With the trade deadline passing, NBA rotations are in flux right now as teams who have acquired new players have to spend the next few games figuring out where the new player(s) fits best in the scheme. Teams often rely on the back end of the rotation to uphold stability for the overall offensive and defensive scheme. For at least the next few weeks, we can find players on these teams who will be getting more playing time.
P.J. Tucker SG/SF TOR-30% Ownership: The Raptors added Tucker for his mid-range defense and he will absolutely get playing time and with Terrence Ross out of the picture, he will see a ton of time at SF and can even rotate to SG if DeMar DeRozan needs rest. Expect Tucker to be playing close to 30 minutes a game and he can absolutely be relied on for rebounding and steals and will be more of a minor scoring help. The move to Toronto puts him in a very similar role as he was in Phoenix and the adjustment period should be very short and he will see a lot of open shots as both DeRozan and Kyle Lowry require a lot of attention.
Kelly Olynyk C BOS-38% Ownership: It’s that time of the month again as Center’s are hard to find on the wire and when Olynyk is getting a lot of openings we need to pounce. He will score mainly from the outside and with the Celtics not being active at the trade deadline; his role does not change as he will continue to stretch the floor and see a lot of open looks from beyond the arc. He was hot heading into the All-Star break scoring in double figures in five straight games and grabbing seven rebounds in each one of them. Olynyk will continue to see playing time in the mid to late 20’s and has rotation security.
Anthony Tolliver F SAC-3% Ownership: With the departure of DeMarcus Cousins, the Kings have a major hole to fill inside and Tolliver will be seeing a lot more playing time.
Tolliver is more consistent when it comes to grabbing rebounds than scoring and he plays decent defense in the high post. Tolliver also has a small mid-range game as he can hit jumpers and the Kings will certainly need any inside scoring assistance they can get. Tolliver will also help in steals and playing 31 minutes first game out of the All-Star break with no Cousins is a good sign that the he will continue to get more playing time down the stretch.
Solomon Hill-SG/SF NO-21% Ownership: Hill was playing well heading into the All-Star break and should be getting more minutes down the stretch for the Pelicans. Even though a lot of their scoring will come from the inside, both Cousins and Anthony Davis require a ton of defensive attention and players like Hill will be left wide open. Hill will play deep into games and does have a long-range game. He recently hit four three-pointers in a game and should see a ton of open looks with the focus shifting inside. The Pelicans waiving Terrence Jones also helps Hill’s situation. He will provide relief in scoring, rebounding and assists and also provide some support in steals.
Ty Lawson PG SAC-12% Ownership: Point Guard is not an easy position to find depth in, especially on the assists front. Lawson has been on the waiver wire most of the season and with both of the Kings top scoring options gone (Cousins traded and Rudy Gay injured for the rest of the season), they will be looking to rely on their seasoned veterans for support, especially on offense. Lawson will be getting a lot more playing time and being that he will have time with the ball, he should be able to lift his scoring average. With Lawson, you can even rely more on assists from him than scoring. Lawson will stay in the lane until the possession is completed and will provide minor rebounding support.
Moe Harkless SF POR-28% Ownership: Even though the Blazers have traded for Jusuf Nurkic, they are still facing the same problem they were facing before the trade deadline: big-man depth. Al-Farouq Aminu has had health issues and other than Nurkic and Noah Vonleh, the Blazers do not have much up front, especially when it comes to offense. Playing time should be at an all-time high for Harkless and out of all of the options mentioned, Harkless is the best at attacking the basket. His mid-range game is the best of all of the other options and he will provide rebounding help. Harkless also has three multi-block games in his last four and will also help on the steals front.
Tony Allen SG/SF MEM-16% Ownership: The Grindfather’s defense is a big reason why Memphis has been able to compete in the West. Allen is a good short-term add because his defense translates to more minutes and he can score from the free-throw line area and he will rebound. Allen was hot heading into the All-Star break and he will be a consistent steals help. He is excellent at reading screens on the perimeter and that should help him compile even more steals. Allen is also very disciplined and while opposing guards attempt to fake him out and draw contact on the fake out, Allen is disciplined, doesn’t go for the fake resulting in consistent blocks.
E’Twaun Moore G NO-7% Ownership: Moore is more (pun intended) of a watch guy than a must-add, but looking at the changes the Pelicans made with their roster, Moore should be in line for a ton of minutes. He will provide scoring help and will see a lot of open jumpers. Moore will also provide minor assist help as well. With new Pelican Omri Casspi injuring his thumb, it will give Moore extra shots and playing time. Moore also has swiped the ball three times total in his last three games. If he can help out on the perimeter on defense, he should be able to get more starts.
Kosta Koufos PF/C SAC-5% Ownership: Speaking of opportunity, Koufos will have the most eyes on him with the departure of DeMarcus Cousins. Of any of the Kings big men (including Anthony Tolliver), Koufos has the biggest scoring ceiling as he does have a few low post moves in which he is able to get to the basket. The biggest question mark with Koufos is if he will get 30 minutes or more consistently. Due to the Kings lack of depth in their frontcourt, logically, he should be the beneficiary of more minutes. Willie Cauley-Stein is more of a defender and cannot do much on offense. At least Koufos has enough up and under moves that he can follow up his own shots and get rebounds. Koufos has grabbed at least four rebounds in five of his last six games.
WILD CARD PICK UP: Jerami Grant F OKC-2% Ownership: Playing time is crucial and Grant is a good enough defender at both forward spots and can pick up more minutes. He has played over 20 minutes in his last 3 games. Scoring is a bit of a bonus for Grant, but he does have double-digit scoring capability. Grant has been a bit more helpful on the glass as he has grabbed at least five rebounds in each of his last three games. Grant will help out with blocks as well as he has swatted five shots in his last three games. Defense gives you minutes and minutes create opportunity, but will he be able to play over 20 each night out? That’s why he’s the wild card pick up for the week.