Wed Jan 15 5:19pm ET
Field Level Media
The Phoenix Suns are acquiring seven-footer Nick Richards from the Charlotte Hornets in exchange for guard Josh Okogie, ESPN reported Wednesday.
The Hornets are sending one second-round pick to the Suns while three second-rounders are coming back to Charlotte, per the report.
Richards, 27, is averaging 8.9 points, 7.5 rebounds and 1.2 blocks in 21 games (nine starts) this season. The former 2020 second-round pick averages 7.0 points and 5.5 boards in 221 career games (74 starts), all with the Hornets.
Richards posted 15 points, 12 rebounds and three blocks against the Suns on Jan. 7.
Okogie, 26, was in his third season in Phoenix, averaging 6.0 points and 2.9 assists in 25 games (one start). He's shooting a career-best 38.1 percent from the 3-point line.
Okogie, selected No. 20 overall by the Minnesota Timberwolves in the 2018 draft, is averaging 6.3 points and 3.0 rebounds in 401 career games (161 starts) for the Wolves (2018-22) and Suns.
Philadelphia 76ers guard Tyrese Maxey (hand) will play on Wednesday versus the Knicks. The 24-year-old didn't play in Tuesday's loss to OKC, allowing Reggie Jackson to start. However, Jeff Dowtin Jr. stole the show after ending the night with 18 points, five boards, two steals, and one block. With that said, Downtin's fantasy outlook isn't as bright with Maxey back in the equation. It will be even less favorable if Paul George (ankle) suits up.
Orlando Magic center Goga Bitadze (hip) won't play on Wednesday versus Milwaukee. The 25-year-old is having the best season of his career, averaging 9.6 points, 8.2 rebounds, and 1.2 blocks. Unfortunately, he was injured in the Magic's recent loss to the 76ers, exiting after only 12 minutes of work. Without Bitadze, Wendell Carter Jr., averaging 7.9 points and 7.5 rebounds in 19 starts this season, has streaming potential for fantasy managers.
Philadelphia 76ers centerAndre Drummond(toe) is unavailable for Wednesday's game against the New York Knicks. Drummond is still dealing with a toe injury issue and will miss his sixth consecutive contest. The 31-year-old has been getting some on-court work in practice this week, and his next opportunity to suit up will be on Saturday versus the Pacers. Philadelphia will continue to have a depleted frontcourt with Joel Embiid(foot) also sidelined again for Wednesday, leaving Guerschon Yabusele as the primary option at center. Yasbusele posted 17 points, seven rebounds, and four assists across 31 minutes during Tuesday's 118-102 loss to the Thunder.
Philadelphia 76ers guard Tyrese Maxey (hand) is questionable for Wednesday's meeting with the Knicks. Head coach Nick Nurse is "hopeful" the 24-year-old will play on Wednesday, and he'll work out ahead of the contest to determine if he can go. But Joel Embiid (foot) is already ruled out, and Paul George (ankle) is questionable, so the team could be short-handed once again. If Maxey doesn't suit up, Reggie Jackson could draw another start. However, Jeff Dowtin Jr. should be the streaming option of choice for fantasy managers, especially after he had 18 points, five boards, two steals, and one block on Tuesday versus OKC.
New Orleans Pelicans forward Zion Williamson won't play on Wednesday against Dallas. The former Duke Blue Devil finished with 21 points, nine assists, and seven boards against the Bulls on Tuesday night, and he was only on the floor for 24 minutes. But he'll take the night off to rest on Wednesday before likely returning on Friday against the Utah Jazz. Without Williamson in the mix, Javonte Green may fill the void in the lineup, with the 31-year-old averaging 7.2 points, 4.0 rebounds, and 1.1 blocks in 13 starts during the 2024-25 campaign.
Philadelphia 76ers forwardPaul George(ankle) is listed as questionable for Wednesday's matchup with the New York Knicks. George was initially regarded as probable for Tuesday's contest against the Thunder. However, he was eventually a late scratch before tip-off. With Tyrese Maxey(hand) also listed as questionable and Joel Embiid(foot) set to be sidelined again, George would see plenty of action if he can suit up on Wednesday.
Atlanta Hawks guard Trae Young (hip) won't play on Wednesday versus Chicago. The 26-year-old is fresh off a massive performance, amassing 43 points, five assists, and three steals in Tuesday's win over the Phoenix Suns. Unfortunately, Young won't suit up on Wednesday, only his third absence of the 2024-25 campaign. The Hawks are severely thin against the Bulls, with De'Andre Hunter (foot), Jalen Johnson (shoulder), and Zaccharie Risacher (adductor) also ruled out. As a result, Dyson Daniels, Onyeka Okongwu, Vit Krejci, and Bogdan Bogdanovic are all in line to exceed their usual fantasy expectations.
Dallas Mavericks guardKyrie Irving(back) is doubtful for Wednesday's matchup with the New Orleans Pelicans. Irving has been dealing with a back strain and returned on Tuesday against Denver after missing five straight games. However, the 32-year-old struggled, posting 11 points, four rebounds, four steals, two assists, and one block in 30 minutes. Unsurprisingly, the Mavericks will likely give him the night off for the second half of this back-to-back set.With Irving likely out, players like Spencer Dinwiddie, Quentin Grimes, and Jaden Hardy will see plenty of scoring opportunities.
Philadelphia 76ers centerJoel Embiid(foot) won't suit up against the Knicks on Wednesday. Embiid will be out of action for the sixth consecutive contest. The 76ers previously announced that the big man remains day-to-day. While Embiid is out, Guerschon Yabusele will continue to take on extra minutes on the floor. Yasbusele posted 17 points, seven rebounds, and four assists across 31 minutes during Tuesday's 118-102 loss to the Thunder.
Los Angeles Lakers guard Bronny James Jr. (illness) has been tagged as questionable for Wednesday night's contest against the Miami Heat. The 20-year-old has appeared in nine games in limited action while also spending some time in the G League. While in the G League, James has been averaging 13.4 points, 3.4 rebounds, 3.9 assists, and 1.1 steals per game and is shooting 36.6% from the field. James had recently returned to the court after dealing with a heel injury back in November. Even if James can give it a go, he will likely not see too much playing time.
Miami Heat center Kel'el Ware (foot) is probable for Wednesday's matchup against the Los Angeles Lakers. Ware is listed on Miami's injury report due to a foot issue but is likely to play Wednesday. With Bam Adebayo missing Monday night's game due to back soreness, Ware stepped up against the Clippers as he scored 19 points, grabbed 13 rebounds and contributed a block and a steal in 33 minutes of action. Ware has averaged 20.0 minutes per game across eight appearances for the Heat in January. In those eight games, Ware averaged 11.6 points, 5.0 rebounds, and 1.4 blocks. He will have much more work on his hands if Adebayo doesn't suit up.
New York Knicks center Jericho Sims (back) is questionable for Wednesday's contest against the Philadelphia 76ers. Sims was recently removed from the Knicks rotation with back spasms and it remains to be seen whether or not he will be ready to go against the Philadelphia. Sims is in his fourth season with the Knicks and is averaging 1.7 points and 3.6 rebounds per contest while shooting 63.2% from the field in 32 games. Sims also started three games this season as Karl-Anthony Towns was injured. Ariel Hukporti will likely play more if Sims and Towns are absent for Wednesday's game.
Houston Rockets forward Tari Eason (lower leg) is listed as doubtful on the injury report ahead of Wednesday's game against the Denver Nuggets. The 23-year-old has not played since Dec. 14 and is expected to miss his 13th consecutive game. His timetable to return isn't clear, but his next chance to play will be against the Kings. On Wednesday, if Eason is sidelined again, we should see more of Cam Whitmore and Jae'Sean Tate.
Utah Jazz guard Collin Sexton (rest) will miss his first game of the season on Wednesday versus Charlotte. The Jazz have decided to rest their second-highest scorer. The 26-year-old joins a lengthy list of absentees, which includes Lauri Markkanen (back), John Collins (hip), and Jordan Clarkson (foot). This means Utah will not have four of its top scorers available for the contest. Keyonte George (heel) might make it five, but he's carrying a questionable tag and could return to the lineup after missing five games. If he returns, George should take on the leading role offensively. Players such as Brice Sensabaugh, Isaiah Collier, and Svi Mykhailiuk will also feature prominently in the attack.
Utah Jazz guard Keyonte George (heel) looks to be on the cusp of returning to the lineup, as he has picked up a questionable tag ahead of Wednesday's game against Charlotte. He has sat out five contests in a row, and George was previously ruled out immediately due to inflammation in his left heel. The young guard can frustrate fantasy managers with his inconsistency, but he's had a decent campaign overall. While logging 31.5 minutes per game, George has posted 15.6 points, 3.4 rebounds, and 5.7 assists. He might be one of only two regular starters in the lineup on Wednesday, so George should receive extra usage on the offensive end.
Utah Jazz forward/center John Collins (hip) is not ready to rejoin the action on Wednesday against Charlotte. He will skip a sixth straight game for hip injury management purposes. Kyle Filipowski and Micah Potter receive additional work with Collins out. Potter started on Sunday against Brooklyn, but Filipowski was the better performer, which has been the case throughout the campaign. Filipowski finished Sunday's 112-111 overtime win with 12 points, five rebounds, two assists, and one steal. He faces a tricky matchup on Wednesday, as the Hornets have the seventh-best rebounding rate among all teams, despite holding the third-worst record in the league.
Utah Jazz forward Lauri Markkanen (back) will miss a second consecutive game on Wednesday against Charlotte. The 2023 All-Star has joined several teammates on the shelf with lower back spasms. Markkanen's absence gives Cody Williams and Brice Sensabaugh additional playing time. Williams has struggled to make use of the extra opportunities, but Sensabaugh has put people on notice lately. The 21-year-old has averaged 25.7 points and 3.7 rebounds over his past three appearances, firing in 55.6 percent of his three-point attempts. Sensabaugh slowed down a bit in the last game against Brooklyn, but on paper, he has a great opportunity to hit top gear again on Wednesday, as the Hornets allow the seventh-most three-point attempts in the league.
Utah Jazz guard Jordan Clarkson (foot) will not rejoin the lineup for Wednesday's clash against Charlotte. The veteran scorer was recently diagnosed with a torn left plantar fascia, and the injury will keep him sidelined for a sixth consecutive game. On Jan. 6, it was announced that Clarkson was scheduled to be re-evaluated in two weeks, so fantasy managers can expect news on his condition and potential return early next week. The Jazz have experienced several backcourt injuries lately, giving Isaiah Collier and Svi Mykhailiuk chances to shine. Collier produced a game-high 23 points in Sunday's 112-111 overtime win against Brooklyn, while Mykhailiuk provided 16 points on 4-for-7 shooting from deep.
Los Angeles Lakers forward/center Anthony Davis (foot) is listed as probable for Wednesday's tilt against Miami. He's been battling left plantar fasciitis throughout the campaign and continues to deal with the foot issue, but Davis has been surprisingly durable in 2024-25. The 31-year-old star has skipped only two games, averaging 25.9 points, 11.9 rebounds, 3.5 assists, 2.1 blocks, and 1.3 steals. Davis does it all for the Lakers, and another big performance is expected from him on Wednesday. He had a bad time in this season's first meeting with the Heat, finishing a blowout loss on Dec. 4 with eight points and seven rebounds on 3-for-14 shooting.
Los Angeles Lakers forward Dorian Finney-Smith (personal) will likely skip Wednesday's matchup against Miami, as the team lists him as doubtful for the game. He is tending to a personal matter and might miss his first contest since becoming a Laker. After arriving from Brooklyn, Finney-Smith has notched 6.8 points and 3.2 assists in 23.7 minutes across six games. He's a good addition to the Lakers rotation but no longer has much fantasy value. If Finney-Smith misses Wednesday's game, other Lakers bench players like Cam Reddish and Dalton Knecht will likely cover his minutes.
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