NBA

The reigning Sixth Man of the Year is on the move, as he was one of two players sent to Portland in exchange for Jrue Holiday. In addition to Brogdon, the Trail Blazers will receive Robert Williams, a 2024 first-round pick (via Golden State) and a 2029 first. While Brogdon was productive off the bench in his lone season with the Celtics, things ended on a sour note. He injured his right elbow during the Eastern Conference Finals, with it being unknown if surgery would be required. Boston then tried to include him in the Kristaps Porzingis trade, but things fell through when the Clippers expressed concern about Brogdon’s health (Marcus Smart would be traded to Memphis to complete the deal). Brogdon can be a quality fantasy option when healthy, but his value in Portland is unknown. He may be in a situation similar to Holiday, where his career “clock” and desire to compete for a championship doesn’t mesh with the franchise’s ongoing rebuild. Don’t be surprised if Portland looks to find Brogdon a new home, as that would protect the minutes of young guards Scoot Henderson, Shaedon Sharpe, and Anfernee Simons.

Portland found a new home for the recently acquired Jrue Holiday, and they got themselves a solid haul. Heading to the Pacific Northwest are Williams, Malcolm Brogdon, a 2024 first-round pick (conveyed from Golden State to Portland via Boston), and a 2029 first. While the Time Lord was a fantasy favorite at one point in time, some of the luster was lost due to injury issues. Williams only appeared in 35 games in 2022-23, and he’s hit the 60 games played mark just once in his first five NBA seasons. With Portland having also acquired Deandre Ayton via the Damian Lillard trade, Williams will likely come off the bench, which limits his fantasy value significantly.

Well, one day after it was reported that the Trail Blazers were expected to move Holiday by Monday, he’s on his way to Boston. This move boosts Boston’s perimeter defense, as they traded Marcus Smart to Memphis earlier this offseason. Holiday has consistently provided top-50 fantasy value, which should remain the case despite sharing the court with Jayson Tatum and Jaylen Brown. His arrival in Boston will impact Derrick White the most, as he was a player many pointed to as a potential fantasy breakout candidate. White, whose usage was unlikely to change much due to the arrival of Kristaps Porzingis, takes a hit here, even though he should remain in the starting lineup.

Williams, acquired via sign-and-trade in July, joins Luka Doncic and Kyrie Irving as the players locked into Kidd’s starting lineup. This news is unsurprising, given Dallas’s lengths to add him to the roster. And that security gives Williams a better chance of offering consistent fantasy value than he did in Boston. In 23 starts, Williams averaged 10.8 points, 5.3 rebounds, 2.2 assists, 0.7 steals, and 2.0 3-pointers per game, shooting 49.7% from the field, 45.1% from three, and 77.1% from the foul line. Given the career track record, many fantasy managers may wait until the later rounds of drafts to select Williams. But that may be too late due to the new role and the catch-and-shoot opportunities that will be available playing off of Doncic and Irving.

Due to two significant ankle injuries, Ball was limited to just 36 games last season. While the availability issues lowered his value significantly in roto leagues, Ball remained a quality point guard with regard to per-game value. And the aim heading into the 2023-24 campaign is to have him do even more work in the two-man game. “He can be a great, great pick-and-roll player,” Hornets coach Steve Clifford told Rod Boone of the Charlotte Observer. “We want to get him involved in more pick-and-rolls with different combinations. Not just with centers. With the other perimeter players also. He’s terrific anyway, but that can get his game to the next level.” Ball averaged a career-high 8.4 assists per game last season, and even with the ankle issues he’s worth using a first-round pick on in most fantasy leagues.

Williams went from an afterthought to a “silly season” star after the Hornets traded Mason Plumlee to the Clippers at the February deadline. But he suffered a torn ligament in his right thumb late in the season, undergoing surgery two months later to address the issue. Williams has been cleared for all basketball activities for quite some time, and expectations are high for him in Charlotte. “He made a real positive impact on our team when he started playing more,” Hornets coach Steve Clifford said of the second-year center. “But a lot went into that. One, he started the season as the third center and he went to Greensboro and played great. Great attitude, played well. When he was here, he practiced well. He got better and better and better, and when he got his chance he took full advantage of it.” Williams has top-100 fantasy potential this season, especially if point guard LaMelo Ball can stay healthy.

Miller went through some struggles during the summer, most notably lacking aggression on the offensive end of the floor during the California Classic. It appears that there was a good reason for this, as the second-overall pick was coming back from a case of mononucleosis. According to Clifford, Miller has regained much of the weight lost and made a positive impression on his new teammates on the court. “They like playing with him already just because to me it’s his decision-making,” Clifford told the Charlotte Observer. “To me, everything makes sense when you watch him. And he can really shoot. But he can really pass. He knows how to play without the ball. He’s been coached. He plays in a way that helps his teammates play better.” While Miller should have every opportunity to prove himself as a rookie, the Hornets’ roster is a bit concerning regarding his fantasy value. In addition to still having starter Gordon Hayward, the team re-signed Miles Bridges and P.J. Washington, and Cody Martin is healthy after missing most of last season with a knee injury. These options at Clifford’s disposal may keep Miller’s fantasy ceiling low, at least in the early going.

Christopher and Todd were sent to Memphis in the deals that sent out Dillon Brooks and Tyus Jones. They were longshots to be part of the Grizzlies’ rotation, and they’ll now have the chance to sign two-ways for different teams. Mulder and Hurt’s deals weren’t disclosed by the team, but they are likely just training camp invites on Exhibit 10 deals. Both will likely end up with the Memphis Hustle.

Bullock was sent from Dallas to the Spurs this summer as part of the deal that allowed the Mavs to bring in Grant Williams. Bullock will be able to join a contender and be a solid role player, but he isn’t a player to target in fantasy basketball.

Dumas’ tweet says that they’ll find out more information on Monday, so the timeline may be different for Green’s return. However, if it’s accurate, Draymond may miss opening night. If that’s the case, both Chris Paul and Kevon Looney would likely start, with Jonathan Kuminga playing an increased role off the bench. Even if Draymond is back, he may not be in ideal playing shape, so Kuminga could play a few extra minutes off the bench.