Shams: AJ Johnson heads to Memphis via trade

By playing under the qualifying offer next season, both Duren and Watson, who are currently restricted free agents, would leave millions on the table to become unrestricted free agents next offseason. Stein reports Denver’s initial contract offers to Watson were believed to be in the four-year, $70 million range. While that offer is certainly less than Watson wants, at least the sides are talking. Duren and the Pistons appear to be at a stalemate as Detroit has no interest in trading him or giving him the max contract he desires. While it’ll be interesting to see how both of these situations ultimately resolve themselves, it remains unlikely that either player will actually resort to accepting the qualifying offer.

The Nuggets’ decision to match the Thunder’s offer sheet comes less than 48 hours after OKC’s initial offer. Jones, who averaged 5.5 points and 3.3 rebounds across 64 games last regular season, should remain a solid piece off Denver’s bench for the 2026-27 campaign. He’s mostly a three-point specialist who can provide some perimeter defense as well during his minutes, but is unlikely to move high enough up Denver’s depth chart to have any fantasy value next season.

The team’s official X account broke the news on Sunday, making the former No. 18 pick a free agent. The move could be part of the Sixers’ plan to clear roster space and salary cap to add Kentavious Caldwell-Pope, who NBA insider Chris Haynes reported intends to sign with Philadelphia after being bought out by Memphis. Terry split time with the Bulls and Sixers last season, averaging 3.7 points across 48 games.

The fifth overall pick in the 2015 NBA Draft, Hezonja has been out of the NBA since being waived by the Grizzlies in December 2020. However, a return to Europe was just what the doctor ordered for the forward, who most recently played for Spanish power Real Madrid. The expectation is that Hezonja will have a role within the Cavaliers’ rotation, but fantasy managers should not make it a priority to draft him until the role becomes clear.

After an impressive showing for the Pelicans during the Summer League in Las Vegas, Bufkin has been rewarded with a one-year contract. The 15th overall pick in the 2023 draft, Bufkin has appeared in just 43 NBA games over three seasons. He appeared in 16 games for the Lakers in 2025-26, averaging 2.9 points and 0.8 rebounds in 7.4 minutes per game. With Jeremiah Fears and Dejounte Murray on the roster, Bufkin is unlikely to offer much fantasy value next season.

Less than 24 hours after it was reported that Caldwell-Pope and the Grizzlies were negotiating a contract buyout, the veteran wing has been waived. Unless another team decides to file a claim, KCP will be headed to Philadelphia on a one-year, $3.9 million deal. Caldwell-Pope appeared in a career-low 51 games last season, as a finger injury ended his 2025-26 campaign just after the All-Star break. He can provide three-point shooting and wing defense in Philadelphia, but KCP is unlikely to be in a position where fantasy managers can rely on him for value.

Jones is a restricted free agent, so the Nuggets still have the opportunity to match the contract and keep him. If not, this was a wise bit of maneuvering by the Thunder as they were able to offer Jones using the Taxpayer mid-level exception after getting under the second apron by trading Lu Dort. Jones averaged 5.5 points in 22.5 minutes per game during the regular season last year, but stepped up during the playoffs, shooting 69 percent from three-point range.

The report comes after LeBron James’ decision to sign with the 76ers as a free agent. With Caldwell-Pope potentially heading to Philadelphia after being bought out of Memphis, he’d team up with James, with whom he won an NBA championship back in 2020. The 13-year veteran averaged 8.4 points and shot just 31.6 percent from beyond the arc last season in Memphis.

Tonje spent his rookie season with the Celtics as a two-way player, where he appeared in six regular-season contests and totaled 15 points, six rebounds and two assists. His reported deal comes on the heels of a strong NBA Summer League showing. Tonje will join a crowded Portland backcourt this upcoming season. He is not expected to have much fantasy value.

After one season in Indiana and two in Utah, Tshiebwe is headed to Houston. Specifics regarding the deal were not announced, but the 6-foot-9 forward/center may be on a non-guaranteed deal. Tshiebwe has appeared in 49 NBA games over his three professional seasons, averaging 7.0 points and 6.5 rebounds in 15.2 minutes per game. Even if he is on the Opening Night roster, Tshiebwe is unlikely to have an impact on fantasy basketball next season.