Goga Bitadze a Saturday standout? Yes indeed

Why Booker Injury Could Be ‘Concerning’ in Fantasy

The Rotoworld Basketball Show crew discusses Devin Booker’s injury status and identifies potential strong replacements and waiver wire pickups among Phoenix Suns players.

In the absence of starting center Wendell Carter Jr. due to a broken finger on his left hand that will require surgery, the Orlando Magic made an unexpected decision for their game against the Lakers. Instead of choosing Moritz Wagner as the replacement, Magic coach Jamahl Mosley decided to maintain the continuity of his bench unit and moved Goga Bitadze into the starting lineup. Surprisingly, the decision worked like a charm, with both players performing well. Bitadze recorded an impressive line of 10 points, 10 rebounds, two assists, and five blocked shots in 26 minutes, while Wagner added 13 points, eight rebounds, two assists, one steal, and one 3-pointer in 19 minutes. This unexpected move by Mosley not only preserved Wagner’s streaming value but also introduced Bitadze as a potential fantasy pickup, especially in deeper leagues.

Despite the Orlando Magic having only three games in Week 3, compared to four in other weeks, it shouldn’t deter fantasy managers from considering Wagner or Bitadze. Both players are expected to play significant minutes and the Magic will have four games in each of Weeks 4 and 5. Moving on to other quality pickups from Saturday’s slate, let’s start with Anthony Black, who started for the Magic due to injuries to Markelle Fultz and Gary Harris. Black made the most of his opportunity, finishing with 11 points, four rebounds, two assists, one steal, and two 3-pointers in 30 minutes. While Black has more value in dynasty leagues than redraft leagues, he’s someone to keep an eye on, especially if Fultz’s knee issues persist.

Dillon Brooks is another player who has surprised many with his hot start to the season. Despite his stellar performance in the first two weeks, Brooks is still available in more than half of Yahoo leagues. In the game against the Kings, he showcased his skills with 26 points, nine rebounds, one assist, one steal, and two 3-pointers in 38 minutes. As Brooks is shooting over 60% from the field, it’s unlikely that his efficiency will last throughout the season. However, his confidence and ability to produce efficiently make him a valuable asset in fantasy basketball at the moment.

When De’Aaron Fox was sidelined with an ankle injury, it was evident that Malik Monk would be a better fantasy option than backup point guard Davion Mitchell. Monk seized the opportunity and put up a solid line of 18 points, three rebounds, seven assists, one steal, and three 3-pointers in 26 minutes off the bench in the two games that Fox missed. While Monk’s value may decrease once Fox returns, it’s still worth holding onto him for his current production. The same cannot be said for Mitchell.

Saddiq Bey, one of the Hawks’ starting forwards, remains under 40% rostered in Yahoo leagues. Despite sharing playing time with Jalen Johnson and De’Andre Hunter, Bey has proven himself capable on nights when the Hawks face bigger opponents. In the recent win over the Pelicans, Bey contributed 12 points, five rebounds, two assists, one steal, and two 3-pointers in 26 minutes. Considering the struggles of potential pickup Royce O’Neale, Bey is a worthy addition to fantasy rosters.

In terms of injuries, Reggie Jackson stepped into the starting lineup for the Nuggets due to Jamal Murray’s right hamstring tightness. Jackson played 25 minutes and contributed 16 points, one rebound, three assists, one block, and three 3-pointers. While Murray’s quad contusion on the same leg raises concerns about his availability, it was Collin Gillespie who was on the court with the other four starters during the decisive fourth-quarter run in their recent win.

Drew Eubanks has been on the radar in deeper fantasy leagues and could see an increased role within the Suns rotation. In the game against the Pistons, starting center Jusuf Nurkic took an elbow to the jaw and his status for Sunday’s game remains uncertain. Even if Nurkic plays, there are concerns about his injury history and potential limitations. Keep an eye out for the official injury report on Sunday morning which will reveal Nurkic’s availability, as an absence would significantly increase Eubanks’ streaming value.