Yahoo Sports Fantasy Basketball

  • Kristaps Porzingis likely to miss start of season
    Celtics team president Brad Stevens said on Tuesday that he expects Kristaps Porzingis (left leg surgery) to miss at least the start of next season.

    Advice: Appearing on the Ryen Rusillo Podcast, Stevens said while the team does not know precisely how much time Porzingis will miss, he’s expected to miss the start of the season. “We’re going to be different right out of the gate simply because we have guys like Kristaps after his surgery -- we don’t know exactly when he’ll be back. But he’ll probably miss at least the very start of the season,” said Stevens. “That’ll be a great opportunity for us to do things different and have to find different solutions and those types of things that come with it. And then we’ll just evaluate our team like we always do.” Porzingis suffered a dislocation of his left posterior tibialis during Game 2 of the NBA Finals and said after the series clincher that his rehab was expected to last a “few months.” The injury boosts Al Horford’s fantasy value heading into the 2024-25 season while freeing up additional usage for fellow starters Derrick White and Jrue Holiday. Rotoworld Wednesday, 10:45 am
     
  • Could miss start of season
    Speaking on the Russillo Podcast, Celtics President Brad Stevens said Wednesday that Porzingis (leg) could miss the start of the 2024-25 season.

    Advice: Stevens was pretty vague with his comments, to be fair, and an official timetable won't be known until Porzingis undergoes his procedure in the coming days. Stevens mentioned that Porzingis' potential absence opens the door for the Celtics to be creative at the start of the season with their rotations. For now, it sounds like the franchise is planning for this to be a lengthy recovery process. Rotowire.com Wednesday, 10:22 am
     
  • Wants to remain in NBA
    Contrary to a previous report, Vezenkov said he will honor his contract with the Kings and wants to stay in the NBA, Sean Cunningham of Fox 40 Sacramento reports.

    Advice: Cunningham adds that the report which stated that Vezenkov will not return to the Kings is "off base". The Kings reportedly want to keep the sharpshooter, but there is a market for him and it's no secret that the forward would like a larger role in the rotation. In his first NBA campaign, Vezenkov posted averages of 5.4 points and 2.3 rebounds across 12.2 minutes in 42 appearances. Rotowire.com Wednesday, 9:28 am
     
  • Headed to Brooklyn
    The Knicks traded Bogdanovic (foot/wrist) to the Nets along with four unprotected first-round picks, a protected first-round pick via the Bucks, an unprotected pick swap and a second-round pick in exchange for Mikal Bridges on Tuesday, Adrian Wojnarowski of ESPN reports.

    Advice: Bogdanovic will head to Brooklyn after being traded from the Pistons to the Knicks in 2023-24. The veteran forward saw his production decrease after coming to New York as a bench option, averaging 10.4 points and 2.0 rebounds in 19.2 minutes across 29 regular-season appearances. Bogdanovic underwent surgery on his left wrist and was reported to need left foot surgery after the Knicks' postseason exit, but he is expected to make a full recovery ahead of the 2024-25 campaign. In Brooklyn, the 34-year-old forward will likely compete for a starting forward spot alongside Cameron Johnson (toe) and could return to his previous average of nearly 20 points per game. Rotowire.com Tuesday, 7:25 pm
     
  • Woj: Nets acquire Bojan Bogdanovic, draft picks
    According to ESPN’s Adrian Wojnarowski, the Nets have acquired Bojan Bogdanovic and multiple draft picks from the Knicks in exchange for Mikal Bridges.

    Advice: Bogdanovic’s salary for 2024-25 was not fully guaranteed before this deal; that would likely have to change to make the trade work. More critical for Brooklyn is the draft capital they’ve received: four unprotected first-round picks from the Knicks (2025, 2027, 2029, and 2031), another 2025 first-rounder via Milwaukee (top-4 protected), and an unprotected first-round pick swap. In addition to Bridges, the Knicks will receive a 2026 second-round pick. Restocking the coffers was essential for lead executive Sean Marks, given the picks that Brooklyn surrendered in prior deals. As for Bogdanovic, while he’s been effective in the past as a starter, he’ll be coming off of foot and wrist surgeries when next season begins. Rotoworld Tuesday, 7:17 pm
     
  • Will sit out Olympics
    The Celtics announced Tuesday that Porzingis (leg) will undergo surgery in the coming days, which will force him to miss the Olympics with Latvia.

    Advice: Surgery was inevitable, but Porzingis hoped to delay it until after the Olympics. More clarity on a timeline for the recovery process likely won't be known until after the procedure. He's coming off a terrific season with the Celtics, posting averages of 20.1 points, 7.2 rebounds, 2.0 assists, 1.9 blocks and 1.9 three-pointers in the regular season. Rotowire.com Tuesday, 8:23 am
     
  • Waived by Raptors
    Gueye (thumb) was waived by the Raptors on Tuesday, Josh Lewenberg of TSN.ca reports.

    Advice: Gueye joined the Raptors on a two-way deal late into the 2023-24 season, but he made just 11 appearances before suffering a sprained right thumb to end his campaign. In those 11 appearances, Gueye averaged 2.4 points and 2.1 rebounds. Rotowire.com Tuesday, 7:49 am
     
  • Report: CHI extend qual. offer to Patrick Williams
    According to Yahoo Sports’ Jake Fischer, the Bulls have extended a qualifying offer to Patrick Williams.

    Advice: The Bulls’ decision to extend a qualifying offer to Williams makes him a restricted free agent. Chicago can match any offer that the 2020 lottery pick receives. While the upside is there, he has been an underwhelming player for middling Bulls teams. Williams suffered a season-ending foot injury in late January and underwent surgery toward the end of February. In 43 games, he averaged 10.0 points, 3.9 rebounds, 1.5 assists, 0.9 steals, and 0.8 blocks in 27.3 minutes. Rotoworld Monday, 5:47 pm
     
  • Bulls extend qualifying offer
    The Bulls extended their qualifying offer to Williams (foot) on Monday, making him a restricted free agent, Jake Fischer of Yahoo Sports reports.

    Advice: Williams will now be able to negotiate with other teams when free agency starts June 30; however, the Bulls will have the opportunity to match any offers he receives. The 22-year-old had his 2023-24 season cut short due to a left foot injury, and he averaged 10.0 points, 3.9 rebounds and 1.5 assists across 27.3 minutes in 43 regular-season appearances. While it is not fully clear what direction the Bulls are currently trending in, Williams is still young and would fit the mold of a rebuild player who could remain with the team for a significant time. Rotowire.com Monday, 5:12 pm