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How did Bucks swoop in, pull off blockbuster Damian Lillard trade?

Milwaukee and Portland kept the circle small and know how to keep a secret.

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Latest Player News

All Player News

Jose Alvarado

NOP Point Guard #15

Jose Alvarado (right ankle sprain) and Larry Nance (injection in left ankle) should return to basketball activity in 2-3 weeks, according to a team announcement.

Alvarado was already considered questionable for camp, but he’ll also miss the start of the preseason. Dyson Daniels and Kira Lewis Jr. should see more point guard opportunities to start camp. Nance’s absence should result in Cody Zeller seeing the backup center minutes and Naji Marshall being the backup power forward.
Keon Johnson

PHX Small Forward #6

The Suns are expected to waive Keon Johnson and Ishmail Wainright, per Yahoo’s Jake Fischer.

Nothing is official yet, but the Suns are expected to move on from both players after acquiring Jusuf Nurkic, Nassir Little, Grayson Allen and Johnson in the Damian Lillard trade. Phoenix has worked hard to add depth this summer, which gives them the flexibility to move on from these guys. Johnson hasn’t done much since the Clippers selected him with the 21st pick in 2021, but he has loads of potential and athleticism. He should be able to find a new team to play for.
Nickeil Alexander-Walker

MIN Shooting Guard #6

Tim Connelly said that Nickeil Alexander-Walker has All-Defensive Team potential during media day on Thursday.

The Wolves re-signed NAW to a two-year deal this summer, and it appears that the team believes that’s a bargain for them. He played a minimal role for them last season and hasn’t really panned out since the Pelicans selected him in 2019. He isn’t worth drafting in standard leagues, but if they really believe in him to this level, he’s worth keeping an eye on.
Trayce Jackson-Davis

GSW Power Forward #32

Steve Kerr said at media on day Thursday that “Trayce [Jackson-Davis] is a really intriguing prospect and it’d be fun to watch him play.”

Kerr was very complimentary of TJD, who slipped to the Warriors at pick No. 57 in the draft. Not many second round players are able to carve out roles on contenders in year one, but Jackson-Davis was excellent through four years at Indiana. He should be capable of filling a role for them, even if it isn’t large enough for him to make a fantasy impact for most of his first year in the NBA.
Jerami Grant

POR Power Forward #9

Jerami Grant is expected to be available for trade, per Michael Scotto on Hoops Hype.

Grant isn’t eligible to be traded until January 15th, but that gives Portland about a month to move him before the trade deadline in February. Grant should start the season as the primary scoring option in Portland, which should lead to real fantasy success. However, if he ends up dealt to a contender, his production would likely drop significantly. They signed him to a massive five-year, $160 million deal, so we’ll have to see what contenders could be interested in bringing in that lengthy contract.
Victor Oladipo

OKC Shooting Guard #4

On Wednesday, Thunder president of basketball operations Sam Presti said that Victor Oladipo (knee) will not be present when the team begins training camp next week.

Oladipo has struggled mightily to remain healthy since rupturing the quad tendon in his right knee in 2019. The most significant injury since then was a ruptured patellar tendon in his left knee in late April during Game 4 of Miami’s first-round series against the Bucks. With the Thunder having a roster loaded with young talent that needs to play, there would not have been much room for Oladipo had he been fully healthy. In fact, Presti also said during his press conference that the team will have to make a decision on Oladipo’s contract when the time comes. So, don’t expect to see him in a Thunder jersey once medically cleared to play.
R.J. Hampton

MIA Point Guard #14

On Wednesday, The Heat announced that they signed R.J. Hampton to a two-way contract.

Hampton, waived by the Pistons in late June, was a first-round pick in the 2020 NBA Draft. He appeared in 47 games for the Magic and Pistons last season, averaging 6.4 points, 1.9 rebounds, and 1.1 assists in 16.0 minutes. Hampton is unlikely to get the minutes needed to be of value to fantasy managers, but this contract gives him another opportunity to solidify his place in the NBA.
Kawhi Leonard

LAC Small Forward #2

Clippers president of basketball operations Lawrence Frank said on Wednesday that Kawhi Leonard (knee) and Paul George (knee) are “fully healthy” ahead of the start of training camp.

Leonard and George had their 2022-23 seasons come to a premature end due to knee injuries, with the former having undergone what was described as a “clean-up procedure” in late June. Frank saying that both are healthy and had “extremely productive offseasons” is good to hear, but we’ve been down this road before. Leonard has reached the 60 games played mark once since his final season in San Antonio (2017-18), while George hasn’t hit or exceeded that mark since 2018-19. Both should be productive enough to offer top-25 fantasy value when healthy, but the availability concerns will impact their respective draft placements.
Keon Johnson

POR Small Forward #6

Keon Johnson and Nassir Little were dealt to Phoenix along with Jusuf Nurkic and Grayson Allen in a three-team deal that sent Deandre Ayton and Jrue Holiday to Portland and Damian Lillard to Milwaukee.

Little and Johnson had little fantasy value heading into this season on a rebuilding Blazers roster, and their fantasy value is nearly non-existent now that they’ve landed with a title contender. Jabari Walker and Kris Murray could find more playing time now on an even thinner Portland team.
Grayson Allen

MIL Shooting Guard #12

Grayson Allen was traded to the Suns along with Jusuf Nurkic, Keon Johnson and Nassir Little in a three-team deal involving the Trail Blazers and Bucks that sent Deandre Ayton and Jrue Holiday to Portland and Damian Lillard to Milwaukee.

Allen played big minutes for Milwaukee last season, and while his three-and-D skills were helpful to the Bucks in the real world, they didn’t translate to meaningful fantasy production. Allen’s role will surely be diminished with his new team, and there’s no guaranteed playing time off the bench after the Suns retooled in the offseason and added more shooters. There’s no reason to draft Allen in fantasy hoops this season unless you’re playing in a deep league. Malik Beasley looks quite appealing as a late-round flyer, and he may have the inside track to a starting job with the new-look Bucks in 2023-24.

Latest Videos

Giannis 'activated' Bucks interest in Lillard deal

September 28, 2023 10:42 AM

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