RADIO
Week 13 has officially wrapped up as we continue to itch closer to fantasy playoffs. As a reminder for most leagues, fantasy playoffs will begin on Week 21 which begins March 12th.
Drop the dead weight, make an effort to improve your team via trades / waiver wire. Don't be attached to short-term pick ups when there is a hot player with a better outlook. Be wary of weekly streaming options and stay ahead of your opponents. Our staff at RotoBaller has great insight and daily columns how to improve your squad and tips to make your team successful, be sure to check them out!
Now let's look back on Week 12 and get prepared for Week 13.
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Week 14 Schedule
4 Games – Jazz, Nets, Pistons, Raptors, Spurs, Knicks, Heat, Grizzlies, Lakers, Pacers
3 Games – Wizards, Hawks, Celtics, Hornets, Bulls, Cavaliers, Nuggets, Warriors, Rockets, Clippers, Bucks, Timberwolves, Pelicans, Thunder, Magic, Sixers, Trail Blazers, Kings
2 Games – Suns, Mavericks
Week 13 Breakout Performers
Anthony Davis, PF/C, New Orleans Pelicans
Week 13 averages: 38.0 PPG 12.0 RPG 1.0 APG 1.3 SPG 2.0 BPG 1.0 3PM 67% FG 84% FT 2.0 TO
Anthony Davis has been on a tear, as he was the best overall player in 9-category leagues this season. He's coming off three consecutive 30+ point games, including a monster 48-point, 17-rebound, four-steal, three-block performance Sunday afternoon against the Knicks. He's an elite fantasy asset, as long as he's healthy. That injury-scare potential with owning Davis is probably the only downside in owning him. However, Davis is among only a handful of players who has the upside to be the best player in all of fantasy. He's that good.
Lauri Markkanen, PF/C, Chicago Bulls
Week 13 averages: 22.7 PPG 7.3 RPG 1.3 APG 1.7 SPG 1.0 BPG 5.0 3PM 49% FG 100% FT 1.3 TO
Markkanen is a hidden gem who should be talked about more often, as he's averaging more made 3-pointers (2.4) per game than any rookie EVER. Markkanen was a first-round play this week and his role on the Bulls shines even brighter when they decide to trade Nikola Mirotic, which can happen as early as today (Jan. 15th) Just a reminder that he is a rookie, and he will have some tough shooting nights. It's also a great chance to buy low any chance you can on the talented 20-year old when he puts up some off nights.
Kris Dunn, PG/SG, Chicago Bulls
Week 13 averages: 15.3 PPG 4.7 RPG 8.0 APG 3.7 SPG 1.7 BPG 1.0 3PM 39% FG 75% FT 1.7 TO
Dunn is definitely in the discussion for the waiver-wire pick up of the year, as he's an absolute monster on the defensive end. Dunn is third in steals in the league, averaging 2.1 steals per game. He won't get you much 3-pointers because he's not a reliable shooter yet, but he's improved in his efficiency shooting the ball at 43 percent from the field compared to 41 percent last season. Zach LaVine returning could relieve him of some ball-handling duties, but he shouldn't take a huge hit because LaVine will play the shooting guard position. Dunn has terrific upside and looks like a top-50 pick next season.
Lou Williams, PG/SG, Los Angeles Clippers
Week 13 averages: 35.0 PPG 1.5 RPG 4.8 APG 1.5 SPG 1.0 BPG 0.3 3PM 46% FG 82% FT 3.8 TO
Professional scorer. That's who Lou Williams is and he's phenomenal at getting buckets. He's absolutely on fire right now, putting up first-round value on the week and he doesn't look like he's slowing down anytime soon. I expected him to regress a week ago, but he continues to prove me wrong. However I refuse to believe this hot-shooting is sustainable and he is a sell-high candidate, giving that his value has ever been this high.
Hassan Whiteside, C, Miami Heat
Week 13 averages: 14.7 PPG 13.3 RPG 0.7 APG 0.7 SPG 3.3 BPG 0.0 3PM 56% FG 80 % FT 2.7 TO
Don't look now, but Whiteside is coming off three-straight double-doubles, including a 16-point, 15-rebound, four-block night on Sunday. I told you guys to buy low everywhere you guys could, and he's proving once again that he's an elite center in the league with his potential to rack up the blocks. Whiteside hasn't blown up since his return from knee soreness yet as he's averaging just about 25 minutes per game, but he will soon enough. There's still a chance to get him now, so don't wait to get an offer before he blows up.
Andre Drummond, C, Detroit Pistons
Week 13 averages: 19.7 PPG 16.3 RPG 4.0 APG 2.0 SPG 2.0 BPG 0.0 3PM 59% FG 63% FT 3.0 TO
Drummond has made it a priority to correct his free-throw shooting this past summer, and it's definitely on display so far this season. He's shooting a career-high 63 percent from the line, a massive improvement from his career 40 percent. As far as fantasy goes, his value takes a giant leap towards elite territory because he's no longer a liability on tanking your free throws category. It's still not great at 63 percent, but it's a reminder that he's taking just under five attempts per game. He's ranked No. 28 this season in 9-category leagues.
Chris Paul, PG, Houston Rockets
Week 13 averages: 28.7 PPG 7.7 RPG 8.7 APG 1.7 SPG 1.0 BPG 2.7 3PM 47% FG 90% FT 2.7 TO
James Harden (hamstring) could return as early as this Thursday or Saturday, but CP3 owners certainly don't mind Harden taking his time to heal. With Harden out, CP3 has carried the load on the offensive end, averaging 26.0 points 7.4 boards and 9.4 dimes per game over the last five. Paul is ranked No. 7 on the season and I'm going to remind you CP3 has finished in the top-10 in both 8-category and 9-category leagues EVERY year for the past 10 years. TEN years. He's a definition of a true elite point god.
Week 14 Standard Leagues - Waiver Wire Pickups
Jarrett Jack, PG/SG New York Knicks (31% Ownership)
Jack has suddenly played inspiring basketball for the Knicks, as he's found the fountain of youth. He's averaging 17.0 points, 8.5 assists, 1.0 triple, 1.5 steals and 3.8 turnovers per game over the past four games and he shouldn't be on any waiver wires if he's playing this well. Just know that it likely won't last and the signing of Trey Burkes could eventually steal some minutes.
Wayne Ellington, SG/SF, Miami Heat (35% Ownership)
Dion Waiters is out for the remainder of this season and Ellington looks like he's secured a 30 + minute role with the Heat going forward. Ellington is averaging 34 minutes per game in the month of January, all while averaging 15.0 points and 3.8 3-pointers per game. Ellington provides an elite source of treys while also being able to chip in steals as well. Get him as he's hot.
DeMarre Carroll, SF/PF, Brooklyn Nets (40% Ownership)
Carroll was probably dropped in most leagues because he's missed two games this past week with knee soreness. He's a huge part of what the Nets does, as he's a crafty vet who can guard opposing wings. Carroll put up 13 points, 10 rebounds, three assists and two steals across 33 minutes on Saturday, and that's good enough for mid-round value the past week. There are some rumors that the Nets could be shopping him and a trade could kill his value. But until that actually holds true, get him if he's available in your league.
Montrezl Harrell, PF/C, Los Angeles Clippers (7% Ownership)
Harrell has seen an uptick in minutes since DeAndre Jordan (ankle) went down on Thursday, and Jordan is currently listed as questionable for Monday's contest against the Rockets. Harrell is coming off three strong performances, including a 25 points on 11-of-12 shooting on Thursday. As long as Jordan is out, Harrell could provide l0w-end value if you have someone to cut. However, Jordan shouldn't be out too long so he's best viewed as a short-term rental this week. The Clippers play four times this week.
Tyrone Wallace, SG, Los Angeles Clippers (10% Ownership)
Wallace has emerged as a nice standard league add because he has been able to log significant minutes. Wallace is averaging 13.2 points, 2.0 assists, 1.4 steals, 0.8 blocks and 1.2 turnovers per game over the last five, and he should continue to log minutes with Austin Rivers (heel) out for another week or so.
Bogdan Bogdanovic, SG, Sacramento Kings (34% Ownership)
The Kings finally came to their senses and they're giving the rookie for Serbia an opportunity to shine. He's averaging just under 30 minutes per game in the month of January, while averaging 15.3 points and 4.3 assists per game. He's a skilled guard who can handle and dish the basketball, so he should continue to get minutes for the tanking Kings the rest of the way.
Dewayne Dedmon, PF/C, Atlanta Hawks (37% Ownership)
Dedmon has returned from a five-week recovery process due to stress fracture in his leg, and he's going to eventually reclaim his starting center spot with the Hawks. Dedmond was a top-1o0 player before his injury, so he's worth a look if he was dropped.
Fred VanVleet, PG, Toronto Raptors (2% Ownership)
VanVleet has filled in for Kyle Lowry (bruised back) quite admirably, and has played well enough to take most of Delon Wright's thunder away. VanVleet provides better floor spacing the Raptors, which is why he has logged more minutes than Wright the past two games. VanVleet is coming off a strong outing with 13 points, five rebounds, four assists, three 3-pointers and one steal on Saturday. Lowry is currently considered questionable for Monday's contest against the Sixers, so VanVleet's hot run could be coming to a close. However, this is a reminder that anytime Lowry misses time, VanVleet is a great option, especially in daily fantasy leagues.
Week 14 Deep Leagues - Waiver Wire Pickups
Kosta Koufos, PF/C, Sacramento Kings (3% Ownership)
Koufos has suddenly cracked the rotation for the Kings in 2018, as I recall stating multiple times that the Kings are a mess. However, Koufos has played well and it's worth noting that he can be used in deeper leagues as long as he's playing well. Koufos is connecting on 72 percent of his field goal attempts, while averaging 9.7 points and 7.0 boards over the last five.
Yogi Ferrell, PG/SG, Dallas Mavericks (13% Ownership)
Ferrell can get hot on any given night, as the Mavericks are fully invested on giving him a role this season. He had a 11-point, 10-rebound double-double in 43 minutes against the Lakers Saturday and also hit seven triples for 22 points the previous game. He's probably close to a must-own player in 14+ team leagues. The Mavericks only play twice this week
Evan Turner, SG/SF, Portland Trail Blazers (11% Ownership)
Turner continues to start for the Blazers, and he will likely stay there for the rest of the season. While he doesn't offer much upside, the minutes are safe for now and he can blow out for a nice game every once a while. He's more of a top-125 option where he can give you top-80 numbers when he's hot, so give him a look in deeper settings.
Dragan Bender, PF/C, Phoenix Suns (14% Ownership)
Bender continues to log heavy minutes with Marquese Chriss (hip) out, but dropped a major dud Sunday going scoreless in 30 minutes of action on 0-of-7 shooting. He really needed to string together a few strong games to secure minutes going forward, but will likely have a few more chances with Chriss not reportedly close to a return. Chriss is listed day-to-day, but he hasn't returned to practice so Bender will have a few more games to redeem himself. Bender has a 14-point, 8-rebound, 2-block outing against the Rockets on Friday.
Buy Low
Kawhi Leonard, SG/SF, San Antonio Spurs
I don't usually recommend buying Spurs players, but the track record of Leonard is too good to ignore. Leonard has never finished below top-7 in the previous three seasons and I would count on the Spurs taking the chains off soon rather than later. There is always going to be a risk of him sitting out back-to-backs for the foreseeable future, but he's an elite play when healthy. He's not currently on the injury report for Monday, so it would mark the first time he's played in a game off one day rest this season. It's a huge positive for Leonard owners and it's also a great chance to buy low now before he blows up.
Hassan Whiteside, PF/C, Miami Heat
There's still some buy-low appeal here, and the big lines should be coming as the big man works his way back from his recent knee rehabilitation. Whiteside missed 13 games last month due to knee soreness.
Myles Turner, PF/C, Indiana Pacers
Turner is currently sidelined with a sore elbow, and there's no telling if he'll return during the Pacers' current road trip. He is traveling with the team and is listed day-to-day, but he was already ruled out ahead of Monday's contest. This is a great time to send an offer to see how patient his owner is, as Turner's not blocking as many shots (just 1.3 over the past two weeks.) The minutes has been low due to some foul trouble and missed defensive assignments, but don't forget he's one of the league's best shot-blockers (2.2 per game) and he's certainly due for a bounce-back sooner rather than later.
Sell High
Lou Williams, PG/SG, Los Angeles Clippers
Williams has seen his usage spike with all the injuries, and he will continue to put up video game-like numbers now that Blake Griffin (concussion) is expected to miss time. There's a very good chance that Williams continue to put up monster numbers, but he's also a key candidate to be traded should the Clippers decide it blow it all up before the trading deadline. If you're able to package him with another player for players like Nikola Jokic, Hassan Whiteside, or Myles Turner, it makes a lot of sense.
Dario Saric, SF/PF/C, Philadelphia 76ers
With Markelle Fultz (shoulder) closer to a return, I would bet Saric is a candidate to head to a bench role. Saric has been outstanding lately, as he's been flirting with top-35 value the past month. I just don't see him averaging more than 30 minutes per game when the team is fully healthy, so I would sell everywhere I had the chance.
Tyreke Evans, PG/SG/SF, Memphis Grizzlies
The rumors are getting stronger by the day, and the a lot of teams will be calling Memphis in the upcoming weeks for the veteran Evans, as he's been absolutely crushing it this season. Evans has been a steady early-round player for the season and a trade to a contender will probably bump him down a few rounds. I'd look to sell now before he's traded to a team like Cleveland.
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