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: 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
     
  • 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
     
  • Frank Ntilikina signs to play in Serbia
    Frank Ntilikina has signed a two-year deal with Partizan Belgrade in Serbia.

    Advice: Ntilikina suited up in five games for the Hornets last season before he was waived at the trade deadline. Now, he’ll head to play in Serbia after seven seasons in the NBA. Fantasy managers won’t have to adjust their draft boards because of this move. Rotoworld Thursday, 8:49 am
     
  • Report: Gary Payton II to opt into player option
    According to ESPN’s Kendra Andrews, Gary Payton II will opt into his $9.1 million player option for the 2024-25 season.

    Advice: By opting in, GPII has the flexibility to sign an extension with the team this offseason according to Andrews. Payton II has played a key defensive role for Golden State in recent seasons, but he’s much better in real life than he is in the realm of fantasy hoops. Rotoworld Wednesday, 9:14 am
     
  • Picks up player option
    Payton exercised his $9.1 million player option for the 2024-25 season Wednesday, Kendra Andrews of ESPN.com reports.

    Advice: By exercising his player option, Payton will be on the books for the upcoming season and will now be able to negotiate a possible contract extension with the Warriors. Payton has had some tough luck with injuries in recent seasons, but he's invaluable to the Warriors for his perimeter defense. In 44 regular-season appearances in 2023-24, Payton averaged 5.5 points, 2.6 rebounds, 1.1 assists and 0.9 steals in 15.5 minutes per contest while shooting 56.3 percent from the field. Rotowire.com Wednesday, 9:11 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
     
  • Dereck Lively II struggles in Game 5 defeat
    Dereck Lively II finished Monday’s 106-88 loss to the Celtics with two points (1-of-2 FGs), four rebounds, and one blocked shot in 24 minutes.

    Advice: After recording double-doubles in Games 3 and 4, Lively had a rough Game 5 in Boston. The rookie center still played over twice as many minutes as starting center Daniel Gafford, as his skill set appeared to be a better fit for this matchup. The ending to the season wasn’t good, but this was a rookie year that Lively can build upon. Lively, the 12th overall pick in last summer’s draft, landed in an excellent spot regarding his career path. He’s played well off of star guards Luka Doncic and Kyrie Irving, showing signs of being able to take on the “Tyson Chandler role” the Mavericks envisioned when they acquired his draft rights from Oklahoma City. Lively finished the season as a 10th-round player in 9-cat formats, with injuries and the passing of his mother limiting the rookie to 55 games. Another offseason to strengthen his skill set should boost Lively’s value, even if he continues to share the center responsibilities with Daniel Gafford. Rotoworld Monday, 9:13 pm