NBA Player News

Initially slated to start for Wendell Carter Jr., Bitadze was scratched from the Magic lineup minutes before tipoff on Sunday against the Celtics. Orlando Robinson filled the void, but he’s likely to be inactive with Bitadze and Carter removed from the injury report. Bitadze will take on his usual backup center role in Philadelphia, which makes him a non-factor in fantasy basketball.

The 57th overall pick in the 2023 NBA Draft, Jackson-Davis’ playing time decreased in each of his three seasons with the Warriors. He was essentially passed in the rotation by Quinten Post, a second-round pick in the 2024 draft. Jackson-Davis appeared in 36 games this season, averaging 4.2 points and 3.1 rebounds in 11.1 minutes. This transaction is unlikely to affect fantasy basketball, as the Raptors added a frontcourt player in last summer’s draft lottery (Collin Murray-Boyles) and in free agency (Sandro Mamukelashvili). Add in Jakob Poeltl, provided his lower back issues subside, and Jackson-Davis may struggle to carve out a role for himself in Toronto.

The Warriors have been mentioned as one of the teams hoping to move for Giannis Antetokounmpo, but that appears unlikely after the trade they reportedly pulled off late Wednesday night. Porziņǵis can provide excellent production as a floor spacer, but he has struggled to remain healthy. The 7-foot-2 forward/center last played on January 7, with an Achilles injury sidelining him for most of the games that he missed. If and when he’s healthy, Porziņǵis can be an excellent fantasy option, but that’s been the entire issue this season.

Days after trading Vit Krejčí to the Trail Blazers, the Hawks have added a shooter to their ranks in Hield. The consistent minutes needed to affect fantasy basketball were challenging to come by in the Bay Area when the Warriors were whole, so the change of scenery may do Hield some good. In 44 appearances, he averaged 8.0 points, 2.5 rebounds, 1.5 assists and 1.5 three-pointers in 17.5 minutes per game.