Bucks Fantasy Basketball Update | Giannis Antetokounmpo, Damian Lillard, Brook Lopez, Khris Middleton and More

Discussing the Milwaukee Bucks best fantasy basketball options so far this season.

We’ll continue our early season fantasy basketball update by checking out the Milwaukee Bucks. Milwaukee has the second-best record in the Eastern Conference and will be playing an In-Season Tournament semifinal game on Thursday afternoon.

Giannis Antetokounmpo has continued to lead the Bucks despite the arrival of Damian Lillard, who seems to be settling into his new situation just fine. Brook Lopez and Khris Middleton have been the Bucks’ next best fantasy players, while others like Malik Beasley, Bobby Portis and Cameron Payne have helped out too.

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Giannis Antetokounmpo Fantasy Outlook

Antetokounmpo has played in 20 of the team’s games, averaging 34.3 minutes per contest. The Greek Freak is also averaging 30.2 points, 10.7 rebounds, 5.2 assists, 1.5 steals and 1.3 blocks while committing 3.1 fouls and 4.2 turnovers.

I believed Antetokounmpo could still average 30 points before the season started, and that’s proved to be true despite Lillard settling in of late. His shot attempts are a touch down from last season, but he’s shooting 61.1% overall to still average over 30 points. His 3-point percentage (25) and free throw percentage (64.5) leave a lot to be desired, but he fills the stat sheet up so well that you can live with those numbers.

Antetokounmpo has the fourth-best mark on the FantasySP trade value charts. The Bucks are still his team and even if his scoring were to dip a bit, he does so much else on the court that he’s still going to finish as one of the top fantasy players.

He’s a guy I would make just about untouchable, and a guy that would require a huge haul to acquire in a deal. Maybe you could package a couple good fantasy assets together to try and pry him away from an opponent, but it definitely won’t be easy.

Damian Lillard Fantasy Outlook

Just like some thought, it’s taken Lillard some time to adjust to his new teammates, but he’s been pretty consistent of late, so maybe he’s turning the corner.

He’s played in 19 games and averaged 34.9 minutes, 25.6 points, 6.9 assists, 4.5 rebounds, 1.1 steals and 0.2 blocks while committing 2.8 turnovers and 1.5 fouls per contest. 

Lillard is shooting 43.6% overall and 35.2% from deep. He’s averaging 8.6 free throw attempts per contest, and shooting 92.1% there is bumping his scoring average up.

It hasn’t been a super easy transition for the All-Star, and with more time, I’d expect his shooting percentages to go up. He’s attempting about four less field goals per game, but does enough outside of scoring to be a strong fantasy asset.

Lillard currently sits 14th in the trade value charts. I’m torn on what to do with Lillard in fantasy. He’s a player anybody would love to have on their fantasy teams, but he likely won’t be quite as good a fantasy player as he was when he was the leader in Portland. 

I’d toss his name out on the trade block and see what kind of offers you get. He might be able to land you a wing or big if you are lacking in those positions, or you could get a couple pieces in return for him and fill out your team a bit better.

Brook Lopez Fantasy Outlook

Lopez has been great for the Bucks in his age 35 season. He’s averaged 30 minutes over 21 games played.

Lopez is averaging 13.2 points, 5 rebounds, 1.4 assists, 2.8 blocks and 0.9 steals while committing 2.4 fouls and 0.9 turnovers. He’s shooting 50.7% overall and 35.8% from deep. He’s also 81.1% from the line.

The big man has scored a bit more than I anticipated coming into the season. I wrote a bit back about two big games that have really boosted his scoring total, and he’s also taken advantage of Middleton not playing a full allotment of minutes. I think his numbers will dip a touch as the season goes along, but think 12 points per game is still doable.

Lopez checks in at 74th in the trade value charts. That still makes him a prime sell high trade target in my book, although I could understand wanting to keep him, as it’s hard to replace his blocks. I do think if Middleton ever becomes a bit more of a consistent scorer that Lopez could make up for less points by grabbing a couple more rebounds, so it’s possible his fantasy value remains pretty high all season.

Khris Middleton Fantasy Outlook

Middleton has played in 17 games and averaged just 21.1 minutes per game. He’s been monitored closely after dealing with injuries the past few seasons.

Middleton is also averaging 11.9 points, 4.2 rebounds, 4.1 assists, 0.8 steals and 0.1 blocks while committing 1.8 fouls and 1.6 turnovers. He’s shooting 46.4% overall, 34.4% from deep and 78.1% from the line.

Fantasy owners would love to see Middleton getting more playing time, and that’s been happening of late, with the veteran over 23 minutes in the past four contests. He’s scored between 9-17 points in those contests.

Middleton is 116th on the trade value charts. He’s a buy low target, although a bit of a risky one considering his recent injury history. I see an increase in points coming, and his other stats should also increase a touch with a few more minutes a game. 

Malik Beasley Fantasy Outlook

Beasley has been a nice addition to the Bucks, and he’s started all 21 games this season. He’s averaging 29.3 minutes, 12.1 points, 4.4 rebounds, 1.4 assists, 1 steal and 0.1 blocks while committing 2 fouls and 0.8 turnovers.

Beasley has been a 3-point weapon for Milwaukee and is second on the team with 6.6 triples attempted per contest. He’s shooting 46% on his 3s and 48.4% overall, while going 66.7% from the line.

I’d say that more Middleton minutes could hurt Beasley’s fantasy value, but another offensive weapon might actually create more open shots for him. 

Being mostly a scoring threat, Beasley isn’t a well-rounded fantasy asset. That’s part of the reason why he’s owned in 66% of leagues instead of closer to 100%. His fantasy stock has been rising of late, and he sits 132nd on the trade value charts. He’s a guy I’d go after if he’s available in my leagues, and a guy you can roll with for the foreseeable future.

Bobby Portis Fantasy Outlook

Portis is two slots below Beasley in the trade value charts, coming in 134th overall. He’s turned in some strong games, but hasn’t quite lived up to expectations. He could potentially be a trade piece if the Bucks want to improve their defense a bit.

Ports has come off the bench in all 21 games, averaging 23.9 minutes, 11.4 points, 6.6 rebounds, 1.2 assists, 0.8 steals and 0.6 blocks while committing 2.4 fouls and 0.9 turnovers per game. He’s shooting 47.8% overall, but just 29.6% from deep. Portis is 77.1% on his free throws.

Because he’s a solid rebounder, he’s owned in more leagues (77% overall) than Beasley. He’s playing enough minutes to warrant that roster spot in most league setups. Given his averages, you might be able to swing him in a deal for a starting option from another team.

Cameron Payne Fantasy Outlook

Payne was brought in to serve as Lillard’s backup. Payne has averaged 17 minutes across his 21 games (including two starts) and could be in store for more minutes going forward after delivering back-to-back good outings.

Payne has combined for 30 points over the past two games, shooting 12-of-17 overall and 4-of-9 from 3-point land. Overall, Payne is averaging 6.8 points, 2.3 assists, 1.4 rebounds, 0.4 steals and 0.1 blocks while committing 0.8 turnovers and 2.1 fouls.

The veteran point guard is 198th on the trade value charts. He’s not a trade piece outside of deep leagues, which is where most of his 11% own percentage is. I’d definitely consider adding him in a deeper league after his hot streak, and more strong showings over the next couple games could also make him an option in standard leagues. If Lillard ever needs to miss extended time, Payne’s value would rise considerably, so keep that in mind.

Other Fantasy Outlooks

Jae Crowder and Pat Connaughton are also vital pieces to the Bucks right now, but injuries have kept them off the fantasy radar of late.

Connaughton could be a trade candidate if Beasley and Payne keep playing well and Middleton starts playing more minutes. Crowder should get plenty of minutes when he returns, and is averaging the fifth-most minutes so far.

MarJon Beauchamp is getting a decent amount of minutes, but some inconsistent play is keeping him from being a fantasy asset outside deeper leagues.

AJ Green and Andre Jackson Jr. are a couple young players you’ll want to keep in mind in case the Bucks decide to make any trades. Their minutes are limited right now, but a trade of a teammate, or seeing Green or Jackson moved, could open things up for each guy.

#bucks #giannis-antetokounmpo #damian-lillard #brook-lopez #khris-middleton