Rotations are opening up once again and you need to stay on top of that wire. If you’re in a redraft league and one of your key players gets hurt and even needs to miss a full week of action, you may need to sacrifice. As we get closer to the end, more teams are falling out of playoff races and will really start utilizing the end of the bench sporadically. If they opt to just go with end of the bench rotation players, they’ll get fined! Look at the Bulls as the perfect example of a team that needs to find a way to still integrate Justin Holiday and Robin Lopez. Other teams will need to follow suit and keep rotational players actually involved in the rotation.
Reggie Bullock SG/SF DET-34% Ownership: Bullock continues to play deep into games and he’s been on fire on the offensive end. He’s the perfect addition to any team that is in need of scoring. Bullock does a good job getting himself open on the wing and he’ll hit shots from both long-range and right outside the paint. Bullock will mainly provide scoring, but he’ll also sporadically help with boards and assists. He plays good perimeter defense and he’ll help with steals from time to time. Even when Reggie Jackson returns, Bullock’s slashing will be needed and owners should expect him to play at least 25 minutes per game down the stretch. If the Pistons don’t make a run soon to catch the Heat, Bullock can find himself in a position to continue playing in the 30’s consistently. He can still reach the 30’s as his main competition for minutes is Stanley Johnson. The double-digit scoring output has made him an attractive player to pick up for scoring relief.
Jarell Martin PF/C MEM-11% Ownership: Speaking of players who have been on a scoring tear, Martin has scored in double figures in his last 7 games. Martin’s team is among the worst in the league and even with JaMychal Green healthy, Martin is still seeing playing time in the 20’s and early 30’s consistently. Martin has range and has hit a three-pointer in his last three games. Martin will help on the glass as he’s grabbed four boards per game this season. He’ll help out with dimes and steals to a lesser extent. Martin has blocked shots in two of his last three games. Expect Marc Gasol to rest more down the stretch and the Grizzlies lead the charge to the lottery. When Gasol is out, expect Martin’s usage to go up a ton. Martin has shown the ability to be a starting PF at times when Green’s been hurt. Martin’s shooting range forces bigger defenders to watch the perimeter and leave the paint. The minutes alone are a strong indicator that moving forward Martin will be heavily involved overall.
Wayne Ellington SG/SF MIA-20% Ownership: Once Ellington returned from injury, the thought was he was going to have to play his way back to getting consistent minutes. He’s hit 30 minutes or more in his last two games. Ellington has scored in double figures in his last three games. Owners need to realize that he’s primarily used as a bailout scoring option. When defenses collapse in the paint, he will be utilized. Hassan Whiteside and Dwyane Wade being banged up has helped his cause. Ellington’s defense recently has also contributed positively. Ellington grabbed three boards in three of his last four games. For a perimeter player, we’ll take it! Ellington has also recorded steals in his last three games. He’s good at working through screens on the defensive end and often helps with the double team. Ellington should be able to play 25-30 minutes for at least the next couple of weeks and his steals numbers make him more than just another scoring dependant guard/forward.
Kyle O'Quinn PF/C NY-18% Ownership: The Minutes continue to improve for O’Quinn. He’s always been a big man that didn’t need full minutes to help out on the defensive side. Lately, we’ve been seeing more 20-plus minute games and with Enes Kanter banged up, O’Quinn has been even more involved. He’s coming off of a double-double and he’s grabbed at least six boards in five of his last six games. He’s scored in double figures in three of his last six games. He’s been a big time help with steals and blocks. O’Quinn recorded four three-block games in his last six. He’s also coming off of two multi-steal games. The defensive stats are there and have been for the last few years. His uptick in offensive production has made him more valuable to fantasy players. He’s also dished four or more assists in three of his last four games. O’Quinn is a safe pick up for now, but if minutes start to dip under 20 consistently, release him.
Dejounte Murray PG SAS-40% Ownership: Murray will continue to start and with Kawhi Leonard’s health putting a lot of the Spurs game planning in the air on a per night basis. Murray will continue to see consistent shots. He sees steady playing time in the 20’s and 30’s and he’s scored in double figures in thee of his last five games. Murray helps out a ton on the glass. He grabs 5.5 rebounds per game and owners can expect steals from him in just about every game. He’s coming off of a double-double in scoring and rebounding and he’s recorded multi-steal games in his last two. His scoring and especially strong driving ability will be needed to continue balancing out the team offensively. He has a small long-range game, but he mainly slashes. His spot in the rotation is safe, as the Spurs will want to save Tony Parker’s usage for the playoffs. He’s been very productive on both sides of the ball and should absolutely be owned in all 12-team leagues.
Michael Beasley F NY-36% Ownership: With the Knicks heading to the lottery, Michael Beasley will continue to see a ton of minutes. Since Kristaps Porzingis went down, Beasley has stepped up and he’s scored over 20 points in his last 2 games. Beasley can hit from long-range, but he mainly scores from elbow. He’s a good slasher as well and draws a ton of contact under the basket. Beasley grabbed double-digit rebounds in two of his last three games. He’ll also provide sporadic help with steals, blocks and assists. Beasley has become a priority scorer and owners can expect him to play about 30 minutes per game the rest of the way and he’ll be fed a lot at the elbow. He hustles on both sides of the ball and the Knicks Coaches have clearly noticed because even when Beasley has games in which he turns the ball over a lot, he still plays deep into games. With Enes Kanter hurting, it’ll give Beasley even more opportunities to crash for boards with more room to play in the paint. Beasley has been good at following up his own shot and grabbing boards on the offensive glass.
Kyle Korver SG/SF CLE-19% Ownership: Even though Kevin Love is returning soon, the injury of Tristan Thompson will require him to play a bit more in the post. Korver has been heating up over his last few games. He’s scored in double figures over his last three games. Korver is known mainly as a bailout option, but he is stepping inside the arc a bit more and his stats reflect it. He’s getting open looks from mid-range and he’s been helpful on the glass. He’s grabbed four boards in three of his last four games. He’s been a lot more helpful over the last few weeks on the defensive end. He’s grabbed steals in three of his last five games and he’s even blocked shots in four of his last five games. His playing time has been steadily in the 20’s, but with the way the Cavs have been rotating, expect a few more 30-minute games over the next week. Once you start to see more single-digit scoring games, release him back to the wire.
John Henson PF/C MIL-30% Ownership: Henson’s minutes are safe and he doesn’t have many threats at the position in Milwaukee. Henson’s been more productive over the last few weeks. He’s been on and off the wire all season and he’s a big help in the paint for the Bucks. He’s scored in double figures in two of his last three games and he’s grabbed six or more boards in three of his last four games. Henson is an inside-specific player who trails the Greek Freak to the basket and picks up the pieces if the shot is missed. He keeps plays alive and he’s a disciplined defender in the post. Henson has blocked shots in his last five games. He’s grabbed steals in two of his last three games. Remember, a lot of the Bucks options have a long-range game they utilize. Henson is a good complimentary piece because he plays exclusively in the paint. Expect him to play between 25-30 minutes a night moving forward.
E'Twaun Moore PG/SG/SF NO-30% Ownership: Moore continues to log heavy minutes and he’s been helping out by nailing shots and grabbing long rebounds. He has scored in double figures in five of his last six games. Moore has grabbed four or more boards in four of his last six games. Moore gets a lot of open shots from the arc. Nikola Mirotic spends plenty of time setting up in the post and Jrue Holiday looks to drive. Moore’s responsibilities include resetting the play after grabbing a long rebound on the perimeter, hitting the spot-up three and watching for the outlet pass if there’s a turnover in the lane. Even with the Pelicans adding pieces over the last couple of months, Moore continues to see steady minutes. He’ll have his games in which he’ll contribute more assists because he’s running the point more. When Rondo is getting beat, they’ll often turn to Moore to takeover. He’ll play in the 30’s for most of his games for the rest of the season.
WILD CARD PICK UP: Corey Brewer SG/SF OKC-15% Ownership: Brewer joined the Thunder at the right time with both Paul George and Steven Adams banged up. Remember, a few years ago Brewer led the league in steals and his defense will keep him on the floor. He’s played at least 30 minutes in his last three games. He still has an effective long-range game and he’s been getting a lot of open looks. He’s scored in double figures in four of his last five games and he’s grabbed at least three boards in three of those games. He’s been helpful on the ball defensively. He’s coming off of two multi-steal games and he’s compiled steals in his last four games. Brewer has also contributed blocks. He’s blocked shots in his last three games. Expect Brewer to spend a lot of time around the arc rotating inside the arc and popping back out. Brewer is needed on the perimeter because he’ll be able to help stop the opposition transition. Is he really considered such a wild-card?