NBA News
Alexandre Sarr Hopes To Play In Thursday's Season Opener
Washington Wizards forward/center Alexandre Sarr (calf) hopes to be available when the team kicks off its 2024-25 campaign by hosting the defending-champion Boston Celtics on Thursday. He's nursing calf soreness, which forced Sarr to miss Washington's final two preseason games. Sarr looked in good form during the preseason before dropping out of the lineup. He averaged 11.3 points, 5.3 rebounds, and 1.6 blocks while shooting 54 percent from three-point range with 3.4 attempts. The 19-year-old would become a very popular man among fantasy managers if he manages to post similar numbers during the regular season.
2 hours ago
Vince Williams Jr. "A Couple Of Weeks Away" From Playing
Memphis Grizzlies guard/forward Vince Williams Jr. (shin) has been ruled out for the start of the season. According to Grizzlies head coach Taylor Jenkins, Williams Jr. is "a couple of weeks away" from being ready to play. The 24-year-old is recovering from a shin stress reaction. Once he's healthy again, Williams Jr. will be leading the second unit. He did most of his damage as a starter last year, so Williams Jr.'s fantasy stock will be lower in 2024-25 unless Memphis starts losing its key guys to injuries again. Jake LaRavia and John Konchar should handle Williams Jr.'s minutes until he's ready to return. Neither player is a good fantasy option.
2 hours ago
Luke Kennard To Miss First Week Of Regular Season
Memphis Grizzlies shooting guard Luke Kennard (foot) has been ruled out for at least the first week of the 2024-25 regular season by head coach Taylor Jenkins. Kennard is battling foot soreness sustained during preseason action last week. Memphis has three games scheduled for the first week, starting with a matchup against Utah on Wednesday. John Konchar could see more time on the court in Kennard's absence, although the Grizzlies have their regular backcourt healthy for the start of the season, leaving the bench guys with few opportunities to make an impact.
3 hours ago
Patrick Williams Practices On Monday
Chicago Bulls forward Patrick Williams (ankle) was able to practice on Monday. He exited Chicago's preseason finale against Cleveland with an ankle injury, but it looks like it wasn't anything serious. Williams also battled a wrist injury during the preseason. However, as of right now, Williams should be expected to be in the lineup for Wednesday's season opener against New Orleans. The 23-year-old is set to begin the campaign as a starter, and fantasy managers could get some decent value out of him. Last season, Williams averaged 11.1 points, 4.4 rebounds, 1.6 assists, 0.8 blocks, and 0.9 steals in 30 games as a member of the first unit.
3 hours ago
Nicolas Claxton Remains On Track To Play In Season Opener
Brooklyn Nets center Nicolas Claxton (hamstring) is trending in the right direction and is expected to play in Wednesday's season opener against Atlanta. Claxton missed the preseason due to a hamstring issue but has had a chance to rehab the injury for a few weeks now and should be good to go on Wednesday. Claxton averaged 10.8 points, 10.5 rebounds, and 1.5 blocks against the Hawks a season ago and could have even more fun on Wednesday night, as Atlanta's bigs have been troubled by health issues. Clint Capela (ankle) was hurt near the end of preseason, and Onyeka Okongwu missed most of the preseason action while recovering from a toe procedure, making only one 16-minute appearance.
3 hours ago
Jarred Vanderbilt Out On Tuesday
Los Angeles Lakers power forward Jarred Vanderbilt (foot) isn't ready to play in Tuesday's season opener against the Timberwolves. After having procedures done on both feet in May, there was hope a week ago that Vanderbilt would be ready for the start of the regular season, but he still needs more time to recover. He will sit out at least the first five games before being re-evaluated. This is a bitter blow for Vanderbilt after he already missed most of last season because of health issues. Due to his absence, Rui Hachimura has had an opportunity to lock down a starting role. He posted 15.4 points and 4.8 rebounds as a starter last season.
3 hours ago
Christian Koloko Will Not Play In Season Opener
Los Angeles Lakers center Christian Koloko (illness) will sit out Tuesday's season opener against Minnesota. Following a bout with blood clots, Koloko isn't yet ready to play. The Cameroonian big man was brought in on a two-way contract last month. He adds an extra frontcourt option to the Lakers but isn't expected to play a big role for the team, and it appears likely that Koloko will spend most of the campaign in the G League.
3 hours ago
Jaden Hardy, Mavs Agree On Contract Extension
Dallas Mavericks guard Jaden Hardy agreed to a three-year, $18 million contract extension with the team. The 22-year-old has spent his first two seasons in the league with the Mavs, averaging 7.9 points and shooting 37.9% from behind the arc. Although Hardy gives Dallas a reliable bench option, he'll likely have a tough time entering any fantasy lineups this season. However, if Luka Doncic or Kyrie Irving miss time during the 2024-25 campaign, which will likely happen, Hardy has streaming potential.
14 hours ago
Aaron Gordon Gets Contract Extension From Denver
According to ESPN's Shams Charania, Denver Nuggets forward Aaron Gordon agreed to a four-year, $133 million contract extension with the club. The deal includes a player option in 2028-29. There were questions when this would happen. However, the team made the deal on the eve of the start of the NBA season. The 29-year-old has been instrumental to the Nuggets' success over the years, most recently averaging 13.9 points, 6.5 rebounds, and 3.5 assists in 2023-24. As long as Gordon remains healthy, he'll see more than enough minutes to be at least a top-50 fantasy asset at the position in points leagues. But his shooting from behind the arc will compromise his desirability in category formats.
14 hours ago
Marcus Sasser Has Option Picked Up By Detroit
The Pistons picked up the third-year team option on guard Marcus Sasser on Monday. The 24-year-old had a decent rookie campaign in 2023-24, averaging 8.3 points and 3.3 assists (13.1 points and 4.7 assists in 11 starts). While he'll come off the bench, there is potential for some starts this season, considering Cade Cunningham has had issues staying healthy over the years. For now, Sasser shouldn't be viewed as anything more than a dynasty stash.
14 hours ago
Pistons Exercise Team Option On Ausar Thompson
The Pistons picked up the third-year team option on forward Ausar Thompson (illness) on Monday. Thompson, selected with the No. 5 overall pick in the 2023 NBA Draft, averaged 8.8 points, 6.4 rebounds, and 1.1 steals. However, he shot a rough 18.6% from behind the arc. Even worse, a blood clot ended his season abruptly. As of now, it's hard to justify Thompson taking up a spot on fantasy rosters, considering he is without a timetable regarding his return. Still, he's worth monitoring. But until he returns, the team could look to Tim Hardaway Jr. and Simone Fontecchio to fill the void in the lineup, with the latter having a higher ceiling for fantasy managers.
14 hours ago
Detroit Picks Up Option On Jalen Duren
The Pistons exercised the fourth-year option on center Jalen Duren on Monday. The 20-year-old averaged a double-double last season (13.8 points, 11.6 rebounds). He also significantly improved his free-throw percentage from his rookie campaign. While the franchise sees potential in Duren, he hasn't logged more than 67 games in each of his first two seasons in the National Basketball Association. Fantasy managers should keep that in mind, although he'll be a consistent fantasy performer whenever he's on the floor during the 2024-25 campaign.
14 hours ago
Pistons Exercise Option For Jaden Ivey
The Pistons exercised the fourth-year option for guard Jaden Ivey on Monday. The 22-year-old is coming off a rough season, where he spent some time coming off the bench. However, he wasn't horrible, averaging 15.4 points, 3.8 assists, and 3.4 rebounds. But fantasy managers have plenty of reasons to be optimistic about Ivey's potential heading into the 2024-25 campaign, considering he's been routinely praised by new head coach J.B. Bickerstaff. He's also missed only 13 games during his NBA career, which is another positive for fantasy managers. That said, Ivey's three-point percentage needs work. The same is true for his free-throw percentage. Yet, the upside is there, so fantasy managers could easily see Ivey surpass his ADP expectations this year.
15 hours ago
Alperen Sengun, Rockets Agree To A Massive Contract Extension
According to ESPN's Bobby Marks, the Rockets and center Alperen Sengun agreed to a five-year, $185 million contract extension. There were questions if and when this would get done. However, it appears Houston made it a priority to extend Sengun on the same day the team also rewarded Jalen Green with a new deal. The 2021 No. 16 overall pick had easily the best season of his career in 2023-24, averaging 21.1 points, 9.3 rebounds, 5.0 assists, and 1.2 steals. He's not the most proficient shot-blocker, something for category managers to consider. Sengun also logged only 63 games last season, so he'll need to stay on the floor more often throughout the 2024-25 campaign. If the 22-year-old can stay healthy, he has All-Star potential.
15 hours ago
Grayson Allen Hopeful To Suit Up On Wednesday
Phoenix Suns guard Grayson Allen (Achilles) is still working his way back from an Achilles injury and his status for the team's season opener is in doubt. The good news is that Allen said to Gerald Bourguet that he was able "to do everything" in practice on Monday and he's hopefully to be ready for their first game on Wednesday. Allen has been an important rotational piece for this team as a three-and-D type of player. Last season, he averaged 13.5 points, 3.9 rebounds, 3.0 assists, 2.7 threes, and 1.3 turnovers while shooting a red-hot 46.1% from beyond the arc.
18 hours ago
Corey Kispert Gets Four-Year Extension With Wizards
Washington Wizards forward Corey Kispert will remain in DC for the foreseeable future after agreeing on a new contract extension. According to Shams Charania of ESPN, Kispert signed a four-year deal worth $54 million on Monday afternoon. The 25-year-old was the team's 15th-overall pick in the 2021 NBA Draft and has been a very consistent role player for them over the past three years. Throughout his time in Washington so far, he's averaged 10.9 points, 2.8 rebounds, 1.4 assists, and 2.0 threes per game. He posted a career-high 13.4 points per game last season as well.
18 hours ago
Magic, Jalen Suggs Agree On Five-Year Contract Extension
Orlando Magic guard Jalen Suggs just cashed in on a massive deal after being named to an All-Defensive team last season. The former fifth-overall pick agreed to a five-year extension that will pay him $150.5 million to stay in Orlando. With Cole Anthony remaining on the bench and Markelle Fultz not on the team anymore, Suggs is primed to take on an even bigger role on both sides of the ball. Last year was his healthiest season so far as he appeared in 75 games and averaged 12.6 points, 3.1 rebounds, 2.7 assists, 2.0 threes, 1.4 steals, and 1.8 turnovers per game while shooting 47.1% from the floor and 39.7% from beyond the arc.
18 hours ago
Kristaps Porzingis Ruled Out For Tuesday's Season Opener
Boston Celtics center Kristaps Porzingis (foot) has been ruled out for the team's season opener against the New York Knicks on Tuesday. The star big man has been rehabbing from surgery on his foot and is not ready to take the floor just yet. There hasn't been a specific timetable reported, so fantasy managers will have to monitor his status in the meantime. Al Horford will take on some more minutes while the other opportunities will likely be spread between Luke Kornet, Xavier Tillman Sr., and maybe even Neemias Queta. Horford and Kornet are likely the better streamers to start the season.
18 hours ago
Jalen Green Signs Three-Year Extension With Rockets
Houston Rockets guard Jalen Green received a big payday ahead of his fourth season in the NBA. According to Kelly Iko of The Athletic, Green and the Rockets agreed on a three-year extension worth $106 million. The first year of the deal is worth $33.5 million, and the deal even includes a player option for the last year. Green has averaged 19.8 points, 4.1 rebounds, 3.3 assists, 2.4 threes, and 2.3 turnovers per game across three seasons in Houston. He'll look to lead a completely revamped team from when he was first drafted to their first playoff appearance since the 2019-20 season.
19 hours ago
Warriors, Jonathan Kuminga Don't Reach Agreement On Extension
Golden State Warriors forward Jonathan Kuminga is fresh off of his best season yet and is entering a big contract year with his rookie deal set to expire at the end of the upcoming season. The two sides were not able to agree on a rookie contract extension, so he will be a restricted free agent during the 2025 offseason. Last year, Kuminga averaged 16.1 points, 4.8 rebounds, 2.2 assists, and 1.6 turnovers per game with shooting splits of .529/.321/.746. He's set to receive even more minutes heading into this season, so he'll be playing for even more money now.
19 hours ago
