NBA Player News

Shamet injured his right shoulder when he ran into a Wendell Carter Jr. screen. This is the same shoulder he dislocated during the 2024-25 preseason, spending months on the shelf before joining the Knicks mid-season. With Miles McBride now questionable due to an illness, the Knicks have called on Tyler Kolek and Mohamed Diawara to play rotation minutes off the bench.

Jaquez has scored at least 20 points in seven games this season after enjoying two such games during the entire 2024-25 campaign. The 27 points scored against the Kings were the most for him since November 2, when he dropped a season-high 31 on the Lakers. With the Heat getting closer to full strength recently (Tyler Herro and Davion Mitchell did not play on Saturday), Jaquez’s fantasy value has taken a hit. However, that has been due to lackluster defensive production, despite the offensive numbers being there.

On a night when the Heat were without Tyler Herro and most of the starting lineup struggled, Fontecchio had his most productive night of the season. He hit the 20-point mark for the first time this season, and the four three-pointers were the most in a game for Fontecchio since November 17. A bonus for the few who have him rostered was the seven rebounds. However, for as well as he played, Fontecchio still hasn’t reached the point where he can be relied on for consistent fantasy value.

The Heat starters struggled on Saturday, with Powell and Andrew Wiggins (13/4/4 with one three-pointer) being the only ones in double figures. And while the former offered solid production in points and percentages, his production outside of those categories was meager. Powell is still providing top-50 fantasy value, so managers have little to worry about going into Week 8. The Heat visit Orlando on Tuesday in an NBA Cup quarterfinal matchup, with the winner heading to Las Vegas.

Yes, Westbrook committed six turnovers. However, he also recorded his eighth double-double, continuing to offer greater value than many anticipated when the Kings signed him at the end of the preseason. Westbrook will continue to possess increased fantasy value while Dennis Schröder (hip) is out, and there’s also more room in the rotation for rookie Nique Clifford. He played 18 minutes off the bench, finishing with 15 points, six rebounds, one steal and one three-pointer. The Kings are one of the few teams that play three games in Week 8, boosting the values of Westbrook and Clifford in leagues that don’t combine Weeks 8 and 9.

Coming off the best game of his rookie season, Raynaud was rewarded with his first career start on Saturday. To say the 7-foot-1 center held his own would be far, as he recorded a double-double and blocked two shots. Drew Eubanks, who Raynaud replaced in the lineup, logged 11 minutes and finished with four points and two rebounds. As long as the Kings are without Domantas Sabonis, Raynaud will have value in deeper leagues, especially if he continues to start.

Since scoring 26 points in a November blowout loss to the Grizzlies, LaVine had just two games of at least 19 points. There were no such struggles in Miami, as the veteran guard recorded his first 40-point game of the season. Sacramento’s slow start led to trade rumors, with the veterans (including LaVine) as the focus. December 15 is an important date, as most of the league will be eligible to be traded at that point. What the Kings’ decision-makers decide to do will significantly impact LaVine’s fantasy value moving forward.

Rollins had a rough night shooting the basketball, and he’s gone 10-of-27 from the field in the two full games the Bucks have played since losing Giannis Antetokounmpo to a strained calf. While the former MVP’s absence means increased usage for players like Rollins, it also means increased attention from opposing defenses. The Bucks will play twice in Week 8 and have four games in Weeks 8 and 9 for those competing in leagues that will combine the two weeks due to the NBA Cup.

With AJ Green (shoulder) joining Giannis Antetokounmpo (calf) on the sidelines, Kuzma was tabbed to move into the starting lineup. While he wasn’t great, things could have been worse for those familiar with the forward’s recent fantasy history. Kuzma’s final stat line only lacked a block, and he shot just under 50 percent from the field. With Green likely missing multiple games, Kuzma will have some value in deep leagues despite the track record.

No Giannis Antetokounmpo means there’s more room for Porter to spread his wings offensively, and the Bucks certainly need him to do it. He was highly productive against the Pistons, with the 32 points being a season-high. Not only did Porter record a complete line, but he was efficient, shooting well over 50 percent from the field and committing just one turnover. KPJ is rostered in 51 percent of Yahoo! leagues, and that number should increase after Saturday’s performance.

With Tobias Harris (ankle) unavailable, Stewart made his seventh start of the season on Saturday. After shooting 4-of-10 from three in his previous nine appearances, Beef Stew shot 3-of-5 against the Bucks. If there was a disappointing aspect of his performances, it was the lack of rebounds. Over the last two games, Stewart totaled three rebounds, a poor return for a player averaging 6.0 per game on the season. Recent rebounding production aside, he remains a player who should be rostered in deep leagues.