TO Mike Barner, RotoWire
Special for Sportzshala Sports
Just because the NBA trade deadline has passed doesn’t mean there aren’t any players worthy of attention in fantasy basketball. There are a few more people who can be one injury away from being valuable options. Also, some may add minutes if their struggling team decides to miss a few kickoff matches. Let’s discuss five players that should be added now if you have a spot in the lineup.
Malachi Branham, San Antonio Spurs (82 percent available)
The Spurs plunged further into a rebuild at the trade deadline, handing out Jacob Poeltl And Josh Richardson. They are thin in the center although they don’t have as many defensive issues as they brought Devonte Graham in a deal with Richardson. They’re not close to a playoff hunt, but they’re in a four-horse race with the Rockets, Pistons, and Hornets for the worst record in the league.
In addition to not having a ton of talent on the list, the Spurs still don’t have Devin Wassel (knee), which does not have a clear return schedule. Three Jones (ft) has also missed five of his last six games. Given the rise in injuries, Branham has averaged 33 minutes in the previous seven games. He didn’t miss his opportunity, averaging 17.4 points, 3.6 rebounds, 2.9 assists and 2.3 three-pointers. The Spurs are in no rush to bring Vassell back, and they may also be wary of Jones going forward. Branham can look forward to significant game time in the future, so adding him now could pay off not only in the near future, but in the long run.
TJ McConnell, Indiana Pacers (86 percent available)
At the start of the season, McConnell was on that list, and it paid off handsomely. There was a 10-game stretch in January in which Tyrese Halliburton was injured. McConnell did not start all of these games, but played significantly more minutes. The point guard used those added minutes, averaging 14.7 points, 4.8 rebounds, 8.5 assists, 1.6 steals and 0.9 three-pointers. He also made 64.6% of shots from the field and 92.3% from the free throw line.
Now that Haliburton is healthy again, McConnell is back in a limited role. Over the last seven games, he has 9.9 points, 3.1 rebounds and 3.7 assists in 19 minutes per game. However, we’ve already seen what a veteran can do when Haliburton is away. McConnell could be the deciding factor during the fantasy playoffs if the All-Star gets injured again.
Nick Richards, Charlotte Hornets (92 percent available)
The Hornets didn’t enter the season with a large margin for error if they were going to make the playoffs. Injuries to their top players quickly put an end to their hopes, forcing them to sell at a deadline. They were holding on Terry Rozier, Gordon Hayward And Kelly Obre Jr. but handed out Mason Plumlee to the Clippers. He played well as a starter for Charlotte, but became a free agent after the season and they had a promising rookie. Mark Williams waiting in the wings.
Following Plumlee’s departure, Williams became the team’s starting center. Richards also returned to the bench, playing in three consecutive games. Even in limited minutes, he averaged 7.3 points, 7.0 rebounds and 0.7 blocks while shooting 63.6% from the field. If something happens to Williams, Richards could start playing hard and at least get closer to a double-double every night.
Matisse Tibull, Portland Trail Blazers (72 percent available)
Tybull failed to play a prominent enough role in the 76ers to be relevant to fantasy. He is a great defender, but his offensive shortcomings have often kept him on the bench. After a career-high 26 minutes per game last season, he has only averaged 12 minutes per game this season. As the 76ers were aiming for the title and the role of the flank was declining, they decided to move him on the deadline and replace him. Jalen McDanielswhich has a much higher attack ceiling.
Now a Trail Blazers player, Tybull should get extra minutes. Portland Traded Josh Hart And Gary Payton IIleaving Tibullus to fight Cam reddish And Nasir Little for minutes. In his first two games with the team, he played 26 and 30 minutes, respectively. This helped him rack up a total of five interceptions and three blocks. Don’t expect much from him in terms of scoring, but if he regularly plays 25 minutes or more per game, he can help fantasy managers who need a defensive input.
Schaedon Sharp, Portland Trail Blazers (77 percent available)
By staying with the Trail Blazers, one of the reasons they may have decided it was time to get away from Payton so quickly is the promise Sharp showed in his rookie season. Sharp played at least 22 minutes, and Portland’s defensive depth dwindled in the last four games. This helped him average 13.8 points, 4.0 rebounds, 2.0 assists, 1.0 steals and 2.3 three-pointers.
The problem with Payton leaving is that while it opens up more minutes for Sharpe, it also leaves the Trail Blazers very weak defensively. If anything happened to Damian Lillard or Anferny Simons, Sharpe will most likely make it into the starting line-up – and nearly 30 minutes per game. Not only will he play more, but with Lillard and Simons being two of their top scorers, Sharp could also see a resurgence in his utilization rate. He may already have an opportunity to shine as Simons (ankle) left Tuesday’s game against the Wizards. Sharp could be sent to the starting lineup if Simons is not ready to return after the All-Star break.
Source: sports.yahoo.com
