Boston Celtics forward Noah Vonleh will draw the start for Saturday's game against the Orlando Magic. Veteran big man Al Horford (back) will sit this one out. That means, Vonleh should see plenty of playing time on Saturday. He could be worth a look as a cheap DFS option for Saturday's slate. Vonleh isn't likely to bring a lot to the table in his tough matchup. The Celtics will roll with the same starting five outside of Vonleh for this contest.

The Celtics have officially signed forward Noah Vonleh. The deal is non-guaranteed, and he will have to compete for a permanent spot on the roster throughout training camp. He was selected with the No. 9 overall pick in the 2014 NBA Draft and has played for seven teams since, averaging 5.1 rebounds and 4.9 points along the way. With that said, even if Vonleh secures a place on the regular season roster, he probably won't play much, so either way, fantasy managers won't have to think twice about him during the remainder of the offseason.

Free-agent forward Noah Vonleh signed a training camp deal with the Celtics. The 26-year-old has suited up for seven teams since being selected as the No. 9 overall pick in the 2014 NBA Draft, averaging 5.1 boards and 4.9 points. Even if he makes the team, he'll likely have to scratch and claw to see the floor. However, if Robert Williams III, Al Horford, or Grant Williams goes down with an injury in 2022-23, Vonleh may earn a few minutes here and there. Still, it probably won't be enough to make a difference for fantasy managers.

NEW YORK (AP) — The Brooklyn Nets made another addition to their frontcourt Monday by signing Noah Vonleh. The 6-foot-10 forward has played for six previous teams after being the No. 9 pick in the 2014 draft by Charlotte. He has averaged 5.0 points and 5.2 rebounds in 335 games. Vonleh most recently played for Denver last season. His best season was with the New York Knicks in 2018-19, when he averaged 8.4 points and 7.8 rebounds. Seeking more size and defense, the Nets recently added Norvel Pelle and Iman Shumpert.

DENVER (AP) — The Denver Nuggets have picked up guard Jordan McRae in a trade with Washington that became official Thursday night.In exchange, the Nuggets sent recently acquired guard Shabazz Napier to the Wizards.McRae averaged 12.9 points and 2.8 assists in 29 games for the Wizards this season. The 28-year-old out of Tennessee had surgery on his right ring finger in October. He's recently been dealing with a twisted left ankle.The 6-foot-5 McRae joins a Nuggets team that's off to a 36-16 start and currently sits in third place in the Western Conference. He provides back-court depth behind Jamal Murray, Will Barton, Gary Harris and Monte Morris. McRae has appeared in 115 games over four years with Washington, Cleveland and Phoenix. He was signed by the Wizards on a two-way deal on Sept. 10, 2018, before it was converted to a regular contract on April 9, 2019."Jordan was a great success story for our developmental program, with his hard work and dedication resulting in him earning a full-time... [More]

DENVER (AP) — The Denver Nuggets have picked up guard Jordan McRae in a trade with Washington, a person familiar with the deal told The Associated Press on Thursday.In exchange, the Nuggets sent recently acquired guard Shabazz Napier to the Wizards, said the person who spoke on condition of anonymity because the deal hasn't been announced.McRae averaged 12.9 points and 2.8 assists in 29 games for the Wizards this season. The 28-year-old out of Tennessee had surgery on his right ring finger in October. He's recently been dealing with a twisted left ankle.McRae joins a Nuggets team that's off to a 36-16 start and currently sits in third place in the Western Conference. He provides back-court depth behind Jamal Murray, Will Barton, Gary Harris and Monte Morris. Napier didn't play for the Nuggets after being picked up late Tuesday as part of a four-team trade involving Minnesota, Houston, Atlanta and Denver. In that deal, the Nuggets got Napier, Keita Bates-Diop and Noah Vonleh from the Timberwolves, along with Gerald Green and a 2020 first-round pick from the Rockets. The Nuggets sent Malik Beasley, Juancho Hernangomez and Jarred Vanderbilt to Minnesota.___AP Sports Writer Howard Fendrich contributed to this report.___More AP NBA: https://apnews.com/NBA and https://twitter.com/AP_Sports

Robert Covington is going to the Houston Rockets and Clint Capela is headed to the Atlanta Hawks as the headline moves in a complicated four-team trade that was approved by the NBA late Wednesday night.All told, it included 12 players and three draft picks.The Rockets got Covington and Jordan Bell from Minnesota, plus Golden State’s 2024 second-round pick from the Hawks. Atlanta got two centers, Capela and Nenê from Houston. Denver got Gerald Green from Houston along with the Rockets' 2020 first-round pick. The Nuggets also landed Keita Bates-Diop, Shabazz Napier and Noah Vonleh from Minnesota.Minnesota got Brooklyn's 2020 first-round pick and Evan Turner from Atlanta, plus Malik Beasley, Jarred Vanderbilt and Juancho Hernangomez from Denver. Covington told Houston television station KRIV Fox 26 upon his arrival at the airport Wednesday that he was looking forward to a new opportunity.“It’s all over the place right now,” Covington said when asked about his emotions. “Just kind of getting... [More]

Robert Covington is going to the Houston Rockets and Clint Capela is headed to the Atlanta Hawks as the headline moves in a complicated four-team trade that was approved by the NBA late Wednesday night.All told, it included 12 players and three draft picks.The Rockets got Covington and Jordan Bell from Minnesota, plus Golden State’s 2024 second-round pick from the Hawks. Atlanta got two centers, Capela and Nenê from Houston. Denver got Gerald Green from Houston along with the Rockets' 2020 first-round pick. The Nuggets also landed Keita Bates-Diop, Shabazz Napier and Noah Vonleh from Minnesota.Minnesota got Brooklyn's 2020 first-round pick and Evan Turner from Atlanta, plus Malik Beasley, Jarred Vanderbilt and Juancho Hernangomez from Denver. Covington told Houston television station KRIV Fox 26 upon his arrival at the airport Wednesday that he was looking forward to a new opportunity.“It’s all over the place right now,” Covington said when asked about his emotions. “Just kind of getting... [More]

Robert Covington is going to the Houston Rockets and Clint Capela is going to the Atlanta Hawks as the headline moves in a complicated trade that was struck early Wednesday involving four teams, 12 players and at least three draft picks, two people familiar with the situation told The Associated Press.Among the key components, according to the people who spoke to the AP on condition of anonymity because the trade has not received league approval: Covington and Jordan Bell will join the Rockets from Minnesota, Capela and Nene are leaving the Rockets for the Hawks, the Timberwolves added soon-to-be restricted free agents Malik Beasley and Juancho Hernangomez from Denver and the Nuggets got Shabazz Napier from Minnesota plus a first-round pick from Houston.ESPN and The Athletic first reported the trade.Covington told Houston television station KRIV Fox 26 upon his arrival at the airport Wednesday that he was looking forward to a new opportunity.“It’s all over the place right now,” Covington... [More]

Robert Covington is going to the Houston Rockets and Clint Capela is going to the Atlanta Hawks as the headline moves in a complicated trade that was struck early Wednesday involving four teams, 12 players and at least three draft picks, two people familiar with the situation told The Associated Press.Among the key components, according to the people who spoke to the AP on condition of anonymity because the trade has not received league approval: Covington and Jordan Bell will join the Rockets from Minnesota, Capela and Nene are leaving the Rockets for the Hawks, the Timberwolves added soon-to-be restricted free agents Malik Beasley and Juancho Hernangomez from Denver and the Nuggets got Shabazz Napier from Minnesota plus a first-round pick from Houston.ESPN and The Athletic first reported the trade.Covington told Houston television station KRIV Fox 26 upon his arrival at the airport Wednesday that he was looking forward to a new opportunity.“It’s all over the place right now,” Covington... [More]

Robert Covington is going to the Houston Rockets and Clint Capela is going to the Atlanta Hawks as the headline moves in a complicated trade that was struck early Wednesday involving four teams, 12 players and at least three draft picks, two people familiar with the situation told The Associated Press.Among the key components, according to the people who spoke to the AP on condition of anonymity because the trade has not received league approval: Covington and Jordan Bell will join the Rockets from Minnesota, Capela and Nene are leaving the Rockets for the Hawks, the Timberwolves added soon-to-be restricted free agents Malik Beasley and Juancho Hernangomez from Denver and the Nuggets got Shabazz Napier from Minnesota plus a first-round pick from Houston.ESPN and The Athletic first reported the trade, which was subsequently confirmed by other outlets, including the Houston Chronicle and Denver Post.It was not immediately clear if a call with NBA attorneys to review and approve the trade... [More]

Robert Covington is going to the Houston Rockets and Clint Capela is going to the Atlanta Hawks as the headline moves in a complicated trade that was struck early Wednesday involving four teams, 12 players and at least three draft picks, two people familiar with the situation told The Associated Press.Among the key components, according to the people who spoke to the AP on condition of anonymity because the trade has not received league approval: Covington and Jordan Bell will join the Rockets from Minnesota, Capela and Nene are leaving the Rockets for the Hawks, the Timberwolves added soon-to-be restricted free agents Malik Beasley and Juancho Hernangomez from Denver and the Nuggets got Shabazz Napier from Minnesota plus a first-round pick from Houston.ESPN and The Athletic first reported the trade, which was subsequently confirmed by other outlets, including the Houston Chronicle and Denver Post.It was not immediately clear if a call with NBA attorneys to review and approve the trade... [More]

Robert Covington is going to the Houston Rockets and Clint Capela is going to the Atlanta Hawks as the headline moves in a complicated trade that was struck early Wednesday involving four teams, 12 players and at least three draft picks, according to two people familiar with the situation.Among the key components, according to the people who spoke on condition of anonymity because the trade has not received league approval: Covington and Jordan Bell will join the Rockets from Minnesota, Capela and Nene are leaving the Rockets for the Hawks, the Timberwolves added soon-to-be restricted free agents Malik Beasley and Juancho Hernangomez from Denver and the Nuggets got Shabazz Napier from Minnesota plus a first-round pick from Houston.ESPN and The Athletic first reported the trade, which was subsequently confirmed by other outlets, including the Houston Chronicle and Denver Post.It was not immediately clear if a call with NBA attorneys to review and approve the trade would happen on Wednesday... [More]

MINNEAPOLIS (AP) — The Minnesota Timberwolves have finalized the acquisition of six players for roster depth and reserve roles, including a sign-and-trade deal with Portland for forward Jake Layman.The Timberwolves then completed a trade with Golden State as part of the deal that sent D'Angelo Russell from Brooklyn to the Warriors, bringing guard Shabazz Napier and forward Treveon Graham to Minnesota for the rights to Israeli forward Lior Eliyahu. The Wolves also announced Monday the signing of free agent forward Noah Vonleh and rookie guard Jarrett Culver and the claiming of guard Tyrone Wallace off waivers from the Los Angeles Clippers.Most of the deals were agreed to last week before the NBA's free agency moratorium was lifted. Culver, the No. 6 overall pick from Texas Tech, was acquired from Phoenix in the draft-day deal that sent No. 11 pick Cameron Johnson and forward Dario Saric to the Suns.Vonleh signed a one-year, $2 million contract. Layman, who was acquired for the rights to Montenegrin forward Bojan Dubljevic, received a three-year, $11.5 million deal.___More AP NBA coverage: https://apnews.com/NBA and https://twitter.com/AP_Sports

NEW YORK (AP) — It was the 80th game of one of the most miserable seasons in New York Knicks history, and it sounded like the playoffs.A sellout crowd of 19,812 roared as the Knicks charged back from 10 points down after three quarters to beat the Washington Wizards for what turned out to be their last home victory of the season.New York took the floor to start the final period with a lineup that included Henry Ellenson, John Jenkins and Luke Kornet.Imagine what it will sound like when the Knicks finally have some NBA stars playing for really big stakes?"All year we had a great fan base for a team that's struggled and gone through a lot of losses," coach David Fizdale said. "Our fans have come out every night and really supported us. So yes, I think about the days when we put it together, how this place is going to be."It could even be next season.If things go right, those former G League players could be replaced by the likes of Zion Williamson, Kevin Durant and another All-Star. The Knicks... [More]

The struggling Hornets have shaken up their front office, firing general manager Rich Cho on Tuesday."Rich worked tirelessly on behalf of our team and instituted a number of management tools that have benefited our organization," Hornets owner Michael Jordan said in a release. "We are deeply committed to our fans and to the city of Charlotte to provide a consistent winner on the court. The search will now begin for our next head of basketball operations who will help us achieve that goal."Charlotte is 24-33 and on the verge of failing to reach the playoffs for the second straight season.Jordan's college teammate Buzz Peterson was hired last year as the team's assistant general manager is a potential replacement. Former Lakers GM Mitch Kupchak could be another candidate to join Peterson in the front office in some capacity.Cho was hired as GM in 2011 and assumed day-to-day responsibilities of the basketball operations department in 2014."I will always be grateful for my experience with the... [More]

PORTLAND, Ore. (AP) — The Portland Trail Blazers traded forward Noah Vonleh to the Chicago Bulls in exchange for the rights to center Milovan Rakovic at the trade deadline Thursday.Vonleh, the No. 9 overall pick by Charlotte in the 2014 NBA draft, averaged 3.6 points and 5.1 rebounds in 33 games for the Blazers this season, including 12 starts. For his career, Vonleh has averaged 3.9 points and 4.5 rebounds."That's the unfortunate part of the business because Noah's a really good person, a really good player and a really good teammate," Trail Blazers coach Terry Stotts said. "I'm certainly appreciative of the time he spent here, and wish him nothing but the best."Vonleh, 22 will be a restricted free agent this summer. The trade, which also gave the Blazers a $3.5 million traded player exception, helps Portland get under the luxury tax threshold. The team now has two open roster spots.Rakovic currently plays in the Swiss Basketball League. He was originally drafted by Dallas in 2007, but... [More]

PORTLAND, Ore. (AP) — The Portland Trail Blazers have traded forward Noah Vonleh to the Chicago Bulls in exchange for Milovan Rakovic, said a person with knowledge of the situation.The person spoke to The Associated Press on the condition of anonymity because the move at Thursday deadline had not formally announced.Vonleh, the No. 9 overall pick by Charlotte in the 2014 NBA draft, averaged 3.6 points and 5.1 rebounds in 33 games this season, including 12 starts. For his career, Vonleh has averaged 3.9 points and 4.5 rebounds.Vonleh, 22 will be a restricted free agent this summer. The trade, which also gave the Blazers a $3.5 million traded player exception, helps Portland get under the luxury tax threshold. The team now has two open roster spots.Rakovic currently plays in the Swiss Basketball League. He was originally drafted by Dallas in 2007, but has never played in the NBA.The trade was first reported by ESPN.The Bulls also dealt Jameer Nelson to the Detroit Pistons in exchange for center... [More]

PORTLAND, Ore. (AP) — A person with knowledge of the situation says the Portland Trail Blazers have traded forward Noah Vonleh to the Chicago Bulls in exchange for Milovan Rakovic.The person spoke to The Associated Press on the condition of anonymity because the move at Thursday deadline had not formally announced. The trade was first reported by ESPN.Vonleh, the No. 9 overall pick by Charlotte in the 2014 NBA draft, averaged 3.6 points and 5.1 rebounds in 33 games this season, including 12 starts. For his career, Vonleh has averaged 3.9 points and 4.5 rebounds.Vonleh, 22 will be a restricted free agent this summer. The move helps Portland get under the luxury tax threshold.Rakovic currently plays in the Swiss Basketball League. He was originally drafted by Dallas in the 2007 draft, but has never played in the NBA.___More AP NBA: https://apnews.com/tag/NBAbasketball

Vonleh recorded 12 points and 11 rebounds over 26 minutes in Monday's preseason opener against the Kings.

With Meyers Leonard and Mason Plumlee representing the frontrunners to start in the frontcourt this season for the Blazers, Vonleh and Ed Davis are positioned to serve as the top bigs off the bench. Last year's No. 9 overall pick saw few opportunities to see the court with the Hornets last season, but he'll have an easier path to playing time in Portland after LaMarcus Aldridge left town this offseason. Look for Vonleh to see around 10-to-15 minutes per night in the early going.