Assessing the Latest NBA Transactions from a Fantasy Basketball Perspective: Jordan Poole, Kristaps Porzingis and More

A couple days ago, I went over some of the top news from the NBA. 

Several big-time transactions have happened since, so let's break it all down from a fantasy basketball perspective.

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Desmond Bane Sent to Orlando

I realized I missed the Orlando, Memphis trade in my last article, so let's start with that move today. Bane was sent to the Magic for Kentavious Caldwell-Pope, Cole Anthony and five first-round picks.

Bane is the best fantasy player in the deal, and he gives the Magic a nice boost as they try to contend in the Eastern Conference. 

Bane would have been the top fantasy performer on the Magic if he played for them this season, but Franz Wagner and Paolo Banchero each missed extended time, so those two are still likely to lead Orlando.

I'm really interested to see how things shake out in Orlando, because Bane, Wagner and Banchero are all capable of leading the team in scoring any night. I think all three should remain really good fantasy options for the 2025-26 NBA season, but all three could take a slight step back now.

Caldwell-Pope and Anthony should be able to carve out decent roles in Memphis. It's tough to assess how their fantasy values were affected by the trade, because I think Memphis is going to make a flurry of moves before the start of next season.

Jrue Holiday Sent to Portland… Again

For the second time in his career, Holiday has been traded to the Trail Blazers. He didn't last long there the last time he was sent packing, and I'm not so sure he'll ever play a game for Portland this time around either.

Anfernee Simons was the only other player in the deal, and he was sent from Portland to Boston.

If Holiday sticks in Portland, he could help Scoot Henderson along in his development, while providing the team with some lockdown defense. Holiday is an OK fantasy asset at this point in his career, but he's more roster filler player, not a top-end option.

With the Boston roster as currently constructed, I think Simons could thrive with the Celtics. He'll take on a larger role right away as Jayson Tatum works his way back from an Achilles tear, and then still be one of the top options on offense when the team is back to full health.

Simons could really become a big-time fantasy asset depending on what else the Celtics do this offseason.

Jordan Poole, CJ McCollum Among Wizards, Pelicans Trade

Washington and New Orleans made an interesting trade yesterday.

Poole and Saddiq Bey were sent to New Orleans, with McCollum and Kelly Olynyk being moved to Washington.

Poole has the chance to be one of the top fantasy players still in New Orleans, and with a better team around him, Poole could be a better fantasy asset overall this coming season.

McCollum is another veteran who has been added to a young Washington team, which is why this deal is so odd to me. I could definitely see McCollum being traded again before next season kicks off.

McCollum could be a really good fantasy asset in Washington though if he sticks there. He'll be a mentor to some of the younger players, but still would be capable of delivering some solid fantasy results.

Olynyk will be a deep-league fantasy asset if he remains in Washington. There's kind of a logjam of talent at the power forward/center spots already, and I'm not so sure the Wizards want to sit their younger players in favor of the veteran Olynyk.

Kristaps Porzingis Sent to Atlanta in Three-Team Trade

Boston made another trade on Tuesday, sending Porzingis to the Hawks. Terance Mann was shipped to the Nets, while Georges Niang went to the Celtics. Several picks were also involved.

I'm not sure I understand the Hawks adding Porzingis. They already have Clint Capela, Onyeka Okongwu and Jalen Johnson, among others, for big men. Another trade is likely coming to ease the logjam there.

Porzingis is likely to be a good fantasy asset wherever he ends up playing next season. Health is the biggest issue with him, so he's always a risky fantasy player to roster.

Niang could be a sneaky good fantasy asset if he remains in Boston for the upcoming season. With Tatum out, there's minutes available, and Niang could get a good chunk of those. We can assess his fantasy outlook more closely once the dust of the offseason settles and the new season approaches.

Mann is a so-so fantasy asset who could be a fairly solid fantasy asset in Brooklyn. The Nets have plenty of picks this season, and it might lead to Mann, and several other members of the current team, without a roster spot or role going into next year.