As the NBA trade deadline approaches, be prepared for some of your players to be showcased to other teams. Lesser impacting players tend to get more run essentially to audition for other Scouts of other NBA teams. As fantasy players, we need to take advantage and add these guys to the end of our benches, and if they start getting more minutes, we can then showcase and look to trade them. This will continue for the next month.

Austin Rivers G LAC-14% Ownership: The Coach’s kid has been playing 26 minutes a game and if the hustle is there, he’s recently played into the 40’s in games. He’s scored over 20 points in 2 of his last 3 games and he has grabbed at least 4 rebounds in each of his last 4 games. Rivers has needed to step up and help Chris Paul out on the offensive end due to the absence of Blake Griffin and DeAndre Jordan’s inept offensive ability. Rivers consistently takes 10 or more shots per game and can transition to floor general as well. Rivers has dished at least five assists in three of his last four games. He is a safe pick up being that he is a three-category helper.

Terrence Jones F NO-38% Ownership: Jones does not need to play deep into games to produce, but, when he does play in the 30’s you see the double-double potential. Jones has played at least 30 minutes in two of his last four games and in both of those games he recorded a double-double. His perimeter defense keeps him on the court and with Anthony Davis not 100 percent, he can see more of those 30 minute games.  Jones recently had a three-block game and swiped the ball in four of his last five games. Davis has been known to get hurt and the Pelicans will protect their main investment, and if Davis is out there not at his best, it can only benefit Jones.

Michael Carter-Williams CHI-26% Ownership: This is a short-term pick up. It is hard to tell what is going on in the mind of Rajon Rondo, but what ever drama he is dealing with regarding himself and the Bulls management, all of a sudden MCW is the top Point Guard on the depth chart. This could be temporary, but MCW seeing starts, his playing time has gone up and he gets more of an opportunity to produce. He is a rebounder grabbing at least four in three of his last four games. MCW has hit double figures in scoring in two of his last three games and provides minor assist help. He has stolen the ball three times in his last two games. If MCW can show that he can shut down the lane from the perimeter, even if he comes off the bench, the Coaches will give him more run because Rondo plays very little defense.

Tim Hardaway Jr SG/SF ATL-25% Ownership: The Hawks have already traded Kyle Korver away, giving virtually everyone else more shots, but are they done trading? Hardaway is a very streaky player and the Hawks are trying to see his worth. He’s mainly a scoring threat, hitting double figures in four of his last five games with two of those games being in the 20’s. Hardaway will provide minor rebounding and assist help and he even had two blocks in his last game. The minutes are there has he’s played at least 20 minutes in his last 5 games with 2 of those games being in the 30’s. Hardaway (like his Dad) is a dangerous outside shooting threat, but also (like his dad), he is not afraid to go up against bigger defenders and take it to the house.

Ty Lawson PG SAC-18% Ownership: Lawson is getting a secure amount of minutes on a Kings team that lacks organization on both sides of the ball. You can even argue that Lawson has been just as productive as Darren Collison and he has scored 15 points or more in 3 of his last 4 games. Lawson dished six assists in two of his last four games and is even a minor rebounding help. Lawson is a quick change-of-pace guard and he has moves to the basket. DeMarcus Cousins and Rudy Gay get most of the attention from defenders, meaning more openings for their guards. Lawson is best fit for transition play, and a lot of what we see in today’s NBA is transition. Lawson is a safe last guard off your bench and he can hit the open three and serve as a bailout option.

C.J. Miles SG/SF IND-21% Ownership: The trend arrow is currently pointing up as Miles will continue to be one of the most added and dropped players throughout the season. He is as streaky as they come and he see’s a true split between over and under 20-minute games. He is averaging just under 22 minutes per game for the season. As streaky as he is, Miles is currently one of the more reliable Pacers when it comes to long-range shooting. Miles is a good short-term add and he normally produces from the outside. Jeff Teague and Paul George are both drive-first options and Miles is frequently used as a bailout option and gets open shots. Miles is a short-term add and will provide minor rebounding help

Shabazz Muhammad SG/SF MIN-3% Ownership: The Timberwolves keep a tight rotation, but Muhammad has been able to break through as he has been able to keep plays alive for the ‘Wolves. He has scored in double figures in three of his last four games. Muhammad is a hard driver and has tremendous leaping ability. Muhammad also sees open three-pointers and will not hesitate to take them. Unlike some of his other teammates Muhammad knows when not to shoot so owning him should not ruin your percentages and he will be a rebounding help as well. Muhammad had 20 points in his last game.

Marquese Chriss PF PHX-5% Ownership: The Suns are one of the worst teams in the NBA and as we head into the final months of the season, they will flex out their bench muscles and see what they have to look forward to in the future. Chriss has grown a lot this season and could be seeing more run with Alex Len ailing. Chriss helps out in just about every standard fantasy category; however, it’s a different category that stands out each game. Chriss can also hit the open trey. Chriss has played into the 30’s in 2 of his last 4 games. If he can keep the turnovers down, he will get even more playing time as the season continues. Tyson Chandler is also aging and Chriss could see significant time down the stretch, especially if Len has to rotate to the Center spot.

WILD CARD PICK UP: Caris LeVert SG BKN-6% Ownership: The Nets need to see what they have when looking towards the future, and you can tell that they are playing for next season because players like LeVert are seeing consistent 20-minute or more games. Jeremy Lin’s Hamstring injury has also opened up the rotation and LeVert has scored in double figures in three of his last four games and has grabbed at least three rebounds in each of his last four games. He can hit the cutter inside, curl off of screens and drive and he can even hit from beyond the arc. The Nets have been going with the hot hand all season and LeVert certainly has room to secure meaningful time as the miserable Nets season continues.

WILD CARD PICK-UP: Cristiano Felicio C CHI-2% Ownership: Robin Lopez is officially in a position battle. As good as Lopez is at being tough in the paint, the Bulls need more offense up front and Taj Gibson is not quick enough to handle it by himself. Enter Felicio! He has played over 20 minutes in 3 of his last 4 games and posted a double-double in one of those games. Felicio has grabbed at least five rebounds in five of his last six games and he can absolutely see more playing time as the Bulls continue to struggle. Jimmy Butler’s minutes will not impact Felicio’s and with Gibson, Lopez and Nikola Mirotic vying for time, Felicio can absolutely pick up more minutes down the stretch.