This article is part of our FantasyDraft NBA series.
This was one of the tougher articles to write all season, as it's hard to even gauge who will be available for these games. Due to that fact, we'll be doing a bit of speculating and problem solving. What's most important is to take all the information available about potential players missing and try to do the math on minutes. That's why there are so many cheap options in this article, as you can hopefuly pair these guys with some solid studs like Russell Westbrook, Karl-Anthony Towns or Nikola Jokic.
Guard
Jrue Holiday, NOP at LAL ($14.300): With DeMarcus Cousins and Anthony Davis already ruled out, that means Holiday should be looking at monster usage. What's even scarier about that is the fact that Holiday has been productive with those two in the lineup, as he's still averaging 36 fantasy points per game for the season. The icing on the cake is the matchup, with the tanking Lakers allowing the third-most fantasy points to opposing point guards this season.
Jamal Murray, DEN at DAL ($10,500): Murray has been the starting point guard for Denver ever since Jameer Nelson went down and he should see an even larger role with the Nuggets' playoff hopes out the window. Since taking over that role, Murray ranks second on the team in usage, as it's clear they want him handling the ball. It's not just empty usage either, with Murray averaging 15 points, 4.5 rebounds, 4.8 assists and 1.3 steals across his last four games.
Tyler Ennis, LAL vs. NOP ($8,800): Ennis has been starting recently for Los Angeles and he's becoming a heck of a value at this price. What makes him all the more intriguing here is the fact that D'Angelo Russell has been ruled out for this game, thus giving Ennis more minutes and more projected usage. Ennis has been great in his expanded role, scoring at least 33 fantasy points in two of his last three games. New Orleans struggle against points guards as well, allowing the fifth-most fantasy points to them this season.
Forward/Center
Julius Randle, LAL vs. NOP ($12,600): Randle has been one of the few bright spots for the Lakers this season and he should be looking at a huge role here with Russell sitting out. When Russell is out of the lineup, Randle actually leads the starters in usage, as it's clear they want to run their offense through the post. He's been putting up some great fantasy numbers recently too, scoring at least 27 fantasy points 17 times in his last 20 games. The matchup is intriguing as well, as he'll be facing a B-team Pelicans frontline with no Cousins or Davis.
Skal Labissiere, SAC vs. PHX ($10,100): Labissiere is yet another youngster who is seeing monster minutes right now and those are the best type of players to capitalize on at this point of the season. Over his last five games. Labissiere is averaging 14.8 points, 6.0 rebounds, 0.8 assists, 1.0 steals and 0.6 blocks across 31 minutes per game. That's a great value for a player barely cracking five-figures and it comes in a premium matchup too. In fact, Phoenix is allowing the third-most fantasy points to opposing power forwards this season.
Alexis Ajinca, NOP at LAL ($8,000): With Davis and Cousins both sitting out, Ajinca should be looking at big minutes as the starting center. In the most recent game in that circumstance, Ajinca collected 17 points and six rebounds in a terrible matchup. This is on the other end of the sperm with it being the best matchup possible, as Los Angeles are allowing the most fantasy points in the league to opposing centers. At just $8,000, Ajinca is easily one of the steals of the day, as he could provide the most fantasy points per dollar out of anyone in the player pool.
Utility
Alex Len, PHX at SAC ($7,800): With the Suns way out of the picture, they've handed Len the starting center role, and he's thrived over recent weeks. That's evident through his averages, as he's averaging 10.1 points, 7.8 rebounds and 1.7 blocks across his last 16 games. He's been consistent in that span, scoring fewer than 24 fantasy points only twice in his last 11 games. What's more encouraging is the fact that his minutes appear to be on the rise, as he's played at least 28 minutes in two of his last four games. The Kings have been struggling against centers since they traded Cousins, allowing the fourth-most fantasy points to the position since the All-Star break.
Dragan Bender, PHX at SAC ($6,000): This is a complete shot in the dark, as Phoenix should be looking to play their first-round pick huge minutes over these last couple of games. In the Suns' most recent matchup, they played Bender a career-high 35 minutes. He also had the best game of his career, falling just shy of 30 fantasy points. The matchup is hard to overlook, with Sacramento allowing the seventh-most fantasy points to power forwards this season. It's impossible to find a minimum-priced player with this sort of potential and that makes him worthy of a dart Tuesday.
