It is difficult to feature anything else in the introduction this week but the amazing performance of Victor Wembanyama in the blowout win against the Raptors. He ended the night with just 29 minutes but with 27 points, 14 rebounds, 5 assists, 2 steals and 10 blocks. Yes, you read this correctly, that’s a triple double with blocks and with 5 assists, flashing the potential for a quadruple double in the future.
It is crazy to think that he is still in his rookie season and if you want to talk fantasy, he is a clear top10 player and does not have a negative category except for turnovers in the last 2 months. And he just became 20 years old, his potential to dominate the league like nothing we have seen before is flat out absurd, let alone the ways he is already impacting his team’s game in both ends of the floor.
Regarding last week’s suggestions, Scottie Barnes had 2 good and 2 mediocre games so the buy low window might still be there, while Amen Thompson proved a very good call, as he started in place of Fred VanVleet and averaged 11 rebounds, 4 assists and 2.7 steals during the last week. He still cannot hit a triple to save his life, but his unique skill set enables him to have nights like in their win against New York with 13 rebounds and 6 steals and I would at least hold him for the first game with VanVleet back, to evaluate his role moving forward.
Buy
Duncan Robinson: Despite being extremely shorthanded, the Miami Heat destroyed the Bucks in Milwaukee last night and the play of Duncan Robinson was one of the main reasons. He started the game and played 26 minutes, but those would be a lot higher if it was not a blowout, so give him a long look if you need triples and points, as long as the Heat have so many guys sidelined (24% owned).
Scoot Henderson: I had to do a double take when I checked Scoot Henderson’s ownership percentage, as I couldn’t believe he is still available in half of Yahoo leagues (53% owned). He has been a top100 player in the last 2 weeks and Portland will have to start him soon. Even without starting, he is averaging 32 minutes in that span, along with 6 assists and elite ft% contributions (95% on 4.6 attempts). There will be games with brutal fg% and more turnovers than we like, but his upside simply cannot be left on the wire, so proceed accordingly.
Bruno Fernando: More of a stream suggestion for today than a Rest of Season play, Bruno Fernando should slot into the starting lineup for the Hawks today in a favorable matchup against Charlotte, because both Clint Capela and Onyeka Okongwu have been ruled out. The All-Star break should help Capela return in time to reclaim his starting spot, but Fernando is a good rim protector and rebounder so he is worth an add in the short term that will turn in an automatic drop when either big man returns for the Hawks (1% owned).
Kelly Olynyk: An apparent fantasy winner after the trade deadline, Kelly Olynyk’s first two games in Toronto were encouraging as despite averaging 22 minutes, his usage skyrocketed in comparison to his days in Utah. His game is extremely fantasy friendly so if he can get those minutes consistently, combined with the usage, he will be standard league relevant. His contract expires this off-season, but Toronto moved a 1st rounder for him so one would assume he is part of their plans long term and is still available in a lot of leagues (33% owned).
