Fantasy Basketball Pickups: Donovan Clingan set to shine in increased role
The 76ers are at an inflection point. Will they gom all out and try to win, or will they tank for lottery balls?
Unfortunately, Monday's 10-game slate wasn't kinda to NBA players. Multiple players exited early due to various injuries. Deandre Ayton exited due to a left calf injury, which came when he landed after going up for a layup. He had to be helped to the locker room, which isn't a great sign. The severity of the injury isn't clear, but if he is forced to miss time, Donovan Clingan (11% rostered in Yahoo leagues) should enter the starting unit. The rookie played 21 minutes on Monday and finished with 21 points (8-of-8 FGs), seven rebounds, one block and one 3-pointer. In 10 starts this season, Clingan has averaged 6.8 points, 9.9 rebounds and 2.9 blocks in 22.1 minutes per game. Clingan should be considered a must-add player at this point. If Ayton ends up missing an extended period of time, there won't be many players that will be able to match Clingan's rebound and block numbers if he is starting. Robert Williams III (4% rostered) is an option to consider in deeper formats. He missed this game due to right knee soreness, but he will likely split the center minutes with Clingan if he returns to play on Wednesday.
Here are a few other players to consider rostering:
SG/SF Max Christie (27%), Dallas Mavericks
Since being traded to Dallas, Christie has averaged 17.0 points, 5.3 rebounds, three assists and 2.8 triples per game while shooting 51.2 percent from the floor. That has him ranked in the top 75 in nine-cat leagues since joining his new team. Especially with how many injuries the team is dealing with, Christie should be rostered in standard leagues.
PF Olivier-Maxence Prosper (less than 1%), Dallas Mavericks
The Mavs' frontcourt players are dropping like flies. Daniel Gafford (knee) exited early from Monday's game, which allowed O-Max to start the second half in his place. He had 16 points, four rebounds, one assist and one steal in 34 minutes against the Kings. PJ Washington could be back for their back-to-back on Wednesday and Thursday, but there is a real chance that Dallas has to play with Anthony Davis, Gafford and Washington, which would likely allow O-Max to start.
SG/SF Aaron Wiggins (21%), Oklahoma City Thunder
Wiggins has been on a tear lately and deserves to be rostered. Over OKC's last six games, Wiggins has averaged 23.2 points, 6.2 rebounds and 3.5 threes per game, which has contributed to him being ranked 15th in nine-cat leagues, per Basketball Monster. He scored 24 points off the bench on Monday.
PG KJ Simpson (2%), Charlotte Hornets
LaMelo Ball (ankle) exited early from Monday's game, which allowed Simpson to play 30 minutes off the bench. He had nine points, nine rebounds and four assists. He started two of their three previous games and scored at least 10 points in three straight games prior to Monday. LaMelo's history with ankle injuries makes this concerning, but there is a chance that he doesn't miss much time. Nick Smith Jr. (15%) is another option to consider since he will continue to start regardless of Ball's health.
C Richaun Holmes (8%), Washington Wizards
Holmes has been Washington's starting center recently with Alexandre Sarr sidelined. As a starter, Holmes has averaged 12.0 points, 7.3 rebounds and one block per game while shooting 74.1 percent from the floor. Assuming Sarr remains out against the Pacers on Wednesday, Holmes should be in line for another start.
SG/SF Caris LeVert (13%), Atlanta Hawks
LeVert's debut for Atlanta on Saturday didn't go well, but his second game went much better. He had 18 points, eight rebounds, two assists and three 3-pointers in 32 minutes. LeVert will continue to play a large role off the bench, but Vit Krejci (back) exited early on Monday, which opened up a few extra minutes for LeVert. It's unclear if Krejci will be back to play in New York on Wednesday.
PG Isaiah Collier (35%) Utah Jazz
The rookie had another double-double on Monday with 13 points and 10 assists. Collier has cemented his role as Utah's starting point guard and remains widely available despite being one of the best assist options in the league.

Try Our AI Features
Explore what Daily8 AI can do for you:
Comments
No comments yet...
Related Articles
Yahoo
an hour ago
- Yahoo
Controversial rookie outranks volatile FA as Cowboys most important 2025 addition
Amid the usual roller coaster of a Dallas Cowboys' offseason, which included a splashy receiver acquisition as well as a rare but busy free agency, one of their most meaningful moves this past spring came during the heart of roster building, the 2025 NFL draft. CBS Sports' Cody Benjamin named rookie guard Tyler Booker the Cowboys' best move of the 2025 offseason; it wasn't a flashy headline-grabber but it was a nod to the kind of decision that can help win games in December. George Pickens is a signature Jerry Jones splash, and he may well take the Cowboys' passing attack to new heights opposite CeeDee Lamb. Whereas he's more of a volatile swing, however, Booker feels like the kind of smart but unsexy investment that could really keep Dak Prescott upright. If he holds up as a Day 1 guard, Brian Schottenheimer might have this team back in the playoff mix. Advertisement Booker, the former Alabama standout, isn't the type of player who moves jerseys or headlines. But what he might move, and move well, is the pocket. And for a quarterback like Dak Prescott, returning from a season-ending injury and entering a pivotal year under new head coach Brian Schottenheimer, that might be everything. That's the bet Dallas is making: that a dependable, sturdy, NFL-ready guard will solidify an offensive line that continues to add more youth and power on the interior. For all the talk of Prescott's inconsistency, much of it stemmed from protection breakdowns and limited support between the tackles. Booker, a First-Team All-American in 2024, brings polish and physicality that should plug into the Cowboys' line from Day 1. The Cowboys didn't just need a spark; they needed a stabilizer. Booker could be just that. If he helps protect Prescott, opens lanes for a ground game that finished 27th last season, and gives Schottenheimer more time to get creative, it won't matter if he's not the name on the back of every fan's jersey. Advertisement In a year where Dallas is trying to shed disappointment and reclaim relevance in the NFC, sometimes it's not the loudest move that matters most. Sometimes it's the one that gets you through the trenches, literally. Follow Cowboys Wire on Facebook to join in on the conversation with fellow fans! This article originally appeared on Cowboys Wire: CBS Sports calls Tyler Booker the Cowboys best move of busy offseason


USA Today
2 hours ago
- USA Today
Controversial rookie outranks volatile FA as Cowboys most important 2025 addition
Controversial rookie outranks volatile FA as Cowboys most important 2025 addition With flashy additions stealing the headlines, it's the rookie guard from Alabama who could quietly reshape the Cowboys' offense from the inside out. Amid the usual roller coaster of a Dallas Cowboys' offseason, which included a splashy receiver acquisition as well as a rare but busy free agency, one of their most meaningful moves this past spring came during the heart of roster building, the 2025 NFL draft. CBS Sports' Cody Benjamin named rookie guard Tyler Booker the Cowboys' best move of the 2025 offseason; it wasn't a flashy headline-grabber but it was a nod to the kind of decision that can help win games in December. George Pickens is a signature Jerry Jones splash, and he may well take the Cowboys' passing attack to new heights opposite CeeDee Lamb. Whereas he's more of a volatile swing, however, Booker feels like the kind of smart but unsexy investment that could really keep Dak Prescott upright. If he holds up as a Day 1 guard, Brian Schottenheimer might have this team back in the playoff mix. Booker, the former Alabama standout, isn't the type of player who moves jerseys or headlines. But what he might move, and move well, is the pocket. And for a quarterback like Dak Prescott, returning from a season-ending injury and entering a pivotal year under new head coach Brian Schottenheimer, that might be everything. That's the bet Dallas is making: that a dependable, sturdy, NFL-ready guard will solidify an offensive line that continues to add more youth and power on the interior. For all the talk of Prescott's inconsistency, much of it stemmed from protection breakdowns and limited support between the tackles. Booker, a First-Team All-American in 2024, brings polish and physicality that should plug into the Cowboys' line from Day 1. The Cowboys didn't just need a spark; they needed a stabilizer. Booker could be just that. If he helps protect Prescott, opens lanes for a ground game that finished 27th last season, and gives Schottenheimer more time to get creative, it won't matter if he's not the name on the back of every fan's jersey. In a year where Dallas is trying to shed disappointment and reclaim relevance in the NFC, sometimes it's not the loudest move that matters most. Sometimes it's the one that gets you through the trenches, literally. Follow Cowboys Wire on Facebook to join in on the conversation with fellow fans!
Yahoo
2 hours ago
- Yahoo
Brian Windhorst Reveals Bombshell Jason Kidd News Amid Knicks Coaching Vacancy
Brian Windhorst Reveals Bombshell Jason Kidd News Amid Knicks Coaching Vacancy originally appeared on Athlon Sports. After the New York Knicks fired Tom Thibodeau as head coach despite making the conference finals, Marc Stein of The Stein Line reported the Knicks were interested in Dallas Mavericks head coach Jason Kidd. Advertisement Kidd, 52, is under contract with the Mavericks, so the Knicks can't hire him outright. Kidd would either have to get out of his contract with Dallas, or New York would have to trade for the future Hall of Famer. One of the top point guards in NBA history, Kidd played for the Knicks in 2012-13. He has coached the Brooklyn Nets, Milwaukee Bucks and Mavericks, going 362-339 in the regular season and 31-33 in the playoffs. It appears the Knicks' reported interest in Kidd as gotten back to the former NBA star, as Brian Windhorst of ESPN reported on Monday that Kidd is interested in coaching New York. According to Shams Charania and Tim MacMahon of ESPN, Mavericks governor Patrick Dumont and general manager Nico Harrison haven't decided if they'll let Kidd speak to the Knicks. Advertisement Dallas made the NBA Finals last year, losing to the Boston Celtics in five games. Harrison traded Luka Doncic to the Los Angeles Lakers this year, and the Mavericks missed the postseason. Dallas Mavericks head coach Jason Kidd is interested in coaching the New York Knicks, according to reports. © Jerome Miron-Imagn Images "The Knicks have yet to request permission to speak to Kidd, who has two years remaining on the contract extension he signed during the Mavs' 2024 run to the NBA Finals, sources said," Charania and MacMahon wrote. "Dallas general manager Nico Harrison and governor Patrick Dumont have not yet discussed whether the franchise would be willing to grant permission for Kidd to speak to the Knicks, sources said." Knicks All-Star point guard Jalen Brunson played for Kidd in Dallas. It will be intriguing to track this situation. Advertisement Related: Mikal Bridges Trade May Prevent Knicks From Getting Jason Kidd This story was originally reported by Athlon Sports on Jun 9, 2025, where it first appeared.