Memphis

Grizzlies

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.

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.

Russell did not play at all after being traded to the Wizards at the February deadline, and he was sent to Memphis as part of a six-team deal in early July. Even with the Grizzlies trading Ja Morant to Portland, D’Lo is not in the team’s plans moving forward. As a result, the two sides are reportedly working together to find Russell a new home, either through a trade or a contract buyout. Russell is entering the final year of a contract that will pay him slightly less than $6 million. While a capable player, D’Lo is unlikely to land in a situation where he can be fantasy-relevant next season.

Coward was, again, one of Memphis’ top performers on Sunday. He struggled inside the arc but was lethal from beyond it, draining all five of his three-point attempts before finishing tied for a team-high 19 points. The second-year guard also fared well on the glass and as a facilitator in the loss. If he can increase his three-point efficiency and take a step forward as a passer, he should be in for a good sophomore season as it pertains to fantasy basketball.

Boozer bounced back from a rough shooting performance to tie a team high in points on Sunday. He drained three triples and was solid on the boards, yet again. The No. 3 overall pick had a strong summer overall and is in line to be one of Memphis’ featured players this upcoming season. He’s got a lot of room for growth and development, but should still be a reliable contributor in fantasy leagues as a rookie.

One game removed from scoring 24 points on 10-of-13 shooting, Boozer didn’t have the best day shooting the basketball against the Rockets. However, he found other ways to add value, most notably as a rebounder and facilitator. Viewed by some as a player who possesses the highest floor in this summer’s draft class, that label may be selling Boozer’s ceiling short. His ability to affect games as a scorer, rebounder and facilitator makes him one of the top fantasy rookies, and the defense should not be overlooked, either.

The results in Summer League don’t mean a great deal, but teams with a chance to take home the title usually ramp things up a notch toward the end of the week. Coward has surpassed 20 points in each of his last two games, with Saturday’s effort helping push the Grizzlies into Sunday’s title game. Given the players Memphis has moved on from within the last year, the franchise is embarking on a new era, and Coward is expected to be one of the leaders. And his skill set is such that he could be an incredibly valuable player in fantasy basketball, especially for those competing in category leagues.

Coward and the Grizzlies rolled to a 96-64 victory, guaranteeing themselves a place in Saturday’s semifinals. The second-year guard was efficient offensively, shooting well over 50 percent from the field, with his final line lacking only a blocked shot. With the Grizzlies embarking on a new era, the tandem of Coward and lottery pick Cameron Boozer will be asked to lead the way, and they possess the highest fantasy ceilings on the current roster.

Boozer and the Grizzlies needed a big win to clinch a spot in Saturday’s semifinals, and they understood the assignment from the opening tip. Memphis led 32-2 and never looked back, going on to win 96-64. Boozer made things look easy for himself against the shorthanded Hawks, scoring on all three levels and also doing some facilitating. With Memphis now in the semifinals, any thoughts about a potential shutdown for Boozer and the other summer Grizzlies who are guaranteed roles for next season can be put to rest.

Boozer didn’t have the best day shooting the basketball, but that doesn’t matter much when seven Grizzlies reach double figures in a 106-85 victory. Also, the third overall pick does not need to score to provide fantasy value, as evidenced by the rebounds, assists and steals. The Grizzlies play their fourth game in Las Vegas on Thursday, and it’s fair to wonder if Boozer will be shut down. Counting Salt Lake City, he has played a lot of basketball over the last two weeks, and there doesn’t seem to be much that the Grizzlies haven’t seen from their lottery pick.