RADIO
Week 5 is in the rear-view mirror as we continue to cruise through the fantasy hoops season.
As a reminder to teams who are struggling, owners who has been following up to their team's struggles should have an understanding of what they're missing,or why exactly they're losing. The early-hot starts from certain players have likely regressed to their mean, as slow starters has also begun to climb back up the rankings. It's time to evaluate your teams closely, as other struggling teams may have itchy owners who are open to trades. And if you still have some dead weight on your team, it's time to cut bait.
Now let's look back on Week 5 and get prepared for Week 6.
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Week 6 Schedule
4 Games – Hawks, Celtics, Hornets, Bulls, Grizzlies, Timberwolves, Pelicans, Knicks, Thunder, Magic, Trail Blazers
3 Games – Nets, Cavaliers, Nuggets, Mavericks, Pacers, Heat, Clippers, Bucks, 76ers, Kings, Suns, Spurs, Raptors, Jazz, Wizards
2 Games – Lakers, Rockets, Pistons
Week 5 Breakout Performers
James Harden, SG/SF, Houston Rockets
Harden makes this list once again, and simply because he's been unbelievable. As expected, the return of Chris Paul this week didn't slow down Harden, and he would go on and torch the Suns for 48 points on Thursday night on only 22 shot attempts. The "Beard" is making a living off of the free throw line, hitting all 42 of his attempts this week. He's been absolutely killin' it, and is up to 31.6 PPG, 4.8 RPG, 9.9 APG, 1.7 SPG aand 4.5 3PM. He's now the #1 overall player in 9-category leagues.
Robert Covington, SF/PF, Philadelphia 76ers
Fresh off his 4-Year, $62-million contract, Covington didn't let his new cash flow stop his stellar play. He's been smashing projections and his average draft-position all year, as he's now flirting with top-15 numbers on the year. Through three games this week, Covington put up 21.0 PPG 6.0 RPG 2.0 SPG and 2.0 BPG. He's also shot 58 percent from the field, connecting on four 3-pointers per game. That's good for top-3 this week. In case anyone is wondering, this isn't a fluke. His game is tailor-made for fantasy.
Kyle Lowry, PG, Toronto Raptors
Remember when Kyle Lowry was shooting like 35 percent from the field through the first eight games? He's always been known as a slow starter, as his history indicated he was prime to bounce backfor a Raptor team that desperately needs him to score in bunches. Lowry was a first-round player this week with averages of 21 points, 3.7 rebounds, 8.0 assists. He would add 3.7 3-pointers made on 50 percent shooting and 94 percent from the line. His buy-low window is shut tight.
Kemba Walker, PG, Charlotte Hornets
Walker is always going to be overlooked, regardless of how he well he plays. However, he's always going to be a fantasy stud because he can score in bunches, nail 3-pointers, and his ability to rack up dimes. Walker is having an All-Star year, as he went off for 47 points, 6 rebounds, 5 dimes against the Bulls on Friday. He's a top-20 play on the year with averages of 23.5 PPG, 6.5 APG and 2.5 3-pointers made per game.
Ben Simmons, SF/PF, Philadelphia 76ers
Just give him the Rookie of the Year honors already. He's beyond what a lot expected so far in what is his first official year playing in the NBA. Simmons was a monster this week, putting up 21.0 PPG, 9.7 RPG, and 8.7 APG. He would chip in 2.3 steals per game on 67 percent shooting. He hasn't hit a 3-pointer this season, so perhaps that's the next evolution to his game. But can we really complain about this level of production so far?
Joel Embiid, C, Philadelphia 76ers
You're noticing a trend, and there's a lot of Sixers player featured this week. They've been ballin' and so has Embiid. Embiid’s 46-point, 15-rebound, seven-assist, seven-block eruption against the Lakers on Wednesday was nothing short of a phenomenal performance. He displayed a full array of offensive moves that only few in history has to ability to replicate. Embiid is currently sitting on third-round value, and he has a monster upside to finish top-10 if he's able to stay healthy. He's a troll, but who really cares? #TrustTheProcess.
Tim Hardaway JR, SG/SF, New York Knicks
Hardaway JR got hot rather quickly after a brutal start to the season. He was always viewed by many to be a breakout candidate, but perhaps the growth in Hardaway's game is his ability to provide the assists numbers this season. He was the fifth-best player this week with averages of 22.3 PPG, 7.0 RPG and 4.0 APG. As expected, he's had the green light to fire at will from deep with 3.3 3-pointers made per game. Hardway JR is sitting at mid-round value on the year with his arrow pointing straight up. He did leave Friday's game against the Raptors with a foot injury, but X-Rays came back negative. Owners should monitor his status heading into Monday when the Knicks host the Clippers at Madison Square Garden.
Week 6 Standard Leagues - Waiver Wire Pickups
Spencer Dinwiddie, PG/SG, Brooklyn Nets (52 % Ownership)
Before you continue reading, you must check if Dinwiddie is available in your leagues. He's become a must-own, must-start player following the news of D'Angelo Russell undergoing an arthroscopic surgery on his knee. Dinwiddie has the ability to really boost your team with assists and 3-pointers, evident to his 25-point, eight-assist, six 3-pointer game in a win against the Jazz Friday night. There's currently no timetable on Russell's return, and the Nets should have no incentive to rush their franchise star back into game action. Dinwiddie is going to provide mid-round value, with early-round upside as long as Russell is sidelined.
Denzel Valentine, SG/SF, Chicago Bulls (28% Ownership)
Valentine made his second start of the season and thrived with the first unit in Friday’s win over the Hornets, scoring a season-high 18 points with six assists, five rebounds, one block and four 3-pointers in 32 minutes. He's one of the young talents on this Bulls roster, and he could very well run away with the starting job from teammate Paul Zipster. It's evident he deserves the starting nod at least until Zach LaVine comes back. Valentine loves to shoot 3-pointers, and the Bulls will have no choice but to develop their young core. Pick him up and hope he continues to get minutes.
Mario Chalmers, PG/SG, Memphis Grizzlies (11% Ownership)
With Mikey Conley out of commission for at least the next two weeks, Chalmers is going to be a popular add due to his upside in steals and assists. Chalmers was a stellar fantasy option in his days with the Heat, and he now has a chance to produce on a team that desperately needs his play making. He is a bit older than he was when he was with the Heat, but he's still capable of hitting 3-pointers and dish out assists. Look for him to be a nice short-term play until we know more of Conley.
Wesley Johnson, SG/SF, Los Angeles Clippers (2% Ownership)
Johnson has suddenly become a factor, thanks to the injury to Danilo Gallinari. Johnson was spectacular on Friday night, where he shot 6-for-10 for 15 points, seven rebounds, four assists, three steals, and four blocks. He would add three treys on zero turnovers. That's a fantasy gold-mine of a stat line and shouldn't be ignored if he's able to display this type of upside. You can at least pick him up for Monday's game against the Knicks to see if he continues to roll.
Dillion Brooks, SF, Memphis Grizzlies (9% Ownership)
The injury to teammate Mike Conley will open up more minutes to the entire team, including Brooks. Brooks isn't a game changer by all means, but he's a low-end streaming option due to the fact he's got the opportunity to play 30+ minutes per game. He's also playing on a team that has willing passers where they're in need for perimeter shooting. The Grizzlies play four games this week and you can certainly do worse.
Marcus Morris, SF/PF, Boston Celtics (53% Ownership)
Morris was featured as a deep-league add last week and has quickly established himself as close to a must-start player. Morris posted fourth-round value this week with 15.7 PPG 6.0 RPG and 1.7 3-pointers on 54 percent shooting. It looks like Morris will be named a starter for the foreseeable future with Gordon Hayward done for the season. He's certainly a player who can get hot on any given night, so you should ride him until he cools off.
Week 6 Deep Leagues - Waiver Wire Pickups
Joe Harris, SF, Brooklyn Nets (3% Ownership)
The injury to D'Angelo Russell will open more minutes in the back court, and owners starving for points, 3-pointers and a trickle of steals should give Harris a look. He's nothing more than a floor spacer on the floor, where he won't give you much else but also won't hurt you anywhere if he's able to hit his shots. Just don't expect another 19-point performance like the one he had against the Celtics on Tuesday.
Jonas Jerebko, SF/PF, Utah Jazz (2% Ownership)
Jerebko ended up being the main beneficiary with the Rudy Gobert injury, and he's filled the void quite nicely. Jerebko provided late-round value this week with averages of 11.0 PPG 4.5 RPG and 2.0 3-pointers. He could very well fall off, but he looks reliable enough right now to be added in deeper leagues.
Terrence Ross, SG/SF, Orlando Magic (23% Ownership)
Chances are Ross is on your wavier wire because he has really struggled with his shot all season, but he is streaky as they come. Ross is more of a 3-pointers and steals specialist, but he has the upside to shoot his way into the standard league discussion if his shot is falling. Give him a look, as he put up seventh-round this week with 9.3 PPG and 2.3 SPG.
Jarrett Jack, PG, New York Knicks (2% Ownership)
Jack will continue to start for the Knicks until rookie Frank Ntilikina is ready, and he's going to provide low-end assist numbers that could be useful if your team needs a help in that department. Jack is really doesn't do much outside of assists, and he's not going to play a ton either. However, Jack has averaged 5.1 assists in November and the Knicks play four times this week.
Buy Low
Eric Bledsoe, PG/SG, Milwaukee Bucks
Since traded from Phoenix, Bledsoe has been getting accommodated with his new teammates in Milwaukee. He is arguably the second or third option behind Giannis Antetokounmpo and Khris Middleton. However, he is too talented to be averaging just 11.8 PPG on only 27.8 minutes. Bledsoe is also struggling with his shot, as he's shooting just 33 percent from the floor. Perhaps being away from basketball for a couple of weeks has caused Bledsoe to be a bit rusty. The minutes should start to climb up, as will his production. This is a perfect time to test the market on a guy who has early-round upside.
Sell High
Jamal Murray, PG/SG, Denver Nuggets
Murray has been on fire lately, averaging 27.0 PPG over his last three games. His hot shooting is highly unlikely to be sustainable, and Murray hasn't contributed much to other areas of the game besides just points and 3-pointers. Some owners are attracted by points, as Murray's recent production may be attractive enough to get you a player with a better outlook in return. Murray is still going to be great this season, but it might be a good idea to sell him for a player who can contribute more to your team.
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