3 weeks agoTwo-time NBA Slam Dunk Contest champion
Mac McClung will once again attempt to nail down a spot in the National Basketball Association. The Athletic's Shams Charania reports that the high-flying guard has signed a partially guaranteed contract with the Orlando Magic ahead of training camp. Mac McClung also took part in the Magic's camp a year ago but didn't make the roster. He spent the season with the Magic's G League affiliate, the Osceola Magic, winning MVP honors. The 25-year-old averaged 25.7 points, 4.7 rebounds, and 6.6 assists for the campaign. McClung has posted 8.3 points, 3.3 rebounds, and 2.5 assists in 16.5 minutes across four career NBA appearances.
--Taavi Pailk - RotoBallerSource: Shams Charania
3 weeks agoAccording to NBA insider Shams Charania, shooting guard
Talen Horton-Tucker has signed a partially guaranteed deal with his hometown Chicago Bulls. The 23-year-old was available as a free agent after playing out a pair of campaigns in Utah. Horton-Tucker had a mixed season in 2023-24 and even spent some time out of the rotation, but he put up decent numbers while with the team. The former Laker posted 10.5 points, 2.9 rebounds, and 3.6 assists in 20.0 minutes across two seasons. However, Horton-Tucker shot below 40 percent from the field last term, and he certainly has to improve his efficiency to earn a team's trust.
--Taavi Pailk - RotoBallerSource: Shams Charania
3 weeks agoMemphis Grizzlies forward
GG Jackson II (foot) will be out for at least three months, per Shams Charania of The Athletic. Jackson II broke the fifth metatarsal in his right foot in training and had a successful surgery on Wednesday. It's a bitter blow for the 19-year-old, who had an impressive debut campaign in 2023-24, earning a spot on the NBA All-Rookie Second Team. Jackson II averaged 14.8 points and 4.1 rebounds in 25.7 minutes. He likely won't play as big of a role this season if the Grizzlies can keep their core healthy, but the team will definitely miss his scoring ability and youthful energy.
--Taavi Pailk - RotoBallerSource: Shams Charania
4 weeks agoAccording to NBA insider Chris Haynes, free-agent guard
Jordan Goodwin agreed to a training camp deal with the Lakers. Goodwin began the 2023-24 campaign with the Suns before landing with the Grizzlies. He was decent for Memphis, averaging 10.0 points and 4.5 assists. With Los Angeles thin at the point guard spot, the 25-year-old has a legitimate chance of making the team. However, Goodwin won't be relevant for fantasy managers unless he gets playing time. Even then, his upside is limited.
--Dennis Clausen - RotoBallerSource: Chris Haynes
4 weeks agoToronto Raptors forward
RJ Barrett is thrilled to play for his hometown club. "It's just a literal dream come true," said Barrett during an interview. "When I found out I was coming home, I didn't know how to act. I was pinching myself and telling my people, 'We're really here.'" The 24-year-old spent his entire career with the Knicks before being dealt to Toronto ahead of last season's deadline. While Barrett was limited to 32 games with the Raptors, he averaged a career-high 21.8 points. With that said, the Raptors aren't even close to being a championship-caliber club. Yet, there's reason to believe Barrett could be in store for his best year to date in 2024-25.
--Dennis Clausen - RotoBallerSource: David Stol
4 weeks agoChicago Bulls center
Nikola Vucevic remains on the roster despite months of trade rumors. The veteran was recently asked about the trade chatter during an interview. However, it doesn't appear he's concerned about being moved. "In most cases, those are really just speculations," said Vucevic. "I honestly don't pay much attention to it because I have no control over it." The 33-year-old averaged 18.0 points and 10.5 rebounds last season. But, he struggled from deep, draining just 29.4% of his attempts from downtown. At any rate, Vucevic is expected to remain a double-double threat for at least a few more seasons, no matter where he ends up in the future.
--Dennis Clausen - RotoBallerSource: Farbod Esnaashari
4 weeks agoAccording to ESPN's Brian Windhorst, Atlanta Hawks guard
Trae Young's value isn't as high as the team would like. Young averaged 25.7 points and 10.8 assists last season. He also shot 37.3% from behind the arc. However, he was limited to only 54 games due to injury. There were rumblings Young was on the trade block last season. Instead, Atlanta traded
Dejounte Murray to the New Orleans Pelicans in the offseason. With that said, it's a pivotal year for Young, considering his performance this season could dictate his future in Atlanta. For now, fantasy managers should continue to view him as a top-20 fantasy option, although drafting him heading into the season is riskier than ever.
--Dennis Clausen - RotoBallerSource: Brian Windhorst
4 weeks agoMinnesota Timberwolves center
Rudy Gobert (finger) is coming off a season where he won another Defensive Player of the Year award. He also was a member of France during the 2024 Summer Olympics, helping the team capture a silver medal. However, Gobert was limited near the end of the Olympics due to a finger injury. But president of basketball operations Tim Connelly said during an interview that the veteran big man is "good." Connelly also was asked about an extension for Gobert, with the executive stating he'd like to keep him in Minnesota "for a long time." The 32-year-old averaged 14.0 points, 12.9 rebounds, and 2.1 blocks during the 2023-24 campaign. He also missed only six games. While Gobert has been in the National Basketball Association for over a decade, fantasy managers should continue to view him as a routine starter this season, assuming the finger injury doesn't keep him off the floor.
--Dennis Clausen - RotoBallerSource: Darren Wolfson
4 weeks agoPoint guard
Saben Lee will spend the 2024-25 campaign overseas. The 25-year-old has agreed a deal with Manisa in Turkey. Lee takes his talents to Europe following 134 NBA appearances. After being a second-round selection in the 2020 draft, Lee made his debut with the Detroit Pistons in 2020-21. He also featured for the Philadelphia 76ers and Phoenix Suns. Last season, Lee averaged 7.7 minutes across 24 games in Phoenix, posting 3.0 points with 1.3 assists. The Vanderbilt product has notched 5.2 points and 2.8 assists overall in his NBA career.
--Taavi Pailk - RotoBallerSource: Eurobasket.com
4
weeks
agoDallas
Mavericks
guard/forward
Klay
Thompson
will
look
to
reignite
his
career
on
a
new
squad,
and
the
team
hopes
to
make
things
"easier"
on
offense
for
him
in
Texas.
"Obviously,
the
big
addition
was
Klay,"
said
Mavericks
minority
owner
Mark
Cuban
on
the
read more...
4 weeks agoMiami Heat forward
Jimmy Butler is drawing links with the Brooklyn Nets ahead of what could be his final campaign in Miami. Citing a source close to Butler, The New York Post's Brian Lewis has noted that the six-time All-Star "likes" Brooklyn. Butler has a player option for the 2025-26 season, but he isn't expected to pick it up. With him turning 35 in a couple of weeks, Butler will have a chance to get his final big payday next summer. He'll be looking to prove his worth in the upcoming campaign, and as a result, we should see a very motivated version of Butler on the court, which previously hasn't always been the case during the regular season.
--Taavi Pailk - RotoBallerSource: Brian Lewis
4 weeks agoUtah Jazz point guard
Collin Sexton appears full of confidence ahead of the new campaign, making a bold claim that he's among the best players in the NBA in his position. Sexton was asked on the Come And Talk 2 Me podcast if he's a top 10 point guard in the league. "If I'm putting myself in there, for sure," said Sexton. "I put myself against anybody. At the end of the day, I don't back down from nobody. I got a different type of chip on my shoulder. I got a different type of grind that when I step between those lines, it's me against you." Utah and fantasy managers alike would be delighted if Sexton could consistently play like a top-10 point guard. The 25-year-old enjoyed a strong finish to last campaign, averaging 20.8 points and 5.8 assists after the All-Star break.
--Taavi Pailk - RotoBallerSource: Come And Talk 2
4 weeks agoHouston Rockets guard
Reed Sheppard faces a battle for playing time in his rookie year on a team filled with young talent. However, it is believed that he will have a place in the rotation. "He'll be on the floor," said ESPN's Tim MacMahon about Sheppard on Brian Windhorst & The Hoop Collective Podcast. "I think he'll play a significant role as a playmaker off the bench." After landing in Houston as the third pick of this year's draft, Sheppard had an outstanding Summer League campaign. Now it's up to him to prove that he can also do it when it really matters, and it looks like the Rockets will give the 20-year-old Kentucky product plenty of opportunities to showcase his talent.
--Taavi Pailk - RotoBallerSource: Rockets Wire
4 weeks agoPhoenix Suns guard/forward
Grayson Allen is committed to staying healthy this season. While the former Duke Blue Devil logged 75 games during the regular season, he was limited in the playoffs due to injury. As a result, he hopes the time spent this offseason working on his body will allow him to remain on the floor. Allen, who signed a four-year, $70 million extension with the Suns in April, averaged 13.5 points, 3.9 rebounds, and 3.0 assists during the 2023-24 campaign. He also shot a career-high 46.1% from behind the arc. With
Tyus Jones now on the roster, Allen may come off the bench. However, the Suns lack depth outside of the starting lineup, so the 28-year-old should continue to get enough minutes to remain relevant for fantasy managers.
--Dennis Clausen - RotoBallerSource: Duane Rankin
4 weeks agoIndiana Pacers guard
T.J. McConnell agreed to a four-year, $45 million contract extension with the club on Friday. Although the 32-year-old isn't a starter, he is one of the most essential players on the Pacers' roster. He finished the 2023-24 campaign by averaging a career-high 10.2 points with 5.5 assists and 1.0 steals and was even more productive throughout the postseason. With that said,
Tyrese Haliburton's health is seemingly always an issue, so fantasy managers should strongly consider adding McConnell for insurance purposes heading into opening night.
--Dennis Clausen - RotoBallerSource: Adrian Wojnarowski
RADIO
