2 months agoOklahoma City Thunder guard
Nikola Topic (knee) underwent successful surgery to repair a partially torn ACL. He's still expected to miss the entire 2024-25 campaign. While teams around the National Basketball Association were aware of the injury, that didn't stop OKC from selecting him with the No. 12 pick of the 2024 NBA Draft. With that said, Topic won't have any value in redraft leagues this season. However, patient dynasty managers can draft the 18-year-old accordingly, although it may take him a few seasons to find his rhythm.
--Dennis Clausen - RotoBallerSource: Michael Scotto
2 months agoToronto Raptors guard/forward
Bruce Brown continues to draw interest from several teams around the National Basketball Association. The 27-year-old is entering the final season of his current deal, making him an attractive commodity, especially for teams looking to make a deep postseason run. After signing with the Pacers before the 2023-24 campaign, he was traded to Toronto ahead of the deadline. However, Brown averaged just 9.6 points, 3.8 rebounds, and 2.7 assists. His fantasy outlook isn't promising as long as he remains with the Raptors. Yet, it could increase significantly if Brown gets consistent minutes with a new team.
--Dennis Clausen - RotoBallerSource: Brad Siegel
2 months agoWashington Wizards forward
Kyle Kuzma is expected to be traded "in the coming months." The 29-year-old is coming off his best season since entering the NBA in 2017, averaging a career-high 22.2 points with 6.6 rebounds and 4.2 assists. Without question, he would add value to any club, especially with a championship ring on his resume. However, a move to a new team could mean a reduction in statistical contributions for Kuzma, who has been a stable offensive presence for the Wizards over the last few seasons.
--Dennis Clausen - RotoBallerSource: Brett Siegel
2 months agoIndiana Pacers guard
Andrew Nembhard agreed to a three-year, $59 million contract extension with Indiana. The 2022 No. 31 overall pick has appeared in 143 regular season games for the Pacers, averaging 9.3 points, 4.3 assists, and 2.4 rebounds while shooting 35.7% from deep. Unlike the last two seasons, he will likely remain in the starting lineup in 2024-25, making him an attractive fantasy asset for managers. With
Tyrese Haliburton known for his constant ailments, Nembhard may be in store for his most productive year to date.
--Dennis Clausen - RotoBallerSource: Adrian Wojnarowski
2 months agoWashington Wizards center
Jonas Valanciunas agreed to a three-year, $30 million contract with the team this offseason. However, NBA insiders Brian Windhorst and Tim Bontemps have doubts about him playing out his contract in Washington. In fact, both believe he could be gone ahead of the 2024-25 trade deadline, with the Lakers being a team mentioned as a possible landing spot. At any rate, Valanciunas is coming off a down year, finishing with averages of 12.2 points and 8.8 rebounds. The Wizards selected
Alexandre Sarr in the 2024 NBA Draft, so his development could be the deciding factor. If Valanciunas ends up in Los Angeles, he'll likely see plenty of minutes. In addition,
Anthony Davis could finally slide back over to the four spot, potentially enhancing his shooting from behind the arc.
--Dennis Clausen - RotoBallerSource: Brian Windhorst, Tim Bontemps
2 months agoAccording to Ian Begley of SNY, the Knicks remain "in regular contact" with free-agent forward/center
Precious Achiuwa. The 24-year-old began last season with Toronto but was moved to New York in the
OG Anunoby trade. While he wasn't a consistent member of the rotation, he was a valuable depth piece for a team that battled injuries underneath the basket. With that said, there are clubs interested in acquiring him. However, if Achiuwa returns to New York, he'll likely come off the bench behind
Mitchell Robinson. Yet, with Robinson's history of ailments over the years, Achiuwa may get chances with the first five.
--Dennis Clausen - RotoBallerSource: Ian Begley
2 months agoPhoenix Suns forward
Kevin Durant (calf) isn't expected to suit up when Team USA begins their quest for a gold medal against Serbia. While Durant is anticipated to play at some point during the 2024 Summer Olympics, head coach Steve Kerr is taking things slow while the superstar recovers from a calf injury. Without question, his presence will be needed. However, fantasy managers are more eager to see if this will turn into something that will impact Durant's status to begin the 2024-25 campaign.
--Dennis Clausen - RotoBallerSource: Brian Windhorst
2 months agoBrooklyn Nets forward
Cameron Johnson remains on the roster after the team initiated a rebuild by trading
Mikal Bridges to the Knicks. While other Nets will likely be traded heading into the 2024-25 campaign, Johnson could be the one with the most value. The 28-year-old struggled last season, finishing with averages of 13.4 points and 2.4 rebounds. He was also limited to 58 games due to injury and spent time coming off the bench. However, Johnson has an attractive contract, with the former Sun agreeing to a four-year, $108 million contract last offseason. With that in mind, the Nets offense had issues in 2023-24, so Johnson can't take all of the blame for his statistical woes. But if he ends up getting moved, 2024 Summer League MVP
Jalen Wilson could make his way into the starting lineup.
--Dennis Clausen - RotoBallerSource: Brian Lewis
2 months agoAccording to ESPN's Adrian Wojnarowski, guard
Reggie Jackson agreed to a contract buyout with the Hornets. Upon clearing waivers, he's expected to ink a deal with the Philadelphia 76ers. The 34-year-old appeared in 82 games for the Nuggets in 2023-24, averaging 10.2 points, 3.8 assists, and 1.9 boards while shooting 35.9% from deep. Jackson has plenty of experience and will add value to a team aspiring to win an NBA title. However, he probably won't do much for fantasy managers unless
Tyrese Maxey is out of the lineup.
--Dennis Clausen - RotoBallerSource: Adrian Wojnarowski
2 months agoPortland Trail Blazers center
Donovan Clingan set a new Summer League record in Las Vegas by averaging 4.3 blocks per game. The previous top mark stood at 4.0 and was shared by
Victor Wembanyama,
Amen Thompson, and Greg Oden. Clingan registered 17 swats in total across four outings. He also came very close to averaging a double-double in the Summer League, posting 9.0 points per game with 12.3 rebounds. The 20-year-old was named to the All-Summer League Second Team. Clingan starts off his NBA career as
Deandre Ayton's backup in Portland, but his defensive ability could secure him a good chunk of minutes.
--Taavi Pailk - RotoBallerSource: Portland Trail Blazers PR
2 months agoMemphis Grizzlies point guard
Scotty Pippen Jr. scored 29 points and handed out 11 assists as his team lost the Las Vegas Summer League championship game to Miami 120-118 in overtime on Monday. Pippen Jr.'s juicy line included five rebounds, four steals, and two blocks, but his shooting was off. The 23-year-old made only one of his eight attempts from three-point range and finished 9-for-24 overall from the field. Pippen Jr. closed out the action in Las Vegas with three consecutive double-doubles, including a triple-double, earning himself a spot on the All-Summer League First Team. He averaged 21.5 points, 8.7 assists, and 3.3 steals. Pippen Jr. was a good fantasy contributor over the final stretch of the season in 2023-24. But with the Grizzlies' backcourt injuries clearing up, he will be forced to settle for a smaller role in the upcoming campaign.
--Taavi Pailk - RotoBallerSource: ESPN
2 months agoMemphis Grizzlies forward
Jake LaRavia erupted for a game-high 32 points in Monday's championship game in the Las Vegas Summer League, finishing a 120-118 overtime loss to Miami with 11-for-21 shooting. The 22-year-old went 3-for-8 with the three-ball and tallied six rebounds, three assists, one steal, and one block. LaRavia's Summer League campaign was disrupted by a knee injury, but the former first-round pick made an impressive return to the lineup on Sunday. He enjoyed a good finish to last season, but LaRavia will likely struggle to please fantasy managers in 2024-25 with the Grizzlies back healthy.
--Taavi Pailk - RotoBallerSource: ESPN
2 months agoMemphis Grizzlies forward
GG Jackson II recorded a very efficient 28 points in Monday's Summer League final against Miami but couldn't guide his side to victory. The 19-year-old finished 11-for-18 from the floor with a 3-for-4 record from downtown. Jackson II missed his third double-double of the summer by one rebound and had two assists with two steals. The young Memphis forward was one of the stars of the Las Vegas Summer League and was named to the All-Summer League First Team. He averaged 22.0 points and 8.5 rebounds. After enjoying a strong rookie campaign, Jackson II has a lot to live up to in 2024-25, but he appears well capable of taking another step in his development.
--Taavi Pailk - RotoBallerSource: ESPN
2 months agoMiami Heat center
Kel'el Ware played his part in Monday's Summer League final triumph against the Grizzlies with a 21-point, 10-rebound double-double. The young big man had an excellent Summer League campaign with the Heat and finished it in style, shooting 8-for-10 from the field while also logging one block. Ware averaged 1.5 swats per game in Las Vegas, along with 18.0 points and 8.3 rebounds. He was named to the All-Summer League First Team for his impressive efforts. At 20 years old, Ware still has a lot of room to grow and develop his game, but he looks ready to contribute to the Heat right away in his rookie campaign.
--Taavi Pailk - RotoBallerSource: ESPN
2 months agoMiami Heat shooting guard
Josh Christopher was named MVP of the Summer League Championship game after he scored 24 points to help his squad to a 120-118 overtime victory against Memphis. Christopher heated up in the semifinals against Golden State with a 23-point effort and continued where he left off on Monday. The 22-year-old shot a sizzling 6-for-10 from three-point range and 9-for-17 overall. He came up big defensively as well, with three steals and two blocks. Christopher, a first-round pick in 2021, hopes to secure a two-way contract with the Heat. He has averaged 6.9 points in 15.4 minutes across 138 career games but didn't see any NBA action last season.
--Taavi Pailk - RotoBallerSource: ESPN
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