0:00:00

The Los Angeles Clippers officially signed guard Jalen Pickett to a two-way contract Wednesday, completing the deal that Michael Scotto of HoopsHype first reported last week. Pickett spent his first three NBA seasons with Denver after going 32nd overall in the 2023 draft, but the Nuggets declined his team option earlier this summer. The 26-year-old averaged 5.2 points, 2.3 assists, and 2.3 rebounds across 50 games last season, and his near-39 percent three-point shooting remains his best NBA selling point. Two-way status points more to depth than steady rotation minutes, especially with Darius Garland and lottery pick Keaton Wagler ahead of him in the Clippers backcourt. Pickett remains off the fantasy radar unless injuries open a real role.

Forward MarJon Beauchamp has signed with Bayern Munich for the 2026-27 season, moving to Europe after four NBA seasons. The 25-year-old played 149 regular-season games across stints with the Bucks, Clippers, Knicks, and 76ers after Milwaukee selected him No. 24 overall in 2022. Beauchamp last appeared on a two-way deal with Philadelphia, averaging 6.8 points, 2.3 rebounds, and 1.1 assists in 14 games, while his bigger scoring flashes came in the G-League. He averaged 23.8 points across 24 games with Delaware while shooting 37.0 percent from three. Beauchamp said he still sees himself as an NBA player, but the Bayern move takes him off the NBA fantasy radar.

Recently retired guard Chris Paul has emerged as a name to watch for a possible off-court role with the Los Angeles Lakers, according to ESPN's Ramona Shelburne. Paul is close with Bob Iger, who has agreed to buy the Lakers alongside Josh Kushner in a record $12.5 billion deal that still needs NBA approval. Sportando also relayed ESPN's Dave McMenamin reporting that head coach JJ Redick has already agreed to a contract extension aligning his timeline with general manager Rob Pelinka. Nothing is formal with Paul, who retired in February after 21 seasons and ranks second all-time in assists and steals. For fantasy managers, this is a continuity note. Redick staying in place matters more than any Paul speculation, and neither development changes the Lakers' rotation or Luka Doncic's offensive role.

Denver Nuggets forward Peyton Watson remains unsigned in restricted free agency, with the Cavaliers, Bucks, and Clippers still pursuing sign-and-trade paths, according to Sam Amick of The Athletic. Denver's current offer is four years and $70 million with a team option in the final season, but Watson has not accepted it as he looks for a larger deal and clearer role. The 23-year-old broke out last season, averaging 14.6 points, 4.9 rebounds, 2.1 assists, 0.9 steals, and 1.1 blocks while shooting 41.1 percent from three across 54 games. His remaining options include taking the one-year, $6.5 million qualifying offer or holding out. Watson's blocks, threes, and steals keep him on the fantasy radar, but his landing spot will decide the ceiling.

HoopsHype's Michael Scotto reports that the Phoenix Suns have waived forward Haywood Highsmith. The 3-and-D wing had $1 million partially guaranteed on his roughly $3 million salary for 2026-27, which Phoenix will carry unless another team claims him on waivers. The Suns added Highsmith in February after Brooklyn released him, but an August right knee meniscal tear and surgery wiped out most of his season. He appeared in seven regular-season games for Phoenix, logging 91 total minutes. Highsmith owns career averages of 5.4 points, 3.1 rebounds, and 37.9 percent shooting from three across six seasons. He remains off the fantasy radar.

Utah Jazz forward/center Jaren Jackson Jr. opened up about his trade from Memphis and his first offseason in Utah during a recent podcast appearance. "I'm really excited, honestly. I've been in Utah a lot this summer," Jackson said, per KSL Sports. The former Defensive Player of the Year arrived in a February blockbuster but played only three games for Utah before a PVNS growth in his left knee required season-ending surgery. With Walker Kessler now in Los Angeles, Jackson should have a major frontcourt role next to Lauri Markkanen and Jusuf Nurkic, while rookie guard Darryn Peterson gives the Jazz another creator. Jackson's points, threes, and blocks remain fantasy-friendly, but his knee updates will matter before draft day.

Guard Russell Westbrook has retired after 18 NBA seasons, according to ESPN's Shams Charania. The 2017 MVP walked away on his own terms despite offseason offers from the Sacramento Kings and Washington Wizards, closing one of the most productive careers in NBA history. Westbrook retires as the league's all-time triple-double leader, a nine-time All-Star, nine-time All-NBA selection, NBA 75th Anniversary Team member, and 2012 Olympic gold medalist. He averaged 20.9 points, 8.0 assists, and 6.9 rebounds across 1,301 regular-season games. Westbrook spent his final season in Sacramento, posting 15.2 points, 6.7 assists, and 5.4 rebounds in 64 games. He was already off the fantasy radar in a reduced-role scenario, and retirement officially closes the book.

Orlando Magic forward Tristan da Silva made Germany's 15-player roster for the FIBA World Cup 2027 European Qualifiers, joining Dennis Schroder and Isaiah Hartenstein as the squad's three NBA representatives. Franz Wagner and Moritz Wagner are unavailable for this window, opening another national-team opportunity for the 25-year-old Munich native. Da Silva averaged 9.9 points, 3.7 rebounds, 1.6 assists, and 0.9 steals in 24.7 minutes across 77 games last season while shooting 37.4 percent from three. The summer call-up does not shift his fantasy outlook. He remains a low-usage Orlando wing whose value depends on injuries clearing minutes in a crowded forward mix.

Oklahoma City Thunder center Isaiah Hartenstein was named to Germany's 15-player roster for the FIBA World Cup 2027 European Qualifiers, giving head coach Alex Mumbru another NBA frontcourt option. Hartenstein joins Dennis Schroder and Tristan da Silva as Germany's NBA trio for the window against the Netherlands and Poland. The 28-year-old recently re-signed with Oklahoma City on a three-year, $75 million deal after averaging 9.2 points, 9.4 rebounds, and 3.5 assists in 47 games last season. The Germany stint does not change his fantasy value. Back with the Thunder, he remains a strong piece for rebounds, assists, and field-goal percentage next to Chet Holmgren.

Cleveland Cavaliers guard Dennis Schroder will captain Germany's 15-player roster for the upcoming FIBA World Cup 2027 European Qualifiers, with the German Basketball Federation announcing the squad Tuesday. The reigning world and European champions will face the Netherlands in Cologne on Aug. 27 before visiting Poland in Gdansk on Aug. 30. Schroder split last season between Sacramento and Cleveland, averaging 10.8 points, 4.9 assists, and 2.7 rebounds in 24.2 minutes across 70 games. There is no fantasy angle to the qualifying window. If he remains with Cleveland, Schroder profiles as a bench source of assists and occasional threes rather than a steady fantasy option.

New York Knicks guard Miles McBride did not reach a contract extension before the Aug. 11 soft deadline, according to Stefan Bondy of the New York Post. The door is not closed on a future deal, but signing after that date would make McBride ineligible to be traded before February's deadline. The 25-year-old is entering the final season of his contract at just under $4 million after averaging 12.0 points, 2.6 assists, and 2.4 rebounds while shooting 41.3 percent from three across 41 games last season. He can still help as a points-and-threes guard when minutes are there, but Jalen Brunson, Jose Alvarado, and Jordan Clarkson crowd the backcourt. A trade would be the real swing point for McBride's fantasy value.

Golden State Warriors guard Brandin Podziemski is extension-eligible this offseason, and general manager Mike Dunleavy wants to get a deal done "sooner rather than later," according to Kenzo Fukuda. Dunleavy praised the 23-year-old as a winning player and sounded confident the front office has the tools to re-sign him. Podziemski was the only Warrior to appear in all 82 games last season, averaging 13.8 points, 5.1 rebounds, and 3.7 assists while shooting 45.5 percent from the field and 37.1 percent from three. His late-season starting push next to Stephen Curry gives him a useful fantasy base, especially if his usage keeps climbing on an aging roster.

Golden State Warriors guard Stephen Curry is entering the final season of his contract, but general manager Mike Dunleavy expects him to finish his career with the franchise. "He really, really wants to win, and he wants to finish his career as a Warrior," Dunleavy said, according to the San Francisco Chronicle. Curry becomes eligible on Aug. 29 for a two-year extension worth up to $136.7 million, and both sides appear motivated to continue the partnership. The 38-year-old was limited to 43 games last season by knee and other injuries, but still averaged 26.6 points, 4.7 assists, 3.6 rebounds, 1.1 steals, and 4.4 threes in 30.9 minutes. Curry remains an elite per-game fantasy option, though availability is the clear draft-day risk.

Chicago Bulls guard/forward Norman Powell pushed back at Heat fans on X after criticism of his free-agency exit, saying Miami "never offered anything," according to Anthony Chiang of the Miami Herald. The 33-year-old landed a two-year, $45 million deal with Chicago after the Heat were squeezed by the first-apron hard cap following their trade for Giannis Antetokounmpo and Bobby Portis. Powell also exchanged posts with Portis while defending his decision. The move should give Powell a cleaner scoring path in Chicago, where he joins Josh Giddey, Matas Buzelis, and Nicolas Claxton on a roster that needed shooting. After averaging 21.7 points, 3.5 rebounds, 2.5 assists, and 1.1 steals on 47.0 percent shooting and 38.0 percent from three, Powell carries useful points-and-threes appeal if his role holds.

Detroit Pistons guard Cade Cunningham is excited about the team's offseason addition of John Collins, telling ClutchPoints' DJ Siddiqi that he and Collins are "excited to get on the court together." Collins joined Detroit on a three-year, $51 million deal after averaging 13.6 points and 5.3 rebounds with the Clippers while shooting a career-best 40.6 percent from three. The fit is easy to see for Cunningham, who averaged 9.9 assists last season and now gets another athletic frontcourt target. Detroit also added Isaiah Joe to boost its spacing, giving Cunningham more help after a 60-win season ended in a Game 7 loss to Cleveland. Collins' scoring may stay modest, but his shooting and lob-finishing put him back in the fantasy conversation.

New York Knicks forward Tyler Nickel is expected to begin his pro career with the team this season rather than return to college for a fifth year, according to Jared Schwartz of the New York Post, with SNY first reporting the plan. The 22-year-old sharpshooter, selected 47th overall out of Vanderbilt, received extra eligibility through a recent court ruling but appears ready to turn pro. It remains unclear whether Nickel will sign a two-way or standard contract, though a standard deal would complicate New York's pursuit of a third center. He averaged 12.2 points across five Summer League games while shooting 41.3 percent from three, but he remains off the fantasy radar unless the Knicks' wing rotation opens up.

New York Knicks guard/forward Pacome Dadiet has generated some internal optimism entering his third season, though The Athletic's James L. Edwards III still does not see a clear rotation path for him. Some within the organization believe the 21-year-old is making progress behind the scenes, but his shooting has yet to translate consistently at the NBA, G-League, or summer league levels. Dadiet said studying OG Anunoby and Mikal Bridges has helped him grasp Mike Brown's system, with cutting and hustle plays looking like his best route to minutes. Anunoby, Bridges, and Josh Hart still sit ahead of him, keeping Dadiet off the fantasy radar.

New York Knicks guard Tyler Kolek is a name to watch as a potential trade candidate if the team looks for upgrades, according to The Athletic's James L. Edwards III. New York's February move for Jose Alvarado, followed by his new three-year deal, leaves Kolek with a crowded path to backup point guard minutes behind Alvarado and Jalen Brunson, with Miles McBride also capable of handling that role. Edwards noted that Kolek improved as a shooter and defender in Year 2, though passing remains his best NBA skill. He averaged 4.4 points, 2.7 assists, and 1.6 rebounds in 11.7 minutes across 62 games last season. Kolek needs a trade or injury-created role before he matters for fantasy.

New York Knicks forward Mohamed Diawara could push for a larger rotation role in his second season, with The Athletic's James L. Edwards III writing that he would not be surprised if the 21-year-old becomes a staple by midseason. Diawara averaged 3.6 points and 1.4 rebounds in 9.2 minutes across 69 games as a rookie, but his best stretch came when Miles McBride missed 27 straight games. During that run, Diawara averaged 5.9 points in 14.2 minutes while shooting 40.5 percent from three. OG Anunoby, Mikal Bridges, and Josh Hart still block a clean path to minutes, so Diawara remains off the fantasy radar unless injuries or a trade open the wing rotation.

Miami Heat forward Giannis Antetokounmpo will not play for Greece in the upcoming FIBA World Cup 2027 European Qualifiers against Ukraine and Spain, with the Heat requesting that he report to the United States early to continue his preseason integration, according to Eurohoops. The two-time MVP joined Miami this offseason alongside Bobby Portis after an injury-limited 2025-26 season in which he averaged 27.6 points, 9.8 rebounds, and 5.4 assists across 36 games. The decision does not hurt his fantasy profile. If anything, the extra ramp-up time with Miami is a small plus, though durability remains the only real concern for a first-round fantasy anchor.