Warriors rookie guard Brandin Podziemski (32% rostered, Yahoo) has been a nice shock, averaging 9.5 factors, 5.6 rebounds, 3.6 assists, 0.9 steals, and 1.2 3-pointers in 25.5 minutes per recreation. Accidents have pushed him into Steve Kerr’s rotation, and he is taken benefit of his alternatives. Podziemski performed 39 minutes off the bench in Saturday’s 141-134 time beyond regulation loss to the Hawks, accounting for 15 factors, 11 rebounds, 5 assists, and one blocked shot.
He hasn’t been a terrific fantasy choice not too long ago, offering Twelfth-round worth in 9-cat codecs over the previous two weeks. Nonetheless, the minutes have been there for Podziemski, particularly with Chris Paul and Moses Moody among the many rotation gamers at the moment sidelined. Additionally, Andrew Wiggins went down through the first half with a sprained ankle on Saturday and didn’t return. Podziemski began the third quarter, enjoying 26 minutes after halftime.
The Warriors start their Week 16 slate in Brooklyn on Monday, so we’ll see if Wiggins is accessible to play. If not, that possible means a transfer again into the beginning lineup for Podziemski, and his offensive ability set is required to complement Stephen Curry’s mastery. Let’s take a look at just a few of Saturday’s prime pickups, and the checklist features a few gamers who will probably be strong choices on Sunday.
Ayo Dosunmu (36%)
On Saturday afternoon, the Bulls introduced that Zach LaVine will bear season-ending surgical procedure on his proper foot. Add in Patrick Williams being sidelined with an ankle harm, and Dosunmu was well-positioned so as to add worth to fantasy rosters. He began and performed 39 minutes in Chicago’s loss to Sacramento, accounting for 15 factors, 4 rebounds, 5 assists, two steals, and three 3-pointers. Williams is unlikely to return earlier than the All-Star break, and there is additionally the matter of the commerce deadline to take care of. Now can be a superb time so as to add Dosunmu as a result of it is going to be tougher if the Bulls transfer a veteran contributor (or extra) on the deadline.
Luke Kennard (21%)
The Grizzlies did not play on Saturday however will go to the Celtics on Sunday. They usually’ve bought a prolonged harm report, which incorporates John Konchar and Vince Williams Jr., who’re each questionable to play. Kennard is likely one of the few perimeter contributors who is not on the harm report, so he ought to have worth, particularly for class league managers needing 3-pointers on the ultimate day of Week 15. Whereas he is ranked simply inside the highest 200 over the previous two weeks, Kennard is averaging 4.0 3-pointers per recreation throughout this stretch.
Lonnie Walker IV (17%)
Walker is Brooklyn’s most reliable bench scorer with Cam Thomas within the beginning lineup. He carried out properly in Saturday’s win over the 76ers, logging half-hour and ending with 20 factors, two rebounds, three assists, and three 3-pointers. His worth for Week 16 will probably be influenced considerably by the provision of Dorian Finney-Smith, who hasn’t performed since January 27 attributable to an ankle harm. Finney-Smith solely resumed working on Friday, so Walker could also be in play as a deep-league pickup when the Nets host the Warriors on Monday.
Josh Inexperienced (6%) and Maxi Kleber (1%)
Neither Inexperienced nor Kleber was on the radar forward of Saturday’s motion, as evidenced by their rostered percentages. Nonetheless, each performed properly within the Mavericks’ loss to Milwaukee, so the gamble paid off for the few who did add them. Inexperienced tallied 20 factors, 9 rebounds, three assists, one steal, and 4 3-pointers in 38 minutes, with Kleber recording a line of 21 factors, three rebounds, two assists, two steals, and 4 3-pointers in 34 minutes.
Neither one must be added within the aftermath of Saturday’s recreation, however it’s value noting that Dallas begins Week 16 with a street back-to-back in opposition to the 76ers and Nets. That may impression a number of gamers, together with Kyrie Irving and Luka Doncic, who aggravated a proper ankle harm through the first quarter (however did return).
Corey Kispert (6%) and Delon Wright (2%)
The struggling Wizards welcome again Bradley Beal on Sunday, they usually’ll be shorthanded. Kyle Kuzma has already been dominated out, whereas Tyus Jones and Bilal Coulibaly are each questionable. Kuzma being sidelined opens issues up for Kispert, who went off for 26 factors and 6 3-pointers in Friday’s loss to the Warmth. As for Jones’s potential absence, Wright would determine extra prominently within the rotation, possible as a starter. Wright and Kispert are excessive deep-league choices, however they need to play lots in opposition to the Suns.
