NBA Player News

Markkanen has been in and out of the lineup over the past week and a half, but he was able to suit up for a second straight game and log 42 minutes. His production has been elite when he is on the floor, as he has at least 20 points in every game that he has played in the month of March. The bad part is that he has only played in five games this month. They don’t play another back-to-back until the final week of the season, so hopefully Markkanen will be more available going forward. However, based on how they managed him at the end of last season after they were pretty much out of the playoff race, managers shouldn’t be optimistic.

Denver has their core locked up for the next few years now. Gordon will continue to be the team’s starting power forward, which means that Peyton Watson will likely be in a reserve role for a while. AG will continue to be a reliable fantasy option in the later rounds.

It would’ve been surprising if these options weren’t picked up, so this was more of a formality. All four players are important to Detroit’s future and will look to help the team be more competitive this season.

The former second-round pick has shown some flashes, but he hasn’t been able to earn a consistent role with Dallas thus far. He is a microwave scorer off the bench, and he’ll have a chance to grow with the Mavs, but he won’t be much more than an occasional streaming option this season.

After a breakout third season in the league, Johnson earned a massive payday that will keep him tied to Atlanta through 2030. He was limited by some ankle injuries last year, but he has already looked incredibly impressive during the preseason. Expect another step forward from Johnson this season as he solidifies his role as the second option in Atlanta.

Sengun has taken a big leap in each of his first three seasons, which is why he earned a massive contract extension in Houston that will keep him with the organization for the remainder of the decade. He is a coveted asset in both redraft and dynasty formats, and he should be in for a monster season as the Rockets try to make a return to the postseason.

Boston Jr. spent some time with the Spurs this summer after spending the first few years of his career with the Clippers. Now, he’ll end up with the Pels, though he’ll likely spend most of his time with the Birmingham Squadron. Boston Jr. still has some fun upside as a scorer, but it is unlikely that he impacts fantasy basketball this season.

Allen has been sidelined for most of the preseason, but he’s hoping that it doesn’t impact the start of the regular season. He’ll fill in as the team’s sixth man after a breakout year as a starter, but he should still be a decent source of 3-pointers. If he is forced to miss the opener, Royce O’Neale and Damion Lee should see extra minutes in his place.

Kispert has been a solid rotation piece through his first few years in the league, which is why Washington was able to bring him back on a team-friendly deal. Kispert should continue to be a helpful contributor for them, but he won’t be a massive factor in fantasy basketball, outside of silly season.

Coming off making an All-Defensive team, Suggs has earned a lengthy extension that will keep him on the Magic through 2030. He had the best fantasy finish of his career last season, and he should continue to grow and be among the league leaders in steals for years to come. Suggs will also help Orlando be among the best defensive teams in the league, which will allow them to continue to be contenders for years to come.

KBD was traded multiple times this summer, but he wasn’t able to make Minnesota’s final roster. He wasn’t going to play much anyway, so this won’t have any impact on fantasy basketball.