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Welcome back to Rotation Watch, Rotoballers! In this weekly article, we're all about finding those fantasy basketball game-changers. We'll keep a close eye on players who are getting more action on the court because, as savvy fantasy managers, we want our roster stacked with those who are racking up those stats.
In the world of fantasy hoops, it's all about staying ahead of the game. We'll help you spot those hidden gems on the brink of becoming fantasy studs, dissect up-and-coming talents, and break down how they fit into their team's game plans, giving you the edge in your fantasy basketball journey.
Fantasy basketball is all about predicting player performance, and it starts with understanding team rotations. As the season unfolds, things can change fast, whether due to injuries, trades, or a player's breakout performance. With Rotation Watch, you'll have the info you need to adjust your roster on the fly and outsmart your competition in the dynamic world of fantasy hoops. As always, if you have any questions or want to chat more about the NBA, you can find me on X/Twitter @dtepdc.
Skylar Mays - SG, Portland Trail Blazers
Yahoo: 42% rostered
Season Average: 16:05 MPG | PRA: 7.3/1.1/3.9
Last Seven Games: 34:08 MPG | PRA: 16.5/3/11.5
Mays was a great choice for fantasy managers who needed assists in his first season start, filling in for injured players Scoot Henderson and Malcolm Brogdon. With Anfernee Simons also out with an ankle injury and Brogdon's injury history, Mays could keep producing in the upcoming four-game week for Portland.
In his six starts at the end of the 2022-23 season with the Trail Blazers, Mays averaged 15.3 points, 8.3 assists, 3.2 rebounds, 2.0 three-pointers, and 1.0 steals per game in 31.5 minutes with a shooting percentage of 50% from the field and 92.3% from the free-throw line. In his last seven games of this season, those numbers have jumped to 34 MPG, with 16.5 points, 11.5 assists, and 3 rebounds. Mays is hot right now and a great addition to your roster.
Jaime Jaquez Jr. - SF, Miami Heat
Yahoo: 18% rostered
Season Average: 21.90 MPG | PRA:8.3/3.2/2.2
Last Seven Games: 30:60 MPG | PRA:14/4/3
With Jimmy Butler returning to the lineup after missing a game for personal reasons, Jaquez was moved back to the bench, which decreased his usage rate. However, due to Kyle Lowry being rested and Tyler Herro and Caleb Martin continuing to be out due to injury, Jaquez's playing time has been relatively stable. Although his production on offense came down, he was able to compensate by increasing his defensive output.
Lowry is expected to return to action today against Charlotte, which may result in Jaquez seeing fewer than 30 minutes of playing time. However, it should still allow him to play a consistent 20-25 minutes per game, as the returns of Herro and Martin don't appear to happen anytime soon.
Dyson Daniels - PG/SG, New Orleans Pelicans
Yahoo: 16% rostered
Season Average: 26.10 MPG | PRA: 8.3/5.1/3
Last Seven Games: 34.40 MPG | PRA: 11.3/7.3/3.7
The Pelicans were missing CJ McCollum (chest), Herbert Jones (leg), and Trey Murphy (knee) last Sunday against the Mavericks, which led to second-year player Daniels getting his third straight start. He made the most of his opportunity and achieved a new career high, scoring 17 points. While Sunday's performance may happen again, he is valuable in the short term for folks who need help in rebounding, assists, and steals. He's averaging 7.3 rebounds, 3.7 assists, and 1.7 steals through his first three starts.
McCollum has dealt with a collapsed lung before. In 2021, while playing for the Portland Trail Blazers, he missed 18 games dealing with pneumothorax. While we don't have a timeline for McCollum's return, that's enough time for Daniels to show what he can do and is worthy of rostering during this time.
Keyonte George - SG, Utah Jazz
Yahoo: 22% rostered
Season Average: 22:60 MPG | PRA:7.3/2.3/4.6
Last Seven Games: 30:02 MPG | PRA: 7/2.5/10
Last Wednesday, George made his debut as a starter for Utah after being selected as the 16th overall pick in the 2023 draft. During the game, he recorded seven points, three rebounds, and eleven assists, which is a new personal record. Additionally, he has now made at least one three-pointer in the last nine games of his rookie career.
Over the past seven days, the 20-year-old has significantly improved his average assists per game from 4.6 to ten. With the Jazz entrusting him with the offense, George's scoring output should also increase. Therefore, it's an ideal time to consider adding him to your team.
Jacob Gilyard - PG, Memphis Grizzlies
Yahoo: 3% rostered
Season Average: 16.70 MPG | PRA: 4.1/1.7/3.7
Last Seven Games: 24.20 MPG | PRA: 8.7/3/5
Gilyard impressed last Friday in the Grizzlies' loss to the Utah Jazz, scoring 14 points with a 50% field goal percentage and a 44.4% three-point percentage. He also grabbed four rebounds, dished out eight assists, and recorded one steal in 34 minutes of play. This was Gilyard's first career start, stepping in with Ziaire Williams out with a hip injury, and he took full advantage by setting new career highs in all statistical categories.
While most of the attention has been focused on Marcus Smart as the key offseason acquisition, the sophomore Gilyard has shown significant improvement, which has been helpful with Derrick Rose out with a knee injury. I expect Gilyard to continue on this hot streak and be a sneaky streamer while Memphis deals with suspensions and injuries.
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