Fantasy Basketball: Roundup and analysis for NBA Free Agency, LeBron James, James Harden, more

The dust has settled from the end of the 2024-25 NBA season and the 2025 NBA Draft. That means NBA Free Agency will be in full swing in July and we should continue to get plenty of news, rumors and trades circulating. NBA teams can officially begin negotiating deals with players starting Monday, June 30 at 6 p.m. ET. Contracts can’t become official until July 6, so we should get plenty of reports coming through, including where unrestricted free agents will be signing this offseason. We’ll also be monitoring any big restricted free agent news.

For fantasy-relevant news, we’ll be providing quick analysis, looking at how the move might impact said player and team for the 2025-26 campaign — as well as the fantasy impact. Follow along here for Yahoo’s live coverage of NBA Free Agency.

Fantasy Basketball analysis during NBA Free Agency

LeBron James opts into Lakers contract

LeBron has decided to opt into his player option for the 2025-26 season and remain in Los Angeles, rather than hit the free agent market. King James is owed around $52 million this upcoming season; then, his future becomes a bit murky. We’ve heard rumblings of retirement for James, who will turn 41 in December. There’s also a chance the Lakers trade LeBron in hopes of adding some pieces to build around Luka Dončić for the future.

Fantasy basketball analysis: It’s still early in the offseason, so this may not be the last move involving James before the season starts. But for now, James returning to the Lakers means he’ll be teamed up with Dončić. This would have a big impact on how we approach each in fantasy basketball. The offense would run through Dončić, so that would have LeBron playing off the ball more, which isn’t ideal for his assist numbers and usage rate. We also know that both dealt with injuries last season and then had to figure out how to play with each other in a pinch. A full offseason to prep for 2025-26 will be helpful. The two future Hall of Famers are too good not to be able to co-exist. Both should continue to be top-25 fantasy assets but we’ll see how the rest of L.A.’s roster shakes out.

James Harden, Clippers agree on deal

The Beard and Los Angeles have agreed to terms on a two-year, $81.5 million deal, per ESPN’s Shams Charania. Harden led the Clippers in scoring last season, averaging 22.8 points per game on 41/35/87 shooting splits. He also averaged 8.7 assists and 5.8 rebounds with 1.5 steals per game. The Clips would lose to the Denver Nuggets in seven games in the first round of the playoffs. The new deal helps keep Los Angeles’ current core together for at least a few more seasons before the team can start to think “rebuild.”

Fantasy basketball analysis: Harden isn’t the type of volume scorer from his MVP days with the Rockets. But he’s still valuable in fantasy as a stat-stuffer on a Clippers’ team that should remain competitive in the Western Conference. Harden’s fantasy value is also linked to the health and performance of Kawhi Leonard, who missed most of last season. In 37 games, Leonard averaged 21.5 points per game. Kawhi came on strong at the end of the season, averaging around 26 PPG over the last two months. That tangentially elevated Harden’s performances. With the Clippers, Harden remains a safe pick in the second or third round of drafts.

Timberwolves keeping the band together

Minnesota is going to retain two frontcourt bodies in the form of Julius Randle and Naz Reid. Randle and the T-Wolves are in agreement on a three-year, $100 million deal, per ESPN. Reid is set to sign a five-year, $125 million contract, per reports.

In his first season in Minnesota, Randle averaged 18.7 points per game as the secondary scoring option behind Anthony Edwards. Randle was slightly more efficient from the floor, shooting 48.5% while getting his 3-point percentage back closer to his career average with 34.4% on the season. Reid set career marks pretty much across the board with 14.2 PPG, 6.0 RPG and 2.3 APG over 27.5 minutes per contest in 80 games.

Fantasy basketball analysis:

Jazz trade Collin Sexton to Hornets for Jusuf Nurkić

The Utah Jazz sent Sexton and a second-round pick to Charlotte in exchange for Nurkić. Sexton lands on the Hornets, who could use him to provide some scoring. Nurkić gives the Jazz more size and he could be a good bridge to Walker Kessler as the full-time starting center after 2025-26. Trading Sexton could clear more minutes for rookie guards Ace Bailey and Walter Clayton Jr., who were both selected in the first round of the 2025 NBA Draft.

Be sure to check out Yahoo’s trade grades for the Sexton-Nurkić swap.

Fantasy basketball analysis: This could be a move to appease Bailey, who is popping up in reports about being unhappy he landed in Utah. Whether or not that’s true, with Sexton gone, Bailey should see increased backcourt minutes, which improves his fantasy outlook in Year 1 and for dynasty. Nurkić is on an expiring contract but he should start at center for the Jazz, which should negatively impact Kessler’s value, at least for 2025-26. Nurk isn’t the same fantasy asset from his Trail Blazer days but if he can stay healthy, he isn’t a bad late-round option for rebounds.

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