Fantasy Basketball-Brook Lopez Injury Impact

Dec 18, 2013; Brooklyn, NY, USA; Brooklyn Nets center Brook Lopez (11) and Washington Wizards power forward Nene Hilario (42) go after a loose ball during the second half at Barclays Center. The Wizards won the game 113-107. Mandatory Credit: Joe Camporeale-USA TODAY Sports /

So you were convinced the Nets were a team on the rise and took a gamble that Brook Lopez would stay healthy in your fantasy basketball draft. In doing so, you got a great big man at a bargain price. So far this season it looks like your gamble paid off. Sorry. Not any more.

Lopez’s troublesome feet injuries are back to haunt him and his fantasy owners yet again this year. According to reports on twitter and other social media (first by Gary Tanguay of CSNNE.com and confirmed by NetsDaily.com), Lopez will miss the rest of the season with a broken foot. Wait until it’s confirmed, but it looks like Lopez is dropable in all redraft formats and it’s officially time to move on to your contingency plan.

Dec 20, 2013; Philadelphia, PA, USA; Brooklyn Nets center Andray Blatche (0) shoots under pressure from Philadelphia 76ers center Spencer Hawes (00) during the first quarter at the Wells Fargo Center. Mandatory Credit: Howard Smith-USA TODAY Sports /

The player most likely to pick up the immediate fantasy value is Andray Blatche who seems to score about 20 points whenever he gets extended playing time. He had a string of six straight double-digit scoring games snapped against the Sixers last night, but should be a nightly double-double threat if his minutes get closer to 30 than the low 20’s he’s been playing. Blatche is currently owned in just 22.3% of ESPN leagues and makes a very nice pickup if you need big man numbers going forward.

Another intriguing option that should also get some time is forward Mirza Teletovic who should get a bump in minutes in the new F/C rotation. He dropped six three-pointers last night scoring 118 points to go with four rebounds, two assists, and a block. He could be a useful three-point specialist if the Nets offense gets going and he’s playing significant minutes.

One more specialist who may get increased playing time is Reggie Evans who is always good for rebounds which the Nets are in need of. I expect him to get some extra minutes as well, but he’s probably still not on the fantasy radar screen just yet.

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