Orlando's payroll is set to spike as Paolo Banchero's max extension kicks in, pushing the Magic above the first apron and close to the second, HoopsHype's Michael Scotto reports. That crunch sets up a tough call in the backcourt. Anthony Black is extension-eligible this summer, and with the third-year guard's numbers broadly comparable to Jalen Suggs, who is on a five-year, $150.5 million deal, executives believe Orlando could eventually have to choose between the two. Jonathan Isaac's $14.5 million salary, with only $8 million guaranteed, gives the Magic a possible cost-cutting chip or trade piece, though his career-low 2.6 points in 52 games leave him off fantasy radars. For fantasy, the crowded guard rotation caps usage for both Suggs and Black now, but Black is the developmental name to watch, and a trade of either guard would unlock more value for whoever stays.

The New Orleans Pelicans have emerged as a potential frontrunner to trade for Ja Morant, with the Minnesota Timberwolves also interested, The Athletic's Sam Amick said on FanDuel TV's Run It Back. Minnesota would likely have to move significant salary to make a deal work, leaving New Orleans as the cleaner potential landing spot for the two-time All-Star, who is owed about $87 million over the next two seasons. Morant's market cooled after a 20-game, injury-marred campaign, but the Pelicans would be betting that a change of scenery revives him next to Zion Williamson. The fantasy fallout would hit the New Orleans backcourt: starting guard Dejounte Murray could be moved in a deal, while Jeremiah Fears would see his path to lead-guard reps narrow behind Morant. Morant's upside is real, but so is the availability risk that travels with him.

Center/power forward Anthony Davis wants to stay in Washington, Wizards president Michael Winger said, pushing back on trade rumors since February's deadline deal from Dallas. "He's communicated to me a strong interest in being part of what we're building," Winger told NBC Sports Washington's JP Finlay. Davis has yet to play a game for the Wizards after left-hand ligament damage ultimately kept him out for the rest of the season. The 10-time All-Star is owed $58.5 million next year, and when healthy, he remains a sky-high source of points, rebounds, blocks, and steals. The catch is availability: he has appeared in just 71 of 162 games since the start of 2024-25. A healthy Davis at the four could trim some of Alexandre Sarr's frontcourt usage, though Davis' games-missed history means Sarr should still keep a heavy workload.

San Antonio remains committed to De'Aaron Fox as its franchise point guard, even after a rough playoff series while he dealt with a bad ankle, ESPN's Michael C. Wright reports. Sources have described Fox as a steadying presence and the team's closer, and one rough series does not appear to have changed that. His four-year, $229 million extension kicks in next season, lifting his salary to roughly $49.8 million. The bigger fantasy thread is the backcourt logjam: Fox, Stephon Castle, and Dylan Harper all need the ball, and Fox's production settled around 18.6 points and 6.2 assists in a shared setup. Harper's camp is expected to push harder for a starting role after a 24-point, seven-steal playoff game, making last year's No. 2 pick the upside name to track while the Spurs hold firm on Fox.