NBA Player News

Westbrook’s agreement is now official over a week after he was traded to Utah with the expectation that he would eventually join the Nuggets. Russ will look to help bolster Denver’s bench unit after they ranked 25th in bench points per game last season.

Beasley appeared poised to cash in at the start of free agency after an excellent 2024-25 season with the Pistons. However, just before he could agree to a three-year, $42 million contract to remain in Detroit, it was reported that the US District Attorney’s Office was investigating him due to gambling allegations related to NBA games and prop bets during the 2023-24 season. The Pistons pulled the offer off the table, and other reports regarding Beasley’s financial troubles would come to light. “Months after this investigation commenced, Malik remains uncharged and is not the target of this investigation,” attorney Steve Haney told ESPN. “An allegation with no charge, indictment or conviction should never have the catastrophic consequence this has caused Malik. This has literally been the opposite of the presumption of innocence.” Detroit has addressed its wing needs this offseason through the additions of Caris LeVert and Duncan Robinson, not to mention Jaden Ivey’s return from a broken leg. And with many other teams lacking significant cap space, Beasley may have to take a smaller deal for the 2025-26 season than anticipated before free agency began.

Cameroon, which needed a win over the Democratic Republic of Congo to advance to the knockout rounds, sealed its place in the FIBA AfroBasket semifinals with a commanding victory over Egypt. Missi had a good afternoon, shooting over 50 percent from the field and mixing in a few assists with his usual rebounds and blocked shots. As a rookie, the 6-foot-11 center made 67 starts for the Pelicans. Injuries throughout the roster limited Missi’s fantasy value last season, but he can be a helpful piece in 2025-26 due to the rebounds and blocked shots. While New Orleans did add Kevon Looney and Derik Queen to the roster this offseason, the latter may not be ready for the upcoming season after undergoing wrist surgery in July.

According to BasketNews, Bona’s leg injury is not believed to be serious. He was also on the bench supporting his teammates as Turkey closed out the win in its final EuroBasket tune-up. While Alperen Sengun leads the way in the frontcourt for Turkey, Bona will be another player to watch in the tournament due to his abilities as a rebounder and defender. And given the uncertain status of Joel Embiid as he continues to recover from knee surgery, the 2024 second-round pick out of UCLA may figure more prominently in the 76ers’ plans to begin the 2025-26 season.

Tshiebwe appeared in 14 games for the Jazz last season on a two-way deal, with most of those appearances coming in March and April. If Utah ends up tanking at the end of the year again, Tshiebwe will hold some late-season value, but he will likely spend most of the year in the G League.

Wall, who last suited up during the 2022-23 season for the Clippers, has officially called it a career. The first overall pick in 2010, Wall had an excellent run with the Wizards for most of the decade before short stints in Houston and Los Angeles. The five-time All-Star made the All-NBA third team during the 2016-17 season and averaged 18.7 points, 4.2 rebounds, 8.9 assists and 1.6 steals per game over his career.

The exact terms of the deal weren’t reported, but after leading Indiana to the NBA Finals, the Pacers will make sure Carlisle will be around the team for years to come. Indiana will be without Tyrese Haliburton (Achilles) this season, and Myles Turner left for the Bucks this offseason, so the expectations will be much lower. However, Carlisle will have some added insurance in the form of a new deal if the team struggles this year.

Belinelli, the 18th overall pick in the 2007 NBA Draft, spent the last five seasons playing for Virtus Bologna in his native Italy. He played for nine different teams during his NBA career, including four with the Spurs, and was part of San Antonio’s 2014 NBA champion squad. As an NBA player, Belinelli averaged 9.7 points, 2.1 rebounds, 1.7 assists and 1.4 three-pointers per game, shooting 37.6 percent from beyond the arc.

Quiñones, who finished the 2024-25 season with the Pelicans before being waived last month, will compete for either a standard contract or a two-way contract slot with the Magic. Over three NBA seasons, he’s appeared in 54 games, averaging 4.8 points, 1.7 rebounds and 1.1 assists in 11.0 minutes. Even if Quiñones does enough in training camp to earn a standard contract, he’s unlikely to impact fantasy basketball next season.

The Hawks signed Dante to a two-year, two-way contract worth $4.5 million on Saturday, and Houston had the right to match the offer sheet since he was a restricted free agent. The Rockets have reportedly declined to do so, clearing the path for Dante to head to Atlanta. Dante is unlikely to get the opportunities needed to impact fantasy basketball next season, but the 23-year-old will be an intriguing developmental prospect for the Hawks to invest in.

Dončić injured his right knee during Saturday’s friendly against Latvia, casting some doubt on his status for the upcoming FIBA EuroBasket competition. However, Slovenia’s national team announced on Sunday that the star guard was cleared to practice on Monday, and Stein’s update is another positive development. Dončić will take on his usual role as Slovenia’s lead offensive option, hoping to medal in EuroBasket after failing to do so in 2022.