We all know that injury is a part of professional sports. I would like to think that most fans don’t wish it on anyone, but when it does happen, and players are forced to miss games, nobody should feel sorry for the team that got got. It’s why there are 15 roster spots on a squad. And while it may suck to see a guy go down to injury, it creates opportunity. Opportunity for the next man to step up. So lets take a look at what the injury bug has done to the line ups lately, Hmmm?
BUY:
Troy Daniels PG, SG
It only took Mike Conley Jr., Chandler Parsons, and James Ennis to all go down for this assassin to un-sheath his blade. Er, that doesn’t sound exactly right, but none of you will misinterpret me, right? He is a classic ThrAGNOF, but man, the trey is dropping for this cat! He’s shooting .520, with 5 treys per game over his last 4 games, going 24.5/1.25/2/.5/.25 over that stretch. 5 treys! He will fade, but ride this long baller while he’s hot!
Dario Saric PF
It was a bumpy start for the Croatian, but Robert Covington is down for a while, and Saric has averaged 19/10/1/1/0 with 3 threes, shooting about .540 over the last 2 games, playing at the Small Forward position. I hope Coach Brown knows how to stay “keep it up” in Croatian. Saric is only 50% owned, so he’s worth streaming while this production keeps up.
Brandon Ingram SF
Ingram got the start at point yesterday, with Jose Calderon and Nick Young both out to injury. Ingram’s ability to play 4 positions makes him attractive at a swiss army knife of sorts, and a good lineup stash once he gets multiple position eligibility. In his last 2 games, he has averaged 6.5/3.5/1.5/0/2 with half a three (1.5?). I know, these stats don’t jump out at you, but he’s a talented rook that will get force-fed a ton of minutes, he is averaging 34 minutes over his last 8 games. Do with that what you will.
Wayne Ellington SG
Another ThrAGNOF, to be sure, but there are so many injuries in Miami (Josh Richardson, Justise Winslow, James Johnson, Luke Babbitt, Dion Waiters), that Ellington will start, get minutes, and get touches. And he’s 20% owned. Boom.
Will Barton SG, SF
I know that he was the starter we were all waiting to come back from injury, but he isn’t being eased in, as Gary Harris is out with injury. Will is 61% owned, so there’s a chance you don’t even have to pay for him. he has averaged 19.5/6.5/3.5/2/1.5 with 2 treys per game over his last 3 games. Tasty.
John Henson PF, C
Henson isn’t getting burn because of injury per say, but he’s been straight murder recently, going 13.4/7.2/1.4/.6/3 over his last 5 games. 3 blocks per game, son, daaaammn! I would like to pat myself on the back and remind you, gentle reader, that I suggested you go scoop him up a few weeks ago, so I hope you followed my advice, but if you didn’t yet, he’s only 48% owned, you may still be able to nab him without cost. And this is not an invitation to remind me of where I have led you astray, because I know that there are numerous examples of that. It’s almost Christmas, let’s be good to one another.
SELL:
James Johnson SF, PF
I know that I created the theme of capitalizing through injury for this article, and so I have nobody to blame but myself, but I don’t really ever think one should trade away assets because of injury, unless you simply can’t afford to keep an injured cat on your roster. This is due to the obvious fact that you are trading at the lowest price point. Seeing as I need to put somebody down, The ass-kicking (former cage fighting) James J, whom I’ve loved since his first stint in Toronto, gets to wear the goat horns here. He has a shoulder tear, and there is no word on when he might return. Trade him if you can, and be thankful for whatever you get back.
That’s all I have for now, good readers. Until next week, may all your shots be nothing but net!
