Jakob Poeltl Dealing With Back Issue

Toronto Raptors center Jakob Poeltl (back) wasn't available for Monday's preseason matchup against the Denver Nuggets. According to TSN's Josh Lewenberg, Poeltl is dealing with back soreness. This doesn't sound like a serious issue, but Poeltl could miss some additional preseason action because of it. During the new campaign, Poeltl has a lot to live […]

Aaron Gordon Misses Preseason Action for Maintenance Purposes

Denver Nuggets power forward Aaron Gordon sat out Monday's preseason game against the Toronto Raptors for maintenance purposes. According to Katy Winge of Altitude TV, Gordon still went through his usual intense game-speed warmup. This suggests that there is nothing specific bothering Gordon. However, it's not surprising to see the Nuggets being cautious with Gordon, […]

Cole Anthony Receives Stitches for Chin Laceration

Milwaukee Bucks guard Cole Anthony (face) was forced to exit Monday's preseason affair against the Miami Heat early. He suffered a chin laceration and needed stitches. Anthony was a victim of friendly fire, as teammate Bobby Portis accidentally hit him in the face with his elbow while grabbing a rebound. In the game, Anthony was […]

Jalen Green Close to Returning

Phoenix Suns guard Jalen Green (hamstring) is close to being available for the team, Duane Rankin of The Arizona Republic reports. Green is dealing with a left hamstring strain and didn't play in Friday's preseason opener against the Los Angeles Lakers. The Suns now face a couple of contests against the Brooklyn Nets in China […]

Category Studs: Points, Rebounds, And Assists Targets For Fantasy Basketball (2025-2026)

Regardless of whether you play points or categories leagues in fantasy basketball, one thing is true: players who can stuff the boxscore are immensely valuable. Building a team with strengths around harder-to-get areas, like steals and blocks, is important, but without a strong foundation around the most important areas of the game, winning a minimum […]

Nikola Topic Slated to Miss Several Weeks

Brandon Rahbar of DailyThunder.com reports that Oklahoma City Thunder guard Nikola Topic (groin) underwent testicular surgery on Monday and will be re-evaluated in 4-to-6 weeks. It's another tough break for the 20-year-old rookie, who already missed the entire 2024-25 campaign with a torn ACL. Topic was expected to compete for backup minutes behind star point […]

Bogdan Bogdanovic Expected to Suit Up for Preseason Opener on Thursday

According to Joey Linn of SI.com, Los Angeles Clippers guard Bogdan Bogdanovic (hamstring) is expected to suit up for Thursday's preseason opener versus the Guangzhou Loong Lions. On Saturday, Bogdanovic competed in five-on-five scrimmages with no restrictions. The 33-year-old has spent several weeks recovering from a hamstring injury that occurred during EuroBasket in August. Barring any […]

Bradley Beal Expects to be Ready For Opening Night

Joey Linn of SI.com reports that Los Angeles Clippers guard Bradley Beal (knee) participated in a team scrimmage on Monday. Beal won't be on the floor for Thursday's preseason opener. However, Linn states that the 32-year-old veteran guard expects to be ready to start the regular season. Beal's fantasy value has tumbled in recent seasons […]

LeBron James Teases "Second Decision" Ahead of Season 23

Los Angeles Lakers superstar LeBron James has announced that he will make "The Second Decision" on Tuesday, October 7, at 12 p.m. Eastern time. Entering his 23rd NBA season, the 40-year-old continues to defy age while maintaining elite production, earning All-NBA Second Team honors last year with averages of 24.4 points, 7.8 rebounds, and 8.2 […]

Karl-Anthony Towns Slims Down to Shine at Power Forward

New York Knicks big man Karl-Anthony Towns has reshaped his body this offseason to prepare for an expanded role at power forward. After averaging 24.4 points and 12.8 rebounds across 72 games last year, Towns is expected to share the frontcourt with Mitchell Robinson, giving New York a dominant rebounding and defensive duo. The slimmer […]

Stephen Curry Focused on Present, Not Retirement Clock

Golden State Warriors superstar Stephen Curry isn't ready to discuss the end of his legendary career just yet. Entering his 17th NBA season at age 37, Curry told reporters he has "no clue" when retirement will come, admitting only that it's "closer than it was even yesterday." The four-time NBA champion and two-time MVP remains […]

Ben Sheppard Won't Play in Preseason Opener

Indiana Pacers guard Ben Sheppard (undisclosed) will not play in the team's first preseason game on Tuesday against the Minnesota Timberwolves. Head coach Rick Carlisle didn't specify any type of injury that Sheppard is dealing with, but reporter Tony East states that it sounds like Sheppard will be able to play at some point in […]

There is "Distance" Between Hawks, Dyson Daniels in Extension Talks

Atlanta Hawks guard Dyson Daniels is eligible for his rookie extension as he enters his fourth year in the NBA and second season with the team. The 22-year-old was named the Most Improved Player of the Year last season and made the All-Defensive First Team, along with a second-place finish for Defensive Player of the […]

Wizards Sign Skal Labissiere to Exhibit 10 Deal

The Washington Wizards are signing forward/center Skal Labissiere to an Exhibit 10 contract on Monday. The 29-year-old big man last played for the Sacramento Kings in the 2024-25 season, where he appeared in four games and only averaged three minutes per contest. Before that, his last season in the NBA was 2019-20 with the Portland […]

Ja Morant Suffers Sprained Ankle, Considered Week-to-Week

Memphis Grizzlies guard Ja Morant (ankle) has had quite the laundry list of injuries over the past few seasons. Unfortunately, there's another to add to the list as Michael Wallace of Grizzlies.com reports that Morant suffered a sprained ankle on Sunday at practice. The team spokesperson said that Morant is considered week-to-week, as they'll likely […]

Fantasy Basketball Punting Guide and Strategies - Top Targets for 2025-26 Drafts

When drafting your fantasy team, there are several different strategies that you can deploy. Rather than blindly building out your roster based on who's available, it's crucial to enter your draft with a well-defined game plan. Over the last decade, punting categories have become a tactical strategy across the fantasy community. If you aren't familiar […]

Golden State Expected to Put Jonathan Kuminga on the Trade Block Once Eligible

According to NBA insider Jake Fischer, the Golden State Warriors are expected to make forward Jonathan Kuminga available once he's eligible to be traded on January 15. After months of negotiations, the Warriors and Kuminga finally agreed to a two-year, $48.5 million contract. However, it's safe to say both sides are looking to end their […]

Giannis Antetokounmpo Back at Practice

Milwaukee Bucks forward Giannis Antetokounmpo (illness) practiced with the team on Saturday. The multi-time MVP was battling COVID-19 while still in Greece, delaying his return back to the United States to participate in the first few days of training camp. "I think it took a toll on my body. I'm not 100% yet physically," Antetokounmpo […]

Jayson Tatum to Return in March?

According to NBA insider Jake Fischer, Boston Celtics forward Jayson Tatum (Achilles) appears to have a chance to return to the court in March. The 27-year-old suffered a torn Achilles in Game 4 of the Eastern Conference Semifinals series with the New York Knicks back in May, resulting in surgery the very next day. Miraculously, […]

Devin Booker Likely Playing on Friday

Phoenix Suns guard Devin Booker is expected to suit up for Friday's preseason matchup against the Los Angeles Lakers. Fantasy managers don't need to worry as Booker isn't dealing with an injury. The Suns are just attempting to limit his reps ahead of the regular season. If he plays, it's uncertain if Booker will have […]

Luka Doncic Won't Play This Weekend

Los Angeles Lakers guard Luka Doncic (rest) won't suit up for both preseason contests this weekend. The Lakers have decided to hold out Doncic both Friday and Sunday for rest purposes, according to Khobi Price. Fantasy managers don't need to worry as this is only the Lakers managing his reps. Doncic played with Slovenia this […]

Josh Giddey Returns to Full Practice

Chicago Bulls guard Josh Giddey (ankle) returned to practice as a full participant on Friday. This is good news after Giddey missed Thursday's practice with a minor foot injury. It sounds like he tweaked it earlier in the week, but is going to be fine moving forward. Fantasy managers should expect Giddey to be back […]

Matas Buzelis has Team Optioned Accepted

Chicago Bulls forward Matas Buzelis had his 2026-2027 rookie team option picked up by the organization on Friday. This is his third-year option as he'll be under contract for next season at $5.7 million. This comes as no surprise that the Bulls are bringing back the 11th overall pick from the 2024 draft. Last season, […]

Alex Burns's Fantasy Basketball Rankings (Categories): Top 200 for 2025-2026 Drafts

If you are reading this, congratulations! You have officially entered into the greatest time of the year - Fantasy Basketball draft season! With the NBA regular season set to tip off in just a few short weeks, now is the ultimate time to begin preparations for your draft(s). And what better way to start than […]

Giannis Antetokounmpo to Join the Bucks in Miami

Milwaukee Bucks forward Giannis Antetokounmpo (illness) will reportedly meet the team in Miami leading up to the exhibition with the Heat. The multi-time MVP averaged 27.3 points in seven games for Greece in FIBA 2025 EuroBasket. Unfortunately, he came down with a case of COVID-19, preventing his return to the United States. It's unknown if […]

Jaden Ivey Fully Recovered From Fractured Fibula

Detroit Pistons guard Jaden Ivey (leg) is healthy and ready to play after suffering a fractured fibula during the New Year's Day meeting with the Orlando Magic. Admittedly, it wasn't an easy rehab process for the 23-year-old, but with the injury behind him, he's looking forward to the start of the season. "The journey has […]

OG Anunoby Was Inactive for the Knicks' Preseason Opener

New York Knicks forward OG Anunoby (hand) was inactive for the team's Thursday contest in Abu Dhabi against the 76ers. The starting forward sprained his hand yesterday during practice, but the injury is not seen as significant going forward. Pacome Dadiet started in his place, which may have been in an attempt to showcase Dadiet […]

Adem Bona Starts in Place of Joel Embiid on Thursday

Philadelphia 76ers center Adem Bona stepped into the starting lineup for Thursday's exhibition opener in Abu Dhabi. True to form, Bona had a few highlight-reel plays but also struggled with foul trouble. He only ended up logging 14 minutes and contributing four points, two rebounds, an assist, and a block. Andre Drummond only played eight […]

Dominick Barlow Grabs 10 Boards in Abu Dhabi

Philadelphia 76ers forward Dominick Barlow started at power forward for the Sixers on Thursday afternoon and continued his strong training camp with 10 rebounds, six points, two assists, and one steal. He made significant contributions defensively in the Sixers' 99-84 loss and could be playing his way into a larger role in the rotation, especially […]

Miles McBride Leads the Knicks to an Exhibition Win in Abu Dhabi

Knicks guard Miles McBride played a team-high 21 minutes off the bench in the team's exhibition opener in Abu Dhabi on Thursday. He also led the way with 12 points while adding five rebounds, three steals, and two assists. He was very efficient, knocking down 5-of-7 shots overall and 2-of-4 from long range. Coming off […]