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Eric MoodyESPN
The best fantasy basketball managers make a habit of looking at the NBA schedule, examining box scores and scouring the news for any tidbit that can help give them the edge in their leagues.
Luckily, Eric Moody does all that work for you each and every Thursday with the Fantasy 30, helping answer the tough questions such as whom to start, who are the best fantasy basketball sleepers out there and what’s the latest injury news with key players around the league.
Here’s the latest fantasy news from each of the 30 teams around the league.
Atlanta Hawks: Clint Capela has performed very well since returning after missing 10 games due to a calf injury. During the last eight games, he has averaged 12.9 points, 10 rebounds, 1.0 steals and 1.1 blocks. Capela has handsomely rewarded fantasy managers who drafted him before the season even though Onyeka Okongwu was expected to be more involved in the rotation. Capela is trending upwards at a great time for fantasy managers and for a Hawks team that wants to secure a playoff spot.
Boston Celtics: Robert Williams III returned to the court on Wednesday night after missing time because of a left ankle sprain. Despite averaging 26.5 fantasy points per game, he is only rostered in 66.7% of ESPN leagues. Meanwhile, Jayson Tatum continues to deliver epic performances. With 94 career games with 30 or more points, he ties Sam Jones for the fourth most among Celtics players behind Larry Bird (223) Paul Pierce (197) and John Havlicek (179). Tatum has averaged 51.1 fantasy points per game this season.
Brooklyn Nets: Kyrie Irving has had to do much of the heavy lifting for the Nets while Kevin Durant has been out with a sprained MCL. In the last eight games, he’s averaged 34.9 points, 6.4 rebounds, 7.6 assists and 2.3 steals. Even though the Nets aren’t winning as much as they did when they were healthy and gaining momentum, they’re still only two games behind the second seed. Fantasy managers should consider trading for Irving. The Nets are one of two teams that play 18 games in the fantasy playoffs.
Charlotte Hornets: Mason Plumlee is having arguably the best season of his career, averaging a career-high in points, rebounds and minutes. Considering the Hornets are out of the playoff race, in the middle of a rebuild, and Plumlee has an expiring contract, Plumlee is an ideal trade candidate for them. Considering Plumlee’s experience, it’s most likely to assume a team looking to trade for him is either playoff bound or in the hunt. If Plumlee is traded then Mark Williams would immediately benefit. Currently, he’s rostered in only 2.2% of ESPN leagues and averages 19.9 points and 14.9 rebounds per 40 minutes.
Chicago Bulls: The constant trade rumors have not distracted Nikola Vucevic‘s focus on the floor, and he has delivered for fantasy managers. In the last 15 games, he has averaged 19.7 points and 13.1 rebounds. Whether he stays with the Bulls or moves on to another team, Vucevic will continue to be fantasy relevant.
Cleveland Cavaliers: Evan Mobley was one of the league’s best rookies last season and while season two has been solid, his numbers haven’t taken a leap from Year 1. That said, the one area where Mobley has made a significant improvement is in FG%, where he shot 50.8% as a rookie and is currently at 55.7% this season. Mobley’s development for the rest of this season and into next season will be one area for fantasy managers to watch closely.
Dallas Mavericks: Even on a Mavericks team whose usage is dominated by Luka Doncic, Josh Green should be on fantasy managers’ radar. Three times in the last four games, he has scored 22 or more fantasy points. In category formats, managers should take note of Green’s points, rebounds, assists, steals and blocks. He is only rostered in 0.5% of ESPN leagues.
Denver Nuggets: Nikola Jokic‘s play on the court this season has mesmerized fantasy managers and NBA fans alike, and he enters Thursday averaging a triple-double this season. He had his 16th triple-double of 2022-23 against the Pelicans on Tuesday night which leads the league. Additionally, it’s already the second-most Jokic has had in one season.
Detroit Pistons: Jalen Duren has scored 30 or more fantasy points in four of his last five games including two with 40 or more points. He’s only rostered in 23.5% of ESPN leagues. Duren is in the midst of a very good season, and leads all rookies in rebounds and was selected to participate in the 2023 Jordan Rising Stars game. Don’t overlook him if you need a center for your fantasy team.
Golden State Warriors: Draymond Green has rewarded fantasy managers who have stayed with him with well-rounded stat lines in recent weeks. Over the last 10 games, he has averaged 8.1 points, 9.2 rebounds, 7.5 assists, 1.6 steals and 0.5 blocks. If you’re looking for an option in deeper formats, consider Donte DiVincenzo, who has scored 23 or more fantasy points in five of his last six games with most of his minutes coming off the bench. He’s only rostered in 7.3% of ESPN leagues.
Houston Rockets: The Rockets are currently replicating the role Tari Eason played at LSU and it has had a positive impact on his fantasy points. In the last five games, he averaged 12.8 points, 8.4 rebounds, 1.8 assists, 1.0 steals and 1.0 blocks. In four of those five games, Eason has played at least 25 minutes. He is only rostered in 6.2% of ESPN leagues. Despite not making the 2023 NBA Rising Stars roster, managers should stash Eason for the remainder of the season.
Indiana Pacers: Head coach Rick Carlisle stated that Tyrese Haliburton, who’s dealing with a sprained left elbow and sprained left knee, should be able to play against the Lakers on Thursday. With his potential return, T.J. McConnell‘s exceptional stint as a fantasy streamer is coming to an end. The return of Haliburton, who has averaged 50.0 fantasy points a game, has fantasy managers excited.
LA Clippers: Kawhi Leonard is trending up for fantasy managers who drafted him prior to the season. While Leonard’s absences for knee management have been frustrating, when he’s been on the court, he’s been amazing. Leonard has scored 25 or more points in eight consecutive games which is the second-longest streak of his career. He has averaged 41.0 fantasy points and 31.6 minutes per game this season.
Los Angeles Lakers: Fantasy managers are delighted that LeBron James has not slowed down since Anthony Davis returned. Since Davis returned from injury, James has averaged 29.7 points, 10.0 assists and 9.3 rebounds per game. He only needs 89 points to pass Kareem Abdul-Jabbar for the most points in NBA history. Even at 38 years old, James still has plenty left in the tank.
Memphis Grizzlies: Ja Morant is one of six players since the merger to have seven 25-point triple-doubles in their first four seasons. Over the last four games, he’s averaged 27.0 points, 6.0 rebounds and 11 assists. Morant, Desmond Bane and Jaren Jackson Jr. form the core of this Grizzlies team, and the trade deadline may be the perfect time to acquire another player in order to make a playoff run. Trade rumors frequently mention forward O.G. Anunoby, who is in his sixth season.
Miami Heat: Caleb Martin is a player who fantasy managers in deeper formats should keep on their watch lists. Three consecutive games have seen him play 27 minutes or more and score 22 or more fantasy points. Martin is only rostered in 3.6% of ESPN leagues.
Milwaukee Bucks: Giannis Antetokounmpo has had four consecutive games with at least 30 points and 10 rebounds. Fantasy managers can still stream Pat Connaughton while Khris Middleton is on a minutes restriction. Connaughton has scored 23 or more fantasy points in three of his last four games and is only rostered in 5.8% of ESPN leagues.
Minnesota Timberwolves: Anthony Edwards has had six straight games with at least 25 points and five assists, which happens to be the longest streak in Timberwolves history. There hasn’t been a more exciting player in Minnesota since Kevin Garnett. This season, Edwards has averaged 42.6 fantasy points per game and has yet to miss a game.
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New Orleans Pelicans: Herbert Jones was a players prior to the start of this season that I was stashing in a high number of fantasy leagues. However, he’s been really inconsistent this season. Still, he’s capable of contributing in multiple statistical areas including steals and blocks, and is rostered in only 27.4% of ESPN leagues.
New York Knicks: Jalen Brunson had 11 games with 25 or more points during the month of January. This is the most in a calendar month by a Knicks guard since Walt Frazier in December 1971. Brunson averaged 28.7 points, 5.4 assists and 4.1 rebounds per game.
Oklahoma City Thunder: Shai Gilgeous-Alexander has scored 20 or more points in 14 consecutive games. This is the second longest streak in his career. In his last five games, Gilgeous-Alexander has scored 40 or more fantasy points, including three with 60 or more. So far this season, SGA has helped Oklahoma City exceed expectations despite being the league’s youngest team. The Thunder appear to be a team pushing for the play-in.
Orlando Magic: Paolo Banchero will be participating in this year’s Rising Stars Game. He leads all rookies with 20.7 points per game and ranks fourth with 6.5 rebounds per game. With Banchero’s current pace, he could become the first rookie to average 20 points since Luka Doncic. That’s great to company for Banchero.
Philadelphia 76ers: James Harden had his 215th career game with at least 20 points and 10 assists on Wednesday against the Magic. This ties him with Isiah Thomas for the sixth most in league history. With Joel Embiid playing so well lately, Harden’s scoring has taken a hit, but he’s still scored at least 40 fantasy points in three of the last four games. Harden is an intriguing trade target for fantasy managers because the 76ers are one one of several teams with four scheduled games in five of the final six weeks.
Phoenix Suns: ESPN’s Adrian Wojnarowski reported that Devin Booker might be available against the Nets on Feb. 7. He’s missed the last five weeks with a left groin strain and there’s still a question as to whether Booker will be selected as a reserve for the All-Star game. This season, he has averaged 27.1 points, 4.6 rebounds, 5.6 assists, and 0.9 steals per game.
Portland Trail Blazers: After hitting his head on the court, Jerami Grant was unable to return to Wednesday’s game. Once Grant left the game Gary Payton II filled the void for the Trail Blazers. Payton finished with 17 fantasy points in 29 minutes of action and is a viable streamer in the event Grant misses games while in the league’s concussion protocol. Payton is only rostered in 1.0% of ESPN leagues.
Sacramento Kings: De’Aaron Fox and Domantas Sabonis have been great for fantasy managers this season. The duo has recently become the first pair of Kings teammates to each record 30-point double-doubles in multiple games in a season since Jerry Lucas and Oscar Robertson during the 1967-68 season. Also, don’t overlook Malik Monk (rostered in 9.6% of ESPN leagues) if you’re looking for a streamer. In five of his last six games, he has scored 24 or more fantasy points.
San Antonio Spurs: The Spurs have lost seven straight games and 12 of their last 13 games. San Antonio also ranks near the bottom of the league in points scored per 100 possessions and points allowed per 100 possessions, making them one of the least appealing teams for fantasy managers.
Toronto Raptors: Precious Achiuwa continues to impress over the last 11 games. During that time frame, he averaged 14.3 points, 8.0 rebounds and 1.3 steals per game. Achiuwa is only rostered in 17.1% of ESPN leagues and could see even more usage if OG Anunoby is traded.
Utah Jazz: You know what I’m going to mention Walker Kessler for a fourth consecutive. I’m still shocked he’s only rostered in 26.0% of ESPN leagues. The rookie big man has been excellent for the Jazz and the future looks bright for him. Kessler has averaged 10.3 points, 9.8 rebounds and 2.4 blocks over the last 12 games. Despite returning from an ankle injury, Kelly Olynyk could be traded given his contract situation.
Washington Wizards: Deni Avdija benefits from Rui Hachimura‘s departure to the Lakers. When Hachimura has not played this season, Avdija has averaged 10.7 points, 7.3 rebounds, 3.2 assists and 1.2 steals per game. Avdija is only rostered in 10.7% of ESPN leagues. Fantasy managers should proactively add him if they have roster space.