As teams head into the All-Star break, many rested key players Thursday night, meaning there wasn’t as much to learn from last night’s performances as usual. So let’s switch things up this week and get into the All-Star spirit by highlighting a fantasy All-Star from each team!
*Rankings per Yahoo! season averages
Atlanta Hawks – Clint Capela
Preseason Rank: 60 Current Rank: 24
Stats:
| PTS | REB | AST | STL | BLK | 3PTM | TOV | FG | FT |
| 14.7 | 14.2 | 0.9 | 0.8 | 2.2 | 0.0 | 1.4 | .589 | .550 |
This honor would have gone to De’Andre Hunter had he not gotten hurt, but Capela gets the nod having played 32 games at a top-25 level for Atlanta. Capela is averaging career bests in blocked shots and rebounds (where he leads the league), and even put up a trip-dub with rejections earlier in the season.
Boston Celtics – Robert Williams
Preseason Rank: 176 Current Rank: 88
Stats:
| PTS | REB | AST | STL | BLK | 3PTM | TOV | FG | FT |
| 6.9 | 5.9 | 1.1 | 0.9 | 1.5 | 0.0 | 1.0 | .721 | .641 |
The Time Lord only plays 16 MPG, but he’s making it count with strong defensive stats and a field goal percentage that would lead the league if he qualified. He’s a top-100 player for the season and should be even better going forward as Brad Stevens has to get him on the court…we hope.
Brooklyn Nets – Joe Harris
Preseason Rank: 135 Current Rank: 81
Stats:
| PTS | REB | AST | STL | BLK | 3PTM | TOV | FG | FT |
| 14.8 | 3.5 | 1.8 | 0.6 | 0.2 | 3.4 | 0.8 | .530 | .700 |
It’s hard to put up numbers when you’re playing alongside three top-12 fantasy guys, but Harris is playing his role to a tee, just burying open triples. Harris is fourth in the league in made threes and second in percentage, knocking down over half of his long-distance attempts.
Charlotte Hornets – Terry Rozier
Preseason Rank: 144 Current Rank: 31
Stats:
| PTS | REB | AST | STL | BLK | 3PTM | TOV | FG | FT |
| 20.5 | 3.8 | 3.2 | 1.4 | 0.4 | 3.4 | 2.1 | .490 | .824 |
Terry Rozier was left for dead in drafts this season with LaMelo Ball coming in, but moving off the ball has been a godsend for Scary Terry. Rozier is retaining 3rd round value as an efficient volume scorer who’s knocking down nearly 44 percent of his treys.
Chicago Bulls – Zach LaVine
Preseason Rank: 30 Current Rank: 15
Stats:
| PTS | REB | AST | STL | BLK | 3PTM | TOV | FG | FT |
| 28.7 | 5.2 | 5.1 | 1.1 | 0.4 | 3.5 | 3.9 | .525 | .857 |
Shouts to the Thad Young Renaissance, but Zach LaVine has blossomed into a fully fledged fantasy superstar. He’s nearly averaging a 30-5-5 on close to 50/40/90 shooting splits. If he could rein in the miscues a bit, he’d easily be in the top-10 overall.
Cleveland Cavaliers – Jarrett Allen
Preseason Rank: 118 Current Rank: 52
Stats:
| PTS | REB | AST | STL | BLK | 3PTM | TOV | FG | FT |
| 13.5 | 9.9 | 1.7 | 0.4 | 1.7 | 0.1 | 1.5 | .669 | .741 |
I’m cheating a bit here, but Larry Nance Jr. has been out a while, so it’s the Brooklyn transplant getting the nod. Allen is averaging a very efficient double-double, leading the league in FG percentage. Cleveland is thrilled to pair him with their young backcourt for the future.
Dallas Mavericks – Jalen Brunson
Preseason Rank: 288 Current Rank: 158
Stats:
| PTS | REB | AST | STL | BLK | 3PTM | TOV | FG | FT |
| 12.7 | 3.5 | 3.4 | 0.5 | 0.0 | 1.3 | 1.3 | .531 | .853 |
The Mavs have had a tough time putting together a solid supporting cast around Luka Doncic, especially having been hit hard by the pandemic. One bright spot has been Jalen Brunson, who’s solidified the offense when Luka sits with efficient scoring. He’s really come on strong of late, ranking number 72 overall over the past 14 days.
Denver Nuggets – Nikola Jokic
Preseason Rank: 7 Current Rank: 1
Stats:
| PTS | REB | AST | STL | BLK | 3PTM | TOV | FG | FT |
| 27.3 | 11.0 | 8.6 | 1.7 | 0.7 | 1.6 | 3.1 | .569 | .885 |
Number. One. The numbers are stupid—I’ll just let them do the talking.
Detroit Pistons – Jerami Grant
Preseason Rank: 95 Current Rank: 33
Stats:
| PTS | REB | AST | STL | BLK | 3PTM | TOV | FG | FT |
| 23.4 | 5.3 | 2.9 | 0.8 | 1.1 | 2.5 | 1.9 | .433 | .889 |
Talk about betting on yourself. Jerami Grant averaging a semi-efficient 23 a game with 2.5 3PTM and almost 90 percent at the line? Without anyone else to even take some attention off of him? Never would have believed it.
Golden State Warriors – Stephen Curry
Preseason Rank: 5 Current Rank: 3
Stats:
| PTS | REB | AST | STL | BLK | 3PTM | TOV | FG | FT |
| 29.7 | 5.5 | 6.3 | 1.3 | 0.1 | 4.8 | 3.2 | .478 | .934 |
The Warriors have actually been disappointing from a fantasy standpoint this season. Not Steph though, who’s back to MVP form despite having the least help around him he’s had in almost a decade.
Houston Rockets – Jae’Sean Tate
Preseason Rank: 293 Current Rank: 137
Stats:
| PTS | REB | AST | STL | BLK | 3PTM | TOV | FG | FT |
| 9.9 | 5.3 | 1.7 | 0.9 | 0.5 | 0.6 | 1.2 | .536 | .754 |
It’s been a rough season for Houston, but they unearthed a gem in Jae’Sean Tate. The rookie has cobbled together low-end fantasy value with a versatile game that’s seen him record a double-double with both rebounds and assists on the year.
Indiana Pacers – T.J. McConnell
Preseason Rank: 281 Current Rank: 78
Stats:
| PTS | REB | AST | STL | BLK | 3PTM | TOV | FG | FT |
| 6.7 | 3.7 | 6.8 | 2.0 | 0.4 | 0.2 | 1.9 | .526 | .500 |
Raise your and if you thought T.J. McConnell would be a top-80 fantasy player halfway through 2021. He leads the entire NBA in steals despite coming off the bench (including a trip-dub with steals just the other night) and is in the top-15 in assists as well.
Los Angeles Clippers – Nic Batum
Preseason Rank: 212 Current Rank: 73
Stats:
| PTS | REB | AST | STL | BLK | 3PTM | TOV | FG | FT |
| 9.0 | 4.8 | 2.4 | 1.2 | 0.4 | 1.9 | 0.7 | .472 | .833 |
Nic Batum’s contract had more notoriety than the player over his past couple of seasons in Charlotte. He’s been resurrected with the Clippers as an approximation of the Swiss army knife he once was, rewarding managers who picked him up early off the wire with top-75 value thus far.
Los Angeles Lakers – LeBron James
Preseason Rank: 12 Current Rank: 35
Stats:
| PTS | REB | AST | STL | BLK | 3PTM | TOV | FG | FT |
| 25.8 | 8.0 | 7.8 | 1.1 | 0.6 | 2.4 | 3.8 | .509 | .692 |
The Lakers have been a bit of a fantasy wasteland this season, with only two top-100 players, both of whom have underperformed their pre-draft valuations by at least a full round. So we’ll take a moment to salute King James for still being a stud in Year 18 and keep it moving.
Memphis Grizzlies – Kyle Anderson
Preseason Rank: 232 Current Rank: 67
Stats:
| PTS | REB | AST | STL | BLK | 3PTM | TOV | FG | FT |
| 13.4 | 6.1 | 3.5 | 1.2 | 0.7 | 1.5 | 1.5 | .477 | .762 |
Kyle Anderson has been Memphis’s best fantasy asset this season, and it hasn’t been particularly close. SloMo is giving you production across the board, adding up to top-70 status.
Miami Heat – Kendrick Nunn
Preseason Rank: 195 Current Rank: 95
Stats:
| PTS | REB | AST | STL | BLK | 3PTM | TOV | FG | FT |
| 14.2 | 3.4 | 2.7 | 1.2 | 0.3 | 2.1 | 1.8 | .461 | .923 |
Nunn looked lost at the end of last season and began this campaign out of the rotation. But with the Heat roster in shambles all season, Nunn has filled a huge void as a scorer and floor spacer. He’s been on a tear of late, ranking in the top-40 over the past 14 days.
Milwaukee Bucks – Khris Middleton
Preseason Rank: 42 Current Rank: 29
Stats:
| PTS | REB | AST | STL | BLK | 3PTM | TOV | FG | FT |
| 20.6 | 6.1 | 5.7 | 1.1 | 0.2 | 2.3 | 2.6 | .495 | .884 |
Middleton somehow keeps getting better year after year. He missed out on an actual All-Star berth, but gets the nod here with a 20-6-6 line on just under 50/40/90 shooting.
Minnesota Timberwolves – Naz Reid
Preseason Rank: 287 Current Rank: 123
Stats:
| PTS | REB | AST | STL | BLK | 3PTM | TOV | FG | FT |
| 11.9 | 4.8 | 1.3 | 0.6 | 1.2 | 0.9 | 1.1 | .515 | .733 |
With KAT on the shelf for much of the season, Reid filled in admirably, becoming a must-own player. Even with KAT back in the lineup he’s been productive in short minutes, retaining top-125 value for the season.
New Orleans Pelicans – Josh Hart
Preseason Rank: 231 Current Rank: 115
Stats:
| PTS | REB | AST | STL | BLK | 3PTM | TOV | FG | FT |
| 9.2 | 7.3 | 2.1 | 0.8 | 0.3 | 1.4 | 0.8 | .449 | .757 |
Zion gets all the headlines in New Orleans, but we’ll toss Josh Hart a bone for scrounging out 10th round value thus far, shooting like a guard, but boarding like a big.
New York Knicks – Julius Randle
Preseason Rank: 80 Current Rank: 39
Stats:
| PTS | REB | AST | STL | BLK | 3PTM | TOV | FG | FT |
| 23.2 | 11.1 | 5.5 | 0.8 | 0.2 | 1.9 | 3.2 | .483 | .805 |
Randle hasn’t just far exceeded expectations for the Knicks, but for his fantasy owners as well. If before the season I would have shown you this line and asked you who was responsible for it at the 2021 All-Star break, you may well have guessed Jokic.
Oklahoma City Thunder – Isaiah Roby
Preseason Rank: 316 Current Rank: 164
Stats:
| PTS | REB | AST | STL | BLK | 3PTM | TOV | FG | FT |
| 8.6 | 5.4 | 1.8 | 0.8 | 0.6 | 0.6 | 1.3 | .521 | .724 |
Everyone was on the Darius Bazley hype train entering the season, but it’s been Roby who’s been the standout up-and-comer on the Thunder. The numbers may be modest now, but the kid has a bright future, especially in fantasy.
Orlando Magic – Nikola Vucevic
Preseason Rank: 29 Current Rank: 10
Stats:
| PTS | REB | AST | STL | BLK | 3PTM | TOV | FG | FT |
| 24.6 | 11.6 | 3.7 | 1.0 | 0.6 | 2.7 | 1.7 | .482 | .851 |
You want to talk about having no help around, you can’t help but feel for Vooch, who’s putting together his best season despite 10 enemy eyeballs on him on every Magic possession. What a beast.
Philadelphia 76ers – Joel Embiid
Preseason Rank: 15 Current Rank: 2
Stats:
| PTS | REB | AST | STL | BLK | 3PTM | TOV | FG | FT |
| 30.2 | 11.6 | 3.3 | 1.2 | 1.4 | 1.2 | 3.2 | .521 | .856 |
Shouts to Tobias Harris for turning in a stellar first half as well, but this is the Embiid we’ve been waiting for. The fully realized monster who is challenging the Joker for fantasy supremacy (and the MVP trophy).
Phoenix Suns – Mikal Bridges
Preseason Rank: 84 Current Rank: 54
Stats:
| PTS | REB | AST | STL | BLK | 3PTM | TOV | FG | FT |
| 13.7 | 5.0 | 2.2 | 0.7 | 0.9 | 1.9 | 0.8 | .524 | .841 |
Bridges is in the midst of a breakout offensive season, ranking 5th in the entire league in true shooting percentage. His ceiling is even higher, and you’ll see that ranking rise when his steal rate gets closer to what it’s been in the past.
Portland Trailblazers – Enes Kanter
Preseason Rank: 220 Current Rank: 83
Stats:
| PTS | REB | AST | STL | BLK | 3PTM | TOV | FG | FT |
| 11.9 | 11.9 | 1.1 | 0.5 | 0.7 | 0.0 | 1.2 | .594 | .750 |
With Jusuf Nukic out for an extended time, Kanter has stepped in and produced, averaging a solid double-double on close to 60 percent from the field and ranking in the top-five in rebounding.
Sacramento Kings – Tyrese Haliburton
Preseason Rank: 149 Current Rank: 34
Stats:
| PTS | REB | AST | STL | BLK | 3PTM | TOV | FG | FT |
| 13.2 | 3.6 | 5.4 | 1.4 | 0.6 | 2.4 | 1.5 | .494 | .833 |
Haliburton has quickly become every NBA nerd’s second favorite player. He’s got a legit case to be both Rookie of the Year and Sixth Man of the Year. Kudos to Harrison Barnes for a delightful mid-career fantasy breakout as well.
San Antonio Spurs – Keldon Johnson
Preseason Rank: 189 Current Rank: 120
Stats:
| PTS | REB | AST | STL | BLK | 3PTM | TOV | FG | FT |
| 14.1 | 6.7 | 2.2 | 0.8 | 0.5 | 1.0 | 1.4 | .472 | .782 |
Johnson has cooled off of late but came out of nowhere to establish himself as a top-100 caliber player early in the season with efficient scoring and tough rebounding.
Toronto Raptors – Chris Boucher
Preseason Rank: 132 Current Rank: 36
Stats:
| PTS | REB | AST | STL | BLK | 3PTM | TOV | FG | FT |
| 13.6 | 6.5 | 1.0 | 0.6 | 1.9 | 1.7 | 0.7 | .534 | .759 |
And here’s every fantasy nerd’s second favorite player. We’ve long been waiting for Boucher to get his shot at more minutes and boy has he made the most of the opportunity thus far.
Utah Jazz – Mike Conley
Preseason Rank: 86 Current Rank: 51
Stats:
| PTS | REB | AST | STL | BLK | 3PTM | TOV | FG | FT |
| 16.1 | 3.5 | 5.7 | 1.4 | 0.1 | 2.8 | 1.9 | .444 | .829 |
With the season Utah has been having, there were a plethora of options to choose from, but I’m going with a mainstay of my own fantasy teams from the past decade. Besides, it’s not like Conley is ever cracking the actual All-Star game.
Washington Wizards – Bradley Beal
Preseason Rank: 16 Current Rank: 12
Stats:
| PTS | REB | AST | STL | BLK | 3PTM | TOV | FG | FT |
| 32.9 | 4.4 | 4.7 | 1.4 | 0.4 | 2.3 | 3.3 | .482 | .903 |
I almost want to give this to Russell Westbrook because I’m actually impressed that he can underperform his pre-draft ranking by over 200 spots despite averaging (essentially) a 20-point trip-dub for the season. Unreal. But in all seriousness, Beal has been incredible, efficiently leading the NBA in scoring despite logging the highest usage rate in the association as well.
