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

NBA Under-Performing Stars: Shooting Guard Edition

It's a new year but some shooting guards are still stuck in their old ways. Since we last discussed struggling shooting guards, the four players on the first list have continued to do much of the same. Danny Green has put up very little production. Even though he got hot on Saturday night against a bad defensive effort from the Houston Rockets, he has only been half the fantasy asset that he was last year.  Kobe Bryant was reminiscent of the old Kobe for a little while, and we got to see some respectable stat lines from the legend. However, the FG% has regressed once again and he's back to being a difficult player to start in your lineup. Victor Oladipo was a candidate to be traded away and Monta Ellis has continued to perform below his career averages. Let's revisit these two guys and add another player to the list.

 

NBA Under-Performing Stars: Shooting Guard Edition

Victor Oladipo (SG, ORL)

Hopefully, you managed to trade away Victor Oladipo one month ago, because his value has really bottomed out. Over the last month, Oladipo has averaged 10.9 points, with 4.0 assists and 3.6 rebounds. He has shot 38.6% from the field and 28.6% from three. The number of single digit performances in which he seems to just disappear from the game has been extremely frustrating. Essentially, the production of all the players on the Magic are going to be inconsistent with the exception of Nikola Vucevic and maybe Tobias Harris. For now, the outlook for Oladipo is bleak, as teammate Evan Fournier has stepped it up over last few weeks. The time to discuss a trade for Will Barton has passed, and Oladipo has unfortunately fallen into the drop-or-not debate. What should you do with him?

Hold him.

His trade value has evaporated, but try to hold out for a while longer to see he can string some solid performances together. At that point, he is still not a reliable option you would want for the rest of the season. However, you could at least try to dangle him in front of a rankings slave and talk up his high draft position at the start of the season. It may feel like decades ago, but Oladipo held a lot of interest from newbies and experienced fantasy players alike. In the long run, Oladipo's production should look to climb up a bit, and he should be able to at least get to double digits scoring every night. However, he is definitely not the stat sheet monster he was last year. This is due to the overload of players competing for minutes, as well as the offensive system under the notorious Scott Skiles.

 

Kyle Korver (SG, ATL)

Kyle Korver is having a horrible shooting stretch for a 3-point specialist. Even before this rough stretch of games, Korver has failed to produce the decent numbers he had put up the past two seasons. Over the last month, Korver has averaged 7.6 points with 3.3 rebounds and 2.6 assists. He has shot only 32.0% from the field, and more importantly, only 27.6% from three. Korver's fantasy value is almost completely tied into his three pointers. If you can't count on at least two of those from him a game, then he becomes an extremely difficult option to keep on your roster. His last three games have been absolutely dreadful, in which he has gone 2 for 27. Korver was a commodity because of the threes he provided at a good FG% trade-off for a three point specialist. Given his terrible recent performance, is it time to move on?

Drop him.

Having a three point specialist on your fantasy roster is definitely a good way to utilize your shooting guard slot and to keep up your percentages despite the shot volume. However, if Korver isn't hitting threes, then he has absolutely no fantasy value. The last month has honestly been atrocious, but his season overall has been sub par as well. Pair that up with the production he has put up over the past few years, and we can chalk his struggles up to an extended cold streak. However, the issue is that not a lot of fantasy teams should be that desperate for three pointers and be that well rounded at all the other categories. There are plenty of good shooters on the waiver wire who can provide threes along with some other categories. Have a look at Devin Booker and T.J. Warren, who have earned themselves starting spots on the Suns.

 

Monta Ellis (SG, IND)

By all means, Monta Ellis hasn't been bad this season. But he hasn't looked good. Ellis has had a bunch of up and down performances since the last time we discussed him, but the scoring average still has remained about the same. Over the last month, Ellis has averaged 13.7 points with 2.0 rebounds and 3.9 assists. Ellis isn't struggling the way Oladipo and Korver are struggling, but he is averaging 5 points less than last year. This is certainly disappointing as his play correlates inversely with the performance of Paul George. Paul George cooled off several games throughout December, and that's when Monta stepped up and provided the scoring we're accustomed to seeing. However, when George is playing well, Monta becomes passive and relegates himself to a secondary or tertiary option even when he is given the main ball-handling duties. Should you still look to hold on to him or trade him to an owner under the pretense of letting them buy low?

Hold him.

Stick to your guns here. Even though Monta can't be counted on to provide the scoring he provided in the past, he is still a big piece of the Pacers offense and his opportunities will come. Aside from scoring, Monta's value also comes from the steals and occasional blocks that he can provide. His defense has certainly been there, so look to hold onto Monta as a strong contributor from the shooting guard slot for these categories. The rationale for trying to get another shooting guard over him would have to be if you're desperate for more scoring. Even then, Monta still has the capability of put up good scoring nights like he showed at the end of December. You just have to count on Paul George coming back down to earth over the rest of the season.

 

NBA & Fantasy Basketball Chat Room

[iflychat_embed id="c-11" hide_user_list="yes" hide_popup_chat="no" height="400px"]

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

Bryce Harper

Phillies Aren't Planning to Trade Bryce Harper
Josh Hart

Available Versus the Celtics
Karl-Anthony Towns

Cleared to Face the Celtics
De'Andre Hunter

Sidelined on Friday Night
Kristaps Porzingis

Won't Play on Friday
Nick Leddy

to Sit Out at Least Two Games
Nico Collins

Texans Rule Out Nico Collins for Week 8
Cody Glass

Set to Miss Time
Jason Zucker

Expected to Play Friday
Pierre-Luc Dubois

Misses Fifth Straight Game Friday
Brandon Aiyuk

Could Return to Practice Next Week
Morgan Rielly

Out on Friday
Lukas Reichel

Canucks Acquire Lukas Reichel
Brock Purdy

Officially Ruled Out for Week 8
VEG

Carter Hart Signs Two-Year Deal With Golden Knights
Vince Williams Jr.

Grizzlies Injury Woes Continue, Without Vince Williams Jr. Friday
A.J. Brown

Ruled Out For Week 8
Bo Bichette

Starting at Second, Batting Cleanup in Game 1 of World Series
Lamar Jackson

Officially Listed as Questionable to Play in Week 8
D'Andre Swift

Officially Questionable to Play in Week 8 Due to Groin Injury
Jae'Sean Tate

Questionable to Return Friday
Danny Wolf

Will Miss Friday's Matchup with Ankle Injury
Michael Penix Jr.

Questionable to Play in Week 8 Due to Knee Injury
Drake Powell

Rookie Drake Powell Ruled Out for Matchup with Cavs
Calvin Ridley

to Miss Another Game
Bo Bichette

Makes World Series Roster
Tyreek Hill

Considering Retirement?
Darren Waller

Expected to Return This Year
Bryce Young

Listed as Doubtful to Face the Bills
Ciryl Gane

Scheduled For A Title Fight
Tom Aspinall

Set for First Official Title Defense
Breece Hall

Questionable for Week 8
Mackenzie Dern

Can Become The New Strawweight Champion
Virna Jandiroba

Set For UFC 321 Co-Main Event
Mario Bautista

Aims To Extend His Win Streak
MMA

Umar Numagomedov A Favorite At UFC 321
Garrett Wilson

Ruled Out for Week 8
Jailton Almeida

Hopes To Get A Title Shot With A Win
Caris LeVert

Probable for Friday's Game
Alexander Volkov

Looks To Get Back In The Win Column
Luka Garza

Unavailable Friday
Moritz Wagner

Remains Out Friday
Azamat Murzakanov

Looks To Remain Undefeated
Ja'Kobe Walter

Iffy for Friday Night
Aleksandar Rakic

In Dire Need Of Victory
Daniel Gafford

Listed as Questionable for Friday
Jeremy Sochan

Sits Out Friday's Game
De'Aaron Fox

Won't Play on Friday
Ja Morant

Questionable for Friday's Action
Kentavious Caldwell-Pope

Draws Questionable Tag on Friday
Kel'el Ware

Available on Friday Against Grizzlies
Darius Garland

Remains Sidelined on Friday
OG Anunoby

Listed as Probable on Friday
Giannis Antetokounmpo

Likely to Play Friday Against Raptors
Rasmus Sandin

Won't Play on Friday
Matt Rempe

Hurt During Fight
Nick Leddy

Exits With Injury Thursday
Radko Gudas

Injured in Thursday's Win
William Carrier

to Miss Time
Eric Robinson

to Be Out for Extended Period
CFB

Texas Tech QB Will Hammond Will Start vs. Oklahoma State Saturday
CFB

Kansas State RB Dylan Edwards Out For Sunflower Showdown
CFB

Arizona State WR Jordyn Tyson Will Not Play In Week 9
Brock Purdy

Not Expected to Play in Week 8
J.J. McCarthy

Vikings to Start J.J. McCarthy in Week 9 if Healthy
Omarion Hampton

Still Wearing a Walking Boot After Week 8
Kimani Vidal

Scores Touchdown and Demonstrates High Efficiency in Week 8 Win
Zack Wheeler

Could be Ready for Opening Day in 2026
William Contreras

Could Need Finger Surgery
Aaron Jones Sr.

Officially Active Versus Chargers
Morgan Rielly

Questionable for Friday
NYI

Max Shabanov Out Against Red Wings
Morgan Barron

Available Thursday
Mason Marchment

a Game-Time Decision Thursday
Jonathan Marchessault

Won't Play Against Canucks
Matt Duchene

Sits Out Second Consecutive Game
Kirby Dach

Returns to Canadiens Lineup
Hampus Lindholm

a Game-Time Call Thursday
CFB

Utah QB Devon Dampier Listed as Questionable on Big 12 Injury Report
San Francisco Giants

Tony Vitello Named New Manager of the Giants
Jaylen Waddle

Dolphins Don't Have Plans to Trade Jaylen Waddle
Francisco Lindor

has Elbow Surgery, Expected to be Ready for Spring Training
PGA

Alex Noren is a Smash Play at Bank of Utah Championship
Mike Evans

Could be Back in Under Eight Weeks
Bucky Irving

Will Not Play in Week 8
Maverick McNealy

Look Out For Maverick McNealy This Week in Utah
Justin Lower

Unlikely to Flip The Script at Bank of Utah Championship
Stephan Jaeger

Looking for Repeat Performance in Utah
CFB

Behren Morton Will be Listed as Questionable on Wednesday
Max McGreevy

a Longer Shot to Contend in Utah
Jackson Suber

on the Bubble for the PGA in 2026
Greyson Sigg

Improving at the Right Time This Fall
Seamus Power

Hopes to Make More Birdies This Week
Patton Kizzire

May Struggle Once Again in Utah
Beau Hossler

Up and Down Heading to Bank of Utah Championship
Adam Hadwin

Looking to Find the Weekend in Utah
Christiaan Bezuidenhout

Enjoying the Fall Golf Season
Tom Hoge

Sputtering into Bank of Utah Championship
Sahith Theegala

On the Upswing Heading into Utah
Andrew Putnam

Looks to Find Form in Utah
Matt McCarty

Looks to Defend Title in Utah
Ben Kohles

a Strong Value Play at Bank of Utah Championship
Max Homa

Trending Up Entering the Bank of Utah Championship
Nick Dunlap

Searching for Spark at Bank of Utah Championship
Quade Cummins

Struggling to Find Form Ahead of Bank of Utah Championship
Jason Day

Making a Spot Start at Bank of Utah Championship
Los Angeles Angels

Kurt Suzuki to be the Angels' Next Manager
Bo Bichette

Plans to be Ready for World Series
Brandon Woodruff

Expects to Be Ready for Opening Day
Reinier de Ridder

Reinier De Ridder Suffers His First UFC Loss
Brendan Allen

Wins Back-To-Back Fights
Kevin Holland

Drops Decision
Mike Malott

Wins Third Fight In A Row
Marlon Vera

Loses Third Consecutive Fight
Aiemann Zahabi

Gets A Razor-Thin Split Decision Win
Jasmine Jasudavicius

Suffers First-Round TKO Loss
Manon Fiorot

Gets Back In The Win Column
Davey Grant

Suffers Submission Loss
Charles Jourdain

Gets First-Round Submission Win
Matt Frevola

Gets Dominated At UFC Vancouver
George Springer

Returns to Lineup for Game 6 of ALCS
CFB

Colorado State Fires Head Coach Jay Norvell After Four Seasons
CFB

Florida Fires Head Coach Billy Napier After Four Years
Chase Elliott

Can Chase Elliott Deliver Another Clutch Win to Make Championship 4?
William Byron

Seeks First Win at Talladega to Overcome Las Vegas Crash
Chase Briscoe

Likely to Finish Worse Than he Starts
Kyle Larson

Despite No Wins on Drafting Tracks, Kyle Larson is Improving
Tyler Reddick

Despite Winning at Talladega, Tyler Reddick's Drafting Record Is Not So Hot
Ross Chastain

Poor Qualifying Makes him a Strong DFS Option at Talladega
Chris Buescher

Excellent Crash Avoidance Could Reap Dividends at Talladega
Ty Gibbs

If Ty Gibbs' Team Executes a Better Strategy, he Could Win at Talladega
Daniel Suarez

Hopes for Clutch Talladega Win to Remain in the NASCAR Cup Series
Josh Berry

Might Contend at Talladega
Austin Dillon

Doesn't Lead Enough at Talladega to Contend for Wins