2 years agoFree-agent guard Javonte Smart landed a deal with the Pelicans. It's a training camp contract, so he's not guaranteed to remain on the regular season roster heading into October. The 23-year-old appeared in 17 games for the Bucks and Heat in 2021-22, averaging 3.0 points and 1.4 rebounds while shooting 29.6% from deep. Nevertheless, Smart has a more realistic chance of landing a two-way deal. But if he somehow manages to make the team, he probably won't play. Either way, Smart has no value to fantasy managers.--Dennis Clausen - RotoBallerSource: JD Shaw

2 years agoPortland Trail Blazers guard Damian Lillard (abdomen) declared he feels "great" after undergoing abdominal surgery early in January. The multi-time All-Star had been dealing with the injury for years. However, it became unbearable, forcing him to go under the knife. It was undoubtedly a chaotic year for Lillard, who appeared at times to be on his way out of Portland. Yet, he now seems happy and optimistic about the team's current roster, adding that he plans on finishing his career with the Trail Blazers. The 32-year-old has been an MVP-caliber superstar since entering the NBA in 2012, averaging 24.6 points, 6.6 assists, 4.2 rebounds, 1.0 steals and shooting 37.3% from deep. As long as Lillard stays healthy, he has a realistic chance of ending the 2022-23 campaign as a top-five fantasy option, so managers in all formats should strongly consider drafting him heading into October.--Dennis Clausen - RotoBallerSource: Dave Pasch

2 years agoPhiladelphia 76ers guard James Harden mentioned that he felt he was never truly healthy last season. The veteran guard said he was battling hamstring issues throughout the year. He said it has been a long two years for him, but he is finally getting his body right this time. It appears the superstar guard is serious about his health and wants to win a championship in Philly. This team has a legitimate shot at a title, assuming Harden and the rest of the core can stay healthy. Fantasy managers should expect Harden to be back to full health this upcoming season.--Andy Webb - RotoBallerSource: NBC Sports

2 years agoOklahoma City Thunder guard Josh Giddey (hip) mentioned that he is physically ready for this upcoming season. The young guard said he has been fine-tuning some things and spending more time in the weight room. Giddey was a stud last season before a hip injury knocked him down. When healthy, Giddey looks like he can do just about everything on an NBA court. There should be plenty of minutes for Giddey this upcoming season. Fantasy managers shouldn't be worried about his health right now. He is expected to be someone that comes off early in fantasy drafts this year.--Andy Webb - RotoBallerSource: AU.com

2 years agoFree-agent guard Dennis Schroder is expected to sign with an NBA organization soon. The 29-year-old has been playing extremely well during a Eurobasket tournament. On Tuesday, Schroder finished with a team-high 26 points and eight assists in the win. He continues to be one of the best players throughout the tournament. His recent play should be enough to help him earn a spot on an NBA roster. Although, it's uncertain if Schroder will be a starter or come off the bench in the NBA. Last season, Schroder averaged 13.5 points, 4.6 dimes and 3.3 boards in 64 contests with the Boston Celtics and Houston Rockets. His fantasy value is dependent on where he lands and what role he has on that team.--Andy Webb - RotoBallerSource: Marc Stein

2 years agoUtah Jazz guard Collin Sexton (knee) reported he's 100% healthy heading into training camp. The 23-year-old suffered a knee injury last season while playing for the Cleveland Cavaliers, limiting him to only 11 games. Despite his health concerns over the years, he is still a solid contributor, holding career averages of 20.0 points, 3.3 assists, and 3.0 rebounds while shooting 37.8% from deep. Sexton, who was traded to Utah in a deal for superstar Donovan Mitchell during the offseason, is the expected No. 1 contributor for a rebuilding Jazz team. With that said, fantasy managers should benefit from his services this season as long as he avoids any injuries along the way.--Dennis Clausen - RotoBallerSource: Joe Coles

2 years agoFree-agent guard Davion Mintz agreed to a training camp deal with the Wizards. He went undrafted during the 2022 NBA Draft after averaging 9.8 points, 2.6 rebounds, and 2.4 assists in his final two years in college. However, despite Mintz's collegiate accolades, he isn't expected to make the regular season roster, although a two-way deal could be in his future. Either way, he doesn't have much fantasy upside at the moment, so he's not expected to see any attention in drafts heading into the 2022-23 campaign.--Dennis Clausen - RotoBallerSource: RealGM.com

2 years agoFree-agent forward/center Montrezl Harrell is officially a Sixer, according to a press release from the team. The deal is worth over $5 million, and the second year of the contract is a player option. The 28-year-old has an impressive resume, posting career averages of 12.9 points and 5.3 rebounds while earning the Sixth Man of the Year award in 2020. With Harrell's legal issues behind him, he'll look for a fresh start in Philly and presumably support Joel Embiid from off the bench. He may even start here and there throughout the season. Either way, Harrell should see plenty of attention from deep league fantasy managers heading into the year.--Dennis Clausen - RotoBallerSource: NBA.com

2 years agoFree-agent forward Justin Jackson agreed to an exhibit 10 deal with the Celtics. He was drafted with the No. 15 pick in the 2017 NBA Draft and spent his first few seasons in Sacramento. Since then, he's made stops in Dallas, OKC, Milwaukee, Boston, and Phoenix. Although Jackson hasn't found a permanent home since entering the league, he has shown flashes of promise over the years. While that won't make him a viable fantasy commodity initially, he's someone managers should consider if he can carve out a role in Boston's rotation this season.--Dennis Clausen - RotoBallerSource: Bobby Manning

2 years agoBrooklyn Nets forward Joe Harris (ankle) is expected to be 100% for the start of training camp. The 31-year-old was limited to 14 games last season before undergoing two procedures on his ankle, so losing him was a tough blow for a Brooklyn team that struggled. Harris has established himself as a potent offensive threat over the years, averaging 11.1 points while netting 43.9% of his attempts from deep throughout his career. Even though the sharpshooter isn't predicted to be a regular presence in Brooklyn's starting lineup this season, his efficient shooting percentages will still benefit category managers as long as he stays healthy.--Dennis Clausen - RotoBallerSource: Brian Lewis

2 years agoFree-agent guard Jarrett Culver agreed to a two-way contract with Atlanta. The Timberwolves took Culver with the No. 6 pick of the 2019 NBA Draft. He spent two seasons in Minnesota before he was shipped to Memphis in August 2021. However, the 23-year-old didn't meet expectations with either club, averaging 6.6 points and 2.7 rebounds while shooting a disastrous 28.3% from deep. Although there is a chance Culver may get some minutes at the professional level this season, he's not someone fantasy managers should consider drafting ahead of the 2022-23 campaign.--Dennis Clausen - RotoBallerSource: NBA.com

2 years agoFree-agent forward Jake Layman signed a training camp deal with the Boston Celtics. As a result, he will compete for a roster spot leading up to the regular season. The 28-year-old has been in the NBA for six seasons, making stops in Portland and Minnesota. During that span, he's averaged 4.8 points and 1.7 rebounds. Nonetheless, even with the C's looking to fill the void left the Danilo Gallinari (knee), Layman isn't expected to receive a consistent workload, so fantasy managers shouldn't look in his direction.--Dennis Clausen - RotoBallerSource: Justin Leger

2 years agoFree-agent guard Jordan Goodwin signed an exhibit 10 deal with Washington. Goodwin went undrafted in 2021 and spent most of last season with the Capital City Go-Go and averaged 15.8 points, 5.9 rebounds, and 3.6 assists. He also played two games with the Wizards, signing a 10-day contract with the team back in December. The 23-year-old may not any see interest in fantasy drafts heading into October. However, Goodwin has a chance to earn some minutes at the professional level in 2022-23, possibly even earning a backup spot at the one, so there may be something there as the year progress.--Dennis Clausen - RotoBallerSource: JD Shaw

2 years agoUtah Jazz guard Mike Conley is a name rumored to be on the move. With the team moving on from Rudy Gobert and Donovan Mitchell, it's a new era in Salt Lake City. Bojan Bogdanovic and Jordan Clarkson are also favorites to be traded. Still, dealing Conley may not be easy, primarily considering his hefty salary and advanced NBA age. The 34-year-old has also had a dip in production, finishing the 2021-22 season by averaging 13.7 points, 5.3 assists, and 1.3 steals. However, he's still an efficient shooter, draining 38.2% of his tries from deep during his career. Nevertheless, if Conley remains in Utah, he'll likely get minutes, keeping him relevant on the fantasy end. But he will need to stay healthy, which has been an issue over the years.--Dennis Clausen - RotoBallerSource: Eric Walden

2 years agoUtah Jazz guard Jordan Clarkson may be the next player on the roster to be moved. Teams are interested, with Memphis, Milwaukee, Sacramento, and Toronto emerging as potential landing spots. The 2021 Sixth Man of the Year took a step back last season, finishing with averages of 16.0 points, 3.5 rebounds, and 2.5 assists. Nevertheless, Clarkson will likely have a substantial role moving ahead, regardless of where he's playing in 2022-23, so he should remain relevant from a fantasy standpoint. With that said, his shooting percentages need work, which may severely impact category managers.--Dennis Clausen - RotoBallerSource: Brett Siegel