The Raptors added Immanuel Quickley ($6,700; hip) to their injury report for Monday night’s home game against the Warriors. The starting point guard is dealing with left hip soreness, which could open the door for Jamal Shead ($3,200) to step up and be a great DFS fantasy basketball value.
The Raptors have battled multiple injuries all season long and haven’t had their preferred starting five available very often. Quickley has played only nine games this season, while RJ Barrett ($8,200) and Scottie Barnes ($8,900) have also dealt with injuries and illness. Shead’s playing time has been all over the place as a result, but the rookie has shown good upside lately in his growing role.
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PG Jamal Shead vs. Golden State Warriors, $3,200
Shead was a second-round pick of the Kings in last year’s NBA Draft and was then traded to Toronto as part of the deal that also brought the Raptors Davion Mitchell ($3,000). Mitchell has played more minutes in his role as a defensive specialist, but Shead has flashed more fantasy upside lately.
On the season, Shead has only averaged 15.5 minutes per game in his 35 contests, but he has flashed offensive upside when given more work. He has not started a game this season, but has played over 20 minutes in six contests. He played over 20 minutes in his final four games of 2024 just before Quickley’s most recent return. In that stretch, he had a brilliant game against the Rockets with 11 points, 10 assists, and six rebounds for 40 fantasy points.
Whenever he has been on the floor, Shead has served as a solid distributor. He dished at least five assists in four of his last five games, even in limited minutes, and he scored 15 points against the Cavs and 10 points against the Pistons in his last two games. Against Cleveland, he finished with 20.5 fantasy points in 15 minutes and followed that up with 22 fantasy points in just 17 minutes on Saturday.
His recent rate of production points to him as an excellent value if more minutes come his way against the Warriors. Shead could move into the starting five if Quickley is out, although it’s more likely that he’d just play increased minutes with more opportunities off the bench.
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