NBA Season Countdown
As the countdown to the 2025-26 NBA season ticks down to less than 50 days, the league is in a brief pause, yet the buzz around basketball doesn’t halt. With significant topics such as unsigned free agents, international competitions like EuroBasket, and the approach of training camps, we provide you with a concise update on the current landscape affecting fantasy basketball.
Prepare for Your Draft
Mock drafts for the upcoming season are officially underway, allowing you a chance to refine your drafting tactics. Whether you’re interested in points-based or nine-category formats, start practicing now to sharpen your strategy.
Recent Player Transactions
This year’s offseason has seen a slowdown in player movements due to the financial constraints imposed by the NBA’s latest Collective Bargaining Agreement (CBA). Teams are being particularly vigilant with their spending, leading to notable names changing jerseys:
- Kevin Durant has transitioned, alongside Clint Capela moving to the Houston Rockets.
- Myles Turner has signed with the Milwaukee Bucks.
- High-profile players such as Bradley Beal, John Collins, and Brook Lopez are headed to the Los Angeles Clippers.
- Deandre Ayton is now with the Los Angeles Lakers, while D’Angelo Russell has found a new home with the Dallas Mavericks.
- Other transactions include Ty Jerome moving to the Memphis Grizzlies and Nickeil Alexander-Walker joining the Atlanta Hawks.
To stay updated on all moves, refer to our detailed 2025 NBA free-agent tracker.
Key Unsigned Free Agents to Watch
As of September 2, only a handful of notable free agents remain without contracts. With limited salary cap space available, several restricted free agents are entangled in contract negotiations, which could impact their performance:
- Josh Giddey (G/F, Chicago Bulls) is one to monitor; his last performance warrants a pay increase, and he’s positioned as a top-40 fantasy player.
- Cam Thomas (G, Brooklyn Nets) is a top scorer; however, his lack of support stats limits his value to points leagues.
- Jonathan Kuminga (F, Golden State Warriors) is in a precarious position, and if his demands for a trade aren’t met, his ranking may not rise.
- Russell Westbrook (G, Free Agent) has potential but is currently without a clear role on a team.
- Quentin Grimes (G/F, Philadelphia 76ers) is still waiting for a contract; his fantasy relevance hinges on consistent playing time.
- Al Horford (F/C, Free Agent) is rumored to be considering a signing with the Golden State Warriors, which could enhance his prospects as a stretch player.
Highlights from EuroBasket 2025
Players excelling on the European stage include:
- Deni Avdija (G/F, Portland Trail Blazers) has emerged as a leader for Israel, driving his scoring average to 22 points along with double-digit rebounds, significantly raising his profile ahead of the season.
- Lauri Markkannen (F, Utah Jazz) is dominating with impressive stats of 29 points and nearly 9 rebounds per game, showcasing his offensive prowess for Finland, placing him as a top scorer alongside names like Luka Dončić.
Other notable players displaying strong performances include Nikola Jokic, Luka Doncic, Alperen Sengun, Franz Wagner, and Kristaps Porzingis.
Injury Updates
Injuries from EuroBasket are impacting players:
- Alex Sarr (F/C, Washington Wizards) has suffered a calf injury and will not participate further in EuroBasket, but regular season rankings will remain unchanged for now until more information is provided.
- Bogdan Bogdanović (G/F, Los Angeles Clippers) faces a hamstring strain and will be absent for the remainder of the tournament, although the Clippers have depth mitigated any potential loss for fantasy players.
As EuroBasket continues until September 14, keep an eye on player performances and updates that will shape rankings leading into training camp, set to start at the end of September.
