The fantasy basketball season is reaching its final stages and by now we pretty much know what we’re getting from each player, as we’ve had nearly five months to evaluate them. Still, there’s value to be found if you know where to look.
I know a lot of you might have been slacking a little on your fantasy preparation this week in favor of bracket research. Don’t worry, that’s why I’m here, to do all the hard work for you. That said, here are the players whose stocks are rising or falling.
We’re trying not to set records for futility in this week’s trends.
Dylan Sinn is a freelance contributor for CraveOnline Sports. You can follow him on Twitter @DylanSinn or “like” CraveOnline Sports on Facebook.
Photo Credit: Getty
Fantasy Basketball Up Down March 24
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Anthony Davis PF – New Orleans
It’s hard to believe that Davis’ stock is still rising. It seemed that his value couldn’t get any higher after a first half that saw him added to a loaded Western Conference All-Star Team roster. The 21-year old Brow has somehow continued to raise his game, however, stuffing the stat sheet on both ends every time he takes the court.
The Chicago native has scored at least 28 points and grabbed at least nine boards in each of his last eight games, including a monster 40-21 effort last Sunday against Boston. Even better, he’s shooting a stellar 83 percent from the free-throw line, an absurdly high number for a big man and one that will keep him on the floor at the end of games. Unless someone offers you LeBron or Kevin Durant straight up for Davis, don’t trade him under any circumstances.
Arrow Pointing: UP
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Carlos Boozer PF – Chicago
Just to prove I’m not biased, here’s a Bull in a not-so-flattering place on the list. Boozer has always been something of a liability on the defensive end, but he’s traditionally scored enough to make up for it. That’s not the case as much anymore. Since Taj Gibson has taken a featured role in the Bulls’ rotation, Boozer has seen his minutes and his offensive numbers slip.
The 32-year old Boozer is averaging just 10.8 points and 7.3 rebounds per game in March, both of which are season lows for the veteran forward and are well below his career averages. As a big man that doesn’t block shots or corral a ton of rebounds, Boozer’s fantasy value is limited and he simply isn’t scoring enough to make up for it right now. Try to trade him, or simply drop him for a better option.
Arrow Pointing: DOWN
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DeMarre Carroll SF – Atlanta
Carroll is an under-the-radar performer that is there for the taking on many waiver wires, as he’s only owned in 47 percent of ESPN leagues at this writing. The 27-year old forward is a steals gold mine, averaging 1.7 per game in March and racking up four or more in three of his last six games.
The former Missouri standout is solid if unspectacular in other categories, dropping 11 points per game for the year and chipping in six rebounds a night for good measure. His value is a little down at the moment because he’s had a poor shooting month, hovering at around 40 percent from the field. However, he made over half his shots in January and February so expect a turnaround soon. Grab him while he’s available.
Arrow Pointing: UP
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Dion Waiters SG – Cleveland
Waiters has already had enough success as a basketball player to get mentioned in a rap song, so he has that going for him. Still, until recently he didn’t really have much value as a fantasy asset thanks to his shoot-first mentality and poor field goal percentage.
That’s changed, however, since Cavs point guard and go-to scorer Kyrie Irving went down with a biceps injury. After averaging about 14 points per game before Irving got hurt, Waiters has dropped 18 per game in March and 22 a game over his last five. That includes a season-high 30-point effort against the Thunder on Thursday. With Irving possibly out for the rest of the season, the former Syracuse star will likely have the freedom to fire at will for the foreseeable future. Expect a few more big games.
Arrow Pointing: UP
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Joakim Noah C – Chicago
This is the third time in a row that I’ve done this list that a Bulls player has made the cut. Am I a Bulls fan? Absolutely. I am biased? Absolutely not, how dare you suggest it. Noah, just like Taj Gibson and Jimmy Butler before him certainly deserves his spot on this list.
The former Florida star has always been a terror on the boards and that hasn’t changed-he’s averaging 10.2 rebounds per game in March. What bas changed is Noah’s role in the offense. He’s shouldering much more of the load as a playmaker and it’s shown. Yannick Noah’s son is averaging 7.3 assists per game in March, a stratospheric number for a center, and he’s pouring in 14.3 points per game on over 50 percent shooting. He could be first-team All-NBA this year and very few centers provide more fantasy value.
Arrow Pointing: UP
