NBA Player News

After spending two seasons at Duke, Hurt has been playing with the Memphis Hustle since 2021. However, just hours before tipoff on Monday, it was reported that Hurt had signed a 10-day deal with the Grizzlies. He has averaged 25.5 points per game in the G-League this year, which likely contributed to him getting the short term deal as the team deals with a ton of injuries. However, he played well enough in his debut to be worth keeping an eye on. If the Grizzlies pull the plug down the stretch, he could provide excellent value over the final few weeks.

Davis currently holds a $62.8 million player option for the 2027-28 season, but would become eligible for a max extension if he declines. Davis made the All-Star team as recently as 2024-25, but has appeared in only 71 total games over the last two seasons. Robbins and Aldridge cite Davis’ age (33) and injury history as well as the Wizards still being in the development stage with a young core of players as reasons Washington won’t prioritize a max extension for Davis. He comes off the board in the third round of fantasy drafts.

Hukporti signed with the 76ers at the start of free agency after spending the first two years of his career with the Knicks. He was expected to provide more center depth behind Joel Embiid, but he won’t be available for this season. Adem Bona (foot) is currently out as well, but he should be the primary backup center behind Embiid, though the 76ers will likely have to make a move to bring in another big.

Broome was waived by the Clippers in September after being traded by the 76ers in July. He’ll have a chance to earn a roster spot, though the current Bucks roster is too deep for Broome to carve out a significant role this season. Subsequently, Milwaukee waived John Butler Jr.

Collins has been sidelined since undergoing season-ending toe surgery in February. With Nic Claxton dealing with a hamstring injury, Collins could occupy some of the center minutes to start the season, likely behind Jalen Smith. However, “close” isn’t a clear enough timeline for fantasy managers to take action on a potential backup center.

With starter Zach LaVine (nine points and one rebound) playing 15 minutes, Clifford was one of the reserves who logged extended minutes in Monday’s preseason opener. The second-year guard capitalized on the opportunity, leading all scorers with 23 points and grabbing nine rebounds. With DeMar DeRozan and Russell Westbrook no longer in the fold, Clifford is one of the Kings who will have more opportunities to produce. Keep an eye on him during the preseason, as he may be worth a late-round flier.

Hunter, whose 2025-26 season ended in February due to an eye injury that required surgery, was in the starting lineup on Monday. The Kings did not have Keegan Murray, so fantasy managers should not read too much into that. What they should read into when evaluating Hunter is that he did not have an official shot from the field, with his points coming via a three-shot foul. And there was no rebounding or defensive production to speak of. Hunter has rarely offered reliable fantasy value as a pro, making him challenging to trust in drafts.

After a positive showing at Summer League, Carr got his preseason off to an excellent start on Monday. The first-round pick shot over 50 percent from the field and was a blocked shot shy of a complete stat line in his 23 minutes. Carr may not be a must-have player in standard redraft leagues, but he should be a popular target in dynasty startups. He has the all-around skill set, size and acumen to be an impact wing at the NBA level.

With LeBron James and Rui Hachimura out of the picture, LaRavia’s opportunities should increase, whether he starts or comes off the bench. He was the Lakers’ sixth man on Monday and provided solid production outside of his poor foul shooting. While he may not be someone who fantasy managers look to invest a top-100 pick in, LaRavia is well worth the risk as a late-round option.

Going into training camp, many saw Grimes as a frontrunner for one of the two undecided spots in the Lakers’ starting lineup. He started Monday’s preseason opener, logging 19 minutes and shooting reliably alongside playmaker Luka Dončić. The concern is that Grimes offered little production beyond points, three-pointers and percentages. Hopefully, that won’t be the case for him once the games count.

Dončić got his work done early on Monday, playing 16 minutes in the first half and not seeing any action in the second. He delivered his usual performance, doing most of what he wanted as a scorer while also recording five turnovers. The Lakers didn’t have Austin Reaves on Monday, but that won’t change anything regarding Dončić’s fantasy outlook. He will be one of the top options to have rostered, regardless of league format, but the Lakers point guard will be most valuable in turnover-punt builds.