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I woke up this morning asking myself: Do I really have to write this article? It seemed like a massive undertaking with the plethora of injury and COVID updates we've had over the past few days. The answer to that question though is a resounding "YES!" There's a veritable gold mine out there in fantasyland ripe for the taking, so strap up your boots and let's go find the nuggets everyone else is stumbling over!
We'll just be covering the stuff that has changed since I wrote this article last week because I know you've been following and taking copious notes since we began! These players are listed in the alphabetical order of the teams for which they play.
Editor's Note: Our incredible team of writers received five total writing awards and 13 award nominations by the Fantasy Sports Writers Association, tops in the industry! Congrats to all the award winners and nominees including NBA Writer of the Year, Best NFL Series, MLB Series, PGA Writer and Player Notes writer of the year. Be sure to follow their analysis, rankings and advice all year long, and win big with RotoBaller! Read More!
Short-Term Injuries for Fantasy Basketball
Bogdan Bogdanovic, SG/SF/PF, Atlanta Hawks - Foot
First, some positive news as it has been reported that Bogdan Bogdanovic has begun individual workouts. He's still a week or two weeks away from returning to game action, so keep stashing him or go stick him in an IR spot if someone dropped him prematurely. Danilo Gallinari, Cam Reddish, and Kevin Huerter will likely fall out of standard league value once he returns, so start thinking about replacing them towards the end of this week.
Josh Richardson, SG/SF, Boston Celtics - Health & Safety Protocols
Josh Richardson landed in the league's health and safety protocols last Thursday, meaning the soonest he could return would be next Sunday, December 19th. Unfortunately, J-Rich is also one of the few players in the league who is probably not vaccinated, so I'd have to guess he's out even longer. Evens so, there's no clear pickup here as Romeo Langford seems to be the guy soaking up most of the minutes. Aaron Nesmith may get a bit more run too, but neither guy is going to be worth the roster spot in standard leagues.
Mason Plumlee, PF/C, Charlotte Hornets - Health & Safety Protocols
Both Mason Plumlee and Jalen McDaniels are set to return from the COVID-19 health & safety protocols, and they'll likely be back to playing for Wednesday's game. Neither guy is worth a roster spot, but their return could hurt PJ Washington a bit.
Terry Rozier, PG/SG, Charlotte Hornets - Healthy & Safety Protocols
See above. Add Ish Smith then Cody Martin.
The Entire Roster, All Positions, Chicago Bulls - Health & Safety Protocols
I'm not going to list them all individually, so here they are Alize Johnson, Zach LaVine, Troy Brown Jr., Ayo Dosunmu, Stanley Johnson, Derrick Jones Jr., Matt Thomas, DeMar DeRozan, Javonte Green, and Coby White. The Chicago Bulls have a COVID outbreak of epic proportions right now with 10 players out in the league's health and safety protocols. As a result, the league has postponed their first two games of the season. The Bulls will skip their game on Tuesday against the Detroit Pistons and Thursday's game against the Toronto Raptors. As a result, players on all those teams are going to be short on games and that will make things difficult for anyone in a H2H league. It's going to depend on your league's settings, but if you can afford to stash a top-100 guy for a week, then you might be wise to do that. Most teams won't be able to, so if you're rostering any Bulls that aren't a top 80-90 player, you need to consider dropping them to stream if you're in a competitive league. The Pistons and Raptors guys should be easier to stash.
Luka Doncic, PG/SG, Dallas Mavericks - Ankle
We had him on the last go-around, but now we have a bit more information and it seems like he is going to miss at least another game as of the writing of this article. That could change any day, which I'm assuming is up to how he feels on that ankle, but Jalen Brunson is a "run don't walk" add at the moment. The rest of his usage should get divided up among the rest of the roster, so borderline guys like Dorian Finney-Smith get a minor boost and should be rostered until Luka returns.
Will Barton, SG/SF, Denver Nuggets - Illness
Will Barton looks like he'll sit for Monday's game and it's not clear what kind of illness he's dealing with, though it has been called a "non-COVID" illness for the time being. In his absence, and with Austin Rivers in the league's health and safety protocols, Bones Hyland is worth a stream for at least one game for a team much in need of offense.
Killian Hayes, PG/SG, Detroit Pistons - Thumb
Killian Hayes has a bit of a tender thumb from the Pistons' last game, and he hasn't been able to practice with it. Luckily, the game against the Bulls was postponed, so he'll get the chance to rest up until Thursday when they back into action. If he ends up needing to miss some time, Saben Lee and Frank Jackson would be worth a look in standard leagues with Jerami Grant also on the sidelines. I'd pick them up in that order.
Paul George, SF/PF, Los Angeles Clippers - Elbow
It's just an elbow strain, but Paul George has missed two games already with the injury and there's a possibility he misses more. He'll likely be back, but if he's out Luke Kennard, Terence Mann, and Reggie Jackson will get more opportunities. All three are worthy of a roster spot.
Anthony Davis, PF/C, Los Angeles Lakers - Knee
Anthony Davis is just day-to-day for the time being, but any game he misses will lead to a boost for Dwight Howard, Carmelo Anthony, and Talen Horton-Tucker. Howard is a nice add for those in need of big man stats, but only if AD is truly going to miss more time. Melo is nice for teams in need of points, but don't expect much else. THT is always intriguing but has yet to produce this season with just 12th round value per game.
Caleb Martin, SG/SF, Miami Heat - Health & Safety Protocols
Caleb Martin is just the latest casualty in Miami as they are still missing Jimmy Butler to a bruised tailbone, Bam Adebayo to a thumb surgery, and Markieff Morris to a sore neck from being shoved in the back by Nikola Jokic. Max Strus is worth an add for teams in need of threes with the Heat so shorthanded, but he can be seen as strictly a specialist for fantasy purposes.
Khris Middleton, SF/PF, Milwaukee Bucks - Knee
Khris Middleton hyperextended his knee Monday night and left the game. It's unclear if he'll miss extended time. If he does, Grayson Allen, Donte DiVincenzo, and Pat Connaughton will step into bigger roles. The first two are likely available in your league and make for great three-point specialists.
RJ Barrett, SG/SF, New York Knicks - Health & Safety Protocols
RJ Barrett and Obi Toppin entered the protocols on December 12th, meaning they can return on December 22nd at the earliest. Derrick Rose should be rostered in all leagues as should Immanuel Quickley and Alec Burks. All three of these guys should see enough minutes to be relevant.
Luguentz Dort, SG/SF, Oklahoma City Thunder - Ankle
It's just a sprained ankle for Dort, and he's been putting up 9th round value over the last few weeks, so you can hang onto him and hope he's cleared for the next game. If he misses, Theo Maledon and Tre Mann will get some more playing time, but neither guy is very appealing.
Mo Bamba, C, Orlando Magic - Ankle
It didn't look like a bad ankle sprain, so there's a good chance that he's back for Wednesday against the Hawks. If he doesn't suit up, the depleted Magic may be forced to actually play Terrence Ross. He would be worth a stream for teams in need of points and threes, but don't expect much else.
Joel Embiid, PF/C, Philadelphia 76ers - Ribs
Joel Embiid took a shot to the side and was a late scratch for Monday night's game. Should he miss more than that one game, Andre Drummond is the obvious guy to run out and grab for big man stats. Just be wary of the free throw percentage. It's doubtful Joel misses more time though.
Deandre Ayton, C, Phoenix Suns - Illness
It's reportedly a non-COVID illness, so that's the good news, but Deandre Ayton has missed some time with the illness and was sent home from practice. JaVale McGee has been incredible in Ayton's absence, just don't expect an outburst necessarily. Jalen Smith would likely get some minutes as well but isn't worth an add.
Richaun Holmes, PF/C, Sacramento Kings - Eye
Richaun Holmes took a nasty blow to the eye area and was bleeding everywhere. He was a game-time call for Monday night's game, so you have to believe he'll get back out there for the next one. If not, Chimezie Metu and Alex Len could get some run, with Metu being worth a stream while Holmes is out.
Precious Achiuwa, SF/PF/C, Toronto Raptors - Health & Safety Protocols
Go add Chris Boucher now if he's still somehow available in your league and don't look back. Nick Nurse could always bury him on the bench again, but with Precious on the sidelines along with Khem Birch, they'll likely need him and he is a known per-minute monster. Add him and hope for the best, which is a really great best in terms of fantasy value.
Kyle Kuzma, SF/PF, Washington Wizards - Health & Safety Protocols
Kyle Kuzma entered the protocols around December 10th, which would make December 20th his earliest return date. In his absence, Davis Bertans and Deni Avdija would get some extra run, with Bertans having the better fantasy game due to his ability to make the three-ball. He's only worth a speculative add for teams in need of this one category though.
Long Term Injuries for Fantasy Basketball
Kyrie Irving, PG/SG, Brooklyn Nets - Vaccination Status
We got our first Kyrie Irving update in a long while today when we were told that there was "growing optimism" that Kyrie Irving would play this season. He's definitely worth a stash in the hopes that he suits up for the last few months of the season, and could make a team's playoff run successful if you happen to scoop him now. Just understand that there's a risk he doesn't play this season as New York is unlikely to ease their COVID restrictions. Even if he does play, there's a very real possibility that he plays away games and sits home games. He is a gamble, but his upside makes him worth it for now.
Jerami Grant, SF/PF, Detroit Pistons - Thumb
What is it with the thumbs of the Detroit Pistons? Jerami Grant tore some ligaments in his thumb and should be sidelined for the next six weeks or so. He's also a prime trade candidate with his name popping up in rumors with the Portland Trail Blazers and Los Angeles Lakers. If he winds up in either of those spots, he'll lose significant value, but if he's on your roster all you can do is hang onto him for now. Saddiq Bey, Saben Lee, Frank Jackson, and Josh Jackson should get extra minutes without Jerami Grant, but none of these guys has really jumped out as a great grab just yet. Keep an eye on the situation or take a flier on one of these guys if you're feeling bold.
Zion Williamson, PF, New Orleans Pelicans - Foot
Setback after setback is making it hard to justify continuing to roster Zion Williamson in leagues that don't have ample IL spots. With the Pelicans sitting on an 8-21 record, it's looking more and more like a lost season for the big man. Such a bummer.
Ben Simmons, PG, Philadelphia 76ers - Mental Health
The Sixers are reportedly "ramping up" their efforts to trade Ben Simmons, which bodes well for anyone that drafted him in fantasy basketball. If you're rostering him, hold on tight for the light suddenly visible at the end of the tunnel. If you are rostering Tyrese Maxey, hope that they don't get a point guard back in the deal.
CJ McCollum, PG/SG, Portland Trail Blazers - Lung
It's been a week since CJ McCollum was diagnosed with a pneumothorax, but this is a weekly column so here we are. There likely aren't any adds out there as the injury happened a long time ago, but Anfernee Simons should absolutely be added in the short term with the potential to be a ROS streamer if McCollum can't recover. Hopefully, that's not the case though.
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