We have a nice five game slate tonight to manage, and we have a little bit of everything.
There are some injuries to keep an eye with some big names listed on the Injury Report, a few close games, and a few blowouts expected.
Giannis Antetokounmpo, LeBron James, Anthony Davis, and Bam Adebayo should all play tonight, but it is something to keep an eye on just in case. I feel a little less confident in Brandon Ingram, Deandre Ayton, and Kristaps Porzingas, but Ingram is the only player out of that group I would really look to use tonight. Ingram and Ayton being sidelined could present some value opportunities elsewhere, but with Porzingas missing the last three games, we have had a good look at what to expect there, and there isn't much that is making me jump out of my seat.
Of greater interest is the status of Devonte' Graham and if he doesn't' play, and Ingram also sits (but even if he doesn't), Kira Lewis could be a popular name to know tonight.
If Giannis Antetokounmpo fits in my lineup tonight, I'm not against using him, but in the interest of finding balance, the base I'm going to start with will likely be Jimmy Butler, Jonas Valanciunas, Devin Booker, and Kyle Lowry. The Lowry is much harder on DK though. For that to work we will need to focus on the younger Antetokounmpo and hope to grab some value from Lewis and/or JaVale McGee if Ayton is out.
FD | Position | Top Tier | Mid-Tier | Value-Tier |
|---|---|---|---|
| PG | Russell Westbrook | Kyle Lowry | George Hill |
| SG | Devin Booker | Nickeil Alexander-Walker | Josh Jackson |
| SF | Jimmy Butler | Harrison Barnes | Thanasis Antetokounmpo |
| PF | Giannis Antetokounmpo | Jerami Grant | Bobby Portis |
| C | Jonas Valančiūnas | Rudy Gobert | JaVale McGee |
DK | Position | Top Tier | Mid-Tier | Value-Tier |
|---|---|---|---|
| PG | Russell Westbrook | Tyrese Haliburton | Cade Cunningham |
| SG | Devin Booker | Nickeil Alexander-Walker | Pat Connaughton |
| SF | Jimmy Butler | Harrison Barnes | Thanasis Antetokounmpo |
| PF | Giannis Antetokounmpo | Jerami Grant | Bobby Portis |
| C | Jonas Valančiūnas | Bam Adebayo | JaVale McGee |
Player News
Celtics waived Miles Norris.
Not selected in the 2023 NBA Draft, Norris has spent most of his two professional seasons in the G League. He appeared in three games for the Celtics last season, averaging 2.3 points and 3.0 rebounds in 11.7 minutes. Sunday’s transactions opens up a two-way contract slot for the Celtics, days after the team acquired RJ Luis as part of a deal with the Jazz.
Jeremy Sochan (calf) will not play in EuroBasket at the end of the month.
Sochan was gearing up to represent Poland at EuroBasket, beginning on August 27, when he felt pain in his calf. While the injury is not considered serious, the decision has been made to send him back to San Antonio for rehab. The expectation is that Sochan will be healthy when the Spurs begin training camp in late September, so the impact on his fantasy prospects should be minimal at worst. Sochan was a late-round option in fantasy leagues last season, ranking just outside the top-150 in per-game value. Only appearing in 54 games negatively impacted his totals value, as expected.
HoopsHype’s Michael Scotto reports Mike Muscala will join the Suns as an assistant coach.
Muscala, who retired from basketball last summer, will remain around the NBA and reunite with first-year coach Jordan Ott after spending time with him in Atlanta. Muscala will look to help Phoenix remain competitive after trading Kevin Durant to Houston.
Haywood Highsmith (knee) will be sidelined for 8-10 weeks after undergoing surgery.
According to the Heat, Highsmith suffered a torn right meniscus while training in his hometown of Baltimore. With the team’s timeline, the wing may be available in time for the start of the regular season, but that isn’t guaranteed. Highsmith has not been a consistently impactful fantasy asset with the Heat, but he’s been able to earn rotation minutes.
Maxwell Lewis agreed to a contract with Turkish club Tofaş.
Lewis, the 40th overall pick in the 2023 draft, played for the Lakers and Nets last season. In 28 combined appearances, 21 for the Nets, he averaged 4.1 points and 2.0 rebounds in 11.7 minutes. Lewis most recently played for the Mavericks in summer league action.
The Celtics signed head coach Joe Mazzulla to a multi-year contract extension.
After three successful seasons as the Celtics’ head coach, Mazzulla has been rewarded with a multi-year extension. While his job was not in any danger, the coach receives added security ahead of what’s expected to be a “bridge year” for the Celtics as they await Jayson Tatum’s return from a ruptured Achilles tendon. In three seasons at the helm, Mazzulla, who began as the interim head coach after Ime Udoka’s suspension ahead of the 2022-23 season, has led the Celtics to 182 regular-season wins and the 2024 NBA title.