NBA Player News

Middleton sat out Saturday’s loss to the Hornets with a sore left foot, with rookie Will Riley playing 23 minutes as his replacement in the starting lineup. While Riley should have value during the silly season, Justin Champagnie is the preferred streamer if Middleton remains out. Despite coming off the bench, Champagnie logged 32 minutes on Saturday.

After a contentious contract negotiation during the offseason, Kuminga was essentially on borrowed time in the Bay Area. He requested to be traded almost immediately after becoming eligible to be moved on January 15, and the athletic forward gets his wish the night before the trade deadline. Kuminga, who has been out with a knee injury, averaged 12.1 points, 5.9 rebounds, 2.5 assists and 0.9 three-pointers in 23.8 minutes in 20 appearances. With the Hawks’ rotation including Jalen Johnson, Zaccharie Risacher and Dyson Daniels, getting the minutes he desires to showcase himself may not be there for Kuminga. But he is worth watching.

With Jaylen Brown out due to injury and Anfernee Simons traded, the Celtics called on Harper to move into the starting lineup. Making the first start of his four-year NBA career, Harper was effective as a scorer and rebounder while also taking on the assignment of guarding Kevin Durant for lengthy stretches. Wednesday’s game doesn’t affect his standing in redraft leagues, but Harper may have earned himself another opportunity the next time the Celtics are shorthanded.

Bey has now made four three-pointers in two of his last three games. The 26-year-old shooting guard has been on fire, providing first-round per game value over the last two weeks. This run ultimately won’t last for Bey, but fantasy managers have to enjoy it while it’s ongoing. The Pelicans have one more game in Week 16, coming up Friday against the Timberwolves on the road.

Due to the moves the Hornets have made over the last two days, there was a need to free up a roster spot. As a result, Connaughton, who had not been in the rotation on most nights, has been waived. This transaction does not affect fantasy basketball, and Connaughton will be able to sign with any team as a free agent once he clears waivers.

Williamson displayed his unique athleticism midway through the third quarter when he took the ball the length of the floor, made multiple defenders miss and finished with a dunk at the rim. The play was equally as impressive as the fact he was able to execute it so effortlessly. Zion has provided 10th-round per game value over the last two weeks. The Pelicans have one more game left in Week 16, coming up Friday against the Timberwolves on the road.

Murphy became just the eighth player in NBA history to make at least 12 three-pointers in a game in Wednesday’s OT loss to the Bucks. The 25-year-old small forward broke out of a mini-slump with 27 points Monday against the Hornets and completely went off with 44 points Wednesday against the Bucks. Unfortunately, neither performance was enough to get the Pelicans the win. Murphy has provided eighth-round per game value over the last two weeks. The Pelicans have one more game this week, coming Friday against the Timberwolves.

Green showed why he’s worth adding while Giannis Antetokounmpo (calf) is out of the lineup in Wednesday’s OT win versus the Pelicans. The 26-year-old guard saw more opportunities to score, mostly coming from behind the three-point line. Green had six threes on his way to a 20-point game, his first since December 26 against Memphis.

Rollins’ career-season continued Wednesday with a 27-point performance in the OT victory over the Pelicans. The 23-year-old point guard was efficient, shooting 10-of-19 from the field. Rollins is young, but looks like the Bucks’ top player with Giannis Antetokounmpo (calf) out of the lineup. He’s returned second-round per game value over the last two weeks. The Bucks have one more game this week coming Friday against the Pacers.

Quickley has now made at least six three-pointers in three of his last eight games. An excellent rebounder for a guard, the 26-year-old point guard has had at least five rebounds in six of his last seven games. Quickley also had eight assists and has had at least six assists in two of his last three games. He’s provided second-round per game value over the last two weeks. The Raptors will face the Bulls onThursday on the second night of a back-to-back.

Smith has hit double figures in four straight and eight of his last ten games, providing some semblance of consistency. Over the past two weeks, he has been a top-50 player in eight-cat formats according to Basketball Monster. Smith’s fantasy upside may be limited due to him sharing a lineup with Kevin Durant, Alperen Şengün and Amen Thompson. Still, he’s capable of providing good enough value to merit being rostered in 12-team leagues.