Gradey Dick made a comeback from a five-game absence caused by a calf injury and promptly reclaimed his starting spot. In a loss to the Thunder, he played 23 minutes, scoring 15 points, snatching two steals, and hitting four triples. Had the game been closer, he might have seen more court time, potentially reaching 30 minutes. This season has been relatively strong for Dick, averaging 17.9 points and 2.4 3-pointers in 32.4 minutes per game. Although much of his production came with certain teammates on the sidelines, it's clear he has become a key piece moving forward. With no indication of Quickley's return in the next seven days, Dick has a bit more room for fantasy upside.
His ability to contribute in various ways makes him a valuable asset. He can score efficiently and provide steals and triples when given the opportunity. As the Raptors continue their season, Dick's role is likely to remain important.
After a slow start to his rookie season, Missi has solidified himself as the starting center in New Orleans. He has scored double-digits in six consecutive games before Thursday's victory over the Suns. Despite having some fantasy flaws, he has delivered steady averages of 14.3 points, 10.7 rebounds, and 1.5 blocks per game over the past two weeks.
Even as the Pelicans start to get more players back, Missi's role seems relatively safe with Daniel Theis as his main competition for minutes. His ability to adjust to the speed of the NBA and provide consistent rebounds and blocks while scoring efficiently makes him a reliable option, albeit on a relatively low volume.
Despite coming off the bench, McBride has managed to carve out a meaningful role in the New York Knicks' lineup, often providing borderline 12-team fantasy value. The Knicks are a top-heavy team, limiting playing time for non-starters. However, McBride is arguably the only scoring option in the second unit, ensuring his floor is safe enough to hold onto.
In the past four games, he has played at least 25 minutes and averaged 13.7 points, 3.0 3-pointers, and 3.5 assists. He continues to be a somewhat reliable yet unspectacular asset, especially considering the Knicks have at least two games this week.
McConnell remains an excellent per-minute producer and a viable fantasy asset even in standard leagues. He has scored double-digit points in four consecutive games, shooting at least 50% from the field in all of them. His value mainly lies in assists and steals, but he has also been an efficient scorer on a low volume.
Despite the return of Andrew Nembhard, McConnell has maintained a relatively consistent role, logging at least 22 minutes in the past four contests. While coming off the bench poses a bit of a risk, his knack for finding ways to contribute even with mid to high teens of playing time makes him a valuable addition to any fantasy team.
Camara has been a pleasant surprise this season, starting for the Trail Blazers since Opening Night. Although his minutes vary from game to game, he always manages to do enough to stay on the standard league radar. He scored a season-high 17 points in a loss to Dallas earlier in the week and has recorded at least one steal in all but three games this season.
While there is no sign of his starting spot being in jeopardy, his upside seems somewhat limited based on his young career. However, rostering a player who plays close to 30 minutes per night and can contribute across multiple categories makes a lot of sense.
Carrington started the season as a starter, showing some offensive upside and playmaking skills. He was a sneaky fantasy asset in most standard formats, playing upwards of 30 minutes per game. However, the return of Malcolm Brogdon from injury sent him to the bench, limiting his minutes to around 20 per night. As a result, he was dropped in many leagues.
Surprisingly, Brogdon has had a couple of minor injuries in the past two games, including a hamstring concern. With Kyshawn George and Corey Kispert also sidelined, there is a potential for more playing time for Carrington. He has now played at least 28 minutes in two straight games, averaging 14.0 points, 2.5 3-pointers, and 4.5 rebounds. Despite the risk, he is once again worth a chance given the favorable schedule.
Bilal Coulibaly, Julian Champagnie, and Scotty Pippen Jr. are among the players who might be on the verge of being dropped in fantasy leagues. Their performances and roles have not been consistent enough to warrant a roster spot in many cases.