Zavier

Simpson

White spent time with Denver during the 2022-23 season, and he inked a contract with the Thunder in July. However, he was waived before the regular season began. The Grizzlies have mostly been rolling out players on two-ways and 10-days, so White should step right into big minutes. Simpson has played at least 30 minutes in their last two games and should play a large role for the rest of the season. He had 14 points, four rebounds, four assists, two steals, two blocks and three triples in their last game. Neither player will be a reliable option, but they should play big minutes, which will lead to some upside.

The former Michigan player will get a chance to make his return to the NBA after spending most of this season with Motor City, Detroit’s G-League affiliate. Memphis also signed Maozinha Pereira to a second 10-day, and while both players could end up seeing big minutes at the end of the season, they aren’t worth adding yet.

Detroit already has plenty of depth at point guard, but they added another one with Simpson, who played at the University of Michigan. He may spend more time in the G-League than with the Pistons, which means he won’t impact fantasy basketball.

Simpson and Ford joined the team on Exhibit 10 contracts, which grants the Magic the G League rights to both. Simpson had his moments down the stretch last season as a member of the Thunder, but that wasn’t enough to stick with Oklahoma City. The 6-foot-8 Ford appeared in five games for the Magic last season. Jay Scrubb and Alex Morales filled the roster spots left vacant by these transactions.

Simpson played the last four games of last season with the Thunder, and they didn’t really take him off the court. The Magic probably won’t tank that hard, at least not at first. Simpson shouldn’t see much playing time, if he even makes the final roster, since this is just an Exhibit 10 contract. He’s behind a number of guards in Orlando and may spend a large portion of the year in the G-League.

The Thunder played just six guys on Sunday, and Simpson filled it up, but OKC got ran out of the building in this one. He shot 7-of-15 from the floor (1-of-3 3-pointers) and made both of his foul shots on the evening. Jaylen Hoard added 14 points on 6-of-20 shooting (1-of-6 3-pointers) with fifteen rebounds, three assists, one steal, and one block in 45 minutes. Georgios Kalaitzakis scored 17 points on 6-of-15 shooting (3-of-6 3-pointers) with six rebounds, three assists, and two steals in 48 minutes.

Simpson is averaging 7.0 points, 3.0 rebounds, 8.0 assists, 2.0 steals and 1.0 blocks in his two games this season and while the 11 dimes were helpful tonight, the 2-of-10 shooting was damaging. It’s hard to say what the Thunder will do going forward but if Simpson is starting on Friday, he’s worth a look in all formats. Isaiah Roby had 18-5-5 tonight with four 3-pointers, Jaylen Hoard had 23 points and a full stat line, including a career-high five 3-pointers, Georgios Kalaitzakis scored 11 in a start, and Vit Krejci had nine points, six boards and six assists in the loss. Jeremiah Robinson-Earle added 18 points and a couple threes tonight and Lindy Waters had 10 points and three 3-pointers in the loss. Pick a Thunder, any Thunder as long as they’re playing for OKC on Friday or Sunday.

The Thunder stopped trying to hide their intentions weeks ago. Whoever plays well for OKC tonight may be banished from the rotation or waived and it wouldn’t make us bat an eye.

The Thunder overcame a 19-point deficit by winning the fourth quarter 31-12, played just six guys (seven if you count Lindy Waters’ four minutes) and treated us to a guy named Jaylen Hoard racking up 24 points and 21 rebounds. This is why you end your leagues before the final week of the season. Roby’s previous high in blocks was three, while Georgios Kalaitzakis had a career-high 17 points and seven turnovers, Zavier Simpson had a career-high 10 points, five assists, a steal and two blocks, Vit Krejci had 11 points and a full stat line, and Olivier Sarr came off the bench for 10 points, 12 rebounds and two blocks. See who’s starting for the Thunder on Wednesday, Friday and Sunday and then act accordingly. Pick a starting Thunder, any starting Thunder.

New signing Simpson and Kalaitzakis will start in their Thunder debuts Tuesday night, with Theo Maledon and Aleksej Pokusevski moving to the bench. Nothing has been said regarding the status of Maledon or Pokusevski, but given the way in which the Thunder have handled their rotation down the stretch, fantasy managers would be wise to look elsewhere for production. That’s a bad deal for those who have come to rely on the improved play of those two as the regular season comes to a close.