NBA Player News

Faried played in Russia last season after failing to secure an NBA contract. He’ll work to get back to the league, but he probably won’t ever get back to producing enough to be worth a look in fantasy.

Jones was more impactful as a scorer than in Tuesday’s Clippers’ exhibition win over the Nets. That’s the good news. The bad is that he offered little production in other categories, failing to grab a rebound while tallying just one steal. Jones didn’t provide much fantasy value when starting for the Mavericks last season, and that may remain the case with the Clippers.

Harden didn’t do much on Friday, as his night was over at the half. He committed another four turnovers, which may be the category fantasy managers need to consider punting. With no Paul George and Kawhi Leonard still working his way back from a knee injury, Harden will have to shoulder a heavier offensive workload. That means some high-turnover nights are in his future; the hope is that the production in other categories will lessen the impact.

The lottery pick out of UConn was one steal shy of a complete stat line, which included a 3-pointer. Clingan did not show much perimeter shooting ability at the college level, but that was due primarily to the two-time national champions not needing him to do it. Clingan can be a capable shooter, but the overall field-goal percentage, rebounding, and shot-blocking are his primary selling points in fantasy basketball. With Robert Williams III (hamstring) sidelined, Clingan should cement himself as Deandre Ayton’s primary backup, at a minimum.

Overlooked by many before last season began, Camara was more valuable than expected as a rookie. And with Shaedon Sharpe (shoulder) due to miss the start of the regular season, the 2023 second-round pick appears poised to remain in the starting lineup. While not a very good option for standard league drafts, Camara is worth a look in deeper leagues.

It’s only the preseason, but Henderson’s continued inefficiency is concerning. In addition to the poor shooting, he was responsible for a game-high seven turnovers. With Anfernee Simons still sidelined, it will be Scoot’s show to run for the foreseeable future. But if the turnover issues carry over into the regular season, don’t be surprised if Dalano Banton (11/4/5/2/2 with two 3-pointers in 27 minutes figures more prominently in the guard rotation.

Ayton did something on Friday that he did not do during the 2023-24 season: hit multiple 3-pointers in a game. He was 1-of-10 from deep last season and is 22-of-90 for his career, so fantasy managers should not look at Friday’s performance and conclude that Ayton has turned a corner. Expect him to do most of his work in the mid-range and around the basket, where Ayton can provide solid fantasy value as a scorer and rebounder.

Grant did not play after halftime on Friday and was productive as a scorer. However, this has been his issue since arriving in Portland: not offering much value beyond the points. Grant has never been a “great” rebounder, but to not grab one in an exhibition game is puzzling. Add in the availability concerns due to either injury or a late-season shutdown, and Grant is not the most appealing option in fantasy basketball.

Warriors coach Steve Kerr started Friday’s game with a smaller lineup: Green at center and Kyle Anderson at power forward. Draymond didn’t provide much value in that role, and bigs Kevon Looney (two points, five rebounds, and two assists in 15 minutes) and Trayce Jackson-Davis (two points, four rebounds, one assist, and two blocks in 16 minutes) were also quiet. Green playing extended minutes at the five would lower TJD’s ceiling, especially if Looney also continues to receive rotation minutes.

The Warriors remain without Andrew Wiggins, and even with the offseason signing of Kyle Anderson, Kuminga offers a higher upside. On Friday, he played well in a bench role, the second consecutive exhibition in which Kuminga has been efficient as a scorer. Through two exhibitions against the Kings, he went a combined 7-of-11 from distance. Expecting Kuminga to shoot at that clip in the regular season would be unrealistic, but he’s made strides.

Golden State lost Klay Thompson this summer, but the additions of Buddy Hield and De’Anthony Melton countered that. Add in second-year guard Brandin Podziemski, and Moody faces a difficult competition for consistent rotation minutes. Performances like Friday’s should help his cause, but Moody is not a player fantasy managers can genuinely count on right now. But keep an eye on him, especially with this being a contract year.