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RotoBaller NBA Recap: More Injuries, More Rumors

Leonard Francis II highlights three fantasy basketball takeaways from the NBA's February 5th slate. This recap focuses on John Wall, Tobias Harris, Anthony Davis, and Mo Bamba.

Eight games went into the books Tuesday night, but as the league's trade deadline quickly approaches (tomorrow at 3 P.M. EST), the events that took place off the hardwood were the ones that dominated the NBA airwaves on this particular day and night. And, of course, there were more injuries because this season wouldn't be complete without more injuries. Hell, we even saw the rare injury to an already injured guy.

Yes, you read that correctly. Washington Wizards guard John Wall -- who underwent season-ending heel surgery in January -- suffered a ruptured Achilles tendon after slipping and falling in his home and will now require a second procedure to repair the damage sustained from his clumsiness. After playing in just 41 games a season ago -- following surgeries on both in knees in 2016 -- Wall hasn't seen the court since December 26th, and it's now looking like we won't see him again until the 2020-2021 campaign. Contract aside (Wall signed a four-year, supermax extension worth $170 million back in 2017 which is set to kick in a pay him $37.8 million in the upcoming season), this is simply yet another tough break for one of the league's most talented players, and at this stage in the game, one can't help but wonder if he'll ever be the same.

What a somber way to kick things off, but hey, don't blame me! I'm a fan of Wall and was in absolutely no way affiliated with this tragedy. Although, the thought of me breaking into his house and mopping the floor with some super slippery polymer after setting up random banana peels throughout the abode is quite comical. But, enough nonsense, let's take a look at three more of the biggest happenings from around the association on Tuesday, February 5th.

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Philly Moves to the Head of the Eastern Class Following the Addition of Tobias Harris

My day job is one of those corporate desk gigs and each year I have a "PDP" review (performance, development something) where I have to grade myself on the year, then sit down with my boss -- who's graded my performance from his perspective -- and have a discussion regarding my contributions to the organization, what I suck at and things like that. There's one question that always comes up at some point during this discussion, and it's some variation of "Where do you see yourself in three years?" To which, I reply, "In Tahiti, on a cabana, getting paid at least twice as much as I do now for nothing more than sleeping, and enjoying traveling the world with my performance based on how much time I spend doing what it is I actually want to do, and/or, hours of rest I get throughout the year..."

It's a fun conversation.

Well, as I laid resting last night and into the morning (not being paid to do so, or in Tahiti, mind you), the Los Angeles Clippers and Philadelphia 76ers completed a deal which will send Clippers forwards Tobias Harris and Mike Scott, along with center Boban Marjanovic to Philly for guard/forward Wilson Chandler, guard Landry Shamet, center Mike Muscala, and four draft picks (two first-rounders, two second). Harris obviously headlines the deal and adding him to Philly's core of All-Stars Joel Embiid and Ben Simmons, and four-time All-Star Jimmy Butler, takes the currently fifth-seeded 76ers (34-20) and puts them right at the top of the East.

Both Harris and Butler will be unrestricted free agents come season's end, so the long-term impact remains to be seen, but the Sixers are in "win-now" mode and adding Harris -- who's averaging 21 points, eight rebounds, and three assists this season -- definitely helps the cause. However, with Harris going from the man responsible for carrying the scoring load in L.A., to fourth option in Philly, this news isn't likely to come as welcomed by Harris' fantasy owners. And, to a lesser extent, Embiid/Butler owners as Harris is surely going to eat into their numbers to some degree. It seems logical for all three to see a slight decrease in scoring production, possibly on the glass as well, but yet another option to stretch the floor -- and command defensive attention -- could turn out to be a blessing for each of them in terms of efficiency... Warriors lite.

On the Clippers side of things, I'd expect all three players involved in the deal to see an increase in value on the strength of the Clippers just not being a very talented basketball team. Following an impressive start to the season, injuries combined with regression to the mean have the Clippers barely holding on to the eight seed in the Western Conference after losing nine of their last 15 games. That said, Chandler seems like the most likely to see the largest boost in production by default, but both Shamet and Muscala figure to see run and the likes of Patrick Beverley and Shai Gilgeous-Alexander should see an increase in usage as well... Someone outside of Lou Williams has to get buckets until Danilo Gallinari returns.

 

Anthony Davis Won't be Playing in Los Angeles... Yet

Anthony Davis is one of the premier players in the NBA, so when he voices a desire to be traded, people pay attention. Maybe too much attention. (If I don't hear his name again for the rest of the season there will be no complaints on my end.)

Surely you've heard, but if not, the rumors surrounding his potential destination and the players involved in making a deal happen have been circulating in abundance. Thing is, when you actually hear about the details of a trade before the deal is finalized, it's normally after the deal has fallen apart. It's the ones that seemingly come out of nowhere, i.e. Tobias Harris, that gets done while these overly-hyped, insatiable media ratings prophecies filled with "sources"? Yeah, they rarely happen.

Nonetheless, when I heard the Lakers had agreed to send Kyle Kuzma, Brandon Ingram, Lonzo Ball, Josh Hart, Ivica Zubac, and two first-round picks to New Orleans. In addition to, a Kentavious Caldwell-Pope, Lance Stephenson salary-flexibility type guy, I just knew a deal was going to get done by the end of the day. How can you pass that up for one Anthony Davis? Especially, one AD who has a player option after next season, and has basically guaranteed you that he won't be re-signing which will leave you with nothing when he walks in free agency. Clearly, the two sides just had to work through the details...

Nope - the Pelicans demanded more.

Exactly what? I don't know, but I heard as many as four first-round picks, plus the aforementioned players and two second-round picks. Whatever the request, it was enough for Magic Johnson and the Lakers brass to decide that backing out of trade talks with the Pels due to their "outrageous" demands was the best course of action. Outrageous might be putting it lightly. I mean, I guess they could've thrown a three-percent royalty on all of Davis' Lakers merchandise, a lifetime "eat free" card at Roscoe's Chicken and Waffles, and an inhabited planet into the deal. But, really New Orleans?

In all seriousness, it's highly unlikely that the Pelicans receive a better offer than what the Lakers presented. The combination of young talent and picks was quite the load, and that's before we even mention the handful of teams in which AD stated he'd be interested in signing a long-term extension with. Meaning, teams like Boston who have the assets to match the Lakers offer, but don't find themselves among the list of teams Davis would sign with long-term, aren't likely to sacrifice their future/assets to acquire him knowing they'll just have him on a rental for one year. So not only is Pelicans' GM Dell Demps asking for a guaranteed place in heaven with the deal, but Davis (and his camp) have plenty of leverage on their side as well... I don't see Davis having a new home prior to the summer.

 

Mo Bamba's Rookie Season May Have Come to An Unexpected End

Orlando Magic forward Mo Bamba has been diagnosed with a stress fracture in his left leg and there is currently no timetable set for his return. The good news is that the Magic's president of basketball operations, Jeff Weltman, says the big man shouldn't require surgery so his return to the court comes with an indefinite timeframe. The bad news, for fantasy owners, is that he hasn't really given us any reason to justify our patience at this point.

... There is even less reason now.

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REAL-TIME FANTASY NEWS

KaVontae Turpin

Arrested on Two Charges
Cole Ragans

to Begin Throwing on Monday
Theo Johnson

Prioritizing his Health this Offseason
Andrés Giménez

Andres Gimenez Hits 10-Day Injured List
Jermaine Burton

Continues to Show Growth
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Hendrix Lapierre Signs One-Year Deal with Capitals
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Should DFS Players Consider Carson Hocevar for Chicago Lineups?
Tye Kartye

Kraken Re-Sign Tye Kartye for Two Years
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May be A Decent DFS Option for Chicago Lineups
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Signs Two-Year, $8.35 Million Extension with Blue Jackets
Ryan Preece

Should DFS Players Roster Ryan Preece at Chicago?
Austin Dillon

Is Too Great of A Risk to Add to Chicago Lineups
Zane Smith

Is A Value Play Worth Rostering At Chicago
Austin Hill

is A Favorable Value Option for Chicago DFS Lineups
Ty Dillon

Is Ty Dillon A Decent Driver to Add For NASCAR DFS At Chicago?
William Byron

Qualifying Crash Makes William Byron a Likely DFS Must-Have
Alex Bowman

Should Finish Well, but Probably Costs Too Much for Serious DFS Consideration
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Doesn't Really Fit Neatly into Optimal DFS Lineups
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Remains an Overrated Road Racer
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Likely to Brush Past Chicago Street Course to Focus on Daytona
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John H. Nemechek One of the Best Underdog Options After Strong Runs at Mexico City and Last Year
Cole Custer

Strong Mexico City Run and Xfinity Series Chicago Win Make Him a Solid DFS Option
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Likely Not Good Enough on Road Courses for DFS Consideration Despite Poor Qualifying Result
Noah Gragson

May Be Better Than Other Cheap DFS Options
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Is a Road Course Veteran, but It's Rarely Helped Him in NASCAR
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Shane van Gisbergen Is The Heavy Favorite to Win at Chicago Street Course
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Should Be Strong Despite Practice Struggles at Chicago Street Course
Cam Ward

"Not Expecting" to be handed Starting Job
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Eager to Get Back on the Field
Wyatt Langford

Activated, Playing on Saturday
Jay Huff

on the Move to Indiana
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Wizards Acquire Cam Whitmore from the Rockets
LaJohntay Wester

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Clarke Schmidt

Likely to Undergo Tommy John Surgery
Nolan Arenado

Scratched from Saturday's Lineup
Vladimir Guerrero Jr.

Starting on Saturday
Corbin Carroll

Activated from 10-Day Injured List
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Shemar Stewart, Bengals Continue Contract Talks, No Progress Made
Giannis Antetokounmpo

Potential Giannis Antetokounmpo Trade may not Happen Until "August, September"
Ha-Seong Kim

Removed Early During Season Debut
ARI

Christian Fischer Retires From NHL at 28
NHL

Spencer Martin Moves to Russia
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Anthony Beauvillier Re-Signs With Capitals for Two Years
Vladimir Guerrero Jr.

Sitting Out With Foot Issue
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Impresses at Minicamp
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Jock Landale Waived by Rockets
Bo Bichette

Back in Blue Jays Lineup
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Jonas Valanciunas Considering Returning to Europe
Miles Sanders

Works With Starters During Mandatory Minicamp
Jabari Walker

Signs Two-Way Deal With Sixers
Chimere Dike

Titans Could Move Chimere Dike Inside
Keandre Lambert-Smith

KeAndre Lambert-Smith not Guaranteed Roster Spot
Anthony Bradford

Working Hard to Win Back Starting Job
Byron Young

Still Improving?
Cody Simon

Jonathan Gannon has Been Impressed With Cody Simon
SirVocea Dennis

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Trevor Penning

Could Still Have a Role in New Orleans
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Moritz Wagner, Magic Agree to One-Year Deal
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Likely to Reset the Edge-Rush Market
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Suns Discussing Potential Buyout
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Jaxson Hayes Staying with the Lakers
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Damian Lillard "Open" to Signing With a Team This Offseason
Max Muncy

Out at Least Six Weeks
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Leaves Start with Forearm Tightness
Colson Montgomery

Promoted to the Major Leagues
Pittsburgh Steelers

Omar Khan, Steelers Agree to Three-Year Contract
Max Muncy

Goes on Injured List With Knee Bruise
Max Muncy

Out of Thursday's Lineup
James Wood

Joining Home Run Derby
SJ

Sharks Claim Nick Leddy Off Waivers
SJ

Sharks Sign Dmitry Orlov to Two-Year, $13 Million Contract
CAR

Nikolaj Ehlers Joins Hurricanes on Six-Year Contract
Chau Smith-Wade

Having Stellar Offseason
Ace Bailey

Inks Rookie Contract With Jazz
Divine Deablo

Could be the Quarterback of the Defense
Isaiah Rodgers

a Likely Starter for the Vikings
Boston Celtics

Josh Minott Inks Deal With Celtics
Sandro Mamukelashvili

Heading to Toronto
Jared McCain

Not on 76ers Summer League Roster
Dylan Harper

Unavailable for California Classic
COL

Brent Burns Inks One-Year Deal with Avalanche
STL

Blues Land Pius Suter on Two-Year Deal
Morgan Frost

Agrees to Two-Year Extension with Flames
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Gustav Nyquist Moves to Winnipeg
Cody Glass

Devils Re-Sign Cody Glass to Two-Year Deal
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Anthony Mantha Joins Penguins
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Larry Nance Jr. Headed Back to Cavaliers
Eric Gordon

Remaining with 76ers
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Deandre Ayton Joining Lakers
Emil Heineman

Signs Two-Year Deal with Islanders
Simon Holmstrom

Re-Signs with Islanders for Two Years
UTA

Nate Schmidt Signs Three-Year Deal with Mammoth
UTA

Brandon Tanev Moves to Utah on Three-Year Contract
NJ

Evgenii Dadonov Joins Devils on One-Year Deal
BUF

Sabres Snap Up Alex Lyon on Two-Year Contract
Dallas Mavericks

Dante Exum Returning to Dallas
Jaren Jackson Jr.

Has Surgery to Repair a Turf Toe Injury
Bud Cauley

in Great Form Ahead of John Deere Classic
Christiaan Bezuidenhout

a Player to Avoid at John Deere Classic
Jake Knapp

Riding Momentum Ahead of John Deere Classic
PGA

Sungjae Im Looking for Consistency at John Deere Classic
Ryan Gerard

a Solid Option at John Deere Classic
Rickie Fowler

Looking to Rebound at John Deere Classic
Cameron Champ

a Volatile Option at John Deere Classic
Jackson Suber

Staying Below 70 is Key to Success for Jackson Suber
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Playing Better Heading into John Deere Classic
Justin Lower

Hoping for Something Positive in Illinois
Ben Kohles

a Long Shot at John Deere Classic
Stephan Jaeger

Attempts to Stop Roller-Coaster Ride
Beau Hossler

Needs a Challenge in Illinois
Harry Higgs

Has Potential at John Deere Classic
Nick Dunlap

Keeps Plugging Through Tough 2025 Season
Kevin Yu

a Near Must-Play at TPC Deere Run
PGA

J.T. Poston Returns to John Deere Classic Looking for Another High Finish
Thriston Lawrence

a Decent Fit For John Deere Classic
Tom Kim

Not Finding Much to be Happy About Ahead of John Deere Classic
Si Woo Kim

is a Prohibitive Fade at John Deere Classic
Ben Griffin

is the Appropriate Favorite at TPC Deere Run
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