That excitement should only continue to grow as five top picks from the 2023 NBA Draft quickly prove themselves to be cornerstones for their franchises. Among them, Derik Queen has become one of the most surprising players for the New Orleans Pelicans. He has not scored fewer than 20 points or collected fewer than 7 boards in the last three games. Now, he’s further cementing himself as an important player in the team’s lineup. Taking seriously this performance has him firmly in the Rookie of the Year discussion! If he continues playing at this pace, he can certainly make a strong case for the award.
Zach Edey has proven himself to be an indispensable player for his team. On a measly 25 minutes of playing time, he’s got the mind-boggling averages of 12.3 points/9.3 rebounds/2.0 blocks/1.3 steals. Brandon Ingram is on fire! He has at least 22 points in three of his last four games and is set up to have a nice game tonight against the Toronto Raptors. Russell Westbrook has quickly become the sacrificial starting point guard for the Sacramento Kings. In his past three outings, he’s demonstrated all the skills and versatility of his game, posting 9.3 points, 10.0 assists, and 8.0 rebounds.
Derik Queen’s Rising Stardom
Derik Queen’s recent performances have catapulted him into the discussion. In three of his last four games, Eli has scored at least 20 points. He grabbed 7 boards, highlighting his elite scoring and rebounding talent. His steady production is turning him into an essential role player for the Pelicans. This performance has led to calls for his candidacy as a potential Rookie of the Year candidate.
As Queen looks to cement his role as the young centerpiece on an up-and-coming Pelicans’ roster, his ownership percentage is climbing fast. He’s rostered in only 42.8% of ESPN leagues right now. That’s a testament to fantasy managers finally waking up to how talented he is and how valuable his contributions are. Provided he can keep up his rookie level performance, Queen will be the cornerstone player. Anyone hoping to buttress their fantasy receiving corps had better be tracking him closely!
Analysts are eagerly anticipating to see how Queen develops and to make an impact on the court. But boy can he score — efficiently — and rebound — easily. This all combines to make him the most productive player on his team and the best overall option for fantasy managers. He’s already preparing for his next three matches. But it remains to be seen how he will perform under the weight of expectations of being a centerpiece in a cut-throat league.
Zach Edey’s Impact Off the Bench
So far, Zach Edey has been stealing the show as the top sixth man in college basketball. Edey’s historical LPGA Q-School performance has signalized his incredible dominance on the court. He boasts 12.3 points, 9.3 rebounds, 2.0 blocks, and 1.3 steals per game in just a bit over 25 minutes per contest. In his previous seven outings, he had scored 16 or more points in five. As it is, this is a signal he’s starting to emerge as a consistent scoring threat for them.
Edey was on the receiving end of what might have been the best moment of his career last Friday. He had a career night scoring 27 points versus the Denver Nuggets! Such was the nature of the performance that it not only highlighted his goal-scoring prowess, but reinforced his penchant for delivering on the big stage. As he continues to find his rhythm on the court, Edey’s contributions could be instrumental for his team in the coming games.
Edey’s current roster percentage is around 39.8% across ESPN leagues. That’s a good sign, because it means that fantasy players are catching up to a potential value with him. As a two-way force, Edey has the potential to dominate matchups on both ends of the floor. As a result, fantasy basketball fans are looking to him more and more for quality numbers off the bench.
Brandon Ingram and Russell Westbrook’s Performance Expectations
Brandon Ingram is still making his claim as the New Orleans Pelicans true second star. Having scored 22 or more points in three of his last four games, Ingram is expected to have another strong showing against the Toronto Raptors. His scoring prowess and ability to create opportunities make him an even more valuable asset to any fantasy lineup.
Analysts and fans alike are looking for Ingram to carry that momentum into this week’s action. His player total points line is set at more than 21.5 points. His efficiency as a scorer will be key as the Pelicans attempt to rack up wins to pad his personal resume heading into their rematch against Gold State.
In other news, Russell Westbrook is fully acclimated to his role as the starting PG for the Sacramento Kings. Westbrook has been on fire in his past three starts with 9.3 points, 10.0 assists and 8.0 rebounds. His complete-game ability is drastically improving the overall culture of winning on his team. His shifty, multi-faceted style on the court has made him one of the most fun players to watch.
Westbrook’s line is set over 27.5 total points, assists, and rebounds for forthcoming games, aligning with expectations that he will continue to influence games positively. As he settles into his new role, Westbrook’s experience may prove invaluable in tight races.
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