June 23, 2025
Shams Charania of ESPN reports that Washington Wizards forward
Khris Middleton (knee) has picked up his $33.3 million player option for the 2025-26 season. The 33-year-old will likely not be a significant fantasy contributor next season, as the Wizards' younger players are expected to assume additional responsibilities for the upcoming season. Middleton averaged 10.7 points, 3.7 rebounds, and 3.4 assists in 22.1 minutes per game across 37 games during the 2024-25 regular season campaign. He missed the final nine contests due to a right knee contusion.
--Andrew LennoxSource: Shams Charania
June 23, 2025
According to Grant Afseth of RG.org, Indiana Pacers guard
Tyrese Haliburton (Achilles) will travel to New York City on Monday and is expected to undergo surgery to repair a torn right Achilles tendon. Haliburton exited the first quarter of Sunday's 103-91 loss to the Thunder in Game 7 of the NBA Finals after suffering the injury. He finished with nine points in seven minutes of action before being forced out of the contest. The 25-year-old could miss the entire 2025-26 regular season as recovery time is typically 9-12 months after Achilles surgery. With Haliburton out for the foreseeable future, shooting guard
Andrew Nembhard will likely take on a larger role for the upcoming season.
--Andrew LennoxSource: Grant Afseth
June 22, 2025
Indiana Pacers guard
Tyrese Haliburton (Achilles) won't return to Sunday's NBA Finals meeting with OKC. The 25-year-old has been dealing with a calf issue, which is nothing new. As a result, he was limited to only 23 minutes in Game 6. While Haliburton tried to give it a go for Game 7, it's evident he's not healthy. He finished with nine points in seven minutes of action before exiting. There is concern for a more significant injury, with ESPN's Lisa Salters reporting that Haliburton is dealing with an Achilles issue. He'll likely undergo further testing as soon as possible. However, if Haliburton suffered a torn Achilles, he could miss the 2025-26 campaign. DFS managers should expect more work for
T.J. McConnell for the remainder of Game 7.
--Dennis ClausenSource: Indiana Pacers
June 22, 2025
Houston Rockets forward
Dillon Brooks was traded as part of a blockbuster trade to land
Kevin Durant on Sunday. The Rockets are trading Brooks,
Jalen Green, the 10th overall pick in 2025, and five future second-round picks in exchange for Durant. Brooks played a majority of his career with the Memphis Grizzlies before landing in Houston two seasons ago. He averaged 14.0 points, 3.7 rebounds, and 1.7 assists last season. Brooks is more known for his defensive ability, which should help this Suns team that was awful on defense last season. His offensive numbers might take a hit in Phoenix, but Brooks should still be able to offer standard league value, assuming he gets regular playing time.
--Andy WebbSource: Shams Charania
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Houston
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Jalen
Green
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Brooks,
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June 22, 2025
Phoenix Suns forward
Kevin Durant was traded to the Houston Rockets in exchange for guard
Jalen Green, forward
Dillon Brooks, and the No. 10 overall pick in the upcoming NBA Draft. Also, the Suns acquired five future second-round picks as well. The drama is finally over as Durant lands with one of his preferred teams. The other two teams he was interested in were the San Antonio Spurs and Miami Heat. Durant has bounced around quite a bit over the last 10 years. However, Durant remains productive averaging 26 points per game or more in each of the last eight seasons. He remains one of the most consistent players in the league, so the 36-year-old will remain a top tier fantasy option regardless of the jersey he wears. The Rockets appear ready to go all-in and Durant could help give them the boost they need.
--Andy WebbSource: Shams Charania
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
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