Injuries hit hard in Week 3 of the NBA season. Many fantasy basketball owners are now left scrambling to plug the holes left by fallen stars, in addition to the revolving door that is the back end of their roster. For those hitting the fantasy basketball waiver wire this week in category leagues, it’s important to do so with a strategy in mind. Let’s get down to some specific category analysis for Week 4. Here are several players who are performing above both their expectations and ownership rates.
**Note: Criteria for inclusion requires players to be owned in 60% of leagues or less**
Points | Fantasy Basketball Category Analysis
Anthony Edwards, SG, Minnesota Timberwolves (54.5% ESPN Ownership)
It’s surprising to see Anthony Edwards’ ownership so low just three weeks into the season. If anything, it speaks to the impatience of many fantasy basketball owners. The rookie number one overall pick out of Georgia has failed to crack the Timberwolves’ starting lineup to date, averaging just 25.5 minutes per contest. Yet despite the inconsistent playing time and ugly shooting percentages, Edwards has found his way into double figures scoring in all but two games this season. His points per game average currently sits at 13.6. In one of the two games last week that saw him crack 30 minutes on the court, he supplied a career-high 26 points. There will be growing pains for Edwards as there are all rookies. But with the talent to soon be a Minnesota starter and the scoring abilities he possesses, brighter days figure to be ahead.
Other Players to Note
- Lonnie Walker IV, SG, San Antonio Spurs
- Eric Gordon, SG, Houston Rockets
- Kyle Anderson, SF, Memphis Grizzlies
Rebounds | Fantasy Basketball Category Analysis
Enes Kanter, C, Portland Trail Blazers (30% ESPN Ownership)
Through the season’s first three weeks, journeyman center Enes Kanter has posted an impressive average of 9.3 rebounds per game in just 19.1 average minutes. Add in his 11.2 points per game and Kanter has proven to have solid fantasy basketball category floors with or without starting center Jusuf Nurkic in the lineup. Adding to Kanter’s appeal going forward is the quad contusion that Nurkic sustained in Portland’s most recent game. While Carmelo Anthony and Harry Giles III are other candidates to see increased minutes if Nurkic misses time, Kanter figures to be the immediate beneficiary.
Other Players to Note
- Darius Bazley, PF, Oklahoma City Thunder
- Royce O’Neale, PF, Utah Jazz
- Bobby Portis, C, Milwaukee Bucks
Assists | Fantasy Basketball Category Analysis
Tyus Jones, PG, Memphis Grizzlies (26.4% ESPN Ownership)
With Ja Morant going down to an injury, Tyus Jones has ascended up the Grizzlies’ depth chart and is the current starting point guard. Despite playing over 30 minutes in four of Memphis’ last five games, Jones remains readily available on the fantasy basketball waiver wire. This is pretty inexcusable, especially in. category leagues where every assist matters. Jones is averaging 5.6 helpers on the season. Since the turn of the new year, he has dished six dimes or more in five of six games. The highlights came in a 12-assist effort against Charlotte on New Year’s Day and a 10-dime game against Brooklyn just last week. Jones has also proven pesky as a defender with 1.6 steals per contest. He needs to be rostered without question in fantasy basketball leagues going forward.
Other Players to Note
- Elfrid Payton, PG, New York Knicks
- Goran Dragic, PG, Miami Heat
- Cedi Osman, SF, Cleveland Cavaliers
3-Pointers | Fantasy Basketball Category Analysis
Patty Mills, PG, San Antonio Spurs (28.5% ESPN Ownership)
Veteran point guard Patty Mills is still getting it done for the Spurs as a 32-year-old. Mills has had steady production from deep all season, shooting the three-ball at an impressive 50% clip. The past week has been a real eye-opener for fantasy basketball managers. He scored 18 points or more in three of the last four games, knocking down a ridiculous 17 3-point shots in the four games combined. Despite a crowded San Antonio backcourt that includes Dejounte Murray, DeMar DeRozan and Lonnie Walker IV, Mills has seen an uptick in minutes to coincide with his recent hot shooting. While his contributions in other categories are sparse, it’s hard to beat the 3-point shooting (3.2 makes per game) that Mills provides.
Other Players to Note
- Duncan Robinson, SG, Miami Heat
- Austin Rivers, SG, New York Knicks
- Davis Bertans, PF, Washington Wizards
Blocks | Fantasy Basketball Category Analysis
Robert Williams III (6.8% ESPN Ownership)
Robert Williams has been ruled out for the immediate future as part of the Celtics’ recent virus outbreak. With that said, I believe he is worthy of consideration closer to or upon return for fantasy basketball category managers in need of blocks. In the games which he has played, Williams has put together an average of 1.5 blocks, doing so in just 16.4 minutes. He also adds 6.5 rebounds and 1.1 steals to his season average numbers. While it’s unreasonable to expect much beyond his defensive contributions, fantasy managers may have a sleeper in the 23-year-old Williams to put them over the top in the block category.
Other Players to Note
- Patrick Beverly, PG, Los Angeles Clippers
- Chris Boucher, PF, Toronto Raptors
- Marc Gasol, C, Los Angeles Lakers
Steals | Fantasy Basketball Category Analysis
OG Anunoby, SF, Toronto Raptors (51.2% ESPN Ownership)
It’s long been known that OG Anunoby isn’t exactly the best friend of fantasy basketball managers. He is very inconsistent as an offensive player and inefficient with his minutes. Despite this, his 1.8 steals per game average puts him in the top-5 in the NBA in that category. Anunoby’s other season averages to date include 12.6 points, 5.4 rebounds, 1.7 assists, and 0.6 blocks. While none of those are ideal given that he is on the floor for nearly 35 minutes per game, fantasy basketball category owners can find comfort in his above-average steals production. And hey, there’s always the chance Anunoby turns it up in other areas at some point too. He certainly is getting the playing time necessary to do so.
Other Players to Note
- Justin Holiday, SG, Indiana Pacers
- Derrick Jones Jr., SF, Portland Trail Blazers
- James Johnson, PF, Dallas Mavericks
