2 months agoChicago Bulls point guard
Lonzo Ball (knee) has taken a significant step in his attempt to return to action in 2024-25. Per Joe Cowley of The Chicago Sun-Times, the Bulls have confirmed that Ball has started playing in full-contact five-on-five scrimmages and hasn't suffered any setbacks. In his report, Cowley adds that this doesn't mean Ball is even close to being cleared for an NBA season. But it is a big step, no doubt. Ball has undergone three knee surgeries since his last NBA appearance in January 2022. He's looking to become the first pro athlete to return to elite-level action following a meniscus transplant surgery.
--Taavi Pailk - RotoBallerSource: Joe Cowley
2 months agoFormer first-round pick
Malachi Flynn has signed a one-year contract with the San Antonio Spurs. The 26-year-old guard moves to Texas after splitting the 2023-24 campaign between three teams. After starting out in Toronto, Flynn also saw action with the New York Knicks and Detroit Pistons. While with the Pistons, Flynn erupted for a career-high 50 points against Atlanta on April 3, the second-most points a player has ever scored off the bench in NBA history. He posted 5.5 points per game overall during the season with 1.9 assists. The 50-point effort shows that Flynn clearly has some good ability, but he's been a non-factor in fantasy hoops, and that likely won't change in 2024-25.
--Taavi Pailk - RotoBallerSource: Shams Charania
2 months agoUtah Jazz forward
Lauri Markkanen agreed to a five-year, $238 million contract extension with Utah. The veteran had one year left on his previous agreement. However, despite being involved in trade rumblings, Markkanen cannot be dealt during the 2024-25 campaign with the latest deal. The 27-year-old has been at his best in Utah, averaging 24.5 points. He also earned the league's Most Improved Player award in 2022-23 and was named an All-Star that same season. Markkanen's health is always a cause of concern for fantasy managers. Yet, he still possesses top-25 fantasy potential in 2024-25.
--Dennis Clausen - RotoBallerSource: Adrian Wojnarowski
2 months ago25-year-old shooting guard D'Moi Hodge has signed a deal with Greek team Aris for the 2024-25 season. Hodge heads to Europe after making his first seven NBA appearances with the Los Angeles Lakers last term. He played a very limited role, logging 5.9 minutes per game and getting 2.0 points. However, Hodge demonstrated decent scoring ability in the G League, posting 12.6 points per game, and this has earned him a deal with Aris, which will play in Europe's second-tier competition, the EuroCup, in 2024-25.
--Taavi Pailk - RotoBallerSource: EuroHoops
2 months agoVeteran forward
Marcus Morris Sr. remains a free agent in early August, but he should have no problems landing a new deal for the upcoming season. According to Keith Pompey of The Philadelphia Inquirer, six teams are interested in Morris Sr.'s services. Pompey notes that the Cleveland Cavaliers and Philadelphia 76ers have the "best chances" to land the well-traveled veteran, who turns 35 in four weeks' time. Morris Sr. started last season with his hometown 76ers and finished it with the Cavaliers. He played a limited role on both teams, averaging 6.4 points in 16.7 minutes. Morris Sr. will likely be in a similar role next season, wherever he lands.
--Taavi Pailk - RotoBallerSource: Keith Pompey
2 months agoNew Orleans Pelicans forward
Brandon Ingram looks set to remain with the team for the 2024-25 NBA campaign. The former All-Star will be entering the final year of his contract, and money-wise, Ingram isn't close to coming to an agreement with the Pelicans, but a move elsewhere also seems unlikely. According to NBA insider Shams Charania, there is a limited trade market for Ingram. Speaking during an appearance on The Pat McAfee Show, Charania added that the "sense" around New Orleans is that Ingram is going to be there and remain part of the Pelicans team. Ingram, who will turn 27 early next month, has spent five seasons with the Pelicans, posting 23.1 points, 5.5 rebounds, and 5.2 assists.
--Taavi Pailk - RotoBallerSource: Shams Charania
2 months agoDenver Nuggets point guard
Jamal Murray is expected to resume extension talks after Canada's run at the Paris Olympics ended with an 82-73 loss in the quarterfinals to France. The Denver star had another poor showing in the game, which perfectly wrapped up his Olympic performances. Murray averaged a measly 6.0 points across 20.5 minutes, shooting 29 percent from the field and 14.3 percent from behind the arc. He was limited to 3.8 assists and 0.5 steals and recorded 2.3 turnovers per game. However, these numbers are unlikely to affect the outcome of his contract talks. Murray is expected to sign a four-year, $208.5 million maximum extension with Denver.
--Taavi Pailk - RotoBallerSource: The Athletic
2 months agoPhoenix Suns forward
Kevin Durant made history on Tuesday, becoming Team USA's all-time leading scorer in Olympic competition. Durant already held the top mark among male players after moving past
Carmelo Anthony last week, but he's now the record holder among both male and female players. Durant had 11 points in a 122-87 victory over Brazil in the Paris Olympics quarterfinals, surpassing Lisa Leslie, who posted 488 points during her Team USA career. Durant will head into the semifinal battle against Serbia sitting on 494 points. A calf injury threatened to ruin Durant's Olympics campaign, but he's been in impressive form and continues to get buckets with ease, even while being seven weeks away from his 36th birthday.
--Taavi Pailk - RotoBallerSource: Team USA
2 months agoAccording to senior NBA writer Sam Amick of The Athletic, Minnesota Timberwolves center
Rudy Gobert (finger) reported he underwent surgery on Monday. The reigning NBA Defensive Player of the Year injured his finger during a recent practice for France and only logged three minutes during Tuesday's win over Canada. However, French head coach Vincent Collet disputed Gobert's surgery claim and stated he was limited for strategic reasons only. Regardless, this is something fantasy managers will need to monitor, especially if it carries over into training camp. But the question regarding Gobert's health could be answered when France plays Germany in a semifinal matchup on Thursday. If anything, his time on the court will shed light on just how severe the injury is.
--Dennis Clausen - RotoBallerSource: Sam Amick
2 months agoChicago Bulls guard
Coby White is ready to take over as the leader after the team lost
DeMar DeRozan in free agency. "We got a younger team this year," said White in an interview. "DeMar always led by example. It shed light on the things I'm looking forward to when I get older. And that can start now for me." The 24-year-old is coming off his best season to date, averaging 19.1 points, 5.1 assists, and 4.5 rebounds. Even better, he appeared in 79 games. The Bulls still have
Zach LaVine and
Nikola Vucevic on the roster. However, with LaVine and Vucevic potentially on the way out, White could emerge as the team's top-scoring option during the 2024-25 campaign.
--Dennis Clausen - RotoBallerSource: K.C. Johnson
2 months agoNew York Knicks guard
Jalen Brunson was named the team captain on Tuesday. Brunson, the first Knicks' captain since the 2018-19 campaign, finished last season by averaging a career-high 28.7 points and 6.7 assists, adding 3.6 rebounds. He also shot 40.1% from deep, his third time shooting over 40.0% in the last four seasons. The 27-year-old agreed to a discounted contract extension this offseason, allowing New York to have the cash needed for other moves. While the Knicks' roster is loaded, Brunson has top-10 fantasy potential, making him a first-round option for managers heading into the season.
--Dennis Clausen - RotoBallerSource: The Associated Press
2 months agoAccording to The Athletic, Utah Jazz forward
Lauri Markkanen is expected to agree to a "massive, long-term contract extension" with the team. The deal is anticipated to be well over $200 million over the next five years. It will also make him ineligible to be traded next season. The 27-year-old has been at his best since joining the Jazz, recently finishing the 2023-24 campaign by averaging 23.2 points, 8.2 rebounds, and 2.0 assists while shooting 39.9% from behind the arc. Without question, Markkanen is expected to remain the No. 1 scoring option in Utah throughout the 2024-25 season. However, his presence will mean fewer scoring opportunities for the supporting cast.
--Dennis Clausen - RotoBallerSource: Shams Charania, Tony Jones, Anthony Slater
2 months agoLos Angeles Lakers forward
LeBron James scored 12 points to help Team USA cruise to an easy win over Brazil on Tuesday. He added nine assists and three steals. The multi-time All-Star had 10 points, eight dimes, and six boards in the United States' previous victory over Puerto Rico, so he picked up right where he left off. Unfortunately, James took an elbow to the eye in the third quarter and exited the contest for stitches. However, he didn't seemed concerned about it while speaking postgame, stating he was fine. With another win in the books, Team USA will meet Serbia in a semifinal matchup on Thursday. James should be good to go.
--Dennis Clausen - RotoBallerSource: Joe Vardon
2 months agoPhiladelphia 76ers center
Joel Embiid (ankle) scored 14 points in Team USA's win over Brazil. He added nine rebounds and one block. Despite playing only 12 minutes, Embiid had one of his better performances so far during the 2024 Summer Olympics. Unfortunately, his day was cut short after he rolled his ankle. However, Team USA head coach Steve Kerr didn't seem concerned, indicating the 30-year-old was held out for the remainder of the game for precautionary reasons. The United States will meet Serbia in a semifinal contest on Thursday. While it appears Embiid will play, there's a chance he will sit if he experiences any residual issues.
--Dennis Clausen - RotoBallerSource: Joe Vardon
2 months agoMinnesota Timberwolves center
Rudy Gobert (finger) grabbed one rebound in three minutes during Tuesday's Olympic quarterfinal 82-73 France win over Canada. He suffered a left ring finger injury during practice before the knockout rounds. Gobert's minutes were also limited due to player matchups in the contest. With the big man sitting out,
Victor Wembanyama finished with just seven points, going 2-of-10 shooting from the field. However, Guerschon Yabusele and Isaia Cordinier stepped up for France, combining for 42 points in the winning effort. The four-time NBA Defensive Player of the Year has a day to rest his ailing finger before Thursday's semifinal game against Germany.
--Andrew Lennox - RotoBallerSource: ESPN
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