1
month
agoLos
Angeles
Clippers
shooting
guard
James
Harden
said
that
he
was
"home"
when
asked
about
re-signing
with
the
Clippers
this
season.
"I
don't
plan
on
going
anywhere
else.
I
wanna
leave
a
legacy,"
the
35-year-old
stated.
Harden
signed
a
two-year,
$70M
contract
thisread more...
1 month agoGolden State Warriors forward Jonathan Kuminga said on Monday that he was hopeful an extension with the Warriors could get completed prior to the October 21st deadline. He went on to state, "I'm not really concerned about it. If I get it, if I don't, it's cool." Kuminga excelled in his 46 games as a starter last season, posting up 17.2 PPG and 5.2 RPG in starts. With Klay Thompson headed off to Dallas, Kuminga's role will be less threatened and his production levels should increase. The 21-year-old won't be the recipient of the additional threes Thompson provided Golden State, but he'll continue to be a solid rebounder and a great contributor at the rim. With a big season on board, Warriors fans and fantasy managers alike will be eager to see what he does in an elevated role throughout a full season. Those looking to draft Kuminga should be able to find him around the #100 pick in their upcoming draft.Source: Anthony Slater
1 month agoMiami Heat shooting guard Tyler Herro came into training camp weighing 200 pounds, the heaviest he's been entering camp, according to Herro. He noted that he has a goal to get stronger, reiterating a previous quote from the 24-year-old in August when he mentioned making an effort to stay as healthy as possible throughout the season. Herro battled multiple injuries in the 2023-2024 season and was limited to just 42 games. When healthy, Herro has been a very productive member of the Heat, whether it be as a sixth man or, more recently, a member of the starting five. He averaged a career-high 20.8 points in 2024 and has been around that mark each of the last three seasons. Fantasy managers will want to snag Herro in their drafts if they can. With a current ADP in the low-70s, Herro should provide value to any managers drafting him as long as he stays healthy.Source: Zachary Weinberger
1 month agoMiami Heat shooting guard Josh Richardson (shoulder) said on Monday that he is "close to returning" from his season-ending shoulder surgery that he received in March. Richardson admitted that his recovery has been frustrating but that he has the "mental to grind through" the rest of his rehab process. The 31-year-old was performing solidly off Miami's bench before obtaining the injury in February, averaging 9.9 PPG. Richardson still will need to show some progress before receiving playing time and will likely be eased into the rotation once back. Fantasy managers shouldn't need to worry about targeting the veteran in drafts. However, Richardson could be an intriguing waiver wire pickup midseason should he reach his normal levels of production once healthy.Source: Zachary Weinberger
1 month agoMiami Heat forward Jimmy Butler said on Monday, "I gotta prove that I'm a major part of winning," in response to not receiving a contract extension ahead of his player option for the 2025-2026 season. Butler is entering the third year of his three-year $146M contract with the Miami Heat, making the 2024-2025 season potentially Butler's final season with Miami if he does not opt into his player option next season. The 35-year-old has led the Heat to the playoffs in each of his five seasons with Miami, including two Finals appearances. Injuries have limited his ability to stay on the court but he has been productive when healthy, averaging 21.3 PPG, 6.1 RPG and 5.7 APG as a member of the Heat. With a contract year on deck, fantasy managers may be intrigued by the extra effort Butler may give this season and should target him in drafts. His current ADP of 50 may provide some value if Butler is able to stay healthy.Source: Zachary Weinberger
1 month agoIndiana Pacers guard Bennedict Mathurin delivered encouraging news at the Pacers Media Day, revealing he has been fully cleared to participate after undergoing season-ending shoulder surgery. The team is looking for a significant progression from the former No. 6 overall pick this year. Entering his third season at just 22 years old, Mathurin will be an integral part of a dynamic and fast-paced Pacers squad. Last season, he showcased his potential by averaging 14.5 points and 4 rebounds over 59 games. Mathurin stated he's been at full strength for about a month and a half, ensuring he's ready to make an immediate impact after his sophomore campaign was cut short by a torn labrum in his right shoulder. The Pacers are excited to see him back on the court for the upcoming season.Source: Evan Sidery
1 month agoGolden State Warriors forward Andrew Wiggins opened the team's Media Day with a candid interview about his scoring role. When asked if he needs to score more this season, Wiggins replied, "More than I did last year for sure." He averaged a career-low 13.2 points per game last season and emphasized the need for better efficiency and aggression. As Wiggins embarks on his sixth season with the Warriors, he understands the importance of stepping up his game. If Golden State hopes to return to the playoffs, the veteran forward will need to play a key role in both scoring and defense. Last season, he averaged 27 minutes per game, 13.2 PPG, and 4.5 RPG while shooting 45.3% from the field, appearing in 71 games.Source: Anthony Slater
1 month agoGolden State Warriors guard Gary Payton II expressed optimism about his health during Warriors Media Day. Before taking any questions, the 31-year-old stated, "Yes. I plan on being available this year. I feel good, healthy. Body's feeling great." Payton II appeared in 44 games last season and just 22 contests during the 2022-2023 season. Staying healthy has been a challenge for the defensive specialist, but when on the court, Golden State values his toughness and defensive prowess. He will provide depth at guard, coming off the bench for the team.Source: Anthony Slater
1 month agoAtlanta Hawks guard Dyson Daniels is honing in on defense this season, with a bold goal in mind. "I have a big goal of trying to make the first-team All-Defense," Daniels stated during Hawks Media Day on Monday. Atlanta, which ranked 27th in defense last season, will welcome his focus. While the young guard has shown defensive potential, fantasy managers will hope he can boost his offensive production. He averaged 5.8 points in 22.3 minutes per game. His shooting struggles, including 31.1% from three-point range and 64.2% from the free-throw line, indicate that improving his offensive efficiency is essential for his development. At just 21 years of age, Daniels has time to refine his game and could be a sneaky draft pick with upside.Source: Kevin Chouinard
1 month agoBrooklyn Nets guard Ben Simmons is determined to remind everyone of his abilities when fully healthy. "People forget me as a player when I'm healthy," Simmons said confidently in a recent interview. After being limited to just 15 games last season due to injuries, Simmons says he's "ready to go" following surgery. During Nets Media Day, he emphasized that health is his priority: "It's important just to be healthy. I want to play basketball at a high level and get the most I can out of my body. That's the focus. Money is nice and all that, but I want to play healthy. At the end of the day, I love playing basketball." Fantasy managers should watch his progress closely, as Simmons can be a stat-stuffer if he stays on the court consistently.Source: Michael Scotto
1 month agoBrooklyn Nets forward Ziaire Williams was traded from the Memphis Grizzlies this off-season and has prepared to earn some more opportunities to be on the floor. The former 10th overall pick said that he felt like "a loose bird finally let out of his cage" when he was traded. He also went on to say that he felt trapped at times with the Grizzlies as he struggled to get on the floor that often throughout his three seasons with the team. While the Nets are in rebuild mode, Williams should receive plenty of opportunities to prove whether or not he deserves to be on the floor after they traded away Mikal Bridges and now have one of the younger teams around the league. In 150 total appearances (50 starts) for the Grizzlies, Williams averaged 7.5 points, 2.6 rebounds, and 1.2 assists across 19.6 minutes per game.Source: Erik Slater
1 month agoPhiladelphia 76ers center Joel Embiid is coming into one of his most important seasons yet as the front office has surrounded him with arguably the most talented supporting cast he's experienced. The former MVP said that he lost 25-to-30 pounds this off-season as he tries to stay healthier and enter a postseason without any ailments for the first time in his career. Before hurting his knee, Embiid was on pace to outperform his MVP season and averaged 34.7 points, 11.0 rebounds, 5.6 assists, 1.2 steals, and 1.7 blocks per game while shooting 52.9% from the floor and 38.8% from beyond the arc. The issue was that he only appeared in 39 regular season games, but he did show some maturity in his game and some fight in their playoff series against the New York Knicks. Embiid should remain a top pick in fantasy drafts this season, but he always comes with added injury risk.Source: Keith Pompey
1 month agoNew Orleans Pelicans forward Zion Williamson came into media day lighter and more focused as he explained how much of a breath of fresh air this offseason felt to him. According to Evan Sidery, the superstar power forward lost 15 pounds over the summer and Williamson said that being able to "really lock in on basketball" and break down film while working on things in the gym was a welcomed difference. In past offseasons, Williamson has worked on coming back from injury or battling some weight issues, according to many reports at the time. After playing a career-high 70 games last season, he's heading into his sixth season feeling as healthy as ever.Source: Evan Sidery
1 month agoToronto Raptors forward Scottie Barnes talked about adding a lot to his game this offseason as he heads into the fourth season of his career. During the team's media day, Barnes spoke to reporters about how he's working on his shot creation, off-the-dribble moves in different sets, and being able to get to his spots more efficiently than before. He even cited using those skills to create for others, not just finding his own shot. He also named some individual goals to make the All-Star team and an All-NBA team, but those will also come with winning. Barnes is the undisputed superstar of this team, and his fourth season will arguably be the most important. Last year, Barnes registered his best season yet with averages of 19.9 points, 8.2 rebounds, 6.1 assists, 1.3 steals, and 1.5 blocks per game with shooting splits of .475/.341/.781.Source: Michael Grange
1
month
agoNew
York
Knicks
guard/forward
Mikal
Bridges
moved
across
the
city
this
offseason
as
he
was
traded
from
the
Nets
to
the
Knicks
over
the
summer.
The
Knicks
proved
that
they
weren't
done
there
as
they
traded
away
Juliusread more...