Blazers’ Surprise at the Trade Deadline
Portland’s decision to stand pat at the trade deadline left many scratching their heads. The team, which has a wealth of veteran talent, opted to avoid any significant moves despite the presence of several younger players ready to break into key roles. One such player is Shaedon Sharpe, a third-year swingman who currently finds himself on 38 percent of Yahoo! fantasy basketball rosters. Sharpe’s career has been marred by injuries, but his potential remains undeniable, even if he isn’t a must-roster player in most 12-team leagues.
Sharpe’s Career Night
On Wednesday, Sharpe’s potential shone brightly as he delivered a career-high performance against the Washington Wizards. Sharpe scored 18 points in both halves of the game, finishing with an impressive 36 points, eight rebounds, five assists, one steal, one block, and three three-pointers. He shot 13-of-26 from the field and 7-of-10 from the free-throw line. His highlight reel included what many are calling the best in-game dunk of the NBA season. With the Blazers trailing by five games in the loss column for the final play-in spot in the Western Conference, players like Sharpe, Scoot Henderson, and Kris Murray may soon find themselves with more significant roles.
Malik Beasley’s Stellar Night
Malik Beasley, a shooting guard/small forward for the Detroit Pistons, is another player who garnered attention with his performance on Wednesday. Beasley, who is rostered in 41 percent of Yahoo! leagues, outshone the Boston Celtics’ Payton Pritchard in a 20-point Pistons victory. Beasley shot 10-of-15 from the field, tallying 26 points, five rebounds, two assists, one steal, one block, and six three-pointers in just 22 minutes. While his scoring and three-point shooting are expected, his all-around stat line provides a bonus for those who have him rostered. Beasley has been a fourth-round player in nine-category formats over the past three weeks, making him a valuable asset for many fantasy managers.
Keldon Johnson’s Recent Form
Keldon Johnson, a versatile player for the San Antonio Spurs, has seen a surge in his fantasy value recently. Johnson, who is rostered in 31 percent of Yahoo! leagues, finished Wednesday’s loss to the Houston Rockets with 22 points, five rebounds, two assists, and one steal in 29 minutes. Despite missing all three of his three-point attempts, Johnson’s efficiency from the free-throw line (6-of-6) and his overall play have made him a top-100 player in eight- and nine-category formats over the past two weeks. With Devin Vassell struggling, Johnson may see more opportunities, though a move into the starting lineup is not guaranteed.
Aaron Wiggins’ Increased Production
Aaron Wiggins of the Oklahoma City Thunder has been on a steady upward trajectory in his production. Wiggins, who is rostered in 23 percent of Yahoo! leagues, has reached double figures in his last 12 games. A third-round player in nine-category formats this month, Wiggins contributed 24 points, five rebounds, three assists, and two three-pointers in 29 minutes off the bench in the Thunder’s win over the Brooklyn Nets. Cason Wallace also had a solid game, notching 13 points, three rebounds, two assists, three steals, and one three-pointer in 30 minutes. However, Wiggins’ higher offensive ceiling makes him the more valuable addition, especially with Luguentz Dort experiencing shooting difficulties.
Keon Ellis’s Impact Return
Keon Ellis of the Sacramento Kings made a significant impact upon returning to the rotation after spraining his ankle during a win over the Charlotte Hornets. Ellis played 33 minutes off the bench and finished with 11 points, one rebound, two assists, two steals, three blocks, and three three-pointers in the Kings’ win over the Utah Jazz. His ability to rack up defensive stats in significant minutes off the bench makes him a valuable pickup in more leagues. If Ellis can continue to approach starters’ minutes, he could be a key player for fantasy managers during the "silly season."
Day’Ron Sharpe and Ziaire Williams’ Standout Performances
Day’Ron Sharpe of the Brooklyn Nets also had a career night, stepping into the starting lineup due to Nic Claxton’s suspension. Sharpe was sensational, tallying 25 points, 15 rebounds, five assists, two steals, three blocks, and two three-pointers in 31 minutes against the Oklahoma City Thunder. He was just two missed shots away from joining Wilt Chamberlain as the only players in NBA history to achieve at least 25 points, 15 rebounds, and five assists while shooting 100 percent from the field. Fantasy managers with Sharpe rostered reaped significant rewards, and he may offer continued value if Brooklyn limits Claxton’s minutes or shuts him down entirely.
Ziaire Williams, also of the Nets, recorded his second double-double of the season, finishing with 18 points, 10 rebounds, one assist, one block, and five three-pointers. Over the past two weeks, Williams has provided sixth-round value in eight-category formats and has been a fixture in the Nets’ starting lineup since late January. Fantasy managers should consider adding Keon Johnson (17%) to their lists, as he has been a top-60 player over the past two weeks, despite shooting less than 40 percent from the field.
Additional Noteworthy Performances
Andre Drummond of the Philadelphia 76ers and Zach Collins of the Chicago Bulls also had noteworthy performances on Wednesday. Drummond, who is rostered in 11 percent of Yahoo! leagues, finished with seven points, nine rebounds, five assists, two steals, and one blocked shot in 29 minutes during a loss to the New York Knicks. With Joel Embiid and Guerschon Yabusele sidelined, Drummond’s role could expand, making him a valuable pickup before the clarity on Embiid’s status is determined.
Zach Collins, starting in place of the injured Nikola Vucevic, delivered one of the best games of his NBA career. In a loss to the Los Angeles Clippers, Collins shot 8-of-14 from the field, finishing with 21 points, 17 rebounds, six assists, two steals, and two three-pointers in 38 minutes. This marked his first double-double of the season and a career-high 17 rebounds. Collins has provided top-100 value in nine-category formats over the past three weeks and is worth streaming as long as Vucevic and Jalen Smith remain out.
