The NBA has reached the quarter point. Hopefully, your teams are doing well! I am somehow my division in the Yahoo! Friends and Family league, so that’s something.
The major takeaway is to just be extremely quick in picking up players. If you’re in a highly competitive league, it’s incredibly hard to find value off of the wire. Everyone is getting in there on any injury, even the middle of the night when sane people are asleep. But if you can, utilize the churn. Use the IL spots. Someone will likely get hurt when it’s time to activate your injured stars.
Going forward, it’s time to look at your categories and see who can juice you up. Here’s some sneaky targets, category specific.
POINTS:
There are 33 players on the Razzball Projector expected to average 20 points or more for the rest of the season.
Miles Bridges is one. He rarely misses games and is projected to score 20.1 for the rest of the season (ROS). Think of him as a more actualized and durable Zion Williamson. The percentages are quite helpful, he chips in some threes, and with a projected 1.8 turnovers he protects the ball (save the turnovers for LaMelo Ball, amirite?) He’s fairly underrated due to being on Charlotte, but can really help if you can figure out a way to get him.
Naz Reid has been a bit perplexing, but that just means he could be had, okay? Guys who sign large extensions typically are granted more opportunity. That has not been the case in Minnesota. Reid’s minutes are down about 4 per game and the production has predictably taken a hit. If there’s a frontcourt injury, or any injury to a shooter, Reid usually gets a bump. He’s a good buy low that could pay off, and won’t hurt in the meantime.
REBOUNDS:
Jusuf Nurkic projects to average 10 boards per game. He may still be available in your league, or a cheap trade target. This is not an exciting player, but minutes are currency in the NBA and he’s getting some.
Rebounding Cheat Code Guard Josh Hart is back at it. With OG Anunoby injured, he’s picked up all of his production. Hart is projected going forward to average 12-9-6 and a steal to boot. Fears of his role changing with new coaching were probably overblown, and if you got Hart with a pick after 100 you’re smiling at his box scores. If not, he’s a good trade target if you need boards in unconventional spots.
ASSISTS:
Tyus Jones projects for 5.9 assists. He won’t do that if the current setup of Magic guards holds. The minutes are going to Jalen Suggs and Anthony Black. If one of them goes down, Jones is the guy to get off the wire. He’s great with ball protection as well.
Tyus’ little brother Tre Jones is worth keeping around even when the Bulls are fully healthy. Coby White injured his other calf muscle, so that’s not a concern for Tre at this point. He’s been a steady producer and projects for over 5 assists going forward. That seems about right. Maybe someone dropped him, or needs more three point production than he gives. Jones is a sneaky G play for rebounds as well (projected 4 per game).
STEALS:
Marcus Smart is projected for 1.6 steals per game going forward, making him a true steals specialist. He doesn’t do much else, though. But it’s a category add here, don’t be picky. There’s a lot of guys averaging a steal per game. Smart just is a tick higher.
The Thunder: The OKC Thunder have so many guys in the lineup that are capable of thievery. They also are 20-1 and have no reason to push their players to get wins. Streaming options abound on this team. I’m just sitting it out, there’s too much roster churn after the top four guys or so. Just keep an eye on who’s playing and run the guys out there for steals.
BLOCKS (AKA the stat Jaren Jackson used to get):
Jay Huff is probably gone, but I would pay top price to get him if you need blocks. He’s going to fill the Pacers center for a while and fits well with their style of play. Think Myles Turner, basically. He’s projected for 1.7 blocks but that seems low. I’m confident that he’s a 2.5-3 block guy as long as he’s got minutes in the 20s.
Neemias Queta is also a solid bet for blocks in Boston. He’s my pick for most improved player if I had a vote. He’s going to produce like this season’s Rudy Gobert. I’m all in and he could even put up better numbers once his ankle issue is resolved. He’s got the motor to sustain this level of play.
Ta ta for now, folks. If I help just one of you make a good trade or win a category this is all worth it!
