Finding Value in Changing Rotations and Rising Talents
Welcome to "Role Revolution," where we explore emerging NBA talents poised to break out due to recent roster changes and expanded opportunities.
The All-Star break provides the perfect opportunity to analyze recent trends and identify players positioned for success in the second half.
This edition highlights five players who have the potential to significantly impact fantasy rosters as teams gear up for the playoff push. (Statistics as of February 18, 2025)
Donovan Clingan
(C, Portland Trail Blazers)
2024-25 stats: 5.6 PPG, 6.8 RPG
0.7 APG, 0.4 SPG, 1.6 BPG
54.6 FG%, 30.4 3P%, 68.1 FT%
A two-time collegiate national champion, Clingan has gotten limited burn his rookie season, averaging just 16.3 minutes per game backing up Deandre Ayton in Portland. Despite the restricted playtime, his per-36 minute numbers hint at immense potential. He’s averaging 6.2 offensive rebounds and 3.4 blocks, while even converting over 30% of his three-point attempts.
Last week, Ayton went down with a calf strain against the Nuggets and is expected to be out at least another three weeks. Clingan replaced him that game and immediately posted his career-high in scoring, 21 points, on 8/8 from the field.
He followed that up with an eye-popping performance against the same opponent last Wednesday. Matched up with Nikola Jokic, one of the league’s top rebounders, Clingan owned the backboards, grabbing 20 rebounds, including 10 on the offensive side, not to mention his three blocks and 17 points.
Clingan is still available in over 80% of ESPN leagues, so grab him before he becomes a nightly double-double and forces Portland into difficult decisions regarding playtime at the center position when Ayton returns.
2. Max Christie
(SG, Dallas Mavericks)
2024-25 stats: 9.5 PPG, 3.0 RPG
1.7 APG, 0.8 SPG, 0.5 BPG
45.3 FG%, 38.3 3P%, 84.5 FT%
Christie, who turned 22 years old last week and is still in just his third NBA season, was something of an afterthought in media coverage of the Luka Doncic for Anthony Davis trade, but has been on a tear since arriving in Dallas.
Head coach Jason Kidd increased his workload from 25.1 MPG in LA to 34.5 MPG in six games with the Mavs, and Christie has more than doubled his PPG from 8.5 to 17.3 on better efficiency (48.6 FG%). He’s currently 15-33 from beyond the arc as a Mav and earned a starting spot their last two games.
A young player who has shown a noticeable surge in performance in an elevated role with a new team, Christie should definitely be on your radar and is still available in nearly three-quarters of ESPN leagues.
3. Jaxson Hayes
(C, Los Angeles Lakers)
2024-25 stats: 5.8 PPG, 4.2 RPG
1.0 APG, 0.6 SPG, 1.0 BPG
70.2 FG%, 0.0 3P%, 73.9 FT%
Speaking of the Luka trade and its implications, Hayes is someone who stands to benefit tremendously from Davis’ departure. This was only accentuated by the Lakers’ failed deal for Hornets center Mark Williams and lack of better options on the buyout market with the deadline passed.
The athletic seven-footer has gotten mixed reviews from fans and experts alike over his six NBA seasons, but is undoubtedly capable of posting efficient scoring numbers with his work around the basket, to go along with solid rebound and block totals.
As expected, Hayes’ playtime has shot up since the Luka-AD deal, from 16.3 MPG beforehand to 24.7 MPG afterwards. (That excludes Los Angeles’ last game against the Jazz which Hayes exited early due to a facial contusion. He is cleared to be back for their next game against Charlotte.) During that time, Hayes has been even more efficient than usual, making 25-30 field goals attempts.
With Hayes’ only competition for center minutes coming in the form of 31-year-old Alex Len, who was less than impressive in his Lakers debut, expect his volume to continue rising.
4. Caris LeVert
(SG, Atlanta Hawks)
2024-25 stats: 10.6 PPG
3.1 RPG, 3.6 APG, 0.8 SPG
0.5 BPG, 46.0 FG%
40.5 3P%, 70.5 FT%
LeVert was due for a change of scenery when the Cavaliers swapped him for DeAndre Hunter two weeks ago. He was averaging his lowest PPG (10.2) since his rookie season in Brooklyn and went 0-13 from the field in his final two games with Cleveland.
Something has clicked for LeVert with his slightly increased workload in Atlanta (27.7 MPG). After a slow first game with the Hawks, he’s shot 14-24 from the field the last two games, including 5-11 from deep.
Notably, LeVert also posted his two highest rebound totals of the season in those two games, including five offensive rebounds to go along with seven assists and a season-high three blocks in Atlanta’s overtime showdown with the Knicks last Wednesday.
The Hawks’ top option off the bench and an underrated defender, LeVert has strong potential to continue posting far better all-around stats than he did in Cleveland.
5. Precious Achiuwa
(C, New York Knicks)
2024-25 stats: 7.1 PPG
6.0 RPG, 1.1 APG, 1.0 SPG
0.8 BPG, 55.0 FG%
33.3 3P%, 62.2 FT%
Not known as much of an offensive threat over the course of his career, Achiuwa has become a staple in head coach Tom Thibodeau’s elite Knicks rotation with his contributions on the defensive side of the ball.
Achiuwa’s role has expanded more recently, averaging 33.6 MPG over his last seven games after previously averaging 18.8 MPG. This uptick in usage is largely due to OG Anunoby’s absence with an apparently mild foot sprain, but even if OG returns this week, Thibodeau has to like what he’s seen from Achiuwa.
Against the Lakers February 1, he posted a season-high in rebounds with 15, including seven offensive; and more recently, he notched his highest points total as a Knick, with 26 on 12-16 from the field in New York’s overtime win over Atlanta last Wednesday.
If Achiuwa can continue to round out his game with huge offensive performances, he’ll become yet another fantasy-relevant player on a stacked Knicks squad.