RADIO
Ryan Dodson analyzes NBA risers and fallers for fantasy basketball dynasty leagues. Read his Week 2 fantasy rundown on dynasty forwards, guards and centers.
Welcome to RotoBaller's weekly dynasty league rundown! Dynasty leagues are becoming more and more popular, and we're here to keep you ahead of the game.
Each week, we'll touch on topics and players that may not necessarily be relevant in single-year formats, but they can make a splash in keeper leagues.
With that being said, let's look at the dynasty rundown for Week 2.
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
Guards
Shai Gilgeous-Alexander, Oklahoma City Thunder
The 21-year-old second-year guard busted out with 23.8 points, 3.3 assists, 6.8 rebounds and 1.3 blocks through four games. He was the 11th overall pick last season, but he didn't carve out much of a niche with the Los Angeles Clippers. His shooting percentages are nearly identical to last season, but he's playing eight more minutes per game and doubled his production in those minutes. Gilgeous-Alexander looks to be ascending rapidly, and he would be someone to target as a midrange piece in a rebuilding team's plan.
Kendrick Nunn, Miami Heat
The undrafted rookie has a chance to be the feel-good story of the 2019-2020 season. Nunn roared out of the gates with 22.3 points, 3.3 assists, 3.3 rebounds and a couple steals per game through the first three games of the season. He has a few things working against him, though. He's shooting 42.1 percent from three-point land, which is a tick above the 38.6 percent he shot in college. He's also shooting 51.9 percent overall from the floor, and he shot just 42.8 percent from the field in college. Both of those are likely to regress. Nunn could also lose playing time once forward Derrick Jones Jr. (groin) returns from a groin strain. The Heat are a rebuilding team, and Nunn could still remain a formidable part of the offense moving forward. The time to snag him has probably passed. If you were able to land him, you should float him around the market to see if you can sell high.
Matisse Thybulle, Philadelphia 76ers
The 20th overall pick in the 2019 NBA draft is tied for third in the NBA with 2.7 steals per game. He's averaging just 22 minutes per game. Thybulle is averaging 3.7 points, two boards, one dime and 1.3 blocks per game. He's only shooting 18.8 percent from the floor, which has to improve. The Sixers' lack of depth, and his propensity for steals, will keep him in the rotation. Thybulle is a decent player to take a flyer on to see if he can develop his shot.
Forwards
OG Anunoby, Toronto Raptors
Anunoby's offensive game has really progressed slowly since he was taken 17th overall in the 2017 draft. He has taken a big step forward in the first four games with 12.3 points, 7.3 boards, 2.3 blocks and 1.5 steals per game. He's also shooting 43.8 percent from distance after only shooting 33.2 percent from deep last season. He's an excellent defender, and he looks like he's developing into a player that can stuff multiple categories as forward Nicolas Batum did in his early years. We like what we see from Anunoby, and he looks like a supplemental piece to attempt to add.
Josh Hart, New Orleans Pelicans
We've seen this kind of surge from Hart before. He posted double figures in his first five games last season and then averaged 7.7 points per game in November. He snagged 19 rebounds in the first two games combined, but that's not his game. He's a player that can average 15 points, a handful of boards and sprinkle in a few three-pointers per game. Hart should be owned universally, but he'll have peaks and valleys. This is a peak you should look to sell high on if you can do so.
PJ Washington, Charlotte Hornets
The undersized forward has been on fire from deep to open the season. Washington was 11-for-22 from three-point land in the first four games. He averaged 14 points and 6.8 rebounds per game. That success rate is unlikely to continue. Since Washington is 6-foot-7 and 236 pounds, he's going to struggle to rebound enough to be a top-tier forward. He's still valuable for three-pointers from the power forward spot. There's some to like and some to dislike with him, but he's a back-end keeper right now.
Centers
Christian Wood, Detroit Pistons
The third-year big man has been filling in for forward Blake Griffin (hamstring, knee), and Griffin doesn't seem to be healing quickly. If you toss out Wood's ineffective four minutes in the season opener, he's averaging 15 points and 8.5 rebounds per game over the last two games. Wood is also 4-for-6 from three-point range and has only missed four shots overall. His stock is rising, but he's still floating on waivers. Look to grab him immediately.
Ivica Zubac, Los Angeles Clippers
The 7-foot, third-year man is a traditional center that will have trouble staying on the floor against smaller teams. However, he has posted 9.5 points, 5.5 boards and two blocks in just 15.8 minutes per game. He had 16 points and 10 boards against the banged-up Golden State Warriors in the second game of the season. Zubac is still just 22 years old, and he needs to be owned in all long-term leagues.
