NBA Free Agency Roundup: Early Signings and Fantasy Basketball Takeaways

NBA free agency has started! Verbal agreements can be made now, and we will discuss some of the reported deals that have already been announced.

Deals cannot be finalized until Monday, July 6, but it's worth discussing deals as they roll in, so we can get to as many as possible.

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Bulls Land Powell, While Collins Stays

Norman Powell decided to sign with Chicago on a two-year deal worth $45 million. Zach Collins is sticking with the Bulls after signing a two-year deal worth $17 million.

Powell has emerged as a good player, and fantasy asset, over the past couple seasons, and showed some big things in Miami. Chicago stole Powell away, and now Powell could shine and lead the Bulls.

Powell should start and play big-time minutes, which will make him a very good fantasy asset. This signing makes the Bulls even better, and they are sneakily having a great offseason.

Chicago is in position to push for a playoff spot, and if a couple rookie picks hit early on, they could make a little noise in the Eastern Conference.

Collins is back with the Bulls after only getting in 10 games a season ago. He can be a decent bench option, and find a little fantasy value if he's playing regularly.

Chicago has a good amount of big men right now, so we'll see if anyone gets moved to open some more playing time for Collins.

Other Collins Joining Pistons

John Collins is reportedly joining a new team after signing a three-year deal worth $51 million with Detroit.

He's been a solid asset and could start or come off the bench and be productive for a contending Pistons' team. I see him coming off the bench, but that could change if Jalen Duren is moved this offseason.

Expect Collins to be a solid fantasy piece in 2026-27, but likely not be worth roster spots and utilization in all leagues.

Wade Signing with Sixers

Dean Wade is switching to another Eastern Conference team, joining the Sixers on a four-year deal worth $39 million.

He had some success during his run in Cleveland, but hasn't ever been a major fantasy asset. Wade should be a forward reserve for Philly.

I see Wade topping out as a deep-league fantasy asset, but injuries could thrust him into a bigger role in the coming year.

Kennard Joining the Suns

Luke Kennard signed with Phoenix, getting a two-year deal worth $13 million. The second year is a player option.

Kennard keeps finding work across the league thanks to his 3-point shooting. With enough playing time, he can provide a little fantasy value.

Expect him to play a decent role off the bench for Phoenix, and he could be a sneaky-good fantasy asset if he settles in quickly.

Ellis Moving to Brooklyn

Keon Ellis is getting a fresh start with the Nets after signing a two-year pact worth $18 million guaranteed. 

He is already joining the third team of his career, which is entering year five. Ellis has shown flashes of promise, and maybe he gets a little more playing time in Brooklyn.

He's likely to come off the bench, but Ellis should play enough to be at least a deep-league fantasy asset. We'll have to see what other moves Brooklyn makes before determining just how good of a fantasy asset Ellis could be in 2026-27.

Hardaway Joining Heat; Fontecchio Retained

Tim Hardaway Jr. is joining the new-look Heat on a one-year deal worth $6.5 million. Fontecchio was brought back on a one-year deal worth the minimum.

Hardaway is a veteran who adds some 3-point shooting to a big man-dominated roster right now. Right now, he is expected to come off the bench, but he should play enough to be a pretty good fantasy asset, at least in deeper leagues.

Fontecchio showed some solid things in his first season with Miami in 2025-26. He is forward depth, and needed after the team sent four players out to acquire Giannis Antetokounmpo. 

Fontecchio should be a deep-league fantasy asset, and could emerge as a standard league option if injuries pile up in Miami.

The departure of Powell opens playing time, and both Hardaway and Fontecchio could benefit in 2026-27.

Landale Re-Ups with Hawks

Jock Landale is back with Atlanta after signing a one-year deal worth $14 million.

Landale adds center depth for Atlanta, who are expected to start Onyeka Okongwu. Landale had a good run after being traded to Atlanta last year, so the team decided to bring him back as depth.

Even as a bench option, Landale could have some deep-league fantasy appeal. If he plays enough, or ends up starting some games, he could have standard league appeal.

Sanders Sticks with Clippers

Kobe Sanders is returning to LA on a four-year deal worth $11.2 million after a solid rookie year with the team in 2025-26.

He played in 68 games, making 16 starts and getting 19.9 minutes a game last year. Sanders should be a reserve for this year's team, but injuries could help him start again too.

Sanders looks like a better deep-league fantasy asset. We'll see if he can surprise and be anything more.

Blazers Sign Williams Back

Portland signed Robert Williams III to a new three-year deal worth $44 million.

Williams is back as big man depth for the Trail Blazers. Portland has Deni Avdija at power forward and Donovan Clingan at center, but Williams could play enough as a reserve to have fantasy value as well.

He's a double-double threat if given enough minutes, so we'll see what else the Trail Blazers do before making a final determination on what kind of fantasy asset Williams could be in the coming year.

Dieng Returning to Bucks

Ousmane Dieng is back in Milwaukee after signing a three-year deal worth $17.5 million.

He flourished in his time with the Bucks last season, so the new-look team is giving him a chance to be a long-term contributor. Dieng could start or come off the bench, but he's likely to play enough to be some kind of fantasy asset in the coming year.

His value could really go up if the Bucks move some forwards before the start of the next season.

Achiuwa Sticks in Sacramento

Precious Achiuwa is back with the Kings on a two-year deal worth $11.5 million.

Achiuwa had a career year with Sacramento last year, so the team decided to bring him back. He looks like a reserve big man for now, but more offseason moves could push him into a starting role.

Even off the bench, Achiuwa can be a good fantasy asset, so he's a name to keep in mind going into next season.

Hyland Coming Back to Minnesota

Bones Hyland is sticking with the Timberwolves - it's a one-year deal worth the veteran's minimum.

Hyland averaged 16.6 minutes, mostly off the bench, across 71 games for Minnesota last season. He also averaged 8.5 points per game, so there was a little fantasy value with him.

He's just a reserve, and seems a bit buried on the depth chart, especially after the trade for LaMelo Ball and the re-signing of Ayo Dosunmu, but more offseason moves could help Hyland's cause.

Smart and Bogdanovic Join Rockets

Marcus Smart landed a two-year deal worth $13 million with Houston - the second year is a player option. Bogdan Bogdanovic is also joining the Rockets on a one-year deal. It's worth the veteran's minimum.

Smart could start or come off the bench for the Rockets. Regardless of his role, I expect him to play enough to have some fantasy appeal. He's likely going to be a better deep-league asset though.

Injuries could thrust him into a bigger role, at which point Smart could be a standard league fantasy option.

Bogdanovic fell off a bit last season, but could be in line for a bigger role with his new team. Houston has a pretty good roster, so it's an interesting fit, and I don't love it right now for Bogdanovic.

We'll see what else Houston does this offseason before making a final determination on Bogdanovic's fantasy outlook for next year though.

Keep checking back to FantasySP for more free agent signing breakdowns!