We have reached the homestretch of the 2017 season and now is certainly not the time to take your foot off the pedal because we have titles to win! No one is safe and injuries can occur at any point. It’s time to make sure you are aware of the depth charts because the youth movement is on in the NBA and teams who are out of it like the Suns, Lakers and Knicks are limiting their Veteran players. Most importantly, look for players on teams with four-game slates for the week.
Solomon Hill SG/SF NO-28% Ownership: Even though his scoring is a bit inconsistent, Hill has been productive, especially from the outside. The Pelicans need three-point shooters with their power inside game (who can also shoot from the perimeter) and Hill will be able to help in that regard. He has earned his playing time because of his defense and lack of depth at the position. He has grabbed at least four rebounds in his last four games and has contributed no fewer than two assists in each of his last five games. Hill recently had two multi-steal games. He is seeing a ton of playing time in the 30’s.
Jameer Nelson PG DEN-24% Ownership: Nelson is one of those guards who you have to look beyond the scoring. The Nuggets have enough scorers’, but they lack a qualified floor general (sorry Mudiay) and Nelson has been a monster with assists and has not had a game fewer than four assists all month. Nelson has also been on a seven game steal’s streak and he has grabbed at least six rebounds in two of his last four games. It’s the little things he does that will benefit your teams. Nelson is a veteran player part of a very young backcourt. The floor general is the one with the ball for the most part on non-transition offensive possessions and Nelson is way better than Mudiay at this point and he will continue seeing games in the late 20’s-early 30’s.
Shabazz Muhammad SG/SF MIN-14% Ownership: Muhammad is no stranger to this list as he has shown that his toughness is there and the less he tries to create with the ball the better he is. Muhammad is strong and the Timberwolves have had a tight rotation all season. Muhammad has been able to break through sporadically and he has been on a solid scoring streak of scoring 15 points or more including 2 games in the 20’s over his last 4 games. Muhammad is a fierce driver and if he gets that second step inside the key, he won’t be stopped. Muhammad has been a bit helpful on the glass grabbing at least three rebounds in three of his last four games. He is an aggressive defender and has recorded a steal in his last two contests. Muhammad has been seeing consistent time in the mid-20’s and a 30 minute game is certainly not out of the question.
Alex Len PF/C PHX-39% Ownership: Len has been producing with and without sufficient playing time. Len has scored in double figures in his last four games. Len has been a huge help on the glass. He has seen a lot more double figure rebounding games and he recently had a four-block game. Major playing time is not locked in for Len has he will compete with Alan Williams and Marquese Chriss. Len has had two or more blocks in four of his last five games. Len is a must-add at this point because even from distance he poses a threat.
Denzel Valentine SG/SF CHI-19% Ownership: With Dwayne Wade done for the season, Valentine is given a good amount of his minutes and we have seen a mix of games in which he shoots and shies away. After scoring in double figures for five straight games, he has been held down the last couple of outings, but he has shown potential in other areas. Valentine has recorded a steal in five of his last six outings and he has proven to be a big rebounding help and recently had a 12-rebound game. He will provide minor assist help as well. Valentine is a threat from the outside and has become a better bailout option for Jimmy Butler than Rajon Rondo has been and Butler requires a lot of attention. Expect Valentine to be left open a decent amount.
Noah Vonleh PF POR-5% Ownership: There is room for more than one big man to be productive in Portland and Vonleh has been successful at cleaning up the glass and being an inside presence on the offensive end. Vonleh has grabbed at least 11 rebounds in 2 of his last 4 games. Vonleh has also recorded a steal in each of his last three games. If you add Vonleh, add for defensive purposes as his trends show he has been attempting around four to seven shots per game. He will take contact and go to the line, but he is for the most part not involved in the offensive scheme. Safe add for boards.
Ty Lawson PG SAC-13% Ownership: I gave you a rebounding specialist and now I present the assist specialist in Lawson. A double-digit scoring outing is not out of the question because the Kings rotation is certainly not set in the backcourt and Lawson can speed up the pace. He has dished six assists in each of his last three games. Lawson thrives on transition and he will always look to pass first as most of his scoring will come on layups. His playing time is safely in the 20’s and with the Kings lacking an identity, they will continue going with the hot hand approach and which guard can stop the scoring on the other end. Lawson will provide minor help in the steals department.
Austin Rivers PG/SG/SF LAC-29% Ownership: Rivers is hot from the field and his position eligibility makes him more sexy of an add. Rivers has scored in double figures in each of his last five games and has provided a bit of rebounding and assist help on the side. Rivers has been playing consistently in the late 20’s-early 30’s and this is with Chris Paul in who commands the ball a ton. Rivers has been able to be successful off the ball and the fact that he will look to drive and take contact will give his minutes the security they need. The Clippers have a ton of scoring options and it says a lot that Rivers has been THIS involved in the offensive scheme.
Joe Johnson SG/SF UT-12% Ownership: Johnson has scored in double figures in four of his last six games and has been more importantly REBOUNDING. Johnson has grabbed no fewer than three rebounds in each of his last six games and he has also been a minor assist help. Johnson has also swiped the ball five times total in his last five games. Johnson is also on an interesting trend in which he has recorded a block in every other game over his last five games. Johnson has been seeing playing time in the late 20’s-early 30’s lately thus showing he is a good short-term add. Normally we brag about Johnson’s three-point shooting, and you know it’s a good sign when we boast about the other categories he has been helping in.
WILD CARD PICK UP: Timothe Luwawu-Cabarrot SG/SF PHI-2% Ownership: TLC (how original) caught the eye of fantasy players after scoring in double figures in four straight games but just like with any wild card in life, you don’t know what you’re going to get on a per night basis and TLC has struggled scoring in three games since. He IS still getting sufficient playing time in the 20’s and games in the 30’s do occur as well. Looking beyond the scoring, TLC will provide minor rebounding and assist help. He hustles on defense and is a bit scrappy and has grabbed a steal in four of his last six games. He is a scoring threat from distance and as soon as you see the scoring pick back up, look to add him for the short-term because the Sixers are clearly putting faith in him.