Restricted free agency is shaping up to be very interesting next offseason with a number of players eligible, having monster seasons. How much would you pay for Draymond Green and Jimmy Butler, who are evolving before our eyes and whose skills were on full display Saturday. I know fantasy owners are absolutely rapt with what they are getting from the two young guns.
ADD ME! ADD ME!
Sometimes a putrid start to the season can tarnish a player's reputation in fantasy long after it deserves to be. It feels like that has happened to J.J. Redick of the Clippers. After struggling, and I feel using that word is a little generous, early on, Redick has turned on the afterburners and is scorching hot of late. Problem is, fantasy owners haven't caught on yet. Redick is owned in just 50 percent of ESPN leagues and 74 percent of Yahoo leagues. Against the Pelicans, Redick dropped 21 points (8-14 FG, 5-9 3Pt) with three assists and two steals and is now averaging 21.3 points, 4.3 three-pointers, and 1.7 assists on 61 percent shooting in his last three games. He's been a huge cog in the CLippers current seven game win streak and should've been contributing to more fantasy teams than he currently is. In 12 team leagues, you almost undoubtedly have someone you can drop to add Redick while he is playing like this.
M.I.A.
These guys all sat out Saturday's action, for one reason or another.
- Sixers
- Tony Wroten (knee)
- Pistons
- Jodie Meeks (back)
- Warriors
- David Lee (hamstring)
- Suns
- Isaiah Thomas (ankle)
- Rockets
- Terrence Jones (leg)
- Dwight Howard (knee)
- Kostas Papanikolaou (knee)
- Timberwolves
- Mo Williams (back)
- Nikola Pekovic (ankle)
- Ricky Rubio (ankle)
- Kevin Martin (wrist)
- Spurs
- Tiago Splitter (calf)
- Tony Parker (hamstring)
- Manu Ginobili (rest)
- Magic
- Aaron Gordon (foot)
- Nikola Vucevic (back)
- Kings
- DeMarcus Cousins (illness)
- Pelicans
- Eric Gordon (shoulder)
- Clippers
- Jordan Farmar (back)
CASUALTY WARD
The only injury to come out Saturday's tilts was Francisco Garcia of the Rickets, who left in the first half with a sore right leg and did not return. There have been no updates yet, but Garcia missing time doesn't really move the fantasy needle very far. In a deep league, Nick Johnson and Troy Daniels would be the biggest beneficiaries.
FANTASY LINE OF THE NIGHT
As I mentioned in the opening, Draymond Green is making himself a lot of money. I could've included Green as the guy you absolutely have to add because, for some reason, he is owned in just 70 percent of ESPN leagues and 78 percent of Yahoo leagues. Rectify this as soon as you can. Saturday, Green blew up for a career-high 31 points (11-20 FG, 7-13 3Pt, 2-2 FT) with seven rebounds, three assists, four steals, and three blocks in 41 minutes. How a guy who is a top 60 ranked fantasy player can be on that many free agent lists baffles me. I can't see how Steve Kerr could change the starting lineup or rotation when David Lee returns, given that his team sits atop the league, riding a 12 game winning streak. Green is the guy for now and the foreseeable future and fantasy owners would be wise to own him everywhere.
BOX SCORE HIGHLIGHTS AND ODDITIES
Michael Carter-Williams' super-charged run continued Saturday, scoring 20 points with eight rebounds, 15 assists, three steals, and two blocks in the Sixers' overtime victory. Even his percentages were great, shooting 67 percent from the field and 80 percent from the line. Remember, he was playing the putrid Pistons, but all MCW owners will likely be rushing out to buy Tony Wroten voodoo dolls, given how well their guy has played with Wroten out of the lineup.
The Robert Covington magical mystery tour kept on keeping on Saturday, dropping another career-high of 25 points with six rebounds. Covington also hit three three-pointers for the fourth consecutive game and at this point we have to seriously consider adding him in 12 team leagues. Don't drop anyone of value to get him, but you may as well ride the hot hand just as coach Brett Brown is. Remember, Wroten's return to going to muck everything up for this team as we know it, so be prepared for a significant adjustment.
Luc Mbah a Moute got himself an expected double-double of 14 points and 11 rebounds, and while the minutes are there, he's a deep league guy only.
K.J. McDaniels blocked four shots in 33 minutes and must be owned in standard leagues. Again, watch for the Wroten return.
Kyle Singler started over Greg Monroe again and looked potent, scoring 21 points with three three-pointers, six rebounds, two assists, and two steals in 40 minutes. The biggest hinderance to his value are minutes, so I'd hold off before adding him.
Despite the game going to overtime, Andre Drummond played just 21 minutes, accumulating four fouls in that time frame. Owners are just going to have to live with the bad games, at least the good ones have been more prevalent lately.
Both Brandon Jennings and Kentavious Caldwell-Pope converted 20 percent of their field goal attempts Saturday, but you knew that going in.
Andrew Bogut failed to block a shot for the first time since November 15th, but did grab 12 rebounds and two steals to help his owners out.
Taj Gibson made his return to the Bulls, pushing Nikola Mirotic to fantasy irrelevance in the process. Gibson played 19 minutes and scored 12 points with seven rebounds, while Mirotic was limited to just eight minutes. As soon as one of the three big men go down, Mirotic is a guy to add in just about all leagues. Now, you can ditch him.
Pau Gasol had his first 20/20 game of the season, scoring 22 points to go with 20 rebounds, tallying a steal and a block as well. If you are at all worried about Pau's health, his value will not be higher than what it's been the first month of the season.
Derrick Rose got through unscathed and that's about he best thing I can say from a fantasy perspective. Is there anyway Rose is drafted in the top 50 next season? I know I won't be.
When the Isaiah Thomas is away, the Eric Bledsoe and Goran Dragic will play. I think that's how the phrase goes. Regardless, Bledsoe went off in is 36 minutes, scoring 23 points with four rebounds, three assists, three steals, and three blocks and is a fantastic daily option in these situations. In a seasonal league, now is when you can get most value for Bledsoe and Dragic, so try to initiate trade talks now.
P.J. Tucker's return to the starting lineup has served him well, scoring 15 points with eight rebounds and one steal Saturday. He's also benefitting from Thomas' injury, but if he fits your needs, Tucker is someone who you can roster in 12 team leagues.
Patrick Beverley returned from his hamstring issue and lit it up, scoring 19 points with five three-pointers, six rebounds, three assists, one steal and one block in 27 minutes. He's likely on a lot of waiver-wires and while he won't do this all that often, his abilities in the steals and three-pointer categories make him a guy who can find a place on most 12 team rosters.
With Beverley back, Jason Terry will likely cede the starting job to him by the next game. Terry played 39 minutes, scoring 13 points with two steals, but if you added him for the short-term, the short-term is now over.
Donatas Motiejunas again feasted on the absence of Terrence Jones and Dwight Howard, scoring 16 points with 11 rebounds and three blocks. While he's hot, he's worth an add in standard leagues.
James Harden blocked another three shots Saturday. Just thought I'd mention that.
Zach LaVine registered his first career double-double with 22 points and 10 assists in 43 minutes. When Mo Williams returns, which is likely Monday, LaVine should find his way back to the pine and his value will shrivel up faster, well, you can fill in the blank there.
With Shabazz Muhammad's emergence, Andrew Wiggins' value has been severely depleted. The number one overall pick scored just six points with one rebound in 34 minutes and in 10 team leagues, I'm sure there are better options available.
Anthony Bennett got himself a double-double as well, putting up 14 ponts with 10 rebounds in 27 minutes. For how much better he has looked this season, his fantasy relevance is restricted to deep leagues and dynasty formats.
Cory Joseph made the most of his start with Tony Parker sitting out with a hamstring complaint. Joseph is a great daily fantasy play or seasonal streamer when Parker sits, but aside from that, he can be left alone He had 18 points, four rebounds, and five assists in 33 minutes Saturday.
Marco Belinelli also took advantage of Parker's absence, and Manu Ginobili's rest day to score a season-high 20 points with six assists and four three-pointers. Don't be fooled into thinking this is replicable when everyone is healthy.
Tim Duncan backed up his fourth career triple-double with 18 points, 10 rebounds, five assists, and two blocks in just 19 minutes. Will this guy ever slow down?
Kyle O'Quinn started for the fourth consecutive game in place of Nikola Vucevic, but played just 18 minutes, due to foul trouble. The 13 points, two rebounds, four assists, one steal and one block without missing a shot was still valuable and is you have a short term opening on your roster and need big man help, O'Quinn can help until Vucevic returns.
Jason Thompson had his second consecutive solid night, scoring a season-high 18 points with nine rebounds and four assists, just missing another double-double. This sudden outburst from JT comes without Boogie, so make of that what you will. (Don't add him, that's what you should make of it).
Ben McLemore played just 24 minutes and struggled his way to two points with two rebounds, one assist, and one steal. It was just a bad night for McLemore and his value should remain where it has for the season, as a guy to consider in some 12 team leagues.
Anthony Davis led the Pelicans with 26 points, but surprisingly added just three rebounds and one block in his 33 minutes. Nothing to see here.
Luke Babbitt started again in place of Eric Gordon and hit four three-pointers to end with 12 points in 18 minutes. He could have the starting spot for a decent chunk of the season, but all he offers are three-pointers and the occasional block. You should look elsewhere.
Chris Paul had a season-high 16 assists, DeAndre Jordan had 18 rebound and five blocks and Blake Griffin scored 30 points in what could only be described as players doing what we expect them to do. The status quo was maintained for these three key Clippers.
Matt Barnes is starting to play decently, a significant rise from the early season descriptor of "garbage", and has now scored in double digits in two consecutive games, the first time we can say that about him this season. I'd give him one more game of solid production before taking a flier.
NIGHTLY LEADERS
Points
- Draymond Green, F, GSW, 31 points
- Blake Griffin, F, LAC, 30 points
- Tobias Harris, F, ORL, 27 points
Rebounds
- Pau Gasol, F, CHI, 20 rebounds
- DeAndre Jordan, C, LAC, 18 rebounds
- James Harden, G, HOU, 12 rebounds
- Andrew Bogut, C, GSW, 12 rebounds
Assists
- Chris Paul, G, LAC, 16 assists
- Michael Carter-Williams, G, PHI, 15 assists
- Zach LaVine, G, MIN, 10 assists
Steals
- Draymond Green, F, GSW, 4 steals
- Thaddeus Young, F, MIN, 4 steals
- Michael Carter-Williams, G, PHI, 3 steals
- Eric Bledsoe, G, PHX, 3 steals
- Luc Mbah a Moute, F, PHI, 3 steals
- Marcus Morris, F, PHX, 3 steals
Blocks
- DeAndre Jordan, C, LAC, 5 blocks
- Dewayne Dedmon, C, ORL, 4 blocks
- K.J. McDaniels, F, PHI, 4 blocks
Three-Pointers
- Draymond Green, F, GSW, 7-13 3Pt
- J.J. Redick, G, LAC, 5-9 3Pt
- Patrick Beverley, G, HOU, 5-8 3Pt
Minutes
- Josh Smith, F, DET, 48 minutes
- Michael Carter-Williams, G, PHI, 45 minutes
- Jimmy Butler, G, CHI, 44 minutes