This week’s Razor & Fallers column was a bit thrilling to write. With so many injuries to great players, the risers I picked aren’t all that exciting, and the list of fallers is simply depressing. However, that’s what happens in fantasy basketball in mid-March (or, as I prefer to call it, Silly Season). then there’s the small issue of charlotte hornets, new York Knicks And Utah Jazz Everyone is playing just two games next week. read on!
the razor
tyce jonesPG, memphis grizzlies
ja morant stay out until at least March 17th and until he not facing criminal charges Stemming from his Instagram Live video in which he appeared to display a handgun at a nightclub, we still don’t have a firm date for his return to the Grizzlies.
Meanwhile, Jones (currently in only 21.7% of ESPN League rosters) closed for 22 points, four rebounds, 11 assists, 3 steals and 3 3-pointers on Thursday. I don’t care how big or small your league is. He is the hottest pickup in fantasy hoops right now and should be included in every league imaginable.
James WisemanC, detroit pistons
Wiseman (15.3% roasted) had 16 points, 13 rebounds and a block Thursday. he did with jalen duren Back in action and has averaged 13.0 points, 8.5 boards and 2.0 blocks over his last four games. It has become very clear that the Pistons are going to run with him the rest of the way and the former No. 2 overall pick should be a lock to have a strong finish to the season.
The Pistons play four times the next week, then just two games in Week 23, and finish with four games in each of the last two weeks. If you need to drop him off after next week, nothing to worry about. Nevertheless, he should be on the roster everywhere for the week beginning Monday, March 13.
chris duartesg, Indiana Pacers
benedict mathurin Sprained his right ankle on Thursday and could miss time. Jordan Navora, who is also worth watching, hit 7 of 18 shots and a pair of 3-pointers, five rebounds, two steals and one block in 23 minutes on Thursday. Duarte hit 3 of 10 shots and two triples for 10 points, three rebounds, three assists, two steals and one block in 24 minutes. It’s like tossing a coin between Duarte and Navora, but, based on history, I still think Duarte would be the guy you want moving forward. That said, if Maturin’s injury turns out to be minor, it shouldn’t matter.
Together Kevin Durant Now are expected to be out for at least two weeksfriends like Torrey Craig, damian lee And Ross is being asked to step up. Since neither of those are that exciting, I’m going to go with Ross as the “What have you done for me lately” option. In an easy win over the Thunder on Wednesday, Ross shot 8 of 13 and hit six triples, two rebounds, two assists and two steals for 24 points.
While I don’t entirely trust Ross (1.3% roster), the Suns bench is absurdly thin and we know he can play. The Suns got knocked on the court four more times the next week and then finished the season with a 3–4–4 record. I think Ross is worth flying for the upcoming four-game week, especially if you need a shooting guard.
Isaiah LiverSF/PF, Detroit Pistons
Together hamidou dialoNow season-ending with an Achilles injury, Leavers (0.7% roster) started for the Pistons on Thursday and had 13 points, five rebounds, two assists and one 3-pointer. Earlier this week, he scored nine with two steals, one block and three triples on Tuesday and led Detroit with 17 points (with five rebounds, two assists and three 3-pointers) on Monday.
Levers should be deployed in all formats for next week’s four-game fest, but keep in mind the Pistons play only twice in Week 23. They finish 4-4 the last two weeks and I think the lever is about to go down. One of this year’s “heroes of the silly season” is said and done before. Still, I wouldn’t hesitate to drop him before a two-game week starting March 20.
about to fall
Kevin Durant, SF/PF, Phoenix Suns
KD collapsed Wednesday while attempting a layup in a pregame warmup and will be reevaluated in two weeks, though the Suns are hoping he can return soon after his MRI clears up. The Suns’ weekly schedule drops to 4-3-4-4 to finish the season, and the best the manager can hope for is Durant playing in all eight of those games over the final two weeks.
If your fantasy season will end before then, it’s time to ditch Durant and find the hottest free agent out there. The Rockets go 4-4-4-3 and the Grizzlies and Kings both go 4-4-4-4 to finish the season. Hit the waiver wire and try to find someone who is available from one of those teams.
luka doncicPG/SG, dallas mavericks
Like Durant, Luca’s shin MRI came out fine and he will look to return once the pain subsides. Unfortunately, it is an injury that will remain and he is unlikely to be at full strength for some time. Still, he’s probably going to attempt to push through with the Mavericks trying to get into the postseason without having to deal with a play-in tournament.
There’s really no player to automatically take Doncic’s place, but Kyrie Irving is going to do its job and people like Tim Hardaway Jr., josh green, Frank Nitikina And jaden hardy All are going to see an increase in minutes, production and usage.
mark williamsC, charlotte hornets
In Wednesday’s win over the Pistons, Williams injured his thumb and played only 11 minutes. He’s been one of my razors for over a month and I love him, but it looks like he could miss time with this injury and the Hornets will play just two games next week. Drop him in favor of a hot free agent and, if it looks like he’ll play in a four-game Week 23, try to get him back.
Look, Williams did a great job of filling holes for his new fantasy managers, but you rode him until the wheels fell off and it was time to find another guy. If Williams has to sit for a while, Nick Richards May be the boy going. Just keep in mind that he, like every other player on the Hornets, only has two games on next week’s schedule.
Emmanuel QuicklyPG, new York Knicks
As soon as I decided to put Quikly on this list, jalen brunson (who missed two games with a left foot injury) had to withdraw from Thursday’s game after aggravating his injury and did not return. That means there’s still life in the Quickly and the Knicks still have games on Saturday and Sunday. That means you might really want to keep (or grab) the Quickie for the weekend, regardless of Brunson’s status.
However, the problem comes the next week, as the Knicks play just two games. There are so many four-game options available in most leagues that you can’t easily roll in a two-game week in the fantasy playoffs with quicksand. Add in the fact that New York only plays three times next week and it looks like this weekend will be Quickly’s “last hurray” in terms of fantasy.
two-game week
As I mentioned earlier, the Hornets, Knicks and Jazz all play just two games next week.
outside of Laurie Markkaneni’m not opposed to leaving any player Monday from any of these teams. Julius Randle Would be a tough fall, but the fact the Knicks only play three times in Week 23 (starting March 20) makes that decision a little easier. The key is to be aware of the schedule and make the best decisions based on the size of your league and what four game players are available over the next few weeks.
The teams playing four times in the next two weeks are the Warriors, Rockets, Grizzlies, Kings and Spurs. Those are the teams whose players you’ll want to scour the waiver wire in search of free agents to grab.