
SAC • Forward-Center • #11
about 1 month ago
Sabonis’s fifth double-double in as many games was his first with at least 20 points. The scoring was the big concern for the Kings’ center regarding his fantasy value for the 2025-26 season. While Sabonis had a Yahoo! ADP of 18, there was reason for concern given how his scoring decreased after the Kings acquired Zach LaVine at the February trade deadline. He’s currently ranked just outside the top-75 in nine-cat formats, a slow start in the eyes of many who hoped to recoup first-round value when drafting Sabonis.

SAC • Guard • #71
about 1 month ago
After enduring a two-game stretch in which he scored 13 points on 6-of-18 shooting, Schröder snapped out of his mini-slump on Saturday. In addition to the good shooting, he dished out seven assists and finished a blocked shot shy of a complete stat line. Rostered in 39 percent of Yahoo! leagues, Schröder has been a top-75 player in nine-cat formats, exceeding his ADP of 129.

SAC • Guard-Forward • #10
about 1 month ago
DeRozan and the Kings rebounded from a slow start to knock off the Bucks in Milwaukee, and their ability to get to the foul line was a factor. DeRozan was one of three starters to make at least eight free throws, and the Kings outscored the Bucks by a 35-20 margin at the foul line. For the season, DeRozan is shooting over 50 percent from the field but 78.4 percent from the foul line. The latter percentage and limited defensive production are why he’s ranked just outside the top-75 in nine-cat formats. The Kings play four games during Week 3.

SAC • Guard • #8
about 1 month ago
LaVine may not have provided much value outside of the points and three-pointers, but his early-season heater has been great for those who have him rostered. He has scored 30 points or more in five of his first six games, shooting 53 percent from the field and 94.3 percent from the foul line. The combination of points, three-pointers and high percentages has LaVine ranked within the top-25 in nine-cat formats. Fantasy managers will hope he can provide a bit more in the way of assists and steals, as that would help protect LaVine from a significant drop if his scoring cools off.
SAC • • #
about 1 month ago
Injured on Opening Night, Clifford made his return to action Saturday afternoon. The rookie only attempted one shot in his 16 minutes on the floor, and his fantasy value in the short term depends on his role. If Clifford returns to the starting lineup while the Kings await Keegan Murray’s return from thumb surgery, he’ll be worth a look in deep leagues. If head coach Doug Christie decides to stick with Russell Westbrook (12/5/10/2 in 33 minutes), who started the two games before Saturday, there won’t be much to gain from rostering Clifford in most leagues.

LAL • Center • #2
about 1 month ago
Ayton only played 17 minutes in Friday’s win over the Grizzlies due to back spasms. However, head coach JJ Redick said afterward that the limited playing time was for precautionary reasons, and the 7-footer could have gone back into the game if needed. Ayton’s probable tag suggests he will be available on Sunday. If not, Jaxson Hayes will likely move into the starting lineup.
Source: Ryan Ward
SAC • • #
about 1 month ago
Cardwell, an undrafted rookie on a two-way contract, will make his first start as a professional on Saturday. And the assignment won’t be easy, as he’ll be tasked with defending Giannis Antetokounmpo. Russell Westbrook returns to the bench to make room for Cardwell in the lineup.
Source: NBA Lineups

LAL • Center • #2
about 1 month ago
Ayton experienced back spasms during Friday’s game, which limited him to 17 minutes. Lakers head coach JJ Redick said afterward that the 7-footer could have returned, but the team did not want to risk anything, given the time Ayton (nine points) missed last season. Jaxson Hayes started the second half and finished with two points, seven rebounds, five assists and one blocked shot in 23 minutes. He’ll likely move into the starting lineup if Ayton cannot play on Sunday.
Source: Khobi Price

LAL • Guard • #15
about 1 month ago
Reaves had scored 120 points over his last three games without Luke Doncic available. Doncic was back on Friday, though, and Reaves took a backseat to the superstar once again. Doncic topped 40 points as he has in all three games he’s played this year and Reaves has 72 points combined in those games. Reaves is a solid scorer who happens to turn into the Incredible Hulk whenever the Lakers are without both Doncic and LeBron James.

LAL • Forward-Guard • #77
about 1 month ago
Dončić has been outstanding in the three games he’s played this year. The 26-year-old point guard is averaging 45.3 points per game, 11.7 rebounds per game and 7.7 assists per game while shooting 58.4 percent from the field. Dončić looks to be on another level this year after reports that he was dedicated to getting in better shape over the offseason.

LAL • Guard • #36
about 1 month ago
Dončić and Smart are back from injury, and both will be in the starting lineup. In the latter’s case, he’s likely to take on the assignment of defending Grizzlies star Ja Morant. Reaves, Vanderbilt and Ayton are the holdovers for the Lakers, who have won two of their last three games.
Source: NBA Lineups

LAL • Forward-Guard • #77
about 1 month ago
Dončić is back after missing three games with finger and leg injuries, while a quad contusion sidelined Smart for the last two. The former’s return is of far greater consequence to the Lakers and fantasy basketball, as Dončić is one of the best players in the spot. Austin Reaves’ usage may decrease, but not by much, as he has been on a roll over the last week. Also, Jake LaRavia will likely return to the bench since Dončić is good to go.
Source: Khobi Price
SAC • • #
about 1 month ago
Clifford strained his right hamstring during the Kings’ season-opener and has not played since. The rookie was a starter on opening night, so he may return to that role once cleared, but only if Keegan Murray (thumb) is unavailable. Russell Westbrook has started Sacramento’s last two games but has not significantly impacted fantasy basketball.
Source: NBA Injury Report

SAC • Guard • #0
about 1 month ago
Monk had 15 points in 28 minutes against the Bulls on Wednesday. He’s already been ruled out in advance of Saturday’s game against the Bucks for personal reasons. Russell Westbrook and Keon Ellis will have bigger roles with Monk out.

LAL • Guard • #36
about 1 month ago
Smart missed Los Angeles’ last two games after injuring his quad on Sunday, and he should be back on the court after a brief absence. Smart’s return coincides with Luka Doncic’s, and the Lakers simply don’t have enough touches to go around for Smart to be a viable option in most fantasy leagues.
Source: Dave McMenamin

LAL • Forward-Guard • #77
about 1 month ago
Doncic has missed three straight games, but it looks like he’s ready to return for opening night of NBA Cup play. Austin Reaves has averaged ridiculous numbers in Doncic’s absence, posting 40 points, 5.3 rebounds, 10 assists, 2.3 swipes and four triples. Those gaudy stats will surely take a hit with Doncic back in the lineup, but Reaves remains an elite fantasy option.
Source: Dave McMenamin

LAL • Guard • #36
about 1 month ago
Smart injured his quad during Sunday’s win over the Kings and missed the following two games as a result. While he may return on Friday, that’s also the case for Luka Dončić, who’s questionable with finger and leg injuries. There’s no need to roster Smart in fantasy leagues if he’s available to play against the Grizzlies.
Source: Marc Stein

LAL • Forward-Guard • #77
about 1 month ago
Dončić has missed the Lakers’ last three games with finger and leg injuries, but a return may be on the horizon. If he can play against the Grizzlies, Jake LaRavia will likely be the odd man out of the starting lineup. In Dončić’s absence, Austin Reaves has been on fire, scoring 120 points over his last three games.
Source: Marc Stein

LAL • Center • #2
about 1 month ago
Ayton’s double-double was his second in the last three games. The 27-year-old center has been very efficient on offense as he was again Wednesday with 17 points on 11 field goal attempts. Ayton also grabbed 10 rebounds and he’s recorded 33 rebounds over his last three games. He’s poised for a nice bounce back season after falling out with the Trail Blazers last year.

LAL • Forward • #33
about 1 month ago
LaRavia signed a two-year, $12 million deal with the Lakers this past offseason. The 23-year-old small forward became the first Laker since Pau Gasol to have at least 25 points and at least a 90 percent field goal percentage. LaRavia has averaged 6.9 point per game in his four-year career, but if he has more games like this it’ll go down as an underrated signing.

LAL • Guard • #15
about 1 month ago
Trailing by one with six seconds left in regulation, the Lakers inbounded the ball to Reaves. The 27-year-old shooting guard split the defense on a pick and roll and hit a floater in the lane to win the game for the Lakers. Reaves has taken his game to another level in the absence of Luka Doncic and LeBron James.

SAC • Guard • #8
about 1 month ago
LaVine has scored at least 30 points in four of five games so far this season. The 30-year-old shooting guard made just 2-of-8 attempts from behind the three-point line. LaVine is in line for a significant scoring role with the Kings this year, just don’t expect him to be much help in the other categories.

LAL • Forward-Guard • #77
about 1 month ago
Wednesday’s game against the Timberwolves is the first of two that the Lakers will play on the road before returning home to face Miami on Sunday. Dončić, who has missed the last two games, is expected to be re-evaluated over the weekend. Due to the team’s many injuries, Jake LaRavia has moved into the starting lineup and is worth a look in deeper fantasy leagues. The Lakers have a five-game road trip that begins in Atlanta on November 8.
Source: Dave McMenamin

LAL • Forward • #23
about 1 month ago
James has yet to appear in a game this season, and based on Redick’s pregame comments, he’s still a few weeks away. While there is no specific timeline for a return, Redick noted that the team is eyeing the second or third week of November. That means the Lakers will continue to lean heavily on Austin Reaves, and when he returns, Luka Dončić. While Jarred Vanderbilt’s playing time has increased, he does not offer much offensive value.
Source: Dave McMenamin

SAC • Guard • #23
about 1 month ago
Ellis came off the bench in the Kings’ loss to the Thunder on Tuesday. The 25-year-old shooting guard had 12 points and two made three-pointers in 27 minutes. Ellis is more of a deep league fantasy play in a somewhat crowded backcourt with Russell Westbrook and Dennis Schröder.

SAC • Guard • #23
about 2 months ago
Ellis is coming off his best game of the season, but he may not be available against Chicago. Russell Westbrook and Malik Monk will play larger roles if Ellis isn’t able to suit up, with Westbrook coming off his first start of the season.
Source: NBA Injury Report

LAL • Center-Forward • #11
about 2 months ago
Hayes will return from a three-game absence and should fill out the backup center minutes behind Deandre Ayton. Jarred Vanderbilt had been filling that role in a smaller lineup, and he should still play plenty of minutes, just not at center.
Source: Mike Trudell

LAL • Guard • #36
about 2 months ago
This will be a second consecutive absence for Smart, who injured his quad against the Kings on Sunday. Jake LaRavia got the starting nod in his place on Monday and should remain in that role against the Wolves. However, Dalton Knecht ended up playing much better than LaRavia off the bench and should have a chance to take on extra minutes.
Source: Mike Trudell

SAC • Forward-Center • #11
about 2 months ago
Sabonis’ rebounding production remains elite, but that wasn’t expected to be an issue. What should have concerned fantasy managers more than it did, based on his Yahoo! ADP of 18, was the potential hit Sabonis’ scoring and assists could take. Through three games, he’s averaging 10.7 points and 2.3 assists. Between Dennis Schröder, Zach LaVine and DeMar DeRozan, at least three other starters operate best with the ball in their hands. It’s early, so all isn’t lost for Sabonis, but this is something that fantasy managers must watch.

SAC • Guard • #8
about 2 months ago
Having scored 30, 31 and 32 points in his first three games, LaVine could not produce another 30-point effort on Tuesday. However, thanks to the ability to get to the foul line, he made it four straight games of 20 points or more. LaVine did not produce any defensive stats, so he’s barely a top-50 player despite averaging 29 points per game. However, based on his ADP, LaVine has been better than many expected before the season began.

SAC • Guard-Forward • #10
about 2 months ago
After needing 22 shots to score 21 points in Sunday’s loss to the Lakers, DeRozan was a bit more efficient on Tuesday. Despite shooting 64.7 percent from the foul line, he’s done what fantasy managers expected, providing fifth-round value in nine-cat formats. That shouldn’t change for DeRozan anytime soon. However, if he can boost the free-throw percentage while continuing to provide excellent steals value, Deebo’s fantasy ceiling may be higher than anticipated.

SAC • Guard • #4
about 2 months ago
Having been used in a reserve role for his first three games with the Kings, Westbrook replaced Keon Ellis in the starting lineup on Tuesday. While Sacramento didn’t get the win, the veteran point guard shot 4-of-8 from beyond the arc and was one of four starters in double figures. Ellis played 27 minutes off the bench, finishing with 12 points, two rebounds, two steals, one block and two three-pointers. While Ellis offers a higher fantasy ceiling at this stage in their respective career, Westbrook could be worth a look in deep leagues if he remains in the starting lineup. Of course, this will all change once Keegan Murray (thumb) is cleared to return.

LAL • Center-Forward • #11
about 2 months ago
Hayes has missed the Lakers’ last three games, resulting in Jarred Vanderbilt playing the center position when starter Deandre Ayton was on the bench. If Hayes cannot play again, that should remain the arrangement on Wednesday. Vanderbilt started Monday’s loss to the Trail Blazers, as the Lakers were without Marcus Smart and Gabe Vincent. He’s worth streaming when allowed to start.
Source: NBA Injury Report

SAC • Guard • #4
about 2 months ago
Westbrook will make his first start at a King on Tuesday, and he’ll do so in the city where he began his NBA career. Keon Ellis has been moved to the bench, possibly in an attempt to avoid the early foul trouble that can result from guarding Shai Gilgeous-Alexander. Sacramento’s other four starters are unchanged.
Source: NBA Lineups

LAL • Guard • #36
about 2 months ago
Smart suffered a right quad contusion during the second half of Sunday’s win over the Kings and missed the following night’s loss to Portland. Austin Reaves slid into the starting point guard role against the Trail Blazers, with Jake LaRavia moving into the starting lineup. Expect the same if Smart can’t play on Wednesday.
Source: NBA Injury Report

LAL • Center • #2
about 2 months ago
Ayton didn’t have his most productive game of the season on Monday, but logged 36 minutes and nearly landed a double-double against the Trail Blazers. He made more than half of his field goal attempts before finishing as one of the Lakers’ top scorers for the game. The former first-overall pick continues to shoot the ball well and perform decently on the glass early in his tenure with the Lakers. Although he hasn’t often been dominant, Ayton is a nightly double-double threat.

LAL • Forward • #2
about 2 months ago
Wth Luka Doncic (finger) and Gabe Vincent (ankle) both sidelined, Vanderbilt earned his first start of the season. He played well with the opening unit — he shot with accuracy, was one of the Lakers’ better rebounders on the evening, and was active on the defensive end to accumulate several steals. His stint in the starting unit may not be permanent, but he made a strong impression despite the loss on Monday.

LAL • Guard • #15
about 2 months ago
Reaves followed up his 51-point outing against the Kings with another dominant scoring performance on the second night of a back-to-back. Free-throw production served as a boost on Monday, as it did on Sunday. Yet, Reaves was still efficient on high volume from the floor and could retain with an ultra-high usage until Luka Doncic and LeBron James eventually return from injuries and get back on the floor.

LAL • Guard • #7
about 2 months ago
Vincent is expected to be back in mid-to-late November, and he had been starting. Marcus Smart (quad) started alongside Gabe Vincent on Sunday, but both were sidelined on Monday, which allowed Jake LaRavia and Jarred Vanderbilt to start in their place. Two of the three will continue to start until Luka Doncic (finger) returns to the lineup.
Source: Shams Charania

LAL • Forward • #33
about 2 months ago
With Gabe Vincent (ankle) and Marcus Smart (quad) sidelined, LaRavia will get his first start as a Laker, and Vanderbilt will get his first start of the season. Vanderbilt should provide strong defense, but LaRavia has more upside to contribute in the box score.
Source: Brad Turner

LAL • Center-Forward • #11
about 2 months ago
Hayes will miss a third straight game, which means Jarred Vanderbilt will fill out the center minutes when Deandre Ayton isn’t on the floor. Ayton is coming off his best game as a Laker and will look to carry that momentum into a matchup with his former team.
Source: Mike Trudell

LAL • Guard • #36
about 2 months ago
Smart injured his quad during the second half of Sunday’s win over the Kings, which ended his night a but early. That will keep him sidelined for the second leg of the Lakers’ back-to-back. Smart started that game with Luka Doncic sidelined, so Jake LaRavia or Dalton Knecht could replace Smart for this game.
Source: Mike Trudell

LAL • Center-Forward • #11
about 2 months ago
Due to a sore left knee, Hayes was not in uniform for a second consecutive game. His absence meant more minutes for starter Deandre Ayton (22/15/2/1/1), who played 36 and had arguably his best game of the season’s first week. The Lakers went small when Ayton was not on the floor, using Jarred Vanderbilt (9/5/2/2 in 27 minutes) at the five. Expect a similar approach if Hayes cannot play in Monday’s game against the Trail Blazers.

LAL • Guard • #7
about 2 months ago
Vincent rolled his left ankle while attempting to challenge a layup attempt during the third quarter, exiting with just over eight minutes remaining in the period. While X-rays on the ankle were negative, Vincent wore a walking boot following the game. With the Lakers hosting the Trail Blazers on Monday, it feels safe to assume he won’t be available. Jake LaRavia (11/6/5/1 with two three-pointers), who played 33 minutes off the bench, may be the player most likely to move into the starting lineup. Dalton Knecht (two points, two rebounds and one block in 13 minutes) is another possibility, but LaRavia would be the player to stream in this spot.
Source: Dave McMenamin

SAC • Guard-Forward • #10
about 2 months ago
DeRozan’s had better nights shooting the basketball, but he still finished Sunday’s defeat with his second 20-point game of the season. Remove Friday’s win over the Jazz, in which he only attempted nine shots, and he’s put up 37 in the other two games. DeRozan will continue to get his shots, giving him a shot at providing top-50 fantasy value. The player whose fantasy value may be most negatively impacted is Domantas Sabonis. Foul trouble was a factor on Sunday, but Domas (10/14/3/3 with one three-pointer) has attempted 17 shots through two games. That’s a concern, especially for managers who grabbed him with a first-round pick.

SAC • Guard • #4
about 2 months ago
After totaling 13 points and five assists in his first two games with the Kings, Westbrook was far more productive on Sunday. Maybe playing against the Lakers was motivation, but Westbrook shot 50 percent from the field and was a blocked shot shy of a complete stat line. Also, he was 4-of-6 from three. Westbrook had five games last season in which he made five three-pointers, so this is unlikely to become a common occurrence. Add in the poor foul shooting, and there’s reason for fantasy managers to remain skeptical even after Westbrook’s solid showing against the Lakers.

SAC • Guard • #71
about 2 months ago
Having totaled 10 assists and eight turnovers in Sacramento’s first two games, Schröder had a much cleaner performance on Sunday, even if he didn’t shoot the ball well. Two turnovers countered the 12 assists, and the veteran point guard finished with a complete stat line. Schröder had seven games last season in which he dished out at least 10 assists, so nights like Sunday are unlikely to become the norm. Unfortunately, the Kings don’t have a great Week 2 schedule. Not only does Sacramento play three games, but just one occurs between Thursday and Sunday.

LAL • Guard • #36
about 2 months ago
As expected, Smart was Lakers head coach JJ Redick’s choice to replace the injured Luka Dončić in the starting lineup. And there weren’t any surprises regarding the veteran guard’s production. Smart didn’t have a great night shooting the basketball, but the foul line boosted his point total, and he dished out five assists with just one turnover. The Lakers play four games during Week 2, and Dončić won’t be re-evaluated until before the last contest. Smart isn’t a must-add; fantasy managers would be better off with Rui Hachimura, even if he isn’t a point guard.

LAL • Forward • #28
about 2 months ago
After putting up 23 points in Friday’s win over the Timberwolves, Hachimura followed that up with another solid performance against the Kings. The only issue was that he did not provide much value in the rebound category. However, Hachimura is in a spot where he can produce more offense, as the Lakers will be without Luka Dončić for at least one week. Hachimura is rostered in just 24 percent of Yahoo! leagues, and he’s worth picking up ahead of the Lakers’ four-game Week 2.

SAC • Guard • #8
about 2 months ago
Initially questionable for Sunday’s game due to an illness, LaVine looked healthy during his 40 minutes on the court. He’s scored at least 30 points in his first three games, his most productive run since scoring 30 or more in five straight in January. While there are usage concerns for some of the other key players in the Kings’ rotation, that isn’t the case for LaVine. He’ll get all the touches he desires, but LaVine’s ceiling remains limited due to the lack of stats outside of points and three-pointers. Sacramento hits the road for three games during Week 2, starting with Oklahoma City on Tuesday.

SAC • Guard • #23
about 2 months ago
Ellis is the lone change to the Kings’ starting lineup. He replaces Isaac Jones in a smaller lineup. He’ll likely take on the unenviable task of defending James Harden, which allows Schröder to shift onto Bogdan Bogdanovic. Ellis is a solid deep-league option, especially as the Kings await Keegan Murray’s return from a wrist injury.
Source: NBA Lineups

SAC • Guard • #8
about 2 months ago
LaVine has been upgraded from questionable to available for Sunday’s game. He’ll take on his usual role as one of the Kings’ offensive focal points, while Malik Monk and Keon Ellis miss out on potential boosts to their respective fantasy values.
Source: Sacramento Kings

SAC • Guard • #8
about 2 months ago
LaVine has gotten off to a hot start this season, but there is a chance he isn’t available to play against the Lakers. In that scenario, Malik Monk or Keon Ellis would likely replace him in the starting unit, though both would see a boost in minutes.
Source: NBA Injury Report

SAC • Guard • #0
about 2 months ago
On the Heels of a 19-point season-opening performance, Monk logged a consecutive productive scoring performance off the bench. He shot efficiently, again, and accounted for nearly half of his team’s three-point total in the win. The veteran guard ultimately used that efficiency from deep to finish as the team’s second-leading scorer. Monk has now scored 39 points and tallied nine three-pointers through two games thus far. He is off to a fast start to begin the season after an injury-plagued 2024-25 campaign.

SAC • Forward-Center • #11
about 2 months ago
Sabonis came up big in the most significant moment of the game on Friday. After being limited to 10 points, Sabonis found himself in the right place at the right time, as he gathered a missed Malik Monk go-ahead shot attempt and put it back in with 6.4 seconds left to give the Kings a one-point lead, and ultimately the victory. He earned his second consecutive double-double along the way and has a chance to secure a third straight on Sunday against the Lakers.

SAC • Guard • #8
about 2 months ago
LaVine went for 30 points in the season-opener on Wednesday and followed that performance with another 30 piece on Friday. Against the Jazz, the versatile perimeter scorer utilized the three-point shot, free throws, and work inside the arc to finish with a team-high in points. His production and efficiency from deep were especially noteworthy on Friday after shooting just 2-of-10 from three the game prior. He didn’t find much production in other statistical categories, but if he can continue scoring at a high clip, he’ll be in for a productive season.

SAC • Forward • #3
about 2 months ago
Sabonis gets the start in his season debut, which pushes Drew Eubanks to the bench. That isn’t surprising. The surprise is that Jones, who missed the season opener with an illness, will get the first start of his career. It’s unclear if he’ll play starter-level minutes, but he’ll be part of the opening group.
Source: NBA Lineups

SAC • Forward-Center • #11
about 2 months ago
Sabonis only had to miss one game after straining his right hamstring during the preseason. His return to action means Drew Eubanks, who played 22 minutes in Wednesday’s season-opening loss to the Suns, will head back to the bench. Also, rookies Maxime Raynaud and Dylan Cardwell will likely see their opportunities decrease after totaling 26 minutes in the opener.
Source: Frankie Cartoscelli

SAC • Forward-Center • #11
about 2 months ago
Sabonis was sidelined for the season opener, but it could end up only being a one-game absence for him. Drew Eubanks got the start at center on Wednesday and would likely start again if Sabonis remains out. Eubanks only played 22 minutes, but he had four points, four rebounds, two steals and four blocks.
Source: NBA Injury Report