RADIO
Welcome to Rotation Watch, Rotoballers! Each week, this article will highlight the players that are gaining minutes in their team's rotation. Fantasy managers want to roster the players that are accumulating stats and racking up the playing time. They want to avoid the players falling out of favor and watching the action from the sidelines.
The first week was a wild one, and there are still a few rotations to shake out. Jason Kidd played 15 different players against the Rockets on Tuesday. So yeah, I think we are still in the experimental phase of the season. The Bulls are 4-0. The Suns are out of the playoffs. And the Pistons are still horrible. At least some things are normal. The early-season dust is beginning to settle, but it may take a few weeks to find who is real and who is just here for a short, early-season burst. Let's try and break it down for Week 2.
So without further ado, let's start searching those box scores from Oct. 19 to Oct. 24 and look for those hidden gems that grabbed minutes to help your fantasy basketball team achieve the ultimate prize: a championship. Of course, these suggestions are the cream of the crop, and if you ever need an extra slice of advice, feel free to reach out to me on Twitter @EuanOrYouOut.
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NBA Playing Time Changes
Tyrese Maxey - PG/SG, Philadelphia 76ers
2020-21: 15.3 Minutes per Game
This season: 34.7 Minutes per Game
While the Ben Simmons saga is still simmering, there's actual basketball being played, and the drama is on the back burner (for now). Meanwhile, Tyrese Maxey is handling the point-guard duties for the 76ers and getting buckets in the process. Through three games (not counting Tuesday's game), Maxey averages 16.3 points, 4.7 rebounds, three assists, and one three-pointer per game. It would be great to see him become a more efficient shooter as he's currently hitting 43.2 percent of his shots and only 25 percent of his three-point attempts, but the youngster is still growing in his role. No one knows when this Ben Simmons situation will come to an end, but it's creating playing time for Maxey, and that makes him worth a roster spot on your fantasy basketball roster.
Chris Duarte - SG, Indiana Pacers
2020-21: N/A
This season: 38.0 Minutes per Game
The Indiana Pacers are suffering in the backcourt with TJ Warren (foot) and Caris LeVert (back) still to make their season debuts. However, their absence has left a gap to fill, and rookie Chris Duarte is ready and able to contribute right now. But, of course, the best ability is availability, and the first-round pick has it in bunches. He's played at least 33 minutes in all four games this season and averages 19.8 points, 4.8 assists, and 2.0 assists.
LeVert's return seems to be coming over the horizon any day now (he's questionable for Wednesday's game). Still, Duarte has already put enough on tape to be a regular part of the Indiana rotation. Pacers Head Coach Rick Carlisle is notoriously old-school when it comes to rookies (minus that one guy, Luka Doncic), but Duarte may be the other exception to the rule. Of course, LeVert will claim the starting role when he returns, but until that happens, fantasy managers should be looking to add Chris Duarte in all leagues.
Franz Wagner - SG/SF, Orlando Magic
2020-21: N/A
This season: 33.0 Minutes per Game
Honestly, this article is a lot easier earlier in the year. Things you didn't see coming become evident, and many rookies garner more playing time than you could've imagined. Franz Wagner falls into this bucket after four starts in four games and averaging 33 minutes per contest. He's getting plenty of shots (11.3 per game) for a rookie and providing the kind of production that catches the eye if you're struggling after Week 1.
The man from Germany averages 13.3 points, 4.3 rebounds, two assists, and 2.3 stocks (steals+blocks) per game through four matchups. He's attempting five threes per outing and hitting 35 percent of them. He's reached double-digit points in every game and plays for a team that still doesn't seem to have a long-term plan in place. As a bonus, Wagner also plays seven games between the remainder of Week 2 and all of Week 3, so we will get to see a lot more on him moving forward.
Scottie Barnes - SF, Toronto Raptors
2020-21: N/A
This season: 34.3 Minutes per Game
"His role is gonna be huge. I'm sitting here on Day 1 looking to give him as many minutes and reps as he can handle," - Toronto Raptors Head Coach Nick Nurse
Well, it's good to know Nick Nurse isn't a liar. He talked up Scottie Barnes since training camp opened, gave him plenty of run in the preseason, and it's carried over to the games that matter. After four contests, the No. 4 overall pick in the 2021 NBA Draft is getting 34.3 minutes per game and popping up all over the box score. Barnes is up to 16.8 points, 8.5 rebounds, and 1.5 assists while taking 12.5 shots per game.
There was a lot of debate about whether Barnes would be worth a mid-round pick in drafts this year, but I think those questions are already put to bed. He may be someone on your bench on a full schedule, but you won't regret having him as an option to contribute on the smaller slates. The managers who drafted Barnes won't give him up after eight days of basketball. However, I wouldn't mind floating out a couple of feelers to gauge his trade value over the next few weeks.
Dorian Finney-Smith, SF/PF, Dallas Mavericks
2020-21: 32.0 Minutes per Game
This season: 32.3 Minutes per Game
At this point, it seems like a formality Kristaps Porzingis' days in Dallas are numbered. It's been three years now of building ourselves, thinking this is the year the Latvian is going to mind-meld with Luka Doncic, but it's still not happening. It wouldn't be surprising if the Mavericks cut bait sooner rather than later. This is all a long way of saying that I believe in Dorian Finney-Smith.
The Mavericks forward is receiving similar playing to last season, but he's a little slow getting out of the gate. Right now, he only belongs on a 14-team watchlist or an end-of-the-bench option if he has a four-game week. Still, I remember he helped out my roster in times of need last season. So, admittedly, I may have a soft spot for the guy, but plant DFS in the back of your mind and be ready to pounce when that Woj bomb/Sham wham (are we calling it that?) about Porzingod pops up on your phone in early December.
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