Fantasy Basketball

When one of the key players for an Eastern Conference contender in the NBA went down this week, some fantasy basketball owners were forced to scurry over to the waiver wire.

Toronto Raptors guard Fred VanVleet's injury is the latest in a string of setbacks for top players in the East, with Washington's John Wall also unavailable to fantasy owners. 

Some of the best options out on the waiver wire are direct replacements for the recently injured players, while other potential pickups have performed well of late and are worth adding to fill the holes left open by VanVleet, Wall and others. 

                                    

Waiver-Wire Advice

Take a Chance on Jeremy Lin 

The addition of Jeremy Lin to the Toronto roster couldn't have come at a better time, as VanVleet was ruled out for at least three weeks due to a thumb injury, per ESPN.com's Adrian Wojnarowski.

VanVleet's absence in the Raptors lineup hands Lin the opportunity to thrive while playing more minutes after he was acquired from the Atlanta Hawks. 

Although he only scored eight points in his first game with the Raptors, Lin played 25 minutes, which is a good sign for owners looking for a value pickup on the waiver wire. 

Lin won't be Toronto's top scorer every night, but there's a good chance he'll reach a double-digit point total, as he's averaging 10.7 points per game. 

In three of his final four games with the Hawks, Lin reached the 10-point mark while playing fewer minutes than he did Wednesday for the Raptors. 

Because Lin also chips in with rebounds and assists during his time on the court, he's a solid option to look at, especially if he's going to play over 20 minutes per game in VanVleet's absence. 

                        

Pick Up Bobby Portis While You Can 

If you haven't already picked up Bobby Portis, add him to your team while you can. 

The 24-year-old forward, who was traded from Chicago to Washington before the trade deadline, has averaged 19 points per game in his first four appearances with the Wizards. 

Not only is Portis experiencing a boost because he's playing for a new team, he's thriving in the Washington lineup because there's a hole left by Wall's season-ending injury.

Portis might not light up the scoreboard for 30 points every night, like he did in his Washington debut, but he's going to be a solid scoring option alongside Bradley Beal. 

However, the one concern with adding Portis at this juncture of the season is Washington's tough four-game stretch after the All-Star break that includes games against Charlotte, Indiana, Brooklyn and Boston

                          

Show Faith in Isaiah Thomas

The second-best team in the Western Conference received a boost to its lineup Wednesday, as Isaiah Thomas played his first game in close to a year. 

In his season debut for the Denver Nuggets, Thomas scored eight points and handed out two assists over 13 minutes in his team's win over Sacramento. 

Thomas' return is a nice boost for a team that's dealt with injuries to almost every player on the roster at some point this season. 

The 30-year-old Thomas could see more playing time after the All-Star break, as Gary Harris is dealing with a hamstring injury that's kept him out since January 30. 

At the moment, Thomas is a low-risk, high-reward waiver-wire option, as he could turn into a solid contributor off the bench for the Nuggets. 

                                    

Follow Joe on Twitter, @JTansey90.

Statistics obtained from ESPN.com.

The NBA trade deadline helped shift the landscape of the 2018-19 season on the court, and it could also lead to significant changes in fantasy basketball.

Tobias Harris was traded to the Philadelphia 76ers and could help the team win the Eastern Conference, although he may struggle to maintain his statistics while competing with talented teammates for touches. Ben Simmons, Joel Embiid and Jimmy Butler could also see fewer shots as everyone shares the rock.

Despite the negatives, there are quite a few players who can benefit from increased roles and playing time following the trade deadline. Here are some options to look for on the waiver wire poised for a big second half of the season.

               

Ivica Zubac, C, Los Angeles Clippers (12 percent owned)

The two Los Angeles teams don't make deals often, but they broke tradition in the deal that sent Ivica Zubac from the Lakers to the Clippers, which Adrian Wojnarowski of ESPN documented.

The 21-year-old was finally getting legitimate playing time with the Lakers, but he should also have a big role with his new team, per Jovan Buha of The Athletic:

Ivica Zubac will be the Clippers’ new starting center. Clips finally got their answer at center, if only temporarily.

— Jovan Buha (@jovanbuha) February 7, 2019

Harris' departure and Marcin Gortat's waiving has created a lot of playing time in the frontcourt for the Clippers, with only Montrezl Harrell left as a reliable option down low. Zubac should get plenty of minutes, allowing him to continue his recent impressive play.

In his past nine games, the center is averaging 14.1 points, 7.2 rebounds and 0.9 blocks per game. 

He can maintain or improve upon these stats for a team that likes to put up points and just lost its leading scorer.

                       

Bobby Portis, PF, Washington Wizards (30.7 percent)

Now in his fourth year in the NBA, Bobby Portis is finally hitting his stride at this level.

He scored a season-high 33 points in his final game with the Chicago Bulls before being traded to the Washington Wizards:

Bobby Portis dropped a season-high 33 PTS and 9 REB last night for the @chicagobulls! 👀#BullsNation pic.twitter.com/QFDVU2mwq4

— NBA TV (@NBATV) February 3, 2019

After averaging 14.1 points and 7.3 rebounds per game, it's clear he can make an impact regardless of where he is playing.

Washington isn't going anywhere this season, but the team will need someone besides Bradley Beal to score points with John Wall hurt and Otto Porter gone. The absence of Porter and Markieff Morris will also create extra playing time at the forward spots, even with Trevor Ariza still on the roster.

The Wizards will want to showcase Portis and Jabari Parker for the rest of the year as their prizes in the Porter trade, and the former could be in for a big second half of the season.

               

Cedi Osman, SF, Cleveland Cavaliers (25.7 percent)

The Cleveland Cavaliers were one of the teams that cleaned house as much as they could before the deadline, with Rodney Hood and Alec Burks gone.

Cedi Osman can take advantage, especially after his recent hot streak.

The forward has scored at least 20 points in three of his past five games, although he is dealing with an ankle injury that will keep him out through at least Friday, per Chris Fedor of Cleveland.com.

When he comes back, Osman should be one of the go-to options on a team that doesn't have many alternatives.

Consistency might be a problem, but the upside is there for the second-year player.

                   

Luke Kennard, SF, Detroit Pistons (6.7 percent)

This one might be more of a long shot, but if you have space on your roster, there is a lot of upside with Luke Kennard going forward.

Reggie Bullock and Stanley Johnson are gone, leaving minutes and shots available on the wing for Kennard to take over.

The 2017 lottery pick hasn't lived up to expectations, but he is averaging 14.5 points and 5.1 rebounds per 36 minutes this year. He is also a 39 percent shooter from three-point range in his career and might be the team's best outside shooter left on the roster.

Detroit should finally give him a full opportunity to show what he can do over the next few months before evaluating the team in the offseason.

If he plays to his potential, he could be a valuable player on the court and in fantasy.

                           

Note: All roster information courtesy of ESPN.com.

Fatigue should not play a major role in Wednesday's seven-game NBA slate. None of the 14 teams played on Tuesday, so daily fantasy basketball players should enjoy an expanded array of well-rested options.

Injuries, on the other hand, present obstacles and opportunities when filling out a lineup on DraftKings or FanDuel. Pay particularly close attention to the Denver Nuggets and New Orleans Pelicans, as both Western Conference squads hobble into Wednesday night.

There's a chance Anthony Davis plays his first game since Jan. 18. According to ESPN's Adrian Wojnarowski, the superstar is questionable to return from a finger injury that has cost him the last eight games.

While it would be too risky to immediately toss him into cash-contest lineups, his return would take Jahlil Okafor off the radar and affect the opposing Chicago Bulls.

Should Davis and other key contributors sit again, some flourishing replacements make excellent DFS plays.

In an evening graced by James Harden, Kevin Durant, Stephen Curry, Giannis Antetokounmpo and Nikola Jokic, it's imperative to find bargains that clear up enough budget for at least one superstar. 

Let's highlight some of Wednesday's top plays to utilize on FanDuel and/or DraftKings.

       

DraftKings Lineup

PG Chris Paul ($7,100) at SAC

SG Malik Beasley ($5,700) at BKN

SF Kevin Durant ($9,300) vs. SA

PF Kenneth Faried ($7,000) at SAC

C Marvin Bagley III ($5,800) vs. HOU

G Marco Belinelli ($4,000) at GS

F Rudy Gay ($5,900) at GS

UTL Kenrich Williams ($5,000) at CHI

        

FanDuel Lineup

PG Stephen Curry ($9,200) vs. SA

PG Chris Paul ($7,600) at SAC

SG Buddy Hield ($6,700) vs. HOU

SG Ian Clark ($3,600) at CHI

SF Kevin Durant ($9,600) vs. SA

SF Rudy Gay ($6,000) at GS

PF Jeff Green ($5,800) at MIL

PF Kenrich Williams ($5,400) at CHI

C Jarrett Allen ($6,100) vs. DEN

       

Chris Paul, PG, Houston Rockets (at Sacramento)

The Houston Rockets rested Chris Paul on Saturday, the second game of a back-to-back, but he should get the green light to exploit an opportune matchup against the Sacramento Kings. 

Per DraftKings' data, no team has allowed more fantasy points per game to point guards than the Kings, who rank 19th in defensive rating. While the Rockets have slowed down their tempo this season, they'll have to keep up with an opponent playing at the NBA's second-fastest pace.

When last facing Sacramento, Paul posted 24 points (six three-pointers), nine assists and four rebounds in a 132-112 win. In four games back from a hamstring injury, he has averaged 15.0 points, 6.3 assists and 4.5 boards in 28.3 minutes. 

The 33-year-old logged his most minutes (33) since December on Saturday, so the Rockets could rev him back into full gear unless they earn another blowout victory.

Having posted at least 31 FanDuel and DraftKings points in every bout since his return, Paul at least offers a high floor at a price that hasn't fully risen to pre-injury norms.

       

Kenrich Williams, G/F, New Orleans Pelicans (at Chicago)

Even if Davis returns, the Pelicans will have plenty of vacant minutes to fill. They could also be without E'Twaun Moore (quads), Nikola Mirotic (calf) and/or Julius Randle (ankle).

Should they all stay sidelined, turn to the battered squad for cost-effective options. He's not as cheap as Ian Clark, Darius Miller or Cheick Diallo—all worth considering depending on the final injury report—but Kenrich Williams should still validate his escalating price.

Given little to no chances for most of the season, one of New Orleans' last men standing has logged at least 30 minutes in each of the last four contests. While he most recently went 3-of-13 from the field on Monday, the 24-year-old has snagged 40 rebounds and dished out 15 dimes during this extended audition.

Helping out his cause, the Chicago Bulls have permitted the fourth-most rebounds (47.2) per game, as of Tuesday. The Bulls and Pelicans respectively rank 23rd and 24th in defensive rating, so the lottery-bound opponents should deliver a high-scoring bout.

Beware that DraftKings slots him as a shooting guard and small forward but FanDuel lists him at power forward. 

       

Rudy Gay, F, San Antonio Spurs (at Golden State)

According to Tom Orsborn of the San Antonio Express-News, the San Antonio Spurs will sit DeMar DeRozan and LaMarcus Aldridge against the Golden State Warriors: 

Aldridge and DeRozan are out tomorrow night at GSW due to "load management," per Spurs. Remember, it's the first of a b2b that ends in Portland.

— Tom Orsborn (@tom_orsborn) February 6, 2019

The duo leads the squad in minutes, points, field-goal attempts and usage rate by comfortable margins. Even if the Spurs are essentially waving the white flag in hopes of instead winning Thursday's game, somebody is going to play and score some points in a lopsided loss.

The best bet is Rudy Gay, who places third on San Antonio in every aforementioned category besides minutes. Playing time won't be a problem with the two stars sidelined and Derrick White nursing a heel injury.

In three games without DeRozan late last month, Gay averaged 35.2 DraftKings and 35.1 FanDuel points. He attempted 41 field goals, and that was with Aldridge roaming the paint as the clear top option.

Priced similarly on both platforms, the 32-year-old forward should have no trouble at least hitting value. The rest of the competition will likely also turn his way in cash contests, but the usage upside is too tantalizing to resist at his mid-level price.  

       

Marvin Bagley III, PF/C, Sacramento Kings (vs. Houston)

Coming off Monday's career-high 24 points, Marvin Bagley III's price jumped to $6,800 on FanDuel. On DraftKings, however, he remains an affordable $5,800.

The rookie, who has recorded three straight double-doubles, opened February by playing at least 30 minutes in consecutive games for the first time since November. He's averaging 15.8 points, 10.3 rebounds, 1.5 blocks, and 15.3 field-goal attempts in Sacramento's last six games.

Houston wields the NBA's third-lowest rebounding percentage (69.4), so the 19-year-old could snag at least a dozen rebounds for the fourth straight time. He should also receive more chances to throw down highlight-reel dunks.

Woefully undersized without Clint Capela, the Rockets have relinquished an NBA-high 53.4 points per game in the paint. 

Along with the $1,000 reduction, Bagley also holds the benefit of center eligibility on DraftKings. He's best reserved for those contests, but there's enough upside to justify some FanDuel exposure as well.

       

Note: Advanced stats, updated as of Tuesday night, are courtesy of NBA.com. 

It's a pivotal week for fantasy basketball managers. The NBA trade deadline approaches Thursday, a little earlier than usual. Owners must choose carefully, knowing players on the move will shake up starting lineups.

When considering pickups, there are two ways to approach the deadline. Owners with low-end players at the end of their bench can sacrifice those assets for an acquisition that may take off after a trade. For those planning to take the news one day at a time without anticipation, focus on the names trending upward after Week 16.

This week's sleeper picks will feature two must-adds as a result of the hat stem from the Dallas Mavericks-New York Knicks trade involving Kristaps Porzingis and Dennis Smith Jr. Two rookies should see a boost in production for the remainder of the season, and they're available in most leagues.

The list below features 10 sleeper options ranked from Nos. 1 to 10 for Week 17—all owned in fewer than 50 percent of Yahoo leagues as of 11 p.m. ET Sunday. 

Here's a quick note of advice. In leagues with limited acquisition per week, try not to use all or most of your transactions before Thursday. It's possible few players are moved, but it's best to prepare for a frenzy. Don't miss out on an opportunity to snatch rising assets off the wire.

          

Week 17 Sleepers

1. SG Kevin Huerter, Atlanta Hawks (28 percent owned)

2. PG Shabazz Napier, Brooklyn Nets (32 percent owned)

3. PG Jalen Brunson, Dallas Mavericks (3 percent owned)

4. PG Marcus Morris, Denver Nuggets (39 percent owned)

5. PF Maxi Kleber, Dallas Mavericks (8 percent owned) 

6. F/C Kelly Olynyk, Miami Heat (24 percent owned) 

7. PG D.J. Augustin, Orlando Magic (41 percent owned)

8. SF/SG Josh Jackson, Phoenix Suns (36 percent owned)

9. PF/SF Kevin Knox, New York Knicks (48 percent owned)

10. SF/SG Justin Holiday, Memphis Grizzlies (38 percent owned)

                 

Kevin Huerter, Atlanta Hawks

Week 16 averages: 2.5 3PTM, 10 PTS, 4.3 REB, 5 ASTS, 1.5 STL 

Week 17 games: 2/4 at WAS, 2/7 vs. TOR, 2/9 vs. CHA

Atlanta Hawks guard Kevin Huerter has emerged as an unheralded rookie gem in the fantasy realm. He came out of Maryland with a reliable three-point shot, but the 20-year-old isn't just a specialist from beyond the arc. 

Over the last week, he averaged five assists and 1.5 steals per contest. As expected, owners would also acquire his long-distance shooting. He's good for a couple of triples each game.

Don't worry about the Hawks acquiring big-name players at the deadline. It's a 17-35 club that will need to develop its young core. Trae Young, John Collins and Huerter should see ample minutes down the stretch. As for the Maryland product, swipe him off the wire for a solid boost in multiple categories.

          

Jalen Brunson, Dallas Mavericks

Week 16 averages: 0.5 3PTM, 7.8 PTS, 3 REB, 3.5 ASTS

Week 17 games: 2/6 vs. CHA, 2/8 vs. MIL, 2/10 vs. POR

Point guard Jalen Brunson has flown under the radar as a winner following Smith's exit. The Mavericks acquired Trey Burke in the transaction, but the talented scoring guard probably assumes a backup role while J.J. Barea remains on the shelf for six to nine months with a torn Achilles. 

Luka Doncic will likely operate as the Mavericks' top distributor, but Brunson will also contribute in that area. He handed out 10 assists over his last two starts. If the Villanova product finds his sweet spot on the court, owners could benefit in the three-point category as well. He shot 41 percent from long distance and averaged 2.2 triples per game during his last collegiate season.

Brunson played 33 minutes in both outings since the trade. Assuming his time on the court remains consistent, expect a spike in points, but he's not going to provide much in the defensive categories.

              

Kelly Olynyk, Miami Heat

Week 16 averages: 75 FT%, 2.3 3PTM, 13 PTS, 7.3 REB, 

Week 17 games: 2/5 at POR, 2/8 at SAC, 2/10 at GS 

Miami Heat head coach Erik Spoelstra has tweaked his rotation because of injury and the need to find the best combination to win games. The latest shift put Kelly Olynyk back on the fantasy radar. 

The 27-year-old's minutes took a major hit mid-January; he also logged two DNPs (did not play), but his playing time trended upward after Derrick Jones Jr. suffered bone bruises in his right knee. The team will re-evaluate the third-year forward in five weeks.

In the meantime, managers can pick up Olynyk and expect a splash of three-pointers, rebounds and occasionally a solid outing in assists from the 7-footer. The big man is also a 78 percent free-throw shooter for the season.

If you're holding on to James Johnson, whose minutes have trended down, make the swap.

             

Kevin Knox, New York Knicks 

Week 16 averages: 85 FT%, 1.8 3PTM, 15.6 PTS, 3.4 REB

Week 17 games: 2/5 vs. DET, 2/8 at DET, 2/9 vs. TOR 

This selection screams out to owners in point leagues. There's also some upside that's useful for nine-category settings as well. To put it mildly, Kevin Knox didn't have a strong January. As a starter, he averaged 13 points per game on 37 percent shooting from the field. For a player who doesn't contribute defensive stats—the rookie forward became a popular drop candidate. 

On the bright side, the 19-year-old may have turned back to his December form—a month in which he averaged 17.1 points and 2.4 three-pointers per contest. Furthermore, the Knicks dealt Tim Hardaway Jr. with Porzingis and Burke to Dallas. The Kentucky product will have a responsibility to score while Smith and DeAndre Jordan find their respective roles. 

You can call it natural progression or a hop over the proverbial rookie wall, but Knox could finish the season on a strong note as a scorer. He'll also post solid numbers in three-pointers and rebounds on his best days.

NBA teams and viewers don't wait long before deeming a disappointing prospect a bust. In the moment, everyone hastily believes it's now or never for a young player to prosper.

Fantasy basketball managers are especially prone to impatience. Why waste a roster spot on a raw talent when no-name gems exist on the waiver wire? That's a fair mindset as long as you don't dismiss those discarded players forever.

There's no better source of value in fantasy sports than a post-hype prospect. Just because the breakout doesn't occur immediately doesn't mean it never will. Just look at two college superstars, highlighted below, who have capitalized on enhanced playing time recently.

The following players, all available on more than half of ESPN.com leagues as of Wednesday night, have made the most of vast minutes and usage upticks. If this blend of opportunity and performance persists, they will quickly become accounted for in every competitive league. 

              

Shabazz Napier, PG, Brooklyn Nets (6.3 Percent Owned)

Already without Caris LeVert, the Brooklyn Nets lost Sixth Man of the Year candidate Spencer Dinwiddie to a right thumb injury. The two fallen guards have combined for 30.2 percent of Brooklyn's field-goal attempts.

Even with D'Angelo Russell now headlining the offense, Shabazz Napier has assumed a meaty role. Over the past three games without Dinwiddie, the 27-year-old has averaged 20.7 points on 15.3 shot attempts and a 31.0 usage percentage, per NBA.com.

As of Wednesday, only four teams have attempted more three-pointers per game than the Nets. Inserted into Kenny Atkinson's up-tempo offense, Napier promptly drained 10 of 24 shots from downtown in those three games. 

The two-time NCAA champion logged 25 minutes off the bench in each bout. In nine games when meeting that mark, he has registered 17.6 points and 4.1 assists per contest.

He has never mustered double-digit points or more than 2.5 dimes in an NBA season, but the former UConn standout has demonstrated another improvement to trust in a high-volume assignment. Napier will at least offer a short-term scoring jolt while LeVert and Dinwiddie recover. 

Other guards to add: Tomas Satoransky, WAS; Patrick Beverley, LAC; Avery Bradley, LAC; Allonzo Trier, NYK.

                 

Cedi Osman, SF, Cleveland Cavaliers (20.8 Percent Owned)

Someone has to occasionally score for the Cleveland Cavaliers. That someone is often Cedi Osman.

An inefficient scorer for most of the season, the 23-year-old has suddenly posted 14.9 points per game on a 48.2 field-goal percentage in January. He has deposited 97 points on a whopping 64 field-goal attempts (31 from three-point range) over the past four games while pickpocketing two steals in each of the past three bouts.

All of these long-distance opportunities seem misguided for Osman, a career 33.7-percent shooter from beyond the arc. Yet despite trying more of them, his three-point conversion rate has skyrocketed from 26.4 percent in December to 38.2 in 2019's opening month.

Perhaps this is merely an unsustainable hot streak from 2015's No. 31 pick. Yet unless they are worried about him getting too good and damaging their odds of winning another lottery, the 11-41 Cavaliers have every incentive to ride the hot hand.

Osman is going to keep getting ample opportunities to succeed, so grab him in case even a semblance of this recent surge sticks.

Other forwards to add: Kenneth Faried, HOU; Jonathan Isaac, ORL; Josh Jackson, PHO; Noah Vonleh, NYK.

                

Jahlil Okafor, C, New Orleans Pelicans (36.7 Percent Owned)

A 23-year-old once drafted No. 3 overall is shocking the NBA by playing well.

The Philadelphia 76ers didn't want Jahlil Okafor, who quickly fizzled out in Brooklyn. Left to rot on another bench, he scored six points in November.

Then Anthony Davis injured his finger.

In six games since losing their superstar, the New Orleans Pelicans have allotted Okafor 32.5 minutes per game—he averaged 10.0 minutes in December. He has responded by producing 20.0 points, 10.5 rebounds and 2.3 blocks per game.

While post-up players have fallen out of favor, it's foolish to ignore someone who has made 54 of his past 78 field goals. Per the New York Post's Kyle Schnitzer, Pelicans coach Alvin Gentry praised the big man for "doing a good job within the confines" of their offense.

"Well, he just played—he's been really good in what we're trying to do," Gentry said. "It's not like we're just taking the ball and every time throwing it to him in the post. He's been stepping out on the floor, screening. He's done a great job of rolling in the pocket and catching the basketball."

Had he arrived a decade ago, Okafor would have posted double-doubles from the start. Yet to many teams, a defensive liability with no perimeter shot is about as useful as a cassette tape in 2019.

Fantasy managers, on the other hand, only share those concerns when it affects playing time. Since Davis has requested a trade while on the shelf, the Pelicans should see whether Okafor garners a place in a future without the Unibrow.

If he keeps playing, the Duke alumnus should remain a double-double machine.

Other centers to add: Ivica Zubac, LAC; Dewayne Dedmon, ATL; Ante Zizic, CLE.

Volume isn't everything in fantasy basketball, but it's close—especially when you're attempting to uncover a sleeper.

You want players with as many upcoming games as possible, which is a tad trickier in Week 16 since only nine clubs suit up four times. You're also looking for increased opportunities, whether that's a door opened by injury or maybe a reward for a recent torrid stretch.

You also want no one from the Portland Trail Blazers—not even Damian Lillard—since this is a one-and-done week for them.

Let's look at some of the hidden gems you need to know for Week 16.

               

Tyreke Evans, PG/SG, Indiana Pacers

Games: vs. GSW, at WAS, at ORL, at MIA

Last 2 Weeks: 14.3 PPG, 2.2 RPG, 2.0 APG, 53.3 FG%

Indy's first game without Victor Oladipo was short on answers as far as the team's replacement plan. Tyreke Evans and Cory Joseph both played roughly half the game, while rookie Aaron Holiday wasn't too far behind at 16 minutes.

Still, Evans seems the most obvious choice to pick up the slack.

The Pacers gave him more than $12 million this summer to help carry their offense, and he has the highest scoring-plus-distributing ceiling.

He seems to work best when he's closest to a featured role—he averaged 19, 5 and 5 just last season—and he might get there in this four-game slate.

             

Jahlil Okafor, C, New Orleans Pelicans

Games: at HOU, vs. DEN, at SA

Last 2 Weeks: 12.1 PPG, 8.7 RPG, 1.6 BPG, 68.4 FG%

We don't know what the Pelicans did to tick off the basketball gods, but their injury-riddled frontcourt is nevertheless paying the price. When New Orleans last took the floor, it was missing Anthony Davis, Nikola Mirotic and Julius Randle.

Jahlil Okafor took advantage in a big way, as he has ever since these medical maladies have forced him into the rotation. Over the last four games, the former No. 3 pick has looked the part with per-game averages of 19.8 points on 75 percent shooting, 10.8 rebounds and 2.8 blocks.

The big fella always puts up numbers when called upon, it's just that his defensive limitations often force him out of the full-strength equation. But as long as Davis is down, the Pelicans need muscle in the middle, and Okafor is more than capable of throwing his around.

               

Rajon Rondo, PG, Los Angeles Lakers

Games: vs. PHI, at LAC, at GSW

Last 2 Weeks: 12.0 APG, 11.5 PPG, 5.0 RPG, 50.0 FG%

Rajon Rondo wasted little time rediscovering his rhythm, totaling 15 points, 13 assists and six rebounds Thursday night—his first appearance since Christmas. His follow-up Sunday featured another 11 dimes to go along with eight points, four boards and—maybe most importantly—a game-high 42 minutes.

When Rondo has control of an offense, he can saturate a stat sheet. That might not be the cast for long in L.A., but take advantage as long as LeBron James and Lonzo Ball are missing in action.

While Rondo is rarely going to help you from three, his careful shot selection typically helps his field-goal percentage. If you can stomach the lack of three-point/free-throw shooting, then pounce on what could be some of the position's highest marks in assists, rebounds and steals.

              

Kenneth Faried, PF/C, Houston Rockets

Games: vs. NOP, at DEN, at UTA

Last 2 Weeks: 14.3 PPG, 9.5 RPG, 1.3 BPG, 60.5 FG%

James Harden's Wilt Chamberlain-esque scoring binge has been both basketball brilliance and a loud plea for more help.

So, the Beard has taken note—along with astute fantasy observers—of Kenneth Faried's super-sized impact upon landing in Space City. The Manimal logged Houston's second-most minutes in Friday's win over the Toronto Raptors, recording 21 points, 14 rebounds and two blocks.

"Kenneth brought the energy that we've been waiting on," Harden told reporters afterward.

Faried has a good opportunity in Houston as long as Clint Capela is out, especially if he stays on Harden's good side. Faried won't touch a ton of categories, but efficient scoring, active rebounding and sporadic shot-blocking are all part of his contributions.  

The Indiana Pacers and Victor Oladipo received devastating news on Thursday when it was announced the star shooting guard suffered a ruptured quad tendon in his right knee and is out for the season.

It's a huge hit for a Pacers team with postseason aspirations, but it will also leave fantasy basketball players scrambling to find replacement options for Oladipo. 

While Oladipo wasn't having an elite fantasy season—he ranked 31st amongst shooting guards on ESPN's Player Rater this season—he was still an excellent offensive weapon for Indiana and will leave a hole for fantasy teams. So, how do you replace him?

Let's go over some options. 

                

Tyreke Evans, SG, and Darren Collison, PG, Indiana Pacers

If you go the route of replacing Oladipo with a player on the Pacers, Evans and Collision seem like the best bets. 

Evans is intriguing based on what he's proven capable of in the past—namely, averaging 19.4 PPG, 5.2 APG and 5.1 RPG last season for the Memphis Grizzlies in 52 games, shooting 45.2 percent from the field, 39.9 percent from three and 78.5 percent from the line. 

While Indiana's system is obviously different than what Memphis ran, Evans is capable of producing excellent numbers and should see his role somewhat expand with Oladipo done for the year. With more minutes and a more pronounced role, Evans could pay dividends for fantasy players.

And he's only owned in 28.6 percent of ESPN leagues, so he'll likely be available. 

Collison, meanwhile, has already been a decent option for fantasy players this season, ranking 71st overall in ESPN's Player Rater. Like Evans, he should see his general usage increase, and while his floor is higher than Evans given his more pronounced role on the Pacers, his ceiling probably isn't much higher than what he's already producing (9.7 PPG, 5.7 APG). 

Still, he's a solid stopgap who is currently owned in just 51.6 percent of ESPN leagues.

              

Justin Holiday, SG/SF, Memphis Grizzlies

Holiday has an opportunity to be one of the better values in fantasy basketball by the end of the season, ranking 69th overall on ESPN's Player Rater while being owned in just 17.5 percent of ESPN leagues.

Holiday is averaging 10.4 PPG, 4.2 RPG, 2.0 APG and 1.7 SPG and is making 2.2 threes per game this season, though those numbers are somewhat misleading, as he played far better in Chicago (11.6 PPG) than he has in Memphis (5.9 PPG). 

Dillon Brooks' injury means Holiday has already seen his role grow, however, as he's averaging 35.9 MPG and 9.8 PPG in his past four games, an indication that he's going to see serious run the rest of the year.

Plus, the Grizzlies are reportedly open to hearing offers on Mike Conley Jr. and Marc Gasol, and if they go into tanking mode, more shots could be available to Holiday, who thrived in Chicago this season under similar circumstances. 

For first time, Memphis will begin listening to trade offers on franchise stars Marc Gasol and Mike Conley, league sources tell ESPN. Memphis has reached a crossroads and is preparing to weigh deals involving one or both of its cornerstone veterans. Story soon on ESPN.

— Adrian Wojnarowski (@wojespn) January 22, 2019

Yes, there are a lot of factors to consider with Holiday, but he's worth a speculative add.

                        

Danny Green, SG/SF, Toronto Raptors

Green may frustrate you at times with his scoring output (9.9 PPG), but he'll offer positional relief and solid overall production in place of Oladipo. 

The Raptors wing is 76th on ESPN's Player Rater and owned in only 22.9 percent of ESPN leagues while posting 4.2 RPG, 1.3 APG, 0.9 SPG, 0.8 BPG and 2.3 made threes per contest. Green isn't a flashy option, but you could do worse.   

While every NBA team has surpassed the unofficial midway mark, the All-Star break isn't due until mid-February. The intermission can't come quickly enough for some battered stars.

The Association's growing injury report steers beyond the usual stream of calculated resting. Kawhi Leonard and Al Horford took a breather on Wednesday. Jimmy Butler (wrist) and Kyrie Irving (flu) should also soon return to action. Others aren't as fortunate.

Key absences will damage plenty of fantasy basketball rosters. They also, however, open the door for waiver-wire gems to receive expanding minutes. Let's highlight a few, available in more than half of ESPN.com leagues, after examining some of the NBA's most significant injury developments.

              

Guard

Injury Report

On Wednesday night, Victor Oladipo suffered a ghastly injury. The Indiana Pacers said they will know more after the star guard undergoes an MRI, but they described the issue as "serious":

Injury update: After suffering a serious injury to his right knee, Victor Oladipo will have an MRI tomorrow and an update will be provided then.

— Indiana Pacers (@Pacers) January 24, 2019

A season-ending blow would devastate both the Pacers and fantasy investors. Although his scoring average (18.8) dipped from last season's career-high 23.1 points per game, the 26-year-old was setting personal bests in rebounds (5.6) and assists (5.2).

Already treading water without LeBron James, the Los Angeles Lakers must fight for their playoff lives without Lonzo Ball. The sophomore point guard, who was beginning to build some momentum, with 52 assists in his last six games, will miss four to six weeks with an ankle sprain. 

Investors in a roster bind may have no choice but to drop the 21-year-old, whose points, rebounds, assists, steals and blocks have all declined this season.

On a brighter note, Chris Paul could soon return from a hamstring injury that has sidelined him since Dec. 20. Per Jonathan Feigen of the Houston Chronicle, the star point guard could play as soon as Friday. James Harden may have to settle for 34 points per game instead of the 44.2 he has posted in the past 16 games without his star teammate.

                            

Add: Rajon Rondo, PG, Los Angeles Lakers (24.9 Percent Owned)

Shortly after losing one point guard, the Lakers are preparing to welcome back another. Per Spectrum SportsNet's Mike Trudell, Rajon Rondo hopes to return from a broken right hand on Thursday:

Rajon Rondo said he “hopes for the best tomorrow,” in terms of returning, but it’s not certain yet that he’ll be able to play. He said Thursday will be 3 weeks and 4 days into a 4-5 week original prognosis. He’ll go through shootaround and pregame warm ups, then we’ll see.

— Mike Trudell (@LakersReporter) January 23, 2019

Limited to just 14 games this season, the 32-year-old tallied 8.4 points, 6.7 assists and 4.0 rebounds per contest. Most of that sample, however, occurred on the bench behind Ball. He accumulated 21 assists in two starts.

Rondo will now steer a Lakers offense operating at the NBA's third-fastest pace. A 36.4 assist percentage will elevate him closer to his career 8.5 dishes per game, if not higher.

Grab him before the competition gets a chance to see him back on the court.

Others to Add: Tyreke Evans, IND; Emmanuel Mudiay, NYK; Dwyane Wade, MIA; Shai Gilgeous-Alexander, LAC.

               

Forward

Injury Report

While managers should prepare to play without Anthony Davis, he appears to have avoided the worst-case-scenario. ESPN's Adrian Wojnarowski offered a relieving update on Wednesday:

After conferring with a specialists, Pelicans star Anthony Davis could return as soon as next week with finger injury and will be re-evaluated again on Friday, agent Rich Paul tells ESPN. “It’s a better outcome than we originally feared," Paul says.

— Adrian Wojnarowski (@wojespn) January 23, 2019

Anyone waiting for Davis won't feel any sympathy for those missing Danilo Gallinari. Yet the 30-year-old was hitting his stride, accruing 19.0 points per game with career highs in three-point percentage (44.6) and rebounds per game (6.0).

That progress has paused, as he has missed the Los Angeles Clippers' past three games with a back ailment. Per The Athletic's Jovan Buha, Gallinari is expected to miss Friday's final game of their road trip. Keep the All-Star candidate stashed on the bench.

                  

Add: Dragan Bender, PF, Phoenix Suns (0.1 Percent Owned)

Some impatient onlookers have already dismissed Dragan Bender as a bust. After all, the No. 4 pick from 2016's draft has averaged a paltry 5.2 points and 3.6 rebounds over 141 disappointing NBA bouts.

He also turned 21 in November.

The 7'1" big man has posted double-doubles in back-to-back games without DeAndre Ayton (ankle). He logged 21.22 combined minutes over the Phoenix Suns' past 19 games (playing in just five) before playing 29.22 and 30.0 minutes on Sunday and Tuesday, respectively. 

His role should not vanish once the prized rookie returns. After Ayton, Richaun Holmes—who has also missed the past two games with a foot injury—leads the Suns with 4.4 boards per bout. The Suns hoist the NBA's third-worst defensive rating, and only the Washington Wizards have recorded a lower rebounding percentage as of Wednesday. 

Even if Bender isn't ready to deliver on a nightly basis, the Western Conference's worst team has no reason to put him in street clothes. With or without Ayton, he should see an expanded role over the final three months of the campaign.

That may not come with resounding efficiency, as his shooting categories are abhorrent across the board. Yet he could rack up some points and boards on a tanking team. And hey, maybe a 21-year-old could pick up a thing or two when given a chance to learn on the job. He's an intriguing deep-league flier, especially if someone already abandoned hope in dynasty leagues.

Others to Add: Kelly Oubre Jr., PHX; Kenneth Faried, HOU; P.J. Tucker, HOU; Al-Farouq Aminu, POR.

             

Center

Injury Report

While Paul should soon return to Houston's backcourt, the frontcourt recently took a massive hit when Clint Capela injured his thumb recently. The center is expected to miss four to six weeks. 

The Rockets don't have an archetypal center to fill the void left by his absence, but defensive specialist P.J. Tucker and the recently signed Kenneth Faried can both stuff the stat sheet in a high-octane offense. Give both tenacious forwards a look if still available.

Ayton has missed two games with an ankle ailment. While managers should not panic just yet, the last-place Suns have no reason to rush their franchise cornerstone back to action.

The Philadelphia 76ers, on the other hand, haven't exuded the same caution with Joel Embiid now they are contenders. A game-time decision because of a back injury, the center briefly left Wednesday's game but returned to register 33 points and 19 rebounds in a 122-120 win over the San Antonio Spurs.

He's a franchise player with an extensive history, so don't be surprised if the 24-year-old rests at least once during Philadelphia's four-game road trip.

                 

Add: Thomas Bryant, C, Washington Wizards (28.6 Percent Owned)

Thomas Bryant somehow remains available in most leagues despite emerging in December. 

Over the past 14 games, the 21-year-old big man has compiled 13.6 points and 8.1 rebounds per game while shooting 68.4 percent from the floor. He has averaged more minutes each month, expanding to 23.9 in nine January tilts.

The 2017 second-round pick has even drained four of his past five shots from downtown.

A wreck to start the season, the Washington Wizards have gone 7-4 since losing John Wall to a heel injury, averaging 113.8 points per game while breaking 100 in each of the past 10 contests. Bryant has played an integral role in that unlikely success, so fantasy managers should hop on board and see how long the ride lasts.

Others to Add: Ante Zizic, CLE; Jahlil Okafor, NO; Ivica Zubac, LAL 

             

Note: Advanced stats courtesy of NBA.com.

This isn't quite the make-or-break point of the 2019 NBA fantasy basketball season, but you'll want to start planning your playoff push sooner than later.

Luckily, the Week 15 slate shapes up nicely to assist you, especially if you take advantage of this handy guide.

By examining schedules, matchups and recent trends, we've identified a couple players to consider starting, sitting and adding for your weekly slate. 

             

Start 'Em

Danny Green, SG/SF, Toronto Raptors

So much for Green basically being a money-matching throw-in as part of the Kawhi Leonard-DeMar DeRozan swap.

Green has been a top-90 fantasy performer on the season, and January might be his most productive month yet.

He's scored at least 12 points in five of his last seven games, averaging 14.1 points on 51.5 percent shooting, 4.7 rebounds, 3.4 triples, 2.4 blocks-plus-steals and 1.4 assists in that stretch.

With the Raptors entering a four-game week, Green looks poised to keep his hot streak going. The slate includes a Houston Rockets team ranked 26th in defense and a Sacramento Kings club that plays at the second-fastest pace.

              

Kelly Oubre Jr., SF, Phoenix Suns

The December trade that sent Oubre to the desert didn't just change his location, it also moved him up the offensive pecking order. Despite receiving nearly identical minutes, he's averaging nearly an extra shot and half an assist more with the Suns than he had on the Wizards.

Oubre has been even more involved of late, averaging 14.6 shots over the last two weeks, which ranks third-highest on the Suns.

He's making the most of those chances, too, averaging 20.3 points on 49.0 percent shooting, along with 6.0 rebounds, 2.4 threes, 1.7 assists and 2.5 steals-plus-blocks. He's slated for four games this week, closing against a Lakers squad that ranks No. 3 in pace.

             

Sit 'Em

Kemba Walker, PG, Charlotte Hornets

Sitting studs is never easy, but Walker is kind of tying our hands here. Perhaps weighed down by the massive burden he's forced to carry—he basically is the Hornets—he hasn't been himself of late.

He's averaging 22.2 points on 40 percent shooting, 4.2 rebounds, 4.1 assists (against 3.1 turnovers) and 0.8 steals so far this month.

Even if he reverses the trend this week, his contributions will be limited by a problematically brief schedule. Charlotte only plays twice this week and draws a top-10 defense each time in the Milwaukee Bucks (first) and Memphis Grizzlies (eighth).

              

Bojan Bogdanovic, SG/SF, Indiana Pacers

For the bulk of this season, Bogdanovic has been among fantasy basketball's better value buys. But for the last week or so, he has struggled maintaining that pace. Over his last six games, he's finished three with single-digit points, four with one triple or fewer, three with one assist or fewer and totaled just three combined steals and blocks. His shooting is down to 39.7 percent in this stretch.

Granted, you don't want to abandon ship over a small cold streak, but you have to take notice of said streak when it's attached to a player who will suit up only twice the entire week. Hopefully, you invested some of your savings on Bogdanovic into someone who can work as a suitable replacement.

          

Add 'Em

P.J. Tucker, SF/PF, Houston Rockets (45 Percent Owned)

Volume is perhaps the best thing you can find on the waiver wire, and Tucker offers plenty of it. He's probably been James Harden's most reliable teammate this season, and Tucker has the workload to prove it (career-high-shattering 35.4 minutes per game).

Over the last two weeks, Tucker has contributed 11.6 points on 43.5 percent shooting, 5.9 rebounds, 3.1 steals-plus-blocks, 2.4 assists and 2.3 threes. He'll have a chance to build on those numbers in a four-game week that includes one game against the New York Knicks' 29th-ranked defense.

             

Alec Burks, PG/SG, Cleveland Cavaliers (30 Percent Owned)

Has anyone ever been this happy to move to Cleveland? Burks' November trade to the Cavaliers nearly doubled his playing time, and he's now orchestrating one of his best seasons to date.

Since the calendar flipped, he's up to 12.1 points on 44.8 percent shooting, 4.9 rebounds, 2.2 assists, 1.5 threes and 1.2 combined steals and blocks.

The Cavs are on the docket four times this upcoming week, meaning Burks will have ample opportunity to keep stuffing the stat sheet. Even better: he'll get two cracks at the Chicago Bulls' 24th-ranked defense.

              

Statistics used courtesy of Basketball-Reference.com and NBA.com. Fantasy ownership via Yahoo Sports.

Superstars dominate the basketball world.

That's true in both the real-life NBA and the fantasy realm.

But just as those elites require proper support on the hardwood, your roster must feature a strong contingent of reliable role players. The issue is consistency can be hard to find among supporting actors, who are often asked to do different things on different nights.

Luckily, the waiver wire allows you to ride the hot hand and find a new one whenever the old one goes cold. Considering there's a long season still ahead, mastering this balancing act can be the difference between qualifying for the playoffs and competing for a league title or searching for "springtime activities."

We're here to help by identifying three waiver-wire targets—available in 50-plus percent of Yahoo Sports leagues—you need to be tracking.

                 

Waiver-Wire Targets

Collin Sexton, PG, Cleveland Cavaliers (47 Percent Owned)

If you can handle a hit to your field-goal shooting, then Collin Sexton's recent volume production is worth your attention.

Last summer's No. 8 pick is producing one of his better counting-category stretches of his rookie season. He entered Wednesday amid an eight-game streak of double-digit scoring (14.5 points per game), and then he delivered another 11 points on a tidy 5-of-11 shooting.

He's also proving to be perhaps better than expected from the perimeter. He doesn't shoot many threes (2.1 per game), but he's at least converting most of what he launches (38.5 percent).

Ebbs and flows are unavoidable for most rookies, but not all of them have the opportunity to work through their mistakes. Things are different in LeBron-less Cleveland, though, as Sexton is almost always guaranteed an opportunity to produce.

"This is really a rebuild," Cavs coach Larry Drew told The Athletic's Joe Vardon. "This is what you go through in a rebuild. You play young players. You're teaching young players. They're going to have to learn to work through their mistakes."

Sexton, who has a back-to-back waiting for him on Friday and Saturday, must improve as a passer (2.8 assists per game), but that should come with time as long as Cleveland continues to stick with him.

                    

Jabari Parker, SF/PF, Chicago Bulls (40 Percent Owned)

Regardless of whether the Chicago Bulls are showcasing Jabari Parker for a possible deal or rewarding him for better practice habits, the point is the 2014 No. 2 pick may be back in the rotation after making consecutive appearances for the first time since mid-December.

And he's producing, as he usually does when given the opportunity. He's not an across-the-board contributor by any stretch, but he knows how to score (14.5 points over these past two games), does so efficiently (12-of-20 from the field) and usually chips in as a rebounder (10 boards in two games).

Owning Parker isn't going to feel comfortable as long as he's in Chicago. Prior to this two-game re-emergence, he had appeared in just one of the club's previous 13 contests.

He's a power forward in today's NBA, meaning minutes he's getting could come at the expense of Bobby Portis and Lauri Markkanen, players the Bulls would surely prefer to develop.

But there's still plenty of time before the Feb. 7 trade deadline. If the Bulls aren't playing Parker for the majority of the time until then, they can kiss goodbye to any dreams of dealing him.

He's at least worth considering as a speculative add, both for his apparent return to the regular lineup and the possibility he finds a larger role elsewhere by the deadline.

                    

Jeff Green, SF/PF, Washington Wizards (37 Percent Owned)

With no John Wall, Dwight Howard or Markieff Morris, Washington Wizards coach Scott Brooks is running out of reliable options. But Jeff Green has spent most of the season in Brooks' circle of trust, and Morris' lengthy absence has helped cement that status.

In the nine games Morris has missed, Green has averaged 33.6 minutes, the third-highest mark on the team.

There's little reason to fear that number is coming down, as he's playing some of the best basketball of his career. His nightly contributions in this stretch include 14.1 points on 41.9 percent shooting, 5.0 rebounds, 3.4 assists and 1.9 three-pointers.

"He's in a good rhythm," Brooks said, per The Athletic's Fred Katz. "He very rarely forces up a tough shot. ... Guys have to respect his shot, but they also have to respect his ability to finish around the rim."

While Green's scoring may always be erratic—he opened his Wizards career with 17 points, and then he managed just two the next time out—the highs and lows typically lead back to his career average of 13.2 points per game. Add that to a handful of rebounds and the most consistency he's had as a shooter, and you should have a useful fantasy option, particularly for as long as Morris is sidelined.

If you're interested in Green, you might consider delaying the acquisition. After the Wizards play the New York Knicks in London on Thursday, they won't return to action until Monday night.