Whenever a trade is made between now and Thursday, make sure you immediately check your waiver wires to see if there are players available from these teams who have made these trades. Teams will be showcasing players they want to trade over the next few days. When you hear of a player in trade rumors, pick them up if they’re available. They’ll get more playing time in the rotation prior to the trade deadline.
Jerryd Bayless G MIN-16% Ownership: The Timberwolves guards continue to be injured and Bayless has been soaking up the minutes and his production has improved. Jeff Teague is not ready yet and Bayless has recorded double-doubles in his last two games. He’s dished at least five dimes in his last six games. Bayless has also been helpful on the glass grabbing at least three boards in five of his last six games. Bayless has been a consistent double-digit scorer in his last six games. He’s a good spot-up shooter and he should be able to continue playing in the 30’s and 40’s at least until Teague comes back. Bayless has shown more of a commitment to defense on the perimeter. He’s been able to shift through screens and he’s grabbed steals in four of his last six games. Expect Bayless to his multiple three-pointers in the majority of games he plays in.
Ed Davis PF, C BKN-12% Ownership: Davis has been dominating the boards and he’ll get over 20 minutes in a game more often than not. Davis is a low block specific big man who will score mainly off of put backs. Davis takes a lot of contact in the lane. He’s blocked shots in four of his last six games. Jarrett Allen will get the majority of minutes, but Davis has a place in the Nets rotation and teams have had a tough time boxing him out of the lane. He’s recorded five double-digit rebounding games in his last seven. His scoring is not as consistent. Davis is more of a defensive stat producer than a scorer. Even though he doesn’t have many moves to the basket, he is very good at positioning himself and following the ball as soon as it goes off the rim. He’s even dished three dimes in three of his last five games.
Collin Sexton PG CLE-39% Ownership: The Cavs continue to look to make trades prior to the deadline, but one thing we do know is that Sexton will be a prioritized player in the Cavs rotation for the rest of the season. He’s a regular double-digit scorer and he’s a better driver than jump shooter. Sexton will hit three’s in most of the games he plays in. Even though he’s the facilitator of the Cavs offense, he’ll look to take it to the rack. He grabs three boards per game. Sexton has good speed and he’ll regularly play in the 20’s and 30’s. He’ll help grab steals but it’s hard to expect consistency. Down the stretch, the Cavs will let Sexton take even more control of the Cavs offense and as they continue to make trades and bring in new players, the familiar Sexton will benefit. Expect his playing time to increase as the season continues.
Mikal Bridges SG, SF PHX-30% Ownership: Bridges has been seeing a lot of minutes as the Suns continue to suffer from injuries. T.J. Warren being out has benefitted Bridges. He’s played 35-plus minutes in his last 4 games. Bridges has been more productive in the offense lately as he has scored 16-plus points in his last 3 games. Bridges is used in the Suns offense as mainly a bailout option. He hit multiple three-pointers in his last three games. Bridges grabs a lot of long rebounds. He’s been a much more helpful rebounder lately. He’s grabbed five or more in four of his last five games. He’ll also provide a lot of help with steals. In close games, the Suns will extend Bridges even more and have him close out games. Bridges has grabbed steals in his last eight games. He’ll also help block shots. Bridges will continue sticking in the Suns rotation.
Dwight Powell PF, C DAL-24% Ownership: DeAndre Jordan being traded will completely benefit Powell. Dirk Nowitzki won’t be able to handle a full workload because his Legs are just old and Powell will get more minutes as the season continues. Powell has played 20-plus minutes in 4 of his last 5 games. Powell will help out on both sides of the ball. He’s blocked shots in his last two games and he’s grabbed steals in two of his last three games. Powell does have a long-range game, but he’ll only shoot from beyond the arc when the shot clock is winding down or if the Mavs offense can’t push the ball inside. Powell is good at following up his shots and he’s grabbed 4.2 rebounds per game this season. By default, Powell will continue to see his role grow for the rest of the season. Kristaps Porzings is still rehabbing from tearing his ACL last season and he’s unlikely to play this season.
Shai Gilgeous-Alexander G LAC-30% Ownership: Gilgeous-Alexander has certainly moved up the Clippers depth chart when it comes to shooters because Danilo Gallinari is hurt. He’s scored in double figures in his last five games. Gilgeous-Alexander regularly plays in the 20’s and 30’s and he’ll provide multi-category production. He scores most of his points off of driving and drawing contact. Gilgeous-Alexander has even blocked shots in his last two games. He’s also recorded four multi-steal games in his last five and he’s even dished five dimes in three of his last six games. Gilgeous-Alexander can hit three’s, but he’ll only shoot when open. He’s very involved in the Clippers rotation and won’t lose his role once Gallinari is healthy enough to return. Gilgeous-Alexander has grabbed five-plus boards in his last two games.
Kelly Olynyk PF, C MIA-22% Ownership: Derrick Jones Jr. is out of action and so far it looks like Olynyk is a major beneficiary because of it. He’s scored in double figures in three of his last four games and he’s hit multiple three’s in his last three games. Olynyk will also produce from the post. His shooting range spreads the floor and he’ll see a good amount of open jumpers. Olynyk will produce on the defensive side of the ball in the post. He’s grabbed six or more boards in his last four games and he’s blocked shots in his last two. His playing time is very encouraging playing over 30 minutes in his last 2 games. Olynyk can share the floor with Hassan Whiteside . They compliment each other very well and when Whiteside is on the floor, Olynyk will shift around the arc and he’ll stick with his long-range game.
Malik Monk SG CHA-6% Ownership: Monk has been rewarded for playing better lately. He’s hit the 20-minute mark in his last four games and he scored in double figures in every single one of them. He’s hit multiple three-pointers in three of his last four games and he’ll provide a lot of production with the Hornets second unit. He’s even blocked shots in his last three games and grabbed three boards in three of his last five games. Monk will provide help with assists a bit more inconsistently. He will look to push the ball inside and he does set the post player up very nicely. Expect Monk to be a short-term solution. It’s almost better if the Hornets fall out of the Playoff race and that will give Monk even more playing time down the stretch. Expect Monk to mainly be used as a bailout option.
Jalen Brunson PG DAL-3% Ownership: There is some risk in adding Brunson because we don’t know what Trey Burke ’s role will be in the Mavericks offense. Brunson should at least be a stopgap for the next couple of weeks while Burke and Tim Hardaway Jr. learn the offense. Expect Brunson to play more off the ball because Luka Doncic will be running the point for the rest of the season. Brunson should still be able to play 20 minutes per game. Brunson has grabbed three-plus boards in two of his last three games. He’s also dished three or more assists in his last three games. Brunson will hit long-range shots and be used as a bailout option when Doncic is ball handling. Brunson will get playing time to run the point with the Mavericks second unit. If Brunson loses playing time, feel free to release him and look to add him again if a guard injury occurs.
WILD CARD PICK UP: Darius Miller SG, SF NO-6% Ownership: The Pelicans have been hurt all season long and with the Anthony Davis situation completely in flux, Miller has been benefitting with more playing time and he’s played 30-plus minutes in 5 of his last 6 games. He’s scored in double figures in his last five games and he’s hit multiple three-pointers in his last six games. Miller is a good injury fill-in option while Nikola Mirotic and Julius Randle are hurt. The good news for Miller is that the Pelicans may limit Davis for the rest of the season if they can’t trade him and that would shift Randle up to center and Mirotic to power forward. This rotation shift would open up more minutes for Miller at SF. Miller has grabbed steals in his last four games. Look to add him for mainly points and steals.