Hoops fans have all got our eyes glued to the current college basketball season—one where many players have emerged with jaw-dropping talent. There are few brighter stars among this year’s crop of top rookies. In the meantime, veterans Harrison Barnes and Jusuf Nurkic are showing that they’ve still got it. This season, the league is playing at an all-time high pace of 100.4 possessions per game. As a result, fantasy basketball managers have an overabundance of talent to choose from to build the perfect team.
One player who has really blossomed lately is rookie Derik Queen, who has been a force since cracking the starting lineup for the New Orleans Pelicans five games ago. In only eight games this year, Foster has already achieved double-digit scores in more than half of them. His versatility truly shines through as he makes an impact in nearly every statistical category. On the glass, he has registered no less than seven rebounds in two contests. He has demonstrated his playmaking ability, registering four assists in four games. Defensively, Queen has been a game-changing presence on the floor. He has tallied multiple steals or blocks in three different contests.
Derik Queen’s Impact on the Pelicans
Queen’s performance is a positive sign for him to become a key player for the Pelicans going forward. Most impressively, the rookie gets to double figures every night, proving how versatile and lethal his scoring is. His rebounding and assist numbers only add to the truest testaments to his all-around game. The young superstar’s first step and shot-making ability from three have everyone buzzing. In three of his appearances he’s been good for at least a pair of 3-pointers falling!
His impact goes beyond scoring though, and as evidenced by fellow co-MVP Queen, a strong two-way player can increase value even further. By having more than one steal or block recorded, he changes the outcomes of games for the better while boosting his own fantasy value. As such, he’s become one of the most pleasant rookie surprises this season. This low efficiency definitely makes him a player to avoid in fantasy basketball lineups.
With the Pelicans hoping to claw their way back up the ladder, Queen’s next steps will be the most important. If he maintains this trajectory, he could become a staple on fantasy rosters as managers seek reliable sources of points, rebounds, and assists.
Veteran Players Making Waves
Other notes Harrison Barnes has proven to be a solid floor play for fantasy managers. So he has proven that within the frame of an NBA game he may score 20-plus points and grab 10 rebounds on any given night in that role. In reality, Barnes has done this in all three games this year, showing that he’s become a more regular contributor. Still, his experience and skill set gives him a pretty safe floor that fantasy owners can feel confident in while searching for safe production.
Keldon Johnson, who has shot up the ranks since he began coming off the bench. That became even more true with teammates Victor Wembanyama and Stephon Castle going down recently. At only 26 years old, Johnson is still an incredibly talented player with a ton of promise. His recent stretch has shown he is capable of massively impacting fantasy squads. He can provide the type of scoring and overall contributions that the best teams require.
Furthermore, Vince Williams Jr. has developed into a potential 20-point scorer. He pairs eye-popping peripheral numbers with the ability to create his own shot. This combination of talents makes him an enticing selection for whomever catches the fantasy prospecting fever.
The Rise of Jusuf Nurkic and Zach Edey
Speaking of guys with a renewed lease on life, Jusuf Nurkic has been a revelation for the Utah Jazz since claiming the starting center gig. His knack for generating double-doubles with regularity makes him one of the most valuable commodities to any fantasy lineup. Nurkic’s steady rebounding and scoring contributions make him a strong target for managers attempting to improve their frontcourt.
Zach Edey, who just came back from offseason surgery, has picked up right where he left off in terms of double-doubles and defensive presence. His presence is felt in both scoring and rebounding categories, making him an attractive choice for those in need of a reliable big man.
At the midpoint of the season, it sure looks like a number of players have raised their level of play. The league’s blistering tempo results in shootouts. This presents great opportunity for managers to profit from both young guns and experienced experts.
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