NBA Player News

DFS players who slotted Brown into their lineups were rewarded handsomely on Thursday, as he produced a full stat line while leading the Celtics in scoring, steals, and blocks (tied with Kristaps Porzingis). The Eastern Conference Finals MVP did not skip a beat in Game 1 of the NBA Finals, which was good for Boston, as Jayson Tatum struggled with his shot and turnovers. Brown has been on a roll recently, and the lower price tag could make him a better pick to lead your DFS squad than Tatum moving forward.

Less than an hour after the Kings’ season ended with a Play-In tournament loss to the Mavericks, the team’s lead executive is reportedly on his way out. Named the general manager in September 2020, McNair oversaw a turnaround culminating in the franchise’s first playoff appearance in 17 seasons in 2023. However, the Kings missed the playoffs in the two seasons that followed, and head coach Mike Brown was fired in late December. Sacramento also traded De’Aaron Fox in February, leaving the rotation without a proven point guard. The next lead executive will need to figure out how to build a roster with $114 million in salary going to the trio of Zach LaVine, DeMar DeRozan and Domantas Sabonis. They must also address the head coaching situation, as Doug Christie was named interim coach after Brown’s firing.

Carter’s rookie season ended on a positive note individually, as he reached double figures for the fourth time. Offseason shoulder surgery delayed his NBA debut until after the New Year, with Carter playing 36 regular-season games. While he was worth stashing in dynasty league drafts before this season began, the former Providence standout did not deserve a look in redraft leagues. That will likely remain the case next season, but the Kings need to make a decision regarding their head coaching position, as Doug Christie was only the interim. Add in the need for an experienced point guard, and Carter’s fantasy outlook isn’t great.

Murray recorded a complete stat line on Wednesday, but the impact was muted. That was a fitting end to the season for the Kings forward, whose fantasy value took a significant hit. The signing of DeMar DeRozan during free agency did Murray no favors, and that was also true for the addition of Zach LaVine just before the trade deadline. While he did approach his Yahoo! ADP (87) in nine-cat formats, Murray failed to crack the top-100 in eight-cat. Murray is extension eligible this summer, but the Kings have many questions to answer, including who the head coach will be and the future of lead executive Monte McNair. How that impacts Murray remains to be seen, but he’s worth selecting with a top-100 pick in drafts.

It’s fitting that Sabonis would finish his season with a double-double, as he recorded 61 during the regular season. However, his impact was limited, with Anthony Davis, Dereck Lively II and Daniel Gafford combining to control the paint for most of Wednesday’s Play-In tournament matchup. Regarding fantasy value, Sabonis was a top-25 player in eight- and nine-cat formats for the season. However, his value took a significant hit after the trade deadline, with the De’Aaron Fox deal leaving the Kings with two high-scoring wings (Zach LaVine and DeMar DeRozan) and no legitimate point guard. How Sacramento addresses that decision during the offseason will impact Sabonis’ fantasy value in 2025-26.

DeRozan went out firing on Wednesday, shooting just under 50 percent from the field and finishing a blocked shot shy of a complete stat line. Like other key Kings players, his fantasy value took a hit after De’Aaron Fox was traded to San Antonio. The lack of a point guard who can set up others consistently proved problematic for the Kings, who now have some significant decisions to make this offseason. DeRozan can approach top-50 fantasy value, but the task gets much easier when on the court with a legitimate lead guard.

LaVine led the Kings in assists on Wednesday, but inefficient play was an issue in the Play-In tournament defeat. The turnover count was worse than the field goal percentage, as LaVine committed five. After being traded to the Kings, the veteran guard was an eighth-round player in nine-cat formats, and a fifth-round player in eight-cat. While reuniting with DeMar DeRozan gave the Kings two high-scoring wings to pair with center Domantas Sabonis, the lack of a legitimate point guard was an issue. LaVine can approach top-50 value, but the task became more difficult when he was traded.

Ellis’ 2024-25 season ended with a whimper, as he provided limited value as the Kings’ fifth starter. He played 80 games this season, providing slightly higher fantasy value in his 28 starts. In those outings, Ellis averaged 9.8 points, 3.3 rebounds, 2.3 assists, 2.1 steals, 0.9 blocks and 2.0 three-pointers in 31.1 minutes. Regarding playing time, he benefited from the decision to trade De’Aaron Fox. However, Sacramento must address the point guard position this offseason, which would limit Ellis’ fantasy value in 2025-26.

Having suffered an oblique injury during Sunday’s loss to the Grizzlies, Williams was a game-time decision for Wednesday’s Play-In tournament matchup. Not only did he play, but he flourished, giving the Mavericks excellent minutes off the bench. Mavericks coach Jason Kidd went ten deep with his rotation, preferring Williams over Spencer Dinwiddie, who only played the final two minutes, and the approach worked. The Mavericks visit Memphis on Friday, with the winner earning the eighth seed in the West.

Thompson did not enter the Play-In tournament in good form, scoring 13 points on 5-of-16 shooting in his final two regular-season appearances. The veteran sharpshooter found his groove on Wednesday, especially during the second quarter. Shooting 5-of-5 from the field with four three-pointers, Thompson scored 16 points in a quarter the Mavericks won by a 44-19 margin. This version of Thompson is the one the Mavericks will need on Friday, as they visit Memphis with the eighth seed in the West going to the winner.

Davis was impactful on both ends as the Mavericks rolled to a victory in Sacramento. He and Klay Thompson combined to shoot 8-of-9 from the field in the second quarter, which Dallas won by a 44-19 margin. Davis was also solid as a rebounder and shot blocker, and looked healthy in 35 minutes on the court. Next up for Dallas is Memphis on Friday, with the winner earning the eighth seed in the Western Conference.