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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 no D'Angelo Russell... Then Jordan Clarkson should be on your list in all formats. The Phoenix Suns' backcourt has been the worst in the NBA over the course of the season, just barely edging out the Los Angeles Lakers. Another Laker to keep an eye on if Russell is a no-go is Lou Williams. If he were to somehow start, then bump him up to a "strongly consider".
If Tyson Chandler, who is unlikely to play, sits and Jon Leuer starts... Then he becomes a good sub-$4K option. On Monday he played 32 mins and scored 13 points with 13 rebounds and 3 blocks against the Memphis Grizzlies. One game is far too small of a sample size -- we all know that -- but think about the price, and how likely he is to outperform his past-10 game averages of 14.3 minutes, 5 rebounds, and 7.3 points per game, if given the opportunity to start.
DeMarcus Cousins and Ben McLemore aren't playing tonight against the Timberwolves, and there are a myriad of things to consider. If you're only thinking about the Sacramento Kings, boost pretty much everyone, read my building blocks... then also factor in these notes: Rudy Gay: His season-long usage of 22.2 percent goes up about 6 percent with Boogie out, but he had a poor showing last time this happened, which may scare others off. I say he's got a much better chance to be an excellent value this time around. Kosta Koufos or Willie Cauley-Stein: Cauley-Stein was sick this weekend and only played 5 minutes on Monday (maybe this will also scare people in GPPs?). Koufos is the minimum price on DK, and if you project him to play over 24 mins like I do... then this could be a really good fantasy points payoff. Also, don't forget Karl-Anthony Towns on the other side of this matchup. First, the Kings play at the fastest pace in the NBA and allow the most points per game; second, factor in the matchup against Koufos and Cauley-Stein, and Towns is set up for a potentially great night.
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