NBA Player News

Timma is a solid prospect for the Grizzlies to stash overseas. His 6'7" frame and athleticism give him nice upside, but he’s too raw to make the jump to the NBA any time soon.

Mitchell struggled to find his place during his first few seasons in the NBA, but after being traded to Miami in February, he enjoyed arguably the best stretch of his career. Now, instead of trying to get a better deal in restricted free agency, he’ll just sign back with the Heat. Though they just drafted Kasparas Jakucionis with the No. 20 pick in the draft, Mitchell should get the first crack at the starting point guard job, which is the role that he ended last season in.

Okoro has been a solid wing defender for Cleveland since they drafted him with the No. 5 pick in 2020. Now, he’ll get a fresh start in Chicago, where he’ll join a crowded wing rotation. Kevin Huerter was the starting small forward at the end of last season, and the Bulls just added Noa Essengue in the draft. Okoro will likely be a reserve wing that helps out the defense, but he’s never been much of a contributor in fantasy basketball.

Injuries have limited Lonzo in recent seasons, but he’s still an impactful player when he’s on the floor. Now, he’ll be a strong reserve playmaking option behind Darius Garland. Ball’s addition likely means that Ty Jerome will sign elsewhere in free agency after being one of the best bench options in the league last season. Ball’s departure should also open up minutes for Ayo Dosunmu off the bench as the primary reserve in the backcourt. Reports from April indicated that Ball should be ready to go for training camp after missing the final two months of last season with a wrist injury.

Stein’s report also says “if he indeed comes back for a 21st season,” so it seems that Paul may not have made a decision on whether or not he’s going to return for another year. If he does, this doesn’t mean he’s going to play for a Los Angeles team, but his preference would be somewhere closer. How close he’d be looking to be is unknown, but the 40-year-old should still be able to provide some solid backup point guard minutes next season.

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.