3 months agoLos Angeles Lakers guard
Bronny James (knee) didn't suit up for Sunday's California Classic Summer League loss to the Golden State Warriors. The 19-year-old, drafted No. 55 overall in the 2024 NBA Draft, made his unofficial NBA debut on Saturday versus Sacramento. However, he struggled, scoring just four points while shooting 2-for-9 from the field. Fortunately, James is only dealing with "trace swelling" in his left knee, so he was held out for precautionary reasons. He's expected to return to the lineup for the Lakers California Classic finale against the Miami Heat.
--Dennis Clausen - RotoBallerSource: Kendra Andrews
3 months agoLos Angeles Clippers forward
Kawhi Leonard (knee) has been "ramping up" his activity level ahead of the start of the 2024 Summer Olympics. The veteran missed most of the postseason due to knee inflammation. However, it appears he's moving in the right direction, recently appearing in a scrimmage for Team USA and draining four three-point shots. Leonard stayed relatively healthy during the 2023-24 campaign, appearing in 68 games. He was also as productive as ever, averaging 23.7 points, 6.1 rebounds, 3.6 assists, and 1.6 steals while shooting 41.7% from behind the arc. Without question, injuries continue to impact his fantasy value negatively. But if Leonard can stay on the floor for most of the 2024-25 campaign, he has top-10 fantasy upside.
--Dennis Clausen - RotoBallerSource: Shams Charania, Joe Vardon
3 months agoThe Hornets waived forward/center
Aleksej Pokusevski on Saturday. The 2020 No. 17 overall pick out of Serbia played in OKC for just over three seasons. However, after getting cut by the Thunder early in 2023-24, he signed with Charlotte, where he averaged 7.4 points, 4.4 rebounds, and 1.7 assists. Without question, Pokusevski has talent. But injuries have prevented him from reaching his potential. If Pokusevski signs with a new team and stays on the floor, he may gain deep-league fantasy value in 2024-25. For now, his fantasy ceiling can't get any lower.
--Dennis Clausen - RotoBallerSource: Hornets PR
3 months agoThe Hornets released forward
Davis Bertans. The 2011 No. 42 overall pick began the 2023-24 campaign with OKC before getting traded to Charlotte. In 28 games with the Hornets, he averaged 8.8 points, 1.8 rebounds, and shot 37.5% from deep. Without question, Bertans has plenty of experience and will add depth to any club around the National Basketball Association, meaning there's a good chance a team will sign him. However, he isn't relevant from a fantasy standpoint, and that's not expected to change anytime soon, even if he lands somewhere for the 2024-25 season.
--Dennis Clausen - RotoBallerSource: Hornets PR
3 months agoPhoenix Suns forward
Kevin Durant (calf) will miss the start of Team USA training camp. The veteran is dealing with a calf strain, although Team USA head coach Steve Kerr indicated that the injury is "not bad." Durant finished last season by averaging 27.1 points, 6.6 rebounds, 5.0 assists, and 1.2 blocks. He also appeared in 75 games, his most since the 2018-19 campaign, and shot 41.3% from deep. Of course, fantasy managers will want to monitor the ailment in case it becomes something more heading into the regular season.
--Dennis Clausen - RotoBallerSource: Shams Charania, Joe Vardon
3 months agoAccording to ESPN's Adrian Wojnarowski, free-agent forward
Miles Bridges agreed to a three-year, $75 million deal with the Charlotte Hornets. He was a coveted name on the open market. However, the Hornets will retain a player who averaged 21.0 points, 7.3 rebounds, and 3.3 assists in 2023-24. While Charlotte is a long way away from being a bona fide postseason team, Bridges is expected to be an All-Star-caliber performer for many years to come.
--Dennis Clausen - RotoBallerSource: Adrian Wojnarowski
3 months agoFree-agent forward
Simone Fontecchio agreed to a two-year, $16 million contract to return to the Pistons. The 28-year-old began last season in Utah before being traded to Detroit. In 66 games with both teams, he averaged 10.5 points, 3.7 rebounds, and 1.5 assists. With the Pistons in a rebuilding stage, anyone on the roster has a chance to earn minutes in 2024-25, meaning Fontecchio could turn himself into a viable fantasy commodity.
--Dennis Clausen - RotoBallerSource: Adrian Wojnarowski
3 months agoThe Dallas Mavericks officially traded forward
Josh Green to the Charlotte Hornets as part of the deal for superstar
Klay Thompson. The 23-year-old spent the last four seasons in Dallas, averaging 6.4 points, 2.7 rebounds, and 1.5 assists. He hasn't appeared in more than 67 games in a season since entering the league. However, the Hornets are rebuilding, meaning Green may carve out a meaningful role in Charlotte. There's also a chance he could be a routine starter for the club.
--Dennis Clausen - RotoBallerSource: Rod Boone
3 months agoFree-agent forward
Vlatko Cancar agreed to an undisclosed deal to return to the Denver Nuggets. The team declined his player option a few weeks ago. However, the Nuggets were expected to bring him back. The 26-year-old has averaged 3.5 points and 1.7 rebounds during his career. Unfortunately, he missed the 2023-24 campaign after suffering a torn ACL last summer. With the Nuggets lacking bench options, Cancar could see some minutes this season, so his statistical contributions will likely increase, although not enough to be a reliable fantasy contributor.
--Dennis Clausen - RotoBallerSource: Vinny Denedetto
3 months agoThe Miami Heat have released center
Orlando Robinson. The 23-year-old spent the last two seasons with the Heat, averaging only 3.2 points and 3.1 rebounds. Of course, Miami has
Bam Adebayo underneath the basket. But the team bolstered their depth by adding
Kel'el Ware in the draft while re-signing
Thomas Bryant and
Kevin Love. At any rate, Robinson will likely find a new team. However, he'll likely be a deep bench piece wherever he lands, so he's not expected to be a valuable fantasy asset in the near future.
--Dennis Clausen - RotoBallerSource: Miami Heat
3 months agoSacramento Kings guard
Devin Carter (shoulder) will undergo surgery. The 22-year-old, who was selected No. 13 overall in the 2024 NBA Draft, is expected to miss the start of the 2024-25 campaign, although he's expected to make a full recovery from the left shoulder injury. Carter is coming off a potent collegiate season, averaging 19.7 points, 8.7 rebounds, 1.8 steals, and 1.0 blocks in 33 games with the Providence Friars. Unfortunately, the procedure could negatively impact his development, meaning he may not see the floor as often to begin his career in the National Basketball Association.
--Dennis Clausen - RotoBallerSource: Shams Charania
3 months agoThe Sacramento Kings have agreed to a one-year deal with guard
Jordan McLaughlin on Saturday. McLaughlin will join a new team after playing the last five seasons with the Minnesota Timberwolves. He struggled to stay on the court last season. Injuries limited McLaughlin to 56 games with 3.5 points per game and 2.0 assists in 11.2 minutes per game. This appears to be more of a depth move to have a decent backup behind starter
De'Aaron Fox. Fantasy managers shouldn't bother looking at McLaughlin as a possible option.
--Andy Webb - RotoBallerSource: Adrian Wojnarowski
3 months agoThe Chicago Bulls have acquired guard
Chris Duarte from the Sacramento Kings in exchange for
DeMar DeRozan. The Bulls will also receive two second-round picks as part of this sign-and-trade. The young guard will head to a more promising situation after being stuck competing for playing time with
Kevin Huerter last season. Duarte was injured during the preseason and never really got back on track. He put up career-lows, but should get plenty of chances to bounce back on the rebuilding Bulls roster. This is a nice landing spot for Duarte but he won't have fantasy value on draft day.
--Andy Webb - RotoBallerSource: Adrian Wojnarowski
3 months agoSacramento Kings forward
Harrison Barnes is headed to the San Antonio Spurs as part of a three-way sign-and-trade. The Kings will recieve
DeMar DeRozan while the Chicago Bulls get
Chris Duarte and a pair of second-round picks. Barnes was a full-time starter with the Kings last season but he was the odd man out with DeRozan coming to town. The Spurs are rebuilding, but they've added more experience with
Chris Paul this offseason. They continue to build around superstar center
Victor Wembanyama. The additions of Paul and Barnes should help the Spurs on the court and from a leadership standpoint. Barnes should have no problems finding minutes, but his value is trending more towards a late-round draft pick.
--Andy Webb - RotoBallerSource: Adrian Wojnarowski
3 months agoThe Chicago Bulls have agreed to a trade to send forward
DeMar DeRozan to the Sacramento Kings. There were multiple reports of Sacramento's interest in DeRozan, so it's not shocking to see him landing here. In exchange, the Bulls receive
Chris Duarte, and two second-round picks. This deal is done as part of a sign-and-trade with DeRozan still owed $74 million over the next three seasons. The assumption is that DeRozan will slide right in the place of Barnes in the rotation. The veteran forward should still be able to produce around top-50 value with his new team. DeRozan is limited from three-point range, but does enough on the court to be considered a viable fantasy option in all formats.
--Andy Webb - RotoBallerSource: Adrian Wojnarowski
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