3 weeks agoImpending free-agent guard
Lonnie Walker IV appears to be noncommittal on his future with the Brooklyn Nets. "I'm just looking for a home… Just looking for a team that finds me valuable. [I want to be] an important piece for a team that can consistently play… We'll see how things go", Walker told reporters following Sunday's blowout loss in Brooklyn's regular-season finale against the Philadelphia 76ers. The 25-year-old swingman netted a one-year pact with the Nets last offseason and was a serviceable part of their rotation when healthy during 2023-24, averaging 9.7 points, 2.2 rebounds, 1.3 assists, and 1.8 three-pointers on 38.4% shooting from beyond the arc through 58 appearances as a reserve. Walker is a decent spot-up shooter and spark plug off the bench, but he doesn't provide enough on the defensive end to consistently handle big minutes.
--Joseph Barbati - RotoBallerSource: Erik Slater - ClutchPoints.com
3 weeks agoThe Atlanta Hawks are weighing the fact that guard
Vit Krejci will be a restricted free agent in the offseason, which gives them the right to match any offer sheet. The hope is that they will be able to keep Krejci on a four-year deal that begins next season. After being waived by the Minnesota Timberwolves last October, Krejci signed a two-way contract with the Hawks in late December and made an impact for Atlanta with
Trae Young sidelined for the majority of the campaign's later stages. The 23-year-old point forward averaged only 7.7 points, 3.0 rebounds, 2.3 assists over his last 15 games (nine starts), but he hit 1.6 three-pointers per game on 43.6% shooting from deep over this period and proved he could be a versatile rotational piece.
--Joseph Barbati - RotoBallerSource: Lauren L. Williams - The Atlanta Journal-Constitution
3 weeks agoMilwaukee Bucks forward
Giannis Antetokounmpo (calf) is rehabbing daily, but there's some real doubt for his status to begin the first-round series versus the Indiana Pacers on Sunday. Although Antetokounmpo has rare recovery ability, he's very much up in the air for Game 1. Antetokounmpo sustained a strained left calf in last Tuesday's win over the visiting Boston Celtics, and early indications suggest he won't be available for the Bucks at the start of the Eastern Conference quarterfinals. Expect Milwaukee's offense to run through co-superstar
Damian Lillard for any games he sits out, as Lillard averaged 29.9 points, 7.6 assists, 4.3 rebounds, 3.2 three-pointers, and 1.1 steals over eight games without Antetokounmpo this season. Additionally,
Bobby Portis averaged 20.8 points, 10.1 boards, 1.7 dimes, 1.2 swipes, and 2.0 threes across eight outings sans the Greek Freak this year.
--Joseph Barbati - RotoBallerSource: Shams Charania - The Athletic
3 weeks agoPhoenix Suns guard
Grayson Allen has agreed on a four-year, $70 million contract extension that includes a player option. The deal keeps Allen out of unrestricted free agency this summer and rewards him for a career-best season after joining the Suns as part of last offseason's blockbuster
Damian Lillard trade. The 28-year-old three-and-D wing started all but one of his 75 games in the desert, returning top-75 fantasy numbers in nine-category leagues via averages of 13.5 points, 3.9 rebounds, 3.0 assists, and 2.7 three-pointers on an NBA-best 46.1% shooting clip from downtown. Allen should continue to be an integral contributor during Phoenix's postseason run.
--Joseph Barbati - RotoBallerSource: ESPN.com
3 weeks agoDenver Nuggets center
Nikola Jokic eased his way to his 68th double-double of the year in Sunday's 126-111 win over Memphis, completing the regular-season finale with 15 points and 15 rebounds. Jokic, who shot 7-for-11 from the field, also had five assists and stretched his streak with multiple steals to five games with four swipes. The two-time MVP posted a new career-high in double-doubles this year and registered 25 triple-doubles. He ended up averaging 26.4 points, 12.4 rebounds, and 9.0 assists. It's been another spectacular campaign for Jokic, and it wouldn't be surprising to see him earn MVP honors again. The big man from Serbia will now begin the title defense with the team in the 2024 playoffs as the second seed in the Western Conference.
--Taavi Pailk - RotoBallerSource: ESPN
3 weeks agoPhoenix Suns guard
Bradley Beal had an outstanding game in Sunday's regular-season finale against Minnesota, leading all scorers with 36 points in a 125-106 win. The Suns were in a must-win situation to qualify directly into the 2024 NBA Playoffs and did the business in impressive fashion with Beal leading the way. He was a red-hot 6-for-6 from three-point range and shot 14-for-21 overall while collecting six rebounds, five assists, two steals, and one block. Beal's debut year in Phoenix was a disappointment for many, but he came up huge for the Suns in the final couple of regular-season games. The three-time All-Star will now be expected to deliver in the playoffs as well. Beal has averaged 23.5 points, 4.6 rebounds, 3.8 assists, and 1.5 steals across his previous five post-season campaigns.
--Taavi Pailk - RotoBallerSource: ESPN
3 weeks agoIndiana Pacers center
Myles Turner completed the 2023-24 regular season with a bang, scoring a team-high 31 points and grabbing 12 rebounds in a 157-115 victory over Atlanta. He was also in dominant form defensively, swatting away four shots. Turner missed only one of his four attempts from deep and shot 13-for-17 overall in just 22 minutes of action. This should give the Pacers big man a nice bit of momentum ahead of the playoff series against Milwaukee. The Bucks have struggled against Indiana all year, with Turner going for 19.4 points, 7.2 rebounds, and 2.0 blocks in the matchup.
--Taavi Pailk - RotoBallerSource: ESPN
3 weeks agoCleveland Cavaliers guard/forward
Max Strus had a memorable outing in Sunday's regular-season finale against Charlotte, picking up his first career triple-double in a 120-110 loss. With
Donovan Mitchell (knee) and
Darius Garland (back) rested for the contest, Strus got to play the role of a playmaker and totaled a career-high 11 assists while scoring 14 points and grabbing 10 rebounds. He finished with 5-for-12 shooting, doing most of the damage with a 4-for-6 effort from three-point range. Strus has enjoyed deep playoff runs in recent years with Miami and will hope to do the same with the Cavaliers in 2024. The 28-year-old will enter the postseason after averaging 12.2 points, 4.8 rebounds, and 4.0 assists with 2.4 makes from deep during his first regular-season campaign in Cleveland.
--Taavi Pailk - RotoBallerSource: ESPN
3 weeks agoNew Orleans Pelicans guard
CJ McCollum netted a team-high 25 points on 9-for-19 shooting in Sunday's 124-108 loss to the Lakers. He hit 4-for-9 from downtown and was also among the team leaders with seven assists, completing his line with four rebounds. McCollum had a fairly inconsistent regular-season campaign, but he's heated up at a good time for the team, with the Pelicans set to begin the play-in tournament against the Lakers on Tuesday. The 32-year-old has averaged 30.1 points, 5.4 rebounds, and 5.0 assists over his last seven appearances.
--Taavi Pailk - RotoBallerSource: ESPN
3 weeks agoNew Orleans Pelicans guard/forward
Brandon Ingram logged 23 minutes in his first game back from a knee injury in Sunday's losing effort against the Lakers. The Pelicans produced a sub-par performance in a must-win game, but Ingram played well in his first action since March 21, shooting 6-for-9 from the field en route to 13 points and five rebounds. Ingram missed the previous 12 games, but the team should ramp up his minutes quickly, as the Pelicans now enter the play-in tournament, with a rematch against the Lakers scheduled for Tuesday. Ingram has always saved some of his best performances for his former team, averaging 23.5 points, 5.3 rebounds, and 4.5 assists for his career against the Lakers.
--Taavi Pailk - RotoBallerSource: ESPN
3 weeks agoLos Angeles Lakers forward
LeBron James completed his 21st regular-season campaign with his 112th career triple-double in Sunday's 124-108 win over New Orleans. James put on a playmaking clinic in the first quarter and finished with 17 times, as well as having 28 points and 11 rebounds. He shot 11-for-20 from the field and also produced a monster game defensively, racking up five steals with one block. James averaged 25.7 points, 7.3 rebounds, and 8.3 assists for the year across 35.3 minutes. It wasn't enough to help the Lakers get a top-six seed in the West, but the team is well-placed to make the playoffs via the play-in tournament. The Lakers start the action on Tuesday against the Pelicans, whom they have dominated all season. James has averaged a 28-6-12 line in the matchup.
--Taavi Pailk - RotoBallerSource: ESPN
3 weeks agoPhiladelphia 76ers center
Joel Embiid (knee) didn't suit up for Sunday's regular-season finale versus the Brooklyn Nets. He tweaked his knee during Friday's win over the Orlando Magic, causing him to exit the contest briefly. Naturally, there remains apprehension regarding his availability for Wednesday's Play-In meeting with the Miami Heat. However, head coach Nick Nurse seemingly put any concern to rest by stating Embiid would "be ready to go." Of course, DFS managers won't be satisfied until he is listed as available on the injury report. But for now, everyone can plan on Embiid being on the floor versus Miami.
--Dennis Clausen - RotoBallerSource: Noah Levick
4 weeks agoLos Angeles Lakers forward/center
Anthony Davis (back, hip) finished with a 30-point, 11-rebound double-double in Sunday's win over the New Orleans Pelicans. Unfortunately, he exited the contest, with ESPN's Dave McMenamin reporting he suffered hip and back spasms after an awkward fall. With the victory, the Lakers secured the No. 8 spot in the Western Conference and will remain in New Orleans to meet the Pelicans on Tuesday. Davis vows he will play. But things happen, so
Jaxson Hayes could be in line to start if AD doesn't suit up.
--Dennis Clausen - RotoBallerSource: Dave McMenamin
4 weeks agoNew York Knicks guard
Jalen Brunson scored a game-high 40 points in Sunday's overtime win over the Chicago Bulls. He added eight boards and seven assists. The 27-year-old had a solid end to the 2023-24 campaign, amassing at least 40 points in three of the Knicks' last five regular-season contests. While it still isn't enough to get Brunson an MVP award, his efforts at least landed the Knicks the No. 2 seed entering the postseason. His recent uptick in production since the All-Star break will presumably make him a top-10 fantasy option for next season. It could go even higher if New York at least makes it to the Eastern Conference Finals.
--Dennis Clausen - RotoBallerSource: ESPN
4 weeks agoIndiana Pacers guard
Tyrese Haliburton had a 12-point, 13-assist double-double in Sunday's blowout over the Atlanta Hawks. He added three steals and a block, energizing his squad in the regular-season finale. The 24-year-old was hot on the scoring end in the first two months of the 2023-24 campaign. However, Haliburton's offensive production has dwindled, especially after he missed time because of a hamstring issue. With that in mind, Haliburton may not be fully healthy, which would explain his scoring woes. Yet, he should pick up the pace, even if his spark doesn't come until next season.
--Dennis Clausen - RotoBallerSource: ESPN
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