6 days agoNew Orleans Pelicans forward
Brandon Ingram will be left without a max extension this offseason. "Considering their current and future financial situation, the Pelicans are unlikely to offer him that maximum deal this offseason," William Guillory of The Athletic wrote on Monday. Ingram is eligible to sign a four-year, $208 million contract in the summer. The team understandably isn't very keen to make such a big investment in Ingram after seeing him struggle in the playoffs. New Orleans was swept in the first round by Oklahoma City, with Ingram settling for 14.3 points, 4.5 rebounds, and 3.3 assists with 34.5 shooting from the field.
--Taavi Pailk - RotoBallerSource: William Guillory
6 days agoAccording to NBA insider Marc Stein, Indiana Pacers guard
Andrew Nembhard is set to sign a new deal with the team this summer. The 24-year-old, who impressed with strong postseason performances, inked a four-year, $8.5 million deal with the Pacers in 2022. The final year in 2025-26 is a team option, but it looks like Indiana wants to lock up Nembhard long-term as soon as possible. Through his first two NBA seasons, the Canadian guard has averaged 9.3 points, 2.4 rebounds, and 4.3 assists. However, Nembhard took huge strides in the 2024 playoffs, putting up 14.8 points with 3.3 rebounds and 6.5 assists.
--Taavi Pailk - RotoBallerSource: Marc Stein
6 days agoCleveland Cavaliers guard
Donovan Mitchell is expected to start extension talks with the team soon. According to NBA insider Evan Sidery, Cleveland wants to have its new head coach in place before presenting Mitchell with his $208 million extension. A four-year, $208 million deal is the maximum amount the Cavaliers can offer to Mitchell, whose current deal allows him to become an unrestricted free agent next summer. The five-star All-Star has been linked with a move away from Cleveland, but it looks like he's set to stay, with the team needing to make other moves to accommodate Mitchell's needs.
Darius Garland is expected to leave Cleveland if Mitchell agrees to an extension.
--Taavi Pailk - RotoBallerSource: Evan Sidery
6 days agoThe Cleveland Cavaliers have received permission to interview Minnesota Timberwolves assistant coach Micah Nori for the team's head-coaching job. Nori, an Ohio native, is coming off a successful playoff run with the Timberwolves. During that postseason campaign, he served as the team's interim head coach from the second round onward due to head coach Chris Finch's knee injury. Nori impressed with his work by maneuvering the Timberwolves past the defending champions, the Denver Nuggets, in a seven-game series. Since starting out in the league in 2009, Nori has held an assistant position with five teams. Kenny Atkinson and James Borrego are reportedly the favorites to take over for J.B. Bickerstaff in Cleveland.
--Taavi Pailk - RotoBallerSource: Adrian Wojnarowski
6 days agoAccording to Rod Boone of The Charlotte Observer, Hornets guard
LaMelo Ball isn't anticipated to be traded anytime soon. The Hornets are under new ownership, and with Ball's frequent injuries over the last few seasons, his stock can't get much lower. But the 22-year-old is as good as it gets when healthy, averaging 20.0 points, 7.4 assists, 6.2 rebounds, and 1.6 steals in 184 career games. As such, he'll draw attention from managers during fantasy drafts heading into the 2024-25 campaign. However, Ball's inability to remain healthy makes him a risky fantasy option.
--Dennis Clausen - RotoBallerSource: Rod Boone
6 days agoAccording to Rod Boone of The Charlotte Observer, impending free agent
Miles Bridges isn't expected to give the Charlotte Hornets a "hometown" discount. While Bridges has stated he wants to remain in Charlotte, Boone indicated the veteran would sign with the team "who offers the most money," with the Pistons one of the likeliest suitors because of cap space. He didn't play in 2022-23. However, the 26-year-old returned for the 2023-24 campaign and averaged career-highs in points (21.0) and rebounds (7.3). Nonetheless, wherever Bridges lands this offseason, he should remain a top fantasy producer.
--Dennis Clausen - RotoBallerSource: Rod Boone
6 days agoAccording to ESPN's Brian Windhorst, the Phoenix Suns are expected to re-sign forward
Royce O'Neale. The veteran was traded to Phoenix from Brooklyn ahead of the deadline and immediately provided much-needed depth to a team with minimal options on the bench. O'Neale appeared in 30 games for Phoenix, starting eight, averaging 8.1 points, 5.2 rebounds, and 2.7 assists. With Phoenix strapped for cash and having little flexibility to make moves this offseason, O'Neale should get his share of minutes. Considering
Devin Booker and
Bradley Beal had trouble staying healthy, there's a realistic chance O'Neale will get some runs with the first five throughout the 2024-25 campaign, assuming he re-signs with Phoenix.
--Dennis Clausen - RotoBallerSource: Brian Windhorst
7 days agoMinnesota Timberwolves forward
Kyle Anderson has loved his spell with the team and wants to extend his stay. The versatile forward inked a two-year, $18 million contract with the T-Wolves in 2022. His playing time dropped significantly in 2023-24, which also had an impact on the rest of his numbers, but Anderson has pointed to family reasons as a major factor for wanting to stay in Minnesota. Playing for a successful team is definitely appealing for him as well. Anderson, who will turn 31 in September, averaged 6.4 points, 3.5 rebounds, and 4.2 assists in 22.6 minutes this season.
--Taavi Pailk - RotoBallerSource: Jon Krawczynski
7 days agoMiami Heat forward
Haywood Highsmith will be a popular man in free agency after finishing off a three-year, $3.9 million deal. Speaking on the Locket On Heat podcast, Michael Scotto of HoopsHype noted that Highsmith "has a lot of interest around the league." The 27-year-old posted career numbers in multiple categories in 2023-24, averaging 6.1 points and 3.2 rebounds in 20.7 minutes, with 39.6 percent shooting from deep. He hasn't been a fantasy factor, but Highsmith is seen as a good defender, and it looks like this will help him secure a good contract this offseason.
--Taavi Pailk - RotoBallerSource: Michael Scotto
7 days agoPhiladelphia 76ers point guard
Kyle Lowry could remain with the team in 2024-25. According to Keith Pompey of The Philadelphia Inquirer, the 76ers are interested in re-signing the veteran floor general after he had a positive impact on the team during his short spell in 2023-24. Lowry signed a $2.9 million pact until the end of the season in February after getting released by the Hornets. A potential new deal depends on how much money Lowry commands in the offseason. The 28-year-old is well past his best and posted 8.0 points with 2.8 rebounds and 4.6 assists in 28.4 minutes with the 76ers this term.
--Taavi Pailk - RotoBallerSource: Keith Pompey
7 days agoPhiladelphia 76ers guard/forward
Kelly Oubre Jr. is heading toward unrestricted free agency, but he could still remain in the City of Brotherly Love. According to Keith Pompey of The Philadelphia Inquirer, Oubre Jr. is among the players who the 76ers are most eager to re-sign in the summer. However, keeping Oubre Jr. might get complicated due to financial reasons. The 28-year-old was on a minimum-salary deal in 2023-24, and he will definitely be more expensive after enjoying a good campaign in Philadelphia. Oubre Jr. averaged 15.4 points, 5.0 rebounds, and 1.1 steals across 30.2 minutes.
--Taavi Pailk - RotoBallerSource: Keith Pompey
7 days agoNew York Knicks center
Isaiah Hartenstein is set to cash in big on a productive season this summer. According to Jake Fischer of Yahoo Sports, Hartenstein will be able to draw at least $80 million, and perhaps upward of $100 million, from a team that tries to lure him away from New York in free agency. Hartenstein, who is coming off a two-year, $16 million deal, finished 2023-24 as the Knicks' starting center and proved himself as a versatile contributor. He averaged 7.8 points, 8.3 rebounds, 2.5 assists, 1.2 steals, and 1.1 blocks in 25.3 minutes during the regular season.
--Taavi Pailk - RotoBallerSource: Jake Fischer
7 days agoOklahoma City Thunder forward
Gordon Hayward will be moving on this offseason following a disappointing stint with the team, and the Denver Nuggets might be a possible landing spot for him. Nuggets insider Harrison Wind has noted that he knows there are people within the club who are "fans" of Hayward. The 34-year-old was limited to 5.3 points in 17.2 minutes with the Thunder but started the season reasonably well in Charlotte. He could still do a job in a suitable situation. However, Hayward's play has steadily declined in recent years, and it looks like his days of being a reliable fantasy option are over.
--Taavi Pailk - RotoBallerSource: Harrison Wind
1 week agoAccording to the Philadelphia Inquirer's Keith Pompey, the 76ers are hoping to bring back forward
Nicolas Batum. The veteran was traded to Philadelphia early in the 2023-24 campaign after spending three seasons with the Clippers. He appeared in 57 games for the Sixers last season. While Batum was a welcome addition to the roster, he played well enough in his 38 starts by averaging 5.6 points, 4.2 rebounds, and 2.2 assists. The Sixers hold his Bird Rights, so it's possible he could remain with the franchise. However, Batum likely won't be a consistent fantasy option anytime soon, although he has streaming potential when given extra minutes.
--Dennis Clausen - RotoBallerSource: Keith Pompey
1 week agoAccording to NBC Sports Chicago's K.C. Johnson, the Bulls could be open to taking less in a trade involving guard
Zach LaVine. The 29-year-old has reportedly been on the block on and off over the last few seasons. Initially, Chicago sought an All-Star-caliber player or multiple first-round picks in return. However, Johnson feels the Bulls would settle for less, considering both sides are "motivated" to make something happen this offseason. LaVine has averaged 20.5 points, 4.1 rebounds, and 3.9 assists throughout his career with the Timberwolves and Bulls. But he's battled countless injuries, recently appearing in just 25 games in 2023-24 before his year ended abruptly because of a foot injury. With that in mind, LaVine will could be wearing a different uniform when the new season begins in October. Yet, he should have at least a few more productive years on the horizon if he can figure out how to stay healthy.
--Dennis Clausen - RotoBallerSource: K.C. Johnson
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