Los Angeles Lakers DVOA, Stats, & NBA Rankings

According to Shams Charania of The Athletic, forward LeBron James declined his $51.4 million player option with the Los Angeles Lakers. However, while the multi-time All-Star is heading toward unrestricted free agency, he's expected to re-sign with the Lakers on a new deal. Despite his age, James is still one of the most potent players in the National Basketball Association, recently finishing the 2023-24 campaign by averaging 25.7 points, 8.3 assists, 7.3 rebounds, and 1.3 steals. He battled nagging injuries all last season and was limited to 71 games. Still, fantasy managers should expect at least one more year of production from James in 2024-25, although he could have at least a few more solid seasons left in the tank.

According to NBA reporter Grant Afseth, Dallas Mavericks guard Luka Doncic (knee, ankle, chest) is uncertain to participate in the pre-Olympic qualifying tournament. The multi-time All-Star finished the 2023-24 campaign by averaging a career-high 33.9 points, 9.8 assists, 9.2 rebounds, and 1.4 steals. He played nearly as well in the postseason. However, Doncic battled various injuries while leading the Mavs to the NBA finals, including a thoracic contusion that required pain-killing injections. The Slovenian National Team's medical staff will determine if he's healthy enough to play. But there hasn't been anything to suggest Doncic won't be ready when the 2024-25 season commences in October, so managers should continue to expect him to go within the first few picks of fantasy drafts.

According to Los Angeles Lakers forward LeBron James' agent, Rich Paul, his client won't suit up for the Suns this season on a minimum contract. Speculation began to swirl about the possibility of James playing in Phoenix after his son, Bronny James, worked out for the club. However, it appears even if the Suns select the 19-year-old in the 2024 NBA Draft, it won't be enough to coax his father into joining Kevin Durant, Devin Booker, and Bradley Beal. Without question, the multi-time All-Star is nearing the end of his career. Yet, despite injuries, he's still productive, finishing the 2023-24 campaign by averaging 25.7 points, 8.3 assists, 7.3 rebounds, and 1.3 steals while shooting a career-high 41.0% from deep. At any rate, James still needs to decline his $51.4 million player option to enter unrestricted free agency, with his decision expected to come soon.

Dallas Mavericks point guard Luka Doncic recorded 28 points, 12 rebounds, five assists, and three steals as his squad failed to extend the NBA Finals against Boston on Monday. Doncic received very little support from his teammates in a 106-88 defeat. It was a disappointing finish to an otherwise outstanding campaign for Doncic, who led the NBA in scoring in 2023-24 and produced 21 triple-doubles. He was also the top scorer in the Finals with 29.2 points per game and became the first player in history to average at least 25 points, five rebounds, five assists, and two steals in the Finals.

Dallas Mavericks guard Luka Doncic (chest) is probable for Game 5 of the NBA Finals versus the Boston Celtics. Besides receiving pain-killing injections, it doesn't appear the thoracic contusion is much of an issue for the multi-time All-Star. He's averaged 29.5 points, 8.0 rebounds, 5.8 assists, and 2.5 steals during the series. While Doncic has struggled shooting from deep, he remains the top DFS option for managers on Monday evening.