Week 13 was an eventful week for fantasy basketball: There were Tyrese Haliburton and Kevin Durant’s long-term injuries and a smaller one to Jaylen Brown.

When big names like those go down, new options present themselves on the waiver wire. Here, we will be focusing on five intriguing players who are in line for a boost in production. None are stars, but they could be a difference between a win and a loss in a fantasy matchup this week, whether you’re in a category league or a points league.

T.J. McConnell

Tyrese Haliburton’s injury and extended absence has been a big blow to many fantasy teams. Many players have had to take on elevated roles with him out, but none have taken advantage quite like McConnell. With Haliburton healthy, McConnell had a minor role. In fact, he averages 17.6 minutes per game on the season. That isn’t enough to get statistics worthy of most standard leagues. However, McConnell has historically been the type of guy to squeeze every ounce of production possible out of his minutes. Even though he is still coming off the bench with Haliburton out, his role has increased significantly. Over the last 3 games, he has averaged 25.3 minutes per game and has produced averages of 13.3 points, 7.7 rebounds, 8.3 assists and 2 steals while shooting 58% (you read that right) from the floor. Those are fantastic numbers and many people have probably noticed by now but you should definitely pick up McConnell if he is still available in your league. His ability to chip in across the board is too good to pass up.

Andrew Nembhard
While McConnell is the far better pickup through my eyes, Nembhard is worthy of an add as well since he will getting increased opportunities at point guard. Nembhard has started most of the year at the 2 alongside Haliburton, but he has shown that he can run the point very well, as evidenced by his 31 point game against the Warriors last month. That game might have created unrealistic expectations that many, myself included, fell trap to.

In hindsight, McConnell was probably the more reliable pickup, but the truth is that Nembhard is still young with a ton of upside. In the last 2 games, he has averaged 6.5 points on a measly 16% from the floor, but he has also averaged 6.5 assists. I added him in my league and while the last two games were ugly, I am holding onto him because of the big minutes and opportunities he will be receiving on a nightly basis.

Derrick White

White is the perfect example of the type of player who makes his way on and off rosters this season. He is a very complete player, but has limited upside in terms of his stats when the team is completely healthy. However, one of the team’s two stars and usage monsters, Jaylen Brown, is out for the next week. He shouldn’t be prioritized over the Pacers guys because Brown’s injury is less serious than Haliburton’s, but White has proven that he can contribute in a multitude of ways. He is a great shot blocker for a guard and those are hard to find on the wire, and he doesn’t hurt you in any category. I also think that he is a better option than advertised when the Celtics are at full strength, although his upside is pretty limited. Anyway, Brown is out for the near future so now is the time to add White.

Gabe Vincent

Vincent is yet another player who has benefitted from taking on a bigger role lately due to injury. Tyler Herro and Kyle Lowry have been injured, so he, Max Strus and Victor Oladipo have all gotten increased opportunities. Oladipo is the clear priority since has strong rest of season value regardless of injuries to players surrounding him. I was about to include him here, but I feel like he’s already been added in a ton of spots. Herro is about to come back which likely hurts everyone a bit, but Strus probably takes the biggest hit.

As long as Lowry is out, Vincent should continue to shine. Vincent has started the last three games in his place and has averaged 22.6 points, 4 assists, 3.3 assists, 2.7 steals and 3.7 threes per game while making all of his free throws and shooting 55.8 % from the field. Vincent already proved last year that he could step up in Lowry’s absence, and he has shown it again lately. Now’s the time to add Vincent in 12-team leagues.

Isaiah Jackson

This add could lose value as soon as my article gets published, but as long as Myles Turner is out- and he could be back as soon as next game. Jackson has started the last two games with Turner out, and in those spot starts he has averaged 11 points, 8.5 rebounds and 5.5 blocks. Yes… 5.5 blocks. Where the hell else are you going to get that type of production?

That being said, you should closely monitor Turner’s status over the course of the next few games. Additionally, Rick Carlisle’s center rotation can be a bit unpredictable at times. Jackson can contribute strong numbers in limited minutes, similar to McConnell above, but there have been stretches this season where Jalen Smith has received the backup minutes over Jackson. In short, err on the side of caution with Jackson but he is a must-add during this strong stretch where he is a starter.