Aleksej

Pokusevski

Signed by Charlotte in late February, just days after being waived by Oklahoma City, Pokusevski was ultimately let go by the Hornets on July 6. He was among the players officially unveiled by Partizan Belgrade on Monday, a list that included Frank Ntilikina, Sterling Brown, Duane Washington Jr., and Isaac Bonga. Carlik Jones and Bruno Caboclo, who also have prior NBA experience, were not in attendance but are expected to suit up for Partizan this season.

Pokusevski was one of several former Oklahoma City Thunder players who came to Charlotte via midseason trade in 2023-24. The young stretch four averaged 7.4 points and 4.4 rebounds per game with the Hornets. It doesn’t seem like he’s solidified himself as a legitimate rotation player, so his fantasy appeal as a free agent is low ahead of 2024-25.

Richards and Williams sat out their last game, and Bertans will join them on the sidelines for this one. With Brandon Miller and Miles Bridges also out, there will be plenty of minutes at forward to go around. Aleksej Pokusevski and JT Thor should fill a lot of those, with Marques Bolden once again seeing most of the minutes at center.

Poku has slowly started to see more minutes for the Hornets, and he has turned in some solid performances recently. He has scored in double figures in four of their last five games, including a season-high 14 points in a revenge game against the Thunder on Sunday. Poku may not be as highly regarded as he once was, but he still has upside. He should continue to get a chance to prove it over their final two games of the season, but even if he plays well, he isn’t a player to target in drafts next season.

Bridges was downgraded to doubtful earlier in the day, so it doesn’t come as a surprise that he has now officially been ruled out for this game. Aleksej Pokusevski and Davis Bertans are two candidates to fill out Bridges’ starting spot, though both should see extended minutes.

Charlotte will be shorthanded at PF and C once again, and Grant Williams could get another start at center. Aleksej Pokusevski should see more minutes in the frontcourt, but he’s a high-risk streaming option. Williams is the safer play of the two.

Bridges lands on the injury report after playing 43 minutes in Monday’s loss to the Celtics. While it’s plausible that he is dealing with an injury, fantasy managers being somewhat skeptical of the injury designation is understandable. More minutes would be available to Aleksej Pokusevski if Bridges is not cleared to play; Poku would be a risky streamer in deep leagues.

Initially considered doubtful for Monday’s game, Pokusevski has been cleared to play. With Nick Richards (foot) ruled out, more minutes will be available in the frontcourt, even if Poku is not considered a center. He isn’t worth streaming in this spot; Davis Bertans is more worthy of that gamble.

If Micic is ruled out, Nick Smith Jr. should see increased run at PG, while Grant Williams could fill in as a small-ball center if “Naughty Nicky” is sidelined. Williams’ minutes could be especially heavy considering Aleksej Pokusevski (illness) is doubtful.

Pokusevski was initially questionable for Sunday’s game. His absence frees up rotation minutes for the Hornets’ bench players to absorb. Bryce McGowens and JT Thor are players whose minutes could increase, but neither is worth streaming in this pot.