Wed Jun 25 3:38pm ET
Field Level Media
The Los Angeles Lakers may be under new ownership, but the Buss family will still have a prominent role.
A week after news emerged that Mark Walter was purchasing controlling interest of the Lakers for a record-setting $10 billion, the two sides came together to make clear that Jeanie Buss would "remain governor of the franchise and continue to oversee all team operations on a day-to-day basis for the foreseeable future."
According to a press release sent out Wednesday officially announcing the sale of the Lakers, Walter -- chairman and CEO of TWG Global and a minority owner of the team since 2021 -- recognized what the Buss family has built since Jerry Buss acquired the team in 1979 and "how much this special organization matters to Southern Californians and to sports fans everywhere.
"I also have tremendous respect for Jeanie's continued commitment to maintaining the Lakers' long-term vision and elite status," added Walter, who is also the controlling owner of the Los Angeles Dodgers, "and I'm excited to work with her on the next era."
According to reports, Jeanie Buss is expected to remain in her position for "years," while the sale is expected to close by the third or fourth quarter of 2025, pending NBA approval.
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.
According to Dan Wolke of The Athletic, Los Angeles Lakers guard Luka Doncic is "incredibly committed to his conditioning this offseason." This has been a topic of discussion, considering the Mavericks apparently had concerns about his dedication to keeping himself in shape. While Doncic has repeatedly stated those reports were blown out of proportion, it appears he's made it a point to squash any doubts. The 26-year-old, who has been on a "strict diet," has appeared "visibly slimmer" of late. With that in mind, Doncic is arguably the best player in the National Basketball Association. In 28 games with the Lakers, he averaged 28.2 points, 8.1 rebounds, 7.5 assists, and 1.6 steals. Although there's no denying his abilities on the court, fantasy managers have been frustrated by his numerous injuries over the years. Hopefully, the new training regimen works out. If it does, Doncic has an excellent chance of finishing the season with an MVP award.
According to ESPN's Shams Charania, the Washington Wizards are trading forward Saddiq Bey (knee) to the New Orleans Pelicans in exchange for guard CJ McCollum and forward/center Kelly Olynyk. New Orleans will also receive guard Jordan Poole. Bey has shown flashes of promise during his time in the National Basketball Association. He appeared in 292 games for the Detroit Pistons before making a stop in Atlanta with the Hawks, averaging 14.1 points, 5.2 rebounds, and 1.8 assists. He signed a three-year deal with the Wizards last offseason. Unfortunately, the 26-year-old never got on the floor because of a torn ACL sustained near the end of his stint in Atlanta. All things considered, Bey should have a meaningful role in the rotation once he's healthy. He may also get a few starts. Still, Bey has some work to do before earning trust from fantasy managers.
According to ESPN's Shams Charania, the Atlanta Hawks are acquiring forward/center Kristaps Porzingis from the Boston Celtics as a part of a three-team trade. Included in the deal, guard Terance Mann will be moved to Brooklyn, while forward Georges Niang will head to Boston. The Celtics were expected to make some moves this offseason, with the club also recently sending guard Jrue Holiday to Portland in exchange for guard Anfernee Simons. As far as Porzingis is concerned, he averaged 19.5 points, 6.8 rebounds, and 1.5 blocks last season. He also shot a career-high 41.2% from deep. However, the 29-year-old was limited to only 42 games due to injury and a virus. It's reasonable to believe Porzingis will remain in the starting lineup in Atlanta. Still, he's not the player he once was. Injuries are also a major concern for fantasy managers, which will lead to many looking in other directions during fantasy drafts.
According to ESPN's Shams Charania, the Washington Wizards are trading guard Jordan Poole to the New Orleans Pelicans in exchange for guard CJ McCollum and forward/center Kelly Olynyk. The Pelicans will also receive forward Saddiq Bey (knee). Poole is coming off his best season in the league, averaging 20.5 points, 4.5 assists, and 1.3 steals while shooting 37.8% from behind the three-point line. The 26-year-old will get a fresh start in New Orleans after spending time in Golden State before his stint in Washington. With that said, he may have a tough time staying as productive, especially if forwards Zion Williamson and Trey Murphy III (shoulder) are healthy. Still, Poole should remain a viable fantasy option as it relates to his prowess as a scorer. Outside of that, he isn't very consistent in other statistical areas.
According to ESPN's Shams Charania, the New Orleans Pelicans are trading guard CJ McCollum to the Washington Wizards in exchange for Jordan Poole and Saddiq Bey (knee). The Wizards will also receive forward/center Kelly Olynyk. McCollum averaged 21.1 points, 3.8 assists, and 3.6 rebounds last season. However, he shot a career-low 37.3% from behind the arc while being limited to only 56 appearances. McCollum's inability to stay on the floor should be the biggest concern for fantasy managers. There's also a chance he'll take a reduced role on a young team that's obviously in rebuilding mode. That's not to say McCollum won't have productive fantasy showings during the 2025 campaign, but his ceiling isn't nearly as high as it once was.
Phoenix Suns guard/forward Grayson Allen could be off to a new team this offseason. According to HoopsHype, Phoenix has "gauged" the trade market on Allen and Royce O'Neale. The team has just traded Kevin Durant to Houston and appears ready to make more moves after missing the playoffs in 2025. Allen has spent two seasons in Phoenix, but his role declined in 2024-25, as he made only seven starts. The veteran sharpshooter, who is a 41.4 percent career shooter from deep, averaged 10.6 points, 3.0 rebounds, and 2.1 assists in 24.1 minutes. While the Suns consider moving on from Allen, he should attract a lot of interest, as efficient three-point shooters are highly sought after in the league.
Sacramento Kings guard Malik Monk finds his name in trade rumors just a year into a four-year, $78 million contract extension. Sources told HoopsHype that the Kings have "gauged" the trade market for Monk and fellow guard Devin Carter. Monk had a career year with the Kings in 2024-25, averaging 17.1 points, 3.8 rebounds, and 5.6 assists. However, with the newly appointed general manager, Scott Perry, reportedly active in trade talks, no one appears safe in Sacramento. Monk has been a microwave scorer off the bench for most of his career. But this season, he proved he can perform well as a starter and should remain a valuable fantasy contributor even if he changes teams in the summer.
Dallas Mavericks center Daniel Gafford is poised to sign a three-year extension with the team. According to ESPN's Shams Charania, Gafford has agreed to a deal valued at nearly $60 million. The new contract will extend through the 2028-29 NBA season. Gafford has just completed his first full season with the Mavericks, averaging a career-high 12.3 points with 6.8 rebounds and 1.8 blocks. The 26-year-old, who has shot 70.9 percent from the field throughout his career, has been an excellent fit in Dallas and is expected to continue playing an integral role next season.
The Portland Trail Blazers have acquired guard Jrue Holiday from the Boston Celtics in exchange for guard Anfernee Simons and two second-round draft picks. The Celtics are trading Holiday just a year after he won the NBA championship with the team and signed a big four-year, $135 million contract extension. Moving Holiday helps Boston save money since Simons joins on an expiring contract. According to ESPN's Shams Charania, Portland "aggressively" wanted to acquire Holiday, so it seems the team has big plans with the 35-year-old veteran, and we might see a strong bounce-back campaign from him in 2025-26.
The Boston Celtics have acquired guard Anfernee Simons and two second-round draft picks from the Portland Trail Blazers in exchange for guard Jrue Holiday. Simons is on the move after spending his entire seven-year NBA career in Portland. He will be on an expiring $27.7 million contract next season. The 26-year-old has been one of Portland's top scorers in recent years and could continue to fill a similar role in Boston, with Jayson Tatum (Achilles) sidelined. As a trigger-happy three-point shooter, Simons appears to be a good fit for Boston's offense, having averaged 8.5 attempts beyond the arc this season. Simons shot 36.3 percent from deep and notched 19.3 points with 4.8 assists.
According to NBA reporter Jake Fischer,Chicago Bulls point guard Jevon Carter will exercise his $6.8 million player option for the 2025-26 campaign. The 29-year-old finished with averages of 4.3 points, 1.1 assists and 1.1 rebounds in 8.9 minutes per contest across 36 games during his second season in a Bulls uniform. Carter will likely not be a fantasy factor during the upcoming season and could potentially have a tough time finding a regular rotation role.
According to Kelly Iko of The Athletic, the Houston Rockets will likely decline point guard Fred VanVleet's$44.9 million team option. However, Iko reports that the two sides are currently discussing a multi-year contract extension. During the 2024-25 regular season, the 31-year-old posted averages of 14.1 points, 5.6 assists, 1.6 steals and 3.7 rebounds in 35.2 minutes per contest. If VanVleet stays in a Rockets uniform, he will play alongside newly acquired star Kevin Durant during the upcoming season.
Shams Charania of ESPN reports that Washington Wizards forwardKhris Middleton (knee) has picked up his $33.3 million player option for the 2025-26 season. The 33-year-old will likely not be a significant fantasy contributor next season, as the Wizards' younger players are expected to assume additional responsibilities for the upcoming season. Middleton averaged 10.7 points, 3.7 rebounds, and 3.4 assists in 22.1 minutes per game across 37 games during the 2024-25 regular season campaign. He missed the final nine contests due to a right knee contusion.
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