Lester

Quinones

Quiñones, who finished the 2024-25 season with the Pelicans before being waived last month, will compete for either a standard contract or a two-way contract slot with the Magic. Over three NBA seasons, he’s appeared in 54 games, averaging 4.8 points, 1.7 rebounds and 1.1 assists in 11.0 minutes. Even if Quiñones does enough in training camp to earn a standard contract, he’s unlikely to impact fantasy basketball next season.

Quiñones was on a two-way contract, so the transaction frees up a slot for the Pelicans. After beginning last season with the 76ers, the Pelicans signed him to a contract in March. Quiñones played in 13 games last season, averaging 6.6 points, 1.5 rebounds, 1.8 assists and 1.0 three-pointers in 14.1 minutes.

Quinones was one of three Pelicans to record their first career 20-point games on Thursday, with Jamal Cain and Keion Brooks Jr. being the others. He’s played at least 20 minutes in New Orleans’ last three games, which should remain the case for the final two. With the entire league active on Friday and Sunday, Quinones is not a must-roster player. However, he may be able to provide some value in active deep leagues.

Quinones has averaged 23.0 points, 9.6 rebounds, and 6.2 assists per game with the G League’s Birmingham Squadron. He isn’t likely to impact fantasy basketball with the Pelicans, though.

Nance has been playing with the Cleveland Charge this season, but he’ll join Philadelphia’s organization. He’ll likely spend most of his time with the Blue Coats, though he may see some time soon with the 76ers due to the injuries to Joel Embiid and Andre Drummond. However, he isn’t a player worth streaming at this point. They waived Lester Quinones to make room for Nance.

Quinones showed some fun flashes during his two seasons with the Warriors, but he was never able to carve out a consistent role. Now, he’ll have a fresh start on the other side of the country. He’ll likely spend most of his time in the G-League, so this won’t have much of an impact on fantasy basketball.

Payton has been cleared after sitting out Saturday’s home loss to the Spurs. While his presence will not significantly impact fantasy basketball, this could result in fewer minutes for Moses Moody, while Lester Quinones drops entirely out of the rotation. Quinones was not playing enough to merit being streamed in any fantasy league.

Wiggins’ absence should free up more playing time for Gary Payton II, Klay Thompson and Lester Quinones. Chris Paul will make his return after nearly two months on the shelf, and it’s unclear how much playing time he’ll get in his first game back.

Quinones spent the first few months of the season in the G-League, but he has taken on a larger role with the Warriors as of late. He will only play limited minutes as a reserve, so he isn’t a player that will make much of a fantasy impact this season. However, he should remain on the radar for dynasty managers.

Already in the rotation, Podziemski took additional minutes during the second half after Andrew Wiggins was ruled out with a sprained ankle. The 39 minutes matched a season-high for the rookie guard, who’s hit double figures in scoring in four straight and six of his last eight games. Rostered in 30% of Yahoo leagues, Podziemski is worth a look in deeper formats, especially if Wiggins misses time. The Warriors being as shorthanded as they were also resulted in Lester Quinones playing 23 minutes, and he finished with 17 points, five rebounds, and four 3-pointers. Unlike Podziemski, there isn’t a need to add Quinones right now.