Stock Up
Nicolas Batum, G/F Charlotte Hornets
After a slowish start to the fantasy campaign, Batum has started to look a lot more like the player fantasy GMs drafted him to be. Over seven November games, the $120M man has averaged 15.0 points, 6.9 rebounds, 5.0 assists, 1.4 steals & 2.1 3-pointers on 45% shooting, including 40.5% from distance. The latter is certainly notable given he’s averaged 5.3 triples per contest this month, and over his last three Batum has really turned it on with averages of 16.3 points, 8.0 rebounds, 6.7 assists, 1.7 steals, a block and 2.7 3PM.
Kenneth Faried, F/C Denver Nuggets
Faried has been a direct beneficiary of Denver blowing apart its Nikola Jokic-Jusuf Nurkic pairing and it certainly sounds as if he’s now playing with a chip on his shoulder. He’s worth rostering with averages of 15.3 points, 12.7 rebounds, 1.7 steals and 2.3 blocks over his last three games, but the depth issues aren’t going away and Mike Malone’s rotations appear anything but settled. Prepare for turbulence.
Trevor Booker, F/C Brooklyn Nets
Booker should have been selected in standard league drafts, but if for some reason he was not then he’s quickly become one of the best waiver wire pickups of the young season.
As a nightly double-double threat that adds defensive stats and has settled into a 25-30 minute role, there is a lot to like about baking with the Cook Book now and moving forward.
Jordan Clarkson, G Los Angeles Lakers
I’m not sure Clarkson is getting enough credit for just how good he’s been during the month of November. Showing nothing but continued improvement since moving to a sixth man role, the third-year guard has averaged 15.2 points, 2.4 rebounds, 2.3 assists, 1.6 steals and 1.2 3-pointers on 50.9% from the field over his last nine games. That’s the kind of solid, across-the-board production that should give him early mid-round value this season.
James Johnson, F Miami Heat
I wrote about Derrick Williams earlier in the week, but Johnson is really the one worthy of attention. Erik Spoelstra has to like Johnson’s defensive versatility and fantasy squads have to love the money stats. Coming off of a 30-minute showing and with averages of 11.0 points, 7.0 rebounds, a steal, a block and 2.0 3-pointers over his last two games, Johnson is on the radar as a potential scoop. Just keep in mind that he’ll be playing less when Justise Winslow (wrist) returns.
Stock Down
Enes Kanter, F/C Oklahoma City Thunder
Kanter has exceeded 20 minutes just twice in November. Even per-minute Monstars have got to play to produce top 100 value.
Derrick Favors, F/C Utah Jazz
This one is pretty simple: Favors has dealt with his knee issue all year and after trying admirably to push through it, he’s now without a timetable to return. Trey Lyles should be on all standard league rosters.
Tim Frazier, PG New Orleans Pelicans
Jrue Holiday’s return is imminent and E’Twaun Moore has played well. With Langston Galloway also in the mix, Frazier’s projected role remains undefined. He’s a hold in all formats to see how it shakes out.
Kris Dunn, PG Minnesota Timberwolves
Dunn lost minutes to Tyus Jones when Ricky Rubio (elbow) was sidelined and isn’t about to Wally Pipp Rubio anytime soon.
Chandler Parsons, F Memphis Grizzlies
There are still more questions than answers with Parsons and the way Memphis has handled him has done nothing to alleviate lingering concerns about his surgically-repaired knee.
