Dallas Mavericks guard/forward Klay Thompson has been linked to the Los Angeles Lakers as a possible trade target, per Evan Sidery. Unlike the Miami Heat, who appear more likely to wait on a buyout, Los Angeles has salary-matching paths if it wants to make a deal. The appeal is obvious: Thompson would reunite with former Mavericks teammate Luka Doncic, whose playmaking could create catch-and-shoot looks for the veteran wing. Thompson, 36, is owed $17.46 million in the final year of his deal and averaged 11.7 points while shooting 38.3 percent from three last season. A Lakers move would be a clean basketball fit, but he remains a low-usage threes specialist rather than a reliable standard-league fantasy option.

The Cleveland Cavaliers and guard James Harden have a contract agreement in place, but the deal will remain unsigned for now to preserve apron flexibility for another starter, per Evan Sidery. Cleveland has been tied to restricted free-agent forward Peyton Watson in sign-and-trade talks while also staying in the mix for Jonathan Kuminga, so delaying Harden's deal gives the front office more room to maneuver. Harden's return is expected, but fantasy managers should avoid treating it as official until the contract is signed. Once back, the 36-year-old should remain a strong source of assists, points, threes, and free-throw impact next to Donovan Mitchell and Evan Mobley. Any added wing would likely carry more real-life value than high-end fantasy usage on a loaded Cavs roster.

Free-agent guard Russell Westbrook could return to the Sacramento Kings as a veteran mentor for rookie Darius Acuff Jr., according to Marc Stein and Jake Fischer of The Stein Line. Victor Oladipo has also been mentioned as a possible option, with Sacramento looking for an experienced guard to help guide Acuff. Westbrook, 37, spent last season with the Kings, starting 58 of 64 games while averaging 15.2 points, 5.4 rebounds, 6.7 assists, and 1.3 steals for a 22-60 team. The role would likely be smaller this time, especially if Acuff opens the season as the starter. That caps Westbrook's fantasy appeal, leaving him as a deep-league assists-and-steals flier only if he signs and earns steady bench minutes.

The New Orleans Pelicans have signed free-agent guard Caleb Houstan to a one-year contract on Monday. According to Michael Scotto, the two sides have agreed on a one-year deal, but the salary is unknown at the moment. The expectation is that Houstan will compete for one of the final roster spots during camp. He made a minimal impact during his 18 appearances with the Atlanta Hawks this past season. Before that, Houstan played three seasons with the Orlando Magic under new Pelicans head coach Jamahl Mosley. He'll reunite with his former coach and hopefully be able to snag one of the final roster spots. Fantasy managers shouldn't expect Houstan to be relevant this upcoming season.