Angle Fantasy Basketball

Buy #1: Dalano Banton

Season stats:

GP	MPG	FG%	FT%	3PM	PTS	REB	AST	STL	BLK	TO
36	12.5	.415	.705	0.6	6.2	2.5	1.4	0.3	0.3	0.8

Has the Dalano Banton breakout finally arrived?? Kicking off this late season Buy & Sell, Banton is really surprising me right now. The return of Deandre Ayton and Scoot Henderson (although I know he was limited) seemed to have zero affect on Banton, where he played his highest minute total of the season in 42 on Saturday. The counting stats have been incredible for Banton over the past week, with averages of 21.5/6.8/4.3/0.3/0.8 with 3 threes and 1.5 turnovers per game.

In addition, the Blazers have a pretty elite schedule over the next two weeks, with 4 games both this week and next. Both of those weeks start on Monday and end on Saturday as well, with the added benefit being you get 4 games out of his roster slot and can drop on Sunday for a 5th game with the benefit of knowing which stats you need specifically to advance.

I don’t think Banton will play 40+ minutes every night, and if Chauncey Billups wants to play both Scoot and Simons together in the starting lineup, it’s possible he moves to the bench. But as long as his minutes stay 30+, he’s a really strong pickup, and he’s still only owned in 35% on Yahoo leagues.

Relevancy: Strong pickup in 12+ teamers. Can be picked up in 10 teamers if you like the schedule. Great flyer in dynasty if he’s available and you have the spot open, regardless if you’re in the playoffs or not.

Buy #2: Davis Bertans

Season stats:

GP	MPG	FG%	FT%	3PM	PTS	REB	AST	STL	BLK	TO
26	11.3	.414	.900	1.6	9.2	1.2	0.8	0.4	0.2	0.1

More Hornets! The Latvian Laser has been playing a big role for Charlotte in recent weeks, and it seems he’s got some left in the tank! Only rostered in 13% of dynasty leagues, Bertans is a top tier stream this week in my opinion for those that can use the points and 3s. He’s got that 4 game week Monday-Saturday like I mentioned with Banton, so you can cut him on Sunday for somebody who has a better schedule moving forward with the Hornets only have 2 games in Week 21.

Bertans is a fun player to watch. He’s got such a quick release and he lets it fly as soon as he touches the ball.

Here’s his last 5 games:

He played 20+ minutes in each of these, and he’s the perfect big to have on your team if you’re punting blocks, or dying for some extra threes (especially with his C eligibility on Yahoo!). He can catch fire at any moment but due to his tendency to shoot everything, he’s got an awesome floor of 3-4 threes a game if he’s playing 20+ minutes.

With his contract only partially guaranteed for next year, the Hornets seem to be giving him a tryout of sorts to see if he’s somebody they want to bring back. And I won’t lie, he’s been good.

He’s definitely not a must roster guy by any means, but if you can’t secure his teammate Grant Williams (who I wrote about last week and still really like this week with that schedule), he’s not a bad alternative.

Don’t overthink the 9cat ranking here with him, or any of these pickups, really. If you need 3s, he’s your guy. All the other stats are just a bonus.

Relevancy: Elite streamer. No dynasty value though.

Buy #3: Vit Krejci

Season stats:

GP	MPG	FG%	FT%	3PM	PTS	REB	AST	STL	BLK	TO
4	12.5	.250		0.5	1.5	0.8	2.0	0.8	0.3	0.3

Ok, here me out. Jalen Johnson is likely going to miss additional time, and Saddiq Bey just tore his ACL.

Prior to March 8, Krejci had made only 2 appearances on the season and had failed to record a stat.

However, Thunder fans are likely familiar with Krejci, who was the 37th pick in the 2020 draft. He stayed over in Europe for a year and then played a significant role for OKC down the stretch of that terrible 21-22 season, mainly because of the tank, but still, he had some nice games.

The idea with Vit was a 6-7 point guard that could drain 3s, although he’s turning more into a scrappy wing than a primary ball handler.

Atlanta is so banged up right now, and Quin Synder is barely scraping together lineups. Some of Krejci’s direct competition for minutes include 37 year old Wesley Mathews, Garrison Matthews, who just runs around a whole lot, and Trent Forrest, who refuses to do anything besides pass the ball.

Snyder starting Vit when Johnson went down is good sign for his ROS outlook, and Saddiq Bey getting injured should free up some minutes as well. He’s got a better stat profile than those I listed, as he should be able to rack up some dimes and some stocks while likely playing 24+ minutes moving forward. He is not a pickup in 12 team leagues. But deeper leagues may want to take a chance on him if your wire is barren.

Keep an eye on him.

Relevancy: Potential silly season hero. He’s a decent guy to take a shot on in deeper leagues.

Sell #1: Isaiah Hartenstein

I’m not sure if Hartenstein is still limited from his achilles issue, or if he’s just getting outplayed by Achiuwa currently, but the 20 MPG he’s been playing since his return is not going to cut it. These stats he’s been putting up are not good enough.

Yes, the assists from the center spot are nice, but he’s really shaping up more as a lower end big to finish out the season as opposed to that monster he was for a stretch. If you’re in a playoff matchup and need the roster spot, I’d be comfortable dropping.

The Knicks also only play 3 games in both Weeks 20 and 21, and play on all of those high volume days in Week 22, so you may be better off streaming that spot or using it on somebody who has a better schedule.