🦃 BLACK FRIDAY - 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.

Black Friday Special! Save 50% on any Premium Pass using discount code THANKS. Win more with our DFS, Betting and Season-Long Premium Pass, get expert tools and advice for NBA, NFL, MLB, NHL from proven winners! Dan Palyo leads the team with exclusive picks for DFS picks, Props, betting. Enhance your game with industry-leading tools like our Lineup Optimizers, Team Sync Platform, DFS Cheat Sheets and more. 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

Kirill Marchenko

Misses Third Straight Game
Drake London

Officially Ruled Out for Week 13
Jaden Schwartz

to Miss Six Weeks
Chris Olave

Officially Questionable to Play in Week 13 Due to Back Injury
Andre Burakovsky

Set to End Three-Game Absence
Alvin Kamara

Will Not Play in Week 13
William Nylander

Out Friday With Illness
J.J. McCarthy

Officially Ruled Out for Week 13
Ryan Hartman

Returns to Action Friday
Brady Tkachuk

Officially Available Friday
Ja'Marr Chase

Helps Bengals Snap Four-Game Skid on Thanksgiving
Mike Matheson

Signs Five-Year Extension
C.J. Stroud

Will Play on Sunday
Anthony Davis

Reportedly Set to Return on Friday Night
DK Metcalf

Good to Go for Week 13
Aaron Rodgers

Will Play in Week 13
Daniel Jones

Will be Ready to Go on Sunday
Terry McLaurin

Will be Active Against Broncos
Jayden Daniels

Officially Out for Week 13
Jaxson Dart

Will Start on Monday Night
Bucky Irving

Will Return in Week 13
Baker Mayfield

Trending Towards Starting Against Cardinals
Dalton Kincaid

Questionable to Play in Week 13
Darren Waller

"in Play" to Return in Week 13
Trey Benson

Won't Return From Injured Reserve in Week 13
Amon-Ra St. Brown

Not Expected to Go on Injured Reserve
Jarrett Allen

Nearing Return From Finger Injury
Andrew Nembhard

Questionable Entering Friday's Contest
Jaden Ivey

Status Uncertain for Friday
Giannis Antetokounmpo

Could Miss Fifth Consecutive Game
Coby White

Questionable for Friday's Matchup
Nikola Vučević

Nikola Vucevic Questionable With Knee Issue Ahead Of Friday
Jameson Williams

Explodes for 144 Yards, Touchdown on Thanksgiving
Dontayvion Wicks

Breaks Out for Two Touchdowns on Thanksgiving
Jordan Love

Lights Up Lions for Four Touchdowns on Thanksgiving
Stephen Curry

Expected To Miss About A Week With Quad Injury
Michael Porter Jr.

Won't Play Friday Versus 76ers
Paul George

Faces Game-Time Call Against Nets
VJ Edgecombe

Sidelined Again Against Nets
Joel Embiid

Out Again Friday vs. Nets
Paolo Banchero

Ruled Out Again Friday With Groin Injury
Jalen Williams

Set to Make Season Debut Friday
Jonathan Kuminga

Hoping to Return on Saturday Versus Pelicans
Stephen Curry

to Undergo an MRI
Brady Tkachuk

Aims to Return Friday
Matthew Tkachuk

Resumes Skating
Jakob Chychrun

Stretches Point Streak to Nine Games
Matej Blumel

Expected to Miss Some Time
Marcus Foligno

Exits With Injury Wednesday
Jaden Schwartz

Suffers Lower-Body Injury Wednesday
Trendon Watford

to Sit Out at Least Two Weeks
Gradey Dick

Injured on Wednesday
RJ Barrett

to Be Re-Evaluated in One Week
Anthony Davis

on the Cusp of Returning
Gary Payton II

Hurt in Wednesday's Loss
Lukas Dostal

Out Wednesday Night
Sean Durzi

Available Against Canadiens
Thomas Chabot

to Remain Out Wednesday
Jared McCann

Expected to Rejoin Kraken Lineup Wednesday
Andre Burakovsky

a Game-Time Decision Wednesday
Mikko Rantanen

Returns to Stars Lineup Wednesday
Mark Stone

Ready to Return Wednesday
Dylan Cease

Agrees With Blue Jays on Seven-Year, $210 Million Deal
Anthony Rendon

Angels Could Buy Out Final Year of Anthony Rendon's Contract
Josh Hader

Says his Shoulder is "Back to Normal"
Ketel Marte

Diamondbacks "Actively Listening" on Ketel Marte
Josh Norris

Nearing Return
J.T. Realmuto

Red Sox Showing Interest in J.T. Realmuto
Sonny Gray

Red Sox Acquire Sonny Gray From the Cardinals
CFB

Jeremiah Smith, Makai Lemon, Skyler Bell Named Biletnikoff Award Finalists
Shohei Ohtani

to Play for Team Japan in 2026 World Baseball Classic
Colorado Rockies

Warren Schaeffer to Stick Around as Rockies Manager in 2026
CFB

Chris Bell Out for Rivalry Matchup Against Kentucky
Ryan Helsley

Tigers Eyeing Ryan Helsley as a Starter
Dan Hooker

Suffers Second-Round Submission Loss
Marcus Semien

Shipped to the Mets on Sunday
Arman Tsarukyan

Gets Submission Win
Brandon Nimmo

Traded to Texas
Belal Muhammad

Loses Back-to-Back Fights
Belal Muhammad

Ian Machado Garry Outpoints Belal Muhammad
Alonzo Menifield

Suffers First-Round Knockout Loss
Volkan Oezdemir

Gets Back In The Win Column
Jack Hermansson

Gets Knocked Out
Jack Hermansson

Myktybek Orolbai Knocks Out Jack Hermansson
Shamil Gaziev

Suffers First-Round Knockout Loss
Waldo Cortes-Acosta

Shines At UFC Qatar
Tagir Ulanbekov

Suffers Third-Round Submission Loss
Kyoji Horiguchi

Makes Triumphant UFC Return