Finch: Anthony Edwards to play more SG next 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.

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.

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.

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.

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.

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.

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.

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.

In the aftermath of a court decision that now allows college players five seasons of eligibility, CBS Sports reported that Nickel was considering a return to college. In addition to entering the draft in the spring, the former Vanderbilt sharpshooter entered his name into the transfer portal. Another season of college basketball could also earn Nickel more money than a deal with the Knicks, based on projections that he could command seven figures in NIL payments. However, Nickel is reportedly focused on starting his NBA career. The question is whether the Knicks will sign him to a standard contract or a two-way contract, with the latter option allowing the team to save some cap space as the front office finalizes the roster.

The 39th overall pick in June’s draft, Kayil appeared likely to remain overseas despite his stated desire to play in the NBA immediately. However, with the Knicks’ need for cap space as the team aims to avoid the second apron, the guard’s chances of landing a standard contract appeared to be slim. Kayil had some positive moments during summer league play, but he did not play at all in the second half of the Knicks’ finale in Las Vegas. New York retains his draft rights, and dynasty league managers can afford to leave Kayil on draft boards for now.