Dec 29, 2015
On the Wire: Pair of Canadians in the spotlight
Mitchell Machtinger takes a look at some players that could help your fantasy hoops squad, including a couple of Canadians getting bigger roles due to injuries.
With injuries, lineup changes and other roster moves affecting playing time, it is important to keep your fantasy lineup up-to-date. Here are some under-the-radar players to take a look at to fill in the final spots on your team, as well as some who no longer warrant ownership.
Take a look at…
Tristan Thompson (PF/C - Cle) – 28.9% owned: With starting centre Anderson Varejao out for the season after tearing his Achilles, the job now belongs to Thompson. The former fourth-overall pick had shown flashes of his double-double potential coming off of the bench earlier in the season but remained inconsistent in that role. In his two starts since Varejao went down, Thompson has played heavy minutes and missed a second double-double by one point. Cleveland is thin up front, and while the team has been rumoured to be in the market for a big man, nothing has come to fruition on that front. Until something happens, Thompson is the guy to fill in.
Cory Joseph (PG - SA) – 11.2% owned: While starting point guard Tony Parker's injury seems to be not as serious as originally thought, Joseph is worth a look until Parker returns. He won't “wow” owners in any category but he does enough across the stat sheet to be able to help a fantasy team. Even when Parker comes back, Spurs head coach Gregg Popovich is famous for resting his aging core of star players and Joseph has filled in admirably throughout the season in that role so far as well. Despite the season debut of Patty Mills on Sunday, the starter's job is Joseph's in Parker's absence.
Jarrett Jack (PG - Bkn) – 25.3% owned: Originally just a spot starter while Deron Williams was nursing an injury, Jack started the last two games for the Nets with Williams coming off the bench. It remains to be seen if this lineup change will continue, but one should assume that Williams is likely to regain his starting spot sooner rather than later. Regardless, in four games, Jack has averaged 20.3 points, 6.5 assists, 1.8 steals and a 57% field goal percentage. Those numbers aren't sustainable, but it is worth riding Jack while he remains hot. In addition, there are always worries about Williams' health and the constant trade rumours surrounding him, all of which can only be positives for Jack's owners.
Alex Len (C - Phx) – 8.9% owned: It could just be coincidence, but the Suns have gone on a six-game winning streak one game after Len was inserted into the starting lineup over Miles Plumlee. As a starter, he has only averaged 9.0 points and 7.4 rebounds per game and still isn't playing starter's minutes, but his field goal percentage (56.5%) and blocks (2.7 per game) during that span that should keep owners satisfied. If Len can keep improving throughout the season, those looking for a big man should keep their eye on how this situation plays out.
Maybe say goodbye to…
Omer Asik (C – NO) – 43% owned: His 14-point, 17-rebound, five-block performance on opening night is now a distant memory for Asik owners. Once a guarantee for at least double-digit rebounds each night, Asik has failed to deliver that in six of his last eight games and continues to see his minutes decrease. The Pelicans seem to have gone for a pairing of Anthony Davis and Ryan Anderson as the team's primary two big men throughout the game. Asik was never going to provide owners with more than rebounds and blocks, and there are some better options out there right now.
Larry Sanders (PF/C - Mil) – 25.3% owned: How the Fantasy mighty have fallen. Sanders seems to have been cursed ever since signing a four-year, $44 million extension with Milwaukee last season. Whether dealing with injuries or suspension, Sanders struggled all of last season to put all of his 9.8 points, 9.5 rebounds and 2.8 blocks back together and hasn't found it yet this season either. Those hoping for a bounce-back year from Sanders should move on, as there are no nightly guarantees of what kind of stat line he will produce. He has also failed to register a double-double all season.
Marreese Speights (PF/C – GSW) – 18.3% owned: His value took a hit with the return of David Lee, and it will continue to fall in January when Andrew Bogut returns. Speights still holds some worth for now as Lee works his way back into game shape and Festus Ezeli is sidelined with an ankle injury, however owners should be prepared to drop Speights in the next few weeks.
Terrence Jones (PF - Hou) – 23.5% owned: He is still being listed as out indefinitely by the Rockets following a nerve injury in his leg, and despite recently running on a treadmill, there doesn't seem to be a reliable timetable for his return. Donatas Motiejunas filled in during that time and did so quite well, but now that the Rockets have Josh Smith, both of their values take a hit. Jones' injury has gone beyond the “wait and see” approach and is not worth stashing until more news becomes available.