It’s time we delve into the stock charts of Fantasy Basketball for the Week of November 13! So far, it’s still Boston, Denver, and Philly as the best teams in the league. Everyone else is chasing. In terms of individual players, we’ve still got plenty of surprises in which to take notice and adapt.
My favorite difference between the NBA and the NFL is that there is a game every single night. You have a rough night in fantasy basketball? Ok, that’s fine. Get over it! Tonight is a new night! That said, it can be tough to stay up to date on the entire league’s dealings, injuries, role changes, and performances.
That’s where our NBA Fantasy Basketball Hype Report comes in! Every Sunday, we’ll give you two players you should be buying low on (either via trade or waiver wire), and two players you should be selling high on (dropping, trading, or benching). When it comes to fantasy sports, FantraxHQ will always have your back! Let’s get into NBA Week 4’s Hype Report.
Fantasy Basketball Buy Low, Sell High
Buy Low
Cam Reddish, LA Lakers, SG/SF
The Lakers are currently a team trying to figure out their identity at the moment. Last year, they were an average team at best and made a late run into the playoffs. It’s last year’s late run that made them believe they were closer to championship contenders, this year than they actually are. As a result, Darvin Ham (Lakers’ Head Coach) has decided to bring Austin Reaves off the bench and start Cam Reddish. He’s only 3% owned at the moment, in part because this is the best opportunity that he’s had in his entire career. But he’s making the most of it. In two games started, he’s averaging 33 minutes, 17.5 points per game, 3 steals, and 5 rebounds. If this trend continues, he’s a legitimate starting option you’ll find on the waiver wire. Especially in categories leagues.
Skyler Mays, Portland Trail Blazers, SG
Across every sport, opportunity is the name of the game when it comes to winning fantasy matchups. The key contributor to opportunity is often injury. In the case of Skyler Mays, both Malcolm Brogdon and Scoot Henderson have been injured and will be out for this week’s matchups. Possibly longer. The third-string point guard (despite his designation in many leagues) is now the starter. In two games started, Mays is averaging 17 PPG, 11.5 Ast, 3 Reb, and 1 Stl. In categories and points leagues, he should be rostered way higher than where his 4.5% ownership figure rests. He’s playing well enough that I imagine he’ll stay in the rotation when both of those players return.
Sell High
Kyrie Irving, Dallas Mavericks, PG/SG
When was the last time you heard Kyrie Irving’s name on the news? It’s been a long time, hasn’t it? Kyrie Irving just focusing on hoops, as opposed to leading a movement or fighting the power, has led to the Dallas Mavericks’ 8-2 start (2nd seed in the West). But at the end of the day, it’s Kyrie Irving. Whether it’s injury or off-the-court drama, something will get in the way of Kyrie maintaining his dominance on the court. That’s just the pattern. He’s averaging 23/7/5 in 33 minutes. It’s time to trade him now, while his stock is as high as it’s going to be.
Gordon Hayward, Charlotte Hornets, SF
Hayward currently ranks 12th among all Small Forwards in fantasy points. But like Kyrie, there’s always something to bring Hayward back down from the dominance that he’s earned. In Hayward’s case, it’s usually an injury. He’s averaging 17/5/5 on 33 minutes per game. The reason I’d like to sell high on Hayward now, however, is because the Hornets are going to be getting two high-usage players back within the next few weeks. Terry Rozier is a volume shooter with a quick trigger, which will take away a good amount of shots from Gordon. He should be back imminently. That alone worries me for Hayward’s value. The biggest question mark, which could be the nail in the coffin, is Miles Bridges. He should be back from his suspension this Friday, but it remains to be seen what his role will be immediately following reinstatement. If he’s back playing 30+ minutes, Hayward becomes the 4th option on this team. A far cry from the top-12 ranking he currently holds.