There was only one game on Tuesday, but it was a good one and there is plenty to breakdown from the Lakers-Bulls game, as well as Paul Millsap‘s devastating wrist injury. Follow me on Twitter by clicking here, and maybe you’ll show up in a future column like all the followers listed below.
Lakers 103, Bulls 94 – Watching this game was akin to watching a futures All-Star game, with both teams featuring a ton of kids who are likely going to be stars one day, if they’re not already. Rookie Kyle Kuzma hit 7-of-15 shots and four 3-pointers for 22 points, three rebounds and five assists in 40 minutes to lead the Lakers to their eighth win of the season. Kuzma led the team in points and minutes, and tied for the lead in shots, 3-pointers made and assists. He also had just one turnover, as the Lakers best rookie continues to shine. Surprisingly, it wasn’t Lonzo Ball that also had five dimes, but instead it was Brandon Ingram. Ingram is coming on after last season’s disaster and had 17 points, five boards, five assists, a steal, two blocks and a 3-pointer, also hitting 7-of-15 shots. Kentavious Caldwell-Pope got hot and hit 6-of-11 shots and four 3-pointers for a season-high 21 points, nine rebounds, four assists and three steals in 39 minutes. KCP is coming on after a slow start and is averaging 15.2 points, 7.0 rebounds, 3.2 assists, 2.2 steals, 0.8 blocks and 3.0 3-pointers on 42 percent shooting over his last five games. I know he’s been dropped in some leagues, especially since the Lakers only played two games this week, and he looks like a solid player to pick up right now, especially if you need 3-pointers. In fact, I took a break from writing this to go put in a claim on him in one league, cutting C.J. Miles. Julius Randle also came through for the Lakers, hitting 4-of-10 shots for 10 points, 10 rebounds, two assists and two blocks in 28 minutes, which followed up his best game of the season. He’s hot, and I think he should be owned right now, but just keep in mind that Larry Nance is due back on Monday from his wrist injury, which is going to potentially hurt both Kuzma and Randle going forward.
The bad news for the Lakers is that Brook Lopez hit just 2-of-10 shots against his brother, finishing with four points, nine rebounds, a steal, two blocks and no 3-pointers. I guess it could have been worse, but owners of Bro-Lo know that he’s been like a roller coaster all season. And then there’s the son of LaVar Ball. Lonzo hit just 3-of-13 shots for eight points, 13 rebounds, four assists and a steal, while also canning two 3- pointers. One of his 3-pointers came in the fourth quarter and was a big hit, and I’m guessing we were all a little surprised when it went down. He was 2-of-8 from downtown and is now shooting a dismal 31 percent on the season and just 29 percent over his last five games. He’s also hit just 4-of-23 3-pointers over his last five games, putting him at just 17 percent. If he’d stop shooting 3-pointers and focus on rebounding and getting some shots closer to the hoop, those shooting numbers could change in a hurry. But as it stands, owners have to weigh how much his 8.9 points, 7.1 rebounds and 7.1 assists offset the horrible shooting. I don’t think I’d cut him if I actually owned him anywhere, but I know Mike Gallagher might. It’s actually a close call. But maybe if the Lakers coaching staff stops being “soft” on the kid, as LaVar says, and coached him the way his dad would, he’ll get it turned around. I don’t think Ball is ever going to be a great shooter, but I think he can change some habits and at least not be a total buzzkill in the shooting department. Lastly, Jordan Clarkson saw just 16 minutes, hit 3-of-8 shots and finished with 12 points, one assist and two 3-pointers. Those minutes were his lowest since Oct. 27 and you have to wonder if the Lakers are feeling the pressure to play Ball more minutes in the fourth quarter. If it starts happening, Clarkson may take a hit. He’s averaging 15.6 points, 3.1 rebounds, 2.8 assists, 1.1 steals and 0.8 3-pointers on 51 percent shooting in November, which tells me he should be playing in the fourth quarter. Then again, I’m not coaching the Lakers, nor do I have LaVar Ball in my ear every day.
For the Bulls, Denzel Valentine led the way with 17 points, nine rebounds, four assists, two steals and five 3-pointers in 38 minutes and another start. I’ve been hyping him a bit and Valentine is averaging 13.2 points, 5.4 rebounds, 3.8 assists, 0.8 steals and 3.2 3-pointers on 46 percent shooting over his last five games. The return of David Nwaba (ankle) is going to happen soon, but I’m still cool with owning Valentine until he cools off. Robin Lopez bested his brother with 14 points, three boards and a block, and Lauri Markkanen had 13 points, 14 rebounds, a block and two 3-pointers, despite hitting just 4-of-17 shots. He’s still a must-own player for the Bulls. Kris Dunn continues to improve and looked very good on the court last night, knocking down 5-of-14 shots and a 3-pointer for 12 points, five rebounds, six assists, a steal and a block. Dunn should now be owned everywhere, so find a way to make it happen if he’s somehow available. Justin Holiday rounded out the starters with 10 points, 10 rebounds, three assists and two 3-pointers, but hit just 2-of-12 shots. Holiday hit 10-of-15 shots for 27 points and four 3-pointers on Friday, but in his other three games over his last four, hit just 8-of-42, which is not good. It’s possible that Holiday, and not Valentine, takes a minutes hit when Nwaba returns, but for now, both Holiday and Valentine are worth owning.
Bobby Portis is really cooling off and had eight points, nine boards, a steal and a block in 20 minutes last night. After an incredible start to his season last week he’s averaging just 8.9 points, 6.0 rebounds and 0.8 blocks over his last four games. I can take him or leave him at this point, personally. Jerian Grant hit just 2-of-7 shots for five points and three assists in just 16 minutes, so it’s time to let go if you’re still holding on, as Dunn has ruined what little value he had in the first place. Lastly, Antonio Blakeney hit 6-of-12 shots for 15 points, two rebounds and one assist in 18 minutes. He’s quietly averaging 10.8 points over his last four games, but is only worth a look in the deepest of leagues.
Keep reading for the Paul Millsap injury breakdown.
Paul Millsap’s Wrist Surgery
It was announced on Tuesday night that Paul Millsap will undergo left wrist surgery and be out for up to three months, putting the rest of his season in jeopardy. My Twitter blew up shortly thereafter, and while I wasn’t able to answer many questions at the time, here are my thoughts on who benefits from Millsap’s bad beat.
First of all, I don’t know that there’s a clear-cut winner, or at least if there’s a clear-cut winner who might be available in your league. Here is how I’d rank everyone involved. And while I’m not going to rank Nikola Jokic, his usage rate is probably about to go up.
1. Will Barton – Barton went crazy on Monday night with 25 points, six boards, five dimes and five 3-pointers on 9-of-15 shooting. As my friend Brian said in a text to me: “The guy whose usage rate goes up is the one you want to play, and that’s Barton.” If he’s out there, he’s now a must-own player, although he already was.
2. Wilson Chandler – Chandler can play both forward spots and is the most likely candidate to get Millsap’s minutes. He missed Monday’s game with a sore back, but it does sound like he’ll play tonight. He had scored in double digits in his previous four games and is averaging 14.8 points, 6.0 rebounds, 3.3 assists and 1.5 3-pointers over his last four. He’s also hit 20-of-37 shots over that stretch, good for 54 percent. He looks like a must-own player again.
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Then there’s everyone else…
3. Juan Hernangomez – He played 23 minutes and hit 4-of-9 shots and two 3-pointers on his way to 11 points, four boards and a steal on Monday. He’ll see a boost and if you can’t get Barton or Chandler, I think he’s the next best thing in Denver.
4. Mason Plumlee – Plumlee played 20 minutes and hit 2-of-6 shots for five points, seven boards, three assists and a block on Monday. Expect a bump going forward, although I don’t think he’s a must-own player.
5. Kenneth Faried – Faried started for Millsap on Monday, but that may have only been because Chandler was out. Faried hit just 1-of-7 shots for six points, seven rebounds, a steal and a block in 19 minutes, and it feels like the team has no faith in him. I’m not racing to pick up Plumlee, Faried, or…
6. Trey Lyles – Lyles played 19 minutes and hit 3-of-7 shots and two 3-pointers for eight points and six boards. He’ll also get a boost, but I still think Chandler and Barton are the guys who are going to feast.
In summary, in my opinion, Barton and Chandler are must-own players everywhere, Hernangomez is an interesting add right now, while Plumlee, Faried and Lyles are worth a deep-league look, as well as a watchful eye from owners in 12-team leagues.
Thanks to the following Twitter users for their Denver questions and comments.
@mmansour91, @MarkEthen, @patdy11, @brad_altman, @Angel (censored), @HaitianKid79, @Alexwaira, @charko2882, @fredleee, @CaseyTager, @mralober
Since we have some space on a slow NBA day, here are a couple more items from Twitterland.
@onin_ram: Who should I start Wednesday? Choose two: Jamal Murray, Ricky Rubio, Donovan Mitchell, Elfrid Payton
I think I’d go Mitchell for sure, and I’d probably go with Murray as the other, simply because he has big-game potential, while Rubio has been struggling and Payton’s ceiling isn’t all that high.
@tigas68: Should I drop Jamal Murray for Kris Dunn?
Dunn should be owned, period. If you have to drop Murray to get him, I’m OK with it. But I still haven’t dropped Murray anywhere and don’t have plans to anytime soon. Also, with Millsap out, it could have a positive impact on Murray, as well.
@wellman069: Which side wins? Clint Capela, Donovan Mitchell and Jabari Parker OR Kawhi Leonard, Draymond Green and Jordan Clarkson?
It’s close, especially with the uncertainties surrounding the two injured stars, but I think I’d rather own Capela and Mitchell over Draymond. Clarkson is negligible to me, but if Kawhi plays in the next few weeks, the pendulum easily swings to the Kawhi/Draymond side of this deal.
@smartassunit: What do I trade Kawhi for, or do I just hold him?
At this point I think you might be better off just holding him, as his value is probably too low to get a good deal in return. Then again, he could be out until January, so who knows? I’m holding him in the one league where I drafted him, but if someone came to me and offered Victor Oladipo right now, I’d have a hard time saying no.
@TheFantasyBruh: Is Malcolm Brogdon still a must-own player? I want to drop Millsap for him.
Love the handle, bruh. Brogdon had zero points on 0-of-4 shooting in just 18 minutes on Monday, and I think I’m moving on. The arrival of Eric Bledsoe is just too much of a usage hit on Brogdon. You have to cut Millsap, but I’d rather own Dunn, Barton, Chandler or even a guy like Mario Chalmers. In fact, cutting Brogdon for Chalmers seems like a good idea for anyone still holding Brogdon. Chalmers is starting for Mike Conley (Achilles) until further notice and had 21 points, six boards, six dimes, a steal and a 3-pointer on Monday.
@Kbrumley33: Is John Henson worth using high priority for to replace Millsap?
I think so. It depends on who else is out there, but Henson is certainly in the conversation and is playing well for the Bucks. Just keep in mind that Henson is listed as OUT tonight with an eye injury that came out of nowhere.
@arceecua: With Nance Jr nearing a return, what should I do with Randle? Should I pick Nance Jr up from the waiver wire? John Henson is also available tho.
I think both Nance and Henson are worth a look, but since there’s only one center in Milwaukee, and three good power forwards in L.A., I’m inclined to like Henson a little more than Nance. But as noted above, Henson is listed as OUT tonight.
It took a ton of time to link your Twitter feeds in these questions, so I doubt I’ll be doing that again. But it was fun!
Enjoy Wednesday’s 14-game slate, take the day off on Thursday, and then get ready to do it again on Friday when there are 10 games.
