Fantasy Basketball: A Dozen Dimes, Week 23
Welcome back to our weekly transactions article, where we dish out 12 dimes of fantasy hoops advice.
Because most fantasy hoops trade deadlines have already passed and the playoffs in the majority of head-to-head leagues are underway, A Dozen Dimes has essentially converted into a waiver wire column for the rest of the season. In other words, instead of offering up 12 nuggets of adding, dropping, buying, and selling advice for this upcoming week and beyond, we're focusing on just the adding.
These are generally listed in relative order of importance. If you're looking for even more advice, check the "related news" section underneath to cycle through other recent editions of this column. We try not to repeat ourselves too much from one week to the next, so you might find more ideas you like from previous weeks that are still valid.
All fantasy rankings are courtesy of BasketballMonster.com.
Okay, let's get down to it.
Taurean Prince
We talked up Taurean Prince a couple weeks ago, but he has been balling so hard over his last four that we need to mention him again. Over that span, he's been the fourth-ranked player in nine-category leagues, averaging 30.8 points, 5.0 three-pointers, 8.0 rebounds, 4.3 assists, 0.5 steals, 1.0 block, and 2.8 turnovers in 36.4 minutes per contest, while shooting 50.0% from the field and 95.5% from the free throw line. He's had a fairly up-and-down season, but he's been the the 17th-ranked player in the league over the last month and is available in 40% of Yahoo leagues and 55% on ESPN. He's a must-add, must-start player if he's somehow on your wire.
Bobby Portis
Bobby Portis is still coming off the bench for the Chicago Bulls, but they are so beaten up that he's still getting something resembling starter minutes and filling up the box score in the process. Over his last four games, he's been the 18th-ranked player in nine-category leagues, averaging 18.0 points, 2.3 threes, 9.8 boards, 2.6 assists, 1.5 steals, 0.0 blocks, and 0.8 turnovers in 27.9 minutes per contest, while shooting 49.2% from the field and a perfect 3 for 3 from the charity stripe. He's owned in 55% of Yahoo leagues and 45% on ESPN, so he's more available than a guy that's been a top-100 player over the last two months should be.
Corey Brewer
Corey Brewer spent the majority of this season toiling away as a token veteran on the young Los Angeles Lakers, but following a buyout and subsequent signing with the Oklahoma City Thunder, the 32-year-old has found a way to become fantasy-relevant. Since becoming a starter in OKC six games ago, Brewer has been a first-round asset (11th overall in nine-category leagues over that span), averaging 14.0 points, 1.7 threes, 3.0 rebounds, 1.5 assists, 2.7 steals, 0.8 blocks, and 0.7 turnovers in 30.7 minutes per contest, while shooting 51.9% from the field and 95.2% from the free throw line. One can't help but be skeptical that he can keep things rolling at this level, but he's available in 70% of Yahoo leagues and 80% on ESPN and is worth an add while he's this scorching hot.
Rondae Hollis-Jefferson
Rondae Hollis-Jefferson has been a fairly solid fantasy asset since coming back from a groin strain in late February, but he's been great over his last five in particular. Over that span, he's been the 31st-ranked player in nine-category leagues, averaging 18.6 points, 0.0 threes, 8.0 boards, 3.2 assists, 1.0 steal, 0.8 blocks, and 2.0 turnovers in 27.9 minutes per contest, while shooting 58.1% from the field and 80.8% from the line. RHJ is still available to add in 40% of Yahoo and ESPN leagues and is absolutely worth a look, especially considering the fact that he replaced Spencer Dinwiddie in the Brooklyn Nets' starting lineup two games ago.
Buddy Hield
Buddy Hield is a borderline top-100 guy in nine-category leagues on the year, but he's finding his groove off the Sacramento Kings' bench over the last month or so, producing mid-round value since the All-Star break. Over his last five games, he's been playing his best ball of the season, averaging 18.0 points, 3.0 triples, 5.0 rebounds, 4.0 assists, 0.6 steals, 0.8 blocks, and 1.2 turnovers in 26.5 minutes per contest, with an efficient shooting split of 52.3% from the field and 87.5% from the line. Normally, we wouldn't recommend a non-starter on such a horrible team, but Hield is finally producing with some consistency, putting up 27th-ranked value over his last five, and is available in 45% of Yahoo leagues and 75% on ESPN. Get him in your lineup.
Dillon Brooks
The Memphis Grizzlies may have snapped their 19-game losing streak on Saturday, but they are still a dumpster fire of a team right now. One bright spot, however, is Canadian rookie Dillon Brooks, who has been great over his last six contests. Over that span, Brooks has been the 63rd-ranked player in nine-category leagues, averaging 19.8 points, 2.7 threes, 2.8 rebounds, 1.5 assists, 1.0 steal, 0.2 blocks, and 1.5 turnovers in 31.6 minutes per contest, while shooting 46.2% from the field and 90.5% from the charity stripe. If you're looking for scoring, threes, and solid percentages, Brooks is out there in 80% of Yahoo leagues and 85% on ESPN.
James Johnson
James Johnson hasn't been able to recapture his mid-round form from last season, but he's been a top-50 player since re-entering Miami's starting lineup eight games ago, and the 25th-ranked player over his last four. Over that four-game span, Johnson has averaged 14.5 points, 0.5 threes, 6.3 rebounds, 5.3 assists, 1.5 steals, 0.5 blocks, and 1.0 turnover in 25.6 minutes per contest, with a shooting split of 62.2% from the field and 76.9% from the line. He's not playing a ton of minutes, but he's making them count, contributing pretty well across the board. He's out there in 50% of Yahoo and ESPN leagues if you're looking for a nine-category threat on an upswing.
Austin Rivers
Austin Rivers has been putting it all together over his last nine games, coming in as the 48th-ranked player in nine-category leagues in the month of March. Over that span, he's averaged 17.0 points, 2.1 threes, 3.8 rebounds, 3.8 assists, 1.3 steals, 0.3 blocks, and 1.8 turnovers in 36.3 minutes per contest, while shooting 49.2% from the field and 73.7% from the line. It's usually fairly easy to pick flaws in Rivers' fantasy game, but there's plenty to like in that line. If you're looking for injury relief or just a guard for the homestretch, Rivers is available in 40% of Yahoo leagues and 60% on ESPN.
Josh Jackson
The Phoenix Suns are in full-on tank mode, which means young guys like rookie Josh Jackson are getting plenty of minutes and usage. Jackson has taken advantage of the increased opportunity over his last three, coming in as the 42nd-ranked player in nine-category leagues over that span for his averages of 24.0 points, 1.3 triples, 6.0 rebounds, 2.0 assists, 2.0 steals, 0.7 blocks, and 2.7 turnovers in 31.6 minutes per contest, and shooting split of 53.1% from the field and 72.7% from the free throw line. He's not a consistent starter yet (he's gotten the nod in three of his last eight games), but the minutes are increasing, and he could be a good asset to own down the stretch. He's available in 55% of Yahoo leagues and 70% on ESPN if you want to take the flier.
D.J. Augustin
D.J. Augustin has been the 71st-ranked player in nine-category leagues since taking over as the Orlando Magic's starting point guard at the trade deadline (17 games), and he's been flirting with top-50 value over his last five. Over that five-game span, he's averaged 17.0 points, 2.6 triples, 2.0 rebounds, 4.4 assists, 1.0 steal, 0.0 blocks, and 2.4 turnovers in 29.7 minutes per contest, while shooting 50.0% from the field and 95.2% from the free throw line. If you're in need of a fairly consistent point guard for your stretch run, Augustin is available in roughly 75% of Yahoo leagues and 80% on ESPN.
Terry Rozier
The Boston Celtics are banged up and Terry Rozier is rising to the occasion. Over his last seven games (three starts), Rozier has been the 89th-ranked player in nine-category leagues with averages of 15.7 points, 2.7 threes, 5.0 rebounds, 4.3 assists, 0.9 steals, 0.6 blocks, and 1.6 turnovers in 33.0 minutes per contest, and a shooting split of 42.6% from the field and 64.7% from the charity stripe. The low free throw accuracy is keeping his ranking down, but that otherwise solid all-around line is worth a look in the 45% of Yahoo leagues and 55% on ESPN in which he's available, especially as Kyrie Irving (knee) continues to miss time.
Quinn Cook
Quinn Cook has gone from zero to hero over the last week, starting in place of an injured Stephen Curry (ankle). Over Quinn's last three games, he's been the 12th-ranked player in nine-category leagues, averaging 22.0 points, 3.7 threes, 3.3 rebounds, 2.7 assists, 1.7 steals, 0.0 blocks, and 1.3 turnovers in 36.0 minutes per contest, while shooting 63.4% from the field and a perfect 3-for-3 from the charity stripe. The Golden State Warriors are pretty banged up, but they're probably just erring on the side of caution by keeping Curry out. Cook will likely turn back into a pumpkin the second Curry returns, but for now, you've got a very hot hand at your disposal in a whopping 90% of Yahoo leagues and 95% on ESPN.
