Yahoo Sports Fantasy Basketball

  • Woj: Thunder to trade Josh Giddey to Chicago
    According to ESPN’s Adrian Wojnarowski, the Thunder will trade Josh Giddey to the Bulls in exchange for Alex Caruso.

    Advice: The sixth overall pick in the 2021 NBA Draft, Giddey’s fantasy ceiling sank considerably as Shai Gilgeous-Alexander became one of the league’s best players, and 2022 lottery pick Jalen Williams emerged as a rising star. Playing in a career-high 80 games this past season, Giddey averaged 12.3 points, 6.4 rebounds, 4.8 assists, 0.6 steals, 0.6 blocks, and 1.0 3-pointers in 25.1 minutes. The scoring average decreased by more than four points per game compared to the 2022-23 output (16.5), and Giddey’s perimeter shooting struggles led him to lose minutes to players such as Isaiah Joe and Cason Wallace during the postseason. The move to Chicago could be just what the doctor ordered for Giddey, especially if Lonzo Ball cannot return from his knee injury. The Bulls roster should result in Giddey having the ball in his hands more, even with Coby White stepping up as the starting point guard this season. Fantasy managers should not use a top 60 pick on Josh (Yahoo ADP in 2023-24: 58.9), but he has top 100 potential with this move. Rotoworld Yesterday, 2:21 pm
     
  • Dealt to Chicago
    The Thunder traded Giddey to the Bulls in exchange for Alex Caruso on Thursday, Adrian Wojnarowski of ESPN reports.

    Advice: After receiving a significantly reduced role in the playoffs, averaging just 12.5 minutes across six games against Dallas, Giddey's long-term future in Oklahoma City seemed uncertain. As such, it is not surprising to see the 21-year-old guard dealt for Caruso, who can offer better perimeter defense for the Thunder. Giddey could receive an opportunity to have the ball in his hands more often now that he is no longer playing alongside Shai Gilgeous-Alexander. He averaged 12.3 points, 6.4 rebounds and 4.8 assists in 25.2 minutes across 80 games in 2023-24. However, he will be competing for playing time in a crowded backcourt with Coby White, Zach LaVine, Ayo Dosunmu and Lonzo Ball (knee). Rotowire.com Yesterday, 2:18 pm
     
  • Pelicans ‘dangling’ Brandon Ingram in trade talks
    The Pelicans are reportedly “dangling” Brandon Ingram in trade talks and have contacted both Houston and Philadelphia about a potential deal, per The Athletic’s Kelly Iko.

    Advice: Since their season ended, rumors have been swirling about a BI trade, and it seems like it’s only a matter of time before he is with a new organization. New Orleans looked into a deal that landed them Alperen Sengun, but the Rockets reportedly have no interest in that. Philly is in the market for a third star and have already been tied to wings like Paul George and Jimmy Butler. It wouldn’t be a shocking landing spot if they aren’t able to acquire either of the other two. Rotoworld Yesterday, 7:56 am
     
  • Limited minutes in Game 5 loss
    Gafford recorded six points (3-5 FG) and three rebounds in 11 minutes during Monday's 106-88 loss to the Celtics in Game 5 of the NBA Finals.

    Advice: Gafford was efficient in his limited playing time in the Mavericks' Game 5 loss. However, the 25-year-old did see a massive decline in minutes in the Finals, during which he averaged 8.0 points, 4.4 rebounds and 0.6 blocks across only 14.8 minutes. In comparison, during the final two Western Conference playoff series, Gafford averaged 10.9 points, 7.2 rebounds and 2.3 blocks while shooting 67.1 percent from the field. The big man was a crucial addition for Dallas at the trade deadline, and he will remain under contract with the team until 2026-27, as the Mavericks will attempt to make it back to the Finals with their core group next season. Rotowire.com Tuesday, 1:16 pm
     
  • Struggles in Game 5 loss
    Washington ended Monday's 106-88 loss to Boston in Game 5 of the NBA Finals with four points (2-7 FG, 0-5 3Pt), six rebounds, three assists and two blocks across 34 minutes.

    Advice: Washington produced one of his worst games of the playoffs in Game 5. Overall, he was a key part of Dallas' starting five, averaging 13.0 points, 6.6 rebounds, 1.4 assists, 0.8 blocks and 0.7 steals in 22 starts. The Mavericks acquired the 25-year-old at the trade deadline, and he averaged 11.7 points, 6.2 rebounds, 1.5 assists, 1.2 steals and 0.9 blocks across 29 regular-season games. Dallas has Washington under contract until the 2026-27 season and will look to return to the NBA Finals next season, likely keeping most, if not all, of their core group from this season. Rotowire.com Tuesday, 12:47 pm
     
  • Efficient in Game 5 loss
    Jones provided 10 points (4-8 FG, 1-4 3Pt, 1-2 FT) and one block in 22 minutes during Monday's 106-88 loss to Boston in Game 5 of the NBA Finals.

    Advice: Jones started all 22 playoff games for the Mavericks and averaged 9.1 points, 3.5 rebounds, 1.2 assists and 1.0 blocks while shooting 48.1 percent from the field. The 27-year-old came into his first season with the team after struggling to carve out a role with the Bulls during two years in Chicago. Jones will enter the offseason as an unrestricted free agent, and his play throughout this season will likely earn him more interest around the league than last summer. Rotowire.com Tuesday, 12:21 pm
     
  • Al Horford expected back w/ BOS for 18th season
    According to Celtics owner Wyc Grousbeck, “Al is coming back for next year. That’s what I’ve been told. Age 38, which is unbelievable.”

    Advice: After winning his first title in Year 17, Horford will be back for a run at another championship with the title favorites. Though he took on a reduced role in the regular season, Horford started the final 15 games of the playoffs for the injured Kristaps Porzingis and averaged 9.5 points, 6.9 rebounds, 2.3 assists, 0.9 steals, 1.0 blocks and 2.0 triples while shooting 46.1% from the floor and 36.6% from beyond the arc. Rotoworld Tuesday, 10:33 am
     
  • Scores eight points in Game 5 win
    Hauser delivered eight points (3-7 FG, 2-6 3Pt), four rebounds, one assist and one steal across 17 minutes in Monday's 106-88 Game 5 win over the Mavericks.

    Advice: While Hauser is known as a three-point sniper, he provided Boston with plenty of hard-nosed defense throughout its championship run. Dallas periodically hunted Hauser during the Finals, only to learn the reserve forward was up for the challenge. Hauser averaged 8.2 points, 3.0 boards and 2.2 triples over 15 minutes per contest in the Finals. This offseason, expect Boston to exercise its club option to retain Hauser. The Wisconsin product could again be a key contributor in the quest for Banner 19. Rotowire.com Tuesday, 7:29 am
     
  • Nears double-double in Game 5 win
    Horford registered nine points (3-6 FG, 2-3 3Pt, 1-2 FT), nine rebounds, two assists and two steals across 32 minutes during Monday's 106-88 victory over Dallas in Game 5 of the NBA Finals.

    Advice: Horford was terrific in this year's NBA playoffs for the Celtics, averaging 9.2 points, 7.0 rebounds, 2.1 assists, 0.8 steals and 0.8 blocks across 30.3 minutes in 19 games. The 17-year veteran stepped up in the absence of Kristaps Porzingis, who dealt with lower leg and calf injuries throughout the playoffs. These injuries led to Horford starting in all five NBA Finals matchups, where he averaged 7.0 points, 6.2 rebounds, 2.6 assists, 1.2 steals and 0.6 blocks while shooting a stellar 47.1 percent from beyond the arc. Rotowire.com Monday, 9:15 pm