We’re now a month into the NBA season and injuries are starting to pile up, but there are also plenty of healthy players having enjoyable and surprising seasons. Risers and Fallers break down some players on both sides of the spectrum and can help imaginary manager When trade options are considered or a player moves up in his league.
risers
jalen johnsonpf, atlanta hawks (96% roasted)
Johnson destroyed the Jazz on Thursday with an epic line of 31 points, 18 rebounds, 14 assists, 7 steals and 4 3-pointers. He also had six turnovers, but the bottom line is that he is the only player in history to record such a stat line. And he was already hot after scoring 24 points, 10 rebounds, eight dimes, one steal and two 3-pointers in his last game.
He has now had a double-double in three consecutive games and the only thing stopping him from becoming a superstar is injury. His history has been difficult for his fantasy managers in the past, but he is healthy and fully active right now. If he stays healthy and keeps playing like this, he could be a first-round fantasy option next season.
deni avdijaSF/PF, portland trail blazers (92% roasted)
Avdija is having a great season and is averaging 30.2 points, 6.6 rebounds, 5.2 assists, 0.8 steals, 0.8 blocks and 3.0 3-pointers in his five November games. While it may feel like he needs to get traded in fantasy leagues before he gets cool, I don’t think he’ll stop doing that anytime soon. He’s cooking, fully engaged in the Blazers’ offensive schemes and should continue to throw the ball all season long. If you drafted Avdija, pat yourself on the back and enjoy the ride.
grayson allenPG/SG, phoenix sun (71% roasted)
Allen only had 12 points, one rebound, two assists and one steal on Thursday, but he hit 5 of 6 shots and had a dream season. However, he suffered an injury during the game which limited him to only 12 minutes. He came into November averaging 21.7 points, 2.8 rebounds, 3.7 assists, 2.2 steals and 5.2 3-pointers on 51% shooting. The quad injury is very concerning, but if he comes out of it in one piece, he’s currently returning to late first-round fantasy value. In fact, the injury could lower his value in a potential trade in your fantasy league, as he scored 42 points on Monday.
Allen is on fire and the Suns have won five straight games (7-1 in the last eight). Injured or not, fantasy teams are better off adding Allen and I think he’ll play well throughout the season. He has scored in double figures in all 13 games this season and his five 3-pointers per game are elite.
brandon williamsPG, dallas mavericks (10% roasted)
Williams is the only bright spot for a Dallas franchise still in crisis luka doncic,anthony davis The trade and recent firing of GM Nico Harrison. Williams, now the team’s starting point guard, has reached double-digit scoring in five straight games (10, 11, 14, 19, 17). He’s been especially fun, averaging 18.0 points, 5.5 rebounds, 6.0 assists and 2.0 steals over his last two games.
He’s not a great 3-point shooter, but if you need point guard help, he’s played 33 minutes in each of his last two games and should continue to thrive as long as he holds on to the starting job for one of the league’s more scrappy teams. He’s going to be a hot pick in the next week or so.
ace bellySF/PF, utah jazz (33% roasted)
Bailey had a very bad start this season but now she has started moving forward. He hit 8 of 13 shots and four 3-pointers for a career-high 21 points, five rebounds, three assists and two steals in Thursday’s loss to the Hawks and has now scored in double figures in four straight games. He has scored a total of 41 points in his last two games and will only get better as the season progresses. Pick him up if he’s available and consider trading for him if he’s on the roster. His future is very bright.
dennis jenkinsPG, detroit pistons (2% roasted)
Jenkins has scored 24 and 18 points in his last two games, while also averaging 6.0 rebounds, 7.5 assists, 3.0 steals and 2.0 3-pointers in those contests. despite playing behind Cade CunninghamAfter doing nothing in the first five games of the season, Jenkins has suddenly been spectacular. I don’t know how long he can keep this up, but if you have a certain load on your roster, he’s worth a look.
wit crazyPG, Hawks (3% Roasted)
The Krejci have been on fire, especially from downtown, hitting 19 triples in their last four games. They have scored more than 17 points in three of their last four games, and have reached double figures in all four. He had 20 points, three assists and three steals on Thursday and has played at least 30 minutes in two of his last three games. He will probably disappear once trey young Has returned from his sprained MCL, but until then, he should be a great source of 3-pointers and is available in most fantasy leagues.
about to fall
Desmond BainSG/SF, orlando magic (92% roasted)
Ben has had a disappointing season, but has shown signs of life recently by hitting a game-winning 3-pointer and scoring 22 points in each of his last two games. He has also averaged 4.5 rebounds, 7.5 assists and 2.0 3-pointers over that span, though he has not recorded a steal or block in three consecutive games. paolo banchero Ben may be ready to really take off after he misses time with a groin injury. Now is a good time to offer a low-ball trade for him in your league.
Peyton PritchardPG, boston celtics (80% roasted)
Pritchard scored five points in two straight games before dropping 24 points, six boards, nine assists and five 3-pointers in Wednesday’s win over the Grizzlies. He has only two steals in his seven November games and has struggled with his shot in his two 5-point games (4 of 17), but he seems to have righted the ship. His fantasy ranking for the season is very low, but he is going to play heavy minutes throughout the season. Now is a good time to make an offer to a frustrated Pritchard manager, before he gets really hot.
dennis schroderPG, Sacramento Kings (42% roasted)
Schröder had a positive start in November with games of 24, 18 and 18 points, but has obviously been hurt by the arrival of . Russell WestbrookSchroder has scored just 2, 3, 0 and 9 points in each of his last four games, and made just 4 of 27 shots along the way, He was a good low-end fantasy point guard for the roster before Westbrook arrived on the scene, but it looks like that run is over, It means a lot to Brandon Williams to have him out, And speaking of Westbrook,,,
Russell WestbrookPG, Kings (80% rostered)
Westbrook has made just nine of his last 30 shots and has scored 6, 14 and 10 points in his last three games. He, Schröder and keon ellis All of them are going to share time at point guard for the Kings, meaning all three may struggle from game to game. Westbrook is averaging 16.4 points, 7.1 rebounds, 7.1 assists, 0.9 steals and 2.1 3-pointers in November, but the fact that he will have to share minutes will make it difficult for him to perform as consistently as his manager would like. Trading his big name could return a more consistent asset in return.
Toumani CameraSF/PF, Trail Blazers (49% rostered)
Poor shooting has plagued Camara this season and he has yet to have a breakout game. He has been in service in November, averaging 12.8 points, 5.4 rebounds, 2.6 assists, 1.0 steals, 0.6 blocks and 2.6 3-pointers, but is shooting only 41% from the floor. Over his last five he has averaged nearly 37 minutes per game and once his shot starts to fall he should finally break out. Now is a great time to acquire a Camara while its stock is still low.
Jake Laraviapf, Los Angeles Lakers (22% roasted)
Laramie has been fun at times this season but has now scored eight or fewer points in three of its last four games. Lebron James He’s on a rehab assignment in the G-League and will be back before we know it. If Laravia isn’t working with LeBron in street clothes, things aren’t looking promising once The King returns. Laravel served its purpose (for the most part) while we waited, but the race is over. Release him for a hot free agent. At this point, I would prefer to roll the dice dennis jenkins,
Colin GillespiePG, Sons (20% Roasted)
Gillespie had 10 points, four rebounds, one assist and two 3-pointers in Thursday’s blowout win over the Pacers, but he has been struggling of late. He has scored 10 or fewer points in five of his last six games and is averaging just 8.1 points, 4.1 rebounds, 4.3 assists, 0.6 steals and 2.0 3-pointers in November. I like Gillespie and his game, but he’s probably a better player in real life than in fantasy. And the fact that the Suns have somehow won five games in a row doesn’t bode well for Gillespie’s near future. You’re probably better off looking at your league’s waiver wire.
