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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: There have been trade rumors surrounding John Collins for more than half a year. Playing behind Trae Young and Dejounte Murray in terms of the Hawks’ top scoring options, Collins is having a down season by his standards. Through 33 games, he is averaging 13.3 points, 8.1 rebounds and 1.4 blocks per game. He’s also shooting a career-low 49.8% from the field. The question is whether Collins will actually be traded. Stay tuned.
Boston Celtics: When Jaylen Brown recorded 40 points, 10 rebounds and 70% shooting from the field on Wednesday night against the Pelicans, he became the first Celtics player to do so in a game since Larry Bird in 1990. While the Celtics don’t need to make a move before the Feb. 9 trade deadline, they could benefit from additional frontcourt help. Adding someone like P.J. Washington, who is in the final year of his rookie contract, would be a great move. This season, he has averaged 28.9 fantasy points per game for the Hornets.
Brooklyn Nets: With Kevin Durant expected to miss up to a month due to a right MCL sprain, his absence leaves a massive void in the Nets’ rotation. In Durant’s place, Yuta Watanabe, Joe Harris and Seth Curry could start, while T.J. Warren and Markieff Morris could see increased minutes off the bench. However, Kyrie Irving and Ben Simmons will be leaned on even more until Durant returns, with Irving capable of posting huge numbers.
Charlotte Hornets: Jalen McDaniels should be rostered in more fantasy basketball leagues. He has averaged 12.4 points, 6.5 rebounds, 1.6 assists, 1.1 steals and 1.0 blocks in his last eight games. He’s only rostered in 13.2% of ESPN leagues. Meanwhile, Mason Plumlee is continuing to exceed expectations, averaging 30.8 fantasy points per game. He has an expiring contract, and the Kings and Nuggets are two teams who could use his services. Plumlee is rostered in 51.4% of ESPN leagues.
Chicago Bulls: Zach LaVine had his 39th career 35-point game Wednesday night against the Wizards. He passed Bob Love for the second most in franchise history. Michael Jordan has the most with 321. Yeah… he was pretty good. With the team dealing with injuries, inconsistencies and questions over LaVine, Nikola Vucevic and DeMar DeRozan‘s fit, the Bulls are in a strange spot as the trade deadline approaches. There are reports that suggest the Bulls will stand pat, but this is another team to watch closely in the weeks ahead.
Cleveland Cavaliers: Donovan Mitchell had his fifth 40-point game of the season on Tuesday night against the Jazz. As a Cavalier, he joins LeBron James as the only player with at least five 40-point games. Mitchell has averaged 47.0 fantasy points per game this season. The Cavaliers have apparently had Tim Hardaway Jr. on their radar for some time now as the trade deadline approaches. Caris LeVert is Cleveland’s most realistic trade chip, so keep tabs on that situation in the weeks to come.
Dallas Mavericks: Luka Doncic has had 11 games this season with at least 40 points, 10 rebounds and five assists. That’s tied for the third most behind Giannis Antetokounmpo (19) and James Harden (18). Meanwhile, Christian Wood has averaged 18.2 points and 8.2 rebounds per game in his first season with Dallas. There have reportedly been open contract extension talks between Wood and the Mavericks, but no agreement has been reached. As we approach the trade deadline, he remains a name to watch. Regardless of where Wood plays, he’ll be a fantasy asset.
Denver Nuggets: At Caesars Sportsbook, Nikola Jokic is the new MVP favorite. He has averaged 24.9 points, 11.0 rebounds and 9.7 assists, good for 59.6 fantasy points per game. In other Nuggets news, Bones Hyland, who is only rostered in 14.3% of ESPN leagues, has played very well over the last eight games. Over that time, he’s averaged 16.6 points, 3.6 assists and 2.8 rebounds. In category formats, Hyland is a solid source of points and triples. However, he’s better suited to fantasy points leagues.
Detroit Pistons: Bojan Bogdanovic is still one of the most-talked-about players as we approach the trade deadline. He’s averaged 30.0 fantasy points per game, which is impressive considering the Pistons rank 25th in points scored per 100 possessions. It is Detroit’s high asking price that has many teams balking, but fantasy managers should remain calm regardless of what happens.
Golden State Warriors: Stephen Curry returned from a shoulder injury on Tuesday night against the Suns in his first game since Dec. 14. He wasn’t on a minutes restriction and finished with 31 fantasy points in 31 minutes. The Warriors aren’t expected to be active as the trade deadline approaches, but Golden State could benefit by adding a quality big. Stay tuned there.
Houston Rockets: It is expected that the Rockets will make some trades as the deadline approaches, with Eric Gordon being a name that has consistently been mentioned. Houston has one of the worst records in the league, but it is a team full of young and unproven talent. A young talent who can blossom alongside the team’s other players is likely to be the Rockets’ top priority. In recent weeks, Jabari Smith Jr. has shown signs of life on offense. For the second half of the season, I recommend fantasy managers stash him. Smith Jr. is only rostered in 36.2% of ESPN leagues.
Indiana Pacers: Tyrese Haliburton injured his knee against the Knicks in the third quarter during Wednesday’s game. He’s also dealing with a left elbow injury. Haliburton will miss at least two weeks, which opens the door for T.J. McConnell to enter the starting lineup. He finished Wednesday’s game with 43 fantasy points. This season, McConnell averages 13.2 points, 5.5 rebounds, and 9.9 assists per 40 minutes.
LA Clippers: Paul George just can’t seem to catch a break. He dealt with a hamstring injury earlier this season and recently reaggravated the same injury. Norman Powell is firmly on the streaming radar while George is out. He’s rostered in 19.4% of ESPN leagues. In two of his last three games, Powell has scored at least 38 fantasy points.
Los Angeles Lakers: Although LeBron James is probable for Thursday’s game due to left ankle soreness. Since turning 38 on Dec. 30, he has averaged 38.0 points, 9.0 rebounds and 8.0 assists while shooting 58% from the field. Only James and Michael Jordan — yes, MJ again — have scored 40 points in consecutive games at 35 or older. Fantasy managers should monitor whether Russell Westbrook or Patrick Beverley are traded as the trade deadline approaches. The Lakers have been linked to Indiana’s Myles Turner and Buddy Hield.
Memphis Grizzlies: With Ja Morant sidelined with a thigh injury, Tyus Jones scored 50 or more fantasy points in two consecutive games. Jones still scored 32 fantasy points with Morant back on the court against the Spurs on Wednesday. Jones is only rostered in 12.8% of ESPN leagues. Even with Morant back, Jones has standalone value for managers in deeper formats.
Miami Heat: Kyle Lowry has missed games due to left knee discomfort. While Lowry is out, Gabe Vincent should continue to start at point guard, but Victor Oladipo also benefits. Three consecutive games have seen Oladipo score 30 or more fantasy points. He is only rostered in 20.7% of ESPN leagues. The veteran Oladipo is a player whose name has come up for the Heat as we approach the trade deadline, so watch how that shakes out.
Milwaukee Bucks: Giannis Antetokounmpo will miss Thursday’s game against the Heat due to left knee soreness. Over the last three games, he’s struggled even having his first double-double with less than 10 points against the Hawks on Wednesday. With Antetokounmpo and Khris Middleton out, fantasy managers should consider streaming Pat Connaughton, who is only rostered in 1.8% of leagues.
Minnesota Timberwolves: D’Angelo Russell is the Timberwolves’ second-best offensive threat behind Anthony Edwards. Over the last four games, he has scored 32 or more fantasy points in three of them. Kyle Anderson was a late scratch for Wednesday’s game against the Pistons due to a non-COVID illness. If he is ruled for Friday’s game against the Suns and you need a streamer don’t overlook Austin Rivers, who is rostered in 0.2% of ESPN leagues. Rivers finished Wednesday’s game against the Pistons with 31 fantasy points.
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New Orleans Pelicans: Since Zion Williamson has been out with a hamstring injury for the last five games, Jonas Valanciunas has seen more consistent minutes. Valanciunas has averaged 18.6 points and 10.6 rebounds per game in that span. Trey Murphy III is another player who benefits due to Williamson and Brandon Ingram‘s absence. Murphy is only rostered in 16.1% of ESPN leagues.
New York Knicks: The fact that Immanuel Quickley has attracted trade interest from numerous teams is not surprising. During the Knicks’ last 10 games, Quickley averaged 18.8 points, 4.6 assists and 4.3 rebounds in 37.3 minutes while shooting 46.3% from the field. Even after RJ Barrett returns, he’s worth holding onto in deeper formats. Quickley is only rostered in 20.8% of ESPN leagues. He would still be fantasy relevant even if he finds himself on another team.
Oklahoma City Thunder: Josh Giddey has played very well over the last three games, scoring 40 or more fantasy points twice. He had a triple-double against the Heat on Tuesday night. With the upcoming trade deadline, the Thunder will have an opportunity to continue to shape the roster of one of the league’s youngest teams. Darius Bazley is a player whose name has come up in trade discussions.
Orlando Magic: Franz Wagner has had seven games this season with 25 or more points. The second-year player has scored 30 or more fantasy points in three of his last four games. Meanwhile, Magic rookie Paolo Banchero has recorded seven double-doubles. This is tied for the second most by any rookie this season.
Philadelphia 76ers: James Harden has had five games this season with 15 or more assists. This is the most such games in a season in 76ers history. In Tuesday’s game against the Pistons, Harden handed out 12 of his 15 assists to Joel Embiid, his most assists to a single player in his career. Five straight games have seen Harden score 40 or more fantasy points, including three games with over 50.
Phoenix Suns: Deandre Ayton has missed the Suns’ last two games due to a left ankle sprain. While Ayton is out, Bismack Biyombo is a good streaming option, but he splits minutes with Jock Landale. Similarly, fantasy points follow a similar narrative. Against the Warriors on Tuesday, Biyombo finished with 25 fantasy points, while Landale had 24 fantasy points against the Nuggets on Wednesday.
Portland Trail Blazers: Jusuf Nurkic has had five games this season with 20 points and 10 rebounds, and three of the last four games have seen him score 35 or more fantasy points. With a usage rate of 21.7%, Nurkic has been a reliable player for fantasy managers all season.
Sacramento Kings: The Kings have scored 135 or more points in three straight games; this matches Sacramento’s longest streak in franchise history. Domantas Sabonis continues to shine for the 22-18 Kings, putting up 18 double-doubles and 22.5 PPG, 12.4 RPG and 7.1 APG during the last eight games.
San Antonio Spurs: It has been widely expected that some of the Spurs’ veteran rotation players would be traded before the trade deadline in February. There has been a lot of interest in Jakob Poeltl and Josh Richardson, but not so much in Doug McDermott. Managers should keep an eye on this situation.
Toronto Raptors: Gary Trent Jr. is a player whose name has come up as a potential trade candidate for a struggling Raptors team. He is playing on an expiring contract with a player option next year and has averaged 18.5 points, 2.3 rebounds, 1.5 assists and 1.6 steals this season. He’d be a great fit for the Lakers playing alongside James and Westbrook.
Utah Jazz: Kelly Olynyk is expected to miss a week due to a left ankle sprain. In his absence, rookie big man and shot-blocking extraordinaire Walker Kessler returns to the starting lineup. Kessler has averaged 14.4 points and 14.0 rebounds per 40 minutes and is somehow only rostered in 11.6% of ESPN leagues.
Washington Wizards: Bradley Beal has missed six of the last seven games due to a strained left hamstring injury. While Beal has resumed basketball activities, it remains to be seen if he will play against the Knicks on Friday. If he’s out, Corey Kispert remains a streaming option for fantasy managers in deeper formats.
Source: www.espn.com