NBA Player News

With Paolo Banchero (oblique) out for at least 4-to-6 weeks, the Magic have a massive hole to fill in their starting lineup. Black will get the first crack at filling the void, meaning Orlando will shift Franz Wagner into the power forward role. While the latter is already rostered in all leagues, the former should be streamed until Banchero is cleared to return.

Camara continues to flourish, providing top-75 value in 8-cat formats over the past two weeks. The second-year forward recorded his second double-double of the season, matching his total from 2023-24, and tallied four steals. Camara’s defensive ability is well-known, and he’s making strides offensively. He should be rostered in more than the 33% of Yahoo leagues as he currently is, especially if Portland decides to prioritize its younger players after the trade deadline.

Simons didn’t shoot particularly well on Saturday, but he did dish out seven assists. Over the past two weeks, he’s offered 8th-round value in 8-cat formats, proving to be a better option in 9-cat formats. Scoot Henderson has been more valuable than Simons recently, and the second-year guard had another good outing on Saturday. Scoot played 24 minutes off the bench, finishing with 13 points, three rebounds, nine assists, two steals, and one 3-pointer. With an eye toward the future, there should come a point later this season when Henderson gets back to playing starters’ minutes.

After sitting out Thursday’s win over Orlando with a sore right ankle, Grant returned to the lineup on Saturday and played 33 minutes. That may be more surprising than Jerami’s production, as he took advantage of the foul line. Between the trade deadline and Portland not hesitating to embrace the “tank” in recent seasons, there are some significant unknowns regarding Grant’s rest-of-season fantasy value. As long as he’s on the court, Grant should continue to offer late-round value in 12-team leagues.

After shooting 10-of-12 from the field in Thursday’s win over Orlando, Ayton was even better against the franchise that drafted him. The Trail Blazers center only missed one shot on the night, and he’s scored 21 points or more in four straight games. Over the past two weeks, Ayton has been a top-30 player in 9-cat formats. While he hasn’t been “DominAyton,” he’s been terrific recently. Portland plays four games during Week 15, beginning with Monday’s rematch with the Suns.

Durant shot 50% from the field on Saturday, but the overall production was modest by his standards. Despite the relatively quiet nights against Golden State (Friday) and Portland, the Suns forward remains a 1st-round player in 8- and 9-cat formats. Durant and the Suns will look to bounce back when they face Portland again on Monday, the first of four Week 15 games for Phoenix.

With the Suns playing their second game in as many nights, Booker was one of the few who showed up in Portland. The 37 points are the most he’s scored in a game since January 16 (37 vs. Washington), and he’s scored 30 or more in three of his last six outings. Over the past two weeks, Booker has provided 3rd-round value in 8-cat formats. The Suns play four games during Week 15, beginning with a rematch with the Blazers on Monday.

Hood-Schifino was included in a three-team trade between the Lakers, Jazz, and Mavericks. He’s headed to Utah with two 2025 second-round picks, one from Dallas and one from the Clippers. The Lakers received Luka Doncic, Maxi Kleber, and Markieff Morris, with Dallas getting Anthony Davis, Max Christie, and the Lakers’ 2029 first-round pick. The 17th overall pick in the 2023 draft, Hood-Schifino could not earn rotation minutes in Los Angeles. While a change of scenery can be good, he joins a roster with two other point guards who were first-round picks in the last two drafts (Keyonte George and Isaiah Collier). Hood-Schifino didn’t have fantasy value in Los Angeles, and that’s unlikely to change in Utah.

The Lakers, Mavericks, and Jazz pulled off one of the most shocking trades in NBA history late Saturday night. Christie is headed to Dallas with Anthony Davis and the Lakers’ 2029 first-round pick, with Luka Doncic, Maxi Kleber, and Markieff Morris going to the Lakers. Utah will receiver Jalen Hood-Schifino and two 2025 second-round picks, one from Dallas and another from the Clippers. Christie appeared to be coming into his own, earning a place in the Lakers’ starting lineup. Now he heads to another potential contender in the West, potentially starting alongside Kyrie Irving. If he’s allowed to start, Christie’s fantasy value may not take a hit, but it’s too early to predict what Jason Kidd will do.

In one of the most shocking transactions in NBA history, the Mavericks traded Luka Doncic, Maxi Kleber, and Morris to the Lakers in exchange for Anthony Davis, Max Christie, and a 2025 first-round pick. Utah received Jalen Hood-Schifino and two 2025 second-round picks (one from Dallas and one from the Clippers). Morris wasn’t in the rotation while in Dallas, and that’s unlikely to change in Los Angeles. There’s no need to consider adding him in any fantasy league.

Kleber, who has been out with a foot injury, is headed west as part of a three-team trade headlined by Anthony Davis and Luka Doncic. The Lakers received Kleber, Doncic, and Markieff Morris from Dallas, sending Davis, Max Christie, and a 2029 first to Dallas. Utah joined the deal to help make the financials work, acquiring Jalen Hood-Schifino and two 2025 second-round picks (one from Dallas and one via the Clippers). Kleber didn’t offer much fantasy value in Dallas when healthy, and that’s unlikely to change with the Lakers.