Bryce

McGowens

McGowens is benefitting from his strong summer league play. The 21-year-old wing was waived by the Hornets after averaging 24.5 points in a pair of exhibition games. Portland has too many young wings for him to be a legitimate fantasy asset next season, though.

McGowens was waived by the Hornets just before Summer League, but his performance through their first two games may end up changing that. He is averaging 24.5 points per game while shooting 21-of-26 from the free throw line. McGowens played 59 games last season and even started a handful of games for Charlotte, but he was never much of a factor in fantasy hoops. It’s nice to see him play well, and it may earn him a contract for next season. However, there’s no reason to keep an eye on him in fantasy basketball.

McGowens may have been credited with just eight official shot attempts, but that was due to his ability to get downhill against Team China consistently. The former Hornets guard attempted 14 free throws, making 12 on his way to a game-high 20 points. McGowens was waived by the Hornets just before summer league but still decided to play with the team. Like many players who will see action in northern California, Salt Lake City, and Las Vegas this month, he’s auditioning for all 30 teams. Until his status for next season is solidified, there’s no need to make plans to select McGowens in fantasy drafts.

It has already been reported that Micic will only play a few minutes in this game, which means that Charlotte will really have an eight-man rotation. Thor and McGowens make the move into the starting unit after coming off the bench in their last game.

Like Miles Bridges (wrist), Miller lands on the injury report with a questionable tag after playing 40 minutes (or more) in Monday’s loss to the Celtics. Should the rookie sit, Nick Smith Jr. and Bryce McGowens could play more after not being in the rotation recently. Neither would be worth the risk as a streamer, especially on a nine-game night.

Pokusevski was initially questionable for Sunday’s game. His absence frees up rotation minutes for the Hornets’ bench players to absorb. Bryce McGowens and JT Thor are players whose minutes could increase, but neither is worth streaming in this pot.

McGowens has missed Charlotte’s last seven games, so his minutes may be restricted on Monday. As for Thor, he was held out of Saturday’s loss to the Hawks. Neither player is likely to do enough to merit being rostered in fantasy leagues, but there may be additional opportunities available to both as the Hornets play out the string.

This will be a seventh straight absence for McGowens, and it’s unclear when he’ll be available to play again. Davis Bertans should continue to fill extra minutes off the bench and provide value from beyon the arc.

Tuesday’s game will be the sixth that McGowens misses with swelling in his knee. That ensures Davis Bertans of additional rotation minutes off the bench, but he is only worth a look for managers in dire need of 3-pointers. There should be better options on the waiver wire, even though only five games are on the Tuesday schedule.

McGowens’ continued absence does not impact fantasy basketball. Davis Bertans will continue to play rotation minutes off the bench, but he is not worth rostering in most fantasy leagues.