The All-Star break and the impending NBA trade deadline make for a very interesting week in the fantasy world. By Thursday’s trade deadline, many players’ values will have completely changed faster than you can say Ed Davis. All that taken into consideration, here are some Clippers and non-Clippers you may want to grab up before someone else does.
Eric Bledsoe (Owned in 40% of Yahoo Leagues): Bledsoe’s actual value took a big hit with Chris Paul and Chauncey Billups getting healthy. At the same time, because those two are back, no one has been discussed more in trade rumors than Bledsoe. With the trade deadline just days away, Bledsoe will be worth picking up in any league if he can find himself a starting job somewhere. In the nine games he started in place of Chris Paul, Bledsoe averaged 36 MPG, 15 PPG, 6 APG, 5 RPG, 2.4 SPG, and 1.6 BPG.
Caron Butler (18%): It’s almost amazing that a starting forward for a first place team is owned in less than 20% of fantasy leagues, especially when that forward is averaging 30 MPG, 16 PPG, 3 3PPG, 4.5 RPG, and 1 SPG over his last two games. If you need an infusion of three pointers, you can’t go wrong with a guy who typically puts up at least five attempts per night.
Chauncey Billups (39%): He is still limited in minutes since coming back from a slew of injuries but Billups is making the most of them, putting up 40 combined points and four steals in his last two games. He will be worth a pickup in every league if he can raise his minute total which is a good possibility if the Clippers are active before Thursday’s trade deadline.
Jermaine O’Neal (5%): The 34-year-old isn’t scoring like he used to but he can sure play defense. Over his last three games, O’Neal is averaging 10.3 PPG, 3 BPG, and 9 RPG and is definitely worth a look if you need help with your defensive stats.
Jarrett Jack (61%): Jack seems to play equally well whether he is starting or not. Over his last two games, Jack is putting up 30 MPG, 21 PPG, 5 APG, and 3 3PPG coming off the Warriors’ bench and is worth a pickup in just about every league.
Kahwi Leonard (64%): If you don’t already own Leonard, you should. Over his last seven games he is putting up 32 MPG, 16 PPG, 7 RPG, 2 SPG, 1 BPG, and nearly 2 3PPG. He is shooting 54% from the floor and 48% from behind the arc during that time and has established himself as a very solid fantasy producer.
Derrick Williams (19%): Williams isn’t the greatest shooter but over his last five games he is putting up 28 MPG, 16 PPG, 9 RPG, and the occasional steal. Most importantly, as his minutes have grown so have his shot attempts and he is averaging 13 FGA per game over those five starts. He is definitely worth a look, especially if you need rebounding help.
Jason Terry (65%): Terry isn’t starting but he sure is playing like he is. Over his last four games, Terry is averaging 31 MPG, 16.3 PPG, 3 3PPG, and 1.3 SPG. He is also averaging 12 FGA per game and shooting 51% from the court and 46% from three-point range.
P.J. Tucker (2%): With the Suns still tweaking their rotation, Tucker (who hadn’t been in the league since 2007) is emerging as a potentially fantasy relevant player. He has already started 22 games this year but got a bump in field goal attempts over his last two games which may suggest a larger role for him. Over those two games he is averaging 10.5 PPG, 5.5 RPG, 1 BPG, and 10 FGA per game. He won’t knock anyone’s socks off but he is worth keeping an eye on in deeper leagues.
Al-Farouq Aminu (19%): He doesn’t score in double-digits often but his defensive prowess has helped him stay fantasy relevant most of the season. Over his last two games he is shooting 56% from the floor for 11 PPG while adding 11.5 RPG, 1 SPG, and 1 BPG. He is definitely worth a pickup in all deeper leagues and if you need defensive help.
