NBA Player News

A signing on any of these guys is not imminent, and the Lakers could elect to bring in more guys at training camp before they commit to filling one of these final slots, but they are reportedly looking for a PG and a wing. Collison hasn’t played since 2019, and while he considered a return in 2020, he ultimately decided against it, so it’s a bit surprising to see him called in for a workout. James seems the most NBA-ready, as he played well for Brooklyn this past season, but none of these guys would have fantasy value in L.A.

Charlotte held on to Bridges when off-court issues kept him away for a while and has secured him for three more seasons. He led Charlotte with a career-high 21.0 points per game last season and can put together an even better fantasy season next year should he be available from the start with LaMelo Ball setting the table for him.

Shamet didn’t shoot the ball well from deep with the Wizards but is a career 38.4% three-point shooter and provided plenty of spark when Washington needed him to play a larger role. Long-range shooting is his best attribute, but he’s only averaged more than 10.0 points per game once in his seven-year career.

Bertans averaged 8.8 points and shot 37.5% from deep through 28 games with the Hornets. The stretch big man will enter free agency after failing to break into a rotation following his time with the Washington Wizards. He isn’t likely to command much fantasy value.

Graham was relevant for small stints during his run with the Spurs and appeared in 43 games during his two campaigns with the team. The point guard is unlikely to see a large surge in fantasy value as a free agent.

Reed was largely ineffective in the playoffs last season and Philadelphia has already brought in Andre Drummond to back up Joel Embiid. Reed will be in a position to be more productive next season playing behind a less dominant big man.

Martin has a chance to become an impactful player from the jump, as Philly parted with Nic Batum, Buddy Hield, and De’Anthony Melton following the 2023-24 season before bringing in Paul George. He averaged a career-high 10.0 points per game last season and can make a difference on both ends as a two-way wing.

Beasley is moving on from the Bucks after a one-year stint that saw him bumped from the starting lineup in Milwaukee. His fantasy outlook isn’t great given that Detroit added Tim Hardaway Jr. to a cluster of guards that includes Jaden Ivey and Cade Cunningham.

According to Scotto, the Pelicans are interested in Beasley as another floor-spacer to place around Zion Williamson. Appearing in 79 games for the Bucks last season, he averaged 2.8 3-pointers while shooting 41.3% from beyond the arc. However, New Orleans is also in the market for a center after losing Jonas Valanciunas in free agency, and addressing that need could take priority over adding another shooter. Dallas was also reportedly interested in adding Beasley, but only if they failed to sign Klay Thompson.

Carter injured his shoulder during the pre-draft process, and neither he nor the Kings are concerned about potential long-term issues. The rookie, selected with the 13th overall pick, will sit out both summer leagues that Sacramento is competing in. “I think we got to get him in here and get with our doctors and just see what it is,” Kings general manager Monte McNair said in June. “But when we get through the draft process, our docs are confident. We’ve been in touch with his team. We’re confident it’s not a long-term issue.” With Sacramento trading Davion Mitchell to the Raptors, Carter has a more straightforward path to rotation minutes as a rookie. However, backing up De’Aaron Fox will limit his fantasy ceiling in redraft leagues.

While the NBA has not officially finalized the trade, the framework appears complete. In addition to Bojan Bogdanovic and multiple draft picks, the Nets are sending Diakite and Shake Milton (sign-and-trade) to Brooklyn in exchange for Bridges and Keita Bates-Diop. Adding the contracts allows New York to avoid being limited to the first salary apron; they can now spend up to $188.9 million on salaries for the 2024-25 season. Diakite did not play much while with the Knicks, and that’s unlikely to change in Brooklyn with Nic Claxton and Noah Clowney under contract.