Buying or Selling Breakout NBA Performances
As the NBA season prepares to enter a new year, I breakdown standout performances from the league's lesser-known talents and whether you should bank on future fantasy success.
Jordan McRae
McRae's coming out party yesterday in Miami was indicative of the Wizards’ guard's steady improvement over the last month of play. Washington's backcourt rotation this season outside of Bradley Beal has essentially employed the throw it at the wall and see if it sticks method, and McRae appears to have been covered in gorilla glue. With Beal on the bench due to a leg injury, expect the former Volunteer to continue trending upward In the coming weeks.
Buy or Sell?
Easy buy
Collin Sexton
Starting Collin Sexton in fantasy is like getting up early to work out. Your likely hesitant to do it, but most of the time it pays off. Sexton has been a hot pick up following a streak of high scoring outings, yet his inefficiency and inability to create for teammates make the young bull difficult to trust. As difficult as it is to rely on a point guard averaging two assists per game, Sexton's ability to get to the bucket paired with a high usage rate is reason enough to get on the treadmill in the morning.
Buy or Sell?
Hesitant Buy
Michael Porter Jr.
Porter briefly escaped complete obscurity within the Nuggets lineup with a spot start for injured guard Gary Harris. MPJ made the most of his first start by doing exactly what made him a top high school recruit, putting the ball in the basket. Porter's game currently lacks the overall versatility of an elite forward, yet his multi-faceted offensive game creates the potential for consistent scoring. Porter's big game exemplifies who he currently is as a fantasy option, a capable scorer when called upon. With Harris considered day to day, Porter will likely return to the end of the bench before you get the chance to insert him into your lineup.
Buy or Sell?
Unfortunate Sell
Eric Gordon
Gordon's return from a serious leg injury signified the veteran sharpshooter hasn't lost a beat. In his first action in six weeks, Gordon dropped a twenty-piece in just over twenty minutes. The former lottery pick only started in his return from injury because James Harden got the day off, but Gordon has proved time and again to be a capable scorer off the bench. Gordon's brand of mistake-free basketball should keep him on the floor down the stretch long enough to make him a worthwhile pickup.
Buy or Sell
Go get em
Bobby Portis
Go watch some of Bobby Portis' career games on youtube right now. I recognize no one is going to do that, but trust me it's good stuff. Portis has games that make you believe he's a future all-star, seriously. His place on the Knicks bench reminds us that between Portis' occasional dominance are weeks of average play. If you get nothing else from this article just remember when I predicted Bobby Buckets' eventual ascent to stardom. Portis has become an appealing addition to fantasy owners stunned that a player capable of dropping 30 remains available, yet in a rotation littered with forwards of similar skillsets and ability betting on Bobby is ill-advised.
Buy or Sell?
Ask Nikola Mirotic
