2 weeks agoMemphis Grizzlies center/forward
Jaren Jackson Jr. (hamstring) is expected to miss the team's season opener on Wednesday against the Utah Jazz. Head coach Taylor Jenkins said that the former Defensive Player of the Year will be out while he continues to deal with a hamstring injury. He is expected back later this week, so his absence shouldn't last that long.
Santi Aldama would likely move into the starting power forward spot while
Zach Edey and
Brandon Clarke should both see increased opportunities.
--Alex Fischbein - RotoBallerSource: Drew Hill
2 weeks agoNew Orleans Pelicans guard/forward
Trey Murphy III received his payday on Monday as he signed a rookie contract extension. According to NBA Insider Marc Stein, the former 17th-overall pick signed a four-year, $112 million contract extension. Murphy has had some injury issues over the last couple of seasons but has still turned himself into an important piece to the Pelicans' success. Last season, he averaged 14.8 points, 4.9 rebounds, 2.2 assists, and 3.0 threes while playing 29.6 minutes per game. The addition of
Dejounte Murray will likely take some opportunities away, but Murphy is still a solid contributor in category fantasy formats.
--Alex Fischbein - RotoBallerSource: Marc Stein
2 weeks agoThe Detroit Pistons announced that they have agreed on a two-way deal with forward
Cole Swider. The 25-year-old enters this third season in the NBA after playing for the Miami Heat and Los Angeles Lakers in his first two years. Swider has appeared in 25 games so far and averaged 2.0 points in 5.1 minutes per contest. He's only shooting 38.3% from the floor throughout his career right now and hasn't been able to crack a full-time position in a lineup yet. He's not on the fantasy radar right now but he will work to convert his deal into a full contract.
--Alex Fischbein - RotoBallerSource: Pistons PR
2 weeks agoLos Angeles Clippers guard
Bones Hyland will get the chance to test out free agency after this season. According to NBA Insider Chris Haynes, Hyland and the Clippers were not able to reach terms on a rookie contract extension, so he'll become an unrestricted free agent at year's end. The 24-year-old took a step back last season in terms of playing time after appearing in the fewest games in his first three seasons. In 37 appearances, Hyland averaged 6.9 points, 2.5 assists, 1.5 rebounds, and 1.2 turnovers across 14.6 minutes per contest.
--Alex Fischbein - RotoBallerSource: Chris Haynes
2 weeks agoGolden State Warriors guard
Moses Moody will stay around in San Francisco after agreeing to a rookie contract extension. As reported by Shams Charania, the 22-year-old has agreed to a three-year, $39 million deal which will keep him with the team through the 2027-28 season. Moody has turned into a solid rotational player and he saw the most playing time of his career last season. He posted averages of 8.1 points, 3.0 rebounds, and 1.0 threes across 17.5 minutes per game. His fantasy value is limited until he can get on the floor more often, but can be a streamer in deeper leagues.
--Alex Fischbein - RotoBallerSource: Shams Charania
2 weeks agoMilwaukee Bucks guard/forward
Khris Middleton (ankle) is expected to miss the team's season opener against the Philadelphia 76ers on Wednesday. Shams Charania reports that the team is "cautiously progressing Middleton toward a return." There hasn't been mention of a specific timetable as he continues to rehab from multiple ankle surgeries. While Middleton works his way back, newly acquired
Gary Trent Jr. should see more opportunities along with
Taurean Prince and
Pat Connaughton.
Delon Wright may even get into the mix, but it looks like Trent has the most value of the bunch.
--Alex Fischbein - RotoBallerSource: Shams Charania
2 weeks agoNew York Knicks forward
Precious Achiuwa (hamstring) will be out for at least the next two to four weeks as he deals with a strained left hamstring. According to Shams Charania, that's the timetable for when the team will re-evaluate him, so he has a chance to miss even more time than that. Since
Mitchell Robinson (foot) is also out, the Knicks' frontcourt situation is going to be quite thin to start the season. Newly acquired
Karl-Anthony Towns will start while
Jericho Sims is the next big man on the depth chart. They could also opt to go with some small ball lineups featuring
Josh Hart and
OG Anunoby in the frontcourt.
--Alex Fischbein - RotoBallerSource: Shams Charania
2 weeks agoCleveland Cavaliers guard
Max Strus (ankle) suffered a sprained right ankle on Thursday during a workout. The 28-year-old underwent an MRI, confirming the severity, and he'll be re-evaluated in six weeks. Unfortunately, Strus' return date remains a mystery. But even when he's cleared to return, it will take time for him to get back to full speed. Strus appeared in 70 games for Cleveland last season, starting all of them, and averaged 12.2 points, 4.8 rebounds, and 4.0 assists. With an opening in the rotation,
Isaac Okoro will likely take his spot. The 2020 No. 5 overall pick is mostly known for his defensive prowess, so fantasy managers likely won't get consistent production on the offensive end. Instead,
Caris LeVert could significantly benefit from Strus' absence, even if he comes off the bench.
--Dennis Clausen - RotoBallerSource: Cleveland Cavaliers
2 weeks agoPortland Trail Blazers forward
Matisse Thybulle (knee) is expected to miss an extended period of time. Thybulle has been dealing with inflammation in his knee throughout the preseason. He has decided to undergo a procedure that will sideline him for 3-4 weeks. His absence won't make a huge impact considering the Blazers do have depth at the forward spot. The loss of Thybulle should mean more minutes for
Kris Murray,
Toumani Camara, and
Dalano Banton. However, it's not enough playing time to push any of these players into reliable fantasy player territory. The hope is that Thybulle will be back at some point in November or early December.
--Andy Webb - RotoBallerSource: Blazers PR
2 weeks agoSacramento Kings forward
DeMar DeRozan (personal) was not available for Friday's practice. The veteran forward is currently away from the team due to personal reasons. He played 25 minutes during Thursday's preseason contest. He figures to be a significant part of the rotation this season. His absence isn't expected to be long, so DeRozan should be back in time for the season opener on Thursday against the Minnesota Timberwolves. Last season, DeRozan averaged 24.0 points, 4.3 rebounds, and 5.3 assists across 37.8 minutes per game with the Chicago Bulls. The 35-year-old is showing no signs of slowing down and should continue being a viable option for the Kings this season.
--Andy Webb - RotoBallerSource: Sean Cunningham
2 weeks agoNew York Knicks guard
Landry Shamet (shoulder) is likely to miss an extended period of time. The 27-year-old suffered a right shoulder injury during Tuesday's preseason contest. It was later revealed that Shamet is dealing with a dislocated right shoulder and will be evaluated at a later time. The fact the Knicks didn't give a timetable for Shamet's return means he'll probably be sidelined for the foreseeable future. His absence isn't going to mean much considering he was 4th on the depth chart.
Tyler Kolek and
Cameron Payne could see an uptick with Shamet sidelined, but it probably won't mean much for fantasy hoops.
--Andy Webb - RotoBallerSource: Knicks PR
2 weeks agoBrooklyn Nets center
Nicolas Claxton (hamstring) won't be available for Friday's preseason matchup against the Atlanta Hawks. Claxton continues to deal with hamstring soreness that has sidelined him throughout the preseason. Despite that, Claxton is expected to be ready to play for the beginning of the regular season. That is great news as Claxton has been a viable option for the Nets over the last two seasons. He averaged 11.8 points, 9.9 rebounds, and 2.1 assists across 29.8 minutes per game last season. The Nets are limited in terms of options at the center spot with
Day'Ron Sharpe (hamstring) also sidelined right now. That means,
Noah Clowney would see his value skyrocket if Claxton isn't cleared for the beginning of the season.
--Andy Webb - RotoBallerSource: C.J. Holmes
2 weeks agoPhiladelphia 76ers guard
Tyrese Maxey (thumb) won't return to Friday's preseason contest against the Orlando Magic. The Sixers aren't going to take any chances here with the season opener being on Wednesday against the Milwaukee Bucks. Maxey suffered a right thumb contusion during the first quarter of Friday's game. It sounds like a day-to-day issue, so fantasy managers shouldn't panic. The expectation is that Maxey will rest for a few days and be ready to go for the season opener. In the meantime,
Kyle Lowry should see increased playing time with Maxey sidelined.
--Andy Webb - RotoBallerSource: Keith Pompey
2 weeks agoSacramento Kings guard
Boogie Ellis will be on the hunt for a new team after Friday morning. According to Michael Scotto of HoopsHype, the Kings are waiving the 23-year-old to trim down their roster for the start of the regular season. Ellis averaged 9.0 points per game and shot 39% from deep in the preseason while posting 10.0 points, 2.4 rebounds, 1.5 assists, and 1.3 steals per contest throughout all of his summer league games. He'll likely latch on to either an open two-way deal somewhere else or join a G League roster this year.
--Alex Fischbein - RotoBallerSource: Michael Scotto
2 weeks agoFree agent guard
Devonte' Graham was waived by the Portland Trail Blazers on Thursday afternoon. The 29-year-old played for the San Antonio Spurs last season while appearing in a total of 23 games. He averaged 5.0 points, 2.1 assists, 1.6 rebounds, and 1.1 threes across 13.6 minutes per game. His role has diminished as his career rolled on, but there are still plenty of teams who could use a depth option that is able to hit threes. Graham was only fantasy-relevant over the past couple of years when injuries happened, so if he does find a new team, he'll have a tough time getting back on the fantasy radar.
--Alex Fischbein - RotoBallerSource: Trail Blazers
RADIO
