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Eric MoodyESPN
Who is trending up? Which rotations are changing? What’s the latest with the notable injuries around the NBA?
Here’s a look around the league at the most fantasy relevant news and notes for all 30 teams:
Onyeka Okongwu is sharing time with starter Clint Capela, but his efficiency makes him a candidate for fantasy lineups, especially in deeper formats. This season, Okongwu has averaged 23.2 MPG. However, he averages 16.7 PPG, 10.6 RPG, and 2.0 assists per 40 minutes. Okongwu is available in 95% of ESPN leagues.
Marcus Smart has averaged 12 PPG, 3.3 RPG, 5.3 APG, and 1.7 SPG in his last nine games as a role player. Since returning from a six-game absence, he has been excellent. He’s dished out six-plus assists in five of the Celtics’ last six games. Smart’s play is on the rise at just the right moment for fantasy managers.
With Kevin Durant and LaMarcus Aldridge out, James Johnson has been a solid streamer. He’s averaged 10 PPG, 4.2 RPG, 3.3 APG, 1.0 SPG and 0.5 BPG, over the last six games. Johnson is available in 99% of ESPN leagues. You can also stream Nic Claxton. Claxton had a double-double Wednesday against the Kings and is available in 93.3% of leagues.
LaMelo Ball has averaged 25.7 PPG, 6.2 RPG, 7.5 APG and 1.2 SPG over the last six games. That’s good news for fantasy managers. if you are looking for points and triples, consider Kelly Oubre Jr. He has averaged 16.6 PPG and 3.0 3PM this season and is still available in 38% of ESPN leagues.
Fantasy managers preparing for the playoffs should consider adding Ayo Dosunmu, who is available in 82.4% of ESPN leagues.
He’s averaged 12.7 PPG, 4.7 RPG, 6.5 APG, 1.3 SPG and 37.4 MPG over the past 10 games. Alex Caruso (wrist) and Lonzo Ball (knee) are both injured, so Dosunmu’s usage rate should be high for a Bulls team looking to make a postseason run.
Last week, I wrote about Kevin Love, and I will repeat myself here, but I am still baffled that he’s still available in 66.7% of ESPN leagues. Love has averaged 18 PPG, 3 3PM, 10.2 RPG, 2.4 APG and 1.0 SPG in his last five games. Love has been one of the best values in fantasy hoops this season considering he went undrafted in many leagues.
The Mavericks aren’t being forthcoming about the health of Kristaps Porzingis and that should be concerning for fantasy managers considering his medical history. Maxi Kleber, who is available in 97.4% of ESPN leagues, will be the key beneficiary and has the ability to provide fantasy managers with well-rounded statistical lines along with significant minutes. Kleber averages 12 points, 9.3 rebounds, and 2.0 assists per 40 minutes.
There has been controversy surrounding Aaron Gordon within the fantasy basketball community. However, during the last 14 games, he has averaged 15.3 PPG, 5.7 RPG, 3.2 APG, and 0.7 SPG while playing significant minutes and outperforming his average draft position. Does this represent legitimate statistical production? You can answer that question, but now is a good time to sell high on Gordon if you have any trepidation.
Cade Cunningham sustained a right hip pointer against the Pelicans on Tuesday night. However, it does not appear to be a long-term injury. Cunningham was named the Eastern Conference Rookie of the Month on Wednesday, making him only the sixth Pistons rookie to receive the honor since Jonas Jerebko in Feb. 2010. Cunningham is one of the top rookies this season, averaging 16 PPG, 5.2 APG, 5.5 RPG, and 1.3 SPG.
Stephen Curry ended a nearly month-long statistical slump with 40 points and seven triples against the Rockets on Monday night. Despite this, Kevin Porter Jr. won’t be able to inspire Curry every night with his trash talk. Consider placing him on the trade block and see what offers you receive.
Garrison Mathews has scored 15 PPG over his last seven games. While he’s a good source of points and triples, he doesn’t do well in other statistical categories. Mathews is available in 97.4% of ESPN leagues and is a good candidate to target in deeper formats.
Lance Stephenson has signed a contract with the Pacers for the remainder of the season. Over 17 games, he averages 9.4 PPG and 4.2 APG. Rumors indicate the Pacers will be active before the league’s trade deadline. This may give Stephenson a bigger role for the rest of the season.
Amir Coffey is a must-roster player for a Clippers team without Kawhi Leonard and Paul George. He is still available in 91% of ESPN leagues. Over the last 15 games, Coffey has averaged 14.3 PPG, 4.1 RPG, 3.0 APG and 1.0 SPG. It would surprise me if George returns, but Coffey has all the makings of a fantasy hoops playoff hero.
Anthony Davis has returned to form after a knee injury sidelined him for 17 games. Wednesday night against the Trail Blazers marked his 47th career game with 30 points and 15 rebounds, which leads the league since his rookie season in 2012-2013. Davis has averaged 29 PPG, 10.7 RPG, 2.3 APG, 2.7 BPG, and 1.3 SPG over his past three games.
Jaren Jackson Jr. is the league’s top blocker this season with 121 blocks. In addition, he averages 16.6 PPG and 6.0 RPG. Jackson Jr. is making a name for himself in Memphis this year, even though Ja Morant gets the most attention.
Kyle Lowry has missed the past nine games due to a personal issue. He is expected to return in the near future and is listed as questionable to play against the Spurs on Thursday. Lowry has averaged 13.4 PPG, 8.3 APG, 4.5 RPG and 34.2 MPG this season.
Grayson Allen continues to be under the radar for a Bucks team with numerous playmakers. Over the last three games, he’s averaged 12 PPG, 2.3 3PM, 5.7 RPG, 3.3 APG and 1.0 SPG. Available in 91% of ESPN leagues, Allen is a reliable source of points and triples.
Karl-Anthony Towns has exceeded expectations this season averaging 24.4 PPG, 9.5 RPG, 4.0 APG, 1.2 BPG and 1.1 SPG. The fact that Towns has averaged less than 10 rebounds per game for the first time in his career may surprise some. Despite this, he’s still one of the top-10 players in category formats and should finish the season strong.
In deeper formats, Jose Alvarado has caught the attention of fantasy managers with an average of 8.6 PPG, 2.0 RPG, 3.1 APG, and 2.0 SPG over the last seven games. Although he only averaged 19.6 MPG over that period, Alvarado has solidified his place in the Pelicans’ second unit. He’s available in nearly all ESPN leagues.
For a struggling Knicks team, Evan Fournier has been on and off all season long. Although he has been very good over the last 12 games, scoring 16 PPG and 3.5 3PM while shooting 48% from the field. For those in need of points, Fournier is available in 47% of ESPN leagues.
According to reports, Shai Gilgeous-Alexander will be out until the All-Star break due to an ankle injury. His 29.7% usage rate must be replaced, which leaves Luguentz Dort and Tre Mann as viable streamers in the short run. Both are good sources of points, triples, and other statistics.
Wendell Carter Jr. has averaged 16.5 PPG and 13 RPG since returning from a hamstring injury. He’s outperforming Mo Bamba, who was benched in the second half of Wednesday’s game against the Pacers. The center situation in Orlando should be monitored going forward.
We should take a moment to appreciate how dominant Joel Embiid has been this season. This season, he has 18 consecutive 25-point games, tying him with LeBron James for the longest streak in the league. Kareem Abdul-Jabbar and Wilt Chamberlain are the only other 7-footers to record 18 or more consecutive 25-point games. If you have Embiid on your fantasy team, be sure to have Andre Drummond on hand as a backup in the event he misses time. Drummond is available in 62% of ESPN leagues.
Chris Paul is averaging 20.3 PPG and 15.7 APG in his past three games. At 36 years old, he’s the oldest player in league history to have such averages over three games. The oldest prior to Paul was Steve Nash, who accomplished this feat back in 2007 at the age of 32. Those who drafted Paul at his average draft position must be very pleased with his stats so far.
Anfernee Simons and Norman Powell have benefited from the absence of Damian Lillard. Over the last five games, Powell is averaging 21 PPG, 5.6 RPG and 3.2 3PM. Powell is only available in 25% of ESPN leagues, while Simons is available in 47%. Both players should be rostered across all formats.
Harrison Barnes has been mentioned in trade rumors regarding the Kings. Considering the uncertainty of where he may land and Sacramento’s record, it might be a good time to sell high on the forward. Barnes has averaged 20.5 PPG, 2.3 RPG, 8.3 APG, and 2.3 SPG in his last four games.
Dejounte Murray injured his wrist against the Warriors on Tuesday and is questionable to play against the Heat on Thursday night. Devin Vassell would benefit immediately if Murray misses time. Vassell has averaged 12.4 PPG, 2.1 3PM, 5.6 RPG, 1.5 APG, 1.0 SPG and 26 MPG over the last 12 games and is available in 92% of ESPN leagues. He should be added immediately in deeper formats.
Gary Trent Jr. has had five consecutive games with 30 or more points. This ties the Raptors franchise record set by DeMar DeRozan back in 2016. In addition, he is the first player in Toronto history to hit five triples in five consecutive games. Trent is still available in 27% of ESPN leagues.
With Joe Ingles out for the season due to a torn ACL, the Jazz are shorthanded. It’s hard to tell who will benefit from Ingles’ absence but Trent Forrest should be on your watch list. He scored a career-high 18 points and dished out a career-high eight assists against the Nuggets on Wednesday.
There is constant talk about Spencer Dinwiddie in the trade rumor mill. Despite this, he has thrived while Bradley Beal recovers from a wrist injury. Dinwiddie recorded his first career triple double with 14 points, 12 rebounds, and 10 assists in 30 minutes against the 76ers. Dinwiddie will remain on the streaming radar as long as Beal’s recovery timeline remains uncertain.