As we head into the second half of this abbreviated NBA season, it’s time to look ahead toward the fantasy basketball playoffs. This means that every day of the season is that much more meaningful, as you fight for a spot in the postseason. It becomes that much more important to find players with some extra opportunity for playing time, or who are trending up in general. As a result, injuries are not just a major loss for those who roster the player in fantasy, but also a potential opportunity for whoever is quick enough to snatch his replacement off the waiver wire. So let’s take a look at some of these players whose stock could be on the rise due to a teammate’s impending absence.
What?! You’re not hosting your fantasy basketball league on Fantrax? Inconceivable! Check out all the features of Fantrax Fantasy Basketball Commissioner and we’re pretty sure you’ll come around to our way of thinking.
NBA Trends and Injuries
Philadelphia 76ers
F/C Joel Embiid
Joel Embiid is expected to miss two to three weeks after suffering a left knee bone bruise in Friday’s game against the Wizards. This is obviously a major loss for the 76ers, who are trying to hold off the Brooklyn Nets for the top seed in the Eastern Conference. The all-star center was having a career year with averages of 29.9 points and 11.5 rebounds per game, so his team and fantasy players will want him back as soon as possible.
F/C Dwight Howard
Even at age 35, former All-Star Dwight Howard is still more than capable of producing big numbers when given the minutes. This was shown last night against the Knicks, when he double-doubled in 28 minutes, scoring 11 points to go with 12 rebounds and 3 blocks. The veteran is expected to split the big man minutes with Tony Bradley while Embiid remains out, but Howard should be a strong source of boards, blocks, and efficient scoring for the next few weeks. While he certainly won’t be the dominant center who once averaged 23 and 14, Howard is trending up as the best healthy big man on the number one seed in the east.
Sacramento Kings
F/C Marvin Bagley III
The talented third-year big man out of Duke fractured his left hand during Monday night’s game against the Hornets. There is no immediate timetable for his return but he is expected to be out of action for a few weeks. Bagley was having another solid, yet unspectacular season, averaging 13.9 points and 7.4 rebounds with very little in the way of defensive stats.
F/C Richaun Holmes
With the injury to Bagley, Richaun Holmes should get even more minutes than the current career-high 30 minutes per game he has already been seeing this season. Holmes has been one of the league’s more pleasant surprises thus far, averaging 13.5 points, 8.7 boards, and 1.5 blocks per game on a ridiculous 65.3% from the floor. Holmes has now double-doubled in four straight games, including last game when Bagley got hurt, in which he topped 40 minutes for just the second time this year. With Hassan Whiteside seemingly on the way out of Sactown, Holmes is the last true big man left, opening the door for some monster numbers.
F/C Nemanja Bjelica
While I did say Richaun Holmes is the last true big man left on the Kings, Nemanja Bjelica technically counts as a big man, even if he doesn’t always play like one. The stretch big could also see a nice boost in playing time while Bagley is out of action. Bjelica is capable of providing some solid across-the-board production when given the opportunity, as he averaged 11.5 points, 6.4 rebounds, 2.8 assists, 0.9 steals, 0.6 blocks, and 1.9 threes per game with solid shooting percentages in 28 minutes per game a season ago. The former Euroleague MVP is trending in the right direction.
Oklahoma City Thunder
F Darius Bazley
Darius Bazley has not played since the all-star break due to a left shoulder contusion. With the Thunder seemingly on the verge of tanking for a better draft position, they are likely in no rush to get Bazley back on the court before he is back to 100% health. He could therefore sit out a few more games, opening up some more minutes in the frontcourt.
F/C Al Horford
Al Horford has sat out OKC’s last two games for rest, something that has been a somewhat common theme for the veteran this season. However, with last night’s rest not being a part of a back-to-back set, it is possible the Thunder are planning to trade Horford or perhaps shut him down as the team looks to tank and develop their younger players. Either way, this creates a giant opportunity for some of the young talent on the team.
F/C Aleksej Pokusevski
Despite possibly being the skinniest player in the NBA at the moment, Poku’s talent and skillset is undeniable. This skillset was on full display Sunday, when he shot 7-for-13 to score 23 points to go with 10 boards, 4 assists, a steal, a block, and five three-pointers in a win over the Grizzlies. The 19-year-old is still raw and something of a long-term project, but the Thunder look ready to give him minutes down the stretch and see what he can do. He is trending up fast with the potential to become a really special player sooner than later.
C Moses Brown
Moses Brown is another guy taking full advantage of the Thunder starting to tank. The 21-year-old has played double-digit minutes in all four games since the all-star break, a feat he had never previously achieved in his NBA career. He has capitalized on this opportunity however, averaging 12.5 points, 10.3 rebounds, and 2 blocks on 60% from the field. After exploding for 20 points, 16 boards, and 5 blocks last night, Brown has done more than enough to prove his worth. Assuming the minutes keep trending up, Brown could be a difference-maker for fantasy teams down the stretch.
Los Angeles Clippers
F/C Serge Ibaka
Serge Ibaka is day-to-day with back spasms that forced him to exit Sunday’s game in the first half and then sit out Monday’s game as well. When Ibaka will actually return to the floor is anyone’s guess, as back injuries can be quite troublesome. The Clippers are likely to be cautious with the veteran to ensure he is at full health down the stretch.
C Ivica Zubac
Fortunately for the Clippers, Ivica Zubac is more than capable of filling in as the starting center until Ibaka is able to return. Zubac played a season-high 35 minutes on Monday, shooting 7-for-8 from the floor to put up 15 points and 11 rebounds. The 23-year-old has averaged 13.6 points and 11.6 rebounds in the seven games in which he’s played 26 or more minutes, and there is no reason to believe this trend can’t continue while Ibaka remains out.
Looking for more depth for your fantasy basketball squad? Check out the latest Fantasy Basketball Waiver Wire.
Fantrax was one of the fastest-growing fantasy sites of 2020 and we’re not letting our foot off the pedal now! With multi-team trades, designated commissioner/league managers, and drag/drop easy click methods, Fantrax is sure to excite the serious fantasy sports fan – sign up now for a free year at Fantrax.com.