Fantasy Basketball 2016-17: A Dozen Dimes, Volume 15
Welcome back to our weekly transactions article, where we dish out 12 dimes of fantasy hoops advice, including the top adds, drops, buys, and sells for this upcoming week and beyond.
These are generally listed in relative order of importance. If you're looking for even more advice, check the "related news" section to cycle through other recent editions of this column. We try not to repeat ourselves too much from one week to the next, so you might find ideas you like from previous weeks that are still valid.
Okay, let's get down to it.
Buy Kristaps Porzingis
Kristaps Porzingis has missed seven games over the last month with a sore left Achilles, and hasn't been his usual dominant self when playing, either.
In the month of January, Porzingis has averaged 13.9 points, 1.2 three-pointers, 4.4 rebounds, 1.2 assists, 0.5 steals, 1.9 blocks, and 2.0 turnovers in 29.0 minutes per contest, while shooting 45.4% from the field and 90.5% from the free throw line. He's been the 82nd-ranked player in nine-category leagues over the 10 games he's suited up for over that span, as opposed to his rank of 28th on the season as a whole.
The counting stats are down across the board, but the percentages are pretty well on par with his season averages, so there's no reason to think he can't round back into his early-round form as his minutes continue to trend back up to his regular 33.4 per contest. If all the drama surrounding Carmelo Anthony ultimately results in his being traded away from the New York Knicks, Porzingis could even see his first-round upside released upon the fantasy world as the team's primary option.
Now is the perfect time to buy low on Porzingis. If he returns to form, you win. If he returns to form and Melo gets shipped out of town? You win your league.
Sell Eric Bledsoe
Eric Bledsoe is on an absolute tear for the Phoenix Suns. Over the last two weeks (seven games), Bledsoe has been the 10th-ranked player in nine-category leagues, averaging 29.0 points, 2.3 triples, 5.3 rebounds, 8.3 assists, 1.1 steals, 0.1 blocks, and 2.7 turnovers in a whopping 36.9 minutes per contest, while shooting 44.9% from the field and 94.2% from the line.
Bledsoe's average draft position (ADP) across the industry this year was 34th and he's ranked 32nd on the season in nine-category leagues, so owners who took the plunge on him in the third or fourth round should be satisfied with those returns.
Don't settle for satisfied, however. This is the perfect moment to sell high.
For starters, Bledsoe has stayed uncharacteristically healthy this season. He's played all 47 games for the Suns after only playing one full season out of his first three with the team.
He's also playing big minutes lately, despite the fact that Phoenix is currently sitting in last place in the Western Conference and is almost certainly lottery-bound at 15-32. The Suns could very well trade Bledsoe at the deadline or shut him down in favor of a youth development once the season is officially lost, which could be a major blow for his owners when the fantasy playoffs come around.
At the very least, Bledsoe is not likely to be a top-10 fantasy asset going forward. You won't get a better sell-high moment on him than this one, so act now.
Add Dion Waiters
Dion Waiters has been huge for the Miami Heat over their last five games. Over that span, he's averaged 25.2 points, 3.4 triples, 4.2 rebounds, 4.6 assists, 0.6 steals, 0.0 blocks, and 2.6 turnovers in 34.1 minutes per contest, while shooting 51.6% from the field and 59.1% from the line.
That's good enough to make him the 75th-ranked player in nine-category leagues over that span and a hot pick-up if you've got an open roster spot. He's currently available in 40% of Yahoo leagues and 50% on ESPN and you could certainly do a lot worse if he's available.
It's important to note, however, that the Heat have been without both Tyler Johnson and Josh Richardson over Waiters' recent five-game hot stretch, and both are nearing a return. Grab Waiters now, but temper expectations on his rest-of-season value, as he's only ranked 218th in nine-category leagues on the year and is generally as inconsistent as they come.
Add Seth Curry
Seth Curry has been a top-50 asset in nine-category leagues over his last nine games since joining the starting lineup for the Dallas Mavericks, and his rest-of-season outlook is starting to look mighty nice.
Over that nine-game span, Curry has averaged 15.1 points, 2.6 triples, 3.8 rebounds, 1.7 assists, 1.7 steals, 0.2 blocks, and 1.6 turnovers in a healthy 31.1 minutes per contest, while shooting 51.0% from the field and 75.0% from the line. That's good enough to make him the 43rd-ranked player in nine-category leagues over that stretch.
Curry's brother might be 100% taken in all leagues, but Seth is still available in 50% of Yahoo leagues and 75% on ESPN. He may not be the best basketball player in his family, but he's not a bad consolation prize for fantasy owners at this point if you're looking to spice up your roster with a bit of Curry (that was awful, I know).
Add Ivica Zubac
Los Angeles Lakers rookie Ivica Zubac has only played 15 games for the team so far this year, but his last two should put him firmly on your fantasy radar.
Over those last couple games, Zubac has averaged 14.0 points, 10.0 boards, 1.5 assists, 1.5 blocks, and 2.0 turnovers in 27.0 minutes per contest, while shooting 42.3% from the field and a perfect 6-for-6 from the charity stripe.
The 16-34 Lakers don't have a whole lot left to play for this year, so a full-on youth development might be just around the corner. Timofey Mozgov has been the team's staple at center, but he's far from a lock to keep the job and could lose minutes to Zubac if the rookie continues to shine as he has this past week or so.
Grab Zubac right now in deep leagues or keepers, and at least add him to your watch list in standard formats. With three double-doubles in his last five games, his arrow is pointing unmistakably upwards.
Sell Dwyane Wade
What is a Dwyane Wade fantasy owner to do?
On one hand, Wade is the 66th-ranked player in nine-category leagues on the season, with averages of 18.9 points, 0.8 threes, 4.3 rebounds, 3.8 assists, 1.6 steals, 0.7 blocks, and 2.3 turnovers in 30.4 minutes per contest, and a shooting split of 42.7% from the field and 79.5% from the line. On the other hand, he's 35 years old, and has had a reputation for sitting out regularly down the stretch for rest in recent years.
Wade has played 43 of a possible 48 games as a member of the Chicago Bulls this season, which is not a bad rate for a guy that's played 49, 69, 54, 62, and 74 games over his last five seasons. Still, with all the recent drama in Chicago, and Wade's subsequent benching, it's hard to say how the relationship between player and team will go for the rest of the year.
In order to avoid any potential for a shutdown, it's best to get out now while the getting is good.
Over Wade's last five games, he's been the 18th-ranked player in nine-category leagues, with averages of 22.6 points, 0.2 threes, 6.0 rebounds, 3.6 assists, 3.4 steals, 1.2 blocks, and 2.8 turnovers in 30.8 minutes per game, and a shooting split of 45.8% from the field and 77.4% from the line.
If you're looking for a sell-high moment and a chance to avoid the late-season Wade headache of recent years, you've got it.
Buy Marvin Williams
Marvin Williams had arguably the best season of his 12-year career last year when he averaged 11.7 points, 1.9 triples, 6.4 rebounds, 1.4 assists, 0.7 steals, 1.0 block, and a mere 0.8 turnovers in 28.9 minutes per contest, and shot 45.2% from the field, 40.2% from deep, and 83.3% from the line. His ranking of 47th in nine-category leagues for that effort was the highest finish of his career and his first time in the top 100 in seven seasons.
This season, comparatively, has been a bit of a letdown. Williams is currently the 113th-ranked player, and just about every single part of his line has dipped: 11.0 points, 1.8 threes, 5.3 rebounds, 1.3 assists, 0.7 steals, 0.5 blocks, and 0.7 turnovers per contest, 40.5% shooting from the field, 37.0% from deep, and 83.3% from the line.
But while his numbers are down as a whole, Williams has been coming on strong with flashes of last season lately. Over the last two weeks (eight games), he has averaged 13.1 points, 2.3 triples, 5.6 rebounds, 1.5 assists, 1.0 steal, 0.4 blocks, and 0.5 turnovers in 27.6 minutes per contest, with a shooting split of 44.7% from the field, 39.1% from deep, and 91.7% from the line, which has made him the 59th-ranked player in nine-category leagues over that span.
A slow first half has Marvin's ownership rates down to 65% in Yahoo leagues and 35% on ESPN, so he's worth checking your league's waiver wire for to see if you can add him for free. If he's taken, though, it might be a good time to feel out his owner to see how much it would cost to acquire him. He's trending back up towards last season's fantasy-friendly heights, and it's time to get onboard while his overall season value is still depressed by a slow start to the year.
Buy Kent Bazemore
Much like Marvin Williams, Kent Bazemore is another player that had a breakout season in 2015-16, but who is not living up to expectations this year.
Last season, Bazemore finished as the 75th-ranked player in nine-category leagues with averages of 11.6 points, 1.5 threes, 5.1 rebounds, 2.3 assists, 1.3 steals, 0.5 blocks, and 1.8 turnovers in 27.8 minutes per contest and a shooting split of 44.1% from the field and 81.5% from the line. That was his first time in four seasons finishing with anything even closely resembling standard-league value, but it was enough for fantasy players to trust him and give him an ADP of 97 across the industry this season.
On the 2016-17 season as a whole, those who drafted Bazemore have not gotten a good return on their investment, as he's dropped to being the 153rd-ranked player on the year. His averages of 11.1 points, 1.3 threes, 3.2 rebounds, 2.6 assists, 1.2 steals, 0.6 blocks, and 1.6 turnovers in 27.5 minutes per contest, and shooting split of 39.4% from the field and 71.8% from the line are down across the board and just not cutting it this time around.
Over Bazemore's last five games, however, he's been much better and his overall numbers are trending up. Over that five-game span, he has been the 39th-ranked player in nine-category leagues, averaging 19.2 points, 2.6 triples, 4.0 rebounds, 2.4 assists, 1.0 steal, 0.8 blocks, and 1.6 turnovers in 32.1 minutes per contest, while shooting 50.0% from the field and 87.5% from the charity stripe.
Bazemore's ownership rates have dropped to 70% on Yahoo and 55% on ESPN, so he's a must-add if he's available in your league. If he's not, see how high his owner is on him, and if he's acquirable for something reasonable. He's on the rise and worth taking a shot on, as he's ranked in the top 100 in nine-category leagues over the last month, top 75 over the last two weeks, and top 40 over the last seven days.
Add Matthew Dellavedova
After missing five games with a sore hamstring, Matthew Dellavedova returned to the Milwaukee Bucks lineup on January 8th to find that rookie Malcolm Brogdon had taken away his starting job. Delly struggled coming off the bench immediately following the demotion, but he has been great in the five games he's played since reclaiming his spot in the starting five on January 21st.
Over that five-game span, Dellavedova has averaged 13.0 points, 1.8 triples, 2.0 rebounds, 5.4 assists, 0.8 steals, 0.0 blocks, and 2.4 turnovers in 29.5 minutes per contest, with a shooting split of 52.5% from the field and 87.5% from the free throw line. Those aren't otherworldly numbers, but they're enough to make him worth owning in standard leagues, particularly if you need an infusion of threes and assists.
Dellavedova still available in 70% of Yahoo leagues and 90% on ESPN, if you're interested.
Add Iman Shumpert
Iman Shumpert has never really had a relevant fantasy season and his 141st-ranked value in nine-category leagues only puts him on the bubble of standard-league value.
That said, he's been on a tear over his last eight games since joining the Cleveland Cavaliers' starting lineup. Over that span, Shump has averaged 13.4 points, 3.1 threes, 2.9 rebounds, 1.1 assists, 1.9 steals, 0.1 blocks, and a mere 0.4 turnovers in 29.6 minutes per contest while shooting 52.1% from the field and 66.7% from the charity stripe.
That's good enough to make him the 30th-ranked player in nine-category leagues and worth a look if he's available in your league (which is the case in 30% of Yahoo leagues and 10% on ESPN).
Sell Kenneth Faried
Kenneth Faried has had a fairly inconsistent season for the Denver Nuggets, but he's still the 95th-ranked player in nine-category leagues, which is perfectly in line with his finishes of 88th, 83rd, 82nd, 92nd, and 92nd over the first five seasons of his career.
And while there's something to be said about his sitting in the top 100 every year, always placing between 82nd and 95th suggests his upside is limited to late-round value. That's why you take hot stretches -- like his top-50 three-game week -- as an opportunity to sell.
Over his last three, Faried has averaged 15.7 points, 8.7 rebounds, 1.0 assist, 1.0 steal, 0.7 blocks, and a mere 0.3 turnovers in 28.6 minutes per contest while shooting 60.0% from the field and 77.3% from the free throw line. That makes him the 49th-ranked player over that span and one of the best sell-high candidates going at the moment.
Drop Enes Kanter
Enes Kanter was having one of the best fantasy seasons of his career this year, averaging 14.4 points, 0.1 threes, 6.7 rebounds, 1.0 assist, 0.4 steals, 0.7 blocks, and 1.6 turnovers in only 21.6 minutes per contest while shooting 56.3% from the field and 78.9% from the free throw line.
That 94th-ranked value was a big help to fantasy owners, but then he had to go and ruin it by doing this.
Kanter is now out the next six-to-eight weeks following surgery on his fractured right arm, placing his return in the middle of the fantasy playoffs at best. He would have to be an impact player to warrant a stash with that kind of timetable, even if you had an injury slot on your roster.
Since Kanter is only a middle-of-the-road fantasy asset to begin with, he's really not worth the hassle. He's still owned in 70% of Yahoo leagues and 70% of ESPN leagues, but that number is about to start plummeting.
Drop away, my friends.
