Matt George here, the host of the daily Locked On Kings podcast, with your daily Locked On Kings newsletter. Each day we bring you the biggest stories about the Kings and the NBA, including the hottest links to other stories you need to read. Plus, Josh Lloyd delivers daily fantasy notes to crush your league.
League at Large
A midseason report for seasons to come
Jan 17, 2025; Los Angeles, California, USA; Los Angeles Lakers forward LeBron James (23) directs the offense as he is defended by Brooklyn Nets forward Tosan Evbuomwan (12) and guard D’Angelo Russell (1) in the second half at Crypto.com Arena. | Jayne Kamin-Oncea/Jayne Kamin-Oncea-Imagn Images
We’re halfway through the NBA season and I’ve seen many of the same points on midseason reports lists. The Sixers being this bad, the Pistons being this good, Russell Westbrook finding such a great fit alongside Nikola Jokic and with the Nuggets — at some point, if we all have the same observations, then we’re not really paying attention.
Not to lean too hard on my own horn, but I thought all these things were going to happen before the season got underway (granted, it does feel excellent that being a perennial Westbrook supporter is paying off). Let’s look instead at some surprises past the surface level of competition this season, into developments and/or plot twists that look like they’ll have a ripple effect beyond the conclusion of this NBA calendar year. We’ll start with two today and get into some others tomorrow.
Leveraging the future for an immediate star
The Suns and Sixers are the obvious examples, but the Warriors, Lakers, Mavericks and Wolves have done this via inaction and slow erosion.
For the Mavs, this season feels like an existential hiccup. Luka Doncic and Kyrie Irving settling, seemingly well, into a working routine last season and Dallas was a contender in the West. Where the Mavs have slipped to — injuries aside — does seem to be, in part, in working Klay Thompson into the fold. Thompson has struggled at times to find his shot and his place on the floor, he plays at a pace a lot different than either Doncic or Irving do — his previous, forever point guard in Steph Curry was never as frenetic.
Katie Heindl is a credentialed NBA and WNBA writer, her bylines have appeared with The New York Times Magazine, SLAM, The Athletic, Yahoo Sports, Dime, Rolling Stone, among others. She writes the bestselling Substack, Basketball Feelings and is working on a book of the same name.
Home and Away
Trades Jimmy Butler returns to the Heat, says “whole truth will come out” about what’s transpired in Miami (CBS Sports)
Analysis Cooper Flagg, the heralded pick of this year’s NBA Draft, puts exclamation point on his status (The Athletic)
Biz OKC Thunder head coach Mark Daigneault named All-Star coach (ESPN)
Preview The Sacramento Kings face the Washington Wizards, and it’s crucial they take care of business. A win will reinforce their standing in the competitive NBA landscape. (Kings Herald)
Analysis Dive into the latest NBA stats mailbag for insights on the Sacramento Kings’ performance metrics and strategic outlooks. Discover expert opinions on team dynamics and decisions. (Kings Herald)
Milestone In a game against the Kings, DeMar DeRozan made NBA history, showcasing his remarkable talent and leaving a memorable mark on the league. (Sports Illustrated)
Rumor The Sacramento Kings are among the suitors for Cam Johnson, adding fuel to the ongoing trade rumors. This potential move could reshape the team’s future. (Bleacher Report)
Fantasy Cheat Sheet
Waiver Wire Wonders: Must-Add Players and Surprising Trends in Fantasy Basketball
Jan 7, 2025; Charlotte, North Carolina, USA; Phoenix Suns forward Ryan Dunn (0) over Charlotte Hornets center Nick Richards (4) during the second half at the Spectrum Center. Mandatory Credit: Sam Sharpe-Imagn Images | Sam Sharpe/Sam Sharpe-Imagn Images
As we dive into the latest fantasy basketball waiver wire trends, some surprising names have emerged as the most added players across various platforms.
Stephon Castle is another intriguing name gaining traction. With Jeremy Sochan sidelined, Castle has seen increased opportunities and has capitalized on them. However, I’m skeptical about his long-term value once the Spurs return to full strength.
Wendell Carter Jr. is an interesting case, as his role could expand with Goga Bitadze out. There’s a good chance Carter retains the starting spot even when Bitadze returns, making him a solid speculative add in deeper leagues.
Nick Richards’ Phoenix Suns’ debut was impressive, so grab him if available, but we should also be on the lookout for an efficiency drop.
Hot Players to Watch
Drew Eubanks has emerged as a surprise contributor, ranking as the 61st best player over the past week. While his value is tied to injuries ahead of him, he’s worth monitoring in case his role expands.
Kel’el Ware is a name to keep an eye on, especially if the Heat continue to play him alongside Bam Adebayo. This lineup change could unlock significant fantasy value for the young big man.
For more insights and a deeper dive into the latest fantasy basketball trends, tune into the Locked On Fantasy Basketball podcast for this and much more.
Other Topics in Today’s Locked On Fantasy Basketball Podcast:
Don’t let these episodes pass you by — stay locked in with the latest Locked On Kings podcasts.
Making Sense of This Sacramento Kings Season with Morgan Ragan Matt George is joined by Sacramento Kings television host/analyst & co-host of the Deuce & Mo Podcast Morgan Ragan to discuss the ups and downs of this Kings season, the incoming trade deadline, and how postseason expectations have/haven’t changed.
The Sacramento Kings are Exploring Trading De’Aaron Fox Matt George reacts to the breaking news that the Sacramento Kings have had trade conversations involving De’Aaron Fox and that Fox has a preferred destination in mind.
De’Aaron Fox, Domantas Sabonis Silence the Critics in Brooklyn Matt George discusses De’Aaron Fox’s bounce-back performance after facing heavy criticism, and another monster triple double for Domantas Sabonis, who continues to be disrespected around the NBA.
