Brooklyn Nets utility man Ben Simmons (back) is expected to be ready to go for the start of the 2024-25 campaign. "Ben has been doing his rehab and prep work," said Bernard Lee, Simmons' agent. "I'll simply say he's in a great place and the expectation is he's able to start the season 100 percent of himself ready to go." Fantasy managers heard the same story last summer. However, the 27-year-old appeared in only 15 games in 2023-24, averaging a career-low 6.1 points. Without a doubt, Simmons has talent. But until he can stay healthy, he shouldn't be considered anything more than a risky fantasy option with an upside.

On Tuesday, Shams Charania of The Athletic reported that the Detroit Pistons claimed center Paul Reed off free agency waivers. Reed is in the second season of a three-year, $24 million deal and will join former 76ers teammate Tobias Harris in the Motor City. The 76ers waived the 25-year-old on July 6th. With Philadelphia, he suited up for 82 regular season games last year, averaging 7.3 points, 6.0 rebounds, 1.3 assists, and 1.0 blocks in 19.4 minutes. Come fall, Reed will not be a fantasy factor, as he will have to compete with Isaiah Stewart and Jalen Duren for playing time.

On Tuesday, ESPN's Adrian Wojnarowski reported that power forward Trendon Watford signed a qualifying offer to remain with the Brooklyn Nets. Signing the qualifying offer allows Watford to become an unrestricted free agent next summer. The 23-year-old deal is for one year and is worth $2.7 million. Last season, Watford played in 63 games for the Nets and posted averages of 6.9 points, 3.1 rebounds, and 1.3 assists.

Detroit Pistons forward Ausar Thompson will not participate in Summer League as he is recovering from a blood clot, per James L. Edwards III of The Athletic. Thompson's rookie season ended in March due to a blood clot, for which he would receive treatment. In 63 regular-season contests, the 21-year-old averaged 8.8 points, 6.4 rebounds, 1.9 assists, and 1.1 steals across 25.1 minutes. The Pistons are likely not rushing Thompson back, and he should be good to go come training camp.

On Tuesday, per Damichael Cole of Memphis Commercial Appeal, Memphis Grizzlies guardJa Morant(shoulder)was medically cleared for all basketball activities after surgery to repair a labral tear in his right shoulder. After serving a 25-game NBA suspension at the start of last season, the 24-year-old only suited up for nine contests before the injury sidelined him for the remainder of the 2023-24 campaign. If Morant can stay injury-free in 2024-25, he has top-10 fantasy potential across all formats.

According toAdrian Wojnarowski of ESPN, the Detroit Pistons and point guard Cade Cunningham officially agreed to a five-year, $224 million maximum rookie extension on Tuesday. The rookie extension could amount to as much as $269 million. After a dismal 2023-2024 campaign, the Pistons signed veteransMalik Beasley, Tim Hardaway, and Tobias Harris this off-season to help out the 22-year-old. Suffering from left knee tendinopathy, Cunningham's season was cut short, but not before he averaged 22.7 points, 7.5 assists, and 4.3 rebounds in 33.5 minutes across 62 games. Detroit expects the 2021 No. 1 overall pick to be healthy for training camp.

Memphis Grizzlies center Zach Edey made a good first impression as an NBA player on Monday in a Summer League clash with the Utah Jazz. Squaring off against a strong Jazz frontcourt, which included Walker Kessler, the ninth pick of this year's draft registered a 14-point, 13-rebound double-double with a pair of blocks in a 97-95 overtime loss. Edey sent the game into the extra frame with a dramatic tip-in at the buzzer and finished with 7-for-11 shooting from the field. The seven-foot-four giant will get a new opportunity to impress on Tuesday versus Philadelphia.

The Toronto Raptors are unlikely to agree on a new contract with Gary Trent Jr. TSN's Josh Lewenberg has reported that Trent Jr.'s camp has been looking for a raise from last year's $18.5 million, but the Raptors were only willing to offer around $15 million per year when free agency opened. According to Lewenberg, that offer is off the table now, and Trent Jr.'s return to Toronto is "increasingly unlikely." The 25-year-old isn't expected to receive the money he is after elsewhere either, with an unnamed league insider telling Lewenberg that Trent Jr. would be "lucky" to get the mid-level exception, valued at $12.5 million. Trent Jr. averaged 13.7 points and 2.6 rebounds in 28.1 minutes with the Raptors last season.

Utah Jazz center Walker Kessler is expected to fetch a first-round draft pick on the trade market. "The Knicks had been in touch with Utah, had had some interest in Walker Kessler, the big man, as a potential solution for, at the backup five," said SNY's Ian Begley on Monday. "But teams in touch with Utah say the Jazz are looking for at least a first-round pick in return for Kessler in these conversations that have gone on earlier in the offseason." Kessler would be a solid replacement for Isaiah Hartenstein in New York, but his fantasy value would be limited if he's only going to fill a backup position.

Los Angeles Clippers point guard Russell Westbrook continues to draw interest from the Denver Nuggets, with a potential deal likely. According to Harrison Wind of DNVR, the Nuggets are "on track" to add the former MVP to the roster. Westbrook has freshly opted into the last year of his contract that will pay him around $4 million next season. However, his future in Los Angeles is in doubt, and his admirers in Denver reportedly include Nuggets leader Nikola Jokic. Westbrook's fantasy value is far from what it used to be during his prime, but he can still rack up stats in a hurry if given enough minutes.

Free-agent forward Haywood Highsmith agreed to a two-year, $11 million contract to remain with the Miami Heat. The 27-year-old has spent the last three seasons in Miami, most recently finishing the 2023-24 campaign by averaging a career-high 6.1 points and 39.6% shooting from deep. Although he didn't always see minutes last season, he at least drew 26 starts. Haywood's situation likely won't change in 2024-25. While that won't make him an attractive fantasy asset in most drafts, he has plenty of streaming potential, considering Jimmy Butler has had issues staying on the floor.

Free-agent center Daniel Theis agreed to a one-year deal with the Pelicans on Monday. The 32-year-old is best known for his time with the Celtics. However, he's also suited up for the Bulls, Rockets, and Pacers before appearing in 59 games for the Clippers in 2023-24, where he averaged 6.3 points and 4.1 rebounds. Theis will likely operate as the backup behind rookie Yves Missi, who the Pelicans drafted with the No. 21 overall pick in the 2024 NBA Draft. But if Missi goes down with an injury, Theis could spend some time with the starting lineup, ultimately improving his fantasy value.

French veteran Evan Fournier finds himself going to the Paris Olympics as a free agent, but he could be back in the NBA for next season. According to NBA insider Marc Stein, Fournier is expected to generate interest among "some" NBA teams. Fournier became a free agent after the Detroit Pistons declined a $19 million team option on his contract. He is also expected to draw interest from EuroLeague teams. Fournier has been an afterthought in the NBA in recent seasons, making only 59 appearances across two campaigns, but he's been a capable scorer in the league and could re-ignite his career if he lands in a good situation.

Sacramento Kings guard/forward Malik Monk wants to become a starter next season. The 26-year-old was one of the most prolific bench players in the league in 2023-24, averaging a career-high 15.4 points. He has re-signed with the Kings for four years, $78 million. A starter's role would boost Monk's fantasy value, although he has still seen plenty of action as a reserve and logged 28 minutes per game last season. Monk has also proven that he's more than a scorer after posting a career-high 5.1 assists in 2023-24.

Minnesota Timberwolves center Luka Garza will return to the team on a two-year deal. According to Michael Scotto of HoopsHype, it's a $4.51 million contract for Garza, which includes a team option for the second year. After making his NBA debut with the Pistons in 2021-22, Garza has spent the past two campaigns in Minnesota. In 53 appearances with the team, he has averaged 5.3 points and 1.8 rebounds across 6.9 minutes. The former Iowa standout has dominated in the G League with a career average of 29.9 points, but he sees very little action with the Timberwolves, and the situation will likely remain the same in 2024-25.

Washington Wizards guard Landry Shamet has become a free agent after the team declined a $11 million option on his contract. Shamet spent only one season in Washington, averaging 7.1 points in 15.8 minutes. As a three-point specialist, Shamet should receive interest on the open market, although he will definitely have to settle for much less money than the team option he had on his old deal. Shamet has been a 38.4 percent career shooter from deep, averaging 8.7 points across 348 games.

Boston Celtics center Neemias Queta has inked a three-year extension with the team. According to Michael Scotto of HoopsHype, the contract is worth $7.18 million, which is fully guaranteed in Year 1. The deal comes with a partially guaranteed Year 2 and a team option for Year 3. Queta has spent three seasons in the NBA. The Portugal native, who will turn 25 this week, made 28 appearances for the Celtics in 2023-24, posting 5.5 points and 4.4 rebounds in 11.9 minutes. Queta has shown some promise, but he will likely continue to struggle to log meaningful minutes for Boston, leaving him with no fantasy value.

Miami Heat center Kel'el Ware finished with a 26-point, 11-rebound double-double in Sunday's 102-86 California Classic victory over the Sacramento Kings. The 2024 No. 15 overall pick had 12 points, six rebounds, and five blocks in the loss to the Warriors on Saturday. While he wasn't as impactful on the defensive end on Sunday, he still led his team to a win. With that said, the former Indiana Hoosier continues to make a positive impression. While Ware is undersized, he has a chance to carve out a role behind Bam Adebayo heading into the 2024-25 campaign.

Los Angeles Clippers forward Kawhi Leonard (knee) has been "ramping up" his activity level ahead of the start of the 2024 Summer Olympics. The veteran missed most of the postseason due to knee inflammation. However, it appears he's moving in the right direction, recently appearing in a scrimmage for Team USA and draining four three-point shots. Leonard stayed relatively healthy during the 2023-24 campaign, appearing in 68 games. He was also as productive as ever, averaging 23.7 points, 6.1 rebounds, 3.6 assists, and 1.6 steals while shooting 41.7% from behind the arc. Without question, injuries continue to impact his fantasy value negatively. But if Leonard can stay on the floor for most of the 2024-25 campaign, he has top-10 fantasy upside.

Los Angeles Lakers guard Bronny James (knee) didn't suit up for Sunday's California Classic Summer League loss to the Golden State Warriors. The 19-year-old, drafted No. 55 overall in the 2024 NBA Draft, made his unofficial NBA debut on Friday versus Sacramento. However, he struggled, scoring just four points while shooting 2-for-9 from the field. Fortunately, James is only dealing with "trace swelling" in his left knee, so he was held out for precautionary reasons. He's expected to return to the lineup for the Lakers California Classic finale against the Miami Heat.