Fantasy Basketball

With Shaedon Sharpe and Deni Avdija being the most heavily used players within the Trail Blazers’ offense, Clingan managers are going to get most of their value from him in the rebound and blocked shot categories. The second-year center was highly productive in those areas on Tuesday, establishing a new season-high in the latter. Despite averaging 8.9 points per game, Clingan is ranked well within the top-100 in nine-cat formats thanks to the rebounds, blocks and percentages.

Due to the Trail Blazers being without multiple guards, Love logged a season-high 31 minutes on Tuesday. And the rookie played relatively well, shooting 50 percent from the field and notching personal highs in points, rebounds and three-pointers. Love’s fantasy potential moving forward depends on the health of Jrue Holiday, who has missed the last two games with a sore calf. Love’s season-long fantasy value has been nonexistent, but there will be a need for him in the rotation if Holiday misses more time.

Avdija didn’t have his best offensive night, but his inefficient shooting didn’t affect his playmaking. He dished out five assists while committing one turnover, running the show capably for a team that is down multiple point guards due to injury. Avdija continues to provide top-50 value in nine-cat formats, exceeding his Yahoo! ADP. He and the Trail Blazers will look to bounce back when they host the Bulls on Wednesday.

Sharpe led the way offensively for the Trail Blazers, who have lost five of their last six games. Injuries at the point guard position have begun to take a toll, with Scoot Henderson and Blake Wesley facing extended absences and Jrue Holiday missing a second straight game on Tuesday. As a result, Sharpe has had the ball in his hands more as a playmaker, but this has not boosted his assist totals very much. He had a season-high six helpers in Sunday’s overtime loss to the Mavericks but produced just three on Tuesday, slightly higher than his season average.

Gillespie has been one of the Suns’ unsung heroes thus far, providing solid production off the bench. Tuesday’s performance was his best, with the third-year guard notching a season-high point total. With Jalen Green and Grayson Allen out due to injury, Gillespie is in a place where he can provide deep-league value. He’s been a 10th-round player in nine-cat formats this season and is now rostered in 18 percent of Yahoo! leagues.

Given his injury history and the Suns’ measured approach in incorporating him into the lineup to begin the season, Williams’ only playing 21 minutes on Tuesday was a positive. He was productive on the floor, finishing with a stat line that lacked only a three-pointer, and the 7-footer has never been a perimeter shooter. Williams is ranked just outside the top-50 in nine-cat formats, exceeding his Yahoo! ADP of 83. He should play more when the Suns face the Timberwolves on Friday.

While fantasy managers may have wanted to see more from Booker, Tuesday night went well for him and the Suns. The star guard watched most of the fourth quarter from the bench as his teammates closed out a comfortable victory. Due primarily to turnovers, Booker is ranked just outside the top-50 in nine-cat formats. However, he only committed one on Tuesday, the third time he’s had that few in a game this season. Booker and the Suns play two more games this week, starting with the Timberwolves on Friday.

After missing the first 14 games of the season with sciatica, LeBron was finally able to make his debut for his 23rd season in the NBA. He played just under 30 minutes, which was enough time for him to record a double-double. His first game couldn’t have gone much better for the team, but for managers that were expecting his typical dominance, they’re going to have to exercise patience. It was only his first game, and he didn’t force much. He facilitated well, but he only took seven shots; LeBron didn’t take fewer than 10 shots in a game all of last season. The Lakers are playing well, so they’ll take the gradual approach of working James into the rotation. Luka Dončić will run the show, but James will still have plenty of chances to dominate fantasy basketball as the season progresses. Even at 40 years old, he’s going to make a huge impact in the box score. For now, it’s just a breath of fresh air that he’s back out on the floor.

All eyes were on LeBron James’ season debut, but that didn’t stop Luka from being Luka. He followed up his 41-point night on Saturday by nearly matching that total in this one while still recording a double-double. LeBron was back and had the ball plenty, but Luka ran the show. There shouldn’t have been any worries about James limiting Dončić, but it’s clear that he isn’t going to come in and syphon usage. This is Luka’s team, which is a great sign for fantasy managers.

Any concerns about the return of LeBron James limiting Reaves can be put to rest. His production may look different, but he’s going to continue to be featured heavily on offense. LeBron had 12 assists and and Luka Dončić had 10, and while it has only been one game, it seems like Reaves is going to take a hit in assists. However, he’s still going to see plenty of shot attempts, and he likely won’t continue to only have on assist.