Dwight Howard Wants To Play For Kings
9 hours agoFree-agent center Dwight Howard recently mentioned that he wants to play in the NBA again before he retires from basketball. The veteran big man has not played in the NBA since the 2021-2022 season with the Los Angeles Lakers. Howard spent all of last season in Taiwan, but it appears he's ready to make his return to the NBA. The 37-year-old recently mentioned he'd love to join the Sacramento Kings and help them contend for a championship. It's worth noting that Howard also mentioned that he's aware the Kings are basically set, so it appears he's keeping his expectations low. Honestly, Howard would probably rejoin to the NBA if any organization made him an offer. It's unlikely he'd have much fantasy value regardless of the team. At this point, Howard would probably only be able to play a minimal role off the bench.Source: Sacramento Observer
MarJon Beauchamp To Play In Summer League
9 hours agoMilwaukee Bucks forward MarJon Beauchamp is set to play with the Bucks Summer League team in Las Vegas in July. The Bucks selected Beauchamp with the 24th overall pick in last summer's draft. He averaged 5.1 points, 2.2 rebounds, 0.7 assists in 13.5 minutes in 56 games during his rookie campaign. The hope is that the 22-year-old forward will have a bigger role in the rotation next season. However, Beauchamp's role will likely be determined by what the Bucks do in free agency. Right now, it seems unlikely that Beauchamp would have fantasy value next season, but we'll wait and see what happens.Source: Milwaukee Journal-Sentinel
Tyler Herro To Remain Out For Game 4
9 hours agoMiami Heat guard Tyler Herro (hand) has been ruled out for Friday's Game 4 against the Denver Nuggets. There was some optimism that Herro would suit up for this game, but that won't happen. The 23-year-old reportedly went through a full workout on Thursday, but it appears that wasn't enough to clear him for game action. At this point, it's uncertain if Herro is going to play at all during this series. Max Strus will continue to fill the void in the starting lineup.Source: Anthony Chiang
Jamal Murray Dealing With Minor Injury
10 hours agoDenver Nuggets guard Jamal Murray (hand) was a huge contributor during Wednesday's Game 3 victory over the Miami Heat. The 26-year-old made history during this game as he was the first player to post 10-plus assists in each of his first three Finals appearance. However, Murray did suffered a floor burn on his left hand during Wednesday's victory. The star guard showed up to practice with tape on his hand, but he should be fine going forward. Fantasy managers shouldn't panic as Murray is expected to suit up for Game 4 on Friday.Source: Mike Singer
Khris Middleton Has Successful Surgery
10 hours agoMilwaukee Bucks forward Khris Middleton (knee) underwent successful surgery on Thursday. The 31-year-old underwent a minor arthroscopic procedure to address a lingering knee issue. He's expected to be fully recovered and back on the court by early July. Middleton only appeared in 33 games for the Bucks this past season. He could be a free agent this summer, assuming he decides to decline his $40 million player option. However, it seems unlikely that Middleton would decline that option considering he probably wouldn't get $40 million per year in free agency. Hopefully, Middleton will be fully healthy and bounce back next season.Source: Shams Charania
Caleb Martin Gets Going Again In Game 3
19 hours agoMiami Heat forward Caleb Martin was back in form in Game 3 of the NBA Finals Wednesday, registering 10 points, three rebounds, three assists and two steals in 32 minutes off the bench. He made the biggest improvement offensively, having previously totaled only six points in the first two games of the series. Martin shot 4-for-9 in the contest and was 2-for-5 with the three-ball. However, the Heat still ended up taking a resounding loss and a bigger all-around contribution from Martin would greatly improve the team's chances in the series. After averaging 19.3 points and 6.4 rebounds in the previous round against Boston, Martin has so far settled for just 5.3 points and 4.0 boards versus Denver.Source: ESPN
Bam Adebayo Has Big Double-Double Despite Awful Shooting
19 hours agoMiami Heat center Bam Adebayo produced an awful 7-for-21 shooting performance in Game 3 of the NBA Finals, but he found a way to finish a 109-94 loss with a big double-double. An 8-for-10 effort at the free-throw line helped Adebayo to collect 22 points, while he grabbed a team-high 17 rebounds. Adebayo ended up recording over half of the team's rebounds as Miami was crushed on the boards 58-33. In 41 minutes of action, the Heat center also tallied three assists and one block. The poor shooting efficiency left a large stain on Adebayo's line Wednesday, but he has upped his offensive game overall in the series, averaging 23.0 points with 13.0 rebounds 4.0 assists and 1.0 blocks.Source: ESPN
Jimmy Butler Leads Miami With 28 Points Wednesday
19 hours agoMiami Heat forward Jimmy Butler led his squad with 28 points in Wednesday's 109-94 loss to Denver. The Heat were limited to 37 percent shooting in the game and Butler personally wasn't very efficient with his work either, going 4-for-1 from downtown and 11-for-24 overall from the field. Butler has been filling the stat sheet regularly throughout the playoffs, but he managed only two rebounds, four assists and one block this time around, logging his second consecutive game without a single steal. After the game, the Heat star sounded very frustrated with the low-energy performance and we should see a much better effort from Butler Friday night.Source: ESPN
Christian Braun Produces 15 Points In 19 Minutes
19 hours agoDenver Nuggets guard/forward Christian Braun made an outstanding contribution off the bench in Wednesday's Game 3 victory over Miami, posting 15 points on 7-for-8 shooting and picking up four rebounds, one assist and one steal in just 19 minutes of action. Braun also provided the Nuggets with a great spark off the bench in Game 2, coming up with three steals and showing off good finishing ability around the rim. His minutes have been steadily climbing in the series, and Braun could play an even bigger role in Friday's Game 4 as the Nuggets look to grab a 3-1 series lead.Source: ESPN
Aaron Gordon Notches A Double-Double In Game 3
20 hours agoDenver Nuggets forward Aaron Gordon recorded his second double-double of the 2023 postseason on Wednesday, contributing 11 points and 10 rebounds in a 109-94 win over Miami. He also registered five assists and one steal while shooting 5-for-10 from the field and playing 34 minutes without a single turnover. Gordon has shot the ball incredibly well in the Finals so far, hitting 63 percent from the field, and he's averaging 13.0 points, 7.7 rebounds and 2.7 assists in the series.Source: ESPN
Jamal Murray Makes Finals History With Another 10-Assist Game
20 hours agoDenver Nuggets guard Jamal Murray recorded a big triple-double in Wednesday's Game 3 win over Miami, making some NBA Finals history in the process. The Nuggets guard is the first player to post 10-plus assists in each of his first three Finals appearances. He added a game-high 34 points to his line with 10 rebounds, shooting 12-for-22 from the field and 3-for-6 from downtown. Murray and Nikola Jokic became the first duo in NBA history to each record 30-point triple-doubles in the same game. The Kentucky product himself won't be happy with his seven turnovers, but he gets a quick opportunity to produce an improved performance, with Game 4 coming up already on Friday.Source: ESPN
Nikola Jokic Logs Historic Triple-Double
20 hours agoDenver Nuggets center Nikola Jokic made history on Wednesday, becoming the first player ever with a 30-20-10 triple-double in an NBA Finals game. He went for 32 points on 12-for-21 shooting and recorded 21 rebounds and 10 assists. It's Jokic's third 30-20-10 game in the playoffs while the rest of the NBA has combined for only two such games in league history. Jokic added two blocks to complete his big line, and the former MVP is now averaging 33.3 points, 14.0 rebounds and 9.3 assists in the series.Source: ESPN
Shaedon Sharpe Appears To Be Off-Limits
1 day agoPortland Trail Blazers guard Shaedon Sharpe appears to be off-limits in recent trade talks. The organization is reportedly open to moving the third overall pick in the upcoming NBA Draft. However, Sharpe is off-limits in any trade discussions as the Blazers believe he has the potential to be an All-Star. Sharpe mainly played a limited role during his rookie season, but played really well towards the end of the season. Damian Lillard has made it clear he doesn't want to be part of a rebuild. The Blazers don't seem willing to move Sharpe, so we'll see what other trade pieces the team has to offer this offseason to help build a contender.Source: Jake Fischer
Josh Hart Expected To Opt Out
1 day agoNew York Knicks forward Josh Hart is expected to opt-out of the final year of his contract and head to free agency. Hart would be an unrestricted free agent if he decides to decline his player option that is worth roughly $12 million. Hart was a key part of the Knicks roster as he helped them make it to the second round of the postseason. The 28-year-old is hopeful that he can remain with the Knicks going forward. It sounds like Hart believes he can make more than $12 million in free agency, so possibly the Knicks offer him more than that. It seems likely that Hart would gladly return to the Knicks, but money is probably going to be the determining factor of where he goes this summer.Source: Bleacher Report
Andre Drummond Likely To Exercise Player Option
1 day agoChicago Bulls center Andre Drummond is expected to exercise his $3.3 million player option for the 2023-2024 season. The big man had a minimal role in Chicago last season, but did play in 67 contests. He averaged 6.0 points, 6.6 rebounds, and 0.5 assists in 12.7 minutes per game. Drummond was effective off the bench, but the limited playing time didn't give him much fantasy value. Honestly, he's really only worth rostering when Nikola Vucevic isn't available. It's possible that Drummond could get more money elsewhere, but he appears comfortable in Chicago.Source: NBC Sports