Fantasy NBA Daily Notes: Milwaukee deal yields surprising dividends
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When the Bucks acquired P.J. Tucker from the Houston Rockets, it didn’t appear to be a transaction with much fantasy impact. Tucker has averaged just 4.3 points this season and played only 13 minutes in his debut with Milwaukee over the weekend. In the deal with Houston, however, the Bucks sent backup point guard D.J. Augustin to the Rockets — a move that now results in DiVincenzo being tasked with point guard duties whenever Jrue Holiday is off the floor.
Already one of the better rebounding guards in the league, DiVincenzo has averaged 4.7 assists over the past week. He should be viewed as a solid fantasy free agent or trade target given what should be a strong finish to the season thanks to this seemingly minor, but influential, shift in duties.
Highlights
Saturday
Tobias Harris, Philadelphia 76ers: 29 points (12-18 FG), 11 rebounds, 8 assists, 2 steals
Jordan Poole, Golden State Warriors: 26 points (10-21 FG), 4 rebounds, 5 assists
Sunday
Jaylen Brown, Boston Celtics: 34 points (12-24 FG, 10-18 3PT), 4 rebounds, 3 assists
Nikola Jokic, Denver Nuggets: 29 points (13-19 FG), 10 rebounds, 10 assists
Lowlights
Saturday
Terry Rozier, Charlotte Hornets: 8 points (2-10 FG), 3 rebounds, 5 assists, 2 TO
Derrick White, San Antonio Spurs: 6 points (3-14 FG), 4 rebounds, 6 assists, 3 TO
Sunday
Saddiq Bey, Detroit Pistons: 3 points (1-9 FG), 4 rebounds, 2 assists, 3 TO
Kevin Porter Jr., Houston Rockets: 4 points (2-6 FG), 1 rebound, 5 assists, 3 TO
Blake Griffin made his debut with Brooklyn on Sunday, scoring two points on two shots in 15 minutes of action in a win over Washington. The lone field goal was a dunk, his first since 2019, but the limited playing time is likely what we should expect for the former All-Star going forward.
On Saturday, San Antonio’s Lonnie Walker IV scored a career-high 31 points, becoming the youngest Spurs player with a 30-point game since Tony Parker in 2003. With San Antonio’s glut of young wings, it’s tough to trust Walker in fantasy lineups, but this was at least an encouraging performance.
Golden State’s Poole has now scored 20-plus points in three straight games for the first time in his career. While some of his upswing can be attributed to Stephen Curry‘s recent absence, it’s worth watching Poole’s minutes and usage this week to see if he will continue to earn a larger role in the rotation.
Danilo Gallinari just keeps getting it done for an Atlanta team that has won eight straight games under new coach Nate McMillan. The stretch forward delivered an efficient 18 points in a win over the Lakers on Saturday, yet is still available in free agency in roughly 43% of leagues.
On Sunday, Oklahoma City’s Moses Brown produced his second double-double in the last three games in a win over the Rockets. Brown brings solid rebounding and block rates to the floor and is a strong streaming option whenever Al Horford rests.
The Rockets have now lost a franchise-record 20 straight games, but at least they have breakout talent Christian Wood back in their lineup. Wood recently returned from a multi-week absence and was stellar on Sunday in a loss to the Thunder, to the tune of 27 points on just 16 shots.
LeBron James suffered a high-ankle sprain on Saturday against the Hawks and will be out indefinitely for the Lakers. The key fantasy move might just be to pick up Talen Horton-Tucker, as the versatile young wing should play an important role in the games ahead.
Lonzo Ball wasn’t available for the Pelicans on Sunday due to a hip injury. Ball hadn’t missed a game for New Orleans since January. His absence allowed Nickeil Alexander-Walker to start and score 20 points in his place. If Ball ends up being traded this week, Alexander-Walker becomes a premier waiver addition.
Utah’s Rudy Gobert is listed as questionable to play against Chicago tonight due to a hip ailment. If Gobert can’t go, Derrick Favors becomes a strong streaming option.
Hornets guard LaMelo Ball is expected to miss the remainder of the season with a fractured right wrist. This is a brutal blow for a competitive and entertaining Charlotte team and for fantasy managers who were enjoying a stellar statistical season from Ball. The fantasy fallout centers on guards Devonte’ Graham and Malik Monk. Graham is a free agent in roughly 30% of ESPN leagues and has averaged 16 points and seven assists (per 36 minutes) with Ball off the court this season. Monk is a free agent in more than 90% of leagues and has seen a team-high 3.7% leap in usage with Ball off the floor.
De’Andre Hunter appears likely to return from a knee injury for the Hawks this evening. Before getting injured, Hunter was enjoying a breakout campaign with 17.2 PPG to go along with strong shooting and defensive rates. Hunter is still a free agent in more than 50% of ESPN leagues.