In this week’s Risers and Fallers, I’ll be looking at a Kristaps Porzingis and Fred VanVleetas well as dissecting why the imaginary value of boys like Domantas Sabonis And Giannis Antetokounmpo has decreased over the past few weeks.
Standpipes
Kristaps PorzingisPF/C, Washington shaman
First of all, Porzingis is healthy after a recent absence due to a recent ankle sprain. Second, he scored 17 points, 9 rebounds, 7 assists, 3 steals, 5 blocks and 3 points on Monday against Spurs. He also shot 93% from the line in January, missed four free throws all month and was 18/18 from the line in his last three games. He also saves shots, averaging 2.5 times per game in his last four games. Porzingis remains a shutdown candidate after the Wizards were knocked out of the knockout stages but until that happens, he should continue to rage.
Fred VanVleetPG/SG, Toronto Raptors
FVV has been a first-round player for the past few weeks and is about to have its best game of the season. He had 34 points, 12 bounces, 10 assists, one steal, one save and four 3-pointers on 12/25 shot in Monday’s Jazz loss. Speaking of wasting a triple-double, the Raptors also wasted one of the best nights of VanVleet’s career. FVV went through a strange period when he scored 14, 11, 11 and 3 points in 4 consecutive games in mid-January, but has since turned into money. He’s a well-known name that’s been splashed around in commercial rumors right now and if he’s looking to move, he’s really enhanced his value with his play over the past three weeks. .
In addition to last Monday’s 23-point, 15 bounce, two steal, two block match against the Bucks, Duren’s incorrect numbers fly off the screen and jump into your head. Especially when he’s only scored 18 points and 9 rebounds in total in his last two games. But he’s also missed just six shots in his last five games, shot 79% off the line in January and ended the month averaging 12.9 points, 9.3 rebounds, 1.3 steals and 1.3 tackles. He’ll one day lead the league in terms of goalscoring on the pitch, possibly a stellar saver and even have more than the 26.1 minutes he got in January. He’s played between 24 and 31 minutes in each of the last 4 and his next blast is probably just around the corner. And with the Pistons only playing ping pong the rest of the way, they had no choice but to let Duren grow and show off his stuff for the rest of the way. He is probably my favorite trading target right now and his last two games (18 points, 9 goals in total) have put his trade value right where you want it if you are thought of trying to buy him in a deal. And the best news may be that he’s only played in 22.9% of ESPN’s tournaments.
Hield’s best friendSG/SF, Indiana Pacers
Hield’s inclusion on this list was a bit odd after his 1/4th shot, a three-point effort against the Grizzlies on Sunday but he simply played the ball before that. He had 14 points, 5 rebounds, 2 assists, 2 steals and 2 triples in Thursday’s tough loss to the Lakers and, despite that defeat on Sunday, he is averaged 16.9 points, 5.2 bounces, 3.2 assists, 2.7 steals, and 3.8 times 3 points. 33 out of 72 (46%) shot in his last six games. Those numbers are obviously a huge leap if you hit the four point game and he’s going to keep growing now Tyrese haliburton came back from elbow and knee injuries. Despite Thursday’s tough loss to the Lakers, the Pacers will try to pull together some wins and get back into the play-off hunt when Hali is healthy. And they will need Hield to play well if that happens. The only problem is that his upcoming match schedule is not good (3-2-2-3-3-3).
Gary Trent Jr.., SG, Toronto Raptors
Trent is quietly getting it done for the Raptors and he’s been an imaginary value in the third round over the past few weeks. He has scored between 16 and 24 points in his last 10 games and has robbed, bounced, assisted and escaped three points while shooting well in that span. The Raptors are talking about trading VanVleet, and if he moves, Trent’s usage rate could increase. And given that he doesn’t appear in the headlines every night, other imaginary managers may not be aware of his real worth. Trent is also an excellent free thrower and doesn’t overturn. In fact, he hasn’t flipped in 4 consecutive games and has only 5 TOs in the last 12 games. If your team is on the hunt for a championship and you have a hole in your roster or revenue issues, adding Trent can be hugely effective.
fall
Domantas SabonisPF/C, King Sacramento
Foul troubles, poor free-throws, turns and a lack of steals and saves have plagued Sabonis over the past few weeks and he has only deservedly been picked in the sixth round in that span of time. But if you remove those categories, he’s also a fantasy monster. Just by reducing his free throws and spins, he jumped from sixth in the sixth round to a Top 20 player. He had 34 points, 11 rebounds, 4 assists, 2 saves, 2 steals and 3 on 15/20 on Wednesday and averaged 18.2 points, 12.5 bounces and 8.1 assists in January. And if his last two games are any indication, his steals and blocks are likely on the rise, as he already has three swipes and four hits in it. Sabonis won’t be easily traded by any imaginary manager, but free throws and spins combined with his lack of steals and saves in January have kept his ranking low. much more than normal. And maybe that’s enough for you to steal with the right offer. He also ended the season with a 4-4-4 formation, further increasing his appeal, especially if your fantasy league runs until the end of the regular season.
Giannis AntetokounmpoPF/C, Milwaukee Bucks
Antetokounmpo has been a virtual player in the round of 16 for the past two weeks and like Sabonis, the reduction in free throw and penalty shootout will do wonders for his worth. Take those out and you’re looking at the Top 5 Fantasy Players of the Last Two Weeks. This is nothing new for Giannis, as his free throws and turns have been a problem all season. He has scored 54, 34, 50, 41, 33 and 29 points in each of his last six games, and he’s managed to get over his sore knee during that period. The daily title will stale and he will be rested at some point but the Bucks have racked up six straight wins following his monster performance. They still have a whopping eight head-to-head games left on their schedule, so you can count him in eight or more missed games this year. But if you don’t care about free throws and penalties, it still makes sense to include him on your list. Giannis played a big part in Thursday’s win over the Clippers and he finished with 54 points, 19 rebounds and two 3-pointers on a 21/39 shot. Sometimes fantasy leaderboards don’t mean much and this is one of those times.
Thomas BryantC, Los Angeles Lakers
The return of Anthony Davis (foot) crushed Bryant and he might not even be on the roster in some tournaments. He had 11 points, six rebounds and one save in Thursday’s win over Indiana and just nine points and one bounce in 16 minutes on Tuesday. We all know this will happen when AD turns around and the numbers prove it. If you’re in a deep league, you might as well stick to Bryant the next time Davis enters the locker room with his foot or ankle. But if you feel the need to release him for an attractive free agent, I won’t stop you.
Tobias HarrisSF/PF, Philadelphia 76ers
Harris has only been worth the ninth round in the past two weeks, and the Tennessee product has failed to score 20 points in any of his last six games. In fact, he has scored 20 or more points just once in his last 11 games, and that’s just that, when he scored exactly 20 against the Clippers on May 17. 1. He also only accumulated two steals and two saves in his last six games. His shooting is fine but when you add that he hasn’t had more than seven rebounds in a game since he had 11 rebounds on January 6, Harris has equated to one fantasy pet rock for the past few weeks. And as long as Joel Embiid, James Harden, Tyrese Maxey And De’Anthony Melton healthy, not much will change for Harris. His name value probably carries more commercial weight than his game at this point.
Jrue holidayPG/SG, Milwaukee Bucks
The break has only been worth imagining on the ninth round of the past two weeks and turns, on-field goals and free throws are the main issues. He’s made just 20 of 51 (39%) shots in his last three games and has 20 turns in his last six. He played superbly on Tuesday with 15 points, 13 rebounds, two steals, 3 points and no TO, but hit only 6 of 20 shots that game. The Bucks have won five games in a row and will continue their full run over the Holidays, and fantasy managers just have to hope his shooting goes through. He hit 47% in November, December and January, so he’s simply in a slump. But if there was a time to add a Vacation while his imaginary value was low, now is the time to do it before the window closes.
