Last Updated on August 7, 2026 9:26 am by André Lemos | Published: July 27, 2026

We might be at the end of the road as there are about a handful of impact free agents left, and yet Free Agency Rundown series continues unabated.

The LeBron James saga has come to a close and that should theoretically open the floodgates on the next wave of signings as teams vying for James can pivot to other alternatives — like Mario Hezonja! — and the remaining veteran free agents can take stock of the landscape and sign their cheap deals accordingly.

It’s an exciting time of year as all 30 teams are plotting their course for next season. Fans whose teams have been out of it for a long time are locked back in after the draft and every single squad will be making some moves to shake up the roster. It’s a fresh start for everyone in the league and a time when hope is renewed no matter where you finished last season.

Naturally, all that player movement is doubly exciting to fantasy basketball players, as each transaction creates fun new alignments while creating the potential for sleeper values all over the place.

It’s important to remember that no team is even close to being a finished product at this point. Moves get made that create depth chart imbalance, which requires more moves to be made. Things will continue to change and so will fantasy outlooks. Don’t expect the Blazers to enter the season with all those guards, for example — but if they do, get ready for some headaches. The rosters you see in the immediate aftermath of trades and signings are not necessarily what you’ll see on opening night.

The goal of this exercise is to give you running thoughts and live fantasy analysis of all the moves that get made. We’ll need to wait and see how rotations look and how coaches scheme around all their shiny new toys but you’ll be getting our first impressions of every transaction. Get excited — basketball is just around the corner again, already.

For up-to-the-minute updates on free agency, follow along on our NBA Blurb Feed by clicking here and filtering for Transactions only. 

And remember, you can view all of our free agency live blogs here.

August 2 Free Agent News

Mavs re-sign Naji Marshall

The Mavs announced a contract extension for Naji Marshall that is believed to be for $52 million over three years. A rebuilding team could just as easily have flipped Marshall to a contending squad but the Mavs have a great appreciation for what he has brought to the table in the last couple of seasons. As it stands, Marshall’s path to the starting lineup is blocked by Cooper Flagg and PJ Washington but injuries are inevitable and we could still see Washington dealt away before the season begins. Odds are that Marshall will come into 12-team value at some point, whether that’s as a pure injury fill-in or as a new full-time starter once Washington is out of the picture. We aren’t going to be eyeing him at 12-team draft tables just yet but Marshall has proven that he can be a quality fantasy option when the opportunity lines up for him. This deal gives him some real security in terms of both stability and role, as the Mavs probably aren’t doling this out to a guy whose minutes are going to be yanked around even during a rebuild.

August 1 Free Agent News

Other moves with less fantasy impact: Gary Payton II rejoins Warriors on one-year, $3.9 million deal; Jeremy Sochan agrees to one-year deal with Blazers

July 29, 30, 31 Free Agent News

It has been a quiet few days. We have just seen a few NBA players head overseas like Jacob Toppin and Mouhamadou Gueye, but that impacts absolutely nothing.
Oh, and Josh Richardson retired! (Hey, we are starving for news here…)

The most interesting story was another twist in the Kawhi Leonard saga….

According to Baxter Holmes of ESPN, the the NBA’s investigation into salary-cap circumvention between Kawhi Leonard and the Clippers could drag into 2027.

Holmes stated that a lengthy process is a possibility “if the parties don’t agree on the findings or any proposed settlement that involves punishing the team.” As a reminder, the details of the agreed-upon trade between the Raptors and Clippers would send Brandon Ingram, Gradey Dick, two first-round picks (unprotected 2031 and 2033), a first-round pick swap (2027) and two second-rounders (2030 and 2033) to the Clippers for Leonard. The NBA has stated that the goal is for this to wrap up this summer, allowing both teams to proceed with the trade if possible. The main issue is that in the worst-case scenario, Leonard’s contract could be voided, in addition to other penalties that wouldn’t impact the Raptors’ long-term plans as severely like a Leonard suspension and team-related punishments for the Clippers. Overall, fantasy managers can only continue seeking updates on the situation and hope for a resolution by October. Leonard’s fantasy valuation should not shift significantly in either situation as long as he can play, but Ingram could perhaps get a boost as a true No. 1 in L.A. and Dick could use a change of scenery after his early-career struggles.

There have been new allegations put out about Leonard’s and Clippers governor Steve Ballmer’s links via another non-public sponsorship, but ultimately, there isn’t an assessment for fantasy basketball until a decision is announced by the NBA.
Maybe Leonard only faces a suspension and the trade goes through, but maybe it is harsher than that and the trade falls through; maybe it is less harsh and everything is fine. The trade going through with a “manageable Leonard suspension” seems like the median outcome if we had to guess, but keep tabs on the updates.

July 28 Free Agent News

Draymond Green returns to Warriors

Green declined his $27.7 million player option to give the Warriors some more space to maneuver as they tried to recruit LeBron James, but with that done and dusted Green is basically picking it right back up. He will start at the four spot alongside Kristaps Porzingis and while the Warriors have very little reliability up front with Green, Porzingis and Al Horford, they are going to need those guys to deliver in the absence of any new star talent this summer. Jimmy Butler’s extended ACL recovery complicates matters further and while Green has always been a wealth of institutional knowledge, the Warriors might need him to turn in a bit of a throwback campaign. Fantasy-wise, Green should continue to offer a smattering of stats across the board but last season’s decline basically wiped him out of meaningful 12-team value. A larger offensive role may not be the proper salve; you want Green’s defense back up before he ends up taking more shots or handling the ball. The unique blend of what Green can offer will keep him on draft boards but we have a hard time endorsing him as more than a late-round option in roster builds that prioritize flexibility.

Other moves with less fantasy impact: Sixers trade Johni Broome and a second-round pick to Clippers for cash considerations; Pelicans sign Christian Koloko to one-year deal

July 27 Free Agent News

Nada.

The Board

Notable remaining free agents (via Spotrac).
Don’t read into the order of names too much here.

• James Harden (expected to re-sign with Cavs)
• Jonathan Kuminga
• DeMar DeRozan
• Bradley Beal
• Jalen Duren (RFA)
• Peyton Watson (RFA)
• Bennedict Mathurin (RFA)
• Russell Westbrook
• Cam Thomas
• Bruce Brown
• Nick Richards
• Brandon Williams
• Gabe Vincent
• Aaron Holiday
• Ochai Agbaji
• Trendon Watford
• Blake Wesley
• Kelly Olynyk
• Kevin Love

Lay of the Land

Atlanta Hawks: Acquire Aaron Wiggins from Thunder for two second-round picks; Acquire Devin Carter and second-round from Kings for draft rights to Alpha Kaba; Re-sign Jock Landale for one year, $14 million; Acquire Lu Dort & Ryan Nembhard in trade (send out Zaccharie Risacher); Sign Jalen Wilson on two-way contract

Boston Celtics: Acquire Paul George, two first-round picks and two second-round picks from Sixers for Jaylen Brown; Sign Mitchell Robinson for three years, $47.4 million; Sign Neemias Queta to four-year, $56 million extension; Re-sign Ron Harper Jr. for three years, $9 million; Sign Mike Conley to one-year deal; Re-sign Amari Williams

Brooklyn Nets: Acquire Julius Randle from Wolves; Re-sign Day’Ron Sharpe to two-year, $20 million deal; Re-sign Josh Minott for two years, $9 million; Sign Keon Ellis for two years, $18 million; Sign Moritz Wagner for two years, $19 million; Re-sign Chaney Johnson on two-way qualifying offer

Charlotte Hornets: Acquire Naz Reid, one first-round pick, three first-round pick swaps and two second-round picks from Wolves for LaMelo Ball and Josh Green; Acquire Grayson Allen, Royce O’Neale and a first-round pick from Suns for Miles Bridges, a first-round pick and a second-round pick; Acquire Dorian Finney-Smith and three second-round picks from Rockets; Re-sign Coby White for three years, $74 million; Sign two-way contracts with Kylan Boswell and Michael Ajayi

Chicago Bulls: Acquire Nic Claxton from Nets; Sign Norman Powell for two years, $45 million; Re-sign Zach Collins for two years, $17 million; Sign Tobe Awaka and Jaylin Sellers to two-way contracts

Cleveland Cavaliers: Re-sign James Harden on multi-year deal; Extend Donovan Mitchell for four years, $273 million; Re-sign Thomas Bryant for one year; Sign Ernest Udeh Jr. to two-way contract; Sign Mario Hezonja for one year, $2.8 million

Dallas Mavericks: Acquire Santi Aldama from Grizzlies for AJ Johnson, first-round pick and two second-round picks; Sign Tobi Lawal to two-way contract; Marcus Sasser traded to Mavs (from Pistons) in six-team deal; Re-sign Moussa Cisse on two-year, $4.7 million deal; Acquire Zaccharie Risacher & send out Ryan Nembhard in three-team trade; Sign Jett Howard on two-way contract; Extend Naji Marshall for three years, $52.2 million

Denver Nuggets: Sign Marvin Bagley to one-year deal; Re-sign Tyus Jones to one-year deal; Sign Alpha Diallo to one-year deal; Re-sign Spencer Jones for two years, $12 million

Detroit Pistons: Acquire three second-round picks from Grizzlies for Isaiah Stewart; Acquire Isaiah Joe from Thunder for two second-round picks; Sign John Collins to three-year, $51 million deal; Re-sign Kevin Huerter for three years, $27 million; Re-sign Javonte Green for one-year, $3.9 million; Acquire Taurean Prince and Gary Harris from Bucks for Caris LeVert; Sign Ugonna Onyenso to two-way contract; Sign Elijah Harkless to two-way contract

Golden State Warriors: Re-signed Kristaps Porzingis for two years, $40 million; Re-signed Draymond Green for one year, $27.7 million; Re-sign Al Horford for two years, $14 million; Re-sign De’Anthony Melton for two years, $11 million; Re-sign Gary Payton II for one year, $3.9 million; Re-sign Charles Bassey on one-year deal

Houston Rockets: Re-signed Tari Eason for five years, $81.5 million; Sign Marcus Smart for two years, $13 million; Sign Quadir Copeland to two-way contract; Trade Dorian Finney-Smith and three second-round picks to Hornets; Re-sign Jae’Sean Tate for one year, $3 million; Re-sign Isaiah Crawford for four years, non-guaranteed $11.27 million

Indiana Pacers: Sign Kelly Oubre for two years, $17 million; Sign Larry Nance Jr. for one year, $4 million; Re-sign Kobe Brown on two-way contract; Fully guarantee Quenton Jackson’s $2.58 million for 2026-27; Re-sign Jalen Slawson to two-way contract

LA Clippers: Acquire Brandon Ingram, Gradey Dick, two first-round picks, first-round pick swap and two second-round picks from Raptors for Kawhi Leonard; Sign Rui Hachimura for two years, $28 million; Re-sign Kobe Sanders for four years, $11.2 million; Re-sign Jordan Miller for three years, $15.3 million; Sign Nick Martinelli to two-way contract; Sign Jamarion Sharp to two-way contract; Acquire Johni Broome and a second-round pick from Sixers

Los Angeles Lakers: Acquire Walker Kessler from Jazz for two first-round picks, two first-round pick swaps; Acquire Jaden Hardy and two second-round picks for Deandre Ayton; Re-sign Austin Reaves for four years, $185 million; Sign Sandro Mamukelashvili for four years, $52 million; Sign Quentin Grimes for four years, $60 million; Sign Collin Sexton for two years, $19 million; Sign Kevon Looney for one year, $3.9 million; Re-sign Chris Manon to two-way contract; Sign Peter Suder and AK Okereke to two-way contracts; Sign Ziaire Williams on one-year, $3 million contract; Sign Matisse Thybulle on one-year, $3.3 million contract; Sign Arthur Kaluma to two-way contract (waive Peter Suder)

Memphis Grizzlies: Acquire Jerami Grant and Kris Murray from Blazers for Ja Morant; Acquire Isaiah Stewart from Pistons for three second-round picks; Acquire Quinten Post for three years, $30 million from Warriors via offer sheet; Acquire AJ Johnson, first-round pick and two second-round picks from Mavs for Santi Aldama; Acquire D’Angelo Russell from Wizards; Sign Carson Cooper to two-way contract

Miami Heat: Acquire Giannis Antetokounmpo and Bobby Portis from Bucks for Tyler Herro, Kel’el Ware, Jaime Jaquez Jr., Kasparas Jakucionis, three first-round picks, one first-round pick swap, two second-round picks; Sign Andrew Wiggins to three-year, $64 million extension; Sign Tim Hardaway Jr. to one-year deal for $6.5 million; Re-sign Simone Fontecchio to one-year deal; Vlad Goldin re-signs on two-way contract

Milwaukee Bucks: Acquire Tyler Herro, Kel’el Ware, Jaime Jaquez Jr., Kasparas Jakucionis, three first-round picks, one first-round pick swap, two second-round picks from Heat for Giannis Antetokounmpo and Bobby Portis; Re-sign Ousmane Dieng for three years and $17.5 million; Acquire Caris LeVert from Pistons for Taurean Prince and Gary Harris; Re-sign Pete Nance to two-year deal; Sign Bogoljub Markovic to multi-year deal; Sign Rafael Castro and Kam Jones to two-way contracts; Gary Trent Jr. re-signs on four-year, $64 million contract

Minnesota Timberwolves: Acquire LaMelo Ball and Josh Green from Hornets for Naz Reid, one first-round pick, three first-round pick swaps and two second-round picks; Acquire first-round pick from Nets for Julius Randle; Re-sign Ayo Dosunmu for five years, $112 million; Re-sign Bones Hyland; Re-sign Jaylen Clark to three-year, $10 million deal; Sign Trey Lyles to one-year deal; Re-sign Enrique Freeman to two-way contract

New Orleans Pelicans: Re-sign DeAndre Jordan to one-year deal (later reported as two-year vet minimum deal); Sign Jaron Pierre Jr. to two-way contract; Sign Kobe Bufkin to one-year deal; Sign Christian Koloko to one-year deal

New York Knicks: Re-sign Landry Shamet to four-year, $24 million deal; Re-sign Jose Alvarado for three years, over $14 million; Sign Andre Drummond for one year at $3.9 million; Re-sign Mohamed Diawara to multi-year contract; Re-sign Jordan Clarkson for one year, $3.9 million

Oklahoma City Thunder: Acquire two second-round picks from Hawks for Aaron Wiggins; Acquire two second-round picks from Pistons for Isaiah Joe; Re-sign Isaiah Hartenstein for three years, $75 million; Re-sign Kenrich Williams for one year, $5 million; Re-signed Brooks Barnhizer to two-way contract; Signed Otega Oweh and Josh Dix to two-way contracts; Acquire three-second picks from ATL/DAL in three-team deal relinquishing Lu Dort

Orlando Magic: Sign Nikola Vucevic for one year, $3.9 million; Re-sign Jonathan Isaac for one year; Re-sign Jevon Carter for one year, $3.5 million; Re-sign Colin Castleton to two-way contract; Sign Izaiyah Nelson to two-way contract

Philadelphia 76ers: Acquire Jaylen Brown from Celtics for Paul George, two first-round picks and two second-round picks; Sign LeBron James for two years, $8 million; Sign Dean Wade for four years, $39 million; Sign Anfernee Simons for two years, $12.3 million; Sign Ariel Hukporti for one year, $3.4 million; Expected to sign Kentavious Caldwell-Pope (after buyout from Memphis); Sign Rayan Rupert and Caleb Love to two-way contracts

Phoenix Suns: Acquire Miles Bridges, a first-round pick and a second-round pick from Hornets for Grayson Allen, Royce O’Neale and a first-round pick; Re-sign Collin Gillespie for four years, $48 million; Re-sign Mark Williams for three years, $38 million; Re-sign Jordan Goodwin for three years, $19 million; Sign Luke Kennard to two-year, $13 million deal; Sign Pat Spencer to two-way contract; Re-sign Koby Brea to two-way contract

Portland Trail Blazers: Acquire Ja Morant from Grizzlies for Jerami Grant, Kris Murray; Re-sign Robert Williams to three-year, $44 million deal; Sign Branden Carlson for one year, $2.5 million; Claim Micah Potter off waivers; Sign John Tonje to two-way contract; Sign Jeremy Sochan on one-year deal

Sacramento Kings: Acquire rights to Alpha Kaba from Hawks for Devin Carter and a second-round pick; Re-sign Precious Achiuwa for two years, $11.5 million; Re-sign Daeqwon Plowden for two years, $5.1 million; Sign Jonathan Mogbo and Adam Flagler to two-way contracts

San Antonio Spurs: Re-sign Julian Champagnie for three years, $45 million; Sign Tobias Harris for two years, $31 million; Re-sign Harrison Barnes to one-year, $8 million deal; Re-sign Jordan McLaughlin to one-year, $3 million deal; Sign Ja’Kobi Gillespie, Maliq Brown and David Jones Garcia to two-way contracts

Toronto Raptors: Acquire Kawhi Leonard from Clippers for Brandon Ingram, Gradey Dick, two first-round picks, first-round pick swap and two second-round picks; Sign Kyle Anderson to one-year, $3.9 million deal; Re-sign Alijah Martin to two-year, $4.8 million deal; Re-sign Chucky Hepburn to two-way contract; Sign Jaden Bradley to two-way contract

Utah Jazz: Acquire two first-round picks, two first-round pick swaps from Lakers for Walker Kessler; Re-sign Jusuf Nurkic to two-year, $22 million deal; Sign Josh Okogie to two-year, $12 million deal; Sign Jaxson Hayes to two-year, $12 million deal; Sign Tamar Bates, Trey Alexander and Mo Bamba to two-way contracts

Washington Wizards: Re-sign Trae Young for four years, $212 million; Acquire Deandre Ayton from Lakers for Jaden Hardy and two second-round picks; Acquire Khris Middleton via sign-and-trade; Re-sign Jamir Watkins to two-way contract; Sign Felix Okpara to two-way contract

  Join our Discord:  Click Here to Join!

• About the Author
• Latest Posts

SportsEthos Staff

• Free Agency Rundown: August 2026
• Sell High Targets for Hitters and Pitchers: Trade Deadline Edition
• Free Agency Rundown: July 27 - August 2
• NBA Free Agency Rundown: July 20 - 26
• 2026 NBA Summer League Notebook: Las Vegas