NBA Player News

Santos won't play for Brazil during the FIBA World Cup qualifiers and is focusing on preparing for the Warriors' training camp, Dalton Johnson of NBC Sports Bay Area reports.

With Santos opting out of international duty, he should have a full offseason runway to get ready for Golden State's training camp. That choice keeps his attention on team preparation after he finished last season in a significant role, including 30 minutes in the Warriors' Play-In loss to Phoenix. With Jimmy Butler (knee) and Moses Moody (knee) rehabbing to start the 2026-27 season, Santos could reclaim a rotation spot right away, putting him on fantasy radars.

Aldama (knee) is expected to be ready in time for training camp, according to NBA reporter Marc Stein.

Aldama's 2025-26 campaign was cut short due to a right knee injury, which resulted in an arthroscopic procedure in mid-March. The Mavericks start practice prior to Sept. 29 because they have preseason games abroad, and it sounds like Aldama could have a good chance of featuring in those. However, Aldama will not be playing for Spain during the European qualifying for the 2027 World Cup at the end of August, per Grant Afseth of DallasHoopsJournal.com.

The Pelicans waived Dickinson on Tuesday, Michael Scotto of HoopsHype.com reports.

Dickinson went undrafted in 2025 and spent the 2025-26 campaign on a two-way deal with the Pelicans. He signed another two-way pact with the team in July, though he's now set to explore other opportunities if he clears waivers. The big man spent most of his rookie season in the G League, as he appeared in just five game for the Pelicans and averaged 2.4 points and 1.0 rebounds in 8.4 minutes per tilt.

Hartenstein (ankle) won't play for Germany during this summer's FIBA 2027 World Cup Qualifiers, per Eurohoops.net.

The 28-year-old center is erring on the side of caution ahead of the NBA regular season, opting to sit out the international competition. It doesn't sound like there's much concern regarding his availability for the start of training camp in the fall, but fantasy managers should keep an eye on Hartenstein's status until then.

The NBA has found no evidence showing Clippers owner Steve Ballmer used side endorsements to illegally pay Leonard, per Don Van Natta Jr., Baxter Holmes and Ramona Shelburne of ESPN.com. However, NBA spokesman Mike Bass refuted ESPN's article, citing "numerous and significant inaccuracies."

Reportedly, the league's investigation didn't find that Ballmer or the franchise funneled money through team sponsors to circumvent the salary cap, which should help clear a major hurdle in finalizing Leonard's pending trade to the Raptors. The expectation is that the deal will be made official ahead of training camp in the fall, but fantasy managers should proceed with caution until the NBA's investigation concludes.

Pedulla and the Rockets agreed on a two-way deal Monday, per Varun Shankar of the Houston Chronicle.

After being waived by the Clippers earlier in August, Pedulla didn't have to wait long to get attention from another team and should assume a featured role with the Rio Grande Valley Vipers. Pedulla, who is the reigning G League Rookie of the Year, averaged 23.6 points, 6.4 assists, 5.1 rebounds and 1.6 steals for the Rip City Remix and San Diego Clippers during the 2025-26 G League regular season.

The Raptors announced they signed Smith to a contract Monday.

The terms of the deal aren't clear, but it's likely a training camp contract since none of Toronto's two-way roster spots are open. Smith saw some burn for the rebuilding Nets down the stretch of last season and offered glimpses of potential, averaging 8.3 points, 3.4 rebounds, 3.3 assists and 1.3 three-pointers in 23.9 minutes per game over 15 regular-season appearances (four starts) while shooting 43.5 percent from deep.

Watford agreed to a one-year deal with the Pelicans on Monday, Shams Charania of ESPN reports.

The 76ers declined Watford's team option in June, but he's found a new home ahead of training camp. In New Orleans, Watford will likely provide some emergency depth in the frontcourt, and he may have a tough time carving out a consistent role.

The Hornets traded Mann to the Cavaliers on Friday in exchange for Dennis Schroder and cash considerations, per Shams Charania of ESPN.

Mann was expected to serve as backcourt depth for Charlotte before the move, and now he'll assume a similar role with his new team. He'll likely be competing in training camp with Craig Porter and Tyrese Proctor for the backup role at point guard behind James Harden, and Mann has an opportunity for a fresh start after playing a career-low 12.6 minutes per game for the Hornets last regular season.

The Cavaliers traded Schroder and cash considerations to the Hornets on Friday in exchange for Tre Mann, per Shams Charania of ESPN.

The two sides are effectively swapping backcourt depth with the move. Schroder averaged 10.8 points, 4.9 assists and 2.7 rebounds in 24.2 minutes per game across 70 regular-season appearances between the Cavaliers and Kings in 2025-26, and he gives the rebuilding Hornets a veteran presence as a backup point guard behind Coby White.