Yahoo Sports Fantasy Basketball

  • Dereck Lively II unlikely to be ‘pick-and-pop’ big
    Mavericks GM Nico Harrison said on Friday that he does not envision Dereck Lively II turning into a “pick-and-pop” big man next season.

    Advice: While Lively hit his first career 3-pointer during the NBA Finals and showed off his range during workouts throughout the series, fantasy managers should not expect to see him offer Brook Lopez-like production in that area next season. Dallas does not need him to do that, especially with Luka Doncic and Kyrie Irving running the show. “He’s not going to be a pick-and-pop guy,” Harrison said of Lively. “He has the skill to do it, but for our team, that’s not what we’re going to ask him to do. He’s really good in the short-roll, he can pass to both sides of the floor. He’s just going to get better. I think there’s a lot of room for him to grow, and he’ll do it.” Rotoworld Yesterday, 5:36 pm
     
  • Report: MIL exploring trade market for Brook Lopez
    According to Yahoo Sports’ Jake Fischer, the Bucks have been looking into the trade market for veteran center Brook Lopez.

    Advice: After their first-round exit at the hands of the Pacers, the Bucks are reportedly open to retooling their roster around stars Giannis Antetokounmpo and Damian Lillard. As a result, Lopez’s name has been discussed concerning his value on the trade market. The veteran center, who turned 36 in April, finished this season as a top 50 player in 9-cat formats and once again ranked among the league leaders in blocked shots. If Lopez were traded, he would undoubtedly land in a spot where he would remain a starter. Remaining in Milwaukee does limit his offensive ceiling, as he’s no higher than fourth in the pecking order behind Antetokounmpo, Lillard, and Khris Middleton. Rotoworld Yesterday, 2:43 pm
     
  • Woj: Drew Eubanks decides to decline player option
    According to ESPN’s Adrian Wojnarowski, Drew Eubanks will decline his player option and enter free agency.

    Advice: Eubanks, who agreed to a one-plus-one deal before the 2023-24 campaign, served as Jusuf Nurkic’s backup. Appearing in 75 games, he averaged a modest 5.1 points, 4.3 rebounds, and 0.8 blocks in 15.6 minutes. Eubanks would have made a little over $2.65 million had he opted into the final season of his contract. While he did say in mid-May that he hoped to return to the Suns for the 2024-25 season, the reported decision to opt out casts some doubt about Eubanks’ future in Phoenix. He’s likely to have a similar role wherever he lands in free agency, so fantasy managers in most leagues will only be considering Eubanks as a streamer. Rotoworld Yesterday, 1:03 pm
     
  • Set to hit free agency
    Eubanks announced Friday he is declining his $2.6 million player option from the Suns for 2024-25 and will become an unrestricted free agent, Adrian Wojnarowski of ESPN reports.

    Advice: Eubanks will hit free agency after averaging 5.1 points and 4.3 rebounds in 15.6 minutes across 75 appearances, including six starts, for Phoenix in 2023-24. Eubanks will likely continue to operate as a backup center for a different team if he finds a new destination in free agency. Rotowire.com Yesterday, 12:26 pm
     
  • Report: Knicks shopping Mitchell Robinson
    According to Yahoo Sports’ Jake Fischer, the Knicks have been in contact with multiple teams in hopes of finding a trade partner for Robinson.

    Advice: Robinson was injured for a large chunk of 2023-24 and is currently viewed as less valuable than Isaiah Hartenstein. The big man could be moved ahead of the 2024-25 season to make room for Hartenstein to take over as New York’s starting center. Rotoworld Yesterday, 10:41 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
     
  • 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