2 years agoNew Orleans Pelicans forward EJ Liddell (knee) tore his ACL during Monday's Summer League clash with the Hawks. The injury was originally classified as a sprain. However, after further testing, the news was much worse. The 21-year-old averaged 19.4 points, 7.9 rebounds, 2.6 blocks, and 2.5 assists throughout 32 games with the Buckeyes last season. While Liddell had plenty of hype entering the 2022 NBA Draft, he is now out indefinitely, although the possibility remains he could miss the entire 2022-23 campaign.--Dennis Clausen - RotoBallerSource: Shams Charania

2 years agoUtah Jazz guard Donovan Mitchell was deemed unattainable after the team traded Rudy Gobert to Minnesota. While speaking at a recent press conference, general manager Justin Zanik reiterated Mitchell's importance to the organization. Yet, he added that nobody on the roster is considered "untouchable." Undoubtedly, acquiring Mitchell won't be easy, especially since the franchise would likely demand a significant return. However, the latest comments may open the door for future trade discussions surrounding the 25-year-old. From a fantasy standpoint, Mitchell is expected to remain a top contributor wherever he suits up in October, although his output can go in either direction depending on who is on the court with him.--Dennis Clausen - RotoBallerSource: Adrian Wojnarowski

2 years agoMilwaukee Bucks forward Khris Middleton (wrist) underwent surgery in early July to repair a torn ligament. The recent update surrounding the veteran comes after he missed the final 10 games of the postseason because of a left knee injury. The Bucks will undoubtedly need him healthy and on the floor, especially after averaging 20.1 points, 5.4 rebounds, and 5.4 assists throughout 66 appearances last season. Nonetheless, despite the ailments, the 30-year-old is expected to be good to go for the start of the regular season in October. When available, Middleton is one of the most potent all-around fantasy options going. However, he's played an entire season just twice throughout his 10-year career, so fantasy managers should anticipate being without him for at least a few contests during the 2022-23 campaign.--Dennis Clausen - RotoBallerSource: Tim Bontemps and Adrian Wojnarowski

2 years agoHouston Rockets forward Tari Eason continued his strong Summer League play during the team's matchup against the San Antonio Spurs on Monday. He played 28 minutes in the game and racked up 22 points, 11 rebounds, three assists, two steals, two blocks and two three-pointers. He has notched a double-double in each of the three games he's played in. Eason was selected 17th overall in this year's draft after a stellar season at LSU. He has a chance to be part of the team's rotation out of the gate this year and is someone worth consideration in the last rounds of fantasy drafts.--Andrew Ericksen - RotoBallerSource: NBA.com

2 years agoIndiana Pacers guard Chris Duarte played in Friday's Summer League opener against the Charlotte Hornets. He logged 24 minutes in the game and racked up 16 points, four assists and three rebounds while shooting 3-for-7 from the field and 9-for-9 from the free throw strike. He was held out of the team's second game on Sunday and it is expected that he will remain on the sidelines for the remainder of Summer League play. Duarte missed the final month of last season with a left big toe injury and the team doesn't want to push him this week. He figures to be one of the team's primary guards alongside Tyrese Haliburton this season.--Andrew Ericksen - RotoBallerSource: Scott Agness

2 years agoMilwaukee Bucks forward Sandro Mamukelashvili had a massive game in Monday's Summer League contest against the Boston Celtics. He scored 28 points while racking up nine rebounds, two assists, three steals and two blocks. He shot 9-for-19 from the field, 3-for-5 from three-point range and 7-for-10 from the free throw line. Mamukelashvili showed some promising flashes as a rookie last year when given the chance, but those chances were few and far between. In the team's final game of the regular season last year, he racked up 28 points and 13 rebounds over 43 minutes of play. He has his work cut out for him to earn a rotation spot but if he can, he has a chance to be a source of points, rebounds and three-pointers for fantasy managers.--Andrew Ericksen - RotoBallerSource: NBA.com

2 years agoNew Orleans Pelicans forward Trey Murphy III had a fantastic game in the team's 101-73 win over the Atlanta Hawks in Monday's Summer League contest. He scored a game-high 30 points while shooting 10-for-18 from the field and 7-for-9 from the free throw line. He also added three three-pointers, six rebounds, one assist, one steal and one block. Murphy was selected 17th overall in the 2021 NBA draft and struggled to earn consistent playing time as a rookie last year. He shot just 39.4% from the field while averaging 13.9 minutes per contest. The 6'9" 22-year-old has the potential to be a strong three-and-D player in the league. We'll see if he can put things together in year two.--Andrew Ericksen - RotoBallerSource: NBA.com

2 years agoThe Golden State Warriors have been one of the teams that has come up as a potential landing spot for star Brooklyn Nets forward Kevin Durant. The trade package required to land Durant will of course need to be a big one. According to Michael Scotto of HoopsHype, the Warriors are reluctant to include all of their young assets in a deal for Durant. These young assets include Jordan Poole, Jonathan Kuminga, James Wiseman and Moses Moody. As of now, there doesn't appear to be a clear frontrunner in the Durant sweepstakes. Expect more updates on the market for the superstar soon.--Andrew Ericksen - RotoBallerSource: HoopsHype

2 years agoAccording to sources of Adrian Wojnarowski, Serbian point guard Vasilije Micic is receiving interest from several NBA teams. The Oklahoma City Thunder currently have the rights to Micic, who was the EuroLeague Final Four MVP during each of the last two seasons. However, the 28-year-old doesn't fit the mold of where the Thunder currently are in their rebuild. Micic is a 6'5" point guard who averaged 18.2 points, 5.8 assists and 2.6 three-pointers per game with Anadolu Efes in the Turkish Super League last year.--Andrew Ericksen - RotoBallerSource: Adrian Wojnarowski

2 years agoThe Orlando Magic have shut down this year's first overall pick, Paolo Banchero, for the remainder of the 2022 Summer League tournament. Banchero played in two games during the tournament and was extremely impressive, showing off a wide variety of skills. Over his two games, he averaged 20.0 points, 6.0 assists, 5.0 rebounds, 2.5 steals and 1.0 blocks per game. Banchero was seen limping after Saturday's game and there was some speculation that he had injured his ankle, but the Magic haven't revealed any injury concerns with Banchero. The reasoning for him being shut down seems to just be that the team doesn't believe he requires any additional reps during the tournament.--Andrew Ericksen - RotoBallerSource: ESPN.com

2 years agoCharlotte Hornets center Mark Williams had a strong game on the glass in Monday's Summer League contest against the Los Angeles Lakers. He racked up seven boards, including three offensive rebounds, in just 17 minutes. Williams also compiled eight rebounds over 18 minutes in his Summer League debut against the Indiana Pacers on Friday. The former Duke Blue Devil has a chance to be a strong rim-protector and rebounder in the NBA. His minutes may be limited as a rookie and he has some work to do offensively, but he's someone fantasy managers should have on their radars.--Andrew Ericksen - RotoBallerSource: NBA.com