With more than half the season behind us, fantasy owners are either sitting pretty atop their league standings or getting ready to pull out the white flag. Luckily, this week offers more than a few big pickups that can really turn your season around – or at least help you climb out of the standings cellar. Between injury replacements and minute-bumps, here are 10 guys that can save you some fantasy dignity this week.
Jonas Valanciunas (Owned in 15% of Yahoo Leagues): The Lithuanian rookie was slowed by a broken finger but appears to be back in full health – and the starting lineup. Over his last two games he is putting up 12.5 PPG, 11.5 RPG, and two BPG and looks likely to put up that kind of production going forward if healthy.
Isaiah Thomas (65%): The Kings are giving Thomas more playing time and he is running with it. Over his last three games, Thomas is averaging 35 MPG, 22 PPG, two SPG, and four APG with a couple threes per game. At this point he should be owned in just about every league.
Lavoy Allen (10%): With Thaddeus Young sidelined with a hammy injury, Allen is getting a big bump in minutes, playing over 41 minutes Saturday against the Bobcats. In his last three games, he is putting up 35 MPG, 12 PPG, 11.3 RPG, and nearly two BPG and should continue to roll as long as Young is on the bench.
Jeff Green (20%): With Rajon Rondo out, everyone in Boston is getting more minutes but Jeff Green is the only one that’s substantially improved his game. Over his last eight games, Green is averaging 31 MPG, 14.4 PPG, 4 RPG, and 1.3 BPG while shooting 53 percent from the floor and is worth a look in most leagues.
Shawn Marion (69%): It hasn’t always been pretty this season but Marion appears to be back to his old self the last few weeks. Over his last seven games he is averaging 31 MPG, 17.7 PPG, 10 RPG, 1.4 SPG, and one BPG while shooting 56 percent from the floor. He should be owned in every league until he slows down again.
Martell Webster (27%): Webster has been a monster from behind the arc and has rocketed his value over the last few weeks. In his last four games he is averaging 35 MPG, four 3PPG, 17.5 PPG, four RPG, and 1.3 SPG. Going back 11 games, he is averaging 15.2 PPG. He won’t give you much outside of three-point help but that’s more than worth it in many leagues.
Thabo Sefolosha (17%): Sefolosha has been bit by the scoring bug of late, putting up 19 PPG over his last two contests. He likely won’t be scoring 20 points when Kevin Martin is back in the lineup but with two SPG over his last 16 games he can help plenty of teams bump up their defensive stats.
Patrick Patterson (28%): I’ve liked Patterson in deep and midsized leagues all season and he’s really turned up the scoring of late. In his last nine games, Patterson is putting up 15 PPG and six RPG but more importantly he is averaging 30 minutes and 11 shot attempts and is worth a look in most leagues.
Jason Thompson (33%): Thompson has seen a bump in minutes and is shooting lights out – hopefully turning an otherwise disappointing season around. Over his last three contests he is up to 38 MPG and averaging 18.7 PPG, 8 RPG, 1.3 BPG, and 1.3 SPG while shooting 62 percent from the floor. He is worth owning in every league if he can keep his production at this level but it’s too early to tell how long this will last.
Charlie Villanueva (7%): With Andre Drummond out with a bad back, the previously irrelevant Villanueva is suddenly a fantasy producer. In the last two games he is averaging 19.5 PPG, 10.5 RPG, and 1.5 BPG and is worth owning in most leagues as long as Drummond is hurt.
