NBA Player News

Barnes, who won a championship with the Warriors before the team upgraded to Kevin Durant to win more championships, hit the game-winning three-pointer as time expired against his former team Wednesday. That had to feel good for Barnes personally. The 32-year-old power forward continues to put up solid scoring games down the stretch of this season, though it’s impossible to count on Barnes having this role next year when the Spurs return to full strength.

Reath recently underwent season-ending surgery on his right foot to address a stress fracture, so he will not help the Hawks address their post depth woes. The draft capital is the “prize” for the Hawks in this transaction. The future second-round picks are a 2027 pick from Portland and a 2030 pick via New York.

From a percentage standpoint, Krejčí has been one of the NBA’s best three-point shooters this season, making 42.3 percent of his 5.2 attempts per game. And he’s had some big moments, most notably a November 10 win over the Clippers in which he hit eight three-pointers. That said, Krejčí’s move to Portland does not move the needle in fantasy basketball. Also, the trade calls into question the Trail Blazers’ plans for Caleb Love and Sidy Cissoko, two two-way contract players approaching their respective 50-game limits. Portland may not be done wheeling and dealing before Thursday’s trade deadline.

Huerter, who started and played 22 minutes in Saturday’s win over the Heat, is dealing with lower back spasms. With Coby White removed from the injury report after not playing on Saturday, he’ll be in the starting lineup regardless of Huerter’s availability.

Love is on track to return after a two-game absence, providing the Jazz with additional frontcourt depth. However, with starting center Jusuf Nurkić (illness) also being upgraded to probable, Love has a limited fantasy ceiling for Utah’s final game of Week 15.

Initially questionable after sitting out Friday’s loss to the Nets, Nurkić is on track to play Sunday evening. His return would push Kyle Filipowski to the bench, limiting the young 7-footer’s playing time. Those who are rostering Filipowski should hold onto him, as he should be a more valuable option after the trade deadline.

George will miss Sunday’s game after spraining his left ankle during the fourth quarter of Friday’s loss to the Nets. While Isaiah Collier is the most likely replacement in the starting lineup, rookie Walter Clayton’s playing time should increase. Collier is the superior streaming option of the two.

While Chicago received two second-round picks as a “reward” for taking on Dario Šarić to help complete the trade, the team had to send a player elsewhere per league rules. That player is Miller, who’s on a two-way deal and appeared in 11 NBA games during his two seasons in Chicago. To free up a two-way slot for Miller, the Cavaliers are waiving Luke Travers.

Gafford’s double-double was his fourth of the season, but the playing time may be the most notable aspect of his night in Houston. The 28 minutes were the most in a game for the Mavericks’ center since November 24, exceeded only by Gafford playing 31 minutes in a November 16 win over the Trail Blazers. How Dallas decides to approach the rest of the season will be worth watching, as Saturday’s defeat dropped them five games behind the 10th-place Clippers in the loss column. If they try to compete for a play-in spot, Gafford should be fine minutes-wise. If not, expect to see more of Moussa Cissé (three points, one rebound, one assist and one block in 13 minutes).

One game removed from scoring a career-high 49 points in a loss to the Hornets, Flagg put forth another stellar performance on Saturday. While a layup that could have tied the game missed the mark, the Mavericks would not have been in that position without their star rookie. Despite Dallas’s lack of healthy options, Flagg has continued to balance creating for himself and for his teammates. Over the past month, the rookie has offered top-50 fantasy value. The Mavericks open a three-game Week 16 on Tuesday against the Celtics.

Having made multiple three-pointers in four straight games, Smith’s 19 points were the most for him since dropping 32 in a January 18 win over the Pelicans. Since that performance, the 6-foot-10 forward has been a fifth-round player in eight-cat formats. In nine-cat formats, Smith has been a top-100 player this season, exceeding his Yahoo! ADP (115). The Rockets play four games in Week 16, starting with the Pacers on Monday.