Yahoo Sports Fantasy Basketball

  • Giddey hopes to make life easy for new teammates
    During his introductory press conference, Bulls guard Josh Giddey said his responsibility with his new team is to “make the game easy for everybody else.”

    Advice: The writing was effectively on the wall for Giddey, as his role diminished during the postseason. His trade from Oklahoma City to Chicago was unsurprising, and the change of scenery may ensure the 2021 lottery pick has a marquee role moving forward. Giddey said Thunder brass wanted to move him into a backup role. While that may have increased usage, Giddey’s playing time likely would have decreased. “And I just said to [Thunder lead executive Sam Presti], at this point in my career, I’m 21 years old, it wasn’t something I was overly eager to do,” Giddey said on Tuesday. "(Presti) completely understood. Throughout the whole process, we were open and honest with each other. And I said to him, ‘Look, coming off the bench at this point in my career is not something I’m trying to do and take a reserve role.’ He got it. We worked together through the whole process. He got me to a great spot. I’m very, very excited to be here in Chicago.” Depending on what the Bulls roster looks like in the fall, the trade should raise Giddey’s fantasy ceiling after struggling with his role in Oklahoma City last season. Rotoworld Today, 2:11 pm
     
  • Waived by Raptors
    Gueye (thumb) was waived by the Raptors on Tuesday, Josh Lewenberg of TSN.ca reports.

    Advice: Gueye joined the Raptors on a two-way deal late into the 2023-24 season, but he made just 11 appearances before suffering a sprained right thumb to end his campaign. In those 11 appearances, Gueye averaged 2.4 points and 2.1 rebounds. Rotowire.com Today, 7:49 am
     
  • Report: CHI extend qual. offer to Patrick Williams
    According to Yahoo Sports’ Jake Fischer, the Bulls have extended a qualifying offer to Patrick Williams.

    Advice: The Bulls’ decision to extend a qualifying offer to Williams makes him a restricted free agent. Chicago can match any offer that the 2020 lottery pick receives. While the upside is there, he has been an underwhelming player for middling Bulls teams. Williams suffered a season-ending foot injury in late January and underwent surgery toward the end of February. In 43 games, he averaged 10.0 points, 3.9 rebounds, 1.5 assists, 0.9 steals, and 0.8 blocks in 27.3 minutes. Rotoworld Yesterday, 5:47 pm
     
  • Bulls extend qualifying offer
    The Bulls extended their qualifying offer to Williams (foot) on Monday, making him a restricted free agent, Jake Fischer of Yahoo Sports reports.

    Advice: Williams will now be able to negotiate with other teams when free agency starts June 30; however, the Bulls will have the opportunity to match any offers he receives. The 22-year-old had his 2023-24 season cut short due to a left foot injury, and he averaged 10.0 points, 3.9 rebounds and 1.5 assists across 27.3 minutes in 43 regular-season appearances. While it is not fully clear what direction the Bulls are currently trending in, Williams is still young and would fit the mold of a rebuild player who could remain with the team for a significant time. Rotowire.com Yesterday, 5:12 pm
     
  • Contract guaranteed by GS
    The Warriors guaranteed Looney's $8 million contract for 2024-25 on Monday, Kendra Andrews of ESPN.com reports.

    Advice: There were rumors that Looney would be cut to create cap space this offseason after the veteran saw a reduced role following the emergence of Trayce Jackson-Davis. With Dario Saric set to hit unrestricted free agency at the end of June, Looney is currently an expensive backup behind Jackson-Davis, who figures to be an Opening Night starter in Year 2. Rotowire.com Yesterday, 1:10 pm
     
  • Exercises player option
    Bates-Diop (shin) exercised his $2.65 million player option Monday for the 2024-25 season, Shams Charania of The Athletic reports.

    Advice: This is an expected move for Bates-Diop. The forward made just 14 appearances for the Nets last season, averaging 1.6 points in 4.9 minutes per game. Bates-Diop missed the end of the season with a right shin stress reaction, but he's expected to be healthy entering training camp. Rotowire.com Yesterday, 8:29 am
     
  • Report: Keita Bates-Diop opting in with Nets
    According to The Athletic’s Shams Charania, Bates-Diop has chosen to opt to a one-year, $2.65 million deal that will keep him with Brooklyn for the 2024-25 season.

    Advice: Bates-Diop spent 14 games with the Nets after being traded by the Phoenix Suns last season and played a minor role off the bench. He averaged just 1.6 points per game with Brooklyn. Rotoworld Yesterday, 8:18 am
     
  • Report: DEN plans to decline Vlatko Cancar option
    According to Bennett Durando of the Denver Post, the Nuggets plan to decline Vlatko Cancar’s player option for next season.

    Advice: Cancar injured his knee while playing for Slovenia last summer and did not play for the Nuggets this past season. He’ll return to game action in early July when Slovenia participates in an Olympic Qualifying Tournament. According to Durando, the Nuggets remain interested in bringing Cancar back, albeit on a different contract. Rotoworld Sunday, 4:05 pm
     
  • Report: Oshae Brissett to decline player option
    According to Spotrac’s Keith Smith, Oshae Brissett plans to decline his player option and become an unrestricted free agent.

    Advice: The 2023-24 season was Brissett’s first in Boston, and it could be his last based on the reported decision to decline his player option. The former Pacer had a limited role for the NBA champions, appearing in 56 games and averaging 3.7 points and 2.9 rebounds in 11.5 minutes. Those averages were the lowest for Brissett since his rookie season as a Toronto Raptor. Rotoworld Sunday, 3:21 pm