RADIO
Welcome to Volume 2 of the Under-Performing Stars series, as we have rounded back to the point guard position. The good news about recent point guard play is that, in general, point guards have been performing quite well. Odds are, your primary point guard hasn't been a disappointment. There have also been some surprisingly good point guard play that can be found on the waiver wire, so the options are certainly there. With that said, Ty Lawson and Emmanuel Mudiay were two of the names that were on this list in the first entry, and since then they have done nothing to show that they belong on any kind of fantasy roster. Hopefully they have been banished to the waiver wire in your league by now, and we can proceed to look at this week's batch of universally owned struggling guards.
NBA Under-Performing Stars: Point Guard Edition
Goran Dragic (PG, MIA)
Making his second appearance on the wall of shame, Goran Dragic has continued to provide inconsistent production for disappointed fantasy owners. The issues with Dragic however, are still very much the same as before. His efficiency has really fallen off from last season. Over the last month, Dragic has hit 44.2% of his field goals and just 24.3% of his three pointers. His overall production has improved just a slight bump as a result of his improved overall field goal percentage, but not enough to warrant any form of celebration. On the season, Dragic is now averaging 11.1 points, 3.5 assists, and 3.3 rebounds. In the first article for Dragic, I advised that you hold on to him and trust that his production will improve, and I have been wrong thus far. Should you look to move him now?
Hold him.
It must be tough not to want to move Dragic based on his inconsistent production. However, we still have to look at his minutes and volume as indicators of his value to the Miami Heat. Dragic is averaging close to 32 minutes per game, as well as 10.2 field goal attempts per game. The reasons to hold on to Dragic are still very much the same as before. The potential is still there and you will likely not get great value for him back. Looking at the other point guards who came off the board after him, you will likely not be able to convince another owner to trade you someone like Reggie Jackson, Brandon Knight, or Mike Conley. With that in mind, Dragic still holds a lot more value than the waiver wire flavor of the week that someone may offer you in an effort to buy low. If you're in a H2H league, stay calm and confident. Dragic could very easily turn it on come fantasy playoff time and produce well for your team. However, if you're struggling in a H2H league or you're playing Roto, try to tough it out for another few weeks and we'll reconvene in February.
Derrick Rose (PG, CHI)
Derrick Rose did not send off panic signals earlier in the season due to a general sense of leniency based on his injuries. However, at this point in the season, its time to acknowledge that Rose has definitely been a disappointment. Rose has only averaged 13.7 points, along with 5.2 assists and 3.4 rebounds. His percentages have been terrible, as he is shooting 37.3% from the field and 22.0% from three. Anyone trying to watch a Bulls game understands how frustrating it is that he is failing to convert on mid-range jump shots and drives to the hoop when these were some of his best attributes early on in his career. The optimism is certainly still there that he still has a lot of rust and his instincts still have not fully recovered. However, time is ticking and patience is certainly waning. Rose has the tendency to put up a great, MVP throwback night every once in a while, so should you look to sell high on him when given the opportunity?
Trade him.
Rose's best asset at this point is his name value, and you can certainly pair that up with some nice looking recent stat lines in order to grab someone of value. Any of the point guard names mentioned earlier should be great trading targets if you can manage to convince the fantasy owner. While Rose may put up a great night once in a while, the overall situation just doesn't fit him that well. Rose has never been a strong contributor of steals and threes, which severely limits his fantasy value. He cannot provide elite production in two of the categories that top point guards are expected to produce in. Rose has also been unreliable due to the use of Jimmy Butler as the centerpiece of the offense, as well as the roller coaster ride that is Rose's shot making ability. If you can manage to trade him, you can rest easy every time Rose bricks a mid-range bank shot.
