It’s a long season, and eventually everyone gets a chance to be fantasy relevant. Even Nazr Mohammed. At the same time, many guys can’t sustain an All-Star level of production through a full 82 game season. Even Blake Griffin. The seasoned fantasy daytrader knows that there comes a time late in the year where it makes total sense to start Andre Miller over O.J. Mayo or Kyle Korver over Klay Thompson. And yes, sometimes, even Nazr Mohammed. Let’s take a look at some guys you’ve never thought were start-worthy and some fantasy stars that aren’t twinkling quite so bright these days.
Buy:
Andre Miller: Strong Buy. With Ty Lawson out for at least the rest of the regular season, Andre Miller takes over starting point guard duties once again. He has scored double-digit points in six of his last seven and is averaging 13.5 PPG, 7.3 APG, 3.9 RPG, and 1.1 SPG over that time.
Beno Udrih: Short-term Buy. As long as Jameer Nelson is out with an ankle sprain, Udrih will continue to get the starts in the Magic backcourt. In three starts since Nelson got hurt, Udrih is averaging 17 PPG, 8.7 APG, 1.7 SPG, 3.7 RPG, and 2.3 3PPG.
Josh McRoberts: Solid Buy. With Byron Mullens out, McRoberts is seeing more action and opportunities. In his last three starts, he’s averaging 41 MPG, 11.7 PPG, 9.7 RPG, 3.1 APG, and shooting 50% from the floor.
Kyle Korver: Solid Buy. I’m no Korver fan, especially when it comes to fantasy, but with the Hawks tweaking their lineup in preparation for the playoffs, it looks like Korver may get more opportunities in the final games. He played 39 minutes against the Knicks on Wednesday and put up 25 points, six rebounds, two blocks and a steal. He also scored six threes and has scored 18 treys in his last seven games.
Devin Harris: Solid Buy. Anytime I think about recommending Harris I hesitate, but playoff time causes you to reexamine everything you think you know. Not only am I recommending him, I’m doing so the day after he missed a game with a sore foot that he’s been dealing with for weeks. Still, he is averaging 19.3 PPG, 5.7 APG, 1.7 SPG, and 2.3 3PPG and is a must-start right now if he’s good to go in his next game.
Nazr Mohammed: Solid Buy. Mohammed makes the short list of guys I never thought I’d recommend this year or ever. With the Bulls missing Joakim Noah and Taj Gibson, Mohammed is suddenly relevant for the first time since…let’s say 2004. With the center position all to himself Tuesday against the Wizards, Mohammed played 36 minutes and put up 12 points, 12 rebounds, three assists, and a block. Look for him to get plenty of rebounds and scoring attempts by default until Noah returns.
Sell:
Blake Griffin: The Clippers have lost four of their last six and Griffin’s diminished play is a big reason for it. After averaging 20.2 PPG and 9.1 RPG from January 20 to March 20, he is averaging just 13.4 PPG and 6.3 RPG in eight games since. On Wednesday against Phoenix, he saw just 26 minutes and seven field goal attempts, his second lowest total of the year. I’m not saying drop Griffin, I’m just saying don’t expect him to carry your team through the final games with that kind of mediocre line.
O.J. Mayo: Like Griffin, Mayo has been struggling in the final games and his shot is clearly off. He shot just 1-of-13 Saturday against Chicago and a combined 8-for-25 in the previous two games. After averaging 17.4 PPG, 4.4 APG, and 2.1 3PPG all season until March 8, he is averaging just 10.1 PPG, 4.2 APG, and 0.9 3PPG in 13 games since. Unlike Griffin, I wouldn’t start him unless he shows that he’s found his shot again.
Klay Thompson: Thompson is struggling with his shot right now, going 6-of-30 in his last three games. Like Mayo, I wouldn’t start him unless he shakes off the stink of his 1-of-13 performance last week against the Kings.
Andre Drummond: I was hoping Drummond would come back strong after missing nearly two months with a back injury but speculation will get you nowhere. Despite a decent showing in his first two games back, he is playing under 20 minutes in two games since and averaging just six points and six rebounds a game. I would get rid of him the rest of the season and take a shot drafting him late next year.
JaVale McGee: How is this guy owned in more than 60% of leagues? He’s played more than 20 minutes just once in his last seven games and is averaging a woeful 8.1 PPG and 4.1 RPG over that stretch. I’d say drop him but I think you should have dropped him months ago.
