DeAndre

Jordan

Looney, who has a right heel contusion, played 14 minutes off the bench in Saturday’s loss to the Hawks. If cleared to play on Monday, he’ll take on a similar role, which does not affect fantasy basketball. If Looney sits, DeAndre Jordan may pick up a few minutes backing up starter Derik Queen.

Missi, who was initially questionable, will miss his second game of the season. However, while the Pelicans went small for their October 24 loss to the Spurs, inserting Saddiq Bey into the lineup, that was with a healthy Zion Williamson. Williamson (hamstring) won’t be available on Tuesday, potentially resulting in a spot start for DeAndre Jordan and Derik Queen.

Missi has started the last two games for the Pelicans, so if he isn’t able to play through the illness, that spot would be open. Kevon Looney would likely fill the void, with Derik Queen and DeAndre Jordan taking on extra minutes off the bench.

Pelicans head coach Willie Green’s experiment of starting DeAndre Jordan at center lasted all of one game. The veteran center heads to the bench, with Missi returning to the starting lineup. While he offers limited fantasy upside, Missi has a better chance of achieving some semblance of relevance when he can start.

It’s unclear when Looney will make his Pelicans debut, but it won’t be Friday. Until Looney returns, DeAndre Jordan should provide depth at center. Looney’s next chance to take the court will come on Sunday at Oklahoma City.

Williamson is back after missing Monday’s loss to the Celtics with a foot injury, and he’ll bump Jordan Poole to the bench. The other change of note is Jordan, who replaces Yves Missi in the starting lineup. While Jordan still isn’t at the point where he needs to be rostered in most fantasy leagues, remaining in the starting lineup could change that.

Signed to a one-year deal on Friday, Jordan is not on the injury report for Monday’s matchup with the Celtics. How much, or if, he’ll play depends on the statuses of Yves Missi (ankle) and Karlo Matković (back), who are questionable. Even if those two don’t play, Jordan offers limited streaming upside at this stage in his NBA career.

While Missi was injured during the Pelicans’ season opener on Wednesday, Matković also missed time during the preseason with his injury. Neither has been given a concrete return timeline, participating in Sunday’s practice without issue is a step in the right direction. The Pelicans, who host the Celtics on Monday, signed DeAndre Jordan to a one-year deal on Friday to help address the frontcourt injury issues.

Signed to a one-year deal Friday afternoon, Jordan will give the Pelicans needed interior depth due to the absences of Kevon Looney (knee), Yves Missi (ankle) and Karlo Matkovic (elbow). However, he is not expected to be available for Friday’s game, meaning rookies Derik Queen and Hunter Dickinson will take on the unenviable task of trying to slow down Victor Wembanyama. The Pelicans may also go small at times, sliding Zion Williamson to the five. Of the two rookies, Queen is the better option to roll the dice on in fantasy leagues.

Missi started the Pelicans’ season opener against the Grizzlies on Wednesday, playing 23 minutes and scoring five points while grabbing seven rebounds. Matkovic missed Wednesday’s game and is out again Friday with a back injury. Derik Queen played 15 minutes off the bench in the opener, putting up three points and five rebounds. The Pelicans also signed DeAndre Jordan Friday morning, making this a clear situation to avoid for fantasy managers.