Portland Trail Blazers

Portland Trail Blazers guard Shaedon Sharpe (abdomen) underwent successful core muscle surgery on Friday. He will be re-evaluated in six weeks. The 20-year-old hasn't played since mid-January. He appeared to be progressing. However, the Trail Blazers will be without him for a while. Sharpe averaged 15.9 points, 5.0 boards, and 2.9 assists in 32 games this season. Unfortunately, he hasn't stayed healthy. That said, until Sharpe is back in the lineup, Malcolm Brogdon and Scoot Henderson should absorb most of his minutes.

Portland Trail Blazers center Deandre Ayton (illness) will suit up for Saturday's game against the New Orleans Pelicans. Ayton sat out of Thursday's game due to an illness but will make his return on Saturday. The return of Ayton should push Jabari Walker to the second unit. The Blazers are pretty banged up right now, so Walker should still play a significant role off the bench.

Portland Trail Blazers center Deandre Ayton (illness) is questionable for Saturday's game against New Orleans. He has already missed one game with an illness this week and could be absent again for the same reason. With Ayton playing only 34 of the team's 51 games, Portland's other bigs have had a chance to shine. Duop Reath (knee) has impressed the most, but he's also questionable for Saturday. Jabari Walker received a massive role on the frontcourt and played well in 43 minutes against Detroit on Thursday. He's set to benefit the most again if Ayton and Reath aren't available on Saturday.

Portland Trail Blazers guard Anfernee Simons (ankle) was forced to leave the game against the Detroit Pistons on Thursday night with a left ankle sprain. He officially checked out of the game with a little less than half of the third quarter left to go and was deemed questionable to return at the time. He never did return and finished the game with 29 points, five assists, two rebounds, and two turnovers while shooting 9-for-19 from the floor and 4-for-12 from deep. Simons posted the best plus/minus on the team, by far, after the Trail Blazers gave up a 23-point lead. With Simons injury history, combined with the Blazers not competing for much, fantasy managers will want to stay tuned for an update on his ankle because he may miss some more time depending on the severity.

According to James Ham of Kings Beat, Sacramento inquired about the availability of Portland Trail Blazers forward Jerami Grant. However, the Trail Blazers aren't looking to move him. Grant has also made it clear he wants to remain in Portland. The 29-year-old signed a new deal with the team last summer. So far, things have worked out, with Grant averaging 21.3 points, the second-highest mark of his career. Understandably, clubs around the National Basketball Association will likely make a last-ditch effort to acquire the 2014 second-round pick as the trade deadline approaches. Yet, Grant will probably stay in Portland, although he would be a viable fantasy commodity wherever he plays.