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Latest News |
| 5/20/2013 | Dwight Howard, C, LAL |
Howard might sign with RocketsNews: With the Lakers hoping for a swift decision from Dwight Howard on his free agency this summer, the All-Star center has given no indication he will rush the process and has privately indicated he plans to give strong consideration to multiple teams, league sources told CBSSports.com NBA Insider Ken Berger. Though Howard is adamant his free agency not be marred by the circus-like environment that surrounded his departure from Orlando last summer, word already has spread to multiple levels of his support staff that Howard re-signing with the Lakers is far from a done deal. With six weeks to go before Howard becomes an unrestricted free agent, the team that is said to intrigue him the most is the Rockets, according to multiple people briefed on internal conversations surrounding Howard's free-agent decision. The Rockets have a young star, James Harden, who has proved himself worthy of playing the leading role for the franchise; a budding 3-point shooting threat in Chandler Parsons; a defensive-minded coach in Kevin McHale; and Omer Asik, the kind of 7-footer Howard is believed to want next to him in the frontcourt. Analysis: The Mavericks represent another franchise that intrigues Howard, and Dallas is a minor transaction or two away from having enough room to sign Howard outright as an unrestricted free agent. Howard plans to explore all such options, and a person briefed on his plans told CBSSports.com that there are "several" teams the free-agent center is "going to take a hard look at." The Lakers still have a strong chance of signing Howard, especially from a financial standpoint, so keep an eye on what develops. No matter where Howard plays this season he would remain a No. 1 Fantasy center in all leagues and worth at least a pick in Round 2. |
| 5/19/2013 | Tyson Chandler, C, NY |
Chandler scores two in elimination gameNews: Knicks center Tyson Chandler worked his way around a back issue as he returned to action in Game 6 against the Pacers Saturday night. Chandler was held to just two points on 1 of 4 shooting. He also chipped in with six rebounds in a 106-99 defeat. Analysis: Chandler will have the entire offseason to recover from his back issue. The 7-footer averaged 10.4 points and 10.7 rebounds over 66 games -- marking the second time he has averaged a double-double. He also shot 63.8 percent from the field, but only averaged 20.1 Fantasy points per week as injuries really hampered his production down the stretch. Fantasy owners should plan on scooping him up in the earlier rounds in draft formats next fall. |
| 5/17/2013 | Joakim Noah, C, CHI |
Bulls hope Noah avoids surgeryNews: The Chicago Sun-Times reports that Bulls coach Tom Thibodeau said that the plantar fasciitis in center Joakim Noah’s right foot could require surgery, but that Noah would try rehabilitation first. “That hasn’t been determined,’’ Thibodeau said of Noah undergoing surgery. “Obviously, we’d like to avoid the surgery. He has responded a lot better. He has found something that has worked. "We want him to get completely healthy That will be the focus, getting him back to 100 percent. He needs some rest, as most of the guys do." Analysis: We hope whatever Noah decides to do with his foot will get him back to being 100 percent for the start of next season. When healthy and active, Noah is an elite Fantasy center in the majority of leagues. He is worth drafting as early as Round 3 or 4 in most formats. |
| 5/17/2013 | Kurt Thomas, C, NY |
Thomas open to keep playingNews: The New York Daily News reports that Kurt Thomas is undecided about whether to regain his title as the NBA’s oldest player next season. “Honestly, I haven’t thought much about it,” the former Knick said. “I’m just concentrating on getting healthy.” Thomas is recovering from right foot surgery and is two weeks from being off crutches. The 40-year-old is a free agent after the Knicks released him last month in order to add a player to the postseason roster. “I definitely miss being around the guys,” Thomas said over the telephone from his home in Dallas. “I miss being a part of the playoffs. And I just miss being around basketball. I love the game.” Analysis: Keep an eye on what happens with Thomas heading into next season, but even if he plays somewhere he would have minimal Fantasy value. Ignore him in all leagues on Draft Day. |
| 5/11/2013 | David Lee, C, GS |
Lee makes another brief appearanceNews: Warriors forward David Lee sparked Golden State with his first appearance in the series Friday against the Spurs, after tearing his right hip flexor in the first-round opener against Denver. Lee, held scoreless in a brief appearance in the Game 6 clincher over the Nuggets in round one, scored on an offensive rebound putback that he was fouled on. He finished with five points and two rebounds in three minutes, in a 102-92 loss. Analysis: It looks like Lee is going to find the court for every limited minutes through the remainder of the postseason, but he is not expected to play a big role. He should be fine after an offseason of healing, assuming he does not suffer a setback from returning so quickly. The 29-year-old turned in another productive regular season as he averaged 18.5 points, 11.2 rebounds, and 3.5 assists on 51.9 percent shooting from the field. Lee was also the fifth highest scoring Fantasy forward, in terms of Fantasy points, in all standard formats and should be off the board in the very early rounds of all draft formats next fall, assuming he is healthy. |
| 5/9/2013 | Tiago Splitter, C, SA |
Splitter comes off bench in returnNews: Spurs center Tiago Splitter was able to play through a lingering ankle injury in Game 2 of the Western Conference Semifinals Wednesday against the Warriors. Splitter was not in his usual spot in the starting lineup for the game, but he came off the bench for 10 minutes of action. Splitter scored five points on 1 of 2 shooting, with four rebounds, in a 100-91 loss. Analysis: Splitter's ankle is still a bit tender, but he should be back in the starting lineup before long. The 28-year-old averaged a career-best 10.3 points and 6.4 rebounds during the regular season, which is pretty impressive considering he usually saw around 20-25 minutes most nights. Splitter is slated to be a restricted free agent over the summer and could draw a ton of interest as team's are also looking for help in the middle. Regardless of where he winds up, owners should target the third-year big man in later rounds of most formats next fall. |
| 5/6/2013 | Zaza Pachulia, C, ATL |
Pachulia wants to stay with HawksNews: Center Zaza Pachulia, who will be an unrestricted free agent over the summer, said he wants to return to the Hawks next season, the Atlanta Journal-Constitution reports. Pachulia is still wearing a walking boot after undergoing surgery to repair his partially torn right Achilles. “How can I not (want to be back),” Pachulia said. “ I've been here eight years. I call Atlanta home. You guys know the relationship between me and fans. I would love to be back again. This is my third time being a free agent, and we all understand the business, but again, we’ll see what July brings.” Analysis: While Pachulia wants to return to the Hawks next season, the 7-footer is expected to garner a great deal of interest from many teams this summer. The 29-year-old appeared in 52 games, including 15 starts, and averaged 5.9 points, 7.7 rebounds and 2.1 assists in 28.3 minutes. Fantasy owners should keep an eye on Pachulia's recovery over the summer as well as where he winds up playing next season. Still, unless he ends up in a starting role, he likely won't have much Fantasy value heading into the 2013-14 campaign. |
| 5/6/2013 | Andray Blatche, C, BKN |
Blatche wants to stay in BrooklynNews: Nets center Andray Blatche said he will like to stay in Brooklyn next season, the New York Post reports. Blatche, who is slated to be an unrestricted free agent over the summer, said he would be willing to take less money to remain with the team if the situation looked like a good fit for him in Brooklyn. “Yeah, I thought about that idea. I like it here, I got my second chance here and I’m loyal to being here. We just have to see what happens,’’ he said. “With the money situation, that makes it easier for me to stay here. I don’t have to take nothing huge. I can take less. It’s going to be based on what’s best for me.” Analysis: The Nets took a chance on Blatche after he was amnestied by the Wizards last summer and he responded by appearing in all 82 games and averaging 10.3 points and 5.1 rebounds in mostly a reserve role. However, Blatche did put up an impressive 17.9 points and 9.3 rebounds in eight starts, leaving many to wonder if he could sustain that type of production for the entire year as a full-time starter. Fantasy owners should keep an eye where Blatche winds up next season. While he could still retain some value as solid low-end option if he continues to be used off the bench, Blatche's value could skyrocket if he lands a starting gig somewhere. |
| 5/3/2013 | Andrew Bogut, C, GS |
Bogut doubles up in Game 6News: Warriors center Andrew Bogut was able to play through an ankle issue during Game 6 of the first-round playoff series against Denver. After being held to just two points his last time out, Bogut made his presence felt Thursday. He scored 14 and grabbed 21 rebounds on 7 of 10 shooting in a 92-88 victory. Analysis: Bogut missed much of the season while recovering from ankle surgery, so this issue is nothing new for the 28-year-old. He should be healthy enough to make an impact during the second round against the Spurs. Bogut averaged just 5.9 points and 7.6 rebounds per game in 31 appearances in the regular season, as the Warriors have asked little of him on the offensive side of the ball. A year removed from his ankle surgery, Bogut could be more productive next season, but the Warriors have plenty of offensive options already. Bogut should be targeted towards the end of most Fantasy drafts next season. |
| 5/2/2013 | Omer Asik, C, HOU |
Back no issue for AsikNews: Rockets center Omer Asik was able to play through a lingering back injury Wednesday, in Game 5 of the first round series against the Thunder. Asik was able to play 38 minutes in the game and finished second on the team in scoring with 21 points, as the Thunder sent him to the free-throw line 18 times. He made 13 of 18 free throws and was 4 of 6 from the field as well. Asik snagged 11 rebounds and blocked a pair of shots, in a 107-100 win. Analysis: Asik has proven his worth both in the regular season and now in the postseason, emerging as a nightly double-double threat who can anchor a poor defense. He averaged 10.1 points, 11.7 rebounds and 1.1 blocks per game, all of which were career highs. Asik should be a full-time player yet again for the Rockets, and that will make him a worthy starting Fantasy center in the majority of formats. Plan on targeting him in the middle rounds on Draft Day. |
| 4/29/2013 | Tim Ohlbrecht, C, HOU |
Ohlbrecht back with RocketsNews: The Rockets called up forward Tim Ohlbrecht from the D-League, the team announced Monday. Analysis: Ohlbrecht only appeared in three games with Houston this past year as he spent much of the season down in the D-League. While he still has some upside, the 24-year-old isn't expected to have much value heading into the 2013-14 campaign. |
| 4/29/2013 | Jermaine O'Neal, C, PHO |
O'Neal seeking a reunionNews: Soon-to-be free agent center Jermaine O'Neal said he would be very interested in playing for the Trail Blazers again next year. O'Neal, who spent the first four years of his career in Portland, averaged 8.3 points, 5.3 rebounds and 1.4 blocks in 18.7 minutes as a reserve this past year with the Suns. “I'm very open to Portland. They're definitely a team I'm looking forward to having talks with this summer,” O'Neal told CSNNW.com. “LaMarcus [Aldridge] and Damian [Lillard] along with [Nicolas] Batum are some great pieces to build around. All they need to do is shore up the bench and add a paint presence on defense and they'll be right there. It's hard to put that type of stress on your starting five and I know I can help ease some of that stress.” Analysis: O'Neal's career looked like it was coming to a close after the 2011-12 season, but the veteran showed he still has a bit more left in the tank. Thanks to a procedure he got on his balky knees in Germany over the offseason and the Suns' highly regarded medical staff, O'Neal was a productive piece off the bench this past year in Phoenix. He will be an unrestricted free agent over summer and apparently has made a short list of teams he would be willing to play for. Fantasy owners should keep an eye on where O'Neal lands. While he will likely be used in a reserve role no matter where that is, the 34-year-old could make for a useful reserve option in deeper formats in the right situation. |
| 4/29/2013 | Meyers Leonard, C, POR |
Leonard to hone skills in summer leagueNews: Trail Blazers center Meyers Leonard is expected to play on Portland's summer league squad, the Oregonian reports. Leonard averaged 5.5 points and 3.7 rebounds on 54.5 percent shooting from the field in 69 games -- nine starts with the Blazers. “It was an up-and-down year for Meyers,” Stotts said. “Injuries held him back a couple of times when he was getting on a roll. He grew more comfortable with his offense, with being prepared to shoot and his positioning around the basket. Defense is the biggest area he needs to improve. We want him to play a lot of basketball this summer, to have time on the floor against NBA players to work on quickness and speed and reaction to the game.” Analysis: While the Blazers are still pretty high on Leonard, there seemed to be a bit of disappointment in Sotts' tone when he discussed the rookie. He was used mostly as a reserve this past season, but show some flashes of his potential as he put up 11.4 points and 5.2 rebounds over his nine starts. Portland has made no secret about trying to upgrade the center position over the summer, but that doesn't mean Leonard won't still get plenty of chances to show what he can do. Fantasy owners should continue to track his progress over the summer. Unless Leonard secures a spot in the starting lineup, owners should target him in the later rounds of most formats on Draft Day next fall. |
| 4/28/2013 | Joel Przybilla, C, MIL |
Przybilla wants to play next yearNews: Bucks center Joel Przybilla said plans on playing again next season, the Racine Times reports. Przybilla, who appeared in just 12 games with Milwaukee this past season, will be an unrestricted free agent on July 1. “I’m definitely keeping the door open,” he said, while also adding that he would be willing to re-sign with the Bucks. “I wouldn’t mind coming back here, but I don’t know what direction they (the Bucks) are headed in, They got a lot of things to decide on this summer.” Analysis: Przybilla was hardly used in Milwaukee this season as the emergence of Larry Sanders didn't leave many minutes for the 33-year-old. The 7-footer has been hampered by injuries over the last few years as he has appeared in just 136 games since the start of the 2009-10 campaign. While Przybilla could draw some interest from a title contender over the summer, we aren't expecting him to have much value heading into next season. The veteran has averaged just 2.3 points and 5.2 rebounds over the last four years and will likely be used in a reserve role no matter where he winds up. |
| 4/26/2013 | Larry Sanders, C, MIL |
No sign of injury for SandersNews: Bucks center Larry Sanders was able to play through a minor ankle injury in Thursday's Game 3 against the Heat, and he showed no signs of the injury bothering him. Sanders played 35 minutes in the game and matched Brandon Jennings for the team lead with 16 points. Sanders shot 7 of 10 from the field and added 11 rebounds, two steals and a blocked shot, in a 104-91 loss. Analysis: Sanders looked much more comfortable in Game 3 than he had earlier in the series, as the Bucks got out in transition more. His offensive game is not great, but he can use his size and athleticism to take advantage on the break. The 24-year-old averaged 12.0 points, 11.1 rebounds and 2.7 blocks over his last 26 contests and finished as the 20th highest scoring center, in terms of Fantasy points in all standard formats, despite missing 11 games. Sanders' shot-blocking ability also makes him a strong option in Rotisserie formats as well, so owners should consider targeting him in the middle rounds on Draft Day next fall. |
| 4/24/2013 | Robin Lopez, C, NO |
Lopez proves his worthNews: Entering the season, Hornets center Robin Lopez had never established himself as a consistently useful full-time player, but he ended up being an anchor for a young Hornets team. Lopez was the only player on the team to appear in all 82 games, and he was the starting center every time out. Lopez established new career highs across the board, putting up 11.3 points, 5.6 rebounds and 1.6 blocks in 26.0 minutes per game. He played 2,136 total minutes, after never topping the 1,000-minute mark in his first four seasons. Analysis: Lopez was never the most flashy option you could plug into the starting lineup for Fantasy purposes, as he finished just 36th among center-eligible players in Fantasy scoring per game. He made up for his lack of upside by simply being present, as his ranking shoots all the way up to 26th in total scoring. Lopez will never win you a Fantasy championship, but he appears to have found something good in New Orleans. He is worth targeting in the later rounds, as a dependable Fantasy reserve on Draft Day. |
| 4/24/2013 | Kosta Koufos, C, DEN |
Koufos not long for starting lineup?News: The Denver Post reported Wednesday that Nuggets coach George Karl is strongly considering removing center Kosta Koufos from the starting lineup beginning in Game 3 against the Warriors Friday. The Nuggets were outscored by 18 points in 14 minutes with Koufos on the floor in Game 2, and he finished scoreless with just two rebounds. Koufos has started 105 games over the last two seasons, including 81 this season. Analysis: Koufos started in all 81 of his games this season, but averaged just 22.4 minutes per game. The Nuggets don't ask their centers to do much, whether they come off the bench or start, so this should not impact his role much. It is telling that the Nuggets might not think much of Koufos as a long-term part of their core. Koufos is still under contract for $3.0 million over his next two seasons, but the team might opt to use him in a different role next season. Koufos goes through stretches where he is a useful Fantasy option, but he can usually be scooped up off the waiver wires. Ignore him until the last few rounds in most Fantasy formats next season. |
| 4/24/2013 | Marc Gasol, C, MEM |
Gasol recognized for defensive impactNews: As the anchor of the league's top defense, Grizzlies center Marc Gasol carried a lot of defensive weight on his broad shoulders. For his impact, Gasol was awarded the NBA's Defensive Player of the Year honor Wednesday. He took home the prize with 212 points and 30 first-place votes, edging out Miami's LeBron James, who had 149 points and 18 first-place votes. Gasol credited his teammates for the award. "It's a team game, and there's no way around it. That's how we play basketball," Gasol said. "We play as a unit, and defensively, you need five guys to play. One of us is not playing defense, we cannot do it. We play as a team. It actually feels much better when we do it like that. You create something bigger than yourself. It's not just about you." Analysis: Gasol does not post eye-popping defensive numbers, averaging 7.8 rebounds, 1.7 blocks and 1.0 steals per game, as much of his impact comes away from the ball and basket. He still manages to fill up the box score well on both sides of the floor. Gasol finished the regular season averaging 14.1 points, 7.8 rebounds, and 4.0 assists per game, while missing just two games. Gasol is steady and dependable across the board, a feature that makes him one of the better Fantasy options around. Gasol finished 11th in the league in Fantasy scoring per game among centers, and should be targeted in the early rounds on Draft Day next season. |
| 4/24/2013 | Greg Monroe, C, DET |
Monroe moving to power forward?News: The Pistons official team website reports that Greg Monroe expects to line up at power forward next season with Andre Drummond at center. "A lot more shooting, a little more ballhandling, just being comfortable being a little bit further off the block,” he said. “I’ll be off the block more, although I can’t really say.” The report says shooting more than anything tops his summer to-do list. “It will be more shooting than anything,” he said. “I’ll have the ball in different areas, but as far as ballhandling, it’s not like I’ll be bringing the ball up. At the top of the list, if I had to make a list, shooting would definitely be a big part of it. It just opens up everything for myself and the rest of the offense.” Analysis: Monroe had another solid season in his third year with 16.0 points, 9.6 rebounds and 3.5 assists, with the points and assists career highs. The move to power forward could hurt Monroe slightly, but we're not worried. He is worth drafting as a starting option in all leagues, and he should come off the board as early as Round 2. |
| 4/23/2013 | Nikola Vucevic, C, ORL |
Vucevic 'satisfied' with seasonNews: Despite finishing fourth in the voting for the NBA's 2012-13 Most Improved Player Award, Magic center Nikola Vucevic is happy with his production this season. Vucevic, who received 10 first-place votes and 109 points, scored a career-best 13.1 points per game and finished second in the NBA in rebounding, averaging 11.9 boards per contest. He also notched 46 double-doubles, which ranked third. “I’m pretty satisfied with the season I had,” Vucevic told the Orlando Sentinel. “The thing that I liked that I did this year is that I've gotten better as each month of the season went on, and I've stayed consistent. I was lucky to stay healthy for the most part except for a couple of games." Analysis: Most thought Gustavo Ayon would receive the bulk of the minutes at center this year, but a thumb injury sidelined him until November. That gave Vucevic all the time he needed to secure the team's starting center gig as he averaged a productive 10.2 points and 8.8 boards over his first 12 contests. However, the 22-year-old really hit his stride in the coming months, putting 14.7 points and 13.2 rebounds on 52.7 percent shooting from the field over his last 47 games. He also averaged 92 Fantasy points per week in all standard formats, proving he can be considered a high-end Fantasy option at this position. Most feel Vucevic hasn't even come close to reaching his ceiling yet, which bodes well for his value heading into the 2013-14 campaign. Fantasy owners should plan on targeting Vucevic in the early rounds of most draft formats next fall. |
| 4/22/2013 | Al Jefferson, C, UTA |
Jefferson mum on free agencyNews: Jazz center Al Jefferson, who is one of eight players on Utah's roster slated to be a free agent this summer, would not give reporters any hint of where he might be playing next season. “Everything is happening so fast,’’ he finally told the Deseret News. “I’m going to let (my agent) handle that when it comes time to get to the table and talk. I’ll cross that bridge when I get there.’’ Analysis: Most don't think the Jazz will be able to keep both Jefferson and Paul Millsap, so there is a chance his days in Utah may be numbered. The 28-year-old was Utah's most productive player this season as he averaged a team-high 17.8 points and 9.2 rebounds on the year. He has also averaged 30-plus Fantasy points per week in standard formats in each of the last six seasons and that is unlikely to change no matter where he ends up playing. While Fantasy owners should keep an eye on the situation moving forward, plan on spending another early-round pick on Jefferson next fall. |
| 4/22/2013 | Samuel Dalembert, C, MIL |
Dalembert interested in HeatNews: Bucks center Samuel Dalembert, who will be an unrestricted free agent over the summer, said he has interest in possibly playing for the Heat next season, reports FOX Sports. Dalembert said he would be open to taking a paycut to play for a contending team. “The Heat will be definitely an option,’’ Dalembert added. “It’s up to them and seeing what’s going to be out there. But at this point you want to be with a contending team. You don’t want to go backwards, so you want to chase that promised land.’’ Analysis: Dalembert began the season as Milwaukee's starting center but was replaced by second-year man Larry Sanders early in the year. The veteran only appeared in 47 games as he was constantly shuffled in and out of interim coach Jim Boylan's rotation. He averaged 6.7 points and 5.9 rebounds in his limited time on the court and has made no secret about wanting to get out of Milwaukee. Fantasy owners should keep an eye on where Dalembert lands over the summer. However, he will likely need to secure a starting gig to retain any sort of Fantasy value. |
| 4/22/2013 | Kendrick Perkins, C, OKC |
Perkins quiet in Game 1News: Thunder center Kendrick Perkins was not much of a factor during Game 1 of Oklahoma City's first-round playoff series against the Rockets. Perkins finished with four points in the 120-91 win on 2 of 4 shooting from the field. He also added four rebounds, three steals and one block to his stat line. Analysis: As expected, Perkins wasn't much of a factor in most Fantasy leagues this season, but owners should be used to that buy now. The 28-year-old averaged just 4.2 points on the year -- his lowest scoring output since the 2004-05 campaign. Perkins hasn't held much Fantasy value in each of the last three seasons and we don't see that changing next year. |
| 4/21/2013 | Al Horford, C, ATL |
Horford efficient in Game 1News: Hawks center Al Horford was fairly productive in Game 1 of Atlanta's first-round playoff series against the Pacers on Sunday. Horford finished with 14 points in the 107-90 defeat on 7 of 12 shooting from the field. He missed his lone free-throw attempt and added six rebounds, three assists, one steal and one block to his stat line, while logging 28 minutes of game action. Analysis: Horford had been nursing a sore left shoulder over the final few weeks of the regular season, but he was able to keep himself healthy for most of the year, In fact, Horford missed just seven games after appearing in just 11 contests back in 2011-12 due to a torn pectoral muscle. However, was able to come back better than ever as he averaged career highs in points (17.4), rebounds (10.2) and steals (1.1). He also shot 54.3 percent from the field, while averaging 34.4 Fantasy points per week in all standard formats, which ranked first among all centers. His solid all-around production also makes him one of the more productive big men in Rotisserie leagues, so owners should plan on targeting Horford in the early rounds of all draft formats next fall. |
| 4/20/2013 | Marcus Camby, C, NY |
Camby active, earns DNPNews: Knicks center Marcus Camby was ruled active for Game 1 of New York's first-round playoff series against the Celtics. However, he did not see the court in the 85-78 win, instead earning a DNP-coach's decision on the box score. Analysis: Camby has dealt with the old plantar fasciitis numerous times throughout his career and it limited him to just 24 games this season. He averaged just 3.5 points and 3.3 rebounds over that span, so we really don't know how much the 38-year-old realistically has left in the tank. At this point, it doesn't appear he will have much Fantasy value heading into next season. |
