Luc

Mbah a Moute

At this point, it’s unclear when Mbah a Moute might be cleared so we’ll list him as ‘out indefinitely’. Even at full strength, he might not crack the rotation.

It’s still unclear when Mbah a Moute might play, though he was spotted on the bench so he’s at least cleared to be with the team. The most recent report suggested he’d be in Orlando as soon as last Wednesday, but we’ve yet to see him on the court. Even when he’s cleared and regains his conditioning, though, he’s a non-entity in fantasy leagues.

This is great news for the Rockets as coach Mike D’Antoni wouldn’t even provide a timetable for LMAM’s return earlier this week. He’ll have a limited role during the restart which could include a handful of minutes as a small-ball five. He’s miles off the fantasy radar, to be clear.

“Our medical staff, they’ll determine when Russell’s ready to go and when he’s ready to play 20 minutes, 30 minutes,” D’Antoni said when asked about Westbrook’s progress. “I do hear he’s in pretty good shape and has been ramping up. Hopefully it’s fairly seamless with some precaution.” Westbrook announced on July 13 that he tested positive for COVID-19 and was going into quarantine, further delaying his trip to Orlando to join the rest of the team. He’ll have to quarantine for 14 days and submit two negative tests before he’s allowed to enter the bubble. Houston is also waiting for Luc Mbah a Moute to join the team, but Westbrook’s absence is far more impactful.

When asked about a timeline, Rockets coach Mike D’Antoni wasn’t able to provide one. LMAM is likely going to be emergency depth for the Rockets and we don’t anticipate him making an impact in fantasy formats.

Harden arrived in Orlando on July 14 and had to complete a 36-hour quarantine period (and submit two negative tests for COVID-19) before being allowed to join his teammates for practice. Hours after it was reported by Yahoo Sports’ Chris Haynes that Harden would take part in Thursday’s practice, D’Antoni said that he was hoping to have the star guard ready to begin scrimmaging by Sunday at the latest. “So, I would expect after the first couple of days, we’ll get him geared up,” D’Antoni said. “Then, starting probably around Sunday he’ll start scrimmaging with the guys, maybe even before. He loves to play. It wouldn’t surprise me if he comes right out of the chute ready to go. But, definitely by next Friday, he’ll be 100%.” Houston is still without Russell Westbrook and Luc Mbah a Moute, with the former having tested positive for COVID-19.

No reasons were given for the late arrivals but D’Antoni doesn’t seem too concerned about it, saying they’re all working out at “their home bases.” He also didn’t seem concerned about them missing the start of camp and said “These are things people are dealing with.”

He’ll replace Thabo Sefolosha in Orlando and, like most other human beings, is big enough to play center for the center-less Rockets. But it’s hard to see Mbah a Moute being worth using in DFS.

The Rockets don’t waste much time to replace Thabo Sefolosha. Mbah a Moute worked out for the Rockets way back in March, and LMAM certainly fits the mold as a guy who could play some five for the Rockets. If he does join Houston, he will likely be used situationally as a bench option behind P.J. Tucker and would only see spot minutes when the Rockets are healthy.

Mbah a Moute only spent four games with the Clippers last year before getting waived, and while it’s possible he’ll be able to earn a 10-day deal, Rockets’ beat reporter Jonathan Feigen described the workout as “due diligence.” Even if he does sign a contract, he won’t have any fantasy value.