NBA Player News

The Pelicans announced Thursday that they exercised the third-year option on Matkovic (back).

Matkovic is set to compete with Yves Missi (hand) and Derik Queen for the top center spot in 2026-27. Last regular season, Matkovic averaged 5.7 points, 3.7 rebounds and 0.9 blocks in 14.7 minutes per contest across 62 games while shooting 60.4 percent from the field.

Hepburn (knee) will sign his two-way qualifying offer to return to the Raptors next season, per Michael Scotto of USA Today.

The deal allows the Raptors to recall Hepburn from the G League as needed once again in 2026-27. Over 19 appearances for the Raptors 905 last year, the undrafted rookie averaged 12.3 points, 8.8 assists and 2.3 steals in 29.2 minutes per game.

DeVries agreed to an Exhibit 10 deal with the Celtics on Thursday, per Scott Agness of FieldhouseFiles.com.

DeVries went undrafted Tuesday and Wednesday, but he's getting a chance with Boston this offseason. The Indiana product will presumably take part in the Summer League with the Celtics before linking back up with the team for training camp in the fall.

The Raptors exercised the $2.3 million team option on Shead on Thursday for the 2026-27 season, per Michael Scotto of USA Today.

Shead is all set to reprise his role as the primary backup point guard behind Immanuel Quickley (hamstring), though Ja'Kobe Walter is also in the mix to compete for reserve minutes. Last regular season, Shead averaged 6.6 points, 5.4 assists and 1.7 rebounds in 22.6 minutes per tilt across 82 games (12 starts).

Sims plans to exercise his $2.8 million player option for next season, per Michael Scotto of USA Today.

Now that Giannis Antetokounmpo (calf) and Bobby Portis have been traded, Sims' presence at center perhaps becomes even more pronounced for the Bucks. Sims averaged 3.7 rebounds, 1.8 points and 0.6 assists in 11.9 minutes per contest across 53 regular-season games in 2025-26. With Myles Turner (ankle) rumored in trade talks as well, Sims' fantasy outlook remains difficult to forecast this summer.

Clifford could have more competition for playing time in the backcourt after the Kings took Darius Acuff with the No. 7 overall pick in the 2026 NBA Draft.

Sacramento embraced a youth movement down the stretch of 2025-26, giving Clifford an opportunity to function essentially as a full-time starter following the All-Star break. Acuff projects as the Kings' top point guard for 2026-27, though Clifford's fantasy outlook is still fairly murky. There's a decent possibility that all three of DeMar DeRozan (hamstring), Russell Westbrook (toe) and Precious Achiuwa are playing elsewhere, so Clifford could either be battling to start or for a reserve role during training camp.

Monk's (personal) role for 2026-27 is undetermined after Sacramento landed Darius Acuff with the No. 7 overall pick in the 2026 NBA Draft.

It was somewhat of a surprise that the Kings didn't trade Monk in 2025-26, as his 22.0 minutes per game were his lowest since 2020-21. The veteran guard is under contract for next year, but the selection of Acuff and emergence of Nique Clifford late last season appear to push Monk even further down the depth chart this summer. That said, Monk could also have a meaningful Opening Night role if Russell Westbrook leaves this offseason.

Hunter (eye) has a major competitor for usage after the Kings took Darius Acuff with the No. 7 overall pick in the 2026 NBA Draft.

Fantasy managers weren't quite able to get a clear idea about Hunter's role after his move to Sacramento, as the forward made just two appearances for the Kings before undergoing season-ending eye surgery. While Acuff is expected to play a big role and see plenty of ballhandling duties right away, Hunter could still move up the depth chart and benefit from a usage perspective if DeMar DeRozan (hamstring) winds up going elsewhere in 2026-27.

DeRozan (hamstring) could be working with a new point guard in 2026-27 after Sacramento took Darius Acuff with the No. 7 overall pick in the 2026 NBA Draft.

DeRozan's stay with Sacramento is certainly not guaranteed, though. The expectation is that the Kings will waive the veteran forward if they're unable to find a suitor in trade talks, per Michael Scotto of HoopsHype. If DeRozan ends up sticking around with the Kings, he'll be trying to bounce back after averaging 18.4 points per game in 2024-25, his lowest total since 2012-13.

Sabonis (knee) has a new pick-and-roll partner after the Kings chose Darius Acuff with the No. 7 overall pick in the 2026 NBA Draft.

With Russell Westbrook, an unrestricted free agent this offseason, seizing Sacramento's top spot at point guard a year ago, Sabonis saw a decrease in both usage and efficiency. The star big man averaged 15.8 points, 11.4 rebounds and 4.1 assists in 29.7 minutes per tilt, all his lowest marks since 2018-19, before undergoing season-ending knee surgery. Sacramento appears ready to go in a different direction at the point, which could work to Sabonis' benefit in 2026-27.