With the second half of the NBA season underway and the trade deadline fast approaching, fantasy managers have a lot to pay attention to. Players are missing for various reasons and everyone’s injury list spots are surely filled. There are several players that need to be closely watched so their value can be determined. Once that is accomplished, decisions can be made whether to add them to the roster, simply keep them around or if a trade is beneficial. Having said all of that, this fantasy basketball player preview second half edition can managers focus on what the best moves are. Let’s dive in!

Point Guards

Coby White, Chicago Bulls

With the unfortunate news Lonzo Ball will be out for four to six weeks with a knee injury, fantasy managers must turn to Coby White. Now at 25 percent owned in ESPN leagues, that figure will go way up in the coming days. No question, White is roster worthy, having played over 30 minutes in his last six contests. Additionally, White had scored in double digits in 13 straight games coming into the weekend and put up 22 points against Orlando Sunday.

White has averaged only two and a half assists per game, but that figure should go up significantly with Ball out of the lineup. That statement will have to be monitored as White had zero assists Sunday and then seven Monday. No question, losing Ball is a significant loss for the Bulls and fantasy managers. However, White can soften the blow if he performs as expected. If White is not on the wire, managers should keep an eye on him and make an offer before his prize goes up too high.

Ben Simmons, Philadelphia 76ers (maybe)

Without question, keeping an eye on Ben Simmons‘ stats has been really easy so far this season. He doesn’t have any, as he has kept himself on the sideline waiting for Philadelphia to trade him. Surely, he expected one to happen by now, but none has materialized. With the deadline now less than three weeks away, there should be plenty of rumors surfacing regarding Simmons.

Of course, there is every chance that Simmons goes nowhere. Philly President Daryl Morey has said all along he won’t make a trade just to make one. He wants equal value in return and if he has to wait for the offseason to get it, he will. Managers that have him on their rosters will need to make a decision sooner or later regarding Simmons. Once a trade is made, an immediate review of his value on the new team must be done.

Without doubt, if the landing spot is a favorable one for Simmons’ fantasy value, managers can then decide what to do. Does a trade return significant value? Or is simply holding on to him for the stretch and playoff runs the best move? If Simmons is still on the 76er roster past deadline day, redraft managers must immediately send him to waivers, as he will have zero value. Whatever happens, keeping a sharp eye on Simmons is a top priority on this fantasy basketball player preview second half edition.

Shooting Guards

CJ McCollum, Portland Trail Blazers

After missing 18 games because of a collapsed lung, CJ McCollum returned to the Portland lineup last week. The first three games certainly indicates that McCollum is all the way back from the injury. He scored 16 points against Orlando in the first game. McCollum then followed that up with 24 against Miami two nights later. The game against the Heat mirrors his season averages of 20 points, four rebounds and 4.3 assists per game. Sunday against Toronto, McCollum scored 19 points with 10 rebounds and six assists.

If McCollum can maintain those stats, he will have tremendous value to fantasy managers going forward, no question. The issue is that since Portland is currently eight games below .500, they may decide to move McCollum for assets before the deadline. Managers will need to stay on top of any news regarding McCollum and make the adjustments they deem necessary. Whatever occurs will have an impact so don’t get caught napping at the wrong time.

Donovan Mitchell, Utah Jazz

The Utah Jazz have greatly stumbled the past few weeks and missing players is at the heart of their issues. However, the absence of Donovan Mitchell because of a concussion is the worst blow of them all. Truthfully, something else may have been bothering Mitchell even before the concussion. Mitchell failed to score more than 17 points to two of his last three appearances. When taking his whole season into consideration, it is noted that his scoring and rebounding are down from last year.

The question that needs answering is if his play is because of the many missing Utah players. Or is something else is going on? The absences are most likely the cause, but managers need to keep an eye on Mitchell when he returns. If the level of play is equal to his usual level, plugging Mitchell is the clear answer. If his stats are lagging, perhaps trading him while his value is still high is the wiser choice.

Small Forwards

Saddiq Bey, Detroit Pistons

When looking at Saddiq Bey‘s stats this season, it becomes clear quickly that his play has been up and down more than a yo-yo. Bey went through a very successful recent stretch in which he scored more than 16 points in four of five games. However, Bey practically disappeared when he scored a total of 18 points last Sunday and Tuesday. When Bey took the court against Sacramento Wednesday, he was unstoppable, scoring 30 points. The yo-yo play returned in his next two games, as Bey scored a total of 24 points.

For the season, Bey is averaging 15.1 points and just below six rebounds per night. Most alarmingly, Bey has missed his points average in five of his last seven games. Unquestionably, a more consistent performer would be preferred on rosters as the fantasy playoffs approach. It is certainly the recommendation of this fantasy basketball player preview that managers keep Bey under close scrutiny. If the yo-yo is going down more than up, making a move is the call on this fantasy basketball player preview.

Otto Porter, Golden State Warriors

A player that the second half could impact more than any other is Otto Porter. The Golden State lineup has been in transition for much of the season. Of course, the absence of Klay Thompson had much to do with that. However, Andre Iguodala and Draymond Green have also missed time. While Iguodola returned Thursday, Green is expected out two more weeks. Porter was a healthy scratch against the Pacers and his use until everyone else is healthy will be key on what to do with him.

Impressively, Porter scored more than 40 fantasy points in his previous two games, showing that he can fill up a stat sheet. In fact, that is the fifth time Porter has accomplished the feat since December 25. Porter has the potential to add much to fantasy lineups until Green returns. However, as stated, his use is key. If owned, watch Porter’s numbers. If they bounce too much or go in reverse, send him packing and pick up a better option.

Power Forwards

Jae’Sean Tate, Houston Rockets

Without doubt, many a fantasy manager rushed to the wire after Jae’Sean Tate exploded with more than 50 fantasy points in two games. Against San Antonio and Sacramento, Tate scored 50 and 54 points January 12th and 14th. Tate has scored more than 50 three times since New Year’s Eve. His ownership percentage shot up following those two performances.

However, consistency has not been Tate’s calling card this season. Tate went up against the same Kings team two nights later and finished with only 18 fantasy points. In fact, Tate has scored less than 20 fantasy points in two of his last three games and has failed to reach that total in five games this month. Obviously, his ceiling is high, but the same can be said of his floor. If this inconsistency continues, managers are going to want to decide if keeping him is worth the roster spot. Giving Tate full attention is certainly recommended on this fantasy basketball player review second half edition.

Scottie Barnes, Toronto Raptors

Clearly one of the top rookie players this season, Scottie Barnes has been a mainstay in the Toronto and fantasy lineups for most of the season. His averages of 14.6 points, 7.8 rebounds and 3.4 assists are clear indications of why that is so. However, the train has slowed in recent games for Barnes and his managers are doing to want to keep him under surveillance leading up to their league’s trade deadline.

Since returning from the inactive list to start the new year, Barnes has failed to score more than 13 points in eight of 10 games. Barnes has also grabbed fewer than his season average in rebounds in six of his last 10. His minutes have maintained a pretty steady average, which suggests the Raptors are not concerned about Barnes hitting the rookie wall. Even so, if the floor looks like it is falling for Barnes, managers might want to see about making a move before his value follows.

Center

Omer Yurtseven, Miami Heat

It was recently pointed out that Omer Yurtseven deserved a place on fantasy rosters over some of the other centers I was recently recommended picking up. That certainly made sense as Yurtseven took advantage big time of his opportunity while Bam Adebayo was out with a thumb injury. In fact, Yurtseven turned out to be a rebounding machine, as he grabbed double digit boards in 14 straight games. On Saturday, January 15, Yurtseven brought home the gold with 22 points, 11 rebounds and 44 fantasy points. He and his fantasy managers were on top of the world.

Amazing how quickly things can change, isn’t it? Adebayo returned to the Heat lineup last week. It was certainly expected that Yurtseven’s playing time would go down because of it. However, no one could have known that he would completely disappear from planet Earth. Since last Monday, Yurtseven has played seven minutes. TOTAL. Obviously, that won’t do no matter the size of the league. Maybe he simply needed to take a step back after averaging right around 30 minutes per game for the past several weeks.

Keep an eye on Yurtseven, if owned. If his next game looks like the past four, send him out to pasture without another moment’s delay. Doubtless, that would be the recommendation on this fantasy basketball player preview second half edition.

Myles Turner, Indiana Pacers

Sometimes, a stat as simple as minutes played can indicate a change in a player’s health. Such clearly looks like that was the case with Myles Turner. After playing over 31 minutes in five of six games, Turner’s minutes dipped into the 20s for four straight contests. Then came word that Turner was dealing with a stress problem in his left foot and would be out for at least two weeks. He will be reexamined at that time and his absence could be longer. Such news was certainly unfortunate for the Pacers as they were expected to try and move Turner before the trade deadline.

For the season, Turner is averaging 12.9 points and 7.1 rebounds. He has also averaged a healthy 30 fantasy points a night over his past 10 games. NBA teams interested in trading for Turner will be intensely studying his medical reports. Fantasy managers will want to monitor the trade headlines and react if a team acquires Turner. Keeping him in an IR spot is the move for now. If Turner gets traded to a team that could greatly impact his numbers, one way or another, a deal should be considered. It is all part of the cat and mouse nature of fantasy basketball.

The Last Word

Thank you for joining me for this fantasy basketball player preview second half edition! As always, I welcome suggestions, questions and input from all of my readers. Follow me on twitter @kevin62wilsea. Please feel free to share this article. Be sure to turn to Belly Up Sports and Belly Up Fantasy Sports & Picks for all the latest NBA, NFL, NHL happenings and all the sports news!