Fantasy Basketball News

RJ Barrett will remain on a minutes restriction for Wednesday's game against the New York Knicks. (Source: Esfandiar Baraheni on Twitter)

Fantasy Impact: Barrett has appeared in two games since returning from a left ankle sprain and logged 21 minutes in each. He’s averaging 12 points, six rebounds and 2.5 assists, and should continue to offer limited fantasy production until his workload increases.

Keon Ellis is reportedly drawing trade interest from approximately 10 teams. (Source: Sam Amick)

Fantasy Impact: Ellis isn't off to the best start of his career, averaging just over five points per game on 36 percent shooting from deep. He can still add a solid shooter to a contending team.

Trae Young said he has the Washington Wizards as his top preferred trade destination. (Source: Shams Charania on Twitter)

Fantasy Impact: Young and the Hawks are continuing to seek a trade partner as he seeks a fresh start. This will remain a situation to monitor.

Los Angeles Lakers head coach JJ Redick said that Dalton Knecht will receive playing time on Friday and for the foreseeable future. (Source: Khobi Price on Twitter)

Fantasy Impact: With Austin Reaves (calf), Gabe Vincent (back) and Rui Hachimura (calf) sidelined, coach Redick confirmed that Knecht will see increased action in the foreseeable future, though he has logged just 12 total minutes over his last three games. Redick did not specify Knecht’s role for Friday but said he will need to “play hard” to stick in the rotation, making him a player to monitor rather than add until consistent minutes materialize.

Brook Lopez scored 31 points (9-16 FG, 9-14 3P, 4-4 FT) with five rebounds, an assist, and two blocks in the Clippers' 119-103 win over the Blazers. (Source: Yahoo Sports)

Fantasy Impact: Lopez's previous season-high in points was 15, and he crushed that against the Blazers. It was a vintage game for Splash Mountain, but it was more than that. It was a career high in three pointers made in a single game for Lopez, but also, he's now just the third player in NBA history over the age of 37 to hit nine threes in a game. Don't let this performance sway you to thinking he will now average 20 points a game, but it's still fun to see him go off from time to time.

Chris Haynes has reported that the Kings are making Malik Monk available at the trade deadline. (Source: Chris Haynes on Twitter)

Fantasy Impact: Monk has fallen out of the Kings rotation as part of a deep back court. Haynes added that the Kings are looking to get younger and more athletics. Monk could still provide plenty of scoring value for another team.

De'Andre Hunter will come off the bench next time the Cavaliers take the floor. Jaylon Tyson will take his place as a starter. (Source: Cleveland.com)

Fantasy Impact: The coaches have praised Tyson's ability and will give him a look as a starter. Hunter has been struggling this season, and the move is intended to ease pressure on him and help him find his groove again, as well as fortify a thin bench unit. Hunter's short-term fantasy appeal will take a hit, but if he can find his stride again, it could return and make him a nice asset down the stretch.

Nique Clifford will start for the Sacramento Kings in Thursday's game against the Denver Nuggets. (Source: Mark Haynes on Twitter)

Fantasy Impact: Clifford is set to make his third career start on Thursday, with Zach LaVine (thumb) ruled out and Dennis Schroder (hip) listed as doubtful. In his two previous starts, Clifford has averaged seven points, 5.5 rebounds, 2.5 assists and 1.5 steals in 28.5 minutes. He presents an intriguing value play in daily fantasy and a strong streaming option in season long leagues.

Joel Embiid will have a minutes limit in Wednesday night's game against the Boston Celtics. (Source: Zack Cox on Twitter)

Fantasy Impact: Embiid has been cleared to play on Wednesday night, but the team is planning to have a minutes limit on him in the team's season opener. He is still dealing with the lingering effects of a formerly-serious knee injury, so the team wants to err on the side of caution and limit his workload for now. He remains a must-start fantasy option but won't have quite as high of a ceiling as usual for the time being.

Ariel Hukporti is expected to be in the lineup for Wednesday’s season opener against the Cleveland Cavaliers. (Source: Ian Begley on Twitter)

Fantasy Impact: With Mitchell Robinson sidelined for Wednesday’s contest, Ariel Hukporti is expected to draw the start in his place. The 23-year-old averaged 1.9 points and 2.0 rebounds in 8.7 minutes across 25 games last season. He’s only worth consideration in DFS formats or as a one-day streaming option for Wednesday.

Houston Rockets head coach Ime Udoka confirmed that Steven Adams will be in the starting lineup for Tuesday’s contest against the Oklahoma City Thunder. (Source: Danielle Lerner on Twitter)

Fantasy Impact: The Rockets will open the season with a jumbo lineup featuring Amen Thompson, Kevin Durant, Jabari Smith Jr., Alperen Sengun and Steven Adams. While Houston’s lineup will likely fluctuate throughout the season based on matchups, this setup indicates that the veteran will have an important role and that coach Ime Udoka isn’t afraid to lean into larger lineups.

Dallas Mavericks head coach Jason Kidd hinted that Cooper Flagg could start at point guard in Wednesday's preseason game against the Los Angeles Lakers. (Source: Dallas Hoops Journal)

Fantasy Impact: With D'Angelo Russell resting for Monday’s preseason game against the Utah Jazz, rookie Cooper Flagg took over point guard duties alongside Anthony Davis, Dereck Lively II, P.J. Washington and Klay Thompson. The unit clicked immediately, combining interior dominance with strong defensive play. Dallas out-rebounded Utah 59-48, blocked 10 shots, and held the Jazz to 40.2 percent shooting. Flagg impressed with 11 points, seven rebounds, one assist and two blocks, showing poise running the offense and finding open teammates in transition. While he may not open the regular season as the starting point guard, Flagg will likely see some playing time there. His ability to facilitate from the forward spot and confidently direct the offense could boost his assist totals, making him an intriguing early fantasy target with potential to rank among the top forwards in assists.

When asked about Yang Hansen's role this season, Portland Trail Blazers head coach Chauncey Billups said the rookie is "definitely going to play." (Source: Casey Holdahl on Twitter)

Fantasy Impact: Hansen, the No. 16 overall pick in the 2025 NBA Draft, made a strong impression over his four Summer League games, drawing attention on social media with his impressive passing from the perimeter. He recorded 15 assists and averaged 2.3 blocks per game. While he will likely see limited action to begin the season, he could see more playing time as the season progresses.

The Warriors are expected to sign Al Horford. (Source: Brett Siegel on Twitter)

Fantasy Impact: The reported holdup is the Jonathan Kuminga situation. Siegel notes that teams at NBA Summer League stated Horford already has a verbal agreement in place with Golden State. The Warriors lost Kevon Looney in free agency.

The Lakers have expressed interest in free agent Gary Payton II. (Source: Anthony F. Irwin on Twitter)

Fantasy Impact: Payton remains a free agent after spending the past two-plus seasons with the Warriors. He previously played one year for the Lakers back in the 2017-18 season.

The Warriors have emerged as a potential landing spot for free agent De'Anthony Melton. (Source: Marc Stein on Twitter)

Fantasy Impact: Melton is working his way back from a torn ACL suffered early last season. He could return to a depth role in the Warriors back court.

Damian Lillard is open to signing with a team this offseason under the right terms and conditions as he continues rehabbing. (Source: Chris Haynes on Twitter)

Fantasy Impact: Lillard is expected to miss all of next season as he works his way back from tearing his Achilles. Haynes notes that he is receiving "ample interest, but is in no rush to make a decision."

Jonas Valančiūnas is considering a return to Europe to play for Panathinaikos. (Source: BasketNews)

Fantasy Impact: It puts the Nuggets in a tough spot after they just traded for Valanciunas. He will backup Nikola Jokic if he remains with Denver.

The Pacers are preparing to re-sign Myles Turner. (Source: Brian Windhorst)

Fantasy Impact: While Turner struggled in the NBA Finals, he still played a big part in the Pacers overall playoff run. Indiana is expected to go into the luxury tax for the first time in 20 years this offseason.

Nickeil Alexander-Walker is not expected to return to the Timberwolves. (Source: Brian Windhorst)

Fantasy Impact: Alexander-Walker is a top target for multiple teams heading into free agency, per Windhorst. The Wolves are not expected to be able to retain him due to apron restrictions.