2 days agoAccording to ESPN's Adrian Wojnarowski, speaking on NBA Countdown ahead of Game 1 of the Eastern Conference Finals, Boston Celtics center
Kristaps Porzingis (calf) could be back for Game 4 on Monday. Wojnarowski indicated the team won't rush him back, which is understandable if the C's build a decisive lead in the series with Indiana. However, if anything, the update means that Boston could have him back for the NBA Finals, assuming the Celtics advance. The 28-year-old averaged 20.1 points, 7.2 rebounds, and 1.9 blocks during the regular season. But Porzingis hasn't been on the floor in nearly a month, meaning he could be limited once he's cleared to return. In the meantime, DFS managers should expect
Al Horford to absorb most of the minutes in the middle, with
Luke Kornet coming in for relief.
--Dennis Clausen - RotoBallerSource: Adrian Wojnarowski
2 days agoOn Tuesday, Minnesota Timberwolves center
Rudy Gobert was selected to the NBA All-Defensive First Team. Gobert has been named to the All-Defensive first team seven times during his 11-year career. Minnesota's big man has been a critical factor in the Timberwolves' postseason run to the Western Conference Finals, starting Wednesday against Dallas. The Defensive Player of the Year has suited up for 10 playoff games, averaging 12.2 points, 10.9 rebounds, 1.7 assists, 1.1 blocks, and 1.0 steals across 34.3 minutes on the court per game.
--Andrew Lennox - RotoBallerSource: Shams Charania
2 days agoSan Antonio Spurs center
Victor Wembanyama is the first rookie to be selected to the NBA All-Defensive first team. The National Basketball Association has named an All-Defensive first and second team since the 1968-69 season. Wembanyama was also awarded the NBA Rookie of the Year earlier in the month. In 71 regular season contests, the 20-year-old rookie averaged 21.4 points, 10.6 rebounds, 3.9 assists, 3.6 blocks, and 1.2 steals during 29.7 minutes per game.
--Andrew Lennox - RotoBallerSource: Shams Charania
2 days agoOn Tuesday, Boston Celtics forward
Xavier Tillman Sr. (personal) was ruled out for Game 1 of the Eastern Conference Finals against the Pacers. Both Tillman and
Kristaps Porzingis (calf) are listed as unavailable. The 25-year-old's absence won't impact DFS play, as he has only seen action in three of 10 Celtics' postseason games, averaging 1.3 points, 2.0 rebounds, 0.7 assists, 0.3 blocks, and 0.7 steals in 8.3 minutes per contest.
--Andrew Lennox - RotoBallerSource: NBA Injury Report
2 days agoNew York Knicks point guard
Jalen Brunson is expected to sign a massive four-year, $156 million contract extension this summer, according to Steve Popper of Newsday Sports. Brunson fractured his left hand during Game 7 of the Eastern Conference Semifinals against Indiana. Across 13 postseason contests, the 27-year-old was phenomenal, averaging 32.4 points, 7.5 assists, 3.3 rebounds, and 0.8 steals in 39.8 minutes per contest.
--Andrew Lennox - RotoBallerSource: Steve Popper
3 days agoCleveland Cavaliers center
Jarrett Allen could be a popular man this offseason if the team decides to move him. According to NBA insider Marc Stein, Allen has "numerous admirers" in rival front offices. Allen, who turned 26 in April, signed a five-year, $100 million contract with the Cavaliers in 2021. He averaged a career-high 16.5 points, 10.5 rebounds, 2.7 assists, and 1.1 blocks during a successful 2023-24 season. But Allen's future in Cleveland is murky after reports suggested that he refused to take a pain-killing injection to play through a rib contusion in the playoffs. He missed the team's final eight postseason games as Cleveland's campaign ended with a 4-1 defeat to Boston in the second round.
--Taavi Pailk - RotoBallerSource: Marc Stein
3 days agoAccording to NBA insider Marc Stein, Atlanta Hawks center
Clint Capela is "likely bound for the trade market" with a year remaining on his contract. The Swiss big man, who has just turned 30, will be carrying a $22.3 million expiring contract next season. The Pelicans and Rockets are seen as potential landing spots for Capela after the Mavericks also showed big interest in him at the trade deadline. Capela has proven himself as a very capable center in the Association, averaging a double-double for seven consecutive seasons. While splitting time with
Onyeka Okongwu, Capela posted 11.5 points and 10.6 rebounds with 1.5 blocks across 25.8 minutes this term. His exit from Atlanta could provide a big boost to Okongwu's fantasy stock.
--Taavi Pailk - RotoBallerSource: Marc Stein
3 days agoOklahoma City Thunder guard/forward
Gordon Hayward has expressed displeasure with his role on the team. "Disappointing with how it all kind of worked out. Certainly frustrating," Hayward said. "I feel as a player, I have a lot to offer. Just wasn't really given much of an opportunity to do that. I thought I would be given that opportunity." After the Thunder traded for Hayward in February, the former All-Star averaged just 17.2 minutes per game with the team and saw even less action in the playoffs, logging 47 minutes across seven appearances. Hayward will enter unrestricted free agency this offseason after completing a four-year, $120 million deal.
--Taavi Pailk - RotoBallerSource: Joel Lorenzi
3 days agoOklahoma City Thunder guard/forward
Josh Giddey ended up playing a very limited role in the second-round series against Dallas, but he's not seeking a change of scenery. "I love it here. This is a home away from home. I love everything about this place, the city, the fans," Giddey said. "The organization top to bottom is just unbelievable people throughout the building, and getting to come here to work every day is a lot of fun. It doesn't feel like work." Giddey also had a down year during the regular season, recording career-low numbers across the board with 12.3 points, 6.4 rebounds, and 4.8 assists. The 21-year-old is eligible for an extension this offseason, but the team is reportedly looking to move him on.
--Taavi Pailk - RotoBallerSource: Clemente Almanza
3 days agoToronto Raptors guard/forward
Bruce Brown could be on the move again soon after splitting 2023-24 between Indiana and Toronto. According to Doug Smith of The Toronto Star, the Raptors will likely pick up a $23 million option on Bruce's contract and trade him before the 2025 deadline. There should be no storage of takers for a versatile player like Brown, who has proven himself at the highest level by winning the NBA championship with Denver last season. He moved to Indiana as a free agent a year ago but was traded to Toronto in the
Pascal Siakam deal in January. Bruce averaged 10.8 points, 4.2 rebounds, and 2.9 assists in 27.9 minutes during the season.
--Taavi Pailk - RotoBallerSource: Doug Smith
3 days agoNew York Knicks power forward
Julius Randle could land on a new squad for next season. According to The Athletic's Shams Charania, teams are "monitoring" Randle's situation in New York. The three-time All-Star will be eligible to sign a four-year, $190 million contract extension this offseason. His current deal runs until the summer of 2026, with a $32 million player option for the final season. Randle's 2023-24 campaign was largely ruined by a shoulder injury, but the 29-year-old played at a high level when in the lineup, averaging 24.0 points, 9.2 rebounds, and 5.0 assists.
--Taavi Pailk - RotoBallerSource: Shams Charania
3 days agoBoston Celtics center
Kristaps Porzingis (calf) is out for Tuesday's postseason clash with the Pacers. DFS managers already expected him to miss this one, so the official update from the league's injury report isn't surprising. Fortunately, there's a chance he could return during the Eastern Conference Finals. But until he's back in the lineup,
Al Horford and
Luke Kornet will continue to handle things underneath the basket. With that said, Horford is the better option for fantasy purposes, with the 37-year-old amassing 22 points, 15 rebounds, and three blocks in the series-clinching win over the Cavaliers on May 15.
--Dennis Clausen - RotoBallerSource: NBA Injury Report
3 days agoBoston Celtics forward/center
Xavier Tillman Sr. (personal) is questionable for Tuesday's postseason matchup with Indiana. The 25-year-old has averaged only 2.0 rebounds and 1.3 points throughout the postseason. Even with
Kristaps Porzingis (calf) expected to miss at least a few more contests, Tillman isn't likely to make his way into the rotation anytime soon, even if he's available. Instead,
Al Horford will cover things in the middle, with
Luke Kornet coming in for relief.
--Dennis Clausen - RotoBallerSource: NBA Injury Report
4 days agoDenver Nuggets forward
Aaron Gordon was limited to only four points on 2-for-5 shooting in Sunday's Game 7 defeat to Minnesota. Gordon was a big factor in the series but couldn't get anything going on Sunday, even settling for only four rebounds after racking up 18 boards across the previous two games. In 42 minutes on the court, Gordon also recorded two assists and one block. Gordon's offensive numbers dropped in 2023-24, but he remains a valuable piece of the Nuggets' core and should be a solid fantasy contributor in multiple categories again next season.
--Taavi Pailk - RotoBallerSource: ESPN
4 days agoDenver Nuggets point guard
Jamal Murray had a game-high 35 points on Sunday against Minnesota as the team's title defense ended with a 98-90 Game 7 loss. Following his disappointing effort in Game 6, Murray appeared determined to carry his squad to the Western Conference Finals, posting 24 points in the first half. But the Timberwolves tightened up the defense in the second half and produced a historic comeback in the contest. Murray's final stat line of the season included three rebounds and three assists. 2023-24 was a good year for Murray, as the Canadian star set new career highs with 6.5 assists and 42.5 percent three-point shooting while averaging 21.2 points. However, he again missed a large chunk of the campaign with health issues, playing in only 59 regular-season contests. Murray's injury history is definitely something fantasy managers need to consider while planning for 2024-25.
--Taavi Pailk - RotoBallerSource: ESPN
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