Yahoo Sports Fantasy Basketball

  • Kyle Anderson hopes to return to Minnesota
    During his season-ending media availability, pending free agent forward Kyle Anderson said he hopes to remain with the Timberwolves.

    Advice: A reliable option off the bench for the Timberwolves, Anderson will be an unrestricted free agent this summer. In 79 games, SloMo averaged 6.4 points, 3.5 rebounds, 4.2 assists, 0.9 steals, and 0.6 blocks in 22.6 minutes, shooting 46.0% from the field and 70.8% from the foul line. Anderson hopes that he and the Timberwolves come to terms on a new deal, with the fit being good on and off the court. “My family’s here,” Anderson said on Friday. “My son is on the spectrum. He’s doing really well here in the Minnesota school system, and his development is really key. And he’s doing so well, so, you know, that plays a part into it.” While he will have value among playoff-caliber teams, Anderson’s decision is unlikely to impact fantasy basketball significantly. Rotoworld Friday, 7:05 pm
     
  • Struggles with efficiency
    Anderson provided seven points (3-9 FG, 1-4 3Pt), three rebounds, three assists, one block and one steal over 33 minutes during Thursday's 124-103 loss to the Mavericks in Game 5 of the Western Conference Finals.

    Advice: Anderson's 33 minutes played in Game 5 were his highest of the series, largely due to his role in guarding Luka Doncic. Anderson will end the Western Conference Finals averaging 7.4 points, 3.4 assists and 2.8 rebounds in 22.4 minutes across the five contests. The 30-year-old forward will head into the offseason as an unrestricted free agent. Anderson's future in Minnesota is uncertain as he went from averaging 28.4 minutes across 69 appearances, including 46 starts in 2022-23, to 22.6 minutes across 79 appearances, just 10 of which were starts, in 2023-24. Rotowire.com Friday, 1:32 pm
     
  • Misses out on double-double
    Gafford amassed 11 points (3-3 FG, 5-6 FT), nine rebounds and one block across 20 minutes during Thursday's 124-103 win over the Timberwolves in Game 5 of the Western Conference Finals.

    Advice: With the return of Dereck Lively, Gafford saw his playing time decrease from 31 minutes in Game 4 to 20 in Game 5. Regardless, Gafford was able to maintain his productivity, recording at least one block for the 11th straight contest. The 24-year-old big averaged 10.8 points, 6.8 rebounds and 2.6 blocks in 24.4 minutes across the five games in the Western Conference Finals. Rotowire.com Friday, 1:04 pm
     
  • Fischer: Nic Claxton expected to remain with Nets
    Nic Claxton is expected to remain with the Nets on a four-year deal, per Yahoo’s Jake Fischer.

    Advice: Claxton will be a coveted free agent, but Brooklyn is expected to retain him on a deal that will cost them anywhere from $80-100 million over four years. He has been an excellent fantasy option the last two years, and that won’t change if he remains with the Nets. However, that will likely prevent Noah Clowney from moving into a prominent role in his second season with the team. They can legally begin negotiations with Claxton as soon as the NBA Finals conclude, so he may have a new deal in place within the next few weeks. Rotoworld Friday, 12:10 pm
     
  • Daniel Gafford plays playoff-high 31 minutes
    Daniel Gafford shot 6-of-6 from the field in Tuesday’s Game 4 loss to the Timberwolves, scoring 12 points with eight rebounds, one assist, one steal, and three blocked shots in 31 minutes.

    Advice: With Dereck Lively II out with a sprained neck, it was evident that Gafford’s minutes would increase. The 31 minutes he played on Tuesday are the most for DG this postseason, and he was productive as a finisher, rebounder, and rim protector. Maxi Kleber played 13 of the remaining minutes, finishing with two points, one rebound, and one assist in his first game back from a separated shoulder. His minutes in Game 5 will be impacted by the status of Lively, who is trending toward being available to play on Thursday. Rotoworld Tuesday, 9:09 pm
     
  • Sniffs double-double in Game 4
    Holiday ended Monday's 105-102 victory over the Pacers in Game 4 of the Eastern Conference Finals with 17 points (7-13 FG, 2-6 3Pt, 1-1 FT), nine rebounds and two assists over 38 minutes.

    Advice: Holiday was deemed available despite being initially tabbed questionable due to an illness for the second game in a row, and he made his presence felt as a do-it-all, two-way guard in an offensive scheme in which he occupies a secondary role. Despite the fact Jayson Tatum and Jaylen Brown often carry the Celtics, Holiday had some excellent performances against the Pacers, averaging 18.5 points, 7.0 rebounds, 5.8 assists and 2.3 steals per game in the series. Rotowire.com Monday, 9:40 pm
     
  • Jrue Holiday (illness) available for Game 4 Monday
    Jrue Holiday (non-COVID illness) is available for Monday’s game against the Pacers.

    Advice: As was the case with Game 3 on Saturday, Holiday is available after the Celtics listed him as questionable on the initial injury report. He will take on his usual duties as a starter alongside Derrick White. Holiday played 35 minutes in Game 3, making crucial plays on both ends of the floor to help Boston complete a comeback from 18 points down. Rotoworld Monday, 3:32 pm
     
  • Ready to go for Game 4
    Holiday (illness) has been cleared to play in Monday's Game 4 against the Pacers, Jay King of The Athletic reports.

    Advice: Holiday made it through morning shootaround without issue and has now been given the green light to take the court Monday evening. He didn't face any type of restriction in Game 3 (38 minutes) and should be a full go as the Celtics aim for a series sweep. Rotowire.com Monday, 3:19 pm
     
  • Participates in shootaround
    Holiday (illness) participated in the Celtics' morning shootaround ahead of Monday's Game 4 against the Pacers, Dan Roche of WBZ-TV reports.

    Advice: Holiday is questionable for Monday's matchup due to an illness, but his participation in shootaround is encouraging. He was considered a game-time decision for Saturday's Game 3 before tallying 14 points, nine rebounds, three assists, three steals and a block in 38 minutes. If he's available Monday, it seems likely that he'll be able to handle a full workload as the Celtics attempt to close out the series. Rotowire.com Monday, 8:00 am