Maxwell

Lewis

Lewis, the 40th overall pick in the 2023 draft, played for the Lakers and Nets last season. In 28 combined appearances, 21 for the Nets, he averaged 4.1 points and 2.0 rebounds in 11.7 minutes. Lewis most recently played for the Mavericks in summer league action.

Unless the team is still competing for a championship, game five at the summer league in Las Vegas usually features players fighting for an opportunity somewhere. Lewis, who the Nets waived on June 27, certainly qualifies. The 2023 second-round pick had a good day shooting the basketball, making all four of his three-point attempts while leading four Mavericks in double figures with 18 points. Dallas has already filled two of its three two-way contract slots, and Lewis’ performance against Orlando may keep him in the conversation for the third. At the very least, he may be able to earn an invitation to training camp.

While Keon will get a rest day on Tuesday, Cameron will miss a fourth-straight game with a back injury. Trendon Watford will likely remain in the starting lineup, while Johnson’s absence frees up additional minutes for Dariq Whitehead and Maxwell Lewis. One of those two will likely move into the starting five, raising their streaming value in leagues that remain active.

Williams and Wilson are back, with the former likely returning to the starting lineup. If so, Maxwell Lewis is most likely headed to the bench. Williams is worth rostering in deep leagues, especially with Cameron Johnson unavailable. As for Wilson, there may be too many players in the mix for rotation minutes for him to be impactful in fantasy leagues.

With Cameron Johnson, Ziaire Williams and Jalen Wilson all sidelined, Lewis and Watford will slide into the starting unit. Both players will make their first starts of the season and should see plenty of minutes for the shorthanded Nets.

Brooklyn will be incredibly shorthanded on the wing with Wilson joining Cameron Johnson and Ziaire Williams on the sidelines for Thursday’s game. Maxwell Lewis and Trendon Watford should be in line to take on significant roles and potentially move into the starting unit. They’re worth considering as streaming options based on the opportunity to play big minutes on a day with only six games.

Wilson started Monday’s win over the Mavericks, filling in for the injured Cameron Johnson and logging 29 minutes. With Johnson already out for Thursday’s game, the Nets could be without two rotation forwards. Maxwell Lewis and Trendon Watford are two players whose minutes would increase if Wilson does not play. Watford offers a slightly higher fantasy ceiling, but both players would be worth streaming in deep leagues.

Lewis is currently without a timetable to return. He left Wednesday’s game against the Raptors in the fourth quarter and had to be carried to the locker room. Acquired by the Nets in the trade for Dorian Finney-Smith, Lewis’ injury doesn’t significantly impact fantasy basketball. He’ll be re-evaluated in four weeks, according to the team.

Lewis wasn’t in the rotation while with the Lakers, so it’s unsurprising that he didn’t make his Nets debut until Wednesday’s outcome was no longer in doubt. Unfortunately, he suffered a left knee injury and needed to be carried to the locker room for further evaluation. Lewis’s status doesn’t impact fantasy basketball, but hopefully, this isn’t a long-term injury.

Lewis, 22, was 40th overall pick in the 2023 NBA Draft, but didn’t do enough to crack the Lakers’ rotation in two years with the team. He appeared in 34 games last year and just seven games this year. With the Nets in rebuild mode, it’s possible they give Lewis more of a look later in the season, though he can’t be counted on for fantasy value right away.