As I mentioned in Thursday’s schedule article, I am a Chicagoan. That means I am used to dealing with crazy weather, rooting for putrid sports teams and agonizing of Derrick Rose’s legs. Could it also make me a better fantasy player?
After all, the only things more unpredictable than the weather in Chicago are fantasy sports injuries. Chicagoans have long learned that when you go from a -7 degree wind chill to 50 degrees and raining, then back again all in one week, you just have to deal with it as best as you can. The same is true when Derrick Rose and Dwayne Wade sit for more than a week without any new information coming out regarding their status. Chicagoans have long been making the best out of a bad situation, and doing it with smiles on their faces. If that were not the case, there would not be any Cubs fans.
There are, of course, smart fantasy players from around the country; the FantasyAlarm staff is a testament to that. I have no doubt Ted Schuster would be a great fantasy writer even if he was not a Chicagoan, but I believe it does not hurt. Speaking of hurt, I think every Bulls player is hurt this week, so we will begin there in our weekly look at injuries from around the NBA.
Taj Gibson, CHI Taj Gibson suffered a left ankle sprain Friday, when he stepped awkwardly on a Portland player’s foot. The injury looked pretty significant, though we should know more in the coming days. Nikola Mirotic played a career-high 35 minutes Friday, scoring 24 points, including four three pointers, to go along with 11 rebounds. He should make a nice pickup for fantasy players who need three pointers. As I pointed out Thursday, the Bulls have a very nice upcoming schedule, with road games against Utah, Denver and Boston.
Pau Gasol, CHI Nikola Mirotic will certainly play more with Gibson out, but much of his value is tied to Pau Gasol’s health as well. Gasol has missed three consecutive games with a strained left calf. Gasol could come back Monday, or he could miss another week. If he is out, it could mean an extra 10 minutes per game for Mirotic.
Derrick Rose, CHI If you are sick of reading about Bulls players in this space, just know I am sick of writing about them. There has really been no news about Rose in a week. He is still questionable before every game, and there is no timetable for his return. Aaron Brooks has played pretty well with Rose out, scoring 12 points in each of the last two games.
Kirk Hinrich, CHI Like Nikola Mirotic, Aaron Brooks’s fantasy value is tied to two injured Bulls. Kirk Hinrich was out Friday with bruised ribs, leaving Brooks to start and play 24 minutes. Brooks had averaged 19 minutes in the two games prior to Hinrich’s injury. Like all of the Bulls—expect maybe Taj Gibson—Hinrich is considered day-to-day. Hinrich should only be owned in deep fantasy leagues regardless of health, but Brooks would be a great play at Utah if Rose and Hinrich are out.
Omer Asik, HOU Asik was slated to start Friday, but instead missed his fourth consecutive game when he aggravated his lower back during warmups. Neither of his backups, Alexis Ajinca and Jeff Withey, are fantasy-relevant, though Ryan Anderson is a nice play in daily games with Asik out.
Dwayne Wade, MIA Let’s see how long we can keep the Chicago theme going. Asik began his career with the Bulls, and Wade is from Chicago. He will also miss his fifth consecutive game Saturday with a hamstring injury. It appears Wade is making some progress, including limited practice, so he could return Sunday or Tuesday.
Norris Cole, MIA Cole dislocated his finger Thursday, and is doubtful Saturday. This does not sound like a long term injury, though it would be a bit surprising if he plays Sunday. With Dwayne Wade still out and Danny Granger still nursing an injured hamstring, Shabazz Napier should continue to see heavy minutes. He could be a useful add for a couple of games, and should absolutely warrant consideration in daily games.
Jose Calderon, NYK Calderon practiced fully Friday, and is expected to make his debut Saturday. He is available in many shallow leagues, and should be a great source of assists. He is a must-add if he is available in your league.
Andrea Bargnani, NYK Bargnani appeared to be close to returning from a hamstring injury, but he strained his calf during practice Friday. Bargnani has some upside if he can ever get on the court, but he can be safely dropped until he actually does return.
C.J. Miles, IND The Pacers are probably the only team in the NBA to be hit harder by injury than the Bulls. Miles miss four consecutive games due to migraines, only to injure his calf in his first game back. Chris Copeland and Solomon Hill have played pretty well lately, but both will be droppable when Miles returns.
Rodney Stuckey, IND Speaking of drops, Rodney Stuckey was dropped in several leagues when he injured his foot four games into the season, but he is back now and played 27 minutes Wednesday. Out of all of the Pacers’ backcourt options, Stuckey is the one to own.
Wow, I went almost 300 words without talking about Chicago. I don’t like it. Have I mentioned Chicago has the best pizza in the country? I don’t care what Jon Stewart says. Also, eastern Idaho is pretty great this time of year.
Player News
Devin Carter accounted for 10 points (3-of-5 FGs, 3-of-4 FTs), four rebounds, two assists, one steal and one three-pointer in 22 minutes in Wednesday’s loss to the Mavericks.
Carter’s rookie season ended on a positive note individually, as he reached double figures for the fourth time. Offseason shoulder surgery delayed his NBA debut until after the New Year, with Carter playing 36 regular-season games. While he was worth stashing in dynasty league drafts before this season began, the former Providence standout did not deserve a look in redraft leagues. That will likely remain the case next season, but the Kings need to make a decision regarding their head coaching position, as Doug Christie was only the interim. Add in the need for an experienced point guard, and Carter’s fantasy outlook isn’t great.
Keegan Murray recorded nine points (3-of-9 FGs, 1-of-2 FTs), six rebounds, two assists, one steal, two blocks and two three-pointers in 36 minutes in Wednesday’s loss to the Mavericks.
Murray recorded a complete stat line on Wednesday, but the impact was muted. That was a fitting end to the season for the Kings forward, whose fantasy value took a significant hit. The signing of DeMar DeRozan during free agency did Murray no favors, and that was also true for the addition of Zach LaVine just before the trade deadline. While he did approach his Yahoo! ADP (87) in nine-cat formats, Murray failed to crack the top-100 in eight-cat. Murray is extension eligible this summer, but the Kings have many questions to answer, including who the head coach will be and the future of lead executive Monte McNair. How that impacts Murray remains to be seen, but he’s worth selecting with a top-100 pick in drafts.
Domantas Sabonis tallied 11 points (5-of-13 FGs, 1-of-2 FTs), 13 rebounds, five assists and two steals in 37 minutes in Wednesday’s loss to the Mavericks.
It’s fitting that Sabonis would finish his season with a double-double, as he recorded 61 during the regular season. However, his impact was limited, with Anthony Davis, Dereck Lively II and Daniel Gafford combining to control the paint for most of Wednesday’s Play-In tournament matchup. Regarding fantasy value, Sabonis was a top-25 player in eight- and nine-cat formats for the season. However, his value took a significant hit after the trade deadline, with the De’Aaron Fox deal leaving the Kings with two high-scoring wings (Zach LaVine and DeMar DeRozan) and no legitimate point guard. How Sacramento addresses that decision during the offseason will impact Sabonis’ fantasy value in 2025-26.
DeMar DeRozan shot 13-of-28 from the field and 5-of-6 from the foul line in Wednesday’s loss to the Mavericks, tallying 33 points, seven rebounds, two assists, two steals and two three-pointers in 43 minutes.
DeRozan went out firing on Wednesday, shooting just under 50 percent from the field and finishing a blocked shot shy of a complete stat line. Like other key Kings players, his fantasy value took a hit after De’Aaron Fox was traded to San Antonio. The lack of a point guard who can set up others consistently proved problematic for the Kings, who now have some significant decisions to make this offseason. DeRozan can approach top-50 fantasy value, but the task gets much easier when on the court with a legitimate lead guard.
Zach LaVine logged 44 minutes in Wednesday’s loss to the Mavericks, tallying 20 points (8-of-19 FGs), three rebounds, nine assists and four three-pointers.
LaVine led the Kings in assists on Wednesday, but inefficient play was an issue in the Play-In tournament defeat. The turnover count was worse than the field goal percentage, as LaVine committed five. After being traded to the Kings, the veteran guard was an eighth-round player in nine-cat formats, and a fifth-round player in eight-cat. While reuniting with DeMar DeRozan gave the Kings two high-scoring wings to pair with center Domantas Sabonis, the lack of a legitimate point guard was an issue. LaVine can approach top-50 value, but the task became more difficult when he was traded.
Keon Ellis shot 3-of-4 from the field and 1-of-1 from the foul line in Wednesday’s loss to the Mavericks, scoring nine points with one rebound, one assist and two three-pointers in 18 minutes.
Ellis’ 2024-25 season ended with a whimper, as he provided limited value as the Kings’ fifth starter. He played 80 games this season, providing slightly higher fantasy value in his 28 starts. In those outings, Ellis averaged 9.8 points, 3.3 rebounds, 2.3 assists, 2.1 steals, 0.9 blocks and 2.0 three-pointers in 31.1 minutes. Regarding playing time, he benefited from the decision to trade De’Aaron Fox. However, Sacramento must address the point guard position this offseason, which would limit Ellis’ fantasy value in 2025-26.