Brooklyn Nets DVOA, Stats, & NBA Rankings

Philadelphia 76ers guard De'Anthony Melton (back) won't play on Thursday versus the Knicks. However, the 25-year-old will return to the court on Friday against the Cavaliers. Melton has been sidelined for over a month because of a back issue, so there's a good chance he'll be limited in his first game back. With Kyle Lowry also recently signing with the team, fantasy managers may want to consider other options before adding Melton to the starting lineup, at least until it's clear what his role will be with a reconfigured roster.

Philadelphia 76ers guard De'Anthony Melton (back) is out for Thursday's game against the New York Knicks. The Sixers ruled out Melton on Wednesday evening, but the 25-year-old guard put in a full practice and will aim to return on Friday versus the Cleveland Cavaliers. Kelly Oubre Jr. should remain rostered in fantasy basketball, but he'll take on a Knicks squad that's surrendering the third-fewest points per game (109.9) in the NBA during the 2023-24 campaign.

Brooklyn Nets center Nicolas Claxton is set to become an unrestricted free agent this summer, but the team is interested in keeping him around. Claxton originally signed a two-year extension in 2022 that paid him $8.5 million in the first year and $9.6 million in the current season. His name came up around the trade deadline due to the expiring contract, but it seems like the Nets want to make sure he sticks around as an important piece of the rebuild. The 24-year-old has been a great shot-blocker and rim-runner as he proved his worth when the team had enough talent to properly utilize his strengths. Claxton remains a solid center option in all fantasy formats and if the team could get some more point guards or distributors on the team, it would greatly bolster his fantasy value.

Brooklyn Nets forward Cameron Johnson (thigh) is absent from the injury report ahead of Wednesday's game against the Boston Celtics. Head coach Jacque Vaughn said Johnson was on track to return on Wednesday prior to Tuesday's loss to Boston, and the 27-year-old forward will return from a four-game absence. Johnson has taken a step back during his first full year in Brooklyn after being a key piece of last season's Kevin Durant trade, but he's shooting the ball well over his last nine games, averaging 13.0 points, 4.8 rebounds, 3.6 assists, and 2.3 treys on 42.9% shooting from long range in 27.2 minutes during this stretch. Johnson should re-enter the Nets' first unit, but he'll square off with a Celtics team that ranks second in opponent field-goal percentage (44.9%) in 2023-24, so he won't be a recommended DFS play in most situations.

Philadelphia 76ers guard De'Anthony Melton (back) will remain out on Wednesday against Miami. Melton was back in practice on Tuesday, but the team won't be able to count on his services for a 17th consecutive game. Philadelphia will be off until Feb. 22 following Wednesday's game, so there's a strong chance this is the final contest Melton misses. His return to practice certainly suggests that the versatile guard isn't far from being game-ready again. The likes of Buddy Hield and Kelly Oubre Jr. will be in for busy nights again on Wednesday without Melton.