Portland Trail Blazers

Portland Trail Blazers center Deandre Ayton (knee) remains out for Friday's contest versus the Dallas Mavericks. Head coach Chauncey Billups revealed on Monday that Ayton stayed back in Portland to get "rigorous treatment" for the tendinitis in his right knee, and it remains unclear if there are plans for the big man to join the team at any stage of their current seven-game road trip that ends on Jan. 12. The 25-year-old former No. 1 overall pick has registered 12 double-doubles in 24 games, but he hasn't exactly taken the leap some may have envisioned on a rebuilding squad during his first year in Rip City. With Moses Brown (wrist) out and Jabari Walker (knee) doubtful, the Blazers' last traditional big men left standing are Ibou Badji and Duop Reath. We would advise staying away for fantasy purposes.

Portland Trail Blazers guard Anfernee Simons (illness) will return to the starting five ahead of Wednesday's game against the Dallas Mavericks. Simons will make his return to the court after a three-game absence due to a lingering illness. His return will shift veteran guard Malcolm Brogdon back to the bench. Although, Brogdon could still have some streaming value on Wednesday due to the fact Simons will be on a minutes limit. Fantasy managers in season-long formats can get Simons back in their lineups. However, he won't be a great DFS option on a busy slate with a minutes limit.

Portland Trail Blazers guard Anfernee Simons (illness) is questionable ahead of Wednesday's matchup against the Dallas Mavericks. The 24-year-old has been under the weather. However, the questionable designation is at least a step in the right direction. At any rate, if Simons misses his fourth consecutive game on Wednesday night, Scoot Henderson or Malcolm Brogdon could remain in the starting lineup, although one of them will head back to the bench if Shaedon Sharpe is off a minutes restriction.

Portland Trail Blazers head coach Chauncey Billups said pregame on Monday that center Deandre Ayton (knee) is not currently with the team and stayed back in Portland to receive "rigorous treatment" for the tendinitis in his right knee. It likely leaves Ayton doubtful to return from a four-game absence on Wednesday against the Dallas Mavericks. But Ayton should have a chance to join the squad at some point, since the Blazers will remain on the road for six more contests until Jan. 12. Moses Brown has served as the formal starter in Ayton's stead, but it hasn't translated to a meaningful uptick in fantasy value. Jerami Grant and Jabari Walker have shared minutes at the five as well, with the latter being worth a look in deeper leagues. In eight outings without Ayton this year, Walker is contributing 13.5 points on 55.2% field-goal shooting and 7.4 rebounds in 25.7 minutes per game.

Portland Trail Blazers guard Shaedon Sharpe (groin) has been upgraded from questionable to available for Monday's game against the Phoenix Suns. According to head coach Chauncey Billups, Sharpe will be on a minute restriction in this game. Fantasy managers depending on Sharpe will want to temper expectations after Billups didn't specify how many minutes he'll be held to, so a backup plan is likely the safest way to go. The two players affected the most by Sharpe's return will be Skylar Mays and Matisse Thybulle, while the starting backcourt of Scoot Henderson and Malcolm Brogdon should see a heavy workload.