Angle Fantasy Basketball

WE ARE BACK! After a hiatus of a week and some change, the Angle Newsletter is here again to discuss some of the happenings in the world of basketball. After a recent visit to a G League game I decided to form a top 5 of my favorite 2-way contract NBA players. Also, we discuss the competitive nature we have seen so far during the NBA’s In-Season Tournament.

My Favorite 2-way Players

As some of you may know if you watch our podcast, I exclusively play 30 team leagues when it comes to dynasty basketball. It is the best dynasty experience to do it this way especially if you include real player salaries. In leagues this deep, it means you have to pay attention to just about every member of each NBA roster. That absolutely includes 2-way players. NBA teams each have 3 slots for 2-way players. 2-way players generally play in the G-League but can be called up to the NBA squad on an as needed basis. 2-way players are only eligible to play 50 of a teams 82 games in a season. We have seen many full time NBA players originally start out as a 2-way player. Examples include Duncan Robinson, Lu Dort, Naz Reid, and of course the Lakers GOAT Alex Caruso. If you play in deep dynasty leagues it is vital to identify these guys before they break out and become a higher price to obtain. Let’s review my top 5 favorite 2-way contract talent currently playing in the G League. Here is the criteria to make this list; must be on an active 2-way contract, have played no more than 10 NBA games, and have potential to contribute to an NBA roster in the near future and long term. We will also list some of the average statistics in the G League for these players. 

1. Colin Castleton (LAL) 22.5ppg/11.3rpg/4.3apg/1.5spg/2.3bpg, 76%FG, 78.6%FT
2. Oscar Tshiebwe (IND) 19.2ppg/18.5rpg/2.2apg/.8spg/.3bpg, 59%FG, 71.4%FT
3. GG Jackson (MEM) 21.9ppg/6.6rpg/1.8apg/.7spg/1.7bpg, 2.8 3pm, 44.8%FG
4. Emomi Bates (CLE) 24.8ppg/5.5rpg/1apg/1.8spg/2bpg, 4.3 3pm, 47.1%FG
5. Cole Swider (MIA) 25.3ppg/3.7rpg/4.0apg/1spg, 6.3 3pm, 48.1%FG

If you live near a G League team, pay them a visit! It’s a great experience that I recently experienced for the first time and now plan to go more! From the above I believe Castleton has the best all around 9 category fantasy game out of all G League prospects. The only category he doesn’t contribute in is 3 pointers, but he has a high IQ and a well rounded game. Tshiebwe is the G League’s leader in rebounds. Something he has carried over from college. The Pacers are giving him his first call up this week. GG Jackson and Emoni Bates likely have the most long term potential out of this list. Both were projected lottery picks early last year before eventually both falling to the 2nd round of the 2023 NBA Draft for various reasons respectively. Swider is a 6’8 3pt sniper. He doesn’t do much else besides that, but the size and skillset could have him come by meaningful NBA minutes for a team in need of shooting. 

They Really Do Care!

I love the cutthroat nature of the In-Season Tournament. Many fans thought teams wouldn’t take the In-Season tournament seriously. However, the Boston Celtics deployed a “Hack-a-Drummond’ strategy while already holding a commanding lead over the Chicago Bulls in order to beat a point differential and secure a spot in the knockout phase in Vegas. This drew the ire of Bulls Coach Billy Donovan, which then forced Celtics coach Joe Mazzulla to explain it is for making the In-Season tournament. This is what happens when you put serial competitors in a high stakes environment. To say these guys wouldn’t take it seriously is an absolute joke. Wanting to win so badly is a big reason why many NBA players and coaches are NBA players and coaches. I am very excited to see what the knockout phase in Las Vegas has in store for us. I think the final of the first In-Season tournament will feature a matchup between the historic franchises of the Los Angeles Lakers and the Boston Celtics. May the best team win!