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Xavier Cooks Julian Reese traded to Nuggets, subsequently waived Wed, Aug 19, 2026, 2:52 PM Julian Reese has been waived after being traded to the Nuggets. Analysis: Reese was added in to facilitate the Peyton Watson trade to Cleveland, though Denver had no intention to keep him around. Reese ended last season on a two-way deal with Washington and will look to find a new home for next season.
Cam Whitmore Cam Whitmore to get fresh start in Cleveland Wed, Aug 19, 2026, 2:50 PM Shams Charania Cam Whitmore has been traded to the Cavaliers. Analysis: Whitmore was added in to facilitate the Peyton Watson trade, and he'll end up as a young depth piece in Cleveland. However, there are likely too many players in front of him on the depth chart on a team that is trying to compete in the East for him to get much of an opportunity next season.
Tre Mann Tre Mann heading to Washington in Watson deal Wed, Aug 19, 2026, 2:47 PM Shams Charania Tre Mann and a 2027 Clippers second-round pick have been traded to the Wizards in exchange for Cam Whitmore as part of the Peyton Watson trade. Analysis: Mann was sent to Cleveland from Charlotte as part of the Dennis Schroder trade last week, but he'll end up back in the Southeast division. Mann has shown flashes and could compete with Bub Carrington for the backup point guard job behind Trae Young, but with the compensation that was required for the Wizards to acquire him, it is unlikely they have big plans for him.
Max Strus Max Strus rerouted to Clippers in Watson trade Wed, Aug 19, 2026, 2:40 PM Shams Charania Max Strus has been traded to the Clippers as part of the three-team deal that sent Peyton Watson to the Cavaliers. Analysis: Strus will get a fresh start after three seasons in Cleveland. His defense and floor spacing should help make an immediate impact for the Clippers as they look to establish a new identity in the post-Kawhi Leonard era. Strus could start alongside Darius Garland, but his presence in a crowded backcourt will make the rotation difficult to project. Kris Dunn, Bennedict Mathurin (RFA) and Gradey Dick all stand to lose out on minutes with Strus on the squad.
Peyton Watson Shams: Peyton Watson to Cavs in three-team trade Wed, Aug 19, 2026, 2:33 PM Shams Charania ESPN's Shams Charania reports Peyton Watson has been traded to the Cavaliers in a three-team deal that also sends Max Strus to the Clippers and an unprotected 2031 Cavaliers first-round pick and the Kings' 2032 second-round pick to the Nuggets. Analysis: The Cavs' interest in Watson has been rumored for a while, and they were finally able to get a deal done, and it wasn't just the trade. With the deal, Watson also agreed to a four-year, $88 million extension to stay in Cleveland for a while. Watson is coming off a breakout season and should fill in as the Cavs' fifth starter alongside James Harden, Donovan Mitchell, Evan Mobley and Jarrett Allen. Watson's role will look different than it did last season, but his versatility on both ends should fit in well in Cleveland as they look to compete in the East. Watson's departure should officially lock in Christian Braun, Cameron Johnson and Aaron Gordon as starters in Denver, though Julian Strawther should step into extra minutes off the bench.
Santi Aldama Santi Aldama (knee) expected to be ready for camp Wed, Aug 19, 2026, 9:02 AM Marc Stein Santi Aldama (knee) is expected to be ready for training camp Analysis: Aldama underwent knee surgery in March that ended his season prematurely. He'll won't suit up for Spain during the FIBA World Cup qualifiers to prioritize his recovery, but he is expected to be ready for training camp in late September. Aldama was dealt to Dallas in July, so this will be a fresh start with a new team that is loaded with frontcourt talent.
Aaron Holiday Aaron Holiday signs with Maxima Roma Wed, Aug 19, 2026, 6:31 AM Marc Stein Aaron Holiday signed with Maxima Roma. Analysis: Holiday may have signed to play next season in Italy, but reports indicate his contract includes an NBA out. If an NBA team is looking to add a reliable perimeter defender and ball handler during the season, they can buy out his contract with Maxima Roma and bring him over. Holiday could end up being a difference maker late this season.
Haywood Highsmith Haywood Highsmith back with PHX on 1-year deal Mon, Aug 17, 2026, 6:23 AM Shams Charania ESPN's Shams Charania reports that Haywood Highsmith has signed a one-year deal to return to the Suns. Analysis: Highsmith appeared in only seven games for the Suns last season, and he'll likely be a depth option in 2026-27.
Trendon Watford Trendon Watford signs one-year deal with Pels Mon, Aug 17, 2026, 6:20 AM Shams Charania ESPN's Shams Charania reports that Trendon Watford has agreed to a one-year, $2.9 million deal with the Pelicans. Analysis: Watford played a key role off the bench for the Sixers last season, offering scoring, rebounding and assists in 16.3 minutes per game and notching his first career triple-double on November 8 against the Raptors.
Jaylin Galloway Jaylin Galloway signs with Cairns Taipans Sun, Aug 16, 2026, 10:09 AM Cairns Taipans Jaylin Galloway signed with the Cairns Taipans. Analysis: Galloway, who briefly spent time on a two-way deal with the Bucks in 2024, though he never appeared in a game for them, had been playing for the Sydney Kings prior to this. However, after asking to be released from his contract, he has found a new home that won't require him to move to a different country.
Lindell Wigginton Lindell Wigginton continuing career in China Sun, Aug 16, 2026, 10:01 AM Sportando Lindell Wigginton agreed to a deal with the Shanxi Loongs. Analysis: Wigginton spent a few years with the Bucks, but he has been playing in the Chinese Basketball Association since Milwaukee waived him in February of 2024. The 28-year-old guard will likely continue to play overseas, and a return to the NBA seems unlikely at this point.
Tre Mann Report: Tre Mann traded to Cavaliers Fri, Aug 14, 2026, 11:06 AM Shams Charania ESPN's Shams Charania reports that the Hornets traded Tre Mann to the Cavaliers for Dennis SchrÃ¶der and cash Analysis: Mann is headed to Cleveland after two-plus seasons in Charlotte, where he occupied a reserve role on most nights. Appearing in 53 games in 2025-26, the former first-round pick averaged 5.5 points, 1.7 rebounds and 1.6 assists in 12.6 minutes. With Cleveland's backcourt being headlined by Donovan Mitchell and James Harden, Mann is unlikely to be in a position where he can offer reliable fantasy value.
Dennis Schroder Shams: Dennis SchrÃ¶der traded to Hornets Friday Fri, Aug 14, 2026, 11:05 AM Shams Charania Dennis SchrÃ¶der was acquired by the Hornets in exchange for Tre Mann, reports ESPN's Shams Charania. Analysis: The Cavaliers also sent cash considerations to the Hornets as part of the deal. According to various reports, the Cavaliers had been trying to offload SchrÃ¶der's contract since the NBA Draft. In this trade, they'll save around $6 million in cap space. The Hornets will upgrade their backcourt depth here in the wake of trading LaMelo Ball to the Timberwolves. Charlotte will be SchrÃ¶der's 12th team, bringing him one away from tying Ish Smith's record for most teams played for. The 32-year-old point guard averaged 10.8 points and 4.9 assists in 70 games last season.
Bradley Beal Shams: Bradley Beal, Clippers agree to 2-year deal Thu, Aug 13, 2026, 2:36 PM ESPN ESPN's Shams Charania reports that Bradley Beal and the Clippers have agreed to a two-year, $13.2 million contract. Analysis: After a rough 2025-26 season in which he was limited to six games due to injury, Beal opted out of the second year of his deal to become an unrestricted free agent. While there was reportedly interest from the Heat, the veteran guard has decided to remain with the Clippers on a two-year deal. If healthy, Beal can offer excellent value to managers in points leagues. However, availability has been an issue, with the 33-year-old guard having last played at least 60 games in a season in 2020-21.
Haywood Highsmith Scotto: Suns waive Haywood Highsmith Wed, Aug 12, 2026, 12:12 PM Michael Scotto HoopsHype's Michael Scotto reports the Suns waived Haywood Highsmith. Analysis: After spending four seasons in Miami, Highsmith was dealt to Brooklyn ahead of last season. They waived him in February, though he never appeared in a game for the Nets. Phoenix signed him after that, and he suited up seven times for them before last season ended. The 29-year-old will enter free agency following an injury-riddled season, which stemmed from a knee surgery that he underwent last August.
MarJon Beauchamp MarJon Beauchamp signs with FC Bayern Munich Wed, Aug 12, 2026, 10:56 AM BasketNews MarJon Beauchamp signed with FC Bayern Munich. Analysis: The 2022 first-round pick spent the last four seasons in the NBA, most recently on a two-way deal with the 76ers. However, his career will continue internationally, though the 25-year-old may make a return to the NBA in the future.
Xavier Cooks Report: Seth Trimble returning to college Wed, Aug 12, 2026, 8:40 AM ESPN ESPN's Pete Thamel reports that Seth Trimble will return to college and play the 2026-27 season at Louisville. Analysis: Trimble's college career appeared to be over after he completed four seasons of eligibility at North Carolina. However, a recent court ruling that has given Class of 2022 athletes a fifth season of eligibility has opened the door for many to go back to school. Trimble, who agreed to an Exhibit 10 contract with the Wizards last month, will take advantage of the opportunity, playing his fifth season at Louisville. However, the NCAA has said that it will not provide blanket eligibility waivers. As a result, he will need the US Court of Appeals for the Tenth Circuit to uphold the injunction to be assured of playing college basketball next season. Trimble's decision won't affect fantasy basketball, and there's even less reason for managers in deep dynasty leagues to consider adding him.
Russell Westbrook Russell Westbrook announces retirement from NBA Wed, Aug 12, 2026, 8:40 AM Russell Westbrook Russell Westbrook has announced his retirement from basketball. Analysis: Despite multiple rumors of where Westbrook may play basketball next season, the former MVP has decided to call it a career. Drafted in 2008, Russ was the first draft pick Thunder history after they made the move from Seattle. He spent the first 11 years of his career with OKC, which included his MVP season and an NBA Finals appearance. Westbrook bounced around after that, playing for six teams in seven seasons, including the Rockets, Wizards, Lakers, Clippers, Nuggets and Kings. After 18 years in the NBA, Westbrook should be a lock for the Hall of Fame.
JJ Redick Report: Kushner, Iger to buy Lakers for $12.5B Wed, Aug 12, 2026, 5:21 AM ESPN ESPN's Ramona Shelburne reports that the Lakers are being sold to Josh Kushner and Bob Iger for a record $12.5 billion. Analysis: Less than one year after Mark Walter purchased a controlling share of the Lakers from the Buss family for $10 billion, the storied franchise is on the verge of changing hands again. Kushner and Iger were initially involved in the expansion process in Las Vegas, so it remains to be seen what Wednesday's news means for that bid (and, by extension, a possible expansion team in Seattle). The transaction still requires league approval to go through, and if it does, Kushner will have to give up his minority share of the Miami Heat.
Peyton Watson Stein: Cavs remain interested in Peyton Watson Wed, Aug 12, 2026, 4:52 AM The Stein Line NBA insider Marc Stein reports that the Cavaliers remain interested in pursuing restricted free agent Peyton Watson. Analysis: Watson remains a restricted free agent, and the Cavaliers are reportedly exploring ways to create enough salary-cap space to offer him a four-year deal. According to Stein, Cleveland has considered trade scenarios involving guards Dennis Schroder and Max Strus to shed salary. Watson is seeking a deal worth more than $25 million annually, but could also accept his $6.5 million qualifying offer from the Nuggets and become an unrestricted free agent next summer. Whether he remains in Denver or heads elsewhere, Watson has the skill set needed to offer reliable fantasy value. That said, an opportunity to start would raise his ceiling, and that may not be possible in Denver next season.