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!
Keep an eye on the Bulls . . .
Pau Gasol has already been ruled out and Derrick Rose and Mike Dunleavy are listed as questionable. Nikola Mirotic, Taj Gibson and E'Twaun Moore should all be on your watch list. The first two are already really strong picks, and Moore would jump up in value if Rose isn't playing and he's starts. Even if Dunleavy plays, Mirotic is still a great option, as his minutes project to be high enough (almost 30 minutes with Dunleavy playing, more without). The Wizards are top 10 at limiting opposing power forwards, but in the bottom five versus opposing small forwards, which is where the majority of Mirotic's minutes are played. Keep that in mind on DraftKings where he's listed as a power forward.
If Norris Cole doesn't play . . .
Toney Douglas is GPP viable, and maybe even cash if you are a risky cash person. I can't bring myself to commit to cash because he's in the mid to upper $4,000s on both sites and there are safer, lower-cost options out there, especially when you look at his stats and see big ranges in his minutes, points and assists. In Douglas' past 10 games, he has averaged 21.8 MPG, 8.6 PPG and 2.9 APG. But the ranges have been eight to 42 minutes, zero to 22 points and zero to eight assists (Monday's game vs. Golden State was his best this season). However, the Kings' defense would be a great place for him to shine, as they have been extremely vulnerable to 2s all season.
If Lance Stephenson plays (he participated in shootaround) . . .
He would be an option to consider in both cash and GPPs on both sites. The Grizzlies' long injury list has meant opportunity for Stephenson, and if he plays, I project him to see the minutes and usage that make for a solid cap spend. If Stephenson sits, that bolsters the argument to play Matt Barnes, who is already a good option, but without Stephenson becomes a better option for GPPs. His recent minutes and production (26 points, 10 assists and 11 rebounds vs. New Orleans; 6 points, 4 turnovers and 0 assists vs. Atlanta) are a little too risky for me in cash games.