Full disclosure: Ya boy here is going to be out for a couple of weeks. I’m taking my massive Razzball salary and going on a family trip to a tropical beach. In the attempt to enjoy a once in a lifetime trip (hopefully, it’s with my in-laws, I’m not sure how many more of these I can tolerate!) I’m gonna unplug and take a break. Or I might fire one off if the in-laws push too far! We shall see.
Hornets
LaMelo Ball came back and we see what the Hornets rotation looks like at full strength. It looks like Ryan Kalkbrenner has won the starting center job. Moussa Diabate is on shaky, shaky ground playing just 17 minutes. This is a simple team, then. The five starters are locked and startable. Sion James is the top reserve, but he’s not really fantasy friendly (7-3-1.5 slash line). So now we know that. Colin Sexton is a good stash, but the backups can safely be ignored.
Hawks
Trae Young came back and quickly we see this is now Jalen Johnson’s team. I’ll say when I’m wrong, but I have to flex my best call of the season:
https://x.com/TheEducator23/status/2001851778581848479?s=20
And with over 40 points scored, we have a bona fide star on our hands.
Kristaps Porzingas is having unfortunate health issues with a scary sickness lingering from last year. Onyeka Okongwu is obviously making his owners happy then. Keep an eye out for Young’s impact. Johnson is safe, but the fallout hasn’t happened yet when Trae goes over 20 minutes.
Pelicans
Nothing much, but I’m gonna guess that Jordan Poole’s minutes steadily decline as we go forward. He’s not great at real basketball. His net plus minus is negative; they’re better with him off the court at a -2.1 EPM (estimated plus minus). Poole’s not in the deep end of efficiency either. All of his shooting percentiles are in the bottom fifth on the league. He isn’t turning it over but it’s hard to get turnovers when all you do is shoot! I’m off Poole, if you can’t tell.
Mavericks
Ryan Nembhard and Brandon Williams are battling for point guard minutes. Whoever Cooper Flagg gels with, that’s your starter. It’s a true timeshare, and deep leagues will value them higher than shallow. Both are actually solid players, though, and I wouldn’t rage bait you if you picked one. I’m going Nembhard, since he’s starting now. Williams is more of a stash to me.
Blazers
Donovan Clingan is back and right away played 34 minutes last night. He does get foul prone, and does have a history of low minutes. I’m holding Robert Williams. He only dunks, and gets blocks and boards and doesn’t hurt you many other ways. Last night Williams played just 17 minutes, but the rebound rate (6 in that time) was stellar and he chipped in a block. Consider that the floor. The ceiling is a double double machine if Clingan misses time. I’m in a punt points build in one league, and he’s the perfect guy for that kind of situation.
Magic
Tyus Jones moved into the starting lineup in the absence of Franz Wagner but only played 20 minutes. He’s safely left on the wire.
Bucks
Ryan Rollins is on the bench, but still played 28 minutes. Gotta hold. He’s still a positive plus/minus guy and while his at the rim numbers are low, he’s a three point threat. Assist rate is also 90th percentile. Kevin Porter, Jr. has outplayed him according to the metrics (+3.2 EPM) and he’s been helpful if you can stomach his past history.
Clippers
They’re a hot mess, but the numbers still count for us in our silly little game. Look for James Harden and Kawhi Leonard (shocking I know) to rest as the team likely looks to reload with trades. Kris Dunn is playing a lot of minutes and is decent in a punt points build (14-5-5 last game). If Harden goes, Dunn is the guy. If Leonard leaves, Derrick Jones, Jr. is soon to return and will be a good fill in.
