Cleveland Cavaliers forward Sam Merrill plans to sign a new long term deal with the organization. According to Shams Charania, Merrill intends to sign a four-year, $38 million deal with Cleveland. Merrill has spent each of the last three seasons in a reserve role with the Cavs. Last season, Merrill averaged 7.2 points, 2.2 rebounds, and 1.5 assists across 19.7 minutes per game in 71 contests. He's a consistent shooter that is a valuable option off the bench. Merrill is unlikely to offer much fantasy value, but this looks like a good deal for Cleveland.

Miami Heat guard Davion Mitchell plans to stay with the organization for a little longer. Mitchell intends on signing a two-year, $24 million deal with the Heat. The former ninth overall pick has been inconsistent during his five years in the league. Mitchell saw good success with Miami when he averaged 10.3 points, 2.7 rebounds, and 5.3 assists across 30 games with the team last season. Mitchell played over 30 minutes per game once he joined the Heat. He figures to get a legitimate shot at the starting point guard spot.

According to ESPN's Shams Charania, the Cleveland Cavaliers are trading forward Isaac Okoro to the Chicago Bulls in exchange for guard Lonzo Ball. The 2020 No. 5 overall pick agreed to a three-year, $33 million contract last offseason. Unfortunately, he is coming off the worst year of his career, averaging 6.1 points, 2.4 rebounds, and 1.2 assists. The Cavs have one of the deepest rosters in the National Basketball Association, so Okoro could see more minutes in Chicago, potentially leading to an uptick in production. Still, he has a way to go before earning a routine spot in any fantasy lineup.

According to ESPN's Shams Charania, the Chicago Bulls are trading guard Lonzo Ball to the Cleveland Cavaliers in exchange for forward Isaac Okoro. The Cavs have one of the highest payrolls in the National Basketball Association, so moving on from Okoro can give the team flexibility. It will also give the club another quality bench option, assuming he stays on the court. Ball miraculously returned last season following a two-year stint on the shelf caused by a serious knee injury. He played as well as expected, averaging 7.6 points, 3.4 rebounds, 3.3 assists, and 1.3 steals in 35 games. The 27-year-old could continue to struggle to stay healthy, Still, Ball should have some flashes of production for fantasy managers throughout the 2025-26 campaign, giving him streaming potential. Unfortunately, his best days are likely behind him.

According to ESPN's Jonathan Givony, Utah Jazz forward Ace Bailey plans to report to the team on Saturday. "We've had good communication with Ace Bailey and his representatives," said a Jazz Representative. "We feel good about everything. We'll have a press conference Sunday and practice Monday." The former Scarlet Knight was anticipated to be the No. 3 pick in the 2025 NBA Draft. However, he fell to the Jazz at No. 5 after refusing to participate in individual workouts for any NBA teams. In 30 games at Rutgers, Bailey averaged 17.6 points, 7.2 rebounds, 1.3 blocks, and 1.0 steals. Without question, his name should be mentioned in the Rookie of the Year conversation, assuming he stays healthy. He'll also have a chance to start immediately with the Jazz. All things considered, Bailey will be one of the first rookies selected by fantasy managers in rookie drafts, especially now that he intends to suit up for Utah.

According to ESPN's Shams Charania, the Philadelphia 76ers declined the $1.9 million team option on forward Justin Edwards. Instead, both sides agreed to a new deal, with the 21-year-old in line to sign a three-year contract. He went undrafted in 2024. Fortunately, Edwards earned a two-way contract last summer before Philly signed him to a standard deal in March. He was more productive than expected, finishing his rookie campaign by averaging 10.1 points, 3.4 rebounds, and 1.0 steals in 44 games while playing slightly better in his 26 appearances in the starting lineup. Edwards likely won't see nearly as many starts this season, assuming Paul George (adductor, knee), Joel Embiid (knee), and Tyrese Maxey (finger) stay healthy. He may also have trouble finding consistent work, although dynasty managers can consider keeping him on the roster due to his potential upside.

According to ESPN's Shams Charania, Minnesota Timberwolves forward/center Naz Reid agreed to a five-year, $125 million deal to remain with the team. The 25-year-old was the NBA Sixth Man of the Year in 2024. However, he is coming off arguably the best year of his career, finishing the 2024-25 campaign by averaging 14.2 points and 6.0 rebounds. As of now, he's projected to come off the bench for the Timberwolves, although that could change depending on what Julius Randle does this offseason. If Randle doesn't stay with the franchise, Reid may move into the starting lineup, which will improve his fantasy potential even more.

The Houston Rockets are reportedly interested in bringing back Jae'Sean Tate, Aaron Holiday, and Jeff Green. All three players are free agents, but the Rockets want to re-sign all three of them. None of them hold much fantasy value, but are valuable pieces off the bench. Last season, Tate saw a career-low 11.3 minutes per game as he averaged 3.6 points and 2.2 rebounds across 52 games. All of them were playing minutes in the teens, but Tate is probably the best of the trio. It sounds like the Rockets want to bring everyone back and try again with newly acquired Kevin Durant.

Philadelphia 76ers center Andre Drummond has picked up his $5 million player option for the upcoming 2025-2026 season. Drummond heads back to Philly for a second season after playing well in a reserve role with the team last season. He was brought in as depth behind Joel Embiid, but ended up starting in 23 games due to Embiid's health issues. He averaged 7.3 points and 7.8 rebounds across 40 games with the Sixers last season. The hope is that Embiid is healthy next season, so Drummond would have limited fantasy value in a reserve role.

The Chicago Bulls extended a qualifying offer to guard Josh Giddey, making him a restricted free agent. The 2021 No. 6 overall pick spent his first three seasons with the Oklahoma City Thunder before getting traded to Chicago in a deal for Alex Caruso. He had a quality campaign in his first season with the Bulls, averaging 14.6 points, 8.1 rebounds, 7.2 assists, and 1.2 steals while shooting a career-high 37.8% from behind the arc. Giddey will likely receive more than a few offers from teams this offseason. It's also safe to assume Chicago will match anything coming his way. All things considered, the 21-year-old will probably be in the All-Star conversation for many years to come. Giddey should also remain a top fantasy option, although his career 2.7 turnovers per contest will lower his value for category participants.

The Phoenix Suns have acquired center Mark Williams from the Charlotte Hornets, according to Shams Charania. ESPN's Insider says Phoenix is sending back the 29th pick in the 2025 NBA Draft and a 2029 first-round selection for the 23-year-old. Williams was traded to the Los Angeles Lakers at the trade deadline last season, only for a failed physical to send him back to Charlotte. The Suns struggled with interior defense and size in the 2024-25 season and now have Williams and the 10th overall pick, Khaman Maluach, manning the middle. Williams is coming off his best statistical season, averaging 15.3 points and 10.2 rebounds per game in his third professional season.

According to ESPN's Shams Charania, Utah Jazz forward/center John Collins exercised his $26.5 million player option. The 27-year-old averaged 19.0 points, 8.2 rebounds, 1.0 blocks, and 1.0 steals last season. He also shot 39.9% from behind the arc. However, Collins was limited to only 40 games due to various injuries. The Jazz have a developing roster, so the team may prioritize giving their young players the most minutes. That's not to say Collins won't have a role, but fantasy managers may not see consistent production from him during the 2025 campaign. He's also had issues staying off the injury report over the years, which is another red flag.

According to ESPN's Shams Charania, Houston Rockets guard Fred VanVleet agreed to a two-year, $50 million contract with the team. Houston recently acquired Kevin Durant from the Suns in a trade that sent Jalen Green and Dillon Brooks to Phoenix. However, the Rockets improved their championship potential even more by retaining VanVleet, a player who was instrumental in helping the club secure the No. 2 spot in the Western Conference last season. The 31-year-old is one of the most respected players in the National Basketball Association. Unfortunately, he averaged only 14.1 points last season, his lowest mark since 2018. While there's a chance VanVleet will turn it around, that may be difficult, considering he'll be sharing a floor with Durant, Alperen Sengun, and Amen Thompson, three players who could be in the All-Star conversation.

Portland Trail Blazers guard/forward Matisse Thybulle is set to stay with the team for next season. According to NBA insider Chris Haynes, the 28-year-old defensive specialist has opted into his $11.5 million player option for the 2025-26 campaign. This will mark the final season of a three-year, $33 million deal that Thybulle signed with the team in 2023. Thybulle spent most of 2024-25 nursing an ankle injury, making only 15 appearances. He averaged 7.5 points, 3.5 rebounds, 1.9 assists, and 2.2 steals. Thybulle's defensive ability makes him a valuable asset for NBA teams, but he has minimal fantasy appeal.

Indiana Pacers center Myles Turner is heading toward free agency, but the team wants to hang on to him. "I don't think it's any secret that the franchise, at this particular moment, that that is the No. 1 priority," Pacers head coach Rick Carlisle said about Turner. "I don't know anything about money or numbers or years, or any of that kind of stuff, but Myles is a very important part of what we've done here, what we've been doing." Turner is coming off a two-year, $40 million deal and could double his annual salary with his new contract. The 29-year-old has spent his entire NBA career with the Pacers, nearing 700 regular-season games. Turner had a solid year in 2024-25, averaging 15.8 points, 6.5 rebounds, and 2.0 blocks while shooting a career-high 39.6 percent from deep.

Guard/forward Terance Mann has become a member of the Brooklyn Nets following a three-team deal. The Atlanta Hawks traded him in a transaction that saw the team acquire Kristaps Porzingis from the Boston Celtics. Mann spent only a few months with the Hawks, having arrived in a trade from the Los Angeles Clippers in February. The Brooklyn native has been a solid bench contributor throughout his six-year NBA career, but he has never really moved the needle in fantasy basketball. This season, Mann averaged 7.7 points, 3.0 rebounds, and 1.8 assists in 21.1 minutes.

The Boston Celtics have acquired forward Georges Niang from the Atlanta Hawks. Boston decided to part ways with Kristaps Porzingis and agreed to a three-team deal with the Hawks and Brooklyn Nets. In the transaction, the team acquired Niang along with a second-round draft pick. Niang finds himself on the move for the second time this year, as Atlanta picked him up in a trade with the Cleveland Cavaliers in February. The Celtics mainly made the move for financial reasons, but Niang could find some success on the team as a good three-point shooter. He knocked down 40.6 percent of his triples this season on 5.2 attempts.

The Washington Wizards have acquired forward/center Kelly Olynyk in a trade with the New Orleans Pelicans. The veteran big man was sent to D.C. along with CJ McCollum. Olynyk has played for six teams in five years and will need to pack his bags again. He had a disappointing start to the year with the Toronto Raptors this season, averaging 7.1 points, 3.7 rebounds, and 2.3 assists. With the Pelicans, Olynyk notched 10.7 points, 5.9 rebounds, and 3.6 assists. He played well in New Orleans but received increased minutes and was a regular starter due to injuries. The same likely won't happen in Washington, and a bench role would limit Olynyk's fantasy appeal.

Denver Nuggets center Nikola Jokic has two years left on his contract, with a player option for a third year, but the team plans to offer him an extension. Team president Josh Kroenke said the Nuggets are "definitely" going to offer him an extension this offseason, though he's unsure if Jokic will accept. Jokic would be eligible to sign for more money next summer. The Serbian star just finished an incredible year, averaging a triple-double with 29.6 points, 12.7 rebounds, and 10.2 assists. Additionally, Jokic posted a career-high 1.8 steals per game. He has only recently turned 30 and is expected to dominate for years to come, both in real life and in fantasy basketball.

According to ESPN's Shams Charania, Dallas Mavericks guard Kyrie Irving (knee) is declining his $43 million player option. Instead, he agreed to a three-year, $119 million contract extension. Without question, Irving is as good as it gets. In 779 regular-season appearances for the Cavs, Celtics, Nets, and Mavericks, the 33-year-old has averaged 23.7 points, 5.6 assists, and 1.3 steals while shooting 39.4% from behind the arc. Unfortunately, he suffered a torn ACL in his left knee in March. The Mavs are optimistic Irving will be able to get back on the floor in January, although the lengthy absence has caused his fantasy value to drop considerably. With that said, fantasy managers can consider stashing him until he is healthy, considering his services should be useful later on in the season.