RADIO
The trade deadline has passed, the All-Star break is over. Now comes the sprint.
Just a little over 20 games remains in the NBA, which means the frenzy will pick up in fantasy basketball circles. Don't hesitate. Don't react. It's important to gain an edge. Fantasy owners should get very active on the waiver wire because by this point, the only uncertainties are young players who are getting more playing time, or bench players thrusted into starter's minutes due to injury.
As a reminder, for standard (10-12 team) league adds, we use a general rule of thumb of an ownership rate of under 50% on Yahoo. All position eligibility based on Yahoo leagues.
Featured Promo: New Novig users get a $25 purchase match (50% discount up to $25) on your first Novig deposit, and 6 free months of RotoBaller's "Big-4" Premium Pass (NBA, NFL, MLB, NHL) which includes exclusive tools for Betting, Props, DFS and more! CLAIM IT NOW
Standard League Adds for Week 20
De'Aaron Fox , PG – Sacramento Kings
Ownership: 49%
11.3 PPG / 2.6 REB / 4.3 ASST / 1.0 STL
It was apparent very early, the keys to the Sacramento Kings Buick would be in De'Aaron Fox's hands. When George Hill was traded to Cleveland, not only was Fox in possession of the keys, but the credit card too.
In the seven games Fox has played in since Hill left, he is averaging 13.5 points per game, 5.7 assists and 1.3 steals per game. His ramped up playing time has also led to a more confident player. During that same stretch, he has attempted nine shots or more each game.
Kings head coach Dave Joerger has said he plans to up the pace and extend the time of his young nucleus. If you are in need of assists, Fox should provide a nice, healthy dose down the stretch.
Dejounte Murray PG – San Antonio Spurs
Ownership 38%
7.3 PPG / 5.3 REB / 2.8 ASST / .434 FG%
It's not Tony Parker, Patty Mills or Bryn Forbes who is getting the majority of the minutes at point guard in the second half of the season, but rather Dejounte Murray. The point guard out of Washington looks to be the steal of the 2016 draft.
Spurs head coach Gregg Popovich is playing Murray around 25 minutes a game over the last month, and he has responded with 10.3 points, 7.3 rebounds, 4.1 assists and 1.0 block. Should we reiterate that this is point guard. Murray can give you stats not usually seen from that particular position. On February 25, against the Cavs, Murray had four steals and three blocks to go along with 13 points, nine rebounds and five assists. He also played 34 minutes.
It's clear that Murray has Pop's trust and is taking advantage of every opportunity. Murray is one of only three point guards to average at least a block per game the last month. He is the only player to average at least two blocks and two steals per game since the All-Star break.
JaMychal Green, PF/C – Memphis Grizzlies
Ownership 29%
10.4 PPG / 7.7 REB / .776 FT% / .483 FG%
Arguably no other player has turned it on after the All-Star break more than JaMychal Green. The former undrafted free agent has had three straight double-doubles to start the unofficial second half of the season. He has four double-doubles in his last five games, averaging 13.0 points, 9.8 rebounds, 1.2 assists and 0.8 triples in that span.
What makes this surge more appealing is Marc Gasol is still playing 30 or more minutes a game--for now. The Grizzlies were sellers at the trade deadline, but were unable to find any suitors. With that being said, it's more than likely the Memphis front office will direct interim head coach J.B. Bickerstaff to play its younger players so they can properly address needs in the offseason.
With nothing to play for and everything to gain for Green, it's a perfect recipe for a fantasy basketball hero's ending.
More Fantasy Basketball Analysis
By popular demand, RotoBaller has aggregated all of our fantasy basketball NBA waiver wire pickups into a running list of NBA waiver options, so bookmark the page and check back often for updates.
