1 month agoCleveland Cavaliers point guard
Darius Garland has denied that he wanted to be traded in the offseason. Speaking during Monday's Media Day, Garland said the trade rumors were "definitely false" and that Cavaliers president Koby Altman was upset about what was being said and wanted Garland to remain with the organization. With the trade rumors squashed, Garland can now focus on producing a bounce-back campaign. His numbers dropped across the board in 2023-24 as Garland struggled to stay healthy. He managed to make only 57 appearances during the regular season. The 2022 All-Star has hit 60-plus games just twice during his five-year NBA career, and Garland's health is definitely something to consider for fantasy managers.
--Taavi Pailk - RotoBallerSource: RealCavsFans.com
1 month agoUtah Jazz forward
Lauri Markkanen is happy to remain on the team following an offseason full of trade rumors. "It was a nice feeling to know that a lot of teams wanted you to play for their franchise," Markkanen told Tony Jones of The Athletic. "It was kind of a cool thing to be honest. It tells me that I've been able to get a lot better as a player. But I tried not to think about it beyond that. I know that I wanted to come back to Utah, and that's where my priorities were." Markkanen, who signed a five-year, $238 million extension on Aug. 7, has been the main man in Utah for the last couple of campaigns, and his fantasy value could have taken a significant hit with a move elsewhere.
--Taavi Pailk - RotoBallerSource: Tony Jones
1 month agoPhoenix Suns point guard
Tyus Jones will open the campaign as a member of the starting unit. Suns head coach Mike Budenholzer has said Jones will be a starter alongside
Jusuf Nurkic and the team's Big Three of
Devin Booker,
Bradley Beal, and
Kevin Durant. Jones is coming off his first full season as a starter in Washington. Across 66 outings, he averaged 12.0 points with 7.3 assists. Considering the firepower Jones will have around him in Phoenix, his assists numbers should get a nice boost. However, his scoring will likely drop.
Grayson Allen rolled as a starter among the Suns' stars last season. He should still play a big part in the rotation, but his fantasy value takes a hit with the move to the bench.
--Taavi Pailk - RotoBallerSource: Duane Rankin
1 month agoLos Angeles Lakers forward
LeBron James is feeling great ahead of his 22nd NBA campaign and is ready to still make an impact at a high level. Speaking to the media on Monday, James noted he feels "really good physically," "real sharp, very fresh mentally," and that he still has "a lot in the tank." James will turn 40 on Dec. 30, but it looks like fantasy managers can count on getting another very productive campaign out of him. The four-time MVP notched 25.7 points, 7.3 rebounds, and 8.3 assists with a career-high 41 percent three-point shooting last term.
--Taavi Pailk - RotoBallerSource: ESPN
1 month agoChicago Bulls point guard
Lonzo Ball (knee) feels he will be ready for the team's opening game of the season on Oct. 23 against the New Orleans Pelicans. "I think I'll be ready for the first game for sure," Ball said during Monday's Media Day. He added that back-to-backs would be off the table for him and that there would be a minutes restriction in place. This will greatly limit Ball's fantasy production. However, it will be nice to see him back on the court after a knee injury took him out for several seasons. Ball's last NBA appearance came in January 2022.
--Taavi Pailk - RotoBallerSource: K.C. Johnson
1 month agoLos Angeles Clippers forward
Kawhi Leonard (knee) aims to play in the season opener on Oct. 23 against the Phoenix Suns. The multi-time Finals MVP is battling inflammation in his surgically repaired right knee, but speaking to the media on Monday, Leonard said the knee is "feeling a lot better than it was" and that the plan is for him to play against the Suns. While this is an encouraging update, Leonard also admitted he could be forced to deal with the inflammation for the rest of his career. This means that fantasy managers who plan on having Leonard on their team must be prepared to be without him for stretches across the season.
--Taavi Pailk - RotoBallerSource: ESPN
1
month
agoPhoenix
Suns
center
Jusuf
Nurkic
is
in
line
to
shoot
more
threes
this
season
after
Suns
head
coach
Mike
Budenholzer
said
they
want
to
"push
the
envelope"
with
Nurkic
shooting
threes.
Nurkic
has
not
been
a
good
three
point
shooter
in
his
career,
making
read more...
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
this
read 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.
--Kevin Larson - RotoBallerSource: 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.
--Kevin Larson - RotoBallerSource: 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.
--Kevin Larson - RotoBallerSource: 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.
--Kevin Larson - RotoBallerSource: 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.
--Dave Goldsholl - RotoBallerSource: 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.
--Dave Goldsholl - RotoBallerSource: 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.
--Dave Goldsholl - RotoBallerSource: Anthony Slater
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