Knowing a team’s depth at a given time will give you consistency when it comes to short-term adds. Not all players you add are expected to remain on your team unless put in permanent situation for the remainder of the season. An injury-replacement player for a player who suffered a season-ending injury will have a higher ceiling and longer leash to try to fit the mold of what the injured player left behind. The Nets are facing a ton of injuries and are well represented in today’s group of players to watch/add.
Trevor Booker PF/C BKN-31% Ownership: Rondae Hollis-Jefferson hurting has benefitted Booker, but even when RHJ is at full strength,Booker will always see a healthy amount of playing time. Timofey Mozgov is very limited and the Nets will need the gritty Booker to bang for boards and he’s grabbed 6.9 rebounds per game this season. Booker has a couple of inside post moves and will score a lot off of put-backs. He’s grabbed double digit rebounds in two of his last three games. Booker will earn a lot of his playing time for his defense. Even if Booker struggles, Mozgov ALWAYS struggles and Booker’s playing time is secure. Booker has blocked a shot in three of his last four games and has proven to be a minor help with assists and steals. Booker has the Hawks in his next two games and should be able to take advantage of whoever matches up against him on the low block.
Mike James PG PHX-20% Ownership: This is an interesting player to keep an eye on because recently he’s been in a major timeshare with teammate Tyler Ulis. While I think Ulis is the quicker guard, I think James is the more complete guard and has dished 4.1 assists per game. He’s compiled four or more assists in his last four games and is also a good perimeter defender. He has steals in three of his last four games and has grabbed four or more rebounds in three of his last four games. While the Suns have major traffic in their frontcourt, their backcourt is open for business when it comes to playing time and even though James has seen a dip in playing time, he’ll earn those minutes back and he’s still been productive enough in the rebounds, assists and steals categories. Keep an eye on him because those minutes have a good chance of increasing over the next few weeks.
Pascal Siakam PF TOR-5% Ownership: Siakam is earning his minutes in the never- ending race for more playing time between the Raptors big men. Siakam has been helpful in just about every category in recent weeks. He even shoots from long-range. Siakam has grabbed six or more rebounds in four of his last five games. Siakam also has two two-steal games in his last three and has blocked a shot in his last three games. Siakam will score in double figures every couple of games, but should be used as a defensive specialist. He’s played over 30 minutes in three of his last six games and his playing time is secure. It’s hard to drive by Siakam in the lane as he provides the Raptors a little more quickness inside. Siakam can play at both the PF and C spots and he’s even posed a threat to Jonas Valanciunas’ playing time.
Alec Burks G UT-5% Ownership: Burks has seen a major uptick in playing time in his last four games and he’s scored in double figures in three of them. Burks has gained more playing time in the Jazz second-unit and has been a major defensive help. Burks has grabbed at least four rebounds in three of his last five games and has three multi-steal games in his last four. Burks has been a lot more confident shooting the ball from long-range and with Joe Johnson out, he’s getting the opportunity to show what he can do on the court. Burks has quickness on both ends of the floor and can lead the Jazz transition offense when Ricky Rubio is out. Burks can be rotated at both guard spots and if he’s in with Rubio, he’ll serve as the bailout option because Rubio is more of a driver and dish player than shot creator and that will give Burks more shots. If the Jazz go with a more defensive lineup, Burks can steal minutes from Rodney Hood.
Caris LeVert SG/SF BKN-16% Ownership: With all of the Nets injuries they faced, one player who was hurt a lot previously who has proven to be durable this season is LeVert. LeVert can create on and off the ball and with D’Angelo Russell out of the lineup, it allows LeVert to work his way in the lane. LeVert has scored in double figures in three of his last four games and has grabbed six rebounds in two of those contests. LeVert dropped at least five dimes in three of his last five games and has seen a steady dose of playing time in the 20’s. LeVert can also shoot from downtown and with Allen Crabbe in and out of the lineup, he’s been able to create more shots for himself. LeVert has also grabbed seven steals total in his last three games and the good defense he’s played on the wing will give him more rotation security. He’s been one of the healthiest Nets this season and they will need to utilize him more in order to bring other members of the Nets mid-court back slowly.
Bobby Portis PF/C CHI-36% Ownership: Portis has been a bit unappealing his last few games, but lets not forget what we’ve seen from him this season. He’s a change of pace player who will be beneficial off of the Bulls bench, even when they’re at full strength. Portis has scored in double figures in three of his last five games and nine points in the other two. Portis isn’t afraid to attack the lane and the Bulls will be reminded soon enough that Nikola Mirotic likes to stay outside the paint for the most part and will need Portis to force defenses to collapse. Portis has averaged 6.8 rebounds per game and create in the lane. Definitely keep Portis on your watch list because the Bulls can use all of the inside help they can get and even Robin Lopez hasn’t been impressive lately and Portis can steal playing time at both the PF and C spots. Portis drive ability also convinces me that if needed, he can rotate at the SF spot, giving him more opportunity. He has also hit a three-pointer in three of his last four games.
Tyus Jones PG MIN-28% Ownership: Jeff Teague is experiencing soreness in his Achilles and Achilles injuries take a while to heal fully and especially for a PG who constantly needs to be moving, it’ll cause a lot of pain. Jones has taken advantage of Teague being out and the Timberwolves have been playing Jamal Crawford as more of a SG and SF and that opens things up for Jones. Jones has scored in double figures and grabbed four rebounds in his last two games. Jones also played in the 40’s in his last two games showing confidence from the Timberwolves Coaches. Jones has dished at least six assists in his last four games and has grabbed at least four steals in three of his last four games. He recently had a seven-steal game. Jones has a balanced attack offensively. He utilizes his quickness on the drive and can move around screens well off the ball and find himself open for shots from both short and long-range. Even when Teague returns, expect Jones to be more involved in the Timberwolves rotation. He’s been helpful in just about every category and even recently posted a two-block game.
Kenneth Faried PF/C DEN-18% Ownership: With Paul Millsap out for a while and Wilson Chandler being in and out of the Nuggets lineup, there’s an opening and Faried has gotten the call and has played over 20 minutes in his last three games. Faried posted a double-double last game and grabbed at least eight rebounds in the previous two games. Faried is very limited offensively, but the Nuggets are running out of options and Faried provides them enough defense in the lane that they are forced to play him. Faried is known for his defense and not at all for his offense and he’s been able to score in double figures in his last three games. Nikola Jokic is dealing with a minor Ankle injury and that will open up more playing time for Faried, who can rotate at both PF and C. Normally we’d add Faried as a defensive specialist, but he’s been getting in the lane and scoring off of missed shots and has the Lakers and the Mavericks (good match ups for him) in his next two games and those games will be a good test to see if not only Faried can provide consistency, but the length of the leash that the Nuggets give him in those games. He’s proven that he can be harmful to the team’s rhythm on the court. Watch those minutes.
Joe Harris SG BKN-6% Ownership: Harris has been another Net who’s taken advantage of the many injuries and he’s been rewarded with more playing time. Harris shoots a lot of three-pointers and has shown some driving ability and will attack when the lane is partially open. Harris has scored in double figures in his last five games hitting at least three three-pointers in three of those games. Harris is also good at stepping inside the arc and grabbing long rebounds. He’s grabbed at least four boards in four of his last five games. Harris will be a small helper when it comes to assists and steals. Harris is good at hitting the back door cutter when he has possession of the ball on the wing and a hand in his face. Harris has played over 23 minutes per game this season and is safely in the Nets rotation. Pick him up if you need a scoring boost. The rebounding should serve as a bonus, but should be watched because we’re starting to see consistency.
WILD CARD PICK UP: Jonas Jerebko F UT-6% Ownership: With Rudy Gobert out and the Jazz light when it comes to big-men depth, Jerebko has been able to steal playing time in the Jazz rotation and has scored in double figures in three of his last four games. Jerebko hit multiple three-pointers in those three games and grabbed at least five boards in four of his last six games and has even blocked a shot in two of his last four games. Jerebko will be used mainly as a bailout option from the arc on offense, but does have a small high post game and can shoot effectively from the elbow when he steps inside the arc. His value will drop when Gobert returns, but he’s played 20 minutes or more in five of his last six games and should be securely in the Jazz rotation for the next few weeks. Derrick Favors can’t do it all himself and Jerebko provides him relief in the paint.