Always remember that it’s about finding the “next guy”. Don’t only look at this list of players, but look at the last few lists of players I wrote out. One of those players can just be hitting their stride and you can take advantage. Use the injury chart while searching your waiver wire when it comes to figuring out which players are going to get at least 20 minutes per game.
Damyean Dotson SG NY-39% Ownership: Dotson continues to earn more minutes in the Knicks rotation. Last year, he mainly just stood at the arc as the ultimate bailout shooting option. This year, he’s added more physical play to his game. He steps inside the arc to fight for boards. He’s grabbed at least four in his last three games. Dotson will need to keep him high-percentage shooting up because Courtney Lee is back in the lineup and the Knicks view Lee as a trade asset. Trey Burke ’s injured Knee has given Dotson more life in the rotation. Lee JUST came back and the Knicks will want to watch his minutes over the next few games. Dotson’s defense should also keep him in games more. He’s grabbed steals in his last four games. He should be able to play 22-25 minutes per game moving forward. Dotson will fight inside for boards and draw contact and go to the free-throw line at least once per game.
Richaun Holmes PF, C PHX-22% Ownership: Holmes is the volume add of the article because he may not always get 20 minutes per game. T.J. Warren being hurt opens up minutes in the Suns frontcourt and with Devin Booker out of the lineup, there are plenty of shots to go around. Holmes is a low-block specific big man who will attack the basket and score from the paint. He’s scored in double-figures in three of his last four games. There’s no more Tyson Chandler to worry about and Deandre Ayton will need to be relieved at times in the game. Holmes has recorded multi-steal and multi-block games in two of his last four games. Holmes is an aggressive defender in the post and is constantly looking to poke the ball away from the opposing forward or center in the post. Holmes has averaged just 4.5 boards per game, but he’s grabbed at least 9 in 2 of his last 3 games.
Dwyane Wade G MIA-40% Ownership: The Heat guards are hurting and they need to rely on Father Prime to get them through games from the offensive side. Wade has scored at least 15 points in 4 of his last 5 games. He normally likes to shoot from mid-range, but he’s been stepping back more and hitting more shots from the arc. Wade has also needed to run the point and has made an impact at both guard spots. He’s dished at least four dimes in four of his last five games. Wade has also recorded steals and blocks in his last two games. Wade will continue to play games in the late 20’s and early 30’s until the Heat guards are healthy again. Goran Dragic , Tyler Johnson , Rodney McGruder and Dion Waiters are all hurt. Wade will still look to attack the rim and draw contact and he’ll go to the free-throw line consistently.
DeAndre’ Bembry SF ATL-9% Ownership: With Taurean Prince out for the foreseeable future, Bembry should see an uptick in minutes. Bembry hasn’t been scoring in double figures consistently, but he plays with a lot of toughness and as the Hawks Coaches loosen the leash for the next few weeks, Bembry should be able to pick up a few more shots in the Hawks offense. Bembry has grabbed 4.4 boards per game this season. He’ll fight for boards at the top of the paint. He’ll look to get open right near the elbow off of screens inside the arc. Bembry has been helping make entry passes a bit more lately. He’s dished at least three dimes in two of his last three games. The biggest part of Bembry’s game is steals. Not only has he grabbed steals in his last five games, but two of those games were four-steal games. Expect his minutes, scoring and rebounding to increase.
Avery Bradley G LAC-11% Ownership: The Clippers have been dominant as a whole this season and depth is a big reason. They have a ton of guard depth. Bradley is a very good perimeter defender and now that he’s healthy, we can expect him to play a lot of minutes. Bradley’s played over 30 minutes in 3 of his last four games. Bradley will grab steals regularly and he has done so in his last three games. Bradley has been seeing more shots in the Clippers offense lately. He’s seen double-digit shots and scoring in three of his last four games. Bradley can hit the knockdown three-pointer. Bradley has also been a surprising because of the amount of shots he’s blocked lately. He’s blocked shots in five of his last seven games. If his scoring continues to improve, he’ll become a must add. The playing time is already in place for him, but the shot opportunities need to continue to open up.
Allen Crabbe SG, SF BKN-40% Ownership: I don’t love Crabbe’s game. I think he takes too many wild shots, but he’ll constantly be used as the Nets bailout shooting option. Crabbe will hit multiple three’s in most of the games he plays in. He’s been a bit more helpful grabbing boards. He’s pulled down at least four in three of his last four games. Crabbe will play aggressively on defense and that’s why he’s been rewarded with more playing time lately. Joe Harris being hurt has also helped his cause. Crabbe can also take minutes from DeMarre Carroll who has been looking a bit slow on the court lately. Crabbe has grabbed steals in his last three games. Crabbe will drive the lane if it’s open. His ball-handling skills are adequate and he can dribble himself out of trouble but then he may need to pass off. Crabbe has scored in double figures in two of his last three games.
Kelly Olynyk PF, C MIA-24% Ownership: For some reason, there might be a situation brewing in Miami when it comes to Hassan Whiteside . Last year, we saw Whiteside get his minutes limited at times and he’s clearly frustrated. Olynyk has seen over 20 minutes in his last four games. He’s also putting up numbers similar to what we saw from him last season. He’s scored at least 13 points and grabbed at least 6 boards in his last 3 games. Olynyk has also been getting a lot of steals in the lane. He’s swiped balls in his last five games. Olynyk has also blocked shots in his last two games. The production and minutes increasing is a very good sign that Olynyk should start seeing meaningful minutes. The lack of guard depth helps Olynyk because he can fade to the outside on offense and hit open three’s. He’s hit multiple three-pointers in his last five games.
Tim Frazier G NO-20% Ownership: With Elfrid Payton still out, Frazier has certainly been getting more run in recent games. He’s been seeing minutes in the 20’s and 30’s and his ability to run the point has allowed Jrue Holiday to still play his usual SG role. While Frazier hasn’t been scoring in double figures, he’s been hitting three’s and he’s been taking advantage of open lanes due to the amount of attention Anthony Davis and Nikola Mirotic require in the post. Frazier has been more helpful with pulling down boards and dishing assists. He’s grabbed at least four boards and dished seven assists in four of his last five games. Frazier has also grabbed steals in his last two games. Frazier is a quick guard who can keep the pace of play very quick up and down the court. He’ll excel on transition. With the minutes played and production we’ve seen, Frazier is a good short-term solution until there is more clarity as to when to expect Payton to return.
Mike Muscala PF, C PHI-5% Ownership: Muscala has taken full advantage of Wilson Chandler being banged up. He’s been seeing minutes in the 20’s and 30’s in his last 4 games. Muscala not only has the ability to hit long-range shots, but he’s good at following up his shots. He’s scored in double figures in two of his last four games. Muscala’s rebounding has been his most impressive stat lately has he’s grabbed at least seven boards in his last four games. Muscala will also play effective defense in the post. He’s blocked shots in three of his last four games. It’ll be interesting seeing what the Sixers do when Chandler can play full minutes again. Muscala looks like he has the edge in the rotation over Amir Johnson . Chandler’s ability to play other positions could end up keeping Muscala in the game for a few more minutes. Jimmy Butler , Joel Embiid and Ben Simmons all command the ball a ton, but when on the court with them, he will serve as a bailout shooter. He’s a short-term pick up.
WILDCARD PICK UP: Jonas Jerebko , F GSW-3% Owned: The Warriors will take all of the help that they can get in the post. DeMarcus Cousins has not made his debut this season, Draymond Green has been suffering from different injuries all season and Damian Jones will be out for awhile after tearing a Pectoral Muscle. One player who has picked up more playing time because of his ability to run the floor effectively is Jerebko. He’s scored in double figures in three of his last four games. Jerebko grabs 5.5 boards per game. Jerebko regularly see’s playing time in the 20’s and he’ll seen a decent amount of open three-pointers. Kevin Durant requires a lot of defensive attention and teams will sacrifice defending Jerebko at the arc to put more pressure on Durant at the elbow. Jerebko has also grabbed steals in three of his last five games and he’s blocked shots in two of his last four games. He’s a bit more reliable overall than Kevon Looney and Jordan Bell .