Fantasy Outlook: Clingan’s Board Work Soars as Antetokounmpo’s Season Remains in Doubt
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Each NBA week brings fresh twists for fantasy managers, and the latest developments center on Portland’s Donovan Clingan and Milwaukee’s Giannis Antetokounmpo.
Clingan emerging as a rebounding leader
Portland center Donovan Clingan, 21, is in his second season and producing 11.3 points and 11.2 rebounds across 27.5 minutes per game. In January he lifted those figures to 12.4 points and 13 rebounds while taking 9.5 shots a night. The 7-foot-2 big man already owns a 20-rebound performance this month and swatted five shots against Boston two games ago.
Clingan, still unrostered in more than 30 percent of ESPN standard leagues, has room to grow offensively. He connected on 52.2 percent of his three-point attempts in December but has made only 25 percent in January. Drafted two spots ahead of Memphis center Zach Edey in 2024, Clingan has missed four contests this season, while Edey continues to battle ankle issues.
The league’s rebounding crown is up for grabs with three-time defending leader Domantas Sabonis and current per-game leader Nikola Jokić both expected to finish under the 65-game threshold because of knee problems. Karl-Anthony Towns, Rudy Gobert, Ivica Zubac, Jalen Duren, Jalen Johnson and Jusuf Nurkic also average double-digit boards, keeping the race tight.
Little clarity on Antetokounmpo’s return
Milwaukee is 15 games under .500 and facing lottery odds rather than playoff hopes, raising questions about how often Giannis Antetokounmpo will appear again this year. The two-time MVP is out with a calf injury, and while he could reportedly play later in the season, the Bucks may limit him to safeguard draft position.
Trade speculation adds another layer. With the deadline set for Feb. 5, a move to a contender could accelerate Antetokounmpo’s return, whereas a swap to a rebuilding club might mirror Washington’s handling of Trae Young, who has yet to debut for the Wizards despite a minor knee issue.
In Antetokounmpo’s absence, guard Ryan Rollins is averaging nearly 20 points and 35.7 ESPN fantasy points per game. Rollins is rostered in 87.2 percent of leagues and could finish inside the top 50 for the remainder of the schedule. Forward Bobby Portis posts 16.5 points with the extra usage and remains available in roughly half of ESPN leagues.
Additional notes around the league
• Cleveland forward Evan Mobley re-aggravated a calf injury and is projected to miss one to three weeks. He ranks 19th in total fantasy points and is averaging 17.9 points and 8.8 rebounds after finishing last season at 18.5 and 9.3.
• Philadelphia guard Tyrese Maxey leads the NBA at 39.1 minutes per game. Houston rookie Amen Thompson sits second at 37.4, and 37-year-old Kevin Durant is third at 36.9. Durant has averaged 47 fantasy points over the past 30 days, 10th best in the league.
• Phoenix guard Jalen Green re-injured his right hamstring four minutes into his second game back and has no firm timetable.
• Amen Thompson is producing 18.2 points, 7.7 rebounds and 39 fantasy points per game. His twin brother Ausar Thompson averages 10.8 points, 5.9 rebounds and 28.1 fantasy points for Detroit. Ausar’s January scoring is down to 9.1 points, and he remains rostered in 70.7 percent of ESPN leagues despite limited offensive volume.
Source: ESPN
