NBA Player News

As part of the trade, Orlando declined its team options on Harris (worth $7.5 million) and Joseph ($3.47 million) for salary cap purposes. The Magic upgraded their perimeter rotation with the Bane trade, which was completed on Sunday. However, the team will have some work to do this summer regarding their depth behind starters Bane and Jalen Suggs. Both players will be unrestricted free agents on June 30. Neither player logged consistent rotation minutes for the Magic last season, and their exits (if they do not re-sign with Orlando) would not impact fantasy basketball.

Harris’ absence isn’t particularly notable for fantasy hoops managers. Gary Trent Jr. could see a few additional minutes, but the extra playing time doesn’t give GTJ enough of a boost to warrant an add off the waiver wire.

Though Ball’s injury appears to be minor, fantasy managers should keep an eye on his playing time for the rest of the game and check to see if he shows up on the injury report ahead of Thursday’s matchup with the Rockets.

JJJ sat out Saturday against Minnesota, but he’s expected to take the court for Monday’s rematch, which should diminish GG Jackson’s role. Jackson Jr. has averaged 20.5 points, 6.2 rebounds, 1.7 assists, 1.6 steals, 1.7 blocks and 1.7 triples across his last 10 outings.

Banchero had at least 20 points in 12 of his last 15 games entering play Sunday before settling for 19 points in the loss to the Spurs. The 23-year-old has provided fourth-round per game value over the last two weeks. The Magic have three games upcoming in Week 16, starting with a matchup against the Thunder on Monday.

Bane has now had at least 20 points in five of his last six games. The 27-year-old shooting guard has provided 14th-overall per game value over the last two weeks. The Magic have three games upcoming in Week 16, starting with a matchup against the defending champion Thunder on Monday.

Wembanyama had his 45th game since entering the league with at least five blocks, which is the most in that span and as many as the next three players combined. The 22-year-old power forward has had five blocks in three of his last five games. Wembanyama provided seventh overall per game value over the last two weeks. The Spurs have three games in Week 16, starting with a matchup against the Thunder.

Watson did his best to pick up the slack offensively for the Nuggets, with his 29 points being one more than Nikola Jokić (16) and Jamal Murray (12) combined. Since moving into the starting lineup in mid-November, Watson has been a top-100 player in eight- and nine-cat formats. And with Aaron Gordon and Cameron Johnson still out, he should remain a starter for the foreseeable future. Watson is rostered in 45 percent of Yahoo! leagues, which is too low, given his current role.

With the Thunder limiting Nikola Jokić to 16 points and nine shot attempts, Sunday was a night when the Nuggets needed an elite effort from Murray. Unfortunately for him, Oklahoma City was able to make his night difficult as well, with the 12 points being the fewest Murray’s scored in a game since a December 11 win over the Kings in which he finished with 11. Given Murray’s season-long production, there’s no need for concern after one challenging performance. The Nuggets play three games in Week 16.

After playing 25 minutes in his first game back from a knee injury on Friday, Jokić’s playing time increased by four minutes on Sunday. However, the Thunder did a good job of keeping the three-time MVP under wraps, with Jokić committing six turnovers and only attempting nine shots. And things won’t get easier, as the Nuggets open a three-game Week 16 with a road back-to-back against the Pistons and Knicks, the top two teams in the East.

Wiggins has now recorded at least 10 points and two three-pointers in six consecutive games. Add in the steals production, with the Thunder wing averaging 2.4 per game over the past two weeks, and he’s worth a look in deeper leagues. Oklahoma City’s absence of Jalen Williams and Ajay Mitchell makes Wiggins a more appealing option, especially for managers seeking three-pointers and steals.