1 week agoMinnesota Timberwolves center
Rudy Gobert signed a three-year, $110 million extension Monday, according to ESPN's Shams Charania. As part of the move, Gobert declined his $46.6 million player option for 2025-2026 and the extension will start with the 2025-2026 season, keeping him in Minnesota through 2028. The 32-year-old is entering his third season with Minnesota as their starting center and will have to get used to playing alongside the newly acquired
Julius Randle after Minnesota traded Karl Anthony-Towns to the New York Knicks. Gobert has averaged 13.7 points per game and 12.3 rebounds coming into Tuesday night's season opener, making him a reliable option around the rim. In his first game after signing his new extension, Gobert scored 13 points and grabbed 14 rebounds in the Timberwolves' 110-103 loss to the Los Angeles Lakers. He will continue to be a reliable fantasy option in Minnesota's offensive system for the coming years, especially for fantasy managers in need of rebound production.
--Kevin Larson - RotoBallerSource: Shams Charania
1 week agoPortland Trail Blazers center
Robert Williams III (hamstring) will be unavailable on Wednesday when the team starts its 2024-25 campaign against Golden State. The injury-prone big man is rehabbing a Grade 1 hamstring strain he suffered in training camp. Williams III was initially ruled out for two weeks, but it's taking him longer to get into game shape.
Donovan Clingan should get more playing time due to Williams III's absence. However, the seven-foot-three rookie may not be used much on Wednesday against the dynamic Warriors, who don't have a traditional big man in their starting lineup.
--Taavi Pailk - RotoBallerSource: NBA Injury Report
1 week agoNew Orleans Pelicans guard/forward
Trey Murphy III (hamstring) will remain on the sidelines for Wednesday's season opener against Chicago. He was given a three-week timeline for his return when Murphy III strained his right hamstring at the start of October. Unfortunately, Wednesday's game comes too soon for him to be ready to play. According to The Athletic's Will Guillory, Murphy III said on Tuesday that he's "making steady progress with his rehab." New Orleans' jack of all trades has started jogging but isn't yet clear for printing or physical contact. It looks like Murphy III might still be a couple of weeks away from playing.
Herbert Jones and three-point bomber
Jordan Hawkins should be the biggest beneficiaries of Murphy III's absence.
--Taavi Pailk - RotoBallerSource: Will Guillory
1 week agoCharlotte Hornets guard/forward
Josh Green (Achilles) is considered questionable to play on Wednesday against Houston. He's been nursing an Achilles injury for a couple of weeks, landing on the injury report ahead of the season opener. Green is penciled in to start at the small forward position for the Hornets this season. His absence would open the door for
Cody Martin to jump into the starting lineup. When healthy, Martin can be a productive player. He has averaged 8.3 points, 5.0 rebounds, 3.4 assists, and 1.1 steals as a starter for his career.
--Taavi Pailk - RotoBallerSource: NBA Injury Report
1 week agoAtlanta Hawks center
Clint Capela (ankle) has been given the green light to play in Wednesday's season opener against Brooklyn. Capela sustained an ankle injury late in preseason, but he isn't on the injury report ahead of Wednesday's game. Capela averaged a double-double against the Nets last season with 10.3 points and 10.8 rebounds. He also recorded 2.3 blocks across four head-to-head meetings. The Swiss big man will share the center minutes with
Onyeka Okongwu for another campaign. Okongwu logged 7.0 points and 9.5 rebounds against Brooklyn last term.
--Taavi Pailk - RotoBallerSource: NBA Injury Report
1 week agoBrooklyn Nets forward
Bojan Bogdanovic (foot) will not be available for Wednesday's season opener versus Atlanta. We will miss out on the battle of the Bogdanovics, with the Nets forward still nursing a foot injury. Bogdanovic reportedly hasn't even been cleared for five-on-five contact, so it might take a while until he's ready to make his season debut. The Croatian veteran will be a good secondary scoring option off the bench for the Nets this season. With him out,
Jalen Wilson and
Keon Johnson have a chance to see more minutes in the rotation. However, they likely still won't make a big enough contribution to warrant fantasy consideration.
--Taavi Pailk - RotoBallerSource: NBA Injury Report
1 week agoBrooklyn Nets forward/center
Trendon Watford (hamstring) will not play against Atlanta on Wednesday. Watford was ruled out for two weeks on Oct. 7 but hasn't recovered in time to be ready for the season opener. His next chance to play will come on Friday versus Orlando, although it's unclear if Watford is even close to being game-ready. With
Day'Ron Sharpe (hamstring) also unavailable,
Noah Clowney will join Claxton in an attempt to outbattle Atlanta's one-two punch of
Clint Capela and
Onyeka Okongwu in the paint.
--Taavi Pailk - RotoBallerSource: NBA Injury Report
1 week agoBrooklyn Nets center
Nicolas Claxton (hamstring) isn't listed on the injury report ahead of Wednesday's matchup against Atlanta. This strongly indicates that he will be ready to play in the season opener despite missing the preseason with a hamstring injury. Claxton should be out to prove his worth right away after getting a four-year, $100 million contract from the Nets in the summer. However, considering he's just back from injury, the team could elect to limit Claxton's minutes in the opener. This would put
Noah Clowney in a good position to perform, as the Nets lack alternative frontcourt options.
--Taavi Pailk - RotoBallerSource: NBA Injury Report
1 week agoSacramento Kings guard
Kevin Huerter (shoulder) has a chance to play in Thursday's meeting with the Minnesota Timberwolves. He's been working his way back from shoulder surgery. However, head coach Mike Brown said after Tuesday's practice that Huerter "looks good," adding, "he doesn't look like he's missed a beat." Brown also indicated the 26-year-old would "probably" start if he's cleared to play. Fantasy managers can consider Huerter a starting option if that's the case. If he doesn't suit up,
Keon Ellis, who averaged 8.8 points, 3.5 rebounds, and 40.4% shooting from deep in 21 starts last season, would be worth streaming in deep category formats.
--Dennis Clausen - RotoBallerSource: Jason Anderson
1 week agoHouston Rockets center
Steven Adams (knee, calf) is questionable for Wednesday's game versus the Charlotte Hornets. The veteran, who missed the 2023-24 campaign, was traded to Houston in February. While he's expected to continue providing leadership to a young, up-and-coming club, he will come off the bench behind
Alperen Sengun, so he'll have a tough time providing consistent production for fantasy managers. With that said, even if Adams suits up, he could see fewer minutes than anticipated while he gets up to speed. Keep him out of the starting lineup.
--Dennis Clausen - RotoBallerSource: NBA Injury Report
1 week agoPhoenix Suns forward
Grayson Allen (Achilles) is anticipated to suit up for Wednesday's game against the Los Angeles Clippers. The former Duke Blue Devil has been dealing with Achilles soreness and is uncertain to go for the Suns' opener. However, barring a setback, he should be good to go. Allen is coming off the best year of his career, averaging 13.5 points and shooting 46.1% from behind the arc. While he's anticipated to come off the bench in 2024-25, he'll see enough minutes to remain relevant for fantasy managers. His three-point prowess is an added boost for category participants.
--Dennis Clausen - RotoBallerSource: NBA Injury Report
1 week agoCharlotte Hornets center
Mark Williams (foot) has resumed on-court activities. Unfortunately, he remains without a return date, with the Hornets planning to provide an update "when appropriate." The 2022 No. 15 overall pick appeared in only 19 games last season. Unfortunately, he strained a tendon in his foot nearly a month ago while working his way back and has been on the shelf since. With that in mind,
Nick Richards, who averaged 10.1 points, 8.8 rebounds, and 1.1 blocks in 51 starts during the 2023-24 campaign, is more than capable of holding things down underneath the rim until Williams can return.
--Dennis Clausen - RotoBallerSource: Charlotte Hornets PR
1 week agoToronto Raptors forward/center
Kelly Olynyk (back) won't play in Wednesday's game against the Cavaliers. The veteran is battling a back issue, although it's unknown when he'll be ready to play. Olynyk had a decent run with the Raptors last season, averaging 12.7 points, 5.6 rebounds, and 4.6 assists (28 games). However, he shot 33.8% from behind the arc, a significant regression from his time in Utah. Olynyk is expected to come off the bench behind
Jakob Poeltl this season, so
Bruno Fernando and
Chris Boucher should see more action until he returns.
--Dennis Clausen - RotoBallerSource: NBA Injury Report
1 week agoToronto Raptors guard/forward
Bruce Brown (knee) won't play in Wednesday's matchup with the Cavaliers. He remains without a return date. The 28-year-old is coming off arthroscopic knee surgery. Fortunately, he's recently been practicing somewhat, so he is moving in the right direction. Brown is coming off a down year, averaging 9.6 points in 34 games with the Raptors in 2023-24. He'll likely need time to ramp up once he's cleared to return. But with
RJ Barrett (shoulder) and
Kelly Olynyk (back) also out for the opener,
Scottie Barnes,
Immanuel Quickley, and
Gradey Dick should be Toronto's top producers on the offensive end.
--Dennis Clausen - RotoBallerSource: NBA Injury Report
1 week agoToronto Raptors forward
RJ Barrett (shoulder) won't play in Wednesday's game against the Cavaliers. The former Duke Blue Devil suffered an AC joint sprain a few weeks ago and has been working his way back since. He was hoping to be ready for the opener. However, that won't happen. Fortunately, he's been increasing his activity level, so fantasy managers shouldn't shut the door regarding a potential return for upcoming meetings with Philadelphia, Minnesota, or Denver. But with
Bruce Brown (knee) and
Kelly Olynyk (back) ruled out,
Scottie Barnes and
Immanuel Quickley should carry the load on the offensive end. There's also room for
Gradey Dick and
Ochai Agbaji to smash their projections for Wednesday evening.
--Dennis Clausen - RotoBallerSource: NBA Injury Report
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