Fantasy Basketball Update: Tyrese Maxey, Alperen Segun, Cam Thomas
We are officially into the NBA season now, and we already have seen some big changes. Some players have overperformed expectations and others have taken advantage of unfortunate injuries to expand their roles. Let's take a look at the most important fantasy basketball storylines of the early NBA season.
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Fantasy Basketball Update
Mid-round Magic: Alperen Sengun: A Potential Fantasy All-Star
The Turkish sensation Alperen Sengun has taken the fantasy basketball world by storm. The Houston Rockets big man has showcased a unique blend of skills, combining scoring, rebounding, and playmaking prowess not normally seen from a center. Sengun's potential as a fantasy All-Star is based on his ability to contribute across multiple categories. With an expanding role in the Rockets' rotation and Ime Udoka’s offense, fantasy managers can expect Sengun to continue to overproduce his draft position. As he refines his game and gains more experience and the Rockets fight for a play-in position, Sengun has the potential to become a cornerstone of fantasy basketball teams for years to come.
Cam Thomas: Injury Influences All-Star Aspirations
While injuries are an unfortunate reality in the world of sports, their impact on fantasy basketball can be particularly challenging. Cam Thomas, the Brooklyn Nets' promising young guard, was off to a breakout season before an ankle sprain sidelined him for a few weeks. Additionally, Tyler Herro of the Heat, De'Aaron Fox of the Kings, and Jamal Murray of the Nuggets all face injuries that could put them out for two to four weeks. Of course, every injury leaves an opportunity. Players on the teams of these injured high-usage guards could be some of the best pickups for fill-in production: Lonnie Walker IV, Duncan Robinson/Jaime Jaquez Jr./Josh Richardson, Davion Mitchell/Malik Monk, and finally Peyton Watson/Julian Strawther.
Tyrese Maxey: A League-Winning Pick?
If you took advantage of our draft tools and followed our Mock Draft series, you’ll know that Tyrese Maxey was one of my favorite picks in the middle rounds of drafts. Securing a player like Maxey with All-Star upside in Rounds 4 and 5 and even 6 in fantasy leagues could win owners across the globe leagues. The James Harden trade to the Los Angeles Clippers cleared the way for Maxey to emerge as the 1B in Philadelphia to Joel Embiid, putting up 24 and 11 games, 30-point games, and multiple double-doubles, all with elite efficiency. The additions of Nicolas Batum, Robert Covington, Marcus Morris, and KJ Martin should only help his game moving forward. Maxey is a top-15 fantasy player for the rest of the season.
In-Season Tournament: Influencing Player Performances
The introduction of in-season tournaments in the NBA has added a new layer of complexity to fantasy basketball. With stars motivated to perform at their best during these tournaments, fantasy managers can expect increased production from their top players. The competitive nature of these tournaments, coupled with the allure of additional accolades, has the potential to elevate the fantasy value of key contributors. We saw how the end of OKC vs. GSW on the first day of the tournament was. Players will act like the in-season tournament matchups are like any other regular season games, but when $500,000 per player is on the line, there will be a stark difference. Look to the injury reports to see who the next man up is for any franchise that battles rotation player injuries heading into a tournament game.
Jamal Murray's Absence: Jokic Sustains #1 Fantasy Status
Jamal Murray is now out with a right hamstring strain for at least a month, and as we saw against Golden State, Nikola Jokic’s list of responsibilities grows and grows. He now has to score at a much more consistent rate, close out games, and give you MVP level production every single night. Players like MPJ and Aaron Gordon have seen heightened numbers with usage rate increasing, Reggie Jackson is filling in well for Jamal Murray, while it’s key to watch players like KCP, and then Julian Strawther or Peyton Watson to help you in a 3s category or defensive statistic category respectfully.
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