Draft season is over and the NBA marathon is underway! As expected, CJ McCollum is returning first-round value, Zach LaVine and Nikola Vucevic look sharp while Jalen Brunson and Tyrese Haliburton scuffle, and Andrew Wiggins is outproducing Devin Booker. Pretty standard stuff, yeah? March and April are often called the “silly season” but the numbers in the season’s first few weeks can also be a joke. Joel and Ossie discuss what’s real, what’s a mirage, and how to keep your head while all about you are losing theirs as the year’s first box scores roll in.
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trying to up stocks with smaller deals. What do you think of Braun? Small sample size but guy plays hard. Would you trade Monk or Powell for him? My team is doing well so fine to hold if not a fan. My team below if helpful:
Jokic, Duren, Allen, Drummond
Booker, Maxey, FVV, Jalen Williams, Rozier, Monk, Ivey, Powell, Gidday, Pippen Jr/streamer
IR: Khris
You could try him, sure. I’m not sure how sticky all of this early season defense will be going forward, but he’s a stronger defensive play than either of the other two. Despite getting two more tonight I don’t think he’s going to solve your blocks, which definitely limits the appeal. You could probably try to stream steals and get the same (if not more) production from the roster spot that way. I have doubts that the blocks are especially real. Still, there’s floor with Braun because the minutes seem rock solid, which is more than you can say for Monk, who has to elbow out Huerter and Ellis for time. It’s not exactly a ringing endorsement for Braun but I also don’t think there’s all that much daylight between him and the other two anyway.
In a 9 cat league, I am seeking stocks.
1. Would you trade away Drummond and Monk for Hart? I could use the extra spot to stream.
2. For Deni?
3. For PJ?
Were you planning on dropping Drummond when Embiid returns? If so, then I see the sense in getting out in front of it. Still, you’re looking for D stats and Andre is doing that for you now, and Embiid isn’t back yet and has a history.
I don’t have an issue parting with Monk though, and if it costs you Andre on the way, so be it.
I think I believe in Deni a bit more than PJ as a defender, but I’d probably want Washington to offset the triples you’re losing in Monk. Hart is going to play a ton, I think I’d have him above Avdija too.
Great. Now wondering what the Banchero injury opens up. Suggs, Carter, Black and F Eagner already on rosters.
Tough break for Paolo and Orlando. Jonathan Isaac is the cleanest PF replacement and you could give him a try if you wanted, especially since you’re bird-dogging defense. It’s hard to believe that JI is capable of/the Magic want him eating all those minutes though, as that seems like a fast track to injury. Mo Wagner will probably see an uptick too and Orlando might go with some jumbo looks, but I don’t think he’s a priority add. Black might be the biggest beneficiary here, but since he’s already on a roster, there might not be anything actionable here at all.
Let me continue spamming up your channel lol. Draymond hit the wire so I burned my #4 claim position for him hoping to shore up stocks. Nervous about it and his antics, playing time but took my shot. Dropped Monk so here is the squad:
Jokic, Duran, Allen, Drummond,
Jalen Will, Draymond, Giddey, Powell
Booker, Maxey, FVV, Rozier, Ivey, Alvarado (for next few weeks)
IR: Khris (ugh)
WW: Brogdon, BogBog, Herb, Hartenstein, Smart all injured
Plus Monk, Castle, Pippen, Zaire, Roddy
1. Best stash once Khris gets back.
2. Any other thoughts on wire? I imagine we take a wait and see approach with Drummond.