Fantasy Corner – Basketball
February 13, 2014
Who’s Hot
Goran Dragic, PG/SG (PHO): Dragic has a 62.7 FG percentage since Jan. 27, the highest in the NBA out of guards with at least four shots per game. Snubbed for the All-Star Game, Dragic’s career-high 34 points shows his all-star capabilities, and he’s recorded 23+ points in seven straight.
Khris Middleton, PF (MIL): Nearing 35 minutes of playing time per game over the last week, Middleton recorded 20 points in back-to-back games for the first time this season. Given the starting nod, Middleton also had 3. 5 3 PM, 4.8 RPG, and 3.8 APG through that same span.
Who’s Not
Michael Kidd-Gilchrist, SF (CHA): Hopefully you dropped Kidd-Gilchrist weeks ago–maybe months ago. Even with 25 minutes per game this season, he averages less than one assist, steal, and block per game. The 20 year old only has two double-digit scoring games since coming back from injury.
Marcus Thornton, SG (SAC): The Sacramento shooting guard has totaled less than nine PPG since his 42-point miracle against Indiana back in January. Thornton hasn’t recorded more than three rebounds or two assists in a game over that same span, and his .381 FG percentage is not starter-worthy.
Buy Low
Jeff Teague, PG (ATL): Since returning from an ankle sprain, Teague hasn’t produced much besides his eight assists per game. Expect those assist numbers to go up in addition to his shooting totals and percentages as he gets comfortable and his 29 minutes per game are driven up.
John Henson, PF/C (MIL): Henson may be a sneaky steal if you can get him from a casual fantasy owner, as last-place Milwaukee has been playing around with its lineup. As a starter, Henson puts up top-15 center numbers and has recorded a block in 18 straight games.
Trade Bait
Joe Johnson, SG/SF (BKN): Johnson may have recently been selected to the Eastern Conference All-Star Team, but his play certainly hasn’t warranted that selection. With 3.3 RPG, 2.7 APG, and 15.3 PPG, someone may be willing to overpay for the name rather than the stats.
Spencer Hawes, C (PHI): Earlier in the season, Hawes averaged 15 points and 10 rebounds as a pleasant surprise for the 76ers and fantasy owners. Now, he’s grabbed 10+ rebounds only twice in the last 10 outings and has 7.7 PPG over his last six games. Trade him now if you can.