I have a dream of playing basketball at the very highest level. I don’t mean I have aspirations of playing in the NBA—this white man can’t jump—I mean when I go to sleep at night I often dream of playing basketball.
I have played with and against all kinds of people—old friends I used to play in the driveway, middle school teammates, Shaq…it is always different. The location is unique too. When I am actually aware of my location, it is almost always the old gym at my middle school. Shaq and I don’t even play in the nice gym. I don’t know what that is about.
The other night I dreamt I played the Wisconsin men's basketball team and I thumped them even more soundly than Duke did. Maybe it was my way of getting back at them since I had them winning it all. At least I still won the Fantasy Alarm bracket pool. Speaking of winning, managing all the injuries down the stretch will be critical to winning some tightly-contested fantasy leagues. I also took this opportunity to discuss the injury prospects of some of the top players for next season.
Derrick Rose returned Wednesday and in two games has averaged 10.5 points, 3.0 rebounds and 2.0 assists in 19.5 minutes. Tom Thibodeau will almost certainly give him unnecessarily high minutes once the playoffs start, making Rose a nice fantasy play in the playoffs. As for next season, I think right now I would still choose Rose ahead of Rajon Rondo or Jrue Holiday, but it is close. I think that is about the right spot for him. The Bulls will likely have a new head coach next season, which would probably be good for Rose’s fantasy value even though his minutes would decrease.
Paul George returned Sunday against the Heat. He is probably going to go too high in drafts next season, but I definitely like him better than I like Derrick Rose. I think I will have Paul George one spot ahead of Dwyane Wade. We know Wade will be good when he is healthy, which we probably cannot say about Paul George right now, but George has the chance to play 82 games at a very high level. Dwyane Wade does not have that upside.
DeMarcus Cousins was scheduled to see a foot specialist Friday. He hasn’t been ruled out, but he seems like a longshot to play again this season. Cousins has played 59 games this season and has averaged 68 games played over the last three seasons. At this point we probably should not expect him to play much more than 70 games per season, though the only fantasy center who is better when healthy is Anthony Davis.
Rudy Gay returned Tuesday after three days out due to a concussion only to experience headaches after the game. He did not play Wednesday or Friday but has a chance to play Sunday. Omri Casspi has at least 14 points in six consecutive games and he should be a good fantasy play for as long as Rudy Gay is out.
Al Jefferson has missed the Hornets last four games with a knee injury, and with the team now out of the playoff race there is no reason to bring him back. He has not been ruled out yet, but he is droppable.
Mike Conley is doubtful for Saturday and could miss the final three games of the season with a right foot injury. Beno Udrih got the start for Conley Friday and had 20 points, four rebounds and one assist. He is a good, cheap fantasy play with Conley out. Conley’s injury could affect him in the playoffs, making him a risky fantasy play even when he comes back.
LaMarcus Aldridge has a left foot sprain and is out Saturday. Meyers Leonard and Chris Kaman should fill in for Aldridge for as long as he is out, and neither is worth playing in any fantasy format. Aldridge is droppable, and the various injuries that have limited him to 70 games this season make him a bit risky for fantasy next season.
Paul Millsap will not play Sunday, the fourth game in a row he will have missed. The Hawks would probably like to get Millsap a game or two before the playoffs begin, but he is unlikely to play heavy minutes in those games. If you are still in it, you should drop Millsap. At this point it seems like he should be okay for the playoffs, but obviously we will keep an eye on his situation.
Chandler Parsons did not play Friday despite participating fully in Friday’s shootaround. Al-Farouq Aminu has been underwhelming in Parsons’s absence, and it is clear he is not ready to be a consistent fantasy contributor, though that could change next season. Parsons has a chance to play Sunday and is probably worth holding onto until then.
Kyle Lowry returned from a seven-game absence Friday with 10 points, eight rebounds and seven assists in 33 minutes. The Raptors may limit his minutes with a back-to-back Saturday, but it looks like he should be fine going forward. He has been dropped in some leagues and should be picked up.
Donatas Motiejunas is out for the rest of the season with back issues. He really came on late in the season, averaging 13.3 points, 5.6 rebounds, 2.4 assists, 1.1 steals, 0.6 blocks and 1.2 3PM in 30.7 minutes per game after the All-Star break. He is just 24 years old and could continue to get better, but much of his value this season came as a result of Terrence Jones and Dwight Howard missing a combined 89 games. Josh Smith is a free agent, and if he leaves Motiejunas would be a solid bet to match his numbers from last season.
Arron Afflalo is out 1-2 weeks with a right shoulder strain. C.J. McCollum is a nice fantasy play with Afflalo out, and Allen Crabbe should see increased minutes as well.
John Wall has gotten the last two days off to rest. The guess here is he plays Sunday and then gets one game off as the Wizards finish with a back-to-back Tuesday and Wednesday. He should be good when he plays, but fantasy players should keep an eye on his availability.
Isaiah Canaan is out for out the rest of the season with a foot injury. He averaged 12.7 points, 2.9 assists and 2.4 rebounds in 25.5 minutes per game in March, and he will be worth drafting if he goes into next season as Philadelphia’s starting point guard. Ish Smith struggled Wednesday but he is a good fantasy play the rest of the way.