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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:
Bogdan Bogdanovic leads the Hawks’ second unit and over the last six games, he has averaged 21.0 points, 5.0 rebounds, and 3.2 assists per game while shooting 52.2% from the field. Bogdanovic is still available in 30% of ESPN leagues.
As a result of Jaylen Brown‘s ankle injury, Grant Williams could see more playing time. He is available in 97.9% of ESPN leagues and has averaged 12.3 points in the last six games. Williams is a player to keep an eye on in deeper formats for as long as Brown is out.
Patty Mills is experiencing a slump at the worst possible time for fantasy managers. In his last 15 games, he has averaged only 9.6 points per game while shooting 32.3% from the field. In the event that Mills’ struggles continue, Goran Dragic, who scored 10 points and grabbed two rebounds and two assists Tuesday against the Raptors, may suddenly become fantasy relevant again.
Hornets have struggled mightily over the last month. They are now the ninth seed in the East. With Charlotte’s tight rotation, LaMelo Ball should continue to see as many minutes as he can handle, which is good news for fantasy managers looking to win a championship. He has averaged 20.3 points, 6.0 rebounds and 6.3 assists during the past 15 games.
Still without Lonzo Ball and Alex Caruso, Bulls rookie second-rounder Ayo Dosunmu continues to thrive. This is signficant, given that Ball is expected to return in a week or two while Caruso probably won’t return until the fantasy playoffs end. Over the last seven games, Dosunmu has averaged 11.4 PPG, 5.7 APG, 4.7 RPG, 1.6 SPG and 1.2 BPG.
If your hoops team is looking for points, triples, and other peripheral stats, consider Lauri Markkanen. In his last three games, he has averaged 18.3 PPG and 3.0 3PG. Markkanen is available in 58% of ESPN leagues. Additionally, I would be remiss if I did not remind you that Kevin Love is still available in 71% of leagues. The veteran big man has averaged 14.0 PPG and 7.1 RPG.
Dorian Finney-Smith has been a tremendous asset to the Mavericks this season. He’s averaged 13 PPG, 6.0 RPG, and 1.0 SPG over his last five games. Add Finney-Smith if you need any of these categories in deeper formats; he’s available in 84% of ESPN leagues.
Later this week, the Nuggets will send Michael Porter Jr. to Grand Rapids of the G League. He is expected to return before the end of the regular season. Currently, Porter is available in 46.4% of ESPN leagues and is worth stashing for managers who have established their position for the fantasy playoffs.
Jerami Grant has played at least 31 minutes in each of the Pistons’ four games since the break. In that time, he’s contributed 20.0 PPG. Fortunately for fantasy managers, Grant’s play is trending up at the right time for a Pistons team with offensive deficiencies. Additionally, keep Killian Hayes on your radar in deeper formats.
Draymond Green (back) is practicing with the Warriors on a limited basis, he’s traveling with the team and could be nearing a return to the court. Until that happens, rookie Jonathan Kuminga (available in 93% of ESPN leagues) will continue to benefit from Green’s absence. Kuminga has averaged 14.2 PPG and 4.7 RPG during the past 10 games.
For a struggling Rockets team ranked 27th in points scored per 100 possessions, Garrison Mathews is available in nearly all ESPN leagues. Consider him if you need triples in deeper formats. Over Matthews’ last 10 games, he has averaged 12.0 PPG and 2.4 3PG.
Currently, the Pacers are the 13th seed in the playoff race. It would benefit them to give younger players like Isaiah Jackson more playing time. Over the last four games, the rookie PF/C has averaged 12.5 PPG, 5.3 RPG and 3.0 BPG. Jackson is available in 93.7% of ESPN leagues, and is someone to add to your watch list in deeper formats.
Over the last 12 games, Reggie Jackson has been outstanding. He’s averaged 18.0 PPG and 7.0 APG and is still available in 27% of ESPN leagues. Surprisingly, Ivica Zubac is also available in 36.3% of leagues. Zubac has recorded double-doubles in two games in a row, as well as five of his last seven.
LeBron James has exceeded expectations this season, with 20 or more points in 26 straight games. That is the third-longest streak of his career. For the remainder of the season, the Lakers have a 4-4-3-4-4 schedule — lots of games! Carmelo Anthony (available in 46.7% of ESPN leagues) has averaged 10.5 PPG during his past 10 games and is worth keeping on your watch list.
Steven Adams should not be ignored if you are looking for rebounding and defensive stats. He’s averaged 11.7 RPG and 1.2 BPG during the past 15 games. Also, it’s worth taking a moment to reflect on Ja Morant‘s dominance in February, when he averaged 33.0 PPG. It’s the first time in franchise history that a Grizzlies player has done that.
Gabe Vincent is once again on the streaming radar with Kyle Lowry out for the immediate future because of “personal reasons.” Vincent is available in 96.3% of ESPN leagues and has performed well without Lowry in the lineup. He averages 15.7 points. 5.6 assists and 3.3 rebounds on a per-40 minute basis.
Brook Lopez (back surgery) participated in practice last week but is still a long way off from returning to game action. In his absence, Bobby Portis became one of the top waiver wire pickups of the season, having averaged 15.7 PPG, 9.1 RPG, 1.2 APG, 1.0 BPG, and 1.0 SPG. That’s a career season for the veteran who came up clutch in last season’s NBA Finals.
You may want to add Patrick Beverley if you are looking for points and assists in deeper formats. He’s available in 83% of ESPN leagues. During his last eight games, Beverly has averaged 10.5 PPG and 4.0 APG. Aside from that, Malik Beasley is worth a look in most leagues if Anthony Edwards misses time with his knee injury.
It’s unlikely that Zion Williamson will return this season, and in Williamson’s absence Jonas Valanciunas has had an exceptional season. What’s even more intriguing is that the Pelicans are comfortable having Valanciunas and Jaxson Hayes on the court at the same time. Hayes is available in 93% of ESPN leagues. Over the last six games, he has averaged 13.0 PPG, 6.0 RPG, 1.3 APG and 1.0 BPG in 25.0 MPG.
Mitchell Robinson had a very slow start to the season and is trending up just in time for fantasy managers searching for defensive stats. Currently, he’s available in 37% of ESPN leagues. Robinson has averaged 8.0 PPG, 10 RPG, 1.1 SPG and 2.0 BPG in 26.5 MPG this season. Evan Fournier (available in 42.7% of ESPN leagues) is also a great option if you need points and triples, though the veteran mustered only three points in the loss to Philadelphia on Wednesday.
Isaiah Roby had a career high 26 points against Nikola Jokic on Wednesday night. That is not a typo. Roby is available in 95.5% of ESPN leagues and is on a tremendous six-game run. In 26.3 MPG, he has averaged 12.7 PPG, 7.0 RPG, 2.2 APG, 1.3 SPG and 1.0 BPG. Consider adding Roby if you play in deeper formats and need a big.
Franz Wagner‘s terrific season has largely gone unnoticed as a result of the tremendous rookie depth around the league. He’s averaged 15.7 PPG, 4.6 RPG and 3.0 APG in 32 MPG. Wagner is still available in 37% of ESPN leagues, so he should see plenty of action as the Magic develop their younger players.
The narrative that Tyrese Maxey could not coexist with James Harden was greatly exaggerated. In fact, Maxey has averaged 24.6 PPG with Harden in town, and it has actually been Tobias Harris who has seen his fantasy value decline dramatically as the playoffs approach. In his last three games, Harris has averaged 11.0 PPG, 5.0 RPG and 2.3 APG.
It is shocking to discover that Cameron Payne is available in 92.4% of ESPN leagues. The Suns expect him to fill the void left by Chris Paul. Following a 16-game absence due to a sprained wrist, Payne returned to the starting lineup on Wednesday and was limited to just 20 minutes. Be proactive rather than reactive and pick Payne up.
Damian Lillard is not expected to return this season, so Anfernee Simons will be the centerpiece of the Trail Blazers’ offense the rest of the way. He’s somehow still available in 35% of ESPN leagues even after putting up 24.0 PPG, 5.5 APG and 2.5 RPG during his past six games. If he’s available in your league, race to get him.
Since trading for Domantas Sabonis the Kings have run their offense through him. Over the last eight games, he’s averaged 18.0 PPG, 13.3 RPG, 6.0 APG and 1.0 SPG. This is the type of statistical production fantasy managers can expect from Sabonis on a nightly basis for the rest of the season. His production will be crucial for the Kings, because they rank 22nd in points allowed per 100 possessions defensively.
If you are in need of points, look no further than Lonnie Walker IV, who has averaged 20.3 points during the past six games. Dejounte Murray (24) is the only Spurs player with a higher per-game average during that time frame. Walker IV is available in 95% of ESPN leagues.
The Raptors’ rotation for the past six games has included Thaddeus Young. In 19 minutes, the veteran forward has averaged 8.5 PPG, 3.7 RPG, 1.7 APG and 1.0 SPG. Add Young to your watch list or pick him up preemptively if you’re in deeper formats. He’s available in 57.4% of ESPN leagues.
Donovan Mitchell has scored 30 points in four of his last five and also actively contributes in other statistical areas. On Wednesday night, Mitchell had his first 35-point, 10 assist-game of his career. He was the first Jazz player with 35 points and 10 assists in a game since Deron Williams did it in 2010.
Raul Neto‘s role with the Wizards should continue to grow throughout the rest of the season. He’s available in 96.3% of ESPN leagues and is a steady source of assists and steals. Neto has averaged 13 points, 5.3 assists and 1.5 steals during the past eight games.