Fantasy Basketball Fallout: Eason, Simons and More Find New Deals in Free Agency

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Eason Re-Signs with Houston

Tari Eason, who was a restricted free agent, re-signed with the Rockets for $81.5 million over five years. It's a fully guaranteed deal.

Eason has emerged as a solid contributor for Houston over the years. He averaged 10.5 points, 6.3 rebounds, 1.5 assists, 1.2 steals and 0.5 blocks over 25.8 minutes in his 60 games (34 starts) for Houston a season ago.

That's solid fantasy production, and a similar output from him in the coming year should be expected. He's just 25 years old, so there's some room to grow yet too.

With Kevin Durant still around, there's a chance that Eason comes off the bench for most of the season. As a reserve forward and guard, Eason should still get enough playing time to put up some stats and be at least a deep-league fantasy asset.

With Fred VanVleet returning, the Rockets should be a bit better in the coming season. Amen Thompson, Durant, Jabari Smith Jr. and Alperen Sengun are the other projected starters, with Marcus Smart, Reed Sheppard, Eason, Dorian Finney-Smith, Steven Adams, Bogdan Bogdanovic and more serving as reserve options.

It's a solid roster that should push for a postseason berth, but they seem a ways behind the other Western Conference contenders, so unless they make a big-time splash, I just see the Rockets winning a postseason series, unless guys like Eason take off this coming year.

Simons Joins New-Look Sixers

Anfernee Simons signed a two-year pact with Philadelphia. It's worth $12.3 million.

Simons had a nice run with Portland to open his career, but has bounced around the past couple seasons now. He gets a fresh start in Philly now, who is on the rise after the trade for Jaylen Brown. 

Simons should come off the bench for Philly and provide good scoring. He doesn't do a ton else, and in a reserve role, Simons will probably be a better deep-league fantasy asset. Injuries could thrust him into a starting role, and he could then be worth more standard league utilization.

Philly has Tyrese Maxey and VJ Edgecombe as the starting guards, where Simons could get his minutes. Rookie Labaron Philon Jr. and Brown could also get minutes there, so that limits Simons' fantasy outlook a bit. I still think he could carve out a decent role and have a little fantasy impact, at least.

Brown, Dean Wade and Joel Embiid are the other projected starters for the time being. That's a really good starting five.

With Simons joining the reserve group, that includes Justin Edwards, Dominick Barlow, Adem Bona and others, Philly is a more complete team. They should contend for the Eastern Conference title if the team is healthy come playoff time.

Simons will help the team's cause, but likely from a reserve role.

Anderson Signs with Toronto

Kyle Anderson is headed to the Raptors on a one-year deal worth $3.9 million.

Anderson has been a solid bench option over the past few NBA seasons. He can score a bit, and does enough else while on the court to have some deep-league fantasy upside.

In Toronto, expect Anderson to come off the bench and serve as forward depth. Kawhi Leonard and Scottie Barnes lead those two positions, and will handle a bulk of the work. Anderson could have streaming appeal if one of both of those guys are out, but otherwise, I don't like the outlook for Anderson.

RJ Barrett, Immanuel Quickley and Jakob Poeltl are the other projected starters for Toronto. Anderson joins a reserve group that includes Collin Murray-Boyles, Allen Graves, Ja'Kobe Walter, Jamal Shead, Trayce Jackson-Davis and Jamison Battle.

It's a pretty solid team overall, and means that Toronto will be in the hunt for the Eastern Conference title. I think they are a bit behind some other teams, but the Raptors will at least be in the conversation.

Plowden Returning to Kings

Daeqwon Plowden landed a two-year standard deal with Sacramento worth $5.1 million. He'd been on two-way deals with three teams previously.

The 27-year-old has 38 NBA games under his belt. He delivered pretty well a season ago across 32 games and seven starts. Plowden averaged 10.8 points, 3 rebounds, 1.3 assists, 0.7 steals and 0.2 blocks.

He's a reserve option, and can fill in and start here and there. Sacramento has a pretty solid roster, but Plowden was retained for a reason, so I expect him to be able to carve out some kind of reserve role. He might only be a deep-league fantasy asset, but could be a standard league streamer if ever given starts, or if Sacramento is riddled with injuries.

Darius Acuff Jr., Zach LaVine, DeMar DeRozan, Keegan Murray and Domantas Sabonis are the projected starting five. That's a good starting five, if they can stay healthy all year.

Malik Monk, Nique Clifford, De'Andre Hunter, Precious Achiuwa, Maxime Raynaud, Dylan Cardwell, Plowden and more are part of the reserve group. It's a pretty solid roster overall really.

Sacramento was terrible last season, with injuries playing a big role in that. A healthier season could mean the team contends for a play-in postseason spot, but I'd have to see it to believe it.

As for Plowden, treat him as a deep-league fantasy asset for now. We'll see if that changes at all before the next season starts.

Jones Back with Denver

Tyus Jones is headed back to the Nuggets on a one-year deal.

He was with three teams last season, spending 11 games with Denver. He only averaged 3 points a game, but he's been a double-digit scorer in the past, and also can rack up assists.

With Jamal Murray and Christian Braun around, Jones is just a reserve option, although injuries could thrust him into a bigger role. Jones is a deep, deep league fantasy asset for now, unless a trade shakes up the roster.

Cameron Johnson, Aaron Gordon and Nikola Jokic round out the starting five. Jones rejoins a reserve group that includes Julian Strawther, Peyton Watson, Spencer Jones, Marvin Bagley III and more.

It's a solid team overall, but again, it doesn't match up well with the top contenders in the Western Conference. Jokic and Murray will have to carry the team to greatness, with the “others” helping out a good bit too. 

Jones will have a role, but likely one only big enough to utilize him in deeper fantasy leagues in 2026-27.