4 weeks agoMinnesota Timberwolves power forward
Julius Randle (shoulder) will remain a starter on his new team. Randle hasn't come off the bench since the 2018-19 campaign, and Timberwolves head coach Chris Finch has now confirmed that the veteran will continue to start in Minnesota. Randle has been an All-Star in back-to-back campaigns, so it would have been quite a shock if he had landed on the bench with the Timberwolves, although
Naz Reid offers a good alternative to Finch. Assuming he stays healthy, fantasy managers should get another productive campaign out of Randle. He averaged 24.0 points, 9.5 rebounds, and 5.0 assists last season.
--Taavi Pailk - RotoBallerSource: Evan Sidery
4 weeks agoChicago Bulls guard
Josh Giddey (ankle) took another step forward in his recovery, participating in contact drills during Wednesday's practice, according to head coach Billy Donovan. Giddey, who has been rehabbing a ruptured ligament in his ankle sustained during the Paris Olympics, had missed contact drills for two months. After being limited to a non-contact session the previous day, this marks a positive sign as the Bulls prepare for their preseason game in Cleveland just six days away. The team will continue to closely monitor Giddey's progress as he ramps up his involvement in training camp.
--Dave Goldsholl - RotoBallerSource: Julia Poe
4 weeks agoDallas Mavericks guard
Luka Doncic (calf) will be sidelined for at least one week after sustaining a left calf contusion during a team workout, the Dallas Mavericks announced on Wednesday. The injury, however, is not expected to impact his readiness for the start of the upcoming NBA season. Doncic will be re-evaluated in a week, with the Mavericks' preseason opener against the Memphis Grizzlies set for October 7. During the 2023-2024 season, Doncic was a standout performer, averaging 33.9 points, 9.2 rebounds, 9.8 assists, and 1.4 steals per game. He also earned a spot on the All-NBA First Team and played a pivotal role in leading the Mavericks to the NBA Finals.
--Dave Goldsholl - RotoBallerSource: Kurt Helin
4 weeks agoMemphis Grizzlies forward
Jaren Jackson Jr. (hamstring) has been diagnosed with a low-level hamstring strain following an MRI. The former Defensive Player of the Year left the first practice of training camp after experiencing tightness in his hamstring. Head coach Taylor Jenkins described the MRI results as "good news," and emphasized there are "no concerns" about Jackson Jr. being ready for the regular-season opener. Jenkins also noted, "He's already responded well to treatment," and the team will work with the performance staff to determine his return-to-play timeline. Jackson Jr. will focus on recovery in the meantime.
--Dave Goldsholl - RotoBallerSource: Michael Wallace
4 weeks agoMemphis Grizzlies' star guard
Ja Morant says he's ready to remind the league what a "happy Ja" can do. "I feel like a happy Ja is a scary Ja for a lot of people," Morant confidently shared during Grizzlies Media Day. The two-time All-Star enters this season with a renewed focus, having embraced the lessons from his challenges both on and off the court. After averaging 25.1 points per game before his injury, Morant's return is eagerly anticipated by Memphis fans. The former Rookie of the Year now looks to lead the team back into playoff contention.
--Dave Goldsholl - RotoBallerSource: AP Sports
4 weeks agoMemphis Grizzlies rookie center
Zach Edey is looking to add a new weapon to his game: a reliable three-point shot. At 7-foot-4, Edey dominated the paint at Purdue, but as he enters the NBA, he's working to expand his range and improve his passing. Despite attempting only two three-pointers in 138 college games, developing an outside shot could transform both his game and the Grizzlies' offense by creating more spacing. If Edey can become a legitimate threat from deep while enhancing his passing, he'll bring an extra layer of versatility to Memphis. Fans will get their first glimpse of the rookie's progress in the preseason opener against the Dallas Mavericks on Monday, Oct. 7.
--Dave Goldsholl - RotoBallerSource: Michael Wallace
4 weeks agoToronto Raptors shooting guard
Ja'Kobe Walter (shoulder) hopes to be in game shape in three weeks. The 20-year-old rookie is recovering from a sprained AC joint. "Probably won't be doing anything on-court for this next week-and-a-half, for sure," Walter said. "But still, I'll be doing my strength and mobility work during that time. I should probably be back in, like, three weeks." The Raptors have their season opener scheduled for Oct. 23 against Cleveland, meaning Walter should be fine for the start of the regular season. However, missing training camp is definitely a blow for him, as he won't have a chance to build any chemistry with his teammates and could struggle for a place in the rotation because of it.
--Taavi Pailk - RotoBallerSource: Blake Murphy
4 weeks agoBrooklyn Nets guard/forward
Bojan Bogdanovic (foot) isn't doing any five-on-five work at the start of training camp. The veteran scorer has recovered from offseason wrist surgery but also had foot surgery, which is taking longer to heal. Bogdanovic is back in Brooklyn for a second stint after being involved in a trade that sent
Mikal Bridges to the Knicks. He is expected to be a contributor off the bench, limiting Bogdanovic's fantasy value. However, the Nets will likely want to get rid of his expiring $19 million contract during the season, meaning the team could give Bogdanovic increased opportunities at some point to boost his trade value.
--Taavi Pailk - RotoBallerSource: Brian Lewis
4 weeks agoDetroit Pistons forward
Ausar Thompson (blood clot) is being held out of contact drills at the start of training camp. Thompson was diagnosed with a blood clot last season and was shut down in March. The 21-year-old has been cleared for conditioning, strength training, and non-contact drills. Thompson has said he feels "perfectly fine," but there is currently no timeline for his return. After going off the board as the fifth pick in the 2023 NBA Draft, Thompson averaged 8.8 points, 6.4 rebounds, 1.9 assists, and 1.1 steals in 25.1 minutes during his rookie campaign.
--Taavi Pailk - RotoBallerSource: Omari Sankofa II
4 weeks agoChicago Bulls forward
Patrick Williams (foot) is "ready to go" for training camp, according to team executive Arturas Karnisovas. Williams underwent season-ending foot surgery in March, and it was recently reported that he's dealing with discomfort in the same foot. This left a question mark hanging over Williams ahead of training camp. However, Karnisovas said the discomfort wasn't related to Williams' foot surgery, and the 23-year-old has been cleared for training camp. Williams has offered solid but unspectacular production as a starter in Chicago. He averaged 10.0 points, 3.9 rebounds, and 1.5 assists across 27.3 minutes last season.
--Taavi Pailk - RotoBallerSource: K.C. Johnson
4 weeks agoChicago Bulls guard
Josh Giddey is limited at the start of training camp due to an ankle injury. Giddey ruptured an ankle ligament while playing for Australia at the Paris Olympics. However, the 21-year-old has said he'll be "fine" for the start of the regular season, suggesting that if it were playoffs, he would be ready to play right now. It sounds like Giddey is in the final stages of recovery, and fantasy managers shouldn't worry too much about his status. The versatile Australian looks set for a big year on his new team, with Chicago seeing Giddey as the team's primary ball-handler.
--Taavi Pailk - RotoBallerSource: ESPN
4 weeks agoSacramento Kings shooting guard
Keon Ellis is working with the starting group to begin training camp. Kings head coach Mike Brown sees Ellis as a starter "for now." Sacramento has a spot open in the first unit due to
Kevin Huerter's (shoulder) absence. Ellis' fantasy value will get a big boost if he sticks with the starters. The 24-year-old started 21 games last season, averaging 8.8 points, 3.5 rebounds, 2.3 assists, and 1.7 steals. Ellis is mainly known as a defensive specialist, but he can contribute across the board if given enough playing time.
--Taavi Pailk - RotoBallerSource: James Ham
1 month agoTony Jones of The Athletic reports that Utah Jazz center
Walker Kessler beefed up to 272 pounds after weighing 245 last season. Starting in 40 games in 2022-23, the 23-year-old made only 22 starts in last year's campaign. A bulkier Kessler will again have to compete for playing time, with the Jazz having a deep frontcourt as
Lauri Markkanen and
John Collins will command most of the starter minutes. The young center will likely not be a fantasy factor for the 2024-25 season.
--Andrew Lennox - RotoBallerSource: Tony Jones
1 month agoAccording to ESPN's Tim MacMahon, Memphis Grizzlies forward
Jaren Jackson Jr. (hamstring) left Tuesday's practice after experiencing hamstring tightness. Grizzlies head coach Taylor Jenkins confirmed Jackson will get an MRI exam to learn the extent of the injury. "We're anticipating a strain," Jenkins said. If the 25-year-old misses significant time, it will be a big blow to Memphis, as he averaged 22.5 points, 5.5 rebounds, and 2.3 assists in 32.3 minutes across 66 regular-season games last year.
--Andrew Lennox - RotoBallerSource: Tim MacMahon
1 month agoAccording to Doug Smith of the Toronto Star, Toronto Raptors forward
Scottie Barnes (personal) has an excused absence from at least the start of training camp to attend to some personal things. He is expected to be at camp later in the week. Toronto will rely heavily on the 23-year-old this season as he is the undisputed superstar of this team. Last year, Barnes compiled his best season yet with averages of 19.9 points, 8.2 rebounds, 6.1 assists, 1.3 steals, and 1.5 blocks per game.
--Andrew Lennox - RotoBallerSource: Doug Smith
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