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 18.
Note: All OWN%’s come from ESPN Fantasy Leagues.
Point Guard:
PHI- Isaiah Canaan (14.7%)
The Sixers aren’t looking to win anything anytime soon, so for all we know, this acquisition was a marketing ploy to trademark “The Cannon”. Regardless, the former Houston backup will now see a plethora of minutes as the starter, and he posted 14 points, 4 rebounds, and 3 assists in a foul-happy debut.
NOP- Norris Cole (2.8%)
Another deadline-made fantasy beneficiary. With Jrue Holiday injured, Cole will assume the starting spot for the near future. His debut: 12 points, 6 rebounds, 3 assists, and a steal.
Shooting Guard:
IND- Rodney Stuckey (6.7%)
You’d be crazy not to pick up a man who’s solidified his place among the league’s greatest menaces off the bench. He’s put up 30 points in his last 2 games, to coincide with 4.5 assists, 3.0 boards, and 2.0 steals. Not enough for you? He’s averaging 21.8 points per game in his last 5.
OKC- Dion Waiters (8.3%)
With Reggie Jackson gone, Waiters can expect to see some more looks off the bench. Although the numbers have yet to illustrate that, he did score 17 in his last game.
Small Forward:
CHA- Michael Kidd-Gilchrist (16.5%)
After missing a week with a hamstring issue, Kidd-Gilchrist is back on this list once again. When he’s not “taking charges,” he’s producing big numbers: 17.5 points and 5 rebounds per game since the break.
DEN- Danilo Gallinari (9.3%)
With Aaron Afflalo being shipped to Portland at the deadline, Gallinari has finally been given a spot in the starting 5. Since then, he’s averaged 13 points, 3.5 rebounds, and 2 steals per game.
OKC- Kyle Singler (0.7%)
One of the many pieces sent to the Thunder in the Enes Kanter deal, Singler still has to get acclimated to this new system, which he’ll initially be doing as a starter in place of Kevin Durant (foot).
Power Forward:
MIL- John Henson (13.6%)
Need blocks? Henson’s averaging 3.2 blocks in his last five games, and hasn’t gone a game without a block since January 6th.
NYK- Andrea Bargnani (1.5%)
Why not? He’s averaging 11 points and 5.3 rebounds per game in his last 3, so you may as well hold onto the former #1 pick until he comically falls back to earth.
MIA- Udonis Haslem (0.9%)
Our thoughts and prayers go out to Chris Bosh, who the Heat shut down for the season with blood clots in his lungs — joining Mirza Teletovic in a club nobody hopes to be a part of. Haslem will assume the starter’s role from now on, where he’s averaged 11.5 points and 5 rebounds since.
Center:
DEN- Jusuf Nurkic (15.7%)
Not only is he a Bosnian rookie, but he’s also a rebounding machine, averaging 10.8 per game in his last 5.
BOS- Tyler Zeller (9.7%)
Jared Sullinger has been shut down for the year with an injury analogous to that of Brook Lopez last season, and Kelly Olynyk is out with a recurrent ankle injury. What does that mean? More opportunities for Zeller to beat out his brothers in the race for the most productive Zeller.
NOP- Alexis Ajinca (0.6%)
With Anthony Davis and Ryan Anderson each down for at least the next two weeks, the Pelicans’ playoff dreams are beginning to crumble, and it looks like they’re lottery-bound. While those two are out, Ajinca will hold down the fort alongside Omer Asik (who is owned in most leagues).
