Yahoo Sports Fantasy Basketball

  • 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 Thursday, 2:18 pm
     
  • Shams: 76ers interest in Paul George has ‘waned’
    According to Shams Charania of The Athletic, the 76ers’ interest in pursuing Paul George this offseason has “waned in recent days.”

    Advice: Philadelphia is one of the teams that will head into free agency with a significant amount of cap space, even with the need to re-sign point guard Tyrese Maxey. George’s name has come up often recently, and Joel Embiid showing up at the NBA Finals while the Clippers star was working with ESPN certainly raised eyebrows. However, according to Charania, Philadelphia “is expected to be aggressive elsewhere” with its cap space and draft capital as the team looks to strengthen the roster around Embiid and Maxey. George has a player option for next season worth a little under $49 million, and there wasn’t much movement regarding negotiations with the Clippers on an extension. Should he opt for free agency, George will be one of the most sought-after players on the market, even if Philadelphia’s interest has decreased, as Charania reported. Rotoworld Thursday, 2:08 pm
     
  • Report: Bulls actively shopping Zach LaVine
    The Bulls have made as many as 15 trade offers centered around Zach LaVine, per NBC Sports’ K.C. Johnson.

    Advice: It shouldn’t be surprising that Chicago is looking to move LaVine based on how last season went, but for a team that hasn’t made a trade in years, they’re being far more active than normal. They’ve reportedly made offers to the Kings, Magic and 76ers, among other teams. At this point, it seems like LaVine has played his last game as a Bull. Rotoworld Thursday, 8:57 am
     
  • 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 Thursday, 7:56 am
     
  • Report: Gary Payton II to opt into player option
    According to ESPN’s Kendra Andrews, Gary Payton II will opt into his $9.1 million player option for the 2024-25 season.

    Advice: By opting in, GPII has the flexibility to sign an extension with the team this offseason according to Andrews. Payton II has played a key defensive role for Golden State in recent seasons, but he’s much better in real life than he is in the realm of fantasy hoops. Rotoworld Wednesday, 9:14 am
     
  • Picks up player option
    Payton exercised his $9.1 million player option for the 2024-25 season Wednesday, Kendra Andrews of ESPN.com reports.

    Advice: By exercising his player option, Payton will be on the books for the upcoming season and will now be able to negotiate a possible contract extension with the Warriors. Payton has had some tough luck with injuries in recent seasons, but he's invaluable to the Warriors for his perimeter defense. In 44 regular-season appearances in 2023-24, Payton averaged 5.5 points, 2.6 rebounds, 1.1 assists and 0.9 steals in 15.5 minutes per contest while shooting 56.3 percent from the field. Rotowire.com Wednesday, 9:11 am
     
  • Pascal Siakam to ink 4-year, $189.5M max extension
    According to ESPN’s Adrian Wojnarowski, Pascal Siakam will sign a four-year, $189.5 million max extension with the Pacers.

    Advice: Siakam can sign the deal on July 6 when the free agency moratorium period ends. It’s not a surprising update based on earlier reports indicating he’d return to Indiana on a long-term deal. Rotoworld Wednesday, 6:49 am
     
  • Stays in Indiana on four-year deal
    Siakam agreed Wednesday with the Pacers on a four-year, $189.5 million maximum contract, Adrian Wojnarowski of ESPN reports.

    Advice: Siakam plans to officially sign the contract once the free agency moratorium ends July 6. After coming over from Toronto in Jan. 17 trade, Siakam proved to be an ideal fit in the Pacers frontcourt and was instrumental in helping lead Indiana to an appearance in the Eastern Conference Finals. Over his 41 regular-season appearances with the Pacers following the trade, Siakam averaged 21.3 points, 7.8 rebounds, 3.7 assists, 1.0 three-pointers and 0.8 steals in 31.8 minutes per contest while shooting 54.9 percent from the field. Rotowire.com Wednesday, 6:35 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