Fantasy Basketball: These stars could get shut down — here’s how to prepare and plan ahead

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Managing a fantasy basketball team during the “silly season” requires a mix of foresight and creativity. This is the time of year when teams out of playoff contention rest their veterans and prioritize younger players, often disrupting established rotations. Unfortunately for fantasy managers, some of your stars could be at risk of being shut down.

Let’s look closer at nine high-risk players and what makes them likely candidates for reduced workloads or complete shutdowns late in the season.

Joel Embiid, Philadelphia 76ers

Embiid is an obvious choice, but I can’t not include him.

The Sixers are a dumpster fire. According to NBA insider Jake Fischer, the Sixers and Joel Embiid are expected to announce how Embiid will proceed with his troublesome left knee by the end of the week. Fantasy managers should already be looking for contingency plans, as he’s facing an extended absence after the rest and load management activities haven’t reduced the swelling and discomfort in his left knee.

Fantasy Manager Tip: Guerschon Yabusele is dealing with an eye injury, but he’s the center I’d roster for the rest of the season over Andre Drummond. Depending on when your playoffs begin (Yahoo default is Week 20), the Sixers have one of the best schedules, so holding Yabusele is a good plan if you can manage it.

LaMelo Ball, Charlotte Hornets

With the Hornets firmly at the bottom of the Eastern Conference, LaMelo is a prime shutdown candidate. The Hornets lost their last two games by a margin of 39 points, so it’s not like their situation is improving. Add in his history of ankle issues this season, Brandon Miller already being lost and Mark Williams’ storied injury issues — why risk it? Ball is essential to Charlotte’s future, so keeping him healthy for next season will take priority over meaningless late-season games.

Fantasy Manager Tip: I’d try to trade LaMelo Ball. You’ll likely take a haircut, but between his injury profile and the trajectory of the Hornets, I don’t trust that he’ll be active enough in the fantasy playoffs. Nick Smith Jr. is the initial name that comes to mind if Ball were inactive. Next would be KJ Simpson….

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Source link : https://sports.yahoo.com/fantasy/article/fantasy-basketball-these-stars-could-get-shut-down–heres-how-to-prepare-and-plan-ahead-200638763.html

Author : Yahoo Sports

Publish date : 2025-02-27 20:06:00

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