Angle Fantasy Basketball

Buy #1: Jalen Johnson

Season stats:

GP	MPG	FG%	FT%	3PM	PTS	REB	AST	STL	BLK	TO
3	28.3	.645	.429	1.0	15.3	7.7	1.7	1.7	1.0	1.7

Analysis: This is so incredibly obvious, but this has to be included. After spending his first season developing in the G-League then given limited minutes last season, his trajectory continues to point up. It only took one game for him to take Saddiq Bey’s starting slot, and I don’t think he’s going to be giving it back. Johnson can stuff the stat sheet in just about every category, and fits in any build. This is probably one of those early season pickups that launches you to the top of the standings for the foreseeable future. Think Jaden McDaniels type output but he can score and rebound the ball.

All signs are pointing to this being a legitimate breakout. Get him everywhere.

Relevancy: Buy in all leagues and formats.

Buy #2: Sasha Vezenkov

Season Stats:

GP	MPG	FG%	FT%	3PM	PTS	REB	AST	STL	BLK	TO
3	15.3	.500	1.000	2.0	9.7	2.0	0.3	0.7	0.3	0.0

Analysis: The reigning EuroLeague MVP is here. There was some concern in the preseason as to whether or not he’d actually be in the rotation, but those notions have been debunked immediately. Kevin Huerter has to be feeling some heat from both Vezenkov and Duarte, as they’re both playing well as Huerter is slumping to begin the season. Kings coach Mike Brown is already showing that he trusts the 28 year old rookie, as he’s getting run in clutch minutes down the stretch just 3 games into the campaign with a generally healthy Kings roster.

At this point, in standard leagues, Vezenkov is no more than a 3PM streamer, but deeper leagues he should be rostered, and he should probably be grabbed in most dynasty leagues as well.

Relevancy: 12t streamer, should be rostered in 14+ leagues or dynasty leagues with deeper benches.

Buy #3: Jordan Goodwin

Season Stats:

GP	MPG	FG%	FT%	3PM	PTS	REB	AST	STL	BLK	TO
3	23	.321	.778	1.0	9.3	5.0	3.3	1.3	0.0	1.7

Analysis: Yes, the Suns have been pretty banged up. Yes, when the team is healthy, Goodwin has a ceiling of a bench player. However, he is currently the only real point guard on the roster. The bench minutes are wide open for the taking, as the Suns seemed to have the idea of bringing in 15 guys, most, if not all of whom could see rotation minutes on several teams, seemingly with the idea to keep everyone on their toes in terms of who gets to stick. Goodwin has shown he can put up numbers when given the chance like in Washington last year. I don’t anticipate Beal, Book, and KD to all be ironmen this season, as they will likely be cautious in their pursuit of a title. Goodwin is a pretty legitimate streamer on any night where one of the big 3 is out, and I’d say he’s a solid buy in deeper and/or dynasty leagues.

Relevancy: 12t streamer. Keep an eye on him in 14+, and grab him in dynasty leagues with a large amount of players rostered.

Honorable Mention Buys: Matt Ryan & Dru Smith

Season Stats:

Matt Ryan:

GP	MPG	FG%	FT%	3PM	PTS	REB	AST	STL	BLK	TO
2	20	.286		2.0	6.0	2.0	2.0	0.5	0.5	0.0

Dru Smith:

GP	MPG	FG%	FT%	3PM	PTS	REB	AST	STL	BLK	TO
3	18	.500		1.3	5.3	1.0	2.7	1.3	0.3	0.7

Analysis: Who? I know. These are pretty deep cuts. I thought it was worth noting how many legitimate minutes Ryan was getting ahead of guys like Jordan Hawkins and EJ Liddell. Probably nothing here with Ryan, but could be worth a stream in the ultra deep leagues while the Pelicans are missing Trey Murphy, Naji Marshall, and Alvarado.

Dru Smith is a little bit more interesting. They converted his two-way to a standard multi year deal before the season so clearly they like him. The steal rate is pretty nice so far, and Miami seems to never have a healthy roster. Again, really looking at the deepest of leagues here. But if your waiver wire is beyond dry, could be worth a look. Especially on a b2b, or if injuries begin to pile up even more for Miami.

Relevancy: Only leagues with 350+ guys rostered.

Sell #1: Max Strus

Season Stats:

GP	MPG	FG%	FT%	3PM	PTS	REB	AST	STL	BLK	TO
3	39.3	.373	1.000	4.3	18.7	9.3	4.0	1.0	0.7	1.0

I am not buying this. And you shouldn’t be either. Garland, Mitchell, and Jarrett Allen have all missed time to start the year. Yes, Strus has put up games like this on depleted Miami squads. But this is not the “General Soreness” lead Miami Heat. The Cavs are gonna play everyone when healthy, Strus will not play 39 MPG, and I anticipate Strus to regress back to the mean of a barely rosterable 12 teamer/ 3PM streamer.

Sell high on him if anybody is drinking the Kool-aid.

Sell #2: Kelly Oubre

Season Stats:

GP	MPG	FG%	FT%	3PM	PTS	REB	AST	STL	BLK	TO
3	29.3	.500	.933	1.7	19.0	4.0	0.7	2.0	0.3	1.7

It is amazing how Oubre tends to fall upwards into insane usage on the last couple teams he’s been on. I don’t think these numbers continue when Harden is back OR whatever comes back in a potential Harden trade. Not to say he can’t be useful, but if anybody wants to give you something good for him. I say go for it. The FG% is not sustainable, and I don’t think he sees this many shots long term.