Peripheral Monsters: Stat Stuffers to Target for 2024-25 Fantasy Basketball

The 2024-25 NBA season is rapidly approaching and chances are you've already done some drafts and may still have a few more to do before the regular season officially tips off next week! If you're playing in a categories league (H2H or Roto), you're going to want to draft as many players as you can […]

Devin Booker "Ready To Go"

According to Phoenix Suns head coach Mike Budenholzer, guard Devin Booker (ankle) looked "great" in Tuesday's practice, adding he's "ready to go." The 27-year-old sat out the Suns' previous two contests because of right ankle soreness. However, the team was likely playing things safe. Booker is coming off a quality season, averaging 27.1 points, 6.9 […]

Paul George Diagnosed With A Bone Bruise

Philadelphia 76ers guard/forward Paul George (knee) was diagnosed with a bone bruise. He will be re-evaluated in one week. While there is "no structural damage," the timeline could mean George will miss the start of the regular season. The latest update shouldn't impact his fantasy value ahead of the 2024-25 campaign, barring a setback. However, […]

Scotty Pippen Jr., Grizzlies Agree To A Four-Year Deal

Memphis Grizzlies guard Scotty Pippen Jr. agreed to a four-year contract with the team. The 23-year-old spent time in the G League and the Los Angeles Lakers before ending up in Memphis last season. He appeared in 21 games for the Grizzlies, averaging 12.9 points and 4.7 assists. With Derrick Rose recently announcing his retirement, […]

Anfernee Simons May Suit Up Wednesday

According to Sean Highkin of RoseGardenReport.com, head coach Chauncey Billups said Portland Trail Blazers guard Anfernee Simons (ankle) practiced Tuesday and could "potentially" play in Wednesday's exhibition contest against Ratiopharm Ulm. Simons has been dealing with minor ankle soreness. If he can't go on Wednesday, the 25-year-old will have another chance to suit up on […]

Brandin Podziemski Waiting For Mask After Suffering A Broken Nose

According to ESPN's Kendra Andrews, Golden State Warriors guard Brandin Podziemski (nose) won't suit up for Tuesday's preseason game against the Lakers. The 21-year-old is waiting for a mask after taking a hit from teammate Trayce Jackson-Davis during Sunday's contest versus the Pistons. After an impressive rookie season, Podziemski is competing for a starting spot with […]

2024-2025 Fantasy Basketball Category Studs: Blocks And Steals

Anyone can score points in today's NBA, right? I mean, does anyone still play defense? True NBA fans get tired of hearing that from casuals. Yes, games are high-scoring, and it may seem like no one is playing defense, but that's not anything close to the truth. The reality is that the rules favor the […]

Coby White Continues To Battle A Groin Issue

Chicago Bulls guard Coby White (groin) remained sidelined for Monday's preseason contest against Milwaukee. White scored a game-high 21 points in Chicago's preseason opener against Cleveland on Oct. 8 but has missed practice time and two games since then. His injury has been described as groin tightness, which doesn't sound too serious, and there's still […]

Paul George Suffers Left Knee Hyperextension Monday Night

Philadelphia 76ers forward Paul George suffered a left knee hyperextension during Monday night's 104-89 preseason victory over the Atlanta Hawks. George suffered the injury early in the second quarter and did not return to the game after. The 34-year-old said he's "not too concerned" about the injury, potentially easing nerves for both Sixers fans and […]

Isaiah Collier Out For At Least 10 Days With Hamstring Strain

Utah Jazz guard Isaiah Collier (hamstring) has officially been diagnosed with a hamstring strain and will miss at least 10 days. According to Tony Jones of The Athletic, the 10-day mark is when the team will re-evaluate how he feels and determine if he needs to miss any more time. That timeline means that he'll […]

Brandin Podziemski Suffers A Broken Nose

Golden State Warriors guard Brandin Podziemski (nose) was forced to leave Sunday night's preseason game after taking a hit from teammate Trayce Jackson-Davis. On Monday, it was confirmed that the second-year guard suffered a broken nose. Brett Siegel reports that Podziemski will be fitted for a face mask and is not expected to miss the […]

Fred VanVleet Intends To Stay In Houston For Long Term

Houston Rockets guard Fred VanVleet signed a three-year deal with the team during the off-season in 2023 after spending seven seasons with the Toronto Raptors. When he got to Houston, they were showing that they were ready to move forward with their younger core but also wanted to start winning. So, VanVleet came in to […]

Lonzo Ball, Bulls Targeting Wednesday For Official Return

Chicago Bulls guard Lonzo Ball (knee) has missed the last two and a half seasons due to multiple surgeries on his left knee, which rendered him unable to climb stairs, let alone play basketball for a while. According to Darnell Mayberry of The Athletic, the team and Ball are targeting Wednesday's preseason game against the […]

Malik Monk Ready For Action On Sunday

Sacramento Kings guard Malik Monk (personal) is cleared to return to action for Sunday's preseason matchup against the Portland Trail Blazers. Monk is back in the mix after missing one game due to personal reasons. It's unclear whether or not Monk is going to be in the starting five to begin the season. Right now, […]

Kevin Huerter Remains Out On Sunday

Sacramento Kings guard Kevin Huerter (shoulder) has been ruled out for the upcoming preseason contest against the Portland Trail Blazers on Sunday. Huerter continues to work his way back from a season-ending shoulder injury. The good news is that he was cleared for full-contact activity on Friday. However, the Kings are going to continue easing […]

Miles McBride Good To Go On Sunday

New York Knicks guard Miles McBride (illness) is available ahead of Sunday's preseason matchup against the Minnesota Timberwolves. This is good news after McBride sat out of Wednesday's exhibition contest due to a minor illness. His return should mean less playing time for Tyler Kolek on Sunday. McBride averaged 8.3 points, 1.5 rebounds, and 1.7 […]

Kevin Huerter Cleared For Full-Contact Work

Sacramento Kings guard Kevin Huerter (shoulder) was cleared for full-contact work. The 26-year-old had the best season of his career in 2022-23, his first in Sacramento, averaging 15.2 points and shooting 40.2% from deep. However, he averaged only 10.2 points in 2023-24 and sustained a season-ending shoulder injury, resulting in a procedure in April. Huerter […]

Fantasy Basketball Sleepers: Bounce-Back Draft Targets for 2024-25

The 2024-25 fantasy basketball season is inching closer as the calendar nears October and draft season is upon us. It’s never too early to look to draft prep and one way to gain an edge as a fantasy manager is to identify players who are primed to bounce back after disappointing years.  In 9-category leagues, […]

Fantasy Basketball Late-Round Sleepers: One-Trick Pony Category Specialists to Target in 2024-25

The beginning of the NBA regular season is rapidly approaching. That means it’s time to draft your fantasy basketball teams. It’s important to begin your draft with well-round players. Taking players like Nikola Jokic, Domantas Sabonis, De’Aaron Fox, and Paolo Banchero can set fantasy managers up for success in multiple categories. Those types of players […]

Jordan Hawkins Expected To Take More Threes

New Orleans Pelicans shooting guard Jordan Hawkins will have the green light to bomb away from deep this season. The Pelicans started the preseason with a 106-104 win over Orlando, attempting 40 shots from three-point range. Hawkins took five of them, sinking two attempts. He led all scorers with 18 points. "They are telling me, […]

Cason Wallace Returns From Ankle Injury

Oklahoma City Thunder guard Cason Wallace (ankle) was back in action against Houston on Wednesday. He suffered a mild ankle sprain in Monday's preseason opener against San Antonio but ended up not missing any preseason action. Wallace logged 21 minutes off the bench in Wednesday's 122-113 overtime loss, posting six points with two rebounds and […]

DaQuan Jeffries Out With Fractured Hand

Charlotte Hornets shooting guard DaQuan Jeffries (hand) has been diagnosed with a fractured right fifth metacarpal and looks set to miss an extended period. A more specific timeline for his return hasn't been announced. Jeffries suffered the injury in Tuesday's preseason game against Miami. The 27-year-old joined the Hornets as a result of the Karl-Anthony […]

Malik Monk Exits Preseason Game For Personal Reasons

Sacramento Kings shooting guard Malik Monk exited Wednesday's preseason game against Golden State early due to personal reasons. In typical fashion, Monk provided microwave scoring off the bench, notching 13 points in 10 minutes. But he went to the locker room in the second quarter and missed the rest of the contest. League sources have […]

2024-2025 Fantasy Basketball Category Studs: Points, Rebounds, And Assists

I truly believe that there are a lot of different pathways to build a winning team in fantasy basketball. Depending on the format of your league, certain players are going to have more or less value, so understanding your league settings and how to draft accordingly is paramount. I don't play in points leagues, but […]

Kevin Huerter Inactive For Wednesday's Game

Sacramento Kings guard Kevin Huerter (shoulder) has been ruled out ahead of Wednesday's preseason matchup against the Golden State Warriors. Huerter continues to recover from a procedure in April to repair a torn labrum. He has been increasing his involvement in practice, but Huerter has yet to be cleared for 5-on-5 activities. The team hasn't […]

Brandin Podziemski, Kevon Looney Starting On Wednesday

Golden State Warriors guard Brandin Podziemski and center Kevon Looney will move into the starting five ahead of Wednesday's preseason matchup against the Sacramento Kings. Head coach Steve Kerr is experimenting with his lineups which is never a bad idea during the preseason. He'll replace De'Anthony Melton and Trayce Jackson-Davis with Podziemski and Looney on […]

Bones Hyland Battling Hip Soreness

Los Angeles Clippers guard Bones Hyland missed Tuesday's preseason clash against Brooklyn with left hip soreness. Hyland could really use a good preseason to boost his stock in Los Angeles, and the hip problem is definitely a setback for him. The 24-year-old did well in the Clippers' preseason opener against Golden State at the weekend, […]

Damion Lee Avoids Serious Injury

Phoenix Suns shooting guard Damion Lee (groin, leg) is reportedly fine following his early exit from Tuesday's preseason game against Detroit. The 31-year-old veteran went to the locker room with three minutes played in the fourth quarter after he was hit in the groin/leg area. However, Gerald Bourguet of PHNX Sports noted after the game […]

Max Strus Suffers Hip Injury In Preseason Game

Cleveland Cavaliers guard/forward Max Strus (hip) was limited to nine minutes in Tuesday's preseason contest against Chicago. He had zero points with two rebounds and one assist before being forced to exit the game due to a right hip contusion. Dean Wade started the second half in Strus' place. Cleveland returns to action on Thursday […]

Malcolm Brogdon Undergoes Surgery

Washington Wizards guard Malcolm Brogdon (thumb) underwent surgery to repair a torn ligament in his right thumb. He will be re-evaluated in four to six weeks. The 31-year-old was traded to Washington during the offseason after averaging 15.7 points, 5.5 assists, and 41.2% shooting from deep with the Blazers in 2023-24. Unfortunately, he was limited […]