2 months agoGolden State Warriors point guard
Stephen Curry was in fine form in Team USA's 86-72 victory over Canada on Wednesday, notching 12 points in 19 minutes with 3-for-6 shooting from three-point range. He finished 4-for-7 overall from the field, dishing out three assists and bagging a pair of rebounds. Curry's outside shooting is expected to play a big role in the Olympics, and he certainly showed on Wednesday that he's ready to go. The Americans have four more exhibition games scheduled before starting the tournament in Paris versus Serbia on July 28.
--Taavi Pailk - RotoBallerSource: USA Basketball
2 months agoMinnesota Timberwolves guard/forward
Anthony Edwards scored a game-high 13 points as Team USA started its exhibition schedule with a comfortable win against Canada. Edwards was part of the team's second unit, which helped the U.S. overcome an early 11-1 deficit to win 86-72. He shot 6-for-10 from the field with one make from downtown while collecting three rebounds, one assist, and one steal in 19 minutes. Edwards was among the team leaders in last year's World Cup and likely won't want to settle for a bench role in Paris. This should result in more strong efforts from him in the warm-up games.
--Taavi Pailk - RotoBallerSource: USA Basketball
2 months agoAccording to Law Murray of The Athletic, the NBA will resume the investigation of Los Angeles Clippers guard
Kevin Porter Jr. The 24-year-old, who recently agreed to a two-year deal with the Clippers, was arrested in September 2023 for an altercation with his ex-girlfriend and missed the 2023-24 campaign. However, he reached a plea agreement, allowing him a chance to return to the NBA. With that said, Porter has plenty of talent, averaging 15.3 points, 5.0 assists, 4.3 rebounds, and 1.1 steals in 196 games with the Cavaliers and Rockets. If he avoids a lengthy suspension and remains on the court in 2024-25, he'll have a chance to produce for the Clippers, a team that lost
Paul George in free agency.
--Dennis Clausen - RotoBallerSource: Law Murray
2 months agoAccording to Chris Fedor of Cleveland.com, Cavaliers forward
Dean Wade has resumed "conducting full on-court workouts." He is also is pain-free after missing the last 19 games of the regular season while suiting up for just three playoff contests because of a sprained knee. The 27-year-old averaged 5.4 points and 4.0 rebounds in 2023-24. While Wade could see time with the starting lineup in 2024-25, he's not expected to find himself on many fantasy rosters due to his lack of output in all statistical categories.
--Dennis Clausen - RotoBallerSource: Chris Fedor
2 months agoLos Angeles Clippers forward
Kawhi Leonard (knee) will not suit up for Team USA at the 2024 Summer Olympics. Although the veteran was optimistic his condition had improved enough to allow him to play, many felt it would be in his best interest to focus on getting healthy for the 2024-25 campaign. Leonard, who's battled knee injuries throughout his career, appeared in 68 games for the Clippers last season. He remained productive, averaging 23.7 points, 6.1 rebounds, 3.6 assists, and 1.6 steals. Without question, Leonard is one of the best players in the National Basketball Association. But his fantasy stock will continue to drop due to his inability to remain on the court.
--Dennis Clausen - RotoBallerSource: Broderick Turner
2 months agoFree-agent guard
Vit Krejci agreed to a four-year, $10 million contract to remain in Atlanta. He began his career by appearing in 30 games for the Oklahoma City Thunder before spending the last two seasons with the Hawks. The 24-year-old had his best season in 2023-24, averaging 6.1 points, 2.4 rebounds, and 2.3 assists while shooting 41.2% from deep. There's a chance Krejci will make appearances with the starting lineup during the 2024-25 campaign. However, his fantasy outlook overall isn't promising.
--Dennis Clausen - RotoBallerSource: Adrian Wojnarowski
2 months agoOklahoma City Thunder guard/forward
Dillon Jones scored a game-high 21 points in a 98-75 win over the Utah Jazz in the Salt Lake City Summer League on Tuesday. The Weber State product, who was the 26th selection in last month's draft, had an incredible shooting touch in the game, going 7-for-8 from the field and 4-for-5 at the charity stripe. His efforts included a 3-for-3 record from deep, and Jones capped off his performance with seven rebounds, four assists, and one steal. The Thunder are full of exciting young talent and might have landed themselves another one in Jones, who went close to a triple-double in his Summer League debut on Monday against Philadelphia.
--Taavi Pailk - RotoBallerSource: NBA.com
2 months agoFree-agent forward
Davis Bertans is reportedly generating interest among multiple teams after getting waived by the Charlotte Hornets. According to HoopsHype's Michael Scotto, the New York Knicks are among the teams who are looking at Bertans. The 31-year-old is a sweet-shooting big man who would give an extra threat from deep to the Knicks. However, he will likely not get enough opportunities in New York to jump back into fantasy relevance. Bertans posted 6.7 points and 1.2 rebounds in 15.7 minutes across stints with Oklahoma City and Charlotte in 2023-24.
--Taavi Pailk - RotoBallerSource: Michael Scotto
2 months agoThe Phoenix Suns remain interested in bringing back guard/forward
Josh Okogie. The 25-year-old has spent the past two seasons in Arizona but became a free agent after not picking up a $2.9 million option on his contract. Okogie averaged 4.6 points and 2.6 rebounds in 16.0 minutes last season, logging 11 starts across 60 appearances. His numbers will likely be in a similar mold next season if he returns to Phoenix, which appears likely, as Okogie hasn't really been linked with any other teams since hitting free agency.
--Taavi Pailk - RotoBallerSource: Gerald Bourguet
2 months agoVeteran point guard
Kyle Lowry could end up complementing the Big Three in Phoenix next season. According to PHNX's Gerald Bourguet, Lowry is in talks with the Suns. Phoenix has been desperate for a point guard, and the team has already snapped up
Monte Morris as a free agent. Lowry's addition would give the backcourt a further boost, although he also continues to be linked with a return to the Philadelphia 76ers. The 38-year-old has lost a lot of fantasy value in recent seasons but could still do a job for teams in deeper leagues if he lands a starting role for 2024-25.
--Taavi Pailk - RotoBallerSource: Gerald Bourguet
2 months agoUtah Jazz forward
Lauri Markkanen continues to draw links with the Golden State Warriors. The Athletic's Anthony Slater has reported that the Warriors remain in pursuit of Markkanen, although he believes it could be a drawn-out process. Markkanen has averaged 20-plus points in back-to-back seasons and is just a year removed from being an All-Star. He would add shooting and size to the Warriors lineup, although Markkanen's scoring numbers could take a hit in San Francisco, with the offense flowing through
Stephen Curry.
--Taavi Pailk - RotoBallerSource: Anthony Slater
2 months agoBrooklyn Nets utility man
Ben Simmons (back) is expected to be ready to go for the start of the 2024-25 campaign. "Ben has been doing his rehab and prep work," said Bernard Lee, Simmons' agent. "I'll simply say he's in a great place and the expectation is he's able to start the season 100 percent of himself ready to go." Fantasy managers heard the same story last summer. However, the 27-year-old appeared in only 15 games in 2023-24, averaging a career-low 6.1 points. Without a doubt, Simmons has talent. But until he can stay healthy, he shouldn't be considered anything more than a risky fantasy option with an upside.
--Dennis Clausen - RotoBallerSource: Brian Lewis
2 months agoOn Tuesday, Shams Charania of The Athletic reported that the Detroit Pistons claimed center
Paul Reed off free agency waivers. Reed is in the second season of a three-year, $24 million deal and will join former 76ers teammate
Tobias Harris in the Motor City. The 76ers waived the 25-year-old on July 6th. With Philadelphia, he suited up for 82 regular season games last year, averaging 7.3 points, 6.0 rebounds, 1.3 assists, and 1.0 blocks in 19.4 minutes. Come fall, Reed will not be a fantasy factor, as he will have to compete with
Isaiah Stewart and
Jalen Duren for playing time.
--Andrew Lennox - RotoBallerSource: Shams Charania
2 months agoOn Tuesday, ESPN's Adrian Wojnarowski reported that power forward
Trendon Watford signed a qualifying offer to remain with the Brooklyn Nets. Signing the qualifying offer allows Watford to become an unrestricted free agent next summer. The 23-year-old deal is for one year and is worth $2.7 million. Last season, Watford played in 63 games for the Nets and posted averages of 6.9 points, 3.1 rebounds, and 1.3 assists.
--Andrew Lennox - RotoBallerSource: Adrian Wojnarowski
2 months agoDetroit Pistons forward
Ausar Thompson will not participate in Summer League as he is recovering from a blood clot, per James L. Edwards III of The Athletic. Thompson's rookie season ended in March due to a blood clot, for which he would receive treatment. In 63 regular-season contests, the 21-year-old averaged 8.8 points, 6.4 rebounds, 1.9 assists, and 1.1 steals across 25.1 minutes. The Pistons are likely not rushing Thompson back, and he should be good to go come training camp.
--Andrew Lennox - RotoBallerSource: James L. Edwards III
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