The Houston Rockets signed forward Julian Phillips to a training camp contract, the team announced. The 35th pick in the 2023 draft, Phillips lands his third NBA home after Minnesota declined his option in June, months removed from the February trade that sent him from Chicago to the Timberwolves. Still 22, the explosive athlete has never found a role, averaging 3.6 points and 1.5 rebounds across 167 career games. His deal is reportedly non-guaranteed, leaving him to compete for one of Houston's final roster spots. A career 32.0 percent three-point shooter, Phillips has yet to show a bankable fantasy skill, leaving him off the radar unless he first wins a roster spot and steady minutes.

Forward Harrison Ingram is joining the Utah Jazz after two seasons on two-way deals with San Antonio, the team announced. The 48th pick in the 2024 draft became an unrestricted free agent when the Spurs pulled his qualifying offer, having appeared in just 12 NBA games over two years. His value lives in the G League, where the Dallas native stuffed the box score for the Austin Spurs, averaging 14.3 points, 10.4 rebounds, 4.4 assists, and 1.3 steals. Terms weren't disclosed, leaving it unclear whether Ingram is on a standard deal, two-way contract, or camp pact. For fantasy, he stays off the radar outside the deepest G-league-aware dynasty formats.

Free-agent center Nick Richards could be a fit to back up Joel Embiid in Philadelphia, Evan Sidery suggests, floating him as the primary reserve big to round out a second unit that will include expected buyout addition Kentavious Caldwell-Pope. Richards, 28, is an unrestricted free agent after last season's trade sent him from Phoenix to Chicago. The 6-foot-11 rim-runner is a high-percentage finisher and rebounder who averaged 8.9 points and 7.5 rebounds in a larger role with Charlotte in 2024-25. This is speculation, not reported interest, so temper expectations. Given Embiid's knee history, whoever backs him up carries deep-league appeal, making Richards worth monitoring if Philadelphia signs him.

The New Orleans Pelicans have agreed to a one-year deal with guard Kobe Bufkin, per Michael Scotto of HoopsHype. The No. 15 pick in 2023, Bufkin has played 43 NBA games across three seasons with the Hawks and Lakers, but he revived his stock last season, averaging 24.8 points on 41.9 percent from three for the G League's South Bay Lakers before dropping 21.3 per game in Summer League. This is a training camp deal, and he will battle for an open roster spot behind Dejounte Murray and Jeremiah Fears. Bufkin is a deep-dynasty flier, but he must make the team and earn minutes before he holds any redraft value.