NBA Player News

Edey finished his Purdue career as one of the most accomplished players in college basketball history, as he was a two-time consensus All-American and two-time winner of the Wooden Award. In leading the Boilermakers to their second national title game appearance, he averaged 25.2 points, 12.2 rebounds, 2.0 assists, and 2.2 blocks per game, shooting 62.3% from the field and 71.1% from the foul line. While the 7-foot-3 Edey has solid touch for a big man, he wasn’t forced to show it off too often in games throughout his Purdue career. Edey will need to improve his footwork, especially defensively, as teams will look to involve him in the two-man game consistently. Edey brings sorely-needed size to a Memphis team that lost Steven Adams and Xavier Tillman last season, and he should see meaningful rotational minutes in Year 1.

With Nickeil Alexander-Walker now a member of the Atlanta Hawks, Shannon is well-positioned to earn consistent rotation minutes next season. The 27th pick in the 2024 draft played well on Thursday, recording a near-complete stat line while only committing three turnovers. Shannon did score 15 points in Game 3 of the Western Conference Finals, but that was a contest that Minnesota controlled throughout, resulting in more minutes for the team’s non-rotation players. With Alexander-Walker gone, the Timberwolves will need Shannon to step forward. While “it was only summer league,” Thursday’s performance was a step in the right direction.

Along with Terrence Shannon Jr. and Jaylen Clark, Dillingham is one of the returning players on Minnesota’s summer roster with a serious shot at earning rotation minutes next season. The Timberwolves lost Nickeil Alexander-Walker in free agency, and with Mike Conley not getting any younger, Dillingham will have every opportunity to earn more minutes at the point. Two areas where he’ll need to improve: finishing and ball control. In addition to committing seven turnovers on Thursday, Dillingham shot 1-of-8 from inside the arc. The good news is that he was 3-of-6 from three and posted a solid assist tally.

Beringer may not have been discussed as a marquee player heading into the opening day of the NBA 2K26 Summer League, but the first-round pick out of France changed that almost immediately. He rejected three shots before the game’s first timeout on Thursday and finished with seven blocks. Beringer was bouncy on both ends of the floor, finishing above the rim offensively and serving as a significant deterrent in the paint defensively. Learning from countryman Rudy Gobert should benefit Beringer, whose value in dynasty leagues likely skyrocketed following his performance against the Pelicans.

While Ingram was doing individual work recently, he had yet to be cleared for contact after missing most of last season with an ankle injury. On Thursday, it was announced that the Raptors forward has taken the next step in his recovery and is expected to start scrimmaging soon. Ingram only played in 18 games last season, none with the Raptors, as he injured his ankle in early December and did not play again. His arrival in Toronto will impact the fantasy values of multiple players within the rotation, most notably RJ Barrett.

Vukcevic averaged 9.4 points and 3.7 boards across 14.6 minutes per game last season with Washington. Heading into Year 3, he’ll serve as Alex Sarr’s top backup at center, and it wouldn’t be surprising if Washington eventually converted his contract into a standard deal.

J Dub is fresh off the best season of his career, posting 21.6 points, 5.3 rebounds, 5.1 assists, 1.6 steals, 0.7 blocked shots and 1.8 triples per game in Year 3. The Santa Clara product delivered a strong playoff run, including a 40 burger in Game 5 of the NBA Finals. Williams will be locked in with OKC through 2030 alongside Shai Gilgeous-Alexander and Chet Holmgren to make up a formidable big three in the Western Conference.

Acquired from the Kings in early February as part of the three-team trade that also sent De’Aaron Fox to San Antonio, McLaughlin averaged 6.9 minutes per game in 18 appearances for the Spurs. Even with Chris Paul no longer in the picture, the fantasy outlook for the veteran guard will not change much in 2025-26. San Antonio used the second overall pick in last month’s draft to select Dylan Harper, and they can also use reigning Rookie of the Year Stephon Castle on the ball in addition to Fox.

Harper suffered a minor groin injury before the California Classic and did not play in San Antonio’s three games in San Francisco. While he will also miss Thursday’s opening game in Las Vegas against the 76ers, the second overall pick in last month’s draft will reportedly make his summer debut on Saturday against the Mavericks. Fans and fantasy managers have seen San Antonio’s other first-round pick, as Carter Bryant played in two of the team’s three games in San Francisco.

Thursday’s summer league matchup was supposed to include the second and third overall picks in last month’s draft, but neither may be available. San Antonio’s Dylan Harper missed his team’s three games in California with a groin injury, and Edgecombe has been officially ruled out with a sprained left thumb. After scoring 28 points in his first game in Salt Lake City, the former Baylor guard missed the next two games with the thumb injury. The good news for Edgecombe and the 76ers is that his non-shooting hand is the one affected. Whether Edgecombe will see any action in Las Vegas is unknown, but he has been going through on-court workouts and will be re-evaluated on Saturday.

With Kevin Durant traded to the Rockets and Bradley Beal likely being bought out of his contract, Booker will continue to shoulder the load as Phoenix’s franchise cornerstone. Wednesday’s extension means his contract will run through the 2029-30 season, strengthening the commitment between player and franchise. Booker will again be worthy of consideration within the first 25 picks of 12-team fantasy drafts. While he finished last season ranked just outside the top 30, the Suns’ cornerstone was a top-20 player in 2023-24.