GuardsAvery Bradley, PG, SG (BOS)--The Celtics are reporting that Avery Bradley is ready to return to action, it is now time to hit the waiver-wire and stash this combo-guard. The team decided to leave Bradley in Boston to work out away from the team for another week, but is expected to return to action sometime next week. Bradley has yet to play this season after undergoing offseason shoulder surgery, but has shown the ability to be fantasy relevant in his short career. When given the opportunity last season, Bradley produced well in the Celtics starting lineup being able to both score and get his teammates involved in the team's offense. The Celtics will likely not rush him back into the starting lineup, but rather slowly increase his minutes each game after his return, so owner's should be patient with him until he picks up where he left off last season.Eric Gordon, SG (NO)--Like Bradley, Eric Gordon has yet to play this season after undergoing offseason knee surgery and is expected to return to the Hornets lineup in the upcoming days. Gordon made the most recent trip to Orlando with his teammates for Wednesday's game, but did not play despite participating in the pregame shoot around. He was cleared to participate in contact drills last week, which was the last step in his recovery, so now is the time to pick him up if he is available in fantasy leagues. He will eventually take over the starting shooting guard position for the Hornets, but the team will likely ease him back into action, rather than rushing him into the starting lineup. With that said, owners should consider waiting a few games to insert him into starting lineups until we see what type of minutes he will receive early on in his return.Kawhi Leonard, SG, SF (SA)--After missing over a month with tendinitis in his left knee, Kawhi Leonard has picked up right where he left off in his last three games. Since returning to action, Leonard has filled the stat sheet in all fantasy categories, with the steals category sticking out the most. In his last three games, Leonard has recorded 10 steals while playing in just over 23 minutes per game. The Spurs coaching staff decided to get him back into the starting lineup after just one game coming off the bench, and he should remain there as long as he stays healthy. To add to his already mounting fantasy value, Leonard has taken at least three three-point field goals since returning, including one game with seven attempts. Right now, Leonard is available in less than 50 percent of leagues throughout most fantasy websites, so there is a good chance owners looking for help at the guard position can look to Leonard for help.ForwardsMatt Barnes, SF (LAC)--The Clippers may be the deepest team in the NBA, but they have found a way to get everyone involved in the team's offense, which has benefited many players in terms of fantasy. Matt Barnes may be benefiting most coming off the bench for the Clippers, and has now scored in double-digits in eight straight games, despite playing reserve minutes. For most of his career, Barnes has played a backup role, but that doesn't mean he can't produce quality fantasy value in limited minutes. To add to his recent scoring binge, Barnes has produced in all other fantasy categories, including three-pointers made, hitting at least one three-point field goal in all but two games in the month of December. The Clippers will continue to limit the minutes of everyone in the lineup to ensure the team is ready for a deep playoff run, so that should benefit Barnes moving forward. With that said, those looking for depth at the forward position should give Barnes a shot while he continues to produce at a high level.
Hakim Warrick, PF (CHA)--With the most recent injury to Byron Mullens, the Bobcats have inserted Hakim Warrick into their starting lineup, which increased his value significantly. On Wednesday, Warrick started for the first time this season and was on the court just over 38 minutes scoring 18 points with nine rebounds and one steal. He connected on eight of his 12 shot attempts while going 2-for-3 from the free throw line. The Bobcats expect to be without the services of Mullens for four-to-six weeks, so Warrick should continue to log significant minutes until he returns to action. Warrick has shown the ability to produce in fantasy over the course of his career, but hasn't been given the opportunity over the last few years to be fantasy relevant. Expect him to take full advantage of this opportunity making him a solid short term pickup this week.CentersAndre Drummond, PF, C (DET)--In fantasy basketball, it is hard to roster rookies, due to their inconsistency over the course of the season, but at the same time it is hard to ignore their hot streaks. Currently, Andre Drummond has resurfaced as a solid fantasy player recording double-digit rebounds in three straight games, including piling up two double-doubles over that time frame. Earlier in the season Drummond found his way into this column, but lack of consistency forced him back to the waiver-wire in most fantasy leagues. His most current streak may become a regular, considering he has put together a full month of solid fantasy production, outside of one lousy game on December 10 against the Sixers. The Pistons will continue to give him minute as they try to develop him into a dominant post player, so his playing time should continue to stay over 20 minutes per game making him worth adding for those in need of help in the rebounding category.
Gustavo Ayon, PF, C (ORL)--After starting for the Magic in two straight games, it is now time for fantasy owners to know the name Gustavo Ayon. With Glen Davis sidelined with a shoulder injury, Ayon has found his way into the starting lineup and has logged quality minutes that will eventually result in solid fantasy production. If you only look at his game log over his last two games one would think he isn't worth rostering, but in fantasy basketball, it is all about minutes, and Ayon has played 27 and 37 minutes in the team's last two games. He has taken just 11 shots since joining the starting lineup, but as he becomes more comfortable those numbers will get better which will lead to increased fantasy value. Considering the lack of depth at the center position, Ayon should be targeted in all fantasy formats, so be patient with his development and pick him up if needed.
To make setting your Fantasy Basketball lineup easy, be sure to utilize RotoInfo.com’s new NBA Lineup Grids.Matthew Beck is a Fantasy Sports Columnist for Rotoinfo.com. If you have any questions or comments feel free to e-mail him at matthewbeck@rotoinfo.com. Also follow him on Twitter @MatthewRBeck for up-to-date Q&A and fantasy information. And, to make setting your Fantasy Basketball lineup easy, be sure to utilize RotoInfo.com’s new NBA Lineup Grids. GuardsAvery Bradley, PG, SG (BOS)--The Celtics are reporting that Avery Bradley is ready to return to action, it is now time to hit the waiver-wire and stash this combo-guard. The team decided to leave Bradley in Boston to work out away from the team for another week, but is expected to return to action sometime next week. Bradley has yet to play this season after undergoing offseason shoulder surgery, but has shown the ability to be fantasy relevant in his short career. When given the opportunity last season, Bradley produced well in the Celtics starting lineup being able to both score and get his teammates involved in the team's offense. The Celtics will likely not rush him back into the starting lineup, but rather slowly increase his minutes each game after his return, so owner's should be patient with him until he picks up where he left off last season.Eric Gordon, SG (NO)--Like Bradley, Eric Gordon has yet to play this season after undergoing offseason knee surgery and is expected to return to the Hornets lineup in the upcoming days. Gordon made the most recent trip to Orlando with his teammates for Wednesday's game, but did not play despite participating in the pregame shoot around. He was cleared to participate in contact drills last week, which was the last step in his recovery, so now is the time to pick him up if he is available in fantasy leagues. He will eventually take over the starting shooting guard position for the Hornets, but the team will likely ease him back into action, rather than rushing him into the starting lineup. With that said, owners should consider waiting a few games to insert him into starting lineups until we see what type of minutes he will receive early on in his return.Kawhi Leonard, SG, SF (SA)--After missing over a month with tendinitis in his left knee, Kawhi Leonard has picked up right where he left off in his last three games. Since returning to action, Leonard has filled the stat sheet in all fantasy categories, with the steals category sticking out the most. In his last three games, Leonard has recorded 10 steals while playing in just over 23 minutes per game. The Spurs coaching staff decided to get him back into the starting lineup after just one game coming off the bench, and he should remain there as long as he stays healthy. To add to his already mounting fantasy value, Leonard has taken at least three three-point field goals since returning, including one game with seven attempts. Right now, Leonard is available in less than 50 percent of leagues throughout most fantasy websites, so there is a good chance owners looking for help at the guard position can look to Leonard for help.ForwardsMatt Barnes, SF (LAC)--The Clippers may be the deepest team in the NBA, but they have found a way to get everyone involved in the team's offense, which has benefited many players in terms of fantasy. Matt Barnes may be benefiting most coming off the bench for the Clippers, and has now scored in double-digits in eight straight games, despite playing reserve minutes. For most of his career, Barnes has played a backup role, but that doesn't mean he can't produce quality fantasy value in limited minutes. To add to his recent scoring binge, Barnes has produced in all other fantasy categories, including three-pointers made, hitting at least one three-point field goal in all but two games in the month of December. The Clippers will continue to limit the minutes of everyone in the lineup to ensure the team is ready for a deep playoff run, so that should benefit Barnes moving forward. With that said, those looking for depth at the forward position should give Barnes a shot while he continues to produce at a high level.
Hakim Warrick, PF (CHA)--With the most recent injury to Byron Mullens, the Bobcats have inserted Hakim Warrick into their starting lineup, which increased his value significantly. On Wednesday, Warrick started for the first time this season and was on the court just over 38 minutes scoring 18 points with nine rebounds and one steal. He connected on eight of his 12 shot attempts while going 2-for-3 from the free throw line. The Bobcats expect to be without the services of Mullens for four-to-six weeks, so Warrick should continue to log significant minutes until he returns to action. Warrick has shown the ability to produce in fantasy over the course of his career, but hasn't been given the opportunity over the last few years to be fantasy relevant. Expect him to take full advantage of this opportunity making him a solid short term pickup this week.CentersAndre Drummond, PF, C (DET)--In fantasy basketball, it is hard to roster rookies, due to their inconsistency over the course of the season, but at the same time it is hard to ignore their hot streaks. Currently, Andre Drummond has resurfaced as a solid fantasy player recording double-digit rebounds in three straight games, including piling up two double-doubles over that time frame. Earlier in the season Drummond found his way into this column, but lack of consistency forced him back to the waiver-wire in most fantasy leagues. His most current streak may become a regular, considering he has put together a full month of solid fantasy production, outside of one lousy game on December 10 against the Sixers. The Pistons will continue to give him minute as they try to develop him into a dominant post player, so his playing time should continue to stay over 20 minutes per game making him worth adding for those in need of help in the rebounding category.
Gustavo Ayon, PF, C (ORL)--After starting for the Magic in two straight games, it is now time for fantasy owners to know the name Gustavo Ayon. With Glen Davis sidelined with a shoulder injury, Ayon has found his way into the starting lineup and has logged quality minutes that will eventually result in solid fantasy production. If you only look at his game log over his last two games one would think he isn't worth rostering, but in fantasy basketball, it is all about minutes, and Ayon has played 27 and 37 minutes in the team's last two games. He has taken just 11 shots since joining the starting lineup, but as he becomes more comfortable those numbers will get better which will lead to increased fantasy value. Considering the lack of depth at the center position, Ayon should be targeted in all fantasy formats, so be patient with his development and pick him up if needed.
To make setting your Fantasy Basketball lineup easy, be sure to utilize RotoInfo.com’s new NBA Lineup Grids.Matthew Beck is a Fantasy Sports Columnist for Rotoinfo.com. If you have any questions or comments feel free to e-mail him at matthewbeck@rotoinfo.com. Also follow him on Twitter @MatthewRBeck for up-to-date Q&A and fantasy information. And, to make setting your Fantasy Basketball lineup easy, be sure to utilize RotoInfo.com’s new NBA Lineup Grids.