Who’s been hot (and, under appreciated) recently?
Richaun Holmes, C, SAC — 28th on ESPN’s Player Rater (last 30 days), 57.4% owned
Last 30 days: 14 PPG, 9.8 RPG, 1+ APG, 1+ SPG, 1+ BPG
Richaun Holmes was underrated last year as the Suns backup big, and he’s proving his worth this year as the starting big for the Kings. Here’s the list of players who’ve averaged 1+ steal and 1+ block per game for the season: Giannis Antetokounmpo, Anthony Davis, Karl-Anthony Towns, Andre Drummond, BAM! (this is how Bam Adebayo’s name should always be spelled), Al Horford, Jonathan Isaac, Nerlens Noel, and Willie Cauley-Stein.
And, this is the list of players who’ve averaged 15+ PPG and 10+ RPG on the season: Giannis, KAT, Joel Embiid, Domantis Sabonis, Drum, Nikola Vucevic, Kevin Love, Nikola Jokic, and Hassan Whiteside.
Richaun Holmes has been playing like he belongs with those other, more established guys mentioned above. Richaun Holmes is 26 years old. Why can’t he get better? He should be owned in at least 70% of leagues, so pounce on him while he’s still available on your wire.
Davis Bertans, PF, WAS — 30th ESPN PR, 27.7% owned
Last 30 days: 16.5 PPG, 5+ RPG, 4.2 3PM, 1+ APG
I couldn’t give less of a damn about his assists, 4.2 3PM per game is how you get my attention. Davis Bertans has the third most 3PM in the NBA. IN ALL OF IT, THE ENTIRE NBA, NOT JUST THE BAD PARTS! Here’s a list to convince you, see if you notice anything (top 10 total 3PM this season):
- James Harden, 104 3PM total, 99% owned
- Devonte’ Graham, 90, 77% owned
- Davis Bertans, 84, 27% owned
- Buddy Hield, 83, 93% owned
- Trae Young, 76, 99% owned
- JJ Redick, 74, 40% owned
- Karl-Anthony Towns, 73, 99% owned
- Zach LaVine, 71, 94% owned
- Kemba Walker, 70, 99% owned
- Luka Doncic, 70, 99% owned
Davis Bertans has been a top 30 fantasy player for a month now, he’s on one of the best offenses in the NBA, and he’s in a group of elite volume shooters, and he’s owned less than Caris LeVert, who’s out injured. People: “3PM” also means “points.” Points = good.
Also, not for nothing, but it’s always a savvy idea to try to roster players who are in the top 10 of a stat category. Who cares if they’re a specialist? They can win you a category outright during any given week, that’s more than worth a roster spot.
Norman Powell, SG/SF, TOR — 59th ESPN PR, 12.6% owned
Last 30 days: 15+ PPG, 3+ RPG, 1+ APG, 1+ SPG, 2+ 3PM, 48.5 FG%
The Trail Blazers must be violently jealous of the Raptors’ wing depth. Wouldn’t Norm Powell look great replacing the now injured Rodney Hood in Portland?? Powell’s been solid as adamantium over the past month, and he’s exactly the type of cheap, stabilizing player that can help you win fantasy championships. Powell costs you nothing right now, but he’s delivering top 75 fantasy stats. Just because he isn’t excelling in any one thing doesn’t mean his contributions across the board aren’t just as valuable as if he were a 20+ point scorer (though, he’s had some of those, too, including a 30+ point game).
The return of Kyle Lowry hasn’t really hurt Powell so far, and he’s moved past OG Anunoby in the FGA hierarchy: Powell’s been 4th in shot attempts on Toronto over the past month. The Raptors’ roster just keeps getting deeper and deeper.
Tomas Satoransky, SG/PG, CHI — 68th ESPN PR, 19.4% owned
Last 30 days: 9.8 PPG, 3.7 RPG, 4.9 APG, 1.7 SPG, 1.1 3PM
Only 25 players are averaging 9/3/4 with 1+ SPG and 1+ 3PM on the season. That alone is enough to recommend Sato, but here’s another reason for you to pick up the Chicago guard: of the top 25 players in total assists this season, Sato is the ONLY player who’s owned in less than 60% of leagues. He’s 19% owned. Satoransky’s not a scorer, but he’s fifth in field goal attempts on the Bulls over the last 30 days, and he’s not hurting your ratios. I know the Bulls are a mess, and I know Satoransky doesn’t get you the points, but his volume of assists is worth a roster spot.
Duncan Robinson, SF, MIA — 84th ESPN PR, 4% owned
Last 30 days: 12+ PPG, 3+ RPG, 1+ SPG, 3+ 3PM, 46.7 FG%
Duncan Robinson is another shooter who’s widely available. He has 46 3PM over the past month, good for 13th in the NBA. He’s shooting lights out for the Heat (42.5 3PT% on the season, which is 6th in the NBA out of players who average 6+ 3PA per game, that’s pretty good), which is extremely nice for Jimmy Butler, because he’s now got three awesome scoring wings in Robinson, Tyler Herro, and Kendrick Nunn, to go along with BAM! Adebayo, Kelly Olynyk, Justise Winslow, and Goran Dragic. That’s a playoff roster that you DO NOT want to meet. If Winslow can regain some of his shooting efficiency from last year (he’s still getting as many dimes as Point Justise did last season), then this team could turn into a monster.
By the way, Dion Waiters is still on this team.
Also, just to make myself feel bad, this:
Taurean Prince, SF/PF, BK — 92nd ESPN PR, 21.3% owned
Last 30 days: 13+ PPG, 5+ RPG, 2+ APG, 2.7 3PM
First thing to mention is that, not counting Kyrie Irving, Prince has been second in shots on the Nets over the last month. He should be owned more just because of that fact alone.
Second, a top 100 player who’s receiving volume NEEDS to be owned more than 20%. Just like Marcus Smart, Prince is a fantasy player who’s considered an afterthought, even though he produces as well, if not better than, players with bigger names (or, players who are assumed to score more). I’m going to give you another list in order to convince you that Taurean Prince is worth rostering. This is the list of players who are averaging 13+ PPG, 5+ RPG, and 2+ 3PM per game (meaning they give you inside and outside stats, and everything else is gravy):
James Harden, Luka Doncic, Kyrie Irving, LeBron James, the Big KAT, Pascal Siakam, Brandon Ingram, Andrew Wiggins, Paul George, Jayson Tatum, Jaylen Brown, Blake Griffin, Marcus Morris, Danilo Gallinari, Khris Middleton, Kristaps Porzingis, Kevin Love, Lauri Markkanen, and Taurean Prince.
That seems like a really good list, doesn’t it? A list of highly owned players (and, Prince)? Taurean Prince, who is on that list above, is owned less than Cody Zeller. Cmon, we’re better than that, aren’t we?
Brook Lopez, C, MIL — 54th ESPN PR, 48% owned
Last 30 days: DOESN’T MATTER, JUST PICK HIM UP, HE’S GOT THE THIRD MOST TOTAL BLOCKS IN THE NBA AND HE SHOOTS THREES! BroLo is owned less than Dwight Howard. Is Dwight Howard a top 60 player? No. No, he is not. Brook Lopez has been one of the most valuable fantasy assets available over the past two seasons.