NBA Player News

Bryant’s availability adds more frontcourt depth for the Cavaliers ahead of Game 4. The veteran center has only logged 35 total minutes this postseason across four games, totaling seven points and three rebounds. Cleveland will try to even the series up before heading to Detroit for Game 5.

Booker was ice-cold on Wednesday, missing all eight of his three-point attempts. However, the overall light stat line was more concerning for anyone looking to lose sleep over a preseason game. Booker will be fine, and he’ll take on more playmaking responsibilities this season with Miles Bridges’ arrival pushing Collin Gillespie to the bench.

While the Suns’ other primary scoring options struggled on Wednesday, Brooks did not. “The Villain,” who was a pleasant surprise in fantasy basketball last season, shot 3-of-5 from beyond the arc and made all four of his two-point attempts. Unfortunately, Brooks was also responsible for five turnovers, but the offensive output is what stood out the most. He remains a late-round option in standard leagues, and Brooks’ floor may be appealing to risk-averse managers.

The Suns have played two preseason games, and Ighodaro started both at center. While this may disappoint fans hoping to see Khaman Maluach (six points, seven rebounds and four assists) take the reins with Mark Williams (shoulder) injured, Oso starting isn’t a major surprise. He started 24 of the Suns’ 82 games last season and appears better equipped than Maluach to help the Suns immediately. However, Ighodaro starting the first two games doesn’t mean the final decision is made. This position battle is worth tracking through the rest of the preseason.

While he didn’t offer much in the points category, Giddey led the Bulls with seven assists while committing just two turnovers. Even with questions about his shot, Giddey is worth considering as early as the third round in 12-team leagues. While his percentages dipped slightly last season, the Bulls point guard averaged career highs in points, rebounds, assists and three-pointers.

While he had a rough night from beyond the arc, going 0-of-6, Buzelis did everything else in his first appearance of the preseason. The four defensive contributions were especially encouraging, as he’s coming off a 2025-26 season in which he averaged 0.7 steals and 1.5 blocks per game. If Buzelis can build on that defensive output, he becomes an even more appealing option in category leagues.

Making his Bulls preseason debut, Powell logged just 14 minutes on Wednesday. He shot the ball well, going 3-of-4 from beyond the arc. The overall stat line was lean, but Powell has top-75 fantasy potential in his new home. The question is availability, as Powell has appeared in 60 games or fewer in five of his last six seasons.

Nic Claxton is out with a hamstring injury, so Smith started at center for the Bulls on Wednesday night. Stix was solid, recording a stat line that lacked only a blocked shot over 20 minutes. Smith failed to crack the top-150 in nine-cat formats last season, but his value would rise if Claxton isn’t a full go when the regular season begins. As a result, Smith is worth a late-round flier in drafts.

With Chet Holmgren and Isaiah Hartenstein sitting, Caruso made his first appearance of the preseason as a starter. The veteran wing shot well, hitting four of his six three-point attempts in 17 minutes. While Caruso has been a solid member of the Thunder rotation the last two seasons, injuries limited his fantasy impact. With the team trading Luguentz Dort, Isaiah Joe and Aaron Wiggins during the offseason, Caruso’s role takes on added importance, potentially pushing him back into fantasy relevance.

On a night when three of Oklahoma City’s five projected starters were available, Mitchell came off the bench. Cason Wallace, the replacement in the starting lineup on most nights last season, started against the Bucks and appears likely to keep that role. However, this doesn’t mean fantasy managers considering Mitchell should panic. He showed last season that he can provide consistent category league value in a reserve role, and that shouldn’t change in 2026-27, especially with his playing time expected to increase.

With Isaiah Hartenstein sitting out a second straight preseason game, Mara started alongside projected starters Shai Gilgeous-Alexander, Cason Wallace, and Jalen Williams on Wednesday. The rookie looked very comfortable in that role, meshing well with the Thunder playmakers in the two-man game. Mara didn’t miss a shot from the field, and Oklahoma City posted a +22.5 net rating when he was on the court. How valuable the rookie is in redraft leagues will depend on Hartenstein and Chet Holmgren’s health, with iHart limited to 47 regular-season games last season.