RADIO
We're really going to do this again? We're really going to do this again. Okay, deep breath.
There are a ton of moving pieces, and this is going to be scheduled to come out on Tuesday so check any and all information again if you're looking on Wednesday or later. More players are sure to go into the health and safety protocols, and others are likely to return. The league decreased the number of days that players need to quarantine, which has taken some adjustment in considering who to pick up and how long you can stream them.
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.
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Short-Term Injuries for Fantasy Basketball
The Entire Roster, All Positions, Atlanta Hawks - Health & Safety Protocols
Bogdan Bogdanovic might return for their next game, but he's likely already owned in your league. His return will probably kill all Cam Reddish value, who is dealing with a sore ankle anyways. With Trae Young back, there isn't anyone that looks super great as a pickup. Kevin Huerter is probably worth a roster spot for the next game. Danilo Gallinari is worth a roster spot as long as John Collins remains on the sidelines.
Players in the H&S: Bogdan Bogdanovic, John Collins, Gorgui Dieng, Malik Ellison, Jalen Johnson
Jayson Tatum, SF/PF, Boston Celtics - Health & Safety Protocols
Jaylen Brown is obviously going to have a ton of looks and he dropped 50 in their last game, which is only a minor surprise. Grant Williams has been playing a ton for the shorthanded Celtics and he's worth an add for their next game or two until the C's get some bodies back. Josh Richardson is also worth a look for teams in need of threes and steals.
Robert Williams, C, Boston Celtics - Toe
Robert Williams is just day-to-day with the toe injury and the only real fantasy implication is that Al Horford is locked into a substantial role until he returns. Not much to see here for fantasy.
Kyrie Irving, PG/SG, Brooklyn Nets - Conditioning
Look, Kyrie Irving should just get the vaccine, but even I must say that his return, even if it's going to be limited, comes as a bit of fresh air in a season that doesn't have a lot of positive stuff going on. Kyrie still isn't going to be playing in home games, which is going to make him quite the headache to own in all H2H formats, but if you're in a games-capped roto league he'll probably be a steal for you in the few games he does play. His return likely pushes Patty Mills and Bruce Brown a bit down the value board, whenever he plays.
PJ Washington, PF/C, Charlotte Hornets - Health & Safety Protocols
Mason Plumlee is worth a roster spot for teams in need of rebounds and blocks. When PJ Washington returns, it's going to be a platoon situation that is best avoided.
Kristaps Porzingis, PF/C, Dallas Mavericks - Health & Safety Protocols
The Mavericks have a fair amount of players in the protocols, but the only one that really matters is Kristaps Porzingis. Maxi Kleber is the clear winner anytime Kristaps Porzingis has to miss time. He's only rostered in 10% of leagues and can contribute in threes and blocks while snagging a decent number of rebounds.
Monte Morris, PG/SG, Denver Nuggets - Health and Safety Protocols
Monte Morris is likely to be out through January 7th, if not longer, which will make Facundo Campazzo a popular add in many leagues. Facundo can provide you defensive stats while also contributing assists at a decent clip, so he's absolutely worth a spot for a few games. Go get him and hope he has a big game against the Utah Jazz.
Isaiah Stewart, PF/C, Detroit Pistons - Health and Safety Protocols
Isaiah Stewart has been out as well as Trey Lyles, which has lead to some big games from Luka Garza. When Beef Stew returns, that's going to crush the rest of Garza's value as Trey Lyles has already returned. Let's all hope this little respite kickstarts his slow start to the season.
Alperen Sengun, C, Houston Rockets - Ankle
Tough blow for Sengun fans, but the young big is going to be out at least through January 8th. In his absence, Daniel Theis and KJ Martin are worth a look, with the latter name being the pickup with considerably more upside. There's a lot of drama going on right now with Kevin Porter Jr. and Christian Wood which should blow over soon, but keep tabs on that situation as Theis and Martin could wind up being longer term adds.
The Entire Roster, All Positions, Indiana Pacers - Health & Safety Protocols
The Pacers seem to be the latest team to get the bug in the NBA as they have six players in the health and safety protocols. Malcolm Brogdon is day-to-day with a sore achilles, and while he's out the Pacers are starting a backcourt of Keifer Sykes and Duane Washington Jr. Yeah, those are real people. Justin Holiday is the guy who gets the biggest boost with all the wings and guards out, but the aforementioned Sykes and Washington are also worth a look as long as everyone remains out.
Players in the H&S: Goga Bitazde, Caris LeVert, Kelan Martin, Chris Duarte, Isaiah Jackson, Jeremy Lamb
The Entire Roster, All Positions, Los Angeles Clippers - Health & Safety Protocols/Injuries
The Los Angeles Clippers have five players in the health and safety protocols, but they also have five players that are injured. Terance Mann and Marcus Morris Sr. need to be rostered everywhere if they aren't already. Serge Ibaka is worth a look too while the Clippers are so decimated. No one else on the Clippers is particularly appealing right now.
Players in the H&S: Luke Kennard, Ivica Zubac, Brandon Boston Jr., Moses Wright, Jay Scrubb
The Entire Roster, All Positions, Memphis Grizzlies - Health & Safety Protocols
The Memphis Grizzlies have seven players in the health and safety protocols. The biggest names among them would be Dillon Brooks, De'Anthony Melton, and Kyle Anderson. Desmond Bane is going to get a ton of run in the short term, but Brandon Clarke is the guy that is likely available in your league. He should help teams a ton in field goal percentage while putting up some big man stats.
Players in the H&S: Kyle Anderson, Xavier Tillman, John Konchar, Dillon Brooks, De'Anthony Melton, Yves Pons, Jarrett Culver
The Entire Roster, All Positions, Miami Heat - Health & Safety Protocols/Injuries
Five players in the health and safety protocols, but five players injured also. Caleb Martin is inexplicably only owned in 15% of Yahoo! leagues, so go out and change that if yours is one of them. The same goes for Omer Yurtseven, who will give you rebounds in bunches as well as some blocks. Kyle Guy is worth a look for guard stats as well if the other two aren't available.
As I was writing this, Jimmy Butler rolled his ankle badly and had to leave the game. Max Strus makes for a nice speculative add for whenever he comes off of the health and safety protocols.
Players in the H&S: Duncan Robinson, Gabe Vincent, Udonis Haslem, Max Strus, PJ Tucker
Nickeil Alexander-Walker, SG/SF, New Orleans Pelicans - Health & Safety Protocols
I'm honestly just putting him here to urge you all to GO PICK UP Herbert Jones. You'll thank me later. As long as he's locked into a 30+ minute role, he needs to be snapped up, especially for teams that are in need of defensive stats.
Julius Randle, PF/C, New York Knicks - Health & Safety Protocols
It's unclear when Julius Randle is going to be able to return from the health and safety protocols, but he and Nerlens Noel have been out for some time. Randle could be back any day, but while he's out you should go out and roster Obi Toppin everywhere. He's going to get a ton of run and opportunity.
Kemba Walker, PG, New York Knicks - Knee
Kemba Walker has been ruled out for a third straight game with knee soreness, so he can safely be sent to the wire. Immanuel Quickley remains a borderline guy that you can probably scoop up and hope for the best. Miles McBride may get some additional run as well, but isn't doing enough to warrant a spot in standard leagues.
Darius Bazley, SF/PF, Oklahoma City Thunder - Health & Safety Protocols
Lu Dort is out with an injury as well. Jeremiah Robinson-Earl is also in the protocols. With all these absences, Aleksej Pokusevski should get plenty of run and always makes for a fun dice roll. He could put up gaudy numbers or he could put up a complete dud, you just never know. Aaron Wiggins is a borderline add for teams in need of points and Ty Jerome is getting minutes. None of these guys is super appealing though.
Tyrese Maxey, PG/SG, Philadelphia 76ers - Health & Safety Protocols
Matisse Thybulle also entered the protocols, but Maxey is the big news here. Without Maxey, the Sixers are going to play a combination of Furkan Korkmaz and Shake Milton. Korkmaz is the more appealing of the two these days and just dropped a huge game against the Rockets. Go snap him up and see how it plays out.
The Entire Roster, All Positions, Phoenix Suns - Health & Safety Protocols
The Suns have five players in the protocols on top of three injured players. Deandre Ayton remains out but should be on the verge of a return any day now. The same can be said of Jae Crowder. Cameron Johnoson and Jalen Smith are going to be worth a look for the next game at least, and perhaps beyond.
Players in the H&S: JaVale McGee, Elfrid Payton, Abdel Nader, Deandre Ayton, Jae Crowder
Dejounte Murray, PG/SG, San Antonio Spurs - Conditioning
The Spurs have three players in the league's health and safety protocols, but the good news is that it seems Dejounte Murray is going to return to the lineup in their next game. If you were streaming Bryn Forbes or Tre Jones, now is the time to drop them.
The Entire Roster, All Positions, Washington Wizards - Health & Safety Protocols
The Wizards are officially the worst hit team in basketball when it comes to the NBA's health and safety protocols. They have eight players in the health and safety protocols, but they should get a few point guards back for the next one. If those guys don't suit up for the next one, Corey Kispert and Kentavious Caldwell-Pope would be worth rostering.
Long Term Injuries for Fantasy Basketball
Javonte Green, PG/SG/SF, Chicago Bulls - Groin
News has come down that Javonte Green is set to miss 2-4 weeks, which is a huge blow. The Bulls are already without Derrick Jones Jr., so they're pretty thin on the wing. Ayo Dosunmu and Troy Brown Jr. are going to get some extra opportunity, but it's hard to see either guy helping teams outside of deep league situations while the Bulls' big three is healthy. Tony Bradley and Tyler Cook also remain out, but the Bulls have simply gone small or given Nikola Vucevic big minutes rather than play Jordan Bell or Ersan Ilyasova.
Isaac Okoro, SG/SF, Cleveland Cavaliers - Elbow
Isaac Okoro sprained his elbow and will be on the sidelines for at least two weeks. Dean Wade is probably in line to play some extended minutes as Cedi Osman is still in the health and safety protocols. He's worth a look as a three-point specialist, but most teams can just move on. Okoro isn't doing enough to warrant a stash.
Donte DiVincenzo, PG/SG, Milwaukee Bucks - Ankle
Donte DiVincenzo rolled his surgically repaired ankle, which just makes me cringe to think about. That's awful. He'll be reevaluated at the end of January but isn't at all worth a stash. Grayson Allen and Pat Connaughton can both be viewed as fringe guys that you can stream for three-pointers.
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