3 weeks agoChicago Bulls guard/forward
Zach LaVine looks set to remain in the Windy City for the start of 2024-25 despite being one of the biggest names in trade rumors this offseason. No deal to move LaVine has materialized, and Joe Cowley of the Chicago Sun-Times has now reported that the Bulls are "working on mending their relationship" with LaVine. The two-time All-Star will look to produce a bounce-back campaign this season after averaging fewer than 20 points for the first time in six years last term. He looks well-placed to get back to his best, with
DeMar DeRozan moving to Sacramento, which should allow LaVine to play a bigger role offensively.
--Taavi Pailk - RotoBallerSource: Joe Cowley
3 weeks agoPortland Trail Blazers center
Robert Williams III (knee) is "very tradable," according to ESPN's Brian Windhorst. Portland has
Deandre Ayton, who Windhorst implied isn't in high demand, while drafting UConn's
Donovan Clingan during the 2024 NBA Draft. As a result, there's not much room for others. With teams around the National Basketball Association strapped for cash, William's $12.4 million price tag for the 2024-25 campaign makes him an ideal candidate to be moved. Without question, the 26-year-old has plenty of talent, averaging 7.3 points, 6.9 rebounds, and 1.7 blocks throughout his career. Unfortunately, his history of bilateral knee surgeries has kept him from reaching his maximum potential. Williams' days as a starter are likely over. However, he has proven to be a reliable fantasy asset, even when coming off the bench.
--Dennis Clausen - RotoBallerSource: Brian Windhorst
3 weeks agoAccording to NBA insider Marc Stein, small forward
Cedi Osman did not receive a training camp invite from the Los Angeles Lakers. The Turkish forward reportedly had an offer on the table from the Lakers before agreeing to a one-year deal with Greek team Panathinaikos. However, sources have told Stein that the Lakers didn't extend an offer to the 29-year-old, despite
LeBron James' well-known fondness for Osman, dating back to their days as teammates in Cleveland. Osman spent seven years in the NBA before moving to Greece for the upcoming campaign.
--Taavi Pailk - RotoBallerSource: Marc Stein
3 weeks agoBrooklyn Nets forward
Cameron Johnson has been in trade rumors all offseason, but the team has failed to find a deal to move him because the Nets reportedly have high trade demands for Johnson. The 28-year-old has played out a couple of solid campaigns in Brooklyn, but he doesn't appear to fit the team's long-term plans. Last season, Johnson notched 13.4 points, 4.3 rebounds, and 2.4 assists in 27.6 minutes. Following
Mikal Bridges' exit, Johnson could have a bigger part to play with the Nets if he remains with the team.
--Taavi Pailk - RotoBallerSource: Brian Lewis
3 weeks agoLos Angeles Lakers forward/center
Christian Wood (knee) will be unavailable for at least eight weeks after undergoing surgery on his left knee. Wood missed the last two months of last season with a left knee injury, and unfortunately, he won't be available for the start of the new campaign either. The 28-year-old big man averaged 6.9 points and 5.1 rebounds in 17.4 minutes with the Lakers last term. Wood is capable of putting up good numbers occasionally, but he doesn't see many minutes in Los Angeles, limiting his fantasy appeal.
--Taavi Pailk - RotoBallerSource: ESPN
3 weeks agoVeteran forward
Cedi Osman reportedly had an offer on the table from the Los Angeles Lakers before inking a deal with reigning EuroLeague champion Panathinaikos. Osman has landed in Greece on a one-year contract despite previously being in advanced talks with Real Madrid. According to Eurohoops, the 29-year-old also had an opportunity to join the Lakers for training camp before opting to link up with Panathinaikos, which also brought in
Omer Yurtseven from the NBA this offseason. Osman spent the 2023-24 campaign with the San Antonio Spurs, averaging 6.8 points and 2.5 rebounds in 17.6 minutes. He has posted 9.3 points and 3.0 rebounds for his entire 476-game NBA career.
--Taavi Pailk - RotoBallerSource: Eurohoops
3 weeks agoFree-agent forward
Davis Bertans looks set to end his NBA stay after spending eight seasons in the league. Bertans appeared to be working towards earning a contract for a ninth campaign in the Association and was scheduled to have a workout with the Golden State Warriors, but he will now move to Dubai instead. According to NBA insider Marc Stein, Bertans has received a multi-year offer from Dubai BC. His deal with the team reportedly includes an "out" clause, which allows Bertans to return to the NBA down the road. The 31-year-old Latvian has averaged 7.7 points and 2.4 rebounds with 39.6 percent three-point shooting for his 475-game NBA career.
--Taavi Pailk - RotoBallerSource: Marc Stein
3 weeks agoAccording to Michael Scotto of HoopsHype, power forward
EJ Liddell has agreed a deal with the Chicago Bulls. The 23-year-old Illinois native moves to Chicago after being released by the Phoenix Suns. The Suns waived Liddell two weeks ago after acquiring him in an offseason trade from the New Orleans Pelicans. After going 41st in the 2022 draft, Liddell tore his right ACL, delaying his NBA debut. He made his first eight appearances in the league last season with the Pelicans, averaging 2.9 minutes. The young forward has done very little in the Association, but he showed off good ability with the Birmingham Squadron in the G League, notching 17.7 points, 7.8 rebounds, and 1.9 blocks in 2023-24.
--Taavi Pailk - RotoBallerSource: Michael Scotto
3 weeks agoLos Angeles Lakers forward
Jarred Vanderbilt (foot) may not be ready to participate in training camp and preseason. The 25-year-old suffered a foot injury in February, and according to Spectrum's Mike Bresnahan, Vanderbilt continues to be troubled by it. "Vando is gonna be interesting," Bresnahan said on the Lakeshow podcast. "I'm not sure he'll be ready for training camp or even for the preseason games. It's a foot injury. He opted not to have a procedure in-season when he got hurt in February." Vanderbilt suited up for only 29 games last season, averaging 5.2 points and 4.8 rebounds in 20.0 minutes.
--Taavi Pailk - RotoBallerSource: Lakers Nation
3 weeks agoVeteran center
Tristan Thompson will spend another campaign with the Cleveland Cavaliers. Thompson, who won the NBA championship with the Cavaliers in 2016, returned to Cleveland last offseason, following short stints with five different teams. Per ESPN's Adrian Wojnarowski, Thompson is now extending his stay for another year. The 33-year-old was a double-double machine during his heydays but has taken on more of a mentorship role on the current Cavaliers team. He posted 3.3 points and 3.6 rebounds in 11.2 minutes last season, coming off the bench in 49 games. Thompson served a 25-game suspension in the middle of the campaign for violating the league's anti-drug program.
--Taavi Pailk - RotoBallerSource: Adrian Wojnarowski
3 weeks agoFree-agent forward
Markieff Morris agreed to a new deal with the Mavericks. The veteran has been in Dallas since the
Kyrie Irving in 2022-23. However, he hasn't done much from a production standpoint, most recently averaging 2.5 points during the 2023-24 campaign. Outside a leadership presence, Morris likely won't add much value to the Mavericks this season, keeping him irrelevant for fantasy purposes.
--Dennis Clausen - RotoBallerSource: Shams Charania
3 weeks agoAccording to ESPN's Adrian Wojnarowski, Denver Nuggets guard
Jamal Murray agreed to a four-year, $208 million contract extension. The talks between Murray and the Nuggets have been a hot topic, considering his health issues over the years. However, the 27-year-old has been instrumental to Denver's success, helping lead the club to an NBA championship in 2023. As far as Murray's statistical contributions, he finished the 2023-24 campaign by averaging career-highs in points (21.2), assists (6.5), and three-point percentage (42.5%). Without question, he has top-25 fantasy potential in any format. But he'll need to remain on the floor, which has been a significant issue for fantasy managers.
--Dennis Clausen - RotoBallerSource: Adrian Wojnarowski
3 weeks agoGolden State Warriors point guard
Stephen Curry enters his 16th NBA season with the aim of proving doubters wrong. "I love the fact that people don't think we can keep the pace with some of the other teams that they're picking in the West," the multi-time MVP said in an interview with People. "And I just love that challenge of stepping into a training camp and being able to create your own success -- that gets me going. And obviously coming off of this Olympic experience, I'm trying to channel that energy all year." Curry and the Warriors missed the playoffs for the third time in five years last season. We could see a huge campaign from him, as Curry will be tasked with lifting Golden State back among the Western contenders.
--Taavi Pailk - RotoBallerSource: People
3 weeks agoVeteran forward
Cedi Osman is set to join Real Madrid for the 2024-25 campaign. According to Eurohoops, Osman is in "advanced talks" with the European powerhouse. Following a lengthy spell with the Cleveland Cavaliers, Osman was traded to the San Antonio Spurs last offseason. He was used as a bench piece throughout the campaign and posted 6.8 points with 2.5 rebounds. Despite shooting a career-high 38.9 percent from three-point range, Osman hasn't signed a new NBA deal for the upcoming season and now looks ready to return to Europe. Before joining the NBA in 2017, Osman played four EuroLeague seasons with Anadolu Efes of his native Turkey.
--Taavi Pailk - RotoBallerSource: Eurohoops
3 weeks agoAccording to ESPN's Kendra Andrews, free-agent guard/forward
Troy Brown Jr. will be working out for the Golden State Warriors this week. Brown Jr. is available as a free agent after splitting the 2023-24 campaign between Minnesota and Detroit. He averaged 4.2 points and 2.4 rebounds in 14.0 minutes across the season. Despite being only 25, Brown Jr. boasts bags of experience, having made 356 appearances in the National Basketball Association. He had his best year as a sophomore with the Washington Wizards, posting 10.4 points with 5.6 rebounds, 2.6 assists, and 1.2 steals. Brown Jr. hasn't gotten anywhere near these numbers in recent campaigns, but he could be a solid addition to the Warriors bench. Golden State is also looking at veteran sharpshooter
Davis Bertans ahead of training camp.
--Taavi Pailk - RotoBallerSource: Kendra Andrews
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