This article is part of our Category Strategy series.
CATEGORY STRATEGY
Each week, this article highlights players who are widely available in standard leagues who can help in specific roto categories. While each player highlighted can help in a specific category, there's no guarantee for production in other areas.
POINTS
Jordan Clarkson, PG, Lakers
Clarkson is not a true point guard, but it is his position in the NBA because his lack of an excellent outside shot eliminates him from the discussion at the two. He is kind of a Jerryd Bayless type of player in that sense. So that was not a very flattering description of a player who owners should consider targeting, but his potential for heavy usage over the rest of the season makes him someone worth considering. He is competing with Jeremy Lin, whom coach Byron Scott clearly does not like, and Ronnie Price, a player with relatively no upside and a non-factor in the Lakers' long-term plans. With that in mind, Scott gave Clarkson his first career start Friday and he had 11 points in 29 minutes. It was not a very exciting performance, but he could build on it and hold onto the starting job. He added four assists in that first start, but again, he will be a low-end contributor in that category, even as a starter. Tim Hardaway and Langston Galloway are preferable options, but are likely owned in most competitive leagues.
REBOUNDS
Jusuf Nurkic, C, Nuggets
Nurkic does not get the kind of minutes that we
CATEGORY STRATEGY
Each week, this article highlights players who are widely available in standard leagues who can help in specific roto categories. While each player highlighted can help in a specific category, there's no guarantee for production in other areas.
POINTS
Jordan Clarkson, PG, Lakers
Clarkson is not a true point guard, but it is his position in the NBA because his lack of an excellent outside shot eliminates him from the discussion at the two. He is kind of a Jerryd Bayless type of player in that sense. So that was not a very flattering description of a player who owners should consider targeting, but his potential for heavy usage over the rest of the season makes him someone worth considering. He is competing with Jeremy Lin, whom coach Byron Scott clearly does not like, and Ronnie Price, a player with relatively no upside and a non-factor in the Lakers' long-term plans. With that in mind, Scott gave Clarkson his first career start Friday and he had 11 points in 29 minutes. It was not a very exciting performance, but he could build on it and hold onto the starting job. He added four assists in that first start, but again, he will be a low-end contributor in that category, even as a starter. Tim Hardaway and Langston Galloway are preferable options, but are likely owned in most competitive leagues.
REBOUNDS
Jusuf Nurkic, C, Nuggets
Nurkic does not get the kind of minutes that we typically look for in a fantasy contributor, but he sure knows how to hit the glass when he's in the game. The 6-foot-11 rookie has six or more rebounds (eight per game) in each of the last five games, despite averaging just 19.4 minutes per game over that stretch. It's certainly not a lock that he gets more minutes going forward, but it's better to take a gamble on a young talented player like Nurkic than some retread power forward with limited upside. One concern is that he is shooting just 44.6 percent from the field, which is far less efficient that most players his size. For this reason, and the minutes concern, he should only be considered in 12-team or deeper leagues.
ASSISTS
D.J. Augustin, PG, Pistons
With Brandon Jennings likely done for the season with a presumed torn Achilles, Augustin is going to be the top pick-up in most leagues this week. He won't be able to match Jennings' production, but he should do a nice job running a Jameer Nelson-level job back when he was Stan Van Gundy's starting point guard. In 2010-11 and 2011-12 Augustin averaged 6.1 and 6.4 assists per game, respectively, and that kind of production should be anticipated here once he assumes the starting point guard duties. If assists are a category of need, it would be wise to make an aggressive bid on Augustin, as starting point guards rarely become available. Evan Turner remains a strong option here as well, for those in shallower leagues.
STEALS
P.J. Tucker, SF, Suns
Defense is Tucker's calling card, and while his ability to accrue hustle stats is not elite, he is still good for over a steal per game, and other worthwhile counting stats thanks to his usage. Over the last five games, Tucker is getting 29.2 minutes per game, making him someone that should be owned in most standard leagues, even without a standout skill.
BLOCKS
Hassan Whiteside, C, Heat
The points/rebounds/blocks triple-double -- Whiteside recorded one Sunday against the Bulls, of all teams, and if he hadn't been taken seriously before, he should be now. Players tend to continue to see minutes following a game where they post 14 points, 13 rebounds and 12 blocks in just 25 minutes. Obviously this game is an outlier, but expecting two blocks per game from Whiteside when he sees 20-plus minutes is perfectly reasonable.
THREE-POINTERS
Patty Mills, PG, Spurs
Last week's nomination remains the guy in this spot, thanks to his lack of ownership. The reason he his so widely available is obvious -- he averages just 21.6 minutes per game. However, his production in limited minutes is hard to argue with. Mills has two or more three-pointers in nine of 11 games this month, including each of the last five. He is also shooting 43.9 percent from the field and 85.7 percent from the line, which are perfectly fine rates for a point guard.
