19 hours agoFree-agent forward Rudy Gay has reportedly agreed to a one-year deal with the Golden State Warriors. The veteran forward will return for his 18th season in the league. Over the last two seasons, Gay has averaged 6.7 points and 3.7 rebounds across 16.8 minutes per game with the Utah Jazz. The expectation is that Gay will serve as depth and be a veteran leader for this unit. He's not expected to offer much fantasy value in a limited role off the bench with the Warriors.--Andy Webb - RotoBallerSource: Adrian Wojnarowski

19 hours agoLos Angeles Clippers forward Kobe Brown (ankle) is healthy and ready to go for training camp, according to team president Lawrence Frank. This is great news after Brown suffered an ankle injury during the Summer League. Luckily, it appears the rookie forward is fine and ready to go for the beginning of the season. He averaged 15.2 points, 7.0 rebounds, 2.6 made three-pointers in 25.5 minutes per game during the Summer League. The hope is that Brown will be able to carve out a rotational role for himself. However, it's tough to imagine him having much fantasy value to begin the season.--Andy Webb - RotoBallerSource: CBS Sports

19 hours agoOklahoma City Thunder guard Victor Oladipo (knee) won't be ready for the beginning of training camp, according to team president Sam Presti. Oladipo has struggled to stay healthy since suffering a ruptured quad tendon in 2019. He suffered another knee injury during the postseason with the Miami Heat last season. It's worth noting that the Thunder are loaded with young talent that needs playing time. Honestly, it's hard to imagine Oladipo carving out a legitimate role for himself even when healthy. He probably won't have much fantasy value to begin the season.--Andy Webb - RotoBallerSource: Brandon Rahbar

19 hours agoFree-agent guard R.J. Hampton has reportedly signed a two-way deal with the Miami Heat. The former first-round pick was waived by the Detroit Pistons in June. He averaged 6.4 points, 1.9 rebounds, and 1.1 assists in 16.0 minutes across 47 games between the Pistons and Orlando Magic. The 22-year-old is unlikely to have a significant role in the rotation. This contract allows him to bounce between the Heat roster and their G-League affiliate. Fantasy managers shouldn't expect Hampton to carry fantasy value heading into the regular season.--Andy Webb - RotoBallerSource: NBA.com

20 hours agoLos Angeles Clippers forwards Kawhi Leonard and Paul George are reportedly both healthy heading into training camp, according to team president Lawrence Frank. That is great news after both players saw their 2022 campaign come to a premature end due to knee injuries. The hope is that the Clippers can keep both players relatively healthy throughout next season. Both players should be able to offer top-25 fantasy value, assuming they can stay on the court.--Andy Webb - RotoBallerSource: Ohm Youngmisuk

23 hours agoThe Portland Trail Blazers finally satisfied Damian Lillard's trade request on Wednesday, and forward Nassir Little and guard Keon Johnson ended up on the Phoenix Suns in the fallout of the comings and goings. The Suns also netted Jusuf Nurkic and Grayson Allen while Portland got Deandre Ayton out of Phoenix in the swap. Little took a step back last year after a decent 2021-22 season that saw him average 9.8 points, 5.6 rebounds, 1.2 threes, and 0.9 blocks in 25.9 minutes over 42 games (23 starts). Johnson only averaged 4.7 points during 10.4 minutes a year ago, so he's likely hard-pressed to see meaningful run in the desert, too. Fantasy managers should keep an eye on names such as Matisse Thybulle and Kris Murray to absorb more minutes in Portland in wake of the move.--Joseph Barbati - RotoBallerSource: Adrian Wojnarowski - ESPN

23 hours agoThe Phoenix Suns most notably exchanged Deandre Ayton for Jusuf Nurkic in the aftermath of the blockbuster trade that sent Damian Lillard to the Milwaukee Bucks. The Suns also added guard/forward Grayson Allen in the deal, however, as well as fellow role players Nassir Little and Keon Johnson. Allen is probably the most likely of the three to carve out a consistent role in the desert, but he'll have to battle with Josh Okogie for three-and-D minutes at small forward now. The 27-year-old shapes up as a low-upside flier in fall fantasy drafts, so managers should be able to do better in the later rounds. Allen's departures clears a path for the likes of Malik Beasley, Pat Connaughton, and Jae Crowder to soak up more playing time in Milwaukee's star-studded lineup.--Joseph Barbati - RotoBallerSource: Adrian Wojnarowski - ESPN

23 hours agoMilwaukee Bucks guard Jrue Holiday is headed to the Portland Trail Blazers as part of the deal that sees the Bucks land superstar Damian Lillard. Portland also secured Deandre Ayton from the Phoenix Suns in the trade, but Holiday's stay in Rip City could be short-lived. ESPN's Adrian Wojnarowski reports that the Blazers are contacting contenders in talks to ship him elsewhere, so it's plausible Holiday may not even suit up for them if another deal is struck before the season starts. Holiday's arrival would otherwise hurt the appeal of rising star Anfernee Simons and first-round rookie Scoot Henderson in the Blazers backcourt. It's hard to gauge an impact on Holiday's fantasy value until he is fully settled in, but the rock-solid veteran remains worthy of a fourth-round pick if he sticks with his new squad, anyway.--Joseph Barbati - RotoBallerSource: Adrian Wojnarowski - ESPN

24 hours agoThe Phoenix Suns are landing Portland Trail Blazers center Jusuf Nurkic as part of the three-team trade that moves superstar Damian Lillard to the Milwaukee Bucks. Phoenix is trading Deandre Ayton in exchange also for Grayson Allen (via Milwaukee), Nassir Little, and Keon Johnson, but Nurkic is obviously the biggest name of Phoenix's haul. Ayton and the Suns didn't appear to see eye to eye of late, so they essentially replace him with Nurkic here. The skilled 29-year-old big man will presumably maintain a starting role in the desert, but he goes from being a potential usage hog to more of a complementary piece surrounded by several superstars. Nurkic has experienced his fair share of injuries in recent years, and even if his efficiency improves alongside more defensive stats, he might be a tough sell until the double-digit rounds of fantasy drafts.--Joseph Barbati - RotoBallerSource: Adrian Wojnarowski - ESPN

24 hours agoThe Portland Trail Blazers are acquiring Phoenix Suns center Deandre Ayton as part of a three-team blockbuster trade that ships superstar Damian Lillard to the Milwaukee Bucks. Portland is also getting Jrue Holiday, but ESPN's Adrian Wojnarowski reports they are looking to move the veteran to a contender. The Blazers are sending Jusuf Nurkic, Nassir Little, and Keon Johnson to the Suns in the stunning deal. Ayton's name was rumored to be in trade talks all offseason, and Phoenix effectively swaps him with Nurkic here. Ayton was originally set to be the fourth scoring option for the Suns, but that takes a sudden shift in Rip City with Lillard now out of the mix. The star big man is coming off fantasy drafts boards in the top-50 range, but his ADP should become a bit more expensive with a significant uptick in usage headed his way.--Joseph Barbati - RotoBallerSource: Adrian Wojnarowski - ESPN

1 day agoThe Milwaukee Bucks are trading for Portland Trail Blazers superstar guard Damian Lillard. It's a massive three-team deal that most notably sees the Bucks send Jrue Holiday, an unprotected first-round pick, and unprotected pick swap rights in 2028 and 2030 to Portland. Jusuf Nurkic, Grayson Allen, Nassir Little, and Keon Johnson head to the Phoenix Suns as part of the swap. At long last, Lillard's trade request has been fulfilled. Even though he didn't land at his preferred Miami Heat destination, Lillard ends up with another Eastern Conference contender nonetheless. The seven-time All-Star will help form one of the league's most dynamic duos alongside Giannis Antetokounmpo in Milwaukee. Lillard's overall counting stats could take a slight hit surrounded by more talent than he was with the Blazers, but a potential rise in efficiency should support his top-12 upside in category leagues for upcoming fantasy drafts.--Joseph Barbati - RotoBallerSource: Adrian Wojnarowski - ESPN

2 days agoAnthony Chiang of the Miami Herald hears from a source that the Miami Heat potentially trading for Portland Trail Blazers guard Damian Lillard is becoming "unlikely" with both sides at an impasse in this regard for months now. Portland obviously desires multiple first-round picks and perhaps several of Tyler Herro, Nikola Jovic, Jaime Jaquez Jr. and Caleb Martin, but Miami won't seem to budge on what they're willing to offer. It looks like the two sides haven't been more far apart on striking a deal than they are right now with other teams now swooping in on the Lillard sweepstakes. Continue drafting the seven-time All-Star around the Round 1/2 turn in fantasy while this long-drawn-out saga desperately searches for its climax.--Joseph Barbati - RotoBallerSource: Anthony Chiang

2 days agoKurt Helin of NBC Sports hears that Toronto Raptors forward Scottie Barnes is "not available" in trade discussions, particularly surrounding superstar guard Damian Lillard. While it would make sense for the former Rookie of the Year to represent something of an untouchable asset still with two years left on his team-friendly deal, Toronto may have to include some piece of their core in any potential deal if they're serious about acquiring Lillard. Barnes didn't take a step forward or backward last season in Year 2, but he could be in for a third-year leap in playmaking after Toronto's bewildering offseason saw them let franchise cornerstone Fred VanVleet walk away. The 22-year-old may only be scratching the surface of his capabilities, and Barnes could exceed top-50 fantasy value in 2023-24.--Joseph Barbati - RotoBallerSource: Kurt Helin

2 days agoIndiana Pacers general manager Chad Buchanan says the organization is in no hurry to trade away guard/forward Buddy Hield, stating their "intention is to have Buddy on the team this year." It coincides with a previous report from The Athletic, saying that no trade is close at this time despite Hield being open to one after contract-extension talks with Indiana halted recently. The 30-year-old appears prepared to participate in Pacers training camp next Tuesday, even if an extension to his expiring deal isn't reached by then. The sharpshooting Hield could theoretically handle less usage if he ends up being swapped to a contender, but he remains a safe pick in the middle rounds of upcoming fantasy drafts on outstanding three-point shooting alone.--Joseph Barbati - RotoBallerSource: Dustin Dopirak

2 days agoWhen asked if he has established a starting lineup for the 2023-24 season, Golden State Warriors head coach Steve Kerr said he "hasn't decided yet" and will try "different combinations" during training camp. The question on most fantasy managers' minds since the Warriors acquired guard Chris Paul this offseason is whether or not he will start for his new team, but Kerr was not able to provide much clarity on that inquiry. The 38-year-old floor general has never come off the bench at any point of his career, so there may be a level of pride attached to that status. Paul's Yahoo ADP currently sees him listed as a late sixth-round pick in 12-team leagues, and he should play close to 30 minutes a night no matter the role.--Joseph Barbati - RotoBallerSource: Anthony Slater