Throughout the season players will miss time through various reasons (via injuries, suspensions, personal leave). This opens the door for others to step up giving them short-term value, which could ultimately lead to long-term value depending on the situation. So far, we've seen a couple of significant injuries happen to key players during preseason, and we haven't forgotten about some of the suspensions handed out in the summer to others. Here are some guys that currently have short-term value and players for you to keep an eye out on.
Out: Kevin Love
In: Ryan Gomes
So much for Love's big season. He vowed to average a double-double this season, but that's going to have to wait 6-8 weeks meaning a mid-December return. I expected a big season out of him with the lack of depth in Minnesota. In steps Ryan Gomes who didn't have a bad year last season. Gomes will have some value while Love is out. Don't forget Al Jefferson is also dealing with an injury himself, so someone will have to do the scoring for Minnestoa.
Out: Mike Dunleavy
In: Brandon Rush
There's been several different timetables on Dunleavy's return to the lineup. I believe he'll be back in mid-December. Even when he returns, Indiana won't make the same mistake this season by rushing him into the lineup. Therefore, I see Rush starting most of the year, if not, the whole season giving him great value and a nice late-round pickup. Last season, Rush was one of the popular late season pickups as he can really score and provides a lot of treys.
Out: Antawn Jamison
In: Andray Blatche
Sucks to have drafted Jamison if you're one of the early-bird drafters. He's gone in the 2nd round in most drafts. His latest setback will drop him a round or two lower. Missing 3-5 weeks with a shoulder injury scares me as it's one of those injuries that can linger throughout the season. I'd stay away from him. Andray Blatche is an interesting pickup. He can certainly get boards and blocks, but his offense is inconsistent. Either way, he's a poor man's Tyrus Thomas, and worth a late-round flier or a guy to keep an eye out on in the waiver wire.
Out: Rashard Lewis
In: Brandon Bass/Ryan Anderson
Bass will have increased value for 10 games after Lewis is serving his serving his drug suspension. He'll be a nice short-term source for rebounds and high FG%. Outside of that, I don't see him offering much value unless Dwight Howard gets injured. Anderson is very intriguing if he ends up taking over the starting spot instead of Bass. Anderson is very similar to Lewis in respect to numbers. They both don't do much outside of getting a couple rebounds, points and treys. Whoever gets the starting nod is worth a last round pick, and can get cut once Lewis returns.
Out: Robin Lopez
In: Channing Frye
Channing Frye has certainly turned heads the last two weeks with his outstanding late preseason performances. He's demonstrated the ability to spread the floor by hitting threes. Because he can do that, he'll definitely see time with the type of offense the Suns play. Nash can and will find his shooters so he'll get many looks. He's a nice source for threes and rebounds.
Out: Jason Richardson
In: Leandro Barbosa
Okay, this isn't really enough time for Barbosa to make an impact, but J-Rich will still be missing 2-games. In the Suns offense, that could mean a lot. We've seen Barbosa explode when given enough minutes, so it's worth noting this suspension. I wouldn't go out to reach for Barbosa, just an added bonus for Barbosa owners.
Out: Francisco Garcia
In: Desmond Mason/Andres Nocioni
Garcia was going to be on my sleeper list until he had his unfortunate weight room accident causing him to miss at least four months. Unfortunately, I happened to have drafted him in one of my leagues. Sadly, like this post is called, one man's loss is another man's gain. Paul Westphal seems to be infatuated with Desmond Mason, all but giving him the starting spot, but I wouldn't be surprised if Nocioni received just as many minutes as Mason. If that's the case, Nocioni offers more fantasy value. Just keep an eye out for both.
Out: Raja Bell
In: D.J Augustin
Devastating news came to the Bobcats as Bell may miss the entire season. This paves the way for D.J Augustin to gain even more minutes. Augustin = scoring, 3s, steals. Not sure how the lineup would work with he and Felton in at the same time, but Augustin will definitely see more minutes. He's worth a late-round selection, and could prove to be a nice sleeper.
Out: J.R. Smith
In: Arron Afflalo
Smith is out of George Karl's doghouse (finally!...or at least for now), but couldn't escape the NBA's doghouse. He'll miss the first seven games of the season due to reckless driving. Arron Afflalo will take those seven starts. I don't see too much value owning him, as he'll be used more for his defensive specialties. He could be a nice source for steals if anything, but would look to one of the other guys mentioned above before aiming for Afflalo.
Out: Kevin Love
In: Ryan Gomes
So much for Love's big season. He vowed to average a double-double this season, but that's going to have to wait 6-8 weeks meaning a mid-December return. I expected a big season out of him with the lack of depth in Minnesota. In steps Ryan Gomes who didn't have a bad year last season. Gomes will have some value while Love is out. Don't forget Al Jefferson is also dealing with an injury himself, so someone will have to do the scoring for Minnestoa.
Out: Mike Dunleavy
In: Brandon Rush
There's been several different timetables on Dunleavy's return to the lineup. I believe he'll be back in mid-December. Even when he returns, Indiana won't make the same mistake this season by rushing him into the lineup. Therefore, I see Rush starting most of the year, if not, the whole season giving him great value and a nice late-round pickup. Last season, Rush was one of the popular late season pickups as he can really score and provides a lot of treys.
Out: Antawn Jamison
In: Andray Blatche
Sucks to have drafted Jamison if you're one of the early-bird drafters. He's gone in the 2nd round in most drafts. His latest setback will drop him a round or two lower. Missing 3-5 weeks with a shoulder injury scares me as it's one of those injuries that can linger throughout the season. I'd stay away from him. Andray Blatche is an interesting pickup. He can certainly get boards and blocks, but his offense is inconsistent. Either way, he's a poor man's Tyrus Thomas, and worth a late-round flier or a guy to keep an eye out on in the waiver wire.
Out: Rashard Lewis
In: Brandon Bass/Ryan Anderson
Bass will have increased value for 10 games after Lewis is serving his serving his drug suspension. He'll be a nice short-term source for rebounds and high FG%. Outside of that, I don't see him offering much value unless Dwight Howard gets injured. Anderson is very intriguing if he ends up taking over the starting spot instead of Bass. Anderson is very similar to Lewis in respect to numbers. They both don't do much outside of getting a couple rebounds, points and treys. Whoever gets the starting nod is worth a last round pick, and can get cut once Lewis returns.
Out: Robin Lopez
In: Channing Frye
Channing Frye has certainly turned heads the last two weeks with his outstanding late preseason performances. He's demonstrated the ability to spread the floor by hitting threes. Because he can do that, he'll definitely see time with the type of offense the Suns play. Nash can and will find his shooters so he'll get many looks. He's a nice source for threes and rebounds.
Out: Jason Richardson
In: Leandro Barbosa
Okay, this isn't really enough time for Barbosa to make an impact, but J-Rich will still be missing 2-games. In the Suns offense, that could mean a lot. We've seen Barbosa explode when given enough minutes, so it's worth noting this suspension. I wouldn't go out to reach for Barbosa, just an added bonus for Barbosa owners.
Out: Francisco Garcia
In: Desmond Mason/Andres Nocioni
Garcia was going to be on my sleeper list until he had his unfortunate weight room accident causing him to miss at least four months. Unfortunately, I happened to have drafted him in one of my leagues. Sadly, like this post is called, one man's loss is another man's gain. Paul Westphal seems to be infatuated with Desmond Mason, all but giving him the starting spot, but I wouldn't be surprised if Nocioni received just as many minutes as Mason. If that's the case, Nocioni offers more fantasy value. Just keep an eye out for both.
Out: Raja Bell
In: D.J Augustin
Devastating news came to the Bobcats as Bell may miss the entire season. This paves the way for D.J Augustin to gain even more minutes. Augustin = scoring, 3s, steals. Not sure how the lineup would work with he and Felton in at the same time, but Augustin will definitely see more minutes. He's worth a late-round selection, and could prove to be a nice sleeper.
Out: J.R. Smith
In: Arron Afflalo
Smith is out of George Karl's doghouse (finally!...or at least for now), but couldn't escape the NBA's doghouse. He'll miss the first seven games of the season due to reckless driving. Arron Afflalo will take those seven starts. I don't see too much value owning him, as he'll be used more for his defensive specialties. He could be a nice source for steals if anything, but would look to one of the other guys mentioned above before aiming for Afflalo.
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