NBA Player News

Clarke’s production was modest outside of the point total, but the fact that he was in the starting lineup is more noteworthy. Tuesday’s game was his first start since returning from a ruptured Achilles tendon, and the Grizzlies’ many injury-related absences are why the opportunity presented itself. With Memphis scheduled to visit Cleveland on Wednesday, Clarke may sit out that contest for injury management reasons. Trey Jemison (14/9/2/1/1 in 30 minutes) and GG Jackson (11/4/2/0/1 with two 3-pointers in 28 minutes) will continue to log starters’ minutes for the rest of the season.

Arms may not have been the headliner ahead of Saturday’s summer league opener, but he was the best player on the court. Having spent the last two seasons playing in the G League, the former Texas Tech standout was one of the most experienced players in the game, and it showed. Arms got whatever he wanted offensively and was impactful as a rebounder and defender. While he is playing for the Kings’ summer league outfit, Arms is effectively auditioning for all 30 NBA teams. Saturday’s performance should make a positive impression on league scouts and decision-makers.

The 44th overall pick in last month’s draft, Larsson got off to a slow start on Saturday (as did his Heat teammates). The former Arizona guard, who shot nearly 40% from three as a collegian, went 1-of-4 from beyond the arc and struggled from the foul line. The good news is that Larsson was impactful in other areas, most notably tallying three steals. The shot will come around, given the numbers he produced while at Arizona. Larsson will be a better option for the late rounds in dynasty league drafts than in redrafts.

Saturday’s summer league debut was brutal for the Heat, but team decision-makers had to be encouraged by what they saw from Ware defensively. The first-round pick blocked five shots and changed a few more in his first action in a Heat uniform. With Bam Adebayo firmly entrenched as the starting center, Ware’s defensive ability is what will get him on the court early as a rookie. He’s a player worth tracking in California and Las Vegas, especially if the blocked shot production remains constant.

The reported Murray trade is official, with Atlanta receiving four players and two future first-round picks (2025 via LAL, 2027 via MIL or NOR). Zeller, who was a free agent, is headed to the Hawks via sign-and-trade, joining Dyson Daniels, Larry Nance Jr., and EJ Liddell. Zeller did not offer much fantasy value in New Orleans, and that’s unlikely to change due to the Hawks’ surplus of big men. And that would remain the case if Clint Capela, whose name has come up in trade rumors, moves on.

Remaining in the Western Conference after spending last season with the Warriors, Saric will have a player option for the 2025-26 season. Appearing in 64 games in 2023-24, he averaged 8.0 points, 4.4 rebounds, and 2.3 assists in 17.2 minutes. Saric ultimately fell out of the Warriors’ rotation in early March. His chances of maintaining a role in Denver will be higher due to the Nuggets’ need for frontcourt depth behind Nikola Jokic and Aaron Gordon.

Fontecchio began last season with the Jazz before he was moved to Detroit at the February trade deadline. In 16 appearances for the Pistons, he averaged 15.4 points, 4.4 rebounds, 1.8 assists, 0.9 steals, and 2.7 3-pointers in 30.3 minutes. Fontecchio’s 3-point shooting ability should get him consistent minutes on a now-healthy Pistons squad, as that skill is a severe need. He may not be worth drafting in standard leagues, but there will be times when Fontecchio is worth streaming.

Bronny was part of the starting lineup on Saturday, sharing backcourt duties with undrafted rookie Sean East II. James didn’t have a good day shooting the basketball but stayed within himself and rarely forced the issue. He’ll be a work in progress throughout the summer, with the Lakers heading to Las Vegas after they play three games at the California Classic. James isn’t a player who will have much value in single-season leagues, but he’s worth taking a late-round flier on in deeper dynasty formats.

Knecht, the 17th overall pick in last month’s draft, made his summer debut on Saturday afternoon. While the former Northern Colorado/Tennessee standout did not shoot the ball as well as he could, the four assists were countered by zero turnovers. Projected by many to be a lottery pick heading into the draft, Knecht has the potential to offer solid value as part of the Lakers’ bench rotation this winter.

After finishing fourth at the Tokyo Olympics in 2021, Slovenia will not appear in Paris. Doncic led the way offensively but was also responsible for 10 turnovers, as Greece jumped out to a 13-0 lead and did not look back. While the Mavericks certainly weren’t opposed to Doncic representing his country, the time off this summer should be a positive for the perennial MVP candidate. After playing at the FIBA World Cup last summer and winning a silver medal, Doncic aggravated a prior leg injury during the preseason. While good to go to begin the 2023-24 campaign, having a healthy Doncic in training camp this time will be a positive for Dallas.

Pokusevski was one of several former Oklahoma City Thunder players who came to Charlotte via midseason trade in 2023-24. The young stretch four averaged 7.4 points and 4.4 rebounds per game with the Hornets. It doesn’t seem like he’s solidified himself as a legitimate rotation player, so his fantasy appeal as a free agent is low ahead of 2024-25.