🖥 TAP TO SAVE 50% WITH CODE THANKS
X
Lost password?

Don't have an account?
Gain Access Now

X

Receive free daily analysis

NFL
NBA
NHL
NASCAR
CFB
MLB
MMA
PGA
ESPORTS
BETTING

Already have an account? Log In

X

Forgot Password


POPULAR FANTASY TOOLS

Expert Advice
Import Your Leagues
Weekly Rankings
Compare Any Players
Projections
Articles & Tools
Weekly Planner
24x7 News and Alerts

Three-Man Weave: Fantasy Basketball Dumpster Divers

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.

Holiday Special! Save 50% on any Premium Pass using discount code THANKS. Win more with our DFS, Betting and Season-Long Pass, get expert tools and advice from proven winners! GAIN ACCESS

 

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.

 

More Fantasy Basketball Analysis

 

NBA DFS Premium Subscription

Get a free trial of our powerful NBA Premium Tools. Our famous DFS Cheat Sheets, and NBA Lineup Optimizer & Generator with daily matchup projections.

Win more. Try the most advanced lineup optimizer in daily fantasy basketball.

Sign Up Now!




POPULAR FANTASY TOOLS

Expert Advice
Import Your Leagues
Weekly Rankings
Compare Any Players
Projections
Articles & Tools
Weekly Planner
24x7 News and Alerts

RANKINGS

QB
RB
WR
TE
K
DEF
RANKINGS
C
1B
2B
3B
SS
OF
SP
RP

REAL-TIME FANTASY NEWS

De'Aaron Fox

Questionable Against the Cavaliers
Bam Adebayo

Expected Back on Monday Night
Kon Knueppel

Won't Suit Up Against Milwaukee
Ryan Kalkbrenner

Still Out on Monday
Parker Washington

Leads Jaguars in Targets, Receptions, and Receiving Yards
Wan'Dale Robinson

Posts Season-High 11 Receptions in Week 17
Josh Allen

Seen Limping From X-Ray Room, Says Foot Injury Didn't Affect Him
Geno Smith

Diagnosed With High-Ankle Sprain
John Collins

Won't Face the Pistons on Sunday Night
Trey McBride

Sets All-Time Tight End Receptions Record
Geno Smith

Exits Early With Ankle Injury
DJ Moore

Suiting Up Against 49ers on Sunday Night
Ricky Pearsall

Officially Active for Week 17 Against Bears
George Kittle

Officially Inactive for Week 17
Ja'Marr Chase

Snags Two Touchdowns in Week 17
Geno Smith

Questionable to Return With Ankle Injury
Chris Godwin Jr.

Goes Over 100 Yards in Loss to Miami
Matthew Tkachuk

Returns to Practice
Chris Olave

Extends Touchdown Streak in Win Over Titans
Linus Ullmark

Takes Leave of Absence
Travis Sanheim

Good to Go Against Kraken
Kyshawn George

Ruled Out on Sunday
Zach Charbonnet

Scores Twice in Lead-Back Role on Sunday
Nick Foligno

Set to Return Sunday
Chase Brown

Finds End Zone Twice in High-Volume Role on Sunday
Jock Landale

Out Again on Sunday
Rhamondre Stevenson

Scores Twice, Plays Major Pass-Catching Role
William Nylander

Out Against Red Wings
Stefon Diggs

Enjoys Another 100-Yard Performance in Week 17
Jared McCann

Available Sunday
Vince Dunn

on Track to Return Sunday
Breece Hall

Not Concerned About Knee Injury
Blake Lizotte

Activated From Injured Reserve
Tampa Bay Buccaneers

Buccaneers Not Expected to Fire Todd Bowles?
DK Metcalf

Steelers Won't Void the Guarantees in DK Metcalf's Contract
Drake Maye

Throws for Career-High Five Touchdowns in New York
Tyler Herro

Showing Progress but Still Without Timetable
CFB

Jay Hill Expected to be Next Michigan Defensive Coordinator
Zach Collins

Exits Late With Lower-Body Injury
Chris Boucher

Ruled Out Sunday for Personal Reasons
Gabe Vincent

Out Again Sunday With Back Issue
Jrue Holiday

Remains Out Sunday Against Celtics
Collin Murray-Boyles

Unlikely to Play Sunday Due to Illness
Andrei Svechnikov

Extends Scoring Run With Three-Point Effort
Auston Matthews

Bags Three Points Saturday Night
Alex Laferriere

Records First Career Hat Trick
William Nylander

Sustains Lower-Body Injury Saturday
Zach Werenski

Unlikely to Play Sunday
Jake Evans

to Miss 4-6 Weeks
J.J. Moser

Inks Eight-Year Extension
Ajay Mitchell

Cleared to Return Sunday
Bogdan Bogdanović

Bogdan Bogdanovic Ruled Out for Sunday
Kyshawn George

Iffy for Sunday
De'Anthony Melton

Sits Out First Leg of Back-to-Back
Jaxson Hayes

Unlikely to Play Sunday
Derrick Jones Jr.

to Return From Knee Injury Sunday
Jock Landale

in Danger of Missing Another Game Sunday
Vince Williams Jr.

Won't Play Sunday
Ryan McDonagh

Misses Saturday's Action
Jordan Kyrou

Jimmy Snuggerud Back for Blues Saturday
Tanner Jeannot

Misses First Game of the Season
Rasmus Dahlin

Won't Play on Saturday
Elias Pettersson

Ready to Return Saturday
Leo Carlsson

Available Against Kings
CFB

Michigan Targeting Kyle Whittingham as Next Head Coach
CFB

Texas Leading Rusher Quintrevion Wisner Set to Transfer
Pete Fairbanks

Marlins Agree on One-Year Deal
Brooks Koepka

Leaving LIV Golf
Ryan O'Hearn

Pirates Agree on Two-Year Deal
CFB

Jeff Brohm, Eli Drinkwitz "Names of Interest" for Michigan Head Coach