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Welcome to the fantasy basketball risers and fallers column, a weekly look at a few players whose stock is rising and a few who've been struggling with some analysis of why that's been the case. As always, this doesn't mean you need to drop these players who are struggling, but this could be a useful piece for making some trade decisions or for making some tough lineup choices.
Last night, we had the first big COVID-19 scare of the season, as Seth Curry tested positive during the Sixers/Nets game. Will that impact the schedule moving forward? Keep an eye peeled!
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Fantasy Basketball Risers
Malcolm Brogdon - G - Indiana Pacers
Brogdon's averages over the past three games: 29.7 points on 54.1/60/88.9 shooting with 8.3 assists and 2.7 steals per game, plus four boards per contest just for added good measure.
Now somehow in his fifth NBA season, the 2016-17 Rookie of the Year seems to be making a leap. He's really pushing things for the Pacers right now and has been their most consistent player so far this season. You could make an argument that he's a top-20 player in fantasy rest-of-season if he stays healthy.
But ahh, health. Brogdon has missed significant time in each of the past three seasons, and at this point, I think injury concerns are a valid thing with him. Maybe this is the time you sell high on him?
Thomas Bryant - C - Washington Wizards
Over the last four games, Bryant is shooting 83.3 percent from the field and, just for good measure, is shooting 62.5 percent from three on two attempts per game. Go ahead and add 7.5 rebounds to his 19.5 points per night.
The Wizards are a mess, but that mess also means that Bryant is getting plenty of minutes. Per Add More Funds, here's the Wizard rotation against the Sixers:
Veteran Robin Lopez might be getting a lot more run if the Wizards were good, but they aren't. Bryant's the only center on this roster who might potentially be on the next competitive version of the Wizards, so it makes sense for this team to unleash him and see what he can do as a key part of this offensive attack. I expect to continue seeing a ton of Bryant.
Devin Vassell - G - San Antonio Spurs
The rookie guard isn't rostered in a ton of leagues, as right now he's only in two percent of Yahoo! ones, but he's shooting 62.5 percent from three over the past four games and has seen his minutes creep up. He's basically only a three-point shooter who can net you some steals at this stage, but he's someone I'm definitely keeping an eye on right now.
Myles Turner - F/C - Indiana Pacers
Pacers center Myles Turner seemed like a forgotten man before this season. Sure, he was still being drafted in every fantasy league, but no one was particularly excited about it as they were too obsessed with the shinier player beside him in this frontcourt, Domantas Sabonis.
And well, Sabonis is really good, but maybe Myles Turner is also really good?
In the past four games, Turner is averaging just 12.5 points per game, but the point number is really impacted by the Rockets holding him to two points on Wednesday, so you should expect 15-plus each night. He's also adding his value in a lot of other areas, including his 1.3 threes per night. And while 4.5 rebounds per game out of a center is not great when it comes to fantasy, 3.3 blocks per game definitely is. I think you need the right fantasy build to really optimize Turner, but if you're a fantasy manager who doesn't need rebounds right now -- whether due to a punting strategy or because you're just set on rebounds -- then Turner is an interesting guy to go after on the trade market.
Fantasy Basketball Fallers
Draymond Green - F/C - Golden State Warriors
Y'all, what's going on?
Dray returned to the Warriors lineup on January 1st, but he's been such a disaster when it comes to his scoring/shooting that it almost overshadows the good things that he's done. Through four games, Green is averaging 2.5 points per game on 18.2 percent shooting. He's made one three. And while his 4.5 rebounds and 5.8 assists and 1.5 steals per game are helpful, they don't make up for how much Green is hurting you in some key categories.
So, what do we do about this?
I guess we hold onto him because of the upside, though if you can get someone to give you something of value for Green in a trade because they aren't paying close attention to his shooting woes, then go ahead and make that happen.
Luguentz Dort - G/F - Oklahoma City Thunder
Yesterday, I mentioned Dort as a drop candidate in shallow leagues. Let's talk more about that.
After scoring 15, 26, then 15 points again in his first three games, Dort has fallen back to earth. He's still getting 30 minutes most nights, but in the past four games is averaging 9.5 points, 2.3 rebounds, 1.0 steals, and 1.5 threes per game. His value has always been about scoring volume this season as he doesn't do a ton else on the court when it comes to counting stats, so with Dort struggling to find his shot right now, his value is plummeting.
He's a drop candidate in shallow leagues. In deeper leagues, I'd definitely see if there's anyone willing to take a chance on his scoring upside via trade, especially if the move can net you someone who can provide your lineup with an immediate boost.
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