NBA DFS Podcast - December 30

Kuminga is one of the restricted free agents who remain on the board, and he and the Warriors have failed to come to an agreement on a deal. While it has been reported that the franchise has offered a two-year, $45 million contract with a team option, Kuminga and his representation feel that he would be little more than a “pawn” if he were to accept that deal. “Now, if you’re talking about a three-year deal, if you’re talking about something with a player option that shows him a little bit more commitment, that’s something he’d be interested in,” Slater said on ESPN’s NBA Today. “But as of now, the Warriors have been hesitant to do that, and because of that, Kuminga is signaling to those around him that he’s very willing – and prefers – (to sign) the qualifying offer over the two-year, $45MM deal. That’s dangerous for the Warriors. They can try to call his bluff, but right now, it seems to be trending toward the qualifying offer.” While accepting the qualifying offer would not protect Kuminga from being traded during the season, it would give him more say in his long-term future than accepting the two-year deal the Warriors have reportedly offered.

Highsmith has been a solid rotation piece for the Heat in recent seasons and will now head to Brooklyn in what appears to be a cost-cutting move for Miami. Highsmith underwent knee surgery earlier this month and is set to be sidelined until October. If the Nets keep him around, he may not be available for the start of the season.

Slovenia is still playing their preparation games ahead of Eurobasket, and there is no reason for Doncic to play both legs of their exhibition back-to-back. Doncic will play against his former teammate Kristaps Porzingis on Saturday. Eurobasket will begin on August 27, with Slovenia’s first game coming against Poland on August 28.

Williams, the 46th overall pick in June’s draft, will occupy the Celtics’ third and final two-way contract slot this season. The 7-footer, who began his college career at Drexel before transferring to Kentucky for the 2024-25 season, is a capable defender and facilitator. Last season, Williams led the Wildcats in assists, and his playmaking potential was also on display during summer league action.

Initially reported as a one-year agreement, Coffey has agreed to a non-guaranteed training camp deal. Not selected in the 2019 draft, he spent his first six seasons with the Clippers, averaging 6.7 points, 1.9 rebounds, 1.1 assists and 1.0 three-pointers in 18.4 minutes per game. Last season, Coffey shot nearly 41 percent from three on 3.4 attempts per game while also averaging a career-best 9.7 points.

The 76ers will get a head start on training camp due to their two preseason games against the Knicks in Abu Dhabi. However, whether Embiid will be ready to go after undergoing knee surgery in April is unknown. “I know he’s working very, very hard and I think things look good,” Nurse told talkSport’s Brian T. Smith. “Whether he’s ready for training camp or not, I think there’s maybe a lot more decisions than that to make before we get there. But our main thing is that he’s healthy to play and play to his nearest capabilities, because he’s awesome, no doubt about that.” Embiid has totaled 58 games in the two seasons since he won Most Valuable Player honors in 2023, and the 76ers are a vastly different team when their 7-footer is on the floor and playing at full strength.