NBA Player News

With Devin Vassell (adductor) once again sidelined, Johnson extended his streak of 20-point games to four straight. Just as encouraging has been the production across the board, and not just points, rebounds, and 3-pointers. Over the last week, Johnson’s providing top 50 per-game value in 9-cat formats. For the season, he’s been a pleasant surprise, ranking just outside the top 75 after beginning play with a Yahoo ADP of 122. San Antonio plays three more games in Week 5, and Vassell missing more time would boost Johnson’s fantasy value, even if that would make it more difficult for the Spurs to win games.

Kessler, limited to five games this season after suffering a shoulder injury, will be a restricted free agent on June 30. While the Jazz can match any offer sheet that Kessler agrees to, they can also negotiate with the center before he hits the open market. However, according to Amick’s reporting, Kessler is not pleased with the franchise essentially leveraging his pending restricted free agency against the 7-footer. As a result, he’s reportedly more willing to consider the idea of playing elsewhere. Given the need for rim protectors, there will be a market for Kessler at the end of the month. After not offering him an extension last fall, the Jazz seem content to see what Kessler’s price will be before deciding on his future with the franchise, especially with Lauri Markkanen and Jaren Jackson Jr. on large contracts. Wherever he plays next season, a healthy Kessler has top-50 fantasy potential, especially for those willing to punt free-throw percentage.

While Peterson is one of the top prospects in this draft class, most have assumed that BYU’s AJ Dybantsa will be the first overall pick in next week’s draft. However, the former Kansas guard is reportedly operating as if he only has eyes for Washington, refusing to meet with the other teams at the top of the draft lottery. Utah, which picks second, dealt with a similar situation last summer, but it did not keep them from selecting Ace Bailey fifth overall. Whether Washington’s acquisition of Trae Young will affect their thinking regarding Peterson is unknown, but the most recent reports make it clear that the 6-foot-5 guard wants to hear his name called first overall.

With the 2025-26 season in the rear-view mirror, Antetokounmpo’s future is the focus of most of the NBA. Bucks owner Jimmy Haslam said during the introductory press conference for head coach Taylor Jenkins that he expected a resolution of some kind before the June 23 NBA Draft. While Antetokounmpo can’t sign an extension with the Bucks until October 1, a verbal commitment would put the trade discussions to rest. However, Windhorst reported on Monday that the Bucks’ forward is “focused” on a move to Miami, which has previously expressed interest in acquiring him. “He has focused on wanting to be a member of the Miami Heat. And because he only has one year on his contract, he has some control over that,” Windhorst said. “But the Heat and the Bucks have been talking for months and not agreed to a deal, because the Bucks don’t love the Heat’s offer. There are third teams involved. There are fourth teams involved.” Boston has also been rumored as a possible destination for Antetokounmpo, but not to the same extent as Miami.

Splitter led the Blazers to a 42-40 record and a playoff appearance, but Portland’s ownership wasn’t prepared to compensate him for the performance. Instead, he’ll join Chicago with a special focus on player development and organizational direction, per Charania.

According to Charania, Sarr sustained the injury late last week during an offseason workout, and he’s expected to be fully healthy for the start of training camp. He’ll look to build off of a career-best campaign in which he averaged 16.3 points, 7.4 rebounds, 2.7 assists, 0.8 steals and 2.0 blocks across 27.2 minutes.

Despite being limited to 87 regular-season games over the last two seasons due to injuries. Gordon is a popular player heading into the offseason. According to Stein, the athletic forward is the veteran Nuggets player who has drawn the most trade interest from opposing teams. However, he also reported that if Denver were to make a move, they would prefer to find a trade partner for Christian Braun rather than for Gordon or Jamal Murray. Making a move would likely make it easier for the Nuggets to hold onto Peyton Watson, who will be a restricted free agent at the end of the month.

Vassell’s contributions in Game 5 won’t jump off the page, but he was solid and recorded a complete stat line in the Spurs’ season finale. That tracks with his fantasy production during the regular season, with the Spurs’ wing finishing outside the top-100 in eight- and nine-cat formats. Vassell will likely remain a player who offers consistent late-round fantasy value, but his ceiling is limited. Especially as players like Stephon Castle and Dylan Harper improve.

San Antonio’s starting backcourt struggled mightily in Game 5, with Castle and De’Aaron Fox totaling 13 points on 4-of-25 shooting from the field. As well as Castle played in the Spurs’ Game 3 victory and for most of the postseason, turnovers and foul trouble were also factors for the second-year guard. The experience should serve him well in the future, but Castle has to become a more efficient offensive player. His fantasy value will remain limited until that changes, especially when considering Dylan Harper’s emergence.

Fox’s first NBA Finals appearance is one that should, in theory, motivate him for years to come, as he struggled for most of the series. The miscues late in Game 4 were followed by a subpar performance in Game 5, and down the stretch, the Spurs would have been better off relying on Dylan Harper. Regarding fantasy basketball, Fox can provide reliable top-75 value, but his ceiling is limited on this Spurs roster. It’s worth noting that Fox’s extension, worth nearly $222 million over four years, goes into effect next season. While the Spurs may not have to make a decision immediately, there will come a point when they need to play Harper and Stephon Castle. Stay tuned.

Harper was San Antonio’s best player in Game 5, and his lack of opportunities in the fourth quarter contributed to the Spurs’ inability to hold off the Knicks. A similar scenario occurred in Game 4, and Harper is the first rookie since Richard Dumas in 1993 to record consecutive 20-point games. After the defeat, teammate Devin Vassell said that there were times during the season when Harper was frustrated with his playing time. Given how well he played during San Antonio’s run to the Finals, minutes should not be a concern for Harper in 2026-27. Don’t be surprised if he breaks out next season.