We are getting down to crunch time in fantasy basketball. If you are playing in a head-to-head league, Weeks 21 and 22 are likely part of your playoffs. If you need a big man in your attempt to win a title, here are four to consider adding who are still available in the majority of Yahoo leagues.
Naz Reid, Timberwolves (66 percent available)
It's been a while since we've heard any news regarding Karl-Anthony Towns (wrist), although we are approaching the two-week mark, at which point he was supposed to be re-evaluated. With the Timberwolves continuing to pile up losses, there is really no reason to rush Towns back. If he hasn't made significant progress when he is re-evaluated, it wouldn't be a surprise to eventually see him ruled out for the remainder of the season.
In his absence, Reid has moved into the starting five. He's only averaged 25 minutes across eight games in that role, partly because James Johnson has played so well behind him off the bench. Still, Reid has averaged 11.7 points, 7.5 rebounds, one steal, 1.3 blocks and 1.1 three-pointers during that stretch. The Timberwolves will play three times in Week 21 and four times in Week 22, which leaves Reid as an appealing option if Towns is still on the shelf.
Gorgui Dieng, Grizzlies (75 percent available)
Much like Reid, injuries have opened up added opportunities for Dieng. Jaren Jackson Jr. (knee) and Brandon Clarke (quadriceps) are currently on the shelf and could remain there for a while. Those injuries have certainly come at an inopportune time for the Grizzlies as they to try and hold onto the eighth seed in the Western Conference.
Unlike Reid, Dieng has not moved into the starting lineup for his squad. He hasn't needed to in order to provide value, though, since he has averaged 9.7 points, 8.4 rebounds, one steal and 1.6 blocks across the last seven games. He even shot 54.2 percent from the field and a respectable 72.2 percent from that charity stripe during that stretch. Should Jackson and Clarke continue to miss time, Dieng is worth a look with the Grizzlies set to play seven times across the next two weeks.
Maxi Kleber, Mavericks (54 percent available)
It's a bit surprising to see Kleber rostered in this many leagues. It might be a case of people handcuffing him to Kristaps Porzingis considering how well he has played whenever Porzingis has been sidelined. He's been mostly quiet, though, averaging nine points and 5.8 rebounds over his last 12 games. He also shot just 46 percent from the field during that stretch.
Keeping those underwhelming numbers in mind, Kleber isn't someone to overlook if you need blocks. He's averaged 2.3 of them across the last nine games and even totaled five blocks in a game two times during that stretch. The Mavericks will play three times in Week 21 and four times in Week 22, so Kleber could provide a boost if you need help in that specific department.
Trey Lyles, Spurs (85 percent available)
The Spurs have been trying to make up ground in the standings, but injuries have stood in their way. The biggest of which has forced LaMarcus Aldridge (shoulder) to miss four straight games. He's still being listed as day-to-day, so the Spurs could theoretically have him available in both Weeks 21 and 22. However, they won't get back Jakob Poeltl (knee), who could end up being out for the rest of the season.
With both Aldridge and Poeltl out, the Spurs have been forced to give Lyles a significant increase in minutes. Although he flopped against the Hornets on Tuesday, he had recorded at least 20 points, six rebounds and two three-pointers in both of his previous two games. He even totaled five steals and three blocks across those two contests.
Even once Aldridge is back, the Spurs will need Lyles to play more with Poeltl. If you're in a deep league and the first three players that we discussed are all gone from the waiver wire, Lyles might be your man with the Spurs scheduled to play seven games over the next two weeks.
