Happy Monday, FANation! We have seven games to kick off the week for tonight's NBA slate with some nice matchups to target when it comes to value plays to build your lineups around so let's quit wasting time and jump right in!
Still under $5,000 on DraftKings, Walker is averaging 28 fantasy points in the two games since the All-Star break. Following the Spurs trade deadline moves, we have seen Walker much more involved of late as well, playing at latest 24 minutes in five straight contests while scoring at least 27 FP in four of those matchups.
The Cavaliers are still without Darius Garland, Caris LeVert and Rajon Rondo for tonight's matchup against the Timberwolves which will keep Goodwin in the starting lineup. He played 38 minutes against the Wizards the other night and while he shot just 2-for-11 from the floor, he saved fantasy managers by filling up the stat sheet. Over the last two games, Goodwin is averaging 26.9 fantasy points.
While all the attention is on Shai Gilgeous-Alexander, Mann has been phenomenal of late, averaging 37 fantasy points in the two games since the return of play. He has finished with at least 37 FP in four straight contests and with Luguentz Dort and Josh Giddey once again out of the lineup, it is hard for me to imagine Mann isn't in for yet another active night.
The Pacers are using a rotation in their frontcourt that includes the recently acquired Smith. Smith has played at least 20 minutes in all but one game since the trade and he has gone for at least 25 fantasy points in four of the six contests. Against the Celtics on Sunday, he finished with a double-double, scoring 12 points with 10 rebounds in 26 minutes.
A dart throw play here. Dragic made his Nets debut and played 14 minutes against the Bucks, scoring six points with three rebounds, two assists, one block and two steals. Tonight, the Nets play at home and therefore will be without Kyrie Irving against the Raptors. It's not inconceivable to think that Dragic gets a minutes boost here tonight against the team that he refused to play for this season after his trade from Miami. Just floating that revenge narrative out there.
The Raptors have been playing small for most of this year when healthy but with OG Anunoby out of the lineup and potentially even Fred VanVleet tonight, Toronto will opt for a more traditional rotation. We saw Achiuwa play 30 minutes against the Hawks and finish with 37 fantasy points. With the Nets starting Andre Drummond, they will need a bigger body out there and we saw Achiuwa go for 27 fantasy points against Brooklyn earlier this year.
Player News
ESPN’s Shams Charania reported Zach Edey will undergo surgery to re-stabilize his left ankle.
Charania’s report indicates that Edey re-sprained the same ankle that forced him to miss some time last season. It came during an offseason workout, and he is expected to miss time to start next season. Edey secured the starting center spot for Memphis late last season after playing an inconsistent role for most of his rookie year. Head coach Tuomas Iisalo could opt to use Brandon Clarke as the starting center if he’s healthy, or he could use a smaller starting lineup with Jaren Jackson Jr. to start next season. The Grizzlies’ PR team announced that a preliminary timeline will be provided after he has the surgery, but as of now, the expectation is that he won’t be available for opening night.
De’Aaron Fox (finger) has been cleared for on-court work and will be ready for the start of next season.
Fox underwent season-ending surgery on his left pinkie finger in mid-March, about six weeks after being traded to the Spurs from Sacramento. He recently told Danielle Lerner of the Houston Chronicle that he’s been cleared to resume on-court activities, which have included some 5-on-5 play. Also, Fox hopes to ink a contract extension with the Spurs this offseason. With one year remaining on his current deal, the point guard will be eligible for a four-year extension worth up to $229 million on August 3.
NBC Sports Boston’s Chris Mannix said recently that Sam Hauser could be a trade candidate this offseason if the Celtics decide to shed salary.
The cost of contending for championships has gotten steeper, especially with the salary cap rules instituted in recent years. For the Celtics, the Achilles tendon rupture suffered by Jayson Tatum may impact how the front office approaches this offseason. If the team decides that a group that won’t have Tatum for most of the season can’t be a factor in the East, the decision could be made to shed salary. And Hauser, whose four-year, $45 million extension goes into effect next season, may be a prime candidate to be moved. “Hauser, to me, is the most likely candidate to go, just because you have (Baylor) Scheierman there to effectively fill his role,” Mannix said. “I think they’d love to find a home for Jrue Holiday, just because of the contract and where they are as a team. (Kristaps) Porzingis, who knows? I don’t think they want to take on contracts that go on longer than Porzingis’ deal, but he’s certainly available.” Hauser being traded would make Scheierman worth a look in deep fantasy leagues next season.
NBA insider Marc Stein reported the Knicks are interested in talking to Mavericks coach Jason Kidd regarding the team’s head coaching vacancy.
Multiple names have been mentioned in the aftermath of the Knicks’ decision to fire Tom Thibodeau after he led the team to its first Eastern Conference Finals since 2000. One who has been mentioned prominently is Kidd, who is under contract with the Mavericks. His connection with Knicks point guard Jalen Brunson may be a factor, as the captain has repeatedly credited the coach with his development as a professional. However, Dallas would need to grant the Knicks permission to speak with Kidd. And if a deal were to be made, New York does not have much draft capital to give up as compensation. Also mentioned in connection with the opening are Cavaliers assistant Johnnie Bryant, Timberwolves coach Chris Finch and Rockets coach Ime Udoka. Stein also reported that Houston would quickly deny permission to speak with Udoka if the Knicks were to make that request.
Obi Toppin provided a boost off the bench with 17 points (6-of-9 FGs), five rebounds, two assists and five three-pointers in Game 1 against the Thunder on Thursday.
Toppin has been solid throughout this postseason, but he hasn’t had many big scoring nights. However, after he had 18 points in the Game 6 clincher over the Knicks, he added 17 more to kick off the Finals, with 15 of those points coming from beyond the arc. If Toppin is able to continue to make an impact off the bench like he did in this game, there should be more wins coming for the Pacers.
Aaron Nesmith recorded a double-double on Thursday with 10 points (3-of-9 FGs), 12 rebounds, one assist, one block, three three-pointers and five turnovers in Game 1 against the Thunder.
Indiana dominated on the glass in this game, but it wasn’t just because of the bigs. Nesmith was the leading rebounder in this game and was one of three Pacers to grab at least 10 rebounds. However, they lost the turnover battle 24-6, and Nesmith contributed five of those. The only player with more was Myles Turner, who coughed it up six times. Indiana won this game and still has things to clean up, which is an encouraging sign for them moving forward in this series.