As we emerge from a food hangover, fantasy basketball returns to an element of normalcy. Many of us will be turning our focus back to managing our teams and that could mean severing ties with a number of players. The fantasy blacklist outlines a few of the players whose time as a standard league asset has come to an end. Finding it hard to cut that one player you are hoping can turn it around? Take the emotion out of it and, using this advice, wave goodbye to those you once loved.
What?! You’re not hosting your fantasy basketball league on Fantrax? Inconceivable!! Check out all the features of Fantrax Fantasy Basketball Commissioner and we’re pretty sure you’ll come around to our way of thinking.
Fantasy Blacklist: Players to consider dropping
R.J. Barrett – Knicks (97% rostered)
Barrett is rostered in almost every league despite being the 248th ranked player over the last month. His only positive category is rebounding, and that is minuscule. The Knicks are going nowhere fast and so Barrett is unlikely to seed minutes to anyone at this stage. They want to see what they have after investing the number three draft pick in him. Barrett is not someone that you will want to drop for just anyone. His production certainly could increase at some point, however, the current negatives are a lot to handle. If you are hanging around the top of your standings, Barrett might be worth hanging onto. If you are battling for a playoff spot, it could be time to move on.
Paul Millsap – Nuggets (87% rostered)
Millsap, on the other hand, is unlikely to increase his role as the season progresses. He started the current campaign on fire and was putting up top-50 numbers at one point. That seemed highly unsustainable a the time and we are now seeing the predicted drop-off. Over the past month, he is barely a top-160 player. His playing time has reduced as both Jerami Grant and Mason Plumlee begin to cut into his role. Millsap provides a veteran presence and the Nuggets are never going to phase him out altogether. However, they are in a position to be able to manage him moving forward.
Jabari Parker – Hawks (83% rostered)
The return of John Collins has basically killed off any value Parker had. For a period, he was putting up top-70 numbers and looked more like the player he was before his knee injuries. Unfortunately, unless you managed to sell him off, he is now a drop candidate. He is battling through an injury at the moment but prior to that, his playing time had reduced significantly. The Hawks have been underwhelming this season and so there is a world in which he carves out a meaningful role once again. Until that time, he is someone to seriously consider giving the chop.
Larry Nance Jr. – Cavaliers (79% rostered)
Not unlike previous seasons, Nance is one of the more frustrating fantasy assets. The tools are there for him to be a valuable commodity across most fantasy formats. However, as has always been the case, Nance is simply not playing enough to reach his potential. Kevin Love and Tristan Thompson are entrenched as the starters and both have been playing well thus far. It would appear as though a trade is the only way Nance is going to see a path to minutes. Love is, of course, rumored to be on the trade block but we are yet to hear anything concrete in regards to a destination. Much like Barrett, Nance is a player to stash if possible but only if you are sitting pretty.
Jae Crowder – Grizzlies (70% rostered)
The Grizzlies need to find minutes for their young core. De’Anthony Melton and Brandon Clarke have been fantastic in limited minutes over the past few weeks. Crowder has been playing 30 minutes a night but the production has not followed suit. He is outside the top-160 over the past month and that number could fall even further if the coaching staff move away from the veterans. Crowder is also a possible trade target for many contenders, a move that would likely see him in a reduced role. Either way, he is certainly not trending in the right direction and can be dropped in most competitive formats.
Is Adam on track with his fantasy blacklist? Let him know in the comments below! Also, check out our waiver wire and all of our other fantasy basketball content.
Adam is your go-to man for anything fantasy basketball related. Follow him on twitter @adamking91 or hit us up @fantrax or @fantraxnba
Fantrax was one of the fastest-growing fantasy sites of 2018/2019 and we’re not slowing down in 2020! With multi-team trades, designated commissioner/league managers, and drag/drop easy click methods, Fantrax is sure to excite the serious fantasy sports fan – sign up now for a free year at Fantrax.com.