RADIO
It is a few weeks into the NBA season, and you're worried. You're concerned about the high profile players you selected, and you need to know what to do with them. Should you believe in them? Should you try to get what you can in a trade for them? Is it time to drop them? In this article, we'll look through some under-performing point guards, and figure out your next move. Even if you don't own the following guys, have a look and consider whether or not you may want to trade for them.
Under-Performing Stars: Point Guard Edition
Goran Dragic (PG, MIA)
Goran Dragic has perhaps been the biggest disappointment at the point guard position. This label isn't because he has been the worst point guard, but because of the third or fourth round pick you had to use to get him. Dragic is currently averaging 10.9 points, 4.6 assists, and 2.7 rebounds at 31.1 minutes a game. Perhaps the biggest issue with Dragic is his inefficiency. Dragic has been a great point guard in the past, known for his great field goal percentage that could float around 50%. This year, he is only hitting 41.7% of his shots, and only 25.8% of his three-pointers. These lows percentages are definitely concerning, so what is the verdict?
Hold him.
You need to hold on to Goran Dragic. There is no point in losing value if you sell him now while his value is at its lowest. Have faith in Dragic, as his best games are yet to come. He was brought in to this team as a possible focal point if Dwayne Wade were to miss games. The Heat are definitely committed to allow him to play through his struggles. Dragic looked great in a Suns uniform, where the team played a faster pace. However, the Heat have become very defensive-minded this season. They have traded away backup point guard Mario Chalmers, and the only other true point guard on the team is Beno Udrih. The minutes and opportunities are still there for Dragic, and the Heat look to be in a great position to get in the playoffs. Dwayne Wade will need his rest, and Dragic should see great production going forward. Try to trade for him if you don't own him.
Ty Lawson (PG, HOU)
Ty Lawson has certainly been stressful to own this season, as his production has really fell off and his role on the team is unclear. Some regression in his production was to be expected, as he goes from the alpha dog on a fast-paced Nuggets team to a secondary option on a team ran by another alpha dog in James Harden. It is difficult for the two to share the floor, as there is only one ball and both guys are at their best with the ball in their hands. Another key issue is the defensive problems these guys cause their own team when they share the floor. With plenty of great point guards in the West, this back court is extremely susceptible to being burned. Lawson is only averaging 8.3 points, 5.2 assists, and 3.0 assists, while shooting only 31.9% from the field and 25.0% from three. So what do you do?
Drop him.
This situation isn't looking good and you should not want any part of Lawson going forward. Lawson was never a great shooter to begin with. He will need the ball to be effective and collect assists, which was his biggest asset back in Denver. There is just no way the Rockets are going to take the ball out of Harden's hands during crunch time, and Lawson's poor production isn't doing anything to change that aspect. The ship is really going down at this point. On Saturday night, Lawson took no part in crunch time against the Knicks. He only played 17 minutes, scoring no points, 2 assists, and 2 rebounds. You can attempt to try to trade Lawson based on his name value, but that's about it. Try your best to sell him, and drop him if he is your worst player.
Emmanuel Mudiay (PG, DEN)
Emmanuel Mudiay hasn't been terrible. But he has been bad to the point where he is definitely hurting your team in category-based leagues. Mudiay is averaging 12.5 points, 6.3 assists, and 3.9 rebounds on the season. He has done an adequate job for the young Nuggets team despite being thrown into the fire as a point guard in the Western Conference. His efficiency and turnover rate have been extremely troubling. Mudiay is shooting 33.3% from the field, and is averaging 4.4 turnovers per game. Despite all these issues, Mudiay still put in an excellent game on Friday night, scoring 26 on 10/16 shooting with 5 assists. With this one great game, is it time to sell him?
Trade him.
You absolutely need to trade Mudiay right now. Mudiay is a rookie and he still needs to learn the game. His lack of efficiency is to be expected and we know he will get better with time. However, he may not get better in time to be helpful in a redraft league. His bad percentages make him an extremely difficult option to use, and his volume scoring hasn't even been worth the trouble. Langston Galloway and Cory Joseph are both waiver wire options that should be used over Mudiay right now. He just had this great game, and some inexperienced fantasy players may look at this and his production throughout the season at face value. Now is the time to sell high.
