Yahoo Sports Fantasy Basketball

  • Efficient from deep in Game 5 loss
    Green notched 14 points (5-8 FG, 4-6 3Pt) and two rebounds across 22 minutes during Monday's 106-88 loss to Boston in Game 5 of the NBA Finals.

    Advice: Green produced his best game of the playoffs Monday despite the Mavericks losing Game 5 and the series by a 4-1 deficit. The 23-year-old averaged 5.4 points, 2.8 rebounds, 0.6 assists and 0.4 steals across 19.2 minutes in five NBA Finals games. Green's four three-pointers were his most since Feb. 5, and with the 23-year-old under contract with the Mavericks until 2026, he will look to possibly take on a larger role with the team next season as the Mavericks attempt to make it back to the Finals. Rotowire.com Yesterday, 9:55 pm
     
  • Takes home NBA Finals MVP
    Brown had 21 points (7-23 FG, 2-9 3Pt, 5-6 FT), eight rebounds, six assists and two steals across 44 minutes during Monday's 106-88 victory over Dallas in Game 5 of the NBA Finals.

    Advice: Brown won the Bill Russell NBA Finals MVP award after averaging a well-rounded 20.8 points, 5.4 rebounds, 5.0 assists, 1.6 steals and 0.8 blocks across five NBA Finals games. The three-time All-Star helped lead the team to title No. 18 after a dominant season, during which the Celtics boasted the best record in the league. Brown was a force in the 2023-24 playoffs, averaging 23.9 points, 5.9 rebounds, 3.3 assists, 1.2 steals and 0.6 blocks while shooting an extremely efficient 51.6 percent across 19 games. The Celtics will look to run it back next season with Brown and Jayson Tatum at the helm. Rotowire.com Yesterday, 9:11 pm
     
  • Does it all in Game 5 victory
    Tatum had 31 points (11-24 FG, 1-7 3Pt, 8-8 FT), 11 assists, eight rebounds and two steals across 45 minutes during Monday's 106-88 win over the Mavericks in Game 5 of the NBA Finals.

    Advice: Tatum had an all-time classic of a game to deliver Boston banner No. 18 on Monday. The five-time All-Star was the first Celtics player since Larry Bird in 1986 with 20-plus points, 10-plus assists and five-plus rebounds in an NBA Finals game. The 26-year-old averaged 22.2 points, 7.8 rebounds, 7.2 assists, 1.0 steals and 0.6 blocks across five contests in the Finals. Overall, Tatum was spectacular in the 2023-24 playoffs, averaging 25.0 points, 9.7 rebounds, 6.3 assists, 1.1 steals and 0.7 blocks while shooting 42.7 percent from the field. The Celtics will look to repeat their success next season, as Tatum and Jaylen Brown will attempt to lead the team to back-to-back titles. Rotowire.com Yesterday, 9:09 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 Yesterday, 8:52 pm
     
  • Jaylen Brown scores 21 points, wins NBA Finals MVP
    Jaylen Brown played 44 minutes in Monday’s 106-88 win over Dallas, accounting for 21 points (7-of-23 FGs, 5-of-6 FTs), eight rebounds, six assists, two steals, and two 3-pointers.

    Advice: Brown didn’t have his best night shooting the basketball, but he was influential in other areas as the Celtics wrapped up their 18th title. After winning the Eastern Conference Finals MVP, he stood out again in the NBA Finals and was named series MVP. Brown wasn’t projected to be the Celtics player whose fantasy value would be impacted the most by the additions of Jrue Holiday and Kristaps Porzingis, based on his Yahoo ADP of 35.8. However, decreased production in the points, rebounds, and free-throw percentage categories led to JB finishing the regular season ranked outside the top 75 in 9-cat formats and just inside the top 60 in 8-cat. Brown averaged 23.0 points and 5.5 rebounds per game while shooting 70.3% from the foul line this season. In 2022-23, he was responsible for 26.6 points and 6.9 rebounds per game, shooting 76.5% from the line. The scoring and rebounding could remain “low” by Brown’s standards, but getting back into the mid-70s from the charity stripe next season would give his value a welcome boost in category leagues. Rotoworld Yesterday, 8:16 pm
     
  • Jayson Tatum seals title with 31/8/11/2 stat line
    Jayson Tatum shot 11-of-24 from the field and 8-of-8 from the foul line in Monday’s 106-88 win over the Mavericks, tallying 31 points, eight rebounds, 11 assists, two steals, and one 3-pointer in 45 minutes.

    Advice: The Celtics wrapped up their 18th NBA championship on Monday, with Tatum leading the way as a scorer and creator. He made some history, becoming the first Celtics player to account for at least 20 points, 10 assists, and five rebounds in an NBA Finals game since Larry Bird in 1986. The championship caps quite the journey for the Celtics star, who has been an elite fantasy option for most of his career. Tatum’s scoring average dropped by more than three points per game compared to his 2022-23 production, so he finished the regular season ranked 15th in 8- and 9-cat per-game value, according to Basketball Monster. That certainly isn’t “bad,” but most fantasy managers were hoping to get top 5 value out of the Celtics star. Tatum’s ceiling still makes him a player who should be selected in the first round of most drafts, but Boston’s depth slightly lowers his fantasy ceiling. Rotoworld Yesterday, 8:08 pm
     
  • Poole: Klay Thompson looking for a 3-year deal
    According to NBC Sports Bay Area’s Monte Poole, league sources believe Klay Thompson is seeking at least a three-year deal.

    Advice: The Warriors’ “big three” era of Thompson, Stephen Curry, and Draymond Green may end this summer, as the former is set to hit unrestricted free agency. While a max contract is undoubtedly off the table, the veteran shooting guard is reportedly looking for at least a three-year deal. Thompson is another year removed from a stretch in which he missed two consecutive seasons due to knee and Achilles tendon injuries, but his production dropped considerably in 2023-24. Landing with a team that needs to add 3-point shooting to its starting lineup would boost Thompson’s fantasy value, but the trick is finding that spot. Remaining with the Warriors may include Klay being asked to come off the bench, which would lower his fantasy ceiling. Rotoworld Yesterday, 3:56 pm
     
  • Report: Suns expected to re-sign Royce O’Neale
    According to HoopsHype’s Michael Scotto, the Suns are expected to re-sign Royce O’Neale once he hits free agency this summer.

    Advice: Acquired via trade in February, O’Neale was a solid contributor for the Suns. Given the 3-and-D skill set and Phoenix’s need for depth, the report that the team will look to re-sign him is unsurprising. What helps the cash-strapped franchise is that they hold O’Neale’s Bird rights, which allows the Suns to exceed the salary cap to re-sign him. According to Scotto, the veteran wing is expected to command $10 million annually. O’Neale was a top 100 player in 9-cat formats after joining the Suns and would be worthy of late-round consideration in standard leagues if he re-signs. Rotoworld Saturday, 4:05 pm
     
  • Scores 14 points in Game 4 loss
    Hauser provided 14 points (5-7 FG, 4-6 3Pt) and four rebounds across 20 minutes during Friday's 122-84 loss to the Mavericks in Game 4 of the NBA Finals.

    Advice: The fact that Hauser was among the Celtics' scoring leaders in a potential title-clinching game of the NBA Finals tells you all you need to know about Boston's offense in this loss. Boston was atrocious on offense and couldn't get things going throughout the contest, but Hauser at least provided a spark with his three-point shooting. Hauser is not expected to play a prominent role for Boston offensively in the rest of the series. Rotowire.com Friday, 9:08 pm