Jeff

Withey

This leaves Greg Stiemsma as the team’s likely starting center, alongside Anthony Davis. Plantar fasciitis and a backup role for the Wolves limited Stiemsma to 16 minutes per game last season, yet he still averaged 3.4 rebounds and 1.2 blocks. Anyone searching for a shot-blocker in the late rounds should give him a close look.

The deal, first reported by ESPN’s Marc Stein, is reportedly a one-year deal worth $2.7 million. Stiemsma figures to play significant minutes at center in New Orleans now that Robin Lopez is gone, but his fantasy usefulness is limited to blocks and rebounds (2.7 blocks and 7.8 rebounds per 36 minutes last season).

This move was expected and coach Monty Williams said he will play his new starting power forward more. Anderson was playing some center against Andrea Barganani and the Knicks on Sunday and the Pelicans used him a lot in the paint. He should put up some big numbers while Al-Farouq Aminu and Greg Smith should get more action. Jeff Withey could also get in the mix.

Interestingly, the Times-Picayune doesn’t consider Ajinca a real option to get the nod. But note that the last time Davis sat out (Jan. 29), Ajinca started next to Greg Stiemsma and had four points and five rebounds in 16 minutes. Regardless, there’s not much plug-play upside here for owners looking to protect themselves against a Brow absence. We’d expect the Pelicans to go small a ton, meaning lots of minutes for Tyreke Evans and Al-Farouq Aminu. They can get away with small ball against the Suns.

The procedure removed loose bodies from his knee and Smith does not have a timetable to return. He’s had a tough season due to multiple injuries and has been out of the lineup since Jan. 18. The Pelicans have been a mess with their frontcourt players next Anthony Davis and most fantasy owners shouldn’t be looking to add Jeff Withey, Greg Stiemsma or Alexis Ajinca.

With Jason Smith and Ryan Anderson both out indefinitely, someone is going to have to step up at center for the Pelicans, and tonight that was Withey. Greg Stiemsma started and failed to score in 11 minutes, while Alexis Ajinca had four points, four rebounds, a steal and a block in 16 minutes. These three could trade good games from here on out, and relying on any of them in fantasy is risky business. But Withey should be given a close look on Friday against the Pistons after this one.

There isn’t much to like about the trio of Pelican centers, but Ajinca seems like the best option of the bunch. Jeff Withey played well with two points, two boards and two blocks while Greg Stiemsma had two points, three boards, one assist, one steal and two blocks in another start. Owners in standard leagues can find better things to do with their time than monitor this situation.

The Pelicans are in a lot of trouble up front and their plan is going to take a detour after trading some picks for Jrue Holiday (leg) over the summer. They might go with a youth movement, but obviously Withey has almost no fantasy value right now. Alexis Ajinca scored two points with four boards and a block in 12 minutes.

Alexis Ajinca will serve as his primary backup, with help from Jeff Withey, and Stiemsma is worth watching if you’re in need of blocks. He’s averaging 2.6 points, 3.6 rebounds and 0.8 blocks in 15 minutes per game this season, so expectations should be kept to a bare minimum.

They had been starting Greg Stiemsma, but that didn’t exactly workout with just 11 minutes played on Tuesday. Jeff Withey had his best game as a pro with 14 points in 27 minutes and is worth watching along with Ajinca. To be clear, this news only concerns owners in deep leagues.