Yahoo Sports Fantasy Basketball

  • Declines player option Saturday
    George declined his $48.7 million player option with the Clippers on Saturday, and he will now become an unrestricted free agent, Adrian Wojnarowski of ESPN reports.

    Advice: George declining his player option now takes any hope of a trade off the table for the Clippers. The All-Star will plan on meeting with several teams who have the cap space to sign him, the Clippers included. George was tasked with carrying the offensive load in the playoffs during Kawhi Leonard's (knee) absence last season, and the Clippers' refusal to extend him on a four-year maximum contract is likely the reason why he elected to become a free agent. The 34-year-old averaged 22.6 points, 5.2 rebounds, 3.5 assists and 1.5 steals across 33.8 minutes in 74 regular-season games. George also shot 47.1 percent from the field and 41.3 percent from three, both career highs for the 14-year veteran. Rotowire.com Yesterday, 1:51 pm
  • Woj: Kevin Love to decline player option
    According to ESPN’s Adrian Wojnarowski, Kevin Love is declining his player option for the 2024-25 season.

    Advice: Had he opted into the final season of his contract, Love would have made approximately $4 million in 2024-25. He’ll become an unrestricted free agent, but Wojnarowski also reported that Love and the Heat are “enthusiastic” about being able to work out a deal. Love will likely have limited fantasy value if he returns to Miami, as the Heat have Bam Adebayo as their starting center and selected Indiana’s Kel’El Ware with the 15th overall pick in Wednesday’s NBA Draft. Rotoworld Yesterday, 8:15 am
  • Testing free agency
    Love declined his $4.03 million player option for the 2024-25 season Saturday and will become an unrestricted free agent, Adrian Wojnarowski of ESPN reports.

    Advice: Though Love will hit the open market, he and the Heat are optimistic about negotiating a new deal in the opening days of free agency. The veteran big man has carved out a nice role off the bench in Miami, where he has been productive in relatively short-minute stints. Overall, Love averaged 8.8 points, 6.1 rebounds and 1.5 triples across 16.8 minutes in 55 appearances in 2023-24. If Love does in fact re-sign with Miami, he'll face a new challenger for the top backup role behind starting center Bam Adebayo, as the Heat used its first-round pick in the 2024 NBA Draft on Indiana big man Kel'el Ware. Rotowire.com Yesterday, 8:02 am
  • Gets qualifying offer
    The Pacers issued Toppin a qualifying offer Wednesday, making him a restricted free agent, Tony East of SI.com reports.

    Advice: Toppin set career highs across the board during his first season in Indiana, as he averaged 10.3 points, 3.9 rebounds, 1.6 assists and 1.1 stocks in 21.1 minutes across 82 regular-season appearances. He also provided a spark off the bench during the postseason, scoring at least 10 points in six straight games at one point. During that stretch, Toppin averaged 15.5 points and 5.2 rebounds in 20.0 minutes per game. Rotowire.com Wednesday, 3:03 pm
  • Report: Teams willing to give George 4-year deal
    According to ESPN’s Brian Windhorst, multiple teams are willing to give Paul George the four-year max deal he’s currently seeking.

    Advice: George has three days to decide whether or not to opt into the final season of his contract, which would be worth more than $48.8 million. While he and the Clippers have discussed a potential extension, they have not reached an agreement. George has been looking for a maximum contract of four years, but the Clippers have not gone that far. According to Windhorst, there are teams willing to take that step should PG become available via free agency or opt-in and trade. “I have been told that multiple teams out there are willing to trade for him and offer him the four-year max contract that he’s not currently being offered by the Clippers,” Windhorst said. “That means he’s got a set of options. But the question is, are the Clippers going to play ball with such a deal, or are they going to risk losing him for nothing if he can walk to a team like Philadelphia or Orlando?” Kawhi Leonard received his extension during the season, but it only runs three years in length. In addition to George, the Clippers will have to address James Harden’s status, as he will be an unrestricted free agent. Rotoworld Wednesday, 9:35 am
  • Paul George seeking four-year deal
    According to NBA reporter Marc Stein, Paul George is seeking a four-year deal in free agency.

    Advice: Stein reports that George would prefer to return to the Clippers, but the team is more inclined to offer a shorter-term deal. Wherever he lands, the veteran, 34-year-old star is in search of security. When available, he’s an elite, two-way talent, but availability has been a major concern since he arrived in LA. George is one of the most intriguing names to monitor in free agency. Rotoworld Tuesday, 10:49 am
  • 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 Monday, 5:47 pm
  • Bulls extend qualifying offer
    The Bulls extended their qualifying offer to Williams (foot) 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 regular-season 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 Monday, 5:12 pm
  • Stein: Knicks potential suitor for Paul George
    The Knicks are a potential trade suitor for Paul George, per Marc Stein.

    Advice: There have been plenty of rumors that multiple teams could pursue a trade for George this summer, and Stein believes that you can add the Knicks to the list. PG would give the Knicks another dynamic scoring option that won’t cost them on the defensive end, which would make them even more of a contender in the East. It’s unclear what type of trade package that the Clippers would bring back, but the Knicks could arguably make one of the most competitive offers for George that could still keep the Clippers competitive if they include Julius Randle in a deal. Rotoworld Sunday, 11:29 am