NBA Player News

Smith, now with ESPN, was a 76ers beat writer for the Philadelphia Inquirer back in 1999 when he broke the story. The report was that the Raptors would send McGrady to Philly along with a first round pick for Larry Hughes, who was drafted eighth overall by the 76ers in 1998. McGrady was eventually traded to the Magic in 2000, where he averaged 28.1 points per game in four seasons. McGrady would have been teamed up with a 24-year-old Allen Iverson in 1999 if the trade went through. Without any live basketball right now, it’s hard not to imagine what could have been.

Yang was held out of Thursday’s loss to the Pelicans with a facial contusion, joining Donovan Clingan and Robert Williams III on the sidelines. Whether the rookie is in Portland’s rotation on Sunday depends on the availability of Clingan and Williams, who are also questionable. If those two can play, Hansen will likely be out of the rotation entirely.

Portland was without its top three centers on Thursday, including Williams. He was initially questionable for that game before being ruled out, and that could happen again on Sunday. Williams’ fantasy value, if available, depends on the status of starting center Donovan Clingan, who has missed the last three games. If Clingan plays, Williams will be locked into the backup center role, which limits his fantasy ceiling.

Clingan has missed Portland’s last three games with a lower left leg contusion. If he’s able to play on Sunday, he will resume his usual duties as the starting center. However, with Robert Williams III and Yang Hansen also questionable, the Trail Blazers could once again be in a position to play without a legitimate center. Kris Murray started Thursday’s loss to the Pelicans, recording nine rebounds, two steals and two blocked shots in 29 minutes.

Hartenstein is back after missing six games with a strained right calf, and he will start. In the lone change to the lineup that began Wednesday’s rout of the Suns, Cason Wallace heads to the bench. While he will remain in the Thunder rotation, Wallace’s fantasy ceiling is lowered with the lineup change.

After dropping 37 points on the Heat to reach Saturday’s NBA Cup semifinals in Las Vegas, Bane was held in check by the Knicks. The good news for fantasy managers is that his field-goal percentage didn’t take a severe hit, and Bane also provided solid value in the rebound and assist categories. Unfortunately for those who have him rostered, Bane and the Magic won’t play their first Week 9 game until Thursday, as part of a two-game week.

Suggs was rolling to begin Saturday’s NBA Cup semifinal, as he scored a career-high 25 first-half points. However, the Knicks did a better job of defending him in the third quarter, and injuries were also a factor. Already hobbling around the court, Suggs exited with 7:36 remaining in the fourth quarter with a sore left hip. Orlando won’t play its next game until Thursday, so Suggs will have some time to recover. If he has to miss games, Anthony Black (12/8/4/1/2 with one three-pointer) will have added fantasy value, and there would be more opportunities for rookie Jase Richardson (9/1/2 with two three-pointers).

While Banchero still has some work to do from a conditioning standpoint, Saturday’s production was the best for him since returning from a strained groin. He’s scored at least 20 points in 10 of the 16 games he’s played this season, but Banchero is ranked just outside the top-150 in eight-cat formats over the past week. With Franz Wagner (ankle) out for a few more weeks, the Magic will need Banchero’s production even more. Orlando’s Week 9 schedule isn’t suitable for fantasy basketball, as they play two games, but that may help Banchero as he works to get his groove back.

Anunoby recorded his sixth 20-point game of the season on Saturday, with the 24 being the most he’s scored since November 5 and two shy of his season-high. Since returning from a strained hamstring, the Knicks forward/guard has provided top-50 per-game value in eight-cat formats. While Tuesday’s NBA Cup final will not count toward official stats or fantasy basketball, the Knicks play three games over the final four days of Week 9.

Towns was outstanding in Saturday’s NBA Cup semifinal, making over 80 percent of his attempts from the field. While he ranks among the best perimeter-shooting big men in league history, not settling for those shots is crucial for KAT. That wasn’t an issue on Saturday, with Towns attacking the Orlando defense consistently. While the Knicks play four games in Week 9, Tuesday’s NBA Cup final against San Antonio or Oklahoma City will not count toward official records or stats, or fantasy basketball.

The Knicks and Magic have met four times this season, and Brunson has scored at least 30 points in all four. The star point guard scored 25 points in the first half on Saturday, and Orlando could not come up with an answer for him defensively. Brunson has 88 30-point games in his Knicks career, with Saturday’s effort pushing past Richie Guerin into third on the franchise’s all-time list. Tuesday’s NBA Cup final against Oklahoma City or San Antonio will not count toward official stats or fantasy basketball, but the Knicks play three games in Week 9, starting on Thursday.