Tim

Frazier

The NBA journeyman has played for nine different teams with career averages of 4.9 points and 4.0 assists. Heading into his age-32 season, it’s unlikely we see Frazier in the NBA again.

A short-term signing like this was fully expected as Darius Garland is still dealing with back soreness and Caris LeVert and Rajon Rondo are expected to miss at least a week or two each with foot/toe injuries. In 10 games as a member of the Magic this season, Frazier averaged just 3.7 points and 3.3 dimes in 20 minutes per game. Maybe he turns it around in a spot where he shouldn’t lack for minutes, but Brandon Goodwin is the superior point guard option in Cleveland if we had to pick one. Hopefully this doesn’t mean Darius Garland’s back injury is worse than they’re making it out to be.

Orlando makes just one change from the starting lineup used in their most recent game, a loss to the Bucks Thursday night. Bamba, who recently cleared the league’s health and safety protocols, is back in the starting lineup, and Freddie Gillespie returns to the bench. Bamba doesn’t lack fantasy upside, but managers will want to prepare themselves for the possibility that he’ll be on a minutes limit.

Mulder has played sparingly this season, but with the backcourt injuries the Magic have, he could see heavy minutes. Hassani Gravett, who was also cleared today, will split point guard minutes with Mulder and Tim Frazier.

Prior to Thursday’s showing, Frazier averaged 2.5 points, 3.0 assists and 2.0 rebounds in 17.5 minutes across his four prior games for Orlando, so this was easily his best game in a Magic uniform. The journeyman is playing for his eighth team in as many seasons, so we wouldn’t count on these types of performances very often.

The Magic have made two changes to their starting lineup, both due to health and safety protocols. Frazier will fill the void left by Hassani Gravett, while Gillespie starts due to Robin Lopez landing on the dreaded list. Frazier is worth streaming while Orlando is shorthanded on the perimeter, but expect RJ Hampton to see a lot of time on the ball as well. Gillespie’s fantasy prospects aren’t as promising, even with his move into the starting lineup.

As strange as the last month has been in the NBA, Tuesday night took things to another level. Gravett, who started at the point for Orlando, was pulled mid-game due to health and safety protocol concerns. Following the game, the Magic announced that Gravett has officially entered the league’s protocols. And the timing couldn’t be worse for Gravett, who signed his second 10-day contract with the Magic on Monday. If he has to miss multiple games, that would open the door for Tim Frazier to take on more playing time. Frazier played 21 minutes off the bench Tuesday, finishing with five points (2-of-8 FGs), three rebounds, three assists, and one 3-pointer.

The Magic have five players currently in the league’s health and safety protocols, which qualified them for the hardship exception. Frazier has averaged five points and four assists in 17.6 minutes per game throughout his career. The Magic have enough injuries at point guard that Frazier could see some minutes, but he likely won’t provide much fantasy value.

Frazier’s 10-day deal was expiring and Memphis opted to keep him around, even though he hasn’t appeared in a game since Jan. 13.

He’s now a free agent and able to sign with another team.