Upon opening night, several players of the LA Clippers have played through a roller coaster. Outside of the team’s star pieces, head coach Tyronn Lue has experimented with countless lineups, ultimately leaving certain players out of the rotation for extended periods.
Though this may be an intelligent strategy for winning games, fantasy basketball owners may think otherwise. On the other hand, the NBA has had many injuries thus far, including the Clippers’ two-way duo, Kawhi Leonard and Paul George. It has been unpredictable to what happens next for LA, and it will continue to be that way until the playoffs begin.
However, when Leonard and George have missed games, other players have stepped up, proving how valuable they can be on the court and when a must-win match-up is on the line. Additionally, there is a strong possibility that the waiver wire holds these players, making it a risk-free pickup for the weeks ahead.
3. Norman Powell
One of the LA Clippers’ brightest spots this year has been the Sixth Man of the Year candidate, Norman Powell. His quick first step, ridiculous athleticism, and elite shot creation have helped guide the Clippers through injuries. He has shown that he can handle the team’s third-star role.
Fantasy-wise, he deserves to be rostered immediately. According to ESPN Fantasy Basketball, Powell’s roster percentage is only 22. This is an absurd discount, especially considering his dominance as of late.
Not to mention, the injuries for the LA Clippers have been a bug all year. Towards the end of the season, Powell will see more opportunities to thrive, and he will do so under Lue’s command. He is the perfect wing in a lineup, as he is very efficient and hustles on both ends of the floor.
Over his last five games, Powell is averaging 19.6 points and 4.2 rebounds while shooting 47.8% from the field and 44.8% from three. He is also playing 28.6 minutes per game, which is an excellent volume for a player coming off the bench.