Fantasy Basketball

Pokusevski (arm) sustained a right ankle sprain during an offseason workout Tuesday and will be re-evaluated in six weeks, Brandon Rahbar of DailyThunder.com reports.

Pokusevski suffered a small right humerus fracture at the beginning of June and was unable to play for the Serbian national team in the FIBA World Cup as a result. Although he was evidently cleared to resume working out, he's now dealing with an ankle issue that will force him to miss several weeks and could sideline him for the start of the regular season. Pokusevski has had a relatively consistent role over his first three seasons with the Thunder, averaging 8.0 points, 4.9 rebounds and 2.1 assists in 21.7 minutes per game.

Vanderbilt signed a four-year, $48 million extension with the Lakers on Friday, Shams Charania of The Athletic reports.

The final year of the deal is a fully guaranteed player option. After being traded to the Lakers in February, the 6-foot-8 forward excelled as a hard-nosed player who defended multiple positions and rebounded well. Vanderbilt's offense is certainly a work in progress, which limits his overall fantasy value, but he's a core rotational piece for Los Angeles' star-studded roster.

The Kings waived Queta on Tuesday, Adrian Wojanowski of ESPN.com reports.

Queta will part ways with Sacramento after signing a two-year deal with the team earlier this offseason. With Nerlens Noel also being released, Alex Len and JaVale McGee will likely compete for the backup center role behind Domantas Sabonis (thumb). Queta has made just 19 NBA appearances but was a standout for the Stockton Kings of the G League last season.

The Kings waived Noel on Tuesday, Adrian Wojnarowski of ESPN.com reports.

Sacramento waived both Noel and Neemias Queta (foot) on Tuesday, meaning that Alex Len and JaVale McGee will compete for the team's backup center role behind Domantas Sabonis (thumb). Noel is a capable shot-blocker who can find himself on another roster competing for a depth role in the frontcourt for the 2023-24 season.

Rockets general manager Rafael Stone said Landale (ankle) will be a full participant in training camp at the end of September, Coty M. Davis of SI.com reports.

Landale suffered a left ankle injury while playing for the Australian national team at the FIBA World Cup in mid-August, but the injury isn't expected to impact his availability for the start of the 2023-24 NBA campaign. The big man is currently able to do some basketball drills, but he hasn't progressed to 5-on-5 work yet. Landale signed a three-year contract with Houston in July and is slated to be the primary backup to Alperen Sengun.

Thompson is finalizing a deal with the Cavaliers on Monday, Shams Charania of The Athletic reports.

Entering his age-32 season, Thompson will provide the Cavaliers with some veteran leadership and frontcourt depth. He's not guaranteed to be in the rotation, however, and he's unlikely to make a big fantasy impact. Thompson will compete with Damian Jones for backup minutes behind Evan Mobley and Jarrett Allen.

Comanche signed a training camp deal with the Kings on Wednesday, Frankie Cartoscelli of SactownSports.com reports.

Comanche spent most of the 2022-23 season with the Kings G-League affiliate in Stockton and averaged 13.0 points, 8.0 rebounds and 1.5 blocks per game before briefly joining the Trail Blazers during the final days of the campaign. With each of the three two-way slots filled for Sacramento, Comanche will most likely end up in the G League once again in 2023-24.

The Warriors signed Garuba to a two-way contract Friday, Shams Charania of The Athletic reports.

Garuba will split time between the NBA and G League for the Warriors in 2023-24. The 21-year-old forward averaged 3.0 points and 4.1 rebounds in 12.9 minutes across 75 appearances for Houston last year.

Banchero didn't play Sunday for Team USA during the FIBA World Cup third-place game against Canada due to an illness, Brian Windhorst of ESPN.com reports.

Brandon Ingram missed the semifinal matchup versus Germany on Friday due to the same issue, and it appears he passed it to Banchero and Jaren Jackson, who were both sidelined Sunday. All three players should be good to go for their respective training camps in October, but it was certainly a disheartening way to end a disappointing tournament for Team USA.

Jackson didn't play Sunday for Team USA during the FIBA World Cup third-place game against Canada due to an illness, Brian Windhorst of ESPN.com reports.

Brandon Ingram missed the semifinal matchup versus Germany due to the same issue, and it appears he passed it to Jackson and Paolo Banchero, who were both sidelined Sunday. All three players should be good to go for their respective training camps in October, but it was certainly a disheartening way to end a disappointing tournament for Team USA.

The Grizzlies signed Jackson to a two-way contract Thursday.

Jackson was selected 45th overall by the Grizzlies in the 2023 NBA Draft and showed flashes of his potential in Summer League. However, as the youngest player in his draft class, Jackson will split time between the NBA and G League in 2023-24 in order to adjust to the higher level of competition.

The Hornets signed Washington (foot) to a three-year, $48 million contract Saturday, Roderick Boone of The Charlotte Observer reports.

Washington will remain in Charlotte after spending the first four years of his career with the franchise. In 2022-23, he averaged 15.7 points, 4.9 rebounds, 2.4 assists and 1.1 blocks in 32.6 minutes across 73 appearances. Washington missed the final four games of last season with a foot injury but is set to begin the 2023-24 campaign as the Hornets' starting power forward, though he could be moved to a bench role when Miles Bridges is reinstated following his 10-game suspension.

Shams Charania of The Athletic reports that contract extensions between Hield and the Pacers have stalled, so Indiana has begun trade conversations.

Hield started 73 of 80 games for Indiana last season, averaging 16.8 points, 5.0 rebounds, 2.8 assists and 1.2 steals in 31.0 minutes per game. He shot 42.5 percent from deep, the second-highest mark of his career. However, the Pacers added Bruce Brown, Jarace Walker and Obi Toppin to their wing group this offseason, and it appears Hield is the odd man out. Hield has one year remaining on the four-year, $94 million extension he signed with the Kings in 2019.

Hall signed a contract with the Nets on Wednesday, Brian Lewis of the New York Post reports.

Hall appeared in nine matchups with the Spurs during the 2022-23 campaign and averaged 3.1 points, 1.3 rebounds and 1.2 assists in 8.8 minutes per game. He'll likely spend most of this season with the G League's Long Island Nets.

Ingram (illness) didn't play for Team USA during Sunday's third-place game against Canada, Brian Windhorst of ESPN.com reports.

Ingram missed back-to-back games to end the tournament, but the illness shouldn't impact his availability for the Pelicans' training camp in October. Despite being relegated to a bench role for Team USA, Ingram is slated to be New Orleans' go-to playmaker in 2023-24, even if Zion Williamson (hamstring) is healthy.

Ingram is inactive for Friday's FIBA World Cup semifinal game against Germany due to an upper respiratory illness, Christian Clark of The New Orleans Times-Picayune reports.

Ingram won't be available for Team USA on Friday, but the ailment shouldn't affect his availability beyond the next few days. It's unclear if he'll be available for the next game of the tournament.

Murphy (knee) underwent a successful partial meniscectomy and received a biologic injection in his left knee Thursday, and he's expected to return to basketball activities in 10-12 weeks.

Murphy suffered his meniscus injury during a workout Tuesday and spent the last few days with the team's medical staff evaluating whether he'd need surgery. The team determined the need for a procedure Wednesday, and he'll shift his focus toward his recovery process following Thursday's surgery. The 23-year-old will be unavailable for the start of the regular season while recovering, but it's possible he's in the mix to return around mid-November. Dyson Daniels, Jordan Hawkins and Naji Marshall are candidates to see an uptick in minutes once the 2023-24 campaign gets underway.

Murphy (knee) is dealing with at least a slight meniscus tear and is evaluating surgical options, Adrian Wojnarowski of ESPN reports.

Murphy sustained a meniscus injury in his left knee Tuesday and was evaluating whether he'll require surgery, but it appears likely that he'll need some sort of procedure following his diagnosis. The team reportedly has "significant concern" regarding his injury, and his return timetable will depend on what type of surgery he ultimately requires. Depending on the procedure, he could return around the start of the regular season, but the team will continue to evaluate options this week.

The Clippers signed Moon to an Exhibit 10 contract Wednesday, Michael Scotto of USA Today Sports reports.

Moon made four appearances for the Clippers in 2022-23, averaging 1.8 points and 1.3 assists in 5.0 minutes. He will likely compete for the team's remaining two-way roster spot.

Hamilton was waived by the Lakers on Monday, Paul Garcia of The Spot Up Shot reports.

Hamilton inked an Exhibit 10 deal with Los Angeles on Sept. 7, but he was never expected to make the NBA roster. He figures to see plenty of opportunities this season with the Lakers' G League team, the South Bay Lakers.

Oubre is expected to sign a one-year deal with the 76ers on Monday, Adrian Wojnarowski of ESPN reports.

Oubre averaged a career-high 20.3 points per game for the Hornets in 2022-23 and was one of the top remaining free agents with just under a month until training camps begin. He lands in an interesting spot in Philadelphia, as Tobias Harris and P.J. Tucker are locked in as starting forwards, while players like Danuel House, Paul Reed and Furkan Korkmaz compete for backup minutes. When the 76ers are at full strength, Oubre could serve as the first or second man off the bench, but he's unlikely to see anywhere close to the sort of usage he enjoyed on a non-contending Hornets squad that was missing several other key players much of last season. Oubre's fantasy outlook would take a step forward if the 76ers elect to trade James Harden, though Philadelphia could receive a player or turn in return in a deal that could absorb at least some of Harden's vacated usage.

Atlanta re-signed Forrest on a two-way deal Tuesday, Michael Scotto of USA Today reports.

Forrest spent the 2022-23 campaign with the Hawks on a two-way deal, averaging 2.3 points, 1.6 rebounds and 1.7 assists in 12.0 minutes per game across 23 NBA appearances (three starts). The undrafted point guard out of Florida State was better during limited action in the G League, averaging 16.7 points, 6.6 assists, 5.9 rebounds and 2.3 steals in 31.0 minutes per game across seven appearances (six starts). Forrest figures to handle a similar role in 2023-24.

Wagner (ankle) recorded 16 points (5-8 FG, 2-4 3Pt, 4-5 FT), eight rebounds and three assists in 24 minutes Wednesday during Germany's 81-79 win over Latvia in the FIBA World Cup.

Wagner sprained his ankle late in Germany's World Cup opener and missed four straight games before returning to action Wednesday. The 22-year-old came off the bench Wednesday -- which suggests he was a bit limited -- but he ended up playing 24 minutes in a close game. Barring a setback, fantasy managers shouldn't be concerned about Wagner's injury heading into the 2023-24 NBA season.

The Jazz signed Langford to an Exhibit 10 deal Wednesday, Tony Jones of The Athletic reports.

Langford will join the Jazz after making 43 appearances for the Spurs in 2022-23, averaging 6.9 points, 2.7 rebounds and 1.2 assists in 19.7 minutes. Langford's contract will able to be easily converted into a two-way deal.

Alvarado suffered an ankle sprain during a workout over the weekend, putting his training camp availability at risk, Shams Charania of The Athletic reports.

Alvarado was beginning to ramp up for the start of training camp after he missed the FIBA World Cup due to a lower leg injury he suffered at the end of the 2022-23 season, but he suffered an ankle sprain during a workout. At this point, it is unclear whether Alvarado will be available for training camp or the Pelicans' first preseason game on Oct. 10.

Ford (undisclosed) had his contract converted to a two-way deal Thursday, Jason Anderson of The Sacramento Bee reports.

Ford signed a training camp deal with the Kings on Tuesday and will become a two-way player a few days later. His new contract will allow him to move between the parent club and G League squad easily.

The Rockets are looking to trade Porter (personal) after he was arrested and charged with assault earlier this week, Shams Charania of The Athletic reports.

With Porter facing potential legal punishment alongside league discipline following his arrest, the Rockets are attempting to move on from the 22-year-old. Considering Porter has experienced multiple off-the-court issues during the last five years, teams could feel uneasy about acquiring him, making him a possible cut candidate if the Rockets can't find any takers.

Powell signed a contract with the Cavaliers on Wednesday, Michael Scotto of USA Today reports.

Powell went undrafted this summer but joined the Heat for Summer League play. He averaged 2.0 points and 1.0 rebounds in 8.4 minutes per game over three appearances in the Summer League and will attempt to carve out a role in Cleveland during camp.

The Kings signed Ford (undisclosed) to a training camp deal Tuesday, Sean Cunningham of Fox40 News reports.

Ford averaged 14.7 points, 4.8 assists, 2.1 rebounds and 1.0 steals in 26.1 minutes across 32 games for the Stockton Kings of the G League in 2022-23. After also impressing in the Summer League, Ford will have an opportunity to make Sacramento's regular-season roster.

The Spurs waived Payne on Monday, Adrian Wojnarowski of ESPN reports.

Had he stuck around in San Antonio, Payne may have had a chance to open the season as Tre Jones' top backup, but the franchise is going in a new direction and has several young candidates to fill the role, including Malaki Branham and Blake Wesley. Payne will presumably seek to join a contending team as he heads to the open market.