Here are the latest news and updates from the NBA preseason and training camp to help you prepare for your fantasy basketball draft.
Start spots up for grabs in the clippers
Isaiah Jackson started Sunday’s opener and finished with 4 points (2-3 FG), 4 rebounds, 3 assists, 1 steal and 2 blocks over 17 minutes. He’s been running with the first unit in training camp, and looks to be on track to open the year as the Clippers’ starting quarterback, 38-year-old Brook Lopez. Jackson is helping to infuse the Clippers with a more athletic first unit, and he had some nice chemistry with Dario Garland on Sunday as he knocked down two lob shots in the first three minutes of the game.
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Max Strus started in the shooting range but left after five minutes after suffering what appeared to be a non-contact injury to his right foot. Head coach Tyronn Lue did not provide an update on Strus after the game, simply saying that he will have more experience when the team heads appeared at LA Strus suspended to open the year as a starter, but if this is an injury that has an impact on his position to open the night, which could make way for Keaton Wagler to start.
Wagler started the second half of Sunday’s exhibition and finished with 15 points (3-15 FG, 1-11 3Pt, 8-9 FT), 6 rebounds, 3 assists, 2 steals and 1 block in 30 minutes. The performance wasn’t great, but it came through when it mattered most, stepping through a mid-back sweater vest in the closing seconds of regulation to seal the Los Angeles deal. Like most rookies, Wagler will likely struggle with his percentages, but he has shown potential for crunching stats. The target is more attractive in points leagues, but.
Bradley Beal could theoretically start, but he sat out camp with a knee strain, and it’s unclear if he’ll play in the preseason. Given these factors, when it stays in the soil for years, it makes more sense to work in the second unit to finish the mileage.
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Darryn Peterson fizzles in his preseason debut
Darryn Peterson struggled to make much of an impact in his preseason debut, finishing with 3 points (1-5 FG, 0-2 3Pt, 1-2 FT), 6 rebounds, 2 assists, 1 steal and 2 turnovers in 19 minutes. While it may have had a forgettable effect, I didn’t want to dwell too much on one spectacular game. The rookie can be relied upon to assert himself at times on offense, along with Keyonte George, Lauri Markkanen and Jaren Jackson Jr. it is running, but it is going to be given every opportunity to see it, as it is clearly included in the beginning.
Peterson’s teammates praised him during training camp, with George saying, “He’s got everything in the book. He’s got whatever move you think he’s got. He’s got every shot you think he’s got.” I think Peterson could have some big games in his rookie season, and is running at 102.7.
Denver’s new Sixth Man
DeMar DeRozan came off the bench in his preseason debut with the Nuggets on Sunday, scoring 5 points (2-5 FG, 0-1 3Pt, 1-1 FT), 1 assist, 1 rebound and 1 block over 10 minutes. For the first time since his rookie season, DeRozan will work in a backup role, which should continue in the continued regression in the 37-year-old’s statistical output.
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While DeRozan posted a top-75 rating last season, he did so while averaging 31.2 minutes per game as Sacramento’s starter, and still posted his lowest scoring average (18.4) since his 2012-13 season. I wouldn’t expect improvement from the next few years as he plays the Sixth Man role for the Nuggets.
Horford starts sans Kristaps Porzingis
40-year-old Al Horford started in Sunday’s preseason loss to the Clippers and finished with 3 points (1-5 FG, 1-4 3Pt), 3 rebounds, 1 assist, 1 steal and 2 turnovers in 16 minutes. Horford could start the year with Kristaps Porziņģis (illness) out indefinitely, and even have a few nice games, but he could inadvertently rely on veterans in fantasy circles. It wouldn’t be out of place if Steve Kerr tinkered with the starting center position all year depending on the matchup.
Don’t expect major minutes for the Bucks’ rookies
Speaking to the media at training camp, head coach Taylor Jenkins indicated that Milwaukee’s top draft picks, Brayden Burries and Nate Ament, will be leading slowly.
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“Whoa guys” [played well at Summer League]”Now against guys who have played in the league for several years, it’s a different level of physicality and speed,” Jenkins said. When they have opportunities, I think they play at a very competitive level and they have a lot of opportunities to improve. They know that they are held by the highest standard on the side of the fortification. But I certainly have a ways to go.
Bucks do not target rookies in re-capture leagues.
Ty Hieronymus generating sounds
According to a training camp report by Damichael Cole of the Memphis Commercial Appeal, Ty Jerome has generated a lot of buzz and “appears to have established himself as the Grizzlies’ strongest candidate to be the next starting guard.”
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Through 15 starts last season, Jerome averaged 19.7 points, 5.7 assists, 2.8 triples and 1.1 steals on a wild 47/42/88 shooting split, which translates to fantasy gold. It is very attractive through a wide-round target, and does not touch the mind.
Zach Edey looks “really good”
Zach Edey reportedly looked “really good” in training camp and has been better than at any point in these first two seasons. Edey participated in every practice, including 5-on-5 work, but it remains to be seen if he will be cleared for the preseason. Still, it sounds like there’s a decent chance he’ll be available for opening night, and if he can stay healthy, he could be an elite source of boards and blocks. He only played in 11 games last season, but the big man put up averages of 13.6 points, 11.1 rebounds and 1.9 blocks while shooting 63.3% from the field and 78.1% at the line.
Grayson Allen and Moussa Diabaté are running with starters
A social media video posted by the Hornets showed the team scrimmaging, with the first unit comprised of Coby White, Grayson Allen, Brandon Miller, Naz Reid and Moussa Diabaté. As previously mentioned, Kon Knueppel (nerve) did not play in the preseason and is uncertain for opening night, so Allen figures to be the slot in his place.
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If Diabaté is named the starting point of the night ahead of Hannes Steinbach and Ryan Kalkbrenner, he will make himself the target of a wide round. Across 47 starts last season, Diabaté averaged 8.0 points, 9.4 rebounds, 2.4 assists and 1.0 blocks while shooting 64.3% from the field and 65.7% at the line.
Who starts in the middle of the phoenix?
With Mark Williams missing an extended period of time this season while he recovers from shoulder surgery, the starting center position in Phoenix is up for grabs. Oso Ighodaro and Khaman Maluach are competing for that place in the camp.
Head coach Jordan Ott said he wants to see how things go in the preseason before committing to a starting injury, though it sounds like the position will also remain fluid, with Ott mixing and matching based on the matchup.
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In other words, this has the potential to reverse the situation between the two great big-time Westerners.
Who is Portland’s last starter?
In a camp interview, Damian Lillard tipped his hand toward what would appear to be the opening night starting lineup, saying, “As I know, Ja. [Morant] will begin I will begin. Deni [Avdija will start].
Donovan Clingan will open the slot at center, leaving a small starting position up front to take over. I could see the Trail Blazers traveling to a three-point line featuring Jrue Holiday, but they could also go with Toumani Camara, who started all 82 games for Portland last season.
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It will be interesting to watch this battle in preseason play, but the starting draft will be more of a fantasy holiday value. Holiday rarely had a top-100 value last season after averaging 16.3 points, 4.6 rebounds, 6.1 assists, 2.6 triples and 1.0 steals per game.
Camara was less exciting as a starter, as he put up averages of 13.4 points, 5.1 rebounds, 2.5 assists, 2.7 triples and 1.1 steals per game, which was just enough for late-round value in fantasy leagues.