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Latest News |
| 5/24/2012 | Udonis Haslem, PF, MIA |
Haslem earns suspensionNews: Heat forward Udonis Haslem earned a one-game suspension for his Flagrant foul on Pacers forward Tyler Hansbrough on Tuesday, meaning he will be unavailable for the team's matchup on Thursday in a potentially-decisive Game 6. Analysis: Haslem insists that the hit on Hansbrough was not intentional, and he plans on appealing the suspension, however that won't change his status for the game. He is averaging just 6.0 points and 4.2 rebounds per game in the series and should not be missed much in Fantasy postseason formats. |
| 5/24/2012 | Greg Stiemsma, C, BOS |
Foot injury limiting StiemsmaNews: Celtics center Greg Stiemsma has been playing on an injured left foot for the last month, and on Wednesday it became to much of an issue for him to deal with, as he was only able to play five minutes in Game 6 of the Eastern Conference Semifinal in Philadelphia. He recorded no stats in the game, afterward telling WEEI.com in Boston, "This is as bad as it's been. I'll stay off it for the next few days. I'll be ready for Saturday." Analysis: He has managed to play through the injury with very few exceptions since the final few weeks of the regular season, so we have no reason to doubt thathe will be able to go for Game 7, especially with two nights off. Still, he sounds like he is in a ton of pain and might be limited for the game, so avoid him in all Fantasy postseason formats. |
| 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 don’t rely on him in postseason Fantasy 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 Denver’s 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 don’t 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 | Shawne Williams, SF, POR |
Williams expected to exercise optionNews: Trailblazers acting general managed Chad Buchanan told The Oregonian that he expects forward Shawne Williams, who did not play with the team after being acquired in the Gerald Wallace trade after undergoing foot surgery, to exercise his player option for $3.1 million for the 2012-13 season. Analysis: Williams will likely be the third power forward on the roster, so minutes will be hard to come by. He brings a solid three-point shot to the table, however he likely does not have much of a place in Portland’s offense. He is not worth targeting on Draft Day. |
| 5/20/2012 | Hassan Whiteside, C, SAC |
Kings to decide on WhitesideNews: Kings forward Hassan Whiteside continues to rehabilitate an injured right ankle that cost him the final three weeks of the season. In an interview with the Sacramento Bee, Kings president Geoff Petrie said that the team is going to keep an eye on his progress before making a decision on his player option this summer. Analysis: Whiteside was a Kings second-round pick in the 2010 NBA Draft, and he has played just 111 minutes at the NBA level in two seasons. The team obviously likes his abilities, however he has a lot to prove before he is even worth considered in Fantasy. |
| 5/20/2012 | Eric Maynor, PG, OKC |
Maynor “progressing very well”News: 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 team’s 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 | Greg Oden, C, POR |
Oden reportedly undergoes procedure in GermanyNews: Free agent center Greg Oden continues to recover from microfracture surgery on his left knee, and, according to ESPN.com, recently underwent the same knee procedure Lakers guard Kobe Bryant had in Germany last summer to relieve pain and swelling in the knee. Oden, who has played in just 82 games since being the first pick in the 2007 NBA Draft due to a multitude of knee injuries, remains optimistic that he can make a return to the league as he continues to rehab the knee. Analysis: According to the report, Oden remains in contact with as many as seven NBA teams, who could be interested in his service if he is able to return next season, however there is no timetable for his recovery at this time. He seems intent on getting back into playing shape, however at this point, he would need to show a lot for Fantasy owners to be willing to take a flyer on him on Draft Day. |
| 5/20/2012 | Jeff Green, PF, BOS |
Green hopes to return to BostonNews: The Sporting News reported last week that Celtics forward Jeff Green, an impending restricted free agent, hopes to return to Boston next season, after missing the 2011-12 season after undergoing surgery on his heart. Analysis: Green, 25, averaged 9.8 points and 3.3 rebounds last season after joining the Celtics in a trade that sent Kendrick Perkins to Oklahoma City. It's encouraging he Green should be able to compete next year, however there is so much uncertainty surrounding his health as well as where he will be playing that he should be avoided in most Fantasy leagues on Draft Day. |
| 5/20/2012 | Brook Lopez, C, NJ |
Lopez back on the floorNews: The New York Post reported on Sunday that Nets center Brook Lopez has returned to the practice court, shooting jumpers during the Nets’ NBA Draft combine. “Brook’s making good progress,” Nets general manager Billy King said. “He was in here [Friday]. ... It’s great anytime you have guys in the gym, but it’s also good to see Brook shooting on the court. Lopez, who was limited to just five games this season with foot injuries, has still not been cleared to run or jump, however he is expected to be fine well in advance of the beginning of the 2012-13 season. Analysis: Lopez is a restricted free agent this summer, however unless the team makes another run at Dwight Howard via trade, he is likely going to return to the team. He was a major disappointment last season because of injuries, however with an offseason to heal, Lopez is expected to be fine for the start of training camp. Barring another setback while recovering, Lopez should be considered a high-end Fantasy center and worthy of taking in the early rounds despite the injury-riddled season. |
| 5/20/2012 | Andrew Bogut, C, GS |
Bogut expected to be ready for campNews: Warriors center Andrew Bogut had surgery at the end of April to clear out “loose particles and bone spurs” from his left ankle, according to the Contra Costa Times. He is expected to be okay by the beginning of August, which leaves him two months to get ready for training camp for the 2012-13 season, which begins in October. Analysis: The Warriors acquired Bogut at the trade deadline last season knowing he would not be able to play, however they are hoping he will be able to solidify the front court of a team that finished second-to-last in the league in runs allowed. He was averaged his lowest point and rebound totals since his rookie season before the injury, however he is expected to have a bigger role in Golden State, so consider him a No. 1 center and a mid-round pick on Draft Day. |
| 5/20/2012 | Darrell Arthur, PF, MEM |
Decision looms on ArthurNews: Grizzlies forward Darrell Arthur, who continues to recover from Achilles surgery that cost him the entire 2011-12 season, is a restricted free-agent this season, meaning the team must decide whether he is worth keeping around. According to the Memphis Daily News, the Grizzlies will likely be able to retain only one of Arthur or fellow restrict free agent Marreese Speights this offseason. Analysis: By all indications, Arthur is recovering on schedule, which means he should be ready for the start of the 2012-13 season. He emerged as a valuable reserve for the team during 2010-11, and was expected to take another step forward as the team’s third big man before the injury. He is probably a talented enough player to earn more minutes with another team, however that would depend entirely on whether the Grizzlies decide to bring him back. His Fantasy value will be determined by what his role is heading into next season, however he will likely just be a late-round selection with upside on Draft Day. |
| 5/20/2012 | LaMarcus Aldridge, PF, POR |
Aldridge not looking likely for OlympicsNews: Trail Blazers forward LaMarcus Aldridge underwent surgery to repair a labral tear in his right hip on May 10, and posted on his twitter account that he is has not begun walking yet. This puts his status for the 2012 Summer Olympics in serious jeopardy, as the recovery time for his surgery is expected to take between two and four months. The roster for Team USA is expected to be set by July 8, which means he would have to make an extremely quick recovery to be ready. Jerry Colangelo, director of USA Basketball, told Comcast Sports Net Northwest that he does not expect Aldridge to be a part of the team. “In our minds, he's (Aldridge) on our unavailable list,” Colangelo told CSNNW.com. “We haven't heard from anybody telling us he's going to try and play. I got to hear from somebody. An agent, a doctor, somebody. As of now, we're going in thinking he's unavailable.” Analysis: Ultimately, this is probably good news for Aldridge’s Fantasy value, as he would be risking a set back by trying to return early for the Olympics. While it would have been nice to see him prove he is healthy well in advance of the season, this gives him more than enough time to get to full strength by the time the season begins. Barring any sort of unforeseen issues, he will be good to go by training camp, which means Fantasy owners should target him in the early rounds on Draft Day without fear. |
| 5/20/2012 | Anderson Varejao, C, CLE |
Varejao looking toward OlympicsNews: Cavaliers center Anderson Varejao missed the final 41 games of the 2011-12 season with a wrist injury, however he appears to be passed that injury and ready to help Brazil in the 2012 Olympic Games in London in July. "This has been a longtime dream of mine," Varejao said. "I've played in a lot of competitions with Brazil, but playing in the Olympics is different. I'm very motivated. I think we have a group capable of fighting for a medal in London." Analysis: Brazil has not appeared in the Olympics in 16 years, and after missing more than two months at the end of the NBA season, it will give Varejao a good chance to shake off the rust and show that he is over any lingering effects from the injury. For some players, there are concerns about conditioning and fatigue after playing in the Olympics, however given his extended layoff, Varejao should be in peak physical condition heading into the next season. Barring a setback over the summer, Varejao should be considered a high-end No. 2 Fantasy center, worth targeting with a mid-round pick on Draft Day. |
| 5/16/2012 | Emeka Okafor, C, NO |
Okafor to be monitoredNews: The Hornets plan to keep a close eye on center Emeka Okafor’s progress during the summer before making a decision on what they will do with the veteran, who missed 39 games in 2011-12 with a left knee injury and has two years left on his contract. According to the New Orleans Times-Picayune, the team could use their amnesty clause provision on him, after younger big men like Gustavo Ayon and Jason Smith showed potential this season. Analysis: Okafor missed most of the final three months of the season with the knee injury, which never received an official diagnosis. He underwent a number of tests, but all the team ever said publicly is that he was “sore.” The team says he will work out with some of their younger players to test the strength of the knee before they decide how they will proceed. Okafor’s numbers dropped to their lowest level this season, as he averaged a career low 9.9 points and 7.9 rebounds per game in 27 contests, and it will be interesting to see what happens with him this summer, as he turns 30 before the start of next season. Despite the uncertainty surrounding him, he should still be considered a No. 2 Fantasy center next season, worth targeting with a late middle round selection 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. |
| 5/16/2012 | Al Harrington, PF, DEN |
Harrington undergoes meniscus surgeryNews: After playing the final 11 games of the regular season and the first round of the playoffs with a torn meniscus, Nuggets forward Al Harrington had surgery on Wednesday to repair the damage in his right knee. He is expected to recover over the summer and be ready for the start of the season. Analysis: Harrington bounced back from a poor first season in Denver, taking on a larger role and stepping up his game as the team’s sixth man. He averaged 14.2 points per game on the season despite playing just 27.5 minutes per game. He also added 6.1 rebounds per game, and he should continue to be a major part of the team’s rotation going forward, as he is a perfect fit as a stretch power forward in the team’s fast-paced offense. At 32 and coming off knee surgery, he might be expected to take a back seat, especially with the emergence of rookie Kenneth Faried, however Harrington still offers a unique blend of long-range shooting and rebounding that makes him worthy of targeting in the middle rounds on Draft Day. |
| 5/14/2012 | Chris Bosh, PF, MIA |
Bosh out indefinitely after MRINews: Miami forward Chris Bosh will be sidelined indefinitely because of a strained abdominal muscle, the team announced. An MRI exam performed Monday confirmed the diagnosis. Bosh suffered the injury late in the first half of the Heat's victory over Indiana on Sunday in Game 1 of their Eastern Conference semifinal series. Game 2 is Tuesday. Bosh's minutes will likely be filled by Joel Anthony and Ronny Turiaf, both of whom played extended stretches Sunday after Bosh departed. "This season has to be extended for me to play," Bosh told The Miami Herald. Analysis: Heat coach Erik Spoelstra attempted to downplay the severity of the injury, but did not provide a timeline for Bosh's return. "We thought it could be a lot worse," he told reporters after the team's practice Monday. "We're not even going to speculate." Bosh, 28, averaged 18.0 points and 7.9 rebounds per game for Miami this season. He appeared in 57 of Miami's 66 regular-season games after dealing with minor issues. Fantasy owners should monitor his status during the rest of the playoffs as he is considered an early round option in 2012 drafts. |
| 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 NBA’s 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. |
| 5/4/2012 | 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. Delfino’s 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 | Channing Frye, C, PHO |
Frye has surgeryNews: Suns forward Channing Frye underwent surgery on his right shoulder on Wednesday to repair a dislocation and subluxation suffered during a game in late April. He is expected to be healthy for the start of the 2012-13 season. Analysis: Frye struggled with his shot all season long, as he shot a career low 41.6 percent from the field, with 10.5 points per game. He took a step back from the year before in almost all categories, and now looks at next season in Phoenix without Steve Nash to get him open shots, after a summer of recovery. Despite that, Frye should be targeted in the later rounds on Draft Day in most leagues for his ability to rebound and hit the three. |
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