Fantasy basketball reactions to NBA offseason trades, signings

Monitoring the offseason NBA trades and signings with fantasy basketball implications, Andre Snellings and Eric Moody will analyze and supply an outlook for all the key gamers concerned.

Superstars like Nikola Jokic, Shai Gilgeous-Alexander and Giannis Antetokounmpo led the best way in fantasy hoops this previous season, however the season forward poses challenges with quite a lot of big-name gamers anticipated to overlook a prolonged portion — if not all — of 2025-26. That group consists of Jayson Tatum, Tyrese Haliburton, Damian Lillard and Kyrie Irving.

The likes of Desmond Bane, Kevin Durant and Jalen Inexperienced have already switched groups, and as groups work to rebuild their rosters within the weeks forward, pay shut consideration to how every transfer causes fantasy values to shift.

Observe: Not each transaction warrants the eye of fantasy managers, however for these signings and trades that do benefit evaluation, you will discover them listed beneath. Gamers can be separated in chronological order, with the most recent information coming first. Additionally included are hyperlinks to any standalone evaluation tales and/or movies concerning main free agent signings and trades. Gamers who find yourself re-signing with their earlier workforce is not going to all the time be included.

John Collins traded to Clippers; Norman Powell traded to Warmth; Kevin Love and Kyle Anderson traded to Jazz

The three-team commerce between the Clippers, Warmth and Jazz shakes up depth charts and opens the door for seismic shifts throughout all three rosters. Miami acquires Powell, who’s coming off a career-best season, averaging 21.8 PPG on 48.4% capturing from the sphere and 41.8% from past the arc. With Jimmy Butler III gone and the Warmth’s backcourt rotation restricted to Tyler Herro, Terry Rozier and Davion Mitchell, Powell has a transparent path to minutes. He began all 60 video games he performed final yr and set profession highs in minutes (32.6) and threes made (179). Powell enters the 2025-26 season as a high-floor, mid-round decide with top-50 upside if his effectivity holds and he stays wholesome, making him a powerful fantasy choice.

On the opposite facet, the Clippers decide up Collins, who averaged 19.0 PPG and eight.2 RPG in simply 40 video games for Utah final season. Whereas his manufacturing per 40 minutes stays sturdy, with 24.9 factors and 10.7 rebounds, his incapacity to remain wholesome continues to hang-out him. With Kawhi Leonard’s sturdiness all the time in query, Los Angeles is betting that Collins may give them much-needed dimension and athleticism up entrance. From a fantasy standpoint, Collins is a boom-or-bust choice. If he performs 70+ video games, he might be a powerful worth. However given Collins’ observe report, it is best to attend and take a flier on him close to the highest of the double-digit rounds.

Neither Love (5.3 PPG and 4.1 RPG in 23 video games) nor Anderson (5.9 PPG and three.4 RPG in 61 video games) figures to have a lot fantasy relevance in Utah. The Jazz are clearly in a rebuild, and with Collins’ departure, youthful gamers like Taylor Hendricks (if he is good to go when the season begins) and Kyle Filipowski are positioned for bigger roles within the rotation. — Moody (7/7)

Bucks signal Myles Turner, launch Damian Lillard

Turner is a superb match for the Bucks, sliding seamlessly into Brook Lopez’s former function. Like Lopez, Turner is a middle that may shoot 3-pointers and in addition defend the paint as a shot blocker. Turner is youthful and extra athletic than Lopez, permitting him to be more practical as a pick-and-roll and swap defender. Statistically, Turner ought to produce comparable numbers to those he had his time with the Pacers, the place he averaged 16.8 PPG, 7.0 RPG, 2.0 BPG and 1.7 3PG over the previous three seasons.

Milwaukee’s determination to waive Lillard was a surprising transfer. The Bucks traded for the All-Star level guard two years in the past to assist convey the workforce again to championship rivalry. Chopping him outright means the Bucks are on the hook for the remaining $113M of his contract, which they are going to stretch out over the following 5 seasons. Assuming Lillard clears waivers, the following query is which workforce he’ll signal with subsequent. He may go to any workforce of his selection, presumably a contender.

Nonetheless, there are nonetheless questions concerning his availability as he continues to get well from a torn Achilles. Will he try and return in some unspecified time in the future in 2025-26 or sit out your entire season? Lillard was reportedly occupied with taking part in for the Miami Warmth previous to becoming a member of the Bucks, and one other workforce of curiosity might be the Minnesota Timberwolves, who’re searching for an improve at level guard after reaching the Western Convention finals in consecutive seasons. — Snellings (7/1)

Cameron Johnson traded from Nets to Nuggets for Michael Porter Jr.

Porter Jr. ought to have a transparent fantasy enhance in Brooklyn. He leaves a title-contending Nuggets workforce the place he averaged 18.2 PPG, 7.0 RPG and shot 39.7% from deep final season on restricted utilization. He’ll tackle a featured scoring function on a rebuilding Nets workforce with little shot creation. That possible means a bump in shot quantity and utilization price. He may push previous 20-plus PPG for the primary time. Managers ought to brace for a dip in effectivity. Porter shot over 50% from the sphere in Denver because of seems generated by Nikola Jokic. Porter Jr.’s profession free-throw price is low (79.5%), and his help numbers (simply 1.4 APG for his profession) stay minimal. If he stays wholesome (all the time the most important query with MPJ), he’s a high-upside middle-round decide in class and factors leagues.

Johnson strikes right into a extra environment friendly function in Denver and taking part in alongside Nikola Jokic ought to elevate his already sturdy capturing profile. Johnson averaged 18.8 PPG, 4.3 RPG, 3.4 APG, 1.0 SPG and shot 39.0% from past the arc final season with Brooklyn. He may even see a dip in scoring quantity however count on improved effectivity on his 45.3% FG and 85.2% FT splits. Johnson’s profession 39.2% mark from 3-point vary turns into much more beneficial with Jokic creating open seems. Johnson is a dependable mid-to-late spherical choice in factors and class codecs with potential positive factors in FG% and steals.

General, Porter Jr. will get a short-term fantasy bump in usage-heavy leagues, whereas Johnson turns into a high-floor, low-ceiling choice in Denver’s extra structured offense. Each are value mid-round picks, with Porter Jr. providing extra upside and danger. — Moody (6/30)

D’Angelo Russell indicators with Dallas Mavericks

Russell signing with the Mavericks is sufficient to put him on the fantasy hoops radar for so long as Kyrie Irving (Achilles) is out. Russell averaged 12.6 PPG, 5.1 APG and 1.9 3PG final season and performed 25.5 MPG. Within the 4 seasons prior, taking part in for the Lakers and Timberwolves, Russell averaged 18.2 PPG, 6.3 RPG and a pair of.8 3PG in 31.4 MPG. With Irving out, Russell initiatives as the place to begin guard and first perimeter choice with minutes someplace within the upper-20s or greater. Even with Anthony Davis and Cooper Flagg as doubtlessly the highest two choices on offense, Russell ought to have the possibility to provide mid-teens scoring with stable help numbers and 3-point capturing. I’d challenge him as a top-100 fantasy hoops participant general with top-60 upside whereas Irving is out. — Snellings (7/1)

Nickeil Alexander-Walker heads to Hawks in sign-and-trade

Alexander-Walker agreed to a four-year, $62 million cope with the Atlanta Hawks, arriving through sign-and-trade from the Minnesota Timberwolves. Atlanta despatched a 2027 second-round decide (through Cleveland) and money to finish the deal. The transfer would not drastically enhance Alexander-Walker’s fantasy worth. The 26-year-old carved out a powerful 3-and-D function in Minnesota, posting 9.4 PPG, 3.2 RPG, 2.7 APG and 0.6 SPG in 25.3 MPG final season whereas capturing 38.1% from past the arc. Alexander-Walker additionally performed in all 82 video games every of the previous two years and is broadly revered as a high-level perimeter defender.

In Atlanta, Alexander-Walker joins a crowded rotation alongside Trae Younger, Dyson Daniels and newly-signed sharpshooter Luke Kennard. Whereas Alexander-Walker gives premium protection and a few ball-handling capacity, he isn’t a high-usage participant and might be restricted to a low-minutes function until accidents strike. His real-life worth is obvious, however in fantasy, Alexander-Walker is a late-round or waiver-wire choice at finest. Managers in deep leagues or these punting scoring may take a flier, banking on elite 3-point capturing and defensive stats if he lands the correct function. — Moody (7/1)

Ty Jerome indicators with Memphis Grizzlies

Jerome’s transfer to Memphis comes after a breakout season with the Cavaliers, the place he averaged 12.5 PPG, 3.4 APG, 2.5 RPG, and 1.1 SPG on elite capturing splits. From a fantasy perspective, Jerome’s worth hinges on his environment friendly scoring and playmaking off the bench, particularly in deeper factors leagues or class codecs. Whereas he is unlikely to start out, the Grizzlies will lean on his offense following the Desmond Bane commerce, and with Luke Kennard heading to Atlanta, Jerome may carve out a constant sixth-man function.

His minutes in Cleveland (19.9 MPG) might barely rise in Memphis given the workforce’s lack of confirmed scorers behind Ja Morant and Kentavious Caldwell-Pope. Nonetheless, managers ought to mood expectations. Jerome’s upside relies on his effectivity and alternative, and he isn’t identified for high-volume manufacturing. His defensive limitations and damage historical past (together with a missed 2023-24 season as a consequence of ankle surgical procedure) additionally cap his ceiling.

For the Cavaliers, that is principally a fantasy non-event. Cleveland losses a high quality bench piece however have inner choices to fill Jerome’s function.

Jerome struggled within the playoffs, however his signing is one among free company’s finest values. He gives deep-league intrigue because of elite capturing splits and a possible utilization enhance in Memphis. Greatest seen as a late-round flier with upside if minutes open up. — Moody (6/30)

Collin Sexton traded from Jazz to Hornets for Jusuf Nurkic

Collin Sexton steps into a major function because the Hornets’ secondary scorer alongside LaMelo Ball. Sexton’s 18.4 PPG final season, paired with sturdy capturing splits (48.0% FG, 40.6% 3PT, 86.5% FT), make him a beneficial fantasy decide. With Ball drawing defensive focus, Sexton ought to see elevated scoring alternatives and playmaking duties, boosting his fantasy upside. Sexton’s worth rises if Ball misses time, which is an actual concern given Ball’s damage historical past. He is performed over 60 video games solely as soon as and averaged simply 35 video games per season the previous three years. Nonetheless, shedding Nurkic leaves Charlotte’s frontcourt skinny, which can sluggish workforce tempo and restrict frontcourt fantasy manufacturing.

Nurkic supplies Utah with much-needed frontcourt depth. His 8.9 PPG, 7.8 RPG and a pair of.3 APG final season, plus an occasional three-pointer, make him a flexible contributor in multi-category leagues. Although not a high-volume scorer, Nurkic’s regular manufacturing advantages managers searching for rebounds and assists from a middle. His expiring contract and the Jazz’s youth motion round rookie Ace Bailey imply his function may fluctuate.

From a workforce perspective, the Hornets acquire a dependable scoring guard who enhances Ball properly, including offensive versatility and veteran savvy. Nonetheless, Charlotte now faces a major frontcourt hole, which can affect general workforce efficiency and tempo. Utah bolsters its frontcourt depth with Nurkic, offering veteran management behind their younger core and permitting extra backcourt minutes for promising rookies like Ace Bailey. This commerce highlights the Jazz’s dedication to a youth-driven rebuild, whereas the Hornets steadiness fast backcourt wants towards frontcourt uncertainty.

For fantasy managers, Sexton emerges as a powerful add or maintain (relying on the format), providing scoring and effectivity in a good function. Nurkic is a stable choice in deeper leagues, contributing throughout rebounds, assists, and a few scoring. Each gamers’ future roles and workforce instructions must be monitored intently as the brand new season unfolds. — Moody (6/30)

Lonzo Ball traded from Bulls to Cavaliers for Isaac Okoro

In a transfer that shakes up each real-life and fantasy rosters, the Cleveland Cavaliers have acquired Ball from the Chicago Bulls in trade for ahead Isaac Okoro. Ball, who returned final season after lacking two full years with a knee damage, performed 35 video games for the Bulls and averaged 7.6 PPG, 3.3 APG, and three.4 RPG. He now slots in behind Darius Garland in Cleveland, including dimension, defensive grit, and playmaking to a workforce that lacked backcourt depth in the course of the playoffs.

Fantasy-wise, Ball’s upside stays capped until Garland misses time, however he may have streaming worth in deeper leagues, particularly in classes like steals and assists. Nonetheless, his prolonged damage historical past and the presence of Donovan Mitchell and Caris LeVert restrict his function and ceiling. Ty Jerome, who had emerged as a stable bench choice, is now possible headed elsewhere in free company.

On the Bulls’ facet, Okoro turns into a rotation participant instantly, and his defensive ability set suits properly alongside Coby White and Zach LaVine. He averaged 6.1 PPG and shot 37.1% from three final season. Okoro’s fantasy enchantment is proscribed exterior of deeper leagues, however he may benefit from elevated minutes if the Bulls make extra roster strikes. General, the commerce is a modest fantasy shakeup. Ball will get a brand new begin, Okoro will get an even bigger function, and managers ought to control how each adapt in the course of the preseason. — Moody (6/28)

Mark Williams traded from the Hornets to the Suns

The Suns acquired Williams from the Charlotte Hornets in trade for the No. 29 decide within the 2025 NBA Draft and a 2029 first-round decide, per ESPN’s Shams Charania. This marks a strategic transfer to bolster Phoenix’s frontcourt, which lacked depth final season. Williams, a former No. 15 decide, is coming off his finest yr with averages of 15.3 PPG, 10.2 RPG, 2.5 APG and 1.2 BPG in 26.6 MPG, however he has struggled with accidents, showing in simply 106 video games since getting into the league.

Williams lands in a crowded rotation alongside fellow bigs Nick Richards and Khaman Maluach, the Suns’ No. 10 general decide. Since Maluach may have growth time, Williams initiatives to play a major function if he can keep wholesome. His upside stays excessive, however the minutes cut up may cap his ceiling until Phoenix makes further strikes. Draft Williams with cautious optimism, particularly in deeper leagues. — Moody (6/26)

Jordan Poole traded to Pelicans for CJ McCollum

Poole led the Wizards in scoring final season with 20.5 PPG and in addition averaged 4.5 APP and three.0 RPG. For the Pelicans, McCollum averaged nearly equivalent stats with 21.1 PPG, 4.1 APG and three.8 RPG. It is a transfer that was made primarily for the Pelicans to get youthful and the Wizards to realize monetary flexibility, however on the courtroom the 2 gamers are comparable sufficient that their fantasy hoops outlooks do not change all that a lot of their new environments.

Poole and McCollum may, primarily, take one another’s earlier shot makes an attempt and on-ball utilization, so their fantasy basketball worth would not change very a lot for purely hoops causes. McCollum may doubtlessly see his function shrink a bit in Washington if the Wizards lean into the rebuild/youth motion, or he may find yourself being traded to a contender that will not require as a lot manufacturing in the event that they have already got good gamers at his place. However, basketball-wise, Poole specifically made a lateral transfer so far as function and his fantasy hooks preseason rating would not shift a lot after the commerce. — Snellings (6/25)

Kristaps Porzingis traded to Hawks for Georges Niang

In a significant cost-cutting transfer, the Celtics traded Porzingis to the Atlanta Hawks as a part of a three-team cope with the Brooklyn Nets. Porzingis, who averaged 19.5 PPG, 6.8 RPG, and a pair of.1 APG on 48.3% capturing final season, stays a high-upside however dangerous fantasy asset. He is performed fewer than 60 video games in seven of the final eight seasons and appeared in simply 42 contests in 2024-25 as a consequence of damage and sickness.

In Atlanta, Porzingis fills a transparent frontcourt want subsequent to Trae Younger, however his function is not totally safe. The Hawks should cut up minutes between him and Onyeka Okongwu, who impressed with prolonged taking part in time final season. Even when Porzingis begins, his minutes may stay within the mid-20s, as they’ve declined over the previous two seasons. Fantasy managers ought to intently monitor Atlanta’s preseason rotations.

In Boston, Gerges Niang may compete for a beginning function and is the probably fantasy winner among the many secondary items. He averaged 12.1 PPG and three.1 RPG in Atlanta final season and will profit from elevated quantity on a retooling Celtics roster. — Moody (6/25)

Jrue Vacation traded to the Path Blazers for Anfernee Simons: Click on right here for extra on the commerce’s fantasy and betting ramifications. — Moody (6/24)

Kevin Durant traded to Rockets for Jalen Inexperienced, Dillon Brooks: Click on right here for extra on the commerce’s fantasy and betting ramifications. — Snellings and Moody (6/22)

Desmond Bane traded to Magic for Kentavious Caldwell-Pope, Cole Anthony: Click on right here for an in depth breakdown of the commerce. — Moody (6/16)