Patrick Patterson (PF/C) - NBA Waiver Wire Pickup

BALLER MOVE: Add in deeper leagues; consider as a plug-in/injury replacement in other leagues

OWNED: 28% of Yahoo! Fantasy Basketball leagues

ANALYSIS: The injury to Jonas Valanciunas catapults Patterson up at least one spot in the Toronto rotation.  He should see an increase in minutes even if he is not slated as the starter for the night.  Over the last week the former Kentucky Wildcat has added valuable numbers in several categories.  Not including the Monday night game, his per game averages are 13.0 points, 4.0 rebounds, 1.5 assists, 1.3 steals and 0.8 blocks while hitting 54.3% of his shots from the field over the last seven days.  Not too shabby. When Valanciunas does come back, it will be interesting to see how head coach Dwane Casey plays Patterson.  Double P will probably lose some minutes but his efficiency numbers have improved greatly since the calendar hit 2015.  Despite starting in as many games in January as all of the Rotoballer writers combined, Patterson was used in a higher percentage of plays when on the court and saw his DRating improve.  He is worth at least a short term stash after the return of Valanciunas.