Category: NBA

9 fantasy basketball sleepers to target in your 2021 draft

Some names to target in your draft.

The NBA season is around the corner — I know, it snuck up on me too — with the 2021-22 slate set to tip off on October 19 with the Brooklyn Nets visiting the Milwaukee Bucks and the Golden State Warriors playing the Los Angeles Lakers.

That means it’s … FANTASY BASKETBALL SEASON! WOOO!

If you’ve got a draft, that means you’re probably searching around for some sleepers to finish out your picks and get some of that late-round value. That’s what this list is for, a look at some under-the-radar names that could give you some studs late.

Here they are, with a mix of some vets and young guys who could break out:

Restricted free agency behind the scenes: ‘It’s not really free agency’

A look behind the scenes at restricted free agency from NBA agents and executives who spoke with HoopsHype’s Michael Scotto.

Following lucrative deals for Luka Doncic, Trae Young, Shai Gilgeous-Alexander, Michael Porter Jr. and Robert Williams, other players also on rookie-scale salaries hope to sign extensions before the Oct. 18 deadline to avoid an undesirable situation: restricted free agency.

Among those are Suns center Deandre Ayton, Cavs guard Collin Sexton and Grizzlies center Jaren Jackson Jr.

When the sides fail to agree to an extension, negotiations between executives and agents often become heated during restricted free agency.

“I was threatened by the GM,” one NBA agent told HoopsHype. “He was going to tell my client that I was f—— up the deal. I told him, ‘My client is in the other room. Do you think he doesn’t know what our conversation is? We’re going back and forth right now. There’s no way that he’s going to think I’m f—— this up.'”

To get a sense of how restricted free agency works behind the scenes and more anecdotes like the one above, HoopsHype spoke with five total agents and executives.

Vols in the NBA: Oct. 9 recap

How former Vols fared in NBA preseason games on Saturday.

The 2021 NBA preseason is underway, having kicked into full gear earlier this week.

Three former University of Tennessee players were in action Saturday night.

In Boston, the Celtics outlasted Toronto, 113-111, at TD Garden.

Two former Volunteers saw action for Boston.

Guard Josh Richardson logged 20 minutes on the hardwood against the Raptors. He totaled seven points, six rebounds, two assists and two steals.

Richardson was 3-for-5 from the field and 0-for-2 from beyond the 3-point arc. He was 1-for-2 from the free throw line.

Grant Williams played 16 minutes for the Celtics and scored 12 points and recorded three rebounds.

He was 4-for-8 from the field and 2-for-2 from beyond the 3-point arc.

Williams recorded three rebounds and one block.

In Memphis, the Grizzlies dropped a 91-87 decision to Atlanta at FedEx Forum.

Yves Pons, a free agent acquisition for Memphis, played 20 minutes.

Pons, who went undrafted in 2021 after a stellar career on Rocky Top, played 20 minutes, scoring two points, while going 1-for-4 from the floor and 0-for-3 in three-point attempts.

He also totaled two rebounds, one assist and one block.

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Wizards season preview: Will Bradley Beal stay or do they blow it up?

While still carried by Bradley Beal, the Washington Wizards enter the upcoming season as a much deeper team than they were in 2020-21.

While still carried by Bradley Beal, the Washington Wizards enter the upcoming season as a much deeper team than they were in 2020-21.

Beal is the sole lifeblood of the organization for the Wizards. Instead of sharing the floor with the likes of John Wall or Russell Westbrook, he will be surrounded by more role players in Washington than he had in previous campaigns. As such, Beal is a clear favorite to win the NBA’s scoring title. But will that be enough to help them make any noise in the playoffs?

Below, check out our preview for the 2021-22 Wizards campaign.

Vols in the NBA: Oct. 7 recap

Recapping how former Vols fared in NBA preseason games on Oct. 7.

The 2021 NBA preseason is underway having kicked into high gear earlier this week.

Two former University of Tennessee basketball players were in action on the hardwood Thursday night, and both are teammates with the Philadelphia 76ers.

The 76ers notched a 125-113 victory over Toronto at Wells Fargo Center. After falling behind, 27-22, in the first quarter, Philadelphia outscored the Raptors, 44-33, in the second stanza.

Tobias Harris, an NBA veteran, and rookie Jaden Springer both played for the 76ers against Toronto.

Harris scored 14 points in his 2021 preseason debut. He went 5-for-9 from the field and was 2-for-2 from beyond the 3-point arc. He also converted all three of his free throw attempts.

Harris also posted four rebounds, four assists and one steal.

Springer, a 2021 first-round draft pick, played seven minutes Thursday. He recorded two rebounds and one assist.

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Jeff Van Gundy absolutely roasts the idea of NBA players ‘doing my own research’ on COVID vaccine

Jeff Van Gundy is spot on with this.

The hottest topic around the NBA so far this season has been the COVID vaccine.

Will it be mandated for players? Why aren’t players taking it? Can a player play in state X if they aren’t vaccinated? Will they actually miss games because they refuse to get vaccinated?

There are many more questions where that came from. But the bottom line is that it’s clear there are a handful of players around the NBA who are skeptical about the vaccine.

And many of those players have opted to do what they’re calling their own research to determine whether the vaccine is safe or not.

What does that research entail? We have no idea. What we do know, though, is there are actual scientists and doctors out here already doing the work and doing it the right way. These vaccines have already been thoroughly researched and tested. They’re safe.

The “do your research” thing sounds completely ridiculous. And Jeff Van Gundy absolutely picked the argument apart.

“You know what drives me crazy? ‘I’m doing my own research.’ I would like someone to answer this: What does that look like? You doing your own research? Are you doing studies yourself? Are you in lab nightly? I don’t understand what that means.”

That’s spot on, JVG. Spot on.

Watch our sneaker unboxing series, Special Delivery 

Vols in the NBA: Oct. 6 recap

Recapping how former Vols fared in NBA preseason games on Oct. 6.

The NBA preseason is underway, having kicked into full gear earlier this week.

Two former University of Tennessee basketball players were in action Wednesday night and their respective teams both lost their games.

In New Orleans, the Pelicans defeated Orlando, 104-86, at Smoothie King Center.

Former Volunteer Admiral Schofield played six minutes for the Magic against New Orleans and failed to score in the contest. He was 0-for-2 from the field and launched both of his shots from beyond the 2-point arc.

Meanwhile in Los Angeles, the Clippers dropped a 113-98 decision to Sacramento at Staples Center.

Former Vol Keon Johnson, who was taken in the first round of the 2021 NBA draft, made his debut for Los Angeles.

He logged 17 minutes on the court and scored two points despite going 0-for-5 from the floor and 0-for-3 from beyond the 3-point arc.

Johnson was 2-for-2 from the free throw line. He pulled down four rebounds and had two steals.

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Hornets season preview: Is LaMelo Ball ready to become an All-Star?

The Charlotte Hornets are a team that can potentially exceed expectations, especially if LaMelo Ball is able to further improve his game.

The Charlotte Hornets are a team that can potentially exceed expectations, especially if LaMelo Ball is able to further improve his game.

Ball is one of the most exciting young players in basketball and the sky is the limit when it comes to his career. But there are still some questions about if that will translate to winning for the Hornets. For example, will he have enough talent around him to make a splash in the postseason?

Below, check out our preview for the 2021-22 Hornets campaign.

Emoni Bates’ underwhelming measurements at Memphis’ pro day surprised NBA fans

A negative wingspan?!

For many who have followed Emoni Bates’ high school career, it was always going to be a surprise to see Bates step foot on a college campus. Bates, a 17-year-old from Michigan, had initially committed to Michigan State when the Spartans were the only team to recruit the basketball phenom.

But in a surprise move — and likely bolstered by the new NIL rules — Bates de-committed from Michigan State, reclassified into the 2021 class and opted to join Penny Hardaway at Memphis this season. Because Bates won’t be 19 until 2023, he’ll have to wait two seasons before he can play in the NBA. It might mean one season at Memphis, one in the G League or overseas — or hey, he might spend two years in college now that he can profit from it.

Still, the hype around Bates did follow a usual pattern for a young prospect. Early in his high school career, Bates was considered a generational prospect, but his development stalled a bit. His measurements at Memphis’ pro day also offered an explanation for why NBA Draft experts have cooled on Bates.

Utah Jazz vs. Dallas Mavericks live stream, TV channel, time, odds, how to watch the NBA Preseason

The Utah Jazz will meet the Dallas Mavericks NBA Preseason action on Wednesday night from the American Airlines Center.

The Utah Jazz will meet the Dallas Mavericks NBA Preseason action on Wednesday night from the American Airlines Center.

The Jazz will look to bounce back after an embarrassing 111-85 loss to the Spurs while shooting 31.7% from the field all night, they’ll look for some more out of Donovan Mitchell as they look for their first win. As for the Mavericks, this will be the first game back since being knocked out of the playoffs by the Clippers. It’s looking like Luka Doncic and the starters will get some time tonight.

We have you covered throughout the NBA Preseason, here is everything you need to know to stream the NBA action tonight.

Utah Jazz vs. Dallas Mavericks

  • When: Wednesday, October 6
  • Time: 8:30 p.m. ET
  • TV Channel: NBA TV
  • Live Stream: fuboTV (watch for free)

NBA Odds and Betting Lines

NBA odds courtesy of Tipico Sportsbook. Odds last updated Wednesday at 2:05 p.m. ET.

Utah Jazz vs. Dallas Mavericks (-5.5)

O/U: 216

Want some action on the NBA? Place your legal sports bets on this game or others in CO, IN, NJ, and WV at Tipico Sportsbook.

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