NBA Stock Watch: Antetokounmpo and Deng rising, Hill falling

STOCK UP

Giannis Antetokounmpo: Over the last five games, he’s averaged 19.0 points, 11.0 rebounds, 5.6 assists, 1.0 steals and 2.2 blocks while shooting 49.4 percent from the floor. The Greek Freak still needs to improve his outside shot (he’s just 22.9 percent from beyond the arc this season), but the 21-year-old is reaching stardom even quicker than his biggest optimists could’ve expected. Antetokounmpo’s Usage Rate (20.7) is No. 110 in the NBA, yet he’s still been the No. 32 ranked fantasy player over the past month. It’s likely going to take a second round pick to get him in next year’s drafts.

Luol Deng: He’s averaged 21.5 points, 12.0 rebounds and 1.5 steals over the past week, a four-game span in which he’s been a top-35 player. Deng’s minutes and Usage Rate are way up with Chris Bosh out, as he’s recorded four straight double-doubles despite dealing with a dislocated finger. Miami has the second lowest Pace in the NBA, but Deng’s fantasy value has soared with Bosh’s unfortunate health issues, which will likely sideline him for the rest of the year. It’s crazy Deng is still available in a quarter of Yahoo leagues.

Trevor Ariza: He’s been a top-10 player over the last two weeks despite a 1-for-10 shooting performance Thursday. He’s averaged 16.3 points, 5.0 rebounds, 4.3 assists, 3.0 3pt and a whopping 4.7 steals over this span, hitting 92.3 percent of his shots from the line. Ariza was also much better in the second half last year, so maybe this is a trend. His 2.1 spg are a career high and tied for the third-most in the NBA this season.

Shelvin Mack: After seeing 7:28 mpg with Atlanta, Mack has gotten 28:03 over three games since getting traded to the Jazz. While there may be something of a committee, he looks like the new lead point guard in Utah. Mack is owned in just 20 percent of Yahoo leagues, a number that should be much higher at this point.

Derrick Rose: He’s dealing with yet another injury, but his recent hamstring strain is considered mild. Rose has really picked up his play of late, as he’s averaged 21.1 points, 5.7 rebounds, 5.7 assists and 0.8 steals over the past month, when he’s been the No. 84 ranked player. To put that into perspective, Rose still ranks outside the top-200 this season, so it’s been a huge improvement. Not only has he seen an increased Usage Rate with Jimmy Butler out, but the key here is Rose’s improved shooting, as his FG% is up to 46.2 over this span. For more Rose talk, check out our latest hoops podcast. 

STOCK DOWN

George Hill: He’s in a bad shooting slump while fighting through a sprained shooting elbow, as his 27.0 FG% and 62.5 FT% over the last two weeks have killed fantasy owners. Hill was 5-for-8 from the field during his last game, so hopefully the injury is behind him, making him a possible buy-low candidate. The trade deadline in most Yahoo leagues is fast approaching.

Ersan Ilysova: He wasn’t a fantasy star but definitely useful. Ilysova was getting 27:34 mpg when in Detroit and has seen 19:07 over four games since getting traded to Orlando. He’s unlikely to be worth owning in all but the deepest of leagues down the stretch.

Dennis Schroder: He’s played well of late (other than a bunch of turnovers), but the key takeaway for his fantasy value is the fact Jeff Teague wasn’t dealt at the trade deadline. Teague has actually been a top-50 player over the past month, when Schroder hasn’t been top-175. There remains a ton of upside here, but the lack of opportunity will continue unfortunately.

Bobby Portis: He’s been everyone’s favorite breakout candidate (myself included) but even with Nikola Mirotic and Joakim Noah out (and a banged up Taj Gibson), Portis has seen just 23.3 mpg over the past two weeks, when he’s been the No. 187 ranked player. Pau Gasol wasn’t traded either, which doesn’t help a path for a higher Usage Rate for Portis. He has a bright future, but those holding Portis in non-keeper leagues can drop him at this point.

Al Jefferson: Even after returning to action and proclaiming feeling healthier than he has in over a year, Jefferson has been given 22.9 mpg over three games. The big man was at worst a top-16 fantasy player over four seasons from 2011-2014 and last year’s No. 48 rank seemed like a big disappointment until those who bought low on him this season owned him. Jefferson hasn’t been a top-100 player this year and his arrow continues to point down. 

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