Fantasy basketball reactions to NBA offseason trades, signings

Tracking the offseason NBA trades and signings with fantasy basketball implications, Andre Snellings and Eric Moody will analyze and provide an outlook for all of the key players involved.

Superstars like Nikola Jokic, Shai Gilgeous-Alexander and Giannis Antetokounmpo led the way in fantasy hoops this past season, but the season ahead poses challenges with a number of big-name players expected to miss a lengthy portion — if not all — of 2025-26. That group includes Jayson Tatum, Tyrese Haliburton, Damian Lillard and Kyrie Irving.

The likes of Desmond Bane, Kevin Durant and Jalen Green have already switched teams, and as teams work to rebuild their rosters in the weeks ahead, pay close attention to how each move causes fantasy values to shift.

Note: Not every transaction warrants the attention of fantasy managers, but for those signings and trades that do merit analysis, you’ll find them listed below. Players will be separated in chronological order, with the latest news coming first. Also included are links to any standalone analysis stories and/or videos regarding major free agent signings and trades. Players who end up re-signing with their previous team will not always be included.

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

The three-team trade between the Clippers, Heat and Jazz shakes up depth charts and opens the door for seismic shifts across all three rosters. Miami acquires Powell, who is coming off a career-best season, averaging 21.8 PPG on 48.4% shooting from the field and 41.8% from beyond the arc. With Jimmy Butler III gone and the Heat’s backcourt rotation limited to Tyler Herro, Terry Rozier and Davion Mitchell, Powell has a clear path to minutes. He started all 60 games he played last year and set career highs in minutes (32.6) and threes made (179). Powell enters the 2025-26 season as a high-floor, mid-round pick with top-50 upside if his efficiency holds and he stays healthy, making him a strong fantasy option.

On the other side, the Clippers pick up Collins, who averaged 19.0 PPG and 8.2 RPG in just 40 games for Utah last season. While his production per 40 minutes remains strong, with 24.9 points and 10.7 rebounds, his inability to stay healthy continues to haunt him. With Kawhi Leonard’s durability always in question, Los Angeles is betting that Collins can give them much-needed size and athleticism up front. From a fantasy standpoint, Collins is a boom-or-bust option. If he plays 70+ games, he could be a strong value. But given Collins’ track record, it’s best to wait and take a flier on him near the top of the double-digit rounds.

Neither Love (5.3 PPG and 4.1 RPG in 23 games) nor Anderson (5.9 PPG and 3.4 RPG in 61 games) figures to have much fantasy relevance in Utah. The Jazz are clearly in a rebuild, and with Collins’ departure, younger players like Taylor Hendricks (if he’s good to go when the season begins) and Kyle Filipowski are positioned for larger roles in the rotation. — Moody (7/7)

Bucks sign Myles Turner, release Damian Lillard

Turner is an excellent fit for the Bucks, sliding seamlessly into Brook Lopez’s former role. Like Lopez, Turner is a center that can shoot 3-pointers and also defend the paint as a shot blocker. Turner is younger and more athletic than Lopez, allowing him to be more effective as a pick-and-roll and switch defender. Statistically, Turner should produce similar numbers to the ones he had his time with the Pacers, where he averaged 16.8 PPG, 7.0 RPG, 2.0 BPG and 1.7 3PG over the past three seasons.

Milwaukee’s decision to waive Lillard was a shocking move. The Bucks traded for the All-Star point guard two years ago to help bring the team back to championship contention. Cutting him outright means the Bucks are on the hook for the remaining $113M of his contract, which they will stretch out over the next five seasons. Assuming Lillard clears waivers, the next question is which team he will sign with next. He could go to any team of his choice, presumably a contender.

However, there are still questions regarding his availability as he continues to recover from a torn Achilles. Will he attempt to return at some point in 2025-26 or sit out the entire season? Lillard was reportedly interested in playing for the Miami Heat prior to joining the Bucks, and another team of interest could be the Minnesota Timberwolves, who are looking for an upgrade at point guard after reaching the Western Conference finals in consecutive seasons. — Snellings (7/1)

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

Porter Jr. should have a clear fantasy boost in Brooklyn. He leaves a title-contending Nuggets team where he averaged 18.2 PPG, 7.0 RPG and shot 39.7% from deep last season on limited usage. He’ll take on a featured scoring role on a rebuilding Nets team with little shot creation. That likely means a bump in shot volume and usage rate. He could push past 20-plus PPG for the first time. Managers should brace for a dip in efficiency. Porter shot over 50% from the field in Denver thanks to looks generated by Nikola Jokic. Porter Jr.’s career free-throw rate is low (79.5%), and his assist numbers (just 1.4 APG for his career) remain minimal. If he stays healthy (always the biggest question with MPJ), he is a high-upside middle-round pick in category and points leagues.

Johnson moves into a more efficient role in Denver and playing alongside Nikola Jokic should elevate his already strong shooting profile. Johnson averaged 18.8 PPG, 4.3 RPG, 3.4 APG, 1.0 SPG and shot 39.0% from beyond the arc last season with Brooklyn. He may see a dip in scoring volume but expect improved efficiency on his 45.3% FG and 85.2% FT splits. Johnson’s career 39.2% mark from 3-point range becomes even more valuable with Jokic creating open looks. Johnson is a reliable mid-to-late round option in points and category formats with potential gains in FG% and steals.

Overall, Porter Jr. gets a short-term fantasy bump in usage-heavy leagues, while Johnson becomes a high-floor, low-ceiling option in Denver’s more structured offense. Both are worth mid-round picks, with Porter Jr. offering more upside and risk. — Moody (6/30)

D’Angelo Russell signs with Dallas Mavericks

Russell signing with the Mavericks is enough to put him on the fantasy hoops radar for as long as Kyrie Irving (Achilles) is out. Russell averaged 12.6 PPG, 5.1 APG and 1.9 3PG last season and played 25.5 MPG. In the four seasons prior, playing for the Lakers and Timberwolves, Russell averaged 18.2 PPG, 6.3 RPG and 2.8 3PG in 31.4 MPG. With Irving out, Russell projects as the starting point guard and primary perimeter option with minutes somewhere in the upper-20s or higher. Even with Anthony Davis and Cooper Flagg as potentially the top two options on offense, Russell should have the chance to produce mid-teens scoring with solid assist numbers and 3-point shooting. I would project him as a top-100 fantasy hoops player overall with top-60 upside while 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 deal with the Atlanta Hawks, arriving via sign-and-trade from the Minnesota Timberwolves. Atlanta sent a 2027 second-round pick (via Cleveland) and cash to complete the deal. The move doesn’t drastically boost Alexander-Walker’s fantasy value. The 26-year-old carved out a strong 3-and-D role in Minnesota, posting 9.4 PPG, 3.2 RPG, 2.7 APG and 0.6 SPG in 25.3 MPG last season while shooting 38.1% from beyond the arc. Alexander-Walker also played in all 82 games each of the past two years and is widely respected as a high-level perimeter defender.

In Atlanta, Alexander-Walker joins a crowded rotation alongside Trae Young, Dyson Daniels and newly-signed sharpshooter Luke Kennard. While Alexander-Walker offers premium defense and some ball-handling ability, he’s not a high-usage player and could be limited to a low-minutes role unless injuries strike. His real-life value is clear, but in fantasy, Alexander-Walker is a late-round or waiver-wire option at best. Managers in deep leagues or those punting scoring could take a flier, banking on elite 3-point shooting and defensive stats if he lands the right role. — Moody (7/1)

Ty Jerome signs with Memphis Grizzlies

Jerome’s move to Memphis comes after a breakout season with the Cavaliers, where he averaged 12.5 PPG, 3.4 APG, 2.5 RPG, and 1.1 SPG on elite shooting splits. From a fantasy perspective, Jerome’s value hinges on his efficient scoring and playmaking off the bench, especially in deeper points leagues or category formats. While he’s unlikely to start, the Grizzlies will lean on his offense following the Desmond Bane trade, and with Luke Kennard heading to Atlanta, Jerome could carve out a consistent sixth-man role.

His minutes in Cleveland (19.9 MPG) may slightly rise in Memphis given the team’s lack of proven scorers behind Ja Morant and Kentavious Caldwell-Pope. However, managers should temper expectations. Jerome’s upside depends on his efficiency and opportunity, and he’s not known for high-volume production. His defensive limitations and injury history (including a missed 2023-24 season due to ankle surgery) also cap his ceiling.

For the Cavaliers, this is mostly a fantasy non-event. Cleveland losses a quality bench piece but have internal options to fill Jerome’s role.

Jerome struggled in the playoffs, but his signing is one of free agency’s best values. He offers deep-league intrigue thanks to elite shooting splits and a potential usage boost in Memphis. Best viewed 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 prime role as the Hornets’ secondary scorer alongside LaMelo Ball. Sexton’s 18.4 PPG last season, paired with strong shooting splits (48.0% FG, 40.6% 3PT, 86.5% FT), make him a valuable fantasy pick. With Ball drawing defensive focus, Sexton should see increased scoring opportunities and playmaking duties, boosting his fantasy upside. Sexton’s value rises if Ball misses time, which is a real concern given Ball’s injury history. He’s played over 60 games only once and averaged just 35 games per season the past three years. However, losing Nurkic leaves Charlotte’s frontcourt thin, which may slow team pace and limit frontcourt fantasy production.

Nurkic provides Utah with much-needed frontcourt depth. His 8.9 PPG, 7.8 RPG and 2.3 APG last season, plus an occasional three-pointer, make him a versatile contributor in multi-category leagues. Though not a high-volume scorer, Nurkic’s steady production benefits managers looking for rebounds and assists from a center. His expiring contract and the Jazz’s youth movement around rookie Ace Bailey mean his role could fluctuate.

From a team perspective, the Hornets gain a reliable scoring guard who complements Ball well, adding offensive versatility and veteran savvy. However, Charlotte now faces a significant frontcourt gap, which may impact overall team performance and pace. Utah bolsters its frontcourt depth with Nurkic, providing veteran leadership behind their young core and allowing more backcourt minutes for promising rookies like Ace Bailey. This trade highlights the Jazz’s commitment to a youth-driven rebuild, while the Hornets balance immediate backcourt needs against frontcourt uncertainty.

For fantasy managers, Sexton emerges as a strong add or hold (depending on the format), offering scoring and efficiency in a favorable role. Nurkic is a solid option in deeper leagues, contributing across rebounds, assists, and some scoring. Both players’ future roles and team directions should be monitored closely as the new season unfolds. — Moody (6/30)

Lonzo Ball traded from Bulls to Cavaliers for Isaac Okoro

In a move that shakes up both real-life and fantasy rosters, the Cleveland Cavaliers have acquired Ball from the Chicago Bulls in exchange for forward Isaac Okoro. Ball, who returned last season after missing two full years with a knee injury, played 35 games for the Bulls and averaged 7.6 PPG, 3.3 APG, and 3.4 RPG. He now slots in behind Darius Garland in Cleveland, adding size, defensive grit, and playmaking to a team that lacked backcourt depth during the playoffs.

Fantasy-wise, Ball’s upside remains capped unless Garland misses time, but he could have streaming value in deeper leagues, especially in categories like steals and assists. However, his lengthy injury history and the presence of Donovan Mitchell and Caris LeVert limit his role and ceiling. Ty Jerome, who had emerged as a solid bench option, is now likely headed elsewhere in free agency.

On the Bulls’ side, Okoro becomes a rotation player immediately, and his defensive skill set fits well alongside Coby White and Zach LaVine. He averaged 6.1 PPG and shot 37.1% from three last season. Okoro’s fantasy appeal is limited outside of deeper leagues, but he could benefit from increased minutes if the Bulls make more roster moves. Overall, the trade is a modest fantasy shakeup. Ball gets a new start, Okoro gets a bigger role, and managers should keep an eye on how both adapt during the preseason. — Moody (6/28)

Mark Williams traded from the Hornets to the Suns

The Suns acquired Williams from the Charlotte Hornets in exchange for the No. 29 pick in the 2025 NBA Draft and a 2029 first-round pick, per ESPN’s Shams Charania. This marks a strategic move to bolster Phoenix’s frontcourt, which lacked depth last season. Williams, a former No. 15 pick, is coming off his best year with averages of 15.3 PPG, 10.2 RPG, 2.5 APG and 1.2 BPG in 26.6 MPG, but he has struggled with injuries, appearing in just 106 games since entering the league.

Williams lands in a crowded rotation alongside fellow bigs Nick Richards and Khaman Maluach, the Suns’ No. 10 overall pick. Since Maluach may need development time, Williams projects to play a significant role if he can stay healthy. His upside remains high, but the minutes split could cap his ceiling unless Phoenix makes additional moves. Draft Williams with cautious optimism, especially in deeper leagues. — Moody (6/26)

Jordan Poole traded to Pelicans for CJ McCollum

Poole led the Wizards in scoring last season with 20.5 PPG and also averaged 4.5 APP and 3.0 RPG. For the Pelicans, McCollum averaged almost identical stats with 21.1 PPG, 4.1 APG and 3.8 RPG. This is a move that was made primarily for the Pelicans to get younger and the Wizards to gain financial flexibility, but on the court the two players are similar enough that their fantasy hoops outlooks don’t change all that much in their new environments.

Poole and McCollum could, essentially, take each other’s previous shot attempts and on-ball usage, so their fantasy basketball value wouldn’t change very much for purely hoops reasons. McCollum could potentially see his role shrink a bit in Washington if the Wizards lean into the rebuild/youth movement, or he could end up being traded to a contender that may not require as much production if they already have good players at his position. But, basketball-wise, Poole in particular made a lateral move as far as role and his fantasy hooks preseason ranking doesn’t shift much after the trade. — Snellings (6/25)

Kristaps Porzingis traded to Hawks for Georges Niang

In a major cost-cutting move, the Celtics traded Porzingis to the Atlanta Hawks as part of a three-team deal with the Brooklyn Nets. Porzingis, who averaged 19.5 PPG, 6.8 RPG, and 2.1 APG on 48.3% shooting last season, remains a high-upside but risky fantasy asset. He’s played fewer than 60 games in seven of the last eight seasons and appeared in just 42 contests in 2024-25 due to injury and illness.

In Atlanta, Porzingis fills a clear frontcourt need next to Trae Young, but his role isn’t entirely secure. The Hawks may still split minutes between him and Onyeka Okongwu, who impressed with extended playing time last season. Even if Porzingis starts, his minutes could remain in the mid-20s, as they’ve declined over the past two seasons. Fantasy managers should closely monitor Atlanta’s preseason rotations.

In Boston, Gerges Niang could compete for a starting role and is the most likely fantasy winner among the secondary pieces. He averaged 12.1 PPG and 3.1 RPG in Atlanta last season and may benefit from increased volume on a retooling Celtics roster. — Moody (6/25)

Jrue Holiday traded to the Trail Blazers for Anfernee Simons: Click here for more on the trade’s fantasy and betting ramifications. — Moody (6/24)

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

Desmond Bane traded to Magic for Kentavious Caldwell-Pope, Cole Anthony: Click here for a detailed breakdown of the trade. — Moody (6/16)