Fantasy Basketball: Week 8 NBA Risers and Fallers

As the NBA season begins to reach a point in which each team's primary contributors have separated themselves from those incapable of providing consistent fantasy production, we take a look at this week's most significant risers and fallers.

Point Guard

Tomas Satoransky

Satoransky has long been one of the league's most overlooked floor generals. The Bulls' guard broke out for a near triple-double Wednesday night in an overtime victory over the Wizards, tallying 17 points, 6 assists, and 7 rebounds. Satoransky has quietly been one of the most productive point guards in fantasy, slotting in as the tenth-ranked FantasySP point guard, despite being owned in just two-thirds of all leagues. Satoransky’s length and multifaceted offensive game make him capable of compiling stats in multiple categories. If he remains a free agent in your league, the Czech product is a worthy addition.

Devonte Graham

Graham entered his sophomore season with the opportunity to earn an increased role for the Charlotte Hornets following the departure of Kemba Walker. The Kansas product blew even the most optimistic expectations out of the water in his first two months of play. While Graham has undoubtedly established himself as a promising building block for the Hornets, the young guard’s recent play indicates he may be running out of gas. Following a 40-point explosion last week at Brooklyn, Graham has shot just 22 percent from the field in his last four games. The talent and usage rate both signify an eventual return to productivity, but as of right now, Graham should ride the pine on fantasy squads until his efficiency increases.

Shooting Guard

Bruce Brown

Brown's second season in Detroit began similarly to his first, as the two guard served as an instant energy plugin off the bench who lacked enough time on the floor to find his footing. As the season has progressed, Brown's playing time has increased with the Pistons. After playing admirably well during a time when Detroit was missing Reggie Jackson, Derrick Rose, and Blake Griffin, Brown was the undisputed leader of the backcourt by default. Brown has rewarded the Pistons with consistent scoring production. With a 10-3-5 stat line to begin December, Brown has proven himself more capable than his 73 percent availability in all leagues suggests.

Kevin Huerter

Huerter has continued to look like a major disappointment for fantasy owners. Many thought he could be Trae Young's version of Klay Thompson. The redheaded sniper has demonstrated his ability to knock down shots from well beyond the perimeter, yet the rest of his offensive game has failed to progress to that of a player worth holding in most leagues. Despite being owned in 32 percent of all leagues, Huerter has reached double figures just once in his past seven games. The Hawks' guard has the talent and size necessary to eventually become a high usage scorer, but he’s not worth your time, unless you are playing in the deepest of leagues this season.

Small Forward

Derrick Jones Jr.

After missing ten consecutive games with a hip injury, Jones Jr. has experienced a steady trend in both playing time and offensive production. Considered by many to be nothing more than a ridiculous dunker, the high-riser has proven himself capable of putting the ball in the basket, averaging just over 13 points per game over the last week. Heat coach Eric Spoelstra has found success when giving Jones starter-level minutes, and therefore the Jones Jr. is likely to continue to trend upward.

Danuel House Jr.

House emerged as a solid three-and-D option last season for a Rockets squad in desperate need of wing production, yet the former sharpshooter has been anything but sharp from beyond the arc as of late. Since the start of December, House has knocked down just under 26 percent of his triples. House’s shooting woes are increasingly troubling for a player fighting for minutes on a team notorious for their reliance on perimeter shooting. If House continues to throw up bricks, his time in Houston’s rotation is likely numbered. Add in the fact that Eric Gordon's return is imminent, and House's minutes are absolutely going to take a hit.

Power Forward

Serge Ibaka

After suffering an ankle injury in early November, Serge Ibaka has returned to the Raptors' rotation to average a double-double over his last week of games. Ibaka has always possessed the talent of an above-average starter, yet his injury history has been the largest obstacle to sustained production. The former all-defensive first team member looks to be in good shape, and a recent injury to frontcourt mate Marc Gasol will likely open the door for additional scoring and shot blocking opportunities. Ibaka's stock is only going to rise. If you wait too long, his trade price will be too steep due to the expected increase in production.

Christian Wood

Pistons' big man Christian Wood rose from basketball obscurity to become a serviceable fantasy player this season. Wood showcased previously unseen abilities as both a scorer and shot-blocker to begin the year, yet a recent knee injury is likely to keep him out of the lineup for some time. Wood’s injury likely means increased minutes for young reserve Thon Maker, who is likely a single positive impression away from overtaking the former Runnin' Rebel on the depth chart. If you’ve got Wood on your roster, chances are there’s a better option currently available in free agency.

Center

Enes Kanter

Kanter has long been one of the most physically imposing players in basketball, and while his early-season numbers have yet to match such dominance, expect more buckets and boards from the C’s center in the near future. Celtics coach Brad Stevens's early-season rotation has seen Kanter’s minutes fluctuate daily, making it difficult to trust the big man in fantasy lineups. Kanter’s production has recently trended upwards, and with averages of 13 points and 11 rebounds over his past seven games, he’s a solid pickup for those in the 52 percent of leagues in which he remains available.

Aron Baynes

It’s a shame that Baynes will no longer hear his name in the Suns' starting lineup. Baynes was inserted into Phoenix’s starting lineup after an early-season suspension to starting center Deandre Ayton. Baynes played the best basketball of his career in extended minutes. He won over fantasy owners with his consistency and versatility, averaging a stellar 15-5-3 line in November. However, Ayton’s return to the lineup likely marks the end of the Baynes era in the valley. The big banger remains a solid option in fantasy lineups when presented with the opportunity to start, however, such opportunities will be few and far between for the remainder of this season.