Gustavo

Ayon

Ayon spent the last five seasons playing at the highest level in Europe, but said he has a personal desire to return to the NBA. Earlier in the decade, he had a three-year stint in the league with four different teams. Now, the 34-year-old is looking for one last contract as a bench big. Ayon last played for the Hawks in 2013-14.

He hit 6-of-7 shots, but had his night interrupted by a bout with right knee tendinitis, but returned to play through the pain. He may be a little iffy going forward, but the fact he played through the problem tonight is a very good sign. Chris Kaman (ill) and Gustavo Ayon (baby) were both out, so Smith may not see quite as many minutes going forward when they return to action.

Chris Kaman (ill) and Gustavo Ayon (baby) were out tonight, so Landry’s minutes could take a hit when they return, likely in the next game. But if you started Landry for five games this week, he’s averaging 17 points, nine rebounds and a block in his two games. So far, so good.

Ayon’s wife gave birth to their child Thursday, meaning he’s a decent bet to be back with the team by Saturday. In the meantime, Jason Smith and Carl Landry will continue to start up front if Chris Kaman (flu, questionable) can’t go. Emeka Okafor (knee) remains out indefinitely.

Smith had just two points and one board, and we’re marking him questionable for Saturday’s game against the Wolves. If we get confirmation that he will be out, we’ll upgrade the statuses of Carl Landry (13 points, six boards) and Gustavo Ayon (four points, six boards, zero blocks)

Smith lost a month and a half to a concussion earlier in the year and the injury appeared to impact his nose and radial bone area. He finished with six points, four boards, and two blocks in just under 10 minutes, while Carl Landry (18 and 10) and Gustavo Ayon (nine points, 10 boards, steal, block) are carrying the team in overtime right now. Both will be worth a look if Smith, who is watching the game from the bench, is declared out for any length of time.

“He has swelling,” said Monty Williams. Okafor has missed the last eight games straight for the Hornets, but the team will have to continue without him for the foreseeable future. Chris Kaman and Gustavo Ayon will both see all of the action they can handle with Carl Landry (knee) and Jason Smith (concussion) also out of the lineup.

These were all expected absences and the news shouldn’t come as a surprise. Chris Kaman and Gustavo Ayon remain locked into big minutes as starters at this time.

They write that he is still having trouble after cardiovascular exercises and with Emeka Okafor’s knee injury still without a timeline, Gustavo Ayon should be owned in all 12-team formats. Owners in 10-team formats will also want to take a look. At this point only Chris Kaman, who is likely to be traded, and mediocre Carl Landry are sure to return and compete with Ayon for minutes.

With news that Jason Smith (concussion) could miss the rest of the year and Emeka Okafor (knee) is not close to a return, Ayon should be owned in all 12-team, 8/9 cat formats regardless of this result. He went head up with Dirk Nowitzki tonight and helped him to a 7-of-19 shooting night, and while the results haven’t always been pretty for Ayon the reviews have always been good.