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 13.
Note: All OWN%’s come from ESPN Fantasy Leagues.
Point Guard:
ORL- Elfrid Payton (24.8%)
The rookie with the wild hair has managed to fly under the radar this fantasy season, but he’s certainly the real deal. He’s averaged 18.7 points, 8.9 assists, 4.7 rebounds, and 2.3 steals in his last 3 games.
BOS- Marcus Smart (6.7%)
You won’t get much of anything out of the former 6th overall pick in this past draft, but you can rely on him for a bit of everything. Although he still comes off the bench for the Celtics, who have managed to trade away or release basically everyone who could compete with him for minutes, Smart has averaged 8.0 points (1.6 3PM), 4.4 assists, 4.0 rebounds, and 1.6 steals in 29 minutes during his last 5 games.
DEN- Jameer Nelson (3.9%)
Being one of the former competitors of Smart in the Celtics rotation, the veteran PG was subsequently dealt to the Mile High City. His role is remains undefined, but with his minutes hovering around 23 in his first two games with the Nuggets, his 15.0 points and 5.5 assists averages can’t earn him anything but a boost in the rotation. Keep an eye out for Nelson, he’s flying way under the radar right now.
Shooting Guard:
DET- Dion Waiters (17.7%)
New team, new start. That’s the way it’s been for the former 4th wheel on LeBron’s bandwagon. Waiters’ last 4 games with the Thunder: 17 points per game.
MEM- Courtney Lee (16.8%)
He’ll be your Dion, if Waiters is not available in your league. 17.3 points per game on 52% shooting in his last 4.
Small Forward:
MIL- Khris Middleton (17.2%)
There really isn’t much on the board for this week at the 3, but Middleton has gone 8 straight games with 2+ steals.
LAC- Matt Barnes (8.7%)
I’m going to regret putting Matt Barnes on this list because he does carry a reputation to disappoint, but I couldn’t help acknowledge the fact that he’s averaged 17.7 points (3.0 3PM), 8.3 rebounds, and 1.7 steals in his last 3 games. Take that for what you will.
Power Forward:
TOR- Amir Johnson (25.7%)
He’s a reliable nightly double-double threat, averaging 11.3 points (52.6 FG%) and 8.8 rebounds in his last 4.
DEN- J.J. Hickson (10.6%)
It took the man long enough to find his rhythm this season, but now that he has, take advantage of the fact that few have taken notice. He’s averaged 13.8 points (63.7 FG%) and 9.5 rebounds in his last 6 contests. In other words: he’s better, more reliable, and more available than Amir Johnson.
Center:
PHX- Alex Len (15.8%)
The former Ukrainian gymnast has posted double-digit rebounding totals in each of his last 4 games. Splash in the fact that Phoenix is reportedly heavily shopping Mason Plumlee’s brother, Miles — who competes with Len for minutes — and you’ve got yourself a good pickup.
MIL- Zaza Pachulia (11.3%)
First Larry Sanders was injured, now he’s suspended for illegal drug use? Either way, Pachulia has stepped in and performed. Since entering the starting 5, he’s averaged an exact 11-10 points to rebounds double–double.
