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Fantasy basketball: Players to consider when the injury bug bites

Players like Isaiah Roby become key fill-ins when fantasy stars miss time. AP Photo/Sue Ogrocki

It sure hurts more than just a little bit when, after four-plus months of big numbers, a fantasy basketball manager has to cut someone like awesome Cleveland Cavaliers C Jarrett Allen to add ... well, does it matter? OK, so I added Oklahoma City Thunder PF/C Isaiah Roby in a weekly format Sunday night, but who knows how that one is going to work out.

I cannot be alone in wondering how my fantasy teams can reasonably compete for championships with half the top players -- only slight exaggeration -- on the sidelines. Allen and Phoenix Suns PG Chris Paul are just the latest to go.

With the ESPN Fantasy trade deadline in the rear-view mirror and ample coverage on the hot free agent pickups from my colleagues, Roby tops a personal list of intriguing players worthy of attention for these final weeks. This goes for those still in contention for something meaningful but also for those watching for deep-league keepers for the following season.