RADIO
On behalf of the RotoBaller staff, we wish everyone had a happy Thanksgiving holiday.
We are approaching December, and fantasy hoops is in full swing. We have hit about one third of the fantasy basketball season and injuries continue to pile up across the league, as All-Stars Paul Millsap (wrist) and John Wall (knee) will look at extended absences. Keep an eye on the trade rumors surrounding DeAndre Jordan and the Cleveland Cavaliers, or the point guard situation with the Los Angeles Clippers. The Clippers could be shopping for a point guard in a trade, and it's worth monitoring as point guard Patrick Beverly will also miss the remainder of this season due to a knee injury.
Now let's look back on Week 6 and get prepared for Week 7.
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Week 7 Schedule
4 Games – Cavaliers, Pistons, Clippers, Lakers, Warriors, Magic, Timberwolves, Heat, 76ers, Kings, Spurs
3 Games – Celtics, Suns, Trailblazers, Jazz, Wizards, Nets, Bulls, Mavericks, Nuggets, Rockets, Pacers, Grizzlies, Bucks, Pelicans, Knicks, Thunder
2 Games – Hawks, Raptors, Hornets
Week 6 Breakout Performers
Kyle Lowry, PG, Toronto Raptors
Lowry is still red hot, and he's beginning to show signs that he's ready to stay in the top-20 discussion once again this season. Lowry was the best overall player this week with averages of 21.3 points, 11.0 rebounds, 6.3 dimes, 2.0 steals, and 4.3 3-pointers. He's back to being an elite player and that slow start is all but behind him. All-Star Lowry is back.
Victor Oladipo, PG/SG, Indiana Pacers
Oladipo has really enjoyed being back home in Indiana. He played basketball at Indiana University and he is playing some of his best basketball this season. Oladipo erupted for a 29-point, nine-rebound, five-assist, and seven-steal performance against the Magic on Monday, reminding them they were foolish to trade him away for an aging out-of-his-prime player who they didn't even keep (Serge Ibaka). Oladipo continues to flirt with top-20 value on the season and isn't giving owners any indication that he's slowing down. He did have a bruised knee against the Raptors on Friday, but X-rays were negative and he is day-to-day.
Courtney Lee, SG/SF, New York Knicks
Lee was on some waiver wires to begin the year, and he's really showing that he's become a must-own, must-start player this season. Lee pumped out second-round value this week with averages of 17 points, four boards, and four dimes per game. He's also shooting lights out from the field, hitting 64 percent of his shots and draining 1.8 3-pointers per game this week. He's not going to be this good, but Lee has been a steady early-round value guy this month. He's a vital piece for the Knicks and fantasy owners should be thrilled he's contributing across the board stats.
Kyrie Irving, PG/SG, Boston Celtics
The Celtics finally had their 16-game winning streak snapped by the Heat on Wednesday, but that didn't stop Kyrie Irving from balling out this week. Irving was phenomenal to begin the week, dropping 47, 23, 30, and 25 points in four games. He's red hot right now, and that buy-low window I suggested last week has officially been closed. Look for Irving to continue to flirt with top-10 numbers the rest of the way.
Russell Westbrook, PG, Oklahoma City Thunder
Much like Lowry, Westbrook has started to climb back up the fantasy ranks fast. Through four games this week, the Brodie has averaged a triple-double with 27.8 points, 12.3 boards, and 10.3 assists. He also chipped in 2.8 steals and 2.0 3-pointers per game. As if he needed anymore motivation, Westbrook dropped 34 points in a win against the Warriors and former teammate Kevin Durant on Wednesday night. The Thunder would drop the following two games against the Pistons and the Mavericks. However, that should be viewed as a good sign for owners because Westbrook will continue to put up monster numbers as the Thunder search for consistency.
Dirk Nowitzki, PF/C, Dallas Mavericks
Nowitzki turned back the clock this week, as he was able to sustain second-round value with averages of 15.3 points, 8.3 boards and 2.3 3-pointers on 56 percent shooting. Some owners were frustrated at Nowitzki this season, as he has finally show signs of Father Time. However, Dirk is still a player capable of putting up vintage performances, evident to the three strong games he had this week. He's going to have some bad shooting nights where he will not play much minutes, but will also string together good enough games to sustain late-round value. There's not much upside with the 39 year-old, but he should remain owned in standard leagues until further notice.
Week 7 Standard Leagues - Waiver Wire Pickups
Larry Nance Jr, PF/C, Los Angeles Lakers (33% Ownership)
Nance Jr (broken hand) is set to return to the Lakers starting lineup on Monday, and he provides owners who seek help in field-goal percentage, rebounds, with a trickle of steals and blocks. Nance Jr was providing late-round value on the season before he got hurt, so there's no reason he can't replicate that in the starting lineup on a Laker team that plays with fast pace. There is a bit of a log jam in the front court with Brook Lopez, Julius Randle, and Kyle Kuzma. However, Nance JR is a player coach Luke Walton loves because he does the intangible things on the court. Nance Jr could be scooped off the wire quick if he has a respectable game on Monday.
Jarret Allen, C, Brooklyn Nets (13% Ownership)
Allen may not be for everyone, as he is not likely going to pass the eye test when you take a look at his game log. However, he is a project that the Brooklyn Nets has high hopes for. He has great shot blocking ability, and his versatility allows him to be an active defender around the rim. Allen played a career-high 24 minutes on Friday night, where he posted nine points, eight boards, two steals and a blocked shot. He is trending up and he could be a sneaky low-end big with a hint of upside, especially towards the second-half of the season. Treat him like a stash and hope he breaks out sooner rather than later. Jump on your opponents early and grab him if you have some dead weight on your roster.
Jonathan Isaac, PF, Orlando Magic (3% Ownership)
Much like Allen, Isaac is another rookie that could play a key part on his team. Coach Frank Vogel was quoted the Magic are "missing the 20-year-old rookie" in Isaac and it sounds like he could be featured in a much prominent role going forward. Isaac has been sidelined with an ankle injury since Nov. 11, and he was seen taking shots on Saturday night. He is listed "out" ahead of Monday's game against the Pacers, but he should be close to a return. He can be viewed as a high reward stash candidate due to his upside in blocks.
Jae Crowder, SF/PF, Cleveland Cavaliers (61% Ownership)
Crowder was probably in and out of your waiver wire this season, and with good reason. He was brutal and looked lost with the Cavaliers to begin the season, but Crowder has really picked up his play as of late. One of the more noticeable things is LeBron James has made an effort to involve Crowder more in the offense, and it's showing as he has scored in double-digits three straight contests. The 3-pointers are there, but we like to see more rebounds, to go along with some steals. There is hope for Crowder, and owners should pick back up Crowder to see if he can continue his stellar play. The Cavaliers play a back-to-back Monday and Tuesday, giving owners another reason to gamble on the versatile forward.
Tim Frazier, PG, Washington Wizards (10% Ownership)
All-Star John Wall had an MRI on his knee and will rest for the next two weeks to recover. Tim Frazier is the next man up and he will start on a team that is thin at the point guard position. Frazier will likely be looking at a 32+ minute role for the short term and he is a good add for owners who need a point guard with mid-round upside. Frazier was a must-start player last season with the Pelicans when he filled in for Jrue Holiday, and he is looking a similar situation with Wall sidelined. Frazier put up 11-points with three rebounds, two assists, and two steals on Saturday.
Wayne Ellington, SG/SF, Miami Heat (11% Ownership)
If you need three-pointers, Ellington is your guy. He is what they call a three-point bomber, and he's as good as they come. Ellington has drained 15 3-pointers in his last three games heading into Sunday, where 27 of his 28 field goal attempts was behind the 3-point line. All he does is shoot treys and he's absolutely great at it. He's rolling right now and he has really dampened the value of Josh Richardson. Pick him up in the hopes he can continue draining 3-pointers as the Heat play four times this week. UPDATE: Ellington continues to roll, draining five more 3-pointers for 19 points on Sunday night.
Tyus Jones, PG, Minnesota Timberwolves (3% Ownership)
Jones has started the last two games including Sunday's contest for the injured Jeff Teague and he's been phenomenal in all aspects of this game. Jones swiped away a career-high seven steals on his way to nine points, one 3-pointer, four rebounds, seven assists and two blocks in 39 minutes. Jeff Teague is dealing with a sore Achilles that might cause him to miss some more time, and owners who are in need of some steals and assists numbers should definitely pick him up or use him as a stream option, with the bonus that the Timberwolves play Tuesday and Wednesday back-to-back. Jones has a combined 11 steals in his last two starts with the Wolves, and he played 33 and 39 minutes in the two contests. There's plenty of upside there with the amount of minutes he's playing.
Week 7 Deep Leagues - Waiver Wire Pickups
Mason Plumlee, PF/C, Denver Nuggets (19% Ownership)
Forward Paul Millsap will reportedly miss three months due to a fracture in his wrist, so Plumlee could be looking at extended minutes. He is a big man who is capable of dishing out assists aside from just rebounding and blocking shots. Although he could hurt you in percentages and turnovers, he's worth a look if he's able to carve out 25 + minutes per game. It is a bit of a wacky rotation out there in Denver, as coach Mike Malone was quoted the Nuggets will have a "bit of a matchup-based rotation." Kenneth Faried, Trey Lyles or Juan Hernagomez could also be deep-league adds, but it's up to anyone's guess who will play minutes on a nightly basis.
Darius Miller, SF, New Orleans Pelicans (3% Ownership)
Miller is another player who loves to shoot 3-pointers, and has averaged 2.8 3-pointers over his last five games. He's on a Pelican team that lacks shooters, so it's not much of a coincidence he's suddenly getting minutes. He may very well fade if his shot isn't falling, but he's worth a look if he's able to hit shots. After all, he plays on a team with Rajon Rondo, and two monsters down low in Anthony Davis and DeMarcus Cousins. He will get quality open looks as a floor spacer.
Gorgui Dieng, PF/C, Minnesota Timberwolves (38% Ownership)
The injury to Nemanja Bjelica has squeezed out more minutes for Dieng, who just hasn't carved out enough minutes this season to make an impact in the fantasy world. As long as Tom Thibodeau is the coach for the Timberwolves, Dieng is unlikely to see standard league value unless something happens to Karl-Anthony Towns or Taj Gibson. Dieng was solid on Sunday, as he put up 11 points and six boards in 20 minutes of action. He has fascinating upside, but he will need at least 20 minutes to bring that out. Until then, he's more suited for deeper leagues.
Terry Rozier, PG/SG, Boston Celtics (24% Ownership)
Rozier has been great lately, helping the Celtics start a new winning streak. Rozier has averaged 20 points and 3.5 treys on 75 percent shooting over his last two games. Obviously he won't shoot this well, but the feisty point guard does enough across the stat sheet. He also shares the court with both Marcus Smart and Kyrie Irving on the court, as his minutes going forward will at least be consistent. Don't expect him to be this good every game, but he's certainly worth a deep league look.
Luc Mbah a Moute, SF/PF, Houston Rockets (6% Ownership)
Mbah a Moute is part a tight rotation in Houston, where coach Mike D'Antoni only features an eight-man rotation on a nightly basis. Mbah a Moute is a slashing versatile forward who plays with great passers in Chris Paul and James Harden, where he will benefit in getting easy baskets. He's also had the ability to rack up defensive stats, so that gives him enough upside to remain in all 14+ team leagues. If he ever gets 25 + minutes consistently, he would be entering the standard league discussion. To show a glimpse of his upside, Mbah a Moute notched the best plus-minus of 57 ever in the history of the NBA in a win against the Nuggets on Thursday. He would score 13 points on 5-of-5 shooting, including three 3-pointers, four rebounds and four steals. The Rockets outscored the Nuggets by a 93-36 margin with Mbah a Moute on the floor Thursday.
Buy Low
Myles Turner, PF/C, Indiana Pacers
Turner started the season opener with a bang back in October, notching 21 points, 14 boards, and four blocked shots. Since then, he has dealt with a concussion and a sore neck, causing him to miss seven games. He hasn't been dynamite ever since the injury, averaging just 12.9 points and 7.2 rebounds in the month of November. Owners who drafted him in the second and third rounds of drafts obviously hoped for more. However, he's still been consistent in blocking shots, as he's second in the NBA with 2.5 blocks per game behind Rudy Gobert. This is a perfect opportunity to buy low on Turner before he fully breaks out. Victor Oladipo might miss a couple of games with a sore knee, and it will be the perfect opportunity for Turner to get hot. He's already shown glimpses of brilliance, including a 25-point, seven-rebound and four-blocked shots performance last Sunday. Try to get Turner on your team before he strings along monster games.
Isaiah Thomas, PG/SG, Cleveland Cavaliers
This really only applies to you if you're sitting comfortably on top of your standings. The return of the 5-foot-9 All-Star is still very much up in the air, but he's reportedly been spotted putting up shots and practicing with the team. He's still not close to a return yet, but he has started light contact work, which certainly means he's progressing well in his recovery. You shouldn't expect Isaiah Thomas to put up the numbers he did with the Celtics last season. But you can bet he's going to thrive playing next to LeBron James if he's able to stay healthy. He's also motivated more than ever the Celtics traded him away after a MVP-caliber season last year. The scoring might not be as high as last year, but his efficiency and his 3-point makes could increase. Thomas is worth the gamble if you're willing to trade away pieces you won't miss. Thomas was originally scheduled to come back as soon as early January, but there's a small chance he could be back sometime during the holiday season of December.
Sell High
Tim Hardaway Jr, SG/SF, New York Knicks
Hardaway Jr has been a flat out stud this season, and he will certainly almost continue to ball out for the Knicks. However, much of the Knicks success has been wins at home, where they are 1-6 on the road compared to 9-3 at home. While this doesn't apply much to THJ's statistical output, I'm not ready to believe he's able to sustain this level of play for the whole season. I'm not sold on the Knicks just yet and they may very well crash to the ground quick. THJ's been a top-15 player over the last two weeks and is playing at an incredible level of confidence right now. He can obviously hit shots, but he's been contributing to other areas of the game as well. If I'm able to sell him to a Knicks fan or for a player like Myles Turner, I'd absolutely pull the trigger.
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