“The circus begins!” – ESPN, Brian Windhorst

The circus he is referring to is NBA Free Agency. Discussions with gamers and groups began on Friday, June 30, at 6 p.m. Eastern. However, offers will be agreed upon in precept, however nothing turns into official till July 6. Gone are the days of players barricading doors to influence another player’s decision on where to sign. And the upcoming Collective Bargaining Agreement certainly has franchises hesitant to make reckless long-term commitments (hello, Mr. Mozgov). That doesn’t suggest free company will not be entertaining. There’s already been a bunch of wage cap casualties, superstars wanting out or simply on the lookout for a brand new place to name house. Stay tuned as I’ll hold tabs on the notable free-agent actions and acquisitions related to fantasy basketball.

The undrafted former All-Star and NBA Champion is swimming in money after agreeing to a three-year, $130M contract Friday. He’ll be given the keys to a rebuilding franchise that lacks a veteran presence, and Houston will get its cash’s price. VanVleet completed simply exterior the highest 15 in fantasy final season, and because the lead man, a top-20 end is actually within the playing cards. He’s a reliable level guard to anchor your group in factors, assists, threes and steals.

The marketplace for Uncle Drew is not what it might’ve been, however who cares, as a result of he got paid, and he is proven he can flourish with Luka Dončić. I’ve mentioned it many occasions earlier than — Irving is without doubt one of the most effective guards within the league, and for 9-cat leagues warrants a late first-round decide or, worst case, early second-round, with no hesitation.

I discussed Green and Khris Middleton (extra on him shortly) as players that should stay with their current teams to preserve their fantasy values. Green returns to the Warriors on a team-friendly four-year, $100M contract that extends the Warriors’ championship window a bit longer.

Green was proper on the cusp of being a prime 100 participant, so whereas his finest years are behind him, fantasy managers can nonetheless get some assists, steals and rebounds out of Dray — however do not anticipate far more than a triple-single.

I like this move for Middleton as a result of his future is tied to an Eastern Conference contender. Playing with perennial MVP candidate Giannis Antetokounmpo, Jrue Holiday and Brook Lopez (extra on him under) ought to make life simpler for him and he’s a participant I’d anticipate to return to his prime 60 standing subsequent season. Hopefully, his harm points are behind him.

Brook Lopez – C, Milwaukee Bucks

Splash Mountain makes his return to the Bucks and the championship core extends their championship window a bit longer after Khris Middleton signed a four-year deal on Friday. Lopez balled out final season, ending eleventh in per-game worth. He was one of my biggest misses of the ’22-23 season and he ought to be one of many prime bigs off the board in drafts for his skill to knock down threes and be among the many league leaders in blocks.

The small-ball period resulted in Toronto as soon as Poeltl got here by means of in a mid-season commerce final 12 months, and he made sufficient of an impression to be a part of their future plans. His fantasy worth stays intact, and a top-80 end remains to be in play. He’ll be a strong heart to focus on within the seventh and eighth rounds subsequent season.

He closed the ’22-23 season because the 99th-ranked participant in 9-cat leagues. He’s a primary candidate to see greater than half-hour per night time, and being the purpose guard paired with Victor Wembanyama could be very attractive. Plus, he carries among the finest assist-to-turnover ratios within the league. He’s underrated, and final 12 months’s eighth-round ADP is probably going too low.

“Just got paid, Friday night … Party huntin’, feelin’ right.” I do know Grant needs to be on one after touchdown a considerable five-year deal price $160M to remain in Portland. He was a prime 70 participant final season and shouldn’t have any situation repeating that efficiency whether or not the Blazers resolve to hit reset or construct round Damian Lillard.

Cap house was dwindling across the league, so Kuz’s determination to re-sign with the Wizards is a savvy transfer financially and preserves his fantasy worth. He’s nonetheless an inefficient 20-point scorer, however he is developed right into a strong rebounder and distributor.

Kristaps Porzingis‘ departure opens up extra scoring potential, even alongside newly acquired G Jordan Poole. Plus, utilization will not be a problem. Kuz completed 136th in 9-cat leagues final 12 months, and I’d anticipate him to place up higher counting stats, given the expertise on the Wizards’ roster.

Johnson re-signs with the Nets on a four-year, $108M deal, and fantasy managers ought to be ecstatic. He completed 53rd final 12 months after splitting his time in Phoenix and Brooklyn, however after signing a big contract, it is evident he’ll have a significant position sooner or later.

He slots in as Brooklyn’s second possibility on offense (behind Mikal Bridges), and fantasy managers can look ahead to spending a mid-round decide on a budding expertise who scores effectively, shoots 40% from three and might recover from a steal per recreation. Don’t anticipate to draft Johnson exterior the highest 100 picks ever once more.

Jones stays with the Pelicans after signing a four-year, $54M contract. The Pelicans have loads of wings, however nobody comes with Jones’ defensive pedigree.

He completed simply exterior of the highest 100 in fantasy final season, and hopefully, his minutes will climb over 30 to enhance on his second-year numbers of 9.8 factors, 4.1 rebounds, 2.5 assists with 1.6 steals, 0.6 blocks and 47/34/76 capturing splits. His eligibility at three totally different positions offers a pleasant enhance to his fantasy worth as properly.

It have to be good to win an NBA championship someday and get $20M+ lower than a month later. Brown joins a younger Pacers group on the lookout for a change within the backcourt after buying and selling Chris Duarte to Sacramento. Brown’s arrival possible impacts Andrew Nembhard‘s worth essentially the most.

With the amount of cash coming Brown’s manner, I’d additionally anticipate enough taking part in time to come back. His multi-positional eligibility is nice for fantasy functions, and he is one of many early winners of free company up to now.

The Lakers had been losing no time constructing their depth in free company after getting swept within the Western Conference Finals. On Friday, Vincent, previously of the Miami Heat, agreed to a three-year, $33M deal. He presumably would have been the Lakeshow’s new start line guard if not for an additional signing (extra on that under). That mentioned, if he will get minutes within the excessive 20s or low 30s, he might emerge as an asset within the tail finish of drafts, specializing in threes made and steals.

D’Angelo Russell (PG/SG) – Los Angeles Lakers

The Lakers proceed to spend correctly in free company, re-signing Russell to a two-year, $37M deal. He completed the ’22-23 season with the Lakers posting related numbers to his time with the Timberwolves — 17 factors with three rebounds and 6 assists. However, he improved his effectivity throughout his 17 video games in LA, capturing 48% from the sphere and 41% from three. If this pattern continues, he might outperform his ADP subsequent season. The transfer possible downgrades Vincent to a bench position, limiting his enchantment as a late-round decide.

I hoped Barnes would signal elsewhere for Keegan Murray‘s sake, however a reunion with the Kings makes numerous sense, contemplating the group’s trajectory.

He was a significant a part of their success this season, however fantasy-wise, I’d bucket him together with Tobias Harris as a participant I will not be concentrating on in drafts.

Rui Hachimura – SF/PF, Los Angeles Lakers

Lakers GM Rob Pelinka rewarded Hachimura’s productive postseason play with a three-year deal price $51M. While Hachimura’s play stood out in real-life, fantasy is a unique story. He closed the season 286th in per-game worth and solely averaged 10 factors per recreation in 33 video games as a Laker (down from 13 ppg with Washington).

He’s not a lot of a rebounder and offers subsequent to no assists or defensive stats. He might carve out greater than 22 minutes per night time, however he’d solely be helpful for spot begins or in the event you want scoring off waivers.

Remember when he fumbled the bag a number of years in the past? He restored his worth sufficient to ink a two-year, $26M deal to affix the Raptors. If the Raptors do not make any further strikes, he’ll compete with Malachi Flynn, whose largely been disenchanted in his first three seasons behind ex-Raptor Fred VanVleet.

I’m not itching so as to add Schroder, however he can contribute to steals, scoring and assists in 12-team leagues (assuming he stays the place to begin guard). It’s additionally attainable that this transfer alerts Scottie Barnes or Pascal Siakam to take extra command of the offense.

Morris was traded from the Washington Wizards to the Detroit Pistons on Friday for a second-round decide. With Morris out of the best way, that is terrific information for Tyus Jones‘ inventory, as that is one much less level guard to compete with for minutes.

On the flip facet, Morris’ worth stays impartial as he’ll develop into the backup level guard to Cade Cunningham. Killian Hayes‘ days within the D are numbered after the Pistons acquired Morris, a veteran PG with an distinctive assist-to-turnover ratio and a greater observe report in fantasy.

Caris LeVert SG/SF – Cleveland Cavaliers

LeVert re-signed with the Cavs after taking part in in 74 video games (beginning in 30) and averaging 12 factors with nearly 4 rebounds and 4 assists in over half-hour per night time. He completed 156th in per-game worth, and if he can enhance his effectivity from the sphere, he’d flip his profile of a late-round waiver man.

Joe Harris – SG/SF, Detroit Pistons

The profession 43% 3-point shooter will match properly with a Pistons group that desperately wants a constant risk on the perimeter. Harris is an efficient supply of threes however possible belongs within the waiver pool. I actually talked about Harris as a result of 20+ minutes simply opened up for Cam Thomas, a participant who might emerge as a late-round decide.

Other strikes:

Chris Duarte (PG/SG) – traded to Sacramento Kings

Seth Curry (PG/SG) – signed with Dallas Mavericks (once more)

Julian Champagnie (SG) – signed with San Antonio Spurs

Victor Oladipo (SG/SF) – traded to Oklahoma City Thunder

Kevin Love (PF/C) – re-signed with Miami Heat

Taurean Prince (SF/PF) – signed with Los Angeles Lakers

Cam Reddish (SF/PF) – signed with Los Angeles Lakers

Derrick Rose (PG) – signed with Memphis Grizzlies

Shake Milton (PG/SG) – signed with Minnesota Timberwolves

Nickeil Alexander-Walker (SG/SF) – signed with Minnesota Timberwolves

Troy Brown (SF/PF) – signed with Minnesota Timberwolves

Joe Ingles (SF/PF) – signed with Orlando Magic

Georges Niang (SG/SF) – signed with Cleveland Cavaliers

Jevon Carter (PG/SG) – signed with Chicago Bulls

Coby White (PG/SG) – re-signed with Chicago Bulls

Damion Lee (SG/SF) – re-signed with Phoenix Suns

Drew Eubanks (PF/C) – signed with Phoenix Suns

Keita Bates-Diop (PF) – signed with Phoenix Suns

Chimezie Metu (C) – signed with Phoenix Suns

Oshae Brissett (SF/PF) – signed with Boston Celtics