NBA Player News

The 6-foot-2 guard from southern California spent one season at Duke, where he earned ACC All-Freshman Team honors on a team that reached the Elite Eight. In 36 games for the Blue Devils, McCain averaged 14.3 points, 5.0 rebounds, 1.9 assists, 1.1 steals, and 2.4 3-pointers per game, shooting 46.2% from the field and 88.5% from the foul line. His best traits are perimeter shooting and defending. McCain shot 41.4% on 5.8 3-point attempts per game, and the free-throw percentage suggests that the shooting ability should translate to the NBA level. He was on a team with multiple competent playmakers in its rotation, which may have impacted McCain’s opportunities to show what he could do. Landing in Philadelphia means he’ll be in a similar situation, as Tyrese Maxey will run the show. There may be more opportunities to serve as a secondary playmaker, but 3-point shooting is where McCain will be most valuable to fantasy managers as a rookie.

Wiseman will join his fourth team since being selected No. 2 in 2020. He’ll provide depth behind Myles Turner and will scrap for minutes with Isaiah Jackson. Wiseman could get a slight boost in fantasy value if he’s able to secure the top backup spot behind Turner, but he’s a deep-league dart-throw at best. Detroit’s center depth consists of Jalen Duren and Isaiah Stewart, which means that unless the Pistons make a move for another big man, Beef Stew should play more minutes at the five in 2024-25. That could lead to more rebounds and a higher FG%.

This isn’t a surprising update, considering Yahoo Sports’ Jake Fischer reported the likelihood of this extension in mid-June. According to Woj, “A significant part of Mitchell’s belief in committing on a new deal comes with his confidence in Koby Altman’s vision to keep building the Cavs into a championship contender and an alignment on their partnership together.” Mitchell and Co. have had back-to-back playoff disappointments, most recently due to several key injuries. A healthy Cleveland team should be a perennial playoff team, but how far the team can go is in question based on recent moves from New York and Philadelphia to bolster their respective rosters.

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.