NBA Player News

With the addition of Chris Paul to the roster, there have been questions about which five players will start once the season begins. Kevon Looney has been assumed by many to be the odd man out should Kerr decide to start Paul, but the head coach made it clear that he has yet to decide. “We basically have six starters, in the way I look at it,” Kerr said. “I haven’t decided yet what we’re going to do. I want to see [in] training camp...we’re going to try different combinations and take a look. Obviously, all six guys are going to play a lot of minutes for us. But, if this is going to work, then everybody has to embrace it, regardless of who’s starting and who’s not. It only works if the whole team buys in.” When asked about potential lineups during the summer, Paul said that he (and the reporter asking the question) didn’t know what was going to happen. While the Warriors had some moments of success playing small, there were also times when Looney’s absence exposed them defensively and on the boards. Paul’s fantasy value may take the bigger hit if he’s asked to come off the bench, but both will play enough to merit being rostered in all leagues.

While McLaughlin was cleared to play in Friday’s game against the Grizzlies, he did not play, with Shake Milton getting the backup point guard minutes. Regardless of what happens before Monday’s game, neither is worth rostering in most fantasy leagues.

This will be an 11th straight absence for Ryan, who was seeing consistent minutes before he injured his calf. He is now dealing with soreness in his elbow that has kept him on the sidelines. However, now that the team is healthier, Ryan won’t be part of their rotation when he is healthy, so his continued absence won’t impact fantasy basketball.

Landale will be available to play on Monday after an illness sidelined him for Friday’s win over the Nuggets. He’ll take on his usual backup center role, with starting power forward Jabari Smith Jr. going back to playing all of his minutes at the four.

Dort hasn’t missed a game yet this season, but if he does, Cason Wallace will likely slide into the starting unit. The rookie has been a solid rotation piece for them, but he doesn’t have a ton of upside statistically. Isaiah Joe will likely also see extended run off the bench and provide a handful of 3-pointers.

Brooks’ appearance on the injury report is more impactful, as he’s been a fixture in the starting lineup for the Rockets. He’s yet to miss a game this season, and an absence would open the door for Jae’Sean Tate to figure more prominently in the rotation. As for Eason, he’s missed time with the leg issue in the past. With Amen Thompson (ankle) set to return, the rookie can absorb some of the minutes that would have gone to Eason if he’s ruled out.

Markkanen’s continued absence will allow Simone Fontecchio to remain in the starting unit. Kessler was able to play in their last game and moved back into the starting unit, but he has been ruled out for this one. Omer Yurtseven should slide back into the starting lineup, with Kelly Olynyk playing an extended role off the bench.

Livingston hasn’t been in the rotation when healthy, so this will not impact fantasy basketball.

LaRavia has been sidelined for a few weeks after undergoing a procedure on his eye. However, his status for Monday’s game won’t impact the team’s rotation, since he doesn’t see the floor often when he’s healthy.

If both players remain sidelined, Troy Brown Jr. and Nickeil Alexander-Walker will start in their place. NAW has started in place of McDaniels for their last eight games and been a solid streaming option. However, he’d lose the majority of his value if McDaniels is back. Brown Jr. scored 20 points in relief of Edwards after he exited just four minutes into the game. He won’t be a great streaming option if Edwards is out, but he has some scoring upside.

Robinson will miss at least one game after injuring his ankle during Friday’s loss to the Celtics. His absence frees up a place in the starting lineup, with Isaiah Hartenstein replacing him. He’s worth streaming in shallow for as long as Robinson is sidelined, and he could have value in some standard leagues even after the Knicks’ starting center returns.