The Specialists: Khris' Middle Ground

Maybe the Khris Middleton questions will finally step.

It’s not always going to come overnight, especially when a team looks like the Milwaukee Bucks currently do. This is a player that was drafted in the mid-rounds for a reason, and it’s time to take advantage of those not paying attention.

Elsewhere, Robert Covington continues to operate like a thief on the floor, Michael Carter-Williams’ fantasy value is in the toilet Kristaps Porzingis just keeps finding new ways to impress. 

Steals

Gold Star: Robert Covington, F Philadelphia 76ers

In his last four games, Robert Covington has racked up 24 steals. That sentence could serve as the Covington’s blurb on its own, but let’s expand the picture for anyone incapable of focusing the image. Playing 35-plus minutes in every contest because the Sixers are short on bodies as well as talent, Covington is also averaging a block per game during this sterling stretch.

It’s very hard not to fall in love with the RoCo: With averages of 17.3 points, 8.5 rebounds, 6.0 steals, 1.0 blocks and 3.3 3-pointers, Covington served as a difference-maker, winning the week in head-to-head formats for those who took him at a discount on draft day or even grabbed him off of the waiver wire. Everything about his game is fantasy friendly except his field goal percentage and turnovers, but that’s expected while playing for this Philadelphia squad. The Sixers need Covington on the floor in order to have a prayer offensively, and his versatility to play multiple positions bodes well for his projections moving forward.

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Bargain Bin: Jerryd Bayless, PG Milwaukee Bucks

Before moving into the starting lineup for Sunday’s loss vs. Charlotte, Jerryd Bayless had played 30-plus minutes in three straight. Anyone forced to watch Michael Carter-Williams try to run the first unit knew this move was one that would be coming, and MCW played a whopping 15.5 minutes in his new bench role. MCW would still be the best point guard on the Philadelphia 76ers roster.

Bayless, a veteran capable of stretching the floor, logged an unbelievable 43 minutes in his inaugural start of the season. Part of that was due to Greivis Vasquez (ankle) being out of the lineup, but Bayless is going to play 30-plus minutes in a starting role. His efficiency is going to be an ongoing issue, but Bayless is connecting on an unsustainable 45.9% from behind the 3-point line, making 13 triples this week alone. Channel your inner Mike D’Antoni and ride Bayless like friggin’ Secretariat while he’s receiving this opportunity and this hot. Carter-Williams is clearly in the doghouse.

3-Pointers

Gold Star: Kevin Love, F/C Cleveland Cavaliers

During a four-game stretch, Love shot 33-of-58 (56.9%) from the field, making an absurd 19 3-pointers. Connecting on a career-best 40.7% of his attempts from distance, Love is justifying his high usage despite not contributing a single thing defensively to fantasy rosters. A strict scorer with an obvious ability to rebound the basketball, Love finished his week with averages of 24.8 points, 11.0 rebounds, 4.8 3-pointers and shot 14-of-17 from the charity stripe.

Do you think he still feels like an outsider in Cleveland? I don’t, but I still like Love as a sell-high candidate because I’m unconvinced he can sustain this type of production during the second half of the season when it matters most.

Bargain Bin: Isaiah Canaan, PG Philadelphia 76ers

It’s not exactly a ringing endorsement of the situation when I say Isaiah Canaan is Philadelphia’s best option at point guard, but fantasy isn’t reality and Canaan can provide something to your team. Available on the waiver wire in most formats with 12 or fewer teams, Canaan averaged 16.3 points, 3.3 3-pointers and a steal while playing at least 30 minutes in four straight games this week. A high-volume, low-efficiency shot selection dents his value and he’s better left as a cheap DFS option, but Canaan’s current production is likely better than whatever dead potential floats at the back end of your season-long roster.

Steals & 3-Pointers

No Discounts: Khris Middleton, G/F Milwaukee Bucks

In departing slightly from the traditional format this week, Khris Middleton qualifies in two categories at the same price. Steadily trending upward over the last several games, K-Midz went in for 19 points, five rebounds, six dimes, three steals and four triples on Sunday in what was one of his best lines of the young campaign. Over the last week, Middleton averaged 17.8 points, 3.3 rebounds, 5.0 assists, 2.0 steals, 1.5 turnovers and 3.5 3-pointers on 51.1% shooting.

This is a guy some were wondering about dropping as recently as one week ago. Signed to a $70M deal to play a leading role on a Bucks team that needs Middleton to produce in order to come close to its potential, I would be trying to land this guy everywhere if he wasn’t already on my roster.

Blocks

Gold Star: Kristaps Porzingis, PF New York Knicks

Those who called Kristaps Porzingis a project must not shop at Ikea. That’s a project.

With an other-worldly 13 blocks over his last four games, KP6 is doing it at both ends of the floor for a fan base that had concerns about him contributing at all. With averages of 15.3 points, 11.0 rebounds, 1.0 steals and 3.3 blocks this week alone, Porzingis has already made his average draft position (ADP) look like an absolute joke. He’s already second option behind Carmelo Anthony, and Porzingis is now regularly playing 30-plus minutes.

It’s not an inconceivable move if you’re someone with Porzingis who wants to sell high, but you better be getting an absolute stud in exchange. The return on the Porzingis investment has been beyond phenomenal to date.

No Discounts: Clint Capela, F/C Houston Rockets

Since Clint Capela has moved into the starting lineup at the power forward position, averaging 15.5 points, 10.5 rebounds, 1.5 steals and 1.5 blocks on 13-of-24 (54.2%) from the floor. It doesn’t appear to be a temporary move, and the return of Donatas Motiejunas—who is set to be reevaluated and potentially cleared to return his week—is not something I’m concerned with just yet. The big man is going to be eased in slowly after missing so much time, and Capela has been playing well when given the opportunity. Simply put: Capela is one of the Rockets’ best players.

You’re not going to be able to pluck Capela from the wire like you did earlier this season, but he’s someone to target at a reasonable price so long as he addresses your actual team needs and you’re not simply buying because his name is hot again.

Bargain Bin: Jerami Grant, F Philadelphia 76ers

I know the Sixers are a wasteland, but it’s surprising how much Jerami Grant continues to be ignored in fantasy leagues. Playing multiple positions for a team that needs his defense on the floor, Grant spent the week averaging 11.0 points, 5.3 rebounds, 1.0 steals, 1.3 triples and 2.0 blocks. Philadelphia is without Nerlens Noel (knee) and Grant has even been logging minutes at center, and it’s not a surprise he’s played 30-plus minutes in four of his last five contests. 

Is he going to blow you away? No. Is his value dented by poor percentages? Yes. But we’re looking at a player who can still be scooped off of the waiver wire and has already proven worthy of a hot dice roll. 

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