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Timberwolves coach Chris Finch applauds NBA’s renewed emphasis on flopping

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Toronto, defensive guard Jamal Shead reportedly agree to three year, $24 million exception

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Rotoworld Player News

All Player News

Rafael Castro

FA Forward-Center

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According to HoopsHype’s Michael Scotto, the Rockets waived Rafael Castro.

Signed to a two-year, two-way contract in late August, Castro is coming off a final season of college basketball in which he averaged 15.3 points, 9.1 rebounds and 1.7 blocks per game at George Washington. With Thursday’s reported transaction, the Rockets have freed up a two-way contract slot. Guards Quadir Copeland and Sean Pedulla occupy the other two slots.
Ausar Thompson

DET Guard-Forward #9

Pistons coach J.B. Bickerstaff told reporters F Ausar Thompson will play more minutes this season.

Thompson averaged a career-high 26 minutes last season, but his coach said the expectation will be for more minutes this season. How many more minutes is unclear, but we can expect the 23-year-old Thompson to be more of a full-time player this year. That’s a boost to Thompson’s fantasy value as he comes off the board in the eighth-round of fantasy drafts.
Tacko Fall

PHI Center #99

Tacko Fall (hip) will miss at least two weeks, the 76ers announced.

Fall will miss at least two weeks with a left hip strain, the 76ers announced Thursday. Once he’s healthy, Fall will compete with Adem Bona and Ariel Hukporti for backup big man minutes behind Joel Embiid.
Tristan Vukcevic

WAS Forward #00

Tristan Vukcevic (hip) will miss at least four weeks.

Vukcevic suffered a left hip impingement and will be re-evaluated in four weeks, the Wizards announced Thursday. The former second-round pick is entering his fourth season in the NBA.
De'Anthony Melton

GSW Guard #8

De’Anthony Melton (thumbs) told NBC Sports Bay Area that he expects to play both games of back-to-backs this season.

Focusing on honing one’s craft during the offseason, rather than rehabbing from an injury, can make a significant difference for a player. That was the case for Melton this offseason, despite procedures on both thumbs. Last summer was spent recovering from a torn ACL, while a back injury was the issue in the summer of 2024. A healthy Melton can be a factor in fantasy basketball, especially category leagues, whether he starts or comes off the bench. His injury history puts him in “late-round flier” territory in drafts, but Melton can still be a steal for managers.
Noah Penda

ORL Guard-Forward #93

Noah Penda (hamstring) is considered day-to-day.

Penda tweaked his hamstring just before training camp opened, but there is no concern that it will become a long-term issue. Like Anthony Black, who’s dealing with an ankle injury, the Magic are exercising caution with Penda’s workload. He had his moments as a rookie, but Penda has a limited ceiling in standard fantasy leagues because of Orlando’s depth at forward.
Anthony Black

ORL Guard #0

According to Magic head coach Sean Sweeney, Anthony Black (ankle) is considered day-to-day.

Black injured his ankle during voluntary workouts before training camp opened. The good news is that the injury is not serious, and the Magic are exercising caution. Black started 40 of the 64 games he appeared in last season, thanks in part to injuries to Jalen Suggs and Franz Wagner, emerging as a player who had to be rostered in standard leagues. Black should once again be a late-round pick in drafts.
Dru Smith

MIA Guard #12

According to Ira Winderman of the Sun-Sentinel, Dru Smith (calf) is out for “a couple of weeks.”

Smith, who played a career-high 70 games last season, is dealing with a strained right calf. With the reported timeline, he may be limited when the regular season begins. Smith’s absence doesn’t affect fantasy basketball, but it does leave a Heat team already light on options at point guard down a rotation piece. Starter Davion Mitchell has become more important, especially if Smith isn’t ready when the regular season begins.
Jamal Shead

TOR Guard #1

Jamal Shead agreed to a three-year, $24 million contract extension with the Raptors, reports ESPN’s Shams Charania.

The deal runs through the 2029-30 season. A second-round pick two years ago, Shead appeared in all 82 games last year and averaged 5.4 assists off the bench. With the Raptors facing a salary cap crunch in future years, locking in Shead below the mid-level is a bet on continued growth from the 24-year-old guard.
Ryan Nembhard

DEN Guard

ESPN’s Shams Charania reports that Ryan Nembhard has signed a two-way deal with the Denver Nuggets.

The second-year man was waived by the Hornets less than a week ago, and it didn’t take long for him to find a new team. With LaMelo Ball playing in Minnesota and Kon Knueppel (hamstring) banged up, more minutes could be up for grabs in Charlotte’s backcourt, but it will be tough for Nembhard to see enough court time to be fantasy relevant.

SEASON PREVIEWS

Five players facing the most pressure this season

Chet Holmgren, Walker Kessler and LaMelo Ball also make the list.

Five players facing critical comeback seasons

Fred VanVleet’s return could make the Rockets a threat in the West.

WHAT PLAYERS SAID: MEDIA DAY

What did Victor Wembanyama say at San Antonio Spurs media day?

On losing in the NBA Finals, Wemby said, “I couldn’t imagine a better motivation.”

What did Jalen Brunson say at New York Knicks media day?

Karl-Anthony Towns and Josh Hart also discussed their ongoing contract extension talks.

What did LeBron James say at Philadelphia 76ers media day?

“I didn’t leave my family to lose in the second round. I know that for sure.”

What did Kevin Durant say at 2026 Houston Rockets Media Day?

He pushed back on the idea that he should play fewer minutes and stuck up for WNBA players.

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