After a player gets injured, if it’s unclear which teammate will benefit, spend the next couple of games watching how the minutes are divided. Even if players are listed as “day-to-day”, that doesn’t mean they can’t miss a bunch of games to heal up. Not all players will be ruled out with an official timetable to return especially when the bone isn’t broken. Hamstring strains are something to look out for when it comes to “day-to-day” injuries that can keep players out for a few games.
Reggie Bullock SG, SF DET-12% Ownership: Luke Kennard is still sidelined and Bullock has been hitting three-pointers consistently and even though his scoring has been up and down, Bullock has two 20-plus point games in his last five. Bullock will use his size to draw contact in advantageous matchups, but he’ll mainly stick to the arc. He’s filling the exact void Luke Kennard did. Bullock has also been strong defensively, especially on the perimeter. He has three multi-steal games in his last four. Bullock will provide minor assist-help, but it’s mainly points and steals that he’ll help consistently with. Bullock has logged a lot of minutes as he regularly plays in the 20’s and 30’s. Consider him a short-term solution until Kennard returns. The Pistons are looking for mid-court consistency and Bullock can be relied on because of the heavy minutes.
Cedi Osman F CLE-40% Ownership: Osman is starting to once again pick his production up since returning from injury. He played 42 minutes in both of his last 2 games and the Cavs will continue to utilize him heavily. He’s scored 20-plus points and grabbed at least 7 boards in his last 2 games. Kevin Love , Sam Dekker and George Hill are injured and JR Smith is dealing with his own drama with the team and hasn’t been playing so Osman will regularly take double-digit shots. He shoots effectively from the outside and he follows up his shots and has grabbed 5.1 rebounds per game. Osman will provide some help with steals and blocks, but those stats won’t be as consistent as points and boards. Osman will also get to the free-throw line. He’s gritty and he’ll fight for boards in the paint.
Jeremy Lin G ATL-24% Ownership: Lin is a short-term pick up who has been involved in the Hawks rotation. He’ll see at least 20 minutes in most of the games he plays in. Lin’s competition for minutes is Trae Young . The Hawks will want Young to get as much experience as possible. The problem with Young is that his poor shooting often negatively impacts the Hawks. It takes them out of games. Lin gives the Hawks a more traditional point guard who will only shoot if open and he’ll look to drive and dish. Lin has served as the Hawks bailout option and he’s been able to rotate to both guard spots. He’ll hit three’s consistently and he’s dished at least four assists in four of his last six games. Lin is a smart defender with quick hands and he’ll provide help with steals. Lin has two three-steal games in his last four. If Kent Bazemore has to miss a couple of games, Lin may be able to benefit by getting more playing time and shots.
Juancho Hernangomez F DEN-31% Ownership: The Nuggets have a big void to fill with Will Barton still out and Hernangomez has been seeing consistent minutes in the 30’s. He’s served as not only a long-range bailout shooter, but he’s also been successful attacking the basket. Hernangomez has two 20-plus point games in his last 5. Hernangomez fights for boards at the top of the paint and he’s grabbed 5.1 boards per game. His rebounding has been most impressive; as Hernangomez has helped keep plays alive. He’s a consistent long-range shooter and he’ll hit multiple three-pointers in most of his games. Hernangomez is a good free-throw shooter and he’s been crashing the boards and taking contact more and more. There isn’t a return date set for Barton and he’ll continue to see heavy run.
JaMychal Green PF, C MEM-16% Ownership: The Grizzlies continue to lack frontcourt depth and Green should see his minutes start to rise. He was out with facial injuries and since returning he’s scored in double figures in two of the four games since returning. Green blocked shots in every game since returning and he’ll help a bit with steals. Green will attack the basket with the ball, but if he’s open at the arc, he’ll fire away. Green has been helpful on the glass as he’s grabbed at least eight boards in three of four games since returning. Chandler Parsons is hurt and the Grizzlies don’t have a lot of help in the interior and Jaren Jackson Jr. will need relief. Green will give the Grizzlies a boost defensively. Expect Green to play around 25 minutes per game and he’ll have a lot of room to set up in the paint.
Iman Shumpert SG, SF SAC-15% Ownership: The Kings are going through a major youth movement and while Zach Randolph hasn’t been active, Shumpert has been seeing consistent minutes in the 20’s and 30’s. Shumpert is an excellent perimeter defender and he can be relied on for mainly scoring and steals. Shumpert has three multi-steal games in his last five. Shumpert also serve as the Kings bailout shooter from beyond the arc. Shumpert has scored in double-digits in three of his last five games. He’s been a bit more helpful grabbing long rebounds. Shumpert has grabbed at least three boards in each of his last four games. Shumpert has good timing on the defensive end and he’s been good at reading screens. Shumpert is securely in the Kings rotation, as they need the veteran leadership on the court. Shumpert’s defense will keep his minutes consistent.
Emmanuel Mudiay PG NY-6% Ownership: I never thought I would recommend Mudiay, but he’s been getting starts and the Knicks rotation continues to change as they look to find the right fit. Mudiay has been utilizing his drive more and his scoring numbers have gone up. Mudiay has also been committing to defense more and he’s grabbed 3.1 boards per game this season. Mudiay is quick and has good agility with the ball. His shooting has always been the big issue. Mudiay has not taken as many bad shots this year. He plays steadily in the 20’s and the Knicks will keep him in the rotation…for now. Trey Burke will play a lot of minutes as well, but he’s been more productive with the second unit. Mudiay has scored 16-plus points in three of his last five games. He also posted a four-steal game recently.
Wayne Ellington SG, SF MIA-21% Ownership: With Tyler Johnson and Dion Waiters hurt, Ellington will continue to see a lot of minutes. Ellington is a big-time bailout shooting option. He’s hit multiple three-pointers in his last seven games. Ellington has played over 30 minutes in his last 3 games while Goran Dragic has also been out of the lineup after getting his Knee drained. Josh Richardson will continue to shift to PG and Ellington will see more minutes at SF. Ellington will start scoring in double figures more frequently. He’s also been a big help with steals as he has three multi-steal games in his last five. His defense has been keeping him in the game more and the Heat will be able to rely on his long-range game more than any of the other active players. If you need three’s and steals, look to add Ellington for the short-term.
WILDCARD PICK UP: Cory Joseph PG IND-4% Ownership: Why have one wildcard guard on the Pacers when you can have two to choose from? Joseph is safer to add than Aaron Holiday at this point in the season. Joseph is not as consistent when it comes to scoring, but he’s been very helpful with boards, dimes and steals. He’s grabbed 3.2 boards per game. Joseph has recorded multiple steals in five straight games. He’s been playing steadily in the 20’s and 30’s and he provides a lot of defensive help on the perimeter. Joseph has dished at least five assists in four of his last five games. He’s efficient at running the point and if Victor Oladipo needs to miss more time, Joseph will continue to see an uptick in minutes. Tyreke Evans will have time to bring the ball up even when the Pacers are at full strength, but Joseph has still been able to stick with the Pacers rotation.
WILDCARD PICK UP: Aaron Holiday PG IND-3% Ownership: All of a sudden, Holiday has become involved in the Pacers rotation. He’s a rookie and has already seen three straight games playing over 20 minutes. Holiday has a higher ceiling than Joseph and his speed makes him very valuable on the court. Holiday will be a change of pace player and he will lead the transition and outrun opposing second units. Holiday has scored in double figures in four straight games. He’s grabbed at least four boards in his last three games and he’s even recorded steals and blocks in his last two. The Pacers are going to want to get Holiday more involved in the rotation and he could see consistent minutes even when Oladipo is 100 percent. Tyreke Evans and Darren Collison are also in front of Holiday on the depth chart. Holiday has been a nice spark off the bench and it’ll be interesting seeing how the Pacers divide the minutes once they’re at full strength.