NBA Player News

The two sides are “expected to agree” on lowering the draft-eligibility age, which would enable elite high school players to skip college and sign in the NBA. The league’s official injury report may also include new designations for mental health issues, reducing stigma and giving mental health parity with physical health. Other topics are up for discussion, including the creation of a player-controlled fund to create “generational wealth” for players. Crucially, it seems the NBA and NBPA are having productive talks to settle on a new agreement before December.

Coulibaly, who had a scary fall on a dunk attempt and landed on his back, will not return to Monday’s game due to tightness in his right hamstring. The Wizards wing played eight minutes, finishing with four points, two rebounds and one assist. With Coulibaly done for the night, Justin Champagnie will play additional minutes off the bench.

No surprise here as Grant was initially listed as doubtful with a knee injury after the Trail Blazers faced the Pistons on Sunday, making this the second leg of a back-to-back. Shaedon Sharpe is likely to start in Grant’s absence while Kris Murray could also move into the rotation. Murray isn’t a streaming option, though.

LaRavia has been a larger part of Sacramento’s recent rotation than Crowder, but neither player has been able to contribute significant fantasy value this season. Devin Carter and Trey Lyles may take on a few extra minutes with the reserve forward pair sidelined.

After Monday, Golden State has two more games this week. Thursday against the Kings and Saturday against the Knicks. Kuminga has been sidelined since early January, while Monday will only be the second-straight game that Podz has missed. Quinten Post has moved into the starting lineup since Podz went down, but Kuminga hasn’t played since a month before Jimmy Butler joined the team, so it’s unclear what the rotation will look like.

With Brandon Williams (hamstring) sidelined for this game, Exum will make a return to the starting lineup. Spencer Dinwiddie will still play a significant role off the bench. Dinwiddie was seen as a priority addition after Kyrie Irving (knee) went down, but he has only started once since then.

Castle is officially available for Monday’s game after his status was upgraded throughout the afternoon. He’ll remain one of the Spurs’ key contributors off the bench and should be rostered in standard leagues.

The Pacers are without Tyrese Haliburton for a third straight game, and Rick Carlisle will use his third different lineup on Monday. Mathurin will receive the starting nod, with Ben Sheppard headed to the bench. Being allowed to start raises Mathurin’s ceiling, making him a player worth rostering for Monday’s 12-game slate.

With Zach Edey (ankle) and Vince Williams Jr. (foot) both sidelined, Jackson and Huff will enter the starting unit. This will be Jackson’s first time in the starting lineup this season, while it will be Huff’s first start since November.

With Monday’s game being the Suns’ second in as many nights, Bradley Beal (calf) will not play. Jones returns to the starting lineup in a change that raises his fantasy ceiling considerably. The other four starters are unchanged.

With Aaron Gordon sidelined, Westbrook will make a return to the starting lineup. In his most recent start, Westbrook contributed 25 points, five rebounds, three assists, two steals, two blocks and four three-pointers in 35 minutes.