Thu Jul 11 4:57pm ET
Field Level Media
The NBA is preparing for the second year of its in-season tournament, now branded as the Emirates NBA Cup.
The league said Thursday that the second annual tournament will begin Nov. 12 with regular-season fixtures designated as NBA Cup games.
As with last year's competition, teams will be drawn into six groups of five for a single round robin. Group play games will take place across four Tuesdays (Nov. 12, Nov. 19, Nov. 26 and Dec. 3) and three Fridays (Nov. 15, Nov. 22 and Nov. 29).
The quarterfinals of the single-elimination knockout bracket will be played Dec. 10 and 11. Then the tournament will shift from NBA team markets to Las Vegas, where T-Mobile Arena (home of the NHL's Golden Knights) will host the semifinals on Dec. 14 and the championship game on Dec. 17.
The NBA Cup groups will be drawn Friday night during a live ESPN broadcast.
The Los Angeles Lakers won the inaugural in-season tournament, defeating the Indiana Pacers in the championship game.
The NBA announced in February that a new partnership with Emirates would include branding the in-season tournament with the airline's name beginning with the coming season.
According to Sean Cunningham of FOX40 News (KTXL), the Sacramento Kings will work out 35-year-old free-agent point guard Isaiah Thomas. Last season, Thomas suited up for the Phoenix Suns and appeared in just six games, averaging 1.3 points per contest while going 30.0%from the field. Thomas kicked off his NBA career with the Kings, playing 216 games and averaging 15.3 points across three seasons. Should the veteran guard sign a contract with Sacramento, his minutes on the court will be limited, and he will not be a factor in fantasy in the upcoming season.
Spanish forward/centerUsman Garubais set to return to his homeland after signing a three-year contract with Real Madrid, according to Eurohoops. The 22-year-old has spent three seasons in the NBA, suiting up for the Golden State Warriors last season and playing in just seven contests. In the two previous campaigns, Garuba averaged 2.6 points and 3.8 rebounds in 11.7 minutes across 105 appearances for the Houston Rockets. For the upcoming season, the Madrid-born big man will be in his second stint with Real Madrid.
Chicago Bulls guard Lonzo Ball (knee) stated his rehab has gone well. He also told fans to expect to see him back on the court in 2024-25. The 26-year-old last played in 2021-22 when he averaged 13.0 points, 5.4 rebounds, 5.1 assists, and 1.8 steals in 25 games for the Bulls. He also shot a career-high 42.3%. Unfortunately, he has undergone numerous knee surgeries and hasn't been on the court since. At any rate, Ball appears to be moving in the right direction in the recovery process. But it will take time before he's ready for a full workload. Even then, the Bulls have Josh Giddey and Coby White, meaning Ball could struggle to find minutes.
New Orleans Pelicans forward Zion Williamson played a career-high 70 games in 2023-24. However, it appears Williamson remains committed to staying on the floor, with the 24-year-old appearing slimmer in a recent photo posted to Instagram. Without question, his durability has been an issue since entering the league as the No. 1 overall pick in 2019. His work ethic has also been questioned. Yet, while Williamson's statistical numbers were down slightly last season, fantasy managers will take it as long as he stays healthy. With that said, he has top-10 fantasy potential. But the former Duke Blue Devil has an uphill climb to convince fantasy managers he's no longer injury-prone.
Los Angeles Clippers forward P.J. Tucker will likely remain with the team for the start of the season. The veteran was sparingly used by the team in 2023-24, and Tucker even publicly requested a trade. According to The Athletic's Law Murray, the Clippers have explored trading him in the offseason after Tucker picked up a $11.5 million player option for the 2024-25 campaign, but a deal before training camp is considered unlikely. Despite seeing big minutes on multiple teams during a lengthy career spanning nearly 900 games, Tucker has never been a productive fantasy asset, and his stock will be at an all-time low if he can't get out of L.A.
Milwaukee Bucks point guard Damian Lillard struggled by his standards in his debut campaign with the team but is confident that he can regain the form he previously had playing in Portland. "I'm not a player that's breaking down," Lillard told Jim Owczarski of the Milwaukee Journal Sentinel. "I live a clean, good, healthy life so I can do it. I can do the same (expletive) I did two, three years ago. I can do it right now." Lillard's rebounding and assists remained around the same level he had with the Trail Blazers, but his scoring numbers nose-dived in 2023-24 due to poor shooting efficiency. If Lillard can boost his shooting numbers back up to his career average levels in the upcoming campaign, he should become a regular 30-point scorer again.
Charlotte Hornets point guard Vasilije Micic is drawing links with the Denver Nuggets. "With a salary of $7.7 million this season and an $8.1 million team option in 2025-26, Vasilije Mici continues to be mentioned as a potential down-the-road trade target for Denver given Micic's close relationship with Nuggets star Nikola Jokic," writes NBA insider Marc Stein on his latest Substack post. Micic and Jokic won bronze in the Paris Olympics with Serbia. The 30-year-old is coming off his first NBA campaign. He had a poor spell with the Oklahoma City Thunder but played well in Charlotte after getting traded in February. However, with LaMelo Ball returning to the court, Micic's role will be much smaller in the upcoming campaign. A move to Denver wouldn't be good for his fantasy value either, as he would have Jamal Murray and Russell Westbrook ahead of him on the depth chart.
ESPN's NBA insider Brian Windhorst believes Miami Heat forward Jimmy Butler could turn things around during the 2024-25 campaign. "Butler is going to be highly motivated," Windhorst said during his podcast. "At times, it seems like Jimmy looks for reasons not to play. And maybe that will be the prevailing situation, but I believe that Jimmy is going to be in 'killer mode' to try to prove himself to the Heat and whoever else in the league." The 34-year-old has been scrutinized over the years, especially since he's played 60 games or fewer in five of the last seven seasons. He also averaged 20.8 points last season, his lowest since 2019-20. While Butler is getting up there in age, he should look to prove his value this season, meaning it's possible he'll return to being an All-Star-caliber player.
According to Shams Charania of The Athletic, free-agent forward/center Kenneth Lofton Jr. signed a one-year deal with the Bulls. Lofton has already played for three teams in his first two seasons in the league. However, he has averaged just 4.8 points in 45 games with the Grizzlies, 76ers, and Jazz. While he has a chance to earn a spot on the Bulls' opening night roster, he'll likely spend most of his time on the bench if he makes the team.
New York Knicks forward/center Jericho Sims had his $2.1 million contract for the 2024-25 campaign fully guaranteed by the team. The 25-year-old has appeared in 138 regular-season games for New York since he was taken as the No. 58 overall pick in 2021. However, he has struggled to find a spot in the rotation and has averaged just 2.6 points and 3.3 rebounds. With Mitchell Robinson (ankle) potentially missing time to begin the year, Sims could get minutes. Yet, there's a chance Julius Randle (shoulder) and Precious Achiuwa split time underneath the rim while Mitchell recovers, meaning Sims could remain the odd man out.
According to Golden State Warriors general manager Mike Dunleavy Jr., there are plans to discuss a contract extension with forward Jonathan Kuminga. The 2021 No. 7 overall pick had the best season of his career in 2023-24, averaging 16.1 points, 4.8 rebounds, and 2.2 assists. He also made 46 appearances in the starting lineup, more than his first two seasons combined. With Klay Thompson now in Dallas, the door is open for others to step up offensively behind Stephen Curry, who could also ink an extension of his own in the near future. With that in mind, Kuminga's pre-draft fantasy ranking is higher than ever. However, there are things he must address, specifically his career-low 32.1% shooting from the three-point line from last season. But with a max contract potentially on the line, Kuminga have plenty of motivation to produce.
According to Anthony Slater of The Athletic, Golden State Warriors guard Stephen Curry hasn't "expressed any signs of panic or unrest" with the team's offseason moves. Although that could be the case, at least for now, Curry's willingness to extend his contract may paint a better picture regarding his future with the club. It hasn't been the Summer the Warriors had envisioned, with Klay Thompson ending his lengthy tenure with the organization to sign with the Mavericks. Golden State was also unsuccessful in signing free agent Paul George or trading for Utah Jazz forward Lauri Markkanen. That said, Curry appears to have gas left in the tank, considering he was instrumental in helping Team USA capture Olympic gold in Paris. The 36-year-old is coming off a quality season, averaging 26.4 points, 5.1 assists, and 4.5 rebounds. He also shot 40.6% from deep and appeared in 74 contests, his most since 2016-17. Fantasy managers should expect some bumps in the road while Curry adjusts to life with new teammates Kyle Anderson and Buddy Hield. However, he still has familiar faces in Draymond Green, Andrew Wiggins, and Jonathan Kuminga, so there's no reason he can't remain a top fantasy producer throughout the 2024-25 campaign as long as he stays healthy.
According to Shams Charania of The Athletic, veteran forward Joe Harris announced his retirement. The 2014 No. 33 overall pick spent a decade in the National Basketball Association. He appeared in 504 regular-season contests throughout his career, averaging 10.3 points with the Cavs, Nets, and Pistons. However, Harris will be remembered most for his efficient three-point shooting, with the 32-year-old draining 43.6% of his attempts from behind the arc.
Forward Aleksej Pokusevski will return to Europe next season, having reached a deal with Partizan Belgrade. He will join his hometown team after making 168 appearances across four NBA seasons. Pokusevski split the 2023-24 campaign between Oklahoma City and Charlotte. The former first-round pick posted 5.2 points and 3.3 rebounds in 14.5 minutes last term. After showing early promise as a very versatile seven-footer, Pokusevski's NBA career was derailed by injuries. He will now attempt to recapture form in Europe, and there's every chance Pokusevski will eventually return to the NBA, as he is only 22 years old.
Toronto Raptors forward RJ Barrett boosted his fantasy stock with a productive finish to 2023-24, and even more is expected from him in the upcoming campaign. John Hollinger, former NBA executive and current Senior NBA columnist at The Athletic, believes Barrett could have a breakout season in 2024-25. Barrett shot an outstanding 55.3 percent from the field and averaged 21.8 points with 6.4 rebounds and 4.1 assists after moving to Toronto last season. He maintained his good form in the Paris Olympics, averaging 19.8 points on 58/44/84 shooting splits. The stage is nicely set for Barrett to boost his reputation further next season, as he is expected to continue to have a high-usage role with the Raptors.
Shooting guard Terence Davis is attempting an NBA comeback and has worked out for the Milwaukee Bucks, according to Michael Scotto of HoopsHype. Davis couldn't land on an NBA roster for the start of the 2023-24 campaign and ruptured his Achilles in January playing in the G League. However, it looks like he has now recovered from the injury and is ready to go for the new season. Davis, who made it to the NBA All-Rookie Second Team in 2020 after going undrafted, has previously represented the Raptors and Kings in the Association. He's been a solid bench contributor, averaging 8.0 points and 2.7 rebounds in 16.1 minutes.
Forward Jacob Toppin will return to the New York Knicks for the 2024-25 season on a two-way deal. He's filling the final two-way spot for the Knicks. Toppin also had a two-way contract with the team last season, making nine NBA appearances. The 24-year-old was limited to 4.2 minutes and was a long way off from matching the production of his older brother, Indiana Pacers forward Obi Toppin. However, Toppin has been fairly productive in the G League and could earn more opportunities in the big league in 2024-25. Last season, he averaged 14.9 points, 6.9 rebounds, and 1.4 steals with the Westchester Knicks.
Free-agent guard Patty Mills agreed to a one-year, $3.3 million contract with the Jazz. The 36-year-old started last season with the Hawks but was waived. He eventually signed with the Heat, playing in 13 regular season contests and averaging 5.8 points and 1.5 assists. The Jazz have a young backcourt featuring Keyonte George, Isaiah Collier, and Collin Sexton, so it will be difficult for anyone to get minutes. But Mills will provide invaluable leadership and guidance to a team in rebuilding mode. However, his days as a reliable fantasy option have been over for years.
According to SNY's Ian Begley, New York Knicks forward Julius Randle (shoulder) should be ready to go when the season begins on October 22. Randle has been a potent statistical producer for the Knicks over the years, most recently averaging 24.0 points, 9.2 rebounds, and 5.0 assists during the 2023-24 campaign. However, he suffered a shoulder injury at the beginning of 2024, resulting in surgery. While Randle likely won't be ready for training camp or participate in preseason games, the latest report from Begley is encouraging for fantasy managers. With that said, the roster looks different from the last time the 29-year-old was on the floor, meaning his production could regress somewhat in 2024-25. It may also take him time to find his rhythm early in the year after the lengthy layoff.
New York Knicks guard Jalen Brunson (hand) should be a full participant in training camp, according to SNY's Ian Begley. The 2018 No. 33 overall pick had a stellar season in 2023-24, averaging a career-high 28.7 points and 6.7 assists with 3.6 rebounds. He also shot 40.1% from behind the three-point line. Unfortunately, Brunson suffered a fractured left hand during the postseason. But he has been committed to getting healthy this summer, so he shouldn't have any restrictions when the 2024-25 campaign kicks off in October. With that in mind, the 27-year-old should be a consistent source of production for fantasy managers this season, considering he's expected to be involved in the MVP conversation.