NBA Player News

The Pelicans are getting healthier on the perimeter, so Payton’s services are no longer needed. He averaged 6.7 points, 3.4 rebounds, and 6.9 assists in seven games. This transaction will not impact fantasy basketball.

Murray missed Tuesday’s game against the Heat with a chest contusion and is questionable for Thursday’s game against the Magic with the same injury. The 24-year-old small forward doesn’t have standalone fantasy value as a rotation player for Portland. If he’s out again Thursday, Shaedon Sharpe could see more minutes and would be worth streaming for scoring-needy fantasy managers.

Camara did not play in Tuesday’s win over Miami, resulting in Scoot Henderson moving into the starting lineup. Henderson has played some of the best basketball of his NBA career recently and should be rostered in most standard leagues, whether or not Camara plays.

Ayton is questionable for Thursday’s game, the first of two in as many nights for Portland. The two Blazers centers may have staggered availability, with Robert Williams absent from the injury report for Thursday. If Ayton sits, this game would amount to a “showcase” for the Time Lord, whose name has been the subject of recent trade rumors.

Simons missed Sunday’s game against the Bulls with an elbow injury, but played and scored 24 points Tuesday against the Heat. The 25-year-old shooting guard finds himself on the injury report again this week with a back injury. If Simons were to miss Thursday’s game, Scoot Henderson and Shaedon Sharpe would see increased usage.

This is a key distinction, as the initial report by ESPN’s Shams Charania gave Lively a 2-3 month recovery timeline. According to the Mavericks, he’ll be re-evaluated in four weeks. While this may not significantly impact the fantasy basketball players, Lively may be a factor in the Mavericks rotation in time for the NBA Playoffs. Daniel Gafford is a must-roster player, regardless of league format, while Lively sits.

The seven-game suspension Butler served earlier this month was not the last of his disciplinary issues. According to Charania, the Heat forward missed Miami’s flight to Milwaukee for Thursday’s game against the Bucks. While Butler reportedly planned to rejoin his teammates on Wednesday night, he’ll remain home for Miami’s two-game road trip. His next opportunity to play will be Monday night against Orlando. Nikola Jovic and Jaime Jaquez Jr. are the players to target with Butler suspended.

Simmons sat out Tuesday’s game against the Knicks while Johnson played through his ankle injury, though he’ll miss the second leg of the back-to-back against the Suns Wednesday. With the Nets also down Cam Thomas and D’Angelo Russell, the likes of Keon Johnson, Jalen Wilson, Tyrese Martin and Noah Clowney will see more playing time. Brooklyn will have a hard time keeping the game close with so many key players out, though.

Carter was not with the team for Monday’s loss to the Clippers. While his return would give Billy Donovan another perimeter option to consider with Coby White (ankle) out, Carter is not guaranteed rotation minutes. Leave him on the waiver wire.

After sitting out Monday’s win over the Clippers, Dosunmu was limited to individual work during Wednesday’s practice. However, the expectation is that he’ll be able to play against the Warriors. The question in the short term is how much longer will Dosunmu be under a minutes restriction? Talen Horton-Tucker played more minutes off the bench on Monday and may do the same on Thursday.

White did not play in Monday’s game against the Clippers and will likely miss Thursday’s contest. The good news is that a foot doctor examined his ankle on Tuesday, and there was no structural damage. Lonzo Ball started against the Clippers and may hold onto the role for now.