Free agency officially began on Tuesday night, but a considerable amount of business had already been completed. Between players agreeing to stay with their original teams during the exclusive negotiating window and some huge trades, this summer's free-agent class may not have the same "star power" we're used to seeing.
However, there have still been some notable moves for fantasy basketball managers to pay close attention to as they prepare for draft season. Here's a look at some of those key moves, and this article will be updated throughout the coming days.
We’ve seen some huge trades and a wave of free agent signings, but there still some of the biggest names on the board.
Key trade links:
Kawhi Leonard traded to Raptors, Brandon Ingram heads to the Clippers
Heat acquire Giannis Antetokounmpo from the Bucks
Celtics trade Jaylen Brown to 76ers for Paul George, picks
Timberwolves add LaMelo Ball, bid farewell to Naz Reid and Julius Randle
While the Ball and Reid aspects of this trade have been covered here, we've yet to touch on Randle's move to Brooklyn. In his second season with the Timberwolves, the veteran forward averaged 21.1 points, 6.7 rebounds, 5.0 assists, 1.1 steals and 1.4 three-pointers, shooting 48.1 percent from the field and 80.2 percent from the foul line. The scoring average improved by more than two points per game compared to Randle's 2024-25 production and there was also a slight bump in assists and steals, but the rebounding number dipped slightly.
Randle provided fifth-round value in eight-cat formats, and maintaining that level of production in Brooklyn is certainly possible. Much of the Nets' offense next season should run through Randle and Michael Porter Jr., raising the former's fantasy ceiling. The concern is whether his efficiency will suffer due to the downgrade in overall talent.
Trail Blazers add another point guard to their rotation, acquiring Ja Morant
After seven seasons in Memphis, Morant is headed to the Pacific Northwest for the next stop in his NBA career. When available, he's one of the most electrifying guards in the NBA, and fantasy managers tend to get solid value despite the efficiency concerns. However, staying on the court has been an issue for Morant, who has played only 79 games over the last three seasons. And he has not played more than 65 games since his rookie season. Simply put, fantasy managers who select Morant know to plan for at least one extended absence.
Also, how will new Trail Blazers head coach Micah Nori manage a rotation that now includes Morant, Damian Lillard, Jrue Holiday and Scoot Henderson? There's been talk that Morant and Lillard will start, but someone's usage is likely to take a hit, if not both of them. Henderson, whose fantasy value was already shaky, takes the biggest hit with the trade, but Deni Avdija may not be far behind. The playmaking forward is coming off of an All-Star season, and the ball is likely to be in his hands far less than it was in 2025-26.
Last but not least, keep an eye on Donovan Clingan's blocks. If Portland insists on starting Morant and Lillard together, "Cling Kong" will be needed to provide elite rim protection to compensate for those guards' defensive limitations.
Norman Powell, Bulls agree to two-year contract
With the amount of money the Heat now have to pay Antetokounmpo, it became obvious that Powell would move on if he wanted a significant payday. He heads to Chicago on a two-year, $45 million deal and will be one of the Bulls' primary scoring options. When healthy, Powell has offered excellent fantasy value in recent seasons. However, he's exceeded 65 regular-season games just twice since the 2020-21 season and appeared in 58 games in 2025-26. Given the change of scenery and Chicago's need for perimeter scoring, Powell's ADP is likely to be higher than it was going into last season (86). But the jump may not be too great, given recent availability issues and the Bulls' rebuild.
Lakers acquire Walker Kessler from Jazz
Kessler's impact on fantasy basketball last season was that he wasn't available, as a shoulder injury resulted in his playing just five games. As a result, many fantasy managers took a hit due to the absence of a player capable of delivering top-50 value. On Wednesday morning, it was reported that the Lakers acquired the 7-footer in a sign-and-trade, giving up two unprotected firsts (2031 and 2033) and two first-round pick swaps (2028 and 2030) to sign Kessler to a four-year, $130 million contract.
That's a high price to pay for Kessler, with the hope being that he can be the pick-and-roll partner and rim protector that Deandre Ayton was not last season. A healthy Kessler can offer excellent fantasy value, especially for managers willing to punt free-throw percentage. A 54.5 percent shooter from the charity stripe in his career, Kessler connects on 68.1 percent of his field-goal attempts and has averaged 2.4 blocks per game.
And speaking of Ayton, he was traded to the Wizards days after exercising his $8.1 million player option. Due to the inconsistent play, his fantasy value wasn't great last season. And unless the Wizards go against previous reports and trade Anthony Davis, "DominAyton" will be a backup next season.
Rockets, Tari Eason agree to five-year, $81.5 million contract
While he didn't appear all that thrilled with the money, based on his social media post after the deal was reported, Eason's future in Houston is secure for the time being. When available, the Rockets forward can be a highly valuable asset in category leagues. However, availability has been the issue since Eason appeared in all 82 games as a rookie.
He has played in 22, 57 and 60 games in the three seasons since; Houston and fantasy managers will hope that the positive trend continues for Eason. He's likely to come off the bench again in 2026-27, which caps Eason's fantasy ceiling, but the floor should be reliable.
Bulls acquire Nic Claxton from Nets
This became a multi-team trade that also included the Timberwolves and Hornets. Chicago was in the market for a starting center, and they got one in Claxton. However, after promising 2022-23 and 2023-24 seasons, his production tailed off as he played on a rebuilding team. Will that be the case in Chicago as well? Claxton's rebounding and blocked shot production has decreased each of the last two seasons, but he did average a career-high 3.7 assists per game in 2025-26.
Also, even with the rebounding and shot-blocking, he offered top-100 value to managers willing to punt on free-throw percentage, so there's still value to be had. If he can mesh well with Josh Giddey, Claxton's offensive output could increase slightly. Still, fantasy managers should not expect a big jump, since the aforementioned Powell, Matas Buzelis and lottery pick Caleb Wilson will also figure prominently in the Bulls' offensive system.
Mitchell Robinson, Celtics agree to three-year deal
Speaking of punting free-throw percentage, fantasy managers who continued to show faith in Robinson have done so since he entered the NBA. After playing his first eight seasons with the Knicks, the 7-footer agreed to a three-year, $47 million deal to join the rival Celtics. One of the game's best rebounders, Robinson can also provide value in field-goal percentage and blocks. However, more concerning than his foul shooting is his availability. Last season was the first in which he played at least 60 regular-season games since 2021-22, and Robinson has averaged 17.1 and 19.6 minutes each of the last two seasons.
Boston clearly needed an upgrade at the center position, even with Neemias Queta's career year, and adding Robinson to the mix addresses that. However, he may not exceed 25 minutes per night if his ankle remains a concern, which will limit Robinson's fantasy impact. Queta certainly takes a hit with Wednesday's news, but he is not a player who fantasy managers should rush to give up on. Also, with the Celtics signing him to a four-year, $56 million extension, Queta will be a key figure in Boston for the foreseeable future.
As for the Knicks, their quest for depth at center becomes even more important after Ariel Hukporti agreed to a one-year deal with the 76ers.
John Collins to be Pistons’ new starting power forward
The Pistons, who won 60 games last season, have made a significant change to their starting lineup by signing Collins to a three-year, $51 million deal. Compared to his 2024-25 production with the Jazz, Collins' numbers dipped noticeably in his lone season with the Clippers. In 69 games, he averaged 13.6 points, 5.3 rebounds, 1.0 assists and 1.3 three-pointers, shooting 55.2 percent from the field and 76.6 percent from the foul line. Tobias Harris has moved on to San Antonio, opening up a spot in the Pistons' starting lineup.
Collins at power forward makes Detroit more athletic at that spot, and he has the potential to provide decent late-round fantasy value. However, the Pistons still have spacing concerns to address, especially if Jalen Duren returns as expected. Detroit did add Isaiah Joe via trade and use a first-round pick on Ebuka Okorie to help address the spacing, but the Pistons still need Ausar Thompson to bring something to the table as a shooter if they're to be a true contender in the East.
Lakers sign Quentin Grimes, Sandro Mamukelashvili to four-year contracts
With LeBron James informing the Lakers that he'll be playing his 24th NBA season elsewhere, the rotation beyond Luka Dončić and Austin Reaves will look considerably different in 2025-26. The additions of Grimes and Mamukelashvili give the rotation a welcome boost, especially when considering the limited production the Lakers received from their bench last season. Grimes will be needed to help compensate for Luke Kennard's exit, while Mamukelashvili can be used at either power forward or center. Neither did enough last season to justify consistently being rostered, but both had moments of legitimate fantasy relevance.
Mavericks acquire Santi Aldama from Grizzlies
With the Grizzlies preserving the trade exception they acquired by sending Jaren Jackson Jr. to Utah last season, Wednesday's trade may be combined with the draft-night acquisition of Isaiah Stewart from the Pistons. Aldama heads to Dallas in exchange for AJ Johnson, a protected 2030 first-round pick via Golden State and two future second-round picks.
While Aldama finished last season with career-high averages in points (14.0) and rebounds (6.7), he did so for a team decimated by injuries. Also, he's coming off a season-ending knee procedure in mid-March. A healthy Aldama will be in the Mavericks' rotation, but he joins a team that also has PJ Washington, Daniel Gafford, Dereck Lively II and lottery pick Morez Johnson Jr. in the frontcourt, which will likely limit his fantasy ceiling.
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Kurt Helin
