Jamaree

Bouyea

The Bucks are holding out Ryan Rollins, Taurean Prince, Giannis Antetokounmpo and Brook Lopez from Sunday’s regular-season finale, as their playoff seeding has been determined. Kuzma is the lone holdover, and it’s likely safe to assume that he will not play starters’ minutes. Green is the safest bet of the four replacements for fantasy managers in active leagues seeking streamers.

With Friday’s win over the Pistons, the Bucks secured the fifth seed in the East. They have nothing to play for in Sunday’s regular-season finale. Trent and Porter are among the key contributors who will not play, resting up for the start of the playoffs next weekend. Stanley Umude and Jamaree Bouyea should play rotation minutes on Sunday, and both are extremely risky plays in active fantasy leagues.

A little over one year since he agreed to a two-way contract with the Bucks, Rollins has been rewarded with a standard contract. The 2022 second-round pick has appeared in 39 games (eight starts) this season, averaging 4.9 points, 1.6 rebounds and 1.3 assists in 12.5 minutes. This move won’t impact fantasy basketball, but it does ensure that Rollins will be eligible for the postseason. The Bucks signed point guard Jamaree Bouyea to a two-way contract in a corresponding move.

HoopsHype’s Michael Scotto first reported Bouyea’s departure, and the Spurs made it official shortly after. Bouyea spent time with the Trail Blazers and Spurs last season, with the latter signing him to a two-way deal in March. San Antonio has one open two-way slot to work with heading into training camp, with David Duke Jr. and Harrison Ingram currently under contract.

Bouyea, who agreed to a two-way deal with the Trail Blazers in mid-November, only to be waived less than two weeks later, has played well for the Sioux Falls SkyForce of the NBA G League. That was enough to earn another shot in the NBA, this time with the Spurs. The transaction won’t impact fantasy basketball, as Tre Jones and first-round picks Malaki Branham and Blake Wesley are already in the rotation.

Bouyea was signed to a two-way deal when the Blazers were without Anfernee Simons, Scoot Henderson, and Malcolm Brogdon due to injury. However, he didn’t play much, so the decision to move on isn’t a shock, even with Bouyea having been on a two-way deal. His departure will not impact fantasy basketball.

Bouyea being available isn’t a huge deal, as he has been on the back end of the rotation since agreeing to a two-way contract. As for Brogdon, his return gives the Trail Blazers a much-needed infusion of depth and talent on the perimeter. And he’ll be in the starting lineup, joining Shaedon Sharpe, Toumani Camara, Jerami Grant, and Deandre Ayton. Skylar Mays will remain in the rotation, but his fantasy value takes a hit in this spot.

Making his first start of the season, Mays did a good job of running the show for the shorthanded Trail Blazers. The 12 assists, which matched a career-high, were countered by just one turnover. Mays missed all four of his 3-point attempts, but the overall stat line and assist tally make him a must-stream until Anfernee Simons (thumb), Scoot Henderson (ankle), or Malcolm Brogdon (hamstring) is cleared to return. Sunday’s game was also the debut for new backup point guard Jamaree Bouyea, who played 12 minutes and finished with six points, four rebounds, and three assists. Mays is rostered in 23% of Yahoo leagues, and that number should increase substantially, especially with Portland playing four games in Week 4.

After spending parts of last season with the Heat and Wizards, Bouyea is back in the NBA. With Anfernee Simons, Scoot Henderson, and Malcolm Brogdon all sidelined due to injury, Bouyea joins a Trail Blazers roster with room for him to play rotation minutes immediately. Skylar Mays should move into the starting lineup, so he needs to be the priority for fantasy managers. Bouyea should be tracked in Portland’s game against the Lakers on Sunday. The Blazers play four games next week, so he could become a player worth streaming in deep leagues.

With Orlando Robinson and Dru Smith joining Jaime Jaquez Jr. on the sideline, Bouyea took on a leading role offensively for the Heat. While he had a very good night, not committing a turnover whole leading the Heat in points, rebounds, and assists, the same can’t be said for many of his teammates. Jamal Cain (9/3/1/0/1) had a tough night, going 4-of-14 from the field, but that won’t impact his status with the Heat much (if at all). As for Bouyea, he was signed to a two-way contract on July 1, so at a minimum he’ll be in training camp with the Eastern Conference champions.