June 14, 2025
Oklahoma City Thunder forward
Jalen Williams scored 27 points in Friday's win over the Indiana Pacers. He added seven rebounds and three assists.
Shai Gilgeous-Alexander led the way by finishing with a game-high 35 points. However, despite failing to drain a three-point shot, the 24-year-old still had his best showing of the NBA Finals on Friday night. Williams' usage has steadily increased throughout the series. Assuming Indiana continues to focus its defensive efforts on SGA moving ahead, which is certainly possible, Williams' usage should continue to trend up, giving him plenty of upside for DFS managers for Game 5 on Monday evening.
--Dennis ClausenSource: ESPN
June 13, 2025
According to NBA insider Marc Stein, guard
Russell Westbrook will decline his $3.47 million player option with the Denver Nuggets, making him an unrestricted free agent. The 36-year-old averaged 13.3 points, 6.1 assists, 1.4 steals, and 32.3% shooting from behind the arc with Denver last season, an increase from the marks he had with the Clippers during the 2023-24 campaign. There's a chance Westbrook will remain with the Nuggets. He'll likely also entertain offers from other clubs around the National Basketball Association. Where he ultimately signs will determine how things will look from a fantasy standpoint. However, it's safe to assume his MVP and All-Star days are likely well behind him, regardless of what team he suits up for come October.
--Dennis ClausenSource: Marc Stein
June 13, 2025
According to ESPN's Shams Charania, there is "some serious traction" regarding a trade for Phoenix Suns forward
Kevin Durant. There are several teams who have expressed interest in the 2014 MVP. However, Charania indicated that the Houston Rockets, Miami Heat, and Minnesota Timberwolves are the three clubs who appear to have the best chance of landing Durant, at least as of right now, with a deal potentially happening "in the next few days." Durant continues to produce at an exceptional level despite being in the National Basketball Association for nearly two decades, most recently averaging 26.6 points, 6.0 rebounds, 4.2 assists, and 1.2 blocks in 62 games with the Suns in 2024-25. No matter where he ends up, he'll probably remain a top-25 fantasy option heading into next season. The 36-year-old is also expected to remain in the All-Star conversation for at least a few more seasons, although his inability to stay healthy at times has been a deterrent for fantasy managers.
--Dennis ClausenSource: Shams Charania
June 13, 2025
Indiana Pacers center
Myles Turner is battling cold symptoms but continues to contribute as much as possible to his team's NBA Finals run. He played 30 minutes in Game 3 and had a few critical defensive plays does the stretch while finishing with nine points, two rebounds, five blocks, a steal, and an assist. It was the most minutes he has played in five games, but Pacers coach Rick Carlisle said, "Myles is under the weather... He just hasn't been feeling well the last couple of days. It was affecting his wind. He won't bring it up, but I think it's just appropriate to mention that he's working through something." Turner is not on the injury report, so he doesn't seem in danger of missing Game 4, but he may be at less than 100% once again.
--Zach ThompsonSource: Joel A. Erickson
June 13, 2025
Houston Rockets guard
Reed Sheppard will be part of the team's roster for the upcoming summer league in Las Vegas, as the team looks to create a bigger role for him next year. Sheppard was the No. 3 overall pick in the 2024 NBA Draft, but he only played 12.6 minutes per game in 52 games during his rookie season. He averaged 4.4 points, 1.5 rebounds, and 1.4 assists with a 17.8% usage rate. He earned All-Summer League First Team honors last year after producing 20.0 points, 5.3 rebounds, 4.8 assists, and 2.8 steals in four games. This year, he'll look to claim a larger role in the Rockets' rotation for his sophomore season with another strong showing. The summer league will take place from July 10-20 in Las Vegas.
--Zach ThompsonSource: Danielle Lerner
June 13, 2025
According to Shams Charania of ESPN, the Phoenix Suns are focused on trading forward
Kevin Durant to the Houston Rockets, Minnesota Timberwolves, San Antonio Spurs, New York Knicks, and Miami Heat. The insider said that there is traction towards getting a deal done soon, and that the deal could get done ahead of the NBA Draft in a few weeks. Durant is on an expiring contract and could either be viewed as a one-year "rental" player or be given a longer-term deal. If he is traded, Durant will be eligible to sign a two-year, $112 million extension with his new team in July. Knicks' and Spurs' reporters have downplayed the likelihood of Durant landing with those teams, but the Heat seem to be legitimately interested, according to Ira Winderman of The South Florida Sun Sentinel.
--Zach ThompsonSource: Shams Charania
June
12,
2025
According
to
ESPN's
Dave
McMenamin,
Los
Angeles
Lakers
forward
Dorian
Finney-Smith
(ankle)
underwent
surgery
on
his
left
ankle.
He
is
expected
to
be
ready
to
go
by
training
camp.
The
veteran
has
been
burdened
by
a
"lingering
read more...
June 12, 2025
Oklahoma City Thunder guard/forward
Jalen Williams was the team's top scorer in Wednesday's 116-107 Game 3 loss to the Indiana Pacers, notching 26 points on 9-for-18 shooting from the field. He was 7-for-11 at the free-throw line and nailed one attempt from deep with two shots, scoring two more points than
Shai Gilgeous-Alexander. As always, Williams also made contributions in several other areas, recording six rebounds, three assists, and one steal. Although Williams has shot only 39.2 percent from the field in the Finals, he has still averaged 20.7 points per game. Furthermore, he has registered 5.0 rebounds, 4.7 assists, and 1.0 steals. The first-year All-Star has been productive against Indiana, but it seems the Thunder need even more from Williams, considering that the team has fallen behind 2-1 in the series.
--Taavi PailkSource: ESPN
June 12, 2025
Oklahoma City Thunder guard
Shai Gilgeous-Alexander was limited to 24 points in Game 3 of the NBA Finals on Wednesday against the Indiana Pacers, shooting 9-for-20 from the field and 5-for-6 at the line in a 116-107 defeat. After allowing Gilgeous-Alexander to open the Finals with back-to-back 30-point efforts, the Pacers did a remarkable job against him defensively, limiting his scoring opportunities and forcing the 2024-25 MVP to commit a game-high six turnovers. Gilgeous-Alexander wrapped up his line with eight rebounds, four assists, and three blocks. While every other player would likely be satisfied with Gilgeous-Alexander's output on Wednesday, he has set incredibly high standards for himself and must be eager to bounce back in Game 4 on Friday night.
--Taavi PailkSource: ESPN
June 12, 2025
Indiana Pacers forward/center
Pascal Siakam had his best Finals performance in Game 3 against the Oklahoma City Thunder on Wednesday, racking up 21 points, six rebounds, four assists, two steals, and one block in a 116-107 victory. Siakam missed both of his attempts from downtown but shot a solid 8-for-14 overall and finished 5-for-6 at the free-throw line. The Cameroon star had previously struggled with his shooting in the series, producing only 10 total makes over the first two clashes against the Thunder. Nevertheless, Siakam has still provided good production for DFS teams in the matchup, averaging 18.3 points, 7.7 rebounds, 3.7 assists, and 1.3 blocks.
--Taavi PailkSource: ESPN
June 12, 2025
Indiana Pacers point guard
Tyrese Haliburton filled the stat sheet and just missed a triple-double in Wednesday's 116-107 victory over the Oklahoma City Thunder in Game 3 of the NBA Finals. He finished with 22 points, nine rebounds, 11 assists, two steals, and one block. Indiana's leading man shot 4-for-8 from downtown and 9-for-17 overall from the field during a busy night. Haliburton has been inconsistent in the postseason, but he has averaged a solid stat line for the Finals. Over three games, Haliburton has notched 17.7 points, 7.3 rebounds, 7.7 assists, 1.3 steals, and 1.3 blocks. He is dealing with a lower-body ailment, but it certainly didn't hinder the two-time All-Star on Wednesday night.
--Taavi PailkSource: ESPN
June 12, 2025
Indiana Pacers guard/forward
Bennedict Mathurin was the standout performer in Game 3 of the NBA Finals on Wednesday night, putting up a game-high 27 points on 9-for-12 shooting in a 116-107 win. He became the third player this century to put up 25-plus points off the bench in a Finals game, joining Jason Terry and Manu Ginobili. Mathurin, who went 2-for-3 with the three-ball and 7-for-8 at the charity stripe, did his damage in just 22 minutes. He also grabbed four rebounds and registered one assist with one block. The Pacers saw Mathurin produce only five points in the Finals opener, but he has since averaged 20.5 points over the last two games, giving the team a valuable boost off the bench.
--Taavi PailkSource: ESPN
June 12, 2025
Golden State Warriors guard
Brandin Podziemski (wrist) has undergone his second offseason surgery. After having left wrist debridement surgery on May 27, Podziemski had a procedure on June 10 to repair a core muscle injury. He is expected to be fully ready for the start of training camp in the fall. The 22-year-old has enjoyed two solid seasons in the Association and will aim to take another leap in 2025-26. This season, Podziemski averaged 11.7 points, 5.1 rebounds, 3.4 assists, and 1.1 steals in 26.8 minutes, starting 33 of 64 contests. In a starting role, Podziemski boosted his scoring output to 14.9 points per game, and his fantasy stock would certainly rise if he can cement a spot in the first unit.
--Taavi PailkSource: ESPN
June 11, 2025
Boston Celtics forward
Jaylen Brown (knee) underwent a right-knee arthroscopic debridement procedure on Wednesday. The procedure was successful, with the team reporting he is "expected to participate in training camp without limitation." It will be an interesting offseason in Boston, especially with the franchise potentially looking to move
Kristaps Porzingis,
Sam Hauser, and
Jrue Holiday. Brown's name has also been thrown around in trade rumblings, although it's unknown if the Celtics will seriously entertain any offers. The 28-year-old is coming off another solid season, averaging 22.2 points, 5.8 rebounds, and 1.2 steals. With
Jayson Tatum (Achilles) not expected back on the court anytime soon, Brown's statistical contributions could increase during the 2025-26 campaign. However, he's played fewer than 70 games in five of his previous six seasons, and his career-low 32.4% shooting from behind the arc in 2024-25 is something that will negatively impact his fantasy value for category managers.
--Dennis ClausenSource: Boston Celtics
June 11, 2025
According to Michael Scotto of Hoops Hype, Milwaukee Bucks guard
Kevin Porter Jr. is expected to decline his $2.55 million player option. The 25-year-old began the 2024-25 campaign with the Clippers before being moved to the Bucks ahead of the trade deadline. He played well in Milwaukee, averaging 11.7 points, 3.9 rebounds, 3.7 assists, and 1.3 steals while shooting a career-high 40.8% from behind the arc. The franchise is hoping to retain him, considering
Damian Lillard (Achilles) isn't expected to return anytime soon. If Porter stays in Milwaukee, he will have a good chance to handle things as a starter. If anything, he should have a routine role in head coach Doc Rivers' rotation.
--Dennis ClausenSource: Michael Scotto
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