December 12, 2017

Wei Sallas takes a look at some undervalued fantasy basketball sleepers for Week 8, and analyzes the fantasy games of three NBA stars on a similar theme.

Unlike fantasy football, where there's more potential value found with high scoring teams, in fantasy basketball you can find value anywhere...even in the dump.

When you started your fantasy football draft you were probably forced to make some decision on whether or not you wanted to draft a Cleveland Brown. It's probably an internal discussion most fantasy players have every year.

In basketball, there is no team where value cannot be found. Dumpster divers are those players who actually revel in the futility. The "Get Mine" All-Stars may have a terrible +/-, but who cares as long as they fill up the stat sheet.

Dumpster Divers

Some of the most known"Dumpster Divers" over the recent years would have to be players like Ish Smith on the 10-win 2015-16 Philadelphia 76ers. Smith averaged career-highs in both points (14.7) and assists (7.0). Smith astoundedly finished with a +/- of 314!

Who could forget Nick Young's glorious run with the tanking "rebuilding" Lakers. "Swaggy P" averaged 13 points per game, including two threes per game, and one irreplaceable moment.

All jokes aside, the "Dumpster Diver" is someone who will not run from his main purpose. No matter the game plan, the in-game scenario or seasonal goals, he has one job. Like the gas attendant at a full-service pump: Fill it up!

Danilo Gallinari

"The Rooster" is off to an incredible start, for all the wrong reasons. Through 11 games, Gallinari is attempting the second most shots of his career. He's also bombing the second most threes for his career. With Blake Griffin out for a considerable amount of time, the only other player to infringe on Gallinari's attempt to shoot the lights out is Austin Rivers and Lou Williams. Those two players should not be starters, although they sometimes chuck shoot like starters. In other words, the only one to block Gallo's attempts is Gallo himself. He just returned from injury and his numbers are struggling right now.

Any thought of the Clippers being a force in the loaded West went away when Los Angeles lost its four best players before the second month of the season was over. With nothing to play for, and Head Coach Doc Rivers more interested in securing the bag for his son, there's opportunity. Even as Gallinari struggles, he is doing enough to get his owners excited. As of December 10, Gallinari is averaging 13.4 points, 4.4 rebounds, 2.6 assists, 1.5 threes and 97 percent from the free throw line. In his second game back from injury, Gallo put up 25. There's no reason for his averages not to increase once he gets into game shape.

Dive away, "Rooster". Dive away.

Dennis Schroder

The Hawks are 6-20, second worst in the NBA. Atlanta is in the bottom half in both scoring (20) and points allowed (25). These numbers have not affected Schroder at all. He leads the team in points (20.4), assists (6.4), field goal (17.8) and free throw (3.5) attempts and minutes played. Outside of rebounds, he is averaging career highs in every major statistical category.

The only limitations Schroder has is his disinterest in shooting the long ball. Out of the approximately 18 shots per game, only around three come from beyond the arc. A shockingly low number in this day and age of analytics where the three-ball is valued more than ever. At the same time, he is shooting nearly 50 percent from two. 31 percent of his attempts come at the rim. What these numbers should tell you is that Schroder is able to get to the rim and finish without any discernible talent surrounding him.

If Schroder can improve his percentage from three (31 percent) he could rise from a good point guard to a great point guard. At this point there is no one in his way from achieving that, or anything else for that matter.

The Hawks stink.

Tyreke Evans

When the Memphis Grizzlies decided to part ways with head coach David Fizdale, it also made it clear there were no intentions to compete this season. Like a honey to a bear, Evans has become--well--a Grizzly for Memphis ever since. Over his last seven games, Evans is averaging 20 points, 7.0 rebounds, 5.7 assists and 2.4 threes. In Evans' last game against Oklahoma City, the former lottery draft pick poured in 29 points on 13-for-24 shooting with 13 rebounds and five assists.

With Mike Conley out, Evans has stepped into the main scorer and facilitator. A point guard out of the University of Memphis, many teams have tried to change him positionally. Now free to roam as both shooter and passer, Evans has flourished. He is second behind Marc Gasol in minutes and points and shooting a career high 48 percent.

Even when Conley comes back there is no reason to expect Evans' numbers to decline. He will still be the third option on a team whose only goal is to get a good draft pick. Evans can do that and help your fantasy team.

Ain't life grand.

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