June 21, 2025
According to NBA insiders Marc Stein and Jake Fischer, the Miami Heat are opposed to including center
Kel'el Ware in a possible deal for Phoenix Suns forward
Kevin Durant. It's safe to say Miami isn't willing to trade him at all, considering his progression throughout the 2024-25 campaign. Ware got off to a slow start in his first season in the National Basketball Association. Yet, he improved significantly toward the end of the season and would finish with averages of 9.3 points, 7.4 rebounds, and 1.1 blocks. It's logical to assume the 21-year-old should see an uptick in most statistical categories next season, although a swap with Phoenix for Durant could move
Bam Adebayo back to the five spot. Either way, dynasty managers must keep Ware on the roster, especially since it appears he has All-Star potential for years to come.
--Dennis ClausenSource: Mark Stein, Jake Fischer
June 21, 2025
According to Michael Grange of Sportsnet, the Toronto Raptors are unwilling to include center
Jakob Poeltl in a potential trade for Phoenix Suns forward
Kevin Durant. While that could mean players like
Immanuel Quickley and
RJ Barrett aren't safe from being moved, it appears Poeltl has a secure spot on the roster, at least for now. The 29-year-old is coming off the best season of his career in his second stint in Toronto, averaging 14.5 points, 9.6 rebounds, 1.2 blocks, 1.2 steals, and 67.4% shooting from the free throw line. Unfortunately, Poeltl appeared in 57 games or fewer in the last two seasons, so he'll need to figure out how to stay off the injury report before he earns more respect from fantasy managers.
--Dennis ClausenSource: Michael Grange
June 20, 2025
Charlotte Hornets guard
Josh Green (shoulder) underwent surgery to "address instability" in his left shoulder. He is out indefinitely. The team will likely provide periodic updates over the next few months. Still, fantasy managers shouldn't count on him being on the floor to begin the 2025-26 campaign, at least until there is more clarity surrounding his condition. The 24-year-old logged 68 games for the Hornets last season, averaging 7.4 points, 1.1 steals, and 39.1% shooting from deep. While Green should remain efficient from behind the three-point line, there's a chance he could be removed from the starting lineup. Even if he stays with the first five, he may have a tough time staying involved offensively if
LaMelo Ball (ankle) and
Brandon Miller (wrist) can stay healthy.
--Dennis ClausenSource: Michael Scotto
June 20, 2025
Dallas Mavericks forward/center
Dwight Powell exercised his $4 million player option on Friday. The 33-year-old has spent nearly his entire career in Dallas. However, he's coming off arguably his worst season in the National Basketball Association, averaging 2.1 points and 2.1 rebounds in 55 games during the 2024-25 campaign. The Mavericks' roster is loaded with bigs, at least as of now, meaning Powell's statistical contributions likely won't improve. It's also hard to imagine he'll have any streaming potential for fantasy managers during the season, assuming he remains in Dallas moving ahead.
--Dennis ClausenSource: Marc Stein
June 20, 2025
Minnesota Timberwolves forward/centers
Naz Reid and
Julius Randle are both expected to be back in Minnesota next season, according to coach Chris Finch on Friday. Finch said, "Absolutely, yes," he expects both players on the roster next season, even though both have player options. Earlier reports this offseason indicate that Reid is likely to opt out of his deal, which is not a surprise since he could likely get a much bigger deal if he signs a new contract. It sounds like Finch expects him to re-sign with the Wolves, although it would be fascinating to see him in a bigger role with a new team from a fantasy perspective. If both return to Minnesota, Reid will likely serve as the team's sixth man again in 2025-26 and be the primary backup for both Randle and
Rudy Gobert.
--Zach ThompsonSource: Jon Krawczynski
June 20, 2025
Indiana Pacers guard
T.J. McConnell stepped up in his 24 minutes off the bench in Game 6 and posted a great stat line. He finished with 12 points, nine rebounds, six assists, and four steals while helping to pick up some extra minutes while
Tyrese Haliburton (calf) played through injury. McConnell has scored double-digit points off the bench in four of the six games in the series, averaging 11.3 points, 3.2 rebounds, 4.5 assists and 2.3 steals per game. If Haliburton is still ailing in Game 7 on Sunday, McConnell will need to step up and carry more of the workload again. He makes a great DFS option in his expanded role and his multi-category upside makes him one of the key reserves that could help determine who walks away with the NBA Championship this Sunday night.
--Zach ThompsonSource: ESPN.com
June 20, 2025
Oklahoma City Thunder forward
Jalen Williams ended up with a career-worst minus-40 plus/minus on Thursday night as his team was blown out by the Pacers, forcing a Game 7 in the NBA Finals on Sunday night in Oklahoma City. It was the lowest plus/minus for any NBA player in the NBA Finals during the play-by-play era. Williams went 0-for-4 on three-point attempts and 6-for-13 from the field to finish with just 16 points in 27 minutes. The 24-year-old All-Star had at least 25 points in three straight games before Thursday's letdown and was coming off an impressive 40-point game in Game 5 at home. He'll look to get back to that level when the Thunder return home to Paycom Center for the deciding Game 7 on Sunday night.
--Zach ThompsonSource: ESPN.com
June 20, 2025
Oklahoma City Thunder point guard
Shai Gilgeous-Alexander had a disappointing performance in Game 6 of the NBA Finals on Thursday night, and now will have to win Game 7 at home to claim the NBA Championship. SGA had an uncharacteristic eight turnovers in the defeat after averaging only 2.4 turnovers per game during the regular season. He still led the team with 21 points and added four rebounds and two assists, but he and the Thunder never recovered from a rough second quarter in which they were outscored 36-17. The reigning MVP will look to secure the title for his team at home in Game 7, but he'll need a much better showing than he had on Thursday to get the job done.
--Zach ThompsonSource: ESPN.com
June 20, 2025
Indiana Pacers guard
Tyrese Haliburton (calf) was able to play in Game 6 and only needed to play 23 minutes to help his team get the win it needed to extend the NBA Finals to a Game 7 on Sunday. He finished with 14 points, five assists, two steals, and one rebound and had an impressive +25 plus/minus in his 23 minutes on the floor. He hit some big shots to help the Pacers take control in the second quarter, and the team was able to manage his minutes since they extended the lead and were never truly challenged in the second half. Haliburton is playing through a calf injury that may have cost him multiple weeks in the regular season, but he was strong enough to play Game 6 and will almost certainly suit up again in Game 7 to attempt to secure his team the Championship.
--Zach ThompsonSource: ESPN.com
June 20, 2025
Indiana Pacers forward/center
Obi Toppin scored 20 points off the bench in 23 minutes in his team's Game 6 win, going 6-for-12 from the field and 4-for-7 from long range. He added six rebounds and two steals, and he continues to be a strong contributor off the bench for Indiana. In the NBA Finals, he is averaging 12.8 points, 5.5 rebounds, 1.2 assists, and 2.2 three-pointers in 24.3 minutes per game. Toppin has at least 12 points in each of the last three games in the series and usually chips in a few rebounds and defensive numbers as well. He'll look to help the Pacers win the NBA Championship with another big game in Game 7 on Sunday night.
--Zach ThompsonSource: ESPN.com
June 20, 2025
Indiana Pacers forward
Pascal Siakam led his team to a 108-91 rout of the Thunder in Game 6 of the NBA Finals, forcing a Game 7 on Sunday night in Oklahoma City. Siakam had 16 points to go with 13 boards, three assists, and one blocked shot in his 32 minutes. It was Spicy P's second double-double of the series and built on his strong Game 5 performance when he scored 28 points in 33 minutes. Siakam now has the Pacers just one win away from an NBA title, but they'll face a tough test on the road in Game 7. They did steal Game 1 in Oklahoma City, though, so there's definitely a chance they can get the win they need for Siakam to claim his second NBA Championship after winning in 2019 with the Raptors.
--Zach ThompsonSource: ESPN.com
June 18, 2025
Indiana Pacers guard
Tyrese Haliburton (calf) is officially questionable for Thursday's NBA Finals matchup with the Thunder. It was reported early on Wednesday that he would be a game-time call for Game 6. While it's an encouraging sign that Haliburton at least appears to have a chance to suit up, he could continue to struggle if he gets the green light, much like he did on Monday night. If the 25-year-old can't get on the floor,
Pascal Siakam, who is coming off a 28-point effort, would be the favorite to get most of the scoring opportunities.
Andrew Nembhard may also have the ball in his hands more often, with
T.J. McConnell and
Bennedict Mathurin in line to see more minutes as well.
--Dennis ClausenSource: NBA Injury Report
June 18, 2025
Indiana Pacers point guard
Tyrese Haliburton (calf) is expected to be a game-time decision for Thursday's Game 6 of the NBA Finals against the Oklahoma City Thunder. "He is going to be carefully evaluated over the next 36 hours and will likely be listed as questionable on the injury report and probably will be a game-time decision for Game 6," Pacers head coach Rick Carlisle told Indianapolis radio station 107.5 The Fan on Wednesday morning. On Tuesday, it was reported that Haliburton is set to undergo an MRI to determine the severity of a right calf strain. Indiana's star guard struggled in Game 5 but has had a decent series overall, averaging 15.0 points, 6.2 rebounds, 7.2 assists, and 1.2 steals. If he is unavailable on Thursday, the Pacers must rely more on veteran playmaker
T.J. McConnell, who is coming off a solid Game 5 effort. In 22 minutes, he amassed 18 points, four rebounds, four assists, and two steals.
--Taavi PailkSource: ESPN
June 17, 2025
Oklahoma City Thunder forward/center
Chet Holmgren struggled to score the basketball in Monday's Game 5 of the NBA Finals against the Indiana Pacers but still made a positive impact in a 120-109 victory. The 23-year-old settled for only nine points on 4-for-15 shooting. However, he was plus-12 on the court across 34 minutes of action. Holmgren compensated for his offensive shortcomings with his defensive efforts and another successful night on the glass. He grabbed 11 boards, including five on the offensive end, marking his third consecutive game with double-digit rebounds. Additionally, Holmgren blocked three shots and recorded one steal. While Holmgren has been a bit quiet in the Finals, he is close to averaging a double-double for the series, having posted 12.8 points and 9.6 rebounds in 31.6 minutes.
--Taavi PailkSource: ESPN
June 17, 2025
Oklahoma City Thunder guard
Shai Gilgeous-Alexander made a big mark at both ends in Monday's 120-109 victory against the Indiana Pacers, recording 31 points, two rebounds, 10 assists, two steals, and four blocks. The MVP shot 9-for-21 from the field and 13-for-14 at the free-throw line. This was Gilgeous-Alexander's fourth game of the Finals with at least 30 points and marked his fourth outing in five games with multiple steals. The Thunder leader is on his way to adding the Finals MVP trophy to his resume, having been exceptional against the Pacers with averages of 32.4 points, 4.6 rebounds, 5.0 assists, 1.8 blocks, and 2.4 steals.
--Taavi PailkSource: ESPN
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