January 3, 2017

JT looks at fantasy basketball risers and fallers for Week 11 of the NBA season, following the conclusion of Week 10 of the 2016 - 2017 fantasy basketball season.

Throughout the season, players get hot and see an increased role while others struggle and fight to stay relevant. Experienced fantasy players know this happens every year.

In this weekly column, we’ll showcase those who have taken important steps forward and those who have taken steps back. These are the risers and fallers heading into Week 11 of the NBA season.

Editor's Note: New users that sign up on FantasyAces, make a $20 deposit, and enter any game will receive BOTH our full season NBA and NFL Premium Passes for free, a $119.99 value. Just email [email protected] with your new FantasyAces username - and boom, that's it! We will email you with your Premium Passes.

Post-Week 10 Fantasy Basketball Risers

RISER - Isaiah Thomas (PG, BOS)

Isaiah Thomas has surpassed all expectations this season after improving on his All-Star season last year with a career-high in points (27.7), which sits fifth in the league. You might’ve heard he dropped a career-high 52 points (9 triples) against the Heat on Friday. That includes 29 points in the fourth quarter. No big deal. His season averages of 34.7 points, 5.3 assists, 4.0 threes, 1.0 steals on 54.7 FG%/100 FT% (17.7 FGA/11.3 FTA) are not too shabby either. At this point, you could probably sell for a top-20 asset because he hasn’t seen a better stretch in his entire career. If not, then continue to laugh from the best pound-for-pound fantasy production in the league.

RISER - Jabari Parker (SF/PF, MIL)

The Bucks finished 16 games below .500 last season and didn’t make any big moves in the off-season. Little was expected from them this year. Giannis Antetokounmpo and Jabari Parker have kicked it to the next level as they sit sixth in the Eastern conference with a 17 – 16 record. In the past two weeks, Parker has posted top-50 value with 20.5 points, 5.8 rebounds, 2.4 assists, 1.3 threes and 1.0 steals on 49.9 FG%/74.2 FT%. That coincides with his season averages thus far which makes for career-highs in points, rebounds, assists, threes and steals. He’s finally returning value we’ve been expecting from a second overall selection. With the Bucks vying for a playoff spot, he should continue to see the minutes and production until the last moments of the regular season.

RISER - C.J. McCollum (PG/SG, POR)

While the Blazers have been disappointing on the defensive end this season, Terry Stotts has been successful in keeping the offensive identity as they sit in the top 10 for offensive rating (106.9). That goes double for the 2016 Most Improved Player of the Year, C.J. McCollum as he’s averaging a career-high in points (22.9). He’s benefited from Damian Lillard’s absence last week by posting 30.3 points, 3.0 rebounds, 4.5 assists, 2.3 threes, 1.5 steals on 51.8 FG%/92.3 FT%. He capped it off by dropping a career-high 43 points against the Timberwolves. It’s been his best stretch all season, but it’s no coincidence it’s happening while Lillard is dealing with an ankle injury. Lillard likely makes his return at some point this week, so it makes a nice time to sell-high on the Lehigh guard.

Post-Week 10 Fantasy Basketball Fallers

FALLER - Rajon Rondo (PG, CHI)

I didn’t think Rajon Rondo’s value could be lower than his Rick Carlisle days in Dallas, but yet here we are. Last night was his second DNP-CD in a row and it’s looking like the Bulls should’ve followed up on Rondo’s references before offering the two-year deal in the offseason. His rest of season outlook is bleak, but we’ve seen Fred Hoiberg mess with his rotations before (see Nikola Mirotic). The replacement starter, Michael Carter-Williams, has also been underwhelming thus far. I guess I’m saying, Rondo isn’t a complete drop just yet, but let’s see how this week unfolds. Let’s not forget, he posted a 12 assist, nine rebound game just last Wednesday. Still, no one’s going to get mad if you drop him.

FALLER - Hassan Whiteside (C, MIA)

An eye poke will keep Hassan Whiteside out at least a few more games as the Heat are officially looking for a young priest and an old priest to cure their injury riddled season. Whiteside averaged an untouchable 3.7 blocks while shooting 75.5% from the charity stripe in the last two months of the season last year. This season he’s looking at 2.2 blocks and 54.0 FT%. Before going down with an eye injury last week, he put up averages of 10.3 points, 8.7 rebounds, 1.0 steals and 1.0 blocks. This is probably the lowest he’ll get all season. He leads the league in rebounds (14.3), has a career-high in points (17.3) and despite shooting below (54.6 FG% vs. 59.1 FG%) career averages, still holds plenty of value there. If you could somehow swing a buy-low trade from an off week, then kudos.

FALLER - Chandler Parsons (SG/SF, MEM)

It’s not often that a player trends even further down after returning from injury. Ladies and gentlemen, meet Chandler Parsons. In the past five games, he’s averaged 3.0 points, 1.4 rebounds, 1.8 assists, 0.8 steals on a miserable 26.9 FG% (5.2 FGA). Obviously, some counting stats are better than none, but considering the efficiency, he’s been an extremely difficult hold. He still has a minute’s cap, and it’s anyone’s guess as to when it’ll be lifted or increased. Best guess is one more month until an increase. The Grizzlies have the oft-injured point-forward for the next four years, so they’re being cautious. Treat him like a stash with expectations that he’ll pick it up in the second half of the season. If you’re fighting for a playoff spot, then I think he can be cut loose since the re-injury risk is very real. Dallas fans know this feeling all too well.