Yahoo Sports Fantasy Basketball

Player Notes

  • Picks up player option
    Jackson picked up his $5.25 million player option Monday, ESPN's Adrian Wojnarowski reports.

    Advice: Jackson is set to reprise his role as the primary backup point guard behind Jamal Murray for the upcoming season. Jackson was a reliable presence in the backcourt for Denver in 2023-24, posting averages of 10.2 points, 3.8 assists, 1.9 rebounds and 1.2 three-pointers across 82 appearances. Rotowire.com Yesterday, 12:39 pm
  • Extension expected this offseason
    The Cavaliers are confident in reaching an extension with Mitchell (calf) this offseason and will soon present the five-star All-Star guard with a four-year, $209 million maximum contract offer, Shams Charania, Joe Vardon and Jason Lloyd of The Athletic report.

    Advice: Mitchell's current contract runs through the 2025-26 season, but because he holds a $37.1 million player option for that season that he would almost certainly decline, the Cavaliers are eager to strike a long-term deal with him rather than risk losing him in free agency next summer. On a related note, the Cavaliers are eager to hire an offensive-minded head coach who values ball movement to get the most out of Mitchell, with the report noting that the organization has narrowed down its search to Warriors assistant Kenny Atkinson and Pelicans associate head coach James Borrego, both of whom have previous head-coaching experience with the Nets and Hornets, respectively. Mitchell missed the final two games of the Cavaliers' Eastern Conference semifinal round loss to the Celtics with a left calf strain, but he's expected to be fully healthy well in advance of training camp in the fall. Rotowire.com Yesterday, 6:49 am
  • Will be cleared in near future
    Morant (shoulder) said Saturday he will be medically cleared for basketball activities in about two weeks, CBSSports.com reports.

    Advice: Morant played only nine games last year due to a 25-game suspension and a major shoulder injury. He averaged 25.1 points, 8.1 assists, 5.6 rebounds, 1.4 blocks and 1.4 steals across 35.3 minutes. The All-Star had successful surgery on his right shoulder in mid-January and will be able to practice soon, meaning he should be 100 percent for next season's training camp. Morant hopes to take the Grizzlies back to the playoffs after a year ruined by injuries saw them finish with a 27-55 record. Rotowire.com Sunday, 8:19 am
    Ja MorantMEM - PG
    Player Note
    GTD
  • 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
  • Traded to Oklahoma City
    Caruso was traded from the Bulls to the Thunder in exchange for Josh Giddey on Thursday, Adrian Wojnarowski of ESPN reports.

    Advice: After spending the first four years of his career with the Lakers, Caruso played in Chicago over the past three seasons. He had a career-best year during the 2023-24 campaign, averaging 10.1 points, 3.8 rebounds, 3.5 assists and 1.7 steals in 28.7 minutes per game while making 71 regular-season appearances. The 30-year-old will join a talented Thunder squad that finished last season as the No. 1 seed in the Western Conference, and he'll provide a solid shooting presence as long as he can remain healthy during the 2024-25 season. Caruso is entering the final year of his contract, but the Thunder hope to sign him to a long-term extension at some point, per Wojnarowski. Rotowire.com Thursday, 2:16 pm
  • 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
    Gary Payton IIGSW - PG,SG,SF
    Player Note
  • Drains clutch 3 in Game 5 win
    Pritchard posted three points (1-1 FG, 1-1 3Pt) in under one minute of playing time during Monday's 106-88 win over Dallas in Game 5 of the NBA Finals.

    Advice: As he did periodically during the regular season and postseason, Pritchard once again drained a half-court end-of-quarter three just when the Celtics needed a boost. In Game 5, he heaved a half-court triple with under four seconds to help Boston take a 21-point lead into halftime. It was a lead the Celtics would never relinquish as Boston earned its 18th banner. Pritchard hit three triples over five 2024 NBA Finals games. He has three years remaining on his current contract, so expect more off-the-bench heroics moving forward. Rotowire.com Tuesday, 7:05 am
  • Shoots poorly in Game 5 loss
    Irving posted 15 points (5-16 FG, 3-9 3Pt, 2-2 FT), nine assists, three rebounds and one steal over 41 minutes during Monday's 106-88 loss to Boston in Game 5 of the NBA Finals.

    Advice: Irving struggled to get going in the Game 5 loss to the Celtics after a strong performance in Game 4, when he put up 21 points, six assists and four rebounds on 55.6 percent shooting from the field. The eight-time All-Star averaged 19.8 points, 5.0 assists, 3.0 rebounds and 0.6 steals in five NBA Finals games while shooting 41.4 percent from the field. Irving has now been to four NBA Finals with a 1-3 record, and he will attempt to help lead Dallas back to the championship round next year with Luka Doncic by his side. Rotowire.com Jun 17, 9:56 pm