NBA Player News

Paul’s first season with the Warriors ended poorly, as the veteran point guard did not offer much value when on the court. That wasn’t the case during the regular season, as CP3 (Yahoo ADP: 72.7) was a top 100 player in 9-cat formats. However, Paul only appeared in 58 games, averaging a career-low 9.2 points and 6.8 assists (second-lowest average of his career). The 2024-25 season is a contract year for the 38-year-old Paul, who turns 39 in May. It’s difficult to envision his role being enhanced, so look for the ADP to be considerably lower than it was ahead of this season.

In what was a relatively low-scoring game, Markkanen’s 21 points were a game-high. He got there on volume as he made just 8-of-21 field goal attempts and 3-of-13 attempts from behind the 3-point line. Markkanen hasn’t lived up to preseason expectations for fantasy managers, but he can still put up at least solid numbers with this level of volume.

With Jimmy Butler out, Herro gave his fantasy managers a preview of what’s to come once the superstar is eventually traded. Herro led the team in shot attempts, 3-point attempts, rebounds and assists. There’s a reason the Heat have never made Herro available in trades. The point guard turns just 25 in January and can be a do-it-all star for the Heat going forward.

Another double-double for Bitadze, another Magic who has benefitted while the team is dealing with multiple injuries in its starting lineup. Wendell Carter Jr. was ejected after amassing two technical fouls in just 13 minutes of play, making Bitadze the primary down low option for Orlando. He made all eight of his field goal attempts and pulled down 13 rebounds. Bitadze is a perfect streamer to use as long as the Magic continue to play shorthanded.

KCP saw plenty of opportunity with the Magic down Paolo Banchero, Franz Wagner and Jalen Suggs Saturday. While he only took 10 shots from the floor and only made two 3-pointers, Caldwell-Pope got to the free throw line for 12 attempts and made them all. He also had two blocks, which is just a bonus for his fantasy managers. KCP can be counted on for points and threes while the Magic continues to play without its main offensive contributors.

With Jalen Suggs out, Anthony took advantage of his opportunity for more minutes with a career game. After Suggs suffered the injury against the Thunder on Thursday, it was Anthony Black who had the better game with 23 points off the bench. Black started Saturday, but Anthony finished with 28 minutes off the bench compared to Black’s 18 minutes. The 24-year-old point guard had 35 points and was just two rebounds and one assist shy of a triple-double. It’s a unique situation with the Magic down Paolo Banchero, Franz Wagner and Suggs, though Suggs should return in the near future. There’s probably not enough minutes to go around with Black and Anthony as backups once Suggs returns for either to be fantasy viable.

With Trae Young (heel) out, Krejci made his first start of the season on Saturday. He wasn’t a great streaming option beforehand, and that’s how things played out against the Grizzlies. Keaton Wallace (five points, one rebound, four assists, and one 3-pointer) played 23 minutes off the bench, and the Hawks also looked to get Dyson Daniels and Jalen Johnson more playmaking opportunities. If Young is not back for Monday’s game against the Timberwolves, fantasy managers should pass on Krejci.

With Trae Young (heel) sidelined, Johnson was one of the Hawks starters whose assist production was boosted on Saturday. The eight assists were two shy of his season-high and the fifth game in which Jalen racked up eight or more. After a breakout 2023-24 campaign, Johnson has continued to build on that, emerging as a key building block for the Hawks.

Hunter tweaked his ankle during Saturday’s game but was back on the court to begin the fourth quarter. Production-wise, things played out the way they usually have for the Hawks wing. While he provides solid value in the points and field-goal percentage categories, there wasn’t much else on Saturday. Scoring-wise, Hunter has been one of the most productive reserves in the NBA this season. However, managers needing value in other categories may need to look elsewhere.

Daniels has recorded five steals or more in seven games this season, with Saturday’s being the most recent. The assist production was also notable, as the Hawks were without Trae Young (heel). Daniels has accounted for five assists or more in seven games, including Saturday. The playmaking opportunities will be limited when Young plays, but assists are another area in which Daniels can provide value when the Hawks are without their star point guard.

Jackson didn’t have a good night shooting the basketball, but he gave fantasy managers a complete stat line. The Grizzlies big man has been excellent more often than not this season, so an occasional off night from the field won’t do too much damage to his fantasy value. Jackson will look to bounce back on Monday when the Grizzlies host the Clippers.