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| 5/23/2012 | Avery Bradley, PG, BOS |
Report: Bradley likely done for postseasonNews: The Boston Herald reported Wednesday that Celtics guard Avery Bradley "definitely" needs surgery on his injured left shoulder soon, and is not expected to play during the remainder of the postseason. Analysis: Bradley has been dealing with this injury for a while, and he was trying to play through it until the end of the postseason, however now it looks like he is done for the season. Bradley became a much larger part of the Celtics plans this season, logging career highs across the board in his second season in the league. If the Celtics can advance in the postseason, he may try to get on the floor again, however at this point that is not looking likely, so dont rely on him in postseason Fantasy formats. |
| 5/23/2012 | Lance Stephenson, SG, IND |
Stephenson takes hard foulNews: Little-used Pacers reserve guard Lance Stephenson was forced to get X-rays on his collarbone after Tuesdays Game 5 in Miami, as the result of an elbow from Heat center Dexter Pittman in the waning moments of a 115-83 Heat victory. Stephenson, who drew criticism from Heat players after making a choke sign during Game 3 towards LeBron, appears to have escaped relatively unscathed, as the X-rays showed no fractures. Pittman received a Flagrant 1 foul for the play and may be looking at a suspension. Analysis: Stephenson had played just six minutes in the postseason prior to Game 5, as he has been used only in blowouts. The injury looked serious at the time, however it appears there was no long-term damage done. Having said that, this may be the last we have seen of Stephenson in the postseason, so he is not worth owning in any Fantasy postseason leagues. |
| 5/21/2012 | Dwyane Wade, SG, MIA |
Report: Wade gets fluid drained from kneeNews: Heat guard Dwyane Wade struggled in a major way during the first three games of the Eastern Conference Semifinal against Indiana, with the worst of it coming during a 2 for 13 shooting night in Game 3 when he scored just five points. According to ESPN.com, there is an explanation for that, as he reportedly needed fluid drained from his left knee prior to the game. That seemed to do the trick, as he bounced back in a major way on Sunday, scoring 30 points on 13 for 23 shooting to lead the Heat to a 101-93 victory in Game 4. Analysis: Wade shot just 31 percent from the field in the first three games of the series, and there had been rumblings that he was dealing with a lower-leg injury that had been limiting him, so this reported certainly seems believable. Wade bounded back in a major way on Sunday, looking very much like a new man. Hopefully he can sustain this production moving forward, as he is a must-start Fantasy option for all postseason formats. |
| 5/21/2012 | Rudy Fernandez, SG, DEN |
Fernandez mulls over optionsNews: Nuggets guard Rudy Fernandez is spending the summer in Spain recovering from back surgery and, as he told TuBasket.com, a Spanish-language website that covers basketball in Spain, he may decide to stay there even when he heals up. Fernandez turned down a contract offer from Real Madrid last summer that would have made him the highest-paid player in Spain, however as a restricted free-agent this year, he plans on weighting all of his options. Analysis: The contract Fernandez reportedly turned down last summer would have been for six years and $26 million, so it will be interesting to see if any teams are willing to offer him something comparable. Fernandez was unable to emerge as a full-time player in Denvers deep rotation, averaging 8.6 points in 22.9 minutes per game. He seems to have hit a plateau in his NBA development from his 10.4 point per game campaign as a rookie, so even if he does keep on playing in the NBA, he will likely be just a Fantasy reserve, so dont plan on targeting him on Draft Day. |
| 5/20/2012 | Daniel Gibson, PG, CLE |
Cavs expected to keep GibsonNews: Cavaliers guard Daniel Gibson, who missed the final month of the season after undergoing surgery to repair a torn tendon in his left ankle, is expected to return to the team for the 2012-13 season, as the Cleveland Plain Dealer speculates that the team will pick up the $4.8 million team option on him. Analysis: Gibson is expected to be recovered well before the beginning of the season, so the only question heading into next season will be that team option. Gibson struggled with his shot last season, hitting just 35.1 percent of his attempts from the field, however at that price the team should find a place for hm. He missed 31 games last season, however as a backup point guard with range, he gives the team decent production. However as long as Kyrie Irving is around, Gibson won't have anything close to starter's minutes and should be avoided in all leagues on Draft Day. |
| 5/20/2012 | Jarrett Jack, PG, NO |
Jack resting stress fractureNews: Hornets guard Jarrett Jack, who missed the final three weeks of the season with a stress fracture in his right foot, has been resting the injury and is expected to get back on the floor in preparation for next season by the middle of June. Jack, who is entering the final season of a four-year contract with the Hornets, was expected to rest for six to eight weeks after being shut down for the season. Analysis: Jack was quite good in replacing Chris Paul this season, average 15.6 points, 6.3 assists and 3.9 rebounds per game career highs across the board. The 28-year-old dealt with injuries throughout, missing 11 games, however he was solid whenever he played and should return to that same level of effectiveness in the coming season. He should be considered a solid Fantasy option at the guard position, one worth selecting with an early middle round pick on Draft Day. |
| 5/20/2012 | Mario Chalmers, PG, MIA |
Wrist not an issue for ChalmersNews: Heat guard Mario Chalmers did not seem bothered during Sundays Game 4 in Indiana by the right wrist injury he suffered during Game 3. Chalmers played 33 minutes in the game, scoring eight points and adding three assists, three rebounds, two steals and a block as the Heat took down the Pacers to even the series, 101-93. Analysis: Chalmers was not expected to miss any time with the injury, so it was no surprise to see him on the floor. He enjoyed a breakout game during Game 3, scoring 25 points, and is now averaging 11.6 points per game during eight playoff games. He is worth using as a low-end Fantasy option in postseason formats. |
| 5/20/2012 | Eric Maynor, PG, OKC |
Maynor progressing very wellNews: Thunder guard Eric Maynor remains on target to get back to the team in time for 2012-13 training camp, after undergoing surgery to repair a torn ACL in his right knee in January. According to The Oklahoman, Maynor has been with the team and taking part in shooting drills, and should be ready for the start of next season. "He's progressing very well," Thunder coach Scott Brooks said. Analysis: Maynor fills an important role for the Thunder as the teams backup point guard, however he has never averaged more than 4.2 points or 3.3 assists per game. It sounds like he plans to be there when the season begins, however he is unlikely to have much value in most Fantasy leagues and should not be targeted on Draft Day. |
| 5/20/2012 | Roger Mason Jr., SG, WAS |
Mason hopes to return to WashingtonNews: Free agent guard Roger Mason Jr., who spent the majority of last season with the Wizards before being waived after undergoing surgery on his left index finger that ended his season, told the Washington Post that he would like to return to the team as a free agent this offseason. Analysis: Mason has suffered no setbacks on the injury, which means he should be healthy by the start of next season. The Wizards still have a need for a veteran presence, so the 32-year-old may find the interest mutual. Even if he does return, however, he averaged just 5.5 points and 1.3 rebounds per game last season, so he is unlikely to have any Fantasy value and should not be targeted on Draft Day. |
| 5/20/2012 | Derrick Rose, PG, CHI |
Rose could be out for a yearNews: Bulls guard Derrick Rose successfully underwent surgery to repair the torn ACL in his left knee last Saturday, and Bulls team physician Dr. Brian Cole said the timeline for his return is eight months to a year. That means Rose, who missed 27 games for various injuries this season before suffering the knee injury during the first game of the playoffs, could return by January next season at the earliest and might end up missing the entire season as he recovers and rehabs from the surgery. Analysis: The injury dealt a huge blow to the Bulls championship chances this season and looks like it is going to change the landscape of the 2012-13 Fantasy season as well. As it stands, the guard, who would be a first-round worthy pick if healthy, is going to miss around half of the season in a best-case scenario, which means that Fantasy owners will have to make the choice of grabbing him on Draft Day and stashing him or taking the chance that they can pick him up whenever he becomes healthy. At this point, the wisest course of action is to play it safe and avoid him on Draft Day in all formats. |
| 5/20/2012 | Jordan Farmar, PG, NJ |
Farmar should be Brooklyn boundNews: The New York Post reports that Nets guard Jordan Farmar is expected to pick up his $4 million player option for next season. Farmar missed the final month of the season with a groin injury, but still posted career highs of 10.4 points per game and 46.7 percent from the field. Analysis: Farmar's Fantasy value for next season is going to be directly tied to what happens with Deron Williams, who is expected to test free agency this summer. Farmar has averaged right around 10 points in each of his seasons in New Jersey, despite playing less than 25 minutes per game, so he could be a solid Fantasy option if Williams leaves. It will all depend on what Williams decides to do, however Farmer will likely be a late-round selection on Draft Day. |
| 5/20/2012 | Jerryd Bayless, PG, TOR |
Bayless hopes to remain a RaptorNews: Raptors guard Jerryd Bayless, who missed the final 16 games of the season with a partially torn oblique muscle, told the Toronto Sun that he hopes to remain with the team, as a restricted free agent this summer. Bayless indicated to the team that he is interested in returning, telling the Sun that he plans to remain in Toronto over the summer working on his game, which certainly makes it seem as if he expects to be a Raptor next season. He is expected to be fully healthy by the team he is eligible to become a free agent, in July. Analysis: Bayless tantalizes with flashes of his talent, as he averaged 17.8 points and 5.3 assists per game in 11 starts this season, however he has yet to be able to stay healthy and productive while finding his niche. He told the Sun that he thinks his best position is point guard, however the Raptors are set there, with incumbent Jose Calderon manning the spot. If Bayless returns to Toronto, as would seem to be the case at this time, he would likely only be worth a late-round selection on Draft Day. |
| 5/20/2012 | O.J. Mayo, SG, MEM |
Mayo could test free agencyNews: Grizzlies guard O.J. Mayo is a restricted free-agent this summer, and with the Grizzlies nearly capped out for the 2012-13 season, the team is not expected to retain his services. Mayo told the Memphis Commercial-Appeal after the teams first-round loss to the Clippers in the playoffs that he is interested in staying, stating, "[the team] just keeps getting better and better. Why not stick around and finish it out and see where we can get?" What could complicate that desire is Mayos stated wish to play point guard moving forward, as the Grizzlies already have big money invested in current starter Mike Conley and seem to have no plans to bring Mayo back into the starting lineup after he played the role of the sixth-man over the previous two playoff campaigns.. Analysis: Mayo is coming off a tough first-round of the playoffs, when he shot just 27.4 percent from the field while average 8.9 points per game in seven games against the Clippers. However, he has shown a clear offensive ability, averaging 12.6 points per game in just 26.8 minutes this season. He will likely be one of the most intriguing names on the free-agent market this season, and could end up finding a place where a team utilizes him as a primary scorer. The likely best-case scenario for his Fantasy value would be a move to a new city, so keep an eye out for where he lands and consider him a late-round Fantasy option with upside on Draft Day. |
| 5/16/2012 | Kyle Lowry, PG, HOU |
Lowry expected to be fine after surgeryNews: Rockets guard Kyle Lowry had surgery at the beginning of May to repair a sport hernia injury that kept him out of the final two games of the season. He mixed 19 games over the final two months of the season, largely due to a bacterial infection, before the hernia. According to NBA.com, he is expected to be sidelined for six to eight weeks due to the surgery, and will then resume a normal offseason training program. Analysis: Lowry was in the midst of a total breakout campaign before a stomach virus cost him a month of the season and derailed him. Lowry was averaging 15.6 points, 5.3 rebounds and 7.6 assists per game through the first half of the season, however he played just 15 games after that point. With the emergence of Goran Dragic, the Rockets will have a decision to make about their back court next season. Lowry is expected to be healthy by the time training camps start, and should be considered a mid-round selection on Draft Day. |
| 5/14/2012 | James Harden, SG, OKC |
Harden league's top reserveNews: Oklahoma Citys season continues as they keep their eye on the NBA title in the postseason, however guard James Harden has already earned himself one piece of hardware, as he was named the NBAs Sixth Man of the Year last week. Harden lead the league in scoring off the bench, as he averaged 16.8 points per game in 31.4 minutes per game. Analysis: Harden has emerged as one of the most efficient scorers in the league, as he scored his 16.8 points per game on just 10.1 field goal attempts. He is hardly the ideal of a reserve, as he finished third on the Thunder in minutes per game, however he often plays with the second unit and came off the bench in 60 of his 62 games. He remains a high-end Fantasy option for postseason formats as the Thunder continue to advance. |
| 5/12/2012 | Chris Paul, PG, LAC |
Paul battles through sore groinNews: Clippers guard Chris Paul suffered a re-aggravation of his lingering groin injury during Game 5 vs. the Grizzlies, however unsurprisingly, he played through it on Friday as the Clippers tried to close the series out in Game 6. While Paul was able to play, he seemed limited by the injury, finishing with a personal series-low of 11 points on 4 of 9 shooting. He did grab five rebounds and dish out seven assists, with three steals as well, however he clearly did not seem 100 percent comfortable as he fouled out after 35 minutes and the Clippers fell, 90-88. Analysis: The best possible thing for Pauls health would have been for the Clippers to close the series out and hopefully get some extra time off before the next series begins, but now he will have to fight through the pain again on Sunday for Game 7. He will try to push the Clippers to the second round of the playoffs on Sunday, and remains a must-start Fantasy option despite the lingering soreness. |
| 5/10/2012 | Jeremy Lin, PG, NY |
Lin looks toward next yearNews: Knicks guard Jeremy Lin was unable to play in Wednesday's Game 5 in Miami as he continues to recover from knee surgery, and with the Knicks succumbing to the Heat, he now has to wait until next season to return to the court. However, before that can happen, Lin will have to deal with free agency, as he is an unrestricted free agent this summer. Lin, who rose from obscurity to briefly join the ranks of the NBAs elite this season, finished with averages of 14.6 points and 6.2 assists in 35 games played. He shot 44.6 percent from the field and 32.0 percent from the field, however those numbers do not accurately reflect how well he played in his 25 starts. Lin took the league by storm in those 25 starts, averaging 18.2 points and 7.7 assists while averaging 34 minutes per game before suffering what would prove to be a season-ending cartilage tear in his knee. Analysis: Lin should be completely healed in time for the start of free agency in July, and while the Knicks are expected to retain him after giving him his breakout chance this season, it will be interesting to see how the bidding goes when he gets to the market. The Knicks, capped out with their three max-salary players, can only offer Lin a limited contract, so if some other interested team decides to do so, they may be able to swoop in and overwhelm the phenom from Harvard. The best possible outcome for Lin's free agency would likely to be return to New York, where the plethora of offensive options will make life easier for him, however his Fantasy value will likely depend in some part on his eventual landing spot. Lin's eventual Draft Day value will be interesting to watch next season, as he played like a first-round pick before the injury but has almost no track record to back him up. He will likely go in the early-middle rounds on Draft Day next season. |
| 5/7/2012 | Baron Davis, PG, NY |
Davis out 12 monthsNews: Knicks guard Baron Davis' MRI taken on his injured right knee revealed a partial tear of the patella tendon and complete tears of his ACL and MCL, the team announced on Monday. Davis, who suffered the injury during Game 4 of the Knicks' first-round series against the Heat on Sunday, is expected to be sidelined for 12 months. Analysis: This is a huge blow for Davis as he suffered tremendous damage to his right knee. While his official timetable is somewhere around a year, you have to wonder if this could be the end for the 33-year-old. Davis is no stranger to recovering from injuries, but he will likely be facing the steepest uphill climb in his career. Fantasy owners should continue to monitor the situation moving forward as more details become available. However, it sounds like Davis will be out until at least next spring. |
| 5/7/2012 | Jason Kidd, PG, DAL |
Kidds season comes to an endNews: Fittingly, Mavericks guard Jason Kidd flirted with a triple-double in his final game of the season on Saturday against Oklahoma City, scoring 16 points, with eight assists and seven rebounds during a 103-97 loss in Game 4 that sent the Mavericks packing. Kidd, 39, will become a free agent in the offseason, and the Mavericks are likely not going to bring him back for a sixth season. Analysis: The Mavericks are looking to add a superstar this offseason, so there may not be room for Kidd, especially after he missed 18 games this season and post career lows across the board. He has said he plans on coming back for at least one more season, so it will be interesting to see what kind of offers the veteran gets, coming off a season in which he averaged 6.2 points and 5.5 assists in 28.7 minutes per game. He can still dish the ball, and he has emerged as a solid defender and three-point shooter late in his career, however he will likely have trouble finding a place where he will be able to best those numbers, so he should only be taken with a late-round selection on Draft Day. |
| 5/6/2012 | Jason Terry, SG, DAL |
Terry heads into free agencyNews: The Mavericks 103-97 loss in Game 4 of the first-round playoff series against the Thunder on Saturday, their title defense came to an end, and now the team has a decision to make with veteran guard Jason Terry. Terry, who scored just 11 points on 4 of 12 shooting in 43 minutes on Saturday, has spent the last eight seasons in Dallas, but is now a free agent for the first time in his career, at 34 years old. The Mavericks have been clearing up cap space to go after a big free agent in the offseason, so Terry might not fit in their plans. "This is where the Jet was made," said Terry to ESPN.com after the game. "The whole mantra of the Jet's on the runway, and the community and everything, they made me who I am. So that's just a hard pill to swallow if I have to leave that behind. But it's a reality." Analysis: Terry stayed remarkably consistent in his final three years in Dallas, scoring 15.1 points per game this season after years of 16.6 and 15.8 before that. He has managed to keep his decline slow into his mid-30s, but now what needs to be seen is if a team is willing to give the bench-specialist a multi-year deal. Terry, who has a tattoo of the Larry OBrien trophy on his right bicep, will likely try to catch on with a title contender next season, which may limit his opportunities to score. Keep an eye on where he goes, as he is still a fine offensive player who can help any team, who should be worth targeting in the middle rounds on Draft Day wherever he lands. |
| 5/5/2012 | Rajon Rondo, PG, BOS |
Rondo triples up in return from suspensionNews: Celtics guard Rajon Rondo made up for lost time on Friday, putting up the sixth postseason triple-double of his career, with 17 points, 12 assist and 14 rebounds in Game 3 of the first round of the playoffs against the Hawks, to lead the Celtics to a 90-84 win. Rondo, who missed the second game of the series after being suspended for bumping into a referee, played 49 minutes in the overtime game, shooting 7 of 22 from the field, while adding four steals and six turnovers in the game. Analysis: Rondo did not miss a beat after missing the game, extending his double-digit assist streak to 26 games going back to the regular season. It was a good sign to see him put the suspension behind him and focus on the game, and now hopefully this will be the end of the distractions for him in the playoffs. Rondo should be considered a high-end Fantasy option in all postseason formats now. |
| 5/5/2012 | Ray Allen, SG, BOS |
Allen returns to the floorNews: After missing the final games of the regular season and first two of the postseason, guard Ray Allen was finally back on the floor for the Celtics for Fridays Game 3 against the Hawks. Allen played 37 minutes in the game, scoring 13 points on 6 of 12 shooting, and he might have to be inserted back into the starting lineup for Game 4, after Avery Bradley was forced to miss the entire fourth quarter with a dislocated left shoulder. Analysis: Allen keeps himself in impeccable physical shape, so it was no surprise to see him able to play 37 minutes after missing almost a month of games, and the Celtics may need him even more in the next game with Bradleys injury. His minutes moving forward are going to be tied to Bradleys availability, however Allen should be worth using as a low-end Fantasy option in all postseason formats no matter what his role is. |
| 5/4/2012 | Carlos Delfino, SG, MIL |
Delfino goes under the knifeNews: The Bucks announced on Thursday that forward Carlos Delfino underwent successful surgery to repair a sports hernia, an injury he dealt with for the final month of the season. Recovery time is expected to be between six and eight weeks, and he should be fully healed by the time next season begins. Analysis: Delfino saw a slight dip in production last season, despite being a starter the majority of the time, as he played his lowest average minutes per game since 07-08. Delfinos scoring dropped to 9.0 points per game, however he retained his solid three-point shooting, nailing 36.0 percent of his tries from beyond the arc. Delfino is a restricted free agent this offseason, and it will be interesting to see what the Bucks do with him, as they seem to have a glut of options on the wing. He will garner interest on the free-agent market once healthy, however he will likely return to a similar role where ever he lands, making him worthy of just a late-round selection on Draft Day. |
| 5/2/2012 | Andre Iguodala, SG, PHI |
Iguodala's Achilles' acting upNews: The 76ers placed forward Andre Iguodala on the injury report following Game 2 of their first-round playoff series against the Bulls with right Achilles tendonitis. Iguodala, who finished with 11 points, five rebounds three assists and one steal in the 109-92 win, was seen limping around in the fourth quarter on Tuesday night. However, Philadelphia did not comment on his in jury following the game. Analysis: Iguodala has played through this issue for much of the season and it appears to popping back up at a very inopportune time. While we would expect the 28-year-old to try and play through his injury moving forward, if he can't, the 76ers might be in trouble. Coach Doug Collins likes a good portion of the offense to run through Iguodala, which is only part of what makes his presence on the floor so important. Keep an eye on his status moving forward. Iguodala can be considered a high-end option in all formats when healthy. |
| 5/1/2012 | Deron Williams, PG, NJ |
Nets confident Williams will stayNews: Nets general manager Bill King said Tuesday he believes All-Star point guard Deron Williams will join the team in its new home in Brooklyn after exploring free agency this summer. Speaking at a year-end news conference, King sounded confident that he would be able to re-sign Williams after the 27-year-old opts out of the final year of his contract. "I feel pretty good," he said. "I haven't wavered all year in my thought process with this. I think he and I understand what I've got to do and where we've got to get to. The goal is to win." Analysis: The problem is convincing Williams to stay. He has said he will opt out of the final year of a contract that will pay him $17.8 million next season to test the free agent market. Williams wants to play for a team that can win a title. The Nets believe they are building a contender and have the added attraction of a state-of-the art facility that King believes will be the best in the league. Williams led the team by averaging 21 points, 8.7 assists and 36.3 minutes. With his situation far from settled, Fantasy owners should monitor Williams throughout the offseason. Regardless of where he lands, he will remain an early round pick in 2012 Fantasy drafts. |
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