Most of the players recommended this week are short-term solutions. Always target injury-replacement players right away, especially if the injured player in front of him on the depth chart is out for weeks rather than days. Start looking at player trends from over the last two weeks when making immediate pickup’s.
Quinn Cook PG GSW-40% Ownership: While Stephen Curry recovers from a groin injury, Cook will continue to see minutes in the 20’s and 30’s. Luckily for Cook, a lot of the other Golden State options cannot be relied on for consistent production. Cook, having a lot of time with the ball in his hands will benefit him and he’ll see a decent amount of open lanes. He’s scored in double figures in five of his last six games and he dished five more assists in three of those games. Cook is fast and will be a huge help in transition. He’ll fire a lot from downtown and he’ll get close to ten shots per game. With Draymond Green also sidelined, the Warriors guards and Kevin Durant will have to carry the offense. Cook won’t hurt owners that much with turnovers. He has excellent ball-handling ability and he serves as a bailout option from beyond the arc when Durant is bringing up the ball.
DeMarre Carroll F BKN-16% Ownership: Carroll is the safest add when it comes to long-term potential of anyone else listed here. The Nets continue to get bitten by the injury bug and with Caris LeVert out for the next few months, Allen Crabbe and Joe Harris will have to help out more at the SG spot and Carroll will get more room to play at SF. Carroll has been hurt most of the year, but he now has a few games under his belt and he’s seeing consistent playing time in the 20’s. Those minutes will go up. Carroll is a very strong defender and he’s a good mid and long-range shooter. Rondae Hollis-Jefferson and Jarrett Allen are more low-block banger-types and both of them are dealing with their own health issues. Carroll can shift to PF and grab minutes there. He’s scored 11 points in two of his last three games and he’s grabbed at least 5 rebounds in all three of those games. He played in the 20’s in each of them. The Nets don’t have a lot of wing depth and Carroll’s hustle alone will keep him on the court more.
Shelvin Mack PG MEM-21% Ownership: Welcome to another edition of “Pick A Grizzly!” This is the game show portion of the article in which we take another shot on a player who can produce for this injury-ridden squad. Mack has been helpful on both sides of the ball and he mainly sees playing time in the 20’s. He’s averaging 11.4 points per game. He scores both inside and outside and he’s contributed 3.9 assists per game. He can run the point effectively and can use his speed to take advantage of the opposition’s second unit. Mack’s steals are trending up as well. He’s grabbed two steals in three of his last four games. Mack will also attack the rim and draw contact. The Grizzlies invested a lot in Mike Conley and in order to keep him healthy, they need to give him relief and Mack has done a good job of running the floor.
Tyler Johnson G MIA-36% Ownership: When Dwyane Wade is back in action it’ll be interesting to see what happens to Johnson’s production, but for now, he’s been on fire. He’s scored in double digits in his last five games and he grabbed five boards in three of those games. Johnson has been a helpful shooter and lane-driver. He’ll get to the line in most games and even when Wade returns he should still see games in the mid to late-20’s. Johnson’s playing time with Wade out has been consistently in the 30’s. Johnson has also blocked shots in his last six games. He’ll get in your face on defense and he hustles a lot. Dion Waiters has no timetable to return and Wayne Ellington will need to help at SF at times and Johnson can rotate to both guard spots to give Goran Dragic a chance to rest.
Jeff Green F WSH-20% Ownership: The journeyman utility option has seen playing time consistently in the 20’s. He’ll see a good amount of playing time at PF and he’s excellent at running the floor in transition. He’s good at running the break with the ball. Green will hit long-range shots and he’ll look to produce right outside the paint. He’s scored in double figures in three of his last five games. Green will be a short-term solution who will consistently grab steals. He’s stolen the ball in three of his last four games. Green has also blocked shots in two of his last three games. His defense and quickness will keep him on the court and he’ll be a big help when Markieff Morris gets in foul trouble. Green will see a lot of open three’s, especially when he’s on the court with John Wall and Bradley Beal .
J.J. Barea G DAL-12% Ownership: Barea is one of the few players I’ll ever recommend with a minutes average of under 20 minutes for the season. The Mavericks are dealing with a couple of injuries and while Luka Doncic is playing through his shoulder injury, Wesley Matthews continues to have problems with his hamstring and he may have to miss a few games. Barea’s minutes should be well over 20 if Matthews has to miss time. Barea can rotate to both guard spots and he’ll produce in multiple categories. He can facilitate the offense, hit three’s and he’s very committed defensively. On the offensive side of the ball, he’s scored in double figures in his last four games and dished five assists in three of those games. He’ll fight for long rebounds and sacrifice his body on both ends of the floor. He’ll get to the free-throw line a good amount and he’s grabbed steals in two of his last three games. He speeds up the offense and defenses are always late to collapse on him when he steps in the paint because they think he’s going to pass off.
Langston Galloway G DET-5% Ownership: We’ve been waiting for someone to step in and fill the void left from the injured Luke Kennard and Galloway has been a scoring machine. He’s hit double digits in his last six games. He’s hit multiple three-pointers in his last five games. Galloway is seeing consistent playing time in the 20’s and 30’s. He’s grabbed four or more boards in three of his last five games. Expect mainly scoring help from him and the consistency we’ve seen from him should keep his minutes safe. Besides Blake Griffin , Andre Drummond and even Reggie Jackson , it’s hard to put trust in many of these other Pistons options for consistent production. Galloway, as of late, has been the most consistent and he shoots a high volume of three’s and if he continues to grab long rebounds, the leash on him will grow and he’ll continue to gain security in the Pistons rotation.
Allonzo Trier SG NY-11% Ownership: Between his ball-handling ability and his aggressive driving to the basket, the Knicks have taken a liking to Trier and as they continue to look for the right rotation, Trier is looking like he will be featured a lot more. His minutes continue to rise and he’s been helpful on both sides of the ball. He’s scored 11.3 points per game this season. Trier has good leaping ability and he’s pulled down five boards in two of his last three games. He’s also compiled steals and blocks in three of his last four games. He always hustles on the court and even when he makes mistakes, the team gives him time to figure things out. His quickness and agility allow him to successfully get through screens and chase down whomever he’s matched up with. In most games, you can count on him to hit a long-range jumper. His role will grow as the season continues.
Monte Morris PG DEN-16% Ownership: As good of a guard as Jamal Murray is, he mainly focuses on shooting and other members of the Nuggets have to help facilitate the offense and Morris has been a big help with speeding up the pace of play. He’s contributed 3.9 assists per game and he’s grabbed steals in 4 of his last 6 games. Morris is very smart with the ball and doesn’t turn it over. He focuses more on looking for open lanes than jump shooting. He’ll take high-percentage three-pointers. He’ll find ways to get inside or open off of a screen. View Morris as more of a steals and assist provider, but he has scored in double figures in two of his last four games. When Morris is setting up Murray more, his assists will grow as well. Expect Morris to continue to see minutes consistently in the mid-to-late 20’s.
WILD CARD PICKUP: Pat Connaughton SG, SF MIL-3% Ownership: This isn’t the first time, nor will it be the last that Connaughton makes the list as the WILD CARD of the week. He’s seen 20-plus minutes in four of his last five games and he’s been doing a lot of dirty work for the Bucks. He’s grabbed five or more boards in three of his last four games. Connaughton has also blocked shots in four of his last five games. He’s even lifted his scoring and has hit double figures in three of his last five games. Donte DiVincenzo being banged up will keep Connaughton’s minutes safe for now. He can also shoot from the outside and will serve as a bailout shooter for the Bucks second unit. He’s trending upward in multiple categories and the Bucks can use more help on defense to spare some of their starters who play heavy minutes.