Welcome to the FlurrySports Fantasy Basketball Stock Market Watch column! Every week during the 2020-21 fantasy basketball season, we will highlight a few players whose stock is either rising or falling based on their own recent performance, the tendencies of the team they play on and their overall season-long body of work.
Like the NBA, the fantasy basketball season is a long, steady grind. Having an idea of players who are trending up or down can help you make more effective start/sit, add/drop and trade decisions. As Week 2 comes to a close, here are some names that are trending in either a positive or negative direction.
Week 2 Fantasy Basketball Stock Market Watch | Rising Stock
Tyrese Haliburton, PG/SG, Sacramento Kings
Rookie lottery pick Tyrese Haliburton had plenty of hype in the fantasy basketball community coming out of Iowa State. He is already owned in 65.4% of ESPN leagues and is making good on his minutes off the bench for the Kings. In Sacramento’s five games prior to the new year, Haliburton scored in double figures four times while also averaging 4.4 assists and 2.0 rebounds per contest.
Haliburton’s best statistical outing to date saw him post 13 points, three boards, and six assists in just 25 minutes of play. There will definitely be more playing time for Haliburton going forward in Sacramento. If he keeps this up, the same can be said for fantasy basketball leagues. Haliburton is day-to-day and expected to miss at least two games with a wrist injury. Fantasy owners will have plenty to look forward to upon his return.
Lugentz Dort, SG/SF, Oklahoma City Thunder
Owned in 26.6% of ESPN leagues, Lugentz Dort has been a pleasant early-season surprise for both the Thunder and fantasy basketball managers alike. The second-year pro out of Arizona State has reached double figures scoring in three of OKC’s four games to date. For category fantasy basketball leagues, Dort also provides managers with assistance in other statistical areas. With averages of 16.0 points, 3.5 rebounds, and 1.0 assists and steals per game, Dort’s fantasy stock is on the rise through two weeks of play.
Kyle Anderson, SF, Memphis Grizzlies
Through two weeks, Kyle Anderson has put up far better numbers than you would think a player only owned in 33.9% of leagues would be capable of. Anderson’s playing time has benefitted from injuries to Jaren Jackson Jr. and Brandon Clarke, and the 27-year-old has made good use of his increased minutes. Season averages through two weeks of play include 16.0 points, 8.8 rebounds, 3.8 assists, and 0.8 blocks.
Anderson has even managed to convert on one-third of his 3-point shot attempts as well. While the absence of star Ja Morant will likely impact the entire Grizzlies offense in a negative way, Anderson is certainly worth a look based on what he’s done thus far.
Week 2 Fantasy Basketball Stock Market Watch | Falling Stock
D’Angelo Russell, PG/SG, Minnesota Timberwolves
It has been a rocky start to the new season for D’Angelo Russell. While he has a pair of games with 20+ points, Russell took a ton of shots in both outings, reflected in a season field goal percentage of 42.9%.
Russell’s stock market value in fantasy basketball is also somewhat hampered due to his lack of contributions in other categories. Averages of 4.2 assists and 2.5 rebounds aren’t exactly star-caliber. Neither are his 3.6 turnovers per game, another reason why his fantasy stock is trending down.
Norman Powell, SG/SF, Toronto Raptors
Many fantasy basketball analysts were hopeful that Norman Powell would take a big leap forward this season. Unfortunately, as the second week of play comes to a close, that is yet to occur. Powell has only scored in double figures twice, counteracting that with a goose egg for points the day after Christmas. He has also contributed very little in other categories as well, including rebounds.
Perhaps part of the limited production can be attributed to only playing 23.2 minutes per game. Toronto’s most recent game saw Powell play 34 minutes and post by far his best statistical line. However, this was in part due to Pascal Siakam being disciplined. While this is encouraging, his stock has certainly declined from where it was coming into the year.
Robert Covington, PF/SF, Portland Trail Blazers
After being traded from Houston to Portland, Robert Covington isn’t exactly off to an ideal start in the Pacific Northwest. Through four games, the 30-year-old veteran has failed to reach double figures scoring, averaging just 5.5 points per outing. The fact that he has played 38 minutes in two of those contests is even more cause for concern.
Covington has kept his fantasy basketball value afloat in points leagues with solid rebound production. However, his value has been slim in other categories. With no clear path to increased production in sight given the plethora of scorers that comprise the Trail Blazers’ lineup, Covington’s stock is trending in the wrong direction.
