NBA Player News

The Kings are without DeMar DeRozan (back), and Crowder will fill his spot in the lineup. Wednesday’s game will be Crowder’s first since signing with the Kings on Tuesday. Ellis remains in the starting lineup, and Kevin Huerter is coming off the bench. It may be time for those with Red Velvet rostered to move on.

Nesmith, who last played on November 1, is closing in on a return to game action. Bennedict Mathurin has played well as his replacement in the starting lineup, potentially doing enough to hold onto the job even after Nesmith is cleared to play without any restrictions. Over the long haul, Ben Sheppard stands to take a more significant hit than Mathurin in terms of fantasy value.

Haliburton missed Tuesday’s game against the Cavaliers with a groin injury, though the team officially labeled it a “mild strain.” That terminology could be considered encouraging and it’s possible that the 24-year-old point guard won’t miss anymore games. If he’s out again Thursday, Andrew Nembhard and T.J. McConnell will both see extra minutes and playmaking responsibilities against the Pistons.

Towns injured his thumb Monday against the Pistons. While the 29-year-old power forward finished the game and downplayed the injury postgame, it wouldn’t have been responsible for the Knicks to make KAT available Wednesday. Precious Achiuwa and Jericho Sims will see more minutes with Towns out. Achiuwa is the priority streamer in this instance.

It had become abundantly clear that the Suns needed to improve their center rotation, and this transaction accomplished that. To acquire Richards, Phoenix has parted with Okogie and three second-round picks. Okogie wasn’t much of a factor in fantasy basketball with the Suns, and that’s unlikely to change with the Hornets. Also, with Charlotte well out of the postseason picture in the East, it would be unsurprising if they looked to move Okogie to a contender in exchange for future draft capital.

The center position has provided plenty of issues for Phoenix this season, but they seem to have found their solution. They didn’t have to give up much, as Okogie hasn’t been a large part of their rotation. Recently, Mason Plumlee has been the starting center, with Oso Ighodaro filling out the backup minutes. Jusuf Nurkic has been out of the rotation entirely, and it wouldn’t be shocking if he was moved before the trade deadline. Plumlee and Ighodaro haven’t been great options, and the path for Richards to start at center is wide open. Assuming that happens, he should be considered a must-roster player in standard leagues.

Bagley III hasn’t played since December 23 so his availability won’t have a significant impact on fantasy basketball at this point. The 25-year-old power forward is still without a timetable to return to game action.

Brogdon is set to miss his sixth straight game with a foot injury. Expect Jordan Poole and Bub Carrington to continue to handle the ball in the absence of the 32-year-old Brogdon. Jared Butler could also be in line for increased opportunities with Brogdon out.

No surprise here as Finney-Smith was originally listed as doubtful for personal reasons. Shake Milton could enter the Lakers’ bench rotation, though he wouldn’t be worth streaming. The same can be said for other reserve players Cam Reddish and Dalton Knecht.

Wednesday’s game will be Embiid’s sixth straight missed game with a sprained foot. Guerschon Yabusele will continue to serve as the starting center, and he should be rostered due to Philadelphia’s lack of healthy options.

Claxton has a chance to return from a one-game layoff on Wednesday. Noah Clowney will likely start in Claxton’s place if he’s not good to go ahead of a tough matchup against Ivica Zubac.