NBA Player News

According to Agness, “Both sides know how each other feels [and] want the partnership to continue.” It’s not surprising news considering Siakam’s trade to Indiana at the end of his expiring deal. The belief was that he would stick around for the long haul after the Pacers traded for him, and he’ll be back with Tyrese Haliburton, Myles Turner and the rest of Indiana’s young core as the team looks to replicate the success it found in an Eastern Conference Finals run this season. Siakam averaged 21.3 points on 54.9% shooting, 7.8 rebounds, 3.7 assists and 1.0 triples across 41 appearances for the Pacers and finished 77th in per-game fantasy value in that span. He’ll be worth a look in the middle rounds of 2024-25 fantasy drafts.

Adebayo is viewed as a franchise cornerstone in Miami, and the Heat will pay him accordingly. Per the new league rules, teams can negotiate with their players, who will either be free agents or extension-eligible beginning the day after the conclusion of the NBA Finals. Adebayo has been one of the best defenders in the NBA and stands to be once again a safe third-round pick in standard league fantasy drafts.

Appearing on the Ryen Rusillo Podcast, Stevens said while the team does not know precisely how much time Porzingis will miss, he’s expected to miss the start of the season. “We’re going to be different right out of the gate simply because we have guys like Kristaps after his surgery -- we don’t know exactly when he’ll be back. But he’ll probably miss at least the very start of the season,” said Stevens. “That’ll be a great opportunity for us to do things different and have to find different solutions and those types of things that come with it. And then we’ll just evaluate our team like we always do.” Porzingis suffered a dislocation of his left posterior tibialis during Game 2 of the NBA Finals and said after the series clincher that his rehab was expected to last a “few months.” The injury boosts Al Horford’s fantasy value heading into the 2024-25 season while freeing up additional usage for fellow starters Derrick White and Jrue Holiday.

George has three days to decide whether or not to opt into the final season of his contract, which would be worth more than $48.8 million. While he and the Clippers have discussed a potential extension, they have not reached an agreement. George has been looking for a maximum contract of four years, but the Clippers have not gone that far. According to Windhorst, there are teams willing to take that step should PG become available via free agency or opt-in and trade. “I have been told that multiple teams out there are willing to trade for him and offer him the four-year max contract that he’s not currently being offered by the Clippers,” Windhorst said. “That means he’s got a set of options. But the question is, are the Clippers going to play ball with such a deal, or are they going to risk losing him for nothing if he can walk to a team like Philadelphia or Orlando?” Kawhi Leonard received his extension during the season, but it only runs three years in length. In addition to George, the Clippers will have to address James Harden’s status, as he will be an unrestricted free agent.

The joy Knicks fans felt in the immediate aftermath of the Mikal Bridges trade was somewhat tempered by the report on Hartenstein. Given how well he played this season, the 7-footer will command a significant payday once he hits free agency on June 30, and New York is limited in what they can offer iHart since the team does not hold his Bird rights. Losing Hartenstein would impact Mitchell Robinson, whose name has recently come up in trade rumors. Robinson can be an excellent fantasy center due to the rebounds, blocks, and field goal percentage, but availability has been an issue for most of his career.

In his report, Wojnarowski noted that while the Suns have said they plan to hold onto Booker and Durant and attempt to win with their current group, that could change next season. Houston reportedly wants to acquire one of those two stars, and they’ve begun obtaining some assets to make it happen. In three separate deals, the Rockets acquired Phoenix’s 2027 pick from the Nets (via the Suns acquiring KD from Brooklyn), the right to swap the Houston/Oklahoma City 2025 first with Phoenix’s 2025 first, the more favorable 2029 first from Dallas and Phoenix, and the right to swap its 2029 first for the less favorable Dallas first and Phoenix first. That’s a lot of picks, and it could eventually prove enticing to the Suns, given the amount of draft capital they’ve given up to put together their current roster. However, Houston could also use the acquired picks to make a different play as they attempt to fast-track their rebuild. These moves won’t impact fantasy basketball right now, but it will be something to be mindful of as the 2024-25 season plays out.

The night before the 2024 NBA Draft, the Nets were busy restocking their draft assets while bidding farewell to Mikal Bridges (traded to the Knicks). The transaction with Houston gets Brooklyn back into the first round of the 2026 draft, with the 2027 pick they received from Phoenix in the Kevin Durant trade now heading to Houston.

Bogdanovic’s salary for 2024-25 was not fully guaranteed before this deal; that would likely have to change to make the trade work. More critical for Brooklyn is the draft capital they’ve received: four unprotected first-round picks from the Knicks (2025, 2027, 2029, and 2031), another 2025 first-rounder via Milwaukee (top-4 protected), and an unprotected first-round pick swap. In addition to Bridges, the Knicks will receive a 2026 second-round pick. Restocking the coffers was essential for lead executive Sean Marks, given the picks that Brooklyn surrendered in prior deals. As for Bogdanovic, while he’s been effective in the past as a starter, he’ll be coming off of foot and wrist surgeries when next season begins.

Well, add another Villanova alum to the Knicks roster. Bridges is reportedly headed from Brooklyn to Manhattan in a deal that will cost the Knicks a significant amount of draft capital. In addition to Bogdanovic, the Nets will receive four unprotected firsts (2025, 2027, 2029, and 2031) from New York, another 2025 first via Milwaukee (top-4 protected), and an unprotected pick swap. Bridges’ fantasy value took a hit this season as the marquee offensive option, and he’s been at his best when able to play off of a star. How valuable he is will depend on whether or not the Knicks can also re-sign OG Anunoby. Bridges is likely a top 75 player if everyone returns, but this move moves New York closer to challenging Boston in the East.

A fixture in the Mavericks’ bench rotation throughout the regular season, Hardaway did not see much action as Dallas made its run to the NBA Finals. With one year remaining on his contract and the Mavericks needing to free up money to re-sign Derrick Jones Jr., it makes sense that THJ would be the subject of trade rumors. And based on comments made on social media by his father (which have since been deleted), it appears Hardaway is ready to move on, provided he has a more significant role at his next stop. During his introductory press conference, Pistons lead executive Trajan Langdon said he’s open to using the team’s cap space to take on contracts, provided future draft assets are attached.

The writing was effectively on the wall for Giddey, as his role diminished during the postseason. His trade from Oklahoma City to Chicago was unsurprising, and the change of scenery may ensure the 2021 lottery pick has a marquee role moving forward. Giddey said Thunder brass wanted to move him into a backup role. While that may have increased usage, Giddey’s playing time likely would have decreased. “And I just said to [Thunder lead executive Sam Presti], at this point in my career, I’m 21 years old, it wasn’t something I was overly eager to do,” Giddey said on Tuesday. "(Presti) completely understood. Throughout the whole process, we were open and honest with each other. And I said to him, ‘Look, coming off the bench at this point in my career is not something I’m trying to do and take a reserve role.’ He got it. We worked together through the whole process. He got me to a great spot. I’m very, very excited to be here in Chicago.” Depending on what the Bulls roster looks like in the fall, the trade should raise Giddey’s fantasy ceiling after struggling with his role in Oklahoma City last season.