NBA Player News

This may be the furthest thing from a blockbuster deal, but it helps get OKC $10 million under the luxury tax while acquiring two trade exceptions, and Houston got a second-round pick for only taking on $1 million in cap space. This move was simply about moving money around for these teams. Nwaba was solid for Houston two years ago, but his role dwindled last season. Now, he’ll get a fresh start in OKC, but it probably won’t result in a huge role. Leave him off your draft board, though he could make an impact later in the season if OKC benches all of their starters again.

Thursday’s game is the first for Denver since losing Cameron Johnson to a right knee injury during Tuesday’s loss to the Mavericks. He’ll be replaced in the lineup by Hardaway, whose fantasy ceiling is raised with the move into the starting lineup.

McDaniels’ return from an oblique injury prompts the lone change to the Timberwolves’ starting lineup. He’ll start, with Mike Conley being moved back to the bench.

Reaves, who returned from a strained left calf on Tuesday, was inserted back into the starting lineup on Thursday. The plan was to continue exercising caution, but the guard was not on the court at the start of the third quarter. Marcus Smart started the period and would remain in that role if Reaves has to miss time.