2 days agoThe New Orleans Pelicans are expected to move on from center
Jonas Valanciunas this offseason. The 32-year-old will officially be an unrestricted free agent this summer, with the Pelicans planning to construct the roster to complement the skillset of
Zion Williamson better. But Valanciunas, averaging 12.2 points and 8.8 rebounds during the 2023-24 campaign, will draw interest from at least a handful of teams. Although his production was down last season, he's among the most durable big men in the National Basketball Association. With that in mind, if Valanciunas finds a stable role for a new team, he could continue to provide double-double upside for fantasy managers.
--Dennis Clausen - RotoBallerSource: Christian Clark
2 days agoCleveland Cavaliers center
Jarrett Allen is reportedly on the Pelicans' radar.
Jonas Valanciunas isn't expected back next season, and
Brandon Ingram could be on the move, so adding Allen would undoubtedly lessen the blow caused by the potential departures. The 26-year-old finished last season by averaging a career-high 16.5 points with 10.5 rebounds and 1.1 blocks. He also shot 63.4% from the field. Of course, Cleveland's primary focus this offseason is on extending
Donovan Mitchell. However, the Cavs could keep their core intact, considering
Evan Mobley wasn't the healthiest during the 2023-24 campaign.
--Dennis Clausen - RotoBallerSource: Christian Clark
2 days agoDallas Mavericks guard
Luka Doncic (chest) is probable for Game 5 of the NBA Finals versus the Boston Celtics. Besides receiving pain-killing injections, it doesn't appear the thoracic contusion is much of an issue for the multi-time All-Star. He's averaged 29.5 points, 8.0 rebounds, 5.8 assists, and 2.5 steals during the series. While Doncic has struggled shooting from deep, he remains the top DFS option for managers on Monday evening.
--Dennis Clausen - RotoBallerSource: NBA Injury Report
2 days agoBoston Celtics center
Kristaps Porzingis (leg) is questionable for Monday's meeting with the Dallas Mavericks. Porzingis returned for Game 1 of the NBA Finals after missing over a month because of a Soleus strain. Unfortunately, he suffered a dislocated Left Posterior Tibialis in Game 2 and didn't suit up in Game 3. Porzingis was available in Friday's loss. However, he never made it on the floor. The Mavs built a big lead early in that contest, so it's unknown if Joe Mazzulla would have put him into the game had the score remained close. But if the veteran is active on Monday evening, he's certainly a risky DFS option, considering he may not get off the bench.
--Dennis Clausen - RotoBallerSource: NBA Injury Report
3 days agoAccording to Michael Scotto of HoopsHype.com, impending free-agent forward/center
Isaiah Hartenstein is drawing interest from more teams. While OKC has been rumored to covet his services, Scotto, citing league sources, reported the Orlando Magic could be a team to watch this summer. The 26-year-old drew 49 starts for New York during the 2023-24 campaign, averaging 8.7 points, 9.4 rebounds, 1.3 steals, and 1.2 blocks. He was also instrumental in helping the Knicks advance deep into the postseason. But New York likely won't be able to afford to keep Hartenstein on the roster, meaning Orlando, a team with plenty of cap space this summer, could make him a strong offer.
--Dennis Clausen - RotoBallerSource: Michael Scotto
3 days agoAccording to Michael Scotto of HoopsHype.com, teams around the National Basketball Association are "monitoring" the availability of Indiana Pacers forward
Jarace Walker. Indy could match offers for
Obi Toppin this offseason. If that happens, Walker could be on the move. The 2023 No. 8 overall pick had a forgettable rookie year, averaging just 3.6 points, 1.9 rebounds, and 1.2 assists in 33 games. He also spent time in the G League, although he played much better. For now, Walker's value is limited, and he likely won't find his way onto fantasy rosters unless he gets some minutes, which isn't expected to happen in Indiana or for another club, for that matter.
--Dennis Clausen - RotoBallerSource: Michael Scotto
3 days agoAccording to Michael Scotto of HoopsHype.com, there's an "early belief" that Indiana Pacers forward/center
Jalen Smith will decline his $5.4 million player option and enter free agency this offseason. The 2020 No. 10 overall pick has spent the last three seasons with the Pacers. He averaged 13.4 points, 7.6 rebounds, and 1.0 blocks during the 2021-22 campaign. However, his production has trended downward since. Smith saw limited action for the Pacers in 2023-24. Yet, in his 14 starts, he averaged 11.1 points and 6.7 rebounds. It's evident Smith can be productive, so a change of scenery could do wonders for his fantasy value heading toward the regular season.
--Dennis Clausen - RotoBallerSource: Michael Scotto
4 days agoBoston Celtics forward
Jaylen Brown struggled in the loss to the Dallas Mavericks on Friday. He scored 10 points, shooting a rough 3-for-12 from the field and 1-for-5 from downtown. The 27-year-old had 30 points in Game 3 on Wednesday. However, he wasn't nearly as potent in Game 4. With the Celtics still up two games in the NBA Finals, both teams will head to Boston for Game 5 on Monday. Brown is due for a dominant performance, so DFS managers should keep him in mind for their lineups.
--Dennis Clausen - RotoBallerSource: ESPN
4 days agoBoston Celtics forward
Jayson Tatum had 15 points in Friday's loss to the Dallas Mavericks. He added five rebounds, two blocks, and one steal. The 26-year-old had 31 points in Game 3 on Wednesday evening. However, the Mavs took a big lead early, so Tatum logged only 27 minutes before calling it a night. With the C's still up two games, the series will head back to Boston for Game 5 on Monday night. The game should be more competitive, meaning Tatum has an excellent chance to bounce back.
--Dennis Clausen - RotoBallerSource: ESPN
4 days agoDallas Mavericks guard
Luka Doncic (chest) scored a game-high 29 points in Friday's win over the Boston Celtics. He added five boards, five assists, and three steals. Doncic entered this contest carrying an injury designation because of a thoracic contusion. But, as expected, he was on the floor for Game 4. The 25-year-old failed to make any of his eight tries from deep. But that didn't matter, as Dallas cruised to a much-needed win on Friday night. With the Mavs still training two games, both teams will pack their bags and head to Boston for Game 5 on Monday. DFS managers should expect to see Doncic back on the injury report. However, he will be ready to go.
--Dennis Clausen - RotoBallerSource: ESPN
4 days agoBoston Celtics center
Kristaps Porzingis (leg) will play on Friday night against Dallas. He suffered a dislocated posterior Tibialis in Game 2 on Sunday night and wasn't available for Game 3 on Wednesday. With that in mind, Porzingis may only play in certain situations, so it may be tough for him to do anything meaningful for DFS managers.
--Dennis Clausen - RotoBallerSource: NBA Injury Report
4 days agoAccording to Fred Katz of the New York Times, the Brooklyn Nets are staying firm on their unwillingness to trade forward
Mikal Bridges. Per Katz, league sources have contacted Brooklyn about acquiring the former Sun, with teams offering "hoards of first-rounders." However, the Nets haven't budged. After the 27-year-old was traded from Phoenix in 2022-23, he averaged a career-high 26.1 points in 27 games in Brooklyn. But his production declined significantly last season, with Bridges ending the year by averaging 19.6 points. At any rate, the Nets are in rebuilding mode, and it appears the franchise wants to build around Bridges. Brooklyn also has a new coach in Jordi Fernandez, which could help Bridges turn things around for fantasy managers in 2024-25.
--Dennis Clausen - RotoBallerSource: Fred Katz
4 days agoIndiana Pacers guard
Tyrese Haliburton (hamstring) reported he's progressing in his recovery from another hamstring injury sustained during the Eastern Conference Finals. "The hamstring is good," said Haliburton during an interview on Friday. "Today, I ran for the first time at full speed." The 24-year-old is coming off another productive season, amassing 20.1 points, 10.9 assists, 3.9 rebounds, and 1.2 steals. But he missed time because of injury in 2023-24, appearing in 69 games after playing in just 56 the year before. Haliburton still plans to suit up for Team USA in the Olympics. With that in mind, he could be a top-10 fantasy option in all formats during the 2024-25 campaign, although he needs to figure out how to stay on the floor.
--Dennis Clausen - RotoBallerSource: Dustin Dopirak
4 days agoThe Atlanta Hawks currently own the No. 1 pick in this year's NBA draft, and it happens to be one that there isn't many consensus picks from top to bottom. Alex Sarr has been talked about the most for the No. 1 selection, but it sounds like that could change after a recent Dan Hurley interview. As he talked about his decision to not go the Los Angeles Lakers, he explained that he spoke to Quin Snyder (head coach of the Atlanta Hawks), and said that they really like UConn big man Donovan Clingan. Most mock drafts have him somewhere around third to seventh, but there haven't been any standout prospects that are a surefire choice at first overall. Clingan could provide solid defense and rebounding while they move on from either
Clint Capela or
Onyeka Okongwu.
--Alex Fischbein - RotoBallerSource: Matt Norlander - CBS Sports
4 days agoThe Los Angeles Clippers are in the market for a new assistant coach after Dan Craig left for the Chicago Bulls. One name on their list is none other than former head coach and broadcaster, Jeff Van Gundy. This year, since he was let go by ESPN, he has served as a consultant for the NBA Finals-leading Boston Celtics. The last time Van Gundy was on the sidelines was the 2006-07 season with the Houston Rockets. He boasts an NBA coaching record of 430-318 in the regular season and 44-44 in the playoffs. The Dallas Mavericks attempted to hire Van Gundy last offseason but ended up unsuccessful. The Clippers, on the other hand, believe they have a good chance to bring him on board.
--Alex Fischbein - RotoBallerSource: Marc Stein
RADIO
