Yep, I’m going to subject you all to my friends and family league yet again. We’re at the midway point of our regular season after today, so I wanted to go back and see where my predictions from the preseason were right and wrong, and which fantasy players are performing better or worse than their average draft position (ADP).
What I hope you can take from this is how to better formulate your strategy in your own leagues, and what seems to work best for people in a relatively average league. Our league is listed as a “silver” league on Yahoo!, which isn’t really scientific but indicates our team levels combined are slightly below the average of “gold.” We have two platinum, one gold, four silver, and five bronze managers. It’s a top-heavy league, which is the case in most scenarios as the people who run the league seem to be far more invested.
Anyways, the below records and rankings are based on if the scores stay the same as they are at the writing of this article. Those are subject to change, but not by much.
Here are the current standings at the midway point in the league:
| Place | Team Name | Record (Games Back) |
| 1. | ChillAKillA | 47-32-2 (0) |
| 2. | Scalabringitbitch | 48-33-0 (0) |
| 3. | King of the Gs | 45-35-1 (2.5) |
| 4. | The Boris Diaws | 42-37-2 (5) |
| 5. | Rock Chalk Me Bro | 41-38-2 (6) |
| 6. | Luka&Co | 42-39-0 (6) |
| 7. | Skeeter Adams | 40-40-1 (7.5) |
| 8. | Los MangosTenebrosos | 40-40-1 (7.5) |
| 9. | Money Ballers | 36-43-2 (11) |
| 10. | C Minus | 36-45-0 (12) |
| 11. | Julius Randle | 35-44-2 (12) |
| 12. | Z’s Splendid Team | 27-53-1 (20.5) |
The top 6 teams make the playoffs and the draft order for next season is determined by final standings after the playoffs are over. Now let’s take a closer look at each team, where they matched up with my preseason predictions, and which players have carried or tanked their teams.
ChillAKillA
Roster:
Donte DiVincenzo Mil – PG,SG
Terrence Ross Orl – SG,SF
Kevin Huerter Atl – SG,SF
Mikal Bridges Pho – SG,SF
Khris Middleton Mil – SF,PF
Danilo Gallinari Atl – SF,PF
Montrezl Harrell LAL – PF,C
Joel Embiid Phi – PF,C
Marcus Morris Sr. LAC – PF,C
Dennis Smith Jr. Det – PG
Justin Holiday Ind – SG,SF
Bam Adebayo Mia – PF,C
Rudy Gobert Uta – C
IL Players:
Delon Wright Det – PG,SG,SF
Bogdan Bogdanovic Atl – SG,SF,PF
Stars
- Donte Divincenzo: He was drafted 145th overall and is putting up 8th round value on the season according to Basketball Monster. His per-game numbers aren’t stellar but he’s played a lot and he contributes.
- Terrence Ross: I’ll admit I dropped Terrence Ross a little early, anticipating Evan Fournier’s return a little sooner. T Ross has put up 7th round value on the season, which is stellar for a guy that was scooped off the waiver wire. His ROS outlook isn’t great though unless Fournier gets dealt.
- Kevin Huerter: I’ll have to admit I wasn’t riding the Kevin Huerter train with all those weapons added in Atlanta over the offseason, but he’s put up 7th round value on the season according to Basketball Monster. He’s been the beneficiary of a ton of injuries to the wings in ATL and, ROS he may fall a bit, especially when Bogdan comes back.
- Mikal Bridges: When this team jumped on Mikal Bridges early, I was skeptical, but he’s put up shocking 3rd round value on the season and that doesn’t look to be changing anytime soon. Not bad for a 5th round pick. He’s on 17.2% of first place teams for a reason.
- Khris Middelton: This owner reached out to tell me how I had been wrong on Khris Middelton’s value and after the dude has put up second round value in the renovated Bucks offense, I have to admit this is a correct assessment. Giannis Antetokounmpo owners aren’t happy, but Middleton owners have to be. He’s on 13.2% of first place teams in Yahoo!
- Joel Embiid: Embiid was obviously taken in the first round and was the best available player after our keepers were named, but no one could have predicted he would put up 5th overall value. He’s a monster this season under new head coach Doc Rivers. He’s on 10.8% of first place teams.
Duds
- Bogdan Bogdanovic: This is solely because he’s been injured all season. I have no problem stashing him, but there are probably better options out there to stash in your league. If there aren’t, he’s a fine player to hold onto.
Preseason Prediction
Strengths: FG%, TO
Weaknesses: 3PT, PTS, AST
Borderline: STL, BLK
Final Draft Grade: D+
Analysis: Very strong in two categories, but will have to stream to make up the rest which is difficult to do. Rebounding should be decent week after week as well.
While it’s true he’s won field goal percentage (6-2) and turnovers (6-1-1) more often than not, placing him at the top of the league in both categories. He’s 3-5 in assists and 4-4 in points, but the blocks (7-1) and threes (6-2) have come as a bit of a surprise. Mikal Bridges has nearly doubled his blocks and threes over the previous two seasons and that may regress back to the norm or it may not, but all the rest of the roster looks pretty much in line with expectations so this probably won’t change. DiVincenzo has drained more threes than his career average, but that’s not surprising considering he’s getting so many more minutes. Definitely doing better than a D+ here.
Scalabringitbitch
Roster:
Kyle Lowry Tor – PG
Grayson Allen Mem – SG,SF
Tomas Satoransky Chi – PG,SG
Kyle Kuzma LAL – SF,PF
Kelly Oubre Jr. GS – SG,SF,PF
Thaddeus Young Chi – PF
DeAndre Jordan Bkn – C
Clint Capela Atl – C
Karl-Anthony Towns Min – C
Theo Maledon OKC – PG
Russell Westbrook Was – PG
Robert Covington Por – PF,C
Dorian Finney-Smith Dal – SF,PF
IL Players:
Christian Wood Hou – PF,C
Jaren Jackson Jr. Mem – PF,C
Stars
- Thaddeus Young: Thad Young is putting up 7th round value despite being undrafted in many, many leagues. With Lauri Markkanen sidelined, he’s racked up stats across the board, and it’s hard to see that changing even if Lauri re-enters the fold. He’s on a whopping 18.6% of first-place team.
- Clint Capela: I was high on Capela before the season started and I passed on drafting Myles Turner for him, which made some scratch their heads. After he’s put up second round numbers on the season, I hope I’ve converted a few people.
- Christian Wood: While he’s been a bit disappointing recently because of injuries, Christian Wood should finish out the season as a stud on a pretty mediocre Rockets roster. Considering I got to keep him for a last round pick, I’d say his 7th round value is just fine. He’s on 11% of first place teams at the moment on Yahoo!
Duds
- Karl-Anthony Towns: It’s another guy who has suffered from injuries and COVID, but he should be an elite player the rest of the way. He’s only 162nd in overall value according to Basketball Monster, but he’s 6th in per-game value. I’m not worried.
- Jaren Jackson Jr.: He hasn’t appeared in a game yet, but this is one of those guys who is a solid stash if you have the IL spots to do so. He contributes in threes and blocks at an incredible rate.
Preseason Prediction
Strengths: FG%, 3PT, REB, BLK, TO
Weaknesses: AST, STL
Borderline: FT%
Final Draft Grade: B
Analysis: And here it is. The data is a little skewed as I went hard into the “punt” strategy with assists and thus steals as well. I’ll handily lose both of those categories each week, but the five listed should be very solid and points are another one that I can target. I’m liking my set up.
Considering I’m tied for 1st, a B rating isn’t too far off. I’ve had to pivot off my original strategy with the injury to Thomas Bryant as well as multiple trades where I obtained Kelly Oubre Jr., Russell Westbrook, and Robert Covington. I also have improved three lower draft picks an additional round through a series of trades. Threes (6-2), rebounds (6-2), blocks (7-1), and turnovers (5-3) are certainly strengths, but the field goal percentage has been a disappointment with just a 3-5 record there. That’s why I got rid of guys like Coby White and Devonte’ Graham. Steals and assists have been a bit better than expected, but that’s likely due to trades and streaming as I have executed the second most moves in the league.
King of the Gs
Roster:
Kemba Walker Bos – PG
Coby White Chi – PG,SG
JJ Redick NO – SG
Alec Burks NY – SG,SF
Jae Crowder Pho – SF,PF
Tobias Harris Phi – SF,PF
Enes Kanter Por – C
Bobby Portis Mil – PF,C
Donovan Mitchell Uta – PG,SG
Paul George LAC – SF,PF
Malcolm Brogdon Ind – PG,SG
Domantas Sabonis Ind – PF,C
Mike Conley Uta – PG
IL Players:
Mitchell Robinson NY – C
Klay Thompson GS – SG,SF
Jusuf Nurkic Por – C
Stars
- Tobias Harris: Tobias was kept for an 11th round pick, which is incredible since he’s putting up second round value on the season. He may slip a bit from there, but not by much and he’s rostered on 16% of first place teams on Yahoo!
- Enes Kanter: After Jusuf Nurkic went down with an injury, this owner quickly scooped up Enes Kanter as an insurance policy, which was a smart idea. He’s been rocking Enes for over a month and the big man has rewarded him by putting up 6th round value on the season. He’s rostered on an incredible 20.4% of first-place teams.
- Donovan Mitchell: He’s been a staple in this owner’s lineup for multiple seasons and getting to keep him for a 12th round pick is huge value as he’s putting up 5th round value on the season. Other Mitchell owners are likely disappointed though.
- Malcolm Brogdon: This owner took him in the third round of our draft, which wasn’t a bad selection considering many of the top guys were kept, but he’s put up value good enough for 16th overall in the entire league, which is insane. It’s no wonder 17.8% of first place teams have him on their roster.
- Domantas Sabonis: He got to keep Domantas with a 7th round pick, which is huge considering the dude is posting 3rd round value. He’s on 11.4% of first place teams.
Duds
- Coby White: I was actually able to keep Coby for a late-round pick, but then this owner traded me Kelly Oubre Jr. for him right before Kelly O recaptured his old magic. White is only putting up 11th round value while Oubre has risen to 5th round value on the season.
- Kemba Walker: He’s unranked on Basketball Monster largely because he can’t stay on the floor. It’s a headache I didn’t want to deal with personally, so I was surprised when he came off the board in the 4th round.
- Jusuf Nurkic: Even before the injury, Nurkic was struggling. It’s a hard pill to swallow for a guy this owner burned a second-round pick for. I would have gladly taken him though should have have slipped, so it wasn’t a bad choice.
Preseason Prediction
Strengths: FT%, PTS, AST
Weaknesses: BLK (kind of)
Borderline: 3PT, STL
Final Draft Grade: B
Analysis: Our reigning champion isn’t weak anywhere, which is impressive. It looks like they’ll be scouring the waiver wire for guards too, which is opposite of most of the league so they should find what they’re looking for. Going to be another solid season.
Free throw percentage (5-3), points (5-3), and assists (5-3) are all strengths of the team, as predicted. What is surprising is that he’s also 6-2 in rebounds. He’s 3-5 in blocks, but also 2-6 in turnovers, which is pretty much in line with predictions. Mitchell Robinson getting more minutes as well as the addition of Enes Kanter coupled with streaming other options has helped in the boards department, to be sure, but it doesn’t look like that trend will change.
The Boris Diaws
Roster:
Tyus Jones Mem – PG
Matisse Thybulle Phi – SG,SF
Evan Fournier Orl – SG,SF
Brandon Ingram NO – SF,PF
Pascal Siakam Tor – PF,C
Harrison Barnes Sac – SF,PF
Davis Bertans Was – PF,C
Brook Lopez Mil – C
Danny Green Phi – SG,SF
Gordon Hayward Cha – SG,SF
Eric Gordon Hou – SG,SF
Dennis Schroder LAL – PG
Bradley Beal Was – SG,SF
IL Players:
James Wiseman GS – C
Anthony Davis LAL – PF,C
Jrue Holiday Mil – PG,SG
Stars
- Brandon Ingram: He was kept for an 8th round pick this season after he had a monster season last year, and this season he’s putting up 2nd round value. 13.6% of first-place teams have Ingram in their lineup.
- Pascal Siakam: After a slow start, Pascal Siakam is putting up 4th round value on the season. That normally wouldn’t be super great for Pascal, but this manager was able to keep him for a last-round pick due to scooping him off the waivers in their championship season.
- Harrison Barnes: For a guy that went undrafted this year in our league, and rightfully so since he rarely contributes much beyond points, Harrison Barnes is a 6th round value on the year and this manager is reaping the benefits. He’s shooting a career-high from the field, grabbing more boards, dishing out more assists, and stealing the ball at a higher rate this season. This is probably a sell-high moment for the guy, but it’s no wonder he’s on 17% of first-place teams.
- Danny Green: This guy is perpetually found money in fantasy and he’s putting up 8th round value. He keeps doing it and if you’re a savvy fantasy player, you know the drill. Roster him. He’s only owned in 20% of leagues right now, which is just ridiculous.
- Bradley Beal: So sad I traded this guy in the season ended by COVID for what I considered to be a shot at a title. Alas, our season last year was cancelled and this owner got to keep Brad Beal for a 4th round pick. The guy is a first-round stud this year and the only thing that may stop him is the Wizards falling out of contention.
Duds
- Davis Bertans: He was off to a terrible start to the season and he ranks just 158th in overall value. He’s starting to turn it around, but he’s been hardly rosterable all season. Managers just need to hang tight and hope that the recent signs of life are signs of things to come.
- Dennis Schroder: There may have been some high hopes for Dennis Schroder on his new team, but he has only managed 11th round value. He may be droppable at this point in a COVID season that sees new value popping up left and right.
- James Wiseman: Even without the injury, Wiseman hasn’t had a statistical season that pops off the screen. He’s not currently ranked on Basketball Monster, but there’s always the possibility he has a strong second half after he returns from the injury.
Preseason Prediction
Strengths: FT%, 3PT, BLK, TO
Weaknesses: FG%
Borderline: PTS
Final Draft Grade: B-
Analysis: Not as much as a lock as Team 2 in the four categories, but very, very solid. Looks like they’ll be scraping the barrel for points most likely, which isn’t the worst category for which to hunt.
Free throw percentage (5-3), three-pointers (5-3), blocks (5-3), and turnovers (5-2-1) were the call before the season and that seems to mostly hold true. In the “borderline” category of points, The Boris Diaws are 6-2. Field goal percentage is 4-4, but the real surprise is the awful 2-6 record in assists. This looks like one I mostly got right and the grade makes sense.
Rock Chalk Me Bro
Roster:
Seth Curry Phi – PG,SG
Lonzo Ball NO – PG,SG
Chris Paul Pho – PG
Michael Porter Jr. Den – SF,PF
Patrick Williams Chi – SF,PF
Zach LaVine Chi – SG,SF
Nikola Jokic Den – PF,C
Chris Boucher Tor – PF,C
Lou Williams LAC – PG,SG
Patrick Beverley LAC – PG,SG
Patty Mills SA – PG
Doug McDermott Ind – SF,PF
Marc Gasol LAL – C
IL Players:
D’Angelo Russell Min – PG,SG
Lauri Markkanen Chi – PF,C
T.J. Warren Ind – SF,PF
Stars
- Zach LaVine: As a Bulls fan, I’m just so proud of the way Zach has grown under new coach Billy Donovan. He’s rocking 6th overall value in 9-cat leagues according to Basketball Monster and he’s on 17.8% of first-place teams.
- Nikola Jokic: We all expected this dude to do well, but he’s absolutely crushing people this season and is the number one fantasy asset this season, hands down. 29.6% of first-place teams on Yahoo! have Nikola Jokic, so if you have him you’re likely doing well.
- Chris Boucher: Yes, he puts up duds when Nick Nurse inexplicably doesn’t play him, but he’s putting up second-round value. In H2H it’s a little tough to stomach those duds, but he’s totally worth the 9th round selection here.
Duds
- Michael Porter Jr.: He missed plenty of time with the league’s health and safety protocols, but he hasn’t been great even when he played. A lot of experts were high on him, and for good reason, but it’s looking more and more like it might be a dud of a season for the young fella. It’s possible he turns it on over the second half but right now he’s just a 9th round value.
- Lou Williams: He’s rostered in 71% of leagues, so I figured I’d mention him. He’s best left for streaming points, but he most likely doesn’t deserve a roster spot unless you need that one statistic desperately.
- Marc Gasol: This owner burned a 7th round pick on Marc Gasol. He’s putting up 10th round value, but he’s not really deserving of a roster spot.
- D’Angelo Russell: Injuries have killed Russell and he’s just a 14th round value on the season.
Preseason Prediction
Strengths: FT%, 3PT, STL
Weaknesses: FG%, REB
Borderline: TO
Final Draft Grade: C-
Analysis: Usually the baseline team, and it makes sense here as well. It looks like they’ll be set up to go 5-4 or 4-5 week-to-week and probably end somewhere in the middle of the pack unless some of the upside swings pan out.
The free-throw percentage category has been a super strength of this team as they’ve went 8-for-8 in that category. Three-pointers have also been strong as predicted at 6-2. The steals just haven’t been there as the team sits at 3-5 in that category. The rebound call was perfect (0-8) while the field goal percentage call was off (5-3).
Luka&Co
Roster:
Ben Simmons Phi – PG
De’Anthony Melton Mem – PG,SG
Terry Rozier Cha – PG,SG
Darius Bazley OKC – SF,PF
PJ Washington Cha – SF,PF,C
Keldon Johnson SA – SF,PF
Daniel Theis Bos – C
Kristaps Porzingis Dal – PF,C
Anthony Edwards Min – SG
Jae’Sean Tate Hou – SG
Damian Lillard Por – PG
Devin Booker Pho – SG,SF
Luka Doncic Dal – PG,SG
IL Players:
De’Andre Hunter Atl – SF,PF
Stars
- Terry Rozier: This guy has absolutely blown away expectations and is posting 2nd round value. 24.4% of first-place teams have this guy on their roster and it’s no wonder as people were not drafting him high after the addition of LaMelo Ball to the Charlotte roster. He went undrafted in our league.
- Keldon Johnson: Keldon Johnson cooled off as of late, but he’s still posting 8th round value and 13.6% of first-place teams roster him. He’ll probably go on a stretch of good games soon and I’d hold on tight to this undrafted gem.
- Daniel Theis: He’s posting 8th round value and went undrafted in most leagues. In fact, he’s only rostered in 55% of Yahoo! leagues so go grab him if yours is one of them where he’s available.
- Jae’Sean Tate: He’s already posting 8th round value and I’m a big fan of his ROS outlook on a Rockets squad that should be playing for ping pong balls soon.
Duds
- Darius Bazley: He’s only posting 13th round value and a lot of people were expecting a whole lot more. He was everyone’s favorite sleeper, but this guy is mostly just a sleep. This owner actually dropped Bazley and he floated around the league to a few other teams before they snatched him up again.
- PJ Washington: It wouldn’t be so bad if this manager didn’t burn a 7th round pick on ol’ PJ. He’s been a disappointment thus far this season and his role isn’t crystal clear right now.
- Devin Booker: This guy has to be one of the biggest disappointments on the season as it seemed he was a lock to be a 2nd or 3rd round guy and he’s only managed 8th round value. His team is winning, so it has to be concerning. This looks like his role going forward.
Preseason Prediction
Strengths: REB, AST, STL, BLK
Weaknesses: FT%, TO
Borderline: FG%
Final Draft Grade: A+
Analysis: The big winner of the draft. Pretty impressive for a new manager. Of course, this takes into account that Porzingis is playing, but the way KP is trending is promising. The four strengths of the team look like a lock to win week after week, so only need to stream for one category.
The A+ wasn’t necessarily a bad call for the draft as this team was at the top of the standings to start. Rebounds (7-1), assists (7-1), and steals (5-2-1) were all great calls. The blocks haven’t been there as the team sits at just 3-4-1 in that category. The team just dropped Andre Drummond, who has been a disappointment and now isn’t playing, which has to be a big factor there. They have lost turnovers (0-8) and free throw percentage (3-5) more often than not.
Skeeter Adams
Roster:
Ricky Rubio Min – PG
Jamal Murray Den – PG,SG
Darius Garland Cle – PG
Buddy Hield Sac – SG,SF
Nemanja Bjelica Sac – PF
Norman Powell Tor – SG,SF
Giannis Antetokounmpo Mil – PF,C
Ivica Zubac LAC – C
Fred VanVleet Tor – PG,SG
Kyrie Irving Bkn – PG
Steven Adams NO – C
Wendell Carter Jr. Chi – C
Myles Turner Ind – PF,C
IL Players:
Caris LeVert Ind – SG,SF
Kevin Love Cle – PF,C
Goran Dragic Mia – PG,SG
Stars
- Norman Powell: This dude is absolutely crushing it this season, well enough for 5th round value overall. He was actually drafted by another team in the 7th round and then dropped. Not that bad of a scoop off the waiver wire.
- Ivica Zubac: To say I wasn’t high on Ivica Zubac would be an understatement. This was another waiver wire pickup that has been good enough for 7th round value. Pretty, pretty good.
- Fred VanVleet: He’s putting up numbers good enough for 7th overall in the entire league! That’s insane for a guy drafted in the 9th round for a keeper spot. He’s benefited from the inability of Kyle Lowry to stay on the floor, but he’s been very good even when Lowry has played. Freddie appears on 14.4% of first place rosters.
- Myles Turner: He’s a 10th overall value! And I passed on him to draft Clint Capela… You have to imagine the numbers normalize at some point, but right now he’s a stud. Great value for a 3rd round pick and he’s rostered on 18.6% of teams winning their leagues right now.
Duds
- Steven Adams: He just hasn’t been a great fit beside Zion Williamson and he has been injured.
- Wendell Carter Jr.: He’s another guy who has been injured too much this season. He’s looking like he’s going to earn that “injury-prone” tag any day now.
- Goran Dragic: Dragic hasn’t been able to stay on the floor and even when he does see the floor he’s just a shell of his former self. He’s not even a strong stash at this point.
Preseason Prediction
Strengths: 3PT
Weaknesses: FG%
Borderline: REB, AST, BLK
Final Draft Grade: C+
Analysis: The auto-draft is real with this kid. He forgot or something, but the system did an okay job. If the manager puts in the work, they could slip into the playoffs where anything can happen.
This team is about even in everything except for turnovers (6-1-1), points (2-6), and rebounds (2-6). The “weakness” identified of field goal percentage sits even at 4-4. The C+ grade was about as accurate as it gets though and the auto-draft did a great job setting this owner up for mild success.
Los MangosTenebrosos
Roster:
Tyrese Haliburton Sac – PG,SG
RJ Barrett NY – SG,SF
James Harden Bkn – PG,SG
Joe Harris Bkn – SG,SF
Brandon Clarke Mem – SF,PF
Kawhi Leonard LAC – SG,SF
Nerlens Noel NY – PF,C
Nikola Vucevic Orl – C
Deandre Ayton Pho – C
Facundo Campazzo Den – PG
T.J. McConnell Ind – PG,SG
Rui Hachimura Was – SF,PF
Jonas Valanciunas Mem – C
IL Players:
Cole Anthony Orl – PG
Aaron Gordon Orl – SF,PF
Stars
- Tyrese Haliburton: I’ll admit I was not on the Haliburton train when it rolled out of the station, but this manager hit big when he drafted Hali in the 11th round. Haliburton has gone on to put up 4th round numbers on the season, which is incredible for a rookie. 21.8% of first-place teams have Tyrese Haliburton.
- Kawhi Leonard: I wanted to add Kawhi because the big news this season has been that he is playing in back-to-backs now. That takes him from a second-round value, which he has been reliably, to a first-round guy, which is true as he sits at 9th overall. 10.4% of first-place teams have Kawhi.
- Nikola Vucevic: This manager was able to draft Vuc in the 5th round and Vuc has rewarded him by putting up numbers good enough to be 4th overall in the entire league. 18% of first-place teams have Vucevic and his contract is so big it’s likely he stays put on a team that needs his contributions badly.
- Joe Harris: Average Joe continues to be good, even with so much talent now on the Brooklyn roster. He may lose some touches once the big three in Brooklyn all get healthy and start playing together more, but ride him while he’s hot with a whopping 4th round value on the season. 12.8% of first-place teams have him.
- TJ McConnell: He’s a 7th round value and he wasn’t drafted. He’s still only owned in 39% of leagues so go change that if he’s available.
Duds
- RJ Barrett: He wasn’t worth the 9th round pick here as he’s just put up 13th round numbers. His minutes have been down recently so the best thing to do is ride it out until he has a hot stretch of games if you own him right now, then try to move him. Or hold him and hope it gets better.
- Brandon Clarke: He’s just an 11th round value on the season and this manager burned a 7th round pick for him. With Jaren Jackson Jr.’s return on the horizon, it’s probably time to cut him and search for better value.
- Deandre Ayton: Similar to Devin Booker, the slowed-down pace and new flow of the offense with Chris Paul in town has hurt Ayton’s fantasy value. He’s just a 6th round value on the season and it’s hard to see that changing. If you can move him for a 4th round value or so, it’s probably worth it.
- Rui Hachimura: He’s not ranked and he’s had plenty of opportunity. It’s time to cut him if you are rostering him until he starts to show signs of life.
- Jonas Valanciunas: You have to imagine he recovers on the season, but he’s just a 9th round guy right now. Best thing is to hold on and see him play some better games.
Preseason Prediction
Strengths: FG%, FT%, PTS, REB, STL
Weaknesses: 3PT
Borderline: BLK
Final Draft Grade: A+
Analysis: The second best draft, but they’re set up to win 5 whole categories. I’m sure they’re hopeful that Harden’s situation gets worked out quickly. None of these guys are huge gambles, which makes them all great floor plays, thus the high ranking.
The “great floors” on some of these guys have fallen out. Free throw percentage (2-6) has been a huge disappointment for this squad while field goal percentage (4-4) has just been okay. Points (6-2), rebounds (5-3), and steals (4-3-1) were good calls though. They’ve predictably struggled in three-pointers with a 2-6 record there. I predict they’ll have a better second half as some of these duds start to normalize back up to their career numbers.
Money Ballers
Roster:
Immanuel Quickley NY – PG
Eric Bledsoe NO – PG,SG
LaMelo Ball Cha – PG,SG
Jayson Tatum Bos – SF,PF
OG Anunoby Tor – SF,PF
Nicolas Batum LAC – SF,PF
Serge Ibaka LAC – PF,C
Al Horford OKC – PF,C
Hamidou Diallo OKC – SG,SF
Kendrick Nunn Mia – PG,SG
Kyle Anderson Mem – SF,PF
Stephen Curry GS – PG,SG
Kelly Olynyk Mia – PF,C
IL Players:
LaMarcus Aldridge SA – PF,C
Marcus Smart Bos – PG,SG
Larry Nance Jr. Cle – PF,C
Stars
- LaMelo Ball: Everyone who rode the LaMelo Ball train is laughing all the way to the bank currently, as the rookie phenom has posted 4th round value on the season and is now starting for the Hornets, probably for the rest of the season. This owner took a chance on him in the 7th round, which seemed insanely early and ended up being a great call. He’s on 16.6% of rosters winning their leagues right now.
- Nicolas Batum: This undrafted guy is putting up 4th round value on the season. What a stud. He’s on 14% of teams winning their leagues.
- Kyle Anderson: Another undrafted guy. Another casual 6th round value. Slo-Mo has been the beneficiary of Grizzlies players missing time, but he has been solid all season and that’s unlikely to change.
- Steph Curry: I have to mention Steph because this owner got Curry with the 12th pick in the 1st round. Pretty savvy. Steph is on 12.8% of first-place teams on Yahoo!
- Kelly Olynyk: He’s only rostered in 33% of Yahoo! leagues which is just pure insanity. Go get him now if he’s available and you need a big. He’s putting up 7th round value and went undrafted.
Duds
- Eric Bledsoe: This owner burned a 3rd round pick on Bledsoe, which has really, really hurt them. He’s only managing 13th round value on the season and he’s not worth rostering anywhere right now. There are rumors that Lonzo Ball might be moved, which might make him worth a look, but until then he can go to the waivers.
- LaMarcus Aldridge: LMA has been a total disappointment this season and it looks like his spot on the roster isn’t even safe with the emergence of Jakob Poeltl and Keldon Johnson. He’s not worth a roster spot as he’s not even ranked on Basketball Monster, but if you can stash him as this owner is doing here, it’s not the worst thing in the world. He’s not the best stash though.
- Marcus Smart: He started out hot, but since he’s been injured he slipped to 14th round value on the season. He’s likely dead weight on your roster and isn’t really worth a stash now that Kemba Walker is back and playing normal minutes.
Preseason Prediction
Strengths: REB, TO
Weaknesses: PTS (kind of)
Borderline: FG%, 3PT, AST, STL
Final Draft Grade: B-
Analysis: This is a very impressive showing for a guy who wound up in last place last season. This team should fight for a playoff spot if they are healthy, and may even end up a top 4 team. Not really any weaknesses, so each statistic is basically in play.
This team should be doing better than they’re doing currently, though they’ve been in the top half of the league more often than not this season. They need to cut the dead weight. Rebounds (1-7) was an awful call for a strength, but turnovers (6-1-1) was spot on. LaMarcus Aldridge being awful has a lot to do with the rebounds as does the Nance injury and the drop of DeAndre Jordan before the Jarrett Allen trade. Points (1-7) was more than a “kind of” weakness, as it turns out.
C Minus
Roster:
Trae Young Atl – PG
Malik Beasley Min – PG,SG
Jaylen Brown Bos – SG,SF
Saddiq Bey Det – SF
Bojan Bogdanovic Uta – SF,PF
Will Barton Den – SG,SF
John Collins Atl – PF,C
Richaun Holmes Sac – PF,C
Garrett Temple Chi – PG,SG
Justise Winslow Mem – PF
Duncan Robinson Mia – SG,SF
Andrew Wiggins GS – SG,SF
Ja Morant Mem – PG
IL Players:
CJ McCollum Por – PG,SG
Victor Oladipo Hou – SG,SF
Stars
- Malik Beasley: He’s benefitted from the absence of D’Angelo Russell the most, but he’s been a 4th round value on the season and went undrafted in our league. 14.6% of first place rosters have Beasley for a reason.
- Richaun Holmes: He was a 9th round selection on draft day and this guy keeps crushing fantasy expectations as he’s posted 5th round value on the season. 16.4% of people winning their league roster Richaun Holmes.
- John Collins: I traded this player to this owner for Russell Westbrook, and he’s posting 3rd round value on the season. It made sense for me given the situation, but the dude is a fantasy stud even on a team that doesn’t seem to value his contributions all that much.
Duds
- Bojan Bogdanovic: Bojan was a 7th round selection on draft day and on the season he’s putting up 11th round value. It’s time to cut bait on Boj if you have him on your roster. There are better options.
- Trae Young: I’m throwing him in here even though he’s still a value for this owner, who was able to keep him with an 8th round pick. For someone who was in conversation to be the top fantasy asset this season, he’s only managed 3rd round value, which has to be disappointing even if you didn’t draft him highly.
- Ja Morant: He’s missed so much time that he’s unranked. I’d expect a big second half from him, so I’m not too worried.
- CJ McCollum: Same story as above. When he played, he was killing it.
- Victor Oladipo: He’s injured, but even when he’s not injured, he doesn’t have a ton to play for on this Rockets squad and he’s pretty much a lock to sit back-to-backs as they tank their way to the lottery. He’s just a 12th round value on the season, but the only thing you can really do is try to trade him for someone who is a 9th round value and accept the fact it may burn you or hold tight and hope for the best.
Preseason Prediction
Strengths: AST
Weaknesses: REB, BLK
Borderline: 3PT, PTS
Final Draft Grade: C-
Analysis: Going to be a struggle to eek out wins. Will have to scout the waiver wire to find big upside picks, but it could pan out.
The owner changed their name, I assume, to poke fun at the grade, but it seems pretty accurate at this point given the standings. It’s been a rough streak of luck with injuries to Ja and CJ, but the team has performed about as expected. As predicted, assists (5-3) are a strength, while rebounds (3-5) and blocks (3-5) are weaknesses. Three-pointers (7-1) have been a super strength though as has points (6-2) while steals (0-8) have been an Achilles heel.
Julius Randle
Roster:
Shai Gilgeous-Alexander OKC – PG,SG,SF
Josh Jackson Det – SG,SF
Tyler Herro Mia – PG,SG,SF
DeMar DeRozan SA – SG,SF,PF
Zion Williamson NO – PF
Cam Reddish Atl – SG,SF,PF
Mason Plumlee Det – PF,C
Julius Randle NY – PF,C
Derrick Rose NY – PG,SG
Andre Drummond Cle – C
John Wall Hou – PG
Gary Trent Jr. Por – SG,SF
DeMarcus Cousins Hou – PF,C
IL Players:
Jonathan Isaac Orl – SF,PF
Kevin Durant Bkn – SF,PF
Stars
- Mason Plumlee: He’s put up 7th round value and he went undrafted in our league. He may eventually lose value down the stretch as the Pistons move to play their younger guys, but by that time we’ll likely be nearly through the playoffs as we are starting the playoffs earlier, and your league should too if you don’t do that already. The end of the season is a joke. 12.8% of first-place teams roster Mason Plumlee right now.
- Julius Randle: Julius Randle is a man reborn this season and he’s putting up 3rd round value. That’s fantastic for a guy that was drafted in the fifth round here and much lower in other leagues. I gave this owner a bit of grief for drafting him so highly, but he’s really turned it around by assisting and rebounding at career-high rates while shooting a career-high from the field and the charity stripe. It’s possible he regresses a bit, but I wouldn’t be in a hurry to move him.
- Kevin Durant: Putting this guy on here because this owner got to keep him for a 10th round pick and KD is putting up 4th round numbers. If he can stay on the floor, he can be a 1st round guy.
Duds
- Shai Gilgeous-Alexander: After a hot stretch, SGA has come crashing to the ground thanks to a lingering injury. He’s only posting 7th round value on the season right now while many projected him to be a 3rd round guy or at least a 4th round guy. He was drafted in the 6th round here with a keeper pick, so not too bad, but it’s still a disappointment.
- Tyler Herro: Injuries and COVID have kept him off the floor, but over the past week he’s put up 7th round value. He might be worth hanging onto at this point, but I would have probably cut ties with him much earlier on when he wasn’t playing and looked to pick him up again when he got hot. He’s sitting on 15th round value on the season, and just 13th round value on a per-game basis according to Basketball Monster.
- John Wall: He just simply won’t play enough games to put up the value needed for the roster spot. He’s currently unranked, but if you have him all you can do is hold on and hope he starts to play back-to-backs or drop him if you’re desperate for wins now.
- DeMarcus Cousins: He’s not even on a team right now, though he technically is still with the Rockets. He had all the opportunities in the world and still only managed 12th round value. He’s not worth a roster spot.
Preseason Prediction
Strengths: PTS
Weaknesses: 3PT, STL, BLK, TO
Borderline: AST
Final Draft Grade: D
Analysis: There are quite a few big swings here, so maybe it will pay off. There’s nothing set in stone obviously, so we’ll see.
The draft grade stands, and points (5-3) are definitely a strength. I was right about threes (0-8), steals (3-4-1), blocks (2-5-1), and turnovers (3-5). Assists (6-2) are actually a strength. This owner might want to start looking to offload assets for future assets though anything is possible, of course.
Z’s Splendid Team
Roster:
Collin Sexton Cle – PG,SG
Josh Hart NO – SG,SF
De’Aaron Fox Sac – PG
Jerami Grant Det – SF,PF
Marvin Bagley III Sac – PF,C
Draymond Green GS – PF,C
Jarrett Allen Cle – C
Tim Hardaway Jr. Dal – SG,SF
Miles Bridges Cha – SF,PF
LeBron James LAL – PG,SG,SF
Jimmy Butler Mia – SF,PF
Jordan Clarkson Uta – PG,SG
Dejounte Murray SA – PG,SG
IL Players:
None
Stars
- Josh Hart: This was a savvy midseason pickup as Josh Hart has posted 7th round value and can only keep that up as the Pelicans search for the right rotations. He’s getting big minutes and yet is only rostered in 32% of leagues. Go get him if he’s available.
- Jerami Grant: I was a bit of a hater at the start of the season since I was so skeptical that he could be “the guy” even on a bad team. Turns out that was way wrong as he’s posting 2nd round value on the season with no end in sight. Jerami Grant is on 21.8% of league-leading teams.
- Jarrett Allen: Jarrett Allen’s position has greatly improved from the beginning of the season where he was in a timeshare with DeAndre Jordan. He’s posting 4th round value and that should stay steady the rest of the season. Not bad for someone drafted in the 9th round.
- Miles Bridges: Anyone drafting Miles Bridges after Gordon Hayward joined the Hornets got a minor eye roll from me, but he’s posting 8th round value on the season, which is about as good as one can hope given his situation.
- Jordan Clarkson: He’s a 4th round player and went undrafted. He will eventually lose touches to Mike Conley as soon as old man Conley is back in action, but there’s no reason to be concerned. 18% of top teams have Jordan Clarkson rostered.
Duds
- Marvin Bagley: He has had the great game here and there, but he’s by no means consistent and he’s not ranked in 9-cat. He’s best left on the wire or tossed to the wire if you have him.
- Draymond Green: It was rough for Draymond Green owners to hang on as he sat out with an injury then got his conditioning back. Over the last two weeks he has posted value in the 70’s, so just stay the course Green owners. He’s only an 11th round value on the season.
- Jimmy Butler: The main problem with Jimmy has been the time he missed when he contracted COVID. He’s only a 7th round value on the season, but over the last two weeks he has been number 16. He’ll be just fine.
Preseason Prediction
Strengths: AST, STL
Weaknesses: FT%, PTS
Borderline: FG%, BLKS, TO
Final Draft Grade: C
Analysis: Not bad. They’ll have to pick a direction while scooping people off the waiver wire. It looks like they’d be best off targeting bigs.
A “C” grade seems like a bit of an overshot because Jimmy Butler hasn’t played a ton this season. That’s basically it. He’s a borderline first-rounder that has barely played for this team at all. Otherwise, the team has some good players. Assists (4-4) and steals (4-4) have actually been the team’s top stats. Free throw percentage (2-6) and points (3-5) have been weak as predicted, but it has been a struggle all around. The second half of the season should be better for this team by miles, but making the playoffs at this point so far out of it will be a struggle.
