Fantasy Basketball: Dr. A’s weekly promotions and relegations

Since most NBA teams have only played five games this season, the fantasy basketball season is still in its infancy. Still, there are many early trends to consider that have delivered both surprising and disappointing performances so far. Ja Morant and Giannis Antetokounmpo’s slow starts are certainly worrying fantasy managers. Meanwhile, Bilal Coulibaly could be poised for a big season.

Let’s take a closer look at the promoted and relegated teams of the second week!

Risers

Bilal Coulibaly, SF, Washington Wizards (20.9% roster in ESPN leagues): Coulibaly is on fire and flirting with the top 40 fantasy values. He’s only played four games but has been really good in the last three and is averaging 18.8 points, 5.8 rebounds, 2.8 assists, 1.5 steals and 2.0 3-pointers on shooting this season of 59.1% achieved. He was also good at the free throw line (83.3%) and averages 34 minutes per game. I thought Next year would be Coulibaly’s breakout, but it seems to be happening now.

Nick Richards, C, Charlotte Hornets (23.1% on roster): In four games, Richards is a top-50 player with 13.5 points, 11.8 rebounds, 2.0 assists, 0.5 steals and 2.5 blocks while shooting 65.6% in 30.5 minutes per night. Value. He needs to continue to rebound and block shots to maintain his value, and Mark Williams is always looming in the background. But right now, Richards deserves a roster spot in most leagues.

Payton Pritchard, PG, Boston Celtics (22.3%): Pritchard had a monster line against the Bucks on Monday as he made 10 of 14 shots, including eight 3-pointers, en route to 28 points, 5 rebounds, 3 assists and 2 steals. That performance landed him in the top 55, and while he’ll have plenty of off nights, he’ll also have plenty of big ones – especially with some of his teammates struggling with injury issues.

Kevin Huerter, SG/SF, Sacramento Kings (17.6%): Huerter is having a nice season with a top-60 fantasy rating. He averaged just 12 points but shot 55.9% from the floor and 4.8 three-pointers per game. Add in 3.0 rebounds, 1.0 blocks and 1.0 steals and he’s off to a good start. I doubt the blocks will hold, but the minutes and production were at a good level after a disappointing 2023-24 season.

Luguentz Dort, SG/SF, Oklahoma City Thunder (7.4%): There was an afterthought in fantasy drafts because of how talented the Thunder were, but he held his own, posting 12.0 points, 3.0 rebounds, 0.8 assists, 0.8 blocks and 2.8 3-pointers. Shots made while shooting 57.1% from the floor. He has yet to miss a free throw this season and has a top-70 fantasy rating. As long as he starts for Oklahoma City, he should probably start for fantasy teams as well.

Other players who should be used in most leagues: Jalen Suggs (61.3%), Andrew Wiggins (57.6%), Norman Powell (52.8%), Santi Aldama (43.9%)

Faller

Ja Morant, PG, Memphis Grizzlies (99.5%): Most of us thought Morant would come out of the gates on fire after his recent disastrous seasons, but that just didn’t happen. He barely offers top-180 fantasy numbers and is dealing with a hamstring injury. In four games, Morant averaged just 19.0 points, 3.8 rebounds, 8.3 assists, 0.3 steals, 0.3 blocks and 0.8 3-pointers on 42.1% shooting. Although the assists are at the highest level of his career, the remaining numbers are well below his average. You have to assume he’ll turn things around eventually, but the fact that he’s off to such a slow start is a little worrying. His fantasy managers might be willing to embrace it.

Giannis Antetokounmpo, PF/C, Milwaukee Bucks (99.9%): Antetokounmpo has problems – and not just at the free throw line. In addition to a terrible 55.1% on free throws, he averaged 28.8 points, 11.8 rebounds, 6.3 assists, 0.3 steals and 0.5 blocks. The points, rebounds and assists are fine, but the lack of blocks and steals and poor performance from the line detract from his value as he barely cracks the top 200. Add to that the fact that he is on the injury report (knee) for every game and that he has yet to make a 3-pointer, and there is reason for concern. Still, it seems like a good time to acquire Antetokounmpo as his value will never be lower. Just make sure you deal with the free throw rate, which is going to be pretty damaging all season long.

Anthony Edwards, SG/SF, Minnesota Timberwolves (99.9%): Edwards sits just outside the top 90 in the nine category rankings despite a ridiculous usage rate and a 30.0 point average for the Timberwolves. He has 6.4 rebounds, 3.5 assists, 0.5 steals, 0.5 blocks and doubles his career average with 5.5 3-pointers. He shoots 45.6% from the floor and hits just 64% of his free throws. He is a 79% free throw shooter in his career, so that number should improve soon, and he has stolen the ball 1.4 times per game in his career. Once his free throws start to drop and he starts racking up steals, his value should rise quickly. That’s why now is a good time to try acquiring Ant.

Tyrese Haliburton, PG/SG, Indiana Pacers (99.9%): Haliburton struggled with a back injury last season and hasn’t looked particularly good this year either. The low point came against the Knicks in the second game of the season when Haliburton missed all eight of his shots and failed to score, ending up with just 5 assists, 1 rebound and 1 steal. His poor play is one of the main reasons the Pacers have a 2-3 record, and he only has a top-100 rating so far. While it doesn’t look like Haliburton has what it takes to be a top-10 player this season, it shouldn’t be long before he’s at least a top-30 fantasy player. Now is the time to trade for him, especially if you need a point guard.

Jalen Johnson, PF, Atlanta Hawks (89.5%): Johnson barely cracks the top 120 in fantasy through five games despite posting career highs in points (16.8), rebounds (11.0), assists (4.0), steals (1.8) and blocks ( 1.0). His field goal percentage is a meager 41.3%, and he also has problems at the finish line, only hitting 62.1%. His shooting is slowly getting worse and the fact that he is doing so well in the scoring stats is a very good sign. This is the ultimate moment for Johnson to win. Make his/her manager an offer he/she can’t refuse.

Other personalities who have problems: Bam Adebayo, Chris Paul, Myles Turner, Malik Monk, Mike Conley, Lauri Markkanen, OG Anunoby, Brandin Podziemski, Scoot Henderson, Russell Westbrook, Kentavious Caldwell-Pope