duren. The Pistons could potentially add another forward or center on a cheaper deal in free agency. As for Stewart, he should play significant minutes off the bench as the backup to Zach Edey. This past season, Stewart averaged 10.0 points, 5.0 rebounds, and 1.6 blocks across 22.7 minutes per game in 58 contests with the Pistons last season. The assumption is that his value should increase with the move to Memphis.

Milwaukee Bucks new guard Tyler Herro might not be with his new organization for long. The Detroit Pistons were reportedly interested in Herro before he was traded to the Bucks in a blockbuster deal on Monday. Despite the move, Detroit is rumored to still be pursuing Herro, assuming the Bucks would be interested in trading him. The expectation is that the Bucks want to keep Herro and attempt to build around him. If that happens, the Pistons will likely need to turn their attention elsewhere, such as Norman Powell, with Austin Reaves signing a long-term deal with the Los Angeles Lakers. If Herro is off the table, Powell might be the next best option as the Pistons attempt to add more scoring talent alongside Cade Cunningham.

Atlanta Hawks guard Buddy Hield is not expected to be back with the organization next season. Hield was traded to the Hawks mid-season, and is unlikely to be part of their future. The Hawks can buy out Hield's contract for $3 million and save $6 million in cap space by doing that. If this happens, the Miami Heat are rumored to be a potential suitor for Hield. The organization has shown interest in Hield in the past. The Heat should be in the market for veteran sharpshooters, especially if Norman Powell heads elsewhere in free agency. This past season, Hield averaged 7.6 points, 1.4 assists, and a .349 three-point percentage across 51 games between the Golden State Warriors and Hawks. The 33-year-old could see his value rise if he ends up in Miami.

NBA center Xavier Tillman Sr. has decided to head overseas and signed with Turkish club Trabzonspor. The big man has struggled to find consistent playing time in recent years, so he'll head overseas. This past season, Tillman played a minimal role in 30 games between the Boston Celtics and Charlotte Hornets. Tillman hasn't seen significant minutes in a rotation since his early days with the Memphis Grizzlies. It's possible that Tillman jumpstarts his career in Turkey and returns to the league at some point.

Los Angeles Lakers guard Austin Reaves intends to sign a long-term extension with the organization. According to Shams Charania, Reaves intends to sign a four-year, $185 million deal, which includes a player option for the final year of the contract. Reaves recently declined a $14.9 million player option to get a long-term deal in free agency. The Lakers stated ahead of this deal that bringing back Reaves was a priority for them. He now lands the largest deal for an undrafted player in NBA history. Reaves is well deserving of a long-term contract after the numbers he has posted over the last few seasons. Reaves averaged 23.2 points, 4.7 rebounds, and 5.5 assists across 34.5 minutes per game in 51 contests this past season. He figures to remain a focal point in this offense moving forward.

Milwaukee Bucks guard/forward Gary Harris has decided to pick up his player option for the 2026-2027 season. According to Keith Smith, Harris will accept his $3.8 million player option for the upcoming season. This was probably a smart decision for Harris, who would likely have to settle for veteran minimum if he left for free agency. He averaged 2.7 points, 1.3 rebounds, and 1.1 assists across 13.8 minutes per game in 48 games with the Bucks this past season. The Bucks are focusing on the youth movement, so it could be difficult for Harris to find minutes on a regular basis. Fantasy managers shouldn't expect Harris to be a regular asset this upcoming season.

Miami Heat guard/forward Norman Powell is expected to head elsewhere in free agency. According to Shams Charania, the Heat are not expected to bring back Powell next season. The Heat landed a blockbuster trade for superstar forward Giannis Antetokounmpo on Monday night. Now, the Heat aren't financially in a safe spot to bring back Powell this offseason. The 33-year-old is expected to head elsewhere unless he takes a significant discount to stay with Miami. The Detroit Pistons are reportedly looking to add shooting, so Powell would make sense for them on paper. Powell should have no shortage of suitors, but Miami is likely out, given their financial situation.

Miami Heat guard Kasparas Jakucionis has been traded to the Milwaukee Bucks as part of a blockbuster deal to acquire Giannis Antetokounmpo. The Heat are sending Jakucionis, Tyler Herro, Kel'el Ware, Jaime Jaquez Jr. and three first-round picks to the Bucks in exchange for Antekokounmpo and Bobby Portis. The Heat selected Jakucionis with the 20th overall pick during last year's draft. He averaged 6.2 points, 2.6 rebounds, and 2.6 assists across 17.8 minutes per game in 53 games with the Heat this past season. Jakucionis probably isn't quite ready for a starting role yet, but he's a solid young prospect. The 20-year-old should be part of the rotation and will hopefully earn a larger role over time in Milwaukee.

Milwaukee Bucks forward/center Bobby Portis is headed to the Miami Heat in part of a blockbuster trade. Portis moves to Milwaukee with fellow teammate Giannis Antetokounmpo in a huge deal to acquire four players and three first-round picks from the Heat. The veteran forward has spent each of the last six years as a member of the Bucks. He's not a superstar, but Portis has played a consistent role in Milwaukee and helped them win a championship in the past. Last season, Portis averaged 13.7 points, 6.4 rebounds, and 1.6 assists across 24.2 minutes per game in 67 contests. The Heat shipped Kel'el Ware and Jaime Jaquez Jr. to Milwaukee in this deal, so Portis should have a consistent role in the rotation. His fantasy value is unlikely to change significantly, but he should still be a reliable fantasy asset.