Zach

Edey

Back in the Grizzlies’ lineup after a two-game absence, Aldama played 27 minutes on Monday. The production was solid, and he’s now reached double figures in four of his last five appearances. Jock Landale (personal) being away from the team could have raised Aldama’s fantasy ceiling, but the playing time did not receive a significant boost. That said, he should be rostered in standard leagues as long as the Grizzlies are without starting center Zach Edey (ankle).

Since scoring a career-high 37 points in a December 23 win over the Jazz, Aldama had not recorded more than 15 points in any game. That changed on Thursday in Berlin, as the Grizzlies forward/center hit all four of his three-point attempts. Zach Edey’s (ankle) absence has opened up additional opportunities for Aldama. Still, the impact has been muted since Jock Landale (6/5/1/1/1 with one three-pointer) has been the replacement in the starting lineup.

Edey last played on December 7, and this latest update means he won’t return until at least late February or early March. While Edey is out, Jock Landale and Santi Aldama should continue to soak up minutes at center.

Clarke, who underwent offseason right knee surgery, is available to play for the first time this season. With Zach Edey (ankle) out, rotation minutes should be available. That said, the amount of time that Clarke missed likely means that he’ll be on a minutes restriction. He isn’t a must-add now, but keep an eye on Clarke’s minutes and production.

Despite being ruled out, Clarke’s initial status as “doubtful” ahead of Monday’s game indicates that a return from knee surgery could be very near. Once he returns, he’ll have an opportunity to join the rotation quickly, as Zach Edey is set to miss multiple weeks with an ankle injury. The Grizzlies have won five of their last seven games and have a chance to earn their third win of the season over the Clippers.

Edey underwent surgery on his left ankle in June, which makes Thursday’s announcement especially concerning. The Grizzlies expect the 7-foot-4 center to make a full recovery, and they’ll take an “offloading and rehabilitation” approach before re-evaluating him in four weeks. Jock Landale began the season as the starting center and should return to that role, making him a worthwhile addition in deeper leagues. There should also be more minutes available to Santi Aldama, but Landale should be the primary target of fantasy managers.

Edey snapped out of his recent cold spell by recording his fifth double-double of the season, pulling down 10 boards in just 21 minutes before fouling out with just over six minutes left in a lopsided affair against the struggling Trail Blazers. The 23-year-old center is averaging 13.6 points, 11.1 rebounds, 1.1 assists, 0.6 steals and 1.9 blocks through 11 games this season. He’s performing at a near-elite level for fantasy purposes when he’s on the floor.

Edey’s night was unspectacular from a fantasy basketball perspective. He didn’t dominate in any singular category, but was solid enough across the board to finish with mediocre production. He played 29 minutes in the game, battled on both ends, and ultimately finished as the Grizzlies’ leader in blocks in the win. They’ll play Sunday against the Trail Blazers, where fantasy managers will hope for more production out of Edey.

Edey has been on quite the tear in recent weeks. Over the last five games that Edey has completed, he is averaging 17.8 points, 16.2 rebounds and 3.0 blocks per game. It took Edey a few games to get adjusted after missing the start of the year, but he’s been one of the most dominant players in fantasy basketball recently. Some of the matchups have been more favorable, but he has been able to take advantage. At this point, he’s looking like one of the steals of the year.

Not having Domantas Sabonis available put the Kings in a tough spot when defending Edey. The second-year center was able to go wherever he wanted offensively, shooting 80 percent from the field with most of his makes coming in the restricted area. Add in the rebounds and blocked shots, and this was a great end to Week 6 for managers who have Edey rostered. Since making his season debut, the 7-foot-4 center has provided third-round value in nine-cat formats. The Grizzlies play three games in Week 7, starting with the Spurs on Tuesday.