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Fantasy Basketball Week In Review: Week 8

Spencer Aguiar looks back at Week 8 of the 2019-2020 NBA season, including fantasy basketball risers, fallers and takeaways from each night of action.

Welcome to the RotoBaller NBA Recap. In this feature, we will highlight one key fantasy basketball takeaway from each night during the past week. These viewpoints can be both positive and negative and will hopefully help to provide insight into different roster moves you should consider making.

Fantasy basketball has a lot of moving pieces with all the different scoring settings that are possible to play under, so I will always do my best to spotlight where players gain or lose value in certain game types.

Without further ado, let's get right into the eighth week of the season and try to figure out how to take advantage of what we saw transpire.

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Monday, December 9th

Derrick Rose Erupts for 17 In Fourth Quarter, Sinks Game-Winner For Pistons

After a slew of injuries derailed his career, Derrick Rose has managed to turn back the clock in 2019. Rose has been sensational so far this season, averaging 16.2 points, 5.7 assists, 1.9 rebounds and nearly one steal in only 23 minutes per contest.

On Monday, the 2011 MVP player erupted down the stretch against the New Orleans Pelicans, scoring 17 points in the fourth quarter to go along with the game-winning jumper as time expired.

Even though starting point guard Reggie Jackson has remained sidelined due to an injury, the Pistons have kept Rose in his usual role off the bench. While that has slightly dampened the upside for the 31-year-old this season, he is currently ranked inside the top-100 in both nine-category and points leagues. That is good enough to make him roster worthy in all settings, although you do start to miss out on some upside if you own him in a league with only eight participants.

 

Tuesday, December 10th

Davis Bertans Keeps Hot Hand

Davis Bertans erupted for a career-high 32 points and eight three-pointers on Tuesday night against the Charlotte Hornets, adding nine rebounds, one assist and one block in 30 minutes.

Owners of Bertans in points and category leagues have two very different situations on their hands. Bertans 4.0 three-pointers per contest rank him second in the NBA behind James Harden, and he is just one of two players with a center designation that is averaging over 2.1 triples per game.

That level of unique contribution places him as a hold in category leagues because of his ability to become a game-changer for lineups, but his lack of production elsewhere has limited his upside in other settings, as he ranks just 94th in point-based groups. What kind of group you play in will dictate just how valuable he is for your squad.

 

Wednesday, December 11th

Devonte' Graham Puts Up Career-High 40 Points

I know I talked about Devonte' Graham during last week's article, but I want to reemphasize the fact that the former Kansas Jayhawk is NOT a sell-high candidate.

Graham exploded on Wednesday night with a career-high 40 points, adding five rebounds, five assists and seven three-pointers on nine of 11 shooting from the field. Graham has now made at least six triples in four of his last five games and is averaging an absurd 6.2 threes per contest during that span. If that is not enough, the 24-year-old also became the third player in NBA history to make at least 100 3-pointers in 27 games or fewer to start the season, joining Steph Curry and James Harden.

There obviously is a price range where it becomes acceptable to sell Graham, but with a top-10 ranking in threes, assists and touches per game, it would take a lot to pry him off of my roster. If you were able to grab him off your waiver wire early in the season, enjoy the ride!

 

Thursday, December 12th

No Love In Cleveland

The Cleveland Cavaliers have made it clear that aside from rookie Darius Garland, everyone is available in trade talks. That includes five-time NBA All-Star Kevin Love, who the team has placed a first-round price tag on for franchises trying to acquire the former UCLA product.

It seems likely that the Cavs will need to lower their expectation level, as Love is currently owed 91.4 million dollars in fully guaranteed money, but it shouldn't be impossible for Cleveland to find a deal and get that salary off their books. The Celtics, Nuggets and Blazers have all reportedly shown interest, and teams in contention should also do their due diligence when it comes to trying to obtain the nightly double-double threat.

Love erupted on Tuesday with a season-high 30 points, adding 17 rebounds, two assists and four three-pointers in 39 minutes, and it looks as if fantasy owners will get a slight boost in productivity as the Cavaliers try to showcase his skills to the league. Still, though, this is a dicey situation going forward and is one that can result poorly if Love ends up in the wrong location. As the Cavaliers are doing themselves, I would be looking to sell Love off high before something derails his value - which includes his dreaded injury-prone nature.

 

Friday, December 13th

Malcolm Brogdon Carries Pacers To Victory

One of the biggest steals in drafts this year, Malcolm Brogdon continued his 2019 surge on Friday night against the Atlanta Hawks, tallying 19 points, eight rebounds and 12 assists.

Brogdon has now scored at least 19 points in four straight games and has averaged 20 points over his past 10 contests. Owners that are concerned that Victor Oladipo might cut into the former Virginia product once he returns aren't necessarily wrong, but head coach Nate McMillan said that his star guard still has hurdles to clear before playing in a game.

The lack of a time frame on a return date tells me that Oladipo is still not as close as some may think, so enjoy your production with Brogdon and worry about the rest later. Between Oladipo's injury and Brogdon's success so far in 2019, I see no reason why this level of production should stop any time soon.

More Fantasy Basketball Analysis




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REAL-TIME FANTASY NEWS

KaVontae Turpin

Arrested on Two Charges
Cole Ragans

to Begin Throwing on Monday
Theo Johnson

Prioritizing his Health this Offseason
Andrés Giménez

Andres Gimenez Hits 10-Day Injured List
Jermaine Burton

Continues to Show Growth
NHL

Hendrix Lapierre Signs One-Year Deal with Capitals
Carson Hocevar

Should DFS Players Consider Carson Hocevar for Chicago Lineups?
Tye Kartye

Kraken Re-Sign Tye Kartye for Two Years
Ross Chastain

May be A Decent DFS Option for Chicago Lineups
Dmitri Voronkov

Signs Two-Year, $8.35 Million Extension with Blue Jackets
Ryan Preece

Should DFS Players Roster Ryan Preece at Chicago?
Austin Dillon

Is Too Great of A Risk to Add to Chicago Lineups
Zane Smith

Is A Value Play Worth Rostering At Chicago
Austin Hill

is A Favorable Value Option for Chicago DFS Lineups
Ty Dillon

Is Ty Dillon A Decent Driver to Add For NASCAR DFS At Chicago?
William Byron

Qualifying Crash Makes William Byron a Likely DFS Must-Have
Alex Bowman

Should Finish Well, but Probably Costs Too Much for Serious DFS Consideration
Joey Logano

Has Been Relatively Mediocre on Road Courses Lately
Ryan Blaney

Doesn't Really Fit Neatly into Optimal DFS Lineups
Austin Cindric

Remains an Overrated Road Racer
Brad Keselowski

Likely to Brush Past Chicago Street Course to Focus on Daytona
NASCAR

John H. Nemechek One of the Best Underdog Options After Strong Runs at Mexico City and Last Year
Cole Custer

Strong Mexico City Run and Xfinity Series Chicago Win Make Him a Solid DFS Option
Erik Jones

Likely Not Good Enough on Road Courses for DFS Consideration Despite Poor Qualifying Result
Noah Gragson

May Be Better Than Other Cheap DFS Options
Riley Herbst

Despite Decent Mexico City Run, Don't Expect Riley Herbst to Contend at Chicago
Cody Ware

Is a Road Course Veteran, but It's Rarely Helped Him in NASCAR
Shane Van Gisbergen

Shane van Gisbergen Is The Heavy Favorite to Win at Chicago Street Course
Christopher Bell

Should Be Strong Despite Practice Struggles at Chicago Street Course
Cam Ward

"Not Expecting" to be handed Starting Job
Chase Claypool

Eager to Get Back on the Field
Wyatt Langford

Activated, Playing on Saturday
Jay Huff

on the Move to Indiana
Cam Whitmore

Wizards Acquire Cam Whitmore from the Rockets
LaJohntay Wester

Stands out on Special Teams
Clarke Schmidt

Likely to Undergo Tommy John Surgery
Nolan Arenado

Scratched from Saturday's Lineup
Vladimir Guerrero Jr.

Starting on Saturday
Corbin Carroll

Activated from 10-Day Injured List
Cincinnati Bengals

Shemar Stewart, Bengals Continue Contract Talks, No Progress Made
Giannis Antetokounmpo

Potential Giannis Antetokounmpo Trade may not Happen Until "August, September"
Ha-Seong Kim

Removed Early During Season Debut
ARI

Christian Fischer Retires From NHL at 28
NHL

Spencer Martin Moves to Russia
WAS

Anthony Beauvillier Re-Signs With Capitals for Two Years
Vladimir Guerrero Jr.

Sitting Out With Foot Issue
Isaiah Neyor

Impresses at Minicamp
Houston Rockets

Jock Landale Waived by Rockets
Bo Bichette

Back in Blue Jays Lineup
Jonas Valančiūnas

Jonas Valanciunas Considering Returning to Europe
Miles Sanders

Works With Starters During Mandatory Minicamp
Jabari Walker

Signs Two-Way Deal With Sixers
Chimere Dike

Titans Could Move Chimere Dike Inside
Keandre Lambert-Smith

KeAndre Lambert-Smith not Guaranteed Roster Spot
Anthony Bradford

Working Hard to Win Back Starting Job
Byron Young

Still Improving?
Cody Simon

Jonathan Gannon has Been Impressed With Cody Simon
SirVocea Dennis

has Impressive Offseason
Trevor Penning

Could Still Have a Role in New Orleans
Jonathan Kuminga

Warriors Decline Recent Offer for Jonathan Kuminga
Orlando Magic

Moritz Wagner, Magic Agree to One-Year Deal
Clarke Schmidt

Placed on Injured List
José Soriano

Jose Soriano Throws Gem Against Braves
Robbie Ray

Earns Ninth Win in Complete Game
T.J. Watt

Likely to Reset the Edge-Rush Market
George Springer

Blasts Two Homers, Drives in Four
James Wood

Goes Yard in Five-Hit Night
Bradley Beal

Suns Discussing Potential Buyout
Los Angeles Lakers

Jaxson Hayes Staying with the Lakers
NBA

Damian Lillard "Open" to Signing With a Team This Offseason
Max Muncy

Out at Least Six Weeks
Clarke Schmidt

Leaves Start with Forearm Tightness
Colson Montgomery

Promoted to the Major Leagues
Pittsburgh Steelers

Omar Khan, Steelers Agree to Three-Year Contract
Max Muncy

Goes on Injured List With Knee Bruise
Max Muncy

Out of Thursday's Lineup
James Wood

Joining Home Run Derby
SJ

Sharks Claim Nick Leddy Off Waivers
SJ

Sharks Sign Dmitry Orlov to Two-Year, $13 Million Contract
CAR

Nikolaj Ehlers Joins Hurricanes on Six-Year Contract
Chau Smith-Wade

Having Stellar Offseason
Ace Bailey

Inks Rookie Contract With Jazz
Divine Deablo

Could be the Quarterback of the Defense
Isaiah Rodgers

a Likely Starter for the Vikings
Boston Celtics

Josh Minott Inks Deal With Celtics
Sandro Mamukelashvili

Heading to Toronto
Jared McCain

Not on 76ers Summer League Roster
Dylan Harper

Unavailable for California Classic
COL

Brent Burns Inks One-Year Deal with Avalanche
STL

Blues Land Pius Suter on Two-Year Deal
Morgan Frost

Agrees to Two-Year Extension with Flames
WPG

Gustav Nyquist Moves to Winnipeg
Cody Glass

Devils Re-Sign Cody Glass to Two-Year Deal
PIT

Anthony Mantha Joins Penguins
Cleveland Cavaliers

Larry Nance Jr. Headed Back to Cavaliers
Eric Gordon

Remaining with 76ers
Los Angeles Lakers

Deandre Ayton Joining Lakers
Emil Heineman

Signs Two-Year Deal with Islanders
Simon Holmstrom

Re-Signs with Islanders for Two Years
UTA

Nate Schmidt Signs Three-Year Deal with Mammoth
UTA

Brandon Tanev Moves to Utah on Three-Year Contract
NJ

Evgenii Dadonov Joins Devils on One-Year Deal
BUF

Sabres Snap Up Alex Lyon on Two-Year Contract
Dallas Mavericks

Dante Exum Returning to Dallas
Jaren Jackson Jr.

Has Surgery to Repair a Turf Toe Injury
Bud Cauley

in Great Form Ahead of John Deere Classic
Christiaan Bezuidenhout

a Player to Avoid at John Deere Classic
Jake Knapp

Riding Momentum Ahead of John Deere Classic
PGA

Sungjae Im Looking for Consistency at John Deere Classic
Ryan Gerard

a Solid Option at John Deere Classic
Rickie Fowler

Looking to Rebound at John Deere Classic
Cameron Champ

a Volatile Option at John Deere Classic
Jackson Suber

Staying Below 70 is Key to Success for Jackson Suber
Kevin Roy

Playing Better Heading into John Deere Classic
Justin Lower

Hoping for Something Positive in Illinois
Ben Kohles

a Long Shot at John Deere Classic
Stephan Jaeger

Attempts to Stop Roller-Coaster Ride
Beau Hossler

Needs a Challenge in Illinois
Harry Higgs

Has Potential at John Deere Classic
Nick Dunlap

Keeps Plugging Through Tough 2025 Season
Kevin Yu

a Near Must-Play at TPC Deere Run
PGA

J.T. Poston Returns to John Deere Classic Looking for Another High Finish
Thriston Lawrence

a Decent Fit For John Deere Classic
Tom Kim

Not Finding Much to be Happy About Ahead of John Deere Classic
Si Woo Kim

is a Prohibitive Fade at John Deere Classic
Ben Griffin

is the Appropriate Favorite at TPC Deere Run
RANKINGS
C
1B
2B
3B
SS
OF
SP
RP

RANKINGS

QB
RB
WR
TE
K
DEF