Fantasy Basketball stock watch: Chris Paul rising, Avery Bradley falling
STOCK UP
Chris Paul: The aging point guard remains a durability risk but also a top-10 player despite coming off an injury and learning a new system on a new team. Moreover, Paul has seen his Usage Rate spike with James Harden out, making him an elite nightly DFS option. The Rockets have the No. 2 Offensive Efficiency in the NBA, continue to fire up threes at a record pace, and Harden’s return isn’t imminent, so patient CP3 owners will continue to reap major benefits. Gerald Green is another beneficiary of the Harden injury, as he’s gone from out of the NBA two weeks ago to averaging 17.3 points and 4.1 3pt over seven games, when he’s been a top-30 fantasy player. Green is still available in nearly half of Yahoo leagues.
Michael Beasley: The former No. 2 pick is suddenly back on the scene, averaging 19.2 points, 9.0 rebounds, 2.4 assists, 1.4 steals and 1.0 blocks while shooting 58.5 percent from the floor over the past five games. Beasley is dealing with a minor ankle injury but should go right back to being a big part of New York’s offense when he returns. He’s owned in just 40 percent of leagues.
Zach LaVine: A reminder he’s set to return to action this weekend. LaVine was the prize of the Jimmy Butler trade, but he’ll likely be brought along slowly coming off a torn ACL, and Chicago has a few options on the perimeter. Still, LaVine was a fast-emerging fantasy threat before going down, is still just 22 years old and can be added in a quarter of leagues right now.
Delon Wright: Kyle Lowry is currently sidelined with a bruised tailbone, and Wright is getting extra run as a result. He put up 13 points with seven rebounds, four assists, one steal and one block during his first start of the year Tuesday and is a nice cheap DFS option as long as Lowry is out.
Al-Farouq Aminu: He’s attempted double-digit field goals in three straight games and is up to a career-high 4.9 3PA on the season, as he’s firing away at will from distance. Aminu has quietly been a top-100 player this season and has played even better of late. He’s available in more than 50 percent of leagues.
Rondae Hollis-Jefferson: He’s breaking out during his third year in the league, averaging career highs in ppg (14.6), rpg (6.8), apg (2.1) and bpg (0.7) while committing few turnovers and shooting well. Hollis-Jefferson is coming off a huge game in which he went for 14-17-5 and will see an increase in Usage Rate in the short term with DeMarre Carroll banged up. It helps that Brooklyn sports a top-five Pace in the NBA as well.
STOCK DOWN
Avery Bradley: He’s struggled mightily with his new team in Detroit, shooting just 41.5 percent from the field while committing more turnovers (2.3) than recording assists (2.2). Bradley’s Usage Rate (20.5) is actually a career high with the Pistons, but it’s resulted in him being just the No. 179 ranked player (he was No. 57 last year). Detroit runs a slow pace, and Bradley is shooting an ugly 34.9 percent from the floor over the last month.
Thaddeus Young: Indiana has dealt with its share of injuries this year and no longer has Paul George, yet Young’s scoring has been down, as he’s averaged just 8.8 ppg over the past month, when he’s shot 64.7 percent from the line. Young is attempting more threes but not making them at a better clip than before, as his outside shot has never developed as hoped. His PER (14.17) is the second lowest of his career, and Young’s recent play has been killing his fantasy owners.
Kawhi Leonard: Finally back looking closer to full strength from an extended absence thanks to a thigh injury, Leonard is now dealing with torn ligaments in his left shoulder, which sounds alarming. Let’s hope these aren’t signs of the 26-year-old superstar breaking down early, but in the meantime, Kyle Anderson and LaMarcus Aldridge stand to benefit.
Rodney Hood: He’s not been shy about his new gunner role, but Hood has been ice cold of late, shooting just 39.5 percent from the floor over the last 10 games, when he hasn’t been a top-175 player despite seeing 30.3 mpg and rarely turning the ball over. Utah’s Pace is bottom-five in the league, but hopefully Hood’s shot will start falling soon.
