NBA Player News

Efes just complete their second consecutive EuroLeague championship, and they have two of the best players in Europe on their roster. One is Vasilije Micic, who was drafted by the Sixers in 2014 but has remained in Europe ever since. The Thunder now own his rights, but there is speculation that the Pelicans could be trying to get involved. They also could have been getting a look at Shane Larkin, who is one of the best guards in Europe currently and has also played four seasons in the NBA since being drafted with the 13th pick in the 2013 NBA Draft. Larkin has been adamant that he would want a role that would allow him to have the ball in his hands if he was to return to the NBA.

Hours after Charania reported that Vassell could make his debut on Saturday, he’s reported that it will happen. In the past, San Antonio has taken a cautious approach with returning starters, bringing them off the bench in their first game back. Stephon Castle would remain a starter for one more game if they do this with Vassell. He’ll still lose minutes, but the hit may not be as severe between the starting role and Malaki Branham (ankle) potentially sitting out.

Absent from the initial injury report, the team officially ruled out Craig during the third quarter of Thursday’s game. His absence would not impact fantasy basketball, even with the Bulls again playing without the injured Zach LaVine.

Sharpe made his season debut on Thursday and looked sharp in his 20 minutes on the floor. While the full impact of his return on the rest of the rotation isn’t fully known yet, Sharpe’s presence meant fewer minutes for starter Deni Avdija. Playing 25 minutes, Avdija finished with nine points, seven rebounds, five assists, and one 3-pointer. Meanwhile, fellow starter Toumani Camara played 35. Due to Portland’s lack of shooting guards and Camara’s defensive ability, it may be Advija whose value takes the most significant hit with Sharpe back in action. Fantasy managers should consider Sharpe questionable for Friday’s game against Minnesota.

Simons is ranked just outside the top 100 in per-game value, with field-goal percentage being the concern. He’s shooting 39.1% through nine games, nearly four points lower than his mark from last season (43.0%). And if that percentage were to hold, it would be a career-low for Simons. Portland has two more games in Week 3, beginning with Minnesota on Friday.

Ayton has now recorded eight double-doubles in Portland’s first nine games, and his fantasy value is about where it was expected to be before the season began (Yahoo ADP: 62). The foul line has been the issue thus far, with Ayton making 62.5% of his attempts. Getting that number into the mid-60s would give DA a shot at top-50 value.