Fantasy Basketball Rookie Report: Unleash Clayton

The easiest thing to do in basketball is score. That’s not to say it’s done efficiently or consistency and without slumps. But that’s where natural talent takes over. From the perspective of a rookie, this is often the main reason why they are playing at the level they are. It’s because they can put the ball in the hoop.

As a rookie everything else takes longer to come and develop. Part of the problem, is that teams are often slow to commit playing time to rookies. It almost leads to a cause and effect of needing experience to improve but not having enough playing time and latitude to improve.

With being said, let’s a look at two rookies who I think should be receiving more playing time. That should come as the year progresses, and it also represents a fantasy basketball opportunity. Let’s take a look at who they, but first we’ll go through the top-five rookie assist leaders. That will provide some context to the conversation. The names, at least the top four, shouldn’t come as a surprise either.

Fantasy Basketball Rookie Report

• Derik Queen – New Orleans Pelicans – 4.0
• VJ Edgecombe – Philadelphia 76ers – 4.0
• Kon Knueppel – Charlotte Hornets  – 3.6
• Cooper Flagg- Dallas Mavericks – 3.6
• Egor Demin – Brooklyn Nets – 3.4
• Walter Clayton – Utah Jazz – 3.4

Walter Clayton, Utah Jazz

If Walter Clayton was playing more than 16.5 minutes per game, we’d be talking about him in a different light. Of course that begs the questions of whether he would he able to sustain the extra playing time and would the production follow?

I will say, on a rebuilding Utah Jazz team, there’s no reason to restrict Clayton’s opportunities. Well, I guess, unless you are trying to ease his adjustment into the NBA. When you consider that he is producing well in his limited role, there’s certainly optimism based on Clayton’s initial performance. To begin his NBA career, he’s averaging 6.4 points, 3.4 assists, and 2.2 rebounds per game.

Despite playing in 22 NBA games, Clayton has also spent time in the G-League this year. It’s clear that Utah is trying to ease in his development, but as the year progresses, that means there’s some fantasy upside and value present.

A few weeks ago, Clayton scored 25 points in 30 minutes of G-League action by making 10 of 21 shots from the field and handing out seven assists. In a three game stretch earlier this month, Clayton averaged 14.7 points per game in 24 minutes of action while giving out 5.3 assists. That’s production we can work with.

In his last game, Clayton played just eight minutes and was held short on both his field goal attempts. There’s a reason why Utah took him in the first round, and there’s enough space for him to coexist with Keyonte George and other young pieces.

There’s a lot to say about the Brooklyn Nets. With five first round picks this season, it’s clear what they are after. They are trying to win at rebuilding, and their motives are obvious.

Egor Demin, G, Brooklyn Nets

However, it’s not all about losing. Jordi Fernandez has the Nets playing hard, and there’s developing being done. It’s just happening slowly and there are some legitimate bumps along the way.

But starting with drafting Egor Demin, the Nets are accumulating talent, play makers and ball handlers. So far this season, we have seen both ends of the spectrum when it comes to his play, but let’s focus on the positive.

Following a rough game against the Dallas Mavericks in which he scored just three points in 18 minutes, Demin bounced back in a big way. In his next two games, the rookie scored 17 and 14 points, respectively.

It’s clear that the Nets view Demin as a playmaker, but that’s taking time to develop. The skill set and upside is there, but Demin needs players to work with and he needs to get more comfortable venturing into the paint. He does have a game with seven assists this season and a few with five, so he can get it done. As he finds consistency, there will be some real fantasy value to be found.