X
Lost password?

Don't have an account?
Gain Access Now

X

Receive free daily analysis

NFL
NBA
NHL
NASCAR
CFB
MLB
MMA
PGA
ESPORTS
BETTING

Already have an account? Log In

X

Forgot Password


POPULAR FANTASY TOOLS

Expert Advice
Import Your Leagues
Weekly Rankings
Compare Any Players
Projections
Articles & Tools
Weekly Planner
24x7 News and Alerts

Fantasy Basketball Rotation Watch: Playing Time Updates For Week 14

Euan Leith looks at fantasy basketball starting lineup changes for Week 14. These NBA players are seeing increases or decreases in minutes and playing time.

Welcome to Rotation Watch! Each week this article will break down who is gaining and who is losing minutes around the NBA. Fantasy managers want the players that are getting the opportunity to shine, not the ones who are sitting on the bench and watching from the sidelines.

Arghhhh! Are we serious with these injuries? Jamal Murray, Kemba Walker, Jaylen Brown, Marvin Bagley, and Richaun Holmes all picked up injuries and provided plenty of minutes for their replacements. The All-Star Break is coming up, and teams may keep their injured players on the shelf a little longer to give them a mid-season break. The trade deadline is also creeping closer by the day, and there has not been a whole lot of activity. One minor move could lead to a significant opportunity for someone that is currently riding the bench.

So without further ado, let's start searching those box scores from January 13th to January 19th and look for those hidden gems that are grabbing some minutes to help your fantasy basketball team.

Upgrade To VIP: Win more with our NBA and DFS Premium Pass, get expert tools and advice from proven winners! Jamie Calandro and Dan Palyo lead the RotoBaller team in 2024-25 with exclusive DFS picks, Prop picks and more. Gain VIP access to our Lineup Optimizer, Research Station, DFS Cheat Sheets and VIP Chat Rooms. Go Premium, Win More!

 

NBA Playing Time Changes

Marcus Smart (PG, SG - Boston Celtics)

Season: 31.3 Minutes per Game

Week 13: 34.4 Minutes per Game

Marcus Smart is playing the fifth-most minutes on the Boston Celtics this season but has primarily come off the bench when his team is at full strength. Kemba Walker and Jaylen Brown were both sidelined at times during Week 13, and that allowed Smart to pick up more minutes, and he took full advantage of the opportunity.

In Week 13, Smart averaged 19.0 points on 42.1% shooting, 5.5 assists, 4.8 made threes, 4.3 rebounds, and 2.8 steals. It was a monster week for the reserve guard, and it was highlighted on Saturday night against the Phoenix Suns where Smart scored a career-high 37 points on a career-high 11 made three-pointers.

The sixth-year guard is averaging career-highs in points, field goal attempts, and minutes this year, and it is making up for the dip in his field goal shooting this season. Smart plays on a team that seems to be dealing with an injury reasonably often. If you play in one of the 35 percent of leagues that he is unowned, you could do a lot worse than picking him and having a guard that plays 31 minutes per game on a championship-contending team.

 

Malik Beasley (SG - Denver Nuggets)

Season: 16.9 Minutes per Game

Week 13: 19.8 Minutes per Game

Denver Nuggets guard Jamal Murray suffered a nasty-looking ankle injury that will see him miss the "foreseeable future," according to Nuggets Head Coach Michael Malone. That means 32 minutes per game are up for grabs in the Nuggets backcourt, and it looks like it will be a competition between Malik Beasley, Monte Morris, and Torrey Craig. Morris and Craig have both started since the Murray injury, but it was Beasley who shined the brightest during Week 13.

He averaged 9.7 points, 1.7 made threes, and 1.7 steals over three contests, but it was his performance on national TV that stood out. On Thursday against the Warriors, Beasley erupted from a dormant season to play a season-high 39 minutes off the bench while rallying the Nuggets with 27 points, four rebounds, three steals, one assist and five made three-pointers. It was an excellent showcase for the fourth-year guard.

Malik Beasley was a trendy breakout pick in some circles during the offseason after a career year in the 2018-19 season. Unfortunately, the Denver Nuggets are one of the deepest teams in the Association and can afford to spread the minutes out among eight to 10 players. Beasley's name has been floated around in trade rumors with his upcoming restricted free agency this summer. So this week's performance will hopefully get him traded to a team with more opportunities or gain him more chances with the team he is his already playing for in Denver. Sometimes, you have to wait for your chance and be ready when it comes around, and Beasley certainly proved that during Week 13.

 

Dillon Brooks (SG, SF - Memphis Grizzlies)

Season: 28.1 Minutes per Game

Week 13: 29.8 Minutes per Game

The Grizzlies play at the third-fastest pace in the league averaging 103.59 possessions per game. They only trail the Bucks and Rockets and are quickly becoming one of the best stories of the season. Their run-and-gun style seems to have propelled Dillon Brooks to new heights in his third season. The Grizzlies only played two games last week, but Brooks was still able to make quite an impact on the fantasy landscape.

In his games against the Rockets and Cavaliers, he saw a slight uptick in his minutes by averaging 29.8 minutes per game, and he had some phenomenal results. Brooks averaged 25.0 points on 51.5% shooting while draining five three-pointers per game on 58.8% shooting from deep. He added three rebounds, two assists, and half a steal per game. He has taken off in his third year, and it seems like he just needed some running mates to unlock his potential.

This level of production is hard to believe, and it seems regression is eventually in the cards for the small forward, but he added a 31-point performance to his current streak on Monday against the Pelicans. He has now scored 20-plus points in six of his past eight games, and these kinds of performances make Brooks a must-roster in 12-team leagues.

 

Nemanja Bjelica (PF - Sacramento Kings)

Season: 27.9 Minutes per Game

Week 13: 34.2 Minutes per Game

Four players in the NBA have scored 34 points, grabbed seven rebounds, and drained eight threes in a single game this season. The first three are well-known stars: Damian Lillard, James Harden, and Luka Doncic. The fourth? None other than Nemanja Bjelica. The Kings forward produced that stat line against the Orlando Magic to kick off Week 13 and then followed it up against the Dallas Mavericks with his sixth double-double of the season.

He saw a surge in his minutes with Marvin Bagley sitting a few games, and now Richaun Holmes has picked up a shoulder injury. Bjelica has played at least 33 minutes in six-straight games and seems locked into a primary role in the King's rotation at the moment.

Usually, I would air on the side of caution because when two starters return, the player benefitting from those starters sitting could see his minutes cut back. However, we have passed the halfway point of the season, and the track record says that Bagley and Holmes cannot and will not stay healthy. The fifth-year forward is a must-roster in all 12-team leagues and possibly 10-team leagues with the suitable league settings.

 

Daniel Theis (C - Boston Celtics)

Season: 22.0 Minutes per Game

Week 13: 26.6 Minutes per Game

Daniel Theis is an enticing fantasy option, but is splitting minutes with Enes Kanter, and that is currently limiting his upside. In Week 13, he saw his minutes rise to 26.6 per game, and it produced some exciting stat lines for fantasy.

He reached double figures in back-to-back games for just the third time this season and produced his second double-double of the season against the Milwaukee Bucks. His 12 points, 10 rebounds, and two blocks may not seem like much, but that is more than enough in a scant 23 minutes.

If Theis can continue to see the type of work he had in Week 13, he will become an attractive option in 12-team leagues. However, unless a significant injury occurs to Enes Kanter, Theis will continue to see minutes in the 20 range.

More Fantasy Basketball Analysis




POPULAR FANTASY TOOLS

Expert Advice
Import Your Leagues
Weekly Rankings
Compare Any Players
Projections
Articles & Tools
Weekly Planner
24x7 News and Alerts

REAL-TIME FANTASY NEWS

Justin Verlander

Plans to Pitch in 2026
Junior Caminero

Day-to-Day With Back Tightness
Will Smith

Won't Return When First Eligible
Tyler Soderstrom

Returns to A's Lineup
Tyler Warren

Sidelined on Wednesday with Toe Injury
Jaylen Waddle

Questionable for Week 3 Against Buffalo
Joe Burrow

Bengals Not Closing the Door on Joe Burrow Returning This Year
CFB

LaNorris Sellers to Play Against Missouri?
Kyle Tucker

Progress has "Plateaued"
Isaac Paredes

has "Outside Chance" to Return This Weekend
CFB

Kaidon Salter Expected To Start for Colorado on Saturday
Willson Contreras

Goes on 10-Day Injured List, Done for Season
Justin Fields

Ruled Out for Week 3 Due to Concussion
Jayden Reed

Out Indefinitely After Foot and Shoulder Surgery
Washington Commanders

Preston Smith Signs With Commanders
Trey Jemison III

Joins Knicks on Two-Way Contract
Kevin McCullar Jr.

Signs New Two-Way Deal With Knicks
Matt Ryan

Returns to Knicks on Exhibit 10 Contract
New York Knicks

Alex Len Signs Exhibit 9 Deal With Knicks
Nickeil Alexander-Walker

Expected to Take on Larger Offensive Role With Hawks
Thomas Sorber

Undergoes Surgery
Dominic Canzone

Has Five-Hit, Three-Homer Game Tuesday
Cal Raleigh

Sets Single-Season Home Run Record for a Switch-Hitter
Jayden Reed

Undergoes Clavicle and Foot Surgeries, Out for Foreseeable Future
Bo Bichette

to Miss Rest of Regular Season
Zach Neto

Placed on 10-Day Injured List With Hand Injury
Yordan Alvarez

Out on Tuesday, Dealing With "Significant" Ankle Sprain
Aaron Jones Sr.

Vikings Place Aaron Jones Sr. on Injured Reserve With Hamstring Injury
CFB

Diego Pavia Refutes Report of Seeking Seventh Collegiate Season
Christian Kirk

Expected to Return in Week 3
CFB

Diego Pavia Seeking Another Year of Eligibility
Tarik Skubal

on Track to Start Thursday
CFB

Kevorian Barnes Questionable Against SMU
Bo Bichette

has Short-Term Knee Injury, Could Return for Postseason
Tosan Evbuomwan

Joins Knicks
NBA

Kai Jones Links Up With EuroLeague Team
Bismack Biyombo

Returns to Spurs
Bones Hyland

Rejoins Timberwolves
Kobe Bufkin

Moves to Brooklyn
Trey Yesavage

Sets Franchise Strikeout Record On Monday
Yordan Alvarez

To Receive MRI For Sprained Left Ankle On Tuesday
Willson Contreras

Exits Early Monday With Right-Biceps Tightness
Yordan Alvarez

Exits With Ankle Sprain
Brock Bowers

Officially Active on Monday Night
Jauan Jennings

Day-to-Day With Ankle Injury
Logan O'Hoppe

Activated Off Seven-Day Injured List
CBJ

Denton Mateychuk Dealing With Groin Issue
Bo Horvat

Fine for Training Camp
Kirby Dach

on Track to Be Ready for Opening Night
Jose Altuve

Returns Against Rangers
J.J. McCarthy

Expected to Miss 2-4 Weeks With High-Ankle Sprain
J.J. McCarthy

Likely Out for Week 3 With High-Ankle Sprain
Jean Silva

Gets Finished For The First Time In His Career
Aaron Jones Sr.

Unlikely to Play in Week 3 Due to Hamstring Injury
Diego Lopes

Returns To The Win Column
Jayden Daniels

' Week 3 Status in Doubt
Rob Font

Outclassed In The Noche UFC 3 Co-Main Event
David Martinez

Wins His Second UFC Fight
Jared Gordon

Suffers Brutal TKO Loss At Noche UFC 3
Rafa Garcia

Wins Back-To-Back Fights
Brian Thomas Jr.

Dealing with Wrist Injury
Dustin Stoltzfus

Drops A Decision At Noche UFC 3
Kelvin Gastelum

Gets Back In The Win Column
Diego Ferreira

Suffers Second-Round TKO
Alexander Hernandez

Extends His Win Streak With A Brutal TKO
Quang Le

Suffers First-Round Knockout
Santiago Luna

Shines In His UFC Debut
Christopher Bell

Earns his First Bristol Cup Series Victory
Alex Bowman

Falls Short of Advancing Through Cup Series Playoffs
Chase Briscoe

Collects his Third Top-10 Finish at Bristol
Ryan Blaney

Strong Top-Five Bristol Performance Advances him to the Playoffs
Corey Heim

Earns his First Career Cup Series Top-10 Finish at Bristol
Giannis Antetokounmpo

Leads Greece to Bronze Medal
Alperen Sengün

Alperen Sengun Drops 28 Points in EuroBasket Finals
CFB

Indiana's Lee Beebe Jr. Out for Season with Knee Injury
Dennis Schröder

Dennis Schroder Named EuroBasket MVP
Bryce Eldridge

Giants to Promote Bryce Eldridge
Jaren Jackson Jr.

Progressing in Recovery
Jonathan Kuminga

Receives New Offer From Warriors
Kenneth Walker III

Bounces Back with Big Week 2 Performance
Bijan Robinson

Rushes for 143 Yards in Week 2
Justin Fields

Currently in Concussion Protocol
Cincinnati Bengals

Bengals Calling Around to Available Free-Agent Quarterbacks
Joe Burrow

to Undergo Surgery, Out at Least Three Months
Emil Heineman

Aiming to Take the "Next Step" This Season
Braeden Cootes

Good to Go for Camp
Ivan Fedotov

Blue Jackets Acquire Ivan Fedotov From Flyers
Quentin Grimes

Still Not Close to a New Contract Agreement
Joel Embiid

"Looking Slender, Spry and in Positive Spirits"
Ty Gibbs

Has Arguably his Best Career Drive, but Only Finishes 10th
Chase Elliott

Despite Crashing Out at Bristol, Chase Elliott Advances to Round of 12
Austin Dillon

Misses Round of 12 After Extremely Mediocre Bristol Run
Shane Van Gisbergen

Shane van Gisbergen Fails to Advance to Round of 12
Josh Berry

Finishes Last in All Three Round of 16 Races to Fail to Advance
CFB

Ryan Williams Explodes In Return To Field
CFB

Drew Allar Plays Mediocre Game In Blowout Win
CFB

LaNorris Sellers Exits Game In Blowout Loss
CFB

DJ Lagway Tosses Five Interceptions In Loss
CFB

Garrett Nussmeier Plays Game Manager in Saturday's Win
CFB

CJ Carr Remains Poised In Narrow Loss
CFB

John Mateer Leads Oklahoma In Rout
CFB

Arch Manning Struggles Against UTEP
CFB

Jeremiah Smith Impresses In Win
CFB

Sam Leavitt Shines As Arizona State Rebounds From Week 2 Loss
Ivan Demidov

Turning Heads in Rookie Camp
NHL

Calvin de Haan Signs With Swedish Team
Samuel Girard

Skates With Non-Contact Jersey
Mackenzie Blackwood

Dealing With Injury Ahead of Training Camp
Spencer Knight

Signs Three-Year Extension With Blackhawks
Chris Buescher

May have Another Solid Run at Bristol
Corey Perry

Out 6-8 Weeks Following Surgery
Kyle Busch

Should DFS Managers Roster Kyle Busch at Bristol?
Ricky Stenhouse Jr

Is Ricky Stenhouse Jr. Too Risky to Consider Rostering at Bristol?
Michael McDowell

Could be A Solid Value Option For Bristol DFS Lineups
Chase Elliott

Probably Won't Factor in for Bristol Win
NASCAR

Bubba Wallace Not as Strong at Bristol as Other Short Tracks
Alex Bowman

Needs to Win to Make Round of 12
Ross Chastain

has Never Led at Bristol but Has Been Pretty Consistent
Austin Dillon

Richmond Speed Unlikely to Carry Over to Bristol
Josh Berry

Might Run Well at Bristol, but Almost Certainly Won't Win to Advance
Justin Haley

Bristol One of Justin Haley's Few Recent Bright Spots
CFB

Austin Simmons Listed As Game-Time Decision Against Arkansas
CFB

Nico Iamaleava Struggles In Fourth Straight Loss
Ukko-Pekka Luukkonen

Dealing With a "Tweak"
BUF

Alexandar Georgiev Joins Sabres on One-Year Deal
Corey Perry

Injured During Pre-Camp Skate
CFB

Antonio Williams Out Against Georgia Tech
CFB

CJ Bailey Flashes Again in Win Over Wake Forest
CFB

Jaxson Moi a Game-Time Decision for Tennessee on Saturday
Jean Silva

A Favorite At Noche UFC 3
Diego Lopes

Set For Noche UFC 3 Main Event
Rob Font

Looks For His Third Consecutive Win
David Martinez

Set For Noche UFC 3 Co-Main Event
Rafa Garcia

An Underdog At Noche UFC 3
Jared Gordon

Looks To Win Back-To-Back Fights
Dustin Stoltzfus

Looks To Return To The Win Column
Kelvin Gastelum

In Dire Need Of Victory
Diego Ferreira

Looks To Get Back In The Win Column
Malcolm Brogdon

Heading to Knicks on One-Year Deal
Landry Shamet

Staying with the Knicks

RANKINGS

QB
RB
WR
TE
K
DEF
RANKINGS
C
1B
2B
3B
SS
OF
SP
RP