NBA Player News

Dante played five seasons for Oregon, turning in the best performance of his collegiate career as a fifth-year senior in 2023-24. Last season, the big man posted averages of 17.0 points, 9.2 boards, 1.6 dimes, 1.7 steals, and 1.9 blocks while shooting 69.5% from the floor. His offensive game could still use some work, but Dante is a disciplined defender with the size to compete with NBA centers. If he can secure rotational minutes as a rookie, he could put up substantial defensive numbers, which are always valuable for fantasy managers. However, Houston is not the best spot for Dante due to the presence of Alperen Sengun. Even if the rookie works his way into the backup center role, the minutes needed to impact fantasy basketball may not be there.

Gibson is available to make his Grizzlies’ debut on Friday, and there may be room for him to play rotation minutes due to the team’s lack of healthy post players. Gibson is unlikely to affect fantasy basketball, so leave him on the waiver wire.

Harris is dealing with a hip injury, and his absence opens up a spot in the starting lineup. Ron Holland is a potential replacement and would be worth streaming in deep leagues given the opportunity and matchup.

Kalkbrenner was a late scratch for Wednesday’s win over the Kings, with the Hornets announcing just before tipoff that he would not play. His return would push Xavier Tillman Sr. out of the rotation after he served as the backup center on Wednesday.

Merrill was added to the injury report on Friday afternoon due to tightness in his left hamstring, and now he’s officially out. Keon Ellis will move into the starting lineup, which raises his fantasy ceiling. Ellis is worth streaming in deep leagues.

Jackson’s absence won’t significantly affect fantasy basketball, as Andrew Nembhard, T.J. McConnell and Kam Jones are available. With Nembhard and McConnell under minutes restrictions, Jones may be the player whose workload increases with Jackson out.

With Goodwin recently returning from a calf strain, his ability to play both games of the Suns’ back-to-back is encouraging. However, his fantasy potential is limited since the Suns are otherwise healthy on the perimeter.

Sochan was a late addition to the injury report. His absence won’t affect fantasy basketball, but it should mean more playing time for Mohamed Diawara, who was already ahead of Sochan in the rotation.

The Knicks will be without two starters for Friday’s game, with Towns joining Hart on the sidelines. Landry Shamet, who started for Hart in Wednesday’s win over the Jazz, should retain that role in the final game of New York’s road trip. The other replacement in the starting lineup is Mitchell Robinson, with Ariel Hukporti serving as the backup.

The Mavericks will be down two frontcourt starters for Friday’s game, as Washington and Gafford will not play the second game of the team’s back-to-back. Marvin Bagley III and Khris Middleton are potential replacements in the starting lineup, and both players would receive boosts to their fantasy values if promoted.

Şengün’s absence creates a spot in the Rockets’ starting lineup, with Clint Capela the likely replacement. The veteran backup is worth streaming in this spot, especially for managers needing rebounds.