NBA Player News

Claxton is projected to start at center for the Bulls in the 2026-27 campaign, according to Law Murray of The Athletic.

The Bulls were left with a big void at the center position after dealing Nikola Vucevic to the Celtics for Anfernee Simons at last year's trade deadline, and they're looking for Claxton to help plug the hole in 2026-27 after coming over from Brooklyn. Claxton, who was a full-time starter with the Nets for the better part of the last four seasons, has generally been a strong source of boards and swats for fantasy managers, though his rebound and block rates as well as his shooting efficiency all essentially declined each year over that time. That said, the 27-year-old big man has an opportunity for a fresh start in Chicago, and he did take a step forward as a playmaker in 2025-26 in the form of a career-high 3.7 assists per game.

Reed will be in line for increased playing time and is expected to operate as the Pistons' backup center in 2026-27, per Hunter Patterson of The Athletic.

The Pistons remain in contract talks with Jalen Duren, but assuming the restricted free agent returns for at least one more season, Reed should operate as Detroit's primary backup center. The club traded Isaiah Stewart to the Grizzlies in June, and all signs point toward Reed taking on an increased role. The 27-year-old center played double-digit minutes in 42 of his regular-season appearances (11 starts) in 2025-26, averaging 10.3 points, 6.0 rebounds, 1.8 assists, 1.2 blocks and 1.1 steals while shooting 62.6 percent from the field across 18.3 minutes per contest in those outings.

Holland should step into a more pronounced role in the 2026-27 campaign, per Hunter Patterson of The Athletic.

The Pistons lost Tobias Harris to the Spurs in free agency and traded Isaiah Stewart to the Grizzlies this offseason, leaving increased minutes available for Holland. The 21-year-old has a much clearer path to playing time this season and figures to back up John Collins. Holland saw a slight bump in minutes during his sophomore season in 2025-26, averaging 8.2 points, 4.0 rebounds, 1.2 assists and 1.2 steals across 19.9 minutes per tilt in 78 regular-season games (five starts).

Randle said he's looking forward to playing alongside Michael Porter after Brooklyn acquired him this offseason, Sharif Phillips-Keaton of USA Today reports.

After acting as the top-scoring option for most of his Knicks tenure, Randle's usage took an expected dip over his last two years in Minnesota. He lost plenty of playmaking duties to Anthony Edwards with the Timberwolves, but Randle is now in line for a considerable bump in ball-handling responsibilities with the rebuilding Nets. The veteran forward figures to be a focal point of the offense alongside Porter in 2026-27, which should offer Randle plenty of upside in the middle rounds of fantasy drafts this fall.

The 76ers signed Jones to an Exhibit 10 contract Tuesday, Noah Levick of NBC Sports Philadelphia reports.

Jones, an NBA champion in each of his first two years in the league, appears to be heading to Philadelphia to compete for a roster spot at training camp. He most recently served as a two-way player for the defending-champion Knicks and could ultimately be re-routed to the G League's Delaware Blue Coats for 2026-27.

The Hornets signed Mbeng on Tuesday.

Presumably, this is another Exhibit 10 deal for Charlotte as it fills out its training camp roster. In a related move, Kobe Stewart was waived.

Johnson was traded from the Grizzlies to the Pelicans on Tuesday along with Taj Gibson in exchange for Jordan Hawkins, Micah Peavy, a future second-round pick and a future second-round pick swap, Shams Charania of ESPN reports.

Johnson is already headed to his fifth organization since being selected 23rd overall in the 2024 NBA Draft. The 21-year-old has averaged 4.9 points across 77 career regular-season appearances and remains a developmental project despite his first-round pedigree. Johnson figures to compete for a depth role in New Orleans and is unlikely to have much fantasy relevance unless injuries open up additional playing time.

Gibson was traded from the Grizzlies to the Pelicans on Tuesday along with AJ Johnson in exchange for Jordan Hawkins, Micah Peavy, a future second-round pick and a future second-round pick swap, Shams Charania of ESPN reports.

Gibson's stay in New Orleans could be brief. The trade saves the Pelicans $5.7 million in salary and helps clear the way for the team to finalize its two-year deal with Bennedict Mathurin. Gibson therefore shouldn't be considered part of the Pelicans' frontcourt plans at this stage.

Peavy was traded to the Grizzlies from the Pelicans on Tuesday along with Jordan Hawkins, a future second-round pick and a future second-round pick swap in exchange for AJ Johnson and Taj Gibson, Shams Charania of ESPN reports.

Peavy's inclusion is arguably the more notable personnel loss for New Orleans. Will Guillory of The Athletic notes that the 2025 second-round pick showed real promise as an on-ball defender and had become a useful piece of the Pelicans' locker room. Peavy averaged 4.3 points and 1.9 rebounds across 61 regular-season appearances as a rookie, and the 23-year-old should compete for a reserve role on the wing in Memphis.

Hawkins was traded to the Grizzlies from the Pelicans on Tuesday along with Micah Peavy, a future second-round pick and a future second-round pick swap in exchange for AJ Johnson and Taj Gibson, Shams Charania of ESPN reports.

Hawkins' departure doesn't come as much of a surprise, as Will Guillory of The Athletic notes that the Pelicans had been looking to move on from the 24-year-old. Hawkins averaged just 5.1 points in 51 regular-season appearances last season, and moving his $7 million salary helps New Orleans create the necessary financial flexibility to finalize its deal with Bennedict Mathurin. Hawkins will get a fresh start in Memphis, though he'll need to earn a spot in a crowded backcourt rotation before emerging as a fantasy option.