NBA Player News

If there’s a player on the Pelicans roster who fantasy managers appear high on, it’s Murphy, as his ADP is comfortably within the top 50. He’s coming off the best season of his NBA career, having established career-best averages in points, rebounds and assists. The lone negative for Murphy in fantasy basketball was that he only played in 53 games due to a torn labrum that ended his season in March. If he can remain healthy, Murphy can provide top-50 value, but he’s failed to hit the 60 games played mark each of the last two seasons.

While Monk still hasn’t reached the point where he can be considered in some 12-team leagues, the good news is that he’s getting consistent rotation minutes. He’s played at least 19 minutes in seven of his last eight appearances, a stretch in which Monk’s shot 50.6 percent from the field. Unfortunately, there hasn’t been much defensive production, which limits Monk’s fantasy potential. For whatever reason, Kings head coach Doug Christie has essentially decided that only one of Monk or Keon Ellis (DNP-CD) can be in the rotation on any given night. It has been Monk’s turn recently, but that could change at any time.

Since scoring 20 points in each of his first two games back after being sidelined by a sprained ankle, LaVine has just one 20-point effort over his last eight appearances. Since returning, the veteran wing has been a ninth-round player in eight- and nine-cat formats. That doesn’t align with LaVine’s ADP (61), but things could be a lot worse for those who have him rostered.

Westbrook led the Kings in scoring on Wednesday, but this was also his first game with three assists or fewer in over two weeks. This was also his first game with more turnovers (four) than assists (three) since November 26. The good news for fantasy managers is that Westbrook has been a third-round player in eight-cat formats over the past two weeks, continuing to exceed expectations.

While Immanuel Quickley (18/6/8/2 with one three-pointer) continues to lead the way for the Raptors’ guards, Shead has provided valuable contributions in the aftermath of RJ Barrett’s ankle injury. The second-year guard has scored in double figures in three of his last four games, and at least six assists accompanied each of those double-digit efforts. Shead isn’t a must-stream player, but he’s worth watching for the time being.

While Jakob Poeltl (back) and Collin Murray-Boyles (thumb) being out for Tuesday’s win over the Warriors did not result in Mamukelashvili starting then, he was in the lineup for Wednesday’s game against the Kings. And Mamu came through with one of his best games of the season, with the 22 points being two shy of his season-high. Add in the rebounds and assists, and Mamu provided a reminder why he should be rostered in deep leagues. With Poeltl having returned to Toronto to get his back examined, Murray-Boyles is considered to be day-to-day. If he remains out, Mamukelashvili will be worth picking up for Friday’s game in Portland.

For the first time since the first few days of January, Ingram has scored at least 22 points in consecutive games. And even with the limited defensive production, he has been one of the most valuable players in fantasy basketball over the past two weeks, providing third-round value in eight- and nine-cat formats. Ingram and the Raptors play two more road games to end Week 14, starting on Friday in Portland.

Barnes has scored at least 22 points in five straight games, continuing to produce at a high level for fantasy managers. Over the past two weeks, the Raptors’ forward has been a top-25 player in eight-cat formats. After serving as the small-ball five to begin Tuesday’s win over the Warriors, Barnes was in a more comfortable position on Wednesday. But it doesn’t matter where he plays; Barnes will be a highly valuable player for the Raptors and fantasy managers.

Rollins has dished out seven assists in two of his last three games, and his season-long fantasy value continues to hold steady just outside the top-50 in eight-cat formats. And with Kevin Porter Jr. (oblique) expected to be out for a while, now is a good time to hop back onto the Rollins bandwagon, even with Wednesday’s modest production.

Not only were the nine assists a season-high for Portis, but Wednesday’s tally equalled his total in Milwaukee’s previous eight games. While Gary Harris (three points, one assist and one three-pointer) started for the injured Myles Turner, he only played nine minutes, and Portis was in the lineup to begin the third quarter. If Turner isn’t back for Friday’s game against the Nuggets, one would think that Portis would be his replacement. It doesn’t make sense to start anyone else.

The Bucks were on the wrong end of their fourth defeat in five games, with Giannis leading the way offensively. He remains under a minutes restriction, but the Bucks continue to battle inconsistency with the trade deadline two weeks away. While Giannis may not be on the move, the team around him likely needs to change if Milwaukee is to entertain any thoughts of being a factor come playoff time.