DeAndre Liggins Daily Fantasy News, Rankings, Projections

In a surprising move, New Orleans Pelicans head coach Alvin Gentry told reporters during his pregame media availability that DeAndre Liggins will replace Rajon Rondo in the starting lineup for Wednesday's game against the Indiana Pacers in order for Rondo to "provide a spark" off the bench. This change will also slide Jrue Holiday over to point guard and allow him to operate as the sole ball-handler in the starting unit with Liggins lining up at the shooting guard spot to hopefully improve the Pelicans performance on the defensive end of the floor. Liggins saw just 13 minutes off the bench in Monday's contest following a string of DNP-CDs, so he shouldn't just be expected to step right into a full starters' minute allotment, as this lineup change appears to be more strategic than an actual demotion for Rondo, and he'll likely still fall somewhere in the range of 24-30 minutes he sees on most nights in a newly-acquired sixth-man role.

Liggins will play and start in tonight's game against the Denver Nuggets, which will send Jordan McRae back to the bench to resume his reserve role after a one-game stint in the starting lineup. Liggins had been a late scratch for the Cavaliers in their loss to the Oklahoma City Thunder on Thursday due to a tooth issue. With the big three of LeBron James, Kevin Love, and Kyrie Irving all healthy and active, Liggins will be a non-factor for daily fantasy formats on Saturday.

Shumpert has a severe ankle sprain and will miss the Cavaliers game today and tomorrow. Reports are he should be able to return soon however. DeAndre Liggins will likely start in his place and both him and Kyle Korver should see additional minutes. Neither are particularly attractive DFS options though as long as the Big 3 are playing.

Not overly impactful news as both Shumpert and Liggins are not viable DFS options and their playing time should change only marginally as a result of this news. Shumpert has only topped 20 FanDuel fantasy points six times all season and has yet to top 30. While the minutes are secure, his fantasy point production per minute is dismal and he's an untrustworthy option in all formats. Liggins might be even worse as he has no outings this season over 21 fantasy points despite logging 20+ minutes on over ten different occasions.

Smith was ruled out indefinitely earlier in the day due to a thumb injury that will require surgery, effectively ruling him out for tonight's game against the Milwaukee Bucks as well. DeAndre Liggins will draw the start at shooting guard in his place and is a viable tournament punt option. With Kevin Love also ruled out once again, Richard Jefferson is expected to draw the start at small forward in his place, sliding LeBron James over to power forward. Speaking of LeBron, he and Kyrie Irving will both play despite post game rumblings that one or both may sit out for rest this evening. It does remain unclear whether or not their minutes will be limited on the second night of a back-to-back. Both James and Irving are in play for tournaments, though they carry substantially more risk than Tuesday night sans Kevin Love.

Irving will not play in tonight's game against the Memphis Grizzlies due to rest. DeAndre Liggins will draw the start in his place and is a low-floor, low ceiling punt option at point guard. He will definitely see the minutes necessary to take advantage of the additional opportunity in a thin Cavaliers' backcourt but it's just a matter of whether he will be able to convert. Anytime one of the big three is sidelined, the remaining two are clearly going to benefit, and tonight is no different. Kevin Love and LeBron James are certainly viable options, though they still carry significant blowout risk, even sans Irving in a matchup against this depleted Grizzlies squad.