NBA Player News

DiVincenzo was limited last season by a case of turf toe on his left great toe, missing six weeks in the middle of the season as a result. However, while he did decide to pass up the opportunity to play for Italy at EuroBasket to rest the toe, the Timberwolves guard also decided against surgery. “I had the option to get surgery. I elected not to,” DiVincenzo said Monday. “Surgery would have put me out, I think, five, six months, and we put a plate in the shoe to restrict that mobility of my toe. … Because now the season ended, I pulled the plate out of my shoe. I want to get back to being my normal self, and so it’s all precautionary. There’s nothing to worry about to start the season.” DiVincenzo’s role may expand this season, whether he starts or comes off the bench, as starting point guard Mike Conley turns 38 later this month and the Timberwolves lost Nickeil Alexander-Walker in free agency.

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.

Şengün’s percentages were poor, but those with him on their fantasy rosters received good value in the rebound and assist categories. For the first time since mid-December, the Rockets’ center has reached double digits in rebounds in three consecutive games. As for the shooting, Şengün will look to clean that up on Monday when the Rockets visit the Pacers. That’s the first of four games the Rockets are scheduled to play during Week 16.

Thompson was excellent on Saturday as the Rockets held off the Mavericks. He’s scored at least 21 points in two of his last three appearances, and the nine assists recorded against Dallas equaled the athletic wing’s total in his previous two outings. Over the past month, Thompson has averaged nearly 19 points per game, which is one reason he has been a top-40 player during this stretch. The Rockets begin a four-game Week 16 on Monday against the Pacers.

In a three-team trade with the Cavaliers and Bulls, the Kings bid farewell to Dennis Schröder, Keon Ellis and Dario Šarić while adding De’Andre Hunter. That gave the team room to convert Cardwell, an undrafted rookie, from a two-way contract to a standard deal. While the former Auburn standout’s production has not significantly affected fantasy basketball, he’s done enough to earn consistent rotation minutes. And if the Kings can move another veteran or two before the trade deadline, Cardwell could prove valuable during the silly season.

With the Kings acquiring De’Andre Hunter from the Cavaliers, a third team was needed to make the money work with Dennis Schröder and Keon Ellis heading to Cleveland. Enter Chicago, which willingly took Šarić while receiving two future second-round picks for their trouble. Šarić was out of the rotation for most of the season in Sacramento, but injuries may change that in Chicago, at least in the short term. While Nikola Vučević missed Saturday’s win over the Heat to rest, Jalen Smith has missed the last two games with a calf injury. This won’t make Šarić fantasy-relevant, but he may get the chance to contribute that wasn’t there in Sacramento. To open up a roster spot for the veteran forward/center, the Bulls are waiving Jevon Carter.

The Bulls were also involved in Saturday’s trade, acquiring Dario Sarić and two future second-round picks. As for Ellis, his time in Sacramento comes to a merciful end, as earning consistent rotation minutes became increasingly difficult under head coach Doug Christie. While his offensive production has been limited, adding Ellis to the fold gives the Cavaliers another capable perimeter defender.

One night removed from one of his worst performances of the season, Schröder is on the move. After beginning the season as Sacramento’s starting point guard, the veteran lost his job to Russell Westbrook, with his fantasy value diminishing considerably. The move to Cleveland puts Schröder in a more challenging spot, as Lonzo Ball and Craig Porter Jr. are already on the roster. While it’s unknown how long starting point guard Darius Garland will be sidelined with a right toe injury, it will be tough for Schröder to regain fantasy relevance.