Minutes are the lifeblood of fantasy hoops. You can’t score, rebound, or block anything from the bench, and every year depth charts shake out in ways that make or break fantasy squads. This series is all about opportunity: who’s getting run, who’s losing it, and which “next man up” might sneak into your waiver wire plans. I’m not here to hand you rankings — we’ve got a Jay for that. I’m here to watch the rotations, dig through box scores, and tell you where the cracks in the playing-time dam might spring open.
There’s your talk. I presented it at MIT.
The opening series will just look at depth charts and guys who could jump up due to opportunity. Let’s begin with the NBA Central, shall we?
Chicago Bulls: The small forward room is crowded in Chicago. Will it be Isaac Okoro for the defense? Kevin Huerter for shooting? Patrick Williams for some unknown reason? The guess here is that Okoro gets 28 minutes or so. In Cleveland, two years ago, he had these minutes and averaged 0.8 steals and 0.5 blocks and a 3. The scoring and 3s could tick up, but those numbers are discouraging for a defensively oriented player. He’s never been a steals guy. I wouldn’t draft any of them this season. It’s going to be a rotating barrel of slop stats. Maybe stream in a four game week?
Indiana Pacers: The center spot is wide open in Indiana with the departure of Myles Turner to Milwaukee. There are two main candidates, Jay Huff and Isaiah Jackson. Jackson is coming back from an Achilles tear, so I wouldn’t count on him initially for more than 15-20 minutes, and sitting back to backs. That leaves Jay Huff, who is rosterable. Per 36 last year in Memphis, he averaged 21-6, with 4 3s and almost 3 blocks. Now, he won’t keep that level, and the rebound rate is low. If you take Huff, you’re hoping for a 3 and block per game and good percentages with low turnovers. Like a last round roster filler.
Detroit Pistons: For a team with high expectations, there are a couple areas to sort out here.
At center, Jalen Duren is a very valuable player at 32 minutes per game. If, like last season, he cedes six of those minutes to Isaiah Stewart, he’s still valuable but capped a bit. I think Duren is a much better player with a steadier demeanor than Stewart, and think he should get starter’s minutes, but we’ll have to see. I probably won’t end up with much Duren in the draft because of the cost vs. role matrix.
The wings are impossible to predict until we see more. Will Ausar Thompson play more minutes? Can Duncan Robinson be your three point specialist? How many minutes for Caris LaVert? Can Jaden Ivey play with Cade Cunningham? It breaks down like this if you’re interested.
- Thompson: Potential breakout guy, but you’ll have to pay for best case scenario.
- Robinson: 3 points only
- Ivey: Intriguing, 17-4-4 before he got hurt. Did shoot 40% on 5 treys per game.
- LaVert: Pass, which is something he doesn’t really do
Milwaukee Bucks: Can Kevin Porter, Jr. really be their point guard? Or will it be Cole Anthony? I won’t roster Porter because he gives my team a bad juju, so hoping it’s Anthony here. We don’t really know what he can do with the ball. Last years in Orlando Paolo Banchero and Franz Wagner initiated most of the time. Anthony doesn’t strike me as a great off the ball player; maybe with opportunity here he’ll do better. Now, Porter makes more money, so he’ll probably get first crack at it, but I’m rooting for Anthony here.
Cleveland Cavaliers: That point guard spot, the nasty little bugger. Darius Garland really messed up his toe and is currently without a timetable to return. He will be back at some point, probably early as the initial timeline was 4-5 months. Garland hasn’t exactly been a quick healer though. 5 months would be the end of October, then there’s that easing into action and skipping games fun. No, I’m not drafting Garland this year. And also not going after Lonzo Ball to start. He will be rested, and honestly couldn’t shoot last year in Chicago. The story for him is great; his fantasy value is nothing. There’s no winner here, except maybe Sam Merrill who’ll get some extra minutes.
At SF, Max Strus has a foot injury and is out probably until after Christmas. DeAndre Hunter will start and should get some uptick in minutes. The problem is that besides 3 pointers he’s not exciting in any category and doesn’t have defensive juice. Back end starter/streamer guy.
Ah, it’s good to be back on the hardwood! I’ll research another division and shoot for two articles per week. Any preferences for division, hit me up in the comments!
