Fantasy Basketball 101: Stock Watch

We started the year simply on speculations and basing player average stats out of projections. It has been 3 weeks in the NBA and things are starting to show us some glimpse on which players will have a better season than last year. Today we are going to discuss which players you need to keep, sell and buy now.

Buy:

Chris Copeland – Indiana Pacers – SF

With the Pacers short handed in almost every position, Chris Copeland did what he needed to do. He took advantage of the opportunity and is showing promise not just for the Pacers but for fantasy owners as well. He has been the Pacers’ main three point threat guy and because of that, Copeland has been averaging career best 15.6 ppg, 5.4 rpg while making 2.6 threes per game. Copeland may still be available in some leagues and I suggest you picking him up if he is still available in your league. He will provide you decent points, rebounds and threes.

Trevor Ariza – Houston Rockets – SF

Trevor Ariza has been playing great for the Rockets the past 3 weeks filling the void that Parsons left averaging 15.1 ppg, 5.8 rpg with a massive 3.1 3’s made per game and 2 steals per game. On top of that, he has been shooting really well with 47% FG and 80% from the line. He may not show you massive points consistently but he is a great source of consistent points, threes, rebounds and steals.

Tyreke Evans – New Orleans Pelicans – SG/SF

Although he was nothing but a disappointment after winning the Rookie of the Year a few years back, Tyreke Evans has always been tagged as just an “okay” fantasy player. This past 3 weeks though has been different, Evans is somewhat performing better compared to last season and it seems he found his perfect role with the Pelicans. Reke is averaging just under 17 points, 7 rebounds, around 7 assists with a couple threes and a steal with the Pelicans. What’s surprising is that his rebound efficiency is high even though the Pelicans have bigs like Asik and Davis who are known for their rebounding capabilities. As long as Evans have this role with the Pelicans, expect him to continue providing decent points, a couple of threes and some dishes with a few rebounds this season.

Chandler Parsons – Dallas Mavericks – SF

Chandler Parsons seems to be having trouble fitting into the Mavericks’ system, but in time he will. Great things were expected of him this season since signing that massive contract with the Mavericks last off season. He has only been averaging around 14 points, 4 rebounds, a couple of threes and a steal. It is a good time for you to buy low on him or trade for him at a lower trade value. Taking a risk on Parsons is not a bad idea, and he will eventually learn the Mavericks’ system and provide better stats later in the season.

Sell:

Tony Wroten – Philadelphia 76ers – PG/SG

Tony Wroten has been beasting this first 3 weeks of the season averaging all star like numbers around 22 points, 7 assists, 5 rebounds, 3 steals and a couple of threes. Those are fantasy stud numbers, but those are inflated numbers. Once Michael Carter-Williams comes back and healthy, those numbers will go down. It is wise to sell him high now for a more consistent player who will provide you close to similar numbers which you are confident that nothing can hinder the production even if changes are made to where the player plays.

Aaron Afflalo – Denver Nuggets – SG/SF

The Denver Nuggets are a mess, and it isn’t ideal to keep a Nuggets player in your team unless he is named Lawson or Faried. Afflalo was a good 3&D guy last season with the Magic and we were hoping that his role with the Nuggets will be at least close to what it was, but it is nowhere near it. His usage percentage are at its lowest since 2010, although there is a chance that he might get comfortable soon with Brian Shaw’s system, but the chances of it happening is close to none.

Omer Asik – New Orleans Pelicans – C

Omer Asik was traded to the Pelicans last off season and was expected to fill their starting center position and he did great during the first few games of the NBA season. He was a double-double machine until those numbers went down fast. Only averaging around 8 points and 9 rebounds per game in his last few games. If your team need the rebounds and some blocks, then Asik is a decent piece for you, but on the other hand, he struggles too much offensively. He is a great sell high piece to trade right now.