Hello, world! Every Sunday, I will be posting top pickups of the week in Fantasy Basketball. Currently, I am playing at Yahoo Sports and the player ratings, reviews, and pickups are based on Yahoo’s standard H2H 9-cat leagues. Enjoy the ride!
Point Guards
Terry Rozier should see considerably more minutes following the Hayward injury.
Terry Rozier – After the horrific injury of Gordon Hayward, who will miss the rest of the season, Boston needs to fill the blanks and Rozier showed what he is capable for. He averages 12.7 ppg(with 2.0 3pg), 5.7 rpg, 3.3 apg and 2.0 spg in the last week without Hayward. The only downside of him is the field goal percentage but the other stats are enough to pick him up from waivers.
D.J. Augustin – Elfrid Payton suffered a hamstring injury and his propensity for injuries tells us he could miss more than one or two games. On Saturday, DJ Augustin fill the void and he could start in the next week if Elfrid misses some time. He is averaging 9.7 ppg(with 1.7 3pg), 3.3 rpg, 5.7 apg and these stats make him a good call for the short term.
Dejounte Murray – Murray is not the most attractive player in terms of real life or fantasy but he does not hurt any stats in your fantasy team. He is averaging 12ppg, 7.5 rpg, 4.0 apg and 2.0 spg and he did this with amazing %61 field goal percentage. Remember that he is playing for Spurs and Gregg Popovich and the offensive efficiency may not be sustainable after the return of Kawhi Leonard.
Shooting Guards
E’Twaun Moore – Do not forget, NOP is lacking bodies in the wings and even E’Twaun Moore can be a pickup. After the injury of Rajon Rondo, Pelicans started Moore. In his three starts, he averaged 10.0 ppg(with 1.0 3pg), 2.0 rpg and 2.3 apg with %52 field goal percentage. He is just a points guy but in daily basis, he can hurt or save your field goal with his inconsistency. If you have a roster spot, give him a look but expect nothing more than points.
Marco Belinelli – Belinelli got off to a hot start for the Hawks and he averaged 14.7 ppg(with 2.7 3pg), 3.0 rpg, 2.7 apg and 1.0 spg. The points and the threes are enough to grab him from the waivers but remember that he can hurt your field goal percentage with his inconsistency. Atlanta needs offensive weapons and Belinelli is the first man off the bench to produce some score. Give him a look.
Danny Green – Green is a 9-cat gem with his capabilities, but he is not in the group of consistent and stable guys. He is more than a 3 and D guy and expect lines like the last two outings of him. If you are patient or crazy enough, give him a look but do not be stuck on him. His averages are 13.0 ppg(with 2.0 3pg), 3.5 rpg, 2.5 apg, 1.5 spg and 1.0 bpg, told you, he is a 9-cat gem.
Forwards
Caris LeVert – LeVertical is finally starting for Brooklyn Nets (get well soon, Jeremy Lin) and it can be a permanent move if he continues his style of playing. He is averaging 12.3 ppg, 3.0 rpg, 3.3 apg, 2.3 spg and 0.7 bpg and his defensive stats are intriguing. Especially, when you consider his out-of-position blocks, it is hard to resist to grab him from waivers.
C.J. Miles – Raptors may find their 3-point shooter with CJ Miles. He is born to shoot 3s and he is rewarding his owners with elite 3.5 3pg. He is nothing more than a 3-point guy and if you need some threes with scoring give him a chance.
Trevor Booker – If you have a guy on your waiver wire with averages 17.0 ppg, 9.0 rpg, 2.0 apg and %59 field goal percentage, do not hesitate. PICK. HIM. UP.
Lauri Markkanen – The Rook just become a focal point on desperate Bulls offense. After the altercation between Mirotic and Portis, Markkanen is the obvious starter and he is playing 35.0 mpg and is averaging 15.0 ppg(with 2.5 3pg) and 10.0 rpg. Bulls unleashed him very early in the season and the biggest reward is for his owners. If he is available, grab him.
Kelly Oubre – Oubre is the least attractive guy in this list because he is getting minutes due to the injuries of Wizards. If you need defensive stats, he can be a good short-term call for Fantasy GMs.
Bigs
John Collins – Collins is my favorite rookie in this year and I am wondering if he can keep these stats when the season progresses. He is averaging 11.0 ppg, 6.7 rpg, 1.0 spg and 1.0 bpg with %52 field goal percentage. If you need a classic big, without hurting your other stats, you should give him a look and stash him.
Alex Len – Len is dealing with minor injuries both last and this year but he has enough upside for grabbing him from the waivers. Especially, now CJ Watson is gone, the Suns may give their young core enough minutes and track their development throughout the year. Sooner or later, Len will be a must pick-up must-start guy. If you are patient enough, you will be paid off big. Stash him.
Lucas Nogueira – Jonas Valanciunas is trending down and he is dealing with an ankle injury. It means that Nogueira can be a starter for the following week and he should take an attention from the owners. He has 10 points, 9 rebounds, 2 steals and 2 blocks in the last game which Valanciunas is injured. He is offering a short-term value at this point but he can start for Raptors sometime in this season.
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