One of the best ways to optimize your NBA lineups is to keep close track of potential scratches and to adapt quickly to changes. Every Wednesday and Friday I'll give you a few things to watch for based on players with statuses that could indicate they won't play - and what that could mean for adjustments to your lineup. I'll also answer questions on Twitter closer to lock @cfrelund.
Good luck!
If Norris Cole doesn't play (and it appears he is already not starting if he plays at all) ...
Consider Jrue Holiday, especially for cash games. I would love to more accurately project his matchup, but the Grizzlies' injuries leave them with a lot of questions. The seventh-year guard has averaged 37 minutes per game over his last three contests and has averaged 21.2 PPG, 8.3 APG and 3.3 RPG in his last 10. You can also consider Toney Douglas a viable low-cost option.
If Zach Randolph is out ...
JaMychal Green becomes an even better option. His last 10 games show averages of 23.5 minutes, 5.3 rebounds and 10.5 points. However, he's played 37 minutes in each of his past two games due to all of the injuries to the Grizzlies. With an estimate of 35 minutes (and no Randolph), I have him returning at least five times his value on both sites (six times on DraftKings).
If Jahlil Okafor is out ...
Ish Smith becomes an even better option from a potential production standpoint since the Nets are close to the bottom of the league vs. point guards on FanDuel (26th) and DraftKings (27th). (Editor's note: Okafor has been announced out for six weeks by the 76ers.)
If Kosta Koufos starts ...
He's a excellent low-cost option. With DeMarcus Cousins out and Ben McLemore questionable, the potential minutes for Koufos, who's priced in the $3,000s (especially on DraftKings, where he's the minimum), will leave you with lots of cap space.