Jae'Sean

Tate

Rockets coach Ime Udoka initially announced that Jeff Green would start for Amen Thompson. However, that was before Portland ruled out starting center Deandre Ayton. That change has prompted Udoka to change his lineup, replacing Uncle Jeff with Tate. This is Tate’s first start of the season, but fantasy managers should expect to see plenty of Tari Eason off the bench.

Initially questionable for Saturday’s game, Thompson will not play against the Blazers. With Fred VanVleet (personal) active, Jae’Sean Tate will move into the starting lineup. Tari Eason and Cam Whitmore will also have added fantasy value with Thompson ruled out.

Tate will be back after a one-game absence, but he isn’t a player that impacts fantasy basketball. He may see a few extra minutes with Amen Thompson suspended, but he should be left on the waiver wire.

Tate, who has averaged a little over 15 minutes per appearance in Houston’s last four games, will not be available to provide depth off the bench. Dillon Brooks’ return will help with the numbers, so Tate was likely in for a decrease in playing time if available.

Tate popped up on the injury report Sunday afternoon as questionable with an illness. A late addition to the injury report likely puts him on the wrong side of questionable, though his availability won’t impact fantasy basketball much at all.

Tate and Whitmore’s statuses will not impact fantasy basketball, as they have not played consistent rotation minutes.

Even with Tari Eason (concussion) sidelined, Tate is not guaranteed rotation minutes if available to play. There’s no need to consider rostering him in fantasy leagues.

The Rockets will be without a key member of their bench rotation on Thursday, as Eason has entered the league’s concussion protocol. Jae’Sean Tate may pick up additional minutes off the bench after not checking into Tuesday’s loss to the Kings until late, but he isn’t worth the streaming risk in most leagues.

Tate, who appeared in 65 games last season, will make approximately $7.6 million in 2024-25. The versatile forward averaged 4.1 points, 3.0 rebounds, 1.0 assists, and 0.6 steals in 15.2 minutes, with his production and playing time decreasing due to the arrivals of Dillon Brooks and Amen Thompson. And this was with Tari Eason missing most of the season with a leg injury. A healthy Eason in the rotation lowers Tate’s fantasy ceiling even more.

Tate has been ruled out with plenty of time to spare and hasn’t impacted fantasy basketball much whether he’s healthy or not. Fantasy managers need not consider his status when making lineup decisions this week.