Injury-plagued stars have been dropping like dominoes in the NBA, leaving their teammates with ample opportunities to step up. For some, these absences have resulted in a surge in production, while for others, it's led to a significant decline.
The Mavericks' Naji Marshall has emerged as one of the beneficiaries of this trend, with Anthony Davis's finger injury sidelining the big man and forcing Marshall into starting duty. Over the past eight games, Marshall has averaged 18.6 points, 5.1 rebounds, 4.3 assists, 1.6 steals, and 1.0 three-pointers per contest, making him a top waiver wire target.
Meanwhile, Jaylon Tyson has seen his playing time increase with Darius Garland's injury sidelining the point guard. As he assumes a more prominent role in the starting lineup, Tyson's production has improved, averaging 14.5 points, 5.7 rebounds, 2.4 assists, and 2.3 three-pointers per game over 24 contests.
The Bulls' Jalen Smith has also benefited from Zach Collins' injury, playing a significant role in double-big lineups. With Collins likely out through the All-Star break, Smith is averaging 11.2 points, 9.5 rebounds, 1.5 blocks, and 1.6 three-pointers over his last 11 games.
On the other hand, LaMelo Ball's minutes have been significantly reduced since he went down with an injury, forcing him to come off the bench in two recent games. His production has still been valuable, but managers who drafted him high may be starting to wonder if they need to try and trade him now that his value might be at a low point.
Ryan Rollins' playing time has also been impacted by Kevin Porter Jr.'s return from injury, with Rollins' production dwindling over his last seven games. However, he remains a valuable asset in case another injury forces him back into the starting lineup.
Finally, Maxime Raynaud's role has begun to dwindle as Domantas Sabonis returns from knee surgery, with Raynaud logging fewer than 23 minutes in each of their last two contests.
As fantasy basketball managers look to capitalize on these trends, it's clear that staying ahead of the curve is crucial. With injury-plagued stars and team changes creating uncertainty throughout the league, it's essential to keep a close eye on waiver wire activity, lineup decisions, and roster strategy to come out on top in your fantasy league.
The Mavericks' Naji Marshall has emerged as one of the beneficiaries of this trend, with Anthony Davis's finger injury sidelining the big man and forcing Marshall into starting duty. Over the past eight games, Marshall has averaged 18.6 points, 5.1 rebounds, 4.3 assists, 1.6 steals, and 1.0 three-pointers per contest, making him a top waiver wire target.
Meanwhile, Jaylon Tyson has seen his playing time increase with Darius Garland's injury sidelining the point guard. As he assumes a more prominent role in the starting lineup, Tyson's production has improved, averaging 14.5 points, 5.7 rebounds, 2.4 assists, and 2.3 three-pointers per game over 24 contests.
The Bulls' Jalen Smith has also benefited from Zach Collins' injury, playing a significant role in double-big lineups. With Collins likely out through the All-Star break, Smith is averaging 11.2 points, 9.5 rebounds, 1.5 blocks, and 1.6 three-pointers over his last 11 games.
On the other hand, LaMelo Ball's minutes have been significantly reduced since he went down with an injury, forcing him to come off the bench in two recent games. His production has still been valuable, but managers who drafted him high may be starting to wonder if they need to try and trade him now that his value might be at a low point.
Ryan Rollins' playing time has also been impacted by Kevin Porter Jr.'s return from injury, with Rollins' production dwindling over his last seven games. However, he remains a valuable asset in case another injury forces him back into the starting lineup.
Finally, Maxime Raynaud's role has begun to dwindle as Domantas Sabonis returns from knee surgery, with Raynaud logging fewer than 23 minutes in each of their last two contests.
As fantasy basketball managers look to capitalize on these trends, it's clear that staying ahead of the curve is crucial. With injury-plagued stars and team changes creating uncertainty throughout the league, it's essential to keep a close eye on waiver wire activity, lineup decisions, and roster strategy to come out on top in your fantasy league.
You gotta think about this, injury-ridden teams are basically just creating opportunities for other guys to step up and shine. Like Marshall with AD down, he's killing it! And then you've got guys like Smith who's seeing a bigger role because Collins is out. It's all about adaptability in fantasy basketball, you know? But on the flip side, players who are getting the minutes they want... well, they might not be doing so great without their stars. Like Ball, he's still producing but his value is definitely taking a hit since he's coming off the bench. I think this is all about being smart and savvy as a fantasy manager, watching these trends closely to stay ahead of the curve. 
it feels like the same story we saw last season with all those guys sitting out. And now LaMelo Ball's minutes are being cut and he's just coming off the bench? That's what happened to Luka Doncic when he got hurt last year... his production didn't even dip that much, but still, it's frustrating for managers who drafted him high 
I feel like the waiver wire has become the new draft every week 
I swear every other day there's a injury report coming out and it's like "oh wait, so najii marshall is starting now" or "jaylon tyson is finally getting his due" 
anyhoo I think its crazy how the injuries are affecting the teams and their lineups... makes for some sweet waiver wire pickups 
. Who doesn't love playing with a bunch of injured stars? It's like a free pass to "my player got hurt, now I'll just put my benchwarmer in and they'll dominate" 
. But for real though, it's actually kinda cool to see these guys step up. Naji Marshall is looking like a legit starter now, Jaylon Tyson is on fire, and Jalen Smith is getting major minutes. On the flip side, LaMelo Ball's value is definitely taking a hit since he can't get those big minutes anymore 
. And poor Ryan Rollins, stuck in limbo with Kevin Porter Jr. back 
. Fantasy basketball is all about adapting to change, so I guess it's good that managers are keeping an eye on the waiver wire...or else they'll be the ones getting left behind 
️. Meanwhile, the Bulls' Jalen Smith is thriving in double-big lineups 
. It's also good to see that LaMelo Ball's value isn't too much of an issue since he's still producing 
. As for the ones who are struggling, Ryan Rollins and Maxime Raynaud just need another injury to get back into the spotlight 
.
. It's making for some super exciting waiver wire targets and opportunities for managers to make moves. I think it's great that teams are giving their bench players a chance to shine, and now we get to see what they're capable of! The key is staying on top of all the injuries, lineup changes, and production shifts to maximize those waiver wire pickups 
. It's like, super important to keep your fantasy roster fresh and adapt quickly to these changing circumstances 
. As a parent, it's hard to see your child struggle with something they can't control, especially when it comes to their passion and love for the game 
. But on the flip side, it's great to see other players like Naji Marshall and Jalen Smith getting more opportunities to shine 
. Fantasy managers need to stay on top of these trends and make smart decisions to keep up with the changing landscape 
. Fantasy managers who drafted him high should be patient and keep an eye on how things shake out in his role. Maybe he'll get more playing time soon? 
and its literally changed my gaming exp lol idk how i ever played without one now. anyway back to nba fantasy stuff i feel like laamelos injury is bad news for people who drafted him early his stats are still pretty good but like the value has dropped significantly 
. Like, LaMelo Ball's minutes are down and I'm just over here thinking "what if he gets a new owner?" 
. i'm kinda tempted to pick him up on my team just 'cause you never know what's gonna happen in the NBA 
Naji Marshall is on fire 
[GIF: A basketball player dunking]
[Meme: A cartoon of someone looking lost in a field]
. And have you noticed how some players, like LaMelo Ball, are still producing despite having their minutes severely reduced? That's just not adding up 
for teams. some guys like marshall and tyson are seeing their production go through the roof when their teammates are hurt. but then there's ball and rollins, who are struggling with reduced minutes and wondering if they're even worth keeping in fantasy leagues