For most fantasy team regulators, we are entering Week 13 of the NBA roundball season. Although the All-Star Break has yet to give our patrons some much-deserved rest, standard fantasy leagues will begin their playoffs in just 7 Weeks from now. By this time, you should already be able to point out your team’s strengths and weaknesses (if any) and be able to put forth the squad that you’re most confident taking into the postseason.
While trading is a surefire way to mix things up if one is unhappy with his or her team, it can be a pain in the neck. I am notorious for sending the same package trade offer to five or six owners once I recognize in which direction I wish to take my team. Why would I do such a silly thing you ask? Well, It’s annoying if I don’t do it that way. More than half the owners who I send trade proposals to never respond; or by the time that they do, the perceived values of the players involved have changed drastically. For this reason, I like to send multiple feelers out there until I get a deal struck (or at the least, a counter offer).
Since trading appears to be only part of the winning solution, I’d like to provide you an easier way to ensure your teams success moving forward: scouring the free agents of the waiver wire. I will present to you unsung heroes who can be started immediately and indicate on what level you can feel confident in each of them.
Must-Own Status in All Leagues
JJ Redick—(SG L.A. Clippers)—Apparently Darren Collison is not the sole beneficiary of CP3’s prolonged absence. In just 2 games since returning from his injured wrist, JJ has 52 points, 7 rebounds, 6 dimes, and 8 3’s to boot. Even more noteworthy, he produced those stats in just 54 total minutes played, while he returns to game shape. This is a tricky one, as he’s climbed from just over 50% owned to 99% (in ESPN leagues) in just days since his return. The good news is that he’s absurdly still just 79% owned in CBS leagues and 68% in Yahoo leagues. In those formats, at least go check if he’s available. Then get back to me.
Randy Foye—(G Denver Nuggets)—Besides one blip on the radar (in which you will be happy if his owner in your league performed a panick-drop), Sir Randy has been “On Foye-A!” these past two weeks. He’s scored in double figures in 10 straight games, including 20+ in 3 of the last 5. He’s also shooting 53% from the field during that span. Coach Brian Shaw is highly unlikely to bench his potentially most efficient shooter (indirect diss on my boy Wilson Chandler for being a chucker). Bump him up in roto/category leagues, as he’s drained 13 of his last 21 attempts from deep. Somehow just 46.6% owned (per ESPN leagues). Throw in the fact that Andre Miller’s days in Denver appear to be numbered, and you see why it’s all green arrows for Mr. Foye.
Andray Blatche—(F/C Brooklyn Nets)— He blew up for 20 points, 14 rebounds, 6 assists, and a steal in just 27 minutes off the bench on Thursday. He has tremendous upside. Call me realistically optimistic, but I just don’t see the Paul Pierce at PF experiment working long-term, especially if this team is determined to make a playoff push. Throw in Kevin Garnett’s minutes limit and sporadic DNP’s for safety reasons, and you have a player who should be owned in more than 9% of leagues as he is today. While I don’t think he’s must-start status across the board just yet, I would still cut fading free agent finds such as C.J. Miles, Brian Roberts, and Khris Middleton for him.
One Week “One-Der”
File Photo: Jared Wickerham/Getty Images North America
Mo Williams—(G Portland Blazers)—Playing just 25 minutes per game, while just 6.9% owned, Mo is particularly valuable in weekly leagues for this upcoming scoring period. Besides the fact that the Blazers play 5 times, Williams is averaging 6 assists, 2.0 3-pointers, and 1.5 steals so far this month. Additionally, Portland will expectedly give breakout PG Damian Lillard more rest in a five game week, and Mo is the closest thing to a guarantee for a 75-90 point floor in standard scoring points leagues, with a ceiling that is certainly worth the risk this time.
Stash in All Leagues/Start with confidence in 12-team-ers
James Johnson (F) & Courtney Lee (G/F)—(Memphis Grizzlies)—Yes. Call me biased because I am a firm advocate of the Grizz Nation movement, but what these two have done since joining the team has at least solidified each of their roles moving forward, if not given new found energy to a team that was in desperate need. At only 13% ownership, “Big Game James” has made the most of his opportunity after being stolen from the D-League by the Grizz. He somehow lost 50 lbs. in the off-season, and it’s done wonders for his game. He’s blocked 2.8 shots per game over his last five, and he’s averaging 10 points, 4.2 boards, 3.6 assists, 1.6 steals, and 0.8 triples over that span. He might be inconsistent, especially with Tony Allen’s return looming, but his hustle is undeniable (a trait that is rewarded heavily in the Memphis grind system). The other player benefiting most from a new scene and TA’s absence, Courtney Lee is undefeated as a Memphis Grizzly. With averages of 15 points, 3.5 boards, 1.3 assists, 1.5 steals, and 0.8 blocks on 53.5% FG (and without a miss from the FT line!) in his first 4 games with the team, Lee has certainly done enough to warrant guaranteed run and potentially hang onto the starting gig upon Allen’s return. He’s worth a flier at 2.6% ownership, as he’s helped give life to a seemingly debilitated team of veterans.
Larry Sanders—(F/C Milwaukee Bucks)—While most “experts” will be encouraging owners to go scoop up Ersan “The Artist Formerly Known As the Illest of the Ill” Ilyasova, I’ll save you the heart ache. Larry Sanders is as low-risk, high-reward as they come, and he could blow up at any time (for better or for worse). Barring any further bar fights involving broken champagne bottles, the Bucks should continue to give “The Show” as much run as he can handle. Even if merely to justify the outrageous contract they inked him to over the summer, Sanders is worth a look in all leagues (down to 60% owned in ESPN leagues).
File Photo: Kevin C. Cox/Getty Images North America
Enes Kanter—(C Utah Jazz)—Considered a heavy favorite for early season bust of the year award, Enes Kanter is performing much better in 2014. He’s averaging 14.7 points and 7.7 boards in January, and while he’s incapable of getting swats (just 0.7 per game this season), is still an asset in any league. Those in need of a Center could do a lot worse. Also working in his favor is the fact that the Utah Jazz are 14-27 and should continue to play their youngsters as they tank for the NBA lottery. It would make sense for Kanter to get experience now, rather than continue to cede his minutes to fading veterans Richard Jefferson and Marvin Williams. (43% owned in ESPN leagues).
John Henson—(F/C Milwaukee Bucks)—Another lowly Buck who could become a game-changer any time he’s given over 30 minutes of PT, “The Muppet” recently returned from an ankle injury. He was quickly forgotten in most leagues, but has now crept back up to 73% owned. He led the NBA in blocks in December, and historical odds tell us that Ilyasova will surely hurt himself. This will pave the way for Henson’s down-low domination. Make sure he’s owned in your league before it happens!
D.J. Augustin—(PG Chicago Bulls)—Derrick Rose is done. Kirk Hinrich is more “valuable” in reality than he is in fantasy, as he’s supposedly a solid on-ball defender. Enter in the main benefactor of the lack of depth in the Windy City: Go DJ! Mr. Augustin. He’s averaging 14 points, 6.2 dimes, and 2 boards in his last five. In the event that the brittle Jimmy Butler goes down again, or if Hinrich gets rightfully shipped off to a contender, Augustin would be a sure-fire must-own, must-start dynamo. At just 20.4% owned in ESPN leagues, add and stash him wherever you can. In one instance where I needed assists and FG%, I advocated dropping the likes of “Alphabet” or Terrence Ross in order to stash D.J.
Now consider yourself warned and prepared for battle! And as always, please feel free to hit me up on Twitter:
@DSE_ikeNball
Good luck to all.
Grit ’N Grind