As the Celtics continue to search for answers up front, Josh Minott is a good speculative add in fantasy.
It’s just over a week into the NBA season, and we have already seen a ton of injuries across the league. Some of the biggest names that are sidelined right now include Luka Dončić (finger) and Anthony Edwards (hamstring). As fantasy managers look to fortify their rosters, here are some players to consider adding who are still available in the majority of Yahoo leagues.
Tre Jones, Chicago Bulls (37% rostered)
The Bulls are 4-0 despite Coby White (calf) having yet to make his season debut. Jones has helped make up for his absence, starting each game and averaging 30 minutes. He has turned his expanded role into averages of 12.5 points, 3.5 rebounds, 7.5 assists, 3.0 steals and 1.3 3-pointers. His points have come in efficient fashion, with him shooting 58.1% from the field and 62.5% from deep.
Bulls head coach Billy Donovan said Monday that White is “pain-free” with what he is doing right now, but he won’t even be re-evaluated until sometime within the next week. That indicates the Bulls are being cautious with his return, so we could see Jones start for at least another week. Until White is back, Jones should be started in most fantasy leagues.
Collin Sexton, Charlotte Hornets (35% rostered)
Brandon Miller (shoulder) is out for the Hornets, and there have been reports that he is seeking a second opinion on his injury. It would be disappointing to see him miss an extended stretch again, as injuries limited him to only 27 games last season. He was great when he was on the floor, averaging 21.0 points, 4.9 rebounds, 3.6 assists and 3.9 3-pointers.
A luxury that the Hornets didn’t have when Miller was out last season is Sexton. He has started each of the last three games, putting up 19.7 points, 3.0 rebounds, 5.3 assists, 1.0 steals and 1.7 3-pointers. He logged at least 27 minutes in each matchup. In 28 minutes per game with the Jazz last season, he averaged 18.4 points, 2.7 rebounds, 4.2 assists and 1.7 3-pointers. If Miller misses extended time, Sexton could be a very valuable fantasy option.
Jaime Jaquez Jr., Miami Heat (33% rostered)
After a promising rookie season in which he logged 28 minutes per game, Jaquez averaged just 21 minutes per game last season. He has come off the bench in each of his four games this season, but he has played more, averaging 28 minutes. The boost in minutes has helped him provide 18.8 points, 6.3 rebounds, 4.3 assists and 1.3 steals per game. He has also shot 68.9% from the field and 84.6% from the free-throw line.
Jaquez isn’t going to continue to shoot such a high percentage from the field, but the playing time is the key for his fantasy prospects moving forward. Tyler Herro (ankle) has been sidelined to begin the season, and he should continue to be out for at least a couple more weeks, if not into December. The Heat need scoring, which Jaquez has shown that he can provide.
Ryan Rollins, Milwaukee Bucks (29% rostered)
The Bucks were thin in their backcourt heading into the season, then things got worse when Kevin Porter Jr. (ankle) didn’t even make it through their first game. Porter being out has pushed Rollins into the starting five. Rollins has been productive in the role, averaging 17.3 points, 3.7 rebounds, 4.7 assists, 3.3 steals and 2.0 3-pointers. He has shot 54.5% from the field and has not missed a single free-throw attempt.
Rollins played just 15 minutes per game last season, but he still averaged 0.8 steals and 0.9 3-pointers. He can have a fantasy impact in both departments as long as he continues to play more. Porter is still out, but even when he returns, Rollins might have worked his way into an expanded role. It would not be a surprise if we saw both players on the floor together at times.
Josh Minott, Boston Celtics (15% rostered)
The Celtics underwent a lot of changes this season as they looked to get their payroll in order. They entered with plenty of guard depth, but they were thin on options up front. Sam Hauser started their first two games, but was then sent to the second unit. Taking his place within the starting lineup the last two games has been Minott, who spent the first three seasons of his career with the Timberwolves.
In his first start, Minott recorded 15 points, nine rebounds, one steal and one block over 28 minutes against the Pelicans. In a more difficult matchup versus the Cavaliers on Wednesday, he tallied 11 points, 14 rebounds, three steals, one block and two 3-pointers. As the Celtics continue to search for answers up front, Minott is a good speculative add in fantasy. He may already be playing his way into a more consistent role.
Jarace Walker, Indiana Pacers (5% rostered)
The Pacers have been crushed by injuries in the early going. They already entered the season without Tyrese Haliburton (Achilles) and T.J. McConnell (hamstring). Since then, Bennedict Mathurin (toe), Andrew Nembhard (shoulder) and Obi Toppin (foot) have all gone down. Mathurin is being considered as week-to-week, while the team hasn’t given an indication as to when Nembhard could return. Toppin will be out for at least one month, which is what will have the biggest impact on Walker.
In the first game since Toppin suffered his injury, Walker started and played 36 minutes against the Mavericks. He only shot 5-for-19 from the field, but he still finished with 20 points, six rebounds, five assists, three steals, one block and four 3-pointers. He shot at least 40.0% from behind the arc in both of his first two seasons in the league, so don’t panic about him shooting 28.6% from deep in the early going this season. Walker is primed to play heavy minutes moving forward, leaving him with significant fantasy upside.
