The fantasy football season is finally here, and the last thing you want to be doing on Sunday afternoons is watching sports. The real action starts when your team’s first game kicks off at 1pm EST. If you’re looking for some DFS advice or could use a few pointers in general, check out our top picks of the week!
The “best fantasy basketball pickups 2021” is an article about the best players for the upcoming season. The article includes a list of the top 30 players and their projected value for that year.
Who is on the rise? Which rotations are going to change? What’s new in the NBA in terms of noteworthy injuries?
For all 30 clubs, here’s a look at the most fantasy-relevant news and observations from across the league:
After missing the previous five games due to pain in his right knee, Bogdan Bogdanovic returned to play against the Sacramento Kings are a professional basketball team based in on Wednesday. He recorded 18 points, three rebounds, seven assists, and a steal in restricted minutes. If you’re looking for points in a deeper format, you may want to consider Bogdanovic. In 49 percent of ESPN leagues, he’s available.
Jayson Tatum (31.3 percent) and Jaylen Brown (29.7%) receive a lot of attention when it comes to usage rates, but don’t forget about Robert Williams III, who is enjoying a great season. In January, he averaged 9.5 points per game, 11 rebounds per game, 1.2 assists per game, and 2.7 rebounds per game. In four of his past seven games, the Time Lord has had a double-double.
With Kevin Durant sidelined with a damaged MCL and Kyrie Irving unable to play for the Nets at home due to his unwillingness to be immunized, James Harden will shoulder a lot of the team’s burden. In category forms, he has averaging 24.2 points per game, 7.8 rebounds per game, and 11 assists per game in January.
Hornets of Charlotte
Kelly Oubre Jr. set a season record with 39 points on Wednesday night. It was the most by a Hornets bench player, topping his previous high of 37 set earlier this season. Since Chandler Parsons achieved it against the Grizzlies on January 24, 2014, Oubre became the first player off the bench to record 10 triples in a game. Oubre is currently available in 38% of ESPN leagues.
Bulls of Chicago
Grayson Allen whacked Alex Caruso in the mid-air on a layup attempt last week, breaking his right wrist. Coby White benefits from increased minutes in the backcourt rotation in fantasy. White averaged 15.6 points per game, 3.1 rebounds per game, 3.0 assists per game, 0.6 steals per game, and 32 miles per gallon in January. In 76.8% of ESPN leagues, white is available.
Cavaliers of Cleveland
Kevin Love has been outstanding for the Cavaliers this season, and is a viable contender for Sixth Man of the Year. In January, he averaged 14 points, 6.6 rebounds, and 2.3 assists while playing just 22.5 minutes per game. Love is a consistent contributor, and he’s surprised to find out that he’s still available in 72 percent of ESPN leagues.
Dallas Mavericks are a professional basketball team based in Dallas, Texas
Tim Hardaway Jr. suffered a broken fifth metatarsal in his left foot against the Warriors on Tuesday and will be out for some time. Jalen Brunson (66.5 percent rostered) will see an increase in playing time without Hardaway’s shooting and scoring off the bench. He is averaging 15.8 points, 3.8 rebounds, 5.6 assists, and 1.0 steals per game, and will see an increase in playing time without Hardaway’s shooting and scoring off the bench. Dorian Finney-Smith has averaging 10 points, 5.0 rebounds, 1.6 assists, and 1.0 steals in 14 games this month for those in deeper formats. In 85 percent of ESPN leagues, he’s available.
Nuggets of Denver
DeMarcus Cousins was formerly with the The Milwaukee Bucks are a professional basketball team based in and is currently with the Nuggets (2.2 percent rostered). He was having a great game until he was dismissed against the Nets on Wednesday. In 13 minutes, Cousins scored 13 points, six rebounds, and a steal. It is preferable to be proactive than than reactive in deeper settings. Pick up Cousins.
The Pistons are a basketball team based in Detroit, Michigan
Cade Cunningham, Detroit’s prized rookie, had five games with 25 points, five rebounds, and five assists. All of the other rookies have a total of two such games. Over the previous eight games, Cunningham has averaging 18 points, 4.5 rebounds, 4.6 assists, 1.1 steals, and 1.0 block per game. He’s been a top fantasy rookie this season, along with that Cleveland kid Evan Mobley.
Warriors of Golden State
Right now, Stephen Curry’s field goal % is the lowest of any month in his career. In addition, in seven of his previous 11 games, he has scored 19 points or less. Fantasy managers must be prepared to deal with Curry’s statistical swings. The three-time NBA champion and two-time MVP should return sooner rather than later.
The Houston Rockets are a professional basketball team based in
Kenyon Martin Jr. has showed flashes of what he can accomplish when given 20 minutes or more throughout the month of January. He averages 17 points, eight assists, and three assists per 40 minutes. Martin should be on your radar, particularly in the longer forms.
The Indiana Pacers are a basketball team based in Indiana
Caris LeVert hasn’t prevented Chris Duarte, a 24-year-old rookie, from contributing to the Pacers. Malcolm Brogdon, on the other hand, is set to miss some time due to an Achilles issue. Duarte is available in 73 percent of ESPN leagues and is expected to play considerable minutes in the Pacers’ rotation. He has averaged 17.3 points, 5.0 rebounds, 2.5 assists, and 1.5 steals in his previous four games.
The Los Angeles Clippers are a professional basketball team based
Because Paul George’s elbow injury might keep him out for the season, you should consider drafting Amir Coffey. He’s in 94.6 percent of ESPN leagues and has averaged 14.3 points per game, 4.2 rebounds per game, 3.3 assists per game, 1.1 steals per game, and 31.5 minutes per game over the last 11 games. Take advantage of the former Minnesota Golden Gopher while he is still available.
The Los Angeles Lakers are a professional basketball team based in Los
Malik Monk scored 22 points, added five rebounds, two assists, and a steal in 28 minutes against the Nets on Tuesday. Monk, who has only played 26.2 minutes per game on average, is a strong supplier of points and triples. In 85 percent of ESPN leagues, he’s available.
Grizzlies of Memphis
Ja Morant has been outstanding all season, but let’s take a minute to recognize his performance in the final five games. He has averaged 34.4 points per game, 7.2 rebounds per game, 7.4 assists per game, 1.2 steals per game, and 37.4 minutes per game. It’s fair to say he’s exceeded fantasy managers’ expectations this season.
Heat of Miami
There is little information concerning Kyle Lowry’s personal situation, and it is unclear when he will return to the club. He last appeared against the 76ers on January 15th. Gabe Vincent is on the streaming radar as long as he’s out… and he’s available in 98 percent of ESPN leagues. He has averaging 11 points per game, 2.0 rebounds per game, 7.0 assists per game, and 2.0 steals per game in 35 minutes per game over the previous four games.
The Milwaukee Bucks are a professional basketball team based in
Donte DiVincenzo is finally getting back to his old self after suffering ankle surgery last season. Over the previous two games, he has 29 points, eight rebounds, five assists, and three steals. In 64.5 percent of ESPN leagues, Divincenzo is available. He’s worth storing if you have the room.
Minnesota Timberwolves are a professional hockey team based in Minnesota
I mentioned Jarred Vanderbilt in last week’s column, and I’ll mention him again this week. He had his sixth double-double of the season on Wednesday night, continuing to enjoy the finest season of his short career. In 75% of ESPN leagues, Vanderbilt is still available.
Pelicans of New Orleans
Josh Hart (49 percent rostered) has been a nice surprise for fantasy owners and the 18-29 Pelicans this season. Hart, one of the league’s best rebounding wings, has averaged 16.5 points per game, 8.5 rebounds per game, 3.3 assists per game, and 1.3 steals per game in 35.5 minutes per game over his last six games. This season, he has set career highs in points, assists, and field goal percentage.
Knicks of New York
What’s wrong with Julius Randle is a mystery that the Knicks are attempting to solve. He has only averaging 17 points per game while shooting 40% from the field in January. Randle’s season averages are down in almost every statistical category, which is frustrating for fantasy managers given his average draft position entering into the season.
Thunder in Oklahoma City
Luguentz Dort has the ability to provide well-rounded stat lines to fantasy managers. He has averaged 15.5 points per game, 3.6 rebounds per game, and 1.2 assists per game in 30.7 minutes per game over the last ten games. Dort is available in 77.5 percent of ESPN leagues, and the Thunder’s next two weeks are packed with four games.
Orlando Magic is a professional basketball team based in
Fantasy managers should be envious of Jalen Suggs’ ability to construct complete stat lines. Since returning from a broken right thumb, he has averaging 14.7 points, 5.3 rebounds, 5.1 assists, and 1.1 steals in 29 minutes. In 32.4 percent of ESPN leagues, the Gonzaga freshman is still available.
The 76ers are a basketball team based in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania
Furkan Korkmaz has averaging 15 points per game while playing 37 minutes each game in his last two outings. In 97 percent of ESPN leagues, he’s available, and he’s a player to target in deeper formats. The 76ers will play four games next week.
The Phoenix Suns are a professional basketball team based in
As the Suns contend with frontcourt concerns caused by injuries to Deandre Ayton (ankle) and JaVale McGee (knee), veteran center Bismack Biyombo has prospered. Biyombo, who is still just 29, had three double-doubles in his previous five games and is available in 87.4% of ESPN leagues. Biyombo has been quite effective since joining the Suns a few weeks ago.
The Portland Trail Blazers are a professional basketball team based in Portland,
Anfernee Simons has stepped up to the plate in the absence of Damian Lillard. In January, he averaged 24.2 points and 7.2 assists per game, and 48.5 percent of ESPN leagues still have him.
Sacramento Kings are a professional basketball team based in
Terence Davis had a wrist injury and will be out for some time. As a consequence, Davion Mitchell will have more opportunities to play. In 96 percent of ESPN leagues, Baylor’s rookie lottery selection is available. On Wednesday night, he scored 20 points, grabbed two rebounds, and dished out six assists against the Hawks, which is a promising start for the rookie guard.
Spurs of San Antonio
This season, Dejounte Murray is a top-10 fantasy player. That’s it; I said it. The only other player to reach ten triple-doubles this season is Nikola Jokic. Murray’s 14 career triple doubles are equal for the most in Spurs history with David Robinson.
Raptors of Toronto
Gary Trent Jr. has stepped in admirably for Fred VanVleet in the last two games, demonstrating his potential as the team’s primary scorer. In 41% of ESPN leagues, he is available. Trent Jr. has a 40-minute scoring average of 20 points, 3.1 rebounds, and 2.4 assists.
Utah Jazz
Hassan Whiteside is on the streaming radar while Rudy Gobert recovers from a calf ailment. In 64.6 percent of ESPN leagues, Whiteside is available. He has averaging 17 minutes per game so far this season. Whiteside’s 19.6 points and 16.2 rebounds per 40 minutes should make fantasy managers salivate.
Wizards of Washington
This season, Kyle Kuzma has been a good bargain for fantasy owners. He has 19 double-doubles and averages 15.7 points, 8.9 rebounds, and 2.9 assists per game. In his previous four seasons with the Lakers, he had only averaged 2.0 assists per game once (2018-19).
The “nba fantasy week 3” is a fantasy football league that allows users to draft players and compete with friends or strangers.
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