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

Expert Advice
Articles & Tools
Import Your Leagues
Daily Stats & Leaders
All Pitcher Matchups
Compare Any Players
Compare Any Players
Rookies & Call-Ups
24x7 News and Alerts

Third-Year Players To Give Up On In Fantasy Basketball: Enough Already

fantasy basketball offseason trades free agents NBA sleepers

Justin Carter looks at five third-year NBA players who are unlikely to make a leap in their game in 2022-23. These are players to avoid in fantasy basketball drafts.

Not every player can set the world on fire as a rookie. Or as a second-year player. Sometimes, young players take time to develop.

But other times, those struggles in years one and two can be signs that those players are on their way to washing out of the NBA.

Below are five third-year NBA players who I don't expect to take a step forward in 2022. These are players who fantasy managers should do their best to avoid this season.

Upgrade To VIP: Win more with our NBA and DFS Premium Pass, get expert tools and advice from proven winners! Jamie Calandro and Dan Palyo lead the RotoBaller team in 2024-25 with exclusive DFS picks, Prop picks and more. Gain VIP access to our Lineup Optimizer, Research Station, DFS Cheat Sheets and VIP Chat Rooms. Go Premium, Win More!

 

Isaac Okoro - G/F - Cleveland Cavaliers

Okoro is a tricky player to predict, but after the Donovan Mitchell trade, I just don't think there are enough opportunities to go around for Okoro, who seems destined to follow the Cedi Osman career path, which is to say that he can provide solid minutes for the Cavs but will always be the fourth or fifth option when he's on the floor.

This isn't meant as an insult to Okoro, who is a solid rotation piece. But with Darius Garland, Donovan Mitchell and Caris LeVert at guard/wing and then Evan Mobley, Jarrett Allen and Kevin Love in the frontcourt, there's not going to be a lot of plays where Okoro is asked to do much.

Okoro has started 128 of his 134 career games, but in that time, he's averaged 9.2 points, 3.0 rebounds, 1.9 assists and 0.9 steals per game on a shooting split of 44.6/31.5/74.7.

The path to fantasy relevance for Okoro is that he continues to up his efficiency from three and he becomes a threes and steals player. I don't think that's a path that I want to go down as a fantasy manager.

 

Deni Avdija - F - Washington Wizards

RotoBaller was high on Avdija when he was drafted. I know I liked him, and I seem to remember another one of our writers saying he should have been the No. 1 pick in the 2020 draft.

Looks like we were wrong.

Avdija played all 82 games last year and started eight times, but he shot just 31.7% from three on 3.2 attempts per game. He finished the year with averages of 8.4 points, 5.2 rebounds, 2.9 assists and 0.7 steals per game. The rebounding numbers show promise. The rest...meh.

His per 36 minute numbers did see a decent rise, from 9.8 points to 12.4 points per game and from 1.8 assists to 3.0 points per game. But fantasy basketball isn't played via extrapolated data—it's played in the real minutes that someone is on the floor.

Avdija played more near the end of the season, but I'm not sure how much that matters. The team added Will Barton in the offseason, who should start at the three, pushing Avdija to the bench once again. And Corey Kispert might be better than Avdija—if he is, then I think we'll see a pretty big drop in opportunities for Deni this season.

 

Kira Lewis Jr. - G - New Orleans Pelicans

I'm not quite sure when Lewis will play this year, as he suffered an ACL in December that ended his season prematurely.

But even before that injury, Lewis wasn't really doing much for he Pelicans.

In 24 games, Lewis averaged 14.2 minutes. His overall field goal percentage rose from 38.6% as a rookie to 40.4% as a second-year player, but his three-ball dropped from 33.3% down to 22.4% on 2.4 attempts per game.

Lewis finished the season with averages of 5.9 points, 1.6 rebounds and 2.0 assists per contest.

The former Alabama guard made some major leaps in his last year in college as a shooter, but a lot of that leap just hasn't translated to the NBA. And if his speed—the main skill that people talked about leading up to the draft—takes a hit from this knee injury, then that's especially bad.

Also of note is that getting minutes on this team will be though. C.J. McCollum and Brandon Ingram should be the starting backcourt, and I think Jose Alvarado and Devonte' Graham both have an early jump over Lewis for backup minutes.

 

Aaron Nesmith - F - Indiana Pacers

Nesmith was traded to the Pacers this offseason, so maybe a change of scenery can do him some good.

Last season, Nesmith appeared in 52 games for the Celtics. He shot 39.6% from the floor and 27% from three, finishing with averages of 3.8 points per game, plus 1.7 rebounds, 0.4 assists, 0.4 steals and 0.1 blocks.

Overall, not good.

Now, Nesmith heads to the Pacers, where the battle for playing time could go any direction. Looking at who the Pacers have at the two and three, it looks like Buddy Hield and Bennedict Mathurin will get most of those minutes, followed by Chris Duarte to back them up. There will also be times when T.J. McConnell plays the point and Tyrese Haliburton slides to the two.

Nesmith could have a shot at beating Mathurin or Duarte out for some minutes, but nothing about his Celtics career really makes me confident in that.

But hey, you never know. Jalen Smith would have been in this article if he was still in Phoenix, but after Smith was traded to the Pacers midseason last year, he blossomed. So, maybe Nesmith can follow the Jalen Smith path?

 

Zeke Nnaji - F - Denver Nuggets

Nnaji played 41 games last year, with his minutes per game jumping from 9.5 to 17.0. And with that increase, his numbers took a nice leap:

2020-21: 3.2 points, 1.5 rebounds, 0.2 assists, 0.2 steals, 0.1 blocks, 48.1% shooting, 40.7% from three
2021-22: 6.6 points, 3.6 rebounds, 0.4 assists. 0.4 steals, 0.3 blocks, 51.6% shooting, 46/3% from three

There are some good numbers in there. The problem, though, is the situation that Nnaji finds himself in. Of the five players in this article, he's the one who could most use a trade—send Nnaji somewhere where he can get more minutes, and he could be pretty good.

But fantasy basketball isn't about the "what ifs." You're drafting Nnaji as a member of the Nuggets.

The Nuggets have Nikola Jokic and Aaron Gordon in the frontcourt. They have DeAndre Jordan and Jeff Green to be those reliable veteran backups. They have Michael Porter Jr., who can size up and play some four.

Where are the minutes for Nnaji coming from? That's my issue here.



Download Our Free News & Alerts Mobile App

Like what you see? Download our updated fantasy basketball mobile app for iPhone and Android with 24x7 player news, injury alerts, lineup notifications & DFS articles. All free!




POPULAR FANTASY TOOLS

Expert Advice
Articles & Tools
Import Your Leagues
Daily Stats & Leaders
All Pitcher Matchups
Compare Any Players
Compare Any Players
Rookies & Call-Ups
24x7 News and Alerts

REAL-TIME FANTASY NEWS

Alexander Romanov

Islanders Retain Alexander Romanov on $50 Million Contract
Andrei Kuzmenko

Signs Up for One More Year with Kings
Morgan Geekie

Signs Long-Term Extension with Bruins
Ivan Provorov

Stays in Columbus on Seven-Year Deal
Alex Pietrangelo

Stepping Away From Golden Knights for Health Reasons
Matias Maccelli

Maple Leafs Bring in Matias Maccelli
Evan Bouchard

Inks $42 Million Contract with Oilers
Vladimir Tarasenko

Wild Acquire Vladimir Tarasenko From Detroit
Patrick Kane

Signs New One-Year Deal with Red Wings
Brad Marchand

Lands Six-Year Extension
Aaron Ekblad

Remains a Panther on Eight-Year Deal
Mitchell Marner

Heads to Vegas
Randy Arozarena

Homers Twice, Plates Four Monday
Shea Langeliers

Hits Three-Run Homer In Return From Injured List Monday
Wilyer Abreu

Belts Grand Slam and Hits Inside-the-Park Home Run
Philadelphia 76ers

Trendon Watford Lands in Philadelphia
Jordan Clarkson

Expected to Sign With Knicks
Zack Wheeler

Tosses Eight Shutout Innings, Punches Out 10
Santi Aldama

Remains with Grizzlies
Atlanta Hawks

Nickeil Alexander-Walker Lands in Atlanta
George Springer

Exits Early Monday With Neck Injury
Jalen Ramsey

Could Move Around in Pittsburgh
Los Angeles Clippers

Brook Lopez Strikes Deal With Clippers
Jonnu Smith

to be Used in Hybrid Role
Terry McLaurin

Commanders, Terry McLaurin Not Close on Contract Extension
Hunter Goodman

Likely Headed to Injured List
Chicago Bulls

Tre Jones Remaining in Chicago
Michael Mayer

Raiders Not Interested in Trading Michael Mayer
Houston Rockets

Dorian Finney-Smith Signing With Rockets
Trent Grisham

Exits With Hamstring Tightness
Atlanta Hawks

Caris LeVert Joining Pistons
Milwaukee Bucks

Kevin Porter Jr., Bucks Reach Agreement on a New Contract
Brooklyn Nets

D'Angelo Russell Heading to Dallas
Denver Nuggets

Bruce Brown Jr. Heading Back to Denver
Atlanta Hawks

Clint Capela Returning to Houston
Cameron Johnson

Traded to Denver
Jaren Jackson Jr.

Signs Massive Extension
Michael Porter Jr.

Traded to Brooklyn
Matt Chapman

Could Return for Start of Giants Homestand
Wyatt Langford

Expected to Return on Saturday
Yanquiel Fernández

Yanquiel Fernandez Called Up to Majors
Tyler Mahle

Dealing With Rotator-Cuff Strain
Brooklyn Nets

Ziaire Williams Expected to Return to Nets
Austin Wells

to Miss Next Two Games
Tre Mann

Set to Become an Unrestricted Free Agent
Bo Bichette

Scratched With Sore Knee
Cody Martin

to Enter Free Agency
Los Angeles Clippers

Nicolas Batum Staying with Clippers
Jurickson Profar

to Return on Wednesday
Jordan Clarkson

Jazz Finalize Contract Buyout for Jordan Clarkson
Aldrich Potgieter

Wins Rocket Mortgage Classic
Thorbjorn Olesen

Finishes Tied for 41st at Rocket Mortgage Classic
Denny McCarthy

Finishes Tied For 12th at Travelers Championship
Chris Kirk

Finishes Tied For Second at Rocket Mortgage Classic
Michael Kim

Finishes Tied for 26th at Rocket Mortgage Classic
Max Homa

Misses Cut at Rocket Mortgage Classic
Lucas Glover

Finishes Tied For Ninth at Travelers Championship
PGA

Nico Echavarria Finishes Tied For Sixth at Rocket Mortgage Classic
Brooklyn Nets

Day'Ron Sharpe Staying with Nets
Colby Thomas

Called Up From Triple-A
Shea Langeliers

A's Reinstate Shea Langeliers From Injured List
Pittsburgh Steelers

Rumors Still Swirling Around Potential T.J. Watt Trade
Bryce Harper

Activated and Starting on Monday
Ilia Topuria

Becomes The New Lightweight Champion
Charles Oliveira

Knocked Out At UFC 317
Jeremy Peña

Jeremy Pena Lands on Injured List With Fractured Ribs
Kai Kara-France

Alexandre Pantoja Submits Kai Kara-France
Kai Kara-France

Submitted At UFC 317
Joshua Van

Extends His Win Streak
Tyler Boyd

Interested in Playing for Steelers
Miami Dolphins

Dolphins Now Looking to Acquire a Tight End
Brandon Royval

Drops Decision
L'Jarius Sneed

Says he's Healthy
Renato Moicano

Loses Back-To-Back Fights
Beneil Dariush

Gets Back In The Win Column
Felipe Lima

Suffers His First UFC Loss
Payton Talbott

Bounces Back
Minkah Fitzpatrick

Heading Back to Miami
Jonnu Smith

Shipped to Pittsburgh
Alex Bowman

Competitive Run Ends With Third-Place Finish at Atlanta
Erik Jones

Secures A Top-Five Finish After Adversity In Atlanta
Tyler Reddick

Collects A New Career-Best Finish At Atlanta
Jalen Ramsey

Steelers Acquiring Jalen Ramsey
Kerry Carpenter

Leaves Game with Apparent Hamstring Injury
Jonas Brodin

Expected to Miss Start of Next Season
TB

Conor Sheary Placed on Waivers for Contract Termination
Dante Fabbro

Stays with Blue Jackets on Four-Year Deal
Joel Hofer

Commits to Blues for Two More Years
Kevin Bahl

Signs Long-Term Extension with Flames
Oneil Cruz

Smacks Two Homers
Jordan Spence

Traded to Ottawa
Petr Mrazek

Heads to Anaheim
John Gibson

Red Wings Acquire John Gibson
Matthew Knies

Inks Six-Year Extension with Maple Leafs
Aaron Judge

Blasts Two Homers, Dealing With Back Issue
Chase Elliott

Ends Winless Skid With Atlanta Victory
Brad Keselowski

Falls Short of Atlanta Victory
NFL

NFL Won't Hold Supplemental Draft This Year
Damon Arnette

Getting Second Chance With Texans
Deommodore Lenoir

Arrested for Obstruction of Justice
Carson Hocevar

Recovers From Big One to Finish 10th at Atlanta
William Byron

Caught up in Atlanta Big One but Retains Points Lead
Denny Hamlin

Top In-Season Challenge Seed Denny Hamlin Eliminated in Lap 70 Crash
Ty Dillon

Bottom Seed Ty Dillon Upsets Denny Hamlin to Advance in In-Season Challenge
Marvin Harrison Jr.

Expected to Make Second-Year Jump
Jalin Hyatt

Looking to Flip the Script in 2025
Kyle Larson

Don't Expect Kyle Larson to Win First Drafting Track Race on Saturday
Christopher Bell

Unlikely to Complete Atlanta Sweep
Brad Keselowski

Seeks Another Clutch Win for Hail-Mary Playoff Bid
Chris Buescher

Unlikely to Lead Enough to Have Much DFS Value
Alex Bowman

Qualifies Best Among Non-Fords but Unlikely to Contend at Atlanta
Ryan Preece

Will Probably Run Better Than Usual at Atlanta
Austin Dillon

Consistently Mediocre at Atlanta
Ty Gibbs

Slightly Faster Lately but Unlikely to be a Factor at Atlanta
Erik Jones

a Low-Key Strong DFS Option
Noah Gragson

Could Have DFS Value as One of the Lowest-Qualifying Fords
Riley Herbst

Unlikely to Replicate February Atlanta Finish
Ty Dillon

Could Benefit from Kaulig Speed
Dylan Sampson

Being Used as a Receiver
Carson Schwesinger

Figures to be in Full-Time Role in 2025
Cedric Tillman

Should Have Full-Time Role
Bryce Young

Looking More Comfortable, Showing More Intensity
Aaron Rodgers

Roman Wilson Could Fit Nicely With Aaron Rodgers
Charles Oliveira

Can Become A Two-Time Lightweight Champion
Ilia Topuria

A Favorite At UFC 317
Kai Kara-France

Can Become The New Flyweight Champion
Alexandre Pantoja

Set For Fourth Title Defense At UFC 317
Joshua Van

Looks To Extend His Win Streak
Brandon Royval

Looks For His Third Win In A Row
Renato Moicano

Returns At UFC 317
Beneil Dariush

An Underdog At UFC 317
Payton Talbott

Looks To Bounce Back
Felipe Lima

Set To Open Up UFC 317 Main Card
Michael Thorbjornsen

Returns in Detroit at Rocket Classic
Adam Hadwin

Could Struggle Over the Weekend in Detroit
Cam Davis

Hopes Detroit Magic Can Spark Turnaround
Matt Wallace

a Boom-or-Bust Option at Rocket Classic
RANKINGS
C
1B
2B
3B
SS
OF
SP
RP

RANKINGS

QB
RB
WR
TE
K
DEF