Free agency in the NBA is heating up, and the Boston Celtics are making bold moves, including the surprising signing of center Luka Garza to a two-year, $5.5 million deal. This comes as the Celtics reshape their roster, shedding salary and players like Kristaps Porzingis and Luke Kornet. With Jason Tatum out for the season and Garza potentially taking on significant minutes, fantasy players must consider Garza's value as a center in a depleted Celtics frontcourt.

Meanwhile, the Charlotte Hornets have brought back Mason Plumlee, although his role seems limited given the team's current rotation. Toronto locked in Jakob Poeltl with a hefty $104 million contract, while Brook Lopez joins the Clippers, complicating his fantasy outlook with limited playing time. Other news includes Kevin Porter Jr.'s return to the Bucks, where he may see more opportunities to contribute in a restructured team. The free agency landscape is shifting rapidly, impacting player valuations and strategies for the upcoming fantasy season.

With the conclusion of the NBA fantasy basketball season around the corner, Thursday's five-game slate offers a final opportunity for savvy fantasy managers to make strategic streaming decisions. Notably, the New York Knicks are opting to rest key players including Josh Hart and Mitchell Robinson, which opens up significant playing time for other players on the roster. This provides a prime opportunity for Jalen Brunson and Karl-Anthony Towns to shine, assuming they are also not rested themselves.

Injuries are shaping up to be a crucial factor as well; Donovan Mitchell's ankle issue raises questions about his availability, while the Memphis Grizzlies fight to secure playoff positioning. The Bucks, on the other hand, are still in contention, indicating that their stars will likely see ample minutes. Players like Juice McBride and Kevin Porter Jr. are valuable pickups for those looking to capitalize on matchups.