New Orleans Pelicans

All-star F Brandon Ingram has agreed to a five-year, $158M max contract extension with the New Orleans Pelicans. (Source: Adrian Wojnarowski on Twitter)

Fantasy Impact: The reigning Most Improved Player of the Year gets paid, and along with Zion Williamson, will be the cornerstone of the Pelicans franchise for years to come. Ingram averaged 23.8 points, 6.1 rebounds, 4.2 assists, 1.0 steals, and 0.6 blocks in 34 minutes per game last season. His high field goal percentage (46.3%) and free throw percentage (85.1%) make him an attractive early-round target in fantasy leagues this season.

C Steven Adams signed a two-year, $35 million contract extension with the Pelicans on Tuesday. (Source: Zac Lowe on Twitter )

Fantasy Impact: Adams was traded to the Pelicans last Saturday and rewarded with a two-year extension. He is expected to be New Orleans starting center and should provide solid fantasy production with his new team. Adams averaged 10.9 points, 9.3 rebounds, 2.3 assists and 1.1 blocks across 26.7 minutes for the Thunder in 2019-20.

According to the Athletic, free-agent F/C Derrick Favors has signed a new deal three-year deal worth $30M to return to the Utah Jazz. (Source: Shams Charania on Twitter)

Fantasy Impact: Favors spent nine seasons with the Utah Jazz, so he is very familiar with the culture and team. The Jazz frontcourt gets a nice boost adding Favors as he'll be able to provide valuable minutes for a playoff contender. Favors offers some fantasy value as a rebounder and occasional blocker, but he'll be a borderline late-round pick in most fantasy formats.

According to ESPN sources, free agent C Jahlil Okafor has agreed to a two-year deal with the Detroit Pistons. (Source: Adrian Wojnarowski on Twitter)

Fantasy Impact: In yet another surprising move by the Pistons, they sign a former number 1 pick to a two-year contract. Detroit also brought in C Mason Plumlee via free agency on Friday which begs the question of who will be starting center in the Motor City. Okafor had a bit of a resurgence in New Orleans, but he likely doesn't carry much fantasy value this season.

New Orleans Pelicans G Jrue Holiday was traded to the Milwaukee Bucks in a package deal for Eric Bledsoe, George Hill, and draft compensation. (Source: Shams Charania on Twitter)

Fantasy Impact: The Bucks made a splash by acquiring former All-Star Jrue Holiday to pair with superstar Giannis Antetokounmpo. The Bucks inclusion of Eric Bledsoe and George Hill also signals more opportunities for G Donte DiVincenzo. Holiday is a great fit in the Bucks’ system as he’ll be able to play to his strengths on and off the ball. He’ll also be surrounded by more efficient players - playing alongside All-Stars Giannis and Khris Middleton. He’ll be a solid target in the early rounds of fantasy drafts this season.

Zylan Cheatham totaled eight points (4-4FG), three rebounds, one assist, and one steal in 20 minutes in the Pelicans' 127-133 loss to the Magic on Thursday.

Fantasy Impact: Cheatham logged 20 minutes in the Pelicans' loss to the Magic. After having a stellar performance against the Nuggets during the "scrimmage" series, where he scored 14 points and grabbed eight rebounds, it would have made sense if the team provided him more opportunities to showcase what he can do; this, however, didn't happen. With Nicolo Melli struggling, there may be an opportunity for him to compete for the backup four position, but only time will tell.

Nicolo Melli totaled six points (2-6FG, 1-5 3PT), five rebounds, and one assist in 25 minutes in the Pelicans' 127-133 loss to the Magic on Thursday.

Fantasy Impact: Melli logged 25 minutes in the finale against the Magic and put up six points and five rebounds. The rookie was unable to show off the production he demonstrated earlier in the season; however, the Pelicans provided him ample opportunity to contribute in the rotation. If the rookie can build on his performance, he should be able to show enough to warrant fantasy consideration.

Kenrich Williams totaled zero points (0-1FG, 0-1 3PT), five rebounds, one assist, two steals in 18 minutes in the Pelicans' 127-133 loss to the Magic on Thursday.

Fantasy Impact: Williams was able to grab five rebounds in 18 minutes of play in the Pelicans' loss to the Magic. He was unable to make positive strides in building on his 2018-2019 season and saw his production fall in all major statistical categories outside of blocks. Until he shows improvement, he shouldn't warrant any consideration in fantasy.

Frank Jackson totaled 31 points (12-24 FG, 3-9 3PT, 4-5 FT), two rebounds, five assists, and one steal in 36 minutes in the Pelicans' 127-133 loss to the Magic on Thursday.

Fantasy Impact: Jackson ended his "bubble" run on a "high-note" going for 31 points in the Pelicans' loss to the Magic. Throughout the "scrimmage" and "seeding" game series, he consistently showed his potential to be a productive contributor on the team. The Pelicans have a crowded back-court and will need to show more commitment to having Jackson in the rotation before he can be considered a viable fantasy asset. We will have to wait until next year to see how he will fit into what the Pelicans are doing.

Sindarius Thornwell totaled nine points (3-6 FG, 1-3 3PT, 2-4 FT), two rebounds, one assist, and one block in 19 minutes in the Pelicans' 127-133 loss to the Magic on Thursday.

Fantasy Impact: Thornwell was able to see more time on the floor, logging 19 minutes in the loss to the Magic. He will look to build on his contribution and production next season if he is still with the Pelicans.

Josh Hart totaled 23 points (7-14 FG, 3-9 3PT, 6-8 FT), fourteen rebounds, six assists, one steal, one block in 35 minutes in the Pelicans' 127-133 loss to the Magic on Thursday.

Fantasy Impact: Hart closed out a productive "seeding" game series by putting up a double-double of 23 points and 14 rebounds against the Magic. He has been a consistent source of production off the Pelicans' bench and has seemed to embrace his role as well. Hart's performance in the bubble should create more opportunities for him within the rotation, possibly resulting in more games like these.

Jaxson Hayes totaled 13 points (5-7FG, 3-4 FT), four rebounds, and one block in 30 minutes in the Pelicans' 127-133 loss to the Magic on Thursday.

Fantasy Impact: Hayes put up a respectable line against the Magic, logging 30 minutes in the process. Throughout the year, he flashed glimpses of how good of a player and fantasy asset he could be. If Hayes can become more consistent in his play and earn more trust from the coaches through disciplined execution, he could become a house-hold name in the years to come.

Nickeil Alexander-Walker totaled 29 points (11-18FG, 2-6 3PT, 5-5 FT), one rebound, seven assists, and one steal in 35 minutes in the Pelicans' 127-133 loss to the Magic on Thursday.

Fantasy Impact: Walker provided a nice "going-away" present as he scored 29 points against the Magic. This level of production is a testament to his potential; however, until the Pelicans provide him a consistent role in the rotation, it won't be realized.

E'Twaun Moore totaled 14 points (6-11 FG, 0-1 3PT, 2-2 FT), four rebounds, three assists, and one steal in 24 minutes in the Pelicans' 112-106 loss to the Kings on Tuesday.

Fantasy Impact: Moore had his best performance since the beginning of the "seeding" games, putting up 14 points on the night. He will look to build on his performance this coming Thursday against the Magic, and with the majority of the starters sitting, he should have ample opportunity to do so. Throughout this season, he has shown the ability to put up solid lines and could be worth a look in DFS as a "deep" flier.

Pelicans F Zion Williamson (knee) will miss Thursday's contest against the Magic, putting an end to his rookie season. (Source: Christian Clark on Twitter)

Fantasy Impact: Williamson finishes his rookie season averaging 22.5 points, 6.3 rebounds, 2.1 assists while shooting 58% from the field and 42% from three-point range across 24 games this year. Williamson is undoubtedly in the running for rookie of the year honors but will have a tough time beating out Ja Morant. Williamson should be a top-50 selection in 12-team formats next season, assuming he can get in better shape and conditioning in year two.

Lonzo Ball scored 16 points (5-9 FG, 4-6 3PT, 2-2 FT), handed out four assists, grabbed three rebounds, blocked two shots, and committed four turnovers across 29 minutes in a loss to the Kings.

Fantasy Impact: Ball has been atrocious in the six games coming into this one, but he finally got out of his scoring funk, producing 16 points and hitting four three's in the process. He turned over the ball four times, which is terrible considering the talent on the floor. Ball has one game left to go out on a high note, and he'll face his former team, the Los Angeles Lakers. Ball can be avoided in all DFS formats.

J.J. Redick totaled 31 points (10-16 FG, 8-12 3PT, 3-4 FT), five rebounds, three assists, and one steal in 31 minutes in the Pelicans' 122-113 loss to the Spurs on Sunday.

Fantasy Impact: Redick had the "hot" hand as he put up 31 points against the Spurs. This game marks his sixth consecutive double-digit scoring effort and provides insight into what he can do when playing at a high-level. He even managed to stuff the stat-sheet, collecting five rebounds to go along with his scoring barrage. Redick's production remains heavily scoring dependent; however, he shows enough consistency night-in and night-out to be considered a reliable value asset in DFS.

G/F Darius Miller will not accompany the Pelicans to Orlando as he continues to rehab from right Achilles surgery. (Source: New Orleans Pelicans on Twitter)

Fantasy Impact: Miller was considering traveling with the team to Disney World, but now it appears he will not be doing so as he continues to rehab from surgery. No replacement player will be granted to the Pelicans, however the team did sign G Sindarius Thornwell to join them for the remainder of the season.