New Orleans

Pelicans

Murray, who ruptured his right Achilles tendon last January, has yet to appear in a game this season. The ability to participate in Sunday’s practice, even in a limited capacity, is another step in the right direction for the Pelicans guard. Murray still does not have a timeline for return, so it’s difficult to guarantee that he’ll be able to have an impact during the fantasy playoff weeks in most leagues.

After making no more than two three-pointers in any game this season, Queen got hot on Friday. The rookie made all four of his attempts, which is a season-high, as part of a solid overall line. Consistency has been an issue recently for Queen, but his role is such that fantasy managers should continue to stick with him. Rostered in 51 percent of Yahoo! leagues, managers in 12-team formats seeking silly season potential should strongly consider adding Queen if he’s on the waiver wire.

After knocking down 12 three-pointers in Wednesday’s overtime loss to the Bucks, Murphy hit six more on Friday. While the Pelicans have struggled to string together wins outside of a five-game win streak in mid-December, Murphy’s production has been consistently excellent. In nine-cat formats, the forward has been a first-round player this season. Murphy and the Pelicans play four games in Week 17, with two on each side of the All-Star break.

Give Williamson credit for knowing where his bread is buttered as a scorer. The Pelicans forward did not register an official shot outside of the paint on Friday, and the result was his highest point total in nearly a month. Over the past two weeks, Williamson has been close to a top-75 player in eight-cat formats. The only negative for fantasy managers is that New Orleans is done for Week 16, with the team’s next game scheduled for Monday against the Kings.

While his first season in New Orleans hasn’t been successful from a team wins standpoint, this has been the most productive year of Bey’s NBA career. He recorded his third 30-point game of the season on Friday, helping lead the Pelicans to an upset win in Minneapolis. Over the past three weeks, Bey has been a first-round player in 12-team leagues, according to Basketball Monster. He’s still rostered in 42 percent of Yahoo! leagues, which is way too low, given Bey’s production.

Terry was traded from Chicago to New York late Wednesday night and has been moved again about 12 hours later. New Orleans could have a place for him in the rotation, especially if they shift towards a true tank, even if they don’t have their first-round pick. Terry could hold some value during silly season, but he shouldn’t be rostered at this point.

Alvarado will provide some extra depth in the backcourt for New York, meaning he’ll join Miles McBride, Tyler Kolek and Jordan Clarkson in the rotation. Unless more moves are coming, that won’t leave enough minutes for any of them to provide value in standard leagues, barring an injury to a starter. Alvarado’s defense and playmaking should help the Knicks when Brunson is off the floor in the postseason.

Bey has now made four three-pointers in two of his last three games. The 26-year-old shooting guard has been on fire, providing first-round per game value over the last two weeks. This run ultimately won’t last for Bey, but fantasy managers have to enjoy it while it’s ongoing. The Pelicans have one more game in Week 16, coming up Friday against the Timberwolves on the road.

Williamson displayed his unique athleticism midway through the third quarter when he took the ball the length of the floor, made multiple defenders miss and finished with a dunk at the rim. The play was equally as impressive as the fact he was able to execute it so effortlessly. Zion has provided 10th-round per game value over the last two weeks. The Pelicans have one more game left in Week 16, coming up Friday against the Timberwolves on the road.

Murphy became just the eighth player in NBA history to make at least 12 three-pointers in a game in Wednesday’s OT loss to the Bucks. The 25-year-old small forward broke out of a mini-slump with 27 points Monday against the Hornets and completely went off with 44 points Wednesday against the Bucks. Unfortunately, neither performance was enough to get the Pelicans the win. Murphy has provided eighth-round per game value over the last two weeks. The Pelicans have one more game this week, coming Friday against the Timberwolves.