The Bulls’ Ayo Dosunmu is averaging a career-high 13.8 points and 1.7 three-pointers made this season.
The latest injury to shake up the fantasy basketball landscape occurred to Nikola Jokić, who is expected to miss at least four weeks with his knee issue. Another team is set to play multiple games without a few players, making the rest of their roster ripe for the picking on the waiver wire. Here are some players to consider adding who are still available in the majority of Yahoo leagues.
Tre Jones, Chicago Bulls (22% rostered)
The Bulls are the team that has been hit hard by injuries lately. Josh Giddey (hamstring) won’t even be re-evaluated for two weeks. Coby White will be out at least one week after injuring his right calf again, and Zach Collins (toe) will miss at least 10 days. Giddey has been the driving force behind the Bulls, and White averages 19.2 points per game. Even Collins was playing an important role off the bench, scoring at least 10 points in each of his last six games.
We have seen Jones fill in for White before. When Jones started the first 11 games of the season, he averaged 13.3 points, 4.0 rebounds, 5.5 assists and 2.1 steals. He also helped fantasy managers with his efficiency, shooting 49.5% from the field and 84.6% from the free-throw line. Don’t hesitate to add Jones now.
Ayo Dosunmu, Chicago Bulls (22% rostered)
With the Bulls missing so many key players, Jones isn’t the only option on their roster to consider adding. Dosunmu has averaged four fewer minutes per game than last season, but he is still averaging a career-high 13.8 points and 1.7 three-pointers made. After shooting 32.8% from behind the arc last season, he has shot 42.6% this season. However, he hasn’t stepped up in other departments, with averages of 2.6 rebounds, 3.1 assists and 0.6 steals.
Since Giddey and White will be out for at least one week, Dosunmu should at least approach 30 minutes a night moving forward. After Wednesday’s game against the Pelicans, the Bulls have six more games through next weekend. Dosunmu can provide added value during that span.
Sandro Mamukelashvili, Toronto Raptors (17% rostered)
Jakob Poeltl continues to battle a back injury that has bothered him at times this season. Currently, he is expected to be out for at least one week as he completes a program of “intensive rehab and strengthening.” It makes sense for the Raptors to sit him right now because, when he has been on the floor, he hasn’t been as impactful as usual. Through 21 games, he has averaged only 9.7 points and 7.7 rebounds.
Mamukelashvili has been the main beneficiary of Poeltl’s injury. He has averaged 27 minutes over the last seven games, compared to his season average of 21 minutes. With added playing time in hand, he averaged 14.1 points, 6.3 rebounds, 1.1 steals and 2.4 three-pointers during that span. The return of RJ Barrett isn’t the best of news for Mamukelashvili, but as long as Poeltl remains out, Mamukelashvili should be rostered in 12-team leagues.
Kevin Huerter, Chicago Bulls (8% rostered)
We’re headed back to Chicago for more value off the waiver wire. Huerter is a great target for those who need help from behind the arc. He is averaging 1.7 triples in just 24 minutes per game, which is actually the lowest mark of his career. Prior to that, he had six straight seasons in which he averaged at least 1.9 three-pointers made. There’s a chance that Huerter could log close to 30 minutes a game for a while, so he’s at least worth rostering in 14-team and deeper leagues.
Jalen Smith, Chicago Bulls (6% rostered)
When Collins returned from an injury that sidelined him to begin the season, the Bulls leaned more into two-big lineups. Smith is one of the big men who has played more, seeing at least 22 minutes in three straight games. Over those three games, he averaged 10.0 points, 8.0 rebounds, 1.3 blocks and 2.3 three-pointers made.
Smith has played at least 20 minutes in a game six times this season. Over those matchups, he averaged 11.3 points, 7.3 rebounds, 1.5 blocks and 2.2 three-pointers made. He’s another big man to consider adding, especially in deeper formats.