Christmas day is a pivotal landmark on the season in the NBA. It is the first day of the year where the NBA has a full schedule of nationally televised games. The NFL season starts the come to an end. It is the perfect time to delve deep into Fantasy Basketball and present the first “Fantasy Professor’s Hot List. ”
The NBA season is a long roller coaster ride, and for Fantasy Basketball it is especially important to be on the pulse with which players are getting playing time and filling up the stat sheet.
Let’s dive into players trending up in Fantasy Basketball that should be in your lineups.
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The Hot List
Kevin Knox, New York Knicks
Kevin Knox started the year injured but finds himself in a great situation for the remainder of the season with the Knicks. I have been saying it on the Fantrax Fantasy Basketball Podcast – good players on BAD teams excel in Fantasy Basketball. Knox is one of those guys.
In the last month, Knox is averaging 34.51 minutes, 17.1 points and 6.1 rebounds per game. He is quickly becoming the focal point of this Knick’s offense and an anchor defensively. At 6’9″, 216 pounds Kevin Knox is an athletic stretch-forward that thrives in today’s NBA. In seven of the last 10 games, Knox has knocked down at least three three-pointers. In eight of those games the rookie managed to record at least eight rebounds, using his size to his advantage.
Knox is only owned in 59 percent of Yahoo leagues and should be rostered in all formats.
Noah Vonleh, New York Knicks (Honorable Mention)
The Knicks have some talent and Head Coach David Fizdale said last week that Noah Vonleh is the most complete basketball player on the roster. Vonleh spent his first couple of seasons with the Blazers before finding himself with the Knicks. He has been inserted into the starting lineup and has averaged 9.9 points, 10.7 rebounds, 1 steal, and 1.1 blocks per game. Vonleh does a little bit of everything and is another Knick averaging over 30 minutes per game with only 54 percent ownership.
Justise Winslow, Miami Heat
Winslow has been promoted from the bench to the starting lineup. This is especially noteworthy because he is labeled as the team’s starting point guard. Since that transition, Winslow is averaging 32.3 MPG, 22.3 PPG, 5.6 RPG, 4.3 APG, 2.3 SPG, and 2 3PM. Heat guard Goran Dragic is going to miss two months with a knee injury which suggests that Winslow could be in this coveted point guard role for the entirety of Dragic’s recovery.
For teams that may be hurting at the small forward position, Winslow is a great trade target. He will provide Fantasy owners with point guard usage at the small forward position.
Nemanja Bjelica, Sacramento Kings
The Kings have played well thus far in the 2018 campaign. Part of their return to relevance in the western conference (8th seed currently) is the addition of Nemanja Bjelica. Bjelica, who played seven years professionally in Serbia, is in his fourth year in the NBA. The 30-year-old proved to be useful for the Timberwolves last season in 21 starts. He came into the season as the Kings starting stretch-forward and has not relinquished that role.
Bjelica is another stat sheet filler and over the last 30 days has compiled 11.1 PPG, 6.3 RPG, 1.5 3PM, and 1.3 BPG. At 6’10” Bjelica is a good defender and uses his length to rack up valuable blocks. Bjelica is a guy who will be consistent all season long and can provide Fantasy owners with big games.
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