Yahoo Sports Fantasy Basketball

  • Luka Doncic expected to play in Olympic qualifiers
    Mavericks GM Nico Harrison said on Friday that he expects Luka Doncic to play for Slovenia in the nation’s upcoming Olympic Qualifying Tournament.

    Advice: While he was banged up during the Mavericks’ run to the NBA Finals, it takes a lot for Doncic to pass up on an opportunity to represent his country. Slovenia is playing in one of four Olympic Qualifying Tournaments, with play scheduled for July 2. Harrison said he expects the Mavericks’ star point guard to play “as long as he can walk.” Doncic played in the FIBA World Cup last summer, so advancing to the Paris Olympics would mean another “offseason” with limited rest. Rotoworld Friday, 3:16 pm
     
  • Report: 76ers not interested in Zach LaVine
    According to PHLY Sports’ Kyle Neubeck, the 76ers are not interested in acquiring Zach LaVine.

    Advice: NBC Sports Chicago’s K.C. Johnson reported on Thursday afternoon that the Bulls have made “as many as 15 trade offers” centered around LaVine, with Philadelphia being one of the teams approached. According to Neubeck, the 76ers’ feelings about LaVine have not changed since the February trade deadline: they aren’t interested. Given the recent reports and Chicago reportedly trading Alex Caruso to Oklahoma City for Josh Giddey, it’s clear that lead executive Arturas Karnisovas is looking to make significant changes to the Bulls roster ahead of the 2024-25 campaign. Rotoworld Thursday, 6:16 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
     
  • Will undergo offseason surgery
    Porzingis said Monday after the Celtics' title-clinching 106-88 win over the Mavericks in Game 5 of the NBA Finals that he'll undergo offseason surgery to address his left leg injury, Tim Bontemps of ESPN.com reports.

    Advice: In Game 2 of the Finals, Porzingis suffered a torn medial retinaculum allowing dislocation of the posterior tibialis tendon, a rare injury that carried an uncertain recovery timeline. After not playing in Games 3 and 4, Porzingis returned for Game 5 and handled a limited role, playing 16 minutes off the bench while contributing five points (2-4 FG, 0-2 3Pt, 1-2 FT) and one rebound. The Latvian big man said the offseason surgery will require a "few months" of recovery, so his status will be worth monitoring when training camp begins in late September or early October. Porzingis previously missed over five weeks of action earlier in the postseason due to a strained right calf. Rotowire.com Tuesday, 8:23 am
     
  • Kristaps Porzingis to undergo surgery on left leg
    Kristaps Porzingis told ESPN’s Tim Bontemps after Monday’s win over the Mavericks that he will undergo surgery to address the dislocation of his left posterior tibialis.

    Advice: Porzingis did play in Monday’s title clincher but was clearly at less than full strength. While he was not under any official restrictions, the Celtics big man only played 16 minutes off the bench. Following the victory, Porzingis revealed that the injury will require surgery, and the rehabilitation process will last for a “few months.” With KP facing a prolonged absence, Al Horford’s fantasy value will receive a slight boost in drafts ahead of the 2024-25 season. Rotoworld Monday, 10:14 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
     
  • 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
     
  • Kristaps Porzingis plays 16 minutes in Game 5 win
    Kristaps Porzingis tallied five points (2-of-4 FGs, 1-of-2 FTs) and one rebound in 16 minutes in Monday’s 106-88 win over Dallas.

    Advice: Having picked up a DNP-CD in Game 4 despite being cleared to play, Porzingis logged 16 minutes off the bench on Monday. He wasn’t under any specific restrictions, but it was clear that the Celtics wouldn’t push him too far. The result was Boston’s 18th title in franchise history and the first for the “Unicorn.” After a stellar 2022-23 season in Washington, Porzingis being traded to Boston may have led to his being undervalued in fantasy basketball. Boasting a Yahoo ADP of 43.1, he provided top-15 per-game value in 9-cat formats and top-25 in 8-cat. The lone negative was availability. Porzingis only appeared in 57 games due to injury, with his absence boosting backup Al Horford’s fantasy value. Injuries were also an issue for Porzingis during the Celtics’ run through the playoffs, and he’s only appeared in at least 60 regular season games once (2022-23) since the 2016-17 campaign. KP is immensely valuable to fantasy managers when healthy, but that’s why his ADP is likely to take a hit. Rotoworld Monday, 8:36 pm