After spending the 2025-26 season in the EuroLeague with Maccabi Tel Aviv, Walker is returning stateside on a one-year pact with the Nuggets. The 2018 first-round pick owns career averages of 10.0 points, 2.3 rebounds and 1.5 assists across seven NBA seasons. He's slated to serve as wing depth off the bench for Denver during the 2026-27 campaign.
Despite appearing in only 56 regular-season games in 2025-26, Brooks had a fantastic campaign, averaging a career-high 20.2 points along with 3.6 rebounds, 1.8 assists and 1.0 steals across 30.4 minutes per contest. He's not the most efficient shooter. However, the 30-year-old is capable of producing on both ends of the floor while also providing leadership and toughness. Brooks should continue to be a vital piece of the Suns' long-term plans, so he could see more minutes than ever in 2026-27. He has an excellent opportunity to match or surpass his production from last season, especially if Devin Booker, Jalen Green and Mark Williams can't stay off the injury report.
Houston originally exercised the team option on Davison's contract in June, but the team has since had a change of heart in keeping him around. Assuming he clears waivers, Davison will be free to sign elsewhere, likely on either an Exhibit 10 deal or a two-way contract.
The Nets grabbed Bliodeau in the second round of the draft earlier this summer and quickly signed the rookie to a two-way contract thereafter. That said, the 22-year-old figures to spend most his time developing with the G League's Long Island Nets and is likely to have a hard time mustering much fantasy relevance in 2026-27.
Johnson signed a two-way contract with the Nets in June after occupying a two-way roster spot with the club a year ago. Such a role leaves Johnson more likely to begin the new season as a featured part of the G League's Long Island Nets as opposed to the NBA squad, unless injuries strike the parent team at some point between training camp and the regular season.
Powell struggled to make an impression on either end of the floor during his rookie year, averaging 6.5 points, 1.8 rebounds, 1.4 assists and 0.6 steals per game while shooting just 40.2 percent from the floor over 63 regular-season appearances (24 starts) in 2025-26. While it appears unlikely he'll start the new year in the first unit, Powell should at least have a leg up on veterans Keon Ellis and Terance Mann for Brooklyn's backup role at shooting guard before training camp kicks off in September.
Mann started 51 of his 63 regular-season appearances during his first year with the Nets in 2025-26, but he's all but certain to begin the new campaign as a reserve instead. Brooklyn drafted Mikel Brown in the first round this summer and is also set to get Egor Demin back in the mix, potentially leaving Mann behind Drake Powell, Ben Saraf and Nolan Traore (foot) in a position to fight for scraps with Keon Ellis off the bench.
The Nets chose Brown with the No. 6 overall pick in this year's draft, so they likely have big plans in mind for the 20-year-old guard right away in 2026-27. Brown, who averaged 15.0 points, 4.0 assists, 1.2 steals and 2.2 three-pointers per game over four Summer League appearances, is lined up to share Brooklyn's starting backcourt with Egor Demin.
The 2025 first-rounder bookended his rookie campaign as a starter, but a bench role appears more likely to open this season now that Brown is in the fold and Egor Demin is healthy. Nolan Traore is recovering from offseason knee surgery but is expected to be ready for the start of training camp in the fall, so Saraf is set to battle with youngsters Traore and Drake Powell as well as veterans Keon Ellis and Terance Mann for playing time in the second unit.
Wolf closed last season as a starter while the Nets gradually began shutting down most of their key players, but the 2025 first-rounder might even struggle for a significant Opening Night role in 2026-27. Not only did Brooklyn add Randle as its starting power forward, but the team also signed Moritz Wagner and drafted Joshua Jefferson to further upgrade the frontcourt.
The 2025 first-rounder is coming off an exciting Summer League run, having averaged 21.8 points, 5.2 rebounds, 3.8 assists, 1.8 steals and 2.6 three-pointers per game over five appearances. Demin is set to work alongside a new backcourt partner after the Nets drafted Mikel Brown earlier this summer, and he should operate as a full-time starter in 2026-27.
Jemison had previously been an unrestricted free agent after the Knicks declined to tender him a qualifying offer earlier this offseason. The big man is preparing for his fourth NBA season ahead of 2026-27, but most of his playing time is likely to come with the G League's Raptors 905.
Fears capped the year by setting the franchise rookie scoring record with a 40-point performance and enters 2026-27 as one of New Orleans' most promising young guards. Even with Dejounte Murray expected back, Fears has positioned himself for a significant role in the Pelicans' backcourt rotation.
Queen posted several standout performances, including the first 30-point triple-double by a rookie center in NBA history. Queen should compete for an even larger frontcourt role in 2026-27 as one of New Orleans' top young building blocks.
Poole ended up making 39 regular-season appearances, shooting 37.2 percent from the field with 13.4 points, 3.1 assists and 2.0 rebounds. With Dejounte Murray (hand) expected to be back at full strength, Poole will face an uphill battle for playing time in 2026-27.
Murphy's combination of three-point shooting, athleticism and secondary shot creation should once again make him a featured option alongside Zion Williamson. Murphy has averaged at least 21 points, five rebounds, three assists and one steal in back-to-back seasons, but he's made more than 66 regular-season appearances only once in his past five years.
Murray's playing time was monitored closely after his delayed 2025-26 debut, and he missed the final games of the regular season due to a bruised hand. Assuming he's fully healthy entering training camp, Murray should reclaim a starting role and provide veteran leadership alongside the Pelicans' young guards. His ability to contribute across the board as a scorer, facilitator and defender gives him a chance to bounce back in 2026-27.
The 22-year-old remains one of the Pelicans' top young interior defenders, and New Orleans has reportedly rebuffed trade interest from multiple teams this offseason, underscoring how highly the organization values him. Although he'll continue competing for frontcourt minutes alongside Derik Queen and DeAndre Jordan, Missi should remain an important part of the center rotation entering 2026-27.
While Jones' offensive responsibilities remain modest, his ability to contribute steals, blocks and efficient complementary production keeps him fantasy relevant. His role as the Pelicans' top defensive wing should remain unchanged heading into 2026-27.
Williamson remains one of the league's most efficient interior scorers when healthy and should once again lead the Pelicans in usage entering 2026-27. With no major offseason additions threatening his role, Williamson is expected to remain the franchise centerpiece.
Smith's ability to complement both Kevin Durant and Alperen Sengun gives him an important role on a team with championship aspirations. After an otherwise quiet offseason, Smith is expected to retain a prominent place in Houston's starting lineup entering 2026-27.
Although Houston's veteran core limits his offensive opportunities, the organization continues to value his shooting and decision-making. Sheppard should once again compete for consistent backcourt minutes while continuing his development behind the Rockets' established starters. However, his upside may not be as high with the return of Fred VanVleet (knee).
Thompson's athleticism and versatility allowed him to impact virtually every category on a nightly basis, making him one of Houston's most valuable players beyond the box score. The Rockets' quiet offseason should allow Thompson to continue developing in a featured role alongside Kevin Durant and Alperen Sengun.
Sengun's combination of interior scoring, rebounding and passing remained the foundation of the Rockets' halfcourt offense throughout the regular season. With Houston returning most of its rotation, Sengun's role should remain virtually unchanged entering 2026-27.
The Nuggets declined their team option for Pickett on June 29, but he lands in a pretty good spot with the Clippers in the early stages of a rebuild. Pickett figures to get plenty of G League reps to open the 2026-27 campaign.
Durant led the Rockets to a 52-30 record and a playoff berth despite battling injuries late in the year. Houston made no major changes to its core during the offseason, so Durant should once again operate as the club's primary scoring option while chasing another deep postseason run.
