With Timberwolves shooting guard Jimmy Butler out 4-6 weeks after having surgery for a torn meniscus, it is time to comb the waiver wire for a potential replacement on your roster.
Here are five potential replacements.
1. Kentavious Caldwell Pope, SG, Lakers: Pope has averaged 25.6 fantasy points per game in his last six games. He is on fire and has become the Lakers number one scoring option. Pope should continue to to get big minutes and plenty of touches in an offense that has quickly becoming one of the most potent in the NBA.
2. Bogdan Bogdanovic, SG, Pacers: Bogdanovic plays over 30 minutes a game and averages 13.6 points game. He has the potential to go off on any given night and that makes him worth picking up in any format. Replacing Butler’s offense will not be easy. Players like Bogdanovic soften the blow.
3. Rodney Hood, SG/SF, Cavaliers: Hood can score in bunches. The issue is minutes. If he gets enough minutes, he can give you double digits fantasy points every night because of his cross category production.
Hood’s role will expand as the season goes on. You might want to grab him now while he is available in most leagues. He will be a popular free agent target down the stretch.
4. Jonathan Simmons, SG, Magic: Simmons can be wildly inconsistent but he can also be an effective scorer on a nightly basis depending on how many minutes he plays.
Simmons is averaging 11.9 fantasy points per game but he has the potential to go off as evident by his 25 point game against the Magic on Monday night. If you are in a 12 team league, Simmons is worth looking at s a free agent pick up.
5. Nemanja Bjelica, SG/SF, Timberwolves: Bjelica stands to benefit the most from Butler’s injury. He will get extended minutes and the opportunity to play more. Bjelica is a terrific shooter and most effective when the Timberwolves spread the floor and get him open looks. Bjelica is worth adding especially in deeper leagues. He has volume scorer potential.