It’s still early enough in the season that player rotations can change frequently. Playing time is key those who start games have the most control over their own destiny. If the player is producing on both ends of the floor, the Coach will leave him in the game and the second unit will be held off. Find those starters who log minutes in the 30’s and look at the last two weeks of stats and see if they provide consistent help in multiple categories.
Kelly Oubre Jr. SF WSH-36% Ownership: With Otto Porter hurting, Oubre will get more playing time, shot opportunities and he’s scored in double figures in four of his last five games. Oubre helps out with multiple categories and has grabbed 5.3 rebounds per game this season and rotates nicely on the perimeter. He’s stolen the ball at least once in four of his last five games. Oubre will produce mainly from right inside the arc, but he can step back and hit three’s. Oubre has also blocked a shot in three of his last five games. He’s been seeing more games in the 30’s and even when Porter comes back, Oubre will still be able to steal a few minutes away because of how effective he is with the second unit. Oubre has been more aggressive lately as we’ve seen him attack the basket a bit more and he’s been going to the free-throw line in his last seven games. Oubre attacking opens up more space for Bradley Beal and Oubre can be used longer in games to take the focus off of Beal and force defenses to collapse on him when he attacks the lane.
Mike Scott PF WSH-22% Ownership: Another Wizards Forward you must consider grabbing is Mike Scott. Scott has a better long-range game than Oubre and he’s scored over 20 points in 3 of his last 6 games. Scott grabbed at least four rebounds in each of those six games. Scott see’s a lot of open looks and he’s been getting more minutes recently. He’s played over 20 minutes in five of his last six games including one game in which surpassed 30 minutes which shows that the Coaches are trusting in him. Scott also has two multi-steal games in his last three and his defense will secure him more minutes. Markieff Morris has not looked the same since returning from injury last month and Scott can absolutely steal a few minutes from him as the season continues. Scott has hit multiple three-pointers in last game and moves around the perimeter through screens well. The double-digit scoring barrage he’s put on over the last few weeks makes him a trustworthy short-term option.
Isaiah Canaan PG PHX-22% Ownership: The Suns Guard carousel continues as Canaan is now a Guard of focus because he’s had a strong four games with the Suns. The Suns continue to search for a consistent secondary offensive weapon with Devin Booker still out. Canaan has scored in double figures in his four games with the Suns and played over 20 minutes in all four showing the Suns need for Guard help. They obviously are not impressed enough with Tyler Ulis or Mike James. Canaan has dished four or more assists in three of his four games with Phoenix and has two multi-steal games in his last three. Canaan is a reliable outside shooter and he’ll attack the basket. Canaan’s quickness will be utilized heavily in transition. The Suns want to keep Canaan for the rest of the season and will have to get rid of someone else to make room. View Canaan as a stopgap for your Guard situation, but know it is possible that he gets released, even though it’s unlikely because the Suns need all of the help they can get.
Lance Stephenson SG/SF IND-14% Ownership: Even though the scoring is inconsistent, Stephenson has been helpful in other categories and he can be used as a boards and dimes specialist. Stephenson has grabbed 5.2 boards this season and his playing time for the most part is secure. Stephenson has grabbed eight boards in three of his last five games. Stephenson can shoot from the outside, but he’s a better driver and will draw contact. He’ll help occasionally with blocks. Stephenson is good at dribbling the ball right inside the key and hitting the cutter in the paint. He’s compiled at least five assists in two of his last four games. Scoring should be viewed as a bonus at this point, but he’s scored in double figures in his last two games. Stephenson has a place in the Pacers rotation and because Victor Oladipo has been on fire all season, the ball gets taken out of his hands often, but Oladipo will have cold streaks as the season continues and Stephenson will pick up more shots as the season continues. His playing time could be threatened by the eventual return of Glenn Robinson III, but his return isn’t imminent.
Milos Teodosic G LAC-39% Ownership: The Clippers are hampered with injuries and with Patrick Beverley out for the season and Lou Williams needed at the SG spot, Teodosic should be able to steal playing time away from Austin Rivers. Teodosic will drive and score and can hit from long-range, but he’s more of a passer. He’s excellent at running the floor and he’d be much further along if he didn’t have to deal with an Achilles injury to start the season. Teodosic has dished at least five assists in his last three games and has grabbed five or more rebounds in two of his last three games. The Clippers are still giving Teodosic days off to rest to keep him healthy. Soon enough, he’ll be unleashed and won’t need games off. Teodosic is an NBA-ready Point Guard he’s got tremendous court-vision. The way Teodosic runs the floor reminds me of Ricky Rubio from when he first entered the league. Teodosic is a good long-term fantasy option to invest in and as long as he stays healthy, by mid-January his moves to the basket will be even more dazzling.
Kyle O'Quinn PF/C NY-15% Ownership: O’Quinn thrives when Kristaps Porzingis or Enes Kanter is out, but lately, he’s been playing in the 20’s. He’s played 20 minutes or more in three of his last four games and provides a lot of intangibles to keep him in the rotation. The intangibles he provides include toughness, the ability to not get taken advantage of in the post and he always fights for loose balls. O’Quinn has scored at least eight points in his last five games and has grabbed seven or more boards in three of those games. He provides minor assist help by making quick inside passes when he’s doubled. O’Quinn has recorded a steal in three of his last four games and has blocked at least one shot in each of his last seven games. O’Quinn reads screens in the paint well and he’s very aggressive on the block and the Knicks will need him especially in the second unit to preserve leads. View O’Quinn as a short-term solution for defensive stats. Even though the scoring’s been a bit more consistent lately, scoring should be viewed as an added bonus.
Mario Hezonja SG/SF ORL-6% Ownership: Hezonja finally has his opportunity to shine with Jonathan Isaac and Aaron Gordon banged up. He’s scored in double figures in three of his last four games and has grabbed six or more rebounds in three of his last six games. Hezonja gets left open a lot and hit eight three-pointers against the Pistons (one of the better teams in the conference). Hezonja has also recorded steals in three of his last five games and blocks in two of his last five games. Hezonja has never been given a real opportunity to show what he can do as he’s always fighting for minutes. He’s played over 20 minutes in his last five games and has even eclipsed 30 minutes in three of them. Hezonja has struggled in the past defensively, but he’s been given time and trust to produce and if you’re looking for a quick fix and want to ride that wave because of all of the Magic’s injuries, go for it, but be prepared to drop if he starts to lose minutes when Gordon gets back in the swing of things.
Bam Adebayo PF/C MIA-9% Ownership: The mystery behind Hassan Whiteside’s health and with James Johnson hurting now, the Heat have openings at PF and C and Bam Adebayo has taken advantage of his uptick in minutes. Adebayo is a low-block player, who scores off of second chance opportunities and grabbing boards on the offensive glass. Adebayo has scored in double figures in four of his last six games and he’s grabbed five or more boards in his last five games. He’s played at least 20 minutes in his last seven games and should see over 20 minutes per game on average throughout the next 2-3 weeks. When Whiteside eventually returns, the Heat will look to bring him back slowly and that gives Adebayo a bit more of a rotation commitment even when the Heat’s star Center returns. He’ll also provide a bit of help with blocks, but that’s a bonus at this point.
Maxi Kleber PF DAL-6% Ownership: Kleber has been able to keep his starting spot alongside Harrison Barnes in the Mavs lineup and he’s an intangibles guy who hustles a lot on the court and will often be one of few Mavs players who will rush back to attempt to defend when the opposition is on the break. He’s played 30 minutes or more in three of his last five games and he’s blocked shots in his last three games. Scoring is harder to come by for Kleber, but he’s grabbed at least four boards in all but two games in the month of December. He’ll help with assists inconsistently and he can hit from long-range, but is used mainly as a bailout option as the Mavs has a good amount of wing shooters. Kleber has the rotation security and if you need a short-term boost in boards and blocks, Kleber’s hustle has been rewarded with more playing time.
WILD CARD PICK UP: Jose Calderon PG CLE-2% Ownership: The Cavs Guards are hurt and Calderon wants to do everything he can to stay in the rotation with Isaiah Thomas returning sometime in January. The Veteran Calderon can hit from distance and he;s grabbed three or more rebounds in three of his last five games. Calderon has always been good at working his way around the perimeter and finding openings in the lane. Calderon has dished at least four assists in five of his last six games. Calderon has also swiped a ball in nine of his last 10 games and because the Cavs are still without Derrick Rose and Iman Shumpert, even when Thomas returns, Calderon should see a good amount of minutes because it will take Thomas at least a few weeks once he returns to be in rhythm with the rest of his team. Calderon should be seeing playing time in the 20’s throughout the rest of December and January.