NBA Player News

Jackson’s play has steadily improved after getting off to a slow start in his summer opener on July 8. He played well in finishing the Grizzlies’ time in Salt Lake City, and progress has continued in Las Vegas. While the minutes are unlikely to match the workload Jackson was asked to shoulder as a rookie due to the Grizzlies being healthy, he will be able to earn rotation minutes when training camp opens in September. The “microwave-like” scoring ability makes Jackson worthy of consideration in deep fantasy leagues.

Okoro is in a difficult spot regarding free agency, as the Cavaliers have the right to match any offer sheet he signs. In addition to that rule, only Detroit has suitable cap space at this point in the offseason, and the Pistons are dealing with a logjam on the wings. That means Okoro can take the qualifying offer and hit unrestricted free agency next summer, or he can wait for an offer of his liking. According to Windhorst, the Cavaliers did offer the 2020 lottery pick a multi-year deal, but he did not report a structure for said deal. Okoro may ultimately return to Cleveland for another season, but this standoff is unlikely to impact fantasy basketball. He hasn’t offered much value since entering the NBA, either as a starter or rotation player off the bench.

After beginning last season as one of his brother Brook’s backups in Milwaukee, Robin was traded to the Kings in February and subsequently waived. He’s been a free agent since, and while in Slovenia for Goran Dragic’s testimonial game, Lopez said he would consider playing in Europe next season. “I’d absolutely consider it; I know how passionate the fans are and how high the level of basketball is,” Lopez told EuroHoops’ Cesare Milanti. Regardless of what RoLo decides, his status will not impact fantasy basketball in 2024-25.

McGriff and Mangas have been added to the roster for training camp, which will begin in late September. Given the current state of the Pacers roster, with all three two-way slots and all 15 standard contract slots filled, McGriff and Mangas face long odds to make the opening night roster. Look for them to land with Indiana’s G League affiliate ultimately.

Ryan averaged 5.4 points per game with the Pelicans last season and shot 45.1 percent from deep. His release comes following the announcement of Javonte Green’s one-year deal with New Orleans.

Windler was the 26th overall pick in the 2019 NBA Draft, but he never established himself as an NBA player due to injuries. Seeing action for the Knicks, Lakers, and Hawks, he appeared in 17 NBA games last season, posting averages of 2.5 points and 0.9 rebounds in 6.4 minutes. Windler will look to rejuvenate his professional career in Australia, with Perth being one of the NBL’s top teams.

Nearly three weeks after being waived by the Bucks, Galloway rejoins the team with which he began his professional career. The 6-foot-6 wing played well for the Kings during the 2023-24 season, averaging just over ten points per game. After the NBL season, Galloway agreed to a two-year, two-way contract with the Bucks, spending most of his time with Milwaukee’s G League affiliate. With the Bucks’ focus on winning now, Galloway was unlikely to factor into the rotation had he not been waived in early August.

Phoenix had 16 players under standard contracts for the 2024-25 season, so something had to give. Liddell’s reported exit is unsurprising, as he was not believed to be in the Suns’ plans after being acquired from the Hawks earlier this summer. As for Little, the 2019 first-round pick only appeared in 45 games last season, posting averages of 3.4 points and 1.7 rebounds in 10.2 minutes. His departure will have a financial impact, as the Suns will stretch the remaining $22 million on Little’s contract. Rookies Ryan Dunn and Oso Ighodaro are expected to be given every opportunity to earn rotation minutes next season.

The 23rd overall pick in the 2021 NBA Draft, Garuba failed to make an impact with either the Rockets or Warriors. While it was reported as early as May that he would ultimately sign with Real Madrid, the move did not become official until Tuesday. Garuba’s exit will not impact fantasy basketball, as he struggled to earn rotation minutes in the NBA.

After spending his rookie campaign on a two-way contract, Bates will return to the Cavaliers on similar terms. He appeared in 15 NBA games in 2023-24, averaging 2.7 points and 0.9 rebounds in under nine minutes. Even if Cleveland does not bring back Isaac Okoro, who remains a restricted free agent, Bates is unlikely to get the run needed to make a dent in fantasy basketball.

Not selected in the 2023 NBA Draft, Hauser agreed to a two-way deal with the Jazz in July 2023 but was waived just before the start of the season. The Clippers signed him on an Exhibit 10 deal shortly after that, but the former Michigan State forward was waived on October 21 and spent last season in the G League. Hauser may wind up spending most of his time with Atlanta’s G League affiliate, so there’s little need to consider drafting him.