5 days agoBoston Celtics forward
Jaylen Brown (knee) has been battling knee issues over the last month or so of the regular season. He saw a small decrease in minutes and even sat out of the final three games, which made him ineligible for regular-season awards. Head coach Joe Mazzulla confirmed reports that Brown received pain management injections in his knee, but he also said that he expects the former Finals MVP to be ready to go for Game 1 of their first-round series. Throughout the last postseason, Brown was given the task of guarding the other team's best scorer more often than not. He's extremely important to the Celtics' success, given his level of defense on top of his season averages of 22.2 points, 5.8 rebounds, 4.5 assists, and 1.2 steals per game.
--Alex Fischbein - RotoBallerSource: Ken Powtak
5 days agoPhiladelphia 76ers forward
Kelly Oubre Jr. continued to raise his stock despite a tumultuous season that saw the team finish in 13th place in the East and miss the playoffs. He has a player option for the 2025-26 season, and when asked about it during a press conference, he said, "This is a business, but at the end of the day I'm happy. And I like to finish what I start, and I don't feel complete. So godspeed." This seems very encouraging for the Sixers, but it also seems like he's waiting to see how the offseason plays out and would like to negotiate a pay raise. This offseason is extremely important for the Sixers and could ultimately change the way the franchise looks from top to bottom. Oubre averaged 15.1 points, 6.1 rebounds, 1.8 assists, and 1.5 steals per game as a starter, so his role on the team is not in question.
--Alex Fischbein - RotoBallerSource: Derek Bodner
5 days agoPhiladelphia 76ers center
Andre Drummond has a player option remaining on his contract, and he told reporters that he plans on returning to the team for the 2025-26 season. The veteran big man, much like the rest of the team, had some injury issues throughout the year and only appeared in 40 games, which was a career low. He posted averages of 7.3 points, 7.8 rebounds, and 1.0 steals across 18.8 minutes per game. His role next season is in question after rookie center
Adem Bona showed a lot of promise in the last month and a half of the season. Plus, with their top two stars already aging, the 76ers may want to move in a younger direction, so Drummond is one to watch through the offseason.
--Alex Fischbein - RotoBallerSource: Derek Bodner
5 days agoAccording to ESPN's Shams Charania, the Phoenix Suns have parted ways with head coach Mike Budenholzer after just one season. The Suns finished in 11th place in the West with a record of 36-46, which put them three games back from the final play-in spot. There are a couple of notable free-agent head coaches who were just relieved of their duties this year, including Michael Malone and Taylor Jenkins.
Kevin Durant missed 20 games while
Bradley Beal missed 29, so the Suns have an important offseason ahead of them in terms of their roster structure. Durant has already been in the rumor mill, but there could be some big changes ahead.
--Alex Fischbein - RotoBallerSource: Shams Charania
5 days agoChicago Bulls guard
Josh Giddey (wrist) was unable to play in the team's final two games of the regular season, and now there's some doubt surrounding his status for their play-in game against the Miami Heat on Wednesday. One bit of good news came from head coach Billy Donovan when he said that there is a "high-level optimism" surrounding his ability to play. In his first season with the Bulls, Giddey posted career-highs in multiple categories and averaged 14.6 points, 8.1 rebounds, 7.2 assists, 1.2 steals, and 1.5 threes per game with shooting splits of .465/.378/.781. If he's unable to play, they're likely to lean a bit more on
Kevin Huerter and
Talen Horton-Tucker at times.
--Alex Fischbein - RotoBallerSource: KC Johnson
6 days agoPhiladelphia 76ers guard
Jared McCain (knee) is progressing toward a return to the court, recently stating he's been doing "a little jumping" without pain. The 2024 No. 16 overall pick had a fantastic inaugural year, averaging 23.8 points and 4.3 assists in eight starts. Unfortunately, he suffered a season-ending meniscus tear in December, resulting in surgery. Without question, McCain has untapped potential. However, if
Joel Embiid (knee),
Tyrese Maxey (finger), and
Paul George (adductor, knee) are healthy, McCain could have a tough time holding a consistent role in the rotation.
--Dennis Clausen - RotoBallerSource: NBA Injury Report
6
days
agoPhiladelphia
76ers
guard/forward
Quentin
Grimes
will
be
a
restricted
free
agent
this
offseason.
However,
it
appears
he
wants
to
stay
in
Philly.
"I'm
very
comfortable
here,"
said
Maxey
while
speaking
after
Sunday's
122-102
loss
to
the
Chicago
Bulls.
"I
could
definitely
see
myself
read more...
6 days agoPhiladelphia 76ers guard
Tyrese Maxey (finger) is "progressing well." However, the 24-year-old indicated he'll need "about another month" before resuming basketball drills. He had a quality 2024-25 campaign, averaging a career-high 26.3 points with 6.1 assists. His three-point shooting took a dip. Yet, Maxey made up for it by increasing his contributions on the defensive end by amassing nearly two steals per contest. Unfortunately, he was limited to 52 games, mostly due to a finger injury that prematurely ended his season in March. Without question, Maxey is one of the best players in the NBA. But it remains to be seen if he can stay as productive and involved offensively if
Joel Embiid (knee) and
Paul George (adductor, knee) can collectively remain on the floor.
--Dennis Clausen - RotoBallerSource: Derek Bodney
6 days agoBrooklyn Nets guard
Jalen Brunson (ankle) won't play on Sunday versus the Nets. The Knicks will enter the playoffs as the No. 3 seed in the Eastern Conference. As expected, the team will give Brunson the day off to rest after appearing in consecutive contests on Thursday and Friday. Without him,
Miles McBride, averaging 13.7 points, 1.1 steals, and 43.6% shooting from behind the arc in nine starts this season, should see a bump in DFS production, especially with
Karl-Anthony Towns (knee),
OG Anunoby (thumb), and
Josh Hart (knee) also ruled out.
--Dennis Clausen - RotoBallerSource: NBA Injury Report
6 days agoNew York Knicks center
Karl-Anthony Towns (knee) won't play on Sunday against Brooklyn. He was listed as questionable. However, not many expected to see KAT on the floor.
Jalen Brunson (ankle),
Josh Hart (knee), and
OG Anunoby (thumb) also won't suit up, meaning DFS managers could see increased production from
Precious Achiuwa,
Landry Shamet,
Cameron Payne, and
Miles McBride.
--Dennis Clausen - RotoBallerSource: Tom Beer
6 days agoOrlando Magic guard
Kentavious Caldwell-Pope (knee) will play on Sunday against the Hawks. KCP didn't suit up on Friday night versus the Indiana Pacers. However, he'll be out there for the regular-season finale. It's tough to say how much action Caldwell-Pope will get, considering the Magic are locked into the Play-In. Still, his availability should lower the ceiling of
Gary Harris, who had 10 points as a starter on Friday.
--Dennis Clausen - RotoBallerSource: NBA Injury Report
6 days agoOrlando Magic center
Wendell Carter Jr. (hip) is available for Sunday's meeting with the Hawks. He didn't play on Friday in the win over the Indiana Pacers, opening the door for
Goga Bitadze to enter the starting lineup and finish with 11 points, seven boards, and two blocks. It's unknown if Carter will see his usual workload in the regular-season finale. But his presence makes Bitadze a risky DFS option for managers.
--Dennis Clausen - RotoBallerSource: NBA Injury Report
6 days agoOrlando Magic forward
Paolo Banchero (ankle) won't suit up for Sunday's clash with the Hawks. He'll miss his second-straight game on Sunday. However, the Magic are heading to the Play-In tournament, so there's no reason Banchero needs to be out there.
Franz Wagner (knee) also won't get on the floor. But
Kentavious Caldwell-Pope (knee) and
Wendell Carter Jr. (hip) are good to go, although it's unknown how much work they'll receive. As such,
Caleb Houstan and
Tristan da Silva, combining for 24 points on Friday night, should continue to have value for DFS managers.
--Dennis Clausen - RotoBallerSource: NBA Injury Report
6 days agoAtlanta Hawks guard
Trae Young (Achilles) won't suit up for Sunday's clash with the Orlando Magic. The Hawks are Play-In bound, so there's no reason Young needs to be on the floor for the season finale. Most of the other members of the starting lineup also won't suit up. But as far as the one spot is concerned,
Keaton Wallace, averaging 13.5 points, 6.8 assists, and 1.5 steals in four starts, is worth considering for DFS purposes.
--Dennis Clausen - RotoBallerSource: NBA Injury Report
6 days agoOklahoma City Thunder forward/center
Chet Holmgren (back) won't play on Sunday versus the Pelicans. He'll miss another game because of low back spasms. But, truth be told, Holmgren will sit this one out to rest before OKC enters the postseason as the top seed in the Western Conference.
Isaiah Hartenstein (Achilles) is also out, meaning
Aaron Wiggins,
Kenrich Williams, and
Jaylin Williams should remain involved after combining for 68 points on Friday night.
--Dennis Clausen - RotoBallerSource: NBA Injury Report
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