For the Spurs, this is a devastating blow. Parker will join Manu Ginobili on the sidelines and now Tim Duncan will have to fend for himself. With Ginobili out another 3-to-5 weeks, winning is going to be a difficult task for San Antonio.

As far as fantasy owners are concerned, the player to pounce on is Roger Mason, Jr. While he won’t start at point guard right off the bat, he’s going to get plenty of offensive opportunities and should be a very good option for the next month. Even with Parker, he 16.2 points, 3.4 rebounds and 3.4 assists.

Rookie George Hill will likely start at point guard for the Spurs with Parker out. While Hill is a decent prospect, it’s not a sure thing that he will produce enough to be on a fantasy basketball team roster. He’s more of a defender and his offensive game is very raw. However, he’s made great strides since summer league so he may be able to surprise.

Backing up Hill at point guard will be Jacque Vaughn and Mason. If Hill struggles, expect one of those two players to get the nod as a starter.

Photo credit: Newscom

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Walter Herrmann, Detroit Pistons
Although few fantasy basketball owners expected much out of Walter Herrmann this season, he’s been amazing in the first two games for the Detroit Pistons. In 19.5 minutes per game, Herrmann is averaging 13 points, 4.5 rebounds and 2.0 assists. If he can carve out an even bigger role, Herrmann could become fantasy relevant once again like he was a few years ago on the Charlotte Bobcats.

Zaza Pachulia, Atlanta Hawks
While it seems like Zaza Pachulia has been around forever, this bigman from the Republic of Georgia is only 24-years-old. Since he’s been relegated to a bench role behind Al Horford, he’s been all but forgotten in the fantasy basketball community. That said, he’s playing very well so far this season and if he can move up into the starting lineup, Pachulia has already proven he could average around 12 points and eight rebounds per game.

Roger Mason, Jr., San Antonio Spurs
When with the Washington Wizards in recent years, Roger Mason, Jr. was a one-dimensional scorer. So far this year with the Spurs, he’s looking like a legit NBA player who could have a bright future. He’s on fire shooting the ball very well and is doing a better job in terms of racking up assists and rebounds. It’s actually quite likely that Mason could supplant Michael Finley in the starting lineup for San Antonio.

Ronnie Brewer, Utah Jazz
Ronnie Brewer is hardly a secret. But so far this season, he’s been playing outstanding basketball. If he’s on your league’s fantasy basketball waiver wire, it’d be a good idea to pick him up. His per minute stats are off the charts and he’s a player who could blossom into an almost All-Star level player if given enough minutes.

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The good news for the fantasy basketball community is that the production for Duncan and Parker should continue in the short term. Both players are healthy and in a rhythm offensively.

However, once Manu Ginobili returns, expect the pie to be divided three ways instead of in half. All three players will likely average around their career numbers once Ginobili is back on the court. Right now, he’s sidelined with an ankle injury and is expected to be out up to the first 25 games of the season. Until then, milk Duncan and Parker as much as possible.

Outside of those three players, there’s not much in terms of fantasy viable players. The one player to keep an eye on right now is Roger Mason, Jr. He’s played two very good games so far and is a candidate to start at shooting guard at some point this season.

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Recently, Ginobili was able to run for 15 minutes on a treadmill. It was his first time running since the surgery. While Ginobili is sidelined, the Spurs will likely start either Michael Finley, Ime Udoka or Roger Mason, Jr. at shooting guard.

The news of Ginobili running is good news for fantasy owners. There are whispers around San Antonio that Ginobili may in fact be ahead of schedule. Ginobili himself is hoping to return at the end of November instead of the end of December.

In fantasy basketball drafts, Ginobili continues to be a bit of a fantasy sleeper. Many fantasy owners are scratching him off of their draft cheat sheets due to the injury. While the injury shouldn’t be ignored, it also shouldn’t be forgotten how well he played last season.

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