Donovan Clingan: Emergence of a Dominant Rookie
The seventh overall pick in last summer’s draft, Portland Trail Blazers rookie center Donovan Clingan has faced a challenging journey so far. With a crowded rotation that included established veterans like Deandre Ayton and Robert Williams, Clingan’s opportunities have been limited. However, the trade deadline passed without significant changes, leaving many fantasy managers concerned about Clingan’s potential impact. But fate had other plans. Ayton suffered a calf strain that will keep him out for at least four weeks, and Williams was unavailable for Wednesday’s game in Denver due to a knee injury. This opened the door for Clingan, who stepped up against the formidable Nikola Jokic. In 31 minutes, Clingan scored 17 points (7-of-12 FGs, 3-of-5 FTs), grabbed a career-high 20 rebounds, dished out two assists, and recorded three blocked shots. This performance marked his first game with at least 15 points and 15 rebounds, solidifying his value in the field goal percentage, rebound, and blocked shot categories. With consistent minutes now available, "Cling Kong" is poised to make a significant impact during the "silly season."
Stephon Castle: Adapting to a New Role
Stephon Castle, a former college teammate of Clingan, has found his footing with the San Antonio Spurs despite the arrival of De’Aaron Fox. The initial concern was that Fox’s presence might limit Castle’s playing time, but the rookie has adapted well. In the five games since the trade, Castle has provided valuable contributions off the bench. On Wednesday, in a loss to the Celtics, he scored 20 points (7-of-16 FGs, 4-of-4 FTs), grabbed four rebounds, dished out three assists, and recorded two steals and two three-pointers in 24 minutes. Castle has been a consistent seventh-round player in eight-cat formats, and his recent performances show that he doesn’t need a starting role to add significant fantasy value. With the Spurs still in the hunt for the final play-in spot in the West, Castle’s role is likely to remain important.
Max Christie: Rising to the Occasion
Max Christie has found himself in a crucial role with the Dallas Mavericks due to recent injuries. Making his first start since being included in the Anthony Davis trade, Christie played well in Wednesday’s win over the Warriors. In 39 minutes, he scored 17 points (6-of-12 FGs, 4-of-4 FTs), grabbed five rebounds, dished out four assists, and recorded one steal and one three-pointer. With Davis expected to miss multiple weeks due to a strained groin, the Mavericks will need offensive contributions from players like Christie. He has shown his capability, scoring 15 points or more in all five games since the trade. Christie’s recent performances make him a valuable asset, especially in the upcoming weeks as the Mavs look to maintain their playoff positioning.
Keon Ellis: Capitalizing on Opportunities
The Sacramento Kings’ decision to trade De’Aaron Fox and Jordan McLaughlin has opened up opportunities for Keon Ellis. While Malik Monk has stepped up admirably, the trade has provided Ellis with more playing time. On Wednesday, in a win over the Pelicans, Ellis scored 27 points (10-of-14 FGs), grabbed five rebounds, dished out one assist, recorded one steal, two blocks, and made seven three-pointers. This was his best performance since November 18, when he hit a career-high nine three-pointers against the Hawks. The Kings face the Hawks again on Thursday, and while duplicating Wednesday’s performance is unlikely, Ellis remains a valuable pickup, especially on a five-game night. The Kings’ willingness to give their young players significant minutes should continue to benefit Ellis.
Bub Carrington: Shining in the Spotlight
Bub Carrington has been making a name for himself with the Washington Wizards. In Wednesday’s overtime loss to the Pacers, Carrington played 45 of a possible 53 minutes, finishing with 18 points (6-of-11 FGs, 2-of-2 FTs), eight rebounds, five assists, two steals, one block, and four three-pointers. Malcolm Brogdon’s injury during the fourth quarter and the uncertain playing time of Khris Middleton and Marcus Smart after the All-Star break have created more opportunities for Carrington. The Wizards have been allowing their young players to develop on the job, and this trend is expected to continue. Carrington is a rookie who will have added value during the "silly season," making him a player to keep an eye on.
Precious Achiuwa: Filling the Void
The New York Knicks have been without OG Anunoby due to a toe injury, and Tom Thibodeau has turned to Precious Achiuwa to fill the void in the starting lineup. On Wednesday, in an overtime win over the Hawks, Achiuwa had a standout performance, scoring 26 points (12-of-16 FGs, 2-of-3 FTs), grabbing eight rebounds, dishing out one assist, recording one steal, and two blocks in 42 minutes. In his five starts, Achiuwa has provided top-100 value in eight-cat formats. Whether he will have streaming value after the All-Star break depends on Anunoby’s availability. If OG remains out, Achiuwa is a valuable addition to any fantasy roster. His recent performances have shown that he can step up when given the opportunity.
