🦃 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

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

Alvin Kamara

Doesn't Practice on Wednesday
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
Zach Edey

Good to Go Versus New Orleans
Mikko Rantanen

Returns to Stars Lineup Wednesday
J.K. Dobbins

Could Return Later This Season
Shai Gilgeous-Alexander

Available on Wednesday
Mark Stone

Ready to Return Wednesday
Nikola Jović

Nikola Jovic Good to go on Wednesday
Dylan Cease

Agrees With Blue Jays on Seven-Year, $210 Million Deal
Norman Powell

Back in Action Wednesday
Giannis Antetokounmpo

Ruled Out on Wednesday Evening
Andrew Wiggins

Will Suit Up Against Milwaukee
Shai Gilgeous-Alexander

a Game-Time Decision on Wednesday
Terry McLaurin

Plans to Play on Sunday Night
Dru Smith

Available Versus Bucks
Miami Heat

Jamie Jaquez Jr. Available for Wednesday's Matchup With Milwaukee
Jaime Jaquez Jr.

Upgraded to Probable Against Bucks
Pat Connaughton

Sidelined on Wednesday
Dylan Harper

Set to Suit Up Wednesday
Jonathan Kuminga

Sent to G League on Wednesday
Landry Shamet

Sidelined at Least Four Weeks
Anthony Rendon

Angels Could Buy Out Final Year of Anthony Rendon's Contract
Brandon Aiyuk

49ers Won't Open Brandon Aiyuk's Practice Window This Week
Joe Burrow

Bengals Officially Activate Joe Burrow for a Return on Thanksgiving
C.J. Stroud

Practicing Wednesday
Trey Benson

Spotted at Practice on Wednesday
Marvin Harrison Jr.

Back at Practice Wednesday
DeVonta Smith

Missing From Practice Again on Wednesday
Josh Hader

Says his Shoulder is "Back to Normal"
Ketel Marte

Diamondbacks "Actively Listening" on Ketel Marte
Jaxson Dart

to be a Full Participant at Wednesday's Practice
Dalton Kincaid

has "a Chance" to Play in Week 13
Drake London

"Doubtful" to Return from Knee Injury in Week 13
Jayden Daniels

Could Return in Week 14
Aaron Rodgers

Slated to Return in Week 13
Baker Mayfield

Could Play This Week
Josh Jacobs

"Good to Go" in Pivotal NFC North Matchup on Thanksgiving
Steven Adams

Ruled Out Wednesday Against Warriors
George Pickens

Expected to Play Thursday Against the Chiefs
J.J. McCarthy

Not Expected to Play Sunday in Seattle
Dennis Schröder

Dennis Schroder Questionable With Hip Soreness On Wednesday
Grayson Allen

Sidelined For Sixth Straight Game
Dylan Harper

Nearing Return From Calf Strain
Josh Norris

Nearing Return
Kevin Lankinen

Not Traveling With Canucks
Zach Edey

Status in Doubt Ahead of Pelicans Matchup
Zach Werenski

Escapes Serious Injury, May Play Wednesday
Auston Matthews

Could Be an Option Wednesday
Neemias Queta

Ruled Out For Wednesday's Contest
Jason Robertson

Scores in Seventh Consecutive Game
Wyatt Johnston

Ends Dry Spell With Four-Point Performance
Jaime Jaquez Jr.

May Skip Wednesday's Contest
DeVonta Smith

Listed as DNP on Tuesday
Vinnie Hinostroza

to Miss 4-6 Weeks
Pyotr Kochetkov

Dealing With Undisclosed Injury
Tristan Jarry

Expected to Be Available Wednesday
Evgenii Dadonov

Doubtful for Wednesday
J.T. Miller

Joins Team for Road Trip
Joel Kiviranta

Ready to Return Wednesday
Ryan Nugent-Hopkins

Expected to Return on Saturday
Jauan Jennings

Won't be Suspended
Omarion Hampton

Chargers Open Omarion Hampton's Practice Window
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
Sam Reinhart

Extends Scoring Streak With Three-Point Effort
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
Adolis García

Rangers Non-Tender Adolis Garcia on Friday
CFB

Beau Pribula Expected to Start Against Oklahoma
Dan Hooker

An Underdog At UFC Qatar
Arman Tsarukyan

Looks To Extend His Win Streak
Ian Machado Garry

A Favorite At UFC Qatar
Belal Muhammad

Looks To Bounce Back
Alonzo Menifield

Looks For His Third Consecutive Win
Volkan Oezdemir

Looks To Get Back In The Win Column
Myktybek Orolbai

Looks To Win Back-To-Back Fights
Jack Hermansson

Makes His Welterweight Debut
Kyoji Horiguchi

Returns To The UFC