Let’s take a look at the NBA this week, shall we? Jalen Johnson is on fire, Josh Hart is still playing tons of minutes (like he did last season), and Tyrese Haliburton, despite his struggles on the road, is returning. Meanwhile, DeMar DeRozan isn’t getting it done and LeBron James has been struggling mightily from beyond the arc.
Yes, it’s time to point out this week’s situation once again. Ascending and descending.
elevators
Jalen Johnson, PF, Atlanta Hawks (96.5% enrolled in ESPN leagues)
Johnson has been a top-five fantasy player over his last seven games, and as a result, the Hawks are suddenly getting hot. JJ has averaged 22.4 points, 9.3 rebounds, 5.9 assists, 1.1 steals, 1.3 blocks and 1.9 three-pointers in his last seven while shooting a blistering 59% from the floor and 91% from the field. line. There’s a reason most fantasy pros focused on Johnson this season and he’s literally been productive in every category, including turnovers (2.9 per game). The future is now.
Josh Hart, SG/SF, New York Knicks (89.3% on roster)
Even though many people thought Hart would take a step back this season with the arrival of Mikal Bridges and Karl-Anthony Towns (as well as a healthy OG Anunoby), Hart has been a top-12 fantasy asset over his last seven games. . With averages of 13.6 points, 7.9 rebounds, 5.4 assists, 2.1 steals, 0.7 blocks, 1.6 triples and only 1.9 turnovers, he is shining for the Knicks.
He has also played a whopping 37 minutes per game and shot 60% from the floor and 91% from the free throw line in those seven games. Tom Thibodeau loves him and the Knicks are rolling. Hart has been a very underrated fantasy player this season, putting up 18 points, 10 rebounds, six assists, four 3-pointers and a steal on Thursday night. In fact, he’s a fantasy star right now.
Tyrese Haliburton, PG/SG, Indiana Pacers (99.9%)
Haliburton has been a serious talking point lately, but has played well in his most recent eight games, posting top-12 value with averages of 21.9 points, 3.1 rebounds, 8.4 assists, 1.4 steals and 4.1 triples with 48% shooting. from the ground and 92% from the line. The problem with Haliburton has been their home/away divide. He has been fantastic at home, averaging 22.7 points, 9.0 assists and a 48% field goal percentage in the Fieldhouse this season. But away from home, his numbers drop to 13.7 points and just 35% shooting.
He was better away from home than at home last year, so there is hope for him to turn things around. Still, he made just 5 of 13 shots for 17 points in Brooklyn on Wednesday, so he still has to figure it out. He will most likely right the ship, so now is probably a good time to try to get Haliburton at a discount in a trade.
Malik Monk, SG/SF, Sacramento Kings (58.6%)
Monk recently returned from injury and moved into the starting lineup. He has returned to the top 15 in fantasy value in his last five games, with averages of 21.2 points, 4.2 rebounds, 7.8 assists, 0.8 steals, 0.8 blocks and 4.4 three-pointers that have changed your season. He struggles from the line, hitting just 77% in that stretch, but as long as he stays in the starting lineup going forward, he’ll continue to put up big numbers for the Kings. Now is a good time to join Monk’s resurgence.
Payton Pritchard, defenseman, Boston Celtics (55.1%)
Despite not starting for the Celtics, Prtichard has been a top 30 fantasy player over the last seven games with averages of 19.1 points, 4.6 rebounds, 3.3 assists, 1.0 steals and 4 .0 triples on 52% shooting and 86% shooting from the field. line. The Celtics are going to continue to win a ton of games, some by a wide margin, and Pritchard is officially in the discussion for Sixth Man of the Year. He won’t hurt you anywhere, and if Boston starts resting their guys at some point, Pritchard has a chance to be even more valuable in the future.
PJ Washington, PF, Dallas Mavericks (70.0%)
Washington has become the Mavericks’ go-to power forward and has been in the top 35 in his last eight games. He has averaged 16.4 points, 9.0 rebounds, 3.9 digs, 1.3 steals, 1.3 blocks and 2.1 three-pointers on 51% shooting. He’s not a great free throw shooter (77%), but he won’t hurt you either. He’s a solid trade target in fantasy right now, especially since he doesn’t have a high-profile name in fantasy circles.
Falleros
DeMar DeRozan, SF/PF, Sacramento Kings (98.9%)
DeRozan has been just one of the top 125 players in his last five games with averages of 21.6 points, 4.8 rebounds, 5.2 assists, 1.2 steals, 0.4 blocks and zero! Triples in that stretch. He’s a midrange specialist, but not a deep threat, and the Kings have been struggling while trying to fit DeRozan into the mix of one of last season’s most exciting teams. His name and scoring average are big enough to bring back a potential haul in a trade and his lack of 3-point shooting is no surprise. He’ll probably have a hard time hitting them all season long.
Shaedon Sharpe, SG/SF, Portland Trail Blazers (30.8%)
Sharpe has great potential, but he’s still a bit raw and has earned just one top-140 fantasy value over his last seven games. I’m not sure he’s still on the waiver list, but with averages of just 17.1 points, 3.3 rebounds, 2.4 assists, 1.0 steals, 0.3 blocks and 1.6 three-pointers with a 42 % shooting, he still has to break through. He’s a great free throw shooter (93%), but his lack of stats and poor shooting make him a potential fantasy problem. You may be able to find a more productive player in your league outside of the waiver.
Dejounte Murray, PG/SG, New Orleans Pelicans (90.2%)
Murray has been just a top-150 fantasy player in his four games since returning from injury and will have to compete with the likes of CJ McCollum, Herbert Jones and Brandon Ingram going forward. He has averaged just 13.0 points, 5.8 rebounds, 5.8 assists, 2.8 steals, 0.5 blocks and 1.5 3-pointers in 32 minutes during those four, and has made just 27% of his shots in that section. Shooting, which has been tanking his overall value, should turn around, so now seems like a good time to try to buy Murray. I should start taking some shots soon.
LeBron James, SF/PF, Los Angeles Lakers (99.9%)
The King has been a top 170 fantasy value over his last seven games, mainly because he has struggled a lot from 3-point range, hitting just 0.6% of them per game. He has averaged 18.6 points, 7.1 rebounds and 8.6 assists in that stretch, but only 0.7 steals, 0.4 blocks and 0.6 three-pointers while making just 44% of his shots. He should be able to turn things around and finally hit a 3-pointer on Wednesday after missing 19 in a row, but the Lakers aren’t looking good and LeBron’s inability to hit 3-pointers is a big reason why.
Bradley Beal, SG/SF, Phoenix Suns (84.0%)
Beal has been just a top-180 fantasy player in his last three games and is always an injury concern. He has averaged 16.7 points, 4.7 rebounds, 2.0 assists, 0.3 steals, 0.3 blocks and 1.7 triples in his last three, despite having made 57% of his shots in that stretch . His 75% free throw shooting doesn’t help, but there is light at the end of the tunnel. Kevin Durant (ankle) will be reevaluated in a week and Beal should, in theory, help pick up the slack in his absence. The lack of steals and assists are red flags, but with Durant sidelined, don’t be surprised if Beal plays better over the next week.
