Buddy

Hield

With Jimmy Butler III (knee) done for the season, it was “all hands on deck” for the Warriors on Tuesday. Hield, who has been in the rotation the last three games, recorded season-highs in points and three-pointers against the Raptors. The sharpshooter was a perfect 6-of-6 from beyond the arc, and while duplicating that feat in future games will be challenging, Hield can return to fantasy relevance. For deep-league managers needing three-point production, he’s worth keeping an eye on.

Golden State could be heavily depleted on Tuesday, and if Santos and Richard are ultimately ruled out, Buddy Hield and Moses Moody could see some additional run.

Having fallen out of the Warriors’ rotation recently, Hield logged 23 minutes on Monday. The Warriors didn’t have De’Anthony Melton (knee) for injury management reasons, freeing up minutes for the veteran shooting guard. Hield took advantage of his opportunity, with the 16 points being the most in a game for him since November 24. Depending on how much time Jimmy Butler misses after injuring his right knee, Hield could remain in the rotation for the foreseeable future.

Melton will sit out Monday’s game for injury management reasons, as it’s the first of two in as many nights for the Warriors. His absence may lead to Pat Spencer or Buddy Hield moving into the back end of the Warriors’ rotation, but neither is a must-stream player.

Butler was a late addition to the injury report, and he now won’t be available against OKC, leaving the Warriors incredibly shorthanded. Brandin Podziemski and Will Richard should play significant roles in this game, and Buddy Hield could make a return to the rotation.

Green will get Friday night off, opening up a spot in the Warriors’ starting lineup. The last time the veteran forward missed a game due to injury, Buddy Hield was inserted into the starting lineup. That isn’t guaranteed to be the case this time, especially with Al Horford listed as probable.

The Warriors have made just one change to the lineup that began Saturday’s win over the Cavaliers. With Butler available, Jonathan Kuminga heads to the bench. While he should still play plenty, Kuminga’s fantasy ceiling is lowered with the move to the second unit.

Butler is back after a two-game absence, which is good news for a team that remains without Stephen Curry and Draymond Green. His return likely means fewer minutes for Gary Payton II and Buddy Hield, with both players offering limited fantasy value in their respective roles.

Butler sat out the first leg of Golden State’s back-to-back set on Saturday, but he’ll return on Sunday to help Golden State go for a second win in as many days. He should return to the starting five, which means fewer minutes will be available for Gary Payton II and Buddy Hield.

Initially questionable for Saturday’s game, Butler is officially out. Gary Payton II and Buddy Hield are among the Warriors whose minutes stand to increase with Butler, among others, sidelined for Saturday’s game. Hield offers a higher fantasy ceiling, but the need to account for Donovan Mitchell may lead to Payton getting more minutes.