RADIO
Lance Roberson takes a look at players that we should target in our fantasy basketball leagues. Grab these players off waivers or in a trade before it's too late.
After a week's break, it's time for the Rotoballer NBA fantasy watch list to lace up the digital sneakers and get back to work. A lot can happen in a week, especially in the NBA. There were player trends, some of which were positive and terrible blowouts that hurt people's fantasy teams. The weekly NBA fantasy watch list will help put those happenings in perspective.
This week covers some familiar names, although the public's perception of a few of these players isn't always flattering. However, the numbers produced in the last week or two demand you at least read their game logs before you laugh maniacally and skip to another player.
In a season full of parity, you can't close your eyes to "lesser" players with a fantasy hot streak. Expect the unexpected, especially since the Sacramento Kings have a better record than the Golden State Warriors. However, as always, before you use your waiver wire opportunity, make sure it's not just a random statistical spike, and it's something you can ride for at least a few weeks.
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Mason Plumlee, Charlotte Hornets
28.3 % rostered
Before you throw a tomato at your computer screen, read this stat line: 10.7 points, 13 rebounds, and 3.7 assists in the past seven days. You have to admit that those numbers made you Google to see if it was true.
For a team starving of frontcourt talent, specifically the center position, Mason Plumlee has found a mini pocket of success on an otherwise struggling Charlotte Hornets. Things are so bad in the Michael Jordan-owned organization that Plumlee is a bright spot. Hornets head coach Steve Clifford did everything except say they sucked in a recent post-game press conference.
Steve Clifford whew
— Israel (@iohandles) December 15, 2022
However, regarding your fantasy team, any player producing on a lousy team warrants your undivided attention. No matter how bad NBA Twitter says Plumlee is, the numbers tell you he's at least worthy of an end-of-your-roster slot.
Until the Charlotte Hornets possibly find their ultimate franchise-saving player in Victor Wembanyama, Plumlee has the starting lineup position with no other valid options to replace him on the roster. With LaMelo Ball back in the rotation, Plumlee has a point guard who can help maintain his recent production.
Yet, if you look at the two-man combination via Basketball-Reference, a Ball-Plumlee duo produces the worst points minus opponent points of any Hornets' duo that includes Ball, with a -22.6 mark in 82:36 of game time. Before you waste a roster spot, wait a week to see if the recent burst is real, or just Plumlee having an out-of-body experience.
Jarred Vanderbilt, Utah Jazz
35.1 % rostered
The Utah Jazz is the feel-good story of the 2022-2023 NB season. Despite trading its two stars, Donovan Mitchell and Rudy Gobert, Utah currently rank seventh in the Western Conference. While Lauri Markkanan is rightfully getting All-Star buzz, another forward on the 17-14 squad is on a fantasy run worth noting.
Jarred Vanderbilt, initially considered a throw-in for the Gobert trade, now seems like the diamond in the dirt of an otherwise costly deal for the Minnesota Timberwolves. Averaging 32.75 fantasy points in his last four contests, making a move for the under-discussed Vanderbilt seems fathomable.
While he's not a volume scorer, Vanderbilt's a model role player. In the last seven days, the Utah Jazz forward averaged 8.8 rebounds, 3.8 assists, and forced two turnovers per game. In a system where no player holds the ball for an extended period, the 23-year-old forward has a modest 13.8 usage rate. Vanderbilt makes the most of his minutes; look no further than his .641 true shooting percentage – ranking third on the Jazz for players with 500+ minutes.
While the Jazz seemingly appears as a playoff team. The Western Conference standings leave little to no room for a fall from grace; all it takes is a small losing streak, and the Jazz could see themselves out of the playoff picture. With Danny Ainge making basketball decisions, such a scenario could incite a fire sale, leaving players like Vanderbilt with more opportunities and possibly more statistical production. However, that's not the current state of the surprisingly-good Utah squad.
Keep close tabs on Vanderbilt, no matter the scenario, before your fantasy opponents read an article mentioning the blossoming Jazz forward.
Christian Wood, Dallas Mavericks
81 % rostered
Just because Jason Kidd doesn't believe in Dallas Mavericks center Christian Wood doesn't mean you have to agree with the coach.
After acquiring Wood from the Houston Rockets last summer, it seemed the newly-acquired Maverick would easily take the starting lineup role. Although, when dealing with the Mavericks, logic doesn't always match the vibes-over-strategy approach.
Despite leading Dallas in true shooting (.630 percent) and second in points per game with 16.6, tied with guard Spencer Dinwiddie, Kidd still won't insert the free-agent-to-be into the starting lineup. Pairing Luka Doncic with such a player seems like a no-brainer, but Kidd hasn't seen eye-to-eye with Wood.
Despite Wood only playing 387 minutes (not including Friday's matchup with the Portland TrailBlazers) with Doncic, the former Detroit Piston is having a campaign worthy of the Sixth Man of the Year award. Averaging 28.6 fantasy points for the past five games, Wood warrants a trade request inquiry in your fantasy league.
All stats appear courtesy of NBA.com/stats and Basketball-Reference.com.
