RADIO
Bucks Will Waive George Hill
2 months agoThe Milwaukee Bucks intend to waive George Hill, making the guard an unrestricted free agent. While this doesn't rule out a return to the Bucks for Hill, it does open him up to other offers. Hill played in 47 games for Milwaukee, averaging 6.8 points, 2.1 assists, and 2.6 rebounds. He can still score when needed, but he struggled with his three-point shot during his Milwaukee tenure. He should have a decent amount of suitors this offseason for teams in need of a consistent third guard, so fantasy players should keep an eye out for where Hill winds up. A return to Milwaukee could actually be one of the worst things for his fantasy value, though, as they wouldn't need him to be a double-digit scorer.Source: Shams Charania
Cleveland Cavaliers Trade Up To Select Kevin Porter Jr.
2 months agoThe Cleveland Cavaliers have selected USC’s Kevin Porter Jr. with the 30th overall pick in the 2019 NBA Draft. Porter’s draft stock plummeted after originally slotted around the 13th overall pick. Porter has had some off-court issues during his lone year at USC and there are legitimately gripes with his overall maturity. There are also glaring issues with his free throws and foul trouble. However, his original lottery projection was justified on ability alone. There are things on the court only few players are capable of and Porter is one of them. The Cavaliers now have three rookie guards, including Darius Garland and Dylan Windler, who will all battle for playing time next year while Cleveland looks to figure out their future.Source: Adrian Wojnarowski
San Antonio Spurs Draft Keldon Johnson
2 months agoWith the 29th pick in the 2019 NBA Draft, the San Antonio Spurs drafted Kentucky forward Keldon Johnson. Johnson is a solid defender who should be able to help the Spurs on that end of the floor, but his offensive game could use some work. He shot well from deep last year, but we’ll have to see if he can drive and score against NBA defenses or if he’ll be typecast solely as a three-and-D guy. Johnson will need to continue his improvement as a shooter that he showed at Kentucky, and right now he feels like a low-end of the rotation guy off the bat with a chance to grow into a larger role. He’s not a player whose fantasy outlook is clear right now, so keep an eye on Summer League and the preseason to see if his shot continues to come in and if his defense can translate into steals and blocks.Source: Adrian Wojnarowski
Florida State Center Mfiondu Kabengele Selected By Clippers
2 months agoThe Los Angeles Clippers have selected Florida State center Mfiondu Kabengele with the 27th overall pick in the 2019 NBA Draft. Kabengele was originally headed to the Brooklyn Nets, but a trade was made in the final seconds of the draft selection. Kabengele has shown his dedication to the game and hard work pays off as he came out of high school with only two scholarships to Binghamton University and University of Vermont. Kabengele has gotten in great shape and has the physical makings of being a formidable shot blocker in the league. Kabengele was almost unanimous ACC Sixth Man of the Year, averaging 13.2 points, 5.9 rebounds and 1.5 blocks in just 21.6 minutes per game. Kabengele is mostly a high energy center so teams have concerns over his skillset and the longevity of his knees due to size. For now, Kabengele will likely not play many minutes in his first year as he develops and gets stronger.Source: Adrian Wojnarowski
Golden State Warriors Select Jordan Poole
2 months agoThe Golden State Warriors have drafted Michigan guard Jordan Poole with the 28th pick in the 2019 NBA Draft. Last year for the Wolverines, Poole averaged 12.8 points per game and shot 36.9 percent from three. Poole is a good spot up shooter who could one day thrive off the Warriors bench, especially when playing beside Steph Curry, but his Sophomore year at Michigan didn’t feature the kind of improvement that many expected, leading a lot of draft scouts and writers to question if Poole belonged in this year’s draft. He’ll have a chance to prove that on a Warriors team that’ll be in need of offense with Klay Thompson (ACL) set to miss most of next season, but he’s not a player to invest in in fantasy re-draft leagues, as he’s a bit too raw to trust him to do enough with the minutes that he gets.Source: Adrian Wojnarowski
Cleveland Selects Sharpshooter Dylan Windler
2 months agoThe Cleveland Cavaliers have selected Belmont’s Dylan Windler with the 26th overall pick in the 2019 NBA Draft. The Cavaliers were able to get an automatic guard in Windler to pair with the electric Collin Sexton in the frontcourt. Windler scored 21.3 points per game while shooting 42.3 percent from three and average 10.3 rebounds per game in his final season at Belmont University. Coming in at 6’8”, Windler has all the makings of a complementary combo guard for Cleveland. Barring any free agency moves, Windler has a legitimate chance to make an immediate impact while possibly earning a starting spot. Windler’s floor should be a three-point specialist with good percentages across the board.Source: Adrian Wojnarowski
Ty Jerome Drafted By Phoenix At 24th Overall
2 months agoThe Phoenix Suns have selected University of Virginia guard Ty Jerome with the 24th overall pick in the 2019 NBA Draft. Originally the Sixers pick, the 24th pick was traded to Boston as Philadelphia moved up in the draft. Then, Boston was able to flip the 24th pick over to the Phoenix Suns who selected a much needed point guard in Jerome. Jerome was one of the best pick-and-roll guards outside of Ja Morant in this NBA draft, leading UVA to a national championship. Jerome also made a name as a sharpshooter. Jerome scored 1.445 points per catch and shoot jump shot which was good for the 97th percentile in the NCAA. Jerome should fit in nicely in Phoenix playing with Devin Booker either as the main facilitator or off-ball. Jerome can be a late-round sleeper with upside in assists and threes.Source: NBA.com/stats
Portland Trail Blazers Draft Nassir Little
2 months agoWith the 25th pick in the 2019 NBA Draft, the Portland Trail Blazers have selected North Carolina forward Nassir Little. A highly-touted player out of high school, Little’s only college season was essentially a disaster. He played just 18.2 minutes per game, scoring 9.8 points and grabbing 4.6 rebounds per game. Little shot 26.9 percent from three. The talent is there for Little, but his draft stock took a dive as he was unable to turn that talent into production. If he can get things together, he can be a wing with the ability to create his own shot, but until we see Little able to actually hit jumpers, he’ll fit solidly into the “project” category, making him not someone to target in fantasy re-draft leagues, though his talent would make him an intriguing dynasty prospect.Source: Adrian Wojnarowski
Thunder Select High School Mystery Darius Bazley
2 months agoThe Oklahoma City Thunder have selected Darius Bazley with the 23rd overall pick in the 2019 NBA Draft. Bazley is one of the most ambiguous prospects in this year’s draft. Bazley was a top-20, arguably top-10 high school prospect in 2018 out of high school. However, Bazley forego his college career with hopes to play in the G League or overseas. Neither of those paths happened so Bazley spent the 2018-19 season preparing, physically and mentally, for the 2019 NBA Draft. His preparations paid off as he will start his NBA career in OKC. Bazley is impressive physically coming in at 6’9” with a 7’0” wingspan. Bazley is also coming in at only 19 years old and has the physical tools to develop into a competent player on the big stage, especially playing behind superstar Paul George. Bazley likely won’t be fantasy relevant any time soon, but could develop into someone special when he gets older.Source: Shams Charania
Grant Williams Selected By Boston At 22nd Overall
2 months agoThe Boston Celtics selected Tennessee forward Grant Williams with the 22nd pick in the 2019 NBA Draft. Williams had his best year in 2018 in his third season as a Volunteer, finishing things up by averaging 18.8 points, 7.5 boards, and 1.5 blocks. With Al Horford likely departing via free agency and with the potential of Aron Baynes being dealt, he has the potential to earn some minutes and contribute for a Celtics team that is hurting up front, something that will also positively impact his fantasy draft stock this fall.Source: Brian Lewis
Philadelphia 76ers Trade Up For Matisse Thybulle
2 months agoThe Philadelphia 76ers have traded up with the Boston Celtics, selecting Washington forward Matisse Thybulle with the 20th pick in the 2019 NBA Draft. Thybulle might be the best defensive prospect in this year’s draft class, a guy capable of defending any position who put up elite block percentages and steal percentages for the Huskies last year. His shooting has oscillated between good and not so good over four college seasons, but if Thybulle is able to get back to knocking down the three consistently — he shot over 40 percent as a Sophomore — then he’ll be a huge piece for a Sixers team whose bench has a lot of holes. Thybulle has a path towards fantasy relevance right off the bat, though that will depend on how free agency goes for the Sixers. Keep an eye on him.Source: Adrian Wojnarowski
Chuma Okeke Selected By Magic
2 months agoAuburn Tigers power forward Chuma Okeke was taken by the Orlando Magic with the 16th pick in the 2019 NBA Draft. Okeke averaged 12 points and 6.8 boards last year in college. Also last season Okeke had 1.2 blocks and 1.8 steals a contest. The value of Okeke will be solely dependent on what happens with Magic center Nikola Vucevic. Vucevic is a free agent and if he resigns with the Magic Okeke will be the second big off the bench for the Magic. But if Vucevic signs with another team Okeke would be their first big man off the bench and be a decent fantasy value in deeper dynasty leagues as he provides production in multiple categories. With Okeke's future up in the air, it would be wise for fantasy players don't select him in redraft leagues as he doesn't have a defined role.Source: Matt Sparkington
Memphis Grizzlies Trade Up For Brandon Clarke
2 months agoWith the 21st pick in the 2019 NBA Draft, the Memphis Grizzlies — after a trade with the Oklahoma City Thunder — have selected Gonzaga forward Brandon Clarke. Clarke was an incredible rim protector and interior scorer for Gonzaga last year, shooting 68 percent from the floor, mainly through a combination of cuts and post moves. Clarke also has the ability to defend any position, something that should be useful on a young Grizzlies team. He’ll pair well with Grizzlies big Jaren Jackson Jr., a skilled player inside and out, which will allow the Grizzlies to play the two together without too many spacing worries. Clarke’s NBA numbers won’t wow anyone, but he’ll be a solid contributor and should be someone that fantasy owners keep an eye on during Summer League and the preseason to see how his game is working.Source: Adrian Wojnarowski
Spurs Select Croatian Forward Luka Samanic
2 months agoThe San Antonio Spurs have selected Luka Samanic with the 19th overall pick in the 2019 NBA Draft. Would it be a real NBA draft without San Antonio selecting a player from overseas? Samanic is listed at 6’10”, but can play a variety of positions. Many teams believe Samanic is currently at his floor of potential at only 19 years old. Samanic has a strength inside with footwork and has consistently gotten stronger in order to play in today’s game. However, Samanic has also improved his outside game each year with his past year reaching a career high in three-point efficiency. Samanic is coming into the league as a stretch four due to his inconsistencies on offense and poor passing. Samanic will likely have a small role off the bench in San Antonio with the possibility of playing in the G League on a two-way contract.Source: NBA TV
Goga Bitadze Selected By Indiana
2 months agoThe Indiana Pacers selected international center Goga Bitadze with the 18th overall pick in the 2019 NBA Draft. The former EuroLeague star from the Republic of Georgia averaged a little over 12 points, 6.8 boards, and 2.3 blocks in 2018 with Buducnost. He will need to improve defensively, but his range from deep makes him a versatile asset in category leagues this upcoming fantasy season. Keep an eye on him, with his draft stock rising especially if the team ends up dealing big man Myles Turner during the offseason in addition to not resigning wingman Bojan Bogdanovic.Source: Brian Lewis
