Fantasy Fallout: Like Last Year, Knee Woes End Parsons' Season Early

Here are the fantasy implications of the news that Dallas Mavericks SF Chandler Parsons has undergone season-ending knee surgery.

Daily Fantasy

For DFS purposes, Parsons represented a consistent, high-floor option while priced at a tier below the elite at the position. While 2015-16's early months were hindered by a minutes limit as he recovered from offseason knee surgery, Parsons hit his stride in the new year, averaging 16.9 points, 5.6 rebounds and 3.2 assists since Jan. 1.

Teammates Dirk Nowitzki, Deron Williams and David Lee should all have increased value as they attempt to pick up the slack for the loss of Parsons' scoring and playmaking abilities. All three are available at high-to-low ends of the middle tier; Nowitzki is the likeliest to see his price skyrocket before long.

The former MVP has been incredible in March, averaging 24.9 points, 6.8 rebounds, 2.5 assists and 1.1 blocks. While the 37-year-old Nowitzki had been receiving the occasional game off to rest during the season, that no longer looks likely, with Dallas having very little margin for error as it looks to maintain the eighth and final playoff spot.

Williams has averaged a solid 14 points and 5.8 assists this season, but exploded Sunday with Parsons out of the lineup, playing 43 minutes in an overtime win over Portland and racking up 31 points and 16 assists. Williams looks to be the most reliable source of secondary scoring after Nowitzki.

In 13 games with Dallas, Lee is averaging 11.2 points and 8.3 rebounds in nearly 20 minutes per game off the bench. With four double-doubles in that stretch, he has explosive potential, though his moderate workload and steadily rising price may scare off DFS investment.

Redraft Fantasy Leagues

Just in time for the fantasy playoffs, Parsons becomes the latest star to go under the knife, following the Pelicans' decision to shut down Anthony Davis for the rest of the season on Sunday.

There's really nothing left for Parsons owners to do other than to scour the waiver wire for a suitable replacement; Lee is the best realistically-available option from the Mavericks. He's owned in approximately 60 percent of leagues, and Dallas plays three games this week and four the next. Other options are detailed below.

Waiver Wire Targets

• While not a like-for-like positional switch, Utah PG Shelvin Mack has come into his own of late since being acquired at the trade deadline. The ex-Hawk has scored at least 13 points in each of his last six games, while averaging 8.7 assists and 5.3 rebounds. He's firmly entrenched himself as the starter, displacing Raul Neto to the bench.

• Rockets SF/PF Michael Beasley has been racking up points and rebounds in his return to the NBA following a sojourn in China. After playing just 13 minutes combined in his first two games with the team, Beasley has played at least 15 minutes in each of the subsequent six, scoring in double figures each time. On the season, he's averaging 14.6 points and 5.4 rebounds, numbers that figure to go up assuming he continues to play upwards of 25 minutes per game.

• Grizzlies SF Lance Stephenson has seen his output dip over the last two games as PF Zach Randolph has returned to health, but has similar all-around ability to Parsons. He's scored in double figures in 13 of 16 games as a Grizzly, and is averaging 5.1 rebounds and 2.9 assists with his new club.