Fantasy Basketball News

Jonathan Isaac (knee) said he “might get the chance to come back and play” once the NBA 2019-20 season resumes. (Source: The Full 48)

Fantasy Impact: Isaac sustained a sprained left knee on January 1st and has been sidelined since. He is “optimistic about the possibility” of being cleared once the NBA season resumes. Isaac needs to build strength in his left leg, but did state recently that his knee is feeling strong. The 22-year-old wants to “be the best defensive player in the league. I want to win multiple Defensive Players of the Year,” Isaac added. He averaged 12.0 points, 6.9 rebounds, 1.3 assists and 0.9 triples across 32 games this season.

Gabe Vincent dealt with a knee injury before the NBA season was shortened. He is reportedly "good to go," per Heat's Assistant GM Adam Simon. (Source: Miami Herald)

Fantasy Impact: Vincent signed a two-way contract with the Heat in January. He is reportedly "good to go" despite sustaining a knee injury prior to the NBA shutdown. “He was fighting through it, wanted to show he’s ready and an NBA player,” Simon said of Vincent’s time so far with the Heat. “He was determined to not use it as an excuse. He has the qualities we looked for — being a real gym rat, a real hard working kid with great character, well liked wherever he’s been, good teammate, unselfish," Simon added. Vincent averaged 2.0 points, 0.5 rebounds, 0.5 assists and 0.7 triples across six games for the Heat this season. The 23-year-old guard will be available once the NBA 2019-2020 season resumes, but could have a hard time breaking into Miami's rotation.

"Eric Gordon has already lost 12 pounds off his frame by way of track sprints and diet. There’s a hope that with the weight that has come off him, he’ll be able to prevent further injury to his knees," per Kelly Iko of the Athletic. (Source: The Athletic)

Fantasy Impact: “I think Eric Gordon’s a big key for us,” Rockets' HC Mike D’Antoni said on KHOU’s SportsExtra last week. “He has the potential to put us over the top.” The 31-year-old guard has had knee injuries throughout his career and hopes the lighter weight will keep him healthier in the long run. He is a solid producer off the Rockets bench, but will continue to split time in the rotation with Austin Rivers, Ben McLemore and Jeff Green. Gordon is averaging 14.5 points, 1.9 rebounds, 1.5 assists, 0.6 steals and 2.7 triples across 34 games this season.

In compliance with NBA safety protocol, Kris Dunn has been receiving treatment on his right knee MCL sprain, at the Advocate Center. (Source: K.C. Johnson on Twitter)

Fantasy Impact: Dunn initially sustained the injury when his knee collided with Thaddeus Young in a game versus the Nets on January 31st. In March, he was officially ruled out for the season. Dunn averaged 7.3 points, 3.6 rebounds, 3.4 assists, and two steals per contest. The point guard could be a nice streamer in 2020, for fantasy owners looking for an edge in steals.

Hawks President of Basketball Operations and General Manager Travis Schlenk told ESPN, "Clint says he's feeling better, and there's a possibility that we can get him back on the court. Practicing and playing five games would be valuable to us." (Source: ESPN)

Fantasy Impact: Traded by the Houston Rockets at the deadline, Clint Capela has yet to suit up for the Atlanta Hawks. As the NBA continues to work out the logistics on which teams will be participating in the NBA Bubble, the Hawks are interested in making sure they are taking part, even if its for only five games. The Hawks youth movement and rebuild is underway and the nucleus of Trae Young, John Collins, Cam Reddish, DeAndre Hunter, and Kevin Huerter have yet to play with Capela. Fantasy owners should expect some regression from Capela as he makes his way back from injury and its unclear how he will fit with a new system and team. One thing is for sure, the pick-and-roll lobs will be there with Trae Young and Capela remains one of the better rebounders and shot blockers in the NBA. Fantasy owners will have to hang tight for more information about whether teams out of contention will still be involved in the restart of the NBA season.

Wizards PG John Wall (achilles) told reporters on a Zoom call Tuesday that he is “110 percent” healthy. (Source: Fred Katz on Twitter)

Fantasy Impact: Wall hasn’t played since the 2018-19 season, when he suffered a season-ending achilles tear 32 games into the season. With a recovery timeline set at 12 months, Wall has missed the entirety of the 2019-20 season. In the past three years, Wall has only played in 73 games. He may have been forgotten by the fantasy community, but he’s still one of the best true point guards in the NBA when healthy. Even though he deems himself fully healthy, Wall was quick to squash any rumors that he could return to the court this season when the NBA resumes.

Pistons F Jon Leuer said on social media that he is officially retiring from the NBA after battling with injuries the past three years. (Source: Jon Leuer on Twitter)

Fantasy Impact: In his Instagram post, Leuer said, “ I love the game of basketball. I still want to play, but I know deep down it’s not the right decision for my health anymore. The past 3 years I’ve dealt with a number of injuries, including 2 that kept me out this whole season. It’s taken me a while to come to grips with this, but I’m truly at peace with my decision to officially retire.” Leuer last played for the Detroit Pistons in 2018-19, but didn’t get to play at all in 2019-20. In his eight-year career, the former second-round pick out of Wisconsin played for five NBA teams, averaging 6.4 points, 3.8 rebounds, and 0.8 assists per game. He never got through a full 82-game season, and played his best year in 2016-17 with the Pistons, when he averaged 10.2 points and 5.4 rebounds per game. He ended his post by saying, “I’m grateful for this incredible ride and everyone who helped me along the way.” Good luck to Leuer in his retirement.

According to the Jason Quick of the Athletic, Trailblazers G/F Rodney Hood said that "he will not return under any circumstance this season." (Source: The Athletic)

Fantasy Impact: Hood recently posted a video on Instagram doing weight-bearing workouts on his surgically repaired left achilles after gaining access to the Trailblazers training facility this past week. The 27-year old is seemingly on track to return for the start of the 2020-2021 season - assuming the NBA continues to target the December 2020 timeframe to kick-off the season.

According to Celtics beat writer Jay King, Kemba Walker said “his knee flared up on him earlier this season because of all of the basketball he has played in his life.” (Source: Jay King on Twitter)

Fantasy Impact: Going into the 2019-2020 season, Walker had an ‘intense summer with Team USA,‘ which quickly transitioned to training camp, followed by the start of the 2019-2020 season. With such a tight window between basketball activities, Walker was not able to get the necessary rest and treatment for the soreness and swelling of his left knee. Walker’s missed 14 games for the Celtics this year but the four-time All-Star has been one of the most durable point-guards for fantasy owners over the past four seasons - missing only six games over that span. Walker’s been afforded two and half months to rest his bothersome knee and is primed to return to the #3 seeded Celtics once the NBA season resumes. Walker averaged a season-low 14.8 points per game in March, but on the season, he’s averaging a stellar 21.2 points, 4.9 assists, 4.1 rebounds, 3.3 three’s, 0.9 steals, and 0.5 blocks in 31.8 minutes per game.

Suns F/C Frank Kaminsky is reportedly 'good to go' and was cleared to begin workouts on March 11th. (Source: 98.7, Arizona Sports on Twitter)

Fantasy Impact: Kaminsky has been recovering from a right knee patella stress fracture that he sustained on December 28th. Video surfaced of Kaminsky participating in voluntary workouts at the Arizona Veteran Memorial Coliseum and even though the Suns are clearly out of playoff contention, Kaminsky said “I’ll go to Saturn to play basketball right now.” Clearly he's just anxious to return to the court - as the NBA continues to work through several scenarios to finish out the remainder of the season. Having played a majority of his minutes at center this season, Kaminsky is coming back to a bit of a log jam with Deandre Ayton now back in his starting role and Aron Baynes playing well in Kaminsky's absence. Through 32 games this season, Kaminsky averaged 11.5 points, 4.9 rebounds, and 2.2 assists in 22.4 minutes per game.

Pacers G Victor Oladipo told The Athletic, “I’d be lying if I said I was even 80 percent out there.” Oladipo was speaking to his play this season and most notably, his 27-point performance against the Celtics on March 10th. (Source: Michael Lee on Twitter)

Fantasy Impact: Oladipo made his season debut on January 29th and has since played in 12 additional games while on a minutes restriction prior to the NBA season being suspended on March 11th. Oladipo has remained active during the NBA hiatus - training and playing basketball five times a week to be ready for when the NBA season resumes. With one-year left on his current contract, the Pacers have expressed a willingness to retain the former all-star guard but there will be no shortage of suitors should he hit the free agent market.

Kenrich Williams received treatment for his back at a closed Pelicans’ facility and will be ready to practice once the NBA season resumes. (Source: Nola.com)

Fantasy Impact: Prior to the shutdown, Williams hasn’t played played a NBA contest since January 6th. He has only appeared in 35 games this season. “ I think it potentially helped Kenrich Williams out the most,” said VP of Basketball Operations David Griffin. “Kenrich, as you guys know, was dealing with a back issue, and this time has been really, really good for him. He’s going to be physically capable of practicing whenever we do get the opportunity to come back, so I think it’s been beneficial for Kenrich for sure.” Williams (back) should be all systems go once the NBA season resumes. The 25-year-old averaged 3.8 points, 5.1 rebounds, 1.5 assists, 0.6 blocks and 0.7 steals across 35 games this season.

Pelicans F Zion Williamson was allowed to continue rehab on his recovery from a torn right lateral meniscus after New Orleans submitted a proposal to the NBA for Williamson to receive treatment even while the Pelicans practice facility was closed. (Source: Christian Clark on Twitter)

Fantasy Impact: Williamson missed the first 45 games of his rookie season after suffering a torn right lateral meniscus prior to the regular season. All along, the Pelicans took a “holistic” approach to his rehabilitation, which included not only strengthening the knee, but improving his flexibility. "As you guys know, the flexibility aspect with Zion was really critical, so they’ve [training staff] been able to continue to focus on that," said David Griffin, Executive Vice President of Basketball Operations. "They weren’t able to do any court work during that period of time, but they were able to get the work in needed on the table, and so that was important. We’re grateful that the league allowed for that." Griffin went on to say that Williamson will be ready to go once the NBA gives the green light on resuming the season, which gained some momentum on Wednesday as Disney World was cited as a real possibility. Williamson has played in just 19 games in his NBA career, but has already shown what he’s capable of doing, averaging 23.6 points on 58.9% shooting from the field, 6.8 rebounds, and 2.2 assists in just 30 minutes per game. He’s a stud and will continue to rack up the stats for fantasy owners when the season resumes.

Warriors center Kevon Looney underwent successful surgery to repair a core muscle injury. (Source: Warriors PR on Twitter)

Fantasy Impact: Injuries have really taken a toll on Looney this season, forcing him to miss 45 games due to a combination of neuropathy and abdominal soreness. After successful surgery, the 24-year old big man will begin rehab immediately and is expected to be ready for the start of the 2020-2021 season. In 20 games this season, Looney averaged 3.4 points and 3.3 rebounds in 13.1 minutes per game.

Utah Jazz F Bojan Bogdanovic will undergo season-ending surgery on his right wrist, sources tell ESPN. (Source: Adrian Wojnarowski on Twitter )

Fantasy Impact: Bogdanovic injured his wrist in January but decided to play through the pain. Since the shutdown, the pain has apparently gotten worse, and the seven-year veteran has decided to undergo surgery that will shut him down for the remainder of this season. Bogdanovic signed a four-year, $73M deal with Utah last summer and was having the best year of his career this season, averaging 20.2 points, 4.1 rebounds, and 2.1 assists per game. He’ll be ready to go come the start of the 2020-2021 campaign.

The 76ers will use PG Ben Simmons off the ball when the NBA season resumes. (Source: Keith Pompey on Twitter )

Fantasy Impact: Simmons spends the majority of his minutes at the point, but has had success at other positions. "Simmons has played and excelled at the point forward and center positions this season," said 76ers' beat writer Keith Pompey. It was reported Simmons (back) is back to full health and will be available to play if or when the 2019-2020 NBA season resumes. The 23-year-old missed the 76ers' last eight games with a lower-back nerve impingement prior to the season suspending March 12th. Simmons is averaging 16.7 points, 7.8 rebounds, 8.2 assists and 2.1 steals across 54 games this year.

Bruce Brown Jr. underwent surgery in late April to repair a ligament in his right thumb. He will be ready to go if the NBA season resumes. (Source: Keith Langlois on Twitter )

Fantasy Impact: Brown had a lingering thumb injury injury in February and underwent surgery in April to correct the issue. It's not clear when Brown sustained the injury, but he should be all systems go if the season resumes. Luke Kennard is also on track to return, Brown could play more minutes at shooting guard. The 23-year-old is averaged 8.9 points, 4.7 rebounds, 4.0 assists, 1.1 steals and 0.6 triples across 58 games this season.

Kevin Durant was asked if he would play if the NBA season resumes, his response was "I'll will be back when it's time." (Source: Marc Berman of the NY Post)

Fantasy Impact: If the NBA season resumed, it was reported that Durant would not return on Monday. “It is what it is man. Everybody waiting on me to come back,” Durant said Tuesday on the show. “A lot of emotions involved. So I get it. I understand the business now. But I’ll be back when it’s time.” Durant continues to recover from off-season to repair a torn right Achilles tendon. He was "unguardable" in three-on-three workouts prior to the NBA being shut down to the coronavirus pandemic. Durant isn't ruling out playing this year, but the ultimate goal is for the 31-year-old to be fully healthy for the 2020-2021 season. The odds are very low that Durant would return at some capacity if the NBA season resumes.

Kelly Oubre Jr. (knee) shows “explosiveness” in Instagram video, “may very well be ready to play” if the NBA season resumes. (Source: Duane Rankin of the Arizona Republic )

Fantasy Impact: Oubre underwent successful arthroscopic surgery on a torn meniscus in his right knee on March 3rd. At the time, it was reported that he would be re-evaluated in four weeks. Oubre was recently shown cutting and shooting jumpers on Instagram. “The explosiveness is there,” per Duane Rankin of the Arizona Republic. “Not wearing a brace either.” Oubre could be ready to play if the season resumes. The 24-year-old was having a career-year in his second campaign with the Suns, averaging 18.7 points, 6.4 rebounds, 1.5 assists, 1.2 steals and 1.9 triples across 56 games.

In a recent interview, Pistons F Blake Griffin (knee surgery) told ESPN’s Sage Steele that “I feel great, so I’m ready to go whenever things pick back up.” (Source: M Live)

Fantasy Impact: Griffin had knee surgery in January after playing in just 18 games this season for the Pistons. He was averaging just 15.5 points, 4.7 rebounds, and 3.3 assists in 28 minutes per game. He shot a miserable 35.2 percent from the field, by far the worst shooting of his 11-year NBA career. Should the NBA resume play, Griffin will be ready, but temper expectations for the veteran forward, who could just play it safe with Detroit nowhere near a playoff berth. Hopefully Griffin can get back to his old ways to begin the 2020-2021 season. He won’t have Andre Drummond to contend with for rebounds any longer, as he’s since been traded to the Cavaliers. It’ll be Griffin and up-and-comer Christian Wood leading the way in the front court for Detroit next season.