Hornets Bigs Worth Adding for Stretch Run?

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We're coming down to the wire in the NBA, as some teams make the final playoff push and others fully embrace “silly season.” Yes, we're looking at you, Portland. With just over a week left in the regular season, some fantasy managers are still competing for a title, and there are plenty of players worth adding to shore up rosters. Let's dive into them!

Tyus Jones (61%): In our Pickups of the Day column, we try to highlight players who are widely available in Yahoo leagues. Our top pickup is more heavily rostered than most in this spot, but he is certainly worth mentioning. Jones is still available in 39% of Yahoo leagues, and if he's available in yours, it's time to add him. Jones has been great as a starter, and that's been the case with Ja Morant sidelined and with Morant coming off the bench.

Luke Kennard (31%): Kennard has scored in double figures for seven straight and hit multiple triples in each of those contests. In that span, he's averaged 15.4 points, 3.3 boards, 2.3 dimes, 1.0 steals and 4.4 triples. Kennard has been a fourth-rounder in that span, and he figures to have a significant role down the home stretch of the regular season.

Isaiah Joe (13%): Joe filled in for Shai Gilgeous-Alexander on Tuesday and finished with a career-best 33 points while knocking down six triples. He's always a solid streamer for points and triples when SGA is out, but he can be productive off the bench as well.

Nicolas Batum (5%): He went off for 24/3/5/2 with eight triples on Monday against the Bulls and is expected to be the team's starter for the rest of the season, making him relevant in 12-team leagues. Just be aware that Batum is a high-risk, moderate-reward play who has the floor to post a donut.

Nick Richards (34%): After a strong run in the starting five, “Naughty Nicky” got a DNP-CD on Sunday against the Mavs, but he returned to the starting lineup Tuesday with Mark Williams ruled out and delivered yet another double-double. Charlotte's center rotation is apparently going to be fluid for the rest of the season, so managers should also consider adding Kai Jones (1%), who delivered his first career double-double with 12 points and 14 rebounds Tuesday. Both centers could make an impact for the home stretch.

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Bones Hyland (37%): He's logged nearly 25 minutes per game over his last three, averaging 15.7 points, 3.7 rebounds, 7.3 assists and 1.3 steals in that span. With Paul George out of action, Bones should continue to see additional run, making him a high-upside add for the rest of the season.

Naz Reid (24%): Over his last seven, Reid has averaged 18.6 points, 4.7 rebounds, 0.6 steals, 0.4 blocks and 1.3 triples while shooting 59.8% from the floor and 81.0% from the charity stripe. Reid's minutes (21.4 in that span) aren't ideal, but he's doing plenty in that limited time on the court to warrant consideration in most fantasy leagues.

Keon Johnson (3%): Over his last three games, Johnson has averaged 15.3 points, 2.0 rebounds, 5.7 dimes, 1.3 steals and 2.0 triples across 26.0 minutes per contest. Damian Lillard has been shut down, and there's no reason to expect Anfernee Simons, Jerami Grant or Jusuf Nurkić back this season. That means guys like Johnson, Nassir Little (5%) and Kevin Knox (0%) have fantasy value moving forward. Knox put up a 15/5/3/1 line across 32 minutes in Monday's loss to New Orleans, and Little delivered 28 points Sunday against OKC.

Shaedon Sharpe (58%): He's the best Portland pickup, but he's also less widely available. Sharpe should continue to shine down the stretch, so if your leaguemates have left him to languish on the waiver wire, it's time to take advantage and get him on your squad.