NBA Player News

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.

With White out, both Lonzo Ball and Talen Horton-Tucker may be in line for extra minutes. However, with Zach LaVine, Josh Giddey and Ayo Dosunmu already starting, Billy Donovan may turn to Torrey Craig to fill the void in the starting unit.

Jones was initially listed as doubtful, so his absence isn’t surprising. However, this is a step in the right direction for him, since he hasn’t played since October.

Green missed practice on Monday, and there is a good chance that he is forced to sit out against Denver on Tuesday. Steve Kerr said that Draymond should be considered doubtful for this game after initialy reports said that he is questionable to play. His expected absence will likely result in Jonathan Kuminga making a return to the starting lineup, with Kyle Anderson seeing extra minutes off the bench.

Jerome has had a fantastic season for the Cavs thus far, and he has yet to miss a game to this point. If he is forced to sit out of this one, Caris LeVert and Craig Porter Jr. should be the primary ball handlers off the bench.

Original reports indicated that Wade would remain out for this game, but he has been upgraded to questionable. His absence has allowed Isaac Okoro and Georges Niang to take on extra minutes, but none of these guys have been relevant in standard fantasy leagues this year.

Lively missed their last game, which allowed Daniel Gafford to get the starting nod in his place. Gafford will be pushed back to the bench if Lively returns, with both players splitting the minutes at center.

Marshall will miss a second straight game with this illness, but the Mavs are starting to get healthier. Marshall would likely be back to playing a bench role if he was able to play in this game, which means that there will be more minutes for Spencer Dinwiddie and Maxi Kleber in his absence.

Thompson has missed the team’s last four games, but he may return to the lineup on Tuesday. Quentin Grimes has been starting in his place and has scored at least 20 points in three straight games. However, Thompson’s return will likely push Grimes to the bench, even if he has been playing better than Thompson has all year.