NBA Player News

McCullar spent his first three college seasons at Texas Tech before transferring to Kansas for his final two. He blossomed in Lawrence, averaging 18.3 points, 6.0 rebounds, 4.1 assists, 1.5 steals and 1.5 triples as a senior. McCullar Jr. is an elite defender who earned Big 12 All-Defense honors in 2023-24. At 6’7, he’s got elite size and length for a guard, and he averaged 1.6 steals in his five collegiate seasons. He can operate as a defensive sparkplug at the next level, and fantasy managers should keep an eye on him if he can earn rotational minutes for the New York Knicks, who acquired him via trade ahead of Phoenix’s selection. It’ll be tough given their recent wing acquisitions, though.

According to the Heat, Highsmith suffered a torn right meniscus while training in his hometown of Baltimore. With the team’s timeline, the wing may be available in time for the start of the regular season, but that isn’t guaranteed. Highsmith has not been a consistently impactful fantasy asset with the Heat, but he’s been able to earn rotation minutes.

Lewis, the 40th overall pick in the 2023 draft, played for the Lakers and Nets last season. In 28 combined appearances, 21 for the Nets, he averaged 4.1 points and 2.0 rebounds in 11.7 minutes. Lewis most recently played for the Mavericks in summer league action.

After three successful seasons as the Celtics’ head coach, Mazzulla has been rewarded with a multi-year extension. While his job was not in any danger, the coach receives added security ahead of what’s expected to be a “bridge year” for the Celtics as they await Jayson Tatum’s return from a ruptured Achilles tendon. In three seasons at the helm, Mazzulla, who began as the interim head coach after Ime Udoka’s suspension ahead of the 2022-23 season, has led the Celtics to 182 regular-season wins and the 2024 NBA title.

While Swider has seen action in the NBA each of the last three seasons, most of his playing time has come at the G League level. The 6-foot-9 forward appeared in 10 games with the Pistons and Raptors last season, averaging 5.9 points, 2.7 rebounds and 1.5 three-pointers in 16.9 minutes. Swider went on to play well for the Lakers’ Summer League team in Las Vegas, raising his profile, especially with overseas clubs.

Waived by the Wizards in late June, Gill will return to the franchise on a one-year deal that’s likely worth the league minimum. While the veteran forward has rarely been part of the rotation during his time in Washington, he’s been a valuable voice in the locker room for the rebuilding franchise. Look for Gill to take on a similar role in 2025-26.

Both players will spend another year on a two-way contract. Ingram made five appearances in the NBA last season, while Minix only played in one game. Both 2024 second-round picks will likely spend most of next season in the G League once again.

This isn’t a surprising update, but the confidence from Carlisle to announce this nearly three months before the start of the regular season is a good thing to see. Mathurin averaged 16.7 points, 6.0 rebounds and 1.9 assists in 49 starts last season, and with Tyrese Haliburton (Achilles) expected to miss all of next season, Mathurin will certainly be one of the leading scorers for Indiana, which bodes well for his fantasy upside.

The eight-year vet and two-time champ spent the last seven years with the Raptors, departing as the franchise’s all-time leader in points, rebounds, blocks, games and minutes off the bench. With Al Horford unsigned, Boston’s frontcourt rotation currently includes Neemias Queta, Xavier Tillman and Luka Garza. Shams reports that Boucher is expected to play a significant role for his new team, and given the state of the depth chart, that’s not hard to believe. As a stretch big who can block shots and hit triples, Boucher is a worthwhile dart throw in the later rounds of 2025-26 fantasy drafts.

The Big East Player of the Year was electric at St. John’s last season, and he’ll look to keep the momentum going at the next level. Luis’ fantasy outlook actually improves with this move, as Boston is woefully thin at multiple positions. He has a chance to earn rotational minutes in his inaugural campaign.

The deal also sends two second-round picks from Boston to Utah as part of the deal. Moving Niang is just a financial move for the Celtics, but his departure thins out Boston’s rotation even further. Sam Hauser and Baylor Scheierman could see more playing time for the depleted Celtics. Niang’s role in Utah is more difficult to forecast, as the Jazz are already deep in the frontcourt.