We're well into the NBA season at this point, and already we're seeing signs of attrition as the physical toll of the NBA marathon and the ongoing pandemic have some big-name players on the sidelines.
Injuries and illness breed production chaos on teams, and as Littlefinger from Game of Thrones taught us, Chaos is a ladder. One of the core purposes of this article is to shine a light on players that are in position to take advantage of unforeseen circumstances to help your fantasy teams climb the ladder.
Of course, sometimes it isn't injury absence that creates opportunity. Sometimes it's just a young player stepping forward, or a role player finding a useful niche that makes him valuable to both his team and potentially your fantasy squad as well. Let's take a look at some of these players that could help your team that are rostered in less than 20% of ESPN leagues.
Jae'Sean Tate, Houston Rockets (9.7% rostered in ESPN leagues): Tate has stepped up as an impact player for the Rockets in the last week, averaging 16.3 PPG (61.0 FG%, 66.7 FT%), 7.0 RPG, 1.8 APG, 1.3 3PG, 0.8 BPG and 0.8 SPG in his last four games. The second-year player has the same opportunity as the other young Rockets, to step in and claim as much as he's able, and right now he is producing enough to be a potential flex starter in many leagues.
Georges Niang (6.6%) and Furkan Korkmaz (8.1%), Philadelphia 76ers: The 76ers are in the midst of probably the worst COVID-19 breakout in the NBA this season, which in conjunction with the Ben Simmons situation, leaves them currently without Simmons, Joel Embiid, Tobias Harris and Matisse Thybulle. Niang and Korkmaz have both stepped up as scorers for the 76ers. Niang has scored in double-figures in five straight games, averaging 16.0 PPG, 3.2 RPG, 2.6 3PG and 2.0 APG during that stretch. Korkmaz's double figures streak is at four games, averaging 17.5 PPG (59.4 FG%), 3.3 RPG, 2.8 3PG and 1.8 APG in those contests.
Gary Payton II, Golden State Warriors (4.5%): Payton has been channeling his Glove birthright of late, with 11 steals in his last four games. But, Payton has always been known as a defensive stopper like his dad so that isn't the surprising part. The surprise has been his offense, as he entered Monday's game with three straight double-digit scoring efforts where he averaged 13.7 PPG, 4.7 RPG and 2.3 APG in addition to the steals. His offense is inconsistent enough that it is difficult to rely upon, but thus far in November he's flashed a strong enough all-around game that he's at least played himself onto the radar, if not onto the rosters of teams in deeper leagues.
Derrick Jones Jr., Chicago Bulls (0.8%): Jones only plays about 15-20 minutes per game off the bench, but of late he's been doing his best Matisse Thybulle impersonation. Entering Monday, Jones' last four games featured three blocked shots and a steal, two blocked shots and a steal, two blocked shots and two steals and one blocked shot. Jones has always generated plus blocks and steals per-possession, with averages of 1.7 BP100 possessions and 1.7 SP100 possessions for his career. It is uncertain if Jones can maintain enough minutes to continue to produce at this volume, but as long as he is he's a useful specialist in roto leagues that can help you win the two tough defensive categories.