NBA Player News

O’Neal recently worked out for the Lakers, despite averaging just 2.9 points and 2.1 rebounds in 9.2 minutes per game during his last season with LSU. Perhaps the family name is paying dividends here, as he’ll get a shot to play for the team that has father won three championships with. It’s unlikely that he makes the roster at all, so there’s no impact in fantasy here.

Huerter made his Pistons’ debut on Thursday, but he wasn’t on the floor long. He played six minutes during the first half and did not see the floor again. Adding Huerter gives the Pistons another shooter to work into the rotation, but this may be a case where he proves more critical to his new team than to fantasy managers. Which isn’t much of a change from his time in Chicago.

With Jalen Duren not returning for the second half of Thursday’s game due to a sore right knee, Holland joined the starters to begin the third quarter. The second-year wing recorded his first double-double and three “stocks” in what was a productive night. Detroit was also without Tobias Harris for Thursday’s game; how this performance affects Holland’s fantasy prospects moving forward depends on Harris and Duren’s availability.

It’s fair to question if Friday’s showdown with the Knicks was on the Pistons’ minds, as they started slowly in a game the Wizards would lead wire-to-wire. Cunningham did his best to lead Detroit back, scoring a game-high 30 points. Finishing two rebounds and two assists shy of a triple-double, Cunningham will look to get the Pistons back on track Friday night.

Cooper was one of the reserves who benefited from the Wizards’ apparent decision to cut the playing time of a few of their starters. Not only did he log a career-high 34 minutes, but Cooper hit double figures for the first time as an NBA player. There’s no need for fantasy managers to add him, but don’t be surprised if he’s logging extended minutes after the All-Star break as Washington looks to avoid losing its top-8 protected lottery pick.

If how Wizards head coach Brian Keefe handled the playing time in Thursday’s win is an indication of what’s to come, Riley will be an attractive “silly season” option. While starters Alex Sarr (12/6/1/0/1 with two three-pointers) and Kyshawn George (8/3/3 with one three-pointer) were limited to 18 minutes, the rookie out of Illinois played 29 off the bench. And he was productive, enjoying one of his best performances of the season. Washington plays its last game of Week 16 on Saturday against the Nets.

Moody, Santos and Green are the holdovers from the quintet that started Tuesday’s blowout loss to the 76ers. The changes are Spencer and Melton, with Brandin Podziemski and Al Horford moving to the bench. Of the replacements, Melton offers a higher fantasy ceiling in this spot.

Embiid is available after the 76ers listed him as questionable on the initial injury report. He’ll take on his usual starting center duties, with Adem Bona slotting in as the backup. As has been the case on most nights when all three are available, Andre Drummond may be the odd man out.