2 weeks agoDallas Mavericks point guard
Luka Doncic (calf) had his first full practice in two weeks on Wednesday. He has been rehabbing a left calf contusion that Doncic sustained in training camp. According to Mavericks head coach Jason Kidd, Doncic did "really, really well" on Wednesday, but it's unlikely that Doncic will be on the court on Thursday when Dallas wraps up its preseason with a game against Milwaukee. The losing finalists from last season begin the 2024-25 campaign on Oct. 24 versus San Antonio, so there's still a good amount of time left for Doncic to work his way into game shape.
--Taavi Pailk - RotoBallerSource: ESPN
2 weeks agoToronto Raptors guard
Immanuel Quickley (thumb) has been cleared for contact and went through a full practice on Tuesday. The speedy guard is working his way back from a thumb injury he sustained before training camp. As a result of the injury, Quickley has missed all four of Toronto's preseason games. His status for the final preseason game on Friday versus Brooklyn will be determined by how Quickley feels after practicing the next couple of days. Missing the preseason certainly isn't ideal for Quickley, but he's set to be healthy for the start of the regular season, and that's the most important thing. The 25-year-old is gearing up for his first full campaign with the Raptors, and the expectations are high following Quickley's good spell he had with the team last term after arriving in a mid-season trade from New York.
--Taavi Pailk - RotoBallerSource: Josh Lewenberg
2 weeks agoDenver Nuggets forward
Peyton Watson (hamstring) remained on the shelf for Tuesday's preseason outing against Oklahoma City. Denver had their fourth exhibition game on Tuesday, but Watson hasn't featured in any of them due to a hamstring injury. He has one more opportunity to shake off some rust before the regular season begins next week, as the Nuggets finish their preseason slate against Minnesota on Thursday. Watson's role on the team has steadily grown in his first two years in the league, but it's a tough challenge for him to take another leap, with
Aaron Gordon and
Michael Porter Jr. firmly ahead of him as starters at the forward positions.
--Taavi Pailk - RotoBallerSource: NBA.com
2 weeks agoCharlotte Hornets guard/forward
Cody Martin (wrist) missed a fourth consecutive preseason game on Tuesday against the Knicks. He hurt his right wrist before the start of preseason, and while Martin was initially considered day-to-day, he still hasn't shaken off the injury. Entering training camp, Martin also had an ankle problem. It looks like 2024-25 could be another injury-plagued campaign for Martin, who's managed to suit up for only 35 games across the previous two seasons. Before running into injuries, Martin was on an upward trajectory. Now, there are question marks regarding his role on the team, and Martin might even struggle to average 20 minutes of action this season, which will negatively impact his fantasy value.
--Taavi Pailk - RotoBallerSource: ESPN
2 weeks agoWashington Wizards forward
Saddiq Bey (knee) remains without a timetable for his return to action. The 25-year-old suffered an ACL injury in March and is still rehabbing, with a week to go until the start of the 2024-25 NBA campaign. Bey could be fun to watch on this rebuilding Wizards team. He has averaged 14.1 points and 5.2 rebounds in 292 regular-season appearances with Detroit and Atlanta. Despite his knee injury, Bey was signed to a three-year, $20 million deal as a free agent by the Wizards in the summer, so the team clearly values him. However, it could take months until we see the 25-year-old in action with his new squad.
--Taavi Pailk - RotoBallerSource: Varun Shankar
2 weeks agoGolden State Warriors guard
De'Anthony Melton was unavailable for Tuesday's preseason clash with the Lakers due to mid-back tightness. Melton had featured in all four preseason games until Tuesday. He's knocked down threes at a good rate while being a defensive pest. Melton also stood out on Sunday versus Detroit with seven assists, showing he has the potential to be a good backup option at point guard behind
Stephen Curry. The six-year veteran should also see minutes at the shooting guard spot, although there's a lot of competition, with
Brandin Podziemski,
Buddy Hield, and
Moses Moody all wanting their piece of the cake. The Warriors have one more exhibition game to go, facing the Lakers in a rematch on Friday.
--Taavi Pailk - RotoBallerSource: Anthony Slater
2 weeks agoNew York Knicks guard
Landry Shamet suffered an apparent right shoulder injury in Tuesday's preseason contest against Charlotte. The veteran sharpshooter was hurt in the third quarter after putting up eight points in 20 minutes with 3-for-10 shooting. Shamet has a non-guaranteed contract but was expected to make the Knicks roster for the 2024-25 campaign. The six-year veteran is valuable for his three-point shooting ability, hitting 38.4 percent of his attempts across 348 career NBA appearances. However, the shoulder injury could force Shamet to miss a large chunk of the upcoming season.
--Taavi Pailk - RotoBallerSource: Stefan Bondy
2 weeks agoPhoenix Suns forward
Grayson Allen (Achilles) logged another limited practice session on Tuesday. The 29-year-old, who signed a lucrative extension with Phoenix in April, has been dealing with Achilles soreness. While the Suns haven't ruled him out for opening night, there's a chance he may miss some games to begin the 2024-25 campaign. Allen averaged 13.5 points, 3.9 rebounds, and 3.0 assists last season. He also shot a career-high 46.1% from deep. Although Allen isn't expected to start consistently this season, he should see plenty of minutes, considering the Suns lack depth from off the bench. As a result, Allen is relevant for fantasy managers in any format. With that said, if he isn't on the floor when the Suns open the season against the Clippers on October 23,
Royce O'Neale and
Damion Lee may see more minutes.
--Dennis Clausen - RotoBallerSource: Duane Rankin
2 weeks agoAccording to Phoenix Suns head coach Mike Budenholzer, center
Jusuf Nurkic hasn't "done basketball work." He also said Nurkic "hasn't had any contact." The 30-year-old injured his left middle finger while scrimmaging, keeping him off the court during the preseason. While Nurkic averaged 10.9 points last season, nearly three points less than in his final year in Portland, he was still a double-double producer. That's not expected to change, although the injury could compromise his availability for the start of the 2024-25 campaign. If Nurkic misses time,
Mason Plumlee or
Bol Bol may spend more time in the middle. There's also a chance the Suns go small, with
Royce O'Neale sliding over to the five.
--Dennis Clausen - RotoBallerSource: Duane Rankin
2 weeks agoAccording to Phoenix Suns head coach Mike Budenholzer, guard
Devin Booker (ankle) looked "great" in Tuesday's practice, adding he's "ready to go." The 27-year-old sat out the Suns' previous two contests because of right ankle soreness. However, the team was likely playing things safe. Booker is coming off a quality season, averaging 27.1 points, 6.9 assists, and 4.5 rebounds while shooting 36.4% from behind the arc. While he's a capable performer, he hasn't played more than 68 games in any of his previous four seasons, which is something for fantasy managers to consider ahead of the 2024-25 campaign.
--Dennis Clausen - RotoBallerSource: Duane Rankin
2 weeks agoPhiladelphia 76ers guard/forward
Paul George (knee) was diagnosed with a bone bruise. He will be re-evaluated in one week. While there is "no structural damage," the timeline could mean George will miss the start of the regular season. The latest update shouldn't impact his fantasy value ahead of the 2024-25 campaign, barring a setback. However, with the 76ers looking for a championship, fantasy managers may be without George until the team is absolutely certain he is ready to roll. With that in mind,
Eric Gordon, who averaged 15.4 points, 1.0 steals, and shot 45.1% from deep in 24 starts with the Suns last season, may spend time with the first five until George can return.
--Dennis Clausen - RotoBallerSource: Kyle Nuebeck
2 weeks agoMemphis Grizzlies guard
Scotty Pippen Jr. agreed to a four-year contract with the team. The 23-year-old spent time in the G League and the Los Angeles Lakers before ending up in Memphis last season. He appeared in 21 games for the Grizzlies, averaging 12.9 points and 4.7 assists. With
Derrick Rose recently announcing his retirement, Pippen is now expected to operate as
Ja Morant's backup this season. He'll likely make some appearances with the first five, giving him streaming potential at some point during the 2024-25 campaign.
--Dennis Clausen - RotoBallerSource: Michael Scotto
2 weeks agoPer Blake Murphy of Sportsnet.ca, Toronto Raptors center
Kelly Olynyk (back) will not suit up for Tuesday's preseason game against the Celtics due to lower-back stiffness. For the 33-year-old, it will be the second consecutive game that he's missed. Olynyk will get another opportunity to play Friday for the Raptors' final preseason game against Brooklyn. During the 2023-24 campaign, the big man averaged 9.8 points, 5.3 rebounds, and 4.4 assists, playing in 78 games with Utah and Toronto.
--Andrew Lennox - RotoBallerSource: Blake Murphy
2 weeks agoAccording to Sean Highkin of RoseGardenReport.com, head coach Chauncey Billups said Portland Trail Blazers guard
Anfernee Simons (ankle) practiced Tuesday and could "potentially" play in Wednesday's exhibition contest against Ratiopharm Ulm. Simons has been dealing with minor ankle soreness. If he can't go on Wednesday, the 25-year-old will have another chance to suit up on Friday for Portland's final preseason game. The guard could significantly impact fantasy this season after coming off a strong 2023-24 campaign, averaging 22.6 points, 3.6 rebounds, and 5.5 assists across just 46 games. His season was limited due to ankle and knee injuries.
--Andrew Lennox - RotoBallerSource: Sean Highkin
2 weeks agoAccording to ESPN's Kendra Andrews, Golden State Warriors guard
Brandin Podziemski (nose) won't suit up for Tuesday's preseason game against the Lakers. The 21-year-old is waiting for a mask after taking a hit from teammate
Trayce Jackson-Davis during Sunday's contest versus the Pistons. After an impressive rookie season, Podziemski is competing for a starting spot with
De'Anthony Melton, as there is an opening with the loss of
Klay Thompson.
--Andrew Lennox - RotoBallerSource: Kendra Andrews
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