Friday’s 11-game slate was chock full of fantasy options, as a host of trades that were still not official left some teams to rely on players who hadn’t been playing much. And some teams have seemingly gone all-in on playing their younger guys in order to fully evaluate them ahead of the summer when decisions have to be made in the draft and free agency. San Antonio and Detroit, which are nowhere near contending for a play-in tournament spot, are two of the few teams that have begun that process. And the teams combined for one of the crazier games of the season, which the Pistons won in double overtime by a 138-113 final score. And in games like these, you can find a few players who should have been picked up beforehand.
Top Pickups
Zach Collins (39%), Malaki Branham (15%), and Devonte’ Graham (5%)
Collins and Branham were players who should have been added before Friday, with the former being a popular stash option as the Spurs decided what they would do with Jakob Poeltl. Poeltl was traded to Toronto early Thursday morning, which thrust Collins into the starting center role. As for Branham, he’s been starting due to Tre Jones missing time with a sore left foot. Collins played 35 minutes before fouling out of Friday’s game, scoring 29 points with 11 rebounds, three assists, and one 3-pointer. As for Branham, he recorded a line of 27 points, five rebounds, two assists, two steals, and four 3-pointers in 43 minutes. Branham’s value may take a hit once Jones is cleared to return, but he should be rostered until that time comes.
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As for Graham, he arrives in San Antonio after being on the back end of the rotation in New Orleans. He was available Friday night, and with Blake Wesley struggling, Graham was asked to do more than anyone likely anticipated beforehand. He played 37 minutes off the bench, scoring 31 points (the most ever in a Spurs debut) with three rebounds, three assists, and six 3-pointers. Graham has gone from a fantasy afterthought to someone worthy of consideration, even after Jones returns, as the Spurs will need his perimeter shooting ability.
Isaiah Livers (1%)
The Pistons are in a bit of a holding pattern thanks to complications with a four-team trade that included the Warriors, Hawks, and Trail Blazers. With Saddiq Bey now an Atlanta Hawk, the Pistons needed someone to step forward and provide bench scoring. Livers scored 11 while also tallying 10 rebounds, one assist, two steals, and three 3-pointers in 40 minutes. Hamidou Diallo (14/1/1/1) may be the more explosive option, But Livers’ shooting ability makes him a logical replacement for Bey. That said, this is where fantasy managers who did not add Livers should track him to see if the minutes/production is reliable.
Tari Eason (31%)
Eason didn’t have his best game in Miami, putting up eight points, three rebounds, two assists, one steal, and one 3-pointer in 19 minutes off the bench. However, with the Rockets trading Eric Gordon, there should be room for Eason to provide more, even if it was Jae’Sean Tate who received the starting nod. Another beneficiary to the Rockets’ clearing space is KJ Martin, who put up a full stat line of 17 points, six rebounds, three assists, two steals, two blocks, and one 3-pointer in 38 minutes. Unlike Eason, Martin is starting and rostered in 43% of Yahoo leagues. While that puts him out of reach within deep leagues, there are enough leagues out there where Martin remains available.
Josh Green (29%)
We’ve yet to see how the partnership of Luka Dončić and Kyrie Irving will look on the court, as the former is still working his way back from a heel contusion. That has kept Green in the starting lineup, and he’s played well for the Mavericks. In Friday’s win over the Kings, he scored 17 points to go along with four rebounds, seven assists, and two 3-pointers in 38 minutes. Over his last five games, of which Dallas has won four, Green’s averaging 17.4 points, 4.0 rebounds, 2.8 assists, 1.0 steals, and 1.4 3-pointers in 34.5 minutes, shooting 58.6% from the field and 80.0% from the foul line. With Dallas trading Dorian Finney-Smith, Green’s defensive ability should make him a key member of the rotation moving forward, even after Doncic is cleared to return.
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Josh Okogie (7%)
Okogie was in the starting lineup for the Suns as they played their first game without Mikal Bridges and Cameron Johnson, who were sent to Brooklyn in the Kevin Durant trade. He played 35 minutes in the win over the Pacers, scoring 17 points with six rebounds, three steals, and three 3-pointers. A good night for sure, but the schedule isn’t favorable for fantasy managers who wanted to wait until after Friday’s game to see if adding Okogie would be worth it. Phoenix won’t play again until Tuesday against the Kings, and Okogie is in a spot similar to Green. The Suns will have to make up for Bridges’ exit on both ends, especially defensively, which may get Okogie semi-consistent minutes until Kevin Durant (knee) is cleared to play.
Brandon Boston Jr. (1%)
Boston was on no one’s fantasy radar before it was announced that he would start Friday’s loss to the Bucks in place of Kawhi Leonard. He made the most of his opportunity, scoring 20 points with two rebounds, one steal, and two 3-pointers. Primarily a slasher, Boston isn’t going to provide much outside shooting. If there was a disappointment, it was the lack of assists. The Clippers are off until Tuesday, so there’s no need to add Boston. Leave him on the waiver wire, assuming Leonard is available to play.
