GuardsChauncey Billups, PG, SG (LAC)--For the first time since Febuary, Chauncey Billups was in the Clippers starting lineup, in what was an unexpected occurrence. Billups played just under 20 minutes in his season debut, scoring seven points on 1-for-5 shooting with three assists, one steal and two turnovers. It wasn't a strong showing, but it was nice to see him return to action earlier than expected and is now back on the fantasy radar. He will not score at the high rate we had grown accustomed to before joining the Clippers, but he still has fantasy value considering his high percentages from both behind the ark and from the free throw line.Ricky Rubio, PG (MIN)--The Timberwolves may be with Ricky Rubio earlier than expected after he was able to return to practice for the first time since March. Doctors gave Rubio the green light to participate in full-contact drills, which was one of the last significant steps needed in his rehabilitation. Rubio is probably available in most fantasy leagues, considering he has yet to play this season, so he is worth adding now before he returns to the starting lineup.Kyle Singler, SG, SF (DET)--Since joing the Pistons starting lineup, Kyle Singler has taken his fantasy game to the next level. Over his last eight games, Singler is averaging 12.0 points-per-game and 3.8 rebounds-per-game making a case to stay in the starting lineup. Quietly, Singler has contributed behind the three-point line, connecting on 45.9 percent of his three-point chances averaging 2.25 three-point attempts since joining the starting lineup. He is going to have his good days and bad days just like any rookie that enter the league, but the Pistons will give him every opportunity to work through any issues he may have along the way. Singler should be considered a solid waiver-wire addition at this point with the possibility of being a becoming a staple in starting lineups by season's end.ForwardsKawhi Leonard, SG, SF (SA)--On Wednesday, the Spurs announced that they expect Kahwi Leonard to return to the team's starting lineup December 1 when the Grizzlies come to town. Leonard has missed the team's last seven games with a quadricep injury, but prior to missing time Leonard's season was off to a hot start. He is currently averaging 10.6 points-per-game to go along with 5.4 rebounds-per-game. Outside of the traditional statistics, Leonard was averaging 2.0 steals-per-game, which makes him an even more appealing target on the waiver wire. It is tough to predict how many minutes he will receive over his next few games, but expect the Spurs to slowing increase his playing time to avoid any setbacks.Corey Brewer, SG, SF (DEN)--Corey Brewer has now started to gain recognition in fantasy circles with his solid production off the Nuggets bench. Over his last six games, Brewer is averaging just under 10 points-per-game,2.5 rebounds-per-game and 1.5 steals-per-game. He has logged less than 20 minutes-per-game just three times this season, so it appears his playing time is not going to decrease any time soon. Brewer has also been solid from the free throw line this season, connecting at a 75 percent clip while making it to the charity stripe at least one time over his last six games. Although he may only be a deep league addition at this point if he continues to produce at his current pace, he may become some to target in shallow leagues.
Jeffery Taylor, SG, SF, PF (CHA)--In his rookie season, Jeffery Taylor has impressed the Bobcats enough to keep him in the starting lineup while Gerald Henderson remains out with an injury. Over his last six games, Taylor is averaging 10.8 points-per-game in just over 30 minutes-per-game, in that timeframe. To add to his already growing fantasy value, Taylor has recorded at least two steals in each of his last five games while limiting his turnovers to just six. He may lose his starting gig once Henderson returns to action, but it will be hard to deny him playing time with his recent success, so expect him to stay on the fantasy radar even coming off the bench.CentersKosta Koufos, PF, C (DEN)--Although his playing time has been in flux, Kosta Koufos has been able to contribute enough to keep him relevant in fantasy basketball. Currently, Koufos is averaging 6.1 points-per-game, 5.9 rebounds-per-game and 1.7 blocks-per-game in just under 23 minutes-per-game. He has been able to hold onto a spot in the starting lineup through the team's first 15 games with what appears to be no end in sight. Coach George Karl continues to find a way to get both Koufos and JaVale McGee quality minutes, but there are times that McGee receives more playing time than Koufos, which has landed him on the waiver wire in some leagues. Moving forward, this should not be a concern with Koufos being a solid addition for those needing help at the center position.Jonas Valanciunas, C (TOR)-- The Raptors appear to have found their future in Jonas Valanciunas as he continues to take full advantage of his quality playing time. Through 15 games, Valanciunas is averaging 24:30 minutes-per-game in which he has 9.2 points-per-game and 5.8 rebounds-per-game. He is still figuring out how to play with fellow big man Andrea Bargnani, but so far it has worked out well despite the Raptors poor start of the season. Moving forward, Valanciunas should continue to evolve into a solid fantasy starter, so now is the time to buy-in on this big man for those who lack depth lack depth at the center position.
To make setting your Fantasy Basketball lineup easy, be sure to utilize RotoInfo.com’s new NBA Lineup Grids.Matthew Beck is a Fantasy Sports Columnist for Rotoinfo.com. If you have any questions or comments feel free to e-mail him at matthewbeck@rotoinfo.com. Also follow him on Twitter @MatthewRBeck for up-to-date Q&A and fantasy information. And, to make setting your Fantasy Basketball lineup easy, be sure to utilize RotoInfo.com’s new NBA Lineup Grids. GuardsChauncey Billups, PG, SG (LAC)--For the first time since Febuary, Chauncey Billups was in the Clippers starting lineup, in what was an unexpected occurrence. Billups played just under 20 minutes in his season debut, scoring seven points on 1-for-5 shooting with three assists, one steal and two turnovers. It wasn't a strong showing, but it was nice to see him return to action earlier than expected and is now back on the fantasy radar. He will not score at the high rate we had grown accustomed to before joining the Clippers, but he still has fantasy value considering his high percentages from both behind the ark and from the free throw line.Ricky Rubio, PG (MIN)--The Timberwolves may be with Ricky Rubio earlier than expected after he was able to return to practice for the first time since March. Doctors gave Rubio the green light to participate in full-contact drills, which was one of the last significant steps needed in his rehabilitation. Rubio is probably available in most fantasy leagues, considering he has yet to play this season, so he is worth adding now before he returns to the starting lineup.Kyle Singler, SG, SF (DET)--Since joing the Pistons starting lineup, Kyle Singler has taken his fantasy game to the next level. Over his last eight games, Singler is averaging 12.0 points-per-game and 3.8 rebounds-per-game making a case to stay in the starting lineup. Quietly, Singler has contributed behind the three-point line, connecting on 45.9 percent of his three-point chances averaging 2.25 three-point attempts since joining the starting lineup. He is going to have his good days and bad days just like any rookie that enter the league, but the Pistons will give him every opportunity to work through any issues he may have along the way. Singler should be considered a solid waiver-wire addition at this point with the possibility of being a becoming a staple in starting lineups by season's end.ForwardsKawhi Leonard, SG, SF (SA)--On Wednesday, the Spurs announced that they expect Kahwi Leonard to return to the team's starting lineup December 1 when the Grizzlies come to town. Leonard has missed the team's last seven games with a quadricep injury, but prior to missing time Leonard's season was off to a hot start. He is currently averaging 10.6 points-per-game to go along with 5.4 rebounds-per-game. Outside of the traditional statistics, Leonard was averaging 2.0 steals-per-game, which makes him an even more appealing target on the waiver wire. It is tough to predict how many minutes he will receive over his next few games, but expect the Spurs to slowing increase his playing time to avoid any setbacks.Corey Brewer, SG, SF (DEN)--Corey Brewer has now started to gain recognition in fantasy circles with his solid production off the Nuggets bench. Over his last six games, Brewer is averaging just under 10 points-per-game,2.5 rebounds-per-game and 1.5 steals-per-game. He has logged less than 20 minutes-per-game just three times this season, so it appears his playing time is not going to decrease any time soon. Brewer has also been solid from the free throw line this season, connecting at a 75 percent clip while making it to the charity stripe at least one time over his last six games. Although he may only be a deep league addition at this point if he continues to produce at his current pace, he may become some to target in shallow leagues.
Jeffery Taylor, SG, SF, PF (CHA)--In his rookie season, Jeffery Taylor has impressed the Bobcats enough to keep him in the starting lineup while Gerald Henderson remains out with an injury. Over his last six games, Taylor is averaging 10.8 points-per-game in just over 30 minutes-per-game, in that timeframe. To add to his already growing fantasy value, Taylor has recorded at least two steals in each of his last five games while limiting his turnovers to just six. He may lose his starting gig once Henderson returns to action, but it will be hard to deny him playing time with his recent success, so expect him to stay on the fantasy radar even coming off the bench.CentersKosta Koufos, PF, C (DEN)--Although his playing time has been in flux, Kosta Koufos has been able to contribute enough to keep him relevant in fantasy basketball. Currently, Koufos is averaging 6.1 points-per-game, 5.9 rebounds-per-game and 1.7 blocks-per-game in just under 23 minutes-per-game. He has been able to hold onto a spot in the starting lineup through the team's first 15 games with what appears to be no end in sight. Coach George Karl continues to find a way to get both Koufos and JaVale McGee quality minutes, but there are times that McGee receives more playing time than Koufos, which has landed him on the waiver wire in some leagues. Moving forward, this should not be a concern with Koufos being a solid addition for those needing help at the center position.Jonas Valanciunas, C (TOR)-- The Raptors appear to have found their future in Jonas Valanciunas as he continues to take full advantage of his quality playing time. Through 15 games, Valanciunas is averaging 24:30 minutes-per-game in which he has 9.2 points-per-game and 5.8 rebounds-per-game. He is still figuring out how to play with fellow big man Andrea Bargnani, but so far it has worked out well despite the Raptors poor start of the season. Moving forward, Valanciunas should continue to evolve into a solid fantasy starter, so now is the time to buy-in on this big man for those who lack depth lack depth at the center position.
To make setting your Fantasy Basketball lineup easy, be sure to utilize RotoInfo.com’s new NBA Lineup Grids.Matthew Beck is a Fantasy Sports Columnist for Rotoinfo.com. If you have any questions or comments feel free to e-mail him at matthewbeck@rotoinfo.com. Also follow him on Twitter @MatthewRBeck for up-to-date Q&A and fantasy information. And, to make setting your Fantasy Basketball lineup easy, be sure to utilize RotoInfo.com’s new NBA Lineup Grids.