This week the NBA set a record for the most players to appear in a game in ANY season, and we haven’t even hit the All-Star break. 541 individuals have checked into an NBA game this season, and that number seems likely to grow as covid 19 fueled by new, more highly transmissible variants ravage the United States and NBA rosters.
What this means for fantasy owners is that you’re PROBABLY not having a very good time. Personally, I had a team with 8 players out at one point last week, and I don’t think my roster is alone. It is brutal across the whole fantasy landscape, but with that comes an opportunity for young call-ups to shine, and vets to potentially re-establish themselves in the league.
This list will contain G league and NBA players who have gotten a chance to play due to teams dealing with covid issues, and who have made the best of their opportunities. The following players have a chance to be worthwhile pick-ups in deep leagues and potentially contribute in standard leagues as well.
NBA Covid 19 call-ups
Omer Yurtseven, C – Miami Heat
The summer league standout, Yurtseven picked up where he left off as soon as the Heat frontcourt got hit by the injury and covid bug. The young Georgetown product has recorded double-digit rebounds in his last 8 games, and clearly earning Spolstera’s trust, consistently playing more minutes. Sunday was his best performance yet, scoring 22 and bringing down 16 boards.
Bam Adebayo isn’t expected to be back until at least January 12th, but even upon his return, Miami’s front-court is thin. In this two-week span, Yurtseven has shown he’s capable of playing bigger minutes which could make him an intriguing pick-up, for rebounds and FG%.
Hamidou Diallo, SG – Detroit Pistons
The young guard has absolutely gone off his last three games, capped by playing every minute in an overtime win over the Spurs. In that game, he put a massive line including, 34 pts, 14 reb, 4 ast, 5 stls, and 2 blks. Over his last three contests, he’s averaging 31 points 10 rebounds and nearly 4 steals. Of course, once Detroit gets healthy he should come back down to earth, but seems unlikely to head back to the Motor City Cruise, G- League affiliate.
Even last year in limited minutes Diallo put up impressive per36 numbers, and I’ve pointed out in the past just how efficient he is. It is shocking teams haven’t given Diallo much time to develop a rhythm. This might just be his time, and on a roster like Detroit’s he has a chance to play big minutes and contribute across all fantasy formats.
Aaron Wiggins, SG – Oklahoma City Thunder
Aaron Wiggins, one of the 4,000 or so first-round picks Oklahoma City seem to have, for what seems like ever, is finally getting his shot. He doesn’t do much outside of scoring, but Oklahoma City is dead last in the league at 99.8 points per game. So even when OKC gets their guys back it’s going to be tough to keep Wiggins off the court if he’s capable of scoring 20 plus a night, which he’s now done twice in his last 5 games.
Wiggins certainly would be a reach in standard leagues, but a potential low-risk, high reward option in deep and keeper formats.
Keep An Eye On…
Kyle Guy, PG/SG – Miami Heat
He may not remain on the Heat but he could pop up elsewhere and
Greg Monroe, C/PF – Minnesota Timberwolves
Much like Guy, not sure he fits in the frontcourt with KAT eventually coming back. Regardless, the veteran big man has dominated down-low in stretches during his return, and can clearly still contribute. He was playing with the Wizards G league affiliate before being called up to the Timberwolves.
Malik Monk, SG – Los Angeles Lakers
Monk only sort of qualifies, He’s been in the rotation most of the season, but only recently received extended minutes. The Lakers are in the bottom half of three-pointers made per game and could continue to help in that category.
Fantrax was one of the fastest-growing fantasy sites of 2020, and we’re not stopping now. With multi-team trades, designated commissioner/league managers, and drag/drop easy click methods, Fantrax is sure to excite the serious fantasy sports fan – sign up now for a free year at Fantrax.com.