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Fantasy Basketball Rotation Watch: Playing Time Updates For Week 2

Euan Leith looks at fantasy basketball starting lineup changes for Week 2 of the 2020-21 NBA season. These players are seeing increases in minutes and playing time.

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 minutes. They want to avoid the players falling out of favor and watching the action from the sidelines.

It's exhilarating to see the NBA off and running for the 2020-21 season. Unfortunately, real-life injuries are already affecting fantasy rosters across the board, and Kawhi Leonard and Ja Morant's injuries have some managers scrambling to fill those absences. Luckily, you'll find some of the best candidates in the association to fill those minutes in the article below.

So without further ado, let's start searching those box scores from Dec. 22 to Dec. 27 and look for those hidden gems that are grabbing the minutes to help your fantasy basketball team achieve the ultimate prize: a championship. 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, and I'll happily talk about some fantasy basketball with you all.

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NBA Playing Time Changes

George Hill, PG - Oklahoma City Thunder

Last Season: 21.5 Minutes per Game (w/ Milwaukee Bucks)

Week 1: 24.0 Minutes per Game

It may be a short-lived stay in Oklahoma City for George Hill, but there's no reason why he can't put up some good fantasy performances while he's playing in the Sooner State. Through two games with his new team, the veteran is averaging 17.5 points, 4.5 rebounds, 3.5 assists, 1.5 steals and shooting 59.1 percent from the floor. His first game in the blue and orange saw the guard go 8-for-9 with 21 points against the Charlotte Hornets while making all four of his three-point shots.

Chris Paul moved to warmer pastures in Phoenix and left a Hall of Fame-sized hole in the Thunder's offense. Hill can't replicate what CP3 brought to this team, but he can do his best to fill the gap as much as possible. His 24 minutes per game would be the highest since the 2017-18 season, and the 11 shots per game would be the most since the 2016-17 campaign with the Utah Jazz. The 2008 draft pick is on 30 percent of Yahoo rosters, but his dual eligibility at point and shooting guard makes him a worthy pickup in 14-team leagues to begin the season.

 

Jae'sean Tate, SG - Houston Rockets

Last Season: N/A 

Week 1: 37.0 Minutes per Game

The rookie came off the bench in his NBA debut and had an admirable performance in his first professional game. Against the Portland Trail Blazers, Tate played 37 minutes and flashed the ability that got him his contract with the Rockets in the first place. The lefty went 5-for-9 with 13 points, four rebounds, two assists, and one steal. Also, he made both of his attempts from the charity stripe and went 1-for-4 from downtown.

The performance comes with the caveat that John Wall and Eric Gordon both missed the contest due to COVID-19 protocols, but there is still enough here to be encouraged for the future. His teammate's absences may be the break that Tate needs to continue earning minutes for this team. While one lefty in Houston is trying to find a new home, this team may have found another one to gladly inherit some of his shots and minutes if the opportunity comes along.

 

Keldon Johnson, SF - San Antonio Spurs

Last Season: 17.7 Minutes per Game

Week 1: 30.3 Minutes per Game

Everyone in the fantasy basketball world is talking about the early-season breakout Johnson is showing. The sophomore has received the starting nod in all three games so far this season and played 28 minutes in each contest. The second-year forward is averaging 14 points on 42.9 percent shooting to go along with 8.3 rebounds,  2.7 assists, 1.7 steals, and one block per game. The 2019 first-round pick isn't showing any fear in his shooting ability either because he's taken at least 10 shots in every game this year.

The former-Kentucky man contributes all over the box score and seems to be the clubhouse leader for early-season difference-maker. Johnson is available in 50 percent of Yahoo leagues as of Monday night, but that number will plummet if this form and workload continue in Week 2 of the new season.

 

Kyle Anderson, SF/PF - Memphis Grizzlies

Last Season: 19.9 Minutes per Game

Week 1: 32.5 Minutes per Game

It's not common for NBA players to break out in their seventh year and on their second team, but it seems to be happening to Kyle Anderson. The forward was added in 37 percent of those leagues over the last seven days but is still available in half of all Yahoo leagues. It's with good cause because the former-San Antonio Spur is thriving in the Memphis Grizzlies offense, and his role seems set to grow. The 27-year old was already playing 32.5 minutes per game in the Grizzlies' first three contests, but now, with Ja Morant facing a potentially lengthy recovery, Anderson could be in line for 35 minutes per night.

Over the first week of the new season, Anderson is averaging 18.3 points on 50 percent shooting, with 10.3 rebounds, two assists, and 2.3 makes from downtown. He's recorded back-to-back performances with at least 20 points and is settling in as a go-to option for Memphis. Add him while you still can because he deserves to be on a roster in a league of any shape, size, and format.

 

Bobby Portis, PF/C - Milwaukee Bucks

Last Season: 21.1 Minutes per Game (w/ New York Knicks)

Week 1: 22.7 Minutes per Game

The final recommendation is a potential one-week wonder at it's finest. However, while the Milwaukee Bucks remain in an early-season funk, it should lead to Bobby Portis accumulating a bunch of fantasy production. The sixth-year forward has played 26 minutes in each of the last two games for the Bucks and is prospering as the garbage time man. One performance came in a massive 39-point blowout over the Golden State Warriors, and the other came in a 20-point loss to the New York Knicks.

The fact is that Portis has produced back-to-back noteworthy performances. In the last two games, he has tallied 27 points, 19 rebounds, four assists, two blocks, two steals, and one three-pointer. The Bucks have two games against the Miami Heat this week and one against the Chicago Bulls. All three of those games have the potential to be blowouts if the early-season stink stays on Milwaukee. At least take a chance on Portis in Saturday's contest against the Chicago Bulls. Fantasy managers can even lean on the "revenge game" narrative for that matchup to ease the hesitation when clicking the add button net to Portis' name.



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REAL-TIME FANTASY NEWS

KaVontae Turpin

Arrested on Two Charges
Cole Ragans

to Begin Throwing on Monday
Theo Johnson

Prioritizing his Health this Offseason
Andrés Giménez

Andres Gimenez Hits 10-Day Injured List
Jermaine Burton

Continues to Show Growth
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Hendrix Lapierre Signs One-Year Deal with Capitals
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Kraken Re-Sign Tye Kartye for Two Years
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Should DFS Players Roster Ryan Preece at Chicago?
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Is A Value Play Worth Rostering At Chicago
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is A Favorable Value Option for Chicago DFS Lineups
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Doesn't Really Fit Neatly into Optimal DFS Lineups
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John H. Nemechek One of the Best Underdog Options After Strong Runs at Mexico City and Last Year
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Eager to Get Back on the Field
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Activated, Playing on Saturday
Jay Huff

on the Move to Indiana
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Likely to Undergo Tommy John Surgery
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Scratched from Saturday's Lineup
Vladimir Guerrero Jr.

Starting on Saturday
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Shemar Stewart, Bengals Continue Contract Talks, No Progress Made
Giannis Antetokounmpo

Potential Giannis Antetokounmpo Trade may not Happen Until "August, September"
Ha-Seong Kim

Removed Early During Season Debut
ARI

Christian Fischer Retires From NHL at 28
NHL

Spencer Martin Moves to Russia
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Anthony Beauvillier Re-Signs With Capitals for Two Years
Vladimir Guerrero Jr.

Sitting Out With Foot Issue
Isaiah Neyor

Impresses at Minicamp
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Jock Landale Waived by Rockets
Bo Bichette

Back in Blue Jays Lineup
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Jonas Valanciunas Considering Returning to Europe
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Jabari Walker

Signs Two-Way Deal With Sixers
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Titans Could Move Chimere Dike Inside
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KeAndre Lambert-Smith not Guaranteed Roster Spot
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Working Hard to Win Back Starting Job
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Still Improving?
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Jonathan Gannon has Been Impressed With Cody Simon
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Moritz Wagner, Magic Agree to One-Year Deal
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Likely to Reset the Edge-Rush Market
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Suns Discussing Potential Buyout
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Jaxson Hayes Staying with the Lakers
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Damian Lillard "Open" to Signing With a Team This Offseason
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Out at Least Six Weeks
Clarke Schmidt

Leaves Start with Forearm Tightness
Colson Montgomery

Promoted to the Major Leagues
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Omar Khan, Steelers Agree to Three-Year Contract
Max Muncy

Goes on Injured List With Knee Bruise
Max Muncy

Out of Thursday's Lineup
James Wood

Joining Home Run Derby
SJ

Sharks Claim Nick Leddy Off Waivers
SJ

Sharks Sign Dmitry Orlov to Two-Year, $13 Million Contract
CAR

Nikolaj Ehlers Joins Hurricanes on Six-Year Contract
Chau Smith-Wade

Having Stellar Offseason
Ace Bailey

Inks Rookie Contract With Jazz
Divine Deablo

Could be the Quarterback of the Defense
Isaiah Rodgers

a Likely Starter for the Vikings
Boston Celtics

Josh Minott Inks Deal With Celtics
Sandro Mamukelashvili

Heading to Toronto
Jared McCain

Not on 76ers Summer League Roster
Dylan Harper

Unavailable for California Classic
COL

Brent Burns Inks One-Year Deal with Avalanche
STL

Blues Land Pius Suter on Two-Year Deal
Morgan Frost

Agrees to Two-Year Extension with Flames
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Gustav Nyquist Moves to Winnipeg
Cody Glass

Devils Re-Sign Cody Glass to Two-Year Deal
PIT

Anthony Mantha Joins Penguins
Cleveland Cavaliers

Larry Nance Jr. Headed Back to Cavaliers
Eric Gordon

Remaining with 76ers
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Deandre Ayton Joining Lakers
Emil Heineman

Signs Two-Year Deal with Islanders
Simon Holmstrom

Re-Signs with Islanders for Two Years
UTA

Nate Schmidt Signs Three-Year Deal with Mammoth
UTA

Brandon Tanev Moves to Utah on Three-Year Contract
NJ

Evgenii Dadonov Joins Devils on One-Year Deal
BUF

Sabres Snap Up Alex Lyon on Two-Year Contract
Dallas Mavericks

Dante Exum Returning to Dallas
Jaren Jackson Jr.

Has Surgery to Repair a Turf Toe Injury
Bud Cauley

in Great Form Ahead of John Deere Classic
Christiaan Bezuidenhout

a Player to Avoid at John Deere Classic
Jake Knapp

Riding Momentum Ahead of John Deere Classic
PGA

Sungjae Im Looking for Consistency at John Deere Classic
Ryan Gerard

a Solid Option at John Deere Classic
Rickie Fowler

Looking to Rebound at John Deere Classic
Cameron Champ

a Volatile Option at John Deere Classic
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Staying Below 70 is Key to Success for Jackson Suber
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Playing Better Heading into John Deere Classic
Justin Lower

Hoping for Something Positive in Illinois
Ben Kohles

a Long Shot at John Deere Classic
Stephan Jaeger

Attempts to Stop Roller-Coaster Ride
Beau Hossler

Needs a Challenge in Illinois
Harry Higgs

Has Potential at John Deere Classic
Nick Dunlap

Keeps Plugging Through Tough 2025 Season
Kevin Yu

a Near Must-Play at TPC Deere Run
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J.T. Poston Returns to John Deere Classic Looking for Another High Finish
Thriston Lawrence

a Decent Fit For John Deere Classic
Tom Kim

Not Finding Much to be Happy About Ahead of John Deere Classic
Si Woo Kim

is a Prohibitive Fade at John Deere Classic
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is the Appropriate Favorite at TPC Deere Run
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