FANTASY / PLAYER NEWS
Luke Jackson: Waived by Raptors
Update: The Raptors finalized their roster by waiving Jackson on Monday, the Associated Press reports.
Analysis: Jackson barely even played in the preseason. He was a lottery pick only three ago but has already played with three teams and has yet to average more than 4.5 ppg with any of them.
Oleksiy Pecherov: In A Walking Boot
Update: Pecherov (ankle) showed up for practice Monday in a walking boot and using crutches, the Washington Post reports.
Analysis: Pecherov, who rolled the ankle during Sunday's practice, could be out for a little while. The injury leaves Washington with just 11 healthy players for Wednesday's opener against Indiana.
Orien Greene: Will Start Wednesday
Update: Greene has been named the starter at shooting guard for Sacramento's season opener Wednesday night at New Orleans, the Sacramento Bee reports.
Analysis: Greene could be the starter for this particular matchup against the speedy Chris Paul, who may be more than Quincy Douby or Francisco Garcia can handle defensively. With Mike Bibby (thumb) expected to miss 2-to-3 months, there will be opportunities for Greene to establish himself.
Beno Udrih: Traded to Timberwolves
Update: Udrih (finger) was traded to the Timberwolves on Monday in exchange for a 2008 second-round draft pick, the Associated Press reports.
Analysis: Udrih never found his niche with the Spurs and this trade will give him a fresh start in Minnesota. It's unclear how much playing time Udrih will see with the Timberwolves following the team's trade of Ricky Davis, and it won't be clear until he returns from his injury. Udrih's fantasy value with his new team will be more concrete in a couple of weeks when his finger is completely healed and the Timberwolves have set their rotation.
Pau Gasol: Practices Monday
Update: Gasol (ankle) returned to practice Monday, going full speed through all of the scrimmages and contact drills, the Memphis Commercial Appeal reports.
Analysis: Gasol said the ankle still hurts a bit, but is not going to miss the season opener Wednesday against the Spurs.
Scot Pollard: Practices Monday; Could Play Friday
Update: Pollard (ankle) participated in Monday's practice, the Boston Herald reports.
Analysis: Pollard gave his sprained left ankle its most complete on-court work to date. He is hoping to be ready for Friday's season opener against Washington. If healthy, Pollard will back up Kendrick Perkins at center.
Demetris Nichols: Picked Up By Cleveland
Update: The Cavaliers picked up Nichols off waivers on Monday, the Cleveland Plain Dealer reports.
Analysis: Nichols won't give the Cavs a an Anderson Varejao replacement, but has 3-point range.
Bobby Simmons: Will Come Off Bench
Update: Simmons will come off the bench to start the season Wednesday against Orlando, the Milwaukee Journal Sentinel reports.
Analysis: Desmond Mason will start for the Bucks, but we should see Simmons get enough minutes to provide some scoring value in fantasy leagues.
Desmond Mason: Will Start at Small Forward
Update: Bucks coach Larry Krystowiak named Mason his starting small forward for Wednesday's season opener against Orlando, the Milwaukee Journal Sentinel reports.
Analysis: Krystowiak prefers Mason over Bobby Simmons, who should provide some offense off the bench. Mason gives him a better defender on the perimeter.
Charlie Villanueva: Coming off Bench
Update: Villanueva will come off the bench at power forward when the Bucks open the season Wednesday night at Orlando, the Milwaukee Journal Sentinel reports.
Analysis: Bucks coach Larry Krystowiak will start Yi Jianlian in a lineup he sees as high energy. Villanueva, along with Bobby Simmons, will come off the bench to give the second unit some scoring punch.
Jianlian Yi: Will Start at Power Forward
Update: Bucks coach Larry Krystowiak has named Yi the starting power forward for Wednesday night's opener at Orlando, the Milwaukee Journal Sentinel reports.
Analysis: Yi joins Desmond Mason (SF), Michael Redd (SG), Andrew Bogut (C) and Mo Williams (PG) in Krystowiak's starting five. "I think he's got a great upside, and he's doing a nice job with us," Krystkowiak said. "He knows where he's supposed to be; he knows the plays. He's as good a big guy as we have in pick-and-roll coverage. When we play Orlando, they're a fast-break team like no other. The ball gets pushed down your throat. I think if we put the stopwatch on our bigs, I think Yi would be first or second in a race. I like his chances of getting back, and I want to set a little defensive tone."
Randy Foye: Misses Practice With Sore Knee
Update: Foye (knee tendinitis) missed practice Monday and his availability for the start of the regular season is somewhat in doubt, the Minneapolis Star Tribune reports.
Analysis: He'll be re-evaluated on Monday. He played 16 minutes in Friday's final preseason game, but it looks like he's had a setback. Sebastian Telfair will start at point guard if Foye can't play.
Linas Kleiza: Denver Exercises Contract Option
Update: The Nuggets exercised the fourth-year option on Kleiza's contract Monday, the Associated Press reports.
Analysis: The contract extension will keep Klieza with Denver through 2008-09. He saw decent numbers last season as a backup, averaging 7.6 points and 3.4 rebounds off the bench.
Jermaine O'Neal: Doubtful for Season Opener
Update: O'Neal (knee) is listed as doubtful for Wednesday's season opener against Washington, according to the Indianapolis Star.
Analysis: The injury is nothing serious, and O'Neal should be back soon. The Pacers signed Courtney Sims Monday to add a big man to the roster.
Sammy Mejia: Cut by Pistons
Update: Mejia was released by the Pistons Monday, according to the Detroit Free Press.
Analysis: After being drafted in the second round by Detroit, Mejia averaged just 1.7 points and 2.2 rebounds in the preseason.
Devin Green: Released by Miami
Update: The Heat released Green and three others Monday, accorindg to the Miami Herald.
Analysis: Green was a long shot to make the Miami roster. He averaged just 0.9 points in 27 games for the Lakers last season.
Marcus Slaughter: Cut by Heat
Update: Slaugher was released by Miami on Monday, according to the Miami Herald.
Analysis: Despite a few solid outings in the preseason, Slaughter was unable to secure a spot on the Heat. Three other players were also cut to clear room on the roster.
Jeremy Richardson: Cut by Miami
Update: Richardson was released by Miami Monday to make room on their roster, the Miami Herald reports.
Analysis: Richardson has only played in six games and is likely on few, if any, fantasy rosters.
Othella Harrington: Cleared to Practice
Update: Harrington was cleared to practice with the Bobcats, the Charlotte Observer reports.
Analysis: Harrington is coming off arthroscopic surgery on his left knee in September. Even if healthy, Harrington will provide little fantasy value.
Josh Boone: Contract Option Exercised by Nets
Update: New Jersey exercised the third-year option on Boone's contract Monday, the Associated Press.
Analysis: Boone will now be under contract with New Jersey through 2008-09. He averaged 4.2 points last year as a rookie in 61 games.
Marcus Williams: New Jersey Exercises Option
Update: The Nets exercised the third-year option on Williams' contract Monday, according to the Associated Press.
Analysis: The extension will keep Williams with New Jersey through 2008-09. He was selected 22nd overall in last year's draft, and averaged 6.8 points as Jason Kidd's backup. Williams underwent surgery on his foot earlier in the month and isn't expected to return until mid-November.
Joey Graham: Raptors Excercise Option
Update: Toronto exercied the fourth-year option on Graham's contract Monday, the Associated Press reports.
Analysis: With his option picked up, Graham will now remain with the Raptors through the 2008-09 season. He averaged 6.4 points per game for Toronto last season.
Rasho Nesterovic: Comfortable in Bench Role
Update: Nesterovic, who's been a starter for most of his NBA career, says he has no problem coming off the bench behind Andrea Bargnani this season, the Toronto Sun reports.
Analysis: "It's okay," Nesterovic said. "It's probably the point in my career when I can do more from the bench than as a starter. You just have to adjust (to the new role) and give everything you have." Nesterovic only saw 21 minutes a night last season anyway, so the new role won't have a big impact on his court time, or his limited fantasy value.
David Wesley: Traded to New Jersey
Update: Wesley was traded to New Jersey Monday in exchange for Bernard Robinson, Mile Ilic and cash.
Analysis: Wesley will never suit up for the Nets and will be waived soon according to general manager Ed Stefanski, the New York Daily News reports.
Bo Outlaw: Makes Final Roster
Update: With only 15 players left in camp, Outlaw is expected to make Orlando's final roster when it becomes official at 6:00 p.m. on Monday, the Orlando Sentinel reports.
Analysis: Outlaw entered camp without a guaranteed contract but played well enough to earn his roster spot. Though he's on the team, Outlaw won't see many minutes and has almost no fantasy value.
JJ Redick: Returns to Practice
Update: Redick (hand) will return to practice on Monday after sitting out the last week with a bruised right hand, the Orlando Sentinel reports.
Analysis: Redick was beaten out for the starting shooting guard position by Keith Bogans, in part because he was forced to sit out the past week. The starting lineup isn't set in stone for the rest of the season, so Redick has a good chance of becoming a starter at some point if he can provide some consistent scoring.
Louis Amundson: Has Resumed Practicing
Update: Admunson, who had been out with a hip pointer, resumed practicing Sunday, the Philadelphia Daily News reports.
Analysis: Admunson may be able to play in the season opener but he shouldn't see many minutes healthy or not. He has no fantasy value at this time.
Samuel Dalembert: Practiced Fully on Sunday
Update: Dalembert (left foot), who returned for a light workout Saturday, took part in Sunday's entire practice and expects to start in the season opener Wednesday night, the Philadelphia Inquirer reports.
Analysis: How Dalembert feels over the next couple of days will determine if he starts or not in the season opener. Fantasy players should have other options ready just in case.
Robert Swift: Day to -Day With Bruised Knee
Update: Swift (knee) did not practice Sunday, the Seattle Times reports.
Analysis: Swift, who has been out since Thursday because of bruising in his surgically repaired right knee, is listed as day-to-day.
Jeff Green: Sits Out Practice Sunday
Update: Green, who suffered a sprained left ankle Friday, did not practice Sunday and will be reevaluated Monday, the Seattle Times reports.
Analysis: Green is considered day-to-day leading up to Wednesday's season opener.
Kevin Durant: Still Day-to-Day
Update: Durant (sprained left ankle) has been walking on a treadmill and participated in shooting drills Sunday but will not know until Monday whether he can practice or make his NBA debut Wednesday, the Seattle Times reports.
Analysis: Durant says he's fine, but the Sonics would rather take the cautious route here. "It's a day-by-day thing," said general manager Sam Presti. "We'll see how he does, and we're hopeful he'll make a quick recovery." We'll continue to monitor Durant's status closely.
Oleksiy Pecherov: Sprains Ankle
Update: Pecherov sprained his left ankle in practice Sunday, the Washington Post reports.
Analysis: Pecherov, who has been bothered by a bruised left thigh that forced him to miss two preseason games, had to be helped to the locker room and his status is day-to-day.
Brad Miller: Could Miss Games
Update: Miller sat out Sunday's practice with a back strain and may miss Wednesday's season opener against New Orleans, the Sacramento Bee reports.
Analysis: "As crazy as it is, I'd rather him miss a couple of games and get better rather than miss more games and make it worse," Sacramento coach Reggie Theus said. Considering small forward Ron Artest (suspension) and point guard Mike Bibby (thumb) will miss significant time to start the season, it would be a bold move to sit Miller. He proclaims that he will ready to play, but ultimately that will be Theus' call. When Miller is healthy he should be starting at center in most fantasy leagues.
Orien Greene: May Start at Point
Update: Greene is a strong candidate to start at point guard for Mike Bibby (thumb) in the regular-season opener on Wednesday, the Sacramento Bee reports.
Analysis: The third-year player ran the first team during practice for Sacramento coach Reggie Theus. He is a persistent defender who is capable of running Theus' offensive sets efficiently. Presently, his fantasy value would be limited to steals and assists.
Boris Diaw: Sits Out Practice
Update: Diaw missed Sunday's practice after turning both of his ankles in last Thursday's preseason victory over Denver, the East Valley Tribune reports.
Analysis: Diaw, who missed Phoenix' final exhibition game on Friday, expects to play when the season opens Thursday in Seattle.
Malik Allen: Returns to Practice
Update: Allen (foot) returned to practice on Sunday, the New York Post reports.
Analysis: Throw a healthy Allen into the big-man mix. Nets coach Lawrence Frank has Allen, Jamaal Magloire, Josh Boone and rookie Sean Williams looking for playing time in the front court. Allen has a dependable jump shot and plays well in the pick-and-roll game.
Paul Davis: First Big Off Bench
Update: Davis will be the Clippers' first big man off the bench, the Los Angeles Daily News reports.
Analysis: Davis was drafted as a center, but has been used at power forward as well during the preseason. He's got a nice offensive game around the basket, which is something the Clips could use more of with Elton Bran out, but could stand to be more of a presence defensively.
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