RADIO
If you're looking for some insight on how to capitalize on the hot for of your players to start the season, or you're willing to take a smart bet on a guy who's been underperforming so far this season, the chances are that you'll like this article.
Our focus will be on two completely opposite sides of the spectrum. On one end we have Malcolm Brogdon who has begun his career with the Pacers on an extremely high note. On the other end, there is Steven Adams - who we expected a lot more from this season.
You can read more on how they have performed so far, what we can expect from them going forward and how to potentially benefit from their current forms bellow in our Sell High and Buy Low candidates for Week 2 of the NBA season, right here at RotoBaller.
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Buy Low, Sell High Advice for Week 2
Are You for Real, Malcolm Brogdon?
It wasn't easy to predict what Malcolm Brogdon's role will be when he signed for the Pacers this offseason. Most of us went from his stats with the Bucks last year - 15.6 PTS with 1.6 3PM on 50.5 FG% and 92.8 FT%, 4.5 REB, 3.2 AST, 0.7 STL, 0.2 BLK and 1.4 TO in 29 minutes per outing. That was good enough for #62 in Yahoo rankings at the end of 2018-19 season and he was picked at a similar spot to start this season with his ADP at #65.
At the moment, he is demolishing his ADP as he is ranked at #5 with averages of 22.3 PTS with 2.3 3PM on 45.8 FG% and 94.1 FT%, 4.3 REB, 10.7 AST, 1.0 STL, 0.7 BLK, and 1.7 TO in 35 minutes a night over his first three games with Indiana. Furthermore, he double-doubled in all three of those games getting his owners double-digit dimes while not exceeding two turnovers. He also hit at least one triple in all three games, scoring between 15 and 30 points. The percentages are there and so are the stocks. Insane production from a guy most owners drafted after the fifth round.
Now we all knew Brogdon had talent. Despite being the 36th pick, he won the Rookie of the year title in 2017, and has been consistently, but quietly improving in Milwaukee. Well, he's broken out from Giannis Antetokounmpo's shadow now and it seems he is on his way to great things.
Still, how likely is it that he sticks in the top-5? - No way!
How about top-10? - Almost impossible.
Top-20? - Still pretty unlikely.
Victor Oladipo hasn't played yet this season and Jeremy Lamb only got 26 minutes in the opening game and has been on the shelf for the other two. This has allowed Brogdon a lot more touches than he is going to get with both of them healthy. Lamb should be back any game now. Oladipo's recovery is going well and although it's anyone's guess when exactly will he be back, we are expecting him sometime in December or January.
Nevertheless, Brogdon has shown a lot of talent and quality so even with the full roster he is still expected to play 30+ minutes a game and return top-50 value easily, perhaps even stick in the top-35.
That being said I would be comfortable parting with Brogdon for a top-30 player like his teammate Myles Turner, Nikola Vucevic or Ben Simmons if he fits your build.
Baller Move: Sell high
Time to Panic on Steven Adams?
With both Superstars (Russell Westbrook and Paul George) departing, I must be honest: I expected a constant double-double effort from Adams. No more Westbrook to piggyback on Adams' boxing out must mean more boards for the Lumberjack, right? And with both of their usages gone, Steven will surely get a tone of shots, no? Well, unfortunately for us who believed in him, none of this has happened yet.
Even though he has pulled down double-digit rebounds in three of his four games this season he has yet to score more than eight points in a single game. Furthermore, his trademark stocks and high field goal percentage are MIA and I just can't piece it together. His averages from the first four games of the season are 6.0 PTS with no 3PM on 31.3 FG% and 28.6 FT%, 11.5 REB, 1.5 AST, 0.5 STL, 0.8 BLK, and 1.3 TO in 27 minutes a night.
Yes - opposing defenses paying more attention to Brodie and PG13 spreading the floor surely help him get some easy buckets. But he has Chris Paul to pick-and-roll with and Danilo Gallinari who is great from beyond the arc as well.
I'm chalking this one up to a cold streak.
Moreover, Adams has left his previous game early due to some knee trouble which is killing his stock even further. A perfect time to try and get him dirty cheap!
Now with his horrible start, you might need some convincing why you should try and trade for him. I will just provide his regular-season averages from last season as I believe they will be enough for most owners - especially the ones punting FT%. In the 2018-19 season the big man averaged 13.9 points (no three-pointers) on 59.5% from the field and 50.0% from the charity stripe along with 9.5 boards, 1.6 assists, 1.5 steals, 1.0 blocks and 1.7 turnovers in over 33 minutes per game.
If you're put off by his injury, perhaps the fact that Adams hasn't missed more than 12 games in a single season in his career and played 80 or more in four of his six years can put your mind at ease. Sure, be cautious, but don't overthink it.
If Adams fits what you're doing with your fantasy team, and his owner in your league is growing weary with him, I would definitely look to float an offer his way.
A player around the top-80 to the top-100 would be something I would gamble on Adams without thinking twice. Jarrett Allen, Terry Rozier and Justise Winslow are all players I expect to have a lower value than Adams come the end of the season and I would offer any of them in a trade for the New Zealand Giant.
Baller Move: Hold or buy low
