NBA Player News

After shooting 37.3% from the field in October (five games), Sengun has been a more efficient offensive weapon. He’s made 52.2% of his shots in November, which is one reason why he’s been a 3rd-round player since the calendar flipped. Regarding season-long value, only Tari Eason has been better among Rockets players. Houston plays three games in Week 6, beginning with the Timberwolves on Tuesday.

Belinelli, the 18th overall pick in the 2007 NBA Draft, spent the last five seasons playing for Virtus Bologna in his native Italy. He played for nine different teams during his NBA career, including four with the Spurs, and was part of San Antonio’s 2014 NBA champion squad. As an NBA player, Belinelli averaged 9.7 points, 2.1 rebounds, 1.7 assists and 1.4 three-pointers per game, shooting 37.6 percent from beyond the arc.

Quiñones, who finished the 2024-25 season with the Pelicans before being waived last month, will compete for either a standard contract or a two-way contract slot with the Magic. Over three NBA seasons, he’s appeared in 54 games, averaging 4.8 points, 1.7 rebounds and 1.1 assists in 11.0 minutes. Even if Quiñones does enough in training camp to earn a standard contract, he’s unlikely to impact fantasy basketball next season.

The Hawks signed Dante to a two-year, two-way contract worth $4.5 million on Saturday, and Houston had the right to match the offer sheet since he was a restricted free agent. The Rockets have reportedly declined to do so, clearing the path for Dante to head to Atlanta. Dante is unlikely to get the opportunities needed to impact fantasy basketball next season, but the 23-year-old will be an intriguing developmental prospect for the Hawks to invest in.

Dončić injured his right knee during Saturday’s friendly against Latvia, casting some doubt on his status for the upcoming FIBA EuroBasket competition. However, Slovenia’s national team announced on Sunday that the star guard was cleared to practice on Monday, and Stein’s update is another positive development. Dončić will take on his usual role as Slovenia’s lead offensive option, hoping to medal in EuroBasket after failing to do so in 2022.

McDaniels, a second-round pick in the 2019 draft, will likely be with the Pelicans on an Exhibit 10 contract. That deal would guarantee him a training camp spot with the opportunity to earn a standard contract. McDaniels spent most of the 2024-25 season in the G League, making four appearances for the Wizards while on a 10-day contract in February.

Dončić suffered a right knee contusion during Saturday’s friendly against Latvia, but he avoided serious injury. The good news for Slovenia’s star guard is that he will practice on Monday, although the team did not reveal how much he’ll participate in the session. Dončić is expected to be a full go when EuroBasket opens on August 27.

Smith has had terrible luck with injuries, as his last two seasons have ended prematurely due to a torn ACL and a ruptured Achilles tendon. However, this did not prevent the Heat from signing him to a standard contract for the next three seasons. While the 2025-26 campaign is fully guaranteed, Smith’s contract for the following two seasons is conditionally guaranteed. Smith is not guaranteed to be fully recovered from the Achilles injury in time for the start of the upcoming season, but he’ll have an opportunity to earn minutes once cleared.

Finland won all three EuroBasket tune-up games, and Markkanen looks to be in mid-season form. Poland had no answer for the Jazz forward on Sunday, as he dropped 42 points in just under 24 minutes of action. Markkanen was a frequent visitor to the foul line, attempting 20 free throws on the day, and he shot over 50 percent from the field. After a somewhat disappointing 2024-25 season, the concern for fantasy managers will be how Utah approaches the upcoming campaign. Concerns that the team may once again look to game the draft lottery system, despite it not working out this season, may negatively impact Markkanen’s standing in drafts. He can offer elite value when allowed to take on a primary scoring option’s usual workload.

France’s frontcourt depth took a hit when Vincent Poirier was forced to withdraw due to a right knee injury. The national team reached out to Diabaté to gauge his interest in rejoining the roster after being cut on August 8, but the 6-foot-9 power forward/center has reportedly decided to focus on preparing for the upcoming 2025-26 NBA season. And this is one where the Hornets post may have his best shot at earning consistent minutes. With the Hornets trading Mark Williams to the Suns, the competition for minutes at center consists of Diabaté, veteran Mason Plumlee and second-round pick Ryan Kalkbrenner. If Diabaté can earn the starting job, he would be worth a look in the latter rounds of standard league drafts. He appeared in 71 games last season, averaging 5.8 points, 6.2 rebounds, 0.6 steals and 0.6 blocks in 18.5 minutes.

Doncic suffered the injury in the first half against Latvia in an exhibition game on Saturday. The injury isn’t considered to be serious, so it’s unclear if it will impact his availability for Eurobasket later this month. Regardless, it shouldn’t have an impact on his start to the season for the Lakers.