Angle Fantasy Basketball

We finally got a big trade! OG Anunoby, Malachi Flynn and Precious Achiuwa are headed to New York in exchange for Rj Barrett, Immanuel Quickley and a 2nd round pick. I love this trade for both sides. Toronto gets a big boost offensively with Quickley and I believe Quickley and Scottie can be a great duo. Quickley’s fantasy/dynasty stock also gets an immediate boost as he is finally free of New York’s crowded back court. For the Knicks, they got a great defensive piece that can still create offense in OG. They also clearly signaled who will step up in the rotation by signing Miles McBride to a 3 year extension. Congrats to the Deuce dynasty owners that held on all this time.

BAD BOYS, LITERALLY

The Detroit Pistons lost 28 consecutive games before finally defeating a shorthanded Toronto Raptors last night. It is still hard for me to understand how the losing streak got that bad. Yes, the Pistons have pieces I don’t like for the long term such as Isaiah Stewart, Killian Hayes, Marvin Bagley, and James Wiseman. However, the Pistons do have Cade Cunningham, Ausar Thompson, and Jalen Duren. All of which I really do like as long term dynasty pieces. It seems like some ill fitting pieces on the roster in addition to a poor fit at head coach in Monty Williams is what caused the streak. Despite the losing streak Cade is a top 15 dynasty asset and Ausar and Duren are comfortably in the top 45. Jaden Ivey’s dynasty stock can be saved. He and Ausar Thompson have been victims of coach Williams toying with the rotation and insisting other less important players get minutes at their expense. We know the insane value Ausar can have when he plays. I urge any Ivey dynasty owners to continue to hang on. Ivey is great when Killian Hayes is out. During a recent stint with Hayes out Ivey averaged 19.5 points, 6 rebounds, 5.5 assists, 1.5 steals and 1.5 blocks per game. Ivey remains a top 100 asset despite his minute fluctuations.

THREES AND BARS

Bogdan Bogdanovic of the Atlanta Hawks has really upped his 3 point volume this year compared to the rest of his career. As of now he is within 5 or less 3 pointers made of Tyrese Haliburton, Trae Young, and Desmond Bane which has Bog Bog ranking 6th overall in the NBA for made 3s this season. I’m not sure if this 3 point uptick is helping the Hawks considering they are sitting at 11th in the Eastern Conference. Bogdanovic fantasy owners must be pleased with the uptick though as he is ranked 38th on the season per Yahoo. Also, if you haven’t heard Bogdanovic rap please look it up. 

HUMBLE BEGINNINGS

Speaking of Bog Bog, Dalton Knecht from the University of Tennessee reminds me of him and I think he will be a good NBA player. He is a senior, but time and time again recently we learn upperclassmen that just know ball can play in the NBA despite physical limitations (shoutout to Jaime Jaquez). Knecht started the year relatively unknown. He spent his first two seasons in junior college. Last year he was fantastic but played for a smaller program at Northern Colorado. He entered the transfer portal in the offseason and ended up at a high profile program in Tennessee. During training camp the Vol’s coaches started praising Knecht as their best offensive player. He is now averaging 15.7 points, 4.3 rebounds and 1.7 3s per game at 37% while playing in the SEC. He also gets to the free throw line for 4 attempts per game at 80%. He showed up on a few early mock drafts in the late 2nd round. Lately, he is on most mock drafts in late first round to early second round territory. I have also seen him compared to Max Strus. However, I think Knecht is starting to show some playmaking in addition to a good slashing attack game to help open up his 3s which is why I compare him to Bogdan.