After another week of NBA action, we’re back with another edition of the fantasy basketball stock report, where we take a look at which players are beginning to trend in the right direction, and who has started to take a turn for the worst. With a plethora of injuries, rotational changes, and Kyrie Irving seemingly finally on the verge of playing basketball again, there are several players whose stock is on the move, so let’s dive in and examine a handful of them whose impact will loom large across the fantasy landscape.
Fantasy Basketball Stock Report
Stock on the Rise
Jaren Jackson Jr, PF/C, Memphis Grizzlies
After weeks of waiting, Jaren Jackson Jr finally made his season debut, and the results were largely encouraging. Seeing 25 minutes of action, Jackson posted a meager 7 points and 6 rebounds but impressed with a whopping 5 blocks. While his shot wasn’t falling, going 3-14 from the floor and 0-7 from beyond the arc, he was not shying away from his shots, and many of those will start to fall as he finds his rhythm. His overall involvement on the offensive side of the floor was encouraging, and he could be in for a breakout season once he is truly up to speed. His stock is quickly on the rise, and it’s only up from here.
Larry Nance Jr, PF/C, New Orleans Pelicans
Larry Nance Jr was already making a strong case for more playing time before Zion Williamson went down with a foot injury, but now it is officially his time to shine, seeing 28 and 31 minutes across his last two contests. While Williamson is expected to possibly be back within a week, Nance has taken full advantage of this opportunity with 20.5 points and 8.0 rebounds in his last two games, improving upon his impressive 68.2% shooting on the year by knocking down 80% of his shot attempts in this short span. Nance has proven he can provide plenty of fantasy value if his minutes can at least remain in the 20s, and with these types of performances, it will be extremely difficult to deny him this playing time. His stock is at its peak while Zion remains out, but there is a strong chance it stays fairly high even after Williamson’s return.
Cam Reddish, SF/PF, New York Knicks
After being inserted into the starting lineup nearly two weeks ago, Cam Reddish seems to have finally found his rhythm, posting back-to-back impressive performances against the Thunder and Jazz. Playing 33 minutes in each, the former lottery pick averaged 22.5 points with 2 threes, 2.5 steals, and a block per game. The talent has never been in question for Reddish, so this could potentially be the start of a full-on breakout if he is able to keep it up. The opportunity is there, and his stock is skyrocketing after these strong performances. Don’t wait too long and risk missing out on a hidden gem.
Stock on the Decline
Edmond Sumner, PG/SG, Brooklyn Nets
Edmond Sumner has played some of the best basketball of his career of late since being inserted into Brooklyn’s starting lineup. The guard has reached double figures in scoring in each of his last four games while providing a ton of threes and steals as well. Unfortunately, his time in the spotlight appears to be coming to an end, as both Ben Simmons and Kyrie Irving look ready to return to their prominent roles in the rotation. Simmons returned and saw 20 minutes against Sacramento the other night, while reports say that Irving is finally approaching completion of the steps necessary to be reinstated by the team. No matter how good Sumner looks when he’s on the floor right now, he won’t be given minutes over these former all-stars, plummeting his stock as they make their way back to 30+ minutes a night.
Santi Aldama, PF/C, Memphis Grizzlies
Similarly to Sumner, the return of Jaren Jackson Jr should signal the end of Aldama’s fairly consistent fantasy value over these first few weeks of the season. He has returned to a bench role for the team, and his minutes will only decrease as Jackson works his way back into his full allotment of minutes. His fantasy value moving forward will be wildly inconsistent as a result, and his stock is quickly trending downward to reflect this. He is likely no longer worth rostering in all but the deepest of leagues.