Always look for the NEXT guy. Looking at the stats on a bi-weekly basis will help you find those players who are blossoming and not yet revealed as a “must-add”. Use this article not just today, but for the next few days and weeks as these players will continue to utilize their playing time and earn more of it. At the end of the day playing time is most telling when figuring out how involved a player is in their team’s rotation.
PERCENTAGES: Yahoo! Sports
John Henson PF/C MIL-33% Ownership: With Greg Monroe traded, the Bucks frontcourt is open for Henson and he’ll play more minutes. He’s grabbed 10 or more rebounds in 2 of his last 3 games and will provide blocks and steals help. Henson will score most of his points off of put-backs from right under the basket. He does have a small post-game, but does not utilize it much because the Bucks look to attack the paint more often than create in it. Henson does have the ability to hit the cutter if he gains possession in the high post and will dish a few assists, but should be added mainly as a defensive specialist. He will get more playing time from the Bucks-Suns trade and is familiar with the team’s playing style. His spot in the Bucks rotation is safe due to lack of depth.
Frank Ntilikina PG NY-22% Ownership: Ntilikina started the season dealing with a Knee injury and it absolutely slowed him down and was behind both Jarrett Jack and Ramon Sessions on the Knicks PG depth chart. Over the last few weeks, Ntilikina has crept up the depth chart and is currently ahead of Sessions and is starting to battle Jack for the starting PG spot. Ntilikina has shown a true commitment to defense and he hustles on both sides of the ball. He has good court awareness as he makes a lot of no-look passes. Ntilikina is currently dishing five assists per game and that’s going to increase as he gets more playing time. He’s played over 20 minutes in 4 of his last 5 games and could be starting in the next couple of weeks. Ntilikina has a decent mid-range shot and can hit from long-range but he’s very tentative when it comes to shooting. He prefers passing. He’s compiled at least seven assists over his last three games. Ntilikina will help with steals as he recently posted a five and three-steal game. He’ll also bonus owners by grabbing long rebounds. The commitment to defense alone will give him a longer leash and should be playing 30 minutes a game soon enough. He’s learning how to limit the turnovers.
Justise Winslow F MIA-33% Ownership: The Heat’s Forward spots have been up for grabs all season and Winslow (now fully healthy) is a strong perimeter defender and could end up starting consistently. While Winslow is more of a defender and steals will be plentiful, he does have an offensive game and can hit from long-range. He’s logged minutes in the 30’s over his last 2 games and is being used as a bailout option mainly on the perimeter and has done a great job hitting the cutter from the perimeter. He’s helped with assists over his last couple of games. Winslow will fight for long rebounds and he’s averaging 5.4 per game. Expect him to long more playing time moving forward and to have more double digit scoring outings. He can absolutely be starting in the next couple of weeks. He’s the Heat’s second best defender behind Hassan Whiteside. Pick him up if you need mainly rebounding and steals. Expect scoring to improve throughout the season.
James Ennis III SG/SF MEM-11% Ownership: Ennis has seen a lot of 30-minute games and he’s been helpful with all defensive stats. While he’s done a great job, he will have to be on his toes because Ben McLemore is returning and even though he’ll have to earn his minutes, it’ll be the Grizzlies SG and SF spots that will eventually be impacted. Ennis has scored in double figures in four of his last five games and has even blocked a shot in each of his last three games. A key stat is Ennis 4.7 rebounds he’s averaging because he needs to plant himself inside the arc when Marc Gasol is on the wing or at the arc. Ennis grabs a good amount of long rebounds and Memphis needs him to be keeping plays alive until JaMychal Green comes back. Ennis is also a long-range shooting threat. He’s a safe utility option that will provide help in all standard fantasy basketball categories. Memphis utilizes Ennis in a lot of ways and they place him at different spots on the court and that’ll help his production and make him more of an appealing player to add.
Kris Dunn G CHI-39% Ownership: Even though the turnovers have been bit high and it’s been a rough return for Dunn, he’ll ultimately play the majority of minutes once he catches up to the rest of his teammates from a conditioning standpoint. Dunn has scored in double figures in three of his last four games with at least three assists per game during that time. Dunn has grabbed seven steals combined over his last two games and he can shoot from long range. Rebounding has given Dunn security in the Bulls rotation as he’s grabbed 4.6 rebounds per game since returning from his injury. Lauri Markkanen has been very active in the offense, but the Bulls will need to provide help in the backcourt and Dunn is quick and will take contact under the basket. Dunn’s defense should keep his minutes in the 20’s and better control with the ball will lift his minutes into the 30’s.
PJ Tucker SG/SF HOU-16% Ownership: Need more rebounding and steals? Meet one of the Rockets very few defenders. Tucker is the Rockets best perimeter defender and he’s had multiple two-steal games throughout the season and has been playing close to 30 minutes per game Tucker has an outside game but because the Rockets have a ton of offensive weapon, he’s lower of the priority list of shooters, but the long-range game is there. Tucker fights for rebounds inside. He’s grabbed nine rebounds in both of his last two games and keep plays alive for the Rockets. The Rockets have a ton of perimeter players and even when they shoot, James Harden, Ryan Anderson, Trevor Ariza and Eric Gordon will stay at the perimeter for the most part leaving Tucker and Clint Capela to crash the boards. He’ll provide minor assist help when Harden’s looking to drive and he’ll block a shot every few games. The Rockets NEED all of the defensive help they can get and Tucker earns all of his minutes from his defense. The playing time is absolutely safe and secure, but the scoring will be inconsistent.
Jerami Grant F OKC-10% Ownership: Grant has been seeing minutes in the 20’s all season and like his teammates Andre Roberson and Steven Adams, he balances out the Thunder Stars nicely by picking up the pieces inside and keeping plays alive. Grant is known for his defense and agility when slashing, but nothing special offensively. He’s recently seen an up-tick in his offense and could be earning more playing time if Adams is hurt. Grant has scored in double figures in four of his last five games and has shown is shooting range a bit. Grant will provide rebounds, steals and blocks on the defensive end. He’s hot right now and could etch himself a few more shots in the Thunder offense as he’s the player likely to be open when one of Russell Westbrook, Carmelo Anthony or Paul George are doubled. Grant is a good bailout option who will see a lot of open jumpers. If he attacks bigger defenders, he’ll take contact. He’s one of the Thunder’s best perimeter defenders and his playing time will stay secure throughout the season. Grant’s shooting well from the field and his recent scoring improvements make him worthy of adding.
Tyler Johnson G MIA-33% Ownership: Johnson has been inconsistent offensively all season but continues to see over 27 minutes per game and games in the 30’s. Johnson will improve his scoring and he needs to drive more. Johnson’s been spending more time hanging at the arc and has had games in which he’s hit multiple three-pointers, but he’s also had his quiet games. Johnson has grabbed at least three rebounds in three of his last five games and hustles on the defensive side. He recently posted a three-steal game and has good speed. Johnson thrives on transition and the Heat are not playing together and that’s what’s contributed to their slow start. Johnson will take contact on both sides of the ball and he’ll lead the Heat’s second unit in scoring. More will be asked from him on night’s in which post-play is not working for them. Johnson is still averaging over 10 points per game despite the inconsistency and he’ll improve as the season continues and will even occasionally help with blocks.
Denzel Valentine SG/SF CHI -14% Ownership: Valentine has been shooting a lot better from downtown as the Bulls continue to look at their roster and see which players they can rely on for consistency and Valentine has played over 26 minutes per game this season. Valentine has scored in double figures over his last three games and is grabbing 4.7 rebounds per game this season. Valentine has helped big-time with steals as he’s swiped at least one ball over his last six games. Valentine’s defense will give him more security in the rotation and will see more shots in games in which Justin Holiday is shooting poorly from the field. Valentine has taken at least 10 shots in 6 of his last 7 games. Valentine is securely in the rotation and Zach LaVine is not ready to return and Valentine will continue to take advantage of other Bulls injuries. Valentine has been rotating the ball well over his last few games. He’s dished at least three assists over his last three games. The Bulls are committed to him and he’s worthy of a fantasy bench spot for at least the short-term.
WILD CARD PICK UP: Jeff Green F CLE-5% Ownership: The Cavs have getting outmuscled, out-hustled and they need to rely on their veterans just to keep up with the oppositions pace and Green has done a good job of running the floor and scoring from short and long range. Green is averaging 11 points per game this season and with Tristan Thompson out, he’s destined to get more playing time consistently. Green has grabbed at least four rebounds in two of his last three games and will provide minor assist help. Green is a good perimeter defender. He reads and fights through screens to stay in front of his match up on the perimeter. Green is a good player to feed on transition at either the wing or when driving. Green will also help with steals on the perimeter and he’s swiped the ball at least once in four of his last five games. Even though Green mainly runs with the second unit, the Cavs need players to keep that pace and speed things up a bit on offense and Green will continue to have security in the Cavs rotation as they continue to work through their issues.