In addition to an 11-game slate on the busiest day of Week 12, Fantasy Basketball managers also received a trade to evaluate. In dire need of help at the center position, the Suns acquired C Nick Richards (26% listed, Yahoo) from the Hornets in exchange for Josh Okogie and three future second-round picks. The Suns already had little capital due to deals to acquire Kevin Durant and Bradley Beal, and now they have even fewer picks at their disposal.
However, they added a player in Richards who can provide the rebounding and rim protection that the current rotation lacks without needing plays for him offensively. Even though he had an opportunity to shine in Charlotte, it was clear that first-round pick Mark Williams was the center of the team’s future (and present). The move to Phoenix makes Richards well worth the risk in fantasy leagues, even if he isn’t able to flourish.
As for the centers already on the Suns roster, it’s fair to wonder if this is the end of the road for Jusuf Nurkic. While he is currently out due to illness, he has collected DNP-CDs in the last two games he was available for. Rookie Oso Ighodaro offers higher fantasy potential than Mason Plumlee, but the play of those two (especially in Tuesday’s loss to the Hawks) hasn’t inspired confidence. Richards is expected to be the starter in Phoenix, and if he can reach the top 20 in minutes consistently, he may have value in 12-team leagues.
As for Okogie, he finds himself in an interesting situation. Charlotte’s current rotation wings are Josh Green and Cody Martin, and neither has been consistently productive. Does this mean Okogie will be allowed to compete for playing time? Or is Charlotte looking to see if it can add draft capital to its coffers by moving Okogie to a playoff team before the February trade deadline? In the short term, he hasn’t done enough in Phoenix to be worth adding now, but keep an eye on him.
Let’s take a look at some of the best fantasy pickups from Wednesday:
PF/C Santi Aldama (46%), Memphis Grizzlies
Aldama has been exceptional early in the season, providing reliable fantasy value whether he’s starting or coming off the bench. With the Grizzlies’ frontcourt healthier, he has more competition for minutes, but the 2020 first-round pick continues to produce. He finished Wednesday’s win over the Spurs with 20 points, 10 rebounds, two assists and a 3-point basket in 27 minutes, shooting 9 of 15 from the field. For the season, Aldama has provided 7th round value in 9-cat formats.
SG/SF Buddy Hield (36%), Golden State Warriors
When you want to consider moving on from Hield, he has a night that makes some fantasy managers reconsider. He played 29 minutes in Golden State’s win over the Timberwolves, scoring 18 points with one rebound, three steals, two blocks and three 3-pointers. Defensive production gets some attention, as that hasn’t been the norm for Hield. He won’t do this consistently. But what he can do is shoot the basketball. If Hield can keep the shooting percentage around 50% while making a few 3-pointers per game, he’ll be worth a look again in some 12-team leagues.
PF/C Nikola Jovic (34%), Miami Heat
Although Jimmy Butler has said he intends to play once his suspension is over, it’s not easy to imagine the Heat putting him on the court when he has made it clear he wants out . So, should fantasy managers add Jovic or SF Jaime Jaquez Jr. (36%)? Jovic had the best night in Wednesday’s loss to the Lakers, and he has cracked the top 100 per game over the past two weeks. Jovic played 32 minutes off the bench, finishing with 12 points, four rebounds, eight assists, one blocked shot and two 3-pointers.
PG Cole Anthony (29%), Magical Orlando
Anthony didn’t shoot the ball well in Wednesday’s loss to Milwaukee, scoring 11 points on 5-of-13 shooting (1-of-5 from 3-point range). However, he dished out eight assists before fouling out, with foul trouble limiting the Magic guard to 27 minutes. Anthony is expected to be played as long as the Magic are without Jalen Suggs, who missed all six games with a lower back strain.
PG/SG Spencer Dinwiddie (25%), Dallas Mavericks
Wednesday’s game against the Pelicans was Dallas’ second in as many nights, so Kyrie Irving (guard) did not play. Dinwiddie returned to the starting lineup and was productive in a three-point loss to New Orleans, finishing with 20 points, five rebounds, four assists, three steals and three 3-pointers in 38 minutes. PG/SG Jaden Hardy (4%) also had a good night, recording a 21/5/2/1 line with four 3-pointers in 25 minutes coming off the bench. However, Dinwiddie’s production was less volatile when he was allowed to play a larger role. He may not be an option for Friday’s game against the Thunder, but Dinwiddie may be worth a look for Dallas’ Week 13 straight.
SG/SF Max Christie (15%), Los Angeles Lakers
Over the past month, Christie has provided 8th round value in 9-cat formats. Having started the last 15 games for the Lakers, it’s safe to say he will be in that role for the foreseeable future. Christie played 37 minutes in Wednesday’s win over the Heat, totaling 16 points, three rebounds, two steals, one block and three 3-pointers. What also increases Christie’s value for the remainder of Week 12 is that the Lakers play two more games, at home against the Nets on Friday and then against the Clippers on Sunday.
PG/SG Stephon Castle (12%), San Antonio Spurs
Due to Jeremy Sochan’s back injury, Castle has started the Spurs’ last three games. He was very productive in Wednesday’s loss to the Grizzlies, scoring a game-high 26 points with three rebounds, four assists and two 3-pointers in 33 minutes. Although the 9-of-21 night from the field wasn’t the best, Castle committed just one turnover. He’s worth listing until Sochan plays without restrictions, especially since the Spurs have two games left on their Week 12 schedule.
SF/PF Brice Sensabaugh (10%), Utah Jazz
Utah has been without John Collins for six straight games and 11 of its last 12 games. While his absence didn’t propel Sensabaugh into the starting lineup, it made the second-year forward a more critical member of Utah’s bench rotation (much like Jordan Clarkson’s foot injury) . A double-digit scorer in four straight games, Sensabaugh finished Wednesday’s loss to the Hornets with 19 points, four rebounds, four assists and two 3-pointers. He doesn’t offer much defensive value, but his offensive potential is worth it in deep leagues. Another Jazz player to consider is the rookie PG Isaiah Necklace (7%), who recorded his first double-double (11/3/10 with a 3-pointer in 27 minutes). His value moving forward depends on the availability of Keyonte George and Collin Sexton, the latter of whom was absent in Wednesday’s loss.
SF/PF Cam Whitmore (5%), Houston Rockets
Tari Eason remains out with a left leg injury. Although Rockets coach Ime Udoka said before Wednesday’s win over Denver that they hoped to get him back on Houston’s current road trip, which ends Saturday in Portland, there’s no guarantee that will happen. Therefore, Whitmore is worth being around in deep leagues until Eason can play. He played 24 minutes off the bench against the Nuggets, finishing with 16 points, nine rebounds, one assist, one steal, one blocked shot and two 3-pointers. Whitmore shot 7 of 11 from the field, and the rebound production was incredibly encouraging.
Managing Director Keaton Wallace (
Trae Young did not play in Wednesday’s game against the Bulls, allowing Wallace to make his second career start. Very few fantasy managers have taken the plunge and added Wallace, and for good reason. But he put on a show in the Hawks’ win over Chicago, setting career highs in points (27), rebounds (six) and 3-pointers (four) while also tallying six assists and four steals (matching to his career). -high). Young will be back for Saturday’s game in Boston, so there’s no need to consider adding Wallace now. But his performance against the Bulls will put the rookie guard on some managers’ radars the next time Atlanta is without Young.
