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Paolo Banchero Paolo Banchero commits to USA for FIBA World Cup
Sat, Jun 24, 2023, 12:01 PM
The Athletic
According to The Athletic, Paolo Banchero has committed to Team USA for this summer's FIBA World Cup.
Analysis: This represents a nice development for USA Basketball, as Banchero previously committed to representing Italy this summer. While born in the United States, he holds an Italian passport because his father is of Italian descent. There was hope that Banchero would play for Italy in the Tokyo Olympics, but that event was pushed back from 2020 to 2021 due to the COVID-19 pandemic. |
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Paolo Banchero Paolo Banchero headlines All-Rookie first team
Mon, May 8, 2023, 1:17 PM
NBA Communications on Twitter
Paolo Banchero, Jalen Williams, Walker Kessler, Keegan Murray, and Bennedict Mathurin were named to first-team NBA's All-Rookie.
Analysis: Banchero, who won Rookie of the Year honors, was the lone unanimous selection to the first-team roster. Williams was one first-place vote shy of a similar distinction, with Kessler racking up 95 first-place votes. Murray (88 first-place votes) and Mathurin (71) were next in line, with there being a sizable voting gap between them and second-team All-Rookie selection Jaden Ivey (43 first-place votes). Jalen Duren, Jabari Smith, Jeremy Sochan, and Tari Eason joined Ivey on the second team. Smith (one vote), Eason (two votes), and Jaylin Williams (one vote) were the only other rookies to receive at least one first-place vote. |
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Jonathan Isaac Jonathan Isaac hopes to be ready for training camp
Mon, May 8, 2023, 9:36 AM
Orlando Sentinel
Jonathan Isaac (left adductor surgery) told the Orlando Sentinel that he's optimistic he'll be a full go once training camp begins.
Analysis: Isaac made his long-awaited return from the ACL tear that he suffered in the bubble and other injuries on January 23. Unfortunately, his time on the court was limited to 11 games, with a torn adductor muscle being the reason for this shutdown. The good news is that it sounds like Isaac will be at full strength for the summer, which hasn't been the case in quite some time. "This is really going to be the first summer I have to fully work," Isaac said. "Every other summer, Iâve been rehabbing, trying to get back onto the court. So Iâll hopefully, in the next few weeks, be a full go. And doing everything I need to do to have a healthy next season." Fantasy managers are well aware of Isaac's potential when he's on the court playing consistent minutes, but the inactivity makes him difficult to trust in drafts. He's a player who could wind up being a fantasy steal, provided he stays healthy. |
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Caleb Houstan Caleb Houstan puts up 21 PTS with five 3-pointers
Sun, Apr 9, 2023, 3:16 PM
Caleb Houston played 34 minutes in Sunday's 123-110 loss to the Heat, accounting for 21 points (6-of-14 FGs, 4-of-5 FTs), one assist, two steals, and five 3-pointers.
Analysis: Houstan was the lone Magic starter to play more than 16 minutes in Sunday's season finale, and he took advantage of the opportunity. The rookie wing hit the 20-point mark (and surpassed it) for the first time as a pro, with the 21 being nine higher than his previous season-high. The five 3-pointers were also a season-high for Houstan, who didn't offer much fantasy value this season. His contract for next season is guaranteed, but Houstan's play in Summer League (if Orlando has him play) will be critical with regard to establishing himself as a rotation player. Kevon Harris (22/8/2 with four 3-pointers) and Chuma Okeke (14/4/5/3 with four 3-pointers) reached double figures off the bench, with the latter facing an important offseason himself. |
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Paolo Banchero Paolo Banchero (back) downgraded to out Sunday
Sun, Apr 9, 2023, 11:45 AM
NBA Injury Report
Paolo Banchero (back tightness) has been downgraded to out for Sunday's matchup with Miami.
Analysis: Banchero's absence opened up the starting spot for Caleb Houstan, since Orlando played most of their other rotational players. Banchero's 72 games of availability this season were likely enough for him to win Rookie of the Year. He should be drafted much earlier next season after having an ADP of 73.6 as a rookie. |
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Gary Harris Gary Harris (groin) available Sunday vs. Miami
Sun, Apr 9, 2023, 11:02 AM
Khobi Price on Twitter
Gary Harris (left adductor soreness) will play against Miami on Sunday.
Analysis: Harris has spent the majority of this season as the starting shooting guard in Orlando. However, he'll finish the season playing a role off the bench. He should still play enough minutes to provide some value from deep. |
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Wendell Carter ORL starting Fultz, Suggs, Houstan, Franz, Carter
Sun, Apr 9, 2023, 11:00 AM
Orlando Magic on Twitter
The Magic will start Markelle Fultz (left knee soreness), Jalen Suggs, Caleb Houstan, Franz Wagner (right ankle sprain) and Wendell Carter Jr. (left hip soreness) against Miami on Sunday.
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Wendell Carter Wendell Carter Jr. (hip) upgraded to questionable
Sat, Apr 8, 2023, 3:34 PM
NBA Injury Report
Wendell Carter Jr. (left hip soreness) is now questionable for Sunday's game against the Heat.
Analysis: Ruled out on the initial injury report, Carter's status has been upgraded for Orlando's season finale. Bol Bol and Goga Bitadze have served as the starting center in the Magic's last two games, with both receiving a boost to their fantasy values when given the opportunity. Carter being active would limit Bol and Bitadze, even if his minutes are limited. |
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Wendell Carter Wendell Carter Jr., Moritz Wagner out Sun. vs Heat
Sat, Apr 8, 2023, 11:57 AM
NBA Injury Report
Wendell Carter Jr. (left hip soreness) and Moritz Wagner (sprained right ankle) have been ruled out for Sunday's game against the Heat.
Analysis: Unless something were to change before tipoff on Sunday afternoon, this ends the season for Carter and Wagner. Entering the season with a Yahoo ADP of 75, WCJ ranked just outside the top 100 in 9-cat, per-game value while just cracking that threshold in 8-cat. Appearing in 56 games, he averaged 15.5 points (a career-high), 8.8 rebounds, 2.3 assists, 0.5 steals, 0.6 blocks, and 1.4 3-pointers in 29.9 minutes. This season's ADP may have been a bit high, but Carter should again be a top-100 pick come draft time. As for Wagner, his best fantasy moments occurred when the Magic were shorthanded in the frontcourt. Rostered in 14% of Yahoo leagues, he'll finish the season ranked just inside the top 200 in 8- and 9-cat formats. |
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Markelle Fultz Markelle Fultz, Gary Harris questionable Sunday
Sat, Apr 8, 2023, 11:51 AM
NBA Injury Report
Markelle Fultz (left knee soreness) and Gary Harris (left adductor soreness) are questionable for Sunday's game against the Heat.
Analysis: While Harris was held out of Friday's loss to Brooklyn, Fultz was cleared to play after initially being listed as questionable. However, he only played 18 minutes, so there may not be much value in rostering Fultz if the Magic play him on Sunday. Kevon Harris and Caleb Houstan should play plenty in Orlando's final game of the season, but neither is worth rostering in fantasy leagues. |
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Paolo Banchero Paolo Banchero, Franz Wagner questionable Sunday
Sat, Apr 8, 2023, 11:47 AM
NBA Injury Report
Paolo Banchero (back tightness) and Franz Wagner (sprained left ankle) are questionable for Sunday's game against the Heat.
Analysis: Banchero and Wagner were listed as questionable ahead of Friday's game against the Nets, with the latter ultimately starting and playing 24 minutes. With the Magic playing for nothing beyond draft lottery odds, Banchero and Wagner could be cheering on their teammates from the sideline Sunday afternoon. And even if they're allowed to play, the two talented forwards might not surpass 25 minutes. |
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Cole Anthony Cole Anthony goes for 14/9/6 with two triples
Fri, Apr 7, 2023, 10:35 PM
Cole Anthony finished Friday's 101-84 loss to the Nets with 14 points (6-of-16 FGs), nine rebounds, six assists, and two 3-pointers in 30 minutes.
Analysis: Friday was a frustrating night for fantasy managers and DFS players who may have committed to any of Orlando's three starting guards. While Anthony played 30 minutes, he wasn't particularly efficient on the offensive end of the floor. The good news is that he posted solid rebound and assist numbers, so all wasn't lost there. The same can't be said for Markelle Fultz (7/1/5/1) and Jalen Suggs (seven points, five rebounds, and one 3-pointer), who played 18 and 19 minutes, respectively. With Orlando's season finale against Miami on Sunday meaning nothing, fantasy managers whose leagues are active should avoid using Anthony, Fultz, and Suggs. |
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Goga Bitadze Goga Bitadze posts 12/15/1/1/1 line vs. Brooklyn
Fri, Apr 7, 2023, 10:06 PM
Goga Bitadze accounted for 12 points (5-of-7 FGs, 2-of-2 FTs), 15 rebounds, one assist, one steal, and one blocked shot in Friday's 101-84 loss to Brooklyn, playing 25 minutes.
Analysis: With Wendell Carter Jr. once again sidelined, it was Bitadze's turn to fill the void in the starting lineup. And he played well, recording his first double-double as a member of the Magic and second of the season (October 22 vs. Detroit). The 15 rebounds matched Bitadze's season-high, which was first recorded in that game against the Pistons. Bol Bol, who started Thursday's loss to the Cavaliers, played 17 minutes off the bench Friday night and finished with three points (1-of-9 FGs, 1-of-2 FTs), four rebounds, one steal, and three blocks. Orlando closes its season on Sunday in Miami, and the Heat are locked into their seed for next week. That could be a good day for Bitadze or Bol, depending on who starts. |
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Paolo Banchero Paolo Banchero, Wendell Carter Jr. out for Friday
Fri, Apr 7, 2023, 5:38 PM
NBA Injury Report
Paolo Banchero (back tightness) and Wendell Carter Jr. (left hip soreness) have been ruled out for Friday's game against the Nets.
Analysis: The first clue that Banchero and Carter wouldn't play was the starting lineup, which they were absent from. Orlando's going small, starting Cole Anthony alongside Markelle Fultz and Jalen Suggs, while Goga Bitadze will slide into the spot usually occupied by Carter. |
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Markelle Fultz ORL starting Fultz, Suggs, Anthony, Franz, Bitadze
Fri, Apr 7, 2023, 5:19 PM
Magic PR on Twitter
Markelle Fultz, Jalen Suggs, Cole Anthony, Franz Wagner, and Goga Bitadze will start Friday's game against the Nets.
Analysis: Suggs is the lone holdover from the quintet that started Thursday's loss to the Cavaliers, and he'll be part of a three-game backcourt. Fultz has been a fantasy stud over the second half of the season, so his return is good news for fantasy managers whose leagues are still active. And Bitadze gets a start, replacing Bol Bol, while Wagner's return means that Chuma Okeke will come off the bench. |
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Wendell Carter Wendell Carter Jr. (hip) downgraded to out Friday
Fri, Apr 7, 2023, 12:43 PM
NBA Injury Report
Wendell Carter Jr. (left hip soreness) has been downgraded to out for Friday's matchup with Brooklyn.
Analysis: After initially being ruled out, WCJ was one of Orlando's players to get flipped to questionable Friday morning. However, he's been ruled out once again, which means that Bol Bol and Goga Bitadze should dominate the center minutes. |
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Moritz Wagner Moritz Wagner (ankle) downgraded to out once again
Fri, Apr 7, 2023, 12:35 PM
NBA Injury Report
Moritz Wagner (sprained right ankle) has been downgraded back to out for Friday's matchup with Brooklyn.
Analysis: After being initially ruled out, Orlando moved Wagner back to questionable Friday morning. Now he has been ruled out again. Hopefully they don't keep going back and forth. |
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Markelle Fultz Fultz, Harris, Mo Wagner upgraded to questionable
Fri, Apr 7, 2023, 10:48 AM
NBA Injury Report
Markelle Fultz (left knee soreness), Gary Harris (left adductor soreness) and Moritz Wagner (right ankle sprain) have been upgraded to questionable for Friday's game against Brooklyn.
Analysis: After initially ruling all of these guys out right after Thursday's game, the Magic have upgraded everybody to questionable. We'll see if they let them play in one, or both, of their final two games, or if Orlando just really like messing with fantasy managers and giving them false hope. |
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Paolo Banchero Banchero, Carter, Franz Wagner now questionable
Fri, Apr 7, 2023, 10:44 AM
NBA Injury Report
Paolo Banchero (back tightness), Wendell Carter Jr. (left hip soreness), and Franz Wagner (sprained left ankle) have all been upgraded to questionable for Friday's matchup with Brooklyn.
Analysis: Remember when Orlando ruled out most of their rotation a few hours before they played on Thursday, and then immediately ruled them out again for Friday? Well, they had a change of heart Friday morning, and now have them all listed as questionable. Cole Anthony, who was technically active on Thursday, didn't play against Cleveland and is still not on the injury report. It's unclear who the Magic plan on deploying against the Nets, which makes everyone a risky play. |
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Cole Anthony Cole Anthony picks up a DNP-CD Thursday vs. Cavs
Thu, Apr 6, 2023, 11:55 PM
Khobi Price on Twitter
Cole Anthony did not play at all in Thursday's loss to the Cavaliers.
Analysis: Anthony was not officially ruled out for Thursday's game, but it was reported during the first quarter that it did not appear likely that he would play. Maybe this was done with the idea that he'll play in Friday's game against the Nets, possibly replacing Jalen Suggs as the starting point guard. Nothing was said after Thursday's defeat, and neither guard was on the initial injury report released after the game. |
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