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    Mikel Brown Jr. scores 20 in blowout victory

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    Mikel Brown Jr. recorded 20 points (6-of-12 FGs, 3-of-3 FTs), one rebound, three assists, two steals, one block and three three-pointers in Friday’s win over the Knicks.

    Playing in just his second basketball game since February, Brown got going in the second half of Friday’s 91-65 victory. With future teammates Michael Porter Jr. and Julius Randle sitting courtside, the rookie guard scored 16 points after halftime as the Nets pulled away. Just as encouraging for the Nets is that Brown played well alongside Egor Dëmin, who also put up 20 points in the rout. As Brown gets more game reps, he brings a level of athleticism and skill the Nets lacked at point guard last season.
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    If Thursday’s game was the last for Brown in Las Vegas, he’ll head home with a sour taste in his mouth. The rookie guard shot 2-of-10 from beyond the arc and was 1-of-5 from two, as he struggled at times with Houston’s physical perimeter defense. However, given the time he missed during his lone college season due to a back injury, Brown’s ability to play starters’ minutes this summer is a positive. With Ben Saraf struggling in summer play and Nolan Traoré unavailable due to injury, Brown should go into training camp with a legitimate chance of earning significant playing time, if not the starting point guard role.
  • After scoring 20 points in his first Las Vegas appearance on Friday, Brown did not play against the Hawks on Saturday. Back in action on Tuesday, the rookie point guard put together a solid floor game in Brooklyn’s 32-point victory. Given what the Nets saw from the point guards they selected in the first round of last year’s draft, Nolan Traoré and Ben Saraf, Brown should have every opportunity to earn significant rotation minutes when training camp opens in the fall. He’s looked up to the task thus far, and Brown’s back has not been an issue after missing 14 games at Louisville last season.
  • After sitting out the Nets’ first two games at the California Classic, Brown made his summer debut on Monday. The lottery pick out of Louisville did not shoot the ball particularly well, but he dished out four assists and logged 19 minutes without issue. It remains to be seen how much Brown will play in Las Vegas, as he’s coming off a back injury that cost him 14 games last season. However, Monday’s effort was encouraging, even with the shooting struggles.
  • Despite playing in 21 games, Brown earned third-team All-ACC honors after his lone season at Louisville. A back injury led to him missing a total of 14 games; eight in December/January, and the final six after the issue flared up in late February. The 6-foot-5 Brown, who is one of the most gifted offensive talents in this draft class, averaged 18.2 points, 3.3 rebounds, 4.7 assists, 1.2 steals and 2.6 three-pointers. To flourish at the next level, Brown will need to become more efficient as a scorer and playmaker, as evidenced by his shooting 41.0 percent from the field and committing 3.1 turnovers per game. While the Nets did use three of their five first-round picks in the 2025 draft on guards, none truly separated themselves from the pack. As a result, Brown should have every opportunity to take the reins as the franchise’s starting point guard of the future. The preseason battle between him, Egor Dëmin, Nolan Traoré and Ben Saraf will be one for fantasy managers to watch, especially if Brown remains healthy.

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  • FA Point Guard #25
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    According to Andscape’s Marc J. Spears, Ben Simmons is participating in a player-led minicamp for Australia’s national team that begins on Monday.

    After splitting the 2024-25 season between the Nets and Clippers, Simmons did not play in the NBA in 2025-26. In fact, he did not play anywhere, with the time off allowing the former first overall pick to recover from back issues that helped torpedo what appeared to be a promising career. Simmons will not be under any restrictions at the player-led minicamp, and he reportedly hopes to represent Australia in the 2028 Summer Olympics in Los Angeles. Regarding his NBA outlook, multiple teams have expressed interest in Simmons, according to Spears. He is said to be open to signing for the veteran’s minimum, which is likely the most that he would be able to sign for given the time missed.
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    Clippers signed Yuki Kawamura to an Exhibit 10 contract.

    Kawamura has appeared in 40 NBA games over two seasons, most recently spending the 2025-26 season with the Bulls on a two-way deal. In 18 NBA appearances for Chicago, the 5-foot-9 guard averaged 3.6 points and 2.6 assists in 11.6 minutes. Kawamura played for the Pacers’ summer league team in Las Vegas, doing enough to earn a training camp invite from the Clippers. He still has two-way contract eligibility, and that may be the path that Kawamura is asked to take in 2026-27.
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    76ers lead executive Mike Gansey said in a recent interview that Joel Embiid is “extra motivated” for the upcoming season.

    Embiid and the 76ers disappointingly saw their season end as the Knicks swept them in the second round of the NBA Playoffs. Since then, there’s been a change in leadership, with Gansey replacing Daryl Morey. In addition to acquiring Jaylen Brown from the Celtics, the 76ers signed LeBron James in free agency. Expectations going into next season will be sky-high, and it helps that Embiid can use this offseason to hone his craft instead of recovering from another injury. “This is like the first summer I think in a while that he’s been healthy, so he’s been in the gym working out,” Gansey told ESPN. “He’s been lifting weights. He’s extra motivated. He wants to play a lot of games, and he’s excited about the group we’ve built now. Even before these trades and LeBron, I think he was excited. So he’s motivated to have a good year and he’s ready to go.” When healthy, Embiid can be one of the most valuable players in fantasy basketball. However, the injury history will likely keep many managers from selecting him with a first-round pick in drafts.
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    Timberwolves head coach Chris Finch said during an appearance on the “Road Trippin’ Show” that Anthony Edwards will spend more time off the ball next season.

    Edwards put together another excellent season in 2025-26, averaging a career-high 28.8 points per game while also putting up 5.0 rebounds, 3.7 assists, 1.4 steals, 0.7 blocks and 3.4 three-pointers. However, Finch believes that the Timberwolves may have done their star guard a “disservice” by playing him on the ball so much. With Mike Conley’s limited production and fellow starter Donte DiVincenzo not being a point guard, the circumstances put Minnesota in a position where the ball needed to be in Edwards’ hands more. However, that approach eventually caught up to them, as San Antonio was able to overload its defense in a second-round series that ended in six games. With LaMelo Ball now in the fold, Edwards is going to spend most of his time playing off the ball, which should allow him more opportunities to play downhill.
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    Tyler Herro said at his youth basketball camp on Saturday that he is not worried about a potential contract extension as he enters his first season with the Bucks.

    Herro was the biggest piece included in the trade that sent Giannis Antetokounmpo to Miami earlier this summer. Coming off a 2025-26 season in which injuries limited him to 33 games, there should be no lack of motivation for Herro as he returns to his home state. Regarding his contract, Herro is going into the final season of his current deal, but there’s no concern about getting an extension done anytime soon. “I’m not really worried about it right now,” Herro said on Saturday. “It’s a new slate for me, for the coaches, really for the organization as a whole. I don’t think that needs to be a burden over anyone’s shoulders.” Multiple guards on the Bucks roster will be given every opportunity to contribute, including Ryan Rollins, Kevin Porter Jr., Gary Trent Jr. and lottery pick Brayden Burries. When healthy, Herro can offer excellent fantasy value, especially if he is one of Milwaukee’s offensive focal points.
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    HoopsHype’s Michael Scotto reports that the Spurs have signed Taelon Peter.

    The 54th overall pick in the 2025 draft, Peter spent his rookie season with the Pacers before being waived in July. Injuries to other players led to him playing 38 NBA games last season, and the 6-foot-4 guard averaged 4.5 points in 12.9 minutes per game. San Antonio has already filled all three of its two-way contract slots, likely meaning that Peter will ultimately join the franchise’s G League affiliate. Exhibit 10 players who are waived in training camp receive a bonus if they spend 60 days with the NBA franchise’s G League affiliate.
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    NBA insider Chris Haynes reports that the Wizards signed Alondes Williams.

    With Williams out of two-way contract eligibility, his deal with the Wizards may not be guaranteed but does ensure he’ll be in training camp. Williams had an outstanding 2025-26 season for the Wizards’ G League affiliate, averaging 22.5 points, 5.5 rebounds, 4.5 assists and 1.5 steals per game. The production was enough to earn him a 10-day contract with the Wizards in February as the team was dealing with multiple injuries on the perimeter. Williams is unlikely to impact fantasy basketball, especially with Trae Young leading a deep perimeter rotation.
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    ESPN’s Dave McMenamin reports that the 76ers have had talks with Kevin Love’s agent, Jeff Schwartz.

    The addition of LeBron James via free agency has opened the door for others to consider Philadelphia as a new home, even though the 76ers have limited roster space. Kentavious Caldwell-Pope has agreed to a one-year deal, and there have reportedly been conversations between the team and Love’s agent. However, the 76ers have two backup centers on the roster in Adem Bona and offseason signing Ariel Hukporti. Also, the KCP signing filled Philadelphia’s standard contract slots, meaning someone would have to be moved to make room for Love. In a reserve role, the veteran forward/center is unlikely to be in a position to consistently impact fantasy basketball next season.
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    Clippers signed Jamarion Sharp to a two-way contract.

    The 7-foot-5 Sharp gets a more secure opportunity to compete when the Clippers open training camp in late September. That’s a far cry from his two training camps with the Mavericks, as he was on Exhibit 10 contracts before being waived ahead of the 2024-25 and 2025-26 seasons. In his two seasons with the G League’s Texas Legends, Sharp averaged 7.3 rebounds and 3.5 blocks per game. Depending on Yanic Konan Niederhäuser’s recovery from a Lisfranc injury that ended his rookie campaign in March, there may be a few opportunities for Sharp to contribute early next season. He certainly isn’t a must-draft player in redraft leagues, but dynasty league managers should keep an eye on the athletic shot blocker.
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    Celtics signed Dillon Mitchell to a two-way contract.

    A few days after it was reported that Mitchell was considering a return to college for a fifth season, the former St. John’s wing has officially agreed to a two-way deal with the Celtics. The 40th overall pick in June’s draft, Mitchell suddenly had the opportunity to return to school after a court ruling granted athletes a fifth season of eligibility. Boston has been willing to give two-way players opportunities in the past, and Mitchell’s athleticism and defensive ability may give him a chance to contribute. However, the two-way contract makes him a challenging player to consider in redraft leagues.