Fantasy Basketball Rookie Report: Playoff Pickups

The fantasy playoffs are here, and more than half of your fantasy basketball league no longer cares. Time to dial in and make sure every pickup comes with the appropriate research. This week is crazy, like the rest. Rookies are the most volatile players in the league. I find it tough to gauge if production is real in the short-term or long-term, and who will come out better for it. Like in previous weeks, I have complained about the Utah Jazz and Keyonte George. He is back in this week’s playoff pickups. Each week is different, especially as we get closer to crunch time. We will go over five more players that are under-rostered.

Weekly Fantasy Basketball Rookie Report: Playoff Pickups

Rankings

1. Victor Wembanyama
2. Chet Holmgren
3. Brandon Miller
4. Dereck Lively II
5. Brandin Podziemski/Ausar Thompson

This Weeks Rookies

Keyonte George (PG/SG, Utah Jazz, 20)

• Last Week: 35.9 MPG, 21.3.5 PPG/2.7 RPG/6.3 APG/0.3 Stocks on 44.0%/44.4%/88.9%.
• Rostered %: 13.4%
• Short-Term: Well look at that. A second week on this list and a highlight reel play with Collin Sexton. This may be something to gamble on given how good he has been over three weeks now.
• Mid-Term: Definitely worth playing out the rest of the season if he is going to be good without shooting well, but great when shooting well.
• Long-Term: Maybe playing him less when he’s bad, and more when he is good is good for development. I wouldn’t know, I am a fantasy analyst.

Toumani Camara (SF/PF, Portland Trailblazers, 23)

• Last Week: 29.8 MPG, 12.0 PPG/8.0 RPG/1.7 APG/1.0 Stocks on 48.1%/83.3%/71.4%.
• Rostered %: 0.9%
• Short-Term: I liked the way he played earlier this year, and having him back on the upswing makes sense. He does a lot of the little basketball things right so it is going to pay off. Deep league pickup only.
• Mid-Term: Like above, deep league add and stash. May help deeper league playoff runs.
• Long-Term: I like Camara long-term. He plays the game well and plays good defense. I think he’s a long-term forward/high-end utility player for the Blazers which is a good addition for a fantasy team.

Ausar Thompson (UTIL, Detroit Pistons, 21)

• Last Week: 34.9 MPG, 9.7 PPG/7.0 RPG/2.3 APG/4 Stocks on 44.8%/38.5%/62.5%.
• Rostered %: 46.8
• Short-Term: I would still be wary of Monty Williams but Ausar is playing like he is angry about Amen performing so well.
• Mid-Term: This Ausar has been playing well for weeks now and does not show signs of slowing down. Add him to your team! I have for a playoff run or two.
• Long-Term: Ausar is a great fantasy prospect by accumulating different categories. I doubt he is available in a dynasty league but a notable keeper.

Taylor Hendricks (SF/PF, Utah Jazz, 20)

• Last Week: 28.3 MPG, 8.7 PPG/9.3 RPG/1.0 APG/2.0 Stocks on 47.6%/40%/100%.
• Rostered%: 2.9%
• Short Term: When Hendricks is the shooter he was advertised to be, he is a very valuable fantasy player. I was not expecting the rebounds. May be worth a pick-up.
• Mid-Term: 28.3 minutes per game over two weeks is something. I think this is the turning point for him. Worth a rest-of-season pickup for deep fantasy leagues.
• Long Term: Finding his shot, definitely an add-and-stash guy.

Ben Sheppard (SG/SF, Indiana Pacers, 22)

• Last Week: 26.6 MPG, 11.0 PPG/1.0 RPG/1.0 APG/3.0 Stocks on 50%/42.9%
• Rostered %: 0.1%
• Short Term: Not much of a pickup option this season, but an obvious catch-and-shoot player. The Pacers are only going to play him so long as he’s effective, like Jarace Walker.
• Mid-Term: Not a mid-term pickup option. Keep your roster spot for someone else.
• Long-Term: Getting minutes on a playoff team is important, so start there. An add-and-stash player recognized for his shooting.