2 months agoOklahoma City Thunder's star point guard,
Shai Gilgeous-Alexander, scored 27 points for Canada in their Olympic 82-73 quarterfinal loss to France on Tuesday. Gilgeous-Alexander was crucial in reducing France's lead from 19 points to 71-66 in the third quarter. However, France maintained their lead and closed out the game. In addition to his impressive scoring, the 26-year-old contributed five rebounds, four assists, one steal, and one block. Even though Canada suffered a tough loss, fantasy managers should strongly consider selecting Gilgeous-Alexander with their first pick in the upcoming NBA fantasy drafts, as he will bounce back.
--Andrew Lennox - RotoBallerSource: ESPN
2 months agoVictor Wembanyama, center for the San Antonio Spurs, grabbed 12 rebounds as France defeated Canada 82-73 on Tuesday, securing a spot in the men's Olympic basketball semifinals for the second consecutive time. Wembanyama also contributed seven points, five assists, three steals, and one block. Although Canada managed to limit the 20-year-old's offensive opportunities, forward Guerschon Yabusele and Isaia Cordinier stepped up, scoring a combined total of 42 points. Wembanyama will need to elevate his offensive game as France prepares to face Germany on Thursday.
--Andrew Lennox - RotoBallerSource: ESPN
2 months agoNikola Jokic, center for the Denver Nuggets, scored 21 points and grabbed 14 rebounds, leading Serbia to a 95-90 overtime victory over Australia and securing a spot in the Paris Olympic basketball semifinals on Tuesday. Jokic and his Serbian teammates were behind by 24 points at halftime but managed to take the lead 61-60 after a remarkable 40-14 scoring run in the third quarter. In addition, he contributed eight assists, four steals, and one block during his 39 minutes on the court. Despite a busy summer, Jokic is expected to continue to be a massive fantasy contributor once the NBA season begins.
--Andrew Lennox - RotoBallerSource: ESPN
2 months agoPower forward
Luka Samanic has linked up with Turkish club Fenerbahce, signing a two-year deal. The 24-year-old Croatian heads back to Europe after making 86 NBA appearances across four seasons. He averaged 4.1 points and 2.4 rebounds in 9.4 minutes with the Utah Jazz in 2023-24. Samanic never got his NBA career going despite being dominant in the G League. He will definitely get more playing opportunities with Fenerbahce, which came close to its second EuroLeague title last season.
--Taavi Pailk - RotoBallerSource: EuroLeague
2 months agoLos Angeles Lakers point guard
D'Angelo Russell faces an uncertain future, with the team reportedly shopping him around. According to Lakers insider Anthony Irwin, Russell is drawing interest from the Toronto Raptors and Brooklyn Nets. However, Irwin notes that both teams are interested in acquiring Russell for his expiring contract, not his playing ability. The 28-year-old is on a $18.7 million deal for the 2024-25 after picking up a player option on his contract. A move to a team that isn't particularly fond of Russell's talents on the court could have a negative impact on his fantasy stock.
--Taavi Pailk - RotoBallerSource: Anthony Irwin
2 months agoPortland Trail Blazers forward
Jerami Grant has been in trade rumors this summer, but he reportedly isn't keen on switching teams. According to Yahoo Sports' Jake Fischer, Grant is enjoying the stability he's having in Portland. The 30-year-old has spent two seasons with the Trail Blazers, averaging 20.7 points, 4.1 rebounds, and 2.6 assists with 40.2 percent shooting from three-point range. Grant was signed to a five-year, $160 million extension last offseason. The Trail Blazers are reportedly seeking two first-round draft picks for Grant, who has mostly been linked with the Los Angeles Lakers.
--Taavi Pailk - RotoBallerSource: Jake Fischer
2 months agoMilwaukee Bucks forward/center
Giannis Antetokounmpo posted a game-high 22 points in Greece's matchup against Germany at the Paris Olympics on Tuesday but couldn't save his squad from a 76-63 loss in the quarterfinals. Germany managed to limit Antetokounmpo to two rebounds and three assists, which played a big part in the team's success. The Bucks superstar finished with 9-for-14 shooting and was 4-for-6 at the line. Antetokounmpo was in fine form throughout the tournament but clearly lacked support, as Greece barely even made it into the quarterfinals. He averaged 25.8 points, 6.3 rebounds, and 3.5 assists. The two-time MVP can now head off for a vacation before gearing up for another NBA campaign. Antetokounmpo has a chance to average a 30-point double-double for a third consecutive season.
--Taavi Pailk - RotoBallerSource: ESPN
2 months agoBrooklyn Nets point guard
Dennis Schroder produced 13 points and eight assists on Tuesday in Germany's 76-63 victory over Greece at the 2024 Summer Olympics. The veteran guard hit three three-point bombs and finished with 5-for-12 shooting while collecting one steal. Schroder has once again been one of the keys to success for Germany, which has booked a semifinal spot at an Olympics tournament for the first time ever. In four games, Schroder has averaged 18.0 points, 8.8 assists, and 1.5 steals with 41.4 percent three-point shooting. We could see similar numbers from Schroder in the 2024-25 NBA campaign if he locks down a starting role on a rebuilding Brooklyn team.
--Taavi Pailk - RotoBallerSource: ESPN
2 months agoOrlando Magic forward
Franz Wagner scored a team-high 18 points as Germany reached the Olympics semifinals for the first time in men's basketball by beating
Giannis Antetokounmpo's Greece 76-63 on Tuesday. Wagner's three-point shot was off, as he finished 1-for-6 from downtown, but the Magic star went a decent 8-for-17 overall from the field. The 22-year-old made an impact defensively as well, with three steals. His work included three rebounds and two assists. It was another good all-around performance from Wagner, who sits among the top scorers in Paris with 20.8 points per game and averages 1.8 steals with 4.5 rebounds. Wagner has looked excellent at the Olympics, which should be an encouraging sign for the Magic and fantasy managers alike ahead of the new NBA campaign.
--Taavi Pailk - RotoBallerSource: ESPN
2 months agoChicago Bulls guard
Zach LaVine remains on the roster despite months of trade rumors. While the lack of movement would appear to suggest LaVine is no longer in danger of being moved, that's not the case, with Joe Cowley of The Chicago Sun-Times reporting the team is still looking to trade him. Several things are holding up a potential swap involving the veteran, including the length and amount owed on his current deal. He's also played fewer than 67 games in seven of the last eight seasons. With most teams trying to keep costs down in hopes of avoiding the dreaded first and second aprons, LaVine's asking price could drop even more moving ahead. If he stays in Chicago, he'll have a chance to become the No. 1 scoring option now that
DeMar DeRozan took his talents to Sacramento.
--Dennis Clausen - RotoBallerSource: Joe Cowley
2 months agoUtah Jazz forward
Lauri Markkanen remains at the top of the Golden State Warriors' trade wishlist. However, the team has yet to come up with an attractive offer for the 2023 All-Star. NBA insider Marc Stein wrote in his most recent Substack post that Golden State has pursued Markkanen with trade packages laden with future draft compensation without including
Brandin Podziemski or
Jonathan Kuminga in the offers. Both players are highly regarded by the Warriors hierarchy. However, as it's turned out, it's proven to be extremely difficult to get a deal done without including either of them in any offers. Markkanen will be entering the final season of his contract and is eligible for a four-year, $113 million extension. If he signs it after Aug. 6, Markkanen will be officially off the market, as he then won't be eligible to be traded before the 2024-25 trade deadline has passed.
--Taavi Pailk - RotoBallerSource: Marc Stein
2 months agoCleveland Cavaliers center
Jarrett Allen is expected to remain in trade rumors despite recently signing a contract extension. NBA insider Marc Stein has noted on Substack that Allen becomes trade-eligible on Feb. 2, 2025, a few days before the 2024-25 trade deadline. Stein adds that the Cavaliers will continue to get calls on Allen because of "league-wide belief" that he and
Evan Mobley are a bad fit long-term. Allen signed a three–year, $91 million max extension with Cleveland last week following a very productive campaign. He averaged career-highs with 16.5 points and 2.7 assists while grabbing 10.5 rebounds and swatting away 1.1 shots.
--Taavi Pailk - RotoBallerSource: Marc Stein
2 months agoForward
Jordan Nwora has joined EuroLeague's Anadolu Efes Istanbul for the upcoming campaign. The 25-year-old also has an option to remain with the Turkish team next season. Nwora won the NBA title with Milwaukee in 2021 and has played for Indiana and Toronto as well, averaging 7.6 points and 3.2 rebounds in 206 career games. The Louisville product split 52 games between the Pacers and Raptors in 2023-24, posting 7.0 points and 2.9 rebounds in 13.7 minutes. Nwora has looked decent when given opportunities at the NBA level, but there haven't been regular minutes available to him anywhere he has been, which has limited his fantasy impact.
--Taavi Pailk - RotoBallerSource: EuroLeague
2 months agoForward/center
Micah Potter is back with the Utah Jazz, having agreed to a new two-way contract. Potter signed his first two-way deal with the Jazz in 2022. He has made 23 NBA appearances with the team. The 26-year-old started his NBA career in 2021-22 with the Detroit Pistons. He has averaged 3.3 points and 2.7 rebounds in 10.4 minutes across 26 career appearances. In the G League, Potter has been a double-double machine, and he was part of the Team USA Select Team this summer, but the former Wisconsin Badger looks far from being an attractive fantasy asset.
--Taavi Pailk - RotoBallerSource: Michael Scotto
2 months agoPortland Trail Blazers center
Deandre Ayton has been linked with a trade elsewhere. NBA insider Brett Siegel has noted that the Trail Blazers and Ayton are expected to part ways at "some point." Siegel added that there currently isn't a trade market for the former first-overall pick. Ayton looks to be on the move soon despite arriving in Portland less than a year ago. All things considered, he had a decent campaign in 2023-24 with averages of 16.7 points and 11.1 rebounds. However, the Trail Blazers have acquired themselves a new big man,
Donovan Clingan, who has drawn a lot of plaudits. Ayton has received a bad rep in recent years, but he has the tools to remain a productive NBA big man for years to come. Staying healthy is the key for him. The 26-year-old has been limited to 358 appearances in six seasons.
--Taavi Pailk - RotoBallerSource: Brett Siegel
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