Fantasy hoops update: Porter Jr.’s soaring usage, Daniels’ deep-range slide headline mid-January storylines
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As the NBA calendar moves toward the All-Star break, several developments are reshaping fantasy basketball strategy.
Harden climbs all-time scoring list
Los Angeles guard James Harden, 36, poured in 32 points and 10 assists on Monday, surpassing Shaquille O’Neal for ninth place on the league’s career scoring chart. The performance marked Harden’s third 30-point, 10-assist outing of the season and the 109th of his career, a total eclipsed only by Oscar Robertson.
Trae Young shipped to Washington
A blockbuster deal sent Trae Young to the Washington Wizards, closing a seven-plus-year tenure with Atlanta. Young brings career averages of 25.2 points and 9.8 assists per game to a Wizards backcourt that has lacked creation, while the Hawks transition to a younger roster core.
Injury watch: Anthony Davis
Dallas Mavericks forward-center Anthony Davis is sidelined indefinitely with ligament damage in his left hand. Davis has averaged 20.4 points and 11.1 rebounds, but another lengthy absence could extend “months,” per team officials. Fantasy managers are turning to Daniel Gafford (39.5% rostered), with Naji Marshall (24.0%) and Ryan Nembhard (3.3%) also gaining traction.
Five trends to monitor
Michael Porter Jr.: sell-high window opens
Porter’s first season in Brooklyn features career-best marks of 25.9 PPG, 7.4 RPG and 3.4 APG on a 30.7% usage rate through 29 games. League interest has spiked, and any trade would likely trim his touches, suggesting a prime opportunity for fantasy managers to move him at peak value.
Nickeil Alexander-Walker: hold tight
Now starting in Atlanta, Alexander-Walker is producing 20.6 points, 3.6 rebounds and 3.3 assists in 32.9 minutes. With Young gone, his role appears locked, making him a priority hold despite outperforming draft position.
Tre Johnson: deep-league stash
The rookie guard is rostered in only 7.2% of ESPN leagues but supplies 12.5 points on 45.9% shooting in 24.0 minutes. Washington’s likely focus on youth and the possibility of extended Young absences could unlock additional run for the No. 6 pick.
Dyson Daniels: long-range woes persist
Daniels is 7-for-62 (11.3%) from three this season and hasn’t converted from deep since Dec. 14, including a 1-for-36 stretch on the road. While still contributing as a slasher and defender, his shooting slump threatens floor spacing for Atlanta and could ding fantasy value in category formats.
Zeke Nnaji: next man up in Denver
With Nikola Jokic (left knee hyperextension) and Jonas Valanciunas (calf) sidelined, Nnaji has averaged 29.8 fantasy points across 24.6 minutes in the past six games. Rostered in just 5.5% of leagues, the 2020 first-round pick offers immediate help in points, boards, stocks and threes.
Managers tracking mid-season movement and injury fallout should find plentiful opportunities on the waiver wire as All-Star festivities approach.
Source: ESPN
