The NBA has reached its midway point for the season, and soon teams will have to decide how they will proceed. Will rebuilding teams turn to their younger players and bench veteran starters to not only evaluate their talent but also improve their lottery odds? Will those same teams look to trade assets for more draft picks, in turn, providing even more playing time for those left on their respective rosters? How will those traded at the deadline's value be affected?

Below we've highlighted two players who should see an increase in value based on not only their team's current position, but potential should they be moved into the starting lineup. The third player is an injury replacement who is finally starting to perform up to expectations.

As a reminder, for standard (10-12 team) league adds, we use a general rule of thumb of an ownership rate of under 50% on Yahoo. All position eligibility based on Yahoo leagues.

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Standard League Adds for Week 14

Dewayne Dedmon C – Atlanta Hawks

Ownership: 39%

10.8 PPG / 7.8 REB / 76.3 FT% / . 582 FG%

Before Dedmon was hurt in November, the center had started to his establish himself as the starter in a crowded front court in Atlanta. There were signs of his potential, including a 20 point, 14 rebound, five assists, two steal, two block game while shooting 90 percent in 23 minutes against Sacramento on November 15.

Then he got hurt.

Dedmon has only played in less than a handful of games since his return and has had to share time with Mike Muscala, Miles Plumlee and rookie John Collins. That could soon change. Plumlee has been absolutely horrific as a starter, rated 1o in Atlanta's box plus/minus. Muscala hasn't done much better ranked ninth. Dedmon, however has the third best.

Since returning, he is averaging 10.7 points, 9.3 rebounds and 0.7 blocks over his last three games, good enough for a top-60 ranking in 9-cat fantasy leagues. His minutes are increasing every game while still maintaining a consistent 48% from the floor.

Should Atlanta make the decision to move Dedmon into the starting line up, he could be a double-double monster down the stretch. His arrow is definitely pointing in the right direction.

Bogdon Bogdanovic, SG – Sacramento Kings

Ownership 37%

11.1 PPG / 1.4 3PT / 2.9 AST / .477 FG%

Much like Dedmon, Bogdanovic's appeal is tied to his 2018 start as well as the potential of moving into the starting lineup. In the case of Bogdanovic, it might already be happening. On Monday, Kings Head Coach Dave Joerger made Bodanovic a starter. Joerger also said he would start to rotate rest for his veteran starters which should only increase opportunities for Bogdanovic.

Since the start of the new year, Bogdanovic is averaging 15 points, 1.5 threes and taking at least eight shots per contest. Over the past four games he is averaging 17.5 points, 4.0 assists, 1.8 triples and just 0.8 turnovers per game on 58.1% shooting.

Like most teams with a lot of young talent, it's safe to assume they'll start to toy with their respective rosters and give more run to their younger players to get a good feel for what they have. This all bodes well for Bogdanovic and his owners moving forward.

Ish Smith, PG – Detroit Pistons

Ownership 35%

10.0 PPG / 4.1 AST / 2.6 REB / .471 FG%

Smith's rise the last two weeks can be entirely contributed to starter Reggie Jackson (ankle) getting injured at the end of December. Since then, Smith has gone from a player rarely topping 20 minutes a game to a starter averaging 14.4 points and 5.8 assists over his last five games.

Smith's per 36 minutes numbers support his continued increase in value. As long as Jackson is out, Smith should continue to get more comfortable in the Pistons offense in a starting role and his value should continue to rise.

Since taking over for Jackson, Smith's value has improved to a top-50 player this past week.

 

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