Minnesota Timberwolves center Rudy Gobert has been voted the 2023-24 NBA Defensive Player of the Year. The French giant receives the award for a record-tying fourth time. He joins Dikembe Mutombo and Ben Wallace as the only four-time winners. Gobert finished sixth in blocks this season with 2.1 swats per game and limited the opposition to 45.2 percent effective field goal percentage, helping the Timberwolves register the league's best defensive rating during the regular season. He was fourth in the league with 9.2 defensive rebounds per game and second in rebounding overall with 12.9 boards.

Minnesota Timberwolves center Rudy Gobert (personal) won't play on Monday against the Nuggets. The multi-time Defensive Player of the Year became a father, so he'll take the night off. He finished Game 1 on Saturday night with 13 boards and three blocks while limiting Nikola Jokic to an 11-for-25 shooting performance. But now that Gobert won't be out there, Jokic's DFS stock just increased significantly. His absence also should mean more work and offensive opportunities for guys like Naz Reid and Nickeil Alexander-Walker behind Jaden McDaniels, Mike Conley, Karl-Anthony Towns, and Anthony Edwards.

Los Angeles Clippers guard/forward Paul George looks set to enter unrestricted free agency this offseason. According to The Athletic's Shams Charania, George has received multiple contract offers below the max, which he will not accept. The nine-time All-Star has a $48.8 million player option for next season and can become a free agent if he can't agree on an extension with the Clippers before June 30. He is eligible to sign up to a four-year, $221 million contract. If the Clippers can't strike a deal with George, who's likely looking to get his final big contract after turning 34 at the start of May, he would instantly become one of the top available free agents on the market.

According to Shams Charania of The Athletic, there is mutual interest between the Orlando Magic and Klay Thompson. The five-time All-Star will become an unrestricted free agent, and Orlando can open up an excess of $60 million in cap space this offseason. Thompson was paid $43.2 million in 2023-24, and the Warriors reportedly offered him a two-year, $48 million extension before the season started. Warriors head coach Steve Kerr has indicated that he wants Thompson back for the 2024-25 campaign, but a change of scenery might benefit him. The Magic seem like a great fit for Thompson, as the team badly needs to add some three-point shooting to the squad after ranking last in the league in threes made during the 2023-24 regular season.

Minnesota Timberwolves center Rudy Gobert (personal) has landed on the injury report as questionable ahead of Game 2 against Denver on Monday. He became a father for the first time Monday morning. It's unclear if Gobert manages to travel to Denver in time for tip-off. His absence would push Naz Reid to a more prominent role. The 2023-24 Sixth Man of the Year had a nice start to the second-round series, producing 16 points in a 106-99 victory with four rebounds, three assists, and a steal.

Los Angeles Clippers forward P.J. Tucker is expected to exercise his $11.54 million player option for the 2024-25 season. Tucker had a miserable time in L.A., making only 30 appearances across the regular season and playoffs. He even requested a trade publically midseason, resulting in a $75k fine from the NBA. However, Tucker is unlikely to fetch a similar salary on the open market, making this a no-brainer decision for the veteran. Considering how things have worked out for him with the Clippers since Tucker arrived in town in the James Harden trade, it would probably suit both sides if they parted ways at the first opportunity.

Dallas Mavericks guard/forward Tim Hardaway Jr. (ankle) returned to practice on Sunday. The veteran sniper got hurt in Game 2 of the first-round series against the Clippers, spraining his right ankle. Dallas had no trouble finishing off the Clippers in six games, but Hardaway Jr. will make a welcome return if he's ready to go for the second round against the Thunder on Tuesday. The 32-year-old was among the league's most prolific bench scorers in the regular season, averaging 14.4 points in 26.6 minutes.

Orlando Magic guard Gary Harris (hamstring) was officially listed as questionable when the injury report first came out, and head coach Jamahl Mosley confirmed that to still be the case. During shootaround on Friday morning, Mosley was asked if Harris was likely to play and he said, "He went through walk-through. He's going to go through his shooting slot, so he'll still be more of a game-time decision." While it's encouraging that he went through the walk-through and is still scheduled to get his shooting in, there could be some discomfort leading up to game time. DFS managers will want to monitor his situation if thinking about using him in any lineups.

Milwaukee Bucks forward Khris Middleton had 14 points in Thursday's loss to the Pacers. He added four boards, three assists, and two steals. While the veteran did all he could, his efforts weren't enough to lead Milwaukee to a win, eliminating the team from the playoffs. Middleton finished the regular season by averaging 15.1 points, 5.3 assists, and 4.7 rebounds. However, as usual, the 32-year-old was limited to 55 games due to injury. Middleton's play is never a concern. But his inability to stay healthy will negatively impact his fantasy stock heading into the 2024-25 campaign, no matter where he's playing.

Milwaukee Bucks guard Damian Lillard (Achilles) was back in the lineup for Thursday's playoff meeting with Indiana after missing a few contests with an Achilles injury. He played well, scoring a game-high 28 points while shooting 7-for-16 from the field and 4-for-12 from deep. Unfortunately, Lillard's return didn't help, as the Pacers got the win to eliminate the Bucks from the postseason. Lillard has been one of the league's most potent scorers for years. However, the 33-year-old took a step backward in his first season with the Bucks, averaging 24.3 points, nearly eight fewer than he had in his final season in Portland. On a positive note, he logged 73 games during the regular season, his most since 2017-18. But it appears Lillard is starting to regress statistically, so his fantasy ranking for next season won't be as favorable.

Dallas Mavericks guard/forward Tim Hardaway Jr. (ankle) remains out for Friday's matchup with the Los Angeles Clippers. The sharpshooting veteran tweaked his right ankle in Game 2 of this series and hasn't been available since. Without him, Maxi Kleber and Josh Green have gotten more minutes, even though neither player has been able to take advantage of their extra time on the floor.

Los Angeles Clippers forward Kawhi Leonard (knee) won't play on Friday against the Mavericks. There isn't any new information concerning his ailment. However, the Clippers need to win the next two games to advance to the next round, although they will likely need to do it without Leonard in the lineup. As usual, Paul George and James Harden will do their best to lead the offense in Game 6. But Norman Powell, Russell Westbrook, and Terance Mann should continue to get more minutes and shot opportunities. With that said, nobody on the Clippers' roster has been consistent from a fantasy standpoint throughout this series.

Milwaukee Bucks point guard Patrick Beverley (oblique) has been upgraded from probable to available for Thursday's Game 6 against Indiana. Beverley is set to make up Milwaukee's starting backcourt with the returning Damian Lillard (Achilles). He will likely take a backseat offensively, but Beverley's tenacity on the defensive end is a big asset for the Bucks, and he should continue to get a healthy dose of action. Through the first five games in the series, Beverley has averaged 34.0 minutes a night, posting 8.6 points, 3.6 rebounds, 5.6 assists, and 1.2 steals.

Milwaukee Bucks forward Khris Middleton (ankle) has been officially cleared to play in Thursday's Game 6 against the Pacers. The team has upgraded him from probable to available. Middleton has been huge in the series for Milwaukee, but he will likely play a slightly lesser role offensively on Thursday as Damian Lillard (Achilles) returns to the lineup. With that said, the team needs another big performance from Middleton to survive in the series, with Giannis Antetokounmpo (calf) still on the shelf.

Milwaukee Bucks forward/center Giannis Antetokounmpo (calf) isn't ready to return to the lineup on Thursday against Indiana. He was considered a game-time call for the contest along with Damian Lillard (Achilles), but while Lillard will be back in action, Antetokounmpo is still left to wait for his chance to return. It won't come in the 2024 playoffs if Milwaukee loses on Thursday. Bobby Portis was one of the stars in Milwaukee's Game 5 victory, recording 29 points with 10 rebounds, and he's set for another start in Antetokounmpo's place on Thursday.

Milwaukee Bucks point guard Damian Lillard (Achilles) will play in Game 6 against Indiana on Thursday. Milwaukee gets its superstar guard back after Lillard sat out two games with an Achilles injury. He's set to play a huge role on Thursday as the Bucks try to fight off elimination once again. Lillard is averaging 32.3 points and 5.3 assists in the series, shooting 44.4 percent from outside.

Orlando Magic guard/forward Gary Harris (hamstring) is considered a game-time call for Friday's Game 6 against Cleveland. He suffered a right hamstring strain in Game 5, exiting the contest early. Harris has started all five games for the Magic in the playoffs, averaging 26.2 minutes. However, he hasn't been very productive, posting only 3.8 points, 2.0 rebounds, and 1.2 steals. Markelle Fultz and Cole Anthony could get more playing opportunities on Friday, but the two haven't made any noise in the playoffs and would be risky choices for DFS managers.

Milwaukee Bucks point guard Damian Lillard (Achilles) is considered questionable to play in Thursday's game versus the Indiana Pacers. The star guard was originally listed as doubtful to play on Wednesday's injury report, but the latest news is certainly an intriguing storyline. Lillard has not suited up since he hurt his right Achilles in Game 3 of the series. With the Bucks facing elimination, his return to the court would be a huge lift for Game 6 in Indiana. His status is worth monitoring as we get closer to tip-off on Thursday.

Los Angeles Clippers point guard Russell Westbrook had another miserable outing against the Mavericks in Game 5 on Wednesday, posting six points on 2-for-11 shooting in a 123-93 loss. He missed all three shots from deep and didn't register any assists in 16 minutes of action while grabbing five rebounds. Westbrook performed well in the series opener, but he's had a horrible four-game spell since. The former MVP has been limited to 6-for-35 shooting, notching just 19 total points. His performances have been a major letdown for the Clippers, who face elimination in Game 6 on Friday.

Los Angeles Clippers guard James Harden finished with only seven points in Wednesday's beatdown by the Mavericks, shooting 2-for-12 from the field, including 1-for-7 from deep. The veteran star also had four rebounds and seven assists with four turnovers. Overall, Harden has played well in the series, and Game 4 was probably one of the best postseason performances of his career, but the Clippers came completely unstuck in front of their fans Wednesday night. Tyronn Lue's team now faces elimination in Game 6 on Friday. With Kawhi Leonard (knee) on the shelf, Harden and Paul George need to come up with something special for the Clippers to extend the series.