RADIO
We’re in the final weeks of the regular season in most fantasy leagues. Hopefully, you’re still in the fight. If not, it’s always good practice to make sure to stay tuned to the trends to prepare yourself for next year.
Two of the four players featured this week were major beneficiaries from the trade deadline and have been making the most of their new situations.
However, we’re going to kick things off with a rookie who has been one of the most-added players in all fantasy leagues lately and a veteran who’s been shooting the lights out for the Knicks.
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Malachi Flynn (PG, TOR)
With both Kyle Lowry (foot) and Fred VanVleet (hip) missing time lately, Toronto Raptors rookie point guard Malachi Flynn has seen a massive increase in playing time. He’s played over 30 minutes in each of his past three games and has consistently filled the stat sheet as a result.
Over his past three games, Flynn is averaging 14.3 points, 6.3 rebounds, 4.3 assists, 2.7 steals, 1.3 blocks and 1.7 threes per game. His standout defensive performance came on Monday against the Washington Wizards when he tallied four steals and three blocks.
malachi flynn's 4 steals and 3 blocks from last night's win pic.twitter.com/3yJ3pzTtpl
— William Lou (@william_lou) April 6, 2021
Flynn is a feisty point guard on both ends of the floor. It’s hard not to see comparisons to his teammate VanVleet. Flynn has a long way to go in order to become the type of all-around player that VanVleet is, but he has a solid foundation. The most glaring weakness in Flynn’s game right now is his outside shooting. He’s shooting just 23.1% from three on the year, but he’s improved lately, hitting 4-for-8 from three-point range over his past two games.
Lowry is likely leaving Toronto after this year, which should open up a lot of playing time for Flynn. If Flynn can find 25 minutes per game, he’s going to be a solid asset for steals and assists. He might hurt you in field goal percentage, but if he’s able to develop a more consistent jumper over the next few years, he could become a fantasy stud in the years to come.
Reggie Bullock (SG/SF, NYK)
New York Knicks swingman Reggie Bullock has been letting loose from three-point range lately. Over his past three games, he’s shot a whopping 29 three-pointers and has made 15 of them. While he hasn’t really done much else for fantasy managers to take notice of, his three-point barrage has led to some solid point totals. He’s notched over 20 points in two straight. He also hasn’t surrendered a single turnover over his past three games.
Bullock is in his eighth year in the league and has bounced around quite a bit. When given the chance, he’s proven to be a solid, efficient three-point shooter. In 2017-18 with the Detroit Pistons, he shot 44.5% from three-point range on 4.5 attempts per game.
This year, he’s averaging 2.2 made threes and 5.5 three-point attempts per game, both just shy of his career-best marks, which came in 2018-19, when he made 2.3 threes per game on 6.2 attempts per game.
At 6’6”, Bullock has great size for a three-and-D wing. He turned 30 years old in March and his solid play this year is clear indication that he’s got plenty more three-pointers left in the tank. He’s an unrestricted free agent after this year. Staying with the Knicks should ensure solid playing time for him, but he could have even more fantasy upside in a higher-scoring offense. He seems like a very logical target for teams like the Milwaukee Bucks or Brooklyn Nets this offseason. Either of those landing spots could result in him being one of the league leaders in three-pointers next year.
Kelly Olynyk (PF/C, HOU)
Traded to the Houston Rockets in the trade deadline deal that sent Victor Oladipo to the Miami Heat, Kelly Olynyk has seen his season turn around drastically in his new jersey. He was producing decent numbers before the trade, but over the past two weeks, he’s been performing like a near top-25 player.
Over six games with the Rockets, Olynyk is averaging 18.7 points, 5.2 rebounds, 3.0 assists, 2.3 threes and 1.0 steals per game. Most impressively, he’s been hyper efficient. He’s shot 61.9% from the field and 95.2% from the line.
His top offensive performance over the past few weeks came against the New Orleans Pelicans on Sunday, when he shot 5-for-13 from three-point range and dropped a game-high 26 points.
Kelly Olynyk leads the way tonight for the #Rockets @KellyOlynyk vs Pelicans
26 POINTS / 8 REBOUNDS@HoustonRockets I AT&T SportsNet pic.twitter.com/2OOCFJzrtc— AT&T SportsNet SW (@ATTSportsNetSW) April 5, 2021
The 29-year-old Olynyk will be an unrestricted free agent after this year. So it’s not really surprising to see him turn his game up with a contract on the line. However, this recent ascendance should be particularly noteworthy to fantasy managers in dynasty leagues as well. Despite having a lot of tread on his tires, Olynyk is a great fit for the modern NBA as a versatile 6’11” center who can extend defenses with his three-point range. There’s no question that he’s going to have a lot of interest on the market this offseason, it’s just a question of which teams are most interested. On a busy roster, he might not provide much for fantasy owners other than efficiency, but if he’s thrust into a role where he’s seeing 25 or 30 minutes per game like he is now, he could be a top-50 type of asset over the next few years.
R.J. Hampton (PG, ORL)
One of the most intriguing movers at the trade deadline was rookie guard R.J. Hampton. He began his rookie year with the Denver Nuggets, but was buried on the bench, averaging just nine minutes per game. But now, following the blockbuster trade that sent Aaron Gordon to Denver, Hampton is seeing extended playing time with the Orlando Magic.
Hampton has played over 30 minutes in each of his past two games and has averaged 14.0 points, 6.0 rebounds, 2.5 assists and 1.5 steals per game.
He made his first career start against his old team this past Sunday and dropped 16 points on 7-of-13 shooting to go along with four rebounds, three assists and two steals.
RJ Hampton's 1st career Start
16 PTS (career-high)
7/13 FG
4 REB
3 AST
2 STL@RjHampton14 | @OrlandoMagic pic.twitter.com/mNARxqOlWM— Ballislife.com (@Ballislife) April 5, 2021
Hampton is 6’6” and even though he’s been primarily touted as a point guard and has taken on point guard duties in the NBA, he really seems better fit for an off-guard type of role long term. He’s a fantastic athlete and has the ability to finish well above rim. He’s not the quickest player on the court, but he’s quicker than most two-guards. He has great vision and that’s been what has fueled his point guard career up until now.
Hampton’s shooting is a question. He’s shot just 27.6% from three-point range this year and only 68.2% from the line. His greatest assets from a fantasy perspective could be assists and steals.
Orlando is going to have a lot of young guards to work with next year between Hampton, Markelle Fultz and Cole Anthony. Hampton could set himself apart from the pack through his size and athleticism. Either way, the rebuilding Magic should be prepared to give Hampton everything he needs to prove he belongs.
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