Yahoo Sports Fantasy Basketball

  • 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 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 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
     
  • Report: OG Anunoby to decline player option
    According to Fred Katz of The Athletic, OG Anunoby has decided to decline his player option and will be an unrestricted free agent.

    Advice: The report is unsurprising, as Anunoby was due to make approximately $19.9 million in 2024-25. Acquired by the Knicks from the Raptors in late December, the 2017 first-round pick is expected to earn well over $30 million annually, whether with the Knicks or another team. Anunoby will be one of the best available players on the market when free agency opens on June 30, and he has top-50 fantasy potential regardless of where he lands. The biggest concern is availability, as he’s played 50 or fewer games in three of the last four seasons. Rotoworld Yesterday, 3:24 pm
     
  • Declines player option Monday
    Anunoby (hamstring) declined his $19.9 million player option for 2024-25 on Monday and will become an unrestricted free agent, Fred Katz of The Athletic reports.

    Advice: It was inevitable that Anunoby would decline his player option, as he has a reported market value of around $35 million-plus per year going into free agency, which starts June 30. The 26-year-old has proven his worth as a solid wing defender and three-point shooter, but his injury history is another factor teams will consider before making him an offer. Anunoby was traded from the Raptors to the Knicks on Dec. 30, and he averaged 14.1 points, 4.4 rebounds, 1.7 steals, 1.5 assists and 1.0 blocks across 34.9 minutes in 23 regular-season appearances for New York. Rotowire.com Yesterday, 2:43 pm
     
  • Redick wants LeBron James to take more 3-pointers
    During his introductory press conference, Lakers coach JJ Redick said he wants LeBron James to attempt more 3-pointers next season.

    Advice: The Redick era in Los Angeles is underway, with the former NBA guard having his introductory press conference on Monday. One of the interesting tidbits was Redick stating a desire for James to take more 3-pointers next season. He shot a career-best 41.0% from deep in 2023-24, and the average of 5.1 attempts per game was LeBron’s lowest since the 2017-18 season as a member of the Cavaliers (5.0). He’ll clearly be a focal point for what Redick looks to do offensively...provided LeBron returns, regardless of what he decides with his player option. Rotoworld Yesterday, 2:07 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
     
  • Woj: Scottie Barnes signing max extension with TOR
    According to ESPN’s Adrian Wojnarowski, Barnes is signing a five-year, $270 million extension with the Toronto Raptors.

    Advice: Barnes notched career highs in points (19.9), rebounds (8.2), assists (6.2), and steals in 2023-24 before suffering a season-ending hand injury. Toronto has locked up their franchise centerpiece on a long-term deal. Rotoworld Yesterday, 9:41 am
     
  • Set to ink five-year extension
    Barnes (hand) agreed Monday with the Raptors on a five-year maximum extension worth up to $270 million, Adrian Wojnarowski of ESPN reports.

    Advice: Keeping Barnes in the fold long term is a no-brainer for the Raptors, as the 22-year-old forward took a big leap forward during his third NBA season in 2023-24. Over his 60 appearances this past season, Barnes posted averages of 19.9 points, 8.2 rebounds, 6.1 assists, 1.7 three-pointers, 1.5 steals and 1.3 blocks in 34.9 minutes per game while shooting 47.5 percent from the field, 78.1 percent from the free-throw line and 34.1 percent from three-point range. Each of those averages represented career highs, and the free-throw and three-point percentages were also personal bests for Barnes. Expect Barnes and the Raptors to finalize the extension at some point in the coming days. Barnes missed the final 22 games of the 2023-24 season after undergoing surgery on his left hand, but he's set for a healthy offseason and shouldn't have any restrictions by the time training camp gets underway in the fall. Rotowire.com Yesterday, 9:36 am
     
  • 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