Remember, playing time is key. If a player is trending upward and they are still playing under 20 minutes per game over a few game span, keep that player under heavy watch. Rotation commitment is important and in order for you to commit to a player, their team must commit first. Don’t look at one game and commit to a player, look at the last six or even three games for a direct injury replacement.

 

Seth Curry G DAL-30% Ownership: With J.J. Barea still ailing, Curry has been able to hold on to his mid-20’s consistency for playing time. Curry is perfectly capable of running the Mavs offense, especially on transition and he is also good at hitting the cutter. He could very well be a short-term pick up, but he will help with steals, three-pointers and assists. Curry swiped the ball three times each in two of his last four games and with Deron Williams aging, he will need some relief and Curry will be first in line until Barea comes back full force.

 

Tony Snell SG/SF MIL-5% Ownership: After being given the keys to the promised land of playing time in Milwaukee, Snell did not take advantage of the his opportunity. The scoring fire in him has been ignited as he has hit double figures in his last three games. The playing time commitment is there and he has even seen time in the 40’s. Snell has shooting range and provides minor help with rebounding. Because the Bucks are a two-man show with Jabari Parker and The Greek Freak himself, there is an opportunity for Snell to become the third scoring option if he can stay consistent from the field.

 

Thabo Sefolosha SG/SF ATL-32% Ownership: As I alluded to in earlier articles, Sefolosha will be in this article periodically because his perimeter defense is needed in Atlanta and when he is scoring consistently in double figures, he is a good add and that has been the case in four of his last five games. He can post, he has range and can drive inside. He shoots three’s. Sefolosha’s defense is staunch on the perimeter and has had two four-steal games in his last four games and has grabbed at least five rebounds in four of his last five games. Sefolosha also has ups and recently had a three-block game. He’s trending upward and is a good add.

 

Al-Farouq Aminu F POR-34% Ownership: Let’s not forget, the Blazers forwards are not that productive and as Aminu fully recovers from injury, he will attack the basket more frequently then Mo Harkless. Aminu has been playing in the 30’s and is starting to get more aggressive in the lane. He has grabbed 15 rebounds in his last two games and has been just missing double figures in scoring. Aminu is also good at finding the back-door cutter and provides minor assist help. The Blazers lack depth up-front and Aminu has an opportunity to expand the Blazers offense and not have it rely solely on their Guards.

 

P.J. Tucker SG/SF PHX-10% Ownership: When is comes to consistency on offense, outside of Eric Bledsoe, their second scoring option has changed on a per game basis. One night it’s Brandon Knight, another Devin Booker and even T.J. Warren gets involved. What’s good about Tucker unlike those other options, he can provide defense inside and the Suns need all of the help they can get because they are among the worst defensive teams in the NBA. Tucker can play the post on both sides of the ball and when given minutes, he has shown that he can be a pest defensively on the ball. Tucker has scored in double figures in three of his last five games and has grabbed at least four rebounds in four of his last six. Tucker has recently had a four and five-steal game and that’s an area you can expect to see him produce consistently from.

 

Langston Galloway,G NO-8% Ownership: Galloway is playing inspired in his last few games and the Coaches are seeing it. Galloway has scored in double figures in his last three games and hit five three-pointers in one of those games. The Pelicans offense has very limited organization and outside of Anthony Davis and Jrue Holiday, they lack a consistent third option and Galloway is getting more playing time and shot opportunities as the Pelicans continue to go with the hot-hand approach. Galloway will also provide minor rebounding help and is a good short term pick up if you need scoring and shooting percentage assistance.

 

Dwight Powell PF/C DAL-17% Ownership: With Andrew Bogut and Dirk Nowitzki unable to stay healthy, and due to the overall poor play in Dallas, they have started seeing what assets they have and are giving them run. Powell is one of those assets and can be looked at as a short-term volume pick up. The Mavs lack depth and even not at 100% when their vets return Powell’s volume scoring inside will be needed. He has proven to be a minor rebounding help as well. Powell has quick hands and has also shown consistency with steals and recently had a three-steal game. Powell will be fighting for minutes, but the production volume is there.

 

Montrezl Harrell PF HOU-18% Ownership: Bottom line, the Rockets need more offensively and when the perimeter is guarded heavily and no Clint Capela for relief, who do the Rockets go to? Harrell vs Nene’ until Capela comes back. Harrell has scored in double figures in three of his last four games and has six blocks in his last four. The quickness is there, but sometimes he acts like he doesn’t know what to do with the ball once he gets it in the post. He will kick back out. The potential is there and if he can land consistent starts, the production will further improve.

 

Nene Hilario PF/C HOU-3% Ownership: When playing weaker teams in the paint, the Rockets will look to go with their seasoned veteran in Nene. Harrell has a bigger ceiling, but with Nene’ you know what you are going to get and he brings a bit more of a rugged toughness factor on defense. Nene has scored in double figures in two of his last four games and has grabbed at least five rebounds in two of his last three. Nene’ gets a decent amount of uncontested mid-range shots. Nene has also blocked four shots in his last three games. If the Rockets offense is not flowing, they will go with the quicker Harrell, but if they need mid-range help defensively, they will turn to Nene’ until Capela comes back.

 

WILD CARD PICK UP: Manu Ginobili SG/SF SAS-6% Ownership: Watch him for now, please. It is hard to ignore impressive performances from veterans who have been around the block and Ginobili has proven that despite his love of resting, he can still produce in volume fashion. In his last games he scored 12 points, grabbed 5 rebounds and stole the ball 2 times and blocked 3 shots in just 20 minutes of playing time. If the volume stays as such for the next couple of weeks, he will be a worthy pick up. When on the court, Ginobili will drive and get up on defenders on the perimeter. Watch for the volume and then proceed.