TAP FOR 6 MONTHS OF PREMIUM FREE 💰
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
Import Your Leagues
Weekly Rankings
Compare Any Players
Projections
Articles & Tools
Weekly Planner
24x7 News and Alerts

Fantasy Basketball Hype Train: Florida Man Shoots, Blocks, and Steals

CHOO CHOO! This is a new season-long fantasy basketball feature where I can just have fun and write about the players me, you, and everyone else already wants to talk about. Are you ready for a ride on the fantasy basketball hype train?

There's something about a "1/1/1" guy -- a player who can post at least 1 three, 1 steal, and 1 block per game -- that really sends hearts racing in the fantasy basketball community. Sure, it's no better than having 0/0.6/2.6 guy like Rudy Gobert. But for some reason it's much sexier. The versatility, well-rounded game, and underappreciated fantasy value from these three small numbered categories -- the only positive categories where getting to 1 per game means you're really good -- gives these 1/1/1 guys a special place in the fantasy pantheon.

Today we're going to look at a few potential 1/1/1 guys, but with the restriction that we're not leaving the state of Florida. The hype train has pulled into station, and we're somewhere deep in Florida. If hype was a swamp, we'd be in the Everglades. Watch out for snakes.

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

 

Is Josh Richardson the Best Wing in Miami or Stuck in a Crowd?

Josh Richardson was extremely impressive during the stretch run last year while both Dion Waiters and Justise Winslow were injured for the Heat, and he was just as awesome in Saturday's preseason game against the Magic in a similar situation where he could get a lot of usage and playing time, as the defacto starting point guard with Goran Dragic and Tyler Johnson sitting out. He was a dynamic source of defensive stats as always with 4 steals and a block. Meanwhile his shot was falling to the tune of 7/13 shooting including 3/4 for downtown, leading to 19 points in 29 minutes.

If JRich gets playing time, he's as much of a nightly 1/1/1 threat as anyone outside of elite stat-stuffing superstars like Kevin Durant and DeMarcus Cousins. How much fantasy value he can actualize out of that threat depends on two things.

First, how much playing time will he get with logjam at the wing in Miami? Waiters, Winslow, versatile veteran James Johnson, sharpshooter Wayne Ellington, and (I'm not sure why) Rodney McGruder will be given opportunities throughout the year to contribute. Can Richardson stay ahead of the pack and consistently retain a good number of minutes per game in the wing rotation without an injury? The good news there is that he does seem too talented to keep on the bench if healthy. Plus, his role as third string point guard combined with Johnson's dual role as a PF means that any injury on the Heat 1 through 4 would realign the rotation in such a way that it would lead to more minutes for JRich. Someone's bound to get hurt. The only bad news on that front is that Richardson himself doesn't have a squeaky clean injury history, with injuries reducing his effectiveness for much of the first half of last season, so there's some chance the guy that gets hurt is Richardson himself.

The second factor may be even more important, since it will not only determine a big chunk of his fantasy value in its own right, but it will also affect how much time he spends on the floor. So he can get a steal, a block, and a three... what else will he do? He's never been a big time rebounder. Even playing the starting "point guard," he only managed 4 assists. He's shot about 41% for his career, because most of his shots come from three, and he's not been particularly effective as an interior scorer in the chances he does get. He's only shot 44.5% from 2 in his career. Meanwhile, he's only gotten to the line 1.9 times per 36 minutes, where he's shot .729. Even in this preseason outing where he was hot, he still only went a mediocre 4 of 9 from 2 while only taking 2 foul shots when given an opportunity to stretch out his game and attack more. If he doesn't contribute much in AST, REB, FG%, or FT%, his 1/1/1 ability will be nice, but still leave him as a relatively limited fantasy player who's better off as a fit on punt teams than as a true fantasy breakout option.

Still, he's got some ball handle and he's improving his game on offense. He doesn't need to turn into Giannis Antetokounmpo with the rest of his stats. Just a bit of Khris Middleton would do.

Hype Diagnosis: Take a look at my fantasy portfolio and call me JRichie Rich.

 

Can a Rookie Cast Some 1/1/1 Magic?

Meanwhile, let's take a begrudging look over to the less fortunate half of Florida basketball. The Magic are sure to have some lowlights this year, and aren't exactly full of guys I'm excited to have on my fantasy team, outside of Aaron Gordon (who has the look of a potential fantasy superstar, and remains a steal in fantasy drafts) and Elfrid Payton (who is must-own if you are punting FT% and/or 3PM). So let's look past the rest of their boring, low-upside roster and get hyped about a more long-term 1/1/1 threat in rookie Jonathan Isaac.

Isaac, who Magic coach Frank Vogel has already called NBA-ready on defense at the tender age of 20, has been a force in stocks thus far in the preseason, recording at 1 steal and 1 block in every game, with a couple of 2 block efforts thrown in. Where he's extremely raw is on offense, where he needs to refine his skillset and adjust to the NBA game. He's not much of a passer (he has 1 assist in 3 preseason games) and his shot, while projectable, will need to improve -- he's 2 of 8 from three and 6 of 11 from the free throw line. Finally, he may still be too slight at this point to really attack the boards as much as a guy of his height and length should be able to -- he only has 3.7 rebounds per game in the preseason.

All that aside, the stocks are there, he's taking three point shots, and he should be able to keep up a respectable FG% even if his long range shot isn't falling, by using his size and athleticism to generate efficient shots on the interior, like transition dunks. He's been a dominant 10 of 15 from 2 in the preseason to date. If he's on the floor, he should be a fantasy-friendly contributor in a lot of categories.

There's the rub, though -- is he going to get on the floor? He'll have his ups and downs as a rookie, but he's versatile enough that he'll find ways to generate playing time. He was initially expected to begin as a backup SF able to play at the 3 alongside guys like Evan Fournier, Terrence Ross, and Jonathon Simmons. However, a promising development out of the Magic-Heat preseason game was that coach Vogel used Isaac primarily as a 4 behind starter Aaron Gordon in trying out some more defensively minded lineups (he didn't bother playing Marreese Speights at all in the game). If Isaac can become the primary backup at both forward spots -- a role I believe he will solidify as the year goes on -- he can get enough minutes to make a fantasy impact even if he doesn't win one of the staring spots.

Hype Diagnosis: An incredible dynasty prospect who could turn into a 1/1/1 threat as soon as the second half of this season. He could become a hype train regular.

 

Bonus: A Requiem for Super Mario

Meanwhile, I'll add one note about a guy who was super hyped a couple years ago. Mario Hezonja finished with a very different sort of 1/1/1 in the Magic-Heat preseason game -- 1 point, 1 assist, and 1 rebound, on 0/4 shooting in 12 minutes where he was essentially non-existent on both sides of the ball. He somehow had a plus/minus of -14 in a game the Magic won by 3. RIP, Super Mario's fantasy hype. It was nice hyping you up while it lasted.

 

More Fantasy Basketball Draft Sleepers




POPULAR FANTASY TOOLS

Expert Advice
Import Your Leagues
Weekly Rankings
Compare Any Players
Projections
Articles & Tools
Weekly Planner
24x7 News and Alerts

REAL-TIME FANTASY NEWS

Cleveland Browns

Browns Hiring Todd Monken as Next Head Coach
Jack St. Ivany

to Miss Up to Eight Weeks After Surgery
Cody Glass

Exits Early Tuesday Night
Anton Lundell

Expected to Be Available Thursday
Jordan Kyrou

Jake Neighbours Knocked Out of the Lineup Tuesday
Elias Lindholm

Hurt in Tuesday's Win
Ukko-Pekka Luukkonen

Exits With Injury Tuesday
Ondrej Palat

Devils Send Ondrej Palat to the Islanders
Collin Murray-Boyles

Listed as Questionable for Wednesday's Game
Jock Landale

Available for Wednesday's Tilt
Kel'el Ware

in Danger of Missing Another Game
Sahith Theegala

Off to Much Better 2026 Start
Davion Mitchell

Iffy for Wednesday
Gary Woodland

an Intriguing Option at Torrey Pines This Week
Norman Powell

Questionable Wednesday
Tyler Herro

Remains Out Wednesday
CJ Abrams

Giants Offer "Aggressive Pitch" for CJ Abrams
Andrew Putnam

Hopes to Keep Momentum Rolling This Week
Nikola Jokić

Nikola Jokic to Be Re-Evaluated in One Week
Matthieu Pavon

Seeks to Return to 2024 Form at Torrey Pines
Luke List

Still Looking For Birdies at Torrey Pines
Jake Knapp

Faces Stiff Challenge at Farmers Insurance Open
Rasmus Hojgaard

Needs to Play Better at Torrey Pines
Christiaan Bezuidenhout

Could Struggle at Farmers Insurance Open
J.J. Spaun

A Steady Option At Farmers Insurance Open
Andrew Novak

Looking For More Success At Torrey Pines
Denny McCarthy

A Wild Card At Farmers Insurance Open
Max Homa

Looks To Keep Resurgence Going At Torrey Pines
Joe Highsmith

Struggling Heading Into Torrey Pines
Wyndham Clark

Looks To Carry Momentum Into Farmers Insurance Open
Tony Finau

Aims To Turn Things Around At Torrey Pines
Darius Garland

Won't Be Available Wednesday
Akshay Bhatia

Looks to Bounce Back at Torrey Pines
Franz Wagner

Won't Play Wednesday
Draymond Green

Expected to Return Wednesday
Kawhi Leonard

Available Against Jazz
Jordan Goodwin

Starts Against Nets
Peyton Watson

Back for Nuggets Tuesday
Paul Goldschmidt

Yankees Expressing Interest in Re-Signing Paul Goldschmidt
Jonas Valančiūnas

Jonas Valanciunas Ready to Rock Tuesday Night
Jamal Murray

Active Versus Pistons
Bo Bichette

Won't Play in World Baseball Classic
Aaron Wiggins

Moves to Starting Lineup Tuesday
Giannis Antetokounmpo

Bobby Portis Replaces Giannis Antetokounmpo in Starting Unit
Joel Embiid

Ready to Take on Bucks
Paul George

Returns to Action Tuesday
Stephen Curry

Listed as Probable for Wednesday
Collin Gillespie

Misses Tuesday's Matchup
NFL

Bill Belichick Won't be First-Ballot Hall of Famer
Leo Carlsson

to Miss Olympics
Alex Turcotte

Unavailable Tuesday
Carlos Correa

Won't Play for Puerto Rico in World Baseball Classic
Dylan Holloway

Remains Out Tuesday
Marco Rossi

to Return After Olympics
Thatcher Demko

Won't Return This Season
Sam Malinski

Inks Four-Year Extension With Avalanche
Bryan Rust

Slapped With Three-Game Suspension
Si Woo Kim

Looks to Continue Incredible Run at Torrey Pines
Jason Day

has a Good Chance to Keep Momentum This Weekend
Keegan Bradley

has Good Course History at Torrey Pines
Billy Horschel

Isn't a Great DFS Option at Torrey Pines
Aaron Rodgers

Mike McCarthy Says he Wants Aaron Rodgers to Return
Will Zalatoris

Has a Shot to Challenge at the Farmers Insurance Open
Drake Maye

Expected to be Fine for Super Bowl
Tennessee Titans

Titans Set to Hire Brian Daboll as New Offensive Coordinator
Buffalo Bills

Bills Promote Joe Brady to Head Coach
CFB

Quarterback Brayden Fowler-Nicolosi Signs with Michigan
Teuvo Teravainen

Set to Return Tuesday
CFB

Darian Mensah Reaches Settlement with Duke, Expected to Land at Miami
Simon Edvinsson

Out Until Olympics
Josh Norris

Won't Play This Week
Zeev Buium

Lands on Injured Reserve
Brock Boeser

Canucks Place Brock Boeser on Injured Reserve
Sean Durzi

Hurt on Monday Night
Eugenio Suárez

Eugenio Suarez Not Drawing Interest on Open Market?
Jonas Brodin

to Miss 6-8 Weeks
Shedeur Sanders

Named as Pro Bowl Replacement
Framber Valdez

Among Many High-End Pitchers on Free-Agent Market
Jose Altuve

Won't Participate in World Baseball Classic
Harrison Bader

Agrees With Giants on Two-Year Deal
Paddy Pimblett

Drops Decision
Justin Gaethje

Becomes the New Interim-Lightweight Champion
Song Yadong

Suffers Unanimous Decision Loss
MMA

Sean O'Malley Gets Back In The Win Column
Waldo Cortes-Acosta

Extends His Win Streak
Derrick Lewis

Suffers Second-Round TKO Loss
Los Angeles Chargers

Chargers Officially Hire Mike McDaniel as Offensive Coordinator
Nathan Eovaldi

Doesn't Expect Any Limitations in Spring Training
Jaxon Smith-Njigba

Dominates in NFC Championship Game Win
Matthew Stafford

Plans to Return in 2026
CFB

Arthur Smith to Become Ohio State's Offensive Coordinator
Bo Nix

Sidelined for 12 Weeks With Broken Ankle
Jose Altuve

to Mainly Play Second Base
Yu Darvish

Considering Retirement
Pittsburgh Steelers

Steelers Finalizing Deal to Make Mike McCarthy Their Head Coach
José Ramírez

Jose Ramirez Signs Seven-Year Extension With Guardians
Gunnar Henderson

is Fully Healthy Heading into Spring Training
Tyreek Hill

Dolphins Expected to Release Tyreek Hill
Paddy Pimblett

Set For Interim Lightweight Title Fight
Justin Gaethje

An Underdog At UFC 324
Song Yadong

Looks To Win Back-To-Back Fights
MMA

Sean O'Malley Looks To Get Back In The Win Column
Derrick Lewis

Returns At UFC 324
Waldo Cortes-Acosta

Looks For His Third Consecutive Win
Philip Rivers

Interviewing for Bills Head-Coaching Job
NFL

Fernando Mendoza Officially Declares for NFL Draft
CFB

Arch Manning Undergoes Foot Surgery
Dalton Kincaid

Played Through Torn PCL
CFB

College Football Playoff Expected to Remain a 12-Team Field in 2026
Baltimore Ravens

Ravens Hire Jesse Minter as Their Head Coach
Indianapolis Colts

FBI Investigating the Death of Colts Owner Jim Irsay
MacKenzie Gore

Rangers Acquire MacKenzie Gore From the Nationals

RANKINGS

QB
RB
WR
TE
K
DEF
RANKINGS
C
1B
2B
3B
SS
OF
SP
RP