Portland Trail Blazers guard/forward Deni Avdija (back) is listed as doubtful for Saturday's game against the Hornets and is tracking toward a third straight absence. His 29.0 usage rate leaves a sizable offensive gap. In Thursday's win over Chicago, Kris Murray started and logged 28 minutes with 10 points, five rebounds, and three assists, while Jerami Grant posted 27 points with three triples in 35 minutes. Murray is a viable short-term streamer for minutes and modest across-the-board production, while Grant carries a higher scoring ceiling if Avdija remains sidelined.

Free agent guard Cole Anthony was released by the Phoenix Suns on Friday after being acquired at the trade deadline and never suiting up for the team. The 25-year-old logged 35 games this season, averaging 6.7 points, 3.5 assists, and 2.5 rebounds in 15.0 minutes, but struggled to carve out a steady role. Anthony has shown flashes as a scoring spark and secondary playmaker in past stops, which should generate interest from guard-needy teams. For fantasy managers, he is off the radar in standard leagues but is worth monitoring if he lands in a situation with an immediate backcourt opportunity.

Free agent guard Tyus Jones is expected to be released by the Dallas Mavericks before the March 1 deadline, allowing him to pursue a roster spot with a contender. The 29-year-old moved multiple times before landing in Dallas and saw limited action, appearing in eight games with two starts. In that stretch, he averaged 3.9 points, 1.1 rebounds, and 3.8 assists in 16.6 minutes. Jones should attract interest from playoff teams seeking steady point guard depth. His departure could open additional runs for Brandon Williams and create flexibility for Dallas to elevate Ryan Nembhard.

Indiana Pacers guard Quenton Jackson had his two-way agreement converted to a three-year standard deal Friday. The 27-year-old is in his third season with Indiana and has steadily grown from a little-used two-way guard into a trusted reserve ball handler. His athleticism and ability to pressure the paint have made him a natural fit in the Pacers' up-tempo system, and he has also knocked down 39.5 percent of his 114 three-point attempts over the past two seasons. That progression ultimately earned him a standard three-year deal. Over his last four games, Jackson is averaging 15.0 points, 3.3 rebounds, and 3.0 assists in 26.2 minutes with 1.5 triples, carving out a meaningful role on a 15-45 squad. He is more of a watchlist option for now, but his value would climb quickly in deeper leagues if regular starters are sidelined.

San Antonio Spurs center Mason Plumlee is signing a deal to remain with the team for the remainder of the season. The veteran big man finished a recent 10-day agreement without appearing in a game and now profiles strictly as frontcourt insurance. With Victor Wembanyama logging 32 minutes and Luke Kornet handling backup duties, Plumlee is unlikely to enter the rotation barring injury. He can be ignored in standard formats, while Wembanyama and Kornet retain stable roles.

Phoenix Suns guard Devin Booker (hip) is trending toward a return Tuesday in Sacramento or Thursday against Chicago after missing four straight games with a right hip strain. The All-Star has appeared sparingly since late January and is likely to face some form of minutes management once cleared. In 44 games, Booker is averaging 24.7 points, 3.9 rebounds, and 6.1 assists in 33.0 minutes with a 31.5 usage rate. His return would cut into Collin Gillespie and Jamaree Bouyea's workloads while easing pressure off Jalen Green as a primary scorer. Booker remains a firm hold in all formats.

Sacramento Kings forward Keegan Murray (ankle) aggravated his sprained left ankle during Wednesday's loss to the Rockets and will be re-evaluated in two weeks. Sacramento will likely play the long game with him, so his fantasy return hinges on how the ankle responds over the next couple of weeks in rehab. Murray averages 34.5 minutes with an 18.3 usage rate, leaving a clear void on the wing. Nique Clifford logged 39 minutes with 13 points, eight rebounds, and seven assists in his last start and profiles as the top short-term add. Daeqwon Plowden and Malik Monk also gain streaming appeal in deeper formats.

Denver's C Nikola Jokic recorded a triple-double, finishing with 23 points, 14 assists and 17 rebounds in a 121-127 loss to Oklahoma City on Friday, Feb. 27.

Miami Heat guard/forward Norman Powell (groin) is considered week-to-week after sustaining a right groin strain Thursday against Philadelphia, likely sidelining him for multiple games. Powell had been operating as a high-usage scorer, so his absence opens meaningful offensive volume. Tyler Herro, who posted 25 points with four triples, four rebounds, and seven assists in 32 minutes last game, is positioned for a larger role and is a strong hold. Pelle Larsson logged 33 minutes with nine points and six assists and remains a viable streamer while Powell is out.

Houston Rockets forward/center Jabari Smith Jr. (ankle) will not play in Saturday's game against Miami due to a right ankle sprain. Smith turned his ankle in Thursday's win over Orlando and will miss at least one contest, with his next chance to return coming Monday against Washington. Reed Sheppard is the leading candidate to absorb extra minutes after posting 20 points with five triples, three rebounds, four assists, two steals, and two blocks in 31 minutes off the bench last game. Sheppard has been trending up and is more than a short-term streamer, especially if the added minutes continue.

Golden State Warriors forward/center Kristaps Porzingis (illness) is questionable for Saturday's game against the Lakers after practicing Friday as he looks to end a three-game absence. Porzingis appeared in one game since joining Golden State, posting 12 points with two triples and one block in 17 minutes, flashing immediate fantasy upside. If active alongside Draymond Green (back), Porzingis would likely cut into Al Horford's minutes and could push Quinten Post out of the rotation. Horford's short-term value would take a hit, while Porzingis carries clear upside if fully cleared.

Golden State Warriors forward/center Draymond Green (back) is listed as probable for Saturday's matchup against the Lakers after sitting out Wednesday for lower-back injury management on the second night of a back-to-back. Head coach Steve Kerr indicated he is expected to return to the lineup. Over his last five games, Green has averaged 10.2 points, 5.8 rebounds, 5.0 assists, and 1.8 three-pointers in 27.4 minutes, offering steady multi-category production. With Green returning, the frontcourt minutes should settle back into place, which likely eats into Al Horford's short-term streaming appeal as Green steps back into his normal role.

Denver Nuggets forward Spencer Jones (shoulder) and forward Julian Strawther (toe) are available for Friday's game against Oklahoma City. Jones has been managing a right shoulder strain but will continue in a reserve role after posting six points and seven rebounds in 26 minutes against Boston. He has averaged 5.0 points and 5.3 rebounds in 21.3 minutes over his last four contests and remains a fringe option. Strawther, who has been playing through a left toe sprain, started again Wednesday and recorded 12 points with two triples. He carries deeper-league appeal but remains matchup dependent.

Denver Nuggets guard Jamal Murray (illness) and guard Jalen Pickett (knee) are available for Friday's game against Oklahoma City. Murray saw only brief action in Wednesday's win over Boston because of illness but is set to resume his full workload as the starting point guard. He remains a strong fantasy play given his 28.4 percent usage rate and consistent scoring alongside Nikola Jokic. Pickett returns from a two-game absence but averages 15 minutes per game and remains off the fantasy radar in most formats.

New Orleans Pelicans guard Dejounte Murray (Achilles) has been ruled out ahead of Saturday's game against the Utah Jazz. The Pelicans are going to play it safe and rest Murray during the first game of this back-to-back set. The expectation is that Murray will be back in the mix for Sunday's game against the Los Angeles Clippers. Murray made his season debut versus the Golden State Warriors on Tuesday. He missed the first 58 games of the season while recovering from a torn Achilles. He finished with 17 points, nine assists, and four steals during Thursday's game. Murray should offer strong upside once he's back to full speed. Bryce McGowens, Jordan Poole, and Jeremiah Fears should all see increased playing time with Murray out on Saturday.

New Orleans Pelicans guard/forward Trey Murphy III (shoulder) has been ruled out ahead of Saturday's game against the Utah Jazz. This will mark the fifth game in a row that Murphy has missed due to a right shoulder contusion. He is being ruled out a full day in advance, so he's probably not close to returning. The Pelicans haven't given a clear timetable on his return yet. His absence should mean Bryce McGowens and Jordan Poole continue to see increased run. Poole is inconsistent at times, but his scoring upside makes him worth rostering in most fantasy formats.

Dallas Mavericks guard/forward Caleb Martin (back) has been ruled out ahead of Friday's game against the Memphis Grizzlies. This sounds like a minor issue, so hopefully Martin will return for Sunday's game against the Oklahoma City Thunder. The Mavs are banged up with P.J. Washington (ankle), Cooper Flagg (foot), and Klay Thompson (rest) all absent on Friday. That means Khris Middleton, Brandon Williams, and Max Christie should all see increased playing time. Honestly, all three of them are suitable streaming options with the Mavs thin on depth right now.

Dallas Mavericks guard Klay Thompson (rest) has been ruled out ahead of Friday's game against the Memphis Grizzlies. Unsurprisingly, the Mavs have decided to rest the veteran guard in the second leg of the back-to-back set. The expectation is that Thompson will be back in the mix for Sunday's game against the Oklahoma City Thunder. The absence of Thompson should mean an uptick in fantasy value for Brandon Williams, Max Christie, and Miles Kelly. Among the three, Williams is the most consistent streaming option ahead of Friday's slate.

Dallas Mavericks forward/center P.J. Washington (ankle) is ruled out ahead of Friday's game against the Memphis Grizzlies. He was tagged as questionable, but has now been downgraded to out due to a left ankle sprain. Washington will sit out both games of the back-to-back set after sustaining an ankle injury on Tuesday. His next chance to play will come on Sunday versus the Oklahoma City Thunder, so fantasy managers will need to check back ahead of that game. Khris Middleton figures to see an expanded role in the rotation once again with Washington out on Friday. He finished with 17 points, five rebounds, and four assists in 33 minutes of action on Thursday. Middleton is worth a look as a streaming option while Washington is sidelined.

According to Shams Charania of ESPN, forward/center Taj Gibson has agreed to a deal with the Memphis Grizzlies, marking his return to the NBA for a 17th season at age 40. With Memphis lacking healthy frontcourt players, Gibson could step into legitimate rotation minutes behind Olivier-Maxence Prosper. Prosper has averaged 25 minutes recently, and Gibson's presence may cap his upside slightly. Still, Gibson looks more like a steady veteran presence and insurance big for Memphis rather than someone fantasy managers need to target, except maybe in the deepest of leagues.