We're beginning to see the early returns from last week's trade deadline roll in. We already know that Malik Beasley is a must-add option, given the significant leap in usage he's been enjoying since shifting from a bench role in Denver to a busy starting gig with Minnesota. However, sometimes the key beneficiaries are players who stick around. Case in point, Golden State's Damion Lee produced a career-high 26 points on Monday evening thanks in part to the team dealing away wings Glenn Robinson III and Alec Burks to Philadelphia.
Lee, who is rostered in right around 13% of ESPN leagues as of Tuesday morning, lofted a team-high seven 3-pointers and made all seven of his free throw attempts in a competitive loss to Miami on Monday. With 18-plus points in three of his past five outings and what should be a rewarding perimeter role starting alongside Andrew Wiggins, Lee makes for a savvy acquisition in weekly fantasy leagues -- especially since Golden State has three more games on the docket through Sunday.
Monday recap
Highlights
Khris Middleton, Milwaukee Bucks: 28 points (9-21 FG), 11 rebounds, 8 assists, 3 TO
Domantas Sabonis, Indiana Pacers: 23 points (11-15 FG), 10 rebounds, 11 assists
Lowlights
Devin Booker, Phoenix Suns: 10 points (2-11 FG), 4 rebounds, 5 assists, 3 TO
Malcolm Brogdon, Indiana Pacers: 6 points (3-11 FG), 4 rebounds, 3 assists, 1 TO
Kendrick Nunn, Miami Heat: 4 points (2-13 FG), 1 rebound, 2 assists, 1 TO
Monday takeaways
Sabonis delivered his fourth triple-double of the season in a close loss to Brooklyn on Monday, tying Detlef Schrempf (1992-93) for the second-highest total in a season by a Pacers player. He's now just one shy of the franchise-record (5), set by Lance Stephenson in 2013-14. It's becoming clear that Sabonis, and not Myles Turner, is the enduring fantasy star in the Pacers' young frontcourt.
D'Angelo Russell posted the worst net rating on the Timberwolves by a sizable margin in his debut with Minnesota on Monday, but at least he was efficient as a scorer with 22 points on just 12 shots. In his second game with the Timberwolves since coming over from Denver, Malik Beasley tallied 15 points and six combined assists and turnovers. He remains a top free agent acquisition in all formats. Even if their success in the win column doesn't change much after a busy deadline, the Timberwolves offense appears to be much more friendly for fantasy purposes going forward.
Speaking of new acquisitions, Miami's Andre Iguodala posted just two points and five rebounds in 17 minutes in his first game against the Warriors since they traded him away last July. It doesn't look like he'll have much, if any, fantasy value in a complementary role with the Heat.
Duncan Robinson, however, continues to prove valuable as a shooting specialist for fantasy investors after posting 17 points and five made 3-pointers for the Heat last night, marking his 15th consecutive game with three or more 3-pointers. He joins Stephen Curry and James Harden as the only players in NBA history to sustain such a streak. Meanwhile, Jae Crowder is averaging 19.5 PPG in two games with the Heat this season and merits some attention in deeper formats.
Dallas' Tim Hardaway Jr. posted a season-high 33 points on Monday while fellow scoring microwave Jordan Clarkson delivered 25 off the pine for Utah. THJ is the more valuable scoring source of the two, given a steadier role in the starting lineup for the Mavericks (and especially with Luka Doncic sidelined). Clarkson, meanwhile, will be more volatile due to his fluctuating usage in a reserve role with Utah.
Toronto's OG Anunoby produced a career-best 25 points last night as the Raptors secured a 15th consecutive victory. More relevant for fantasy is the fact he has recorded 10 steals during his past three games. We can't trust Anunoby's offense very much, but such elite defensive results are worth targeting in roto and category formats.
Injuries of note
The Rockets have ruled Eric Gordon out for tonight's tilt with the visiting Celtics due to a left leg contusion. Streaming shares of Danuel House Jr. and Ben McLemore could be rewarding, given Gordon's absence.
Analytics advantage for Tuesday
Chicago has already ruled out Kris Dunn, Otto Porter Jr., Lauri Markkanen, and Wendell Carter Jr. ahead of Tuesday's matchup with the Wizards. Given that Washington has allowed the third-most DraftKings points per game to small forwards, shares of Chandler Hutchison (in both redraft and DFS play) could prove to be profitable. Hutchison, after all, sees his usage rate leap a sizable 2.3% with his four veteran teammates off the floor.
Top players to watch on Tuesday
"Wings on wings" sounds like a bar food special, but it also aptly captures the nature of this evening's matchup between the Rockets and Celtics. Houston's extreme small-ball agenda will be on full display this evening, while Boston's own wing-centric roster construction will be tested in Texas. Seeing how Jaylen Brown and Jayson Tatum perform against defensive mavens Robert Covington and P.J. Tucker will be compelling. It's also always interesting to see how Boston's resident bulldog Marcus Smart can pester elite combo guards Russell Westbrook and James Harden.