The shot clock: 24 fantasy hoops nuggets off trades, injuries and more
1) The Clippers were candidates to be sellers, but Blake Griffin was a surprise as the first to go. His fantasy value should remain mostly the same in Detroit, although the Pistons run a slower pace, and Griffin’s current Usage Rate (28.9) is a career high, so fantasy owners weren’t exactly rooting for change.
2) Boban Marjanovic has rightfully been the most popular fantasy add since the trade was announced, but he’s still available in more than 70 percent of Yahoo leagues. DeAndre Jordan will almost certainly be dealt next, and Marjanovic can provide plenty of fantasy value even with just 20-25 mpg. The big man is a must add in all leagues. His per 36-minute averages for his career are 22.4 points and 14.1 rebounds.
3) Lou Williams’ short-term value gets a boost with Griffin gone, as his high Usage Rate will make him a popular DFS play. But season long owners can’t be too happy, as Los Angeles officially becoming sellers means he too is likely out the door, and his current situation has led to a career year.
4) Milos Teodosic/Boban Marjanovic is the new Stockton/Malone.
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5) John Wall is out 6-8 weeks after undergoing knee surgery, which destroys fantasy owners and the Wizards, who’ve been a bottom team this season with him off the court, and Washington has one of the toughest remaining schedules.
6) Tomas Satoransky looks like the biggest beneficiary and is available in 90 percent of leagues, but Tim Frazier will also see minutes in Washington’s backcourt with Wall sidelined.
7) Bradley Beal is going to be a fantasy monster over the next two months.
8) Boogie Cousins’ season-ending Achilles tear was devastating, as he was the No. 11 fantasy player despite committing 5.0 turnovers per game. Who knows if his recent heavy workload was a contributing factor, but it’s frustrating either way, especially how it occurred.
9) Anthony Davis now becomes the top fantasy player for any game in which he’s not hurt. He’s going to put up silly numbers with Cousins out.
10) The Pelicans’ week became even more eventful when they traded for Nikola Mirotic, only for it to be overturned later. The deal made too much sense for fantasy owners all around, so of course it was nixed.
11) While Bobby Portis’ freedom remains on hold, Jerian Grant continues to start for Kris Dunn, who’s still without a timeline while dealing with concussion issues. Grant has averaged 6.3 helpers over 20 starts this season and is available in 90 percent of leagues.
12) While Andre Roberson’s injury is hardly on par with Wall and Cousins, his loss is a big blow to the Thunder, as their defense is 11.9 points per 100 possessions better when he’s on the floor.
13) I did a mock NBA All-Star draft acting as Stephen Curry, with the results here.
14) The first half of the real results of the All-Star draft have begun to trickle out.
15) Not all injury news is bad, as Jabari Parker returns to action Friday. He’s coming off a second torn ACL and is something of a polarizing player, but Parker averaged 20.1 ppg (49.0 FG%) the last time he played (during just his third year in the league).
16) Parker is still just 22 years old and is available in more than 30 percent of leagues. It’s going to be interesting to see Milwaukee’s already intriguing roster mesh with a new coach and Parker’s return.
17) Over the past two weeks, Kris Middleton has been the No. 12 fantasy player. Fred VanVleet has been in the top 20.
18) Dejounte Murray has officially taken over as San Antonio’s starting point guard, and the youngster has averaged 7.4 rebounds, 4.0 assists and 1.4 steals in a modest 26 mpg during starts this season.
19) Murray can play, is only getting better and is staring at increased opportunities on a well-oiled Spurs machine, yet he’s barely owned in half of leagues. Fix that.
20) For those in deeper leagues, Darius Miller is an under the radar contributor across the board who should see increased opportunity in New Orleans with Cousins out (and Mirotic apparently not coming to town). Miller is readily available.
21) If you mess with “Hot Sauce,” you’re liable to get burned.
22) Some Summer League changes were just announced, as all 30 teams will play in Las Vegas for the first time.
23) Westgate offers some pretty funny props involving the Super Bowl, including Zach Ertz receiving yards (-28.5) versus Kristaps Porzingis points+rebounds or Brandon Ingram points (-4.5) versus Eagles first half points. If those aren’t super locks then I don’t know what are.
24) The Cavaliers briefly dropped to dead last in Defensive Efficiency over the weekend (they are back all the way up to No. 28), and remember only extreme outliers (the 2005/06 Heat) win NBA championships without a defense ranked in the top 10. Cleveland remains favorites (6/5) to win the Eastern Conference right now.
