NBA Player News

Exum will join Luka Doncic and Kyrie Irving on the sidelined for the season finale, which will open up minutes for Josh Green, Jaden Hardy and A.J. Lawson. Exum has had an excellent bounce back season, and he will be an important piece for them in the playoffs.

The Heat did not waste any time signing Johnson after the former San Diego State and Arizona standout went undrafted, picking up shortly after the draft’s conclusion on Thursday. On Monday, the team announced that the rookie has been signed to a two-way deal. Miami has now filled two of its three available two-way slots for next season, with guard Dru Smith also being signed on Monday.

With Mason Plumlee agreeing to a deal with the Suns, the Clippers needed reinforcements behind starting center Ivica Zubac. Enter Bamba, who appeared in 57 games for the 76ers last season. Making 17 starts, he averaged 4.4 points, 4.2 rebounds, and 1.1 blocks in 13.0 minutes, shooting 49% from the field. As long as Zubac remains healthy, Bamba’s opportunities to be an impactful fantasy option will be limited.

Dunn is moving after reigniting his NBA career with two solid seasons in Utah. The 2016 lottery pick appeared in 66 games last season, averaging 5.4 points, 2.9 rebounds, 3.8 assists, and 1.0 steals in 18.9 minutes, shooting 47.0% from the field and 68.8% from the foul line. With James Harden locked into the starting role, Dunn’s fantasy ceiling will be limited, even if the Clippers manage to trade Russell Westbrook.

Smith only appeared in nine games last season before suffering a torn right ACL during a game against the Cavaliers. While there may be moments when he has streaming value, Smith is not a player fantasy managers should plan on drafting.

Due to injury, Harris was limited to 51 games in 2023-24. He started 27 appearances, averaging 6.9 points, 1.7 rebounds, 1.6 assists, 0.9 steals, and 1.4 3-pointers in 24.0 minutes. The combination of playing time and availability limited Harris’ fantasy value, and he won’t be a must-draft player in most leagues. The Magic signed Kentavious Caldwell-Pope, and he is expected to be the starting two-guard come Opening Night.

The sixth overall pick in the 2024 NBA Draft, Salaun is dealing with a minor laceration that will keep him out of the Hornets’ summer minicamp. The team announced he would be available for the Vegas Summer League, but nothing was mentioned regarding the rookie’s availability for this week’s California Classic in Sacramento. Don’t expect to see Salaun in action until Las Vegas.

Simpson, the 42nd overall pick in the 2024 NBA Draft, injured his hamstring during a pre-draft workout. The Hornets say he will not participate in the California Classic (Sacramento) or Vegas Summer League. The expectation is that Simpson will be ready when training camp opens in September.

Utah is listening to calls regarding Markkanen, but that does not mean they’re actively looking to trade the 2023 NBA Most Improved Player. The conversations could become serious if the team is presented with a massive offer that it cannot refuse, like the one that prompted Brooklyn to trade Mikal Bridges to the Knicks. According to Fischer, Golden State, Minnesota, San Antonio, and Sacramento are teams that have registered interest in completing a deal.

Temple was limited to 27 appearances in his first full season with the Raptors, averaging 3.3 points, 1.7 rebounds, and 1.0 assists in 10.7 minutes per game. He’s unlikely to get the minutes needed to impact fantasy basketball next season.

After missing the entire 2022-23 season with a broken leg, Gillespie appeared in 24 games for the Nuggets in 2023-24. He posted averages of 3.6 points and 1.1 assists in 9.4 minutes, not impacting fantasy basketball. Managers should not expect much more from Gillespie next season.