NBA Player News

The team is trying to get younger and cheaper on the bench, so the club will look to dip into the clearance aisle in their search for free agents. Williams has a history with the team and could be brought back after previous success.

Fresh off their second consecutive trip to the Western Conference Finals, the Timberwolves hope to keep most of their core together for another run. Reid, who opted out of the final year of his current deal, has been a key piece off the bench for Chris Finch’s team, and retaining him would be immense. Finch said earlier this month that he expects Reid and Julius Randle to return to the team next season. Reid staying in Minnesota likely keeps him in the sixth-man role, which limits his fantasy ceiling. However, he’s still worth selecting in all league drafts.

Not selected in the 2024 NBA Draft, Alexander signed a two-way contract with the Nuggets last July. The former Creighton guard only appeared in 24 regular-season games for Denver, but he made his mark in the G League. Alexander averaged 25.8 points, 5.7 rebounds, 5.6 assists and 1.7 steals per game for the Nuggets’ G League affiliate, earning league Rookie of the Year honors. His expected departure will not impact Denver from a fantasy basketball standpoint.

The first overall pick in this week’s draft, Flagg will make his summer debut on July 10 when the Mavericks play the Lakers in Las Vegas. And his new head coach already has plans for how the prized rookie will be used. “I want to put him at point guard. … I’m excited to give him the ball against the Lakers and see what happens,” Kidd said, according to NBA insider Marc Stein. This will be something worth tracking, as the Mavericks will miss a significant portion of the 2025-26 season as he recovers from a torn ACL. While Dallas is expected to address the point guard position in free agency, there may also be times when Flagg initiates offense if he shows himself capable of doing so.

Edwards was one of the few bright spots for the 76ers last season, playing well enough to earn a two-year, rest-of-season contract just after the February trade deadline. That deal included a team option for the 2025-26 season. According to Charania, the 76ers have declined that option in order to give Edwards a three-year contract with two guaranteed years. This gives the young forward added security, and it may be possible for Edwards to earn rotation minutes on a healthy 76ers squad next season.

Butler appeared in 60 games last season, 28 as a member of the 76ers after being acquired from the Wizards at the February trade deadline. The former second-round pick was one of the players whose minutes increased once Philadelphia shifted its focus toward strengthening the odds that they would keep their first-round pick, which was top-6 protected. Butler averaged 11.5 points, 2.5 rebounds, 4.9 assists, 1.1 steals and 1.6 three-pointers in 24.4 minutes per game as a 76ers player. With Philadelphia declining his option, Butler will be an unrestricted free agent.

Bol will not return to Phoenix for a third season, and he’ll be an unrestricted free agent this summer. The stretch five will likely garner interest from a number of teams, with the center-needy Lakers a potential suitor.

Houston is doing everything in its power to get the band back together alongside new addition Kevin Durant. None of the trio of Tate, Holiday and Green hold much fantasy value, but they’ll provide solid minutes off the bench in Houston’s deep rotation.

Ujiri spent the last 12 years with Toronto, highlighted by the franchise’s first and only title in 2019. With the members of that title team scattered to the win and a new young core in place, the organization will move in a different direction. Ujiri’s success in Toronto should position him well to land another gig, though it’s unclear who the Raptors will bring in to replace him.

Drummond played well in a reserve role behind Joel Embiid in 2024-25, and rather than test the free agent market, he’ll return to the Sixers for another season with a similar role. Fantasy managers can expect solid numbers when Drummond is thrust into the starting lineup, but he’s not typically worth utilizing when Embiid is healthy.

Cardwell has been an important piece for Auburn and will now be the second center that Sacramento added on draft night after they selected Maxime Raynaud in the second round. Cardwell couldn’t be a more different player from Raynaud. He finished in the paint well, but most of his impact was made on the defensive end. He’s also a decent passer for a big, even if the numbers don’t reflect it. He’ll compete to earn a spot in Sacramento, starting in Summer League in a couple weeks.