Fantasy Basketball

It appears the Philadelphia 76ers could be without Ben Simmons for an extended period.

ESPN's Adrian Wojnarowski reported Simmons will continue to undergo testing on his injured back and will be out through at least Monday night's game against the Atlanta Hawks. Previous reports indicated Simmons was "emotional" leaving the X-ray room after exiting Saturday night's loss to the Milwaukee Bucks.

Simmons was originally injured at Wednesday's practice while pulling down a rebound, but it was not believed to be serious. With Simmons clearly having aggravated the injury and all signs pointing to him missing time, here's a look at some streaming options for fantasy leagues.

Malik Beasley (G, Minnesota Timberwolves)

The Timberwolves have given Beasley a green light since acquiring him at the deadline, and he's responded with three 20-point outings in four games. His baseline numbers won't look anything like Simmons—he's not getting many assists and does most of his work beyond the arc—but the production is there and should continue.

Beasley should have even more shots over the next couple weeks with Karl-Anthony Towns out with a broken wrist. If Beasley's still available on the wire, he should be owned in all leagues for the fantasy stretch run.

Christian Wood (F, Detroit Pistons)

Another guy who is going to get a ton of opportunities based simply on circumstance. Wood is averaging 18.4 points and 8.9 rebounds with nearly a block and steal per game in the month of February. Most fantasy owners already have him on their radar, but the deadline day deal of Andre Drummond will only give Wood more opportunities.

It would be helpful if Dwane Casey stuck to keeping Wood in the starting lineup, though.

Marquese Chriss (F, Golden State Warriors)

Health is a key here (Chriss is dealing with a calf injury), but he's looked reinvigorated since returning to the Warriors last month. Chriss is averaging 14.6 points, 7.7 rebounds and 2.3 blocks in February, which includes Thursday's loss to the Rockets where he was limited to 18 minutes.

While Chriss is far from a plus NBA player at this point, we're only concerned with counting stats here. Chriss' increased activity on the defensive end this month has been particularly promising, and he's worth rostering for the high field-goal percentage and blocks alone.

Seth Curry (G, Dallas Mavericks)

February has been kind to Curry, who is shooting lights out while getting his most extensive playing time of the season. Curry is three-dependent and will have nights where he disappears, but his 17-5-3 line this month is enough to keep him rosterable until the hot streak ends.

Like the others on the list, he's an imperfect replacement for Simmons, but primary ball-handlers are tough to come by on a fantasy waiver wire.  

Now that the NBA All Star weekend is over, teams and players will reset their focus to the regular season and finishing strong to earn a spot in the playoffs.

That means it's time to re-evaluate the fantasy contributor landscape for pickups to watch.

So for those who lost Damian Lillard due to his groin injury or Kyrie Irving due to the lingering pain in his shoulder, there are some waiver players to consider and deeper league adds on the board.

Reggie Jackson was bought out by the Detroit Pistons and is headed to the Los Angeles Clippers, where he should be a significant player off the bench who can score and run plays for the second unit. He's a great player to consider (72 percent owned).

Deeper leagues should take a look at players such as Dewayne Dedmon, Shabazz Napier and Jae Crowder, who are all under 40 percent owned.

One player was not going to fill the void left by Andre Drummond in the Detroit Pistons lineup.

When the NBA's top rebounder was dealt to the Cleveland Cavaliers, the initial fantasy basketball reaction was to pick up Christian Wood. 

With frontcourt playing time opening up, Thon Maker has developed into a waiver-wire possibility out of the All-Star break.

The 22-year-old put up three of his most productive performances of the 2019-20 campaign prior to the week-long break, and there is a good chance he picks up where he left off. 

Charlotte's Malik Monk is producing at a more consistent level than Maker, but because of his team's struggles, there has not been a rush to add him for the stretch run of the fantasy basketball season yet. 

               

Hidden Gems to Pick Up For Week 18

Thon Maker, PF/C, Detroit

Over the last four games, Maker produced three of his highest point totals. 

His season-high of 19 points came against the Oklahoma City Thunder February 7, and he followed that up five days later with 18 points in a loss to the Orlando Magic. 

In those two contests, Maker played similar minutes to Wood, who has turned into a must-add player with three 20-point outings in the last five contests. 

Wood is the better option of the two because he is racking up higher rebound totals, but he is more of a known commodity since he has been the top beneficiary of the Drummond trade. 

Maker is still flying under the radar of some owners because he played sparingly throughout January, while Wood was the No. 2 option to Drummond. 

Since the roster alteration, Maker has played at least 23 minutes and attempted five shots in every game. 

His rebounding totals need to improve for him to be a better waiver-wire pickup, as he pulled down an average of six boards over the previous four games. 

Maker is still a decent player to have on the bench to rotate in with the frontcourt starters on your roster since he is going to receive plenty of opportunities to shine next to Wood. 

              

Malik Monk, SG, Charlotte

Monk has increased a majority of his totals while earning more minutes in the Charlotte rotation. 

He is averaging personal bests in points, rebounds and assists per game and is shooting over 40 percent for the first time in his three-year career.

The Kentucky product entered the All-Star break with six consecutive double-digit performances, including a 25-point outburst against the Minnesota Timberwolves Wednesday. 

Since January 20, Monk has eclipsed the 10-point mark in nine of 10 appearances, and he hit the 20-point mark three times.

He still needs more rebounds, assists and steals to be considered an all-around option, but he has shot over 50 percent in the last four trips to the hardwood. 

Monk's upswing in production is a promising sign for prospective owners, but he will be more of a depth option if he averages small totals in other stat categories. 

The Hornets face off with the Chicago Bulls and New York Knicks in two of their first four games out of the All-Star break, so Monk has a chance to thrive against weaker opposition, as he did against Detroit and Minnesota. 

The one concern with picking him up is a run of games that pits the Hornets against the Indiana Pacers, Toronto Raptors and Milwaukee Bucks that begins February 25.

But for now, it is worth riding the hot hand as a fill-in option when your top guards are not playing.

              

Follow Joe on Twitter, @JTansey90

Statistics obtained from Basketball Reference

The latest injury news involving Damian Lillard of the Portland Trail Blazers could cause a rush to the fantasy basketball waiver wire.

The 29-year-old suffered a right groin strain that forced him out of the 2020 NBA All-Star Game, per Chris Haynes of Yahoo.

Even if Lillard feels better after the All-Star break, it is worth picking up his backups for a week or two to boost your fantasy basketball playoff push. Anfernee Simons and Gary Trent Jr. are the two best Portland bench options to choose from, and both are available in a majority of Yahoo leagues.

Lillard is not the only star dealing with an injury, as Karl-Anthony Towns and Jaylen Brown are among the players not at 100 percent.

While monitoring the status of those players, it is worth adding reinforcements on the waiver wire so your team does not suffer out of the All-Star layoff.

                    

Waiver-Wire Pickups

Anfernee Simons and Gary Trent Jr., G, Portland

Depending on how long Lillard is out for, Simons and Trent could both benefit during his absence.

The Athletic's John Hollinger pointed out that Stephen Curry missed 11 games and LeBron James sat out for 17 contests with groin injuries last season. The good news for Lillard is he has a week off to recover, but if he continues to feel pain, rushing back from the injury won't be recommended.

Simons erupted for 22 points in Wednesday's defeat to the Memphis Grizzlies that pushed the Blazers four games back of the Western Conference's No. 8 seed. The 20-year-old has reached double digits in points in three of his past five games after going five straight contests with single-number totals.

Before producing back-to-back four-point showings, Trent racked up a string of four straight 10-plus-point outings, including a 22-point performance versus the Miami Heat Sunday.

If Lillard continues to deal with the groin injury, one, or both, of the guards could replace his production, starting with the February 21 clash against the New Orleans Pelicans.

Even if Lillard is healthy, the progress of Simons and Trent is worth monitoring as potential spot starters on some fantasy rosters. 

                    

Jae Crowder, SF, Miami

Jae Crowder is worth a waiver-wire pickup even if you are not rearranging your roster due to injuries.

Since he was traded to the Miami Heat before the deadline earlier in February, the 29-year-old small forward has eclipsed double digits on three straight occasions. The key to his success has been three-point shooting, as he has knocked down 12 of his 20 three-point attempts since coming over from the Memphis Grizzlies.

Crowder has also chipped in on the boards, after hauling in 11 rebounds as part of a double-double against the Trail Blazers Sunday. He is one of the players to monitor on the waiver wire who is healthier than Brown and others.

The Boston Celtics star banged up his left calf in a collision with another player's knee Tuesday, per NBC Sports Boston's A. Sherrod Blakely. Even if it is just a small knock, he may not be at 100 percent and could produce less than others at his position on certain nights.

Since Crowder is eligible as a power forward in Yahoo leagues, he could be a boost to fantasy frontcourt depth, especially for owners with Towns on their respective rosters.

The Minnesota Timberwolves man missed Wednesday's contest with the Charlotte Hornets because of a wrist injury, per the team's official website.

Even if injured players come back from the All-Star break with a clean bill of health, Crowder is worthy of a pickup because of his production in a short span with the Heat.

                  

Follow Joe on Twitter, @JTansey90. Statistics obtained from ESPN.com.

The moves made before the NBA trade deadline altered the rotations of a handful of squads.

One of the most notable changes occurred with the Detroit Pistons, who shipped Andre Drummond to the Cleveland Cavaliers in exchange for a pair of players and a draft pick.

The Pistons now have to fill the void of the league's leading rebounder, and with Blake Griffin out injured, there is an opportunity for lesser-known players to increase their statistics.

The rearranging of the Minnesota Timberwolves roster opened up a chance for one of their newly acquired players to be a reliable fantasy option moving forward alongside the team's top point producers.

Instead of waiting a week or two to see how the moves affect fantasy basketball, it would be wise to pick up the players who will benefit most from the trades now before other owners scoop them up.

                

Top Pickups After Trade Deadline

Christian Wood, PF/C, Detroit

No single player will be able to replace Drummond's 17.8 points and 15.8 rebounds per game, but Christian Wood could make up for a decent chunk of those stats in Detroit.

Wood is in the middle of a stretch with four double-digit performances over the past five games, but he has not earned more than eight rebounds in that run.

Pistons head coach Dwane Casey noted after Wednesday's win over the Phoenix Suns that the coaching staff is looking for more consistency from Wood, per Keith Langlois of the team's official website:

Without Drummond's presence on the glass, Wood's rebounding totals should increase by a few boards per game.

He may not be at double-double level every night, but Wood will at least have the opportunity in front of him to fill the void on Detroit's stat chart.

In each of his recent 10-plus-point outings, Wood shot 50 percent or better from the field, and he has knocked down a three-pointer in each of his last four appearances.

Wood eclipsed 30 minutes for the first time this season Monday and hit that mark again Wednesday, and with Drummond gone, his time on the floor should be more consistent moving forward.

                

Malik Beasley, SG, Minnesota

Malik Beasley's change in scenery from Denver to Minnesota should open up more minutes for him.

With the Nuggets, the shooting guard did not start in any of his 41 appearances this season after starting 18 of 81 games last season. 

Beasley is expected to log more time in Minnesota's rotation alongside D'Angelo Russell and Karl-Anthony Towns. 

Before he was traded to the Timberwolves, Beasley strung together three straight double-digit outings for the Nuggets. 

In Minnesota, the 23-year-old will be a tertiary scoring option, but if Russell and Towns occupy the top opposing defenders, he could find plenty of open looks in every game.

At the moment, Beasley could be the best choice to fill in the points column behind the two stars, as Minnesota looks to replace the production of Andrew Wiggins and Robert Covington, who were traded to Golden State and Houston, respectively.

No matter which way you look at Minnesota's situation after the trade deadline, there will be an opportunity for Beasley to produce, which makes him an intriguing waiver-wire prospect. 

                       

Follow Joe on Twitter, @JTansey90. Statistics obtained from Basketball Reference.

Portland Trail Blazers guard Damian Lillard has been a must-start in daily fantasy basketball over the last weeks. 

Lillard opened February with a 51-point performance against the Utah Jazz and followed that up with 21 points and nine assists in Tuesday's defeat to the Denver Nuggets. 

He returns to the hardwood Thursday versus the San Antonio Spurs as part of a five-game slate across the NBA. 

While Lillard seems like a lock to anchor your lineup, the opposite can be said about the Philadelphia 76ers when they are on the road.

Brett Brown's team is in the middle of a four-game road losing streak, and it has to face the Milwaukee Bucks in one of two nationally-televised contests Thursday.

               

Feb. 6 Daily Fantasy Basketball Advice

Use Lillard As One Of Your Anchors

Since January 3, Lillard produced 16 consecutive 20-point performances, with the three highest totals all 50 points or more. 

The 29-year-old guard is one game removed from a 51-point outing against the Jazz in which he made nine of his 15 three-point attempts. 

Before he went 1-for-6 from three-point range Tuesday, Lillard put up a seven-game run with five or more triples. 

In January, he shot 48.8 percent from the field and 45.1 percent from three-point range while averaging 34.1 points, 8.4 assists and 5.1 rebounds per game.

Over the last five contests, the Portland star has 55 assists, and he earned a triple-double in the January 29 triumph over the Houston Rockets. 

On Thursday, Lillard faces a San Antonio Spurs team that allowed 129 points to the Los Angeles Lakers Tuesday and has lost its previous three road contests. 

In the 129-102 loss to the Lakers, Gregg Popovich's side gave up 12 three-pointers to a victorious side that shot 58.8 percent from the field. 

Lillard scored 28 and 22 points in his first two meetings with the Spurs this season, and unless they drastically improve defensively, they should be susceptible to conceding another large point total. 

              

Stay Away From the 76ers

Philadelphia has lost each of its last four road contests by double digits. 

The worst of the showings occurred Monday, when the 76ers were blown out 137-106 by the Miami Heat. 

In that loss, four of the team's five starters had a plus-minus of minus-15 or worse, and Tobias Harris was held to six points on 3-for-12 shooting. 

Ben Simmons only attempted seven shots versus Miami on a night in which he had the most turnovers and worst plus-minus of any Sixers players. 

In Saturday's defeat to the Boston Celtics, Joel Embiid went 1-for-11 from the field to end up with 11 points. He also pulled in five rebounds over 23 minutes. 

The starting five was a bit more consistent in the loss to the Atlanta Hawks on January 30, as Harris, Simmons and Embiid all scored over 20 points. 

However, the numbers from Atlanta should not factor into your decision-making Thursday since the Sixers have played worse against teams in playoff positions. 

The Milwaukee Bucks average 120 points per game and are 4-1 in their last five home contests. 

If the Eastern Conference leader scores at a clip at, or above, its average and Philadelphia's offense continues to show inconsistencies against postseason contenders, the Sixers could once again suffer a double-digit loss.

            

Follow Joe on Twitter, @JTansey90

Statistics obtained from ESPN.com

A slew of frontcourt injuries on the Chicago Bulls roster has opened up more opportunities for Thaddeus Young. 

The 31-year-old has delivered four consecutive double-digit performances with Lauri Markkanen, Daniel Gafford and Wendell Carter Jr. sidelined. 

Young's production increase across all statistical categories makes him one of the more intriguing names on the fantasy basketball waiver wire. 

Trevor Ariza also fits into the list of players to watch in the coming week or two, as he has benefited from a change in scenery with the Portland Trail Blazers. 

Since arriving from the Sacramento Kings, the 34-year-old has been a constant fixture on the floor for his new side, which could make him a viable fantasy asset.

            

Pickups to Watch

Thaddeus Young, SF/PF, Chicago

Young produced his first four-game streak with 10 or more points of the season over the last four contests. 

In that span, his point total increased game-by-game, starting with 10 against the Sacramento Kings and ending with 16 versus the Indiana Pacers. 

In addition to the scoring mark, Young has earned 22 rebounds, eight assists and five steals in that stretch.

In Wednesday's loss to Indiana, Young earned a season high in minutes played at 35 minutes and 53 seconds. 

Four of the five occasions in which the 31-year-old has been on court for over 30 minutes have come in January. 

Young should continue to be a frontcourt contributor over the next few weeks before the injured players work back to full health.

Markkanen is dealing with a right pelvis stress reaction, Carter has a right ankle sprain and Gafford dislocated his right thumb, per the team's injury report. 

Gafford told Joe Cowley of the Chicago Sun-Times that he will try to play Friday against the Brooklyn Nets, while the other two were ruled out for four-to-six weeks. 

The Bulls have five games remaining before the NBA All-Star Game, four of which take place on the road. 

A pair of games in each of the next two weeks is not the most ideal situation from a fantasy perspective, but Young is worth the pickup, at least until the All-Star break, due to Chicago's current predicament. 

              

Trevor Ariza, SF, Portland

Ariza produced a pair of 21-point performances over his first three appearances with the Trail Blazers. 

Since his debut in the Portland lineup, he has 49 points, 15 rebounds, four assists and four steals. 

Each of his three outings have lasted over 30 minutes, and he recorded a positive plus-minus in every contest, including a plus-18 rating in Wednesday's matchup with the Houston Rockets. 

After his initial 21-point appearance, Blazers guard Damian Lillard delivered praise for the longtime NBA player, per The Oregonian's Jamie Goldberg: "I thought he played really well. He was flying around, he was active, he made shots, he was aggressive on the offensive end as well. For his first game, I thought he had a pretty good performance."

Ariza may not put up 20 points per night, but he is deserving of a pickup because of the high volume of minutes he is expected to receive with his new team. 

If he continues to put up respectable totals, Ariza will be gobbled up on many waiver wires in the coming weeks. 

Some owners may be waiting for a larger sample size of his work in Portland, but the immediate minutes increase should be a sign to give a chance off the waiver wire.

                          

Follow Joe on Twitter, @JTansey90

Statistics obtained from Basketball Reference

The latest alteration to the Golden State Warriors roster could open up an opportunity for an NBA draft bust to thrive in extended minutes. 

Marquese Chriss, who was the No. 8 overall pick in the 2016 NBA draft, has not averaged more than 10 points per game in his NBA career.

After Willie Cauley-Stein was traded to the Dallas Mavericks, Chriss has a chance to thrive in extended minutes for a Warriors squad that has already seen unlikely standouts Eric Paschall and Damion Lee thrive during the 2019-20 season. 

Another younger player who has bounced around over the last few seasons may be worth a look in fantasy basketball as well. 

New York Knicks guard Elfrid Payton has turned in a few recent performances that may warrant a waiver-wire pickup.

              

Fantasy Basketball Hidden Gems

Marquese Chriss, PF/C, Golden State

In the last three games, Chriss earned a double-digit point total against the Portland Trail Blazers, Utah Jazz and Indiana Pacers. 

None of those three outings on the hardwood lasted more than 22 minutes, which is a positive sign for his effectiveness. 

During that stretch, the Washington product also turned in 17 rebounds, three steals, three assists and two blocks. 

Chriss is expected to help fill the void left by Cauley-Stein, who averaged 7.6 points and 6.2 rebounds in 37 starts. 

At minimum, Chriss could have the opportunity to earn starting minutes, and if he performs as well as he did in the last week, he could be a viable fantasy option in the frontcourt.

The 22-year-old is owned in under 10 percent of Yahoo and ESPN leagues, per FantasyPros, so it may be worth taking the risk on him now. 

The Warriors have two challenging matchups with the Philadelphia 76ers and Boston Celtics to start their five-game road swing, but Chriss may be able to find success against the Cleveland Cavaliers and Washington Wizards.

Once that road run ends, Golden State plays six of its next eight games at Chase Center. That string of home contests may allow Chriss to develop a rhythm and improve on his current average of 7.6 points per game.

There may be caution in picking up the big man since his highest scoring average occurred in his rookie season with the Phoenix Suns and the Warriors are now his fourth team. 

However, the opportunity with Cauley-Stein dealt to Dallas is something he could take advantage of, and he is a low-risk, high-reward fantasy pickup because of that. 

                     

Elfrid Payton, PG, New York 

Payton should provide fantasy owners with guard depth based on his recent point and assist totals.

On Friday, the 25-year-old point guard produced 13 points and 11 handouts in a loss to the Toronto Raptors. 

In Sunday's victory over the Nets, Payton dished out nine assists to go along with his nine points. 

The former Orlando, Phoenix and New Orleans player has chipped in decent totals in a few statistical categories, which makes him a second or third guard option. 

For the season, Payton is averaging 8.7 points, 6.2 assists and 4.2 rebounds per game, and in his last six appearances, he has eclipsed his current assist average. 

His effectiveness when on the court is proved more by the positive plus/minus recorded in four of the last five games, including a plus-13 rating versus Philadelphia January 18.

The point guard is available in over 60 percent of both Yahoo and ESPN leagues, per FantasyPros, so he may be worth a look in the games leading up to the All-Star break. 

Between now and February 12, the Knicks have matchups with the Charlotte Hornets, Detroit Pistons, Atlanta Hawks, Washington and Cleveland, so there is an opportunity for Payton to record decent totals. 

                 

Follow Joe on Twitter, @JTansey90

Statistics obtained from Basketball Reference

A recent string of injuries to big men across the NBA has forced some fantasy basketball owners to dive deep into the waiver wire for power forward and center depth. 

Denver Nuggets center Mason Plumlee is expected to miss two to four weeks with a right foot injury, per ESPN.com, and Dallas Mavericks center Dwight Powell suffered a season-ending Achilles injury, as revealed by the team's public relations department. 

Plumlee and Powell are far from superstars, but they have been solid contributors at their positions and have helped some fantasy owners with their frontcourt depth. 

Both players carried value in Yahoo leagues because of their listings at power forward and center, and there are a few other athletes across the NBA who can fill that void to help round out your team's production in the coming weeks.

                

Waiver-Wire Advice

Eric Paschall, SF/PF, Golden State

Over the last six games, Eric Paschall has been a solid contributor in all offensive stat categories for the Golden State Warriors. 

During that span, the Villanova product has six straight double-digit point performances, one double-double and a handful of assists and steals. 

Paschall's best performance of late came January 20 against the Portland Trail Blazers, when he put up 22 points, 13 rebounds, two assists and a steal. 

Since he is eligible as a small and power forward in Yahoo leagues, the 23-year-old could be picked up to slot in at power forward in place of Plumlee or Powell. He is also available in more than half of Yahoo leagues, per Fantasy Pros. 

In his first season with the Western Conference team, Paschall has put up nine 20-plus point games, and he is shooting 49.4 percent from the field. 

Additionally, he has produced 15 points or more in nine road contests, which is key for the Warriors' upcoming road swing to the east coast. 

From January 28-February 5, the Warriors visit the Philadelphia 76ers, Boston Celtics, Cleveland Cavaliers, Washington Wizards and Brooklyn Nets. 

Based on his road form and recent production, Paschall is worth swooping up, even if you are not hurt by the injury bug and want to pick up a fresh player to provide fantasy depth.

                  

Daniel Theis, PF/C, Boston 

If you are looking for a direct frontcourt replacement, Daniel Theis of the Boston Celtics is a decent plug-in option. 

The 27-year-old has three 10-plus point outings in his last four games, and in that span, he also has 21 rebounds, eight assists, seven blocks and five steals. 

Theis, who is owned in 16 percent of Yahoo leagues, is not expected to be a consistent double-digit scorer because he averages 7.8 points per game.

Where his value lies is in the defensive categories, as he averages 5.9 rebounds and 1.5 blocks per game. 

In fact, all of those totals are better than what Plumlee was averaging when healthy, and Theis' defensive numbers are higher than Powell's. 

Plumlee averages 7.4 points, 5.6 rebounds and 0.6 blocks per game, while Powell recorded 9.4 points, 5.7 rebounds and 0.6 blocks per contest. 

Theis has also earned over 22 minutes of playing time in three of the last five games and has a plus/minus of +47 in that span. 

As long as he continues to produce in all facets of the game, Theis should receive a good chunk of playing time and contribute as a second or third fantasy frontcourt option.

                   

Follow Joe on Twitter, @JTansey90

Statistics obtained from Basketball Reference

Jordan Clarkson has adjusted well to his role in the Utah Jazz lineup. 

The 27-year-old guard has been a consistent double-digit scorer since his first appearance for the Western Conference franchise December 26. 

The former Cleveland Cavalier could provide a boost to your fantasy basketball rosters, as he is available in over two-thirds of Yahoo leagues. 

One of Clarkson's former teammates, Darius Garland, is also worth a look on the waiver wire due to his increased production since Cleveland's trade with Utah. 

               

Top Waiver-Wire Pickups

Jordan Clarkson, PG/SG, Utah 

Clarkson's arrival helped spark Utah's current 10-game winning streak. 

In his 10 appearances for the Jazz, he has seven double-digit point showings and racked up over 20 minutes off the bench in each contest. 

Rudy Gobert is among the Utah players who have noticed Clarkson's all-around contributions, per Sarah Todd of the Deseret News. 

"It's huge because his ability to score, we all know that," he said, "but when the defense is actually helping, if he's able to find the open guy, it's just great for the team."

In addition to scoring, Clarkson has chipped in with a handful of assists, rebounds and steals, and he has knocked down at least one three-point shot as a member of the Jazz. The combination of those numbers, plus his eligibility at point and shooting guard in Yahoo leagues, means the latest addition to the Utah roster is worth a pickup. 

Clarkson is owned in 33 percent of Yahoo competitions, per Fantasy Pros, and he faces a favorable schedule for the rest of January. 

After visiting the New Orleans Pelicans on Thursday, Utah plays four of its next five at Vivint Smart Home Arena, where it is 15-3. 

               

Darius Garland, PG, Cleveland 

With Clarkson off the roster and Kevin Porter Jr. out with an injury, Garland should receive ample opportunities to thrive in the back end of his rookie season. 

The first-year player out of Vanderbilt has 10 consecutive double-digit performances, and he has played over 25 minutes in every game since December 12. 

Garland's ownership percentage on Yahoo has risen recently, and it is now up to 46, per Fantasy Pros. 

The 19-year-old may attract more attention in the coming days since he produced his first career double-double Tuesday against the Los Angeles Clippers. 

"It's a great milestone for me. I came close a couple times," Garland said, per The Athletic's Kelsey Russo. "Today in L.A., first double-double, it's really cool. Just seeing my game grow...the game is slowing down for me a lot and just making the right reads."

That performance was a part of a four-game road stretch in which the rookie produced at least 14 points and four assists versus the Pistons, Nuggets, Lakers and Clippers. 

Once the Cavaliers finish the final two parts of their road trip Friday and Saturday, they are home for seven of the next eight. With the Chicago Bulls, New York Knicks and Washington Wizards part of the string of contests, Garland could have more success ahead of him. 

                      

Follow Joe on Twitter, @JTansey90.

Statistics obtained from Basketball Reference.