Fantasy Fallout: Lin's absence opens door for Whitehead but Nets in trouble

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Here are the fantasy implications following the news that Brooklyn Nets PG Jeremy Lin will be out for at least two weeks with a strained hamstring:

Losing Lin reduces Nets' collective value

The worst team in basketball just took a major hit on offense, losing their primary playmaker through at least the next six games. Perhaps Lin returns in time for Brooklyn's November 18 tilt at Oklahoma City, but with the point guard under team control for the next three seasons and the Nets' season heading nowhere in the vicinity of a playoff berth, the organization has nothing but time.

In any case, it doesn't hurt to stash Lin if you have an I.L. slot. The seven-year pro had been averaging 15 points, 6.2 assists and 3.8 rebounds with solid peripheral stats through five games, which was pretty much on par with expectations for more heralded names like Jeff Teague and Derrick Rose.

If you don't have an I.L. slot, it's still worth holding on to Lin, even if it burns a bench spot. A two-week timeline is a nuisance, but it's unlikely you'll find someone from the waiver who can match his production over the next 75 games. Wait to see if the prognosis changes when Lin is re-evaluated in two weeks.

As far as the rest of the Nets' roster goes, the team has a couple of options for replacing Lin's 26.8 minutes and 11.6 field goal attempts per game. With backup PG Greivis Vasquez (ankle) also ailing, rookie Isaiah Whitehead will have an opportunity to immediately jump to high-20s, low-30s minute totals. He's averaged 5.5 points, four rebounds and three assists in 20.4 minutes in his past two appearances as the de facto backup PG.

While that sudden jolt in playing time will allow Whitehead to exceed even the wildest preseason expectations for his fantasy outlook, he probably won't provide enough fantasy production to warrant adding him in season-long formats. And it doesn't bode well for a number of Nets who rely heavily on assisted scoring opportunities.

SF Bojan Bogdanovic has been assisted on 77.8 percent of his made field goals. Bigs Brook Lopez, Justin Hamilton, Luis Scola, Trevor Booker and SG Sean Kilpatrick have also been assisted on greater than 50 percent of their made FGs. Whitehead may very well right the ship in Lin's absence, but the lack of veteran playmaking will surely manifest itself in lower scoring totals.

Look for Bogdanovic, Lopez and Kilpatrick to see an increase in FGAs to make up for Lin's lost scoring production, but their overall outlook isn't fundamentally different.

Whitehead destined for cash game stardom

The only upshot is an opportunity to roster Whitehead at a near-minimum salary for the next two-to-three games. By virtue of being the last man standing at his position on the depth chart, it will be hard for the rookie not to return cash game value with such a dramatic change in responsibility.

With the offense in upheaval, wait for the daily prices for the rest of the starters to settle before reinvesting in Brooklyn. In particular, Lopez is ill-equipped to handle an increased workload, with coach Kenny Atkinson already monitoring the big man's minutes and giving him games off for rest.

Waiver Targets

PG Sergio Rodriguez, 76ers: Rodriguez has quickly locked down the starting PG role in Philadelphia. The bearded Spaniard is averaging 12 points, 7.5 assists, and four rebounds through four games. Along with the stellar assist mark, he's also added seven 3-pointers. With 30 minutes of playing time, Rodriguez is one of the top guards available right now.

PG/SG Lou Williams, Lakers: If you're specifically looking for scoring and 3-pointers in Lin's absence, Williams can provide. The former sixth man of the year is averaging 14.6 points and two 3-pointers through L.A.'s first five games. Though Jordan Clarkson and D'Angelo Russell cap his potential, Williams has the talent to make the most of his 20-25 minutes.

PG J.J. Barea, Mavericks: Barea is averaging 31 minutes a game through Dallas' first four contests. That's the biggest workload of his career. Considering Deron Williams is constantly on injury watch, Barea could see that figure rise even further. Producing 14.8 points and five assists per game, Barea can fill Lin's role quite adequately.