The NBA offseason saw a groundbreaking seven-team trade culminating on July 6, 2025, after the free agency moratorium ended. Headlined by Kevin Durant‘s move to the Houston Rockets, this massive transaction reshaped several rosters and will significantly impact the 2025-26 fantasy basketball landscape. Alongside Durant’s deal, several high-profile player moves and signings promise to alter draft strategies for fantasy managers entering the new NBA season.
Kevin Durant Joins Houston in Multi-Team Swap
Kevin Durant’s departure from Phoenix after two unproductive seasons, marked by zero playoff wins, was the centerpiece of a complex seven-team trade. The deal involved a staggering array of players and draft picks:
PHX: Jalen Green, Dillon Brooks, Khaman Maluach, Rasheer Fleming, Koby Brea, Daeqwon Plowden, 2nd
HOU: Kevin Durant, Clint Capela
BKN: 2 2nds
GSW: Alex Toohey, Jahmai Mashack
ATL: 2nd swap, David Roddy, cash
LAL: Adou Thiero
MIN: Rocco Zikarsky, 2 2nds, cash
—Shams Charania, NBA Insider
Durant enters the 2025-26 season with expectations to maintain strong fantasy value despite nearing 37 years old. His consistent production over the years and relatively better health in Phoenix compared to his time with Brooklyn position him well to deliver first-round fantasy returns. Houston’s acquisition also included center Clint Capela via sign-and-trade, aiming to bolster their frontcourt depth alongside Alperen Sengun and Steven Adams. Though Capela’s fantasy upside appears limited, his presence helps Houston compete against Oklahoma City’s formidable twin towers, Chet Holmgren and Isaiah Hartenstein.
Brooklyn and Denver Swap Michael Porter Jr. and Cam Johnson
The trade between the Nuggets and Nets involved Michael Porter Jr. moving to Brooklyn in exchange for Cam Johnson and a 2032 first-round pick heading to Denver. Both Porter and Johnson posted comparable scoring stats last season, but Johnson’s skill set might better fit Denver’s lineup featuring Nikola Jokić. Johnson delivered a career-high 18.8 points per game last season and adds defensive versatility, making him a valuable asset for Denver’s playmakers.
Porter, on the other hand, assumes the primary scoring role in Brooklyn, where a clear No. 1 option is lacking despite possible re-signing of Cam Thomas. His potential to contribute rebounds and points can solidify his fantasy value, although managers should remain cautious if Brooklyn struggles to contend. The team’s five first-round picks from the recent draft raise questions about Porter’s long-term usage in the rotation.
Orlando’s Strategic Acquisition of Desmond Bane
Orlando’s trade for Desmond Bane was one of the earliest moves of the offseason and came at a steep cost, including five future draft picks. The Magic aim to improve their perimeter scoring and playmaking. Bane, a consistent third-round fantasy contributor over the last four seasons, brings reliable shooting that should complement the talents of Franz Wagner and Paolo Banchero by creating more driving lanes and assist opportunities.
Myles Turner Signs with Milwaukee Bucks
After Indiana chose not to exceed tax limits to retain him, Myles Turner agreed to a four-year contract with the Milwaukee Bucks, filling the void left by departing center Brook Lopez. Turner projects to maintain solid fantasy output similar to last season’s fifth-round performance, though his floor might dip given the Bucks lack a Haliburton-like point guard to facilitate his offensive opportunities. How Turner meshes with new teammate Kevin Porter Jr. and the team‘s offensive scheme will play a crucial role in his fantasy outlook.
Atlanta Hawks Add Kristaps Porzingis in Three-Team Deal
The Hawks acquired Kristaps Porzingis from Boston in a multi-team trade involving Brooklyn. Porzingis, limited to 42 games last season due to surgery and illness, remains a top-25 fantasy player when healthy. Atlanta now faces a frontcourt puzzle, deciding how to allocate minutes among Porzingis, Jalen Johnson, and Onyeka Okongwu. The decision will influence the roles of other players like Zaccharie Risacher, who may lose playing time if the three bigs share the court regularly.
Phoenix Suns Receive Jalen Green and Dillon Brooks
As part of the Durant trade, Phoenix acquired wings Jalen Green and Dillon Brooks. With many perimeter players competing for minutes in Phoenix, Green is expected to provide the greater fantasy impact. Last season, he ranked just outside the top 100 in eight-category formats and played all 82 games. Green’s fantasy ceiling largely depends on the potential departure of Bradley Beal, who holds a no-trade clause. If Beal moves on, Green’s draft position may return to early-round territory.
Dillon Brooks offers three-point shooting improvement but limited fantasy upside due to low shooting efficiency and minimal defensive stats in steals and blocks. He will likely settle into a bench role behind stars like Devin Booker and other wings, contributing modestly to fantasy rosters.
Deandre Ayton Joins Los Angeles Lakers on Two-Year Contract
Deandre Ayton signed a two-year deal with the Lakers following a buyout from Portland. Despite a strong track record of averaging double-doubles, Ayton struggled with injuries last season, appearing in only 40 games. Now on a team featuring Luka Doncic, LeBron James, and Austin Reaves, Ayton’s fantasy outlook is mixed as his role and fit with these stars remain to be seen. Drafted with a Yahoo! ADP of 62 last year, Ayton will likely be targeted in the middle rounds of fantasy drafts.
Dallas Mavericks Bring In D’Angelo Russell to Replace Kyrie Irving
With Kyrie Irving sidelined due to an ACL injury, Dallas signed D’Angelo Russell to a two-year contract to fill the point guard vacancy. Russell’s previous season was underwhelming, finishing outside the top 150 in Yahoo! fantasy rankings. However, reuniting with Anthony Davis and playing alongside promising talents like Cooper Flagg, Daniel Gafford, and Dereck Lively II offers Russell a chance to rebound and improve his fantasy production.
Dennis Schröder Aims for Revival with Sacramento Kings
After a tumultuous 2024-25 season marked by multiple trades and a brief stint with Golden State, Dennis Schröder signed a three-year contract with the Kings to address their point guard needs following the trade of De’Aaron Fox. Schröder’s role as a primary ball handler should boost his fantasy value, even amid competition for touches from stars DeMar DeRozan, Zach LaVine, and Domantas Sabonis. This crowded backcourt may limit others like Keegan Murray, who faces a potentially decreased usage rate once again.
Jordan Poole Moves to New Orleans amid Injury Concerns
Jordan Poole was traded to the New Orleans Pelicans as part of a three-team deal including Houston and Washington. Poole is expected to absorb increased playmaking duties in the absence of injured Dejounte Murray, who continues recovery from an Achilles tendon rupture. New Orleans also has CJ McCollum departing, which could open opportunities, though the team features ball-dominant players like Zion Williamson and Jose Alvarado. While Poole should not be taken as a top-50 fantasy pick, securing him in the top-75 is justifiable for managers looking for scoring and assists.
Additional Noteworthy Transactions Impacting Fantasy Value
Boston acquired Anfernee Simons from Portland, a move that could elevate his fantasy prospects given departures like Jrue Holiday and Kristaps Porzingis as well as Jayson Tatum’s absence. Meanwhile, Phoenix added Mark Williams from Charlotte, who has shown potential but limited durability. His arrival creates openings for rookie Ryan Kalkbrenner in Charlotte’s rotation, adding intrigue for managers monitoring late-round picks.
Implications for Fantasy Basketball Managers’ Draft Strategies
These transactions, spearheaded by the Kevin Durant 2025 trade fantasy market upheaval, demand careful adjustments in fantasy draft preparations. Durant’s arrival in Houston revitalizes his fantasy prospects, while teams like Brooklyn, Orlando, and Milwaukee reshape their rosters with players who could either flourish or face role uncertainty. Injuries, playing time battles, and evolving team dynamics suggest that fantasy managers must closely monitor player health and fit before finalizing their drafts.
Allocating draft capital according to anticipated minutes, role stability, and team offense will be critical for success. The ongoing ripple effects from multi-team trades, along with recent free agency signings, ensure that the 2025-26 season will challenge managers to rethink their standard rankings and projections in pursuit of competitive advantage.
Our Reader’s Queries
Q. Has Kevin Durant ever scored 50?
A. Kevin Durant has participated in nine games where he scored over 50 points.