Fantasy Basketball Takeaways From Wednesday's NBA Transactions

Wednesday was a pretty light day for NBA offseason transactions, but there were still some notable moves made that I want to discuss.

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Nance Lands in Indiana

Larry Nance Jr. signed a one-year pact with the Pacers. It's worth $4 million.

Nance has struggled to get on the court over the past two years, playing in just 59 combined games. He's been a reserve option over the past several years, and should fill the same role with Indiana.

Nance will be an option at power forward and center. In a corresponding move, the Pacers waived Micah Potter, who should get some consideration somewhere else.

Ivica Zubac is the top center for Indiana. Nance could be the top backup there. Jay Huff is another option.

Pascal Siakam is at power forward, where Nance could also factor in. With Obi Toppin and Kelly Oubre Jr. also on the roster, I don't love the outlook at power forward for Nance.

I see Nance topping out as a deep-league fantasy asset, unless he's starting or playing a lot more minutes than expected. He is one to keep an eye on though, as he's going to be overlooked after several uninspiring seasons in a row.

Aaron Nesmith, Andrew Nembhard and Tyrese Haliburton are the other projected starters for Indiana, which should be a lot better in 2026-27. T.J. McConnell, Ben Sheppard and more will join the other reserve options we've already mentioned.

It's a pretty solid roster, and is one that should make the playoffs, at least. The last time the Pacers got into the playoffs, they made it to the Finals, so just getting into the postseason makes Indiana dangerous. If Indiana stays healthy, they could push to come out of the East.

Nuggets Waive Valanciunas

Another notable NBA player is now a free agent after Denver waived Jonas Valanciunas.

The center is a double-double threat if he plays enough minutes. At this stage of his career, he's likely to be a backup at center, which will limit his fantasy ceiling a bit. We'll discuss him more if/when he finds a new home.

Nikola Jokic is obviously the top center in Denver, and he will play most of the minutes at that spot. The Nuggets have Marvin Bagley III, Aaron Gordon, Zeke Nnaji and DaRon Holmes II as other options there.

Gordon is the starter at power forward, so I expect Bagley to get most of the backup center minutes, especially if Denver doesn't add anyone else.

Jamal Murray, Christian Braun and Cameron Johnson are the other projected starters for the Nuggets. Tyus Jones, Julian Strawther, Spencer Jones, Peyton Watson and more are bench options.

It's a solid roster, with the starting five doing the heavy lifting. Injuries could decimate the season for Denver.

I still like them to make the playoffs, but unless Jokic and Murray play extremely well and some others step up, I don't see Denver coming out of the Western Conference considering the state of the other contending teams. 

Bamba Back in Utah

The Jazz re-signed Mo Bamba to a two-year deal. 

Bamba only got in four games a season ago, but he gives the Jazz a little more depth at center. Bamba has fallen off since his fifth year in the league, and I don't see him ever exploding, even as he's entering his prime (he's 28 years old).

Jusuf Nurkic is the new starting center in Utah after Walker Kessler got traded to the Lakers. Jaxson Hayes and Kyle Filipowski are the other center options on the roster.

Jaren Jackson Jr. can also slide to center, but is projected to start at power forward. Filipowski, Ace Bailey and more can be backups there.

I don't love the outlook for Bamba right now, but injuries could thrust him into a prominent role, and maybe a little fantasy relevance too. He's one to keep in mind if center injuries hit in Utah.

Keyonte George, rookie Darryn Peterson and Lauri Markkanen are the other projected starters in Utah. It's an underrated and talented starting five.

Throw in Isaiah Collier, Bailey, Brice Sensabaugh, Filipowski, Cody Williams and others and the roster is pretty solid overall.

I think Utah could surprise this season, especially if they stay healthy and Peterson takes off as a rookie. Better days are still ahead, but the Jazz could finally be a bit more relevant in 2026-27.