NBA Player News

Ingram, who struggled in the Pelicans’ first-round loss to Oklahoma City, is due to make a little over $36 million in the final season of his deal. He can sign an extension worth up to $208 million over four years. However, with Pelicans lead executive David Griffin saying during his post-season availability that changes will be made, Saturday’s report could be a sign that New Orleans is open to parting with Ingram if a proper deal can be made. Trey Murphy is also extension eligible, but his price tag is considerably lower than Ingram’s, whose 64 games played in 2023-24 were the most he’s been available for since being traded to New Orleans in 2019. Murphy would have the most to gain regarding fantasy value if Ingram is dealt, depending on the return.

While Sheppard scored in double figures in five of the six games in this series, his second NBA season ended with a whimper on Friday. The Rockets guard shot 1-of-10 from beyond the arc and converted just three of his nine two-point attempts. And with Kevin Durant (ankle) still out, the Rockets could ill afford to have Sheppard shoot as poorly as he did in Game 6. Fantasy-wise, while Fred VanVleet’s absence did open things up for Sheppard, few managers expected him to provide top-100 value during the regular season. With a healthy VanVleet and Durant in the fold, Sheppard’s ADP (113 this season) is unlikely to receive a boost ahead of the 2026-27 campaign.

Eason recorded a complete stat line in his final game of the 2025-26, and potentially his last as a Houston Rocket. The fourth-year forward will be a restricted free agent this summer, and there should be some options for him to choose from. However, availability has capped his fantasy ceiling in recent seasons, and that may also affect his market in free agency. After appearing in all 82 games as a rookie, Eason has played in 60 regular-season games or fewer in each of the last three.

Smith did his best to shoulder a heavier workload in the aftermath of Kevin Durant’s ankle injury, but the fourth-year forward’s efficiency slipped against the Lakers. Shooting 3-of-11 from the field in Game 6, Smith had just one game in which he shot 50 percent or better from the field. He did grab 12 rebounds on Friday, recording his second double-double of the series, but this was a disappointing end to the 2025-26 season. Regarding Smith’s fantasy prospects for next season, he has top-100 potential, but the ceiling is somewhat limited with Kevin Durant in the fold.

Thompson, who led the Rockets in scoring in Game 6, had two 20-point games in this series. While a highly valuable fantasy option, especially for managers punting three-pointers, the Rockets’ wing needs to improve his perimeter shot heading into the 2026-27 campaign. Thompson does not need to turn into the second coming of Stephen Curry, but a respectable jump shot could go a long way toward unlocking even more of his potential on the offensive end of the floor. Using a top-25 pick on Thompson in drafts next fall would not be that big of a reach in category league formats, while managers in points leagues can afford to wait a little bit.

After going off for 33 points in Game 3, Şengün scored 19 points or less in each of the final three games of the series. While the Rockets got away with that in Games 4 and 5, that was not the case in Game 6. Only having Kevin Durant for one game certainly didn’t help matters, nor did Houston’s failure to address the point guard position in Fred VanVleet’s absence. Şengün did not provide the second-round value that many fantasy managers expected before the season began, but he was not far off in eight-cat formats. He won’t last long on draft boards next fall, even with a healthy Durant and VanVleet in the starting lineup.

While he did not offer much production as a scorer, Ayton more than held his own on the glass in Game 6. The Lakers center grabbed at least 10 rebounds in each of the final three games of the series, totaling 33 in Games 5 and 6. While the Lakers will need more offense from Ayton in the second round against Oklahoma City, at a minimum, he’ll need to be dominant on the glass for them to have any chance of pulling off what would be a major upset.

On a night when three Lakers finished in double figures, Hachimura recorded his second 20-point game of the series. The 6-foot-8 forward shot 5-of-9 from beyond the arc in Game 6, and he was 17-of-31 for the series. The Lakers won’t have much margin for error against Oklahoma City in the second round; Hachimura must be consistently productive in the series, which opens on Tuesday night.

By far the most experienced player on the Lakers’ roster, James understood the assignment for Friday’s series clincher. He hunted his shot early, setting the tone for the Lakers to build up a large first-half lead and coast from there. The good news for James and the Lakers is that they’ll get a few days off, with the second-round series against the Thunder not starting until Tuesday. Regardless of what happens with Luka Dončić (hamstring), the Lakers will need the best version of James to have any shot at pulling off the upset.

Harden’s four turnovers in Game 6 matched his series-low, as efficiency remains an issue for the Cavaliers’ point guard. He struggled with his shot on Friday, going 1-of-4 from beyond the arc after entering Game 6 making 41 percent of his attempts. While Harden did finish one rebound and one assist shy of a triple-double, the Cavaliers need more from him if they’re to avoid a first-round exit. Game 7 is on Sunday.

Mobley recorded series-highs in points and rebounds in Game 6, finishing with his first double-double of the series. However, it wasn’t enough to give Cleveland the win that would have ended the series. One thing that Mobley and the Cavaliers can take solace in is that the road team has yet to win a game, and the Cavaliers will host Game 7 on Sunday. He’ll need to produce a similar performance to get Cleveland into the second round, especially if James Harden continues to struggle.