Fantasy Basketball Category Analysis: Week 16
Pelicans forward Herbert Jones ranks 12th in the NBA in steals this season.
Every week, we’ll be looking at players who are widely available and rostered in fewer than 60 percent of fantasy leagues on Yahoo. We’ll be looking at players who can help you in each of the eight categories who you can get before your league-mates catch on.
The eight categories we’ll focus on each week are:
1. Points
2. Rebounds
3. Assists
4. Steals
5. Blocks
6. Threes
7. Field-goal percentage
8. Free-throw percentage
Points
Ayo Dosunmu (PG – CHI) 51%
Even with Zach LaVine back in the Bulls’ lineup, Dosunmu is going to get some serious run over the next couple of months with Alex Caruso and Lonzo Ball on the shelf.
The scoring is going to be inconsistent, as we’ve seen with his seven-point effort after dropping 24 the night before. But that’s expected from a rookie, but when he’s on, he’s on. He’s playing big minutes and the Bulls are going to continue to rely on him as they look to position themselves for the playoffs. Buy in on Dosunmu and enjoy the run.
Rebounds
Goga Bitadze (C – IND) 37%
We’re going to go back to the well with Bitadze, but it’s been nice to see his roster percentage climb so much over the last week.
Let’s keep that going up, folx.
Bitadze has been playing big a big role for the Pacers, and he’s averaging seven-plus boards per game over his last four contests.
Isaiah Jackson has joined in on the fun in Indianapolis, but it hasn’t taken away from Bitadze’s play. He remains a must-start player until Indy gets healthy upfront.
Assists
Davion Mitchell (PG/SG – SAC) 13%
This is more of a future projection for Mitchell, but it’s worth beating the rush on him. Sacramento seems to be in serious talks for Ben Simmons, and if a deal were to take place, De’Aaron Fox or Tyrese Haliburton would almost certainly be on the move.
If that were to happen, more minutes would open up for the rookie defensive wizard.
If a deal doesn’t happen, simply drop Mitchell and pick someone else up. His upside is worth the stash, though.
Steals
Herbert Jones (SF/PF – NOP) 57%
Sorry, but my foot is planted. I’m leaving Jones here every week until we get him over 60 percent. I just don’t get the hesitation. Does someone want to tell me what I’m missing?
Top 34 value over the last month. Top 74 over the last two weeks. Fifty-fifth ranked played on the year. Tied for 12th in the NBA in steals on the season.
Help me mix up the names in this column by picking him up in more leagues.
We’re so close.
Blocks
Bismack Biyombo (C – PHX) 52%
No Deandre Ayton means more time for Biyombo in the lineup, which is a plus for fantasy managers.
Over the last month, Biyombo is putting up 11th-round value by averaging 10.9 points, 7.4 rebounds, and 2.2 STOCKS per game.
Once the Suns are fully healthy upfront, his value will go away. But until then, if you need help with rebounds and blocks, look no further than Biyombo.
Threes
Luke Kennard (SG/SF – LAC) 39%
Kennard is stepping up big time for the Clippers. Along with Amir Coffey, Kennard has been playing big minutes for the Clippers and has multiple three-pointers in four straight games.
If Kennard keeps playing this way – especially hitting key shots from downtown – the Clippers should continue to play him in the upper-20s to lower-30s per night.
Field-goal percentage
Onyeka Okongwu (PF/C – ATL) 26%
We continue to scream Free Okongwu here in fantasy circles, and being the 77th-ranked player over the last two weeks shows why.
On Wednesday alone, Okongwu dropped 18 points and 7 boards in just 19 minutes off the bench.
The sky is the limit for Okongwu this year, and he’s going to be a fantasy star in the years to come. Get your shares now.
Free-throw percentage
Trent Forrest (SG – UTA) 0%
You know the drill by now with this category. We find someone who can knock down free throws, yes, but it’s also to highlight a player who we can’t quite squeeze into any of the above categories. This week, we’ll talk about Forrest.
We’re going to highlight Forrest here more as a watch-and-see player, as he’s holding fringe-standard league value with Donovan Mitchell continuing to miss time with a concussion.
He’s been … fine, posting 10th-round value over the last week.
Opportunity creates value in fantasy, and Forrest is currently looking to earn more rotation minutes once everyone is healthy.
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Michael Waterloo is a featured writer at FantasyPros. For more from Michael, check out his archive and follow him @MichaelWaterloo.
