Yahoo Sports Fantasy Basketball

  • Declines player option Monday
    Anunoby (hamstring) declined his $19.9 million player option for 2024-25 on Monday and will become an unrestricted free agent, Fred Katz of The Athletic reports.

    Advice: It was inevitable that Anunoby would decline his player option, as he has a reported market value of around $35 million-plus per year going into free agency, which starts June 30. The 26-year-old has proven his worth as a solid wing defender and three-point shooter, but his injury history is another factor teams will consider before making him an offer. Anunoby was traded from the Raptors to the Knicks on Dec. 30, and he averaged 14.1 points, 4.4 rebounds, 1.7 steals, 1.5 assists and 1.0 blocks across 34.9 minutes in 23 regular-season appearances for New York. Rotowire.com Monday, 2:43 pm
     
  • Stein: Magic, 76ers targeting Caldwell-Pope
    The Magic and 76ers are considering making runs at Kentavious Caldwell-Pope in free agency, per Marc Stein.

    Advice: KCP has won two of the last five championships as part of different squads while providing value on both ends of the value. He should make a huge impact on either the 76ers or Magic as both teams are ready to contend and could use a 3-and-D starter at shooting guard. KCP has been an incredibly impactful starter for the Nuggets the last couple of seasons, which could earn him a big raise if he moves to the East. Rotoworld Sunday, 11:34 am
     
  • 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
     
  • 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
     
  • 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