3 weeks agoSacramento Kings guard/forward
Kevin Huerter (shoulder) remains limited to non-contact activities, according to head coach Mike Brown. A week ago, it was reported that Huerter had started ramping up his individual workouts, but it looks like he's still a bit away from being ready to play. However, with over two weeks to go until the Kings' season opener against Minnesota, Huerter has a good amount of time to get up to speed.
Keon Ellis has been working with the starting unit in Huerter's absence during training camp. Ellis and the Kings get their first taste of preseason action on Wednesday versus Golden State.
--Taavi Pailk - RotoBallerSource: Jason Anderson
3 weeks agoCleveland Cavaliers small forward
Emoni Bates has undergone knee surgery and will be re-evaluated in approximately one month. He had arthroscopic surgery on Monday for a torn meniscus in his right knee. Bates, the 49th pick of the 2023 draft, made 15 appearances during his rookie campaign in 2023-24, averaging 2.7 points in 8.9 minutes. He's not made an impact in the NBA but has posted good numbers with the Cleveland Charge in the G League. The 20-year-old notched 19.8 points, 5.9 rebounds, and 2.0 assists in the G League last season.
--Taavi Pailk - RotoBallerSource: NBA.com
3 weeks agoOrlando Magic center
Wendell Carter Jr. (ankle) has agreed to a three-year, $59 million extension with the franchise. He's now locked up through the 2028-29 campaign, with the final year being a team option. Carter Jr. has spent three and a half seasons in Orlando, posting 13.6 points, 8.8 rebounds, and 2.2 assists. However, he's struggled to stay on the court due to health issues, and Carter Jr. suffered a new setback on Monday when he was forced to exit a preseason game against New Orleans with an ankle injury. Magic head coach Jamahl Mosley said after the game that Carter Jr. is set to undergo imaging on his left ankle.
--Taavi Pailk - RotoBallerSource: ESPN
3 weeks agoMemphis Grizzlies point guard
Ja Morant (ankle) was limited to 18 minutes in Monday's preseason matchup against Dallas, but he escaped serious injury. Morant exited the action multiple times due to an ankle issue. However, Grizzlies head coach Taylor Jenkins called it only a "minor little tweak." Morant himself said after the game he's "good," according to ESPN's Tim MacMahon. This is great news, considering Morant's injury history. He was in fine form in Monday's game, producing 13 points with four rebounds, three assists, one steal, and one block in a 121-116 win.
--Taavi Pailk - RotoBallerSource: Tim MacMahon
3 weeks agoMiami Heat guard
Tyler Herro (groin) won't play in Tuesday's exhibition versus the Hornets. He's dealing with a strained groin, although he'll likely make an appearance during the preseason. Despite trade rumblings over the years, Herro remains on the roster. He averaged a career-high 20.8 points last season with 5.4 rebounds and 4.5 assists. The 24-year-old also shot 39.6% from deep, the second-best mark of his career. Unfortunately, Herro's defense is a liability, and his inability to stay healthy is an even bigger issue. However, if the 2019 No. 13 overall pick can at least stay healthy, he could exceed fantasy expectations this season. As far as Tuesday's contest is concerned, DFS managers could see more action from
Pelle Larsson and
Nassir Little, considering
Jaime Jaquez Jr. (groin) will also be sidelined for that one.
--Dennis Clausen - RotoBallerSource: Jakoba Reynolds
3 weeks agoMiami Heat forward
Jaime Jaquez Jr. (groin) won't suit up for Tuesday's preseason showdown with the Charlotte Hornets. The 23-year-old is battling a groin strain. While he should be ready to go to begin the regular season, there's a chance he'll be limited throughout the preseason. Jaquez had a stellar rookie campaign, averaging 11.9 points and 1.0 steals. Although he likely won't be in the starting lineup regularly in 2024-25, he should get his chances with the first five, considering
Jimmy Butler and
Tyler Herro's injury woes over the years. Regardless of his role, Jaquez will get enough minutes to be relevant in any fantasy setup, and his commitment to improving his shot could positively impact his category production.
--Dennis Clausen - RotoBallerSource: Jakoba Reynolds
3 weeks agoGolden State Warriors forward
Andrew Wiggins (illness) practiced on Monday. While he didn't log a full session, he's moving in the right direction. The veteran is coming off the worst season of his career, averaging 13.2 points, 4.5 rebounds, and 1.7 assists in 2023-24. With
Klay Thompson now in Dallas, expectations are high for Wiggins, so there is bounce-back potential. At any rate, he won't suit up for Wednesday's preseason matchup with the Kings, meaning
Moses Moody,
Jonathan Kuminga,
Kyle Anderson, and
Lindy Waters III could see more action. However, Wiggins should be ready to begin the 2024-25 campaign.
--Dennis Clausen - RotoBallerSource: Kendra Andrews
3 weeks agoPhiladelphia 76ers center
Joel Embiid won't suit up for Monday's preseason clash with the New Zealand Breakers. The Sixers want to keep Embiid healthy during the 2024-25 campaign, meaning the team will limit him whenever an opportunity presents itself.
Paul George will also sit this one out to rest. However, it's safe to assume
Tyrese Maxey,
Kyle Lowry,
Kelly Oubre Jr., and
Andre Drummond could see the floor sparingly on Monday night. With that in mind, DFS managers should consider rostering
Ricky Council IV,
Guerschon Yabusele,
Jeff Dowtin Jr.,
Jared McCain, and
Adem Bona.
--Dennis Clausen - RotoBallerSource: John Clark
3 weeks agoPhiladelphia 76ers guard
Paul George won't play in Monday's exhibition against New Zealand. Head coach Nick Nurse didn't specify why. But it's safe to assume the team will take it easy on the veteran to preserve his health for the regular season. While Nurse indicated everyone else would be available except
Joel Embiid, guys like
Tyrese Maxey,
Kyle Lowry, and
Kelly Oubre Jr. will likely see limited action. Instead,
Jared McCain,
Ricky Council IV,
Guerschon Yabusele, and
Adem Bona could spend extra time on the floor versus the Breakers.
--Dennis Clausen - RotoBallerSource: Ky Carlin
4 weeks agoLos Angeles Clippers guard
Terance Mann will slot into the starting lineup for the team's second preseason game on Tuesday. Head coach Ty Lue said that he will be taking
Kris Dunn's spot in the starting lineup and they'll see how he meshes with some of the starters.
Kawhi Leonard (knee) hasn't been cleared for game action yet, so the other starters based on the previous game look like
James Harden,
Norman Powell,
Derrick Jones Jr., and
Ivica Zubac. Mann will probably receive plenty of opportunities this season whether it's as a starter or bench player, but the Clippers have some room to experiment with lineups.
--Alex Fischbein - RotoBallerSource: Joey Linn
4 weeks agoBrooklyn Nets forward
Trendon Watford (hamstring) had a strained hamstring confirmed on Monday at the same time that teammate
Day'Ron Sharpe (hamstring) received confirmation for a more severe hamstring strain. Watford is expected to be re-evaluated in two weeks compared to the six-week timeline that Sharpe received. The center and power forward spots are where the Nets are the thinnest, so Watford will likely receive added opportunities when he returns. For now,
Noah Clowney and
Ben Simmons will probably see some added minutes in the preseason along with
Ziaire Williams.
--Alex Fischbein - RotoBallerSource: Brian Lewis
4 weeks agoBrooklyn Nets center
Day'Ron Sharpe (hamstring) was confirmed to have suffered a strained hamstring and the team will re-evaluate his progress in six weeks. In unofficial depth charts, Sharpe projected to be the backup center to
Nicolas Claxton, but while Sharpe rehabs his hamstring,
Noah Clowney is likely to receive more opportunities. The Nets are in the middle of a rebuild, and they lack a lot of depth at center. Sharpe would have seen an uptick in minutes this season, but his status is now in doubt for the beginning of the season. He appeared in 61 games for Brooklyn last season and averaged 6.8 points, 6.4 rebounds, and 1.4 assists per game.
--Alex Fischbein - RotoBallerSource: Brian Lewis
4 weeks agoOrlando Magic center
Wendell Carter Jr. (ankle) suffered an apparent lower leg injury during the Monday afternoon preseason game against the Orlando Magic and was helped off to the locker room as he was in obvious pain. According to Brett Siegel, the big man suffered a sprained left ankle and will not return to the game. Carter showed a lot of frustration at the time of the injury as well. Unfortunately, the 25-year-old has had very bad luck with injuries throughout his six-year career. Some more information should come out about his injury when they're able to do some more tests. He finished Monday's game with four points, six rebounds, and one steal across 20 minutes.
--Alex Fischbein - RotoBallerSource: Brett Siegel
4 weeks agoLos Angeles Clippers forward
Kawhi Leonard (knee) underwent a procedure on his right knee in May after he was able to only play two games in their first-round series against the Dallas Mavericks. Leonard said that the knee is feeling "good" right now and "We're just taking it slow, day by day and just trying to get me back on the floor." The Clippers are understandably taking a cautious approach after trading away
Paul George and putting the weight of the team on
James Harden and Leonard's shoulders. His health has been the trickiest part of the situation ever since he joined the Clippers in 2019. This past season, Leonard played in 68 games, which is his highest mark since the 2016-17 season when he was still with the San Antonio Spurs. Every time he's on the floor, he proves why the Clippers wanted him in the first place, but his injury status is something to constantly monitor.
--Alex Fischbein - RotoBallerSource: Ohm Youngmisuk
4 weeks agoUtah Jazz center
Walker Kessler is back in trade discussions as the young big man heads into the third season of his career. According to NBA Insider Marc Stein, the Jazz are seeking at least two first-round picks in exchange for Kessler. With two first-rounders as a starting price, the trade discussions haven't seemed to get too far. The New York Knicks were one of the teams that had some serious interest until they made an "all-in" move when they traded for
Karl-Anthony Towns. Outside of the Knicks, the phone lines have been pretty dry. On unofficial depth charts, Kessler is listed as the first center off of the bench, but the Jazz drafted
Kyle Filipowski and added
Drew Eubanks in the off-season.
--Alex Fischbein - RotoBallerSource: Marc Stein
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