Minnesota Timberwolves guard/forward Jaylen Clark will re-sign on a three-year, $10 million contract, according to the Star Tribune's Chris Hine. The 24-year-old defensive specialist has carved out a situational role with his on-ball pressure after recovering from the torn Achilles that wiped out his rookie season. Clark, the 2023 Naismith Defensive Player of the Year at UCLA, averaged 4.0 points, 1.8 rebounds, 0.7 steals, and 13.1 minutes across 68 games last season. The jumper remains the swing skill, as he hit just 33-for-101 from three. Until that shot becomes more reliable, Clark profiles as a defense-first reserve with minimal fantasy appeal outside of very deep formats, especially with Minnesota's backcourt now headlined by Anthony Edwards and newly acquired LaMelo Ball.

According to ESPN's Shams Charania, Oklahoma City Thunder center Isaiah Hartenstein intends to sign a new three-year, $75 million contract that keeps him with the franchise through 2028-29. The deal brings his total guaranteed earnings with Oklahoma City to five years and $134 million. Hartenstein remained a key frontcourt piece last season, averaging 9.2 points, 9.4 rebounds, 3.5 assists, 0.8 blocks, and 1.0 steals in 24.2 minutes across 47 games. His scoring ceiling is modest, but the rebounding, efficiency, passing, and defensive stats keep him useful whenever his minutes land in the mid-20s. The new deal confirms that Oklahoma City still views him as a central part of its frontcourt mix.

New Orleans Pelicans center Kevon Looney is expected to reach unrestricted free agency, with the team poised to decline his $8 million option for next season, NBA insider Chris Haynes reports. The three-time NBA champion spent his first 10 seasons in Golden State before signing a two-year deal with New Orleans last summer, but he never carved out a role. He appeared in just 21 games, eight as a starter, averaging 2.8 points, 5.6 rebounds, and 1.6 assists in 14.7 minutes. A departure would do little to reshuffle the rotation. The Pelicans already funneled the center minutes to rookie Derik Queen and Yves Missi, with Zion Williamson anchoring the four. Looney's fantasy value hinges on landing a real role elsewhere, which looks like a stretch for a non-scoring depth big.

According to NBA insider Chris Haynes, Milwaukee Bucks guard/forward Gary Trent Jr. is expected to decline his $3.9 million player option for the 2026-27 season to enter unrestricted free agency. The 27-year-old had a quiet campaign last year, averaging 8.1 points, 1.0 rebounds, and 1.2 assists in 21.2 minutes per game, but he remained a capable floor spacer by shooting 36.0 percent from beyond the arc. With Milwaukee reshaping its roster following the blockbuster trade of Giannis Antetokounmpo, Trent's departure helps clear a crowded backcourt. Newly acquired guard Tyler Herro will command heavy usage, but Trent's exit could open the door for younger pieces like Ryan Rollins to earn consistent rotation minutes. Fantasy managers can ignore Trent in standard formats until his new role is clarified.