NBA Player News

No need to rush out and grab Green, since the Trailblazers have all the guards they can squeeze into a rotation. This move was the direct result of the Blazers’ epic collapse in the second half of Friday’s game against the 76ers.

Having made multiple three-pointers in four straight games, Smith’s 19 points were the most for him since dropping 32 in a January 18 win over the Pelicans. Since that performance, the 6-foot-10 forward has been a fifth-round player in eight-cat formats. In nine-cat formats, Smith has been a top-100 player this season, exceeding his Yahoo! ADP (115). The Rockets play four games in Week 16, starting with the Pacers on Monday.

Şengün’s percentages were poor, but those with him on their fantasy rosters received good value in the rebound and assist categories. For the first time since mid-December, the Rockets’ center has reached double digits in rebounds in three consecutive games. As for the shooting, Şengün will look to clean that up on Monday when the Rockets visit the Pacers. That’s the first of four games the Rockets are scheduled to play during Week 16.

Thompson was excellent on Saturday as the Rockets held off the Mavericks. He’s scored at least 21 points in two of his last three appearances, and the nine assists recorded against Dallas equaled the athletic wing’s total in his previous two outings. Over the past month, Thompson has averaged nearly 19 points per game, which is one reason he has been a top-40 player during this stretch. The Rockets begin a four-game Week 16 on Monday against the Pacers.

In a three-team trade with the Cavaliers and Bulls, the Kings bid farewell to Dennis Schröder, Keon Ellis and Dario Šarić while adding De’Andre Hunter. That gave the team room to convert Cardwell, an undrafted rookie, from a two-way contract to a standard deal. While the former Auburn standout’s production has not significantly affected fantasy basketball, he’s done enough to earn consistent rotation minutes. And if the Kings can move another veteran or two before the trade deadline, Cardwell could prove valuable during the silly season.

With the Kings acquiring De’Andre Hunter from the Cavaliers, a third team was needed to make the money work with Dennis Schröder and Keon Ellis heading to Cleveland. Enter Chicago, which willingly took Šarić while receiving two future second-round picks for their trouble. Šarić was out of the rotation for most of the season in Sacramento, but injuries may change that in Chicago, at least in the short term. While Nikola Vučević missed Saturday’s win over the Heat to rest, Jalen Smith has missed the last two games with a calf injury. This won’t make Šarić fantasy-relevant, but he may get the chance to contribute that wasn’t there in Sacramento. To open up a roster spot for the veteran forward/center, the Bulls are waiving Jevon Carter.

The Bulls were also involved in Saturday’s trade, acquiring Dario Sarić and two future second-round picks. As for Ellis, his time in Sacramento comes to a merciful end, as earning consistent rotation minutes became increasingly difficult under head coach Doug Christie. While his offensive production has been limited, adding Ellis to the fold gives the Cavaliers another capable perimeter defender.

One night removed from one of his worst performances of the season, Schröder is on the move. After beginning the season as Sacramento’s starting point guard, the veteran lost his job to Russell Westbrook, with his fantasy value diminishing considerably. The move to Cleveland puts Schröder in a more challenging spot, as Lonzo Ball and Craig Porter Jr. are already on the roster. While it’s unknown how long starting point guard Darius Garland will be sidelined with a right toe injury, it will be tough for Schröder to regain fantasy relevance.

Saturday’s trade was a three-team affair, with the Bulls receiving Dario Sarić and two second-round picks. As for Hunter, a trade made last February that was meant to bolster the Cavaliers’ bench offered mixed results. After averaging 19.0 points per game in 37 appearances for the Hawks to begin the 2024-25 season, his scoring decreased by nearly five points in Cleveland. Add in the size of Hunter’s contract, and the move makes sense for the Cavaliers financially while also adding point guard depth.