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Blake Wesley Report: Trail Blazers sign Blake Wesley
Tue, Jul 22, 2025, 6:55 PM
Sean Highkin
According to multiple outlets, Blake Wesley has agreed to a one-year deal with the Trail Blazers.
Analysis: Traded to the Wizards on July 8, Wesley agreed to a contract buyout and became an unrestricted free agent. He's now headed to Portland on a one-year deal that will be fully guaranteed. Wesley offered little fantasy value during his time with the Spurs, and that's unlikely to change in Portland. In addition to the offseason acquisition of Jrue Holiday, the Blazers return Scoot Henderson and Shaedon Sharpe, who will play plenty. |
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Damian Lillard Shams: Damian Lillard finalizing deal with Blazers
Thu, Jul 17, 2025, 11:26 AM
Shams Charania
ESPN's Shams Charania reports Damian Lillard will sign a three-year, $42 million contract with the Trail Blazers.
Analysis: The contract includes a player option in 2027. Lillard now will have a 2025-26 set salary of $70M between his Portland and Milwaukee deals, and a salary of $141M over the next two years, according to Charania. The 35-year-old point guard is heading back to where his career began when the Trail Blazers selected him with the sixth overall pick in the 2012 NBA Draft. Lillard is unlikely to play much if at all this season as he recovers from Achilles surgery, but looks to finish his career right where he started it. The deal includes a no-trade clause. |
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Rayan Rupert Rupert scores 24 points with four threes vs. NOR
Tue, Jul 15, 2025, 7:03 PM
Rayan Rupert led the Trail Blazers with 24 points (9-of-12 FGs), three rebounds, one assist, two steals and four three-pointers in a 93-87 win over the Pelicans on Tuesday.
Analysis: Rupert was fantastic on Friday and followed that up with a dud on Saturday. However, he got back on track on Tuesday after a few days off. The 2023 second-round pick has been playing as well as you'd expect someone entering their third season to play, which is encouraging. He's a talented player, but the path to minutes in Portland is murky. |
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Sidy Cissoko Sidy Cissoko leads Blazers with 20 points Saturday
Sat, Jul 12, 2025, 7:33 PM
Sidy Cissoko accumulated 20 points (7-of-14 FGs, 3-of-3 FTs), four rebounds, three assists, three steals, one block and three three-pointers in Saturday's loss to the Grizzlies.
Analysis: Cissoko is on a two-way contract, so his fantasy value for the 2025-26 season is virtually non-existent. However, players on those deals can earn opportunities throughout the season. Cissoko, who was traded twice before the February deadline, played well against the Grizzlies, but he'll have to do a lot to crack a deep forward rotation in Portland. |
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Rayan Rupert Blazers pick up team option on Rayan Rupert
Sat, Jun 28, 2025, 9:54 AM
Sean Highkin
Blazers exercised the $2.2 million team option for Rayan Rupert.
Analysis: The 2023 second-round pick has flashed some upside throughout his first two seasons in the NBA, but he hasn't seen the floor much. At 21 years old, Rupert still has plenty of time to figure things out, but it is unlikely that his place in the rotation changes next season. He'll become a restricted free agent next summer. |
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Matisse Thybulle Matisse Thybulle opts into $11.5M player option
Tue, Jun 24, 2025, 10:08 AM
Chris B. Haynes
NBA Insider Chris B. Haynes reports that Matisse Thybulle is opting into his $11.5 million player option for the 2025-26 campaign.
Analysis: Thybulle is in the final year of a three-year, $33 million deal he signed with Portland in 2023, and he'll be back for at least one more season. The French forward is a three-and-D specialist who holds much more value on the basketball court than he does in fantasy lineups. He can be left on the waiver wire in 2025-26 fantasy drafts. |
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Anfernee Simons Celtics trade for Anfernee Simons
Mon, Jun 23, 2025, 5:52 PM
Shams Charania
ESPN's Shams Charania reports the Celtics have acquired Anfernee Simons and two second-round picks in exchange for Jrue Holiday.
Analysis: Drafted by the Trail Blazers in 2018, Simons spent seven years in Portland and averaged between 17.3 and 22.6 points per game over the last four years. He's entering a situation with the Celtics where he could be asked to carry a high-usage role in the absence of Jayson Tatum. With Simons on an expiring contract, the Celtics made a low-risk move getting away from the $72 million owed to Holiday. The Celtics could remain active in the trade market, only adding to Simons' opportunity next year. Simons was ranked 110th in per game value on Basketball Monster last year. After playing a career-high 70 games last year, Simons could be set up for a career year with the Celtics. |
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Dalano Banton Dalano Banton produces 20/5/6 line in final game
Sun, Apr 13, 2025, 12:20 PM
Dalano Banton led the Blazers with 23 points (8-of-22 FGs), five rebounds, seven assists, one steal and four three-pointers against the Lakers on Sunday.
Analysis: Banton played well as the starting point guard for Portland over their final seven games of the season. During this stretch as a starter, he has scored at least 20 points four times. He was also able to match his season-high of 23 points, which he has done a surprising four times this season without ever scoring more. Banton has benefitted from the absences of Anfernee Simons and Scoot Henderson, and he is set to be a free agent this summer. He could find a new team where he can be the backup point guard, but it will be difficult for him to find a situation where he can start. |
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Deni Avdija Deni Avdija, Shaedon Sharpe out Sunday vs. LAL
Sun, Apr 13, 2025, 8:25 AM
Portland Trail Blazers
Deni Avdija (thumb) and Shaedon Sharpe (knee) are out against the Lakers on Sunday.
Analysis: Avdija was initially doubtful for Sunday's game, while Sharpe was questionable. Deni was one of the revelations of the fantasy basketball season, especially after moving into the starting lineup just after Christmas. From December 28 onward, he was a top-60 player in eight-cat formats. As for Sharpe, he remains a superior option for points league formats than category leagues, but his value increased after a knee injury sidelined Jerami Grant in early March. Kris Murray and Rayan Rupert should play significant minutes for Sunday's season finale. |
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Bryce McGowens Bryce McGowens (ribs) out Sunday vs. LA Lakers
Sat, Apr 12, 2025, 3:48 PM
NBA Injury Report
Bryce McGowens (ribs) is out for Sunday's game against the Lakers.
Analysis: McGowens, who's on a two-way contract, will miss Sunday's season finale with a fractured rib. His absence does not impact fantasy basketball but ensures that Rayan Rupert plays extended minutes off the bench. |
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Deni Avdija Deni Avdija doubtful, Shaedon Sharpe questionable
Sat, Apr 12, 2025, 3:45 PM
NBA Injury Report
Deni Avdija (thumb) is doubtful for Sunday's game against the Lakers and Shaedon Sharpe (knee) is questionable.
Analysis: Sharpe has a better chance of being on the court for Sunday's season finale, with he and Avdija missing Friday's loss to the Warriors. Portland started Matisse Thybulle and Kris Murray on the wings for that one, but both players offer limited offensive upside. Sunday could be a massive day for Sharpe if he's allowed to play, with Murray being the player most likely to head to the bench. |
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Jerami Grant Jerami Grant (knee) ruled out Sunday vs. Lakers
Sat, Apr 12, 2025, 3:40 PM
NBA Injury Report
Jerami Grant (knee) is out for Sunday's game against the Lakers.
Analysis: Grant's season has come to a disappointing end. He has not played in a game since March 9. The veteran forward finished the season as a 12th-round player in eight- and nine-cat formats, shooting 37.3 percent from the field and offering limited value outside of the points and three-point categories. Grant is not a player who should be selected with a top-100 draft pick next fall, whether you're talking points or category leagues. |
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Anfernee Simons Anfernee Simons, Scoot Henderson ruled out Sunday
Sat, Apr 12, 2025, 3:34 PM
NBA Injury Report
Anfernee Simons (forearm) and Scoot Henderson (concussion) are out against the Lakers on Sunday.
Analysis: Simons and Henderson will miss Portland's final game of the season, meaning Dalano Banton will remain in the starting lineup. He should be slotted into lineups in active fantasy leagues due to Portland's lack of options at point guard. While Simons finished the season as a ninth-round player in eight- and nine-cat formats, Henderson was ranked well outside the top-100 in both. Henderson's per-game value did improve compared to his rookie season, which is encouraging. But he remains a better option for points leagues than category leagues. |
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Dalano Banton Dalano Banton goes 1-of-12 in loss to Warriors
Fri, Apr 11, 2025, 6:32 PM
Dalano Banton had three points (1-of-12 FGs), four rebounds, six assists and one block against the Warriors on Friday.
Analysis: Banton started and played 31 minutes Friday against the Warriors with Anfernee Simons and Scoot Henderson ruled out. The 25-year-old point guard is capable of big games when given the opportunity, but this certainly wasn't one of those. Banton couldn't get his shot to fall as he finished with three points on 1-of-12 shooting from the field. Portland finishes up the season Sunday with a matchup against the Lakers. While Banton could be in line for a similar workload, he's made it difficult to trust him on the final day of the season. |
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Deni Avdija Deni Avdija, Shaedon Sharpe out Friday vs. GSW
Fri, Apr 11, 2025, 2:19 PM
Deni Avdija (thumb) and Shaedon Sharpe (knee) are out for Friday's game against the Warriors.
Analysis: Avdija is set to miss his third-straight game with a thumb injury. Matisse Thybulle will move into the starting lineup once again and is worth using in deeper formats. Sharpe will miss the game with a knee injury and Dalano Banton is expected to play a lot. |
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Anfernee Simons Anfernee Simons, Scoot Henderson ruled out Friday
Thu, Apr 10, 2025, 7:06 PM
NBA Injury Report
Anfernee Simons (forearm) and Scoot Henderson (concussion) are out for Friday's game against the Warriors.
Analysis: Friday's game will be the sixth in a row Simons has missed, and the seventh in a row by Henderson. The Trail Blazers have turned to Dalano Banton to take over the starting point guard duties. Despite the efficiency issues, he's worth rostering in active fantasy leagues due to the opportunity. |
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Jerami Grant Jerami Grant (knee) out Friday vs. Golden State
Thu, Apr 10, 2025, 7:03 PM
NBA Injury Report
Jerami Grant (knee) is out for Friday's game against the Warriors.
Analysis: Grant remains out for Friday's game, and it would be surprising if he played on Sunday. Shaedon Sharpe has been his replacement in the starting lineup, but he's questionable for Friday. If Sharpe also sits, Rayan Rupert and Kris Murray are the most likely options to fill the void. |
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Shaedon Sharpe Shaedon Sharpe (knee) questionable Friday vs. GSW
Thu, Apr 10, 2025, 6:04 PM
NBA Injury Report
Shaedon Sharpe (knee) is questionable for Friday's game against the Warriors.
Analysis: Sharpe played 35 minutes in Wednesday's overtime loss to the Jazz and scored a career-high 37 points. If he does not play against the Warriors, Kris Murray, who logged 22 minutes off the bench on Wednesday, will have more opportunities to play. |
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Deni Avdija Deni Avdija (thumb) doubtful Friday vs. GSW
Thu, Apr 10, 2025, 6:00 PM
NBA Injury Report
Deni Avdija (thumb) is doubtful for Friday's game against the Warriors.
Analysis: Avdija has missed the last two games and appears likely to miss a third on Friday. His absence has freed up a place in the starting lineup for Matisse Thybulle, who most recently recorded 12 points and six assists in Wednesday's loss to the Jazz. He's worth a look in active deep leagues, especially for managers needing steals. |
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Rayan Rupert Rayan Rupert scores career-high 19 points vs. Utah
Wed, Apr 9, 2025, 6:00 PM
Rayan Rupert amassed 19 points (7-of-17 FGs, 4-of-5 FTs), four rebounds, two assists, two steals and one three-pointer in 35 minutes in Wednesday's loss to the Jazz.
Analysis: Wednesday's performance was the best of Rupert's NBA career, with the second-year wing notching a new career-high point total. His previous high was 14, recorded on November 1 against the Thunder. Rupert has not been a fantasy asset during his first two seasons, but the improved playing time makes him worthy of a look in active leagues as Portland plays its final two games. The Blazers host Golden State on Friday. |
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