Fantasy Basketball is all about outsmarting your opponents, and much of that is done through grabbing the unfound star in free agency. Here’s our best way to do that in Week 19.
Note: All OWN%’s come from ESPN Fantasy Leagues.
Point Guard:
LAL- Jeremy Lin (20.1%)
Get yourself some Linsanity. He’s averaging 17 points and 5 assists per game since the All-Star Break.
CHI- Aaron Brooks (14.7%)
As Derrick Rose unfortunately goes down once more, somebody has to fill the void, and that’s Brooks’s responsibility. Although he hasn’t exploded yet, the extra opportunities can only have a positive effect on his numbers.
LAL- Jordan Clarkson (14.0%)
And now to the other Lakers point guard. A 46th overall pick from this past draft, Clarkson has surpassed all expectations and turned into a formidable guard. Clarkson has averaged 16.7 points, 4.0 assists, and 3.3 rebounds in his last three games.
NYK- Alexey Shved (0.3%)
Improving every game since being shipped to the current land of opportunity from Houston, Shved cashed in 15 points and 5 assists in only 20 minutes in his last game.
Shooting Guard:
LAL- Wayne Ellington (9.7%)
There’s really no consistency at shooting guard this week, but Ellington has been quite solid of late, putting up 13.7 points, 7.3 rebounds, and 4.3 assists per game in his last three games.
CHI- Tony Snell (4.4%)
Strongly advise watching this one. As Jimmy Butler awaits MRI results from the sprained left elbow he sustained in Sunday’s game against the Clippers, Snell could have a big minutes boost in store for him. Regardless, he’s averaged 13.8 points and 4.3 boards in his last four games.
MIA- Henry Walker (1.2%)
Remember this guy? The journeyman has stopped in Miami, and he’s starting, averaging 11.8 points and 3.0 boards since his return to the NBA on a 10-day contract.
Small Forward:
DEN- Danilo Gallinari (26.4%)
As predicted last week, the starting lineup served Gallinari well. The Rooster has lit it up lately, averaging 17.0 points, 3.7 rebounds, and 1.5 steals since the promotion.
CHA- Michael Kidd-Gilchrist (25.7%)
It’s pretty obvious MKG is my #ManCrushMonday, seeming how he makes this list almost every week. A double-double in each of his last three games, along with averaging 15.2 points and 9.2 boards in his last five, is nothing to scoff at. This man means business.
BOS- Jae Crowder (4.7%)
With the deadline addition of Isaiah Thomas, Boston’s bench has been a force to be reckoned with. Few have noticed him post 15 points and 8.6 rebound averages in his last five games.
Power Forward:
NYK- Andrea Bargnani (1.5%)
I cannot believe I’m actually advising picking up “Air Bargs” for the second straight week. Some sort of bad luck has to be coming my way for the sure disappointment he’s bound to eventually bring fantasy owners. He has averaged 20.3 points and 6.0 rebounds in his last 3. That’s Brook Lopez-caliber.
MIL- Ersan Ilyasova (4.4%)
Since being inserted into the starting 5, he’s averaged 13.8 points and 8.5 rebounds per game.
Center:
PHO- Alex Len (27.2%)
The Ukrainian big man has gone six straight games with 9+ rebounds.
NOP- Alexis Ajinca (3.4%)
As mentioned last week, with Anthony Davis and Ryan Anderson going down, Ajinca would be a steal as he moved up the ranks in the Pelicans’ rotation. He’s averaged 15 points, 6.8 boards, and 1.8 blocks off the bench in his last 4.
