👉 TAP TO SAVE 50% WITH CODE SPRING
X
Lost password?

Don't have an account?
Gain Access Now

X

Receive free daily analysis

NFL
NBA
NHL
NASCAR
CFB
MLB
MMA
PGA
ESPORTS
BETTING

Already have an account? Log In

X

Forgot Password


POPULAR FANTASY TOOLS

#1 Expert Projections
Save 50% Now
Import Your Leagues
Props Tool
Compare Any Players
Compare Any Players
24x7 News and Alerts

Changing Tides: A Look Into Surprising NBA Playoff Performances

The playoffs are in full swing but it's not too early to look forward to next year's fantasy season.

With teams going all out and putting out their strongest rotations, we can see how teams truly value each of their pieces, so big performances and surprising turns can be taken with more validity than during the last few months of the regular season.

Let's take a look at some of the more surprising performances so far this postseason, and try to analyze what it could mean for their stock in next year's fantasy season.

Featured Promo: New Novig users get a $25 purchase match (50% discount up to $25) on your first Novig deposit, and 6 free months of RotoBaller's "Big-4" Premium Pass (NBA, NFL, MLB, NHL) which includes exclusive tools for Betting, Props, DFS and more! CLAIM IT NOW

 

Changing Tides: A Look Into Surprising NBA Playoff Performances

Rajon Rondo, PG, New Orleans Pelicans

So the myth of playoff Rondo is real, and a locked-in Rondo looked fantastic on both ends of the floor in the Pelicans evisceration of the Portland Trail Blazers. He's nearly averaged a triple double this postseason with 11.3/13.3/7.5 splits in the popcorn stats to go with 0.8 steals and 3-pointers apiece, in 35 minutes a game. Rondo showed flashes of this form last season in the 2 games before he got hurt as the Bulls stole the first 2 games from the 1 seed Boston Celtics, and he has played a huge part in the Pelicans success so far this postseason, taking primary ball-handling duties and unlocking Jrue Holiday as a potent off-ball threat.

Outlook: Doesn't move the needle on his value much

Rondo's contract situation does put a question mark on his value next season, as he is an unrestricted free agent and it's unclear whether one good postseason can make up for a few years of regular season track record suggesting that he is not consistently a good player. His effort level wanes during the regular season, and his value next season will depend a lot on his situation more so than his talent and productivity. If he finds himself in a situation where he can consistently get more than 25 minutes a game, he will still be a strong option in punt points leagues, and a great source of steals, assists and out of position boards.

 

Jrue Holiday, PG/SG, New Orleans Pelicans

All Holiday's performance this postseason has done is narrow the still incomprehensible gap between his value and performance and the public perception of Jrue as a player. Holiday has been excellent for quite some time now, yet doesn't get the recognition as a star that many other players worse than him receive. With averages of 27.8/6.5/4.0 in the spotlight of the postseason, it looks like the gap between how good Holiday is and how good people think he is will finally narrow. Unfortunately, this means he will probably be drafted a little more appropriately next year.

Outlook: Won't inexplicably fall as far in drafts next season as he has in the past

Jrue Holiday is a dynamic 2-way guard who can play both on and off ball, and his extremely high steal rate makes him an elite fantasy guard that has been consistently undervalued over the years due to overblown injury concerns and lack of name recognition. The fact that he has racked up 6.5 assists per game this post season playing off the ball shows that even as a 2, he can get dimes, and the elite steal rate won't be going away any time soon. One thing that makes Holiday unique is his out of position FG%, which makes him very easy to slot into a number of builds. Jrue should be valued around where Mike Conley has been the past few seasons ( in the 20s), and next year looks to be the year he will get finally get his due.

 

Derrick Rose, PG, Minnesota Timberwolves

Derrick Rose has been surprisingly productive for the Wolves in their playoff series against the 1-seed Rockets, providing a much needed spark off the bench. Reunited with his old coach Tom Thibodeau from his glory days in Chicago, Rose has gotten a green light to run the offense and he's responded with 14.8 ppg in 24 minutes per game this series. He's also hit 1.3 3s per game, a part of his game that has been severely lacking for him all career.

Outlook: This is a mirage

You can dismiss this as fast as you can because nothing about this performance is sustainable. The 3-point shooting and 52.0 FG% is being buoyed but a ridiculous 71.4% 3-point shooting percentage and Rose has still been as anemic as ever in assists and steals with 2.8 and 0.5 respectively over the 4 game series so far. While this makes for a pretty cool story (Rose performing for his old coach), there is nothing here to suggest that he has turned a corner, and he is still undraftable in most formats next season.

 

Carmelo Anthony, SF/PF, Oklahoma City Thunder

While playoff Rondo has been a thing, Olympic Melo has been proven again and again to be a myth and his performance in the Thunder's first round series against Utah has been an abomination to put it lightly. Melo has averaged just 12.8 points per game on 36.9% shooting and only 1.2 3s per game on a putrid 21.4% 3-point rate. This is Melo we're talking about, so if he's not scoring anymore, then what use does he have?

Outlook: Undraftable

Someone will still take Melo because of the name value, just make sure that someone isn't you. It's telling that in the Thunder's frantic game 5 comeback,  the run was ignited when Melo went to the bench, and he didn't come in until the Thunder had completed the comeback and taken the lead. Melo is a very bad player now, who doesn't contribute in the defensive categories and can't even score much anymore, and he should not be drafted at all next year.

 

More Fantasy Basketball Analysis

that



POPULAR FANTASY TOOLS

#1 Expert Projections
Save 50% Now
Import Your Leagues
Props Tool
Compare Any Players
Compare Any Players
24x7 News and Alerts

REAL-TIME FANTASY NEWS

Chris Gotterup

Needs an Accurate Driving Week For Success at PGA Championship
Philadelphia 76ers

76ers Part Ways With Daryl Morey
Kevin Huerter

Iffy for Game 5 Against Cavaliers
Dylan Harper

Cleared for Action Tuesday
De'Aaron Fox

Available for Game 5 Against Timberwolves
Caris LeVert

Remains on Injury Report With Heel Issue
Duncan Robinson

Listed as Questionable for Game 5
Brandon Clarke

Dies at Age 29
Charlie McAvoy

Slapped With Six-Game Suspension
Jonas Brodin

Unavailable for Game 5 Against Avalanche
Joel Eriksson Ek

to Remain Out Wednesday
Sam Malinski

Day-to-Day With Upper-Body Injury
Jacob Wilson

A's Place Jacob Wilson on Injured List With Shoulder Subluxation
Artturi Lehkonen

Considered Day-to-Day
Charlie Coyle

Lands Six-Year Extension
Ukko-Pekka Luukkonen

to Start Game 4 Against Canadiens
Drew Helleson

Unavailable for Game 5
Radko Gudas

Still Out Tuesday
Mark Stone

Won't Play Tuesday
Carnell Tate

Is Carnell Tate Poised for Immediate Stardom in Tennessee?
Jeremiyah Love

Will Jeremiyah Love See a Limited Role in Arizona as a Rookie?
Wan'Dale Robinson

Dynasty Stock Fading Following NFL Draft
Bucky Irving

Not Yet Cleared to Participate in OTAs
Tyler Shough

Dynasty Stock Rising with Improved Supporting Cast in New Orleans
Garrett Wilson

Dynasty Upside Limited by Quarterback Questions
Christian Yelich

Brewers Reinstate Christian Yelich From Injured List
Ted Hurst

Viewed as "True X" Receiver Going into Rookie Campaign
Kenneth Gainwell

Zac Robinson Thinks Bucky Irving, Kenneth Gainwell Have Similar Skill Sets
Emeka Egbuka

to Settle into "Z" Role in Year 2
Trey Benson

Droppable in Some Dynasty Leagues?
Cameron Ward

Looking to Make a Year 2 Leap
Omar Cooper Jr.

to Require Some Patience in Dynasty Leagues?
Jordyn Tyson

Is Jordyn Tyson the Best Rookie Receiver in Dynasty Leagues?
Nico Collins

Still in the WR1 Tier for Dynasty Fantasy Football
Luka Dončić

Luka Doncic Admits He Wasn't Close to Returning Before Season Ended
Colston Loveland

Is Colston Loveland a Top-25 Dynasty Asset?
CFB

Isaac Brown Has All-American Upside in 2026
LeBron James

Uncertain About Future After Season-Ending Loss
Zay Flowers

Is Zay Flowers Still Undervalued Coming Off a Career Season?
Ajay Mitchell

Continues to Excel for Thunder
CFB

Nyck Harbor Heading into Breakout Year?
LeQuint Allen Jr.

a Steady Dynasty Riser During Quiet Jaguars Offseason
Shai Gilgeous-Alexander

Posts 35 Points in Series Clincher
CFB

Notre Dame, USC in Discussions to Resume Rivalry Series
Cade Cunningham

Struggles in Game 4 Loss
Shedeur Sanders

a Dynasty Hold Amid Quarterback Room Uncertainty
CFB

Jaron-Keawe Sagapolutele Has Eyes on ACC Title
James Harden

Records 40th Postseason Double-Double
Quinshon Judkins

' Dynasty Stock on the Rise with Offensive Improvements
CFB

Ahmad Hardy's Gunshot Wound Not Viewed as Career-Threatening
Donovan Mitchell

Ties NBA Playoff Record With 39 Second-Half Points
Tommy Fleetwood

on Upward Trend Ahead of PGA Championship
Bryson DeChambeau

a High-Upside Play With Risk at PGA Championship
Isaiah Davis

' Dynasty Value Takes a Hit Thanks to Teammate's Extension
Kaleb Johnson

Will Kaleb Johnson Have a Bigger Role Under New Coaching Staff?
Draymond Green

Set to Stay With Warriors
Stephen Curry

Warriors Looking to Extend Stephen Curry in Offseason
Giannis Antetokounmpo

Bucks Listening to Offers for Giannis Antetokounmpo
OG Anunoby

Expected to Be Ready for Game 1 of East Finals
De'Aaron Fox

Listed as Questionable for Game 5
A.J. Ewing

Mets to Call Up Top Prospect A.J. Ewing
Kevin Huerter

to Remain Sidelined in Game 4
Caris LeVert

is Cleared for Game 4 on Monday
Mookie Betts

is Officially Back on Monday
Nathan Eovaldi

Scratched From Monday's Start With Side Tightness
Mark Jankowski

Signs Two-Year Extension With Hurricanes
Joel Kiviranta

Cleared to Play Monday
Josh Manson

Available for Game 4 Monday
Mackenzie Blackwood

Expected to Start Monday
Jonas Brodin

Won't Play Monday
Joel Eriksson Ek

Remains Out Monday
Henry Bolte

Athletics to Promote Top Outfield Prospect Henry Bolte to Major Leagues
Khamzat Chimaev

Suffers his First Loss
Sean Strickland

Recaptures Middleweight Title
Tatsuro Taira

Suffers Fifth-Round TKO Loss
Joshua Van

Defends Flyweight Title
MMA

Waldo Cortes-Acosta Drops Decision
Alexander Volkov

Wins Back-To-Back Fights
Shane Van Gisbergen

Dominates Watkins Glen for First Win of 2026
Michael McDowell

Finishes Second for Best Run of the Year At Watkins Glen
Ty Gibbs

Scores New Career-Best Finish of Third at Watkins Glen
Tyler Reddick

Continues His Strong Season With Fifth-Place Run at Watkins Glen
Austin Dillon

Earns his First Top-10 Finish of 2026 at Watkins Glen
Mookie Betts

Dodgers Expect Mookie Betts to Return on Monday
CFB

Ahmad Hardy Sustains Gunshot Wound, in Stable Condition
Rasmus Dahlin

Records Two Points in Game 3 Loss
Tage Thompson

Comes Alive in Game 3 Against Canadiens
Cole Caufield

Ends Dry Spell Sunday
Alex Newhook

Nets Two More Goals in Sunday's Victory
Mitchell Marner

Notches Three Assists in Losing Effort
Connor Zilisch

Will Start Fifth in his First Watkins Glen Cup Series Race
Tyler Reddick

Is A Top DFS Option for Watkins Glen Lineups
Christopher Bell

Is Likely to Bounce Back This Week at Watkins Glen
Carlos Rodón

Carlos Rodon Activated for Season Debut on Sunday
William Byron

Is William Byron Playable in DFS Lineups at Watkins Glen?
Kyle Larson

May have A Positive Day at Watkins Glen
Chase Briscoe

May Compete for A Top-10 Finish at Watkins Glen
NASCAR

A.J. Allmendinger May have Another Solid Outing at Watkins Glen
Ty Gibbs

Should Fantasy Managers Roster Ty Gibbs at Watkins Glen?
Ross Chastain

Is Ross Chastain Worth Rostering for Watkins Glen Lineups?
Austin Cindric

Could Austin Cindric be A Sneaky Tournament Play for Watkins Glen?
Shane Van Gisbergen

Shane van Gisbergen the Heavy Favorite at Watkins Glen
Chase Elliott

Is Chase Elliott a No-Brainer DFS Pick at Watkins Glen?
Chris Buescher

Qualifies 14th at Watkins Glen
Ryan Blaney

Has Upside at Watkins Glen After Signing Contract Extension
Michael McDowell

Still Searching for First Top-Five Finish at Watkins Glen
Carson Hocevar

Is Carson Hocevar Too Aggressive for Road-Course Racing?
Luis Castillo

Mariners Intend to Piggyback Luis Castillo, Bryce Miller
Logan Webb

Placed on 15-Day Injured List With Knee Bursitis
Bryce Miller

is Set to Return on Wednesday
Jeff Hoffman

Could Return to Closer Role
Taj Bradley

Hits the Injured List With Pectoral Inflammation
Kyle Bradish

has Nice Bounce-Back Performance With 10 K's
Casey Mize

Throws Bullpen on Friday, Return Not Imminent
Ronald Acuña Jr.

Ronald Acuna Jr. Optimistic About Returning Next Wednesday
Tyler Glasnow

Dodgers Put Tyler Glasnow on Injured List With Back Spasms
Blake Snell

to Make Season Debut for Dodgers on Saturday
Cole Ragans

Royals Place Cole Ragans on Injured List With Elbow Impingement
Sean Strickland

An Underdog At UFC 328
Khamzat Chimaev

Set For UFC 328 Main Event
Tatsuro Taira

Can Become The New Flyweight Champion
Joshua Van

Set For His First Title Defense
Alexander Volkov

Looks To Win Back-To-Back Fights
MMA

Waldo Cortes-Acosta Looks To Extend His Win Streak
Nick Lodolo

Officially Activated, Making Season Debut on Friday
CFB

Walker Lyons Could be Go-To Target for Bear Bachmeier
CFB

Ty Benefield a Potential Game-Changer for LSU Defense
CFB

Hayden Lowe Set for Significant Role Following Miami's NFL Departures
CFB

Taylor Wein in Position for Big Season on Oklahoma's Defensive Line
CFB

Rasheem Biles an Instant Impact Player for Texas
Roman Anthony

Heading for the Injured List
CFB

Sam Leavitt Expected to Be Full-Go for Fall Camp
RANKINGS
C
1B
2B
3B
SS
OF
SP
RP

RANKINGS

QB
RB
WR
TE
K
DEF