Chicago Bulls forward/center Jalen Smith has been listed by The Athletic's Dan Woike as one of the Lakers' center-depth targets, while NBA insider Evan Sidery has floated a framework that would send one of Jake LaRavia or Jaden Hardy, plus Dalton Knecht and second-round picks, to Chicago for Smith. Los Angeles has Kevon Looney behind starter Walker Kessler, but Smith would add a different look as a rebounding big who can space the floor next to Luka Doni. The fantasy catch is role. Smith averaged 10.2 points, 6.7 rebounds, and 1.2 assists last season, but he would likely be a backup five in Los Angeles, just as he currently sits behind Nicolas Claxton in Chicago. The right-calf issue that ended last season adds some availability risk, leaving Smith as a deep-league option only if his minutes open up.

Sacramento Kings guard Zach LaVine is viewed by NBA insider Evan Sidery as a likely midseason buyout candidate if the rebuilding Kings start slowly. LaVine's $49 million expiring contract still carries negative trade value, making a release the cleaner path to a contender if Sacramento decides to move on. There have been no active buyout talks, but Sidery notes LaVine and Klutch Sports could eventually push for one. The two-time All-Star averaged 19.2 points, 2.8 rebounds, and 2.3 assists in 39 games last season before right hand surgery ended his year. For fantasy, LaVine still offers points and threes when healthy, but managers need a signing and a defined role before treating him as more than a wait-and-see scorer.

Dallas Mavericks guard/forward Klay Thompson has surfaced in a potential trade framework floated by NBA insider Evan Sidery, with Nikola Jovic and a 2027 second-round pick going back to Dallas. Miami, fresh off landing Giannis Antetokounmpo, is looking for shooting around him and Bam Adebayo, and Thompson still fits that need after hitting 38.3 percent from deep last season. The 36-year-old averaged just 11.7 points mostly off the bench, though, leaving his fantasy value capped as an aging catch-and-shoot option wherever he lands. Jovic is the more interesting fantasy name. The 6-foot-10 forward averaged 7.3 points, 3.3 rebounds, and 2.2 assists in 47 games behind Miami's crowded frontcourt, but a move to Dallas could give him a clearer path to minutes next to Cooper Flagg. This is only a framework for now, so both outlooks remain speculative.

Restricted free-agent forward Peyton Watson has been the focus of active sign-and-trade discussions between the Milwaukee Bucks and Denver Nuggets, per Evan Sidery. A package featuring AJ Green and a future first-round pick could be headed to Denver if the sides find a deal. Watson broke out in 2025-26, averaging 14.6 points, 4.9 rebounds, 2.1 assists, 0.9 steals, and 1.1 blocks while shooting 41.1 percent from three. A move to Milwaukee could give him a clearer path to starter-level minutes than he had in Denver's crowded rotation. Green, who shot 41.9 percent from three on 7.1 attempts per game, would be a natural floor-spacing fit next to Nikola Jokic. Nothing is finalized, so both fantasy outlooks stay fluid until a deal lands.