NBA Barometer: Galloway Starting for Knicks

Every week, we'll use this space to track players whose fantasy value is improving or declining. We're not particularly concerned with hot or cold streaks – all players toss up a two-for-10 game every now and then – unless they are extreme or seem to indicate an underlying problem or injury. Instead, we'll be looking at changes in playing time, rotation role, or performance.

Stock Up

Langston Galloway, SG/PG, NYK – Galloway has prospered during Jose Calderon's four-game absence due to a sore right groin, averaging 8.3 points, 5.8 rebounds, 3.5 assists, 1.5 steals, 0.8 blocks, and 0.8 three-pointers in 31 minutes. Unfortunately for Galloway, his prospects could take a turn when Calderon returns to the court, but the veteran Spaniard may also be eased into action in his initial appearances. If that's the case, Galloway has a great chance to uphold his recent workload, which he's surpassed in five of the last 10 contests.

Gary Harris, SG, DEN – Coach Michael Malone continues to toggle with the rotations in Denver, but Harris has been a mainstay in the starting five when healthy. Stringing together a streak of 20 games with at least one successful three-pointer, Harris has nonetheless contributed across the board, minus the block department, while recording healthy shooting splits of 47 percent from the floor, 41 percent from beyond the arc, and 81 percent at the free-throw line during that run. Such efficiency and production elsewhere make for a first-rate Swiss army knife.

Nikola Jokic, PF/C, DEN – Jokic flashed his potential with a double-double in just his 11th NBA game, which was followed by a mostly forgettable seven-game stint in the starting lineup. Undaunted, the rookie settled into a fruitful reserve role, and a return to the top unit soon transpired at the outset of the new year. In particular, he's transformed into a regular double-double threat, accruing four over the last six games en route to 14.0 points (on 52 percent shooting), 9.7 rebounds, 3.3 assists, 1.8 steals, 0.7 blocks, and 0.5 three-pointers in 26 minutes per night. If he's able to wrest a 30-plus minute gig within Malone's scheme before season's end, Jokic would be the epitome of a fantasy goldmine.

Markieff Morris, PF/SF, PHO – Perhaps in response to the dismissal of coach Jeff Hornacek on Monday, Morris ran roughshod over the Raptors one day later, amassing 30 points (12-20 FG, 1-3 3Pt, 3-5 FT), 11 rebounds, six assists, two blocks, and one steal in 41 minutes. Clearly, interim coach Earl Watson's commitment to involve Morris more in the offense paid immediate dividends, but only time will tell if the vote of confidence is enough to override the fact that his twin brother, Marcus, still dons a Pistons uniform. In any case, Markieff has four games remaining before the All-Star break with which to restore his trade value before the deadline on Feb. 18.

Others – Luol Deng, SF, MIA; Danny Green, SG/SF, SA; Aaron Gordon, PF/SF, ORL; Stanley Johnson, SF, DET; Michael Kidd-Gilchrist, SF, CHA; Jeremy Lin, PG/SG, BOS

Hold Steady

Devin Booker, SG, PHO – The Suns' injury-plagued backcourt opened the door for Booker to land a consistent starting job. Since assuming the mantle of No. 1 two-guard from Eric Bledsoe (knee) for good on Jan. 8, Booker has featured a dazzling offensive repertoire, hitting the 20-point threshold four times while scoring a career-high 32 points on Jan. 19 versus the Pacers. He's also exhibited more comfort as a distributor over the past eight contests, during which he's averaged 20.8 points, 3.4 assists, 3.0 three-pointers, and 2.8 rebounds in 37 minutes. Nothing has been more impressive than achieving three-plus treys made per game, which (if maintained) would place him in the company of no other ballers but Golden State's tandem of Stephen Curry and Klay Thompson.

Archie Goodwin, SG, PHO – Pressed into point-guard duty with Brandon Knight (groin) and Ronnie Price (foot) out of commission, Goodwin, the off-guard, had dished out five or more assists just once in the first 118 games of his career. However, the last five have been rewarding on that front, as Goodwin has accomplished the feat three times. There's no telling when the above duo may return, but Goodwin will seek to keep up his current pace, which has included 15.6 points, 4.4 assists, 3.3 rebounds, 1.1 steals, and 1.1 threes in 35 minutes per tilt across seven straight starts. While the workload is pleasing to the eyes, the line has been accompanied by a dismal 39 percent from the field.

Norris Cole, PG, NOR – Since injuring his right knee on Jan. 13, Tyreke Evans has attempted to play through the pain, but four DNPs in nine games have ensued, including three in a row. His doubtful availability in advance of Wednesday's outing implies that a return isn't imminent, but the prime beneficiary during this saga has been Cole. In the course of the past 10 games, Cole has received 30-plus minutes on seven occasions, posting 11.8 points, 5.4 assists, 3.8 rebounds, 0.9 three-pointers, and 0.7 steals in 30 minutes per contest. With no timeline mentioned for Evans' return, Cole has a prime opportunity to stay in the good graces of the fantasy gods.

Evan Turner, SG/SF, BOS – Although Turner isn't stellar at any given aspect of basketball, he boasts a skill set that can translate to every category but three-point shooting on a nightly basis. This has been evident during the Celtics' stretch of seven wins in eight games, as he's averaged 13.0 points (on 56 percent shooting), 5.1 assists, 4.8 rebounds, and 1.3 steals in 27 minutes. On the other side of the coin, he hasn't been afforded more than 30 minutes in any of the last 15 contests, meaning he must always be on point in order to warrant a spot on fantasy squads.

Others – Taj Gibson, PF/C, CHI; Donald Sloan, PG, BKN; Marcus Smart, PG/SG, BOS; Josh Smith, SF/PF, HOU; P.J. Tucker, SG/SF, PHO; Marvin Williams, SF/PF, CHA; Justise Winslow, SG/SF, MIA

Stock Down

Trey Lyles, PF, UTA – Lyles performed well during Derrick Favors' 16-game respite due to back spasms, developing a consistent scoring touch near the end of that run. In particular, Lyles averaged 13.3 points, 5.2 rebounds and 1.7 three-pointers in 29 minutes over the final six contests, while hitting at a 57-percent clip from the floor and 59 percent from three-point range. However, Favors made his first appearance since Christmas on Jan. 25 and has since reclaimed his starting spot from Lyles. With less than 26 combined minutes over the past three games, Lyles has fallen completely out of the hearts and minds of owners.

C.J. Miles, SF/SG, IND – Myles Turner's emergence has pushed Miles down the pecking order in the wing rotation, where Paul George is logging the majority of his minutes at the moment. If the past nine games are any indication, Miles is merely an afterthought, and his primary contribution (three-pointers) all but dried up before Wednesday's four-trey frenzy in a win at Brooklyn. Considering the damage done in 22 minutes – or the second time he's earned 20-plus in the last six – he cannot be relied upon to replicate similar output often.

Others – Evan Fournier, SG/SF, ORL; Nene Hilario, PF/C, WSH; Alex Len, C, PHO

Please inquire if you want one of the Others (or another player) covered within this edition.