Yahoo Sports Fantasy Basketball

  • 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
     
  • Quiet in Game 5 loss
    Lively chipped in two points (1-2 FG), four rebounds and one block across 24 minutes during Monday's 106-88 loss to Boston in Game 5 of the NBA Finals.

    Advice: Lively struggled playing on the road in the NBA Finals, accumulating six points and 16 rebounds in three games. However, Lively posted a double-double in both games in Dallas. This more closely resembled the rest of his successful playoff run, during which he averaged 8.6 points, 7.2 rebounds, 1.6 assists and 1.2 blocks while shooting 66.7 percent in 16 games. Overall, the 20-year-old had a successful rookie season and will look to increase his production in Year 2. Rotowire.com Tuesday, 1:05 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
     
  • Leads all scorers in Finals series
    Doncic ended Monday's 106-88 loss to the Celtics in Game 5 of the NBA Finals with 28 points (12-25 FG, 2-9 3Pt, 2-5 FT), 12 rebounds, five assists and three steals across 43 minutes.

    Advice: Despite losing the series 4-1, Doncic was spectacular for the Mavericks in the NBA Finals. The five-time All-Star dealt with a litany of injuries throughout the playoffs, including a thoracic contusion, a right knee sprain and left ankle soreness, but still led all players in scoring in the Finals. Across five NBA Finals games, Doncic averaged 29.2 points, 8.8 rebounds, 5.6 assists and 2.6 steals while shooting 47.2 percent from the field. The 25-year-old did struggle from deep, shooting only 24.4 percent, and he was also seen as a defensive liability at times. However, Doncic and the Mavericks will look to build off their strong season and run it back next year, as he now has NBA Finals experience under his belt. Rotowire.com Monday, 9:58 pm
     
  • Dereck Lively II struggles in Game 5 defeat
    Dereck Lively II finished Monday’s 106-88 loss to the Celtics with two points (1-of-2 FGs), four rebounds, and one blocked shot in 24 minutes.

    Advice: After recording double-doubles in Games 3 and 4, Lively had a rough Game 5 in Boston. The rookie center still played over twice as many minutes as starting center Daniel Gafford, as his skill set appeared to be a better fit for this matchup. The ending to the season wasn’t good, but this was a rookie year that Lively can build upon. Lively, the 12th overall pick in last summer’s draft, landed in an excellent spot regarding his career path. He’s played well off of star guards Luka Doncic and Kyrie Irving, showing signs of being able to take on the “Tyson Chandler role” the Mavericks envisioned when they acquired his draft rights from Oklahoma City. Lively finished the season as a 10th-round player in 9-cat formats, with injuries and the passing of his mother limiting the rookie to 55 games. Another offseason to strengthen his skill set should boost Lively’s value, even if he continues to share the center responsibilities with Daniel Gafford. Rotoworld Monday, 9:13 pm
     
  • Derrick Jones Jr. scores 10 PTS in Finals finale
    Derrick Jones Jr. shot 4-of-8 from the field and 1-of-2 from the foul line in Monday’s 106-88 loss to Boston, amassing 10 points, one blocked shot, and one 3-pointer in 22 minutes.

    Advice: Despite hitting double figures for the second time in the series, Jones’ performance on Monday was not impactful. Besides the points, he only supplied one blocked shot and failed to grab a rebound in Game 5. Jones entered the season competing for a place in the Mavericks starting lineup but remained off the radar in most fantasy drafts. While “Airplane Mode” started 66 of the 76 regular season games he appeared in, he did not offer consistent fantasy value. Jones finished the year ranked well outside the top 200 in 8- and 9-cat formats, which surprised no one. He’ll be a free agent this summer, and regardless of where he lands, Jones is likely to be more valuable to his team than to fantasy managers. Rotoworld Monday, 8:52 pm
     
  • Luka Doncic posts 28/12/5/3 line in Game 5 loss
    Luka Doncic accounted for 28 points (12-of-25 FGs, 2-of-5 FTs), 12 rebounds, five assists, three steals, and two 3-pointers in 43 minutes in Monday’s 106-88 loss to the Celtics.

    Advice: While Doncic recorded his second double-double of the NBA Finals on Monday, efficiency was a concern for the Mavericks star. He struggled at the foul line and also committed a game-high seven turnovers. Luka’s play wasn’t the only reason Dallas fell in Game 5, but Dallas’ margin for error is slim when one of its stars struggles. However, he made history, becoming the first player in the NBA to lead all players in postseason points, rebounds, assists, and steals. Expected by fantasy managers to be a top 5 player based upon his Yahoo ADP (2.7), Doncic lived up to that in 2023-24. Appearing in 70 regular season games, he was a top 5 player in 8- and 9-cat per-game value and totals. While Doncic wasn’t fully healthy when the season began due to a lingering leg injury, playing at the FIBA World Cup last summer ensured he joined the Mavericks in better shape than in previous seasons. A final decision has not been made regarding Luka’s availability for the upcoming Olympic Qualifying Tournament in Greece that Slovenia will participate in; his health will dictate the decision. Regardless of his status, fantasy managers should expect another elite season from Doncic in 2024-25. Rotoworld Monday, 8:45 pm